Reign A Romance Anthology - Nina Levine Page 0,301

mother’s place. Did you hear that? Her mother’s. I think she also mentioned sisters, but I can’t wrap my damn head around the mother issue. I’m not a take-home-and-meet-your-mother kind of guy. How am I supposed to get out of this?” I must sound like a desperate man, because Deacon’s response floors me.

“Just go and enjoy one night of food and fun with a gorgeous woman. You’ve had plenty of one-nighters. What makes tonight different? You’ll miss the awesome party I’m throwing.”

He’s right. What do I have to worry about?

“You’re right. Nothing makes tonight different. I’ve told her that I’m bringing my bike back with me, so it’ll be interesting to see if she actually gets on the back. Don’t worry, I’ll be at the party later. You know me, I never miss the ones you put together. Maybe I’ll bring Dylan, and she can chew you another hole to breathe through.” I stop at my Indian FTR 1200 motorbike and lean against it as I take notice of a couple walking past me, hand in hand. They appear to be complete opposites; she’s prim and proper, and he’s rough-looking with his pierced eyebrow and tattoo art up one of his arms. As they say, looks can be very deceiving. For all I know, they could be perfect for each other. How does the saying go again? That’s right, opposites attract.

The brown-haired beauty back in the building is, by far, the complete opposite of what I’d generally go for—not that I’m looking for anything or anyone.

Deacon’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. “So, is she as hot as my buddy told me?”

Her piercing brown eyes flash behind my eyelids as I shut them for a moment. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” I say, a sudden urge to keep her away from him grows inside me as quick as weeds in an uncontrolled garden.

“Come on. Give me some details,” he begs.

“Nope. If you want to play stupid games and waste people’s time, then you come over here and pay your bill, and maybe you’ll get a chance to meet her.”

“You’re no fun,” he sulks. A clinking of glass from his end catches my attention.

“What are you doing?”

“Setting up the bar for tonight. Maybe you should bring the little lady back tonight after your meal.”

“Nah, this is a one-time thing. Doubt I’ll be seeing her again after tonight.”

“That’s always the better way. When you get yourself locked into relationships, it messes with your head while on the track, and neither of us needs that drama in our lives.” By the tone of his voice, he’s serious.

“This…coming from the man who gets locked down with every woman he sleeps with.” I chuckle.

“Exactly. Don’t do what I do. But I don’t need to tell you…you’re the Lone Ranger. You remember Brittany, the bitch you dated?”

At the mention of my ex, pure red rage pulses through me. “Don’t talk about her. At least she did one thing right, and that makes me fully aware of keeping away from other women on a permanent basis. She left a bad taste in my mouth for every other woman who has come after her.”

“And that, my friend, is for the best. You’re not being locked down. Enjoy life. You only get one, so make the most of it.”

“Yes, Master Yoda. I don’t know why I’m even listening to you. You’re the worst on relationship advice. I’d never come to you, even if I found someone serious. I don’t think you even know what it means to be serious with someone.” Deacon’s the one person I can rely on to pull me out of the dark hole I put myself in when I lose a race. But I’m not about to pump up his pride. Always keep a man humble.

“Because I’ve been burned. Don’t ever want to reach that low point in my life again. Thankfully, I have my career, and that gets me all I need.

“Damn right. I’ll take a bike between my legs any day. Women are great, but at least my bike doesn’t walk away.”

“Agreed. Bachelors forever. I’ll even drink to that.”

“I better go. Should I bring flowers? I don’t know how to handle this situation. I feel like a fish flailing out of water here.”

Deacon laughs so much I think he’s going to choke before he states, “Dude, taking flowers would be stupid. Just get some chocolates or something small. Don’t go overdoing it. That just puts you on her radar as a nice guy.