Oh my God, I’m a whore!

Those are the words that are playing in my head as I watch Dragon pull up his jeans. Yes, he

is pulling up his jeans. He didn’t even get undressed! Not like Super Whore Nicole! I’m currently curled up on a couch that Dragon carried me to after being fucked to an inch of my life.

I’m pretty sure he short circuited what small brain cells I had and totally paralyzed me. That’s the only reason I can come up with for not covering my naked ass up. Shit, what do I know? Super Whore Nicole may just be lying here waiting for round two with Fat Tommy outside! After all, whores do everyone… Right? Even freaking, Fat Tommy! Oh my God! I’m a whore!

“Get dressed woman, before I fuck you again,” Dragon orders. His wicked voice sending chills down my back.

I swallow and then lean down to grab my clothes that were scattered on the floor. I don’t speak. I’m not sure I can. The only words that come to mind are, Super Whore! She’s able to leap from man to man with a single...

“Did you hear what I said?”

I’m pulling my shirt over my head when I look up at him. Fuck no, I didn’t hear him. Why can’t he just leave? Shit, I just had sex with a biker who has Twinkies for God sakes! I have to go get a damn shot. Do they even give chlamydia shots!?!?

I mean he wore a condom, but can that shit eat through latex? He probably fucks so much he has a weird Teenage Mutant Ninja strain of it!

“Yo! Mama! I asked what time your shift is over.”

Over? It’ll never be over! Shit, now my brain is quoting cheesy Nicholas Sparks movies.

I clear my throat. “Midnight, I get off at midnight.”

God, I hope we get off again. Cue Bad Nicole, I’m so fucking screwed. You can say that again. Bad Nicole chimes.

I shake my head to clear the voices. I take some deep breaths. I feel better now that I’m not naked as a jaybird. I’ll be fine. All I have to do is pull up that damned armor that I keep in place. It should be easy. I’ve used it since I was old enough to realize my parents had frozen popsicles for hearts. I walk towards the door and Dragon stops me.

“I’ll pick you up after work, Mama,” he says softly and kisses my forehead. It’s a sweet touch that sets butterflies off in my stomach. I ignore them and instead concentrate on being relieved.

If he had really kissed me, I probably would have never come back out of the haze he would put me in. He’s that potent. He is Super Whore kryptonite even. I nod. If I disagree out loud he will fuck me into submission.

Yes, please. Bad Nicole needs to go—like yesterday! I clear my throat.

“I better get back to work.”

“Okay. Mama,” he says, while his finger moves gently back and forth on my cheek. I open my eyes, and really I’m so far gone that I don’t remember closing them. I get lost in the dark chocolate of his eyes, so deep and intense. If he tried, he could probably see right through me. He bends down further this time and lightly kisses my lips.

It’s sweet, totally unexpected after what we just shared. Then again, so was the forehead kiss. It seems totally out of character.

I can’t really say though because… I don’t know him! Oh. My. God!

Then he’s gone. The door closes and I’m left staring at the dumb thing, slightly in shock. I run my fingers through my hair because I’m sure, at this point, I look like I’ve just had sex on my boss’s desk. Because I have!

I take a deep breath and close my eyes. Then I take another one... and another. Finally, I open my eyes and lick my suddenly dry lips. It’s time I go back out

there. I don’t want to. I hate to face the world when everyone has to what I just did in here. Shit. Another fortifying breath—which doesn’t really fortify at all—I walk out with my head held high...okay, medium high.

Whatever!

I grab my serving tray off the bar, having no idea how it got there at this point. I refuse to look my boss in the eye.

“Back on duty,” I mumble.

“K, Nicole.”

I can hear the laughter in his voice. I choose to ignore it. That’s my plan, and I’m sticking to it. I don’t know where Dragon and his crony went. I’m trying not to dwell on it. I know he said he would be back to pick me up. Um. Yeah. I can’t do that. I just need to get back home and pretend tonight didn’t happen. Chances are Dragon left here and has found another woman already. I ignore the pang of hurt that lodges in my stomach with the thought.

The crowd is starting to die down. There may be ten people in here. I’m collecting empties and wiping off Fat Tommy’s table. I’m relieved to find that apparently my new found whoredom centers only on Dragon and not the sweet, but bald, beer belly, tobacco chewing, Tommy who I learned ten minutes on the job was a regular—as in he was here every night. Every night. Still, I wouldn’t be spreading my legs for Tommy and I take that as a good sign. All is not lost, I suppose.

I look up at the bar to find Irish watching me. He’s been doing that a lot since I screwed Dragon in the back room. How could he not? Hell, he probably figures I’ll spread my legs for him next. What was I thinking? I wasn’t thinking, that much is clear—at least not with my head. This whole night has one word attached to it.

Mistake—a big mistake.

Dragon already wanted me to be a Twinkie and that had pissed me off! Then I go and act like one! It’s ten minutes before ten. I’m supposed to get off at ten. Yeah, I know I totally lied to Dragon. What’s lying when I’m already a fornicator—either way I’m still going to hell.

Geez I’m losing it.

“Hey Irish, I’m going to cash in,” I say not looking at him. Even avoiding his gaze, I can still feel the heat rise in my face.

“Thought Dragon was coming back to pick you up?” he asks, and I can feel fear spike through me and speed up my heartbeat.

“Something must have come up. No worries, I have my own car. I’m sure he’ll find me.” I answer, trying to sound breezy and carefree.

I paste on a fake smile and go over to the register to cash out. Luckily, my money and orders jive and it goes quickly. The only bad spot I have is when Irish mentions he should give Dragon a call. I ignore him. A customer demanded his attention and thankfully a crisis is diverted. I am just about to leave when I feel a large hand cup my ass and squeeze it. For a minute I think Dragon has shown up early and I’m not sure if it is fear or happiness that fills me. I know however, after just a second though, that it is not Dragon’s hand on me. The touch feels...wrong. I hate that I explain it that way, but it’s true nonetheless.

“Irish, you didn’t tell me you were getting some new talent.” My spine stiffens and I straighten up, trying to disappear into the wood of the bar just to get some space between me and the voice behind me. He’s got a deep voice, almost sexy, but something about it sends a warning through me and raises the hairs at the back of my neck, and not in a good way. I can tell he sits down on the stool behind me. This was bad news since every stool around me is empty. I lower my head, grieving the bad luck I seem to be having. Apparently, I broke a mirror and somehow forgot.

“Hands off, Skull.”

“Shit no, haven’t seen a piece this fine in months. What’s your name, chica?” he asks my back. I don’t want to turn around. That doesn’t seem to matter; he wraps his arms around

my stomach and pulls me onto his lap. I take a breath and put my hands on his to pry them away from my stomach.

“Let me up stud, I think you have me confused here,” I tell him, trying to joke my way out of this.

“No way, Mamacita. You and me are going to get better acquainted.”

Okay, well bright side, I now knew unequivocally that I am not a slut. Why? Because Skull or whoever this was, was a damn fine, good looking man, but he was still creeping me out. His dark hair was shaggy, in a way you just knew he didn’t try, but still looked like a runway model for Calvin Klein. His eyes were brown not dark like Dragon’s, but shiny and sparkly. He had an indention on his jaw that was sexy and a slight scar above his right eyebrow. He was a walking dream man and he was doing nothing for me, except annoying me. When he started laughing and a few others joined in I looked around. Shit, was this place full of bikers? Skull had brought three other men in with him. Was this more of Dragon’s crew?

Hell, I needed to get out of here, maybe even move back home at this point.

“Let her up, Skull. She’s Dragon’s property,” Irish mutters. His voice has gone from easygoing to so still and dark it sent chills. Then his words hit me.

Dragon’s property?!

Irish’s words seem to make Skull’s arms wrap tighter around me, for a minute it hurts. I’m getting upset by this point, for a number of reasons. First and foremost, though, I want out of this man’s arms. Then, I want out of this bar before Dragon decides to come back and, most importantly, I want to be locked up nice and tight at home, away from the crazies that apparently are thicker than molasses in this damned town.

“I don’t see a damned stamp on her,” Skull growls and he yanks my hair hard, looking at the back of my neck.

I wince at the pain. I can feel the sting and breathe in to stop the water from gathering in my eyes. That’s it. I’ve had enough. Who did this ass think he was?

I relax my body to catch him off guard. When his arm loosens against me enough to allow it, I move to the side with a flirty smile. I can see the disapproval on Irish’s face as he catches my ass wiggling on Skull’s lap. Skull’s hard and obviously packing but the feel of him leaves me disgusted. I don’t let that show however, playing my part as I slide down his lap and turn so I can move my hand down his chest. It’s a stupid way to get a man’s guard down, but then most men only think with their dicks. Besides, I’m good at playing the dumb blonde. It’s come in handy over the years. Hell, it worked with Dragon! Well… before I became a whore! When I catch Skull’s grin and the way he is sizing up my breasts, I almost roll my eyes.

Seriously men are just too predictable.

“What’s your name, little girl?”

“Nicole.” I’m trying to make my voice sound breathless. That’s not hard to do, since I’m pretty much panicking. I’ve got to get out of this damned bar before Dragon makes it back in.

“Nicole, huh? I like that, sweet one. How about we get better acquainted?”

Ugh, seriously?

“What do you have in mind?” I ask, slowly moving my hand down his chest. Another couple of inches and I’m going to twist his balls so tight maybe one of them will pop and the blood can go back to his brain—which is obviously deprived.

“Nicole, get your fucking hands off him.”

Oh fuck. My hand immediately stops. Damn it all to hell. I go to get up and I can’t step away because Neanderthal man has gone back to holding me tight. I release an aggravated breath and then because at least I now have moving room, whereas, I didn’t before, I bring my elbow hard back into his solar plexus. He immediately lets me go and I get up.

“What the fuck?” the man growls.

“That’s for pulling my damn hair and grabbing my ass!”

“Nicole, get over here now,” Dragon orders. He doesn’t yell, but his voice is cold and deadly. A smarter woman would obey. I have never been particularly smart, especially when it comes to men.

“Will you quit ordering me around like some damned lap dog?” I huff. I turn to the bar and untie the small serving apron I have around my waist.

“Get your damned ass over here before I smack it.”

Did he really just say that?

I’m not sure why it surprises me at this point, but it does.

“Seems to me Dragon, la amiga doesn’t want shit to do with you.”

“Fuck off, Skull. What the hell you doing in my club uninvited anyway, motherfucker?”

“Right now, enjoying the scenery,” Skull replies.

“She’s hands off,” Dragon growls, and I really need to stop liking the way he growls damn it!

“Didn’t see your mark on her and she seemed to warm up to me pretty damn quick, compadre. I’m thinking I’m about to get my hands all over her.”

Skull’s men start laughing, and as annoying as that is, Dragon manages to top it.

“She belongs to the club.”

Now I have been pretty calm, all things considered. I mean if you set aside the mild freak out I had after boinking the hot ass, scary biker dude, I have been calm. I’ve even ignored being talked about like I’m not in the room. But having it announced that I was the club’s property? After I already set his ass straight on that shit? Hell no.

“She can talk for herself,” I say finally. I am feeling a hundred different things, and I’m not too sure how to deal with it all. So, instead of trying to sift through it, I decide to grab hold of the one thing that is messing with my head the most.

“Nicole,” Dragon says in warning. It is a warning. Hell, I’m so mad I can hear blood rushing through my ears, but I still his warning over that. Any other time I might have listened, but not now.

I look down at Skull.

“What the fuck is this mark thing you keep talking about?”

Skull smiles, and he might be good looking, but that smile is scary shit. This man is dark, cold and scary.

“Dragon here likes to mark his personal bitches. He puts the club symbol on their neck. You, girl, do not have that mark, so I can only assume that you are fair game. I’m not much for loose pussy, but for you?” he shrugs giving me that cold smile again. “I’ll make an exception. I find I don’t even care if you are club pussy.”

“Why would you think I was club pussy?” I ask. Oh, but I know. I know and the knowledge is twisting sour in my gut. I am such a freaking idiot.

“Dragon just said you belonged to the club.”

The emphasis in his words, is on the word club. Not Dragon, but the club. Skull sees my reaction and the way his grin spreads makes me physically ill. He knows what he was doing. He knew that would cut, and he definitely knows he’s twisting the knife now. It wasn’t so much to get at me. It was more to upset Dragon. I understood that, but it didn’t change things.

“Nicole get your ass over here now,” Dragon orders. I see the guy who was with him earlier go around and stand in front of Skull. I walked the opposite way, going towards the door, while giving Dragon a wide berth.

“Nicole.”

“Fuck you, Dragon. I told you before I’m not ever going to be a club chew toy.”

I stopped in front of the door when a thought occurred to me.

“Was that what we did in there? Were you trying me out to see if I would live up to the stable you already have?” I yell out. Had I been of my right mind, I would have been mortified. I would have noticed how horribly quiet the room had gone, and the way that Dragon and I had become the center of attention. Thankfully, that didn’t hit me—at least not right then. I was more mortified that possibly the single best sexual moment I would ever encounter in my life had really been just a try out for becoming community pussy!

“Woman, stop your yammering.”

“My yammering… What the hell does that even mean? I can’t believe you! You, asshole! I gave myself to you. I gave you the green light. I didn’t give myself to your buddies. I don’t want your buddies. I wasn’t thinking about anyone’s hands on me but you, and the whole time you were planning on me just giving out to anyone in your fucking club? If you want to give me away, then fuck you. Go back to your Twinkies.”

“Woman, we had an hour in a fucking back room, not a honeymoon. Now get your fucking ass over here.”

If he had slapped me, it couldn’t have hurt more. What was worse, was that he was right. He was totally right. I was acting illogical and completely irrational. It was two strangers hooking up in a back room of a seedy bar. It hurt but it was the truth, and Dragon was absolutely right. I didn’t tell him that however. I’d cry on Dani’s shoulder later. I decided instead to score a point the best I could and be done.

“I think you’re overestimating it there, stud. You didn’t last fifteen minutes, let alone an hour.”

I deliver my verbal barb, feeling a little bit better when Skull’s laughter rings out loud. I can even hear Dragon’s own man laughing to my left.

Dragon says nothing, but I can feel the anger vibrating from him. Still, in for a penny, in for a pound and all that.

“I’m out of here Irish. I’ll see you Friday.”

“Yeah, alright. Friday,” Irish said, laughing enough it distorts his words. I can see a muscle jump in Dragon’s jaw.

I turn to go, stopping at the door when Dragon calls out to me.

“You walk out that door woman and we have problems.”

I didn’t turn around.

“It was a fifteen-minute hook up in the back of a bar, Dragon. We don’t have anything.” I thought it was a good parting line. Aces really, so I pushed the door open, and leave this horrible night behind.