Page 21 of Riding Hard

Inhaling a deep breath through my nose, I hold it for a moment, then let it out through my mouth before I open my eyes again. I need to forget about that hot biker. Forget I ever saw him, that he even exists. I need to focus on my job, on making money and keeping myself safe from Victor.

Stripping off my dirty clothes, I shuffle toward the bathroom before flipping the water on and turning the nozzle to hot. When the water is finally hot, I step inside and let it pummel my skin.

The water massages my sore muscles, and I welcome the sensation. I’m not sure how long I stand in the shower, letting the hot spray wash over my body, but when the water begins to turn cold, I shift it off and grab a towel, drying myself off before I step out and move toward the room.

Shrugging on an oversized T-shirt and a pair of panties, I slip between the sheets and turn over onto my side, facing the door. I have to face the door. I need to know if someone tries to open said door. I’m so exhausted. I don’t even know if I would hear anyone tonight, though… I’m that tired.

Each passing moment, my eyelids grow heavier and heavier until I slip away into a sleepy slumber.

I’m not sure how long my sleepy slumber lasts, but a noise or something causes my eyes to pop open. My heart races against my chest, threatening to explode from behind my ribs and land on the bed beside me as I lie and wait for the noise to happen again.

It doesn’t.

Pushing up to sitting, I lean against the headboard, suddenly wide awake. I don’t even feel tired any longer. I could run a mile right now, if I were a runner, that is. Which I’m not, so I never actually would. But if I were, I could right now.

My heart is pumping, my breathing comes out in short pants as I try to keep myself calm. I’m not sure how well it works, but I try. I stay that way, trying to stay calm, my back against the headboard as I stare at the door and wait for whatever monster lurks on the other side to push it open.

It doesn’t.

I stay where I am until I see the sun spilling into the room through the blinds. It’s morning. I’m going to be exhausted today as I clean the strip club, but I’m alive, and Victor doesn’t have me, so it’s a good day no matter what.

And that is what I keep telling myself as I shower and dress, then continue to repeat it as I drive toward the club, find a parking spot, and shift the car into Park. Turning off the engine, I unfold from the front seat just as I see Elodie’s car pull up beside mine.

I guess I’m cleaning the strip club with her today. I don’t know her well. Both of my jobs have been with Alex, but I’m excited to get to know her better. She smiles as she makes her way toward me.

“Alex is currently bitching at me because I let him have an absolute horror of a job, at least for him, but I wanted to get to know you better,” she announces with a smirk playing on her lips.

“And the bonus is that Alex has a horror of a job,” I state.

She laughs softly. “Isn’t it always? Trust me, he would be laughing if the roles were reversed, and he has.”

That’s something I have no doubt of. I can see it clearly. Alex loves a good laugh, and if it involves someone being slightly uncomfortable, all the better. She reaches for the door, unlocking it before she tugs it open. Her gaze finds mine as she stands at the open doorway. I can tell she has something on her mind.

“Tell me about you and the biker,” she blurts out.

My feet stop moving. My spine straightens. I wasn’t expecting her to ask me about him. Alex must have said something.

CHAPTER

EIGHTEEN

LOOT

Like the absolute fucking creep I am, I watch her as she walks out of the strip club. Alex came back to the clubhouse last night, and I cornered him before he could sneak away with Fantasy. I don’t ask what they do, and thankfully, they don’t tell, but they’re both into one another, so whatever floats their boats is good with me.

Alex was forthcoming with the information, well, with what I asked. There was more he wasn’t telling me, but I didn’t bother asking. I want her to tell me, after I’ve fucked her… twice.

Very specific, I know.

So now, I’m sitting on my bike, hidden from her view. Juliette Rowland, here from somewhere in SoCal, by way of Vegas. I haven’t had a chance to look her up, check out her background, but there is a story there. Not only did Alex keep some shit from me about her, but she is hiding a hell of a lot more than anyone probably knows, even Alex.

Juliette walks over to her car, waving at Elodie as she climbs into her own. I watch as Elodie leaves. Juliette opens her car door, but she doesn’t sink down into the seat. Her gaze searches the surrounding area, and when her eyes stop exactly where I’m hiding, I wonder if she can see me.

I know she can’t, but the way she looks, the way she watches has me questioning my abilities. The way she searches, the way her eyes scan, she’s looking for someone, and it’s not me.

My senses tingle. She’s a little too aware. She’s not just making sure her surroundings are safe. She’s looking for danger, anticipating someone actually watching her. She’s looking over her shoulder for a specific reason.

Even if she senses me watching her, she doesn’t show it. She sits down in the Dirty Little Secrets Cleaning Service car and starts the engine. I watch as she pulls out of the parking lot, and a few moments later, I do the same to follow at a distance where she won’t notice me.