CHAPTER TWO
RAHYNE
I plopped down in a chair in front of Scarlett. Brushing my hair back into a ponytail I let out a breath of air. A goofy grin was pasted on my lips as I looked at her. My body was still tingling from Grayson’s touch and I was feeling deliriously satisfied.
Scarlett let down her reading glasses and looked at me over their rim. “Jesus, Rahyne. You’re gonna wear the poor boy down!”
I crossed my legs and laughed. “It’s not like he’s saying no.”
It was true, ever since Grayson and I hooked up six months ago we’d been going at it non-stop. Whenever I saw him I wanted to jump his bones. He was just so damn delicious, with that brooding pout and those deep chocolate brown eyes. He did things to my insides that, well, no man had ever been able to do. With one touch, I was completely his. He turned me into a begging harlot.
As much as I loved it, it scared me. It was turning out to be a lot more than just physical, but I just couldn’t bring myself to stop. Grayson had started asking for more, a dinner, a drink, shit, he even offered to walk me home, but I couldn’t give him what he was asking for. I knew that if I allowed him to get any closer, I’d want him to stay. We didn’t even fuck in proper places. It was always a bathroom stall, the back of my car, and of course the back-stock room at Ravenous. Anywhere that didn’t give him the advantage of sleeping over.
I knew his kind. He’d tire of me eventually and then go on his way. Men like Grayson Carter had a new woman on their knees on a daily, if not, weekly basis.
What I couldn’t pretend was how his arms felt so right. At times I thought I could finally lose myself in him. My ex was like that, one minute sweet and sexy, the next forbidding me to go out, controlling every little aspect of my life. After he threw that first punch, I swore I’d never let myself be consumed by a man again. And no matter how good Grayson’s cock felt, I’m not about to let it control me.
I was completely in it for the fun and Grayson was the perfect candidate. Gorgeous, possessive in bed, and wasn’t looking for any attachments. No attachments meant no problems in my eyes.
“It sounds like you’re obsessed.”
I don’t get obsessed, I get horny.” I gave her a playful wink and smiled.
“If Gray finds out that I know what you’re doing, he’s going to flip. Especially, since I was the one who warned him to stay away from you.”
I waved a hand in the air. “You should have warned me instead.”
“If you don’t stop, one of you is going to get hurt. And it’s not going to be Grayson.”
“I’m just having a little fun. Relax. It’s nothing serious.”
Scarlett leaned forward on the desk. “It’s been six months, Rahyne. I was having fun too, you know. Until I got married and now I look like a giant beach ball.”
I smile. “And you love every minute of it.”
She laughed. “Damn straight.”
I sighed. “You know how I feel about being tied to someone. It’s not my thing. I’m sure this will pass, and I’ll move on to another hottie. Riggs looked yummy the other night.” I wiggled my brows teasingly.
Scarlett scoffed. “If you stopped drooling over Grayson long enough, maybe you would have noticed.”
I sighed, leaning back in the chair. “It’s all going to be fine. I just need to fuck him out of my system, that’s all.”
“That’s bullshit and you know it.”
I held Scarlett’s disapproving stare for a few seconds and then decided to change the subject.
“Anyway, that’s not why I’m here.”
“Oh?” Scarlett leaned back in her chair, assessing me quietly.
“I need to find another job.”
“What? Why? I thought you were going up for manager?”
“Yeah. Until my sleaze of a boss touched my ass last night.”
“Whaaat?”
I closed my eyes and nodded. “It was bound to happen. It always does, Scarlett. They can’t keep their hands to themselves. Maybe I’m just too nice, a little too helpful...”
“That’s bullshit! No man should put their hands on you, ever!” Scarlet slammed her hand on the desk.
“Well, you don’t really mean never. Not unless you want them too.” I winked.
“Jesus, Rahyne! Be serious for a second.”
“I am being serious. I seriously need a job.”
Scarlett tapped her fingers on the table and I could see her wheels spinning. Suddenly her eyebrows shot up.
“Do you remember how to bartend?”
I contemplated her question for a second. “I know what’s happening is bad, but I don’t think you should be drinking in your condition.”
I ducked, as a pen flew over my head. “Stop goofing around. I’m serious.”
I shrugged. “Yeah, I can still make some mean Margaritas.”
Scarlett smiled. “Wonderful! You can start training tonight.”
My eyes widened. “First of all, Miss Chirpy, where am I starting? Secondly, who am I starting with?”
“I’m going to have Meg train you at the bar. She wants to retire and has been looking for someone to manage the bar when she’s gone. And honey, you’re perfect for the job.”
My mouth hung open. “Manage, Ravenous? Do you have any idea what goes on down there?”
Scarlett rolled her eyes. “Pure debauchery and loud mouthed, drunken bikers. If there’s anyone who can handle that, it’s you. Plus, nothing fazes you.”
“You know, I was thinking of a nice quiet office job. Something very different from the one I just left.”
Scarlett shook her head. “You don’t thrive in an office, Rahyne. You like to give orders and set your own schedules. You want protection? I’ve got eight men downstairs who will offer that to you. No one messes with Meg, no one messes with you.”
“I don’t know, Scarlett. This sounds a little out of my comfort zone.”
Scarlett stood up and dragged me up. “Don’t even. You used to run circles around me when we bartended in college. You know exactly how to run a bar, and I know that Wolf will be happy to have you here.”
She tugged me forward and I followed her past empty offices as she pulled me towards a back staircase. “Where are you taking me?”
She looked back at me and squeezed my hand. “Just follow me, I want to show you something.”
Opening the door at the top, we entered into the large space that Wolf had converted into their home. It was a beautiful loft with a large open living and kitchen space.
“This is going to be a great opportunity for you, Rahyne. Besides, both Wolf and I would feel better to have someone we trust manning the bar.” Without another word, she pulled me towards the back of the apartment and opened the first door on the right. I walked into a bright nursery. A white rocking chair stood in the corner, matching the crib set I had pitched in to buy, and the walls were painted a rosy pink. My eyes grew wide and I turned around with a wide smile.
“It’s a girl.” I said softly.
She grinned and nodded her head excitedly. A giant squeal came out of both our lips and I ran to her and hugged her. “I can’t believe it! I thought it was a boy.”
“So did we, but we couldn’t wait any longer and Wolf asked the doctor about the baby’s sex.”
“Is he happy?”
She grinned. “He’s ecstatic! But he says we’re eventually going to have to move. There’s no way this little girl is going anywhere near Ravenous.”
I laughed. “Yeah, no kidding. My niece cannot grow up above a club like that. Although her uncles may be the best protection she’ll ever have, that club is no joke.”
She hugged her belly and laughed. “I’m so happy Rahyne. I didn’t think I could ever be this happy.”
I hugged her tightly. “You deserve it, babe.”
She looked up at me and smiled sadly. “So do you, my friend, so do you.”
I smiled brightly. “I am happy, Scarlett. It may not be the conventional happiness, but it’s the best that I have right now.”
She nodded. “I just hope you won’t let go of something good because of your fears.”
I frowned. “Why don’t you show me the bar. I’d like to start working as soon as possible.”
She tugged me out and I followed her quietly. It sometimes annoyed me how on point Scarlett could be. It wasn’t that I wasn’t happy, it just wasn’t the happiness I yearned for. And there were moments, like this one, where I pictured myself with a baby and wondered if that was the type of happiness I truly wanted.