Chapter 10
Keeton
I forgot to tell Lainie what time to be to work so when I pulled into the lot on my 1948 Indian Chief motorcycle, I’m surprised to see her. Happily surprised. I roll up next to her sitting in my Beamer, and she slides the window down. Smiling down at her, I say, “You made it.”
“I did. You didn’t tell me when to start so I just went by the business hours listed on your website.”
“Smart.” I wink. “Follow me. We’ll park in the back.”
I pull up far enough for her car to circle around. Leading her to the back lot, I watch her in my side mirror. She looks really pretty today. I don’t even know what she’s wearing yet, but I already know she’s beautiful.
Once we’re parked, I slide off my bike and watch her step out of the car. When she’s all the way out, I’m not disappointed. She looks like she’s going to work in the Mad Men ad office in her tight black skirt. It hits her right below her knees. I look down first and see she’s got on a pair of black spiked heels. They cap off her gorgeous legs perfectly. My eyes follow the line of her hip, past the dip in her waist to her blouse. It’s white with a little rounded collar and those same puffy sleeves as yesterday. It’s a little snug because the buttons are pulling right near her breasts. I’d love to see what she’s got on underneath that top but my eyes finally meet hers. She’s smiling. “Like what you see?”
I throw my head back and laugh. She tossed what I said to her yesterday, back in my face. “I do. I like it very much. You look good enough to eat,” I growl the last part. Her face flushes a bright pink. I should feel bad about that, but I don’t. Pink is so pretty on her.
Stepping closer to me, she touches the saddle bag of my classic bike. “This is beautiful.” Her finger runs over the soft leather of the seat to the red of the gas tank up to the bars. Her nails are still pink and short like she nibbles on them. A nervous habit, no doubt.
“It’s my dream bike. I’ve wanted it ever since I could remember. I finally bought it last year from a guy in Phoenix.”
“I can see why you love it. It’s regal.”
Regal.That’s the perfect word to describe my Chief. “It is that. I’ll take you for a ride someday.” I nod down to her skirt. “You’ll want to wear jeans, though. Not that I wouldn’t like to see you on the back of my bike in that skirt hiked up to your hips. I just don’t want any other assholes getting a peek.”Because, you’re mine, Lainie. “Come on. Let’s get inside.” I walk to the back door and pull out my keys. “I’ll make you a key in case you get here before me.”
“Oh, are you sure?”
“Positive. Let me show you how to turn this place on.” I lead her to a utility closet that houses one of our furnace and air conditioning units. “The breaker box is in here. Just flip this main lever here and everything turns on. If Eric gets here before you, he may have already turned this on so, don’t freak out if my bike’s not here and the lights are on.”
She nods. “Sounds good.”
I step out of the doorway and lead her out to the main room. “There’s one more switch here,” I point to the toggle on the wall. “This switch lights up the display cases and the neon signs.”
“Oh, I didn’t notice those before.”
I’ve got two neon signs in the space. One is the classic Indian Motorcycle ad sign of the Chief’s head and the Indian name. The other is a newer Harley Davidson winged bar and shield sign Eric bought me for my birthday a couple years ago.
“I like the neon. It gives the place a sort of vintage vibe.”
“That’s what I was going for.” She gets it.
She turns to face me. “Well, you did it.”
She smiles at me and it’s almost as pretty as the one yesterday. Almost. The one yesterday changed my life. I chuckle at myself. I’m about to speak but the phone rings. “Damn it.” I mutter.
“I’ll get it.”
I watch her run down the hall the best she can in that tight skirt and high heels. It’s something I’d like to see every day in these hallways.
From my spot I hear her. “GCM, this is Lainie, how can I help you?”
I step closer to eavesdrop. You know? In case she has questions.
“Oh. How did you...?” She pauses, listening to whoever is on the other end. Her voice sounds shaky.
I lean further into the room, so I can really listen.
“Well, I’m just temping. Molly, the office manager, is out on…” she pauses again.
Who the hell is she talking to?The only thing I can gather from this side is the caller is an asshole.
