Bella Chapter 10

I fidgeted as I sat waiting for Ashes to show. I'd set up the chats in the order I'd gone out with them. It seemed to make sense to me. I got a text from Boomer a few minutes ago. I read it again.

Boomer: Babe, I'm parked in the back of the building, so they won't see my bike. They'll park on the main street. Remember, I'm here. Text me if you get uneasy.

Me: I will and thank you.

As I glanced up from my phone, my heart jumped. Ashes was coming through the door. I watched the way women turned to watch him. There was interest on so many faces. He wouldn't have trouble finding someone, that was for sure. I really hoped all the guys would, and soon. I got the feeling they did want to settle down. I gave him a tentative smile in response to his smile. He made his way over to me. He bent down and dropped a kiss on my cheek before taking a seat.

"Hi, Bella, it's good to see you. Can I get you something to drink?"

"It's good to see you too. I'm fine unless you want something."

"I think a coffee would do me. Let me get you something." He stood back up. Knowing he wouldn't get something for himself unless I did, I gave him my order and then watched him walk off. My phone buzzed. Since he was ordering, I checked it. It was Boomer again.

Boomer: Tell him to keep his lips to himself.

I gasped and looked around at the windows. He was spying on us? Not seeing him, I furiously typed back.

Me: Stop spying! He kissed my cheek. No need to go all caveman. Shush.

Boomer: His lips will meet my fist if he does it again. And news flash, I am a caveman. Now, kick his ass to the curb and tell him to scram.

Me: Grrrr.

Boomer:??

I had to put the phone down because Ashes was on his way back. He handed me my drink and then retook his seat. I took a sip as he did. He put his cup down and studied me. I was just opening my mouth to start when he beat me to it.

"You're not gonna go on any more dates with me, are you?"

My mouth dropped open. How did he know that? "I-well, um, no, but how did you know?"

"It's written all over your face. You look so uncomfortable. On our date, you weren't like this, so what else could it be? I can't say I'm not disappointed. Did I do something wrong?"

"No! No, it was nothing you did. Please don't think that. I think you're wonderful. Any woman would be lucky to have you. I just found my feelings are much more engaged with someone else. I'm sorry."

He reached over and laid his hand on top of one of mine. I knew Boomer would have something to say about him touching me, but he'd have to accept it.

"I appreciate it. I think you're great too and I hoped there might be something between us. I hope whoever you picked knows how lucky he is. Can I ask who? Do the others know yet?"

"They don't know. I'm meeting with them today, too. I'd rather not say until after I've talked to everyone. I promise, you'll know after today. God, I hate this."

He squeezed my hand. "Sweetheart, it's okay. Believe it or not, I've been rejected once or twice in my life. I know, I know, it doesn't seem possible, but it happens even to the best of us," he said as he gave me a wink and a smile. He made me giggle.

After that, he stayed, and we chatted about this and that. When he left a half hour later, I was feeling so relieved. Of course, I got a text from Boomer as soon as he did. I was surprised he didn't do it when Ashes held my hand.

Boomer: What the hell was up with the hand-holding? No more of that. All body parts need to stay away from yours.

Me: Kiss my ass. I'll do what I want. We weren't making out. Shush.

Boomer: Woman, that's twice you've shushed me, and as for kissing your ass, I'll gladly do it. Be ready to pay for those shushes later. Remember, no kisses or hand-holding.

Me:??

I had to fight not to smile or to get too turned on by his kissing-my-ass comment. Mine had just kinda slipped out. Damn, did it just get hotter in here? While I waited for Dragon, I took time to run to the bathroom. I might have given myself a pep talk in the mirror. Thankfully, no one was in there to see it. If they had been, I'd probably be on my way to the loony bin.

Minutes later, I sat back down and nervously drummed my fingers on the table. When I saw Dragon walking through the door, I pushed my nerves away as much as I could. The last conversation was good. This one would be, too. I hoped. He gave me a sexy smile as he approached. Like Ashes, before he sat, he gave me a kiss on the cheek. Luckily, I'd turned off my chime alert for texts. I did feel it vibrate, though. I ignored it.

"Hey there, gorgeous. I'm so glad you called me. It seems like forever since we went out. How are you?"

"Hi, Dragon. I'm good. You?"

We chatted for several minutes about our week and this and that. I knew I had to get to the point.

"Dragon, I called you because we need to talk. It's about the date we had. I want you to know I enjoyed it a lot. You asked about another one. I'm sorry, but I can't. You're a great guy. I want you to know that. It's just that someone else has made me see I need to give him a chance. I'm sorry. I feel awful."

He didn't say anything for almost a minute. He didn't look exactly angry, though he was frowning. Finally, he spoke. "Bella, I am disappointed, to say the least. I really enjoyed our date and hoped to have more. Is there anything I can do to change your mind?"

I shook my head no.

He sighed. "Well, then, I guess that's that. Can I ask who you're giving a chance to?"

"I don't want to say who until I've talked to everyone. I hope you understand. After today, you'll know. Thank you for being so nice about it."

He gave me a small smile. "I'd never be ugly to you. I hope we can at least be friends. You're fun, and I like talking to you."

"I would love to be friends."

"Okay, well, I should jet. I'll see you around." He gave my hand on the table a pat before he got up and walked out. I sagged. Two down, two to go. My phone vibrated. Rolling my eyes, I read my texts, starting with the first one.

Boomer: Lips again. You know the rules.

Boomer: How did it go? I saw the hand touch, BTW.

Me: You need to take a chill pill. Shush.

Boomer: Three. I don't do chill pills. See you soon. I'm counting the minutes. Be good.

Me: I'm always good. I'll find you some pills.

Boomer: ??

He was making me want to laugh with his demands and the emojis. I never thought a badass biker would use them. I would never tell him, though I liked the banter.

Time flew, and the next thing I knew, Vicious was coming toward me. His progress was watched by most of the café. There were some who'd been here the whole time, and I could see their curiosity was more than piqued by the fact that I was meeting with all these bikers. I wanted to wave at them and wink.

Vicious surprised me when he came up, pulled my chair back, then practically lifted me out of it. He gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Oh God, Boomer would be losing it. Yep, there went my phone. I prayed he wouldn't come storming in. If he did, I'd die.

"Hey, beautiful, it's damn good to see you. How're you doing? Any more students or people you'd like to strangle?" he asked as he lowered me into my chair, then took his seat. He didn't sit across from me, though. He took the one next to me.

"Hi, Vicious, it's good to see you too. I'm doing well. I haven't wanted to smack anyone, which is a good thing. How about you? How's the life of a prospect treating you?"

He gave me a quick rundown. On our date, we'd talked about why he was prospecting and some of what it involved. I did it with all three prospects. It was fascinating to hear them talk. Many of the reasons were the same, but each had unique ones, too. When he was done, I knew I had to get to the point. He was the one I was most worried about. I saw how upset he got with Boomer at the restaurant.

"Um, okay, I need to tell you I did enjoy our date the other night. I had fun. I asked you here today to talk about what comes next. You asked me if I'd go out again. I need to let you know while I'm honored you want to, I can't. I'm gonna be seeing someone. I'm sorry."

He leaned forward. His mouth was tight, and I could tell he was angry. A slight feeling of unease slid through me. Was I wrong to trust he wouldn't get physical despite the people in here and Boomer's assurance none of them would?

"You need to get that look off your face. Am I pissed? Yeah, but I would never take it out on you. You're safe. I want to know what the other guy has that made you choose him and who it is. Is it Daredevil? Can I change your mind and have you give me another chance?"

"It's not a matter of him having something more or better than you. He just makes me feel things way more intensely. I think you're wonderful, and any woman would be lucky to have you. I just have to follow my heart on this. As for who it is, I won't say until I talk to all of you. I'm sorry."

His fist hit the table, making me jump and people look at us. He looked grim. I gulped. He looked up at me, and an apologetic look peeked out. "There you go again. I hate that look. I would cut my arm off before hurting you. I have a temper, but I don't hit women and children. I'm fucking disappointed and want to punch whoever won you. I hope, like hell, he will give you what you need. If he doesn't or if he fucks up, I want you to consider giving me another chance. I really like you. Who knows where we could've ended up."

"I know I'm taking a chance. As for giving you another chance, if he does screw up, we'll see. I hope this doesn't mean we can't still talk and be friends."

"We can do that even if it will be tough. Okay, I think I should go. See you later," he abruptly said as he stood up.

"Ride careful," I told him as he walked off. He threw up his hand in acknowledgment. My stomach churned. He'd taken it badly. I knew he was holding it in until he was away from me. I picked up my phone to see what Boomer had sent. I was shocked he hadn't stormed in here. There were no texts. Frowning, I went to set it down when it rang, making me jump like a ninny. A glance showed it was him calling. I answered it cautiously.

"Hello?"

"Why the hell didn't you call me? I couldn't see his face, but I saw you jump. What did he say? Do? I'm gonna beat his ass for scaring you," he snarled.

"No, you're not! He was upset, and yes, he was angry, but not with me. He didn't hurt me. Like the others, he wanted to know who and why. And if you fuck up, he wants a second chance." I don't know what in the world made me say the last part.

"That motherfucker! I'll—"

I cut him off. "You'll leave him alone. He's entitled to feel however he wants. You would, too, if you were him. I don't need or want you confronting any of them. They're in your club. I want to remain friends with them."

"Friends? With four men who want you for themselves? Not happening."

"Boomer, we'll talk more when I get done. We have some things to iron out, like your over-the-top attitude. You won't dictate my friends. Now, I have to get ready for Daredevil. I'm hanging up, and you stay outside," I hissed before I disconnected the call.

It rang again, but I ignored it. Pigheaded jackass. Who did he think he was? I'd have to enlighten him more about the woman he was planning to get involved with. I fumed and thought of my arguments as I waited. This meant that Daredevil caught me off guard when he popped up beside me. I jumped. He was smiling, and he gave me a kiss just like the others, and then he sat next to me like Vicious had.

"It's good to see you. I had a good time last night," he told me straight away.

Out of the four of them, he was the one I'd felt the most connection to. Only, it wasn't as much as the one to Boomer. "I did, too, which is why I hate to do this."

"Do what?"

"Tell you, although I had a really good time, I can't go on another date with you. I'm truly sorry."

He frowned. "Why not? I thought we hit it off. Did I do something wrong?"

"No, you didn't. It's just that I realized I have feelings for someone else, and I don't want to give you false hope or lead you on. I won't date two guys seriously at the same time. It's not me."

"So this other guy you see yourself having a life with? Are you sure?"

"I hope we will. He says he wants to. I won't know unless I try, Daredevil. I hate to hurt or disappoint you, but it's the way I feel."

"Which one of us did you pick?"

"I'll tell you later. I wanted to talk to you guys first. I didn't want hard feelings."

"At least tell me it was someone in the club and not one of those other two dumbasses you went on a date with first."

I'd told him about those dates. I laughed as I shook my head. "No, it's not one of them. He's in your club, which is another reason I don't want any hard feelings. I don't want it to come between you guys and him."

"He's a lucky bastard, and I'll be sure to tell him so. It should go without saying that if you change your mind or it doesn't work out, then I'd like to try again."

"Noted. Thank you for being so good about this."

"There's no need to get shitty with you. You have to follow your heart. Who knows, maybe one day I'll be lucky, even if it isn't with you. Okay, enough of this. Tell me what's on your agenda for this week that we didn't talk about last night. Speaking of it, what did you think of the dinner?"

I appreciated him making the effort, and we ended up talking for close to half an hour before he said he had to leave. I gave him a hug. I had to. He squeezed me and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I was startled when he whispered in my ear, "I hope this pisses him off. I know he's watching. If it was me, no way would I let you do this alone and unprotected."

I gasped as he let go, winked, then walked out. I watched him, and when he got outside, he raised his arm along with his middle finger. I couldn't stop myself. I laughed. The people in there must think I was crazy and a slut. I decided to sit for a minute to get my heart to settle before leaving. It was three-thirty. I still had no idea what time Boomer wanted to go out or where. I needed to find out.

I went to pick up my phone but froze as I saw Boomer come storming in. He made his way to my table, and everyone was watching avidly. I opened my mouth, but he cut off my words by gently yanking me out of my chair and giving me a kiss, which melted my brain and made my body catch on fire. I heard the chatter around us increase. When he was done, I would've fallen if he hadn't been holding me. My legs were that weak.

He was staring down at me with a fierce expression on his face. "That's so everyone in this goddamn place knows who you belong to. Watching the four of them with you was bullshit. I need you to myself. Are you ready to go?"

"So glad you laid your claim, caveman, but it wasn't necessary. As for leaving, I'm ready. Are we still going out tonight? If so, it would be helpful to know what time and where," I said a bit snarkily.

He growled. "I love it when you get snippy. Makes me hard. Better stop or I'll have you on the table in front of the whole town."

I shivered at the thought of being watched while we had sex. I'd never done it, but it did give me a thrill that surprised me. "You sure tempt a girl, but there are children in here."

I saw heat flare brighter in his eyes. He clutched me closer, and that's when I felt his erection.

"I wouldn't tempt me, babe, although we can discuss being watched another time. As for tonight, be ready at six o'clock and the where is a surprise. No need to dress up. Go comfortable. Tonight will be casual. Come on, let's go."

I didn't object and let him lead me out. I barely glanced at those staring at us. He had my whole attention. God, he was so dangerous. He'd better not break my heart.