“Coffee sucks,” Storm said. “But it’s all we’ve got. Alena has a soft opening of her restaurant in a couple of days. That’s one of the reasons we’re hurrying back. She wants to see to all the details.”
She was grateful Alena had needed to go back to their home. What if Winston had caught her in the room with Ice? Judging by the way Ice had cordoned her off from the rest of the room with his body, he would have fought for her. He probably would have gotten beaten up or gone to jail. A little shiver went down her spine at the thought. Did she really have the right to put him in jeopardy? Any of them?
“You’re opening a restaurant?” That didn’t seem like a club thing to do.
Alena nodded. “I was so excited about it.” She leaned her chin onto the heel of her hand. “But now that it’s close, I want to vomit. It’s so scary. What if no one comes? What if no one likes my cooking? I’m the chef, and I won’t be dealing that much with the customers, but it’s my place and I want them happy.”
“I take it you like to cook.” That was such a revelation. Alena wanted to be a chef and cook for others. She hadn’t thought much about it, but everyone probably needed to work. At least most everyone. She’d tried various ideas, but the moment any employer found out who she really was, everything changed. Most actually brought her business “opportunities” for her to invest in.
The idea that Alena was making her dream come true moved her. She looked up at Ice. He had put his arm around her and was idly massaging her neck. He brushed the pads of his fingers there, massaging and then using the pads of his fingers again, sliding them gently over her skin. She felt those darts of fire running to her breasts. Making her entire body aware of him. Aware of everything about him. His scent. His heat. The way he brought every nerve ending alive. She was aware of the breath moving in and out of his lungs. She didn’t know if it was the motorcycle that had increased the connection between them, but it was definitely strong.
“Does everyone in the club work?”
“Pretty much, yeah,” Storm answered. “Savage and Reaper work at the club. They aren’t the kind of men to work for someone else. We all bring in money. The cash is shared collectively.”
Soleil frowned. “You work and any money you make goes to the club? Not to you?”
Ice shrugged. “We’ve always worked like that. This way, whoever needs it fast has something to draw on immediately.”
“The club paid for my restaurant,” Alena pointed out. “We have a bar and a couple of apartments over the bar we rent out. Although, at the moment, we’re renovating them. We’re bringing in a grocery store as well. That’s just now getting up and running. Inez Nelson is the owner of the store in Sea Haven, and she’s going in with us as partners. Ink has his tattoo shop running, and Mechanic and Transporter have their custom automotive garage.”
“That’s amazing. I didn’t even consider that all of you would have regular jobs.” She hadn’t, and that smacked of prejudice. She liked them, she wasn’t prejudiced against bikers, but she did have preconceived notions about them.
Ice suddenly caught her chin and turned his head toward her. “Kiss me, babe. I don’t think I can go another minute. You want to save my life, right? That can be your job.”
She didn’t think about it or protest. She turned her face up to his without hesitation and kissed him. Butterflies went crazy. Chaos reigned in her head. Her breasts ached and her nipples pushed tightly against her lacy bra, scraping on the fabric. He tasted like sin. Temptation. The devil enticing her down a dark, wicked path. She didn’t care. She gave herself to him and was instantly rewarded with the fire rushing through her veins.
It was hot. It was dangerous. It was everything she remembered. Only Ice. Only Soleil. She cupped the side of his face as she kissed him thoroughly. Completely. Losing her ability to breathe so he did it for them. The hand holding hers beneath the table stroked her rib cage and then her stomach so gently, right over the places Winston had struck her. His fingers edged up the material of her tank, so his palm laid against bare skin. It felt as if he branded her. It felt as if he soothed those lingering aches.
The waitress almost dropped their plates onto the table. Ice lifted his head very slowly, uncaring of the noise or distraction. He rested his forehead against hers. “Nice job, baby, you got me through the next couple of hours.”