I never claimed to be the sharpest tool in the shed. I had spent the last day and a half berating myself for everything I had allowed to happen with Dragon. Different thoughts ran through my mind. I could tuck tail and run back to Blade. I could quit and find a different job. I could pretend whatever happened between me and Dragon (and yes, I was leaning towards this one) never happened.

Except it did, we got laid. We got fucked and we want it again. This comes from Bad Nicole. I really hate her these days. She’s a mean, spiteful bitch and a whore, and her voice in my head is annoying. But, sadly, she’s also not wrong. I have never felt like that before. Dragon touched and awoke spots in me I never even knew existed. A girl could get addicted to the feelings he brings out in her.

So instead of sleeping at 11:58 p.m. on a Tuesday night, I’m sitting on the couch watching an October Scream and Scare Marathon on TV. I’m currently on Halloween… who the hell knows what version or number? I’m curled up on the couch in my fuzzy red pajama pants with hot pink hearts all over them, a white baby doll t-shirt and big pink fuzzy socks. My hair is pulled up on top of my head in a ponytail-bun-gone-wrong combination, and I just polished off a pint of chunky monkey ice cream. I might be in the midst of a depression. Dani is out withsome boy toy and the house is too damn quiet. So ice cream seemed like the only solution. I miss Dragon.

There I said it. I kind of expected him to stop me from leaving the bar. I was disappointed when he didn’t. I was okay though, totally fine. Then, time kept passing and I haven’t heard one word from him. Seems that should clue me in. I am definitely the whore I originally pegged myself as, and Dragon got what he wanted. He’s done with me now, and moved on. He’s probably sunk deep inside some cupcake now.

I refuse to call them Twinkies. I happen to like Twinkies and knowing Dragon called his whores that would ruin Twinkies for me. Of course as I think this, I am studiously avoiding the view of my kitchen table. I might have accidentally poured out the contents of a Twinkie box, and I might have accidentally flattened them with the bottom of my umm… third, or fourth glass of raspberry vodka and sprite. I could probably use another glass, but the cream all over the glass from the exploded, plastic-wrapped, goodies annoys me. So, I don’t. Instead, I lie here watching some bubble-headed ho-bag get chopped up on the TV screen. Seriously, does it always have to be the blondes and why on earth are they always half dressed? I pull the warm throw down off the back of the couch and snuggle up. When Dani and I first got here the weather was

sunny and warm and in the high seventies. Now, it’s dreary, rainy, and cold and I think the TV said it was like forty-two degrees outside. I figure that is somehow Dragon’s fault too, I just don’t know how to blame him yet. I should go to bed and sleep, but I tend to think more of Dragon there, so I refuse to.

I must have dozed off. I’m not sure for how long, but Michael Myers has been replaced by a killer dog, so lovely. I blink my eyes a few times trying to focus, when the banging on the front door begins. That must have been what woke me. I get up stretching and yawning, thinking that if Dani is going to try and beat me for slut of the week, the least the bitch could do was remember her keys. I cup my hand over my mouth yawning so big, tears leak from the sides of my eyes. I unlatch the door and freeze. Dani isn’t there. No, staring at me through the screen security door is Dragon in all his glory.

He looks good tonight. A woman couldn’t deny that. He’s wearing a dark green t-shirt that’s stretched over his biceps and his wide chest. It pops against his dark skin and I wish I could tear the shirt off and see more of what is underneath. I stare at him, not sure what to say and immediately get sucked into his dark, chocolate eyes.

“What the fuck?” He barks.

Well hello to you, too. I think it, but I don’t open my mouth. Maybe I short-circuited. I truly don’t know what to say to him. He could be every woman’s dream until he opens his mouth.

“What the fuck Nicole?” he barks again. If his voice wasn’t so deep and raspy it would be annoying as hell about now.

I yawn again and I’m too brain dead to remember to cover

my mouth this time, so I guess Dragon can see down to my tonsils. I shake my head trying to clear the sleep from it.

“What time is it?” There, a complete sentence, I’m getting better.

Give the girl a cookie. Bad Nicole needs to shut up.

“Do I look like a fucking Timex? Open the door.” Dragon...well yeah, he barks yet again.

“You come to my house at this time of night, so I figure you at least know the time. I’m too tired for this. I’m going back to bed, adios Dragon.”

“Unlock this damn screen door Nicole, I’m tired.”

I stop the main door from closing and study him for a minute. There are times to fight and times to let it lie. I’m thinking right now I should go for the latter. I’ve missed him. I had sex with him. He was here. I unlatch the door and turn around, heading back into the living room and my comfy bed on the couch. I plop down on the couch pulling the afghan up around me, bringing my knees up against my chest and wait. I hear the door close and the sound of the lock turning. It should make me nervous but it doesn’t. I should question everything I do around Dragon but I don’t. This is not normal.

“We shouldn’t have had sex,” I blurt out, watching as he walks to me. He stops in front of me and crosses his arms. I bite my lip wondering what will happen next. I don’t think I can have sex with him again. I want to, God, do I want to. Still, I need to jump back into reality, where you don’t just jump into bed with a man that you don’t know. Doing that leads to madness and venereal diseases. Oh God, I needed to make an appointment at the free clinic tomorrow.

“What the fuck are you doing opening the door this late at night?” Dragon asks, still looking at me.

Okay... well, alright... not what I expected.

“I thought you were Dani,” I answer, trying to avoid looking at him directly. Whenever I did that, it seems my brain short circuits.

“You don’t open the door without knowing who the hell is out there Nicole.”

“How do you know my name is Nicole?” I ask, ignoring him and changing the subject.

“You’re just now asking this? After what has gone down between us, not to mention the back and forth dance we’ve been doing?” he asks. He is looking at me like I am crazy—which maybe I am, at least when I am around him. Then, he takes a deep breath and sits down beside me, turning so we are facing each other.

I shrug.

“Your girl used your name,” he says, evidently giving up on my safety lesson.

“No she didn’t. She called me Nic. You just assumed it was Nicole,” I argued.

He took another weary breath. I didn’t think it was because he was having trouble breathing. I pretty much understood it was to show I was being an idiot. I guess I am. I don’t really care though.

“What else would your name have been?”

“Nikita, Nikki, Nickel, Nicorette....” I ramble.

“Nicorette, like the fucking smoking gum?” he asks, incredulously.

“Technically I think it’s to stop you from smoking.”

“Are we really having this discussion right now, Mama? I’m beat.”

“Umm... then, why are you here?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” he counters, and damn that is kind of a good question.

“We can’t have sex again.”

He nods his head, “Oh yeah, we can.”

“We can’t. We don’t know each other. I know what you think I am Dragon, but seriously, I’m not. I don’t do things like we did. So, we can’t do it again.”

“What are you?” he asks quietly, sounding tired.

“I’m not a woman who casually has sex, a good time girl!”

“Jesus, a good time girl?” He shakes his head, “Mama you might be the strangest woman I have ever met.”

“Probably,” I mumble.

“You’ve had sex before,” Dragon says, as his hand moves up to my face to push some of my bangs away from my eyes.

His touch feels nice. I like the way his callused finger tickles the skin under my eye. Was it my imagination or did he seem disappointed I’ve had sex before?

“Of course, but I knew them really well. I’d even dated them for a while. I know nothing about you. We’ve yet to go out on a first date!”

Dragon’s fingers were caressing my neck, but by the time I’d stopped talking, his fingers had stopped moving.

Damn it.

“I don’t date Nicole.”

“You don’t what?” I ask, dumbfounded.

“I don’t date.”

“Dragon, everyone dates.”

“I don’t.”

I don’t really know how to respond. It seems unreal, but I can tell he is completely serious.

“Like ever?”

“That’s what I said, Mama.”

“How can you tell if you like a girl if you don’t even know her?” I ask and something about this conversation hurts me.

“I fuck her.”

Oh. My. God!

“You... I don’t even know what to say to that.”

Dragon seems to get agitated. His face goes from being somewhat soft (though I’m not sure it could ever go completely soft, he was too harsh), to being tight. There is also a vein popping along the side of his neck.

“Nothing to say, Mama. It’s just the truth.”

“That’s unreal.”

“I’m not shiny and new Nicole. I’ve fucking been around the block. I’ve got scratches, dents and a lot of fucking miles. I’m a classic and not just anyone can handle me. I’m not about to make apologies for that shit. I am what I am.”

“A classic?”

“Only ride worth a damn is one that’s been around awhile and knows the curves in the road.”

“Been around awhile? I can see that. That must be why there’s so much rust. God, I can’t believe you. You’re such an ass.”

“Whatever woman, I’m tired. Let’s get in bed.”

“Um, this is my house,” I said. Dragon stands up and without even asking, yanks my afghan

away. “Hey stop that! I’m cold!” I complain reaching for it, but he throws it on the chair across from us before I can.

“That’s why we’re going to bed, so I can warm you up.”

“Dragon you can’t sleep here.”

“Nicole, I can,” he counters, bending down to pick me up. He lifts me like I weigh nothing. It’s a strange feeling and if I wasn’t panicking over Dragon informing me we would be sleeping together tonight—I might have enjoyed it.

“We shouldn’t. We should get to know each other better first.”

“I was planning on just sleeping tonight Mama, but I told you how I get to know women. If that’s what you want, I can change my plans. It’ll have to be quick though, because I’m beat girl.”

“Uh... we could just sleep.”

It was then that I knew I was in trouble—like really big trouble. Because it was then that I saw a complete miracle.

Dragon smiled.

Holy hell! He was a walking wet dream before, but a smile? A real one, the kind that lit up those dark eyes of his and caused angels to weep. Christ.

Dragon carries me upstairs and I direct him to my room. Once there, he slowly lets me slide down his body until I stand in front of him. He moves his hand around to undo my hair, letting it fall free.

“What the hell do you call this?” he asks looking at the holder I’d put in my hair earlier that day.

A scrunchie.”

“A what?”

I don’t know how to explain it further, so I just remain quiet. Dragon flings the article in question on my night stand. I want him, but I need to hold myself back. I’ve never, in my life, reacted to someone the way I do to Dragon. I don’t think it’s entirely healthy. I need to take a few steps back. That’s easier said than done though, because the man of my fantasies is currently undressing.

First the shirt goes up and over his head. I find myself staring at his broad chest. It takes all I have not to reach up and start licking him like a postage stamp. When his hands go to the snap on his jeans I reach out and stop him.

“What are you doing?” “Getting undressed babe, it’s late and I’ve got a shit ton of things to do tomorrow.”

“You can’t sleep naked,” I croak.

“I do it every night, Nicole. Best you get used to that shit now.”

Panic starts to set in, until his words register.

“Umm... why would I need to get used to it?”

“Because babe, you’re in my bed. While we’re on the subject, cute as that shit is you’ve got going on there, get out of it.”

“I’m in your bed?” I ask trying to digest this.

“That’s what I said.”

“How many others are in your bed?”

Dragon looks at me and it feels like his eyes are boring into me. I do my best to not look away though. I’m not sure what I am doing or what he is doing. I’m not even sure what we are doing together! Still, I sense that this conversation is important. “Me burying my dick in another woman, I’m sensing is a deal breaker for you.”

“Damn straight,” I answer immediately, and his mouth quirks, almost as if he wants to smile.

“Then for however long this lasts, you’re the only one who gets my dick.”

“You’re so romantic.”

“Mama if you’re trying to mold me into this perfect fucking boyfriend, that’s not who I am. I’m dark, I’m jaded and I like my sex dirty. I’m not going to say I’m sorry for being who I am. I like who I am baby, I ain’t changing for no-fucking-body.”

I could get pissed here, but the truth is I want more of Dragon. I made a decision to experience life and I have never felt more alive than when I am around this man.

“Just saying, that if you want to be in my bed, then I want sole ownership of it all, not just your dick—for however long this lasts.”

“You’re a hard bitch,” he says, but he’s halfway smiling.

I shrug.

“Whatever mama, if that’s how you want it, that’s how you’ll get it. Just remember, you are solely mine too. Now strip and get your pretty ass in bed, I’m tired.”

I look away as he finishes undressing. It’s weird. We’ve had sex, and I want to again. Right now, even. Still, I’m embarrassed to see him naked with the harsh light in the room. I walk over to the door and turn out the light. When I turn back around, Dragon has pulled the cover down and climbed into the bed. He turns the lamp on, that is on the nightstand. He then stretches out against the pillows, his eyes locking on mine, daring me to undress. I take a deep breath and try to channel my inner Dani. She would have already been undressed and rubbing up against him.

Yes! Yes! Let’s do that!

And here I thought Bad Nicole had given up the ghost. I close my eyes, because seriously I can’t do this any other way. I quickly step out of my clothes. I leave my underwear and tank on and climb in the bed.

“You can open your eyes now Mama.”

“Um no, I can’t, not yet anyways.”

“Why the hell not?”

“I have to work up my courage.”

Dragon laughs. I have never heard him laugh freely before. It’s not a full belly laugh. I get the feeling that Dragon doesn’t do those. Still, it’s a soft laugh and it warms me from the inside. I don’t think many people make Dragon laugh and I really like that I can.

He pulls me tight against him. His arm acts like my pillow as he molds me to him, exactly how he wants. He kisses my forehead. I didn’t think that was something tough bikers did, but I liked that he did and I wanted more of it.

“Night, Mama,” he says softly, in the darkness.

“Night, Dragon.”