“I think we’re that table that everyone’s starting to stare at because we’re being unruly, Rocket. That’s your influence.”
He grinned again, showing his mostly perfect teeth. There was one that looked like it’d been damaged as it grew, so it was ever so slightly out of line, but the irregularity added charm. Fucking hell. I was finding a man charming, and a biker, at that. He was though. I’d watched him melt over his tiny puppy, knowing he’dbeaten on the guy who’d abandoned her. He was all heart, and that was someone I might be able to trust with a little part of mine too.
“I’m a wrong’un, babe. It’s part of my charm.” Wow, it’s like he read my mind, and that was a little unnerving, to be honest. He seemed to see far more than I expected him to.
“We should get going. I need to get back home and stuff.”
“Get yourself all clean for me to tongue-fuck, you mean?”
“Jesus, Rocket!” I snapped as I stood up and thrust his sleepy pup at him.
“So cute when you chew me out.” He stood with me, and followed me back to my car. I had to drop him back at the clubhouse before I could leave, but I hadn’t realised just how hard it’d be to watch him get out of the car and walk away. He turned twice to wave at me, then he made a lewd gesture with his tongue. I was laughing as I drove away from the gates.
Iwas almost atthe door, ready to leave for Rocket’s promised night of pleasure, when Auntie Pam caught up with me.
“Will you be seeing Caroline, V?”
I froze, halfway through pulling the door handle.
“What?”
“You said you’re going to the clubhouse? I assume that’s the same one Harley is a member of? I just wanted to send this with you. She asked to borrow it.”
She handed me a carrier bag, and I resisted the urge to check inside.
“She uh… I don’t know if she’ll be there, Auntie P.”
She simply smiled. “Then bring it back with you tonight, love. No harm done, right?”
Jesus. How to answer this without sounding like a whore, right?
“I uh… might not be back tonight.”
I didn’t miss that look on her face. The complete lack of surprise at my response. Did she think I was a slut? I stayed out last night, and now tonight too.
“I’m just having fun,” I said finally and she patted my arm.
“Not judging you, love. You deserve to enjoy life more. You’re smiling more than you did when you first arrived here, so whoever you’re spending time with, I’m glad they’re lifting your spirits.”
I was hoping he’d lift more than my spirits, but I didn’t risk saying that. As sweet as Auntie P was, she was a little prudish about sex, and us women taking what we fucking deserve.
“He’s just a friend. I’m helping him with his puppy.”
It sounded like an innuendo the moment I said it, and I knew she took it that way too, because she shook her head at me.
“So many terms for these things these days. I can’t keep up.”
I was in the car and heading down the street when the giggles started. She was so sweet and innocent at times, in fact, maybe it made sense that Caroline had been too. Until she met her biker man. Now she was coming out of her shell, and living her life. And maybe, just maybe by living her life, she’d helped me find something for me too.
When I pulled up to the gates of the biker compound, the same young guy who’d let me in before was already pulling them open.
“Evening! Rocket’s waiting for you in the lounge.”
Lounge? There was a lounge? He must have read my blank look, because he turned and pointed to the building I’d seen last time but we hadn’t gone near.
“Thanks. Shall I park where I did before?”
The guy scratched his jaw, looking personally affronted by my car.
