“Hey, man, listen,” the bearded biker in question interjected, “I didn’t mean to start nothing.”He reached for the woman with him, tucking her in to his side.“Me and my old lady was on our way to Surfside.We’d heard Margie’s was a good place for a rest.”
“It is, and you’re fine,” I assured him.Margie’s was known for being a neutral zone, a place where anyone could stop and have a drink regardless of their colors or the patches on their cuts.Hobbyists, one-percenters and outlaws, nomads and exiles, even the Sunday church bike rider crowd was welcome to mingle here.
“Been a long time since I’ve been ambushed,” the man remarked with a dry laugh.He took another pile of napkins from his woman and smashed them against the gash on the back of his head.
“That might need some stitches,” I cautioned, “but if you’re not wanting to go that route, there’s a first aid kid behind the bar.”I walked over and gestured for Zane to grab it for me.Once I had it in hand, I held it out to the woman.“Ask Margie if you need help.”
The bartender in question cackled.“Hell, I’ve patched up much worse than a little scratch like that.”
I knew for a fact that she had.The scar on my upper left arm from the bullet hole she had treated was a stark reminder.It had been the first time I had been shot, only a few days after I had turned twenty.Seemed like a lifetime ago now.
As the room settled down, I glanced toward the now empty bar stool where I had stowed that pretty looker.Now where the hell did she get off to?
“Outside,” Margie said, obviously reading my mind.“Saw her run out of here like a little rabbit as soon as the path was clear.”
“Smart girl,” I remarked, torn between relief that she had gotten out of here without taking a wayward punch and irritation that I had missed my chance to get her name.
A woman like that didn’t often cross my path.High class.Beautiful.Soft.Sweet.
Hoping that she might still be outside talking to her strange group of friends, I worked my way through the crowd and stepped out into the warm summer night.The humidity was high tonight, but there was a light breeze, a cool wind that would feel so good on the ride home.
That wind also carried the most incredible smell, something that made my brain get fuzzy and my heart pound.
I followed the scent, turning to the right, and there she was.Glaring at her phone in one hand and gripping the strap of her purse in the other.
Fuck, she was just too perfect.All curves and lush sweetness with dark wavy hair and brown eyes.She had a mouth that begged to be kissed, a lower lip that needed to be sucked and nibbled.
She’d probably mace me if I got within five feet of her again, especially after the way I had picked her up without asking.
Fuck it.I’ll take my chances.
Ready to shoot my shot, I sauntered over.“You get left behind by your Bible study group?”
“What?”She whirled toward me, her dark eyes narrowed with irritation.
“Your friends left?”I gestured toward the parking lot.
Her shoulders deflated.“Yeah.I came with my cousin, but I was supposed to go home with a neighbor.I think they forgot or just assumed I got in the other car.”She frowned at her phone.“And no one is answering my messages or calls.”
“That’s bad luck.”But good luck for me.
“I keep trying to get a ride share, but the apps won’t recognize the address or something.”
I laughed harsher than intended, drawing a frustrated look from her.“This area is off-limits.The ride share apps have some kind of geo-fence around it.Too much crime, I guess.”
“I guess,” she echoed, glancing nervously around the parking lot.
Certain this was my one chance, I asked, “You want a ride home?”
She gulped and looked me over, her anxious gaze moving from the tips of my dirty boots to my eyes.She actually bit her lip as she thought it over.Finally, she said, “I live kinda far from here.”
“Define kinda far,” I said, ready to drive her to Texarkana and back if it meant I would get to spend five more minutes in her presence.
“Back on the island.East End,” she said.“Off Broadway on Avenue K.”
“Well, darlin’, you’re in luck because I’m on Avenue L.”I rattled off my address.
Her eyes widened.“We’re practically neighbors!”
