Chapter 13

Bridgette

“So, tell me something about yourself, Rhy.”

“What do you want to know?” He grins, resting on his elbow next to me. His dark hair is ruffled, from rolling around in the bed all night and morning with me. I fight the urge to run my fingers through the feathery soft strands that are spiked out.

“Hmm…” I scoot up against the headboard. “Where are you from?”

“Around.”

I roll my eyes. “Lame. What’s your favorite color?”

He brushes his finger along my jaw and I blush. “That, right there. The pale shade of red that fans across your cheeks when you get flushed. That’s my favorite color.” The line is cheesy but sweet.

“Tell me something real. I’m trying to get to know more than your body here.”

“I thought you liked my body,” he says with a cocky glint in his heated eyes.

“It’s alright, I guess.” I shrug and move to pick my discarded clothes up from the floor.

Rhyner’s strong arms cage around my waist and he pulls me back into bed. His facial scruff brushes across my shoulder as he places a single kiss there, holding me tight against him. “Where ya off to, B?”

“Home. I have studying to do. Because I have an early class tomorrow. I need to shower and…” The rest of my sentence is lost when claims my mouth again.

“That real enough for you,” he murmurs between kisses and I melt. Fucking melt.

“It’s a start. So tomorrow, when I’m in class, what will you be doing?”

“Church.”

“Church? Really?” I shake my head.

“Not that kind of church.” He bites his swollen bottom lip, and I smile knowing its swollen due to all the kissing we’ve been doing. “This stays between us. I’m not sure what your friend knows about Cole, if much at all, but I belong to a motorcycle club.”

“Ugh God,” I say with a groan.

Rhyner’s nose scrunches up. “What’s that about? You got something against MC’s?”

“Is Cole…is he a part of this club too?”

“Yeah, so?”

“It’s just that Morgan, her dad…well um he’s the vice president of the Black Rebel Riders’ MC.”

“Fuck,” he snarls, tensing next to me.

“You ahh, you know of them?”

“Fuck,” he repeats.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” I start for my clothes again.

“Shit! Damn,” he curses going for his own clothes.

This must be bad, but I sit back and enjoy the sight in front of me as he pulls his jeans up. How did I not notice how fucking hot as balls sexy this dude is? Maybe it was the fact that I was too busy getting my freak on with him to pay attention. I study his tattoos as he scans the room for a shirt. He has a devil’s face tattooed on his neck. It’s terrifying; looks like it was inked straight out of hell. It completely clashes with the heart and dagger on his left pec. On his back is a beautiful cross with angel wings sprouting from it.

My view is obstructed when he slips a shirt over his head. “I hate to be this guy, but I need to take you home, now.”

“Is everything okay?” I don’t know much about the biker life, Morgan has always kept that separate. But, I know enough to sense that something is way off here.

“Yeah, no. Fuck. I gotta go. I need you to get your clothes on and no matter what you do, don’t mention shit all about this conversation to Morgan. Get me?”

“Is Morgan in trouble? I mean, is this going to be a problem?”

“Fuck, I hope not.” He sighs and runs his hand over his head with worry heavy in his eyes. “It’s imperative right now that you keep this between us. I can explain later. I just need you to trust me. Can you do that?”

“Um…yeah, sure.” I smile, but even I know it’s weak.

Rhyner crosses the room and kneels next the bed. He cups my face softly. “Look, I’m dealing with some shit. It’s club business, and I’m sure you don’t really understand what that means, but I need you to listen to me and do as I say. I know you have questions, but they have to wait.”

My hand trembles as I reach out to touch his lips. “I like you, Rhy.” Chill bumps spread across my skin. “But, you’re kind of freaking me out here.”

“Listen, there are times that I have to deal with bad people and other clubs. I have business with Morgan’s dad’s club. I just don’t want the two worlds to collide. I’m not sure how her old man will take to her being involved with Cole. He’s—him and I are on opposite sides of her dad for the time being.”

“Shit,” I reply, unable to believe the lousy luck.

“Shit is right, B.”

His lips touch mine briefly with the whisper of a kiss.

“Get dressed.”

“You’re not gonna hurt Morgan’s dad or anything, are you?”

“No, nothing like that.”

I let out a relieved breath and smile meekly. That makes me feel better, slightly. However, I am still telling Morgan about this shit. What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t?

Cole

“Yeah, man what’s up”

“Where are you?”

“Just stopped off at the Chevron station, getting gas then headed to see Harper.”

“Stay there. I’m on my way. Do not leave, you hear me, man?”

“Yeah. Got it.”  I end the call and finish filling my tank.  I don’t know what the fuck that’s all about but doesn’t leave me feeling all warm and fuzzy. I pull off to the side of the lot and light up a smoke. By the time Rhyner arrives I’m on my second cigarette.

He pulls up like a bat out of hell. “Not here, man,” he says, revving his engine.

I follow him back to his Uncle’s compound. Shit can’t be good. I have a bad feeling in my gut. There’s a party in full swing. AC/DC is pounding through the stereo. Liquor and beer is flowing from the taps in the bar.

“Good, you’re here. Just the two I was looking for.” Porter clamps a hand down on each of our shoulders, pushing us down on the barstools. “Have a drink, but not too many. Have some friends coming by, I’d like you to meet them. Seems their interests aligns with ours.”

“Sounds good,” Rhyner tells him and I nod.

A prospect behind the bar pours us both a cold glass and once eyes are off us, we slip down the back stairs and out the back door.

“You mind telling me what’s up? I need to meet with Harper, man. She showed up at the apartment last night. I gotta put in an appearance like an hour ago.”

“Shit.” Rhy scrubs a hand over his face.

“So, whatever you need to say. I need you to say it so I can go smooth shit over with her.”

“Your girl, Morgan. I don’t know how else to say it. So, I’m gonna give it to you straight. Her old man is…” His words are cut off.

“What the fuck are you two doing back here by yourselves like two fags hiding in the corner? Parties upstairs,” a guy by the name of Rash tells us.

“Fuck you,” Rhy spits at him.

“You ain’t my type,” the bastard says with a laugh, wrapping an arm around Rhyner’s shoulder. “I’ve missed your sorry ass round here, boy. ‘Bout time you come pay your respect. Let me introduce you to this fine piece I picked up. Her name’s Sweet Lips. Got the sweetest lips that will ever wrap around your cock. You’ve never had your dick sucked until it’s been in her mouth, brother.”

Rhyner rolls his eyes but walks off with him. I don’t have time for this bullshit. I send him a text before walking around the front to get on my bike and take off.

Cole: Look man, I gotta bounce. You don’t need me to tell you how important it is I keep Harper pacified. Tell Porter I’ll roll back through and hope to meet his friends.

Rhyner: No problem, but we still need to talk.

Cole: Later man.

Rhyner: Later.