Steel Love: Alpha BBW Motorcycle Romance (17 page)

“Yeah, I know who you are. I’m Ash. You see Reef around anymore you come to The Hole and let me know ok? You know where that is?”

She nodded again and smiled at him.

“You ever been to his house? Know where he lives?”

She shook her head, “Naw, he never took me to his place. We went to dinner once, and then we fucked in the back of his car.”

She gestured to her arm and lip, “This happened after he tried to run you off the road. I was screamin’ at him to stop. When he finally did I told him what a fuckin’ idiot he was. Asked him if he knew who the fuck he just tried to kill, and I told him your club wasn’t gonna let that slide you know? He started loosin’ his shit, and then he hit me. Motherfucker…”

She took another drag off her cigarette, inhaling deeply, and continued, “Anyway, when he took me home I jumped outta the car and ran inside my neighbor’s apartment. I saw her light on so I knew she’d be home and her door would be unlocked. I was worried he would try to follow me into my place and that I wouldn’t be able to get my door unlocked fast enough. So I ran into hers and locked the door behind me. He was bangin’ on the door screamin’ at me to let him in. I told him I was gonna call the cops if he didn’t get the fuck outta there and leave me alone. He did leave eventually.”

“Good thing your neighbor was home. You let me know if he comes around again ok?”

The girl shifted against the wall until she was leaning against it with her shoulder instead of her back and pushed her hip out to show off her curves. “Yeah, I’ll call you.” She said her voice deep and lusty.

Ash cocked an eyebrow at her before turning and leaving. He felt like he had his bases covered now. He had Prentice at his back. He had the smoothie girl under wraps. He headed back to his bike and pulled out his phone searching for the number to the computer nerd the club kept on the payroll. Now he just had to find out where Reef was staying so he could track him down and kill him.

Chapter 18

REEF

Reef parked his car behind a dumpster in the lot next to the gym. He leaned against the trunk and waited. It was the perfect place to watch the corner of the building where he knew Kim took her cigarette breaks. He needed to talk to her. He needed to make sure she didn’t go to the cops or anything. He needed to make sure she understood what he would do to her if she talked to anyone.

He sat up when he saw her exit the gym. Before he could push off the trunk he saw the biker walking toward her. Shit. What the fuck was he doing here? First this motherfucker fucks his wife. There was no doubt in his mind Maggie was now sleeping with this douche bag. He was surprised she hadn’t invited the one on the porch in. She was
not
the girl he had always thought her to be. Now he’s here talking to Kim.

What the hell did Reef have to do to get rid of this piece of shit? If he were a real man he would be able to control these aspects of his life, like his father. His wife wouldn’t be cheating on him. She would be home taking care of him and their home. And now the man his wife was fucking, the man who humiliated him by beating him up in front of Maggie, was talking to Kim. His entire life was crumbling down around his head and he couldn’t get control of anything.

He needed to stop this. He needed to set Kim straight, get Maggie home, and get back at the fucker who seemed to be at the center of this entire mess. Reef watched the biker and Kim until they were done talking then turned and got in his car. He would go back to his house and start planning. He was done waiting for Maggie to decide she was ready to come home. He needed to take control. Put his foot down. Show her who was boss. He needed to be a real man like his father. Maggie was coming home whether she liked it or not.

Chapter 19

MAGGIE

Maggie stood in her bedroom getting dressed while Ash waited downstairs. She looked at herself in the mirror after swiping on some mascara and pulling her hair up into the high bun that she knew Ash liked. She left some tendrils down to dangle on her neck, knowing it would drive him crazy. Maggie couldn’t believe how lucky she was. Ash was so amazing, so strong, so beautiful, and he wanted
her
.

Maggie did a little turn in the mirror. She wore a sparkly tank top that was tight over her breasts but a little loose around her belly. She checked out her butt in the tight black jeans. She’d had these since she was in high school, but back then she wore her clothes loose. She hadn’t been as comfortable in her skin back then. Since high school she’d definitely put on a little weight, so now the jeans that had been baggy on her fit her like a glove. She knew Ash liked her ass but she still couldn’t help worrying about the size of it. Maggie ran her hands over her hips and back up her butt cheeks. It was rather massive, but Ash
did
seem to love it. The way he had caressed her that morning... It gave her goose bumps thinking about it.

It worried Maggie a little that she was again relying on the opinion of a man to make her feel better about her figure. It was unfortunate that Reef had torn her ego down so much. She tried to see herself through Ash’s eyes. Her curves were sexy. Her ass, that Reef would have called Fat, she now saw as luscious. It wasn’t so much that Ash was saving her from Reef’s abuse, but that he was helping her to save herself.

“If you don’t stop touching yourself like that we’ll never make it to dinner.”

Maggie gasped and jumped, spinning around to find Ash leaning against the doorframe. His arms were crossed over his chest and his tight black t-shirt showed of his bulging biceps beautifully.

“JESUS! Ash you scared the shit out of me. How long have you been standing there?” Maggie put her hands on her hips and frowned at him.

“Just long enough to see you molesting yourself. Long enough to get my dick up to half mast.” Ash chuckled and ran his eyes over her. He narrowed his eyes and looked pointedly at her hips.

“You know, when you put your hands on your hips like that it really shows off your curves.” Ash said as he pushed off the doorframe and started moving toward her. Maggie suddenly had the very distinct feeling that this is how a gazelle in the African plains would feel being stalked by a lion.

“What… what about dinner?” Maggie stuttered over her words as she backed away from Ash. Her knees hit the bed and she barely kept herself upright as he reached her. Ash lifted a hand and reached out for one of the little curls she’d left out of her bun. Maggie laughed a little at that.

“I knew you would like the curls on my neck.” Maggie explained.

“Mmmmm.” Was Ash’s reply as he bent his head to kiss her neck. Maggie’s arms lifted and wrapped around his shoulders before she even realized what she was doing. This prompted Ash to wrap his hands around her torso and reach down to the globes of her ass squeezing and pulling her close. She couldn’t help but sigh as his mouth worked at her throat and collarbone.

“Ash. What about dinner?”

Ash grunted and moved his right hand to the front of her. He pushed his hand between her thighs, rubbing against jean material that covered her sex. He let out a frustrated growl at not being able to get to her. “What’s with the jeans? Don’t you usually wear skirts?”

Maggie laughed and moved her hands to his shoulders to push him back.  He resisted at first, but then let her shove him away. “It’s like trying to push at a brick wall.” Maggie thought to herself.

“I want dinner. I want a date. And yes I do normally wear skirts, but I thought we were going on the bike tonight? And besides, I thought my ass looked cute in these.”

Ash’s face split in a grin. “Oh yeah baby. Your ass looks fucking amazing in these.” He said as he moved to wrap his arms around her again.

Maggie put her hands on his chest and shoved with all her might, only succeeding in moving him about a foot. “Stop it Ash! You promised me dinner. We can play after. Come on.” Maggie said as she sidestepped him when he tried to reach for her again. As she moved past him he swiped at her ass making Maggie giggle. She reached behind her to swat at his hands as she bent to grab her ankle boots from the closet.

When she stood and turned he was right behind her. “Ash, please. I really want to go out. You don’t know how long it’s been since I’ve had a nice evening out.”

Ash frowned, his eyebrows coming together. “I’ll take you out Maggie. I’ll take you out every night of your life to make up for that shit.”

Maggie smiled and leaned into Ash, resting her head on his chest. “Ash.” Her voice was a whisper filled with every emotion she couldn’t put into words. Gratitude. Respect. Appreciation. And she was surprised to find Love resting there like a flower blooming through a crack in the concrete of her hardened heart.

Ash held Maggie for a long moment his chin resting on the top of her head. “Come on. Let’s go get dinner.” Ash said as he moved his hands down her arms to clasp their hands together. He pulled her behind him making his way downstairs and out the front door of the house.

Prentice was sitting on the porch swing again. Leaning back looking relaxed. “We’re heading to dinner now. Follow us on your bike and then you can either grab a seat at the bar or take off and I’ll text you when we get the check.” Ash said in a tone Maggie had not heard from him before. It was a tone that said Ash was in charge and he didn’t expect to hear shit from Prentice about it.

“Sure thing boss. I’ll stay at the bar.” Prentice said as he stood and stretched. Maggie stared at him as he stretched. This was probably one of the biggest men she’d ever seen in her life. When she felt Ash’s hand tug hers slightly she turned her head to find him frowning at her watching Prentice. Maggie just smiled and shrugged at him as if to say, “What do you want me to say? The man is huge. How can I
not
look?”

Ash grunted and turned toward the stairs pulling Maggie behind him. He stopped at his bike and turned to her. Maggie suddenly felt very nervous getting on the bike. Her dad had never specifically forbid her from riding motorcycles, but she’d always had this inherent distrust in them. Maybe it was just a cultural thing.

Ash definitely picked up on her nerves and smirked at Maggie then swung onto the bike holding out a hand to help her on behind him. “Don’t worry about it baby. It’ll be fine. Just hold onto me… tight.”

Maggie laughed and swung her leg over the bike then scooted forward until she was flush against Ash’s back. She wrapped her arms around his waist to clasp her hands together in front. Ash started the bike then pulled out onto the street with Prentice close behind them. It was a beautiful night for a ride. The air was cool and it was good she’d worn her hair up in a bun rather than down.

The slice of the wind against her bare arms made her shiver but she loved it. She had brought a light coat just in case it got chilly, but really she was enjoying the feel of the wind and so left the coat lying across her lap between them.

When they got to the restaurant Ash helped her off the bike then took her hand as they made their way inside. It felt so sweet holding Ash’s hand. Being with him made her feel like a teenager again. Like there was no limit to where their night could go. When they finally made it to the table inside Maggie couldn’t help but smile and laugh she was just so happy.

Ash smiled back at her, his eyes warm. “What’s so funny?”

“It’s not that there’s anything funny. I’m just really happy right now. I can’t help but laugh a little you know? I mean… I hate to keep bringing my past up, but it’s very much my barometer for life you know? So when I sit here and think about how I feel right now vs. how I felt less than a year ago… It’s just… really great.” Maggie laughed again and shook her head before looking up at Ash. She was surprised to see a frown on his face.

“But… see the thing is Maggie that your life wasn’t normal. Nothing about that was normal. You can’t use your life with Reef as a comparison for anything; because in reality ANYTHING would be better than that. You know? If you compare what you’re feeling now to how you felt when you were younger and still living with your dad. That’s a much more realistic level of normal than anything you ever had with Reef.”

Maggie sat, eyes wide, staring at Ash. He was totally right. Nothing about her life with Reef was normal. “Wow. I never thought about it like that, but you’re totally right. Reef was evil. Maybe he can be my baseline for evil, but… I guess you’re my new baseline for good.” Maggie blushed when she said it. She hadn’t meant to say it out loud. It slipped out before she could stop herself.

“I hope so baby. I don’t ever want to make you feel anything but good.” Ash reached out and grabbed her hand to squeeze it.

Ash took his hand back when the waiter walked up and gave their drink orders. The restaurant was a funky Thai fusion kind of place that she never would imagine finding in this small town. She ended up settling on the chicken Pad Thai. Ash ordered a curry chicken that sounded amazing.

When the food came they took their time eating and sharing. Yet another experience she could never have with Reef. He probably would have stabbed her hand with a fork if she’d ever wanted to eat off his plate, and here Ash was offering her a bite of his food off his own fork!

They had an amazing time talking, laughing, and eating. For desert they ordered a few different kinds of baklava and shared those as well. Ash paid the bill and took Maggie’s hand as they headed for the front of the restaurant.

As they reached the exit Maggie frowned at the look on Prentice’s face. Ash noticed it as well and motioned for him to go outside with them. As soon as they were outside the restaurant Ash headed for the bikes while he questioned Prentice.

“What’s going on?”

Prentice cut his eyes at Maggie, making her frown.

“Kim showed up at The Hole. I just got a call from the bartender on my cell. Sounds like she’s in bad shape.”

Ash froze a few feet from the bike and stared at Prentice. “Bloody?” was his reply to Prentice whose answer was a curt nod.