Chapter 3

3

NEVADA

I lie in bed, unable to sleep.

I'm frustrated and all I can think about is my girl, pushed up against the wall as I pressed my dick into the small of her back.

Holy shit, I've got it bad. I need to stop thinking about her. What I should have done is brought a sweet butt to my room at church, to soothe the ache and deal with what I have in my hand right now, but who am I kidding?

There ain't no way I'm scratchin' away my sexy little Mama just to get some quick snatch. Not happening. It just wouldn't be satisfying, not like it would with her.

I know she's curious. She can deny the attraction all she wants, but we'd be hot together. I'm not good at many things, but I'm great at sex. And to get a piece of Star's ass… I groan out loud, fisting my cock as I squeeze the fucker until spurts of cum shoot out all over my goddamn stomach. It's not soothing any ache, but it's something. I never honestly thought I'd be like any of my club brothers who got snagged. Not that I'm snagged, I'm just… curious.

This mysterious, mouthy woman has my attention and I don't know what the fuck I'm gonna do about her. The one thing I do know is that I'm the one holding the cards. She needs me to get to Cash and I have to use that to my advantage. Cash wasn't overly happy after I returned inside. Clearly, he knows Star wants answers. And he may think I've fucked her, or she's someone I can control because I got her outside to avoid a scene, but it couldn't be farther from the truth. There ain't no way a woman like Star could ever be controlled. I secretly like that about her. I like a little resistance. All the women I've ever been with are with me because I'm good looking and have a big dick. It's not about me bragging about pussy. I love women. I always have. I treat them well and we have a good time, but it's just sex. I've never had a real girlfriend, well, there was that one chick a few years ago that I dated for a few months, but she was getting all hot and heavy way too soon. I like my freedom and my own space. It's just how I'm made, but when I think about Star having her freedom and her own space, I realize I want to occupy all of it.

I need to talk to Jett or Rock about finding out more about this woman and where she lives. They both work security for the club and Rock is the best hacker this side of the Mississippi. Everyone's been so goddamn busy these last few weeks that I've had to rely on text messaging her and hoping that we'd be able to meet up. Cash being on vacation kinda pushed those plans back a little, but I plan on making up for it.

I know her last name.

That night at the bar when she was looking for Brew and Haze, their brother Hustle told me she's known around town. Star St. Clair. Such a pretty fuckin' name.

He also told me she's just as tough as she comes across and used to be a kickboxing champion a few years back; she's also known in the martial arts world and holds a black belt. I'm jonesing again at the idea that I'd get to wrap that black belt around her pretty hands while I tie them behind her back. Fuck, yeah.

So the next day, I decide that's exactly what I'm gonna do.

When I get to the clubhouse, I head straight for Jett and Rock's shared office. It's next to Jas's; Hawk, the Road Captains' ol' lady. She does all the accounting and other important shit around the club.

I stick my head in as I pass by her office. "Hey, baby girl, where's that big old asshole you call a boyfriend hangin' out?"

She looks up, her glasses perched on the end of her nose. It makes me laugh now that I hit on Jas so many times and she never gave in. She didn't mix ‘business with pleasure', though that didn't stop her sucking Hawk's dick and making him her old man. "Why, you got somethin' I haven't seen before in that box?"

I'm carrying a box of donuts, mainly to butter up the twins, but I'm a sharing kinda guy.

"Oh, I'd pay to watch you lick the cream out of one of these babies any day."

She rolls her eyes. Jas is used to my shit and innuendo. "Do you ever wonder why you're still single?"

I open the box and she picks out a sugared cream-filled donut. "A woman after my own heart," I laugh. "And no, Sugar Lips, I don't wonder. I like bein' single. Not like my bedpost is runnin' out of notches anytime soon." Okay, so I'm also an asshole. Even though I haven't been getting any lately, I've still got a reputation to uphold. Can't go around letting the women of the club think I'm getting soft.

"Charming." She rests the donut on a coaster next to her empty cup. "Thanks."

I don't budge. "You gonna eat that?"

She gives me an exasperated look; her lips almost quirk in a smile. "So you can watch me eat it and put the memory in your spank bank for later? I don't think so. I've got work to do, unless you want to come help me with the financial reports for several businesses whose ledgers aren't balancing?"

"So cold." I grin. "But I love it when you talk finance geek shit, it turns me on."

"Goodbye, Nevada."

I finger wave as I chuckle, leaving her office to cross over into the one opposite.

Rock's already here, much to my relief.

"Yo, big boy." I set the open box of donuts down on the desk. "How's it hangin'?"

He looks up from one of several screens around the desk. "It's hangin' fine, my ol' lady's not complainin'. What about you? Heard you went home alone last night?"

I run a hand through my hair and take a seat on the opposite side of the desk. "Had too much to drink," I lie. Even though I did have an offer for a blow job in the men's room by some random chick, I wasn't into it. By the time I got back from dealing with Star, I pathetically wanted to go home and sleep so tomorrow would come around quicker. I'm fucked. So fucking fucked.

He gives me a suspicious look with narrowed brows. "Who was that chick?"

"Which chick?"

"The hot one with chestnut hair and an ass you could sink your teeth into?"

I grind my teeth. Rock may be happily loved up with Aspyn, but that doesn't mean that he isn't gonna look. "She's someone I met a few weeks ago at the Whiskey Straight. As it happens, I need some intel on her."

"She seemed like she wasn't enjoyin' you too much, bro. Draggin' a woman out by the hair kinda gives it away."

"It was by the elbow," I mutter, though pulling on her hair is something I imagined doing while squeezing my dick again this morning. "She came into the bar lookin' for Brew and Haze because her sister's been missing; she thinks she's caught up in the sex trafficking ring we just busted open a few months back."

"And you wanna help her?"

I guess I do. Ever since I saw the look on her face — distressed and distraught over her sister — I haven't been able to stop thinking about it.

"I wanna make sure she doesn't get herself arrested. She pulled a fuckin' knife on me in the bar."

Rock's eyebrows shoot up. "She got a death wish?"

"She's a PI but acts like a regular G.I. Jane. Trust me, she might be pretty but she's got a mouth on her like you wouldn't believe."

"Gimme some details."

I reel off her name — her real one — and then Rock taps around on the keyboard. "Probably gonna take me a little while to get into the system, but I can email what I find over to you when I do."

"I need her address," I tell him. "Where she works, that kinda thing." She must have an office somewhere. I did stalk her Facebook business page that led me to her website but it only had a PO Box. Maybe she works from home?

His eyes meet mine. "For work purposes I assume?"

I rub my chin. "If we're callin' it that."

"Kinda hot she's a Private Eye."

"No shit."

He must be on her webpage. "You seen her website?"

I fuckin' memorized it. "Yup. So she does the usual PI shit; infidelity and divorce, child custody, court research, trace services and background checks. My personal favorite is surveillance; I can just imagine her on a stakeout with binoculars and a camera." I chuckle at the thought. It's hot.

"Jesus, bro. You got it bad for this chick?"

"Nah, just tryin' to be a nice guy."

He snorts. "Right."

I get up from the desk. I'm not entirely happy about Rock looking at my girl online and seeing all her private information, but he has an ol' lady. He's only doing what I asked him to.

"Appreciate it."

He snags a donut from the box and shovels almost all of it into his mouth. "Anythin' else?"

"Whatever you can dig up, even some shit on her sister, though she didn't give me her name."

"That won't be hard to find out. I'll check out her employment and past boyfriends, though I'm sure Star has all of that covered. A fresh set of eyes never hurt anyone."

I give him a chin lift. "Thanks, Rock."

"Bring donuts anytime."

I wander back up the hallway and toward the bar. Amber, one of the bar staff, is cleaning up as I pass by. I've gotta get to my shop so I don't have time to stop.

"You good, sweet cheeks?" I call as I pass by.

"Hey, Nevada. I'm good, honey."

Amber's a good girl. Being one of the staff, she's not sleeping around with any of the guys, though lord knows she could if she wanted to. A few guys have been sniffing around but she stands her ground. Then there's Payden, Luna's lawyer friend. I'm pretty sure my fellow Tail Gunner, Bronco, has had the hots for her for a little while, he just won't do anything about it. Chicken shit is what I call it.

I need to seek out Cash and get some advice because I know I won't be able to sit still until Rock gets me that information. Or I could just go and tinker around in my workshop. I have a diesel shop right next to Tag and Hawk's auto shop. I only deal with heavy haulage like trucks and busses, and I've now got the contract for Rock's Trucks ‘n Haulage; a business the club bought into a year ago. Now Rock has the freedom to do what he loves doing; hacking. And the club takes care of the day to day running of the shop along with the tow truck service. So that all keeps me busy and that's how I like it.

Bronco and Riot help out, along with any prospects who need to fill in some time. Usually I leave the easy shit to them, like changing oil or getting supplies because I don't trust anyone with mechanics unless it's me. Pretty much, it's my own show and that's exactly how I like it.

I get to work, pulling on my coveralls as I start servicing the truck brought in yesterday. I don't have any office staff as Jas does all of that from her office at the clubhouse, and we don't take on any new business right now because I've enough to do.

"Hey," I hear a voice call across the workshop floor.

I glance up and see West, aka Hustler, walking toward me. He's a good guy, and while I did see him and my mom dancing at Priest's wedding, I'm fairly sure my mom's not doing other shit with him. In fact, I know she didn't last night because I drove her home to my place where she's currently staying. Still. I joked about my mom being single a few months ago, and it seems Hustler was paying attention.

I'm in two minds if to bring it up. I like the guy, but I also don't want my mom being hurt or taken advantage of. I don't care how old this guy is, if he hurts my mother I will knock him the fuck out. He's obviously older than me, twice my age in fact, but all the women swoon because he's got that whole silver fox thing going on with his hair and beard. He also works out and I swear to God he's in better shape than I am.

"How's it goin', Hust?" I ask, glancing up from working on the brake components.

"Good. Cash said you might need a hand and I've got a few hours up my sleeve if you need it."

This is what happens in the club; everyone helps everyone else out, no matter if that's their day job. Some of us are busier than others, and ever since West was offered a spot within the MC, he's been helping out everywhere he can. His background is motorcycle repair, so Hawk and Tag are always glad when he's around, but he's old school and pretty much does anything.

"You joinin' us for real?"

"Looks like it." He grins.

We clasp hands. "Nice."

"Where'd you like me?"

"Got some old tires out the side that need to go into the dumpster. Recyclin' company will be here tomorrow to collect."

"Got it."

I figure now is probably as good a time as any to bring up my mom. "Speakin' of which, been meanin' to have a chat with you."

"Uh, huh." He starts to walk off. "What about?"

"My mom."

He stops in his tracks and turns back around. "Audrina."

Something about the way he says her name has me frowning a whole lot more. It sounds almost pretty coming out of his mouth and that can't be good.

"Yep. That's my mom's name." I roll my eyes. "Saw you gettin' pretty cozy at Priest's weddin' last night."

He runs a hand through his hair, his gaze meeting mine. "Well, she's a fine woman. We danced, had a laugh, nothin' in it."

"Uh huh, that all?"

He piques a brow. "You think I banged your mom in the bathroom stall?" He winces at the idea. "I'm a gentleman, and if it makes any difference, I wouldn't disrespect her like that."

Yeah, that's what they all say. "Right. I'm just makin' sure because she only divorced my dad a few years back. They didn't end badly, they just fell out of love. Mom's not been on the datin' scene at all." His eyebrows shoot up at that. Great, now I'm giving him ideas. "I don't want her to get hurt."

He stares at me for a few moments. His hardened face softens. I see something cross his eyes. Respect? I'm not sure. "Appreciate that. I've been around the block a time or two, Sunshine. I get how it works. Not in this to hurt your mom or even get in her pants, pardon my French. I like her company. She's fun. We laugh. That's it."

I don't like the sound of that. It's my mom… Then again, I can't tell her what to do as much as she can tell me what to do. But that doesn't mean that I'm okay with it. I know what bikers are like, and in West's case, men who ‘have been around the block.'

That ain't no place for my mom.

"You're a man," I point out.

He quirks a brow again. "Yeah." He palms his cock over his jeans. "Fairly sure it's still hangin' there."

I shudder. "What I mean is, man to man, I like you, West. A lot. But if you bang my mom and break her heart, I will rip yours out. You got my understandin'?"

To my surprise he doesn't get mad. Nor does he take a swing. He just nods in agreement. "I got it."

"She's a little… delicate. She's only ever been with my dad. She doesn't know how the datin' world works these days and that men can say things to get what they want."

"And you think I'm just gonna swoop in and sweep her off her feet?"

"The sweepin' ain't a problem. It's the part that comes after." I don't want to think about my mom doing nasty shit, but I also know she's too trusting.

"What if I told you I'm not interested in one-night flings? I've done all of that for years. I've had my fair share of women over the years, and that shit gets old."

Jesus, so he's looking for an ol' lady? I don't know what's worse.

"I'd say I believe you, and like I said, I like you, but that doesn't mean that I won't protect my mom at all costs."

He gives me a shoulder squeeze then points in my face. "You're a good son. The world needs more shit like this. I won't hurt your mom. Like I said, right now we're just friends. I don't think she looks at me as anything else."

I snort. "Right, Fabio. As if you don't know what all the girls at the clubhouse are sayin' about you?"

He smirks. "What they sayin'?"

"Shit I wish I could bleach from my brain, Silver Fox. They crap on about somethin' called BookTok and how older guys are the bomb."

He laughs. "You're half my age, you should know what BookTok is."

"Do you?"

He nods, walking away again. "Yep. And don't worry, Sunshine. It's all good."

"You wanna go on a date with my mom, you gotta ask me first!" I yell after him.

He pumps his fist in the air and disappears.

Well. I think that went well.

As long as we know where we stand, things will be sweet.

I might be the kind of man who fucks around a lot in the club, but I don't disrespect women. I might have a joke and flirt a lot and say crude shit, but the women I sleep with want it just as badly. They know what we're there for and they don't get attached because I don't lie and promise them the world.

However, that has me thinking about Star all over again. As much as I try to convince myself this is just about sex and getting what I want, I remember Rock making jokes and wanting to punch his face in. I've never been the jealous type. It ain't that fun when the shoe's on the other foot.

Goddamn it. I glance at the clock. It's been less than an hour since I left Rock's.

Today's gonna drag on and on, and if I don't text my girl soon, she's gonna be showing up at the clubhouse.

A smile spreads across my face. My little spitfire. Just the way I like it.