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The Date
LUKE PUSHED THE UNSETTLING incident at Devil’s Hopyard behind him. He only stopped for one drink at the Red Bull bar, and he didn’t finish it. By the time Aces hit the bar, he was back to his jovial self. Luke noticed, however, that Saks and Wanda didn’t stop, and the club members that did stop at the bar seemed to be more somber than usual. It was a bad note to leave off of on an otherwise successful road trip, and Luke didn’t like it. Once again, there wasn’t much he could do about it. In any case, club members, other than Aces, Wolf and Dagger, complimented him on the trip, saying they looked forward to the next one.
Luke pushed his thoughts in another direction. He had bigger fish on the fire. He drew out the phone number Emily gave him, which he kept carefully folded in his wallet. It seemed to take forever for Emily to pick up the phone. Maybe she was busy.
Just as he was about to hang up, a click came through the line, sending Luke’s heart into thumper mode.
“Hello?”
“Hey. It’s Luke.”
“Hi, Luke.”
An awkward pause filled the line.
Emily cleared her throat. “How’ve you been?”
“Good. I went out with the club on a road trip. We drove to Devil’s Hopyard. Ever been there?”
“I went once with my family when we were little.”
“It’s a beautiful place.”
“Yes, it is.”
“Just not half as beautiful as you.”
Emily didn’t reply, and Luke stopped breathing, thinking he went too far. When had he gone corny and soft? He rolled his eyes and shook his head.
“Thank you, Luke. A girl always likes compliments.”
“Well, I have a lot more.” Shit, could I be any sappier?
Emily giggled. “Well, you’ll have to tell them to me.”
He smirked into the phone. Guess sappy worked these days. He ran his teeth over his bottom lip. “Oh, you have to earn the compliments,” he flirted. “I don’t give them out to just anyone.”
“And who do you give them out to?”
Fuck, she knew exactly how to play him. He pictured her in the dress she had been wearing the other day. “Well, someone who goes out on a date with me might get one or two.”
“Might?”
“Well, in your case, I might make an exception to give a few more.”
Emily laughed. “Well, then I might consider it.”
Enough with this might shit. “Tell you what. How about tomorrow night?”
“Sunday?”
“Why not?”
“I usually get things ready for work.”
“And this is an all-day and all-night process?” he teased.
“Well, no.”
“Then what time do I pick you up? Pick one. Six or seven.”
“Wow, you don’t give a girl much of a choice.”
“You have two choices. Pick one.” Luke’s heart pounded while he waited for Emily to answer him.
“Six. I need to get home early.”
Luke let out the breath he didn’t know he’d been holding and fist pumped the air. “Fantastic.”
“Do you need directions?”
“I have the address, remember? I’ll see you at six.”
#
LUKE DIDN’T DRIVE HIS car much, not during bike season. Actually, it was an SUV, which he had put a trailer hitch on to load a bike or two to transport to and from the shop. Central Valley Bike Repair was lettered in a circle on each of the front doors, with a roaring Harley pointing toward the road in the middle. During the winter, Luke used the SUV for transportation, but tonight he hoped to allay any fears Emily might have in going out with him. He had no idea if she’d ever ridden on a bike since the accident. It wasn’t exactly the right question to ask her after not seeing her in a decade.
He pulled up to the address he’d scribbled down. Emily sat on the porch in a rocking chair. She wore a t-shirt and jeans, which he did not expect, even though he was dressed the same way. He got out of the SUV and walked to the porch. “Hey!”
“Hi, handsome,” she replied with a smile and winked at him. “Where’s your bike?”
He glanced back at the SUV. “Were you expecting it?” Shit, all his concern about her safety and bike fears had been wasted time.
“Well, I seem to remember you saying something like you’d never drive a cage.”
Luke laughed. Cage was biker’s slang for a car. “Well, we all grow up at some point. And sometimes a cage is useful. We can go on the bike the next time.”
“Don’t get ahead of yourself,” she peered closely at his jacket, “Spade? When did you get that name?”
“It’s a closely guarded secret,” he replied huskily, her closeness throwing him off.
“Ah, bikers’ secrets.” She stepped back and her sexy perfumed scent drifted away as well.
He inhaled, trying to catch it one more time. He nodded toward his car. “Let’s go. I know a nice Italian restaurant near here.”
“Is there any other kind?”
“Nope.”
And just like that, they slid into the banter and routines they had shared in high school. It was as if they hadn’t spent any time apart. Luke took her to a restaurant Hades’ Spawn frequented and several club members were there. He greeted them, but then moved to a corner booth with Emily, which gave the bikers a clear signal he wanted to be left alone.
They shared a pizza, and laughed and joked about old times, avoiding talking about the accident and anything after. They were laughing over her learning to drive when a shadow fell over their table. Luke glanced up.
A thin blonde man stood over them. Emily’s laughter cut off and her face grew tense as she pressed her back against the booth.
“Whath do we haf ’ere?” the man slurred.
“Evan,” said Emily tightly, “go home.”
He didn’t budge. He jerked his head at Luke. “Who the fuck is this?”
“None of your business, Evan.”
Luke held his tongue but his hands curled into fists under the table. It took everything not to throw a left hook at the asshole.
“You giving it to this biker? Hades’ Spawn, ugly-ass shit.” Evan spat on the ground. “You’re a fucking slut.”
“What?” A look of shock and horror spread over her face.
Evan glared at Luke. “She sucking your dick, too?”
Luke got out of the booth and stood eye to eye with Evan. As he did so, other club members got out of their seats and walked towards Luke. “Time to go, buddy.” He wanted to deck the guy now but knew better than to do it in the restaurant, or in front of Emily.
“Fuck off. I’m not your buddy.” Evan pushed Luke’s hand away. “You gonna try and make me leave?” he jeered.
“No. My friends will.” Luke nodded in the direction of the four jacketed club members who stood glaring at Evan.
Evan took a look at the grim-faced men and his face blanched. “Fuck,” he mumbled under his breath. “Whatever. Emily, if that’s how you want it. I’ll see you in court.” Evan walked quickly towards the door.
Luke took a step to go after him.
“Don’t. Please, Luke.” Emily’s soft voice stopped him.
He turned to the club members. “Thanks guys.” He took that moment to calm himself and hide the anger from Emily.
“No problem.” They went back to their tables.
Luke turned back to Emily, who looked to be on the edge of a nervous breakdown. He slid in next to her and put his arm around her. “That the asshole who’s been bothering you?”
“Yeah.” She let out a shaky breath. “He’s been making phone calls to my attorney since I filed a police report against him. I get the feeling I’m watched sometimes. Guess it was more than a feeling.”
Luke reached for her hand and squeezed it. “Don’t worry. I won’t let that guy bother you again.”
“Luke, please, don’t get involved.” She pulled her hand from his. “This is my problem.”
He wanted to tell her nothing of hers was just her problem, but he didn’t want to push too hard, seeing this was their first date in ten years. But the guy was an asshole looking for trouble. Luke knew the type. “Okay, if that’s how you want it. But,” he said and waited for her to look him in the eye. “If you need anything, anything, I’m here for you.”
“Thanks, Luke.” She stared at the pizza half-eaten on her plate. “Do you mind if we get the check now?”
Luke nodded and tossed a fifty on the table. “Let’s go.”
As they walked out to his SUV, he put his arm around her waist, and she leaned her head on his shoulder. “It’s early. How about we go for a drive?”
“Where?”
“I know a little place by the river.”
“Hmmm, a make-out place?” she teased.
The spark in her eye showed him that she was a fighter. The Evan asshole wasn’t going to get the best of her. “Please, I haven’t taken a girl to a make-out place since high school.” He grinned and winked at her as he opened the door for her. “I have my bike for that now.” He laughed when she playfully punched his shoulder. “It’s just a nice place to sit and watch the water. Scout’s honor.” He held up his hand, not sure what fingers to hold up.
She laughed. “You were never in the scouts.”
He drove almost a half hour to a small town on the edge of the river. He parked the SUV at a small boat launch and they watched the sun go down. Lights from the town across the river danced in shards on the face of the moving water.
“It’s pretty here,” said Emily.
Luke reached out and put his arm around her shoulders. “Yeah, I come down here to think sometimes.”
“You think?” She giggled. “I’m only messin’. What do you contemplate? Socrates? Aristotle?”
“Different things,” Luke said noncommittally.
“What are you thinking about right now?”
The seriousness of her question surprised him. He went for the truth. “I’m thinking about kissing you. Wondering whether you think I’m pushing too hard, or if I’m not pushing hard enough.”
“You’ve got a real conundrum going on there.” Her tongue ran over her top, and then, lower lip, nearly drawing a moan out of Luke. “Maybe kiss me and find out.”
Luke didn’t need to be asked twice. He pulled her closer to him and pressed his mouth to hers. It was all still there, what drew him to her all those years ago. He started the kiss gentle and slow, but as her mouth moved against his, his passion grew. Needing to taste more of her, he pushed his tongue into her mouth. She whimpered a little, encouraging him. He brought his hand to her breast, rubbing the nub of her nipple till it grew hard. Emily drew in a deep breath, and his kisses became more frenzied.
He kissed her neck, and behind her ear, licking that spot with his tongue. He was drunk on desire. He wanted to fuck her right in the bloody SUV. She pushed against him and Luke put his hand between her legs, stroking her. The heat against his hand made his cock harden and he moved her hand to his crotch.
“Luke.”
“Emily, I’ve wanted you for so damn long.” He nibbled her neck and earlobe. She smelled sexy and tasted even better.
“Luke, why don’t you take me home?”
He drew back instantly. “Of course, Em.” He swallowed and stared straight ahead. His cock disagreed with his mouth. It throbbed between his legs, begging him to change his mind. He’d been such an idiot.
Emily’s cool hand brushed against his cheek and she turned his head to hers. “So we can have some privacy and more freakin’ space than in a cage.”
