Colt (Devil's Nightmare MC #10) - Lena Bourne Page 0,24

really happening to me. If it’s possible for me to fall in love. Or if all of that is just a figment of my deranged imagination and the consequence of my losing my mind. But even if that’s true, at least I’ll say goodbye to reality in a good way. So why am I even worrying over it?

The sun is starting to set when I get off the bus at the motel, carrying my purchases in two large plastic bags. I spent more than I set out to spend, but this is the start of my new life and I want to look pretty.

The sky over the motel is a gorgeous blend of earthy tones-yellow, orange, even brown, mixed in with purple and blue. I haven’t seen the sunset in months, I suddenly realize, while I was shackled behind the counter at the Sinner’s bar. Maybe I glanced at it during one of my many trips to the trash cans, but I didn’t notice it, and it certainly didn’t seem gorgeous to me. So many things I missed out on, so many things I lost. But they’re mine for the taking again.

But no bike is parked in front of room number 6. I was hoping Colt would be back, would be waiting for me in the little motel room that seems like a palace room compared to the cell-like, stinky bedroom I was forced to sleep in at the Sinner’s clubhouse.

But the room is empty and hot because the AC’s been off all day, and it doesn’t smell all that nice at all. The scent of toilet predominates, but there’s also that stench of old furniture used for a long time by many different people mixed in with it, and bleach. I’ve always associated the smell of bleach with blood. Or with something really dirty.

But I won’t start wallowing and despairing just yet. Colt has things to do, he told me so, and his kiss and the soft look in his eyes when he finally did leave told me plainly that he didn’t want to.

He’ll be back. I know he will. There’s no other possibility. None that I’m willing to consider right now, anyway.

I empty my shopping bags to look through my purchases. There’s underwear of course, lacy and sexy, and even though it was cheap, I can pull it off. I also got a pair of jean short shorts, too many tank tops with funky drawings of skulls and roses, and even one with a Harley. I couldn’t decide between a red and black dress, so I got them both. One’s a simple tight thing that hugs my curves like a second skin, and the other is a flowing thing that reveals by hiding. I also found a pair of shiny black stilettos that I just might break my neck in, but damn do they look good with both the dresses. When Colt takes me out to dinner, no one will know I spent less than thirty bucks on my outfit. I got some makeup too, the cheap kind I never use anymore, but beggars can’t be choosers. I forgot to get anything to sleep in, but that’s all right. I don’t expect to be using pajamas to sleep in for the foreseeable future. The thought of that makes me all warm and tingly inside. I haven’t anticipated sex with a guy with this kind of innocent elation in ages. If ever.

But Colt doesn’t come while I’m folding and putting away my new purchases, and he’s not back by the time I finish taking a long shower.

It’s almost ten when I finally land on the firm surface of the reality that he probably isn’t coming back at all. That soft look in his eyes as he closed the door behind him could just as easily be translated into, “Goodbye forever.”

I can’t afford to dream, not really. The Sinners might be after me. Monarch might still be looking for me. I really shouldn’t have spent almost half my money to try and look good for a guy I might never see again.

I washed my jeans and my jacket before I took my shower and they’re both still soaking wet. Now I’ll have to lug them with me, heavy as they are, as I get on the bus to Vegas in short shorts and a tank top. I’m not looking forward to the freezing cold bus, or the freezing Nevada night when I get there. But I’m sure there’s an overnight