Down & Dirty (9 page)

I slid him some curry chicken on a plate. “Why didn’t you?”

“I don’t want you picking fights without me there to back you up. If anything happens to you I’ll lose it in a way I can’t imagine.”

“I know the feeling. Every time you ride out on a job I turn into a distracted idiot.”

“Aren’t you going to eat?” He’s always on me about not eating enough.

“I had a few pieces while I cooked.”

“You should sit down and eat more.” He scolded me.

“It’s an old habit. I used to love cooking for the guys in the mornings before work. I’d always eat while I made stuff so I could make sure it didn’t suck. Although I think they would have eaten dog food if I put it in front of them.” I laughed.

“Probably, but you’re a good cook.”

“Thanks. You’re pretty easy to cook for.” Joe eats everything I put in front of him. I wondered how he kept in such great shape until I walked in the garage one day and discovered their fight ring. Evidently they keep their fighting skills sharp by sparring with each other. I wouldn’t really call it sparring, more like beating each up until one bows out or they get dragged apart.

“The guys have been talking about the bar. They can’t wait.”

“I hope so. It’s been fun putting something together that’s both me and Salina. The prospects are a huge help. Thanks for the money by the way. I tried not to spend too much.”

“You’re fine.” He slid the plate back to me standing up to get another beer. “I need to talk to you about something so I don’t freak you out.”

“Oh yeah?” This should be good.

“Come here.” He always does this. I don’t know if it’s a control thing by always making me go to him, or if it’s something he just does without thinking about it. I’m like four steps away, so I just went to him.

I looked up, “What?”

He started on my belt, “I don’t have an ounce of shyness in me. There’s been a few times where I’ve wanted you and didn’t care who was around to see. It’s getting worse now that you can handle me better.” He’s not small, and his intensity has picked up as we’ve gotten to know each other better in our bed.

“Are you trying to tell me you’re going to have your way with me anywhere you want?” I untucked his shirt.

“It could come to that, yes. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the guys around the club are used to it.”

It took me a few days to adjust to seeing one of the girls happily satisfy one of the guys right there in the garage. I’ve seen plenty of afternoon delights by now.

“So I’ve noticed. If you’re going to do that, just try to keep it at the club and not in some public place where we could get arrested.” I lifted his shirt up enough that he took the hint and pulled it the rest of the way off.

“I’ll keep that in mind. How are you with a pair of scissors?” He changed the subject as I traced my favorite tattoo.

I looked back up at his eyes, “Okay, why?”

“I need a trim.” He grabbed his beard.

I laughed, “Yes, you do.”

“So you’ll fix it?”

“I’ll do my best. Just tell me how you want it.”

“Right now I want you up against the wall in the shower.” He scooped me up like a bride and carried me to the bathroom. He’s so strong it always seems effortless on his part. I doubt he’d drop me, but I always wrap my arms around his neck. Maybe it’s just an excuse to kiss it.

He took me like he wanted, giving me a new and fun experience, until the hot water ran out.

I screamed like a little bitch, “Turn it off!”

Joe has a warped sense of humor despite the lack of smiling. He let me go, adjusted the nozzle so it was aimed right at me and fled while I froze to death trying to turn off the water.

“Dammit Joe!! You’re going to pay for that shit!!” I threatened grabbing my towel and wrapping up to warm myself. “Jerk!!”

He’s already in the bedroom out of reach or I’d have smacked him hard on the ass. The man is not right. The other day I was in the kitchen at home trying to make some snacks for the guys in the garage for the next day so I slid him a bowl of blueberries that were in season to snack on while I worked. He proceeded to bounce them off my head until he discovered he could shoot them right down the front of my shirt. I spent half an hour fishing blueberries from my cleavage.

I found him in the kitchen with a chair. “Do it in here so you don’t get hair on the carpet.”

“Good idea. How do you want it to look?”

“Trim the beard back to a goatee and get the dry ends in my hair.” He sat right away starting with the wandering hands.

I swatted them away. He was trying to see what my underwear looked like under my shorts. “Quit, or I’m going to mess up.”

“I can’t help it. I’ve spent months in foreign prisons being tortured for top secrets and never caved. If they knew all it would take is you out of reach, I’d have been dead years ago.” He took two handfuls and pushed the girls up and together.

I swatted him away again, “Dammit Joe! Quit!” I laughed because he sat on his hands. “You’re a nut. I can’t believe you were in a foreign prison.”

He leaned his head back when I lifted his chin to comb and figure out where to shave. “Shit happens.”

“I hate to think of you being hurt.”

“It wasn’t fun.” He closed his eyes.

“Sorry baby. What kind of stuff did you do in the Navy?” I trimmed the area where I wanted to shave.

“A bunch of shit. Have you done this before?”

“Yeah. I had uncles.”

“Had?”

“I don’t talk to, or about, my family.” I told him getting off his lap to get the razor, shaving cream, and bowl of warm water.

“You do with me. Tell me what happened.” He demanded.

“It was just a nasty situation. It’s not important.”

“Where’s your family?” He asked as I started shaving.

“Don’t know, don’t care.”

“What did they do to you?” He’s not giving up.

I sighed trying to find a way to word this as simply as possible. “When I turned thirteen one of my uncles developed a crack addiction he didn’t have the money to support. He sold me and my sister for the money. Three years later I found out he’d gone back and killed my parents to cover it up. I never found my sister.”

He opened his eyes and took my wrist as he lifted his head to look at me, “Are you serious?”

“I wouldn’t make that up Joe.” I hate thinking about the three most horrible years of my life.

“What happened to you when you were sold? Who bought you?”

“Some scumbag pervert. He made me wear sexy clothes and dance for other perverts who paid him for the show. There were four of us. We finally got together and killed him before burning down his house and running. I lost touch with them right afterwards because we went our separate ways.” I swallowed. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”

He pulled me in for a sweet kiss. “Okay baby. I’ll drop it for now. You okay?”

I stepped back for the whiskey and stole a shot straight from the bottle. “Yeah.” I put my hand on his face to lean him back, “Talk about something else.”

He kissed my palm no longer needing to sit on his hands. “Are you going to marry me legally?”

“Probably.” I teased liking his quick change in direction.

“Probably? Just probably? I guess I’ll have to put the ring I got you in the safe until you can give me a better answer than that.”

“You didn’t get any ring.” I took a warm wet towel and rinsed the sides of his face where I’d shaved.

“I did, but I won’t give it to a woman who ‘probably’ wants to marry me.”

I pinched his nose pulling his head back upright to trim the goatee. “I can’t picture you in a suit saying vows.” I laughed.

“Only for you.” He’s watching me.

I stepped back to check my work. “That’s better.” I walked around to his back and combed his hair out. “How short do you want this?”

“Take a couple inches off. Why are you avoiding the question?”

“Because you’re just being silly trying to take my mind off the last conversation.” I accused him.

“You’re wrong.”

“I’ll believe you when I see this mystery ring.” I laughed still trimming.

“Go get my cut.”

I stopped, “What?”

“You heard me, go get my cut.” He ordered.

“Hang on.” I finished trimming and fluffed his hair to make sure it fell right. I found his leather vest and handed it to him a minute later.

He reached in an inside pocket and tossed me a box. “You have to say yes before you put it on.”

I looked at him without opening the box. “I don’t need this, if you’re really serious, I’ll marry you. I thought you were kidding.”

“Open the box.” He nodded feeling his face.

I looked down and flipped the lid open. “Holy shit.” It looks like a five or six karat princess cut ruby surrounded by little diamonds. “Wow, it’s beautiful.”

“Come here.” He took my left hand and the box looking at me. “Are you going to marry me?”

“Yes.”

He pulled the ring out and slid it on my finger. “Good. Make the arrangements when you’re ready.”

I climbed on his lap straddling him and putting my hands on his shoulders and finding his eyes. “I love you.”

“I love you.” He kissed me as he stood and carried me off to bed.

8
 

S
alina drooled over my ring the next day. “Show that to Slider, the cheap bastard.” She joked.

I laughed. “Great, get Joe in trouble.”

“That’s what he gets for showing off.” She complained turning the register on.

With Joe’s money and Slider’s influence we were able to skirt a lot of the red tape needed to legally open a bar. We have orders placed with booze vendors, but to open as soon as possible we just went out and bought a bunch of booze and stuff you need to run a bar.

I turned the neon Open sign on while she propped the door open. It’s almost Christmas so the weather is perfect.

A good handful of the guys were out on another job so our first customers were mostly prospects and the members that typically hang out to protect the grounds when the guys go out.

It felt good to do something I’m familiar with, and good at. I don’t have to wear sexy clothes for tips anymore, which is nice since I have to wear jeans everyday with Joe insisting I ride with him as much as possible.

The guys finally came back around midnight. I was chomping at the bit because I’d been worried something had gone wrong since six. I tried calling Joe a few times but got no answer.

They waltzed in happy and ready to party. I walked over to Joe and looked up seeing glitter in his hair and beard, and some on his cut.

“Where were you?”

“Out.”

“Out where?” I sniffed him and smelled cheap perfume. “You shit.”

He grabbed my arm and pulled me aside, “It was just a strip joint, no big deal. Gunner insisted on paying girls to dance around me to congratulate me on making you my old lady.”

I jerked my arm free. “Don’t touch me. You stink.” I walked away before I made the mistake of smacking him.

He went and sat down with the guys. I waited on everyone but him. He didn’t seem to notice because Salina set pitchers on the table so he didn’t have to ask. Smart girl. If he calls me over I’m likely to dump that pitcher of beer in his lap.

Around two-thirty things were still going fairly strong. I sent Salina to take a break so I could take one when she was done. I grabbed a joint and went outside to sit on a picnic table. This is exactly why I never wanted to get mixed up with a biker. Strip clubs. What’s next? The appreciative President who takes insult when Joe doesn’t fuck his best girl?

This line of thinking is exactly what Salina told me to avoid. I couldn’t. I expected better from Joe. The let down was heart-breaking.

I looked up when he started towards me across the parking lot. “Bad timing asshole.” I grumbled to myself.

He stopped in front of me and lifted my chin, “Stop this. It wasn’t my idea.”

I pushed his hand away. “I said don’t touch me.” I took the last hit from my joint, flicked it away, and stood up to go back inside.

“Carly!” His booming voice made me jump.

I stopped still facing the bar refusing to look at him. “What?”

“Get back here, I’m talking to you.” There he goes, barking orders as usual.

“Well I’m not talking to you until you get that goddamned glitter and stench off of you.” I started walking but got caught by my large angry old man.

He spun me to face him, “Stop it.”

I tried to jerk free but he’s too strong. “No!! I’m mad at you! Let go!”

“No more ignoring me, and no more attitude, or I’m taking you home right now.” He decided.

“
You
go home.”

“What is your problem? I told you it wasn’t my idea.”

“And neither will be the whore some other chapter wants you to do because they’re grateful for some reason. Just…leave me alone.” I felt like crying but didn’t want to.

“Get on the bike.” He pointed to his large black Harley.

“No. I’m not riding with you with all that…” I waved my hand in the air in front of him, “shit all over you.”

“You don’t get a choice.”

I pushed him hard and got my arm painfully free. “Screw you.” I ran to my car and locked myself inside. I leave it unlocked when it’s here, but my dumb ass left my purse and keys inside the bar.

Joe leaned against the front fender with his arms crossed looking in at me.

I put my head on the steering wheel and let the tears flow. Great. I’m in love with a man who is going to treat me like some piece of shit. I guess he got what he wanted, what’s the point of giving me this damn ring if he’s just going be a dog?

I looked up when I heard him knock on the windshield.

He crooked his finger and pointed to the space in front of him.

I wiped my face and got out. “What?”

“Get on the bike, I’m taking you home.” He’s too calm.

“I’m getting my purse.” I walked inside and told Salina I was leaving. She looked a little worried so I told her about the stripper glitter. She just shook her head.

I had my keys ready and went straight for the car. Joe was over by his bike waiting for me so he didn’t figure out what I was doing until I was inside, doors locked, and engine started. I caught the dirty look on his face as I drove by him on my way out.

He followed me home, of course. I got out and he all but dragged me inside.

“Quit acting like a jealous wife. You have nothing to be jealous about.”

“Wash that shit off or I’m not talking to you.” I sat on the couch taking my shoes off.

“Don’t order me around woman.” He barked before I heard the shower start a minute later.

I changed into ugly comfortable clothes before crawling under the covers with my back to where he’d be coming out of the bathroom.

I heard the water shut off just before he said, “Sit up.”

I ignored him hoping he’d think I was asleep.

He jerked the blankets off and rolled me onto my back to hover in a push-up over me. “Stop it. I’m not going to put up with this shit. I told you I only want you. I’m not going to remind you of that every fucking day.”

His beard is dripping water on my face and neck. “You just reminded me of why I swore to myself I’d never to get involved with bikers.” I wiped my neck and swatted his beard splashing more water everywhere. “Dammit Joe, get off me!”

“Not until you understand and stop questioning this.” He closed in and held his lips to mine until I gave in and kissed him back. I guess it’s true what they say about make-up sex. I took my anger out on him, he took it happily.

When we fell back catching our breath he asked, “Are you done being mad at me now?”

“You ever do that again and I’m kicking your ass.” I threatened him as I curled up into my favorite nook to try and sleep.

“Enough with the jealousy bullshit Carly.”

“Then don’t come home with fucking stripper glitter all over you and smelling like a cheap whore.”

“I didn’t enjoy it.”

“Then don’t let it happen. You’re not sixteen, and you’re bigger than any man I’ve ever seen. If you can’t walk away then you’re going to have to deal with getting shit from me.”

“You need to understand this lifestyle Carly, shit like this is normal. It’s just the way we do business.”

“It’s not the way you do business. If you want me to marry you, don’t pull anything like that again.”

He flipped me under him and quickly grabbed my wrists pinning them over my head. “Are you threatening me?”

“It’s not a threat, it’s the plain truth. Salina might be able to turn a blind eye when Slider fucks around, but I won’t. It disgusts me to think you even let the bitch get close enough to get that glitter and stink all over you. What did she do anyway? Give you a nice little lap dance?” I asked with venom back in my voice.

“I didn’t touch her.”

“Did she touch you?”

He closed his eyes.

“That’s what I thought. This fight is over, now you know where the line is drawn. Don’t cross it again.” I scolded him. I seem to do that a lot. That and call him ‘Dammit Joe.’

“You’re a stubborn woman.”

“And you wouldn’t have an ounce of respect for me if I didn’t stand up for myself. You told me to be strong, not take any shit. That includes your shit. Changing your mind?”

“About what?” He’s mad and giving me the evil eye.

“About putting this ring on my finger.” I wiggled my finger.

“No, but you
are
pissing me off.” He lowered and kissed me until we were once again lost in each other.

It felt good to sleep in for a change, even if I didn’t sleep that well. I’m still not sure whether he understands if I’m serious or not. I guess I’ll find out soon enough.

I felt him move and got that now familiar tickle of his beard in my neck.

“Hey you.” I turned to find him.

He moved hair out of my face. “Hello beautiful.”

I scratched the hair growing back in on his face where I’d shaved it. “You need a shave.”

He started with the wandering hand. “That’s not all I need.” This time he made love to me slowly with his eyes on mine. He made his promises to me with that look. I don’t think I’ll have to worry about him messing around on me again. Not that he did anything really, but I needed to make sure the line was drawn very clearly from the beginning.

After a short nap he woke me up with that beard again, “Dammit Joe! Quit that!” I rolled over to find him. He likes to spoon me when I fall asleep. I start out on his shoulder and somehow always end up with him behind me all cocooned in his arms and legs.

He started tickling. “Go find me my phone so I can call Slider.”

“You go find it!” I tried to hide but he’s too strong and started tickling.

“Go find my phone or I won’t call in and tell him I’m not going to be there today.” He bargained.

I pushed him off, “Fine, move.” I jumped up taking the blanket with me. “You’re such a brat.” I found his phone and tossed it to him before going to the bathroom real quick. I have every intention of getting back in those big warm arms.

He was still on the phone when I came out. “Send Kip, he knows the deal. Yup. Call me if you need anything.” He hung up and set the phone on the table.

I climbed back in finding my pillow. We faced each other on our sides. “You’re off all day?”

“I am.” He confirmed propping himself up to look down at me.

I found his hand and tangled my fingers with his. “Good. It’s after lunch time. Are you hungry?”

“In a minute.” He’s looking at me like he’s trying to say something.

“What?”

“I realized after your tantrum last night that you’re right. It won’t happen again.” He promised.

“It better not.”

“If anyone ever touched you that way I’d have a huge problem with it. I can’t expect you to be different. It’s hypocritical.” He explained his revelation.

“Very true. I’m glad we agree.” I kissed his hand.

“There’s one problem with that.”

“Of course there is.” I should have known.

“You’re going to have to go with me on the overnights, not on the jobs themselves, but the only way to turn down the shows of gratitude is to have my old lady with me. Otherwise it’s perceived as rude.” He explained.

“I suppose I can do that.”

“I need Slider’s okay for this. He’s not going to like it, but I think he’ll allow it. You need to learn how to shoot a gun just in case.”

“Okay okay. Anything else?” My stomach growled.

“No, that will do for now.” He crawled on top of me and kissed me before rolling off the bed. “Get some food before you starve.”

“Gladly.” I got up deciding the bathrobe was enough. With us being home all day, clothes would just be a waste of laundry.

I fixed us a nice big breakfast of eggs, bacon, pancakes, and some fruit on the side while he showered.

He appeared a few minutes later, picked me up and easily set me on the counter, then stood between my legs. “If Slider says no, you’re going to have to trust me.” He crunched the bacon I shoved in his mouth.

“I trust you.” I decided as I said it.

“Didn’t sound like it last night.” He folded a pancake, gave me a bite, and ate the rest.

I swallowed, “I was mad.”

“You’re sexy when you’re mad.” He put a fork full of eggs in my mouth before taking a bite himself.

Is he feeding me? “You’re scary when you’re mad.” I took another bite of bacon from him.

“That’s the point.” He finished the bacon and went for another pancake.

“Hm.”

“Do I scare you?” He’s still feeding me between questions.

“Not really. You make me jump when you yell, but I know you’d never hurt me.” I admitted.

“I don’t hit women.”

“I know.” I wanted to ask what this was all about but didn’t want him to stop. I like this time together talking, eating…talking, eating. It’s fun, and funny.

“No matter how mad I get, I will never hurt you. You understand that right?”