Breaking The Biker (The Biker Series) - An MC Gold Vipers Motorcycle Club Biker Romance Novel (5 page)

Before hitting Sal’s, I stopped back home and replaced my cut with a blue V-neck cotton shirt and added a baseball cap, just to play it safe. I then drove my black Sierra Denali and parked it up the street from the bar. When I walked inside of the place, I was a little surprised. It was packed for a Tuesday night and many of the customers were jocks and dressed in baseball uniforms. It was loud, people were having fun, and it certainly wasn’t the hole-in-the-wall I’d been expecting. It definitely reminded me more of a sports bar.

“Hey, man, what can I get you?” asked the bartender, a friendly-looking guy in his twenties.

“Michelob,” I replied, sitting down at the end of the bar next to an old man eating popcorn and watching a game on one of the big screen televisions. We nodded at each other.

“Bottled or tap?” asked the bartender.

“Bottled,” I replied, looking around. “This place is busy.”

The bartender nodded. “Yeah, it has been hopping ever since Sal remodeled a couple of months ago and did some advertising. He’s also sponsoring a baseball team this year.”

“Huh,” I replied, taking it all in. I’d never been in the bar itself, but it was obvious the place had been newly renovated. “You only have the one waitress working?”

“No, we have Claire, who’s out having a smoke,” he replied.

The other one was serving a table full of baseball players. The woman was a short, middle-aged blonde. Not exactly the sister I had in mind for Cole, but I wasn’t about to rule her out either.

The bartender reached into the cooler and pulled out a cold one. “Here you go.”

“Thanks,” I said, pushing a ten dollar bill toward him.

He walked over to the register and took out the change.

“Keep it,” I said, taking a swig of beer.

“Thanks,” he said, eyeing me curiously. “So, is this your first time here?”

“Why do you ask?”

“No reason,” he said quickly. “Just get mostly regulars here during the week.”

“I don’t look like a regular?” I asked, smirking.

“No, you look like that wrestler,” piped in the old man with a toothless smile. “What in the hell is his name? Oh, yeah… Randy Orton.”

I grunted. “Hell, I wish I was Orton.”

“So do I,” said the old geezer. “I’d make you buy me a beer. What’s your name anyway?”

“Justin,” I said, giving him my real name.

“I’m Gordy and that there’s Matt,” he answered, nodding toward the bartender. “Oh, and there’s Raina, coming out of the kitchen.” He lowered his voice. “Check out the tatas on that one.”

I jerked my head around and found myself staring at a girl heading toward us carrying a small pizza. She was medium height with raven hair and bright blue eyes.

“Here you go, Gordy,” she said, setting it down in front of him. “It’s right out of the oven, so you’d better let it cool before digging in this time.”

“Thanks,
mom
,” he said, staring more at her chest than the pizza. I had to admit, her curves were impressive and owning a strip-joint, I’d seen a lot.

She pushed her hair behind her ears. “Just looking out for you. Last week you burnt your tongue and we had to hear about it for the rest of the night.”

“That’s ‘cause it hurt like hell,” he said. “Should have warned me about that pizza oven of yours.”

“She did warn you,” said Matt, rolling his eyes.

Raina put her hands on her waist. “Which reminds me, you never paid up on that bet we had.”

“Which bet was that?” asked, Gordy.

“The one where I warned you that the pizza was too hot to eat. You bet me a dollar that you could handle it.”

“I don’t recall betting any money on it,” he said, blowing on the pizza.

“You’re really going to squelch on another bet?” Raina answered, smirking.

“You’d better pay up,” said Matt. “’Cause you definitely lost that bet.”

Gordy looked up at Raina. “I’ve got your payment. In fact, it’s your lucky day now that my tongue is healed. You sit on it and we’ll call it even.” He stuck his tongue out and wiggled it lewdly.

She shuddered. “How about I pay you to put it away?”

“Dude, you need to work on your technique if your tongue rides are only worth a buck,” I said, taking another swig of beer.

Raina laughed and Matt pulled out another bottle from the cooler. “This one’s on me. That comment deserves it,” he said, setting another beer in front of me.

“Works for me. Thanks,” I said and then looked at Raina, who was eyeing me curiously. “That pizza looks good. You have any more of those in back?”

“Uh, sure. What kind do you like?”

“What do you have?” I asked, checking her out. She was definitely a looker, reminding me a lot of the actress Megan Fox.

She licked her lips. “Sausage, pepperoni, or deluxe. That’s about it. They’re just frozen, though. Nothing to write home about.”

“They’re damn good though,” said Gordy, picking up a piece of his. “I’d give you some of mine but I’m too hungry.”

“That’s okay, because I’m starving myself.” I looked back over at Raina. “Why don’t you pick one out for me?”

She looked surprised. “Me? I don’t even know what you like.”

“Sure you do. I’m easy,” I said, giving her a little smile.

Gordy laughed. “Hell, for Raina… we can all be easy.”

“Get him a deluxe,” said Matt, looking a little jealous. I wondered if the two of them had something going.

“Actually, get me two of those. Please, darlin’? I have a big appetite,” I said, standing up and stretching my legs. 

She gave me the once-over and then quickly looked away. “Sure thing.”

“Where’s your bathroom?” I asked. “I’d like to wash my hands.”

Raina cleared her throat. “I’ll show you.”

“Thank you,” I said as she began walking away.

As much as I wanted to kill her brother, I couldn’t help but admire her perky little ass. I decided that Cole owed me bigtime, and besides slitting his throat, part of the payment would definitely be a piece of Raina.

“So, two deluxe pizzas?” she said, looking back at me over her shoulder.

“Yes, please. Unless you’re getting off of work soon and want to join me for some real pizza?”

She stopped abruptly and turned around. “Excuse me?”

I stared up at the tattooed stranger and my breath suddenly caught in my throat. I hadn’t realized how big he was until now. Tall, broad shoulders, and arm muscles that could break someone’s neck easily during a choke-hold.  

“Rocco’s is a few blocks from here. Their pizza is rated the best in the city,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to try it out. You game?”

“You’re asking me out?” I replied, flattered and yet irritated. He was hot; there was no doubt about it. He also looked like he wanted to devour me whole with that hungry gaze. But, I wasn’t in the mood for a one-night stand, and I was pretty sure it was all the he wanted. “Just like that?”

His smile was disarming. “From where I’m standing, nothing about you is ‘just like that’.”

I blushed, in spite of everything. This guy was definitely trouble and there’d been a time when I’d have met it head-on. That person was long gone. “How many times have you used that dorky line?”

His smile never wavered. “First night this week. By the way, you may not know this but… I’m Batman.”

I laughed. “Enough.”

“Did the sun come up or did you just smile at me?”

From the twinkle in his pale green eyes, I could see that he was thoroughly enjoying this. “Do any of these lines ever work?”

“Of course. Only because I’m the one saying them, and admit it, you’re already finding me fascinating. I can see it in the way you’re undressing me with your eyes. Did I mention that I was Batman?”

I laughed again. “What you are is crazy.”

“Sorry, beautiful women bring that out in me, and that’s not a line. It’s the truth. So, what do you say? Join me later?”

“I don’t even know your name.”

“It’s Justin. What’s yours?”

“Raina.” I sighed. “To be honest, I already have plans after my shift. Besides, when I get off of work, I’m sure it will be well past your bedtime.”

His eyebrow arched. “My bedtime?”

I nodded toward his body, which I had no doubt was amazing underneath those clothes. “A guy like you probably turns in at a reasonable hour, so you have the energy to keep up your… fitness regime,” I said, not really knowing what to call it. It was obvious that he spent hours pumping iron. It made me wonder if he was some kind of professional bodybuilder or fitness instructor. I had to admit he looked damn good, but sex wasn’t something I wanted right now and guys like this weren’t interested in long, deep conversations.

“Number one, some of my best workouts are done in bed. Number two, I doubt I could sleep knowing that you’ve already made plans with another guy.”

I laughed. “I don’t even know how to respond to that.”

“Say you’ll go out with me and cancel your other date.”

“It’s not a date,” I said quickly and then wondered why I’d bothered to clarify that for him.

He grinned. “Even better.”

“I’m sorry. I can’t cancel,” I said. “It’s a business meeting. So, do you want me to throw in the two pizzas still?”

Justin gave me a scorned puppy-dog look and shoved his hands into his pockets. “Sure. A man’s gotta eat.”

I laughed at the way he was drawing an imaginary line with his shoe, pouting like a schoolboy. “Stop. You really are pathetic.”

He tilted his head. “If I do, will you agree to have dinner with me tomorrow at Axel’s, instead?”

Axel’s was an expensive steakhouse. I’d been there once and the prices had been outrageous.

I smiled sadly. “I really can’t.”

“Can’t or won’t?”

Looking around, I moved closer to him. “As much as I’d love to join you, it’s just not a good time for me right now. My life is a mess and there is too much going on here at work,” I said softly, wishing for a moment that everything was different. But, it was what it was.

His penetrating gaze probed mine. “A mess. We have a lot in common.”

“Oh?”

“Sometimes the only way you can fix a mess is by creating another one. I’m just trying to decide if it’s going to bite me in the ass later,” he said, running a finger along the side of my arm.

I shivered and took a step back. “I don’t understand.”

He smiled again, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I know. Anyway, I hope things start getting better for you. In the meantime,” he said, looking over my head toward the bar, “I think I’m going to take a raincheck on the pizzas.”

Surprised, I asked why.

“You reminded me of some other things that I need to take care of. I need to head out.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you off,” I said, forcing a smile.

“Don’t worry. I’m not one who scares easily,” he said with a wink.

“I can tell.”

“I’m going to finish my beer and take off. It was nice talking to you, Raina.”

“Uh, yeah. Same here.”

He turned around and walked into the bathroom. As I watched the way he moved, I wasn’t sure why, but his swagger seemed familiar. Shrugging it off, I turned around and went back to the bar.

“Looks like you two were having a deep conversation over there,” remarked Matt when I returned.

“Not really,” I said. “I asked him what kind of pizza he wanted and we just got to talking.”

“So, what did he decide on?”

“He changed his mind on the pizza. Said he was going to finish his beer and leave.”

“Excuse me, can I order one of those pizzas?” asked a new customer who had seated himself on the other side of Gordy. He was a mechanic from across the street and a regular.

I turned to him. “Sure, Jay. What kind would you like?”

“Pepperoni,” he said. “Is that Tank you were talking to?”

“Tank?” I repeated, writing down his pizza order. “What are you talking about?”

“That guy you were talking to over by the bathrooms. I swear, that’s got to be him.”

“I’m not sure who Tank is, but that guy’s name was Justin,” I answered.

“I’m sure you’re right. He’s not wearing a cut and I doubt he’d be over on this side of town.”

“What do you mean, a cut?” asked Matt.

“You know, it’s what those bikers usually wear,” piped in Gordy. “Displaying the name of their club. They put those patches on them.”

“That’s right. Your brother Cole is mixed up with the Devil’s Rangers, isn’t he?” asked Matt.

I couldn’t answer. I felt like the wind had been knocked out of me. There’d been something familiar about Justin, and hadn’t Cole mentioned the name Tank before? I wasn’t sure.

Matt frowned. “Are you okay, Raina? You look like a ghost.”

“I need to make a phone call,” I said quickly. “I’ll be back.”

“Okay,” he answered.

I raced to the breakroom and tried calling Cole again. This time, he answered.

“Hey, Raina. What’s up?”

“There’s a big guy in here with tats and muscles. He’s not wearing a cut, but one of our regulars thinks he looks like a guy named Tank.”

Cole swore. “Raina, you need to get your ass out of the bar, now.”

“Who is he?” I whispered, now shaking.

“Tank is Slammer’s son. The new president of the Gold Vipers.”

I almost dropped my phone.