2014 – Santana
A knock sounds out, and my heart clenches. I’ve changed into a nicer halter dress that flows around my knees, and binds up a little tighter around my breasts. It’s dark blue with small white spots. It seems ugly on the rack, but when I’m wearing it, it’s lovely. I’ve left my hair down and kept the makeup.
I hurry as quickly as I can out of the room when I hear another knock. I already know Maddox will get it before me no matter what, but I can save poor Alec. I skid to a stop at the bottom of the stairs when I see Maddox standing, his large body filling the doorframe as he stares at Alec. God, he’s huge; he makes Alec look like a toy doll next to him.
Alec’s face is pale as Maddox squeezes his hand so hard his fingers are bunched together. Great, he’s going to break my date’s fingers before we even get two steps out the front door. “Alec,” I say quickly, shoving Maddox out of the way and forcing them to part. “I see you’ve met Maddox.”
Alec is rubbing his hand, his face twisted in pain. Maddox is grinning. I ignore him as I lean in and kiss Alec on the cheek. Maddox growls and I turn, giving him a sardonic smile. “I’ll see you later. Don’t wait up.”
“One thing before you go,” Maddox rumbles, his eyes pinning Alec. “You so much as lay a harmful hand on her, I’ll cut your balls off and shove them—”
“Maddox!” I protest.
“It’s okay,” Alec says, taking my hand and squeezing it. “Let him speak.”
“Smart man,” Maddox grunts. “As I was sayin’, you hurt her, I’ll make it hurt for you. She’s a big girl, she can take care of herself real good, but it don’t mean I won’t be there to back her up if I need to. And let me tell you somethin’, fucker—you don’t wanna see what I’ll do if that girl so much as comes home with a scratch.”
I stare at Maddox, surprised he’s actually admitted that I can take care of myself. I give him a half smile, and he throws one back at me. The way it changes his face from gorgeous to stunning slams into me. I turn away, cheeks pink. “Are you ready?” I ask Alec.
“I’m ready.”
I give Maddox one last stare and turn, following Alec to his car. He opens the door for me and I slide onto the brown leather seats. When he gets in, I turn and give him a smile. Alec is a good looking man—not the same kind of good looking that Maddox is, but very appealing. He’s got messy blond hair and big hazel eyes. His body is well-built but lean, and he’s always impeccably dressed.
“You look beautiful tonight, Santana,” he murmurs, leaning over and kissing me softly.
“You look pretty good yourself,” I say back.
“Are you ready?”
I nod, beaming. “I’m ready.”
Neither of us says anything about the rumble of Harley Davidsons that roar to life behind us. He knows they’re following me, I know they’re following me, and we both know there’s nothing that can be done about it. He pulls out and drives away from the house. I turn to him as we’re heading off down the road. “I’m sorry about Maddox.”
He shrugs. “He cares about you. It’s fine.”
“Things are strained between us right now, but we’re getting there.”
He smiles, but it seems slightly tight. He quickly changes the subject. “How are you going finding a job?”
I frown. “I haven’t found one, but I’m still actively looking.”
That was mostly a lie. I’ve been shot at and shuffled around too much for me to have a good chance at getting a job.
“I think I might have something for you,” he says.
My eyes widen. “You have?”
He nods. “My sister owns a café just a few blocks down. You've probably heard of it—Moxie’s.”
“Oh yeah.” I smile. “They make great coffee.”
“Well, she has an opening. It’s only casual for now, but it’s something.”
“I’m all for it. Can I go and speak to her?”
He smiles. “I’ll set it up for tomorrow.”
“Okay.” I grin.
Alec takes me down to the wharf and my smile widens when I see the yacht that’s docked, waiting for us. “Is that . . .”
“For us.” He winks, stopping the car and getting out. He comes around to my door and opens it. “My Lady.”
I giggle stupidly and climb out, taking his hand. He leads me down to the gorgeous yacht and we climb on board. I hear the bikes come to a stop; they won’t leave from that spot. I turn my focus back to the yacht. It isn’t a big yacht, but it’s got a big enough deck space that we can move around freely. Enough that a gorgeous table is set in the middle of the space, lit with candles and roses.
“Oh Alec, it’s beautiful.”
He smiles and leads me over, pulling my chair out. “Wine?”
“Please.”
He sits down and a man in a tux comes out, bottle of wine in hand. I laugh softly as he leans over and pours us a glass. Then he announces, “First course will be served momentarily.”
I take my glass, smiling as the man disappears. I’ve had a hell of a time lately, and this is exactly what I need.
Alec sips his wine, studying me with appreciation. I can see it in his eyes, the way they sparkle as they run over me.
“How is your leg healing?”
I’ve been home three days, and while my leg is starting to itch as it heals, it’s mostly feeling okay.
“It’s doing great, thanks.”
He beams. “I’m glad. Tell me something about yourself, Santana.”
I pout and say, “What do you want to know?”
“Where did you grow up?”
I frown. I’ve told Alec basics about my life, but I’m not ready to get into great detail so I give him a basic answer.
“My parents died in an accident when I was young. I spent my life in foster homes until Maddox took me in – which you already know most of.”
His face softens. “It must have been awful.”
I shrug. “There are worse things.”
I don’t tell him the rest; that’s a conversation for another day.
“What about you?” I ask, sipping the cool wine.
“I grew up here with my family. Just your normal life, you know? I don’t really have anything to tell.”
“We’re terribly boring,” I point out and he laughs.
“Okay how about ten questions?” He winks.
“I’m all up for that.”
“What’s your favorite color?” he asks.
“White.”
He chuckles. “White isn’t a color.”
I grin. “Exactly.”
The waiter brings out our first course of seafood. I stare down at the display, and my stomach grumbles.
“I hope you eat seafood?”
“I eat everything,” I say, “It looks amazing.”
We talk through dinner, asking random questions and laughing a lot. By the time we’re finished dessert, I feel amazing, and my entire body is thrumming with happiness. Alec even gets me up to dance, holding me close as we move around the deck to a soft song. He leans down to kiss me midway through, and it’s a nice kiss.
Soft. Sweet. Perfect.
By the time he pulls back, I’m panting and staring up at him. He strokes my cheek, staring down at me. “I’m glad I met you, Santana, and I hope I get to see more of you.”
He kisses me again, his hands slowly going down to graze over my backside. I let him do this for a while, but quickly stop it. I like Alec, a lot, but I’m not ready for things to move so quickly. He stiffens when I shift the direction of his hand, but he says nothing. We keep dancing, our bodies moving together.
A hand grazes my ass.
Okay, it’s a romantic situation, but seriously?
“Hands off,” I say lightly.
“You’re no fun,” he complains.
“It’s our first official date. You’re not seriously expecting anything, are you?”
He pulls back and stares down at me. “Of course not.”
But I can see something else behind his eyes—disappointment, frustration? Is that what he wanted?
I hope not.
~*~*~*~
Alec takes me home as the night gets on, and waits until the bikes trailing us pull up before leaving me—he doesn’t kiss me again, and I try not to think too much about it. I watch him go, walking straight past the angry glares being shot his way. I roll my eyes and walk down to the three members, Mack being one of them.
“Chief, since when did you become a babysitter?”
He grins. “Since you decided to date that douchebag.”
“He’s not a douchebag,” I say, poking his chest with my finger.
“He is a douchebag.” He smirks. “The man probably has never done anything but stroke his own—”
“Mack,” I warn.
He flashes a sexy grin at me.
“Take me to the club. I want to see Maddox.”
His eyes grow serious. “Why? Did that fucker hurt you?”
I roll my eyes again, and climb onto the back of his bike.
“Get moving, oh mighty one.”
He laughs and pulls out, patting my hand with amusement. We arrive at the clubhouse and the moment the bike stops, I leap off. “Save me a drink,” I yell as I hurry into the space.
The moment I step inside, a party is in full swing. Bikers are lazed about drinking beer, girls are walking around, slinking all over them, and old ladies are laughing and chatting in the corner. I wave to them as I pass and walk off down the hall.
I reach Maddox’s room, and swing the door open, I don’t care if he’s occupied or not. He is. He’s got the club whore, Cacey, dancing for him. Her naked body slinks about seductively. He swings his eyes to me, and a smirk appears on his face. God he looks good, damn him. Damn him to hell.
“You and I are going to talk,” I say, stepping in. I turn to Cacey. “Shoo.”
She glares at me. “Fuck off, Santana.”
I laugh. “Out.”
“Get out,” Maddox grumbles.
Cacey takes her clothes, and glares at me once more before leaving. Aw, I took her cock for the night. I turn back to Maddox and he reaches over, taking a cigarette and lighting it.
“Have a good time?” He smirks, taking a drag.
“It was great, except for the trail of bikes. How long do I have to let them follow me, Maddox?”
He snorts. “For as long as I say.”
“Really? Alec can take care of me. He wouldn’t let anyone hurt me. Besides, he couldn’t even kiss me comfortably without those guys glaring at him.”
Maddox snorts, taking another long drag. “Alec . . . what sort of name is that anyway?”
“What sort of name is Maddox?” I throw back.
He grins, unperturbed by my comment. “A very sexy one.”
“Oh, dream on.”
“I’m surprised Alec even knows how to kiss.” He snorts.
“He kisses very well, thank you,” I argue, throwing my hands on my hips.
“Does he now? And what have you got to compare it to?”
I flush, and shift from one foot to the other. I am a virgin. Which is a small miracle, considering the life I lived. I was lucky, truly blessed, that no one took what was mine before I wanted to give it. That also means kissing men is a big thing for me, I’ve only kissed two in my life: Kennedy and Alec. Kennedy is one that has lodged itself into a part of my brain I try not to access.
“He’s the first one, ain’t he, baby?”
“Stop calling me that,” I snap. “And he isn’t the first. Even if he were, it wouldn’t matter. It felt amazing.”
“Make your panties wet?”
“Maddox!” I snap.
He grins. “Did it, honey?”
“Fuck you.”
“Answer the question.”
“No it did not. It was a kiss, not a fondle.”
His grin widens. “When a man kisses you, and he really means it, and you really feel it, then you will ache for him. Everywhere.”
My cheeks flame, and I turn away. “We are not having this conversation.”
“Alec is too good for you, Tana. He’s a perfect man who will bore the shit out of you in a month.”
“You’re wrong, Maddox. He’s much more than boring—he’s sweet and kind, and he treats me how I want to be treated.”
“You sure about that?”
I don’t look at him as I walk towards the door. “Yes.”
At least, I think I am.