“You just had to do that, didn’t you?” It’s not a question, and again I’m struck by her attitude. I know plenty of sassy chicks who’ve chanced their luck by being mouthy when we’ve hooked up, but it’s more than daring flirting with Amelia. It’s like she has the right to say what she thinks without fearing the consequences of pissing me off.
And I get the feeling she’s not flirting with me at all, either.
“Yeah, I did.” I almost grab her hand but stop just in time. “And what’s with theAmy?”
“People call me Amy.” She shrugs as though it’s no big deal. “You can, as well, if you want.”
I lean back in the chair and run my gaze over her, the way I do when I check out a new hot chick I want to nail. She folds her arms and stares right back, and I have the crazy urge to laugh again. “Nah. You look like an Amelia to me. What time do you finish here?”
She blinks as though that was the last thing she expected me to say. “In a couple of hours. Why?”
Before I can stop it, the words come out. “We have a date, remember?”
Chapter Seven
Amelia
I watch Gage swagger out of the diner without even trying to kiss me or grab my hand or anything that I half expected. I can’t believe he remembered his threat to take me out this afternoon and still wants to go through with it, even after I walked out on him.
A low hum of conversation stirs, and it hits me that the whole place went silent for the entire time Gage was here. Not that I’m surprised. Mama Coco’s isn’t known for attracting smoking hot bad boys. Add the fact he’s also a member of the Bastards and I’m only amazed all the regulars didn’t flee in terror.
Poor Colin. I’ll have to go and calm him down and promise Gage won’t make a habit of sauntering into his beloved little empire.
He’s in the kitchen, chugging down a black coffee. “Amy.” He takes my hand, and I smother a sigh. I’ve been working here for almost three years, and he’s very protective of all the staff. “Are you in trouble, honey?”
“No, I’m fine.” Although, why does he immediately think I’m in trouble? Gage was almost perfectly behaved just now. “He’s the boss of the bar I just started work in, and wanted to, um, straighten out a few details.”
“Is that safe? Did you see what he was wearing, Amy? He belongs to one of those motorcyclegangs.” He says the word in a horrified whisper, and I bite the inside of my mouth so I don’t giggle.
He has no idea of the life I led up until I was thirteen, when Mom had to change our name so the Wolves wouldn’t track us down. The fact Gage wears colors doesn’t faze me. It’s only his allegiance that does. Well, that and his blood connection to Axel Reynolds. That’s enough to sober me up, and I give Colin a reassuring pat on the arm.
“It’s okay. I can handle myself. And don’t worry, he won’t cause any trouble here.”
…
After my shift ends, I squeeze into the tiny bathroom and replace my uniform with my skinny jeans and a sweater. They’re not exactly great, but I didn’t dress this morning with a date in mind.
I groan at my reflection and dig out my makeup to touch up my face. This is hardly a date, no matter what Gage decided to call it. He’ll do anything to get inside my panties, and I can’t afford to forget that.
What the hell are you playing at, Amy?
Am I going back to work for him? I’ve already told Rex I’m not going through with our plan. So it’s not like I’d go back to Odin’s with a secret agenda or anything.
What about Gage’s dad?For ten years I’ve hated him, the faceless Bastard who killed my dad for no other reason than the fact he was a Silver Wolf. I’ll never forget the night Mom told me what had happened. Even though there are things I want to ask her about it, like why the Bastards killed him in cold blood, I never will. She’d fall apart if she had to relive that night.
I screw my eyes shut and grasp my mascara as if it’s a magic wand that has all the answers.
I’m not expecting a big romance with Gage. Nothing’s ever going to come of this crazy, wild attraction, but it’s been so long since I’ve met anyone who could turn me on with hardly a glance.
Make that never.
It’s addictive. I can’t stop thinking about him. It doesn’t matter how often I remind myself who he is, all I can remember is how mind-fuckingly amazing he made me feel in the kitchen.
I won’t sleep with him, because there’s too much unspoken history between us. But maybe we can flirt. He seems up for it, which is surprising, but it’s probably a novelty for him. It’s not like he won’t be getting sex whenever he wants it elsewhere. Just not from me.
And with Christmas less than three weeks away, I need the money. I’ll go back to Odin’s until I find another job, and I’m not making excuses. I’ll start applying right away. Well, tomorrow.
I grip the edge of the sink and take a deep breath.It’s only temporary.Deep down I know I shouldn’t go back. That I should end this right now, before it goes any further.
