Chapter Eighteen
1441 Words
Harper.
He wasn’t in bed when I finally woke up. My hand reached for him instinctively only to find the bed empty. The sheets he had been laying on cold.
Equal measures of relief and apprehension flooded me. As nice as it was to have a moment to myself. Especially when I knew no one could get me here surrounded by burly bikers I didn’t want to be alone either.
Swinging my legs from the bed I stretched , making my back crack in the process.
I had no idea how long I had been asleep, but the room was dimmer so most of the afternoon at least. And I had obviously needed it.
I probably would have fallen back to sleep if he had been next to me when I had woken up. I would have happily curled back into his side and closed my eyes. But he wasn’t anywhere to be seen in the room. And I wouldn’t be able to relax without him. Slipping my feet back into the cheap flip flops I padded along the corridor until I got to his door. Pausing with my hand raised.
What was I doing?
Before I could stop myself I knocked twice hard, waiting with baited breath for him to answer and put me at ease.
“He’s not there.”
The voice was feminine , and I whirled in shock. “Oh.”
“I guess you are the new girl?” A blonde eyebrow arched as she surveyed me. Making me feel small and self conscious. “The stray Jett met at the bar?”
Stray? The way she said it was like Jett had a habit of bringing home women in need. Had he done this before? Was this some kind of angle to get me into bed.
“Anyway he’s gone out with one of the girls. Left a few hours ago.” She shrugged , totally ignoring the horror that was no doubt etched on my face.
He had left?
With another woman?
After what had just happened in my room? My heart sank.
“I’m Sarah by the way.”
“Harper.” I mumbled it , my eyes on my feet.
“Hungry Harper? Diablo thought you might be and sent me up to invite you down to join us.”
I shook my head. There was no way I could face them, Diablo , Blane and Bat not to mention all the other guys. Not when they knew Jett had kissed me and then left with
Someone else. It was to embarrassing. “I’m
Not hungry.” My stomach rumbled loudly , calling me out on my lie. “I’m going to go back to my room.”
There was a moment of silence. “Don’t be silly Harper , just …” She shrugged. “You can’t take what Jett does to heart. And you especially shouldn’t let him put you off your food. He isn’t the only man here. He might have warned them all off you but at least half of them would try if you wanted some non Jett related fun.” She giggled.
“I’m not even sure I want Jett related fun.” I said it sullenly but I fell into step with her.
She shot me a look as if I was crazy but didn’t say a word.
“Glad you can join us Harper.” Bat patted the stool next to his with a wide grin on his face. “Come sit down.” His eyes skimmed over my face. “You look better, did you sleep well?”
“I needed it, but I feel like I’ve been really anti social, I’m not normally this rude.” I hopped onto the stool. “Is there anything I can do to help?” My eyes tracked Diablo as he moved around the kitchen with practised easy movements. His red hair glinting in the over head lights.
“Nope I have it all under control.” He didn’t even turn. “You just relax and eat. I bet Jett didn’t even let you finish your lunch did he?”
Heat flooded my cheeks. How had he known?
“I….”
“Stop teasing the poor girl.” Bat was chuckling. “I hope he’s being a gentleman Harper.”
Mutely I nodded. “Perfect gentleman, I just fell asleep. He wasn’t even creepy or anything.” Or even in the room when I woke up I added silently.
“He will be back soon.” His eyes were shining as if he knew exactly what I was thinking. And it made me blush harder. ”But until then we will keep you company.”
”and fed.” Diablo turned with a flourish, pushing a steaming plate towards me. ”Eat.”
I don’t know what I was expecting but it wasn’t what was sat there smelling deliciously of garlic and butter.
“You cooked salmon?” I couldn’t help but speak with my mouth full. He hadn’t just served me salmon he had served me delicious salmon. “I didn’t expect you…”
Diablo and Bat speared me with their eyes and I clamped my mouth shut. I had been about to say I didn’t expect them to eat like this , Hell I was surprised they could even cook. But that was rude. And these men had invited me into their home.
“She’s surprised you can cook.” Bat took a massive bite of his own fish. “This is really good by the way.”
“It is,” I admitted . “And I am sorry I just didn’t expect …”
“Believe me Diablo cooking is a rare treat , don’t get used to it” I watched as Bat finished the last of his fish and moved onto to the tiny potatoes that were swimming in herby smelling butter. “Are you going to finish that.” His fork hovered in thin air.
“Don’t you dare.” I pushed his fork away with my own . “I love fish , I will fight you.”
Diablos laugh boomed through the room. “What’s going on here?”
I couldn’t help it, I jumped. How had I not realised he was standing right there in the door way, his arms crossed across his chest as he surveyed the scene in front of him.
“Nah nothing much just your girl threatening Bat.”
“Threatening Bat?” He stalked into the room , heading straight in my direction and my shaking fingers dropped the fork with a loud clatter.
“Oh he deserved it, you ok there Harper? You suddenly look really pale?” Diablos eyes flicked from my face and then to the blonde who had just wandered in. Her hair tousled. Like she had just taken off a helmet.
Like she had just been on the back of Jetts bike.
Like she had just been f*****g his brains out.
“Yeah I just …” I pushed the plate away. No longer hungry. “I’m sorry I just don’t feel very good, if it’s ok I will go to my room and rest?”
Diablo averted his eyes but he nodded. Bat to my side gave a shake of his head , I was pretty sure I heard him mutter “kids.” Under his breath.
“Are you ok Harper?” Jetts hands were gentle, his eyes soft. “I’ll grab a plate and come and keep you company.”
Scraping the chair back I didn’t flinch. “I would rather be alone.” My eyes flicked to the girl in her stupid short shorts and then back to his face. “I wouldn’t want to drag you away when you are obviously busy”
He blinked rapidly in surprise , a small line appearing between his eyebrows but I didn’t pause.
Bat and Diablos laughter followed me as I took the stairs two at a time.
“Damn Jett, have you f****d it up with your mate already?”
- Writer
