I dropped my head in shame. Disappointing Diamond sent an ache throughout my body that I could spend an eternity not feeling again. “Sorry, Diamond.”
He leaned back in his chair lacing his fingers together and placing them behind his head, reclining. “I hear you had a little run-in with some mechanics.”
Of course, he would know already. Nothing gets past this man. “Yes, Sir.”
“You know you can’t go beating up the workers.” His eyes were serious, but his warmth returned and emanated from his words.
“I’m know. I’m sorry.”
“Damn right you are. You will apologize.” Diamond and Pops were the only two that could rein me in. I was not scared of them. Well, I guess I kinda was, but for a good reason. I respected them with every fiber of my being. I trusted them and knew they had my back always.
“We have a party planned tonight for you.” A smile graced my face at this knowledge. I just knew they wouldn’t let my homecoming pass without something. I was almost disappointed when I arrived, and the welcome wagon wasn’t in full force. But I didn’t let it show.
Diamond leaned in close, stilling my hands of their rhythmic movements that I didn’t even know they were making. “We’d do anything for you. You know that, right?”
“I know.”
“You need to keep your eyes and ears open all the time.” I wondered who the hell he was warning me about, but knew I wouldn’t get any answers even though I had to ask.
“Are you gonna tell me who I’m looking out for?”
He eyed me, his expression impassive. “Everyone. Now get out of here and see your Ma.” He nodded towards the door. I knew my dismissal and took it. As I reached the door, Diamond wasn’t done. “Also, you apologize to Cruz.”
My body stood frozen; it was as if all the blood left instantly. The hand that clutched the handle on the door gripped it so tightly I thought for sure it would bust off in my hand. Not looking back, I asked, “This my punishment?”
He laughed but didn’t say a word. I knew the answer. One thing I had a hell of a hard time doing was showing weakness to the brothers. As a woman, I was already considered weak. I’ve spent my entire life trying to prove that wrong. From fighting to shooting to riding… I did everything I could come up with to make the brothers see me as strong. This was going to be a bitch.
The bar was illuminated, like always. The Prospect behind it and Cruz were the only two men in the room, but what caught my eye was the long brown-haired vixen, with small scraps of fabric barely covering her essentials, standing next to Cruz. She was definitely a club momma. They all seemed to look the same, no clothes and an eagerness about them that screamed slut. I’ve seen a lot of them throughout my time here. Did I like it? No. But they were part of it, and I ignored them. They were free pussy for the guys, all of the guys, something I refused ever to be.
The woman’s hand began snaking up and down Cruz’s bulging arm as she pushed her body up against his side, her fake tits rubbing on him relentlessly. Normally, my eyes would roll at the situation, and I’d turn and walk away, but this time, I felt rooted in my spot. The men took club mommas all the time using them for their holes and nothing more. But with this woman touching Cruz, I couldn’t help the desire to go over to her and beat the fucking shit out of her.
I knew I wouldn’t. He was not mine, and I didn’t want him to be. Right? Shaking off my thoughts, I approached the bar. Blowing out a breath, I knew I had to tackle this damn apology first, but I didn’t want to do it with her hanging all over him. I really needed to get on Sting and clear my head, which would definitely be my next order of business.
Pushing my shoulders back, strengthening my spine with all I could muster, the Prospect’s eyes widened as I approached. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were Princess.” Cruz must have filled him in on a bit of my history. What I didn’t know was why, considering Cruz didn’t know shit about me.
I smiled softly. “No problem. Nice to meet ya.”
“Howd it go?” Cruz asked, cutting in while taking a pull from his beer. The sound of his throat swallowing filled my ears and my eyes wanted desperately to watch his Adams apple move, but I tore them away.
“Fine. Can I talk to you for a minute?” I asked siding up on the stool next to him.
“You can talk to me anytime you want, Baby.” His voice melted me like butter, and I wanted to kick my ass for it. I needed to keep my head on straight around this man but feared it wouldn’t be an easy task. He turned to the woman at his side, “Get lost.”
Her high-pitched whine had me rolling my eyes in disgust. “But, Cruz. I’m horny.” Seriously? Why these women did this shit, I’d never know. It’s one thing that Casey and I vowed together never to be. We would never start sleeping with the brothers and turn into this woman standing by Cruz.
“I am, too.” His eyes found mine as the words flowed from this mouth. The woman grabbed his arm tighter, but my thoughts drifted to the intense kiss that he gave me just a while ago, and my face flushed.
“Good. Let’s go back and fix that,” she purred loud enough for everyone to hear, but I was sure it was a show for me.
“We’ll see. I’ve gotta see if someone else will help, first.” His eyes never left mine as the woman huffed. She turned and glared at me. I laughed right at her. I couldn’t stop myself. I knew it was bitchy and catty, but fuck if she wanted to put herself out there like that, this was the shit that happens.
“Take a hike,” he told the Prospect as he scurried off into the club. “What’s so fucking funny?” he asked, turning his body to me in the stool.
“You.” Shaking my head, I reached for the beer the Prospect left for me before his hasty retreat.
“Me? You’re the cock tease.” His voice had a bit of humor to it but was also laced with his frustration.
I smiled ‘cause I knew I was. I was surprised he wasn’t pissed as shit and most men would be with my little game out in the shop. Needing to get this over with, I blew out a deep breath. Pulling from every bit of strength I could muster, I started strumming my fingers on the bar and suddenly it felt like the room was a thousand degrees, and I was burning alive. I just needed to get this out. “Look, sorry about earlier.” I looked down at the bar, not wanting to make eye contact.
After a few beats with him not saying a word, I turned to him, looking at a very remarkable man with a strong jaw and rough beard. It made my pussy clench, and I squeezed my thighs together trying to relieve some of the pressure. His hand grazed my chin, sending an electrical current through my body. As he pulled my head completely up, we were eye to eye. My breath caught as I stared into the most beautiful blue eyes.
He smirked as if he knew what I was thinking deep inside, making my insides flutter. Then he shocked me. “That was the hottest fucking thing I’ve ever seen.” My eyes widened. I expected him to give me shit, yell at me… something. Those words were not what I thought would come out. I kept my mouth shut.
He leaned in close, his lips a hairs breath away from mine. His arms wrapped around my waist, and before I could catch my breath, he pulled me close, slamming his lips down on mine for the second time. The taste of beer, smoke, and desire invaded my mouth, sending every part of me into convulsive shivers. My arms wrapped around his neck, and I instinctively pulled him closer to me. It had been way too long, if ever, since I felt this kind of passion from a man, and I was lost in it.
We began tearing at each other’s lips, nipping, sucking and exploring. His tongue pushed its way inside my mouth, and we dueled for power. His hands tightened around my body pulling me tight against him. His rock-hard erection pressed against my body, making my pussy ache. I wanted it… needed it.