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“Thank you,” I told her, frozen to the spot. I wasn’t sure what business meant, but I knew better than to ask. There wouldn’t be an answer.
“Would you like some coffee?”
“Oh, I really should get going.”
“You’re not going to wait for him?” Her perfectly arched eyebrow rose. Then her eyes narrowed on me. “You’re not a sweet butt. There’s no reason for you to go scampering off the next morning. He’ll be disappointed to find you gone.”
Would he?
I didn’t have the courage to ask it aloud.
“You’ll have coffee with me,” she decided, getting up to grab another mug.
I walked over, my manners refusing to allow me to just bolt out the door, though the longing was there. Sitting down, I watched as she poured and set the mug down in front of me.
“I’m Celeste.”
“Marina. It’s nice to meet you.” I took a sip from the cup and my eyes fluttered closed. It tasted wonderful. “Seattle’s Best?”
“Would we West Coast people drink anything other than Seattle’s Best Coffee?”
Laughing, I shook my head. My parents loved it and they’d passed over that feeling to their children. “No, just like Tillamook will forever be the best cheese and ice cream.”
“Has Trip made you his old lady?”
The abrupt question had me looking up into her sparkling eyes. The question somehow seemed important, but I wasn’t sure why. I didn’t know exactly what she was asking. She must have read the question on my face.
“It’s basically like asking you to be his girlfriend, but more important to bikers. Some consider it to mean the woman is their wife, without the ceremony,” she explained.
My jaw dropped. “Oh! No, he hasn’t.”
“Hmmm,” she replied, setting her cup down. “Well it won’t be long now.” Her chuckle was light and musical. She was a beautiful woman.
“Who…” I paused, unsure if I was asking something I shouldn’t.
“Who’s my old man?”
I nodded. I didn’t know the lingo. Really, I didn’t know anything.
“Domino.” She smiled.
I’d asked more out of politeness and as a way to change the subject. I wasn’t comfortable talking with her about me and Trip. Not when I didn’t know where I stood. I hadn’t met any of the guys other than Vesper so I wasn’t sure who Domino was.
Celeste dropped her chin into her hand, supporting her head as she studied me. “Have you ever dated a biker?”
I shook my head with a half-smile.
“Do you know much about them?”
Another shake, though the smile was gone. I was in so far over my head I wasn’t sure that I wouldn’t drown.
She sighed. “Hopefully Trip will explain things to you. You need to know what you’re getting into with a one percent club member before you get serious. Especially if you don’t know much about motorcycle clubs in general.” She didn’t mean it unkindly, something she proved with her next words. “If you have any questions, you come to me. I’ll tell you everything I can.”
Hesitating, she glanced over her shoulder, making sure no one was around before she spoke. There were a few men passed out on the ground and a couple more pillowing their heads on their arms on top of the tables. No one was awake except us.
“Make sure you speak with me if he doesn’t explain things. These guys tend to take it for granted that women will just fall all over them without thinking about the fact that you girls don’t know much about our culture.”
“Culture? Don’t they just ride motorcycles?”
