Tease
I pull out my cell phone, looking at the screen. Who the fuck is calling me? Everyone I care to know is right here, in this fucking room.
The screen shows an unknown number, but it’s local.
I lift the phone to my ear, pressing the accept button. “Yeah?”
A feminine giggle fills my ear. “Yeah? That’s how you answer your phone?”
I freeze, instantly recognizing that voice. “Laynie?”
“Uh – hunh.” She giggles again. She sounds strange.
“Are you drunk?”
“Yeppers. Wasted.” Her words are slurred, and she giggles at her own declaration.
“Where are you?” The thought of her out, alone and drunk puts me immediately on edge.
“At home. Me and Dexter are cuddled up on the couch, drinking a few bottles of wine.” I relax. If she’s at home and her dog is with her, she’s safe. “Well, Dexter’s not drinking wine. I am.”
I smirk. This woman’s crazy. “How is Dexter anyways?”
She sighs. “He’s ok. Just needs a couple days of rest.” I hear her pause and take another gulp of wine.
“I nearly killed that fuckin’ kid that hit him.” And I had. When that kid had come flying down the sidewalk, he’d paid no attention to what was going on around him. I’d seen him coming, and seen the dog shuffle Laynie out of the way, but he’d taken the bike on himself in the process. Good fucking dog.
“I remember. It was kind of hot.” My eyes widen in shock as she giggles again. “Anyways, I was thinking, as a thank you, do you maybe want to – “ I hear a crash in the background and what sounds like glass breaking, followed by a thump. “Ow! Shit!” Her voice sounds distant now.
“Laynie? What the fuck was that?”
“Hello? Travis?” I hear movement in the background. “Shit! I dropped the phone,” she calls out. “Dexter! Get your drunk ass over here and help Mommy find her phone.”
“Laynie?”
I hear more movement. “That’s it, baby. Find Mommy’s phone.” There’s more movement in the background before the phone fills with the sound of breathing. I hear, “That’s my good boy. Thank you, baby.” Her voice fills the receiver again. “Ugh! Gross! Now there’s slobber all over it.” I shake my head. Again, crazy. “Travis? You there?”
“I’m here.”
“Sorry. I dropped my phone.” Another girly giggle follows a small hiccup.
“What was that crash?”
“Just the table.” She hiccups again.
“What broke?”
“Something on the table?”
“You don’t know what that something was?”
“Travis, I’m blind. I’ve got no clue what the hell it was.”
I can’t help the chuckle that escapes me. Such a smartass.
“Fuck me. Did Tease just fuckin’ chuckle?” My eyes cut to Jase, remembering instantly where I am. Everyone is staring at me, wide eyed. Jase continues, ignoring my glare. He elbows Reaper. “Did you know he could do that?”
Mouse leans around Reaper and looks at Jase, eyes wide and stage whispers, “I didn’t even know the dude could fuckin’ talk!”
Everyone around me start laughing. I’m just about to lay into them when I hear Laynie yelp in pain. “Laynie? You ok?”
“Um. Yeah?” She hiccups and then slurs out, “I’ll be fine.”
“You don’t sound fine.” She’d sounded like she was hurt.
“I just stepped on glass or something. I’ll be fine.” She pauses. “Anyways, I won’t keep you. I just wanted to invite you for dinner tomorrow. Or this week. Or whenever.”
Dinner? Nobody’d ever invited me to dinner before – especially not a gorgeous blonde with a smart mouth. I can’t think about that right now. If she’s hurt, I need to know. “You bleedin’?”
“What?”
“Your foot. You bleedin’?”
“Uh. Yeah. I think so.” There’s another pause. “Ahh! Yep. Definitely bleeding.” Her voice is tight and laced with pain.
“Be there in ten.” I turn and head towards the exit of the clubhouse. I can hear everyone murmuring as I leave, but I ignore each and every one of those nosey fuckers, and move toward my bike.
“No! Travis, I’m fine. I’ll just – “
“I said I’ll be there in ten. Sit your ass down and don’t move.”
“Travis! Don’t you dare talk to me li – “
“Can’t talk to you and drive my bike, babe.”
“Travis – “
“Say what you gotta say in ten minutes. Sit tight.” With that, I hit the end button. All I can think of is her being hurt, bleeding all over the place, and not able to clean it up herself. I don’t know why I even care, but I do. Ever since I first saw her, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her.
And then I met her. Fuck me. Her smart mouth makes me hard.
My phone rings again. I don’t even bother checking. I know it’s Laynie. She’s pissed I hung up on her. I can’t fight the grin that takes over my face as I roar out of the parking lot on my bike.
Watch Out For
Tease
Book Two in the Kings of Korruption MC series
Coming November 2015