Chapter 7 Mackenzie
MACKENZIE
He’s twenty minutes early.
I decided to go casual since I’m not too sure how I feel about this dinner, wearing black jeans, a black sweater, and my heeled boots with light makeup and my hair tied back in a low ponytail.
It’s giving off a casual-lunch-with-the-girls vibe, not trying to seduce the local biker president.
At least that’s what I’m hoping. The way his blue eyes light up and linger on my hips and thighs makes me think otherwise.
“You look stunning,” he growls, holding his hand out to me.
“You’re early.”
“Didn’t want to give you time to overthink and change your mind.
” He winks, waiting until I lock my front door before he takes my hand and threads his fingers through mine.
We walk hand in hand to his motorcycle, which is parked behind my car.
“I was early the last time, too, but you had already left. I’m glad to see that this time you didn’t stand me up. ”
“I considered it,” I tease, but after seeing how protective and caring he was this afternoon at the school, how could I?
“Well, I’m fucking glad you didn’t,” he replies, eyeing my hair before handing me a helmet.
“You been on the back of a bike before?” he asks, his eyes heating when I shake my head.
“Perfect,” he rasps, helping me put mine on before doing his own.
He gets on his bike, and I climb on behind him. When I rest my hands on his hips, he pulls me forward and wraps them around his hard abs.
Fuck! I forgot how hard his body is.
“Hold on and lean with me,” is all he says before he takes off.
At first, I close my eyes, holding on to him for dear life, but I quickly relax, a smile on my lips, enjoying the sense of freedom.
Chance reaches back and strokes his fingers down my leg before settling his hand there.
The hold is possessive, and I know in this moment I’ve made a huge mistake getting on the back of his bike.
I shouldn’t have given him an inch, because I know that now he’s going to try to give me nine… with girth.
Smirking at my own thoughts, the ride goes all too fast, and soon we’re parked outside a nice restaurant. Chance gets off his bike and helps me down, then takes off my helmet for me. He’s close, in my space, and as he looks down on me, it feels a little too intimate.
“What did you think?” he asks quietly as he studies my reaction closely.
“I loved it,” I admit, my lip twitching when heat flashes in his eyes. “After I let myself open my eyes, anyway. I can see the appeal.”
“Good,” he rasps, taking my hand and opening the door for me, then leading me inside to a booth in the corner. He waits for me to sit first, surprising me with his chivalry. I get comfortable on the black leather and am surprised when, instead of sitting opposite me, he slides in next to me.
“You blocking my exit, so I can’t run?” I ask, and he laughs in a deep, low sound.
“Maybe I just want to be close to you.” He grins, resting his hand on my thigh. He slides me a menu but doesn’t move to pick up his. “What are you in the mood for?”
What a loaded question.
A waitress approaches, her eyes pinned on Chance. When he glances up at her, he freezes for a second, his fingers tightening on my thigh.
“Chance, nice to see you,” she purrs, playing with her hair. “You never called me.”
“I didn’t know you worked here…” he murmurs, clearing his throat. I notice him staring down at her name tag as if looking for a cheat code. “Trina.”
I roll my eyes.
“Just started.” She smiles, but her face drops when she drags her eyes over to me. She gives me a dirty look, then turns her attention back to Chance. “You know I have a break in about an hour.”
“We’d just like to order our dinner,” he says in a tone that even has my spine straightening. He then lowers his voice. “As you can see, I’m here with my woman.”
I want to correct him that I’m not his woman, but I don’t dare interrupt whatever this is.
Trina’s lips tighten. “Since when has that ever stopped you? You know I don’t mind sharing.”
Oh wow.
I knew he slept around… a lot, but seeing it like this, right in my face, is really confronting.
And uncomfortable.
I want to look away, but I’m also nosy and don’t want to miss anything. I wish I could say I was watching Chance squirm, but instead, he’s sitting there with his legs spread, arm resting behind my head like he doesn’t have a care in the world.
And why would he?
This shit probably happens to him all the time.
So why the hell do I feel a little jealous?
He’s not my man, and I’m sure as hell not his woman.
Whatever he’s done in the past is his business.
I think what hurts the most is that I gave in so easily to him that night, and I’m exactly like this woman standing here right now.
Except, I didn’t expect anything from him, not even a repeat performance.
Burying that right down, I push his hand off my thigh and look straight ahead.
I tried to be calm and emotionless, but I’m really fucking annoyed. It’s further proof of the life he lives, and the one that I’m never going to fit into.
I’m considering sliding underneath the table to escape and leaving when he tells her, “Send us another waitress.”
“But—”
“You do know the Royal Bastard MC owns this restaurant, right? If you want to keep your job, leave. Now.”
She rolls her eyes, but turns around and disappears, leaving behind nothing but awkwardness and regret.
Regret that I even got on the back of his bike.
Maybe I should have said yes to Seth instead?