Salem Charm: Book 3 of Colson Brothers Series (13 page)

“One condition.” I stopped in front of a shoe store just to taunt him.

He looked over my shoulder then back at me, “Anything, just don’t go shoe shopping.”

“It’s my turn tonight.”

He looked confused, beautifully befuddled. I think I just fell in love with him. “Your turn for what?”

I looked down and slowly back up.

“Oh, come on Barbara! I don’t want to talk about this here.”

“I wasn’t looking to talk.” I turned around. “I like those red heels in the window.”

He growled and took my arm to turn me around, “Fine. Whatever you want. We’re leaving.”

“Promise?”

“Now look woman. This is important, I want to make this right for you.”

“You don’t get to have all the fun. It’s not fair.”

“What are you talking about?? Your’e the one having all the fun if I’m not mistaken!”

People are starting to look again. It made me smile. “Oh, so it’s okay if you get to touch me, but I can’t touch you?”

“BARBARA!!” He snapped a little too loud. Even I jumped a little.

“That’s the deal. New shoes, or you let me play.” I crossed my arms and tossed my hip out.

He narrowed his eyes, “We’re leaving. Right now.” He took me by the arm and started for the exit.

I pulled free but kept walking with him. He decided to take my hand, which is much more difficult for me to break free of.

It was a fast and furious walk back to the hotel room. My inner bitch is drumming her fingers on the table. This isn’t over. I do not take kindly to being dragged about like a suitcase on wheels.

Once inside the room he all but threw the bags against the wall and started for me.

I backed up and used the table as a shield. “Problem Mr. Colson?”

He stopped and crossed his arms. “What the fuck were you doing back there?”

“Messing with you.” I can’t keep the smile from the corners of my mouth.

“Why?”

“Because you’re being stubborn. Why can’t I touch you?” The right words aren’t quite there. This is new to me, but fun!!

He set his jaw before saying, “I told you how I wanted this to go. You deserve to be treated like the lady you are. I will NOT do this to you.”

“Do what to me?”

He let out a frustrated breath. “What you’re asking for should come later. After the… I don’t know!! You shouldn’t have to do that!!”

“I never said I felt like I had to. I said I wanted to. I don’t even know how to do what I want to do to you, but you don’t get to dictate how this whole thing goes. It is
my
virginity after all. You might be the big bad biker, but I will not be controlled.”

“I’m not trying to control you! And that’s just it! You don’t know!”

“So you’re afraid I’ll do it wrong?”

He grabbed the back of the chair and flung it so hard it shattered against the kitchen bar. “FUCK!!!!” He spun around and left the suite putting a hole in the wall along the way.

“Well, that didn’t go as planned.” I sat in one of the non-shattered chairs and took off my boots. I wonder if he’ll come back. Maybe I pushed him too far. I was trying to tell him it was okay, and that I wanted to… well, I suppose it doesn’t matter now.

Maybe it’s best he leaves. I’d hate to uproot his life and drop him in the middle of my bullshit.

The idea of him not coming back broke my heart into a thousand pieces. I put my head on the table and cried harder than I’ve ever cried in my entire life. I thought about losing Lou, my father, and possibly Myles. I mean seriously, I’m an adult now. Myles really should move on.

When the tear well dried up I went to the bathroom to take a shower. I want to wash everything off. Everything from the last week. Especially the last twenty minutes. I scrubbed and scrubbed, but it’s not on the outside, it’s on the inside.

I gave up and sat on the tile floor. I told myself I was going to shave my legs, but never picked up the razor. The water feels good. Warm. Soothing. I managed to get up and wash my face and condition my hair.

I dried off and found the hotel robe to hide under. I knew I wouldn’t sleep. Not without Lou. Hell, if he doesn’t come back I may never sleep again. I’m such an idiot.

I poured two fingers of whiskey and went to sit on the floor by the window in the main part of the suite. The sun is setting, but it’s not quite down enough for the city lights to set in. I leaned my head against the wall and contemplated giving Paulie the eight million dollars.

It goes against every fiber of my being to give up like this, but I’m afraid the fight may be tapped out of me. I’m not a fighter. I don’t know what I am.

I heard the door open but didn’t have the guts to look. If I look it will be Myles and my disappointment will show on my face. That would be rude.

I felt him though. I know it’s not Myles. I know Lou’s presence without seeing him. Still, I kept my eyes on the horizon.

He sat next to me. “I’m sorry if I scared you. I shouldn’t have demolished the chair like that.”

“Fuck the stupid chair.” I surprised myself with my vulgar snap. I think I’ve said that word one other time in my life, maybe twice. I still doesn’t taste right on my tongue.

“Can you look at me please?” He begged.

“No.” I wiped the corner of my eye whose tears betrayed my relief that he’s back.

“I didn’t mean to scare you. I would never lay a hand on you. You know that right?”

Now I had to look at him, “I know that!! I wasn’t scared of you! I was scared you wouldn’t come back.”

“I yelled at you, smashed a chair to smithereens, and you’re mad because you thought I wouldn’t come back?”

“Not mad. Scared. Much worse.” I swirled my drink and took a big sip.

“I would never leave you like that. I stepped out to cool off. I had it in my head how I wanted it to be. I want to make this right for you. I know how to seduce a woman, I don’t know how to make her first time perfect. I want everything to be perfect for you.” He explained sounding frustrated.

“Lou, if my first time is with you, it will be perfect. I just want to play first. Get to know each other. You get to touch me. I want the same in return.”

He closed his eyes for a second then looked back at me, “Okay. I hadn’t thought of it like that. What do you want to do?”

“Nothing now, you’ve destroyed the mood like you destroyed that chair.” I stood up setting my now empty glass on the table and ruffing his hair. “Are you still taking me to dinner?”

“Are you going to wear those boots?” He turned and stood to pick up the remnants of the chair off the floor.

“Do you want me to?”

“No.”

“Then I will not wear the boots.” I stepped over to help him set the chunks of wood out of the way.

When we finished making our pile he cupped my face and set his forehead on mine. “I’m not good at this. I’ve never had a
real
relationship, not one I took seriously, and I’ve never been with a virgin.”

“My virginity does not define me. I need you to listen to me. Don’t just force things your way because you think that’s what’s best for me. I know what’s best for me. I’ve done a damn good job so far of doing what’s best for me.” I assured him.

He lowered his chin and kissed me. “I’m sorry. I wanted so bad to make it all perfect for you.”

“Then stop trying to control everything.” I touched his beard that’s getting longer and softer now. “Are you growing this in?”

“It was down to here.” He put his hand to the base of his neck, “But I got caught in a fire, lost the beard and the hair.”

“A fire??”

“Yeah, warehouse fire. It’s a long story.” His thumbs are on my cheeks. His eyes are stealing mine. “I love you Barbara. I love you so much.” He insisted.

“I love you too.” The words came to me so naturally I surprised myself. This word tasted much better on my tongue.

He lowered and kissed me slow and sweet for a few minutes. Then he lifted up and asked, “We okay?”

I nodded, “Probably better.”

“I feel like I’m five.” I laughed and leaned into him.

“You can’t come to Vegas and not do the jousting show at least once.”

I looked up and will never forget the love of my life, this big bad biker, wearing a king’s crown made of paper. He almost looks royal, and he’s all smiles. Not very royal behavior. “You’re loving this!” I accused happily.

He looked back down and tucked me under his arm. He put his finger to his lips, “Shh. If the club finds out they’ll beat my ass.”

I laughed, “I seriously doubt that.”

“You don’t know Gunner.” He laughed and kissed my forehead. “Alright, here we go. Don’t forget we’re the black knight, he almost always wins.”

Lou didn’t hoot and cheer like the rest of the audience, but he did clap and look to me often. I think he wants to make sure I’m having fun.

Truth be told, I
am
having fun! The knights are all so handsome with their long hair and fancy outfits. The tricks they perform in unison are very entertaining. The fake fighting could use some work, but hey, it’s a kid’s show. The red knight won tonight, but Lou didn’t seem to care.

Afterwards we walked down the strip taking in the cool night air.

Lou felt me shiver when a breeze blew down the street and took his jacket off to help me into it. “This reminds me. Why did you take my cut with you into the bar that morning in Arizona?”

“I was cold. It was closer than my jacket. Why?” Uh oh. Here it comes.

“There’s only two reasons a woman puts on a cut. One, he’s picking her up off the side of the road and she needs protection for riding. And two, if she’s his old lady.” Red had already explained this, but it was nice to hear it from him.

I hugged myself in the warmth of the heavy leather. “Why do you call your wives ‘old ladies’? It sounds horribly degrading.”

“Not at all. When a man refers to a woman as his old lady that means he wants to grow old with her.” He clarified.

“Well, as I have no intention of growing old gracefully, I would appreciate you not calling me that.”

“It’s a term of endearment. It means wife. I like you in my cut. You’re the first to wear it besides myself.”

“I am??”

“Yes my dear, I’ve told you, I don’t date. It’s been three years since my last half ass girlfriend, and she didn’t hang around very long. She couldn’t handle my being gone all the time.” He explained. “The few so-called girlfriends I’ve had knew better than to try to wear my cut.”

“If things settle down on my end, and you go back to work. Where does that leave me?” I changed the subject not wanting to talk about his ex-girlfriends any longer.

“I’ll find work that doesn’t take me away from home. Speaking of home. Since you can’t go back to yours, do you want to come to mine? We should leave Vegas tomorrow.”

“Where do you live?”

“Just outside Seattle in a town called Newcastle.”

“Is it as cold and rainy as I’ve heard?”

“Probably, but now you have me and all your new leather riding gear to keep you warm.” He hugged me to him.

Once back in our room I poured a glass of wine and sat by the window. The dinner and show took my mind off things for a while, but now it’s getting crowded again inside my head. I have this strong need to put all of this behind me. To forget about Paulie and this money.

Lou sat down on the floor beside me with a beer, “You okay?.”

I shrugged, “I feel guilty. I mean, my father, Mr. Whitmore, was never there for me unless it meant writing a check, but maybe I should send for his remains.” I sipped my whiskey grateful for the strong flavor and Lou’s presence to help me work through these thoughts.

“We have another problem.” He started but let it hang waiting for me to catch up.

I looked over to him and turned so I could see him better. “Okay, I’m ready.” I took a deep breath and another sip. “Tell me.”

“As my old lady I’m going to protect you with every resource I have. That means involving my family, the club to be exact. We’re talking about a full scale mob on club war. That hasn’t happened in over ten years.”

I sighed, “I can’t just hand him over money that was not his to begin with. I can’t help that my father botched a deal for him, and deal gone bad does not entitle him to compensation in this case.”

“This could get very ugly over your pride.” He argued.

“It’s not pride, it’s smart. If I let him bully me out of the eight million, then that opens me up to be bullied out of everything that’s left of my father’s empire. I don’t care how Mr. Whitmore acquired his money, it’s mine now. I’ll clean my own house where it needs to be cleaned. I’ll make the retributions where it’s needed, but I won’t just hand over that kind of money because he feels slighted.”

“I understand your point, please tell me you heard what I said.” He insisted.

“I heard you, and I get it. Lou, if you don’t want the club involved, then don’t get them involved. I can hire a security team, even some thugs if I have to. I won’t hold it against you if you want to step away from this.”

“Not an option. You’re my old lady, and you’ll be my wife. I’m just trying to talk some sense into you.”

“I don’t want to ruin a perfectly good evening. Can we fight about this tomorrow?”

His eyes darted over mine, “No. I’m afraid you’re about to get really pissed off at me.”

“Why?”

“I can’t let you do this. Not just because you could start a war, but because it’s too dangerous. I won’t lose you my love. I’ll take your anger over your death any day.” He stood up.

“Where are you going?”

“To call Myles and have him take over your father’s company in your place. I don’t want you anywhere near those illegal businesses. When Myles sorts things out you can have it all back. By then we should have Paulie taken care of.”

“You can’t do that. It’s my company, he can’t make a move without my consent.”

“I know, that’s why you’re going to hire him as CEO and give him the right to do whatever he wants.”

“You can’t force me to sign anything.”

“If you don’t give Myles CEO rights, you’re going to get him killed.”

I looked at him, “Are you blackmailing me??”

“Yes. Turn over the company, or put Myles at more risk than he already is. I won’t back down on this, and I’m sure he’ll agree. I’m sorry kitten, but you need to do what I tell you. Please.” He’s a little too calm.