Page 17 of Tracked By Sasquatch

“I’m good. Just, you know…” She trailed off. Ray saw way too much when he looked at her.

“You’re running.” It wasn’t a question, just a statement of fact like he had an inside track. He smiled and patted her cheek. “Run all you want, as long as the road always leads you back to where you belong.”

His rheumy gaze turned steely as something behind Devin caught his attention.

She didn’t have to guess at what it was.

“I’m Jasper.” Squatch extended his hand toward Ray from around Devin.

Ray didn’t take it, instead, he stepped around Devin and right into Squatch’s personal space. It was almost comical. An old man who was about five and a half feet with a cane, bowing up on a man towering over him and blocking out the low-hanging bar light behind him.

“Jasper, is it? That doesn’t sound like much of a road name to me.”

“No sir, it’s not. Sasquatch.” He was being much more patient than Devin expected. Ray may be old, but he was practically challenging him.

“Well, you can leave. No colors allowed here.”

Squatch’s attitude was changing, a bit of irritation slipping into his tone. “Left ’em outside. Out of respect for the lady who wanted to come here. I suspect she comes here for you, old man.”

“Hmmph,” was all he said to Squatch before turning back to Devin.

“I knew who you were and who you were connected to when you started hanging out, and I don’t hold it against you, honey. I love you like my own, you know that, but this,” he tossed a thumb over his shoulder, “can’t happen again.” He kissed her cheek.

“Scott, pour us all a round for last call. Respect for respect.”

Okay, so holy fuck. Ray was going to do a shot with a Royal Bastard because he said he respected her? Not Ray’s sign or the bar, but her?

She could see it in Ray’s eyes. There was something there besides contempt for Squatch, and that was huge.

Scott lined up four shot glasses and poured. Each in hand, Devin felt she needed to toast for some reason.

“To making peace with the past.”

Everyone raised their glasses, tapped them on the bar, then downed them.

Ray spun his empty across the bar to tap Squatch’s discarded glass. “Tab’s paid, have a good fucking night,” he proclaimed as he headed toward the swinging door that separated the back office and storage from the bar. Just as he pushed it open, he spoke in a low and menacing, but hurt tone, without even looking back.

“Hurt her and no amount of chrome and leather can help you.”

It surprised her. That was an out-and-out threat. But Squatch surprised her more by not going full enforcer mode.

“Wouldn’t dream of it.”

He said it with sincerity, and he didn’t react to the threat at all. That was so unlike half the Bastards she knew. They would’ve gone off.

“That’s our cue.” She grabbed Squatch’s arm. “Later, Scott.”

With that, they made their way back to his bike. Squatch pulled his cut out and donned it. He also retrieved his pistol from the locked compartment inside the locked saddlebag and tucked it into his waistband, looking ready to ride.

“Um, I don’t think we’re in any shape to be riding back. If I managed not to fall off, I’m not sure you’re in shape to keep the shiny side up.”

He widened his stance and pulled her into his arms. “For the record, sweetness, I didn’t plan on it. While I may not be tip-top to ride, I am clear enough to get us a room and demonstrate the power of pudding cups, as long as you’re clear enough to consent. If not, we just sleep and cuddle. I like to cuddle.” His eyes said it was true but also, that he preferred the pudding route.

Before she could answer, his lips were on hers. Not the frenzied kiss of earlier. This one was measured and controlled. Every stroke of his tongue precise and orchestrated to entice. The feel of his piercing was erotic, and she let her mind wander to what it would feel like other places.

The kiss went on forever and not long enough. When he pulled back, he held her face in his hands, stroking the apples of her cheeks with his thumbs.

Not only did he look sober enough, but he also looked like he wanted her… like really wanted her.