LYDIA

 

I blinked my eyes open. The blinds were up but there was enough sun peering in through the window for me to see around the room. I wasn’t looking around the room though, the only thing I could see was the man lying down next to me.

Sean was naked. His eyes closed, his chest rose and fell as he slept peacefully. His body was like a piece of art. So many veins and lines and muscles. Black ink accentuated his physique. All on a perfect bronze canvas. It was a body that had been through so much. And I wasn’t just talking about the night before.

I sat up slowly, sitting on the edge of the bed. I recollected my thoughts from the evening.

Sean banged me in the back storage room of the Grindhouse. Then we had a few drinks and he took me back to his apartment. Then he banged me again. Then again. Then again. The whole night was just one orgasmic blur. I had to bite my lips to stop from smiling so much.

I turned around and looked at him. I wanted to let him stay where he was. I would have been just happy watching him this entire time.

I reached for my phone and checked the time.

Shit.

I was late for my shift at the bakery. Seeing as how I didn’t have a ride, I had no choice but to do what I didn’t want to.

I leaned forward on the bed and kissed him softly on the cheek. A smile slowly formed on his lips. His eyes opened. Brown eyes stared back at me. The same eyes that were looking at me with a lustful intensity only a few hours ago.

“Good morning,” I whispered.

“Hey…”

I moved my face back to him and kissed his lips. A soft smack echoed through his quiet bedroom.

“How are you feeling?” he asked.

“Honestly? I’m a bit sore.”

“Sore?”

“Yes. The bites on my nipples and neck. The slaps on my ass. Squeezing my waist. Not to mention how hard of a pounding you gave me…”

I stood up and my knees buckled.

“…Yeah, I’m going to be walking funny for a bit.”

“You know you like the way I fuck you, babe.”

I rolled my eyes and shook my head at him to hide my blushing face.

“Listen,” I sighed. “I gotta go.”

“So soon?”

“Yeah. I’m due at the bakery. Amy’s not getting any younger. I feel bad if I keep her there longer than I have to.”

“Right. Of course.”

My clothes were scattered around his room, so it took me a second to get dressed. Sean took his time but we were eventually back out on the streets, on his bike, and heading toward the bakery.

It was a beautiful day in Ivory. The sun was shining without a cloud in the sky. It was a little hotter than I would have liked it to be but I wasn’t in any position to complain. It was the perfect kind of weather for a pastry and a cup of coffee.

When we got to the bakery, I could see a small line of people inside.

“Hey,” I said. “Listen… Thank you.”

“Thank you? For what?”

“For last night. I had a great time.”

“Well—”

“I’m not just talking about the sex,” I said as I slapped him on the arm. “Well, maybe I am. But I also enjoyed spending time at the Grindhouse. I enjoyed spending time with you.”

I kissed him, letting my lips linger on his for a second before pulling away.

“Can I see you again?” he asked.

Despite his rugged exterior, Sean seemed calm. It was moments like this that told me that there was more to him than the tough biker facade.

“Yeah,” I said. “Of course.”

“I’ll call you. Or text you. Whatever it takes.”

“If you can’t find me, I’ll be here.”

He took my hand in his. I let my fingers dance in his hand as I gently pulled away. Just when I was about to get free, he pulled me back in for another kiss. I giggled into his mouth as he wrapped his arms around me.

“I have to go,” I said. “Amy is waiting for me.”

“Right, right. I know. Just one more kiss.”

“One more…”

This was perfect. I would have been happy forever just being in his arms like this. I couldn’t imagine being more comfortable. But we both managed to eventually pull away from each other. Sean drove off before either one of us got any other ideas and I headed into the bakery.

I rushed to the other side of the counter and saw how busy Amy was.

“Sorry, I’m late,” I said as I put an apron on. “It won’t happen again.”

Amy didn’t pay much attention to me. The older woman was busy tending to the customers. Her attitude was just as delightful as it always was.

The morning rush went as it usually did. People ordered their pastries and coffee to help them get their day in Ivory started. It was just Amy and me, so there was a little more work than usual. But it wasn’t anything either one of us couldn’t handle.

A few hours went by and the rush was over. Amy took some time to herself and had a seat at a nearby table.

“Lydia,” she said. “Her voice sweet as always. Why don’t you have a seat? We could use a break.”

“Thanks.”

I grabbed a cup of water and sat down at the table in front of her. I was still sore from my evening with Sean. The morning rush didn’t help matters. I didn’t realize just how tired I was until I collapsed into my chair.

“How are you feeling?” she asked. “Long night?”

“Something like that,” I said with a smile. “But I’m here and I’m ready to handle it.”

“Gina was supposed to come in today. I wonder where she is.”

“Gina… I went out with her last night. She was partying pretty hard. She’s probably sleeping in for a little bit.”

“I know Gina’s a party animal but she usually shows up on time.”

“She was really excited about going to the Grindhouse. She probably partied a little harder than she usually does. I’m sure she’s fine.”

“Sure,” Amy said with a polite smile. “I’m sure you’re right.”

Amy turned her attention to the display case. The pastries were all scattered in every direction, the result of an early morning rush. I would have to spend the rest of the day reorganizing everything.

“I had some of your dessert the other day,” she said.

“The tiramisu?”

“Yes. It’s a shame you can’t make it more often. A lot of customers are asking for it.”

“The ingredients are kind of pricey, especially in this town. Plus, there’s the preparation. But I’ll see what I can do. I’ll make another batch when Gina shows up.”

“That’s good. Thank you, Lydia.”

Amy looked at me as I sipped on my water.

“Have you thought about what I said?” she asked.

“What you said?”

“Yes. About taking over and running the bakery. Did you put some thought into it?”

“Oh! Right… Honestly, I’ve had a lot on my mind lately.”

“That’s no problem. I understand. You’re still getting settled into Ivory.”

“No, it’s not that. There are some other things. But… I’ve given it some consideration. The thing is… Are you sure this is what you want to do? It’s your bakery. The people of Ivory love you just as much as your desserts.”

“I can’t keep working here forever. The people will understand. They’ll get over it eventually. I know you can keep giving them what they’re asking for.”

She reached forward and put her hand on top of mine.

“It’s no hurry. I know you have plenty of business to take care of. It’s just something you should consider.”

“I’m considering it. Trust me. I’m not taking this lightly.”

“No, I wouldn’t imagine you are.”

Amy patted my hand then stood up straight. She stretched her arms to the ceiling and yawned.

“My old bones are talking to me,” she sighed. “Do you think you can handle yourself until Gina gets here?”

“Yeah, I’ll be just fine.”

“Thank you, Lydia.”

She smiled at me and excused herself. I watched her leave the bakery. The door closed and the bell attached to it rang. I closed my eyes and gathered myself before heading to the back to get to work.

A few hours had gone by as I prepped more desserts. A customer came in from time to time but it was never anything I couldn’t handle.

I was in the back of the bakery when I heard the bell on the door ring.

“Just a second,” I yelled.

I cleaned my hands off then headed out to the front. I saw two men in uniform standing at the counter.

“Sheriff Sutton!” I said. “Ben! How are you two doing?”

The two cops stood in front of me. I looked at both of them and waited for them to place an order. But neither one of them was smiling the way they usually were. In fact, it was the exact opposite.

Sutton was frowning at me and the look of concern on Ben’s face was undeniable.

“How are you doing?” Sutton said to me.

“I’m… I’m fine,” I said. “Is something wrong?”

“Maybe you should sit down. We need to talk.”

“Okay. What’s this all about?”

“Lydia, please. Have a seat.”

My heart began to thump harder in my chest. I swallowed nervously as I moved to the front of the bakery. The two of them took a seat and I sat down at the table in front of them. The concern on both of their faces was still there.

“Okay,” I said with a shrug. “What’s this all about?”

I was trying to remain calm but I knew something was wrong.

“Gina,” Sutton said. “When is the last time you saw her?”

“Gina? Just last night. Why?”

“Someone found her. This morning.”

I blinked my eyes in disbelief, hoping that I’d misheard them.

“I-I’m sorry,” I stuttered. “They found her?”

“Yes,” Sutton said. “They found her body in an alley.”

“Her body?” I exclaimed. “What are you saying? Is she—”

“She’s not dead,” Sutton interrupted me.

I leaned back in my seat and sighed a deep breath.

“But she’s in the hospital right now,” Sutton said. “She was unconscious when they found her and they had to sedate her.”

“Is she… Is she going to be all right?”

Sutton and Ben looked at each other before shifting their eyes back to me.

“They don’t know yet,” Sutton said. “The doctors say there’s a chance but they just don’t know.”

“What happened?”

“They found drugs in her system. That and the alcohol was too much for her. It’s lucky someone found her, otherwise…”

I didn’t want to think about what could have happened.

“You said you saw her last night,” he said. “Where was this at?”

I clenched my jaw when he asked me. I went over all the details of last night in my head, trying to figure out if there were something I should or shouldn’t have said.

“The Grindhouse,” I said.

“The Grindhouse?” Sutton said. “That’s the Black Reapers’ clubhouse.”

“I suppose it is. Do you think the person responsible for what happened to Gina is over there?”

“If you’re telling me she was there, there’s a strong chance there’s some correlation between the two.”

“I wasn’t with Gina. I mean, I was there but I don’t know what she did or anybody she talked to. I just saw her there.”

“I understand. And believe me, Lydia, we’re not implicating you. We’re just trying to get to the bottom of this.”

“Of course. I’ll… I’ll cooperate in any way I can.”

“If you think you know anything that might help us out, you let us know. Come on, Ben. Let’s get out of here.”

Sutton and Ben got up from their seats. Sutton left but just before Ben followed behind him, the young man turned around.

“Do you know what happened?” he asked.

“I don’t,” I said, shaking my head. “I swear.”

“…I believe you.”

I stared back at him. The look in his eyes told me that there wasn’t anything I could hide from him. Despite his apparent aloofness in our previous encounters, I knew Ben was more insightful than anybody would give him credit for.

“I know you’re spending time around the Reapers,” he said. “Just do me a favor.”

“What’s that?”

“Be careful.”

I paused for a second then nodded softly. He stared back at me without saying a word then left the bakery. The bell hanging on the door handle rang in my ears before I was left in silence.

Sean… Sean knows what happened. He has to know.

I pulled my phone out of my pocket and sent him a text.

No response.

I called him to see if he would answer.

No response.

I couldn’t just leave the bakery. Not when I was the only one there to run it. Whatever business I had to take care of would have to wait until tonight.