CHAPTER FOUR
B-ry
It was stupid and immature, I knew it. But that woman drove me fucking insane. She got under my skin in a way that no one ever had before. And I wasn’t sure if I liked it or hated it.
She stood there in the middle of the tattoo shop, acting as if I was something stuck to the bottom of her overly priced shoe. Like I was a damn gnat in her glass of champagne.
But how could she forget that she kissed me? I merely opened the door and fuck, she walked right through and took from me in such a desperate way.
I wouldn’t even try and deny that I felt something. That was a fucking kiss that was for sure.
Even now, I couldn’t get it out of my head. Something about her in that moment not only seemed shocked and needy, but there had also been a tinge of vulnerability there. And I think that was what I liked the most. Strange as it was, there was just something about wanting to see and know the real Laurel that constantly had my brain spinning.
She floated into the tattoo shop with a kind of grace that I would have expected. She kept her head held high even though she was in a place that probably would have made her uncomfortable on a good day. She stared me down and gave it to me just as good as I gave it to her. That was the thing that got me the most. And by the time she walked out, I felt a strange need to bow down to her. Not in a mocking way, either.
“We doing this?” Blade said to Ky, effectively snapping me out of my trance.
“Yeah,” Ky said and walked into Blade’s room.
I was here for moral support. No, I was not here to get a fucking needle pushed through my junk. I didn’t need that to make a woman scream my name, that was for sure. And I honestly never even had the urge to get one. It was simply a joke. But damn, if it didn’t turn into something more. After Laurel walked out, I almost felt the challenge lingering in the air. Which had me thinking about it for half of a second. But no, I would never.
“So that was Cami’s sister?” Ky asked as he lost his shirt and Blade came at him with a marker. More specifically, at his nipples.
“Yeah,” I said with a shrug because I didn’t know what else to say. Or really, didn’t want to give anything away. It was clear the woman got to me. “Why are you doing this?”
“Thought it would be a good idea,” Ky answered nonchalantly.
After Blade was done, I looked at Ky’s nipples. I couldn’t deny that he had great nipples for it. I mean, those barbells stuck out perfectly and didn’t seem to overwhelm his nubs. From a dude perspective, he pulled it off quite nicely. Which almost had me telling Blade he could do the same thing to me. But I held off. I knew it wasn’t something I should decide on the spot. That said, it did have me itching for some new ink.
I wasn’t quite covered all the way. My arms were though. I guess you could have said that I was slowly working my way up and inward.
Each one meant something to me and was thought out thoroughly. While some people got things because they saw something they liked, I wasn’t one of them.
Ky and I headed out. I decided that I needed to hit the bar because that encounter with Laurel had me riled the hell up.
I grew up in the West Tennessee chapter. My dad never shielded me from the life. My mom hadn’t been around long enough to give a shit what I saw. So, needless to say, I grew up rough and knowing. In fact, I barely hit puberty before I had my first chick on my dick. I wouldn’t say that it was expected, it just was. I didn’t see it as wrong or different. It was the lifestyle and hell, I sure as fuck didn’t complain about it.
There were good things about wearing the cut. And there were also bad. But when it came to women, it was usually a plus. I learned at a young age that you had to make sure you picked the right ones. Meaning, know if they were crazy or clingy before you even looked at them. After that, it was pretty much easy street. I never lacked and I sure as shit never complained. It worked well for moments like now when I was so riled up that I couldn’t even walk straight. And no, it didn’t matter who I was with or that I was thinking of someone else when I closed my eyes.
But for some reason, I found every woman that threw herself at me lacking. I couldn’t even begin to tell you why. They were either too fake. Too made up. Too pouty. Too eager. Which was funny because none of that shit had ever been a problem for me before. I blamed it on that woman. She had somehow gotten in my head and was seriously messing with me. I had no need for someone like her.
Fuck, though. Laurel was everything I should have hated in a woman. She had a rod shoved so far up her perfect ass that it was practically coming out her mouth.
But damn, that mouth.
Since the moment I’d kissed her I couldn’t stop thinking about it. It wasn’t for lack of trying that was for sure. But it was also her mouth that spat words of disgust at me. I never looked down on myself for where I came from or who I was. I never thought that being a part of the club was something to scoff at. But she clearly did. I think it really bothered me that she right out judged me. She didn’t know the first thing about me and yet, I was nothing but a pile of shit that had messed up her shoe.
Oh, how I hated that woman.
Only, maybe I didn’t.
It made me sick how she treated me but at the same time, it made my dick hard that she didn’t back down to me. She wasn’t like all the women here tonight that was for damn sure. I figured Hell would freeze over before Laurel ever threw herself at me. Not that I wanted her to because, come on, that was ridiculous. But I wouldn’t mind the satisfaction of seeing the look on her face when I turned her down.
“Need another one, man?” Sketch asked and I shook away the haze that had clouded my brain. I wondered how long I’d been lost in my head.
“Yeah,” I said with a thankful nod.
I watched Sketch walk to the bar, an entourage of barely dressed women following in his wake. I would have put money on the fact that he would make it through at least half of them by the end of the night. I had stamina and a fast recovery rate, but that guy was just God-like as far as that went. I supposed it could have helped that he sort of paced himself. He would slip off with usually one at a time over the few hours we were there. Then most likely end the night with a bang which would involve at least two of them. I’d even seem him take up to four back to his room at one time. That was just too much if you asked me. I couldn’t even imagine trying to keep that many women happy at once. Just one wrong move, leave someone out for too long, and the whole thing was ruined. No thank you. I didn’t mind working for sex but I didn’t want it to feel like work.
I ended the night alone, laying in my bed and fisting my dick like I was trying to start a fight with it. I wasn’t sure what I was more angry at, the way she treated me or the fact that it turned me on so fucking much.
Days went by and I somehow managed to put Laurel out of my head enough to focus on getting shit done for the club.
Nights when things would start to spin out of control, I ended up at the gym. I’d stay there for hours just trying to beat her out of my head. It never worked. The more she flashed in my mind, the more I started to hate her. No one had gotten under my skin like that, that was for damn sure. But there she was, little miss rich girl with her perfect life and a man that would give her all the damn things she would ever ask for, just reminding me why her kind and mine didn’t mix.
And when the gym wouldn’t help me work her out of my system, I became a creepy stalker. It wasn’t all that hard to find where she lived. It also didn’t surprise me that it was a fancy-ass building with a guard and a desk man and all that shit. Security everywhere and I knew that even if I did try, I wouldn’t make it past the front door.
Not that I was going to try.
Because that would have been stupid, right?
Until that one night.
That one night that I couldn’t resist anymore. I knew I was only going to tarnish her perfect life further by stepping into that place but I did it anyway. Maybe I just needed one last fight. One last word. To put an end to this whole fucking thing. Which I realized was mostly in my head. But it was driving me insane and I needed to be rid of it—of her.
I had to get past the guard dog at the door, then I had to charm the hell out of the guy behind the desk. Easy enough.
The security guy watched me as I approached. His eyes were on me for every step I took up and every inch I got closer to the door. I expected him to lock the door and turn away and ignore me. Only that didn’t happen.
“Can I help you?” he asked as he pushed the door open just enough so we could talk face-to-face. I kept a safe distance so as not to push my luck.
“I’m here to see Laurel Benson,” I stated coolly.
“Is she expecting you?” he asked pointedly.
“No, but she does know me,” I said not bothering to lie.
He must have liked my answer because he moved out of the way and even held the door open for me. I shrugged, just grateful that I didn’t have to fight my way in. Okay, I wouldn’t have done that but I would have made use of the green. Money went a long way when you wanted things. Well, most of the time.
I took a few steps in and turned back around.
“Not to press my luck, but why did you let me in?” I asked.
The security guard shrugged.
“My little nephew is sick. Spends every day staring at the same four walls thinking that he isn’t going to get better this time. You guys come by once a month and give him a chance to forget all that for just a moment. Don’t judge a man by what he wears but rather by the company he keeps. I can’t thank you enough for making him smile.”
And damn. There went a little pain in my heart and maybe a few tears trying to push their way into my eyes.
I made a mental note to up the trips to the hospital to twice a month.
I nodded as I held out my hand and he gave it a shake.
Then I turned and headed for the desk. One down, one to go. And well, then there was Laurel. I wasn’t sure she’d even want to see me. No, I knew she wouldn’t. That woman hated me with a passion.
The guy behind the desk looked up no doubt not having heard me come in given that the lobby was so expansive that I could have ridden my bike around it. He looked startled when he laid eyes on me but recovered quickly.
“Can I help you?” he asked probably wondering how the hell I’d even gotten in here.
I held up my hands in peace.
“Ain’t here to cause trouble.” I let him know right off the bat because he looked like he was ready to jump up and call the damn cops. “I’m here to see Laurel Benson.”
“And she’s expecting you?” He gave me a skeptical look.
“Nah, but you can give her a ring, I’m sure she’ll tell you it’s alright.”
I was not sure.
He leaned to the side, glancing past me at the guy at the door. I didn’t turn around to see their exchange but it must have been good enough for desk guy to pick up the phone.
“Miss Benson, I have a, uh, B-ry here to see you.” I pointed to my patch when he stumbled over the name part. “Are you sure?” He looked up at me as he listened to what she had to say. “Okay, I’ll send him right up.”
Um, what?
I really expected that she would’ve told him to tell me to fuck off. Well, not in those exact words. But I wasn’t about to argue.
“4B. Take the elevator to the fourth floor. It’ll be on your left, sir.”
“Thank you,” I said and tipped my head to him before I carried on my way.
I didn’t have to look once I stepped off the elevator because there she was standing in her doorway looking hot in more ways than one. The flowy dress she was wearing looked like she’d just tossed it on. I could see part of her lacy bra peeking out over the top of the left side like she hadn’t taken the time to straighten out the top. I knew she wasn’t aware of the imperfection and I was sure she’d hate it if I pointed it out. Oh, you bet your ass I was going to.
And then I looked at her face, it was already flushed with anger. Her eyes narrowed at me, her nose scrunched up, and her lips pressed into a thin line. It was as if she was screaming ‘how dare you come here’ without words.
Then it hit me.
What if she wasn’t alone?
What if her fancy-pants fiancé was in there with her. Was that why she looked like she got dressed in a hurry?
The thought that he was there with her, touching her so intimately, started a fire inside of me. Though I knew it was stupid and beyond ridiculous. Because she wasn’t mine. I had no claim on her. One little kiss didn’t mean shit even if she had met me part of the way. Even if she had wanted it and taken just as much as she’d given. Even if I wanted just a little part of her that was all mine.
She was someone else’s. And it was fucked up that I was here. I knew better. I needed to stop messing with her. I had to admit that I liked getting under her skin. Maybe I had hoped that she thought about me long after our heated encounter. Still, I knew it was all wrong. Only, I couldn’t seem to walk away right now.
“Hi, princess,” I said with a lazy smirk because I just couldn’t help it.
“What are you doing here?” she asked in a harsh whisper like she didn’t want anyone to hear, let alone know that someone like me was there to see someone like her.
“You going to invite me in?”
“No,” she said and narrowed her eyes even more at me.
With a sigh, some of her hardness cracked.
“What? Did word get around? All your biker buddies sitting around laughing it up? And you just couldn’t help it, you had to come and laugh in my face. Is that it?”
I was taken aback. Like for real. I didn’t have the first clue what she was rambling on about. And no, I wouldn’t laugh at her behind her back. That would just be plain mean. Especially if she was in some kind of pain, which was clear as day on her face right now.
“Cami told Brand and I bet you bikers gossip worse than a bunch of old ladies at the hair salon.”
Wow. She was not happy.
“Laurel,” I snapped trying to break whatever rant she was running away with before she said too much. I knew she’d get all embarrassed once she realized I had no clue what she was talking about.
Now it was her turn to looked shocked. I bet she didn’t think I knew her name because I chose to push her buttons every time I saw her by calling her pet names.
“I don’t know the first fucking thing about what you’re talkin’ about,” I said with a smidgen of harshness to my tone. But only because she seemed to bring it out of me for some unknown reason. “And yeah, we gossip worse than old ladies sometimes, but I can fucking guarantee you that we wouldn’t make fun of you behind your back. We may be gruff and curse like sailors, but we’re not cruel just for the sake of it.”
“I…” She seemed at a loss for words.
I liked it way too much.
“Get dressed in a hurry, princess?” I asked and because I couldn’t stop myself, my finger slipped in between her silky bra and the curve of her dress.
Her head snapped down to watch, her eyes wide as I purposely and slowly brushed my knuckle over her very hard nipple. Her body did a tiny shiver and I felt like I’d pushed far enough. So with much reluctance, I hooked my finger and pulled the dress up to cover everything the way it should.
Her cheeks were red and her chest rose and fell hard. I liked it a little too much how quickly and easily I could turn her on. Only problem was, it turned me on too.
This was wrong. I shouldn’t have come here. I needed to get the hell away from her before I did something fucked up. Again.
Her eyes met mine, her pupils blown wide.
I was on thin ice here and barely holding it together.
“I don’t know why I’m here,” I growled as I stepped right up to her.
“I don’t know why you are either,” she said then clenched her jaw tight. “I clearly don’t like you.”
“Yeah, got that much, babe.”
“I don’t want you.”
“You sure about that?”
I was in her face now, or maybe she was in mine. It seemed that while we were talking the distance that separated us had suddenly dissolved. Like we were pulled to one another even though we were trying to fight it.
Then somehow my fingers were in her hair, gripping tightly as her mouth crashed into mine. Her hands clawed at my shirt like she hated that it was in the way.
I turned her, pinning her fragile body to the door frame. There was a whimper that slipped up her throat and like a crazy man that had no control over his body, I ground my hard cock into her hip.
Her fingers went to the back of my neck, nails digging in so hard that I was sure I’d walk out of here dripping blood. But damn it felt so good. She opened up for me and our tongues met in the middle in a heated fight.
One of my hands left her hair, only to slip under her dress and palm her sweet ass. Her leg crooked around my hip and she pulled me harder into her body. She rocked against me and I could have sworn I was about to blow my load right there in my pants.
Then my phone rang.
And I cursed in my head.
It was enough to break this spell that we were under.
She pulled away from me and gasped as she released her hold on my neck. Her eyes were wide with horror but I could only focus on how hot her lips looked all swollen because of me.
I opened my mouth to say something but she beat me to it.
“No.” Her voice was barely above a whisper. Her hand covered her mouth as she shook her head.
Then she was slipping away from me. It wasn’t but a moment later that the door shut in my face.
It was only a few days later that everything she’d said became clear. And I felt like the biggest idiot.
I wasn’t a fan of coffee but sometimes I just needed a cup. And sometimes that need brought me to Royally Brewed because believe it or not, I liked a bunch of that vanilla syrup pumped into my dark roast. Lucky for me, Gwen had been nice enough to keep my secret.
“Hey, you,” Gwen called out when she saw me. “Coffee?”
“Yep,” I replied with a nod and a smile. “How ya doing? Feel like I haven’t seen you around much.”
“You know, last semester and all. Just trying to stay afloat.” She laughed.
She was Knight’s girl. Honestly, she had been since they were kids. I was glad to see that things were working out for them. Their reunion had been rocky as Hell at first, but he finally saw the light and talked to her pops. I mean, I would have been hesitant too if I had to tell my former Prez that I wanted to bang his little girl. But Brass was cool as shit and had always thought they’d end up together.
“You’re almost done.”
“I know. I can’t wait,” she said with a wide smile.
“Thank you,” someone said cutting in and setting a newspaper down on the counter. It had clearly been read through.
Something about it caught my attention right away and I moved to pick it up.
“Oh, yeah,” Gwen said but I didn’t look up. I couldn’t. “So sad for Cami’s sister.”
I read the headline. Then read it again. For the first time, I saw the asshole that she’d been engaged to. At least I hoped that she still wasn’t after all of this. The prick was a cheating bastard, and there it was splashed all across the local paper.
“Don’t go running out of here with that one. Sketch already took off with the first customer copy.”
“He saw this?”
“Yeah, my guess is that he was taking it back to the shop to show Cami,” Gwen said and the corners of her lips turned down. “Apparently Laurel called off the engagement a while ago and I bet that this is the family’s way to save face or whatever. I think her parents kicked her out of her place too because Mouse said something about going over there to help her move tomorrow.”
“Shit,” I said as everything came together in my head.
Suddenly, all I could think about was getting to her. I had to make sure she was okay. I felt partly responsible for all of it.
“Forget the coffee,” I said and made my way to my bike like my ass was on fire.
I jogged up the steps to her building and was halted by the guy watching the door. I thanked my lucky stars because the guy that was working the desk remembered me and told the door guy to let me in. He waved me on with a sad smile.
Shit. I bet everyone knew. I felt really bad for her right now.
I knocked, unsure of what I should do next.
She answered the door looking a little worse for the wear. Her eyes were puffy and a little glassy. She swayed a bit but caught herself. She was drunk. Which maybe I couldn’t blame her. She righted herself, stood tall and put her hand on her hip.
“What are you doing here?” she asked with a whole lot of bite in her tone.
Since she had barely opened the door I guessed it was a bad idea to ask to come in. I didn’t even think about it. Her sister was probably there already trying to comfort her. And I would have bet that Laurel didn’t want anyone to know that I was here or that I had been before.
I didn’t get a chance to say anything.
“No, I don’t want you here,” she said and she actually poked me in the chest so hard that I flinched. “This is all your fault! My life is ruined because of you. If you hadn’t kissed me then I never would have called off my engagement. I never would have been a cheater. Not that it matters because clearly, I wasn’t the only one in my relationship.”
The last few sentences were said low and it was almost as if she didn’t want anyone to hear.
“Laurel,” I said keeping my voice low and even. “Don’t do this. I came here to check on you. Because I…” Only I wasn’t sure what I was really going to say.
I cared?
Did I?
Yeah, okay, I did. I cared about the prissy, too good for me, princess.
“I was worried, alright,” I finished. Maybe it was a cop out but it was still the truth.
“I don’t care. You are less than nothing to me,” she said and I couldn’t lie, it cut like a knife. “Just… just stay away, please.”
The look in her eyes broke me. She couldn’t stand to be around me but this was for a different reason. I’d hurt her. I had broken her world and there was nothing I could say or do to fix that. Because of me, she blamed herself. She marked herself as something way worse than she was. I had wanted to kiss her, both times, and I made the first move every time. I put her in the position to be confused. Yeah, right now I felt like the piece of shit that she saw me as.
Again, the door closed in my face. I had no choice but to leave. Only, I didn’t go far.
I had barely made it back to my bike and settled down for a long wait when I saw Cami walking out of the building. I stayed there and made sure she got in her car okay and drove off. Then I made the move to go back in. This time nobody tried to stop me.