Page 23 of Triple the Secrets
Esme snickered. “Karissa is my best friend and she and Razor have been circling each other for a bit. Karissa swears that they’re nothing more than fuck buddies, but Razor has made it pretty clear that he’s not happy with that arrangement. She’s driving him batty, and he’s trying to act like he doesn’t give a shit about her.”
Scarlett shook her head as she climbed into the passenger seat. “This is why I like being single. Way fewer headaches.”
Esme laughed. “Amen, sister. Though, I’d miss my man’s dick,” she added dreamily as she started up the SUV and headed out of the lot. They waved at Razor who was climbing back into the tow truck to follow them out.
Scarlett chuckled. “I got that impression from the phone call. Are all bikers like that?”
“Alphahole jerks that act like they can keep us in line with just the threat of taking their dicks away?” she asked drily. “Or the whole me-man-you-mine bullshit? Pretty much, with this crew. Fury is terrible, and sometimes I like to do shit he tries to tell me not to, just to piss him off and remind him that I am my own person.”
Scarlett frowned slightly. “He tells you what to do?” That didn’t sit well with her.
“Nothing major,” Esme clarified. “More like he tells me not to work late so I don’t tire myself out, or he tells me not to wear a certain outfit because it shows my ass off and it makes him all possessive and growly. They’re not controlling.”
“Just bossy,” Scarlett said with a nod of understanding, and relaxing slightly. That was one thing she would never allow to happen to her. When the assholes had taken her, they had controlled her every move, including what she ate and drank, and that was freedom she would never give up again.
“So bossy,” Esme sighed. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love it in bed, but out of it, we’ve butted heads over it. It’s been an adjustment, but he’s so good with Gabe that I can overlook a lot.”
“He brought Gabe and Ronin in once,” Scarlett recalled with a grin. “He was so out of his depth and he spent more time leaning against the wall glaring than anything. Until Ronin or Gabe asked him a question, and then it was like he turned into a whole other person.”
“Gabe isn’t his son biologically, and I was worried about them in the beginning,” Esme explained. “But the man is damn good with kids. Hell, all those boys are. Even some of the more grumpy ones.” She gave her a sly look.
Scarlett rolled her eyes. There was no point in denying she knew exactly who she was hinting at. “Rogue was good with the kids the first time I met him,” she agreed. “Even if he is a grumpy asshole.”
Esme chuckled. “He is that. Try working with him every day.”
“No thank you,” she said firmly. “I’d probably end up murdering him by the second hour.”
Esme laughed outright. “It’s almost happened a couple of times. The man certainly knows how to push buttons.”
On that Scarlett could agree. She didn’t bother mentioning Rogue’s stalking tendencies. She had a feeling that wouldn’t shock her, either.
They made small talk until they reached the compound and Esme drove up to the large garage just past the clubhouse. Or what she assumed was the clubhouse by the amount of bikes parked out front, and the number of men wearing leather cuts hanging out.
She had never been to a motorcycle club before, or a compound, but it really was fascinating. There were a number of out-buildings, a few that looked like businesses, including the garage that Esme parked in front of, and what looked like a bar that had quite a few people already in it.
She followed Esme inside and took a seat in the only chair in the room. “Razor should be here any second,” Esme told her.
“I really appreciate you helping me squeeze the car in,” Scarlett said with a grateful smile.
Before Esme could say anything, she saw Razor backing up towards one of the bays. Within minutes he had her car unloaded. “Damn, they’re slick,” she marvelled.
Esme chuckled. “Those boys certainly know what they’re doing. So, while we’re waiting, I say we chat. Maybe the other girls are around.”
“Whose car is in the bay?” Rogue’s deep voice barked as he stormed through the door that led into what she could see was the shop. He stopped abruptly when he saw her sitting there. “Ms. Roarke,” he said tightly.
“Mr. Rogue,” she returned, enjoying the way his eyes flared at the use of ‘mister’ in front of his name.
“Her car broke down and no other shop could take her,” Esme added helpfully. “Lucky thing I went in to return the boy’s books, wasn't it?” She gave Rogue a sly smile.
He glared at her, then turned back to Scarlett. “What’s wrong with it?”
“Now, if I knew that, why would I need you?” she asked mildly. She knew full well she was pushing him, but she couldn’t make herself stop. Her frustration with him was bubbling over.
His eyes flashed at her, even as Esme snickered. Scarlett didn’t look away, just held his gaze. “That mouth is going to get you in trouble one day, Ms. Roarke,” he warned her, voice low, dangerous.
She fought back a shudder. There was something underneath that tone that called to something deep inside her that she didn’t understand. Her belly quivered in response. She gave him a cool look and arched a brow at him. “I’m sure you’re right, but right now I’m afraid you’ll just have to deal with it.Mr. Rogue,” she added pointedly. Okay, so she was officially crazy, because she was poking the bear. What the hell was wrong with her?
His eyes somehow, impossibly, went hotter and he seemed to draw himself up to his full height. He looked imposing, dangerous. She should turn tail and run, but instead, she slowly crossed her legs and gave him a look that dared him to reply. Instead of saying anything to her, he turned and stormed back into the shop, letting the door slam behind him. She managed to not jump at the noise of it, but barely.
