7. Manny

7

MANNY

“You seem chipper.” I glance up at Lacey as she plonks down on the couch. It’s late, but I was watching Netflix and enjoying a rare night off.

“I’m sorry. I wanted to spend our first night in, but I forgot about babysitting with Stella.”

I pat the seat next to me as she moves closer. “Don’t be sorry. You can come and go as you please, you know that.”

Having her this close to me is not a good idea, but we’re friends and I have to push these stupid feelings aside.

“I hope it’s okay that Bandit was here today, he was just dropping off my stuff.”

She already asked me about that yesterday, so why would it be a problem?

“It’s fine. That was nice of him.”

“It was,” she says. “Even though some of the guys in the club are gruff, they can be kinda sweet when it suits them.”

“Except Tag.” I smile down at her. “He’s a grump all the time.”

She clears her throat. “Hey, I didn’t want it to be weird after the other day… when I kissed you.” She emphasizes that last part like it’s a question, or as if I could forget.

I wave a hand. “Forget about it. I get that you couldn’t help yourself.” I circle a finger around my face. “This is my money maker, and you’re only human after all.”

She slaps my chest. “You’re hilarious,” she snorts. “But it was still inappropriate. I just, well, it felt right.”

My heart does a little flip. I try not to let her words affect me. It’s stupid. I also try not to think about Bandit this afternoon and how his fucking abs and chest rippled when he was lifting those boxes. The man is sex on a stick. He’s forbidden fruit and so not into guys. I shouldn’t be thinking about him like that, but I have seen him butt naked before at the strip club, and the man is a goddamn Adonis. I could do shots off his dick any day of the week.

My dick shifts and I make a mental note to not indulge in anymore fantasies about the two of them unless I’m alone.

“It’s honestly fine. You’re sweet, Chantilly. And any guy would be lucky to have your lips on them.”

“Things have heated up a little,” she whispers. “With the guy I’m seeing.”

She still won’t tell me his name. I did ask, but she says I don’t know him. I don’t know why it matters if I know his name, but I wouldn’t be a friend if I pushed the issue.

I try not to let the pang of jealousy hit me too hard. I’m good at masking my feelings. “How’s all of that going?”

She snuggles up further into the crook of my arm. My eyes almost roll into the back of my head. She can’t see me, but surely she can feel the tension in my body.

She yawns idly. “Good. We got to second base.”

Shit.

“Are you gonna go all the way with him?”

“I— I don’t know.”

“Why not? What’s got you hesitating?”

She told me he was ‘old school’ and wanted to take things slow, but sometimes that can be code for something else. Like he’s married. Not that I think Lace would deliberately date a married dude, but sometimes they’re not always honest about it.

“I don’t know. I’m just not used to attention like this.”

It kills me when I ask, “In what way?”

“In the attentive way. Most guys don’t know how to woo a woman. It’s all just wham, bam, thank you, ma’am, not that there’s anything wrong with that, but I’m looking for something more than just a quick fuck.”

Her talking dirty like this makes my dick twitch. “So, does he know that?”

“Yeah. I think so.”

“And he feels the same way?”

“He’s hard to read. He hasn’t had a relationship in a long time.”

“Well, it’s good to take things slow if you want more out of it than just sex.” Who the fuck am I? Doctor Phil?

“That’s true, but I don’t really know what he wants to be honest.”

“Have you asked him?”

She pauses. “He’s kinda closed off. He doesn’t talk much about feelings, and he can be moody.”

“Uh, oh. Red flags going up yet?”

She laughs. “Nothing like that. But I am cautious where my heart is concerned. Also, I know this is gonna sound bad?—”

“I won’t judge you,” I say quickly. “We’re friends and you can tell me anything.”

I swallow hard. It took all my might to get my head around the word ‘friends’ and listen to her talk about some dude she can’t wait to bed.

“I kinda like this other guy, too.”

“Yeah?” Lucky guy. “Does he know?”

“Not a clue.”

“Does he like you?”

“I— I don’t know. But my guy, well, he told me something when we were drunk a few weeks ago.”

I pique a brow. “Yeah?”

“He kinda told me he’s had thoughts about other men, but that he’s never been with one. I think he’s bi, but he’s too afraid to admit it.”

I glance down at her. “He hasn’t tried to coerce you into doing anything?”

She quirks a smile. “You’re so cute.” She pinches my cheek, and I try not to wince. Good old Manny, here to crack the jokes. “No. He won’t even admit it when he’s sober. Even though we both know he told me he likes to watch.”

“Watch?”

“At Club After Dark. They have rooms there where people fuck and you can watch.”

My dick stirs. “They do?”

“Well, they don’t advertise it as anything but a strip joint, but yeah, I’ve heard it gets really kinky.”

“And he said he’d like to watch you and another guy?”

She nods. “And then both of them do me.”

I can’t help it, I bite my lip as she stares up at me innocently. “Wow, that’s quite an admission. As long as you’re comfortable with doing, uh, stuff with two guys, then I say go for it. If it’s in a safe environment, and you know them…” So much could go wrong. What if the guys hurt her? What if they didn’t respect her if she wanted to tap out? You can’t just have a threesome willy-nilly. It takes time, trust, and planning. Of course, I don’t voice any of these things.

“And what did he say about it?”

She shrugs. “I never brought it up again. When he was sober, the next time I saw him, he acted like we’d never discussed it. Then when we made out recently, he was so into me that I kinda forgot all the kinky things he’d told me. I didn’t want to make him uncomfortable by bringing it back up.”

That’s a lot to unpack. “Sex clubs are good to explore things in a safe environment.” I catch her gaze. “Please don’t do anything where you’re not safe.” I wince at the idea. At least a sex club like Afterdark is a legit club with security and rules.

“I won’t.” Her eyes stay on mine and her hand is splayed out over my chest. It feels warm and safe. Like it’s always been there. What is she doing? Why is she looking at me like this?

Is she really trying to torture me?

I need to go to bed, because if she keeps looking at me like that, I’m going to break my house rules. “I should hit the hay.” I slide out of her grasp as I stand. “Got an early start tomorrow.”

“Sounds like a good idea.” She yawns, stretching as her little tank rides up and I get a full shot of her abs. Jeepers. I need to go choke the sausage and relieve some of that tension as I look over her sleek little body. I could imagine her riding me, those delicious tits in my face as she bounces up and down on my…

“We need to hang out more, if you’re up for it. But I mean, now we’re roomies and all, our schedules will be a little different.”

“If you’re up for it, we can have a movie night this week. I’m off Sunday night. You can choose.”

She smiles. “I’d like that.”

“Goodnight, Lace.”

“Night, Manny. Don’t let the bedbugs bite.”

There’s no more talk about sex clubs, hot men who want to watch and definitely not men who are in the closet and want to rail her with another dude. And Bandit; I have my suspicions about that. I mean, I’d be happy to fulfill that role. I’ve had a threesome before, but it was years ago. Not at all like it is in the movies. Yet, when I think about doing Lace with someone watching us, it turns me the fuck on. When I imagine it’s Bandit, I choke my cock that little bit harder when I’m in my bed, whacking off.

I can’t forget her illicit words, and I don’t know why she’s torturing me like this. Was she just confessing to a friend? Or was she trying to gauge if I’d be the someone? I feel like I’m letting my head get away with me. I’m sure that if Lace really wanted to do those things, she wouldn’t be telling me about them. She’d be doing them.

Still. Some guy is gonna get to be inside her. Some guy who isn’t me. Or maybe two guys. I groan at the idea, my cum spurting as I unleash all over myself. I’m sad, I know. I need to get laid for real. I just wish the only people I could stop thinking about are a girl I can’t have, and a man who acts like I’m practically a leper whenever he’s around. Of course, Bandit doesn’t mind eating my food. I enjoyed watching him scarf down my soup. In fact, I’d like to see him scarfing down a lot more if I had the opportunity.

Down, boy. That ain’t ever gonna happen because he’s well and truly straight. And he has a kid, so he’s definitely straight. Well. I guess that’s not always the case, but there I go again, letting my imagination get away with me.

I clean myself up and as I exit the room; I hear Lace’s voice. I don’t mean to be a nosy bastard, but curiosity has me moving a little closer to her closed door. Thinking about her in bed, under my roof, is about enough to make my balls drop off from desire. But I also have the knowledge that she’s safe here. I didn’t like the idea of her circling apartments that were in dodgy areas, just because she’s new in town and may not have much cash saved. Still. It makes me wonder because, up until recently, she was working as an accountant. I know from Jasmyne at the club that accountants make a shitload of money. Maybe she’s not good with dough? Or maybe she had student loans? In any case, it’s none of my business.

Then I hear it. A moan. My ears prick up… Is she… touching herself? My eyes squeeze shut as I brace against the wall, knowing I should move away. I mean, I’d be okay with her hearing me, but she might not feel the same way. Yet here I stand, relishing in the slight squeak of the bed as I hear the hum of a vibrator.

“Oh, God!”

I bite my lip. My forehead resting on the wall. This is sheer torture. I silently shove off, unable to take it anymore when I hear her whisper a name. I don’t catch it, it’s soft… so very faint… John? Joe? I stop in my tracks when her groan is a little louder. “ Manny!”

My eyes balk. Manny?

“Fuck this pussy. Please…”

My mouth hangs open. I was sure she said another guy’s name before mine, and maybe she is imagining two guys fucking her, but at least one of them is me.

Lace is masturbating to thoughts of me?

A slow smile spreads across my face as I hightail it back down the hall before I get sprung.

So my little ray of sunshine is holding out? She told me that story about the sex club to gauge if I was interested. Maybe I need to make it known that YES, I am interested.

My mouth is dry as I tiptoe back to my room like a stalker in the night. Trying as hard as I can to not make a sound. Just the idea that Lace was getting off and imagining it was me, makes me dizzy. She has no clue I know, and when I think about earlier, she was gazing up at me when she said those salacious things. Lace is a minx. She wants to be fucked by me and this other guy. And she wants him to watch us fuck.

I close my eyes as I sink down onto my bed. My cock rock hard as I imagine such a delight. I knew I had to amp up my sexcapades, but I had no reason to believe that it would include something this tantalizing. I just have to work out who this dude is and if I’d be into it. I mean, she mentioned she thinks he’s bi, but he hasn’t come out, so maybe this would be a great step to explore. For the first time in a long time, I’m excited. My heart rate accelerates as I fist my cock, unable to go back to sleep until I’ve fucked my palm again. This time, the orgasm is that much stronger, knowing that Lace wants me.

Shep

Are you up for a visitor this weekend?

Me

Hey, yourself

I smile at the text. Shep and I message every other day. Even though he’s a big hotshot now, he and I are still the best of friends. When he’s visited before, I was just finding my feet, and truthfully, I didn’t know what he’d think of the MC. Now that he knows what I do and who I work for, he wants to meet some of the guys.

Shep

So? You good, bro?

Me

You mean you’re gonna leave the jockstrap behind and get on a plane to see little old me? What gives?

He rarely likes to break routine once the season has started.

Shep

Playing at Caesar’s Superdome. You should know this

I’ve never been much of a football fan. Well, not for the game itself, anyway.

Me

You know me, some things never change. I’d love that, but you know I have a new roomie

I texted him the day Lace moved in. Of course, what followed was a bunch of texts asking if she was hot and had I boned her yet.

Shep

I know that. Would I like her?

Me

She’s off limits

Shep

So, you’re still fighting feelings for her?

Me

I kinda heard her last night

Shep

As in…

Me

As in… pleasuring herself

Shep

Holy shit, that’s hot

I don’t want to tell him the rest because then he’ll be bugging me to make a move, and I’m not ready for that. I mean, I should be ready after the conversation we had, followed by hearing her do that.

Me

Well, yeah, and now it’s awkward because it’s all I can think about

Shep

It was a bad idea rooming with her if you have a boner for her. You’re gonna fuck at some point, may as well get it over with

Me

Anyway… it’d be good for you to meet some of the guys. I only just started telling people about you. Tag is a big fan. He used to play

Shep

Happy to meet this new family of yours, and your girl

Me

She’s not my girl so don’t do anything to embarrass me

Shep

Pinkie promise

Me

Shep, I mean it

Shep

Scouts honor. Hey, gotta run. I’ll text you after the game on Sunday

Me

We can grab some dinner after

Shep

Sounds like a plan

I’m happy to be seeing my best friend after so many months, and that I can finally introduce him to the club and all my brothers. If there’s one thing I can rely on, it’s Shep’s support.

When we end the call I smile when I see an incoming text from Stella.

Stell-Bell

How’s my favorite chef?

Me

I haven’t heard from you in ages, rumor has it you’ve been seen sniffing bacon…

Stell-Bell

If you’re referring to Cale Callaghan, that isn’t funny

I smile to myself. Nothing’s gonna happen with Cale, he’s law enforcement for one, and Stella is only nineteen, but she’s made no secret that he’s a piece of eye candy.

Me

Would I do such a thing?

Stell Bell

If he wasn’t law enforcement, I might try my chances…

Me

I mean, he’s arrested your dad before, so I’m not sure how family dinners would go in that scenario

Stell Bell

That was a misunderstanding, and also he was looking for Tag

Me

Which is probably why Tag can’t stand him

Stell Bell

He’s actually a nice guy once you get to know him

Me

Uh, huh. He also has it in for the Rebels

Stell Bell

Nothing’s going on there, I promise. He doesn’t even know I’m alive

I smile to myself, I doubt that’s true. Callaghan may be older than her, but he’s still a man, and Stella is a pretty girl.

Me

I’m sure that’s not true, but let’s not tempt fate, huh?

Stell Bell

Are you always this annoying when I’m texting to say hi?

Me

Nope. But my friend Shep is coming into town over the weekend if you want his autograph, at least, I know your dad and Tag will be hanging around like a bad smell

Stell Bell

Those two are so annoying. Tag just loves yelling at everyone and telling them to fuck off. I’ll never get a boyfriend with either of them around

Me

Trust me, you’ve got plenty of time to worry about boyfriends, baby girl. Most dudes are only after one thing

Stell Bell

Yeah, yeah, you sound like my dad

Me

I’m just saying, you deserve the best and you shouldn’t take anything less

Stell Bell

What is with everyone around here lately?

Me

Just looking out for my bestie xo

Stell Bell

You get away with it because you’re cute… Gotta run. Save me some of that bacon… xo

Me

That’s my girl

Sunday comes around fast, and I’ve not even had a chance to see Lace for the last few nights. When I got home from work, she wasn’t home and it made me want to ring and find out where she was. Later that night, I heard her come in. It made me relax a little knowing she came back and didn’t stay out all night. Though, imagining her with another guy when I’m not present is proving difficult.

When I see her again, it’s at the clubhouse. When I told Cash that Shep wanted to stop by, he went all out and got the wood fire pizza guy here, a favorite of all the guys, and it ensured I had the night off as planned.

When Shep bounds through the clubhouse looking for me, he couldn’t look more out of place.

His hair is long on top, short at the sides, and chicks love how it flops down in front of his eyes. Yeah, he’s a ladies’ man and nowhere near settling down. He’s barely home when the season starts, and the lifestyle suits him just fine. On the field, he usually sports a headband to keep the hair out of his eyes, and it helps that he still has a baby face. He’s endorsed everything from beer to deodorant to sports cars. But he’s also very generous. He helped me out with my down payment for my condo, much to my disgust, and I said I’d pay him back every penny. He gives a lot of money to charity, and really cares about the organizations he supports for kids and animals.

I put my hands on my hips as he approaches. “I didn’t think they let pretty ball players in this club without a shot?”

He grins, one hand moving through that impressive mane of his. Then we’re pound hugging as he slaps me on the back. “Good to see you, Mans. Fuck, did you get taller or did I get shorter?”

He’s taller than me, by a few inches, and wider set. In fact, people don’t know how he’s so fast being the size that he is.

“Very funny, asshole. I’m the same as you saw me the last time, except I cut my hair.”

He lets me go, looking around as everyone stares at him. Behind him, Tag, Harlem and the twins, Rock and Jett, linger in the background, ready to pounce. Ever since I told them about my friendship with Shep, they’ve been all ears about getting an autograph. Even the grumpiest of them all, Tag, looks less grumpy as he holds onto what looks to be a Dallas Cowboys cap. Tag played professionally until an injury took him out, and now I know the rumors from Luna about collecting caps are true. That dirty dog.

“Should cut it again.” He tugs on the strands as I slap his hand away.

“Ow!”

“Baby.” He turns, grinning from ear to ear. “I like the place. It’s not what I expected.”

“Stripper poles and mud pits?”

“That’s not far off.”

“Shut up and let me introduce you to the guys.” I turn to look over my shoulder.

“I take it it’s these four staring at me?” he says out of the side of his mouth.

“Uh, huh.”

“They look kinda mean.”

I laugh. “Don’t worry, hotshot, I promise they don’t bite.”