The Dangerous Curves Series

Chapter 43

Two weeks later

“So, let me get this straight. For the past two weeks, you and Jax have been doing everything except having s*x?” Ellen’s blue eyes were wide and confused. “Why? Why are you waiting?”

Sarah took a sip of her coffee. “Because we don’t have the time to do things properly.”

Ellen choked on her own coffee. “What the hell, Sarah? Is he planning to f**k you for three hours straight or something?” She thought about the large, scowling guy who had told Richard to not cause any trouble in his place, and she shivered. Jax had scared her quite a bit with his hard eyes and badass vibe, but he’d intrigued her, too, with that amazing face and body. And now Sarah was telling her that Jax was actually tender and careful with her.

Shit. Maybe I picked the wrong sexy biker to hit on that night, huh?

Sarah flushed. “No, that’s not it. It’s more – after.”

“After what?”

Sarah sighed and pushed her hair off her face. “Right now, I’m seeing him three times a week or so. Some evenings, some afternoons, depending on Mom’s schedule.”

“Yeah. And?”

“And we usually get maybe two hours together before one or both of us have to go.”

“Go where?”

“Well, my final deadline is looming, so I’m up to my eyeballs in stuff for Lemongrass. Mom’s taking extra shifts to save up for the winter heating bills, so I need to be around when she’s not there, and somewhere in between all of this, I do have to sleep. And Jax is spending tons of time at Curves lately. I don’t think he’s had a free night in almost two weeks.”

“He’s the boss. Can’t he take time off?”

“Sure, but something’s going on, and it’s giving him some problems.”

“Like what?”

Sarah bit her lip. “I’m not totally sure… something about some motorcycle club members coming into Curves stoned out of their minds and causing trouble. Starting fights, being too aggressive with women, wrecking stuff in the back rooms.”

“This is like something off TV,” Ellen said. “But can’t Jax and his bouncers just kick the guys out? Or just refuse them entrance in the first place?”

“Yeah, that’s what he’s trying to do, but it means talking to the gang leader. Something about showing proper respect.”

“He’s talking to the MC President!” Ellen said. When she saw Sarah’s quizzical look, she explained, “I watch ‘Sons of Anarchy’.”

“Yeah, OK. I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Sarah shook her head. “Anyway, the leader is dealing with his guys his way, and he’s promised Jax no more trouble. But Jax wants to be there in the evenings, just to keep an eye on things. I get the sense that he’s not at all relaxed about the arrangement, so he’s there by eight o’clock most nights, which means I don’t see him.”

“I get it.” Ellen studied her friend. “You guys don’t want to just screw and head out the door. Right?”

“Uh-huh.” Sarah flushed more. “He wants to do this right, he says, and that means having hours and hours together. I think he wants to be able to make sure that I’m OK after my first time.”

“God,” Ellen said. “He’s not how he looks, huh?”

“I know.” Sarah grinned. “He’s kind of a surprise.”

“Yeah, I know a guy who surprises me, too.” Ellen sighed. “But unfortunately, I don’t always get nice surprises from him.”

“Yeah, I wanted to ask, how's it going with Richard?”

“Oh, fine.” She shrugged. “He’s been behaving himself beautifully since he found me at Curves with Mac.”

“So – everything’s OK?” Sarah checked.

“Sure is.” Ellen flashed her a smile, and Sarah once again admired her friend’s all-American good looks. Ellen was blonde and blue-eyed, short and slim, with large breasts and perfect white teeth. High school head cheerleader, Homecoming Queen, sorority girl. She was stunning and gorgeous, and Sarah wished hard that she’d just find some other guy who’d really appreciate it all. Or even better, for Ellen to spend some time on her own, without a guy trying to determine her every move.

“That’s good to hear,” Sarah said. “So I guess that means you won’t come back to Curves with me one weekend? Pick things up with Mac?”

“Nope. Not this time.” Ellen’s eyes twinkled. “But if Richard ever cheats again? I’ll go on back to the bar and take Mac up on his offer.”

“What offer?”

“Nuh-uh.” Ellen shook her head. “That’s between me and Mac… but let me tell you, if he delivered on just half of the stuff he was whispering in my ear that night? I don’t think I’d be able to walk for two days after.”

“There are worse things than getting into bed with a tattooed bad boy,” Sarah teased her.

“Yeah, I guess.” Ellen looked regretful for a few seconds. “So get into bed with yours, girl. And then report back to those of us not walking on the wild side.”