I wasn’t known for having great control on my temper; when things were getting to me, I would just let it out but when it came to Amber, I couldn’t.

So I was permanently in a bad mood.

The boys were over my answers, sick of my bad attitude. I knew that, but it still wasn’t stopping me from taking my frustration out on anyone that got in my way.

Amber wanted strings. I didn’t do strings. I didn’t do relationships and I sure as fuck didn’t do girlfriends.

So, how could she ask the two things of me I was incapable of giving? To top that off, she was flat out ignoring me.

Didn’t help I was ignoring her too though.

I ignored the fact that she made me go crazy. I tried to ignore her the other day when she was in the garage working on one of her dirt bikes, wearing only a bikini top and shorts. Why she was only wearing that was beyond me; I guess it had something to do with the weather.

Then I did my very best to ignore her at school, even when she wore clothes that showed off every inch of her body.

I don’t think she realized she did it. Showing off her figure like that.

She basically had boys drooling over her.

But her reputation kept them all at bay.

Then when she wasn’t torturing me at school, or at the place I am forced to now call home, she was at the clubhouse because one of her idiot brothers brought her.

She had taken a shine to the prospects. Maybe because she knew their names and didn’t just bark orders at them.

I caught her confronting Luke when one of the club girls ended up going after Cole instead. I didn’t know Amber did feelings, or cared about anyone but herself, but she proved me wrong yet again.

Just like she proved me wrong when I thought her and I were on the same page about where we were heading.

I didn’t do girlfriends. Surely she should have known that?

Did my reputation say nothing to her?

I glared down at Adam as he worked on the motor.

Then I caught sight of her out of the corner of my eye. I wanted to groan. In fact, I think I did, softly. Could she look any more attractive?

I didn’t know why she was dressed up but I had a strong feeling the boys were going to get it out of her.

Amber

“And where are you going?” Cole snapped at me as I closed the garage door. Motorbikes half together and different parts littered the garage floor but I didn’t pay attention to the boys as they worked on the bikes; not even Jax, who was glaring at the motor him and Adam were pulling out.

“On a date,” I said over my shoulder and stepped over Troy legs, as he worked under a car.

“With whom?” Tyler spoke up.

“No one you know,” I said lightly, and pressed the button to unlock my car. I was thankful we had such a large garage, so that the boys weren’t making their mess in front of my cars.

“Try me,” Cole challenged, placing an oil-stained hand on my door, blocking me from opening it.

“He’s a guy from school. Now move!” I pushed him, but then decided it was best not to touch the grease monkey.

“Is he a criminal?” Troy now entered the conversation, having pulled himself out from under the car.

“No,” I sighed. “Now move, I’m going to be late.”

“What sort of guy makes you go pick him up?” Cole scoffed.

“He isn’t picking me up because I said I would meet him there,” I huffed. “MOVE!”

“Where’s there?”

“We’re going to…” I stopped short and pointed a finger at him. “Nice try Cole. I’m not telling you.”

“Fine, we will tail you,” Cole shrugged his shoulders, and I noticed he began to wipe his hands on a towel.

I glanced briefly at the other boys and they seemed to be packing up too.

“You have to be kidding me!” I snapped “For God sake! Let me have a life!”

“No,” Troy said bluntly, and closed the lid of a tool box.

“Ok fine!” I crossed my arms tightly. “It’s not like you guys will get in anyway.” I grinned and leaned back against my car.

All the boys now took in my knee length, deep blue dress, and my curled hair.

“Why are you so dressed up?” Cole frowned.

“I said I was going on a date,” I sighed.

“Where to?” Tyler scoffed “You’re dressed like you’re going to one of dad’s events.”

I arched an eyebrow at him and then all the boys let out a noise of disgust.

“You’re kidding me! You’re going to dad’s business thing tonight?” Cole looked at me, like I was an alien.

“Is that so hard to believe?” I snapped “He asked me, and I didn’t want to say no. I’m not rude, unlike some people.”

“So you said yes.” Troy crossed his arms, “And you taking a date? Does dad know?”

“Of course he knows!” I sighed and tapped my foot. “He’s already met Mark before.”

“Mark?” Jax growled. “Your date is Mark Phillps?”

“Yep.” I shot him a bored glance. “Got a problem with that Jax?”

Jax grunted, but didn’t reply.

“I think he might actually have the guts to ask me to be his girlfriend tonight,” I added with a smug expression, and faked a dreamy sigh at the end.

“LIKE HELL!” Cole roared. “If we haven’t met the bloke, there is no chance of this boyfriend talk.”

“Fine, come then, and meet him. Oh wait, you guys don’t wear suits. Bugger, out of luck then,” I chirped as I placed a hand on my hip. “Now move Cole.”

“Why would you willingly go to something of dad’s,” Tyler asked, looking at me suspiciously. “Unless you are getting something out of it.” He narrowed his eyes, looking at me closely for a few moments. “Ok, spill it Amber, what has he promised you?”

“NOTHING!” I threw my hands up in the air. “And Cole, stop putting marks on my car!” I slapped his arm, which was leaning on my car.

My phone buzzed in my purse and I shot the guys a dirty look, and they all suddenly went quiet. Did they know what personal space was?

“Hello?” I sighed into the phone, frustrated.

“Amber, you’re running late,” My dad said.

“It’s not my fault, the boys won’t let me leave.” I shot them a smug look.

“Tell them you’d better be here in five minutes, or they will all know what it is like to ride a push bike,” dad said in a lowered voice, most likely preventing people around him from hearing his threat.

“I’ll pass the message on dad,” I said as I smiled out at the boys, who all rolled their eyes.

“Five minutes,” he stressed.

I hung up. “Dad said...”

“Don’t bother threatening us,” Cole snapped, and then pushed away from my car completely. “Fine. Have a nice night.”

“I will,” I said, opening the door and ignoring the death stares from my brothers. “I’ll tell Mark you guys want to meet him.”

I closed the door smugly, blocking out their low threats.

Turning the key and bringing the car to life, I smiled slyly as I pulled out of the garage.

Mission one complete - making sure Jax knew there was competition. Now, just to make him man up to his feelings; I hoped a bit of jealousy would push this along.

I glanced in the rear view mirror and noticed Jax throw a spanner across the room.

Success.

***

“Thanks for yesterday Mark!” I smiled at him as we walked up the school corridor. “Really, you made the night not boring.”

“Us secret millionaires need to stick together,” he said, winking at me.

When dad had introduced me to his business partner’s son, you could imagine Mark and my shock when we realized we’d been connected this whole time. Mark’s dad placed him in this hell called public school because Mark hadn’t made an effort at any of the private schools.

Mark and I had that in common.

“So, you going to come watch the game tonight?” Mark asked.

“Nah, I don’t do school events.” I smiled. A locker slam jolted us from our conversation, and we both glanced in the direction. Jax didn’t even give me a second look as he stormed away from his locker.

“Well, I’ll see you at lunch,” Mark said politely, and I noticed his eyes trail off in the direction of Linda as she walked past us.

“Right,” I smirked. “Bye Mark.”

I turned the corner and looked over bobbing heads, looking for Jax. Why was he taking so long to man up? I thought he would’ve said something last night when I got home, but he didn’t.

Troy had taken me to school that morning; Jax had already left.

And what annoyed me more was the pleasant smile on Cole’s face when he noticed Jax giving me the cold shoulder.

Jogging down the stairs, I entered the canteen and spotted Jax sitting on a bench with his friends; they could be known as his sheep.

I just wanted to go up to him and slap him across his face and tell him to grow a pair.

“Amber?”

I spun around and smiled politely at Rachel. Well, look who it was; my somewhat friend.

“Rachel, how have you been?” I asked as we fell in step with each other.

“Yeah, normal. Hey, I was wondering if you are keen on some drinks at the beach tonight?”

I hadn’t talked to her in weeks, maybe longer, and she was inviting me out?

“I can’t, sorry. Got plans.”

“Right.” Rachel rolled her eyes. “Sure you do.”

“I do,” I snapped, annoyed. “Look I got to go. Bye.” I brushed her off and quickly turned around, now walking in the opposite direction. I didn’t want to hang out with her.

I glanced at Jax, who looked at me, bored. Maybe that was what I did for him now; maybe I was just a bore.

I groaned and pushed the canteen door open; all I wanted was to have him admit he wanted me! Why was that so hard for him to do?

***

I ran my fingers under my t-shirt, outlining the scar on my stomach. This had become a habit of mine. I dropped my head to the side and looked out the bay window, watching the storm roll through. The rain was heavy on the roof, and the cracks of thunder kept making the lights flicker.

I knew any minute now the lights would go out, and I would be stuck in darkness. I watched another streak of lighting across the sky. I turned my head back and stared up at the ceiling, lying on my back in the sitting room.

The room was like another lounge room, apart from the fact that it overlooked the gardens. The lights flickered again and, this time, they went out. The room fell into darkness and the only light that entered the room now, was from the lighting.

Home alone in a storm; well tonight was just looking great, wasn’t it? I pulled my t-shirt up a little higher and kept running a finger down each line.

It was late and everyone had better things to do than be home tonight. Well, everyone but me. I didn’t want to beg Tyler to stay home but when I saw the storm warnings on TV, I knew I should have.

“AMBER?”

I sat up straight “JAX?”

I narrowed my eyes, trying to make out the figure that had just pushed the door open.

“Are you ok?” Jax’s voice was laced with panic.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” I crossed my legs, watching Jax’s chest rise heavily. He pushed the wet hair from his forehead.

“You didn’t answer your phone,” he said, his breathing settling slightly.

“I lost signal.” I rubbed the back of my neck. “Sorry.”

“It’s not your fault,” Jax muttered, and then pulled his patch off, and peeled the wet jumper under it off.  “Fuck, it’s awful out there.”

“Did you ride in this?” I frowned. “Are you crazy?”

Jax shrugged his shoulders and pulled the wet t-shirt off, now standing there bare-chested. He unclipped the gun holster from around him and placed it on his wet clothes. Walking across the room, the dark blue light that flashed across the room highlighted his scars and chest tattoos.

I inhaled slowly as he lowered himself to his knees in front of me, his eyes solid as they locked with mine.  He placed a hand on my waist; I saw the way he waited for my reaction.

“You could get sick,” I stuttered, and ran a finger down his icy cold chest. “You shouldn’t have ridden in this weather.”

Another loud crack of thunder roared overhead.

“Amber, I would ride through worse to make sure you were OK.” He gripped my hand, which was on his chest. “I can’t take this anymore.”

My head leaned back, just slightly, as I saw the lust in his eyes.

“Do you know how hard it was for me to let you go out last night, looking as hot as you did?” he said, smirking, and I shamelessly blushed.

“Be my girlfriend,” he whispered down at me, while bringing his face closer to mine. “Please?”

I placed my other hand on the base of his neck. I felt his chest rising heavily under my other hand, pinned to his chest.

“Yes,” I whispered.

I didn’t need to think of my answer, so when the word flowed from my lips, I wasn’t surprised.

His head dove down and he claimed my lips. He kissed me hungrily and I caved. His hand dropped mine and went around and gripped my waist, pulling me tighter into his cold chest.

Finally he’d stepped up, I thought to myself, as my lips broke into a soft smirk through the kiss.