“No.” Her voice was sleepy, but insistent. “Don’t. It’s okay. Come on up.”
He began to strip out of his cut and thermal shirt as he ascended the stairs. Heading to the bathroom first, he took a piss, stripped down to his boxers and quickly washed the long day away. Gathering his clothes, he headed to her room and dropped everything on the chair. She was already back in bed, curled on her side and deep under the covers. He slid in beside her, to which he was surprised when she rolled over to face him. “You didn’t have to do that,” she said. “I gave you a key. You could’ve just called and let me know so I’d expect you.”
His hand came up to stroke her hair then breathed deep. She smelled like that damn shower gel. “Wasn’t planning on coming over. Rode back, stopped for something to eat then…..guess I didn’t want to sleep alone. Missed you last night?” Did he really just say that? “You been asleep long?”
She shook her head against the pillow, her silky hair against his skin making his blood surge. “Not really. Did a full inventory at the store, worked downstairs until nine, took a bath then crashed.” She paused to yawn.
“Eva, your slider was unlocked.”
“Why’d you come in that way? You have a key.”
“Not the point, darlin’.” Damn, he didn’t want to scold her when she was half asleep. And even though she gave him free reign with his own key, he still didn’t feel right. This wasn’t, after all, his house. “I’ll call ahead next time.”
She snuggled into him – he liked that. She felt way too good in his arms. “Everything go okay?”
He had told her about the ride south to meet the other charters with a vague explanation why. “I guess. Lot of shit still up in the air. Got me on edge.” He kissed her forehead, that ‘edge’ finally coming down. He just didn’t want to see her tonight, he needed to see her. That need causing him to drag his lips down to the corner of her eye, her cheek then finally her mouth. He tasted the remnants of her toothpaste while her scent filled the rest of his senses. “Eva.” He sighed her name and felt her relax against him, tilting her head back, giving more of herself over. It was a sign of surrender to which he wanted to take and give at the same time. “Eva.” His voice was a coarse whisper as the taste of her on his lips and tongue made him want more. Slowly he pushed the covers down, his lips following their trail past her neck, between her breasts and the span of skin between the hem of her tank top and waist of her pajama bottoms. He kissed that bit of belly while his fingers hooked into her bottoms, gently pushing them down, his face following its path.
She sucked in her breath. “Ben. No.”
This was the second time. Was she serious? “No?”
Pulling the covers up, she coiled away from him. “I’m sorry, it’s just…..I’m not ready for that yet. It’s too……close.”
As much as he wanted to savor her, he wouldn’t push. It was bad enough he woke her out of a sound sleep to get into her bed. But it also made him wonder. “You never had a man taste you before, huh?”
Her body stiffened as if under scrutiny. “It’s too intimate…..too close.”
“Doesn’t answer my question, darlin’.”
Burying her face in the pillow, she shook her head ‘no’. And all he could do was smile in the dark. When she was good and ready to get
that
close, he’d make damn sure it was an experience she’d never forget. Willing his body to come down, he reached over and pulled her against him. “Go to sleep, darlin’,” he whispered, kissing her hairline. “See you in the morning.”
He was surprisingly content, even though the last three weeks twisted his shit around. He stared at the peeling wallpaper border as Eva fell back to sleep, feeling way too comfortable in this cozy, old house.
And with its owner.
Chapter Seventeen
There must’ve been some super-secret holiday Eva didn’t know about because the card store was busier than normal for a Saturday. She had worked with Jen to get the social media sites up and running and to begin compiling email lists for announcements and sales. Even with the possible surge of out of town customers planned for the event, she couldn’t rely on in-person sales only in this little town. She had to expand her internet reach to get her store out there – and that meant a website to include a shopping cart, checkout services as well as develop shipping procedures.
She was glad for the distraction though. Keeping busy kept her mind from wandering elsewhere – more specifically, not seeing nor hearing from Ben since he crawled into bed with her Wednesday night. She liked him – a lot. Falling for him was more like it. She had put her fear of getting too close on the back burner for a bit when she gave him that key, which he didn’t use. Maybe he was having second thoughts? The both of them were pretty much wading blindly through whatever it was between them, but the more they saw each other, the clearer the definition became. She let him into her life more than her conscience wanted, but as soon as he began trailing his head down between her legs, that imaginary line popped up between them. To her, that act was far more close and intimate than straight sex. She never gave herself over to a man that way – not even William – and to do so would be like opening every unclosed door in her life, letting him in fully and completely with no turning back. She felt silly thinking that way, but avoiding….
.that
kept that imaginary wall up between them and in control of how much to give and receive.
Although surprised by her admission, he didn’t appear upset nor got up to leave. Instead, he sweetly kissed her goodnight and was gone before she got up, but not before he prepped the coffee maker and left a note saying, ‘
Sorry about last night. Have a good day’
. That was two mornings ago and not a phone call, text or visit. At least he hadn’t left his key with the note. Maybe he still felt bad about waking her up and the awkwardness of what happened and was giving her time?
It was just past noon when Marie put a call through to the back office. “Eva speaking?”
“Elle Connors speaking.”
Either she was being funny or sarcastic by mimicking her
. “Calling about the balloons.”
Shit! Eva had to inflate twenty mylars for pick up. “Elle…..yes. Is someone coming to pick them up now?’
“No and not sure when. Ran into a snag here. Prospect’s got the van out doing other errands and no one has a vehicle big enough to shove twenty balloons into the backseat
.”
It was busy, but Marie and Jen had the front covered while she was in the office in hyper-planning mode for this event, thanks to the very woman on the other end of the phone. The same woman she might have to count on to schmooze the building inspector or tax assessor if she wanted to extend the back deck or erect a little greenhouse. Eva didn’t look at it as kissing ass, but getting her future ducks in a row. “If you want, I can bring the mylars and tank and inflate them on site. I’ve got a jeep so room isn’t a problem.”
“Can you be here within the hour?”
“I can be there in thirty. Store’s busy today so I have to be back in case of anything.”
“Even better. I’m guessing you don’t need directions.”
How did……? That’s right – the club knew about her now, about her car being repaired, meaning she knew the way. And had completely forgotten the party venue. She’d be entering the private den of the Skulls’ MC, not exactly sure what she’d find inside. Ben included. She then remembered him telling her something about ‘
not knowing something for sure until Saturday afternoon’
. Something that had to do with this possible snag the MC may be having with someone who works across the way at Ticker. And because this party is supposed to be a surprise, chances are the club’s keeping Elle’s husband away until the appointed hour.
“I know the way.”
“Then I’ll look out for you.”
Click. For someone who hob-nobbed with town officials on a regular basis, her people skills lacked. Greetings and salutations weren’t Elle’s strong points. Quickly tidying up her desk, Eva made sure the store was under control, grabbed the packages of mylars and supplies then had Jen help her load the tank into the back of her jeep.
Exactly twenty five minutes later, she pulled through the open gate and down the narrow, gravel entrance of the Skulls’ clubhouse. It was oddly quiet, save for the squeaky, old water wheel that still churned, sluicing water from the stream below. No matter what it was now, this place gave her a warm feeling knowing how her dad used to stop here after work. Even though the MC took it over when she was only eight, they had kept the bar operational and open to the public for several years afterwards until it was completely converted to their clubhouse.
There was only one bike present as well as a black Lincoln Navigator and several smaller cars. A young man in a Skulls cut met her as soon as she popped open the back. “Oh……hi.”
“Let me get that for ya.” He reached in and scooped up the tank and Eva noticed the ‘
Prospect
’ patch on his back. Since there was no van in sight, this must be a different one. He looked about mid-twenties with a face which didn’t scream ‘biker’. He looked more suited to lead his team to victory on the football field. “Follow me.”
Inside, the clubhouse didn’t look like some den of iniquity it was rumored to be. It was pretty much one, big, open bar area – complete with a platform stage fitted with a stripper pole.
“Where you wanna set up?”
The young prospect stood there, tank in hand, waiting to do Eva’s bidding. His status meant he had to endure the lowest of duties. “Anywhere’s fine.” She immediately got started as soon as the prospect set the tank down. There wasn’t much party activity going on save for some voices coming from a back area. Elle was nowhere to be seen and Eva didn’t hold her breath for her to come out and greet her. She already paid up front so her plan was to inflate the balloons then get back to the store.
The back noises spilled out to the main area which wound up belonging to several women carrying paper and plastic goods. They looked more suited to be swinging around that pole rather than setting a table. The big hair, the heavy makeup, the obvious implants and just enough clothing to keep them from indecent exposure – Eva knew enough about the MC lifestyle to understand what their role was. Her eyes coyly watched them move about, giggling, preening, tanned legs in sky-high heels, the cheeks of their ass peeking out from short skirts and wondered which one – if not all – saw as much of Ben as she did.
“You need some help?”
It wasn’t the prospect this time, but a pretty, young woman dressed very unlike the others. Jeans, flat boots, floral top and a long, white cardigan. Blonde hair which didn’t come from a bottle was cut into a stylish bob which was longer by her chin and shorter in the back and her green eyes were expressive and kind. “Actually, yeah.” The faster she got this done the faster she could leave. “If you want you can tie the string on as I go along. Under the bags on the chair. It’s already pre-cut.”
“Sure, no problem.” She found the string and began to tie off the balloons. “I’m Kelly.”
“Eva.” The small talk made the task pleasant. “Party guest?”
Kelly nodded. “Came to help until Tanner and the guys got back.”
“Tanner is..……?”
“My ol’ man.”
The only ol’ man Kelly seemed old enough to have was her father. And she confirmed the entire club was out somewhere – probably this mysterious errand Ben alluded to. Little, sneakered-feet suddenly scampered past Eva, losing their balance before a pair of tiny hands latched onto the skirt of her green dress. In a span of two seconds, she kept the tank from tipping over and steadied the small child below her. “Whoa, easy there kiddo.”
“Louis!” Kelly dropped what she was doing and picked up the little boy who looked to be no more than two. “What did I say about running around daddy’s clubhouse?”The toddler got shy at his mother’s scolding, burying his face in her neck. Eva thought it was precious. “Sorry about that,” Kelly told her. “He didn’t rip your dress or anything?”
“No, I’m fine. It’s okay.” She then took one of the stringed balloons and tied the other end around the child’s wrist. “Hey Louis, think you can keep an eye on this one for me?” Her eyes met Kelly’s appreciative ones. “I don’t think Elle will notice one missing.”
Kelly snorted, putting the happy little boy down. “Don’t count on it. How did you meet Elle?”
Eva went into a brief explanation. “I’m strictly here on business. So when’s the party officially starting?”
“Soon as they get back. It’s small. Just the club. You know, family.”
No, Eva didn’t know as she had no family left, but she certainly understood the pull it had with Ben. “So, Tanner’s a member?”