Willy slapped his wrinkled tanned forehead with the palm of his hand. “Dammit to hell!” I knew I forgot something at the store. I always write these fuckin’ lists and forget to take them when I go into town.”
“No worries. I’m good, really.”
Frowning, he tapped a finger against the side of his mouth, and then suddenly, the warm smile was back. “Wait. I got some 7-Up. It doesn’t have the caffeine, but I can put a shot of rum in it to give you a buzz.”
She laughed. “7-Up is perfect, and I don’t need a buzz right now.”
“When you do, you let me know.” With a wink, he made his way to the bar.
For the next hour or so, Ashley sat on the couch, nursing her flat soft drink, and watching the dynamics in the room. The older blond Insurgent mingled easily with Willy’s friends while the other men talked among themselves, only branching out occasionally to speak with Willy.
“Cara wants you to call her,” the intense, blue-eyed biker said.
Smokey nodded. “Will do.”
Who’s Cara? And what does Smokey have to do with her? A thread of insecurity took hold, making her question whether letting Smokey into her bed had been a good idea. The man was a hound. Just because he took her out for a hardy meal before introducing her to Willy, didn’t mean he’d changed his ways. Her mother’s favorite expression echoed in her ears:
“A leopard never changes its spots.”
“You coming to the club?” one of the Insurgents asked.
Smokey shook his head no.
“So you’re not gonna be at the club party tonight?”
“Don’t think so.”
After bumping fists, six of the members walked out of the room, and soon after, the roar of their motorcycles echoed through the house.
“I fucking love that sound!” one of Willy’s friends, Pac Man, shouted.
“Nothing like it in the world. Hawk told me he’ll hook me up with an aftermarket exhaust,” Willy said.
“Those motherfuckers are loud,” Grizzly said.
Smokey grinned. “And what’s your fuckin’ point?”
The men laughed, and for a moment, Ashley wondered what world she’d stepped into. The way the men acted, along with their obsession with motorcycles, was something she’d never experienced before. Smokey was the only person she’d ever met who owned a motorcycle. Warner, a guy from high school, rode a dirt bike, but never acted like having one was a big deal. But Smokey and these men cherished their bikes. And I wouldn’t be surprised if motorcycles were the number one thing in his life—even before women.
“Are you ready to head out?” Smokey asked, pulling her out of her thoughts.
Grabbing his offered hand, she rose to her feet. “I am.”
“Did you speak to Willy about Gavin?”
“I mentioned him. He’s down with having two of them working at the farm, but part-time works best for him.”
“That’s cool.” Smokey waked over to Willy and clasped his shoulder. “Thanks, man. I’ll call you next week about breakfast.”
“Ruthie’s?”
Smokey chuckled. “Where else?”
Willy looked to Ashley. “Don’t be a stranger.”
“I won’t.”
“Smokey, you better take care of this pretty lady.”
“I plan to.”
Holy shit! Her chest swelled, her eyes darting to his.
Clearing his throat, he turned away. “Let’s go.”
Following behind him, she couldn’t help but wonder if he was just agreeing with Willy, or if he meant what he’d said. Is he planning to pursue a relationship with me? Do I want that? What happens when I go back home? Stop it! I’m the fucking queen of overanalyzing everything.
“What’d you think of Willy?”
“He’s great. You promised to tell me how you met him.”
Smokey opened the saddlebag so she could put her purse inside. “I’ll tell you about it at Blue’s Belly. Eric wants to see me about a project.”
“Okay, but I have a shift at the shelter tonight. I’m helping to serve dinner.”
“What time?”
“I need to be there at six-thirty.”
Straddling his bike, he gestured for her to climb on behind him.
“I’ll go with you.”
Did I hear him right? “You want to help serve dinner at the shelter?”
“I didn’t say anything about that. I’ll hang out with Gavin and a few of the other boys until you’re ready to go.”
His words made her body tingle. He wants to spend time with me. Then she saw his jaw harden and sunk down behind him. What’s going on now?
“Or maybe you’d rather I didn’t go.”
Frowning, she wrapped her arms around him and kissed his neck. “Why would you say that? I love that you want to come with me.”
With a sharp nod, he gripped the handlebars. “Hold on.”