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  Chapter Three

  Anna couldn’t believe Landon had decided to come with her to the craft store. She was so used to being in the shop on her own. It wasn’t a large place to shop, but it had everything she needed.

  She couldn’t resist looking up and taking a quick peek at him every now and then.

  Biting her lip, she saw that he stood out like a sexy, hot biker should. His bald head was covered in tats and so were his arms, but she’d never once seen him at the parlor. She knew there had been an ink place open a few years ago, but the owner had moved or something, she wasn’t sure. Danny, the new owner was a big guy, amazing to work with and so talented. On his breaks, she’d caught him sketching so many different kinds of tattoos. He was an artist who transferred the talent onto the body.

  There had been so many times she’d been tempted to book herself an appointment, but she always chickened out. The thought of having a needle running across her flesh creeped her out, and well, she was afraid of needles. Only when they were meant for her, of course. Any other time, she didn’t have a problem.

  Landon ran his hands over some bolts of fabric, and she smiled as he lingered on a couple of different ones.

  “See anything you like?” she asked, coming to stand beside him.

  “I’ve been in this town for a long time and not once have I been inside here. You like this kind of stuff.”

  “Yes.”

  “I find this really intriguing.”

  “Why?”

  “I don’t know. I know chicks that cook and like to garden, but now I know you. I’m intrigued.”

  She didn’t like how he looked at her. Actually, she did like it, a little too much. “There’s no reason to be.”

  She lifted up one of the bolts and took it to the desk, asking the woman, Sarah, behind the counter to cut the measurement she wanted. While Sarah did that, she made her way back to the rows of fabrics and picked another she wanted. She did this three more times, before settling on the thread, and finally more needles.

  Once that was done, she waited for the cost. Sarah packed up her items, took the money, and handed her some change.

  She gave the woman a quick smile, and the woman looked nervously at Landon. Anna couldn’t blame her. After all, Landon had never stepped foot inside this place.

  “Have I bored you sufficiently yet?”

  “No, not even a little bit. What are you making?”

  “The friend I came with last night has agreed to let me clothe her. It comes with a cost, but I don’t mind.”

  “What’s the cost?”

  “Going out with her. I think she wants someone to party with, and seeing as I’m single, I fit the bill.”

  His brow rose.

  “I’m not trying to hit on you or anything by telling you I’m single. I’m not.” She felt her cheeks heating.

  “You don’t have to be embarrassed.”

  “I’m not looking for a relationship.”

  “Me neither. So, any of these dates going to land you at the Trojans’ clubhouse again?”

  “Probably.”

  “You really shouldn’t let her take you there.”

  They walked back to his truck, and she stopped. The fabric weighed a great deal, but she wasn’t going to let this drop.

  “Why not?”

  “Because, if you thought last night was a bad night, you don’t want to see it on a really good night.”

  “Are you threatening me?”

  “Threatening is a really ugly word.”

  “It is, but right now, your warning feels very much like that, and I don’t like it.”

  “You can like or hate it all you want. I’m not the prude.”

  She couldn’t help her mouth falling open. “You’re calling me a prude? You don’t even know me.”

  “You’re the one who looked all shocked by what you saw last night.”

  “I wasn’t shocked. Did you forget if I was so upset by the events of last night I wouldn’t have spent hours dancing with your friend? Maya, by the way, is awesome. She’s really sweet, and if you got some of your old ladies to hang with her, maybe she wouldn’t feel the need to act out like that.” She brushed past him.

  She was so … angry!

  Never in all of her life had she been called a prude. In fact, Eric told her he actually thought she was a little weird for her sexual appetite. He didn’t like how much she loved sex and was in fact adventurous in the bedroom. This didn’t extend to public exhibition, but it also didn’t mean she wasn’t into watching either.

  She’d never once caught him with porn on, whereas she, well, she did enjoy watching, just not to be watched. She wasn’t a prude, not by a long stretch, but she had limits to what she enjoyed.

  Anna didn’t get far before Landon grabbed her arm.

  “Okay, okay, sorry. I shouldn’t have judged you so quickly.”

  “You shouldn’t. You don’t know me.”

  “But I want to.”

  “Really?” she asked, shaking her head. “No. You just called me a prude. How can I even allow myself to get to know you?”

  “Because I didn’t call you a fucking bitch or a whore. I don’t think prude is all that offensive, really.” He shrugged. “Your call. Besides, we had a bargain, and you’re going to help me shop, remember.” He took the bag from her. “Wow, I had no idea fabric could weigh so much.”

  “You’d be surprised. Fine. You’re right. I overreacted.”

  What Landon didn’t know was Eric, before they broke up, had told her she was a fucking whore. Prude wasn’t so bad, but she wasn’t one of them, never had been, never would be.

  They made it to his truck. Landon put her package in the back, and she climbed into the passenger side, brushing her hair out of the way to buckle up her seatbelt.

  Again, people stopped and stared. She noticed a couple of women eye-fucking him.

  “Do you sleep with a lot of women in town?” she asked.

  “I’ve had my fair share.”

  “They want you.”

  “They’re not going to get me.” He starred up the engine, and they pulled out of the town. She didn’t have a problem with being seen with him.

  Being in Vale Valley, she didn’t see a reason to try to hold up any kind of image or reputation. She was new here and didn’t feel the need to follow in Eric’s footsteps of mingling within the community.

  Other than the work she did, she spent most of her time at home. Last night was her first night out.

  “Maya talked to you then? While dancing?”

  “Yes and no. She wanted to know if I was sent there by you, and I didn’t lie to her.”

  “What the fuck?”

  “I’m not going to lie. In my experience, lying gets you into a lot more trouble, believe me. It’s not worth it.”

  “I didn’t want you to fucking tell her. Damn it.”

  “What’s the big deal?”

  “Maya, she’s like a ticking time bomb at the moment. And you don’t have a clue who she really is.”

  “You’re really into the insults now, right. I told her you sent me over, and I wanted someone to dance with. I didn’t want to pick any random guy and would she be willing to dance. Not that big of a deal. You’re making it so, and it’s kind of irritating. After a couple of songs, we started talking. Again, no big deal. I don’t lie. Don’t even try to make me lie.”

  “So if Maya was to come around for a coffee, you’d have a drink with her, hang out?” he asked.

  “I don’t drink coffee, but yes, if she wanted to hang out. Sure.” She pulled out a piece of paper from her purse, writing her number down. “She was so wasted. I don’t know if she’d even remember me. Give her this and tell her to call me.”

  He took the number as he parked up outside of the supermarket.

  “I’m sorry for being an asshole.”

  “Not accepting it yet, but don’t worry, I don’t hold a grudge. Let’s go.” She climbed out of the truck.

  Ther
e was no reason for her to be angry with Landon. He clearly cared for Maya, and Anna accepted that. She was just some girl who happened to be at the bar. Without waiting for him, she walked on ahead and grabbed a shopping cart.

  She had this feeling for some strange reason, Landon was about to become part of her life whether she wanted it or not.

  ****

  A few days later Landon still couldn’t get the sexy, curvy brunette out of his head. He liked her tits as well, and it wasn’t hard to imagine them. She’d been stuck inside his skull, and he couldn’t figure out a reason why. Their time together had been a mixed bag of emotions. He’d insulted her by calling her a prude, which he still didn’t understand. What woman got offended by being called a prude? Then of course he called her out on telling Maya about him for no good reason. She didn’t cower away though. In fact, she handed him the shit right back, and then still hung out with him, and he had fun shopping.

  Another new experience for him.

  One he couldn’t get out of his head.

  When he returned to the club, Maya was up, nursing a headache, but she did remember Anna.

  He’d handed the number over. What Anna and Maya didn’t know was that he also took her number as well. It was stored in his phone for when he wanted to call her.

  Much to his surprise, he’d been wanting to call her a few times, and hadn’t yet. He didn’t know what the fuck was wrong with him.

  Never had a woman made him feel this way.

  “Hey, sucker,” Zoe said, walking over to him.

  “Not a nice greeting but one I’ll take.”

  She had a glass of iced tea with her, and he took it, downing it in one go. She took the glass, taking a seat on the wall beside his bike.

  “To what do I owe the little stalking thing?” he asked.

  “I’m not stalking you.”

  “Could have fooled me. You’re still here, and you only watch Raoul fix his bike.” He’d helped to bring Zoe and Raoul together. They were still going strong and had a little boy together. So far, no sign of a second child for them though.

  “I was in town today.”

  “And?”

  “Well, girls like to gossip.”

  “I know.”

  “And I heard a few little tales.”

  “You trying to play the popular girl gossip kind of card is hilarious.”

  “They talked about you being at the craft shop with a woman. I was curious.”

  “My every move is being watched,” he said, dropping the wrench after he finished tightening a bolt on the bike. “Don’t you have more important things to be working on?”

  “Hell, yeah, but I just couldn’t help but wonder. I’m one of your best friends. I know you don’t tell me the shit Maya gets up to, but come on. Give a girl a break here. I know you think you’re the kind of guy to just party and stuff, but please, tell me, do you have a crush?”

  “We’re not kids or teenagers, or even college peeps anymore.”

  Zoe chuckled. “I know, but come on, between us. We’ll always have this together. You can’t deny me that.”

  “I couldn’t deny you anything, darling. She’s a woman I got talking to at the club Friday night. Saw her Saturday. We went shopping together. I got her number for Maya, nothing new to tell.”

  He grabbed a clean cloth and wiped away some of the excess grease from his hands. Zoe still hadn’t moved, and he knew she wanted more of the juicy gossip.

  “What happened to you?”

  “Landon, come on. This is way more than that. It’s Wednesday. You’re not the kind of guy to go a day without some kind of sex off a woman.”

  “You make me sound like an alien.”

  “You know what I mean. Stop being a dick. You’ve not been with anyone, so this must mean, this woman, she has to mean something, right?”

  Landon finished wiping down his bike before putting his tools away, moving to sit beside Zoe.

  “Do you realize we haven’t done this in a while?”

  “I know. It feels like another lifetime. Between the club and John, and just everything, we haven’t had time to catch up. To be real with each other.”

  “I’ve seen this chick twice, Zoe. I don’t know what it is. Other women right now, I’m not interested. It’s all the same, and I guess I’m looking for something a little different.”

  “Then why not take her out to dinner?” she asked.

  “That shit still works?”

  Zoe laughed. “Hanging out with you guys, it doesn’t feel real half of the time. It doesn’t work, but it’s a conversation starter.”

  “What if I just want sex?”

  “Then maybe charm her and it will lead somewhere. I don’t know. You just got to do what you do best, Landon. Take a chance. You may enjoy it. Also, I think you need to listen to Duke and Holly about Maya. You need a break sometime. She’s not your responsibility.”

  “I took it though, and I’m not going to react to some bad behavior, believe me.”

  Zoe patted his leg and got up.

  He watched her leave, pulling out his cell phone and hovering over Anna’s number. She was the only woman outside of the old ladies whose number he had.

  Without giving himself a chance to second-guess his actions, he pressed her number.

  It rang several times before she finally picked it up.

  “Hello,” she said.

  “Hey, sewing girl,” he said. “It’s me.”

  “There’s a lot of me’s in the world, but I’m going to have a guess? Sewing girl, and there’s only one guy I’ve told that to while living here. Hello, Landon.”

  He smiled. “I’m the only guy who knows?”

  “Pretty much. I haven’t told any of my bosses or colleagues. You’re officially the only guy I’ve ever told I like to sew. What can I do for you? Wait, if you have my number, did you give it to Maya?”

  “Yes, she has it. Has she called?”

  “Nope. Not heard a word from her.”

  “I want to take you out,” he said, not wanting to think of Maya right now.

  No, he’d spent a great deal of time worrying about Maya’s needs, and to be frank, he was tired of being yelled at, screamed at, hit, and having things thrown at him. He didn’t need the fucking stress.

  “You want to go out? Like on a date?”

  “Yes.”

  “Okay. I’d like that.”

  “I’m coming to get you now, be ready.”

  “Now? It’s three in the afternoon.”

  “I know. I’m not taking you anywhere fancy. We’re going to the diner. I’ll be there in a couple of minutes.”

  “Wait, you want to meet up at the diner?”

  “No, I’m coming to get you. Be ready.” He hung up his cell, rushed his tool kit inside, and without speaking a word to anyone, was back on his bike and out of the clubhouse.

  He needed some time alone to get shit together in his head. There wasn’t much of an open road between the clubhouse and Anna’s apartment block. By the time he arrived, she was already outside waiting.

  She laughed, staring at the bike.

  “You can’t be serious.”

  She wore pants and a long shirt. He was used to women dressing up for him, but Anna, she had her own style, and he liked that she wasn’t trying to impress him, far from it.

  “You ever been on the back of a bike?”

  “Nope. Not ever.”

  “I thought you weren’t a prude.”

  “Not being on a bike doesn’t make me a prude,” she said, laughing. “I’ve never been on a bike.”

  “We’re only heading into town so I don’t even need to worry you with a helmet. Come on, trust me, Anna. I promise you, you’re going to love it.”

  “Yeah, a lot of guys say that.”

  He smirked at her innuendo. “Climb on, princess, I will keep you safe.”

  She walked toward the bike and climbed on behind him.

  “You’re going to have to hold me.” He grabbed he
r hands putting them around his waist. “Exactly like this.”

  “Awesome.” Her breath fanned across his neck, and he fucking liked it. He loved having her hold onto him and feeling her legs spread wide at his back. It was turning him on just to feel her.

  “Hold on tight.”

  Her arms tightened around him, and he took off out of the parking lot, and headed the short distance into town. He kept at a steady speed, not wanting to scare her, nor put her life in danger. He meant what he said about her being taken care of with him. He wouldn’t do anything to hurt her.

  For a brief moment, he had to wonder about the other guys who’d staked their claim on their women. He’d watched many men fall, and the women, to him always seemed to have the power over them. Relationships had always been a little scary for him.

  Whoa, what the fuck? This is a bit of fun. Not some fuck-fest.

  Get over yourself.

  Pushing thoughts of a relationship and being controlled by a woman out of his fucking mind, he focused on the chance of getting between Anna’s thighs.

  She was a woman and he was a man, and as far as he was concerned, he was going to have his fill of her, and then move on. No woman had ever kept his attention for long, and it wouldn’t start now.

  Chapter Four

  Surprise was the understatement of the year for Anna when she got Landon’s phone call. She climbed off the bike and waited for Landon outside the diner. It was already busy, but her date didn’t mind at all. He took her hand, taking the lead, and entered the diner.

  The scents of the food were a little overwhelming.

  Some of them were really off-putting to Anna. Fortunately, Landon picked a table near to the back. The scents were still there but not overpowering.

  “Have you been here before?” he asked.

  “No.”

  “You don’t eat out.”

  “Not if I can avoid it.”

  “You ever been on a date?”

  She chuckled. “Yes, I’ve dated. You don’t have to worry. I know what to do. This is a date?”

  “Yes.”

  “You have a funny way of asking a girl on a date. This was more like a command.”

  “You wanted some food.”