Bouncer by Kim Jones Page 0,8

breathing.

Shit.

I turn in circles for a moment, realizing I have zero time to put on my clothes. There’s only one choice here, and at this point I would run butt-ass naked across Cowboys Stadium before I let that bathroom door open and I’m face-to-face with he-who-I-came-on. I bolt naked down the hallway, thankful that it’s still early and no one is up.

I poke my head into the main room and find it empty. I dart between the tables to the small private bathroom hidden in the kitchen. No one ever uses this bathroom and I’ve kind of claimed it for myself. If I had used it instead of the public bathrooms last night, I wouldn’t be in this predicament.

But then I wouldn’t have been pulled to the chest of a stranger.

Or held in strong arms.

Petted with calloused hands.

Felt truly safe from my nightmares.

Kissed like a lover.

Restrained like a submissive.

Had the best orgasm of my life....

I stare at my reflection and lift my hand to my kissed-hard lips. Despite having some of the best sleep I’ve had in a while, there are dark circles beneath my swollen eyes. I feel good, but I look like shit. A sadness settles over me, but I shake it off.

Get it together, Apple!

As I dress, I think back on last night—ticking off the facts in my head.

The Nomad showed up.

But unless he turned a light on at some point, which I don’t remember, he didn’t get a good look at me. Even if he did, I was naked. My hair down. My eyes mostly closed. My face hidden from view except when he kissed me.

That kiss, though.

This morning I woke up as I always do—with my head buried beneath my pillow. I’m a pretty light sleeper, so I would’ve known if he had turned a light on or turned me to study my face.

Dressed, I pull my gloves on and check my image in the full-length mirror. My clothes are layered and several sizes too big. My hair is knotted on my head. There’s nothing about my appearance that would attract him enough to give me a second glance. Maybe he won’t recognize me.

But how will I react when I see him?

I may not know what he looks like, but I know who he is.

The more I think about it, I’m positive it was Nomad Bouncer. No one else would have come in that room. Chaos wouldn’t have let that happen.

Perhaps he’s gone. From the stories I hear, he’s infamous for disappearing without a word. He never stays in one place long.

I smile with relief.

He’s gone. I’m sure of it.

I grab my bucket and head out to start cleaning up the destruction from last night’s festivities. But before I get to work, I stop at the bar to fix an ice-cold Bloody Mary to help wash away the reminder of the kiss that still lingers on my lips.

Five

BOUNCER

She’s gone.

Fuck.

I knew I shouldn’t have left her. At the very least, I should’ve flipped the light on and pulled her from the mountain of covers and pillows she was buried beneath to get a good look at the woman whose scent surrounded me. The one who had me envisioning a doe eyed, dark haired beauty on her knees swallowing my cock when I jerked off in the shower this morning.

I throw on my clothes and search the clubhouse for her. I check every room. Inside and out. People are starting to wake up and move around. But none of them are her.

Where the fuck could she be?

I pass the bar and stop in my tracks.

That scent…

Fruity with a hint of vanilla.

I study the two girls sitting at the end of the bar. I quickly dismiss the idea that either could be her. One has short hair. The other is too tall. They both wear Property patches.

I swallow hard, a strange feeling building in my gut.

What if I fucked with someone’s Ol’ Lady?

The thought doesn’t make me feel sick like it should. It makes me feel possessive.

“Hey, friend.”

I turn on my heel to find the strange girl from last night behind the bar smiling at me. She takes a sip of her drink then offers it to me. “Hair of the dog?”

Suddenly, sleeping with someone’s Ol’ Lady isn’t the worst thing that could happen. I could’ve woken up with this crazy bitch in my bed.

“I’m Apple.” She extends her gloved hand to me.

I glare at her in disgust. “Are you fucking with me?”

Her head tilts as she studies