Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 80261 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80261 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
I shook off the sentiment, clearing my throat.
“If you have a problem with me,” I expressed, wanting to break the effect he was having on me. “Then say it to my face and not your bouncer. I’m standing right in front of you.”
Again, no expression whatsoever crept on his bad boy face. He didn’t show me anything.
“Isn’t it past your curfew?” he mocked, making my blood boil and my skin flush.
I was never any good at hiding my anger, growing up with five guys would do that to a girl.
Without missing a beat, he maliciously added, “Go home and play with your Barbie dolls, and let the men handle business.”
“My curfew is none of your business.”
“You became my business as soon as you tried to sneak into my bar.”
“What part of sneaking in was I doing? I’m standing right in front of you, aren’t I?”
“I don’t have to look at your ID to know that it’s fake. You can’t be older than what? Fifteen?”
My eyes widened, offended.
What he did next completely caught me by surprise. He reached over and gripped onto my chin like I was a child.
“This is a biker bar, Peach. You want to come back? Do it when you’re an adult. Until then—” he rudely let go “—get the fuck off my property. You’re nothing but jailbait around these men.”
With that, he snapped back around and left, rendering me speechless.
I couldn’t believe what just happened. I was shocked. I’d never been treated or spoken to that way. I didn’t know how to react other than stand there in pure disbelief how this asshole just embarrassed me in front everyone.
Yet still, my attraction to him was coming off in waves. My mind reeled with mixed emotions.
I watched him leave with the swagger of a man with a chip on his shoulder, but before he entered the side door I didn’t notice while we were standing in line, he spun and locked eyes with the bouncer.
He spewed, “You’re fucking fired.”
Chris reluctantly held his arms out to his sides. “Hayes, come on, man!”
He didn’t pay him any mind, shifting his gaze to the guy walking out of his bar instead.
“Mark! Handle the door. If Chris isn’t gone in five minutes, make sure security escorts him out.”
“Hayes!” he exclaimed again, trying to get his attention.
For a brief second, something deep inside of me craved for Hayes to meet my eyes. Even if it was just for an instant, I wanted that last moment with him.
When he ordered, “And get that little girl off my property before the cops show up and find a minor who has no business being here.”
I knew I wasn’t going to get what I wanted. All I was met with was him slamming the door behind him.
Never once…
Looking back at me.
Two
Haven
“Are you sure you don’t want me to leave with you?” Cove questioned on the other end of the phone. “I just have to finish peeing and I can come right out.”
I chuckled despite being pissed. “Yeah, I’m sure. Enjoy your night. I’m just going to get an Uber.”
“Text me when you get home, okay?”
“Promise.” I hung up and heard a familiar voice from behind me.
“I can take you home,” he offered.
I turned to find Chris standing there with a bottle of Jack in his hand.
“Steal that from the bar?”
“I call it my severance pay.”
I chuckled again.
“Let me take you home.”
“You shouldn’t drink and drive.”
He held the liquor up in the air. “It’s a brand-new bottle.”
I never went home with men I didn’t know, I knew better, but I’d just been rejected by the first guy I’d ever been attracted to. My self-esteem took an unexpected hit in a way I never saw coming.
“I’ll let you take me home as long as you’re not drinking.”
He held three fingers up in the air. “Scout’s honor.”
I half smiled.
Walking toward me, he held out his arm for me to wrap mine around his.
“Anyone ever tell you how pretty you are, darlin’?”
I smiled. I couldn’t help it. He was making me feel better. Entwining my arm with his, he led me toward his car.
“Where’s Mark?”
“Being a fucking lackey to Hayes.”
Curious and unable to help myself, I asked, “How long have you worked here?”
“Couple months.”
“How long have you known Hayes?”
“Everyone knows Hayes.” He shrugged. “Well, at least in this part of town they do. His old man made sure of it.”
What does that mean?
He opened the passenger side door for me, and I stepped inside. Once he was sitting in the driver’s seat, he turned on his car.
“What’s a girl like you doing here anyway? A biker bar doesn’t really seem like your scene.”
I glanced over at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I mean look at you,” he rasped. “The girls that come in there want to get fucked.”
Our eyes connected.
“Unless I’m wrong. Do you want to get fucked, Haven?”