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The Kings of Anarchy MC. An outlaw motorcycle club in Ohio. Rex was a member.
“I’ll think about it. Depends on Carly.”
“You claiming her?”
“Thinking about it.”
“Fuck. Now I know it’s serious.”
“You’ll hear from me soon.”
“Take care, Beau. You need anything, you call.”
“I will.”
Meeting Carly prompted me to reconsider the direction of my life. Sure, we just met. But when the right person came along, you knew. It had been that way for my parents. They married after dating for only a month. My father said he was ready to propose after the first date. Forty years later, they still acted like newlyweds.
By the time Carly walked back into the living room, I’d freshened up in the second bathroom and changed clothes. I tried not to stare at her and betray my feelings when I saw her tight jeans and how they molded her ass. Fuck me. I’d never make it through the day without touching her.
We took my truck and visited a few of the locations around the city that attracted tourists. A lovely covered bridge overlooking part of the waterfall and the Hudson River. The main street shops and fountain. The last stop ended up being a little waterfront café.
I watched her snap photographs all day and praised her discerning eye as she handed me her camera to view them. She had talent.
“You know, you’re different than I first thought,” Carly mused as she sipped on her espresso.
“Not sure what that means,” I laughed.
“It’s good. I’ve concluded you’re not an asshole on purpose.”
“Thanks, sweetheart. That’s reassuring.”
“I mean it. I thought you were a big, burly pain in the ass who doesn’t care if he exerts his will over a woman.”
“And?”
“And now I still think you’re a big, burly pain in the ass, but I think you’re a gentleman, too. At least, when you aren’t trying to keep me safe from a serial killer.”
“High praise indeed.” She was something else. Kept me on my toes. I liked it.
“Just do me a favor.”
“What’s that?”
“Don’t kiss me again until I ask you.”
Really? I guess that kiss affected her after all. “Deal.”
We finished our coffees and pastries and returned to her cabin.
“I’d like to watch the sunset before we leave,” she informed me as we walked through and out to the deck.
I made her wait for me as I checked the perimeter first to ensure no one had gotten inside or waited in the nearby forest. Nothing had been disturbed inside or out. It bothered me since I knew the killer had a thing for her. He was watching her. I didn’t doubt that.
I sensed someone following us all afternoon, but I didn’t tell Carly. She would only worry.
When I sat beside her on the back deck, and she slid closer, leaning her head against my shoulder, I knew I was falling for a woman I barely knew. It wasn’t the fact that she was beautiful, intelligent, or witty. Not that she had a sense of humor or could render me speechless with a single smile. It was her presence. Grace. Her artistic way of viewing the world through her camera lens.
There wasn’t a single thing about her that I didn’t find attractive. Even when she lost her temper.
