That had her giggling. She slid her hands down to his ass. “No. You’re all rock and roll, baby,” she said before squeezing his firm cheeks.
“Smartass,” he replied with a growl, attacking her neck with kisses.
Beth laughed. Two days ago, she’d been convinced her world was ending. But the sun rose as usual, and the mountains surrounding them looked as beautiful as ever. Her heart carried a heaviness she didn’t know how to name, but Saint promisedher repeatedly that they would get past this monumental hurdle with her father. Because she trusted Saint with everything in her, she tried to push aside the worry and despondency in favor of hope.
She’d texted back and forth with her mom a few times over the last couple of days, and they had Shell’s full support. Still, both thought it best to let Copper have some time to process and pull his head out of his ass before trying to have a productive conversation with the bullheaded MC president.
“All right.” Saint straightened. “Get inside before I fuck you against my truck in the middle of Main Street.”
Now there was an idea. Maybe not in the center of town, but against his big work truck had some potential.
“Stop it,” he said with a growl, making her burst out laughing. “Such a troublemaker.”
“I didn’t say anything.” She blinked at him innocently.
“Your eyes are begging me to fuck you.” He adjusted his crotch. “So much fucking trouble. Now go.” He nudged her toward the building, slapping her ass as she walked by.
Beth yelped then wiggled her butt for good measure, smiling at Saint’s groan.
As she reached the door, he called out. “Hold up,” then grabbed her hand and yanked her back to him. “You forgot something.” It was all the warning she got before he tipped her backwards and kissed the ever-loving hell out of her. By the time he righted her, her head was spinning, her pulse raced beneath her skin, and she throbbed between her legs.
“Um…” She staggered back when he released her, pressing a hand to her pounding chest. “Wow. Okay.” Her back hit the glass door. “That was mean.”
Saint laughed. “See you later, baby,” he said with a perky wave and a lascivious wink.
“Yeah. Bye.” Her brain hadn’t come back online yet. It was still stuck in that hot-as-hell kiss.
How the hell was she supposed to concentrate on anything now that he’d fried her brain?
Saint watched from his truck until she was safely behind the closed door. She waved, but he pointed to the door handle with a frown and mouthed,Lock it.
Rolling her eyes, she did as he demanded. Knowing him, he’d stress about her all day if she didn’t turn the lock in front of him. They’d had this discussion at least a dozen times so far. Once the shop opened, there were times, many times, she’d be in there alone during the day, and the door would be unlocked. How the hell did he expect her customers to come and go if she kept the place boarded up?
He informed her that cameras and a top-of-the-line alarm system would be installed as soon as the equipment arrived. Part of her wanted to argue that she wouldn’t need such an elaborate system, but she’d learned over the years that the MC went overboard with security. She’d never win the argument, so she decided to pick her battles. There were sure to be others who needed her attention more.
Once the door was locked, Saint winked from his truck. She blew him a kiss, waved, and then he drove off. Alone with a mountain of cleaning, Beth popped in her ear buds, blasted her favorite playlist, and got to work.
Several hours later, she set her mop aside. The whole place smelled lemony-fresh and gleamed as though brand new.
Over the past few days, she’d cleaned and sanitized every nook and cranny. The space looked wonderful and ready for the tubs to be installed. Her knees ached and her back twinged from kneeling and crouching half the morning, but the result was worth it. When equipment began arriving, it would slot perfectly into the pristine building.
She had about twenty minutes until Screw showed up, and she deserved an iced coffee for all her hard work. Lucky for her, a new café opened a few months ago, two shops over. She’d yet to try it but had heard great things from Lindsey.
“Fuck, this is heavy,” she said with a groan as she lifted the bucket full of filthy mop water. She hefted it toward the back door, muscles straining, but somehow managed not to spill any dirty water on her freshly scrubbed floors. She planned to dump the bucket in the drain out in the alley behind the salon as she’d done several times already.
Using her ass to operate the push bar, Beth shoved the heavy door open. Stifling hot air accosted her sweaty skin the second she stepped outside. “Ugh, I must smell fantastic,” she muttered as she flipped the door’s kickstand down. It’d be a miracle if the café let her in like this. She’d probably drive away half their business with her sweaty clothes and stench.
After emptying the bucket down the storm drain, she set it beside the door to dry in the sun. As she turned back to reenter her shop, she froze.
Two feet stuck out from behind a large blue dumpster about twenty-five feet away.
Her pulse skipped once.
Then again.
They were small feet with pink, polished toes, encased in feminine sandals that looked way too expensive for someone who might be unhoused and searching for a shaded place to rest. A ripple of unease slid down her spine. Saint would lose his shit if he knew what she was about to do, but she couldn’t leave someone out there when it was almost a hundred degrees. What if they’d already passed out from heat stroke?
“Hello?” she called as she cautiously approached the dumpster.
