Dirty Deals by Nicole James Page 0,32
Rusty asks.
We move outside, and he passes me a helmet from his saddlebag. I put it on and climb on behind him. He pats my leg.
“Hang on.”
I do as he says, and we roar out onto the highway.
We ride for miles and miles through the countryside, finally stopping at a diner for lunch.
We talk and laugh, and I realize how funny the guys are. They cut up with each other constantly.
Kara is a sweet girl, although years younger than me. Still, she’s got a maturity rare for her age.
It’s a glorious day, and I enjoy myself immensely, letting go of my problems and just having fun living in the moment.
Mid-afternoon, Rusty pulls back in my drive, and we climb off the bikes.
“I had fun.”
“Babe, Reno and I have some shit to take care of. Think Kara could hang out here with you for the rest of the day? It may be later tonight before we get back.”
“Sure, if she’d like to.”
Reno looks at her questioningly.
“Thanks. I’d like that,” she murmurs.
The boys head out, and Kara follows me inside. I offer her a lemonade, and we sit in the dining room.
“I need to pee. Where’s your bathroom?”
I laugh and point through the bedroom. “That door there.”
She moves off, then when she returns she pauses in the doorway, looking down at my suitcase open on the floor.
“You haven’t unpacked yet?”
“I’ve been busy, and the closet’s small.”
“I could help you.”
“No, that’s okay.”
She holds the sparkly dress that hangs out of it. It’s the silver one I had on the night I worked the poker game—the night I fled Vegas. She holds it up to herself and looks in the mirror. “Wow. I’d kill for a dress like this.”
“Keep it. I was going to get rid of it anyway.”
“Why? It’s beautiful.”
“Bad memories.” I nod to the bathroom. “Try it on.”
She comes back out in it and twirls. “Oh, my gosh, I love it. But does my bump show?”
I frown. “Are you pregnant?”
She nods. “Only a little over three months. I just got over having morning sickness. Thank God.” She turns to the side and looks in the mirror, running her hand over her stomach. “You really can’t tell?”
“Nope. Not at all.”
She whirls on me. “We have to go out tonight. I know this amazing club that just opened. I haven’t been yet, but they say it’s super exclusive, but they let pretty girls in.”
“But you’re pregnant.”
“I won’t drink. I just want to feel pretty and dance. And you said I didn’t show yet. After the baby, I may never fit in this dress again.”
“Kara, I’m really not up for clubbing. But if you want to go with your girlfriends, go ahead.”
“No. Reno wanted me to stay with you.”
“Why?”
She shrugs. “I don’t know. I’m new to this MC stuff. Maybe it’s a thing. Maybe they do this when they leave town.”
“What are the other women in the club like?”
“I haven’t met any yet. Reno wants me to steer clear of them. Says they’d be a bad influence.”
I can’t stop the burst of laughter and slam my hand over my mouth. “Sorry.”
“That’s okay. He’s so overprotective of me. I guess it’s my age.”
“How old are you?”
“I turned twenty-one a few months ago.”
“And how long have you been with Reno?”
“About four months.”
“So it’s new.”
“Um hmm.”
I cock my head to the side. This poor girl barely had a chance to experience life as an attractive single girl. Reno nabbed her up before she had a shot at it. Maybe I can do something to correct that. “Kara, I changed my mind. Let’s go check this place out tonight.”
Her face lights up. “Are you serious?”
I nod. “As long as you promise not to drink.”
“I swear. I’d never do anything to hurt the baby.”
“Okay, then, but first, we’re going to need a shopping trip. I need a new outfit. You’re welcome to have that dress, but if you want to buy something new, that’s cool, too.”
“Let’s go.”
An hour later we’re in the dressing room of an exclusive shop. I slip on the dress I’d picked and step out.
“Oh, Ashlynn. That is hot!”
“Really?” I look in the mirror and turn, checking all sides.
“Yes. You have to get it. It’s perfect. I’ll be in silver, and you’ll be in gold.”
***
I raise my cocktail, a glass of Jameson Irish Whiskey on the rocks. “To girls night.”
Kara lifts her virgin cocktail in the pretty sugar-rimmed martini glass and clinks the edge to mine. “Girls night.”
I take a sip and look around. From our seats