Ruby Falls (48 page)

“I got her.”

“You got her?”

“Yeah.”

“Crash, you’re running a solo seat,” Cole said, pointing out the obvious.

“She’ll ride the fender.”

“You’re shittin’ me, right?”

“Nope.”

“Crash, you live in fucking Oakland.”

“Know where I live, Cole.”

“It’s forty miles.”

“Yep.”

Cole grinned. “You even got foot pegs?”

“I got those long bolts I put on.” Crash grinned.

“You
did
see the fucking ridiculous shoes she’s wearin’, right?”

“You worry too much.”

Cole shrugged. “Okay. It’s
your
face she’s gonna scratch off.”

“By the time I get her home, she’s not gonna sit for a week.”

“Plan to hit a few potholes on the way?”

“You know it.”

Cole shook his head. “Payback for her smart mouth?”

“Payback’s a bitch,” Crash grinned.

“Yeah, and she can be one, too. You may be spending a couple of weeks together. You really want to start it off this way?”

“She needs a lesson. I’m only too happy to give her one.”

“Alright, brother. I hope you got this.”

“I got this.”

Cole looked over at him with a doubtful expression.

“Just leave me your extra helmet, and get that bag of hers.”

“I’ll drop it by tomorrow.” Cole tossed his cigarette, and they headed back inside. He slid back into the booth, folded his arms, and leaned his elbows on the table. “Here’s the deal, Shannon. I think you’re holding something back from me. I don’t believe I’m getting the whole story.”

Crash watched her expression. Yeah, there was definitely more to her story.

Cole continued, “And I don’t like the fact you used my wife to get to me. Way you went about that, babe? Not good. I don’t want my family dragged into the middle of your shit.”

Crash watched the hope almost deflate right out of her. He was sure Cole saw it, too.

“That said, I don’t tolerate men terrorizing women. So, we’ll give you a place to lay low for a while.”

“Really?”

“But you stay on my terms.”

“Of course. Anything.”

“Don’t be so eager, darlin’. You haven’t heard them yet,” Crash advised.

She looked at him and swallowed.

Cole drew her attention back to him. “You’ll be staying with Crash.”

“Crash?” She looked back at him.

He grinned at her like the cat that ate the canary.

“He’ll be responsible for keeping you safe. You’ll do whatever he says, you understand?”

“You’re joking.”

“Nope. And it’s not gonna be a free ride. You’ll cook, clean, and do his laundry to pay him back for his time.”

“I have money. I pulled out cash, like you said. I was able to get five thousand. That should cover any expenses I have until this blows over,
and
pay for his time.”

Cole nodded towards Crash. “You’ll give that money over to him.”

“All of it?”

“All of it. Now.”

“But, I’ll need it if I have to buy something.”

“You need something, you ask Crash. If you really need it, he’ll get it for you.”

“You have got to be kidding me? Every time I want some of my
own
money, I have to ask
him
for it?”

“Yep.”

“Forget it! I’m not doing that.”

“Then there’s the door, darlin’. Walk.”

“But…Cole, I can’t.”

“Make up your mind, Shannon. We help you, it’s on my terms.”

She rolled her eyes.

“Yes or no, Shannon, what’s it gonna be?”

Her eyebrows shot up, and she bit out, “Okay. Fine.”

The corners of Crash’s mouth pulled up. Oh, it was anything
but
fine, judging by her tone and body language. Obviously, his VP saw it, too.

Cole leaned forward. “Piece of advice, babe. Lose the attitude.”

Shannon folded her arms and leaned back against the seat. Crash could tell it was costing her dearly to sit there and say nothing in response.

Cole looked at her and nodded toward Crash. “Give him the money.”

She reached into her handbag and pulled out a thick envelope. She held it out to Crash.

He took it, opened the flap and thumbed through the stack. Fifty one-hundred dollar bills. Then he whistled low. “That’s a pretty sight.”

Apparently satisfied, Cole grabbed his glass up off the table and slid out of the booth without another word to her. As he passed by Crash propped on the barstool, he paused next to him, leaned in and mouthed silently, “She’s all yours, brother.”

Crash made a barely perceptible nod of his head, his eyes moving to Shannon as he stood and slid the envelope in the back pocket of his jeans.

Cole continued to the bar, where he downed the rest of his drink, set his glass on the bar, and gave a chin lift to Marty. He turned and headed towards the door.

Crash watched Shannon as her eyes tracked him.

“Where’s he going?” she asked, her attention swinging back to Crash.

“He’s got actual important shit to do that doesn’t involve babysitting.”

She squinted her eyes at him, as if to say ‘very funny’.

A moment later, Red Dog walked over, grabbed her bag off the floor and headed out the door.

She looked from him, then back to Crash, questioningly.

“It’s just you and me, babe,” Crash informed her. He watched the emotions cross her face, and he’d bet the farm she was second guessing her decision to come here. But, as much as her attitude grated on him, he couldn’t help but empathize with the vulnerability that, for just a moment, flashed in her eyes. It was there and gone so quickly, he would have missed it, if he hadn’t been watching her beautiful eyes so closely. “I think you need a drink.”

“I think I need two.”

“Come on, darlin’. Let’s move this party to the bar,” he said, nodding toward where Marty was standing wiping the bar top down. Then he stood and extended his hand to her. He watched as her eyes moved from his extended hand to his face, and then she slipped her hand in his. He closed his hand gently around her much smaller one, and she slid from the booth.

Crash led her to the bar, pulled out a barstool for her and couldn’t help but let his eyes stray over the length of her legs as she hiked a hip onto the stool. He smiled. “What’ll you have, darlin’?”

Marty looked at her, waiting for her order. She considered a moment before replying, “Mudslide. But instead of vodka, could you substitute coconut rum, please?”

Marty smiled. “That’s a new one, but sure.”

Crash set his glass on the bar. “And a refill for me, Marty.”

Marty moved off to make their drinks, and Crash dug in his hip pocket to pull out some folded money held with a money clip. He slid a twenty off the top and laid it on the bar.

“I just gave you an envelope full of money. Why aren’t you using that?” Shannon asked him.

His head swiveled to look at her as he slid the clip back on. “This is my treat, princess.”

“Oh.”

“You’re welcome.” Although he didn’t get the response he’d hoped for, at least she had it in her to look slightly embarrassed at his subtle dig that she hadn’t had the manners to say thank you.

She nodded toward his hand. “My father uses a money clip. I didn’t expect to see a man like you using one.”

The corner of his mouth pulled up as he slid it back into his pocket. “A ‘man like me’?”

She looked truly embarrassed then. “You know what I mean.”

He leaned his folded arms on the bar and looked at her. “No, Shannon, I don’t think I do.”

“A biker,” she elaborated with a shrug. “I thought you had those big leather wallets with the chain on them attached to your belt.”

He grinned, enjoying teasing her, so he frowned, “Chains? Not a clue what you’re talkin’ about, babe.”

She caught on quickly that he was teasing her. “Right.”

He laughed. “It was my grandfather’s, so I use it. Fond memories, I guess.”

She nodded, studying him.

Marty brought their drinks.

Crash eyed her drink and watched her take a sip. “I bet you’re one of those girls that drinks those pretty drinks out of a martini glass like those chicks on ‘Sex in the City’.”

Shannon let out a small laugh. “It’s ‘Sex and the City’, Crash.”

He frowned, “You sure? That phrase doesn’t even make sense.”

“Pretty sure, Crash.” She grinned, taking a sip of her drink.

“Huh.” Then he turned to Marty. “What’s that drink?”

“I think you mean a Cosmo.”

“Cosmo? I thought that was a magazine chicks read. My ex was always trying to get me to answer questions off some stupid quiz in that thing.”

Marty shook his head, knowing Crash was playing dumb just to tease the girl. “It’s both Crash, a magazine and a drink. I’ll make you one, if you want.”

“Like hell you will. I don’t drink those damn frou-frou drinks.” He took a sip of his bourbon, as if to prove his point. He connected eyes with Marty over the rim of his glass and could see he was in on the joke.

“How about a Blue Lagoon? Bet you’d like one of those,” Marty teased him.

“Is it blue?” Crash asked.

“Yup.”

“Then hell no.”

They both laughed.

“So, I drink girly drinks. Clue in, Crash, I’m a girl,” Shannon pointed out.

Crash’s eyes swept over her. “Yes, ma’am. You are definitely a girl. With all the very right parts.”

She huffed out a breath, slid off the stool and asked Marty where the ladies room was. When he pointed toward the back, she hiked her handbag over her shoulder and walked off.

Crash leaned back on his stool, his eyes watching her ass as she moved off. When she disappeared into the restroom, his gaze swung back to Marty. “Damn, that’s one fine ass.”

Marty chuckled. “Yeah, and it belongs to a woman that’s way out of your league.”

Crash tossed his drink back and shrugged. “Maybe.”

Marty shook his head. “Guess the way you boys attract women, wouldn’t be surprised at that, if she fell at your feet.”

Crash grinned. “Now that’d be a damn pretty picture. Her at my feet.”

Marty snorted.

Crash nodded toward her drink sitting on the bar. “What’s that called again?”

“Mudslide.”

“What’s in it?” He picked it up and sniffed it.

“Kahlua, Bailey’s, and supposed to be vodka. Your girl asked for coconut rum, so, not sure what
that
tastes like.” He nodded toward the drink in Crash’s hand.

Crash took a sip, studied the glass and said, “Not bad. A little sweet for my taste.” Then he downed another sip before setting the glass back.

When Shannon returned a few minutes later, she sat, picked up her glass and looked at it. Then her eyes cut to Crash. “Did you drink this?”

When he just grinned in return, she set the glass back down with a little too much force.

Crash stood up. “Let’s roll, princess.”

They moved to the door, and he held it for her. They walked out to the parking lot and stopped at his bike. Crash picked up the helmet that Cole had left sitting on his seat and held it out to her.

She looked at it, and then at him. “I’m in a dress.”

“See that, babe. It’s real pretty.”

“I can’t ride in a dress, Crash.”

“Sure you can.” When she still didn’t take the helmet, he took a step toward her and set it on her head. Then he buckled the strap. He strapped his own on, slung his leg over and lifted the bike up off its kickstand. He watched her face, waiting for that moment when she’d notice. And here it was.

“Where the hell am I supposed to sit, in your lap?”

He fired up the bike and grinned. “On the fender.”

“The fender?”

“Yeah. You’re ridin’ the fender.”

“Like hell I am.”

“You coming or not?”

She lifted her hands in the air. “Can’t I just call a cab? Just give me the address.”

“Nope.”

“No?”

“No. Get on, princess.”

“But-”

“Shannon, get on.”

“Is that even legal?” she asked, motioning toward the rear fender of his bike.

“I don’t see any cops.”

She put her hands on her hips.

“If you’re going, let’s go. I’ve got shit to do.”

Still she stood there glaring at him, and he got the feeling she thought if she could outlast him, she’d get her way. Wrong. “Princess, I’ll say it one more time. You going or staying? Makes no difference to me. I ain’t the one with the crazy ex stalking me.”

Watch for

CRASH

By

Nicole James

Coming 2014

Also by Nicole James

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