1. Roxy

Chapter 1

Roxy

I ’ve tried not to think about it. I’ve tried to chalk it up to a one-night blunder, but neither my mind nor my body is agreeing with me. Every time I see him, I remember that night. That night that left me satisfied and longing for more and he doesn’t seem to remember.

I’m already off work tonight, but I’m sitting on a stool at the bar near the pool tables watching a game where Gage and Saint are playing two out-of-towners who are getting their asses handed to them. Gage moves around the table, smooth in his stride. Unless you know him, you wouldn’t guess he’s knocking heavily on fifty’s door. He’s lean and strong with the kind of eyes that make me feel like he can see into my soul. He’s smart, loyal, and one hell of a badass. It’s rare that he cuts loose, but it seems when he does, he forgets everything that happens. Like that night. The one where he tilted my world and flipped it upside down.

He laughs at something Saint says and slaps him on the back. I watch as he wraps his hands around the pool stick, leans over the table and takes aim. Watching the muscles in his back flex and his tight butt move in his jeans causes my mind to wander to that one night I can’t seem to get out of my mind.

I’m sure he doesn’t remember that night from nine weeks ago. He hasn’t said anything about it and he went right back to treating me like a little sister he needs to watch out for. The day after, I had been so nervous, sure that he was going to freak out on me. But he didn’t. He simply nodded his head at me as he walked past me to Troy’s office. He and the president of the Heartlands MC stayed holed up in there most of the evening. When he finally came out, he only asked me for his usual and then sat at the bar like he does most nights. He nursed on one beer and when I offered him another, he told me no. I asked him if he was feeling okay and he had shrugged his shoulders.

“Yeah, I’m good, Roxy. Don’t worry about me. I took a pain pill last night for my back and I’m still feeling the effects today. I threw those away. I didn’t like the way they made me feel.”

He no sooner said the words before someone was hollering at me for service. By the time I got back to him, he was gone.

The commotion at the pool tables has me coming back to the present. I can tell that Gage and Saint won by the way they’re smiling. I could watch Gage all night long. He’s sexy and he’s always been sexy, which makes him a joy to watch even if a part of me is sad about everything that has happened.

Gage saunters over to the bar where I’m sitting. The whole way over, he’s staring at me and my body instantly gets warm all over. Every. Damn. Time. There’s no denying it; he has this effect on me no matter how hard I try to get over my infatuation with him. Sometimes when he looks at me, I almost think he’s remembering that night, but then he’ll shake his head or look away and the feeling is gone.

He sits down next to me. “We just beat the out-of-towners. Let me buy you a drink to celebrate?”

I could stay and sit next to him all night. But I don’t. I stand up, putting my purse on my shoulder. My shift ended a few hours ago and I need to go home. “I’m heading out. I’ve got to get up early.”

I start walking toward the door, not even waiting for a goodbye when I feel his arm brush against mine. “I’ll walk you out.”

I barely resist rolling my eyes at him. I appreciate the fact that he cares for me, but it’s a known fact I can take care of myself. I’m about to tell him exactly that when one of the regulars waves at me. “See ya’ tomorrow, Roxy.”

I just throw my hand up and wave at him, trying to ignore the way Gage is staring him down when we walk past.

* * *

Gage

I’ve noticed Roxy watching me and I figure that she’s landed herself into some trouble. I’ve caught myself being extra protective of her lately, but I know she can’t stand it. She came to the Heartlands and almost immediately it was known that she’s not someone you can fuck with. She’s proven over and over she can take care of herself. But lately there’s been a vulnerability about her. Her usual guarded face is open and it catches me off guard.

Walking her out to her bike, I tense up when the asshole calls out to her. I don’t know why. I know Randy and he’s pretty fuckin’ harmless, but I don’t like it. Is he the one that’s causing her problems?

She goes straight to her bike and straddles it. I swear she’d just drive away without looking at me if I didn’t stop her. “Is everything okay?”

Roxy, being the typical gorgeous Roxy, flashes me her dimpled smile and laughs that melodic sound that always seems to ease my tension. “You worry too much.”

I take a step toward her and cover her hand that is holding the handlebars. The feel of her soft skin under mine seems familiar and I look between her face and her hand. Clearing my throat, I tell her the truth. “You’re family, even if it isn’t through blood, and I’ll always look out for you.”

I had hoped that would get her to open up about whatever’s been bothering her, but it doesn’t. Instead, it seems to do the opposite. Her face clams up and I can’t read her at all now. It’s like my words have pissed her off. She gives me a brief nod and I watch as she rides away.

As I walk back into the bar, I have to admit to myself that I’m glad I didn’t have to watch her walk out on the arm of one of the dipshits that sometimes drop in at the bar. Roxy’s too good for those fuck-ups.