Brawl (31 page)

Placated that I might make an appearance at his best friend's party, Benji jogs off backward.

“Make sure you do, Maddi. It'll be good for you to get your nerdy nose out of a book for once.”

After he turns away from me, I poke my tongue at his back. He's right. I should hang out with everyone for once. School’s out, and I need a break from studying. I just need to wrangle permission from Dad first.

Our father is known as Beast, and is a senior member of a well-known Motorcycle Club. As his only daughter, I’m a protected species and off limits to most males. Most men will only look at me anyhow, because they know my father, brothers, and any other man belonging to the MC will kick their ass if they mess with me.

As well as my dad, I have four brothers. My twin Benjamin who was seventeen two weeks ago like me; a nearly sixteen-year-old brother Joel who’s becoming as overprotective of me as Dad and Benji; my nerdy twelve-year-old brother Matthew; and little ten-year-old Lachlan who I swear thinks I’m his mom. We all look out for each other, probably taking it to the extreme sometimes.

Dad’s over protectiveness toward me also stems from the fact that I’m nearly a carbon copy of my blonde-hair, blue-eyed mother. I’m taller than every woman I know, with curves to match my height. I’m not a fan of my height. One of my more superficial wishes is that I’ll miraculously wake up, one day, petite and dainty like Wendy.

When Benji wants to be an asshole—which is most of the time lately—he calls me Malibu Barbie. His teasing results in me beating on him, but he doesn't stop. Reaching puberty early, plus my height and curves, caused me a few problems since men assumed I was older than I was. They’d proposition me without realizing my actual age—hence the overprotective father and brothers who feel the need to save me from everyone.

Nowadays, their overzealousness is more annoying than helpful since I’m more than capable of taking care of myself. I was taught, years ago, how to defend myself by my father’s godson, and now fellow MC member. Mik is twenty-five to my seventeen, my best friend, and sometimes another overprotective brother to contend with. He’s a fellow Club brat, raised in the club like my brothers and I were.

Our parents were best friends. Both of our dads are second generation bikers. Mik’s mom died just before mine, and we bonded over that, plus our mutual love of all things Harley.

Our relationship seems weird to outsiders—people constantly comment on it—but I’m mature for my age.
The simple fact is that we just get each other.
Even though, I'm pretty pissed at him for not coming to celebrate with us tonight, and I texted him earlier to let him know just that.

Lost in my thoughts about overprotective fathers, annoying brothers, and absent best friends, I don’t notice the person crossing the path in front of me until I literally walk into them. I’m moving with speed, head down looking at the ground eager to get back to my girlfriends, and have some fun.

Our collision knocks them over. As they fall, they grab my arm to steady themselves, pulling me to the ground with them. My breath rushes from my lungs as I land on top of them. Whomever I knocked over is nearly as hard as the concrete path they’d hit. I'm momentarily winded, forced to rest my head on their chest as I struggle to regain my breath.

“Please excuse me, I am so sorry.” A deep, velvety smooth voice breaks the silence. “I didn’t see you coming.”

Looking up from the chest I’m resting on, I’m greeted by the dark brown eyes of Brendan Taylor, our district’s most eligible bachelor and renowned manwhore. Wonderful, I think to myself with sarcasm. Mentally rolling my eyes, I chastise myself for knocking over the only man in this area whom I find remotely attractive.

Bracing my hands on either side of him so I can get to my feet, I stop when he puts his hands around my waist and holds me to him. My shirt has ridden up so his hands touch bare skin. My skin sparks and catches fire. I feel him draw in a quick breath underneath me, as if touching me affects him as well.

“Are you okay?” he inquires, concern evident in his gorgeous eyes. “We hit pretty hard.”

I wriggle in his grasp, letting him know that I want him to let go of me. Once he releases me, I roll off him and onto my knees, breathing in and out a few times before I stand and answer him. “I’m fine, are you all right?”

Reaching down, I offer my assistance to help him off the ground. He holds my hand in a soft grasp but doesn’t use my offered support to pull himself up. Once he’s standing, I’m forced to take a step back. He’s at least five inches taller than me, and standing so closely that I can’t look him in the face without dislocating my neck. His close proximity causes his cologne to envelop my senses.

It’s one of the most delicious scents I have ever smelled.

“I’m fine as well.” He laughs, still clasping my hand. I tug my hand away twice, but he doesn't let go, rubbing his thumb over my knuckles instead. “Or I will be, if you’d be kind enough to get this crap off my back for me.”

He finally lets go of my hand when he turns around and presents me with his back. Leaves and small sticks are stuck to the back of his blue dress shirt. Standing on my tiptoes, I brush the debris off of him, starting from his wide shoulders and working my way down to his trim waist. I work as quickly as I can because touching him is making my stomach do funny things—backflips and strange fluttering.

“All done.”

I was aiming for a calm, matter-of-fact tone, so the breathy and higher-than-usual voice that leaves me as I speak two simple words comes as a surprise. Further sabotaging my attempt at cool are my wobbly legs. I don't know if I feel like this because of our fall or if it's Brendan’s proximity. My money is on the latter, even as I try to deny it to myself.

Brendan turns back around, grinning with thanks. Smiling at him, I give him a jerky nod goodbye, turning to walk away. I need to leave before I make a fool of myself. This wobbly, ditzy person is not me and, frankly, it's embarrassing.

I’m stunned when he grabs my upper arm with firm fingers to prevent me from leaving.

“You’re Madelaine O’Brien, aren’t you?” he asks, his eyes staring straight into mine.

His penetrating gaze feels like he’s trying to delve into the inner recesses of my mind. I don’t examine why, but it makes me uncomfortable so I shrug my arm from his tighter-than-necessary grip. Letting go with obvious reluctance, he shoots me a quizzical glance.

After I nod my head that he has my name right, he continues. “You’re Benji’s sister?”

“That's me. I prefer to be called Maddi though,” I tell him straightaway.

I hate being called Madelaine. The only time I hear my full name is when I’m trouble, Wendy being the only exception since she refuses to shorten anyone's name.

“I’m actually his twin, even though no one can tell.” I laugh.

It's true. My twin is as dark as I am fair. We look almost nothing alike.

It doesn't surprise me that Brendan knows me as Benji’s sister. Benji’s a talented Australian Football League player, apparently destined to follow in our father’s footsteps. Dad played at State level, never quite making it to the big time, and he's pretty tough on Benji because of it. He believes that Benji will surpass him and play at the national level if he knuckles down and quits partying. My twin’s something of a local legend where all the girls want him and all the boys want to be his friend.

By comparison, I'm the studious sprinter who keeps to her family and her small group of friends. No one outside of my family wants anything from me, and that's the way I like it.

“I’m Brendan Taylor. I’ve seen you around, but you don’t come to parties like Benji does so I’ve never officially met you. Even though I've been dying to.”

He holds his hand out for me to shake, a big sexy grin on his face.
Is he flirting with me?
I hope so because he’s hot as sin. His easy charm brings a smile to my face. Taking his offered hand, I shake it. The charge that I felt when he held my waist flares again, so I try to drop his hand the second it’s polite. He refuses to let go so I attempt to brazen out the situation by continuing our conversation as if it isn't awkward standing here holding hands when we've only just met.

“Nice to officially meet you. I don’t really party that often. I’m surprised you’re at the same parties as Benji. Aren’t you a little old for that scene?” The second the words are out of my mouth, I cringe. I couldn’t sound more judgemental and prudish if I tried. Heat travels up my neck, and I turn red in front of the one man I don’t want to.

He laughs at me. “Yes, I suppose I am. I’m twenty-two. There’s not much for me to do around here since I’ve finished university. I actually organize most of the parties now that I’m living back here full time. You should come to the next one. I'll look after you any time you want.
Give you anything you want
.”

He winks at me, my face heating further. I'm not sure if I'm reading something into his words, but innuendo seems to be lacing his offer.

“I'll keep that in mind,” I tell him, deciding to take his words at face value. “Anyhow, it was nice to meet you, but I need to get going. It’s nearly midnight and I want to catch up with my friends before the fireworks.”

I really don't care about the fireworks. I need to get away from Brendan and my weird reaction to him. Tugging my hand from his, I don’t stop this time until he lets go. Before he does, he plants a kiss over my knuckles, finishing with a small bow.

Holy hell, I think he is flirting with me.

“It was a pleasure having you run into me,” he teases before he continues in a voice that’s deeper and smoother than usual. “I really hope you take me up on my offer. I think we could have a lot of fun together.”

Plastering a fake smile on my face, I pretend I still possess some composure. I’m still not certain if he’s flirting or being overly friendly. It really irks me that I’m behaving like this around him. Normally I’m cool, calm, and collected around the opposite gender, which would be expected considering I’ve grown up surrounded by them, but I can't get a read on Brendan's intentions. 

“Have a good night, Brendan,” I say my goodbye, effectively ending the conversation.

I walk off toward the restrooms, and it takes all of my effort not to turn back around to see if he’s watching me.

***

C
hecking my reflection in the mirror as I wash my hands, I find that I’m a little flushed and that a lock of my hair has come loose from the messy bun on the top of my head. Otherwise, I look as good as I can.

Brendan has me confused, but I file it away to think about another time. Distractions are not something I need. I’m one-eyed about my future, wanting to become a criminal defense attorney after I finish school next year—much to my dad’s amusement—so I spend most of my free time studying.

I’ve seen Brendan around over the years, finding him really attractive even though he always has a different girl hanging off of him. Everyone knows that he doesn't date, preferring to add notches to his bedhead. Having never even been on a date before, I'm definitely not interested in becoming just one of his girls. I highly doubt I'll be taking him up on his offer, platonic or not. 

“Get it together, Lainey. You're making something out of nothing,” I mutter to myself.

Why I'm even thinking about this, I have no idea.
I'm still not one hundred percent sure he meant what I thought he did.

Complete darkness greets me when I venture outside. The lights in the yard and the town hall have been turned off in anticipation of the fireworks. Instead of attempting to find my way from the back of the hall to the front where everyone else is gathered, I make an on-the-spot decision to turn off the lights and stay here by myself. I can watch the fireworks from where I am, with the added bonus of not needing to deal with persistent idiots who want to ring in the New Year with kisses. Maybe this year Dad won’t feel the need to knock anyone out in my defense.

My dad’s not nicknamed Beast just because he’s a huge man. He also has a tendency to turn into a beast when he feels his family is being threatened. His explosions can be embarrassing.

Leaning back against the cinder block wall, I listen as the countdown finishes and the fireworks begin. They’re spectacular as usual. As they’re reaching their peak, I hear someone moving next to me one moment before I’m pushed against the wall. Soft lips touch mine, a tongue prodding between my parted lips. My whole body falls rigid, my muscles tensing as I steady myself to deliver the full force of my knee between my attacker’s legs. 

I abort my attack when Brendan’s cologne permeates my senses, relaxing my leg.

Sensing my hesitation, Brendan pauses our kiss.  “Happy New Year, Maddi,” he whispers against my mouth. His minty breath blows over my face, our breath mingling together as I sigh.

Brendan Taylor is kissing me.

I can’t believe it. 

“Happy New Year, Brendan,” I murmur, returning his sentiment.

Confusion clouds my mind. I’m not sure how I should react to him. My confusion evaporates when, without another word and against my better judgement, he coaxes my arms around his neck and wraps his arms around my waist. I lean against the wall when he pulls my soft body against his hard frame. Feelings I’ve never felt before, feelings I can’t name course through me.

Without further thought, I follow his lead as he proceeds to give me the sweetest first kiss a girl could wish for. We’re still kissing when the lights come back on. The area around us grows louder as people begin milling back into the grounds, the pair of us ignoring them and continuing to kiss. After what feels like an eternity, Brendan steps away from me, smiling broadly. He gives me a quick, final kiss on the lips before he gently bites my clothed shoulder.

“You're so beautiful, and you're going to be all mine. I’m going to make sure of it,” he whispers against my neck before he turns and walks away without another word.

The passionate promise in his words takes my breath away, making me flush with excitement. They replay over and over in my head all night, along with my hope that he’ll seek me out at Kyle’s party. My wish isn’t granted because I don’t see him again for the rest of the night.