Chapter Eleven
“You sure are gentle with your hands,” the brunette said as she stood up from the chair. “I bet you get a lot of repeat customers.” She winked at Goldie.
“Once a person gets a tattoo, they get addicted. Just make sure you follow the instructions on the aftercare sheet. If you have any problems, let me know.”
She brushed against him, her hand skimming the waistband of his jeans. “Does feeling nasty qualify as a problem?”
He stepped away from her and shook his head. “I’d say it’s more of an asset.” He opened the door to the room, then moved away. “Just keep the tat moist and don’t scratch or pick at it.”
She stopped at the doorway. “In case I have any problems, do you have a number I can call you at?”
“The number’s on the instruction sheet. Just ask for me. I have to prep the room for the next customer.” He turned away and smiled when he heard her heels tapping on the hallway floor. Having female customers come on to him went along with the job. Usually he’d have some fun with it either by flirting or taking them up on their offers, but that day he wasn’t feeling it.
He cleaned up the room, then sank down onto the desk chair and opened the screen on his desktop. The dark eyes of Nolan Colley stared at him. Goldie had pulled up everything he could find on the douchebag just so he knew who he might be dealing with. To him, Nolan Colley looked like a snot-nosed punk who needed a few fists to the face to teach him a lesson. When Hailey told him Nolan had hit her, anger raced through him. He’d love nothing better than to catch the fucker in Alina and give him a good beating before he sent him packing.
Hailey. What the fuck am I going to do about her? He hadn’t been able to get her out of his mind since she’d come to the shop the previous week. The last thing he wanted to do was rebuff and embarrass her, but that was exactly what he did when he’d spurned her. The feel of her body so close to his, her hand scorching his skin, it was all he could do to keep from kissing her and pushing her on the table to give her a good fucking. Then he’d thought of Ryan, how his friend had trusted him to take care of Hailey.
For the past week, he’d kept an eye on her without her knowing it, and each time he saw her, he wanted her more. She was on his mind all the damn time, and he had Ryan to blame for it. Several times, he’d thought about having a prospect watch her, but he knew Steel wouldn’t go for that; she wasn’t his old lady, so he couldn’t justify asking his president to assign a prospect to do non-club work.
Glancing at the clock, he wondered if his appointment had flaked on him. He rolled his shoulders back and a forth a few times to work out some of the tightness. For the last six hours, he’d been hunched over working on tattoos. He wondered how Hailey’s ink job looked, and hoped he’d get a chance to check it out.
Minimizing the page on the screen, he leaned back in the chair. He had to stop thinking about Hailey and all the dirty things he wanted to do with her. Each time his dick reacted to his thoughts of her, anger would shoot through him. He’d never been in such a predicament with any of the women he’d dated and screwed over the years.
Maybe it was because she was into him and had been ever since they were kids. It’d been so obvious that she’d had a crush on him, and the way she looked at him now told him she still did. There was no way he was off on the signals she’d been sending him since the first night she came into the tattoo parlor. And even though she knew he was Garth, she had still come in to see him the previous week. But you’re the older one. You’re the one Ryan trusts. You can’t fuck this up.
The phone rang and he saw it was his younger brother, Dylan. His parents had loved Garth Brooks and Bob Dylan, hence his and his brother’s names.
“Hey. When did you get back in town?” Goldie asked. Dylan worked for a marketing company that helped businesses with opening and closing their stores. Most months, he was gone for two or three weeks, traveling all over the country.
“Last night. It’s good to be home.”
“For a week. Then you’ll probably go out again.” Goldie leaned way back in his chair and rested his feet on the desk.
“I think I’m here for a few weeks, and then I have to go to Tennessee. I’m not looking forward to the heat and humidity. How’s Grandma?”
“Good and bad days, but I think the bad days are getting more frequent. Chad hasn’t been out to see her in a while. I’m gonna have to call and chew his ass out. Monica comes by but all she does is cry, and it upsets the shit out of Grandma.”
Dylan cleared his throat. “I get what Monica’s going through. It’s hard to see Grandma like that.”
“Yeah, but fuck, the whole visit? Anyway, we have to appreciate what Grandma is now with Alzheimer’s and spend that time with her, not sobbing about the past. I mean, of course it fuckin’ sucks, but save it for when you get home. Maybe you can talk to her. She doesn’t listen to me.”
“I’m going to go over later today. Did you want to meet me there?”
“I’ve got work. I can meet you later for some wings and a beer. Say about nine?”
“Sounds good. I may bring Skyla with me. Is that cool?” Dylan said.
“Sure. You guys getting serious?”
“We’re moving in that direction. What about you? Still partying with all the women who can’t resist a biker?”
Goldie laughed. “You know me well. Wouldn’t want it any other way. Let’s meet up at Bulldog Pub at nine.”
After hanging up and slipping the phone in his pocket, Goldie meandered to the reception area. “Did my five o’clock call in?” he asked Liberty.
The blue-haired woman looked up from her phone. “Nope, but your six thirty rescheduled to tomorrow night. She said she was having extreme anxiety and couldn’t leave the house.”
“About getting another tattoo?”
Liberty shrugged. “She didn’t say. Just said she’ll be in tomorrow for sure.”
With the no-show and cancellation, he had some free time. “I’ll be back for my seven forty-five. Jimmy and Tattoo Mike are here, so we should be good. If it gets crazy, call me.”
Looking back down at her phone, Liberty bobbed her head. He went outside and jumped on his Harley, roaring out of the parking lot.
When he arrived at Sweet Stems, Hailey was arranging a floral display in the storefront window. The aroma of flowers hit him in the face like a wall when he entered the shop. There were quite a few people at the counter and milling around the medium-sized store, and he went over by a large topiary near the front window. From his vantage point, he could see Hailey’s nice ass encased in yoga pants. Her long yellow shirt had crept up past her behind as she bent over and arranged some teacups on a small table.
Straightening up, she gathered her messy tresses in a high ponytail and secured them with some sort of rubber band. Watching her, he pictured his fist tangled in her hair, pulling it back forcefully as he entered from behind, her pretty ass red from his handprints. As his dick twitched, he shifted his position and smiled when she looked at him, red streaks running up her neck.
“Hailey. Nice job with the window.”
“What are you doing here?” she asked as she brushed away some stray hairs on her face.
“Just passing by. I thought I’d stop by and see how you’re doing.”
She shoved some ribbons and lace in a plastic bin, picked it up, and stepped down from the display window. “I’m fine. I’ve been real busy. How’ve you been?”
“Good. Have you seen your ex-asshole around?”
She tilted her chin down and frowned. “Oh… so that’s the reason you came by?”
The way her blue eyes dulled touched him. “No. I wanted to see you and see if you want to grab some food and a beer after I get off work.”
The spark he loved seeing in her gaze came back. “Really? I mean, sure, I’d love to, but just as friends, okay?”
“No kissing or touching?” he asked in a low voice as he took a step toward her, sniffing her intoxicating scent.
She stepped back. “Right. Just friends. Like old times.”
“We weren’t exactly friends. You were Ryan’s little sister.” He curled his finger around one of the tendrils that had escaped from her ponytail.
Blinking, she pulled away slightly. “You know what I mean.”
As he leaned in, his head tilted down, she fixed her gaze on his and parted her lips.
“Miss?” a voice from behind him interrupted them.
Hailey cleared her throat and glided past him. “May I help you?” she asked a middle-aged woman.
She and the woman walked to the coolers as Goldie watched her hips sway, imagining his fingers digging into them as he spread her legs wide and dipped his tongue into her wet folds, tasting her juices. I bet she tastes fucking sweet. I wonder if her pussy is as pink as her lips. And her nipples. Fuck. His dick jabbed against his zipper.
“I’ll pick you up at eight thirty,” he said over his shoulder as he walked toward the exit. There was no way he was going to let Hailey see him sporting a boner.
“Wait. You don’t have my address,” she said as came from behind the counter.
“I remember where your aunt lives. See you.”
“How do you know I’m staying at my aunt’s?”
She should’ve been a damn lawyer with all her questions. “’Cause I got a brain. I gotta go.” He was on his Harley before she reached the front of the store and down the street by the time she yelled out his name. His shaft throbbed like hell as he rode out of town. He needed a ride through the desert to calm down. He’d have to do a better job controlling his excitement. There was something about Hailey that stirred him way up. It was like she’d invaded his mind, his senses, and his dick.
Turning down the old highway, he hit the accelerator and sped into the landscape.
* * *
As Goldie pulled up to the Victorian, the streetlight on the corner clicked on as the last light of day gave way to the velvety dark of night. Only the faintest of light shined through the leaves as the moonlight danced across the darkened sidewalks and streets.
Amber light flooded over him as the porch light switched on and a chain slid off the door. Through the mesh of the screen door, he saw Hailey’s smiling face, the light bouncing off it. From where he stood, her amazing scent filtered through the screen to curl around him. She unlatched the door and opened it wide. “Come on in.”
Seeing her in her scoop-neck, hip-hugging dress with her shoulders bared took his breath away. Her chestnut hair spilled around her, the highlights shimmering like threads of gold, and the creamy swells of her breasts tempted his restraint in the worst way. She’s stunning. In the night, her blue eyes seemed endless, like the ocean under a full moon. All he wanted to do was tug her into his arms and smother her throat with kisses, then dip his tongue down to the hollow between her breasts.
He glimpsed the pink tip of her tongue nestled between her teeth. Grasping her hand, he kissed it, then leaned in to her. “You look real pretty,” he said, his lips grazing her earlobe. He felt her shiver and he pressed her closer against him. “And you smell so fuckin’ sexy. Your perfume is doing a number on me, but you already know that, don’t you?” He rubbed against her and chuckled when her eyes widened.
“I thought we were going out as friends,” she breathed, her warm breath proving to be an aphrodisiac to him.
“We are.”
“Do you always act like this with your female friends?” She tilted her head back and her enticing lips beckoned him.
“I’m new to this. You’re my only friend who’s a chick.” He ran his thumb under her bottom lip.
“FYI, friends of the opposite sex don’t really act like we are.”
“I’ll try and remember that.” Then he crushed his mouth on hers and pushed his tongue through the seams of her lips, delving deep inside the recesses of her mouth. Instead of backing away from him, she clung to him as she shivered in his arms. Ramming his tongue deeper into her mouth, he slid his hand over her soft curves down to the ass he knew well. With all the women he’d held and kissed in his lifetime, none of them affected him the way Hailey did. His body and mind were on high alert, and even though he knew what he was doing was wrong, he didn’t give a shit. Hailey fit into his arms so perfectly, and he’d never met a woman who magnetized him the way she did. And she didn’t even know the affect she had on him.
The wild tones of “Girls, Girls, Girls” broke their connection as Goldie grabbed for his phone. Hailey stepped back and smoothed down her hair, then went over to an oval mirror hanging on the foyer’s wall.
“Yo,” he said as he watched her reapply her lipstick.
“Are you still planning on coming?” Dylan asked. The din of chatter, music, and glasses roared in the background.
“Yeah. Just running a bit late. On my way.” Goldie stepped onto the porch. “We have to get going. Dylan’s waiting for us.”
“Dylan’s going to be there? You didn’t tell me that.” She tugged at the hem of her dress, then stepped on the porch and locked the door. “We went to school together.”
“Yeah, that’s right. I didn’t tell him you were coming, so it’ll be a surprise.”
“Is he married?”
“Not yet, but he’s got a woman he’s interested in. Her name’s Skyla and she’s going to be there too.” He grasped her hand and led her to his Harley.
“Are you serious? I’ve never been on a motorcycle, and I can’t go on one with this short dress. I’ll be flashing my butt to everyone.”
His gaze lingered on her backside, and then he nodded. “You got a point there. I don’t want anyone seeing your ass but me.” He popped open his saddlebags, pulled out a small blanket, and handed it to her. “You can put this on the seat and wrap it around you.”
“I’m not doing that. It’s hotter than hell, and I don’t want to worry about balancing on the bike and keeping myself covered. We can just go in my car.”
“I don’t like cages.”
“Cages? You mean cars?”
“Cars, trucks, or anything else that keeps you enclosed.”
“So you don’t have a car?”
“I have a pickup for hauling stuff and for the winters. Sometimes it’s too damn icy for the bike. But I basically ride everywhere.”
“Well, I’m not going to ride tonight in this dress. I’ll take my car and meet you at the restaurant.”
Goldie stood staring at her, amazed that she was turning down the chance to press her body against him as the wind rushed around her. He’d never had a woman turn down a ride on his Harley. For that matter, he rarely had women not go along with what he said. Hailey was driving him crazy, and a part deep inside him loved the challenge of her.
“Are you just going to stand there staring while Dylan’s waiting for us?” She opened her purse and took out her keys. “Do you want to drive over with me or meet me there?”
From the way she lifted her chin and held her keys, he was pretty sure she wasn’t going to change her mind. He’d concede, but he wasn’t going to make a damn habit out of it. He grabbed the keys from her hands. “Let’s go.”
“I can drive.”
“I’ll drive. I’m not into chicks driving me around.”
“You’re impossible. And slow down. It’s not easy to walk on an uneven sidewalk in five-inch heels.”
He held the door open for her, then slipped into the driver seat.
Soon they were pulling into the lot at Bulldog Pub. The place heaved with people, and Goldie wrapped his arm around Hailey as they passed by a group of guys. The way some of them checked her out made his blood boil. If any of them say something or even make a sound, I’m gonna slam my fist into their fucking faces.
Inside the rustic-styled bar, pints of beer were being drawn for thirsty patrons as they crowded around the long mahogany bar. In the middle of the room, diners filled many of the wooden tables and chairs, as well as the red-leather booths that lined the walls of the establishment. There was an elemental feel to the décor, with lots of wood and exposed stone. It seemed as though it had been transported from a small village in England.
The hum of conversation, punctuated by sudden squalls of laughter, surrounded Goldie and Hailey as he guided her to a large booth. Dylan’s beaming face greeted them.
“I thought you’d never get here. It’s crowded for a weeknight,” Dylan said, his gaze directed on Hailey as she scooted toward the wall.
“I got tied up.” He slid in next to her. “Did you order?”
“Just drinks.”
“Hi, Goldie,” the cute woman next to Dylan said.
“Skyla.” Goldie tipped his head. He placed his arm around Hailey. “This is Hailey. You remember Hailey Shilley.”
Dylan’s mouth opened as he stared at her. “Wow, you grew up.” He quickly kissed Skyla’s cheek when she punched him in the arm. “No. I mean, it’s been a long time. I haven’t seen you since we started high school. What’re you doing back in Alina?”
As Hailey told her story, Goldie picked up the draft the waitress had brought and watched her use her hands as she spoke. She was so animated and, for a reason he couldn’t understand, it was turning him way the hell on. Then again, it seemed like everything about Hailey turned him on. Never had a woman captivated him the way she had. Her laughter sparkled like drops of water in the sunlight, and it hit him right in the groin. But when she looked up at him through her thick lashes, his pants grew tight. Shifting, he tried to get comfortable, and when Hailey asked him if he could let her out of the booth, he grabbed his napkin and stood up. Skyla followed Hailey as they went to the ladies’ room. Sliding back into the booth, Goldie threw his napkin on the table and shook his head.
“How long have you been going out with Hailey?” Dylan asked.
Goldie jerked his head. “I’m not going out with her. We’re just friends.”
Setting his beer down, he laughed. “You could’ve fooled me. The two of you got something going on between you. I can see it in both of your eyes and by your hard-on.”
“What can I say? She’s fuckin’ hot. I always get a boner for a hot woman, but that’s where it ends. Ryan’s my best bud, and he asked me to keep an eye on her. She’s got some fucked-up ex-boyfriend in her past and Ryan’s afraid he may come to Alina and try some shit with her.” Goldie took a long drink, avoiding Dylan’s gaze.
“I’ve seen you with other hot women, and you don’t act the way you are with Hailey. And she is damn hot. I couldn’t believe it when you told me it was her. I mean, I always thought she was cute, but now she’s definitely a grown woman.” Dylan laughed.
“You and Skyla seem good together.” Goldie wanted to turn the conversation away from Hailey. The more they talked about her, the harder he grew, and he needed to calm way the hell down before she came back to the table.
“We are. I think she’s the one, bro. I want to spend all my time with her. I’m thinking of asking her to move in with me. Maybe even marry me.”
“That’s cool. I always thought Skyla was good for you.”
“Are you guys done talking about us?” Skyla said as she slipped back into the booth.
Goldie stood up and let Hailey in. As she skimmed against him, his jeans grew tight again. Fuck! He sat down and retrieved his napkin, placing it over his bulge. The waitress came over with their burgers, wings, and salads, and he was grateful for the distraction.
Throughout dinner, they laughed and talked, and everything about her sent him into overdrive: her soft laughter, her scent, her eyes, and her leg pressed against his. She had no clue what her nearness did to him, and he kept reminding himself that she was Ryan’s sister. Over and over the words “She’s Ryan’s sister” played in his head like a mantra; he wished his dick would pay attention to it.
“We should get going. I’ve got an early meeting in the morning,” Dylan said.
“Me too. There are so many weddings this summer. I had a couple come in from Tula to order flowers for their September wedding. Anyway, I have a long day tomorrow.” Hailey turned to Goldie. “We should go.”
“Sure.” He stood and helped her out of the booth.
After saying their goodbyes, Goldie drove Hailey home.
“I had a real nice time tonight. It was so much fun seeing Dylan again. And Skyla is so nice. They seemed really into each other. Maybe he’ll be the first of your siblings to tie the knot.”
“Maybe.”
“I bet you’re the last. You don’t seem like the marrying type.” She climbed out of the car and quickly closed the door behind her.
“I’m not.” Before he could capture her in his arms, she’d sprinted up the porch steps and unlocked the door. He tugged her to him, his arms looping around her waist, her back pressed to his chest. Nuzzling her neck, he said, “You drove me wild all night.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.” She cocked her head to the side.
“I loved it,” he said against her soft skin. “Are you going to invite me in?”
Stiffening, she placed her hands on his and tilted her head back. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. I have to get up early, and we’re trying to just be friends, remember?”
“Bad ideas are usually the most fun. And we are friends.”
She laughed dryly. “I don’t want a friendship with benefits. Anyway, what would Ryan say?”
The mention of Ryan’s name was a sure cockblocker. He released his hold on Hailey and stepped away. “I lost my head. I think you’re a damn hot woman, and sometimes I forget it’s you. I gotta go.”
She turned around. “Where are you going?”
“For a ride, then back to the clubhouse.”
“I’d like to ride on your Harley sometime.” Her gaze caught his and the sexual tension between them crackled.
“I’ll remember that.” He jumped off the porch and hopped on his bike. He needed to go for a fast, hard ride to clear his head. For him, riding his bike was better than a cold shower. He’d have to ride extra fast to rid himself of the image of Hailey’s soft body fused to his, sweat glistening off them as he fucked her hard while watching her come.
The night sky sparkled with thousands of bright specks, the blacked-out rock formations now flat shapes dissolving into the desert ground. As Goldie roared down the desolate road, the darkness swallowed him up.