Page 1 of Motown
Prologue
I Didn’t Do That
Motown
Itold my brothers not to wake me unless it was life and death.Shooter and I didn’t make it back to the compound until morning, and we headed straight to our rooms to sleep.I should have slept like a log, but I’ve been tormented by the same dream I’ve been having for the last couple of months.
It’s a good dream up until the point where I wake up and find that I’m alone, and the petite, dark-haired siren is not lying next to me.It’s been two months since I met Tessa.I don’t even know her last name.I knew the second I saw her that she didn’t belong in a biker bar.She wasn’t wearing a bit of makeup.Her eyes were the darkest brown, almost black, and she was the most alluring woman in the room.
She was hesitant to approach the bar.I was sitting on a barstool, curious to see what she’d do next.Instead of asking for a drink, she asked for the manager.Ruth owns the place, and I know her well.Ruth is in her late forties and tough as nails.She’s been around bikers all her life.Ruth lives free and plays hard.She works harder and doesn’t take any shit.The men who come to Suds Up are mainly regulars, and they like and respect Ruth.They don’t cause problems, and if anyone comes in and tries to stir up trouble, any one of us would step in to help.Not that Ruth can’t take care of herself, because she has a gun and knows how to use it.First, she’d fire off a warning shot.Then she’d get serious.Mind you, she’s never had to fire a second shot.
Tessa bit her lower lip while she waited for Ruth to come out from the back room.Several times, she looked toward the exit, clearly contemplating whether to leave.I was surprised that she stuck it out, although I saw her jaw drop when she saw Ruth, who is an Amazon compared to Tessa.Ruth comes across as a mean bitch, but underneath, she’s good right down to her bones.
“What can I do for ya?”Ruth asked once the bartender pointed Tessa out.“If you’re looking for a job, I’m not hiring, and even if I were, they’d eat you alive in here.You wouldn’t last a day.”
Tessa blinked, stunned at first, then she finally found words.“I don’t need a job.I’m the owner of the new gift shop a few doors down.”
“Saw the window.Looks cute.But what’s that got to do with me?”Ruth replied, getting to the point.
“They were supposed to connect my phone today, but they changed it to tomorrow, and my cell died.”She licked her lips, noting Ruth’s impatience.“Long story short, my car won’t start, and I need to call a tow truck.Can I use your phone?Please.”Ruth simply stared.“I’m trying not to be a bother.”
“Girl, you never leave without a working cell phone.This town has lots of good people, but you never can tell, and a slip of a thing like you wouldn’t stand a chance.”Ruth shook her head and saw me sitting close.“Motown,” she called.“Time to do your good deed for the day.”
I thought Tessa was going to faint straight away when I stood and took a step closer.Her head moves back to take in my height.She’s at least a foot shorter than me.
“What can I do for you?”I asked, looking directly into her eyes, which were wide with surprise.
Ruth answered on her behalf.“Her car won’t start.”
“That’s okay.I don’t want to bother you,” Tessa began.
“Motown’s a mechanic.He knows his shit,” Ruth said, then took Tessa aside.Ruth thought she was being quiet, but I heard it all.“He’s a good guy.No one better in this place.He can get your car started, and you can get home safe.Tomorrow, in the light of day, I’ll come by and see your shop.We can do a properwelcome to the neighborhoodvisit.”
After Tessa agreed, I walked back to her car and got it started.I followed her all the way home to make sure she got there safe.I should have left her at the door.I should have been a good man and let her walk inside and then left.
I didn’t do that.
Chapter1
It’s Complicated
Motown
Ihaven’t been back to Suds Up since the night I met my fairy princess.That’s how I think of Tessa.She’s a good-natured, loving woman who truly believes that even the worst human has good in them sometimes.I swear that when I look at her, I expect to see fairy dust sparkling around her.Tessa is untainted by the ugliness I’ve seen.Maybe that’s why I was drawn to her from the moment I saw her.Opposites attract; she represents good, and God knows, I’m not a good man.
She was wearing a worn pair of jeans, frayed at the ends, with pink stitching on the pockets, a flowery pink shirt, and ballet-style slip-on shoes, which made her look even more like a fragile doll.Tessa was uncomfortable in the bar, and you could see she was hesitant to meet Ruth.But even Ruth couldn’t maintain her overbearing, curt nature around Tessa.
Tessa has been back to the bar since then, but only to visit Ruth and never for very long.Bars aren’t her scene.I know this because I’ve been keeping tabs on her.I admit, I realize the insanity of it all.I made myself a promise to never pull a good woman into the life I’ve chosen to lead.I’ve seen too many marriages fall apart even without the added strain of having a man who wants to ride and be free at a moment’s notice.I’m that kind of man, and Tessa is a woman who puts down roots, makes friends, and turns them into family.Her magic even made Ruth, the toughest woman I know, break down and visit her for tea and cookies.
It started with doing a good deed for a nice lady.That fateful night, I followed her to her house, after getting her car going, to make sure she made it back safely to her place.I walked Tessa to the door, and that’s where I should have left her.But in her soft, sweet voice, she asked if I’d like a cup of coffee before I headed home.I made the mistake of walking into her house.
“Babe, this room belongs in a magazine,” I told her.The overstuffed sofa and chair were a cream white, with light pink throw pillows on them.The walls were a muted silver-blue, and the curtains were a sheer, embroidered cream.It was totally Tessa.
“Is that a compliment?Because your face says otherwise,” she replied with a smile.I could imagine my stunned expression.It wasn’t that the room wasn’t beautiful; it was just that I didn’t belong in it.“Have a seat.The coffee will just be a minute,” she said, walking to her kitchen.
I couldn’t bring myself to sit on her fancy sofa, so I followed her into the kitchen.It was small, with just enough space for her to move around the sink and cupboards, but she had a table for two by the window.I sat there and prayed the chair could hold my weight.
“Thanks for helping me tonight,” she said, breaking the silence.“I’ve been working so hard to get the shop open, I’ve been a little scattered lately.I hope this isn’t too far out of your way.”
