Claiming the biker, p.6
Claiming the Biker, page 6
“What made you want to be a nurse?”
“Truthfully, partially for the money and the rest because I like helping people. I’m a bit of a people pleaser.”
“I want to ask you something, but I don’t want to upset you.”
My stomach plummets and liquifies, seeping onto the asphalt we travel on somehow. Is he going to question me about Viking?
“Are you a one-piece kinda girl or a two piece?”
I roll my eyes. “Ugh. Such a pig.” I cringe when I realize I just called a detective a pig. “Sorry. That doesn’t mean what you think. I meant in general as in men are pigs.”
“Just don’t make any wisecracks about donuts.”
“Noted. So I guess I shouldn’t ask you if you prefer jelly or crème filled, huh?”
“I’m a crème man.” He squeezes my thigh and gives me an intense look. One that says he isn’t talking about donuts.
We’re on the freeway and traffic is light giving him an opportunity to make a move and he goes for it. Grabbing my hand, he places it right over his crotch.
Unsure of what to do without offending him, I thread my fingers through his. He’s definitely turned on right now judging by the bulge in his pants but there’s no way I’m giving him a hand job.
The rest of the drive we mostly listen to the radio, and I lower his impression of me with my terrible renditions of the top forty hits currently on the charts.
We arrive at the lake, parking at the boat dock where his brother, his wife, and their kids are waiting for us.
Justice makes a quick introduction of me to his sister-in-law, Kathy before leaving me to help his brother, Thomas with getting the boat down the ramp and into the water.
I excuse myself to the bathroom to put my bathing suit on under my dress. I could have worn it underneath when I got ready at home, but I wasn’t sure how Viking would react to my wearing it. Not that I’d allow a man to tell me what to wear. I wanted to avoid any argument that could arise from it due to jealousy.
I return to the group right on time to board the pontoon.
Lifejackets are handed out and the kids make their way to the upper level on their own. Two teen girls who probably want to scout for cute boys on jet skis. When I remove my dress and reveal my black bikini Justice let’s out a low whistle. “Damn. I gotta get you on the water more often.”
“Guess all the time I’ve been spending at Zumba is paying off finally.” I’m not accustomed to accepting compliments. It’s something I’m trying to work on.
“I love Zumba,” Kathy tells me. “After the kids my ass was huge. And Thomas likes me to keep to a certain figure.” She touches my arm and smiles with a laugh, but there’s this look in her eyes that tells a different story and I wonder if her husband is a dickhead about her weight.
Judging by the hard, disgusted look on his face as he assesses her in her one piece with a fitted skirt, he’s an asshole about it for sure.
“Do you want kids?”
“Not anytime soon,” I confess. “I’m just getting started in my career, and I’m not nearly settled down enough for that.”
“Uh oh, J. You got a wild one on your hands. Better be careful trying to reel her in,” she jokes.
“I’ve got it on lock.” He grins and I shake my head.
“I wouldn’t go that far,” I tease him.
“Oh, is that so?” he stalks toward me in his dark navy board shorts that fit him snuggly revealing that he’s got some impressive junk down there. He comes in for a kiss that I have no choice but to accept or shoot him down in front of his brother and embarrass him.
His tongue presses at the seam of my lips and heat shoots up my spine at the intimate contact. I close my eyes and tell myself that I’m playing a role. No different than if I were acting in a play, like I did in middle school. Only there’s no stage and these roles are real.
Justice isn’t playing pretend. Not by a long shot.
Chapter nine
September
“What are you doing?” Smoke hands me a beer as I stare at the back door of the clubhouse waiting for Andrea to arrive with Hazel. They’ve been thicker than thieves lately.
She had another date with Justice yesterday. Was hoping one of us would have something on him by now and I’m beginning to wonder if I had him all wrong. Motherfucker is like a motherfucking boy scout.
I had other shit to take care of and couldn’t be at her place when she got in like I had planned to be. She’s spending more and more time with this asshole, and I hate it. The closer she gets to him the further out of touch we are. I’m wondering if she isn’t getting a little too comfortable in this role she’s playing.
Only have myself to blame for setting this stupid shit in motion.
I did it to myself.
“Nothing.” I stomp off toward the food but I’m not even hungry.
I grab a couple of hot dogs before Link’s Ol’ Lady, Pam eats them all. Love the woman to death but fuck me being pregnant has made her crazy. Crazier than she already was. Shit must be in the damn water. Her sister Jules recently pushed out another kid and Wylla Mae had a little boy a couple weeks ago. Prez’s woman, Alexa is set to give him a set of twins any day now.
We’ve all got a bet going on how long it takes Holy to knock Hazel up. At least with Andi I don’t have to worry about that shit. She takes her birth control on the regular and she isn’t fucking Justice. As far as I know.
I’m surprised he’s still hanging on after all this time. That he bought the whole I’m saving myself for marriage routine. Fucking chump. My girl doesn’t need his pathetic cock when she can ride mine any-fuckin’-time she wants.
Guess that saying is true that men love the chase. Because I’ve been chasing after Andrea since I first spotted her with Wylla Mae. She’s not like anyone I’ve ever met.
My phone buzzes with a text.
I swipe my thumb over the screen.
Andi: Not feeling so hot.
Viking: Anything I can do?
Andi: I think it’s just a stomach bug. Probably picked something up at work. Flu season is upon us.
Viking: I’m coming over.
Andi: I’m probably going to sleep. No fun for you.
Viking: Rather watch you sleep than watch these jackasses’ doing burnouts and shit.
Andi: That’s sweet. You going soft on me?
I stare at her text and then scrub a palm over my face.
Viking: Nah, always hard when I’m with you.
Andi: I don’t want to get you sick.
Viking: Think I can chance it.
Andi: …
The dots move as if she’s typing a response then disappear. I get the impression she doesn’t want me there and makes me wonder if it’s because she’d rather be with him.
I toss my beer in the trash and nod to Prodigy. “Later, man.”
He lifts his chin.
I stop off at the drugstore near Andi’s and grab some canned chicken noodle soup and some over the counter cold medication along with cough drops. Up by the register they have some single stem roses. I grab one of them too and a bottle of some fancy ass water that costs more than it should. As I’m coming out of the store there’s some dude sitting by the door with a couple of pups in a cardboard box.
Puppies make everyone happy. I take a look in the box. Black little wrinkly ass things with bug eyes and floppy ears. “How much, man?”
“Free. Just trying to get them to a good home.” I can tell by the looks of his disheveled clothes and lack of self-care the dude can barely take care of himself. I don’t know his story, but I do know we can all fall on hard times.
“Stay here.”
I go back in the store and buy a collar and leash. Couple cans of dog food and a chew toy.
Andi’s going to kill me.
Back outside I tuck my bags into my saddlebags. I go back over to the man with the box of puppies. I squat down and the scrawniest of the bunch licks my hand.
“I’ll take him.”
The man nods. He’s got three more. I pull my phone out and dial Hound.
“Yo.”
“Got a dude here with three pups that could use a home. You got anyone who can foster?”
“Text me an address.”
“Got a friend who works with dogs. Stay here and he’ll take care of the rest.” I take my wallet out and give him the cash I got on me. “Payment for the pup. My woman is gonna love him.”
I fire a text off to Hound with the location, put the pup inside my jacket and zip it up. It’s hot as fuck but I don’t have far to drive, and this is the safest way to transport him right now on my bike. Just hope he doesn’t piss or shit on me.
I do a cruise down Andi’s Street and see that motherfucker’s truck parked in the spot next to her Durango.
I park a couple blocks away debating on dragging the asshole out the front door to beat his ass on the front lawn.
I trudge down the street hoping by the time I get to her door he’s gone. That she told him to kick rocks.
Can’t help but think she lied to me.
Like a fuckin’ psycho stalking creep I go to her living room window and peer inside while saying a silent prayer the pup doesn’t start barking and alert them to me standing here like a peeping tom. Andi is curled up on her couch with a blanket watching a movie. No sign of the prick. I’m pulling out my cell to text her when he comes into view carrying a tray that he puts on the coffee table. Justice leans forward and kisses her fucking forehead. He turns toward the window, and I duck and go around the side of the house.
A few minutes pass then I hear the front door open and him calling out, “text or call if you need anything.”
I want to ram my fist down his damn throat. Motherfucker wouldn’t last two minutes toe to toe and fists to fists with me.
His truck starts and his headlights flash. I debate my next move. Do I let it go, or do I confront her? Never been in this position in my life. Didn’t think I had anything to be concerned about.
My phone buzzes.
Andi: Sorry to leave you hanging. Justice showed up and it took me a few minutes to get rid of him.
I leave her on read and start to my bike, wondering what the hell I’m doing. She’s making me crazy. Got me on the verge of fucking this asshole’s world up because she’s mine.
My phone goes off again.
Andi: Want to watch a movie with me?
Fuck me. I’ve turned into a lovesick puppy like the rest of my brothers. The dog inside my jacket whines. Fuck. I don’t have time to take care of him. Andi probably doesn’t either but we’re already here. Might as well follow this through.
I turn my ass back around and enter through her back door. There’s a Panera takeout bag on the kitchen counter.
I put my bags on the floor and head to the living room. I wait till I get close to the couch then I pull the dog out and put him on her lap.
“Oh my god,” she croaks, sounding hoarse. “Look how cute.” She oohs and awes all over him as he licks her face.
She giggles like a freaking kid getting tickled.
“Thought maybe he’d cheer you up. And he’d serve as an apology.”
“For what?”
“Getting you mixed up in my shit.”
“It’s not like you held a gun to my head now, is it?”
“Still. It’s done. You can call it quits with him. I’ll figure out another way.”
“He let something slip. It might not be much, but he said he’s working with an informant and close to making a big break.”
“Hell, he coulda been talking out his ass for all we know.”
“He’s starting to trust me. He’s letting his guard down more. I really think I’m making progress.”
“Or maybe you’re enjoying dating him and don’t want it to end. Maybe you’d rather have him as your man for real.”
“Where is this coming from? Are you mad because he brought me soup?”
She lets the dog down to the floor and he shoots off.
“You know he’s probably looking for a rug to piss on or a corner to shit in.”
“You said you wanted to apologize but it sounds like you’re mad at me. I didn’t invite him over. He tried to call me, and I sent a text that I was laid up on the couch sick.”
“Right.”
“Torsten. I don’t want to fight with you. I really feel like absolute crap.”
“You taking anything for it?”
“I’ll get one of the doctors at the hospital to write me a script for something.”
“I got a few things for the dog for the night. In the morning I’ll hit the pet store and get him a bed and whatever else you think he’ll need. Got you some cold meds, cough drops, chicken noodle soup.”
“And a rose?” she lets out a laugh and I look down to see the bug eye asshole packing the rose around like a fucking bone.
“Yeah that too.” I try to take the flower and the fucker growls at me.
“What are we going to name you? Hmm.” She scoops him up and puts him back in her lap as he chews the petals off her rose.
“He’s ugly but figured you must like that since you let that pig kiss you.”
“Are we really doing this right now?”
“No. I’m an asshole.”
“You are. An asshole who was sweet enough to come over and bring the cutest dog I’ve ever laid eyes on in my life.”
“So I did good?”
“Oh yeah,” she says with a sniffle.
“What kind of soup did he bring?”
“Homestyle chicken noodle.”
“Show off,” I mutter.
“It was nice of him, but I like what you brought me way more.”
“How much more?”
“Enough that maybe once I’m feeling more like myself, I’ll let you do that thing you want so bad.”
“Fuck. You can’t bring that up and expect me not to get hard.”
“I’ll at least think about it.”
“It’s only kinky the first time.”
“I think you have bigger problems right now.” She points at my boots and that little fucker is pissing on my leg.
Chapter ten
October
Beep. Beep. Beep.
My alarm blares from the nightstand as Winston scratches at the bedroom door begging to be let out. “Dude, chill,” I grumble, throwing my covers back and planting my feet on the floor. My right foot glides through something warm and mushy. I automatically know without looking. The fucking dog shit right next to my bed. He does this crap on purpose because he’s a little asshole. “I’m dropping you at the pound, bro.”
His response is a grunt and snort as his pink little tongue hangs out the left side of his mouth. Winston knows my threats are empty. I’d never go through with it. I love him as though he’s my child. My annoying, disgusting, fury child with bug eyes who slobbers and snots way too much. He usually pulls stunts like this when Viking sleeps over. He’s a jealous little asshole. They both are.
I haven’t been sleeping that great. One of my former classmates has gone missing. It’s been blasted all over our local news. Mariah was always a sweetheart. I just hate the thought that something terrible has happened to her. I know she has a kid, and I can’t imagine how worried her family must be. I went as far as calling my friend Bianca and asking her if there was anything she can do to help. She has a reputation for having what I’d refer to as special intuition while others would straight up call her a witch.
I bought some perfume from the shop she runs with her grandma for Hazel to spice things up with Holy when they were having issues. Supposedly it contains mood boosting pheromones to make a man desire you. I’m not saying I’m a believer, but it seemed to do the trick.
I hobble to the door, careful not to track dog shit across the hardwood flooring as I open it to let the little devil out so he can go destroy something in the living room until I feed him. I’ve gone as far as having cameras installed so I can keep an eye on the shithead when I’m at work because he gets bored and lonely and is creative in letting me know he’s mad at me.
I know I should crate him, but I’d feel terrible with how many hours I work. Plus, I can’t always count on my mom or Viking being able to let him out.
I showered before I crawled into bed last night, so I stick my right foot in the tub and get to scrubbing trying not to vomit. Being a nurse, you wouldn’t think a little dog shit would perturb me, but it turns my stomach.
My mom bought me a t-shirt when I graduated from nursing school that read, ′I’m a nurse. I’ll touch anything as long as I’m wearing gloves.′
I snort remembering it. She was so proud of herself for finding it online and receiving it in time.
I pat my foot dry while Winston tugs on the end of my towel wanting me to play with him. I spy one of his favorite balls and toss it out the door. He takes off running doing a skid across the floor as he loses his grip. He snatches the ball with his teeth and darts back to the bathroom as I try to brush my teeth. Getting ready always takes longer now that I have this booger demanding ninety percent of my attention.
I get the dog fed and throw on my workout clothes for Zumba at Viking’s gym.
I started out taking the class for an excuse to see him but now I look forward to it. My ass has never been so firm.
I’ve never been this size in my life. I still have curves but now I’m tone. Viking says he’d like me either way as long as I don’t lose my tits. Such a freaking man.
At the gym Viking is busy talking to the dude who delivers his water, and I don’t want to interrupt him. I give him a small wave and go on to my class.
The side of the gym that has the room for the Zumba class has a two-way glass wall. I know exactly why he had it designed this way. So the guys working out can watch all the women jiggling their asses around.
Our instructor gets in place while the rest of the class files in and takes their positions. She starts us off easy with the basic stretches to warm us up. Behind the instructor is a mirrored wall so I catch glimpses of Viking while he works. He’s always answering questions giving fitness advice. I had no idea that he actually took classes for this stuff until he told me.
