“Cut it out,” I growled. My fingers curled into fists. I didn’t like what he was implying. Poppy was mine. I’d known it the first time I’d laid eyes on her. There was something between us, something bigger and deeper than I’d ever felt for anyone. She felt something for me too. I’d seen it in her eyes several times when she’d passed me my order and our fingers brushed.
“I’m just saying, don’t wait too long to make your move or you’ll regret it.” Juice’s lips split into a wide grin as Poppy approached with his order. She’d been out in the sun again. I could tell by the smattering of light freckles that dotted her cheeks and the bridge of her nose.
“Here you go.” She set the two to-go cups down on the counter. “I’ll be right back with yours, Crank.”
“Thanks, Poppy.” Juice set a few bills down and grabbed the drinks.
I didn’t notice him leave. My gaze was glued to my girl as she slid a huckleberry muffin out of the bakery case and into a bag. Then she filled a tall paper cup with coffee and pressed on a lid.
“Can I get you anything else?” Her lashes fluttered against her cheeks.
My heart pounded, the beat hammering through me. Maybe Ruby misunderstood. Maybe Poppy hadn’t completely sworn off all bikers. Maybe there was a snowball’s chance in hell of her agreeing to go out with me, but I’d never know if I didn’t ask. I swallowed hard, then started to speak.
CHAPTER 2
POPPY
He was so stinkin’cute. The way Crank looked up at me from across the counter, his lips tipping up at the corners into a shy smile, made butterflies swarm through my belly.
“I was wondering…” he started.
“Hey, Poppy, can you top me off over here?” One of my weekday regulars called out from his stool a little way down.
“Be right there.” I shot him a grin, then turned back to Crank. “You were wondering what?”
His smile had faded. “Um, I was wondering if I could get another one of those muffins to go.”
Disappointment flooded through me. I would have bet what little I had in my bank account that he was going to ask me something different—something that didn’t have to do with a coffee or food order. As much as the idea of Crank asking me out made my pulse spike, if he had, I would have turned him down. I didn’t date bikers.
Even though one smile from Crank could light me up inside, my past had taught me a very important lesson that I didn’t intend to ignore. “Sure. Give me just a minute.”
“Thanks.” He picked up his phone and diverted his attention to the screen.
Inhaling deeply through my nose, I grabbed the carafe of coffee and made my way down the counter. It was better this way. Crank was sweet on me. I could tell by the way he hung around the Mercantile every morning and followed me home after my shifts. At one point in my life, I would have encouraged him, maybe even batted my eyelashes at him and flirted a bit.
But I’d changed since then. I’d barely found the strength and courage to piece myself back together after what I’d been through over the past couple of years. Crank might look and act like one of the good guys, but I didn’t trust my own judgement anymore when it came to men. There’s a saying about being once bitten, twice shy. Well, I’d been bitten more than once in my last relationship, and there was no way in hell I’d put myself in a situation where there was any chance of that happening again.
“Here’s your second muffin.” I slid another paper bag onto the counter in front of Crank, along with his tab.
He set down a twenty. “Keep the change. Thanks, Poppy. I guess I’ll see you around.”
I picked up the cash and crossed my arms over my chest as he walked toward the front door. I might not be interested in dating an MC guy, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t appreciate the way Crank filled out his jeans. The man looked like he spent all day at the gym, though I knew that was impossible because he seemed to spend most of his time trailing me.
“Hey, sugar. How’s it going this morning?” Ruby brushed past me and set her purse down behind the counter.
“Pretty good. Business has been steady.” I ran Crank’s tab through the register while Ruby tied an apron around her waist.
“I see your not-so-secret admirer stopped by.” She gave me a knowing smile.
“He’s not an admirer.” My cheeks heated as I tried to downplay Crank’s interest. This wasn’t the first time Ruby had mentioned it.
“Oh, honey. That man’s got it bad for you. I happen to know he has access to a high-end commercial grade coffee maker at the MC clubhouse, yet he stops in here every morning?” Ruby clucked her tongue. “My coffee’s good, but we both know that’s not the reason he shows up every day.”
“He’s protective of the Merc. With everything that’s been going on around town, he’s just keeping an eye on things.” I shrugged, trying to keep my tone casual. If Crank ever did ask me out, I hadn’t figured out how to turn him down.
Obviously, I’d let him down easy. The only thing he had in common with the ghost from my past that still haunted me was the fact he belonged to an MC. But that was enough to ensure I’d never be able to entertain his attention. I’d spent too many years walking on eggshells around a man I thought I could trust. A man who turned out to be a monster.
“Mmm hmm.” Ruby poured herself a mug of coffee, then leaned against the counter. “You keep telling yourself that. He might be making sure the Savage Bones stay away from downtown, but he’s definitely making sure they stay away from you.”
