It takes a second for me to unscramble my thoughts. Then, nonchalantly, I tell her, “If you’d like to stay longer, I’m okay with the prospect taking Ace home.”Fuck, I’m not really encouraging her, am I?“I mean, I’m happy for us to get to know each other withoutkidsaround.” I give a pointed glare at my son, who laughs as if it’s the best joke he’s ever heard.
The ball’s in her court now. Ace has made the suggestion, and I’ve given the okay. It’s up to her what she makes of it.
Expecting her to say it’s time for her to return to her motel, I’m shocked when she says, “If you’re really happy with theprospect taking Ace home, then I’d love to stay on and talk to you a little longer.”
Oh, fuck yeah.I wonder if she’s suggesting she wants more than us to become friends.
Dee – well, according to my son, that’s who it is – comes over, bouncing some keys in his hands. “Are you ready to go, Ace? ‘Cause Knight’s behind the bar for now, but he’s out manning the gate later.”
Ace stands, and my hand shoots out, holding him back. I pierce him with one of my fiercest glares, making sure he catches my expression, then release him, barking a laugh. “Get out of here, son. I’ll be over to pick you up when you get out of school tomorrow.”
Toni pulls him in for a hug and places a kiss on the top of his head. “I’ll see you soon, okay?”
“I don’t want you to go.” Ace’s arms tighten around her.
“I know, sweetie. But I’ll be back. Or your dad can bring you up to stay with me in Flagstaff?”
When Ace looks hopefully at me, I shrug. “Maybe.” I’m not committing to anything.
But as if he knows he can twist me around his little finger to get what he wants, he finally lets go of Toni. “See you tomorrow,” he says to me, deceptively brightly, and then, after one last hug and kiss for Toni, he follows Dee out. I frown as my eyes track him. He’s already planning something. I know my son.
Then I return my attention to Toni. “Question,” I start. “Why the fuck did you fly down rather than drive? Had to be a hassle, and you had to rent a car.”
She chuckles. “You’d think, wouldn’t you? Just so happens my car’s a piece of shit. Gets me to and from work and wherever I need to go locally, but a three-hundred-mile-plus drive? I wouldn’t want to chance it.” She shrugs. “More expensive, but cheaper than buying a new car.”
As I nod, accepting her explanation, Toni turns her head in the direction that Ace had gone, then turns to me with a grin. “You know he’s trying to set us up?”
Oh, yeah, I know. I’m too old to play games, so I immediately throw back at her, “Question is, do you want it to work?”
Taken aback, she startles, then after a moment, moves to take the seat next to me. “You’re an odd man, Freak. I really can’t read you. So I’ll just come out and say it, and if you shoot me down, well, I’ll take that too.” She pauses and swallows as if gathering her courage. “I’ve been getting to know you, and so far I haven’t found anything to dislike. I’m heading out tomorrow, so tonight’s the last chance I’ve got. If you’re not attracted to me…” Her voice trails off. After letting her eyes meet mine, they quickly drop away.
Is she saying what I think she is?Well, I’ll be fucked. I did not expect that at all tonight, or any night for that matter. I’d thought I’d have to work hard to get this sexy librarian into my bed, and now, if I’m not mistaken, she’s offering herself on a fucking platter.
Back up, back up,my mind screams. She’d even mentioned that Ace wanted us to get together. She’s a good woman, not my normal type of fuck, which is more of a hit-and-leave-‘em girl I can leave in my dust. If Toni is looking for a happily-ever-after, well, I might not say never, but right now that’s far from my mind. While the last thing I want to do is turn down the pussy I’ve been dreaming of getting into, I’ve got to manage her expectations.
Capturing her chin gently in my hand, I bring her to face me once more. “I like you well enough, Toni. But I can’t offer much. If you want to warm my bed tonight, that’s all I can give you. No promises of a house with a white picket fence, or even any repeats in the future.”
Shyly, she looks up at me from under her eyelashes. “Tonight’s all I’ve got, Freak. But I think I’d hate myself if I left, not giving us a chance.” She licks her lips, drawing my attention to them. “I understand it doesn’t mean it will lead to anything more.”
Delta operators, bikers… just our reputation attracts women like moths to a flame, some circling too close in danger of being burned. And there’s not only Toni to consider. If, after tonight, she wants more than I can offer, any awkwardness between us could cause Ace pain.
I’m still holding her face, and she leans into my hand. “Just tonight, Freak,” she repeats.
All she wants is my cock, on loan just for a few hours. That part of me seems to have made my decision. I’m already hard.
Remembering she’s not a club girl and that I can’t just click my fingers and drag her upstairs, I have to adjust my mode operandi. I may not have needed to wine and dine her, but a slow burn, some more conversation, a little accidental touching of our hands – the kind of pre-intimacy dance to which bikers like me are strangers. A woman like her? That’s what she deserves.
“You want another drink, or…?” I offer, knowing she’ll need to be wooed, but obviously hoping she’ll prefer to get down to business.
Sounding less like a librarian and more like a woman who’s on my wavelength, she counters with, “If one night’s all we’ve got, I’d rather experience it sober.”
Fuck yeah.
And then she adds the magic words. “Shall we go to your room?”
A sudden crash startles us both. I swing around and glare at Trixie, who’s just dropped a whole tray of empty glasses.
“What the fuck?”
