Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 81009 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81009 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
When the door clicked shut behind me, I met his stare. “What can I do for you, Rome?” I asked in a formal tone.
He smirked and took the cigarette from his mouth. “If that ain’t a fucking loaded question,” he drawled.
I didn’t have to look back inside to know that they were watching us.
“We open soon, and a biker on the front doorsteps when the eighth-grade tour group shows up might cause an issue.”
His deep chuckle sent an unwanted tingle through me. He cut his gaze toward the three inside, and a sardonic smile curled his lips. “Already got the men in there panting after you, I see,” he said, then shifted his attention back to me.
“One is my boss, and one thinks you’re hot. So, no. Now, why are you here?”
He took another pull from the cigarette as his eyes held mine. “I’m sorry about what I said. You didn’t tell me about”—he paused, and his jaw twitched—“your husband.”
Pepper must have told him. I was sure she had because she was angry about what he’d said, but I still didn’t like him knowing about Eamon. That was off-limits for him.
I nodded. “Fine. Is that all?”
His sigh sounded as jagged as he was. “Is that how it’s gonna be then?” he asked while he looked at me as if he was reading my thoughts instead of waiting for me to speak.
“How what is going to be, Rome? What is it you want from me?” I snapped, annoyed at how he could still stir things inside me that I did not want to feel.
The corner of his lips quirked. “You used to be sweet, Angel Face.”
I tensed. “I asked you not to call me that.”
He took a step toward me and slid his knuckles under my chin, tilting my head back. “I’ll call you what the fuck I want to.” His eyes drifted over my face, pausing at my lips.
“You already pointed out that I was old,” I reminded him. “I’ve done nothing to you to deserve you mocking me. And calling me Angel Face is just that.”
There was humor in his gaze that made me want to slap him.
“Are you needing a compliment? The mirror you look in every day ain’t enough for you? Come now, sweetheart. You’re not blind, and we both know your ego doesn’t need stroking by me.” He licked his bottom lip, and although it was quick, the silver bar in his tongue flashed at me.
I jerked my chin free of his hold and stepped back. “I don’t have an ego. I have feelings. Something you stopped caring about a long time ago.” The words came out bitter and gave entirely too much away.
His nostrils flared slightly, and he tensed. “Now, who is mocking who?”
I shook my head. “This is…” I threw up my hands in frustration. “This is ridiculous. That is what this is. We are adults. We have lived different lives. Loved other people. Can we just let the past go? Why are we acting like this? Is it our need for closure?”
He stood there silently while we looked at each other. Neither knowing the answer, it seemed.
“Not looking for closure. I don’t close a good book until the story ends,” he drawled, then put his cigarette back in his mouth. “Have a good day, Angel Face.” He said the last two words with a grin, then walked down the stairs while I stood there and watched him.
It wasn’t until he reached his Harley and threw his leg over it, then glanced back at me that I realized what I was doing. Spinning around, I opened the door and went inside.
14
Tex
Going to Ocala for two weeks had cleared my head. I was able to somewhat shake loose the Salem shit that had been trying to claw at me—or at least shove it back from the forefront of my mind. I wasn’t going to let her affect my life. It had been the shock of seeing her again—that was all. Nothing more. I’d been thinking about her as if I were still that kid who thought all that mattered was having Salem Gray.
She’d been right. We’d needed closure. I’d never fucking gotten it. Maybe that was it. We’d had it. I could move past her being in the same city.
Nixie’s arms tightened around my waist as my Harley roared beneath us. This was my life. Surrounded by my brothers, my club, my family. These were my people. My past would stay in the past. Mom had been right.
Micah was the only bike in front of me as we rode to Toxic Throttle for the evening. Dolly was tucked in behind him, and the idea of her going to a strip club made me chuckle. Not that Micah would be looking. More than likely, he’d end up keeping her in the office.