Wild Card, page 12
“So how was your night with the Porters?” he asks, popping the top off a bottle and placing it in front of Rex Kilby.
Maybe now would be a good time to tell him that I’m getting married in three weeks; we both agreed that what happened between us was a one-time thing. I don’t have any reason to keep it from him, especially since he’ll be finding out for himself soon enough. But I like the way he’s being right now. I don’t wanna ruin it.
“Average. Esmé’s pissed at me, but she’ll come around,” I admit, deciding to keep my bleak future to myself for just one more night.
“You can hardly blame her; she cares about you,” he adds a twist of lime to Denise’s rum and coke, and she looks impressed when he hands it to her.
“You don’t even know Esmé.” I laugh at him.
“I know her well enough to know that she loves you. This whole town fuckin’ loves you, don’t you see that, Ruby?” He flicks a bar towel over his shoulder and looks at me, confused.
“Better be careful you don’t catch it,” I warn, trying to tease him. The tequila is already making me wanna forget how depressing my life is and have a little fun.
“Don’t you worry ‘bout that, darlin’, I’m immune to that kinda thing.” He tenses his jaw and moves to the other end of the bar so he can serve one of the Taylor brothers. While I watch him, I feel helpless, completely out of my depth, and I wish that I was immune too.
NINETEEN
Ash
“What are you clowns doing here?” I ask Hack, Malice, and Zander when they step into the bar.
“What in the Liza Minnelli happened in here?” Malice looks around him at the over-the-top decor.
“Derek Porter paid some fancy party organiser to vamp the place up. He’s got a catering firm takin’ over the kitchen and the jazz band is on their way.” I shake my head and roll my eyes.
Ruby must have known all this was happening last night, but she never mentioned it.
“You didn’t answer my question. What the fuck you all doin’ here? And what the hell is a Liza Minnelli?”
“She’s a person, not a thing. And a musical legend,” Malice explains, raising an eyebrow at me as if I’m some kinda stupid. But he’s the one getting a strange look outta all three of us. “What? My mom's a huge musical fan, I grew up on that shit.”
“Sounds like hell,” Hack laughs, taking a stool like he plans on staying.
“You're here, why?” I remind him of the question they seem to be avoiding. These guys have a whole clubhouse to hang out at, why would they wanna be here for this stupid party?
“Mayor invited the whole town along; he stopped by the club personally to invite us all,” Hack explains.
“We’re here to ensure you stay on your best behaviour,” Zander admits. We’ve passed company enough times for him to know I ain’t a fan of bullshit.
“Byron wants no drama at this party tonight. If Mayor Porter had his way, you’d have been outta this town after you handed his son his ass. You got the Randall situation to thank for the fact you're still here. You impressed the boss.” Hack smirks before taking a fistful of peanuts in his hand and shoving them down his throat.
“Didn’t impress him though, did I?” I notice Grizz has stepped inside and has taken a seat by himself at one of the corner tables.
“Not much does,” Hack whispers.
“So what is happening with the Randall situation? Taint tells me he didn’t do much talkin’.” There ain’t no one in here but us, but I still lower my voice just in case.
“He said nothin’, showed no remorse either. I went through the burner phone we found at his house, but… nothin’. Looks like he was just the ass in charge of the mules.” I can see how frustrated he is.
“I think this is an even bigger problem than Byron thought it was,” Malice adds.
“Well, look at you, Ruby, girl.” Hack suddenly gets distracted, and when I glance back over my shoulder and see her standing in a white lace dress and a pair of matching heels, my jaw almost hits the fuckin’ floor.
“How about you tell that lawyer to screw himself and marry me instead?” Hack stands up and goes to her, taking her hand and spinning her around.
“It feels far too short.” She looks back over her shoulder, tugging it down self-consciously.
“You look beautiful,” I tell her, not giving a shit who hears me. The girl spends far too much time doubting herself.
“Thanks.” She bites her lip in that adorable way that never fails to make my cock hard, as she smiles back at me. With her eyes firmly fixed on mine, for just a second, it feels like there's no one else in the room, and I start to feel that hopeless sting in my chest again.
“Wow… you look sensational.” Brett rears his ugly head, interrupting us from staring at each other when he pulls her from Hack’s arm and plants a kiss on her cheek.
“I don’t know, it feels a little short.” She still looks unsure, and when Esmé follows in behind her brother, she makes a long exasperated breath before raising her lips into a smile.
“Quit worrying, you look amazing,” she tells her friend, placing her purse on the bar and pulling herself up onto a stool.
“I’ll take something strong, no ice.” She looks to me, and I grab a glass and pour her a vodka.
“And what an appropriate color for my virgin bride,” I hear Brett mention, and when I look over and see him tapping his finger against the tip of Ruby’s nose, I try to hide the scowl from my face.
“Brett…” She blushes, looking mortified.
“Come on, darling, it’s nothing to be embarrassed about; it’s a shame more of the girls in town don’t have your standards.” The cunt’s eyes move directly to his sister, and when I see the look that passes between her and Hack, I get a little suspicious.
“Boys… I’m glad you could join us.” Brett smiles at Malice and Zander. “I don’t think we’ve met yet.” He offers each of them his hand.
“I’m Malice, this is Zan—”
“And I see you brought along your deputy.” He moves on before Malice can finish. “Is your president not free to celebrate with us?” he asks Grizz in a voice so condescending, I expect Grizz to stand up and floor the fucker.
“It’s VP,” Grizz corrects him, not taking the time to look up from his phone screen, “and our prez got more important matters to deal with, like protectin’ this town.”
The way Grizz handles him makes me snigger, and when I look at Ruby, I can see that she’s trying to hide a smirk of her own.
“Guests will be arriving soon.” Brett clears his throat and quickly moves on. “I’m going to check in with the caterers.” He excuses himself and makes his way through the door into the kitchen. And when I see another of those looks pass between Hack and Esmé, I make a mental note to ask him what the deal is next time we’re alone.
“Him, really?” Malice looks across to Ruby like he’s questioning her judgment.
“He isn’t all that bad.” She puts on a brave face and starts heading to join me behind the bar.
“Hey, what are you doing? This is your big night, you don’t belong around here,” I tell her sarcastically, standing at the hatch to block her.
“I can help until people start arriving,” she argues, and I take a long, lingering look down her body, so I can appreciate that dress and the way it clings to her.
“Why didn't you tell me this was happening?” I ask, lowering my voice but not managing to disguise the hurt in it. It was shitty having to hear everything from Earl at breakfast this morning.
“Three weeks… Three weeks and you're gonna be that man’s wife,” I remind her of what she’s getting herself into.
“I know that.” She puts that barrier up again, refusing to make eye contact with me.
“We need to talk.” I go to take hold of her hand, but she shakes her head, her eyes glancing to the other side of the bar like she has to remind me that we’re not alone.
I don’t care what they see. I don’t care if the whole town sees it. Ruby needs to realize that she’s making a mistake.
“I’ll take a beer.” I hear Grizz’s rough voice come from the bar and realize that he’s now standing at it, with his stern, dark eyes homing in on me..
“I’ll get that for ya.” Ruby smiles at him, clearly grateful for the distraction as she moves around me to get to the beer fridge.
“Remember what you’ve been told, boy.” He points his finger at me before she returns with his beer, and he goes back to his corner.
It’s like having teeth pulled watching Brett show Ruby off. Holding her on his arm like she’s some kinda fuckin’ trophy. I notice the way she squirms every time he presses his lips to her cheek or rests his hand on her ass. I see that all her laughs and smiles aren’t genuine, and I can tell her friend is seeing the same thing I am.
“Fuck this.” Esmé shakes her head when she’s seen too much of it, storming outta the bar and onto the street. I’m a little surprised that Hack doesn’t follow after her; he sure looks like he wants to.
Ruby looks across the crowded room and notices her leave, and I can tell from the look on her face that she feels guilty. Her eyes move across to me, and when she realizes that I’m staring right back at her, she quickly gets back to the conversation she’s having with her fiancé, his father, and the woman who owns the deli across the street.
I can sense Grizz watching me like a hawk, and I swear he can sense my frustration. He’s still sitting alone, giving off the vibe he doesn’t wanna be bothered, but I decide to poke the bear.
Popping the cap off another beer, I head over to his table and place it in front of him.
“You don’t need to be here, I ain’t gonna cause no trouble,” I assure him, taking a seat without asking for an invitation. “I hear Prez is impressed with me.” I grin proudly, adding to the guy’s frustration.
“Byron just wants to get this shit handled.” Grizz knocks back his beer.
“Why do you hate me so much? Was it my dad? Did he do something to ya?” I ask. I shouldn’t let it bother me. But it does.
“I didn’t hate your dad. I loved him,” Grizz admits.
“Don’t you think he’d be happy to know I was back here?” I check, suddenly needing some kinda confirmation.
“What difference would it make? You can’t wait to get your ass outta here,” he growls.
“And supposin’ I found a reason to stay, you think the boys would vote me in?” I try sounding casual about the whole thing.
“If that reason is her, forget it,” he warns me.
“Someone's gotta save her, Grizz.” I look across the room at her. To anyone who doesn’t know her, she looks like she’s having a good time, but I know she’s drowning on the inside.
“That ain’t on you, Wild Card.” His jaw tenses, and the grip he has on his bottle makes his hand shake.
“What’s the mayor got over the club? Why is Byron so scared of him?”
“The mayor ain’t got shit on the club, and Byron ain’t scared of him. You stay out of it, and you stay out of her,” Grizz warns, and I make him no promises as I get up and head back to the bar.
“These fridges need stocking.” One of the girls dressed in a shirt and tie, who Porter hired to help serve, tells me, like she’s suddenly become the one in charge. But instead of arguing with her, I head down to the cellar to grab a few crates. I could use a break from watching Ruby play her role as Mrs. fuckin’ Porter.
I take the stairs down into the cool, damp cellar, and rest my ass on one of the kegs. At least it’s quiet down here; that jazz band is starting to give me a headache. Taking out a smoke, I light it up and decide to give myself a few minutes' peace. Nothing I say seems to be getting through to Ruby; not even her best friend is making her see sense. Any thoughts of me sticking around here are stupid. Life was much easier when all I wanted was to be alone. I crush out my smoke when I’m done, picking up a crate of Bud on my way back up the stairs, and when I get to the top and see Ruby coming out the ladies' room, we both pause in our tracks and there it is again, that undeniable urge I have to put my hands all over her.
“Having a good night?” I ask her politely. Looking at her seems to hurt even more now I know how it feels to be inside her.
“What do you think?” She smiles sadly and goes to move on.
“I think you're fuckin’ crazy.” I give her my honest opinion, and it makes her pause and turn around.
“Don’t judge me, Ash, not when you have no idea about what's going on.” She goes to move on again, but I quickly put down the crate and stop her.
“Then tell me.” I let that desperation come out in my voice again. “Tell me what the problem is and let me help you.”
“You really think you’re God, don’t you?” She laughs. “You came into town to fix a drug problem, not me. Quit, Ash. Forget all this and just accept that this is how things are gonna be. You don’t know me; I’m nothing to you. Why do you even care?” She looks so frustrated, and all I wanna do is kiss her. She always seems to forget her problems when that happens.
“I know you better than any other guy in this town,” I remind her.
“That was a low blow.” She points her finger at me, and this time, I laugh at her.
“You have no fuckin’ idea, do you…? You think I usually act this way? You think I like how this feels. Ruby, I hate the person you’re turning me into.” I try not to raise my voice, but it comes out so angry. “I don’t want to care about you. I don’t want the things you do with him to hurt me. I was fine how I was.”
“Then go back to being that person.” She goes to walk around me, but I grip her arm. I grip it far harder than I should because I’m not ready to let her go yet. Truth is, I don’t think I’ll ever be.
“I can’t,” I admit, closing my eyes and trying to disguise how weak this girl has got me.
“Ash, you’re acting crazy, you’re acting like…” She pauses and takes a breath. “We shared one night, and it was a mistake.”
“A mistake.” I drop my grip and stare at her. “You can call it stupid, or reckless, but don’t call it a fuckin’ mistake. Not when you begged me so hard for it… and not when you want, more than anythin’, to do it again.” I point my finger at her.
“I…I…You're so wrong.” She shakes her head stubbornly.
“I’m wrong, huh? So you haven’t thought about it? You haven’t once thought how it felt when I made you come?” I step into her space and use the fingers she came all over to stroke the skin on her neck. “You haven’t bitten on that cute little lip each time you’ve felt sore from when my cock stretched your pussy?” I press my body tight against hers so she feels that cock against her stomach. I watch her lose herself as her eyes close, and when I breathe her in, she smells like him.
I fuckin’ hate it.
“If I slide my hand up under this pretty dress, I wouldn’t find you wet, just from thinkin’ about me doing it again?” I tease my fingers along the hem of her lace, and it makes her gasp.
“You can fool your fiancé, Ruby. You can fool all the people out there. But you can’t fool the man you belong to.” I go to walk away, but this time she’s the one who pulls me back. Taking me by surprise when her lips slam over mine, and she guides my hand between her thighs.
“You're a real pain in my ass, Wild Card,” she tells me, reaching behind her for the cleaning closet door and pulling me inside. I close the door and pull the light cord, while she slips her panties off from under her dress and presses her back to the wall.
“Well, look at the virgin bride,” I smirk at her, but she clearly has no patience for humour when she grabs the front of my t-shirt and drags me back onto her lips.
“Make me yours, Ash,” she whispers, sounding breathless as I grip under her ass cheeks and lift her up against the wall. Reaching between us, I take my cock outta my jeans and line it up with her entrance.
“You are fuckin’ mine,” I remind her, pushing all the way inside her and making her moan. I should be gentle with her; she’s still new to all of this, but she sounds much more relieved than in pain, and when her kisses continue and she tugs at my hair, I thrust my hips and fill her again.
I’m not wearing any protection, but I don’t fuckin’ care. Ruby doesn’t seem to have noticed, and if I stop this to remind her, she might start second-guessing herself again. I’m not gonna risk that, not when I want so badly to send her back into that barroom smelling like me.
“Say it.” I grip both her ass cheeks as I fuck her against the wall. “Tell me who you belong to,” I growl in her ear, cause I need to fuckin’ hear it.
“You,” she whispers, still sounding adorably cute even when she’s sinning.
“Damn straight, you are. Don’t lie to me again… It hurts.” I still myself inside her, suddenly realizing that no one else has ever done that to me before. I’ve made it to the age of twenty-seven without having a single expectation from anyone. I’ve worked hard to protect myself from this kinda shit, and in three days this girl has broken all my defenses.
“I’d never intentionally hurt you,” she tells me, looking deadly serious and like she’s about to cry.
“I know that.” I get back to kissing her before things get any deeper with her. I don’t want her memories of me to be sad ones, and when she starts to tremble and lose control of herself, I pull back so I can watch her. I don’t cover her mouth to silence her when she comes for me this time. I hope her cries are loud enough for her fiancé to hear over his fancy jazz band.
“Ash.” She shakes her head at me when she starts to come down, and when I feel myself starting to brim, I force that lace dress higher up her body, revealing her stomach.
“Ash, what are you doing?” She watches me take out my cock from inside her and land it on her belly, coming all over her soft skin as I growl outta frustration and pleasure combined.
“ASH!” She looks down at the mess I've made in shock.
“It was there, or inside you. I didn’t want to land us with an even bigger problem. Not yet, anyway.” I wink before I go to kiss her, and she pulls herself back from me, still looking shocked.
