Salem Charm: Book 3 of Colson Brothers Series (6 page)

I gasped a little at his words. “I… don’t have time.”

“I find that hard to believe Miss Whitmore.” He accused.

“I went to an all girls school until college. Once there I spent my time studying. Having a body guard hanging over your shoulder all the time doesn’t help.” I confessed.

“Are you telling me you’ve never had a boyfriend??” He looks confused now.

“Yes, that is precisely what I am telling you.”

“But you’ve been kissed at a college party or something, right?”

I laughed again, “No. I didn’t get invited to parties like those.”

He almost looks like he’s in pain as he looks at my mouth and runs his thumb over my lower lip. “Never been kissed?”

I shook my head afraid to speak.

He closed his eyes and dropped his forehead to mine. “If only I was a better man.”

I gripped his leather vest because he’d leaned far enough into me that it knocked me a little off balance. “I never said you weren’t a good man.” I argued.

“Don’t say that. I want to be your first kiss so bad it makes me a horrible man to want to soil such perfection and innocence.”

“Why would you want me when there are much prettier and more experienced women inside?”

He stood upright still holding my chin, “You are a rare jewel kitten. The man that gets all your firsts is one lucky man. I hope he’s smart enough to keep them only to himself.”

“I… am once again struck speechless.”

He smiled, “We should go in before I forget myself.”

This time when he took my hand I didn’t mind. Strange. “Where to now Mr. Colson?”

“There’s an apartment available around back. I’ll grab my bags and we’ll go get some sleep. We should head out before noon tomorrow. I need some sleep.”

“You didn’t get enough sleep in the RV?” I asked curious since it seemed he was sleeping just fine to me.

“No. The only time I can sleep right is if I’m crashing at a clubhouse. Otherwise I sleep with one eye open.”

“You seem to be sleeping pretty well when you’re sprawled out all over me in the mornings.” I accused.

“Looks can be deceiving.” He let go of my hand to gather the bags from the ground beside the picnic table.

“Don’t you worry about someone taking your things?”

“Not here. There are no thieves here, unless there’s a practical joke involved.”

I followed him around the side of the building and through a back door. He held the door open and flipped on a light switch. I was expecting a crappy cheap hotel type room, but this was very nice.

“Wow.”

“Yeah, Red and Salina have been on a mission to clean up around here. This room used to be a storage area, now it’s a second apartment.”

“It’s pretty without being too feminine. I like it.” I opened the bag he’d given me for my new/old clothes after he set it on the bed.

He set the rest of the bags on the floor and fell onto his stomach across the bed. “Don’t leave the room.”

“And if I do?”

“You might get shot. Don’t wander around here alone at night, it’s dangerous for a stranger.”

“They would kill me?”

“Not on purpose.” He turned his head to look up at me. “But the snipers won’t recognize you and the guys won’t either. They’ll hit on you, probably think you’re one of the hang arounds.”

“I don’t know what that means.”

“It means stay in the room.” He grabbed a pillow and shoved it under his head.

“You’re hogging the entire bed.”

“Mm.” And just like that, he was sound asleep.

I went through my nightly routine in a much better mood. The attached bathroom is larger than the one in the RV, but not by much. When I finished my nightly routine I went to stand over the bed looking at Lou.

He’s long and lean, with strong broad shoulders and a fairly narrow waist. I walked around and worked his boots off. I doubt I can get his jacket off without waking him, so I curled up near him with a quilt I’d found on the back of an antique chair and fell soundly asleep with my back to him.

3

I woke to the sound of someone knocking on the door, “Room service!!” It sounds like Red.

I jumped up and opened the door, “Hi. Good morning.” I fumbled half awake.

She smiled handing me a wicker basket. “Sorry for the rude awakening, but Lou asked for a wake-up call.”

“Why didn’t he set an alarm?” I asked not sure if I’m supposed to invite her in, or go out in the hall. Standing here in the doorway is uncomfortable.

She seemed to sense my tension and thumbed over her shoulder, “Coffee is behind the bar. Come help yourself after you wake the sleeping bear.” She teased and started to retreat.

“Okay, I’ll be right there. Thank you Red.”

She waved and disappeared around the corner.

I closed the door and set the basket on the dresser. “Are you awake?”

He groaned and rolled over, “I am now.”

“I’m going to go have coffee with Red while you wake up.”

“Fine.” He put his arm over his face like he might just go back to sleep instead.

As I’m in no hurry to spend the day in a vehicle with him again, I quickly grabbed his jacket, he must have taken if off during the night, because it’s right here by the door and mine is on the chair across the room. I left in a hurry to find coffee and Red. I have a coffee addiction that must be addressed before I can function properly for the day. More than that, I’d like a minute to talk to Red before we leave.

Red saw me and looked over. “Have a seat, I’ll pour. Cream and sugar?” She asked motioning to a table with a basket of muffins sitting in the center.

“Black, please. Did you do all this? It’s so much fun to look around in here. A feast for the eyes if you will.” I looked around the bar pulling the leather of Lou’s over-sized around me to keep warm. It’s a bit chilly in here and I’m glad I decided to steal his jacket as it covers more of my legs than my own.

“Salina and I did the decorating, Prospects did the labor.”

I took the hot coffee. “Thank you.”

She looked at me funny as she sat back with her coffee in hand.

“Is something wrong?”

“Why are you wearing that?” She nodded to Lou’s jacket.

I looked down, “It was by the door and I felt the chill in the hall when I opened the door. Why? Will he be mad?”

“I doubt it since you don’t know, but usually a man’s cut is only worn by himself or his old lady. On the rare occasion he might use it to protect an unexpected passenger on their bike, but that’s it. By wearing that you’re saying you’re his old lady.”

I started to stand, “I’ll go change.”

She laughed, “Don’t worry about it. I just thought you should know for future reference. It’s not going to be a problem this once.” She assured me and put her hand on my arm to keep me from getting up.

“I’ll go take it off. I don’t want to give anyone the wrong impression.”

“No, don’t do that. Leave it on. After seeing the way he was holding your hand last night, I can’t wait to see his face with his cut on your back.” She laughed.

I sat back in my chair, “This is such a different world than the one I’m used to.”

She laughed and we proceeded to chat for a while getting to know each other. When I got to the part about Georgia and my concerns about her bruises she flew from her seat and disappeared through the door.

Before I could finish my coffee and go for another cup Red and two large men appeared in front of me.

The one with long greying hair and a patch that reads ‘President’ addressed me first. “How many bruises?”

“I didn’t count, just a few on her hips and arms.” I think my stomach is in my throat.

“Fuck!! That son of a bitch!!” He punched the air as he spun around angrily. “He knows I don’t tolerate hurting women. Debt or no debt, he’s going to answer for this.”

“I don’t think he means to.” I tried to backpedal.

He spun on me, “I don’t give a fuck if he meant to or not. My men do not hurt women. Period.”

Lou stepped up and pulled me by his jacket back and behind him. “Easy bro. What’s going on?”

“Turner is hurting Georgia?” Slider snapped at Lou.

“Not on purpose bro. You know him as well as I do, he’s not… .”

“Fuck that. He knows the rules. Get out of here so I can bring him back in. If he finds out you two opened your traps he’s going to want to kill you.”

“Seriously bro… he doesn’t… .”

“FUCK THAT!!” Slider yelled really loud this time making me jump about two feet straight up in the air, then left us standing there looking at the door that slammed behind him.

I looked up at Lou, “I’m so sorry.”

He pulled me in for a hug holding my head against his chest. “It’s okay kitten. Slider is just going to teach Turner a little lesson, that’s all. Come on, let’s get ready to go.”

I started crying uncontrollably.

“Whoa.” He hugged me tighter. “Easy baby. Easy. It’s okay. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“I feel like a shit! Georgia is going to hate me!”

He laughed and cupped my face to look into my eyes, “You did good kid. Relax. We’re a family, we look out for each other. If Turner is going to take an old lady then she falls under our protection too. You didn’t do anything I wasn’t already thinking about doing. Okay?” He tried to reassure me.

I nodded, “I still feel bad.”

“And I still feel like kissing you.” He smacked my rear end. “Come on woman, let’s go to Vegas.”

“Las Vegas?”

“The one and only.” He took my hand and pulled me towards the hall down to the apartment.

“Did you just smack me on the tush again?? I thought I told you that was not to happen again Mr. Colson.” I scolded him, but my heart wasn’t in it.

“You have a very spank-able ass Miss Whitmore.” He replied.

“Language Lou.” I scolded him.

He held the door for me. “Nag.”

“I am not getting on that death trap.” I stepped back crossing my arms in defiance.

He turned and grabbed me around the waist setting me on the rear seat of the large burgundy and chrome machine. “Yes, you are. We’re back on my turf now. We ride.” He insisted.

I’m sitting funny because the bike is resting on it’s kickstand. My foot doesn’t quite reach the ground so this balancing act is a little tricky. I ride horses Mr. Colson, not motorcycles.”

He set a helmet on my head and fastened the chin strap. He gripped my jaw gently and looked into my eyes, “As long as I’m in charge, you do what I say. I’m going to get on in front of you. Put your arms around me and hold on tight.”

“I’m going to die.”

He rolled his eyes and smirked, “Not on my watch baby.”

Baby?? Did he just call me baby?? My brain locked up at his words so all I could do is watch as he climbed on in front of me, righted the bike, then started the loud thundering engine.

He leaned back as he walked the large motorcycle back out of the parking space. “Put your arms around me Barbie!” He reminded me like I was a child who needed to be told one too many times to do something mundane.

I did as he instructed and hid my face in his back. God help me.

“Oh yeah, that’s better. Tighter!” He yelled as he hit the gas and pulled onto the road.

I squeezed as hard as I could. I couldn’t open my eyes until the first stop. Two women in the car next to us were looking Lou and the bike over, deliberately ignoring me.

My inner bitch reared her ugly head and sat straight up with me. I leaned forward into his ear. “Looks like you have a couple admirers.”

He looked over and nodded, “Chicks loooove motorcycles baby!” He said it loud enough they could hear.

Oh good Lord, he’s called me ‘baby’ again.

A couple turns later Lou’s hand patted and rubbed my leg like he was trying to comfort me.

I tried to summon the strength to look up, but we’re going so fast! It took some focus and determination not to wimp out before I finally found the courage to brave the wind and look up from his intimidating patch on the back of his jacket. Okay. I can do this.

“Relax! You need to trust me!” He yelled over his shoulder as he slowed for another turn.

I managed to lift my head and look up over his shoulder. Oh no. The freeway!! No!! I went back into hiding behind his back.

He laughed and drove us on two balanced wheels into fast moving traffic. Two wheels!! Horse have four legs to stay balanced. I’m going to die.

The first stop was Flagstaff. He pulled into a Harley dealership and helped me off the bike. “What are we doing here?”

“You need proper riding gear. Jeans and a flimsy leather jacket aren’t enough, you need real leather.” He informed me as we crossed the parking lot.

“Are you planning on crashing??”

He laughed, “No baby, you never plan on crashing, but you should always be prepared. The extra padding will keep you warm as we head further north. It’s a lot cooler up there than down here in the desert.” He opened the door for me.

I stepped inside and felt completely out of place. I turned and looked up at Lou, “Can’t we just rent a car? I’ll pay for it.”

He rolled his eyes, “No baby, we can’t. Come on, Julie over here will set you up.”