New Love (Rising Crusaders MC) Page 2

  When is the last time I slept on the couch?

  The doorbell rings. I take one step and Sure Shot jumps up from the lounge chair. He bends his arm behind his back.

  “Stay down.” He leans forward to look out the peephole in his door. Curse words flow from his lips as he opens the door.

  “Dude, you know the rules. Call first.” Sure Shot rubs his eyes.

  “You look like you could use a break.” Rough Rider says as he holds up a helmet. He makes eye contact with me.

  I watch as my best friend pushes past Sure Shot and says, “And who do you think you are coming over here and scaring the beejeeus out of us?”

  I watch as this handsome giant smirks at Sadie.

  He’s holding a helmet. Why is he here? Why does he have a pink helmet?

  “Sure Shot, why is your sister yelling at me?” he says.

  “Sadie, this is Rough Rider. I know you haven’t been around in a while, but I can’t believe you forgot him.” Sure Shot says.

  “I didn’t forget him, Chris. Do you know what time it is? You have the audacity to come here. I haven’t even had my coffee.”

  Sadie waves her hand in front of her to express her disgust as she rattles on about how his intrusion upsets her. I smile as this large man steps back as if real damage could be done with flying hands as she speaks.

  “Sadie, I just wanted to take a lovely lady for a ride today.” Rough Rider looks past her to me. Her head spins toward me and back again so fast it appears as if her head goes all the way around.

  “OH no, you don’t. This is my time with my best friend. I haven’t seen her in forever. You can come back later.” She places her hands on his chest trying to push him out the door.

  “Please, Sadie. I’ll cook. I know you can’t resist.” She steps aside with a huff.

  I catch a smile on his face and he winks when he sees me. He walks up to me with the helmet held out.

  “This is for you.” He raises the helmet above my head. “May I?”

  I nod. He places it on my head and puts his finger under my chin. The straps are too tight. While he is adjusting them, his knuckles brush my cheek. I close my eyes as the sensation runs down my spine. As if on cue, he does it again with more intention.

  “You look good in the morning, baby girl.”

  I cringe as I remember I haven’t brushed my teeth or my hair.

  He wants something. Don’t listen to his lip service. You can’t get trapped again.

  “What do you want me to cook you for breakfast?” Rough Rider says.

  “She wants a ham omelet with a bagel and cream cheese.” Sadie says as she moves to my side. She hooks her arm into mine and drags me into another room.

  ◆◆◆

  Rough Rider

  I watch as Rachel nods her head and Sadie swoops in to whisk her away from me. She gives me a nasty look over her shoulder as they walk away. With the trance broken, it feels like ice cold water doused my flame. I adjust myself as I walk into the kitchen. Words ring in my head about being patient.

  “Hey man, do you know what you are about to get into?” Sure Shot follows me into the kitchen.

  “You mean with Rachel?” I say.

  Sure Shot nods. “I know she went through something bad. I don’t need details. I see her demons in her eyes when she looks at me.”

  I rub my fingers together. The memory of her skin burns into my brain.

  I want more. I want her. She belongs at my side.

  “Rough Rider, hey man?” Sure Shot snaps his fingers. I look at him. “You, OK?”

  “She’s the one.” I say as I crack eggs into a bowl.

  “Are you sure she even likes you?” Sure Shot says.

  “She kissed me back. She could have slapped me that day and it would be the end of it.” As I pour the egg mixture into the pan, I look at Sure Shot. “What are you trying to say?”

  “You remember when Shifter brought that girl around? After meeting her father, we found out he had been abusing her. You remember what we told him?” Sure Shot says as he puts bagels in the toaster.

  “Yea, I remember. She’s damaged goods, be careful.” I sigh at the memory that Sure Shot’s words conjure.

  “I don’t think any of us knew how unstable she really was until the incident. Shifter still blames himself.” Sure Shot says.

  “Did you know he still zip ties his pistols to the wall of his gun cabinet?” I flip the eggs over.

  “Yes. It’s been, what 2 years now? I’ve been thinking. Rachel needs…” Sure Shot says.

  “Rachel needs what?” Rachel says as she walks in on the conversation.

  “Your breakfast.” I say as I put a plate in front of her. I wink at her. Her transformation amazes me. The desire to run my fingers through her tresses overwhelms me.

  “It smells divine as usual.” Sadie says as she sticks her nose in the air as if to fill it even more.

  I set another plate in front of her. Sure Shot puts glasses of milk in front of the girls. I settle on a bar stool next to Rachel. As I take a bite of food, Sadie catches my eye. She shrugs her shoulders and jerks her head toward Rachel. I know her meaning but it’s more fun to play as if I don’t understand. I shrug my shoulders and throw her an innocent look. Sure Shot yawns and stretches. He rubs his eyes and leans over his empty plate. I notice for the first time he doesn’t look rested.

  “Hey man, did you sleep well last night?”

  “Naw, I took first watch.”

  “Go, crash. I’m on sentry duty now.” I watch as Sure Shot almost drags his carcass to the bedroom.

  “Rough Rider, do you really think he will come here to get her back?” Sadie twists her hands at the thought.

  “If he’s stupid enough, he will. It will be the last thing he does though. Now let’s get this spa day started.”

  ◆◆◆

  Rachel

  Sadie hops off her stool and runs to the bathroom. I pick up the plates to put them in the sink. When I turn around, he stands in front of me. He towers over me and I gasp in surprise while taking a step back. He reaches for my elbow. A tingling sensation runs all the way to my spine.

  “I want to take you for a ride on my bike. Please, tell me I can take you out.”

  I look up into his face. His eyes plead with me. It melts me. Words escape my mind. I nod trying to find words and fearful that everything will sound awkward and come out wrong. He runs his hand up my arm.

  How does he do it? So intense. So gorgeous.

  Sadie enters the room arms full of stuff.

  “Can’t leave you alone for a minute. Can I?”

  “I call hair.” He runs his fingers through a few strands. The trance is gone but his gaze never breaks.

  Breathe. Don’t forget to breathe.

  “OK. I got nails. Rachel come sit. Spa Day starts now.” Sadie says as she plops down at the coffee table.

  “Sadie, since when do we have boys crashing our spa day?” I sit at the table and present my hand.

  “Since that boy knows how to braid hair better than I do.” Sadie points to Rough Rider who just shrugs.

  He sits behind me with a brush in his hand. Starting at the bottom, he gently brushes out all the tangles.

  Did he smell my hair? Does it smell bad? Oh Gawd, he noticed.

  I close my eyes before I die of embarrassment if he says something. His gentleness sends tingles down my spine. All the nerve endings on my head feel tight and stimulated.

  He runs his fingers through my hair and grabs a handful near my roots. I let out a sound somewhere between a gasp and a moan.

  “mmhhmm. Told ya.” Sadie says.

  My eyes fly open to find Sadie smiling at me.

  “You knew. How do you know? Wait, never mind, I don’t want to know.” I close my eyes as he pulls on my hair again. I feel his hand brush against my skin. He chuckles.

  I’m so stupid. Just a joke and I fell for it again.

  “All done. Have a look. I’m loving this color on you.” Sadi
e says.

  I open my eyes to look at my nails, but he tugs my hair. “Hold on. One more thing.” A few more tugs and he announces he’s done. I reach back to feel his handy work. He grabs my hand.

  “You’ll mess it up. Don’t worry it's perfect. My bandana looks good in your hair.” Rough Rider says.

  “Thank you.” It’s all I can muster. He pours the charm on thick. His ulterior motive has yet to be revealed.

  I know he wants something, but what will it cost me? No one is this generous without a motive.

  “Lean back.” Rough Rider picks up the lotion bottle.

  While leaning on his chest, he rubs lotion on my arm. His large hands cover my arm with little effort as he works the liquid into my skin. The massage sends my senses into overdrive. The scent of his cologne surrounds my nose. With little effort, he draws me back into his intensity. My brain no longer produces words and my arm is jelly. As he picks up my other arm to render it just as gelatinous, I hear a huff and fast footfalls then a door slam.

  “I successfully have you all to myself.” Rough Rider whispers in my ear.

  Chapter 3

  Rachel

  “What did you do to grab the attention of Rough Rider? The self-proclaimed bachelor for life.” Sadie says.

  “I don’t know. I’ve only been here a couple days. Chris brought me to a BBQ and the next thing I know he won’t let me out of his sight. That’s kinda creepy stalkerish isn’t it?” I say.

  “If it was anyone else, I would say yes but not for Rough Rider. He did something similar with me when Chris was away although I never got a massage. Where did he go by the way?” Sadie says.

  “I don’t know. His phone rang; he mumbled something and left with Chris. Do we really need round the clock surveillance?” I say.

  “I see he took back his bandana. I’ve never seen him take it off. It’s just what they do.” Sadie says.

  “I’m sure he took it back to wash it. He wrapped it around my stinky hair. If I knew he was going to do all that I would have taken more time this morning. Come to think of it, I bet that phone call was a set up so he would have an excuse to leave.” I say.

  “I doubt it. So, you like him, then?” Sadie says.

  “I don’t even know him. Sure, he’s easy on the eyes. Why are you pushing me toward him, now? I thought the idea disgusts you.” I say.

  “I think you need someone to take care of you without trapping you like ‘whose name is never to be spoken’. Rough Rider may have his moments but he’s a good guy. I haven’t seen him look at anyone like he looks at you.”

  Sadie shifts on the couch to face me. Her face darkens. “I worry about you. A counselor will help you work through what happened.” Sadie says.

  “And, just like that you’re dumping me off on a head shrink? I’ve gotten too crazy for you, now? And after all we’ve been through?” I say.

  I shift to face her, the movie now forgotten. “Seriously, what good are they besides taking all my money, which I have none because I don’t have a job.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I have a friend who owes me a favor. I’ll take care of it. Besides, a therapist can give you tools that’ll help you cope.” Sadie says.

  “You really think I’m messed up don’t you?” I say.

  Am I really that messed up? Is this the best thing for me?

  “I think you went through something and you haven’t had time to process what comes next. You’re my best friend, my sister. I want the best for you. Please, say you’ll go.” Sadie leans forward in anticipation of my answer.

  I sigh in defeat. “I’ll go.”

  “Where are you going?” Sure Shot says as he walks into the room. Both girls scream in surprise.

  “Chris, you need to make more noise.” Sadie says. She twists so her feet hit the floor in front of her.

  “You need to know your surroundings.” Sure Shot says. He drops his bag by a chair and flops into it.

  “Well, we are at home with the door locked and a sentry at the road. What’s the danger?” Sadie says.

  “Never mind, habit. Where are you going, Rachel?” Sure Shot says.

  “She’s going to see my therapist friend, Rick.”

  “Just as long as she is available in the evenings to work at the club house.”

  “You mean I have a job?” I hop off the couch and throw my arms around his neck.

  “OK, OK. Get off me. It’s no big deal. You’re family. It’s what we do. I’ll take you in at 8 so you can get a little training before the crowd comes.” Sure Shot reclines the chair as he grabs the remote to watch his favorite show.

  As soon as I see the listing in his recorded list, I decide it’s time for bed. “I’m not watching this show. I’m going to bed.”

  Sure Shots laughs at the way I roll my eyes. “Good night.” Sadie says.

  In the dark room, the covers swallow me in a warm cocoon; perfect for drifting off to sleep. I close my eyes and take a relaxing deep breath. The light in the room shifts. I open my eyes to find a lamp shines.

  “Hey baby, good you’re awake. I wanna play.” I watch as a figure approaches my bed. His face hides in the shadows. I hear music.

  When did he turn on music? What’s in his hand?

  “You wanna have some fun?” He takes a hold of my wrist while massaging my hand. I hear a few clicks. He guides my arm above my head while caressing my skin. I hear more clicks. He picks up my other hand and kisses it. I feel soft feathers brush my skin. He caresses my other arm as he stretches it above my head.

  “Now the fun begins.” He runs his hand down the side of my breast and pinches my nipple. I cry out. “Oh, that is fun.”

  He runs his hand down my other side and pinches the other nipple. I cry out again. “You want more, don’t you?”

  He produces shiny objects that glint in the small light of the room. I feel his weight shift the bed as he straddles me. He clamps the device onto my nipple. I scream in pain. He clamps the other one.

  “Rachel. Rachel.” Sure Shot says.

  “Take them off. They hurt.” I say.

  “Rachel!” Sadie says.

  “Please! It hurts so bad.” I say.

  I feel the bed move side to side. “Wake up! Rachel.” The light shifts again, brighter. I open my eyes. The shadowy figure disappears. I see Chris and Sadie looking at me.

  “Rachel, sweetie.” Sadie gathers me into her arms and wipes my tears away.

  “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to. I’m sorry.” I sob into her night shirt.

  “I’m gonna kill ‘em if he ever shows his face around here.” Sure Shot storms out of the room.

  Sure shot comes back with a glass of water and a pill. “How is she?”

  “Worse. I can’t understand anything she says and you know I’m quite good at understanding her through the sobs.”

  “I thought something like this might happen. Here, see if she'll take this.”

  Sadie opens my mouth and drops the pill in. Sure shot hands me a glass. I drink most of it down. I didn’t know I wasn’t making any sense. My eyelids feel like anvils. I lay down.

  What did he give me?

  Rough Rider

  “Sure Shot, Rachel, Sadie” I call out when I see the door slightly open.

  I push through. “Are y’all home?”

  I’m standing in the living room watching the girls balance on chairs while holding a hammer.

  “Give me that before you fall and break something.” I walk over to where Rachel is balancing on a chair and Sadie holding something trying to balance it on the edge of the chair with Rachel. I take the hammer from Rachel’s hand and wrap my arm around her waist to lift her off the chair and put her on the floor.

  “Where does the nail go?”

  “There’s a mark on the wall. You know we were doing just fine before you barged in.” Sadie says.

  “Oh, sure you were. A fine job to almost break something.” I say.

  “Oh good, you’re here. I told the girls to wait o
n you. But it looks as if they wanted to prove something.” Sure Shot says.

  I hold up a pink helmet. “You ready?”

  “Where are we going?” Rachel says.

  “Work. I gotta go by the club. Sure Shot can stay here and do whatever it is he’s doing.”

  Rachel reaches for the helmet. I hold it above her head. She puts her arm down and waits for me to put it on her head. I hear her sigh but it sounds different from the other times I have heard her make sounds.

  “Are you ok?” I say.

  “I’m fine.” Rachel says.

  I narrow my eyes at her. She rolls hers. I have no idea what’s wrong. After I get the chin strap fastened, I take my bandana off my arm.

  “Here, this will help.” I tie the material around her hair to keep it from blowing around in the wind. I’m hoping her scent will transfer to the material again.

  “You ever rode before?” I ask.

  “My uncles used to take me, but it’s been years. I had a friend who gave me a ride on his bike. I burned my leg on the exhaust pipe. I haven’t ridden since.” Rachel says.

  “I won’t let you get burned. Just follow me.” I say.

  She looks at me with a blank stare. “When I lean, you lean with me. If you need to stop for any reason, tap me and hold up a fist. OK?”

  “I can do that.” Rachel says.

  Pointing to where she can put her foot, she straddles the bike. I join her and off we go; engine roaring and wind in our faces. She wraps her arms around me a little tighter as we pick up speed. I feel her body against my back. She clutches my cut. I look down to see her white knuckles. Placing my hand on hers, I hope to ease her nerves. It works for a short while until she realizes I’m only using one hand. I slow down and decide to take the long way. I don’t want this to end too soon. Her hands loosen a little. I can feel her relax and move my hand to her knee. She tightens up again but I can feel a slight tremble in her leg. I feel her tap me and look down to see her hand in a fist so I pull over.