Page 20 of Jagger
I saw Jagger’s head whip around as he sprang to his feet, glaring daggers at Brad in the doorway. Brad caught the movement out of the corner of his eye and turned his head to greet him.
“She’s going with me,” Jagger ground out before Brad could say anything more, and I could see his jaw clenching from clear across the room. I shot a puzzled glance at Brad, who was smirking at Jagger. What on earth?
“Sure, man. I didn’t realize you were still here,” Brad said easily, not fazed in the least by Jagger’s demeanor. I sure was though. I wondered if it was a biker thing, and Jagger just didn’t get along with other men unless they were in his club? If so, that would have to change. Brad was one of my best friends, and I wasn’t going to put up with anyone being rude to him. Not even someone as hot as Jagger.
“I’m going to have dinner with Jagger, but thanks for checking to see if I needed a ride,” I said to Brad with exaggerated politeness.
“No problem, Moll. Talk to you later. Nice meeting you, Jagger,” he said with a friendly wave as he turned and left.
I waited a few seconds before rounding on Jagger, intent on pressing him on his brusque behavior with Brad. I’d noticed it outside, too.
Jagger was crossing the room toward me in long strides, his gaze laser-focused on my face. He stopped a few inches closer to me than normal, invading my personal space in a way that I was sure was intentional. I lifted my head to look at his eyes, which bore into me as if he were looking to find answers there. Answers to what, I wasn’t sure.
“Does he always drive you home,baby doll?” he said barely concealed anger. Ah-ha…that explained it. Mostly, anyway.
“Not always,” I replied calmly, taking his question at face value, and ignoring the implication that the ‘baby doll’ comment bothered him. “We were at our friend Emma’s house last night, and I had an extra glass of wine with dinner,” I explained, downplaying it just a bit. It had been two extra glasses of wineinsteadof dinner, but whatever. I’d been too upset to eat. “I left my car there and Brad drove me home, then picked me up on his way in this morning.”
Jagger looked a bit more relaxed after my explanation, and his eyes softened as he looked at me. “I’m sorry you were upset last night, Angel.”
I shook my head. “No, it’s not your fault. It’s just a really weird coincidence and poor communication. It’s fine now, and I’d really like to just forget it and move on.”
He reached for me, wrapping his arms around me, and pulling me close to him. His arms felt wonderful around me, and I felt safe and protected, which was so strange considering we’d just met. I took a deep breath, and the subtle smell of his cologne combined with the leather of his cut filled my senses, making me crave more. Whatever scent he was wearing, he smelled incredible.
“Sure, we can do that,” he agreed, his voice low and rumbly in my ear. I allowed myself to relax into his touch for a moment before pulling away, conscious that we were still in my classroom where my fellow teachers could walk by the open doorway at any moment.
“I have everything I need, so we can go,” I said softly. Jagger dropped his hands and stepped back, and I turned to pick up my school bag and purse. I slipped both over my shoulder, and Jagger took my hand as he led me from the room. We walked down the hallway hand in hand, and I waved through the window of the front office as I spotted my principal standing by the reception desk. She did a double take as she caught sight of Jagger and returned my wave with a strained smile as her eyes darted between us.
“Is she going to be a problem, Angel?” Jagger asked grimly as we stepped outside the main entry doors. “She didn’t look thrilled to see me.”
“I don’t think it will be an issue,” I assured him. “She’s actually a really nice person, and very supportive of the teaching staff. You aren’t a parent or guardian of a student, so I’m not breaking any rules. There’s nothing in there about uncles,” I said with a chuckle, following him across the parking lot toward a blue Dodge Charger parked at the far end that I assumed was his.
“Is there any kind of a morals clause she can pull out of her ass, that you can’t date a biker or some shit?” he asked warily.
I stopped walking and he stopped and turned to look at me. “There is nothing in my contract that dictates who I can have a personal relationship with. As long as I’m not doing anything illegal, my behavior when I’m not at work isn’t subject to their approval,” I stated firmly, wondering how often in his life he’d been unfairly judged because of his club affiliation.
“Good, because I’m not giving you up without one helluva fight, Angel,” he told me as he opened the passenger door for me. I shot him a startled look at his declaration, and he gave me a gentle swat on my butt. “Get in the car, Molly,” he growled, and I slid in, settling in on the leather seat and buckling my seat belt as he shut the door and walked around to the driver’s side. I stared straight ahead as he got in and buckled himself in, unable to look at him. My mind was replaying his words and the smack on my backside, and it was all I could do not to lunge over the center console and kiss the daylights out of him.
“It’s not even five o’clock yet,” Jagger said, startling me out of musings. “Do you want to eat this early, or would you like to stop by the bar or check out the clubhouse for a while first?”
“Either one is fine with me. Do you have to work at the bar later tonight?”
“No, I usually only work during the day. Hawk is one of two assistant managers, and he’s handling the evening shift ‘til close tonight. But I do hang out there some evenings and get roped into working half the time,” he explained as he turned on the car and pulled out of the parking space he’d backed into.
“Well, then maybe we should go to the clubhouse then, so you don’t get roped into working tonight,” I suggested. “Am I dressed OK for it, or should I stop at my place and change?”
He turned his head and looked at me, running his gaze quickly down my body. I knew I looked good in my red blouse, black pencil skirt and black peep-toe pumps. I’d needed the boost of confidence the outfit gave me as I had gotten dressed this morning.
“Nah, as long as you’re comfortable in it. You look beautiful, by the way. I was so happy to find you that I forgot to tell you that.”
My smile widened and I thanked him before I settled more comfortably in my seat, glancing around at the car’s interior.
“I’m surprised you aren’t on your motorcycle today,” I told him.
“I stopped by my place and switched my bike for the cage earlier in case I was able to talk you into going out with me tonight. I figured you might not be dressed right for the bike.”
“A cage is a car, right?” I remembered reading that when I researched motorcycle clubs.
Jagger shot me a smile before turning his attention back to the road. “Yeah.
