Page 34 of Diesel's Perseverance
“Good.”
“Bikers are always happy when they can talk about motorcycles,” Addie said.
“Damn straight,” Diesel said. He was standing so close to her that Myla could smell his aftershave. Sandalwood. “Do you need help bringing out the platters?”
“You can bring this one,” Myla said, pointing to one filled with crackers, cheese, and cold cuts.
“This one’s a keeper,” Belle said.
Diesel winked at Myla, and she felt the heat rise in her cheeks. She wedged the placemats under her left arm, grabbed the bowl of potato salad, and walked out to the patio.
Hawk, Throttle, and Rags stood by the grill cooking hamburgers, hotdogs, and chicken breasts. Mounds of pulled pork and beef ribs sat on several long picnic tables. Teenagers lounged by the pool while young children had fun on the playground equipment and in an impressively large sandbox. Myla noticed two women sitting on wrought iron benches watching the younger kids. A tinge of sadness enveloped her while observing the interplay between parents and children, siblings, and friends. The lovelessness of her childhood was juxtaposed with the adoration of the children. Images of her seven-year-old self, hiding in the closet, arms looped around her knees, rocking back and forth as her parents fought viciously, skittered across her mind.
“I got us a spot at a table near the fountain.” Diesel’s voice yanked her from the past. “Do you want some more wine?”
“Yes, please. I’m drinking chardonnay. I’ll meet you there then.”
At the table were Throttle with his wife, Kimber, Smokey and Ashley, Animal and Olivia, and Rags. Rags seemed to be the only single guy at the barbecue. When she asked Diesel about it, he laughed and said he came for the food.
After a few hours, the kids seemed to have wound down, and many of the partygoers scooped up their half-asleep tykes and said their goodbyes. Myla helped the other women clear the tables and bring the food into the kitchen. Above Cara’s objections, she scraped off plates and stacked them in the dishwasher.
Diesel entered the kitchen and leaned against the counter, talking with Hawk and Throttle. Every once in a while, she’d catch him watching her, and a warm shiver spread over her skin. They came together because they were concerned for Freddy, yet this electric current of desire skipped between them. It had been there from the moment they met at the diner, even though they both fought it. Myla wasn’t sure how he felt, but she was mad at herself for being so attracted to him. She nibbled on the nail of her pinkie finger.Who am I kidding? I’ve been attracted to him ever since he sent letters back to me. Something clicked between us. I wonder now if he felt it too.
“Ready to go?” Diesel walked over and placed his hand lightly on her arm.
Nodding, she stepped away and turned to Cara. “Thanks for a great evening. I had a wonderful time.”
“You’re welcome, and thanks for all your help.”
Cara and Hawk walked their guests to the door, and Diesel held it open for Myla. She waved at the couple, then hurried to the SUV.
On the way back, they chatted about everything under the sun except the frisson of sexual tension between them.
When he pulled into the club’s parking lot and switched off the engine, she leaped out of the car and rushed toward the front door. Loud music seeped out from closed windows.
“You don’t want to go in there without me,” he said, coming up behind her.
“I forgot that I’m entering a lion’s den instead of a residence.”
Diesel laughed. “That about sums it up.” Taking her hand in his, he squeezed it gently and led the way inside.
The usual partying was going on: club girls giving head, bikers drinking, and a thick cloud of weed filling the room. Feeling claustrophobic, Myla tugged Diesel toward the stairway. He complied without any resistance, and in a few minutes, she opened the windows in his room and let in the crisp night air.
“Do you guys ever have a quiet night?” she asked as the breeze caressed her face.
“Yeah. Weeknights are quiet except for Thursdays.”
“I haven’t experienced that. It’s like living in a college dorm.” Myla pushed away from the windowsill.
“I guess it is, but the perks are a helluva lot better.”
She laughed, kicked off her sandals, and settled into a comfy chair, then bent down and rubbed the soles of her feet. “I couldn’t wait to do this.” When he didn’t reply, she glanced up and saw him staring at her breasts. She peeked down and realized that much of the swell of her bosom was in full view. She straightened up, and he averted his gaze.
A brief silence stretched between them until he cleared his throat and said, “I’m gonna go down and shoot a few games of pool. I’ll crash with Rags tonight.”
“Why don’t you come back up here later? It’s your room.”
“I don’t want to wake you.”
