Page 68 of Animal's Reformation
“One of your brother’s old lady is an architect?”That’s a first for me—an outlaw that is secure enough to have a woman with a career as his partner. Dad and his club preferred the ones who only knew two words—yes sir.
“Yeah—Baylee. The club’s planning a family grill when the weather warms up, so you can meet some of the old ladies.”
A trill of pleasure skipped through her at his words; he was planning on sticking around until the warm weather, at least. She leaned back against the headrest and looked out the window; dusty pink and indigo clouds stretched across the sky, and houses and streetlights blurred past as the car sped down the road.
“Where do you usually hang out?” he asked.
“My friends and I do a lot of dinner parties at each other’s place, or we go to My Brother’s Bar off of Decatur Street. They have trivia night, and taco Tuesdays, karaoke, and a bunch of other things going on there. It’s fun.”
“I’ve never been.”
She laughed. “It’s not a biker bar, that’s for sure.”
Animal chuckled. “Yeah—it doesn’t sound like my thing. I’m not into karaoke or shit like that.”
“Besides the clubhouse parties, what do you do for fun?”
“The clubhouse is basically where it’s at, you know. My buddies are there and other brothers from different chapters show up—it’s good times. If we go outside the club, Belly’s Blue is cool, but our go-to is Steelers. We have family night there at least once, sometimes twice, a month.”
“I figured Steelers was a biker bar. I always see a ton of Harleys in the lot when I go by,” Olivia said.
“Citizens go there too ’cause the food’s decent and the drinks are cheap.”
By the time they arrived at the restaurant, the sun had dipped behind the horizon, and the shadows of the trees and bushes melted away into the blackness of night. Animal led the way into the steakhouse, and Olivia’s stomach fluttered when he pressed his hand to the small of her back.
The restaurant was packed, and Olivia looked around as the hostess guided them to their table. Linen tablecloths and napkins, rich burgundy leather booths, cherry hardwood floors, lavish Karastan rugs, and two wood-burning fireplaces created an elegant ambiance. The aroma of wine and grilled meat wafted in the air, and her stomach gave an audible growl. A cacophony of cutlery on china, clinking glasses, and chatter filled the air.
“This is perfect,” Animal said as he pulled out a chair for her at the table for two.
“Thanks,” Olivia said, sitting down.
He sat down opposite her and took the menus the hostess handed him. Smiling at Olivia, he handed her one. She put it down on the table and looked through the window. Floodlights shone on evergreen and aspen trees, accenting the foliage, and in the distance, the jagged peaks soared into the night, the stars casting navy blue light upon their silhouettes.
After the waiter took their drink order—whiskey for him, a vodka martini for her—Olivia spread the burgundy linen napkin across her lap, took a deep breath, and raised her eyes to look at Animal. “I bet the view is spectacular in the daylight.”
“It is.” His gaze penetrated hers.
“Do you come here often?” she asked, looking away.
“Not really. Are you nervous?”
Her eyes snapped back to his. “No,” she replied too quickly.Real cool and casual.
“You don’t need to be. I don’t bite.” Animal chuckled. “Unless you want me to.” He winked at her and her insides melted.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” she replied, grateful that the waiter had arrived with their drinks.
“Do you have any questions about the menu?” the server asked.
Neither of them had looked at their menus yet.
“Give us a few minutes, okay?” Animal said as he picked up the tumbler of whiskey.
“Very good, sir.” The waiter turned away.
Animal leaned back against the chair. “Where’re you from?” he asked Olivia.
“San Diego.”
