He was relentless. Giggling, I replied, “I’ll measure him and get back to you.”
Jayson’s eyes widened comically. “Pictures, or it didn’t happen.”
“Jayson!” Emily snapped.
“What?” he shrugged, the picture of innocence. “Not everyone is stingy like you. Some people like sharing their dick pics. I know if I ever snag myself one of these big, hot bikers, I’m showing his equipment off to all of you.”
Emily rubbed her temple. “Please, for the love of all that is holy, do not send me dick pics. Of anyone.”
He rolled his eyes. “You’re such a killjoy.”
They were ridiculous, and their antics helped me relax even more as I helped Jayson lay out the silverware. As I finished up my second table, a group of bikers walked in carrying boxes toward the kitchen. I felt a couple of them give me the once over, but a man with a shaved head and a bit of a beer belly was leering with an intensity that made me uncomfortable. Trying to ignore him, I grabbed a stack of glasses and began setting them out.
He stopped beside me and said, “Hey, baby. You must be new here. After the dinner, you wanna go up to my room and watch porn on my flat screen mirror?”
Shocked that anyone would be so forward and crude, I looked up from the glasses in time to catch his gaze raking over my body. “Uh… hard pass, but thanks. I think.” I kept my tone polite, but my words were clipped.
“Come on, babe. Your pussy’s not any better than any other club whore’s. It’ll get passed around and land in my bed sooner or later.”
“Buddha,” Emily said, wedging her way between us. “Julia is not a club whore. She came with Havoc.”
He eyed me. “I don’t see a property patch on her.”
Emily put her hands on her hips. “I suggest you take that up with Havoc, then. But remember that lots of volunteers are here helping today, so if you could kindly refrain from hitting on them and making them uncomfortable, I’d appreciate it.”
He looked like he was about to argue, but one of the other bikers called his name and leveled a glare at him. Looking around Emily at me, Buddha said, “I’ll see you around,” before he took off.
Emily let out a breath, whispering, “Douchebag.”
The biker who’d been staring down Buddha joined us, asking, “Everything all right, Emily?”
She nodded, smiling at him. “It is now. Thanks Bull. This is Julia. She’s with Havoc.”
Bull shook my hand. He was young, maybe in his early twenties, tall, good looking, with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Nice to meet you, ma’am,” he said, with a slight southern drawl. “Havoc’s a good man. You need anything, you let me know.”
“Thanks. I’m not reallywithHavoc, though. We’re just friends.”
“Right,” Emily said, giggling. “Good luck with that.”
Bull stayed close to us for the rest of the setup, helping out.
“Shouldn’t he be with the other bikers?” I asked.
“He’s one of the prospects. That’s their rank before they become members. He’s pretty much my bodyguard for all intents and purposes. Has Havoc ‘put a man on you’ yet?”
“You mean like saddling me with a bodyguard?” I asked. “No thanks. I’m good.”
“Yep. It’ll happen sooner or later. Probably about the time he shreds that friend card you’re carrying around. Know that in your heart.”
The idea of Havoc wanting more than friendship filled me with both dread and longing. Choosing to ignore both feelings, I went for a subject change. “Well, having a bodyguard isn’t too bad. At least he got here before Buddha started humping my leg.”
She laughed. “Buddha’s not my favorite. Watch out for him. I just hope he’s smart enough not to push anything. Havoc will lose his shit. Julia, I can tell you’re uncomfortable with the topic, but you need to know that Havoc doesn’t look at anyone the way he looks at you. Be careful with that one. He’s a good man.”
As we finished setting the tables, I let Emily’s warning sink in, admitting the truth of it. I wasn’t ready for another relationship, but I wasn’t ready to let Havoc go, either. Hoping she was wrong and he’d be content to stay friends for a while, I pushed the thoughts to the back of my mind and focused on welcoming the homeless guests as they entered and found seats.
Havoc
DESPITE MY CONCERNS about keeping my horny ass brothers away from Julia, dinner went off without a hitch. Emily stayed close to Julia, and Bull stayed close to Emily, scowling at anyone who got too close to the ladies. With Bull playing guard dog, I was free to do my job and stop worrying about Julia like some goddamn mother hen. I had no clue what the fuck was wrong with me. I’d always been protective of my friends, but with Julia it was different. Not only did I want to protect her, I wanted to stash her sexy ass away so only I had access to her. It was unrealistic and unreasonable, but I knew I’d found a gem and I didn’t want any other motherfuckers to see her shine and get any ideas about taking her for themselves.
