Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 78534 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78534 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Her cheeks are already pink from the ride, but they go a shade darker. I rest a hand on the small of her back and guide her to the door.
The bouncer opens as soon as he sees my jacket. “Tex,” he greets with a curt nod. “Your friends are at the bar.” His gaze lingers a little too long on Jessica.
“Thanks.” I switch my hold, putting my arm over her shoulder. She might only be around until this shit gets sorted, but she’s ours for the moment and I don’t want anyone to fucking doubt it.
12
JESSICA
I don’t have a ton of experience with men, but the way Tex walks with me feels possessive. Like he’s a big scary dog, growling every time someone else sniffs in my direction.
I kind of like it.
Especially because as soon as we’re inside, if I didn’t have him next to me, I would’ve run right back out. I’ve never been anywhere like the Burnout. It’s smoky and dark, the air heavy with leather and beer on top of the musk of people crammed together.
I can hardly see a thing with all the tall, leather-clad bodies blocking the way. I have to rely on Tex pushing his way through like a plow. I stick close as he splits the crowd easily with his massive bulk.
Tex leans down so I can hear him. "Let's get you something to drink and grab a table."
I nod, feeling like a total fake. Looking around, I fit right in wearing Bonnie’s old clothes, but I have no idea what I’m doing. The closest I’ve ever come to a bar is watching TV, and even then I’ve been limited to what I can watch with Anne.
Is it obvious? Lots of people seem to be looking my way. Maybe everyone can see it on my face that I don’t belong here. Heart pounding, I play it cool and trust that Tex and the others will keep me safe.
Bonnie was right about this being a man’s world. Guys outnumber girls by a large margin, and the women that are here are mostly on the arm of a man. A girl about my age, in a ripped tank top and a little skirt that barely hides anything, watches Tex pass with open interest even though she’s in the lap of a big, bearded biker with her arms around his neck.
I narrow my eyes and glare at her. She grins and turns back to her man, nuzzling the side of his neck as he talks to another guy. Still deep in his conversation, the biker slides his hand up her shirt and she wiggles on his lap.
Watching feels wrong, but I seem to be the only one that feels that way. Is that… Is that the kind of thing they’re going to expect from me? Would they even want it?
Do I want them to?
And now that I have that stuck in my head, it’s hard to get rid of. I'm inexperienced, not naive. Growing up in Victor’s house definitely stripped me of my innocence in everything but the literal sense.
I don’t see Riot and Ghost until we are practically at the bar. Tex once again lifts me up onto the stool. It’s funny how easy it is to get used to being moved around. It’s kind of fun.
“What the hell?” Ghost asks. “You think it’s a good idea to have her here?”
“Bonnie had everything under control. They were playing dress-up in her old clothes. Seemed a waste not to let Jessica show ‘em off.”
“I’ll say,” Riot runs a hand through his dark hair, pushing it out of his eyes. “You clean up nice, Mary Poppins. Want to know what else a spoonful of sugar helps go down?” He flicks his tongue against his top lip and winks.
“Some of us aren’t so bitter we need the extra help,” Tex says with an easy laugh.
Ghost snorts and raises his hand to get the bartender’s attention. “What’s your poison, Jess?”
“Um… a cola? I don’t really drink.” I examine the wallful of bottles behind the bar, not even knowing where to start.
The bartender comes over. He’s totally bald and reminds me of Mr. Clean if Mr. Clean was a biker. A gold hoop hangs from one ear, and tattoos crawl out of the neck of his t-shirt and wind around his neck. “What’ll it be?”
Tex orders his usual, whatever that is. Ghost and Riot both have short glasses with something golden brown in them, and they ask for a second round of the same. When it comes to me, Ghost cocks his head and considers. “Cherry Rum and Coke for the lady, make it sweet.”
When the drinks show up, the guys grab them and we find a table off to the side. They each take their own, but Riot holds the last glass out of my reach.