“I want to know everything,” she whispers in my ear, pulling me off to the back room.
“I’ll be back at five to pick you up,” Clay calls after me, and I turn to give him a quick nod before walking into the staff room and flopping onto the sofa.
“That good, hey?” Jodie asks, wiggling her eyebrows.
“No, Jodie.” I run my hands over my face and sigh loudly. “Nothing’s going on. He’s just helping a girl out.”
“Nuh-uh, not a fucking chance, woman. You’re not telling me you’ve spent the last two days shacked up with that tattooed biker and not pounced on his bones.”
“Seriously, we haven’t. It’s not like that.”
“Wait, are you straight?” She laughs. “Not that it matters. I’m totally okay with some carpet munching.”
“Did someone say carpet munching?” Marco asks, entering the staff room.
“Bella has spent the last two days in the presence of that tattooed, sexy-as-fuck, shaggable man, and they’ve done nothing,” she screeches in mock horror. “I was just asking if she was straight.”
Marco shakes his head, laughing. “Jodie, we aren’t all as randy as you,” he says, throwing an apron at her. “Now, get to work. I don’t pay you to fantasise about riding some steed.”
She huffs before stomping towards the door like a sulky teenager. “Clearly, you didn’t get some cock last night, grumpy,” she shouts as she leaves.
“You okay?” he asks.
“Yep,” I answer as I stand and grab my own apron. Why is everyone suddenly so fascinated with how I am? I went years without being seen, and all of a sudden, everyone wants to know.
Clay
As I drive to collect Belle, I’m nervous. I haven’t heard from her all day, and it’s put me on edge. She was quieter than usual after our encounter in the bedroom this morning, and I’mworried I’ve scared her off. I thought about picking up the phone and calling her, but I’m already beginning to look like some crazy arsed stalker, so I talked myself out of it.
There’s a party at the club tonight, and I know it’s not her usual scene, but I am hoping that she’ll spend some time with the ol’ ladies, to kick back and relax from everything she’s been going through.
I pull up outside her workplace, and she’s sat on the bench outside waiting for me. She’s so engrossed in her phone, that she doesn’t even hear the rumble of my engine.
I dismount my motorcycle and make my way over to where she’s sat. Peering over her shoulder, I see her scrolling through the images of her boys, and I wonder how long she’s been sat here. I place my hand on her shoulder, and she jumps in fright. “Fuck, Clay!”
“Sorry, beaut, I didn’t mean to startle you.”
She quickly closes her phone, pushing it into her pocket. “You know you don’t have to hide them from me.”
“I wasn’t,” she snaps, and the bite in her voice makes me pull back. She’s never raised her voice at me, not once.
“Come on, let’s get you home,” I say, offering her my hand to help her up. She doesn’t take it, choosing to stand then walk off in front without a word. She even climbs on the back of my bike before I can help her. The loss of our usual routine confuses me.Maybe I’ve pushed her too hard. Maybe she isn’t ready.
We arrive at the club with very little conversation, and every time I try to engage, I get one-word answers.
“We’ve got a party in the clubhouse tonight. One of the prospects is getting sworn in.” She nods. “The ladies want you to join them for a couple of drinks.”
“Sure,” she mutters before walking off in front.
I lean against my bike to give her time, pulling out my phone and scrolling through. I stop at my brother’s number. It’s thefirst time I’ve thought about him in a few days, and I hover there.I miss you, brother.You’d know what to do.
“Clay, get your fucking arse in here,” Drifter bellows from the doorway. “Slayer is en route.”
I slide my phone into my chest pocket and make my way over. Drifter claps me on the back.
“Why the long face, brother? This is a party.”
“I’m good.”
