Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 66580 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66580 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
My entire body clenched because he was right. I wanted him real bad. So bad it hurt.
“Let me go,” I said, the words causing me physical pain. “You’re sexy. You know that. And maybe I do want it. But I can’t afford any more mistakes. I have responsibilities and a life that you’ll ruin if you touch it. I can’t take the risk.”
There was frustration written all over Shade’s face, but he took a step back, the tiny muscle in his jaw clenching as he fought for control. I pushed myself upright, straightening my shirt as I tried to catch my breath.
“I need to get back to work,” I gasped. “This is all a game for you—it’s about getting laid—but it’s my life. I have to take care of my family and you’re getting in the way of me doing that.”
“Bone won’t fire you for taking a longer break. Not if you’re with me. I’m the fucking president of the Reapers MC—nobody stands in my way.”
“You don’t get it,” I said, closing my eyes. I couldn’t look at him. Not like this. He was too sexy and I’d forget why I was fighting him. “It’s not about what I can get away with. It’s about who I am. I’m a good worker and I don’t slack off. And maybe I was stupid enough to let myself get distracted by Rebel, but that doesn’t mean this is my new reality. I’m getting my life on track again. Right now, I’ve got a job and I’m going to do it the best I can. This is nothing more than a game to you, anyway, so go find someone else to play it with.”
We stared at each other for long seconds. Then Shade turned and stalked out of the room. I flopped back down on the table, lifting my legs to lie on my side in a fetal position.
Fucking hell but I needed a new job.
Fast.
It took me nearly ten minutes to pull myself together and get back to work. By that time the Reapers were gone.
Thank you, sweet baby Jesus.
“You okay?” Sara asked as I grabbed my tray.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” I told her, although I felt like I’d gotten hit by a truck. “Shade and I…”
“I know,” she said. “These guys… You can’t control them. They’re like a force of nature.”
“I never asked for this,” I insisted. “I didn’t mean to catch his eye and now I don’t know how to get rid of him.”
“Just keep going,” she said, watching Bone with pain-filled eyes. “He’ll get bored. They always do. All of the fucking men in this place do.”
I glanced toward Bone, who was leaning forward against the bar, flirting with yet another girl. One I hadn’t seen before.
“Why do you stay?” I asked her. Sara gave me a startled look.
“What do you mean?”
“It’s got to hurt, watching him like that.”
“Where am I supposed to go?” she admitted. “There’s no other jobs in this fucking town. Am I supposed to work for Handsy Randy, the friendly town drug dealer down at the gas station? I know you’re related, so no offense.”
“None taken,” I said with a sigh. “But you could leave. It’s not like you’re married or have kids or anything tying you down.”
“My grandma,” she replied quietly. “She raised me. Now I’m the only one she has left. Maybe someday when she’s gone… But for now, this is where I stay. This is my place. And maybe I do have a thing for Bone, but I’ve been there, done that.”
“Really?” I said, startled. “You’ve slept with Bone?”
“Hon, everyone has slept with Bone,” she replied, shrugging. “That’s the problem. And that’s why you can’t let yourself get hung up on Shade. If it was me, I’d just go for it. Have fun while you can and then walk away. It’s easier than fighting.”
I stared at her, stunned. Sara was always full of energy, always smiling, always ready for the next challenge. Or so I thought. In that instant, though…she looked tired. Tired and sad.
That’s why you can’t give in. Because he’ll leave you like that. Sad and alone.
“You girls gonna clear those tables and serve more drinks or what?” Bone shouted. I caught Sara’s hand, sharing a quick squeeze, then grabbed my tray to go clear the Reapers’ empties and wipe down their tables. That’s when I found the money, a stack of hundred dollar bills, just sitting out on the table like it was a perfectly normal and appropriate thing.
I grabbed the cash, counting it carefully, my heart starting to clench. Five hundred dollars.
Five.
Hundred.
Dollars.
The Reapers had been drinking all night, but this wasn’t some city bar. Drinks were cheap here at the Pit. Even factoring in all they’d ordered, there was no way this could be right. I stuffed the money in my apron pocket and then scurried over to Bone, feeling almost sick to my stomach. He was still chatting up his girl but I didn’t care—we needed to figure this out, and fast.