Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 42959 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 215(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42959 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 215(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
“Are you hungry?”
“Right.” He refocused, letting down his guard. “Let’s see what you made us, sweetheart.”
“Sweetheart now? I like it.”
“You put in a lot of effort for today. Nobody’s ever done anything like this for me.”
“Really? That’s horrible.” She took out the sandwiches, salad, and juice boxes. It was all she had on hand to make, and at least they wouldn’t spill everywhere.
“I should have brought a bottle of wine to make this picnic complete,” he said.
“It’s okay. I don’t drink, anyway.”
“Right, you told me that a while back. You said you had issues. You’re young to be a recovering alcoholic.”
She shook her head in exasperation. “I’m not. I just don’t want to end up like my mother. She’s had a problem since I was a little girl. I’m trying to make sure that cycle ends with me.”
“That’s good,” he said. “You’re a strong woman. You can do anything, I know it.”
“What about your family?”
“Same deal. Guess that’s why I’m such a fuckup,” he said.
Bell took his hand. “Please never say things like that, Tank. You’re amazing. You mean a lot to me.”
He didn’t say anything, but she hoped he believed her. It mattered what a person thought of themselves. They ate the food. It made her happy that he appeared to enjoy what she’d made him. Even though she had to leave soon to get ready for work, she was excited knowing he’d be coming by the diner for dinner. Every time she was away from him, she looked forward to their next meeting.
Everything felt perfect, maybe too perfect. Her life had never been easy, so she couldn’t help but be suspicious. It seemed fate was determined to pull her down no matter how hard she tried to make something of her life. She hoped her new relationship status with Tank would be the turning point, the beginning of something wonderful.
Chapter Five
“Any news?” Lord asked.
“There’s no signs of the Skull Nation being fully organized,” Tarmac said.
“There are whispers though. Some sightings. Right now, it’s like they want to be seen as ghosts,” Reaper said.
“Yeah, the kind of shit you try to scare your kid with to stay in bed at night,” Righteous said.
Tank sat back in church and waited for the inevitable.
He’d been keeping an eye out, doing all the necessary recon, but so far, it had all come to nothing. There were no signs of the Skull Nation, their biggest enemy. He had no doubt they were going to attack at the first opportunity.
They had to make sure they were ready for an event.
Pressing the tips of his fingers together, he listened during the meeting, trying to think where they would be hiding.
Even as he tried to stay focused, he kept coming back to Bell. He missed her.
She’d served him last night and tried to be all coy about it, winking at him. She was adorable and sexy.
He’d tried to keep the friend-zone thing up, but it was too damn hard to do. Being around her, and not being able to touch her, kiss her, had been even harder. Now that they’d removed their friend barrier, he couldn’t wait to have more with her, but again, he was going to have to be patient. She was a virgin.
Tank didn’t know how he’d gotten so lucky.
“So, anyone interested in hearing some juicy gossip?” Brick asked.
He’d known this was going to happen, so it didn’t come as any surprise to him. He sat and waited.
Tarmac snorted. “Yeah, juicy gossip.”
“How did you guys know?” Tank asked. Not that he had anything to hide. Bell was new, and she was a little nervous around him, which was to be expected. He got that. Being in the Straight to Hell MC, he was used to women either being around him because of the leather cut or being terrified and avoiding him.
Bell didn’t fit into either of those categories. She was so different from all the other women he’d known.
“Besides the fact we saw you at the park? The club women have been talking. They started talking about a fat bitch who worked at the diner.”
Tank slammed his fist against the table. “My woman is not fucking fat!” And if he so much as heard any of those bitches talking about her like that, he’d kill them. Free, willing pussy was easy to come by. The boys were not so picky so long as the club whores knew how to take cock and suck it. They didn’t have to be good at it, just … there and willing.
“Your woman?” Lord asked.
He looked toward Lord. “Is it a crime to have a woman outside of the club?”
“Are you embarrassed by her or us?” Copper asked.
“I’m not embarrassed by anyone. And I’m not the first asshole to date a civilian. Bell is … she’s not like us. She’s kind of like Ally, but not the same. Perhaps even a little bit like Callie.” He looked toward Lord and Brick, who had civilian old ladies.