Select Love: A BWWM Romance (Blazin' Love Book 8) Read online

  She sighs. “This may not be the environment for her.”

  “What does that mean?”

  "Don't bark at me. You asked, and I answered. She just doesn't seem like one of us." She states, and Ace nods.

  “That statement sounds unlike us. We have all types of people that join our club.”

  “Yes, but they join because they get it and want to be here.” Ace says. “But like I said, she probably just needs a night of sleep. Tomorrow will be a new day.”

  My chin drops to my chest as I let their words settle into my mind. Ace is the easiest person in the world to get along with, so his assessment holds more weight than I'd like to admit.

  "Goodnight," I call out.

  “’Night, Stone.” Rings out across the room as I make my way out of the community center. I stop by the kitchen and grab a plate for Payton and head across the street to the motel.

  I insert the key in the door. The scent of her fills the air. I scan the room. Mexican food sits near a laptop on the desk. Clothes lying across the extra bed.

  “Payton.”

  "Hey, I thought I lost you." She smiles comfortably, walking out of the bathroom in a silk robe with her hair wrapped up in a towel. She's rubbing her hands together and across her arms. "How'd it go?”

  “What the fuck happened tonight?” I rub my tired eyes and look over at her.

  "Wait, pump your brakes. You won't talk to me like that." She sits in the turned-down bed and tosses the covers across her lap.

  “Payton answer the question. What did you say to Diesel, Ace, and Ginger?”

  “Nothing.” Her voice rises to match mine.

  "You obviously said something to them." I drop the food from the community center beside her unfinished dinner. I turn to speak to her, but the anger bubbling in me tells me I need to leave. "I'll be back."

  “Where are you going? You just got here.”

  "Payton, I need some air. You can act clueless, but you're my guest, and those people are my family. Whatever you said or did isn't cool." I turn and open the door. "I'll be back. Clear the other bed before I return. Goodnight."

  The door slammed behind Cade. I waited for a few hours and finally went to sleep. I heard him return after three in the morning. I closed my eyes when he stopped by my bed. Then he disappeared into the bathroom.

  This morning I roll over, hoping to talk with him, but his bed is empty. I look at the clock.

  “I’m late.”

  I rush to dress, Ginger said something about the church last night. I close the room door and see the bikes parked outside. I walk to the street and see the trailer across the street.

  I follow the crowd and the aroma of food. I enter the doors, and the scene is like something out of a movie. Kids run around playing, and people are sitting around tables covered in hand-embroidered linens.

  The room is decorated with the colors of fall and paper turkeys. The far wall has food from one end to the other—turkey, ham, dressing, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and the desserts are endless. The Steel Ryders are behind the table, loading the plates with all the Thanksgiving fixings.

  “Happy Thanksgiving!” The greeter says.

  “Happy Thanksgiving to you too.”

  I see Cade. He's at the front of the line handling the paper goods. He's smiling at the women and children and shaking hands with the men. Right now, he's hunkered down talking to a little girl with pigtails. He pulls at one, and she giggles. I smile, waiting for my turn.

  The closer I get, the larger the knot in my stomach feels. Once the man ahead of me steps aside, I hear, "Happy Thanksgiving."

  “Same to you,” I respond.

  “Thank you for joining us.” The smile on his face is a direct contrast to the void in his eyes.

  “Can we talk?” I step closer.

  “Later. Grab a plate and enjoy yourself.”

  He starts talking with the family behind me. I look up at him, surprised. But he doesn't even acknowledge me. I spin around and head for the front door.

  “Payton.” Diesel stops me at the door. He places a brotherly hand on my shoulder. “Sit down and enjoy the festivities. I’ll get you a plate. Just give Stone some time to cool down.”

  I glance back at Cade, and his glare burns through me.

  "I'll be right back." Diesel leaves and returns. He offers a plate of food, and I glance up. "What did I say yesterday that brought this on?"

  His hands go to his hips as his eyes swing between Cade and me. Diesel is a massive man, and his appeal rival my man's. I'm sure he keeps the ladies running in tight circles. But at this moment, I've stomped him.

  "Payton, Stone is the leader over these men." His hand opens to the massive crowd. "He takes his responsibilities for them and their wives seriously. And we feel the same way about him. As his lady, you will receive a certain amount of deference because of the love and respect we have for him."

  I stare at the plate, still confused. I think through the conversations. Each one short and direct. "So, when you called me Goldie…"

  "He wanted his Goldie to be cared for, and that's what we intended to do."

  "Except, I acted like a brat."

  “I’d probably go for bitch. But I’m trying to clean up my vocabulary. Women don’t really like the use of that word.”

  I look up and see the humor in his eyes. We laugh. I stand. “I apologize. It wasn’t my intent to come off as a bitch. I’ll make sure to apologize to Ginger and Ace too.”

  “All is forgiven.”

  “Thank you.”

  He hugs my shoulders, and I feel a little better. "What about Cade?"

  I've known the man for less than a week. But I like the man I see, and I believe we could have something exceptional.

  "He's a stubborn one. He's used to arguing with bikes, not blonds. Give him a while to cool down. This is new to you, and I'm sure we blindsided you. We're a rowdy, tough bunch, but you're family here. I'll come back and check on you later. Let me get back to my station."

  Diesel runs off. No wonder Cade was pissed last night. I take my plate and locate a seat. This is my first Thanksgiving without my family and my guys. I push my emotions to the corners of my mind and try to summon my best poker face. The chances that I fucked up this hand are too real to digest. And somehow, I've managed to piss off the first man I can see myself with for longer than a night. I pick at the food, it's delicious, but I feel nauseous.

  I lean into my elbow, and people watch. The room is filled with laughter and people talking. There's an area with board games along the back wall. I see a little girl alone and head over.

  "Would you like to play?" I ask, sitting in the seat across from her.

  “I don’t know how.”

  “I think we can figure it out together.”

  Her pretty brown eyes look at the Connect Four and nod.

  The day passes until all the families head home. I had to watch Cade share his smiles, his laughs, and his time with everyone else. And that pill is a tough one to swallow. I consider calling for a car to take me home, but what lesson would I get from running back home.

  I learned from Ginger that they set up these family dinners in nine more towns over the next few days, and I plan to stick around. I guess it's time for the brat to be less bratty.

  The Steel Ryders start the process of cleaning up. I volunteer to take care of the gaming area. I return all the pieces back where they belong and load everything into several large boxes.

  “Where should I put these?” I ask an older woman cleaning tables.

  “Out in the truck. We’ll need them for the next stop.”

  “Thanks,” I head to the door and circle back. “My name is Payton.”

  “Chick.”

  I chuckle. “Sounds like a story comes with that one.”

  "We had a social, and I burned the daggum chicken. I've been stuck with it ever since."

  We laugh. “I’ll be sure not to follow in your footsteps.”

  “Smart lady. Make s
ure you snag one of these here men to keep an eye on you. Don’t want a pretty little thing like you stumbling into trouble.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” She winks and returns to her task. I head for the door and see Diesel. “Would you mind keeping an eye on me? I’m heading to the truck.”

  “I’ll take it.”

  “I got it. Nobody likes a pampered brat. I can handle a few boxes.”

  He chuckles. "You're a fast learner, Gold—I mean Payton."

  "Goldie's fine, Diesel."

  "Goldie, it is."

  “I’ll be right back.” I head outside. The sky is clear, and the moon is bright. I hear Christmas music in the distance. I sing my way to the truck. I glance back and Diesel waves. I sit the box on the edge and climb inside.

  “Wow, this truck is packed.” I see tables and chairs. There’s a box marked for linens. “This all is really impressive.”

  “What’s impressive?”

  I drop the box, and the game pieces rattle.

  “You have to stop doing that.” I retrieve the box and place it in the first available spot. I sit on the edge to climb down when Cade wraps his hands around my waist and lowers me to the ground.

  We stand in silence. I want to kiss him and apologize for the way I've behaved. But I don't know him well enough to gauge whether this is the right time. So, like a good girl, I hide behind my well-rehearsed poker face.

  “Thank you.”

  "You're welcome."

  I walk away, feeling his eyes on me. I'll talk to him when we're alone. I make a few more trips, and on each exit from the truck, Cade is waiting. I want to talk with him but feel at odds with where to begin. I place the final box inside and prepare to head back to the motel.

  I hug Ginger once she says I’m done for the night. I prepare to cross the street and return to the motel when I hear the rumble of Cade’s bike behind me.

  “Goldie, ride with me.”

  Chapter 10

  Payton climbs on my bike, and we ride off into the night. We head to the next town, and I pull up to the hotel. I park my bike and guide her inside.

  Minutes later, we're in a suite. I drop the keys on the desk and fall back on the bed. I pat the mattress beside me, and she crawls closer, dropping her head on my shoulder.

  "I apologize." She looks up at me, and I kiss her. "I didn't realize it…actually, there's no excuse."

  “I apologize, as well. I should have communicated better. Hanging in my lair alone with bikes doesn’t make me the most social man.”

  "Why did you invite me? I mean, I don't mind, but this is an odd first date."

  I laugh. “I guess it is. I spend most of my time in my garage. But these events are important to me. It’s what I dreamed of doing as a kid.”

  She rolls over onto her stomach. “To have family days?”

  "To have all the turkeys and pies and cakes I could eat. As a kid, we never had a real Thanksgiving. Now, thanks to my shop and motorcycle mounts, I can host these."

  “That’s amazing. I’m proud of you. Would you consider letting us sponsor or contribute?”

  "Yeah, sure." This woman is doing something to me, and I want to make things right between us. "Wait until you see Santa's Station over Christmas. It's twice the size of our Turkey Trot, and this year I want to bring in real snow."

  "Oh, I'm in, and I'm sure I can find a few elves to help too."

  “I’m sure we can address the specifics when we return to Austin.”

  “This must mean I pass the first date.”

  “You passed the first date, first fight, and the first holiday. You are a stellar student, raising to the top of the class. But I have a little extra credit for you.”

  “Extra credit?” Payton pushes her hair away from her face. “Is that why you brought me to this fancy place?”

  "That and to tell you something." I sit back on the bed, ready to level with her. "I know your father."

  I sit up on the bed with my legs crossed in front of Cade.

  "You heard part of my story at the shop. I grew up poor. My father bounced from job to job, and my mother cleaned places like this." He looks around the room. "We found a way to get by until Mom started using drugs, and Dad started stealing to support her habit."

  I cradle his head and lower it to my lap.

  "The cycle continued until Dad landed in prison, and she ODed on a bad batch of drugs."

  “How old were you?” My heart breaks for him.

  “Thirteen or fourteen. Then I picked up the family business and started stealing cars.”

  I can’t imagine losing my parents at such a young age. “That’s why you went to juvie.”

  He nods. “Yes, but before I went, I broke into one of your father’s dealerships.”

  “You did what?” I stop raking my hands through his hair.

  "It was one of his earlier used car places. I broke in, trying to find a car to give to the chop shop. But your father helped me."

  “He did?”

  "Well, first, he called the police, then he told me if I loved cars so much, he'd help me after I served my time.”

  “That sounds like Daddy.”

  “I thought he was shittin’ me. But I walked into his place after I was released. He told me to come back after I completed my GED. I did it and went back. He told me to come back after I finished trade school. I did it and went back. Then he invested in my shop.”

  “The shop you have now?”

  "Yes. He was my first investor. He helped me connect with my wholesalers for parts, and he still refers business after all of these years."

  "And that's why Blake recognized you, and you know Donovan."

  “Yes, I would see them from time to time. Your father saved my life. He kept challenging me. I’m sure I would have been in prison with my dad if it wasn’t for your father.”

  I sit back and think about his words. “Dad is still pushing and challenging. He recently decided to promote one of us to GM.”

  “He’s finally retiring. He’s been talking about it for a while.”

  "I thought I wanted the position, but while playing Connect Four at the community center, it made me think about what I really want. I'm good at selling cars, but what if something better is out there waiting for me."

  “Like what?”

  “I don’t know. Blake manages to stay with the family business and work his ranch. And I have my position with the guys. Maybe I’ll start working with more clients. But I know that it’s not the GM position.”

  "Take your time and explore. I started with cars and found my passion for motorcycles. From there, my shop took off."

  The weight of walking in and talking with my parents Monday lifts from my shoulders. “You think I can hang out at the shop and work on a bike of my own.”

  “You’d want to do that?”

  “I think it would be cool to drive my own Harley next year.”

  "And you don't mind dating a guy with a record?" He sits up, and we face each other.

  “Let’s be specific. No, I don’t mind dating you. Actually, I find the thought of hanging in a lair with my very own dark knight sexy and appealing.”

  “Thank you for trespassing on my property.” He reaches for the hem of my shirt and tosses it aside.

  "And, thank you for beating me at poker." I remove his shirt, and it lands next to mine. "But don't get used to it. You got lucky."

  "Lucky?" He crawls up my body, and I pull him closer. "I have a deck of cards outside."

  We kiss, and Cade somehow manages to open my eyes and heart to love and looking outside of myself. I really enjoyed helping at the church today. I wonder what they would think about starting a charity arm of Platinum Prestige.

  “What are we playing for? I think you owe me a trip to Dubai.”

  “I’d rather play for your heart.”

  Our clothes land in a perfect pile in record time. Neither of us rushes or goes outside for the cards. Then Cade jumps up and returns with his belt.

  �
�What’s that?”

  “Some of that freaky shit you asked about.”

  "Cade…" I look at the belt in his hand, and I'm not sure.

  “All I’m asking is for you to trust me with your body. I guarantee you’ll like what I have in mind.”

  I nod.

  He retrieves his t-shirt and begins ripping it. “Close your eyes.”

  My eyes slide closed, and the fabric is gently wrapped around my head. Nothing but blackness surrounds me. I feel his hands caress the curves of my body. I mentally follow the erotic sensation. Up my thighs, my torso, my arms.

  "Hands up, Goldie.

  I obey, feeling the gentle tug of the leather looped around my wrists above my head. My back arches in the new position, causing my breasts to thrust forward. Cade samples both, then the weight of his body leaves the bed.

  "Cade…" I turn my head side to side, listening for movement as a shiver of anticipation pulses through my body.

  A cold sensation circles my nipple, followed by his tongue.

  “Is that ice?”

  "Shh…." He retraces his steps swirling his tongue around, taking my breast in his mouth. The sting of his tight hold makes me cry out as I twist and turn beneath him.

  He jumps to the other and moves further down my body until the heat of his breath hovers over the source of my agony.

  “Cade, please…” The moisture of his tongue strokes my clit, I try to squeeze my thighs closed.

  "Open wider love." His breath whispers over my lips, and I obey.

  A finger slips inside and another, the stroking taps against my g-spot. The sensation competes with his mouth, feasting on my breasts. I cry out in utter ecstasy. The suckling, the stroking, the kissing. Every touch feels like a promise, and I beg for more. Instinct makes me wrap my legs around his waist.

  “You are an impatient one.” He drives deep inside me.

  “Fuck…” I groan.

  “You’re going to make these people put us out.”

  “Then stop teasing me…”

  Tonight holds the right amount of intimacy and the right amount of raw need. The right amount of trash talk and the right about of love.

  I can’t love him.

  Not after less than a week. He rocks us until the headboard slams against the wall, and our cries can be heard to the heavens and back.