Rise in Arms, page 8
part #4 of Blood Brothers MC Series
I laugh, loving her reaction. “Yeah? You like that?”
“Are you kidding? The carefree feeling of being on a bike is out of this world.” Her genuine excitement with the whole experience is amazing to witness, and I drink her in. Her hair is messy from the helmet, but she soon fixes that when she bends over and runs her fingers through it, straightening it and working out the knots.
My eyes land on her ass, of course, the denim of her jeans stretched tightly over it, no panty lines visible. I growl, “Let’s go,” needing to focus on anything else but the sight in front of me.
She quickly stands upright again, a confused look on her face, and I gesture toward the doorway of the diner.
“I’m hungry,” Hazel says, walking toward us.
“I can eat,” Charity replies, walking ahead of us.
“Really? You guys only ate, like, a couple hours ago.”
Hazel slaps my shoulder. “Don’t be rude, Charity has a baby.”
Charity turns and faces us when she’s opening the diner’s door. “Don’t use my baby as an excuse, Hazel. Just admit it, you love your food.”
Hazel laughs, and I take a moment to watch and enjoy their playfulness. I’m so happy Hazel has a friend she can be so carefree with. When I think about all she’s gone through in her life, well, it makes me so damn proud.
“Hey, you, you coming?” Hazel asks, bringing me out of my daydream state.
“Yup,” I answer, then step into the diner, with Bear and Tracker close behind.
Being on the back of Kane’s bike is a feeling I can’t explain. With my arms wrapped snugly around him and the side of my face leaning against his back, I feel safe.
His scent lingers as we drive on, not stopping for anyone, or anything. I’m attracted to him, there’s no doubt about that, and something tells me he’s attracted to me too but he’s trying everything in his power to ignore it. I see the way he looks at me, how he needed—no, wanted—my arms around him, and I catch him now and then stealing glances of me through the bike’s side mirrors. It’s insane to have feelings for another person so soon, especially when I’m running from the exact thing he represents—a man. But Blake is not a man; he’s a coward, an asshole who couldn’t take responsibility for his child and instead took his anger out on me and his unborn baby.
No, I can’t compare the two men. Sure, Kane’s scared me with his actions a couple of times, and he’s also bossy as hell, but he’s also caring, and he’s proved that by helping a complete stranger in need. Blake would never do that. Blake is all about Blake, and his entourage, and I always come third. I doubt he would ever help a friend of mine in need, and it makes me think about what I saw in Blake in the first place.
On the verge of peeing myself, I lean in close to Kane’s ear and yell over the rumble of his motorcycle, “I need to pee!”
He doesn’t respond but I see his jaw set, and then he nods. He pushes the throttle forward till we’re alongside Bear, and signals for him to make a stop. A diner is within sight, and Kane pulls off the road and parks his bike in the small parking lot attached to it.
Stepping off his bike, he faces me and offers his hand to help me get off next. Once I’ve got both feet on the ground, I remove my helmet and smile wide.
“That was freakin’ amazing,” I say enthusiastically. I loved being on the back of a bike—well, with Kane anyway.
He laughs at my obvious delight. “Yeah? You like that?”
“Are you kidding? The carefree feeling of being on a bike is out of this world,” I explain, and notice how his eyes soften. Running my fingers through my hair, I feel all the knots there from wearing the helmet, so I bend over and run my hands through it, trying desperately to tame it a little.
The sound of a growl has me standing straight again, and Kane demands, “Let’s go.” What did I do to piss him off? He leads the way toward the diner, and I’m about to stop him and ask him what I’ve done but am interrupted when Hazel catches up to us and says she’s hungry. That girl is always hungry.
As soon as we enter the diner, I look for the restroom sign, and spotting it to my left I go to head down the hallway that leads to it, but I’m spun around into Kane’s hold. Swallowing hard at our suddenly close proximity to each other, I open my mouth to talk, but he stops me when he says in an urgent whisper, “Don’t talk to anyone, just go do your business and come straight back here, you got me?”
The serious look in his eyes makes me feel a little uneasy, and I glance around the diner. It’s not that busy, just a few people scattered around who are too busy eating and talking and haven’t taken any notice of us, so I nod my head. “Sure, no talking to anyone,” I repeat.
His hand lets go of me, and I stumble back a little.
“Need me to go with you?” Hazel asks.
“No, it’s fine, I’ll just be a sec.”
Walking toward the restrooms once again, I feel my phone vibrate in my jeans pocket. Taking it out and checking the screen, I see it’s Blake calling again. I ignore it and switch my phone off—there’s no point in answering it, he’s only going to yell at me and ask me where I am, and there’s no way I’m telling him that. I take another step as I look down to switch it off, not taking notice of where I’m going. Suddenly I bump into something very hard, and I step back automatically. When I look up, I notice that the hard thing I collided with is in fact a man, a very good-looking man. He grins down at me, straight white teeth appearing against his bronzed skin. “Um… sorry…. I should have been watching where I was going.”
He has a white button-down shirt on, with the top two buttons undone, and navy slacks. His shirt is basically popping at the seams with all the muscles he has going on underneath.
“No need to be sorry, beautiful, you can bump into me anytime,” he drawls.
Feeling my cheeks flush at his use of the word beautiful, I step back and smile, saying, “Sorry, again, I need to go now.”
I go to step around him, and he steps to the side with me, blocking my path. “What’s the rush? Have a drink with me.”
I smile, feeling a little uncomfortable in the situation. “Thank you, but I’m here with….”
“She’s with me,” a low and deep voice says from behind me. Knowing exactly who that voice belongs to, I turn around to face him. His eyes aren’t looking at me; they’re glued to the man who offered to buy me a drink.
“Is that so?” Mr. Muscles says, his arms now crossed.
Kane wraps one of his arms around my shoulders, bringing me into him. “That’s right, fucker, now step off, she’s Blood Brothers property,” Kane says, pointing to the Blood Brothers patch on his cut.
Mr. Muscles eyes zone in on the patch near Kane’s chest, and his smug smile suddenly disappears, replaced rapidly with a shocked look. His arms unfold, his palms come up in front of him, and he steps back, putting some more distance between us. I hear a sound of heavy boots treading along the linoleum floor behind us, and when I turn around I see Tracker and Bear have joined the party.
“Sorry…. Look, I don’t want any trouble. I didn’t know she was yours.”
Kane looks down at me, his eyes traveling over every inch of my face. His gaze bores into mine when he says, “She is, and you’d better watch it next time you try and talk to someone’s woman. You got me?” Kane demands, then he looks back up at Mr. Muscles, who’s nodding his head.
“Yes, I understand.”
“Now fuck off.”
Mr. Muscles steps forward hesitantly, and then moves rapidly past us, soon taking a seat at a nearby table where his lunch awaits.
I look up at Kane. “Sorry, I know you—”
“Don’t want to hear it,” Kane growls, then turns toward his brothers. “Give me a minute, will ya?”
They both nod then turn back to where Hazel is sitting, a curious look on her face.
I’m suddenly being pulled down the hallway, Kane’s hand gripping my arm firmly. “Kane, what are you doing?” He ignores me, passes straight by the restrooms, and I eye it longingly as we continue past—ugh, I really need to pee. We turn a corner, where we are out of sight of the main part of the diner, and Kane pushes me up against a wall. Stunned at the rough handling, I say, “Look, I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but I really need to pee.”
Without any warning, his lips smash down onto mine, in a kiss that has me gasping for air. One hand grasps the back of my neck, while the other cups my chin, keeping me captive to his kiss. His taste is unbelievable; I’ve never wanted someone as much as I want him right now. His tongue delves into my mouth, and I moan when it connects with mine.
My hands have a mind of their own as they reach behind him and run under his tee, loving the curve of his back, and his muscles flex beneath my palms. Just when I’m about to unbuckle his jeans, he stops, breathing heavily, and rests his forehead against mine, his eyes closed. It’s as if he’s trying to calm himself down. I need some of that calmness because right now, I’m ready to jump his bones in a public place.
My hands travel up his chest, and I link my arms around his neck. “What is it? Did I do something wrong?”
His eyes open then, and his jaw sets. “Not here, and not like this.”
I smile. “Are you being a gentleman now?” I say teasingly.
He growls, “Don’t test me, Char. I told you not to talk to anyone, I look away for a minute, and already a guy is wanting in your pants.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “He did not, he was just being nice, that’s all,” I say, cupping his face with my hands. He shakes them away and stands back. I don’t miss the hard-on he’s sporting in his jeans, and I smile seductively, letting my eyes zone in on it. Then I slowly, and very steadily, lick my lips as I raise my gaze up to meet his.
“Don’t look at me like that, Char. I’m just barely holding on.” I like it when he calls me Char and Kane, looking so out of control, is seriously hot. It looks like I’m affecting him the same way he is me.
He paces the floor of the small corridor we’re standing in. “Go to the restroom, I’ll wait for you out here.” I push myself off the wall I’m still leaning up against, and slowly walk toward him. Kane’s eyes widen at my move, and he steps back, hitting the opposite wall behind him. I smile and stop once I’m only inches away from him. He’s so damn hot, it’s no wonder I can’t keep my hands off him. He’s taken off his jacket and now has a white T-shirt showing, his cut on over the top of it. His biceps and tattoos, are on display, and his jeans lay low on his hips in the most delicious way. Yeah, too damn hot. “Char, need you to step back.”
“Why’s that?” I ask, leaning forward and gently kissing him. His head veers back and thuds on the wall. “Char, I only have so much control when it comes to you. Please, stop this.”
I trace my index finger along his stubbled jaw. “And why do you need control? Didn’t you just kiss me seconds ago?” I ask, moving my finger over his jawline.
“That was a mistake, I shouldn’t have done it!”
Feeling hurt and confused at his snapped-out statement, I stop my caresses and step back. “So you’re saying that kiss was nothing? A mistake?” I’m getting angry now, how dare he play with my feelings like that. I know he wants me—geez, his hard-on is proof enough—so why deny it? I cross my arms over my chest and look at him. “Mistake, huh?”
He steps forward. “Yeah, a mistake. I don’t need any drama in my life, and you come with it. For Hazel’s sake I’ve agreed to help you, but that’s it. Don’t go having any fantasies about me… and that kiss. It shouldn’t have happened.”
Wow, now if that isn’t a punch to the stomach. If he wants to play this game, then fine. I’m a hell of a poker player.
Forcing a fake smile onto my lips, I say, “You’re right, that shouldn’t have happened. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to the ladies’ room, which is where I was headed before you interrupted me with your…. Oh, what was it again? That’s right! That mistake.” And with that said, I turn and walk around the corner and head to the restroom, unshed tears burning my eyes, threatening to fall. I will not cry.
How dare he! How fucking dare he play with my feelings like that. I mean, the man slammed me up against the wall and literally ravaged my mouth. If that’s not enough proof of how much he wants me then I don’t know what is. The sexual tension between us has been building and it’s at breaking point. All it took was for another man to try and step in to finally get Kane’s attention. Now he’s saying that it was all a mistake, that it shouldn’t have happened? How can he just switch his emotions off like that? I know he wants me—his kiss, his hands, and his hard-on rubbing against my core was evidence of that.
Maybe it’s for the best anyway, I can’t be starting something new when I’m barely out of my current relationship and having another man’s child. I just wish I could explain that to my heart, which I’m pretty sure is on its way to falling for Kane.
Running my fingers through my hair, I inhale deeply and stare at my reflection in the bathroom mirror one last time. I wash my hands in the small sink, dry them with some paper towel, and with all the confidence I can muster I open the door and walk to the table where our group are seated.
“Hey, you.” Hazel moves aside so I can sit on the bench seat beside her.
“Hey,” I reply, taking a seat and picking up the menu and opening it. Bear is sitting to Hazel’s right, up next to the window, with Kane directly opposite him, and Tracker is across the table from me. Kane eyes are glued to the menu, and I can tell he’s struggling to not look my way with the way he’s gripping the menu hard enough I expect it to rip any moment, and how his eyes keep twitching but remain pointedly focused on the one spot.
“Ready to order?” the waitress asks as she stands at the edge of the table, a pad and pen in hand. Tracker gives her his order, followed by Bear, and then Hazel.
I look over at Kane, who sits back in his seat, completely ignoring me and looking up at the waitress. “I’ll have a burger with fries, and a Coke, please.”
Suddenly feeling not so hungry anymore, I close the menu. “Just a water, please,” I say.
The waitress smiles down at me. “You sure, honey?”
“She’ll have the same as what I’m having,” Kane commands, looking up at the waitress, whose gaze is travelling from Kane to me and then back again.
Who does he think he is?
“No, thank you, just water for me,” I repeat sternly, looking across the table at Kane, who finally decides to look my way. His face is set in stone, and I watch his jaw tick.
Kane slamming the menu down on the table has me jolting back in my seat, my heart almost jumping out of my chest. “She will have what I’m having,” he growls at the poor waitress, his eyes boring into mine, challenging me to speak up again.
Hazel interrupts our standoff, putting a hand on my shoulder. “Please eat, Charity, you need to look after yourself.”
I smile at her warmly. “Okay, for you I’ll eat,” I reply, making sure Kane doesn’t miss my meaning. “But I’ll just have a club sandwich, please.”
“Sure thing, honey,” the waitress says, taking one last look at Kane before she smiles at me, then turns and heads toward the kitchen.
Sighing, I sit back in my chair and cross my arms over my chest. Tracker smirks, looking as if he’s worked something out in his mind. I ignore him, turning to Hazel and starting a conversation with her about school, and how we’ll both have to catch up on our studies, and all the while the boys are having their own conversation, until the food arrives and everyone digs in.
“Let’s get back on the road,” Kane announces when everyone’s plates are empty. He wipes his mouth with a napkin and has one last chug of his drink. My eyes roam over his lips as they cover the edge of his glass, and then his Adam’s apple as it bobs with each swallow. I blink as he suddenly stands up, setting his glass down on the tabletop with a thud.
Tracker gets up from his seat across the table from me, and I follow suit, with Hazel and Bear trailing behind us and Kane heading to the cashier. We head out to the bikes, and a thought comes to mind as we hit the parking lot. “Hey, Bear, can I ride with you?” I ask, walking backward so I’m facing him, giving him a wide smile. “Hazel, you don’t mind riding with your brother, do you?” I add with a wink.
She giggles in response. “Of course I don’t mind,” she says, rolling her eyes at me. She thinks I’ve got a thing for Bear. Boy is she wrong.
Bear’s eyebrows draw together. “Trigg okay with you ridin’ with me?”
“Sure he is,” Hazel responds. “Why wouldn’t he be?”
Bear shrugs. “That’s okay with me, then.”
Straddling Bear’s bike, I wrap my arms around him and lean my head on his back, looking toward the diner, planning to enjoy every second of Kane’s response when he exits. When he walks through the door and spots me on the back of Bear’s bike, anger crackles around him as he strides straight toward us, a vein popping out on the side of his neck. Bear doesn’t notice Kane approaching and starts up his bike, the sound of his pipes growling silencing Kane’s outburst the second he opens his mouth.
Luckily my smirk is hidden behind my helmet, because I can’t help but laugh out loud at his reaction when he finally notices that my arms are wrapped tightly around Bear, as well.
Suddenly the engine is switched off, the car park silent once more, and I’m being lifted off the bike, thrown over Kane’s shoulder and carried over to his.
“Hey… what the hell?” I yell when he dumps me on the seat of his bike. I rip my helmet off and stare daggers at him. “How dare yo—”
My words come to a halt when he steps closer, leaning down so his face only inches away from mine. “You’d better shut the fuck up and put that helmet on your sweet head, before I bend you over this bike and give you the spanking you deserve.”
