Page 36 of Animal's Reformation
“You too.” Kennedy ran her hands up and down the biker’s muscular arms. “Are any other Insurgents here?”
Olivia cocked her head to the left and strained to hear his answer.
“Yeah. How do you like the remodel? My company did the renovations.”
“I love it! You did an awesome job.” Kennedy leaned into him and he crushed his mouth against hers.
Olivia picked up her drink and Ivy’s and turned away from the counter. “I’m going back to the table,” she said to her friend who, at that moment, was totally preoccupied with Smokey.
Grimacing with each aching step, Olivia’s gaze scanned the room full of people in search of Animal. She saw several men wearing their leather cuts with the three-piece Insurgents rocker on the back of them, and she felt a small, but real, stab of disappointment that Animal wasn’t among them. Sighing, she weaved through the crowd to her table and put the drinks on top of it.
“That took forever,” Harper said when Olivia sat down.
“It was so damn crowded at the bar,” she replied as she picked up her drink and took a sip.
“The waitress came by twice since you guys went to get drinks.” Harper looked around. “Where’s Kennedy?”
“She bumped into a friend. Who knows when she’ll be back,” Olivia replied.
“How much do I owe you?” Ivy asked.
“Don’t worry about it. You saved my ass big-time last week when I came in late after my morning class.”
Ivy nodded. “I had to do some fancy footwork for sure. Dr. Linney’s always so punctual, but it’s Dr. Canty who can be a Nazi about it.”
“And of course he was the one who was there. I’ve always had bad timing, especially with men.” Olivia lifted her glass and clinked it with Ivy’s and Harper’s.
Kennedy came back to the table with two drinks in her hands, and Olivia suspected one of them was from Smokey.
“Did you lose your friend already?” Olivia asked as she sat down.
“Smokey’s a great kisser, but he’s a major player. He’s looking for someone new tonight and so am I.” Kennedy brought her tumbler to her lips.
“How do you know him?” Olivia asked.
Her friend put her drink down and leaned over and whispered in her ear, “I met him at one of the Insurgents’ parties and we hit it off. We’ve gotten together a few times.”
Olivia jerked her head back. “Like on dates?” That was an anomaly with most outlaw bikers.
“No, like just hooking up—usually at the clubhouse, but he came to my apartment one time. He’s very good.” She hitched up her brows in an exaggerated fashion. “I meanv-e-r-ygood.”
She laughed and smacked Kennedy’s arm playfully. “You’re so bad. Just be careful—a lot of bikers don’t play so nice.”
“Smokey plays real nice in a very wicked way. Anyway, we’re just in it for the fun. It’s not like we call each other or go out to dinner or anything like that—we just hook up.”
As they all laughed and talked, Olivia couldn’t help but look around the bar for one particular face. Every time she scoped out the place and didn’t find who she was searching for, her stomach would clench slightly.
It was ridiculous, really. She hardly knew her neighbor, and when she’d gone over to his house to assess Lucy’s reading a few nights before, he hadn’t even stayed in the room. He was no where to be found during the hour she’d spent with the girl. When their time together had finished, Animal had simply led her to the door, thanked her, and that was that. Olivia wasn’t sure what she’d expected from that night, but it’d seemed that he wasn’t interested in getting to know her. She’d been there for a job—determining Lucy’s reading ability. She knew that going in, but what puzzled and irritated Olivia was why the hell she’d been bothered when he treated it that way.
He’s not interested, that’s all. Of course he looks at me—he’s a man … and a biker—a double whammy. It means nothing. Iknowthat.Her dad had a different woman every weekend, and her brother had embraced the biker lifestyle when he’d patched in, especially the partying with so many women.That’s the way they are. Anyway … I’d never get mixed up with him.That should’ve been the end of it but it wasn’t, because for reasons she couldn’t understand why, Olivia kept hoping Animal would walk into the tavern. Forcing herself to concentrate on the conversation at the table, she drew in a deep breath and joined in on it.
After several minutes passed, Harper glanced around. “Where’s the waitress?”
“I don’t know.” Olivia joined in on the search.
“It’s easier to just get your drinks at the bar,” Kennedy said.
“Says you,” Olivia replied.
