“Feel better?” Belle asked.
“Much. Thanks.” She speared a tomato with her fork and popped it in her mouth, refusing to turn around again.I’m making more out of this thing with Wheelie than I should. He’s just flirting with me like he does with all the women. It doesn’t mean anything. If I keep this up, I’ll end up looking like a stupid ass.
Brushing her hair over her shoulder, Sofia broke her resolve and glanced over at the bar again. The woman was gone and Wheelie reclined against the counter, pinning her with his heated gaze. The look sent a bolt of fire between her legs.
“How’s your salad?” Cara’s voice broke the intensity of the moment Sofia and Wheelie shared, and she dragged her eyes away from him.
“It’s good.” From her peripheral vision she saw Tigger looking at her.Cara probably just saved my ass.Sofia smiled at her. “It’s very good.Thanks.”
“Anytime,” Cara said as she picked up the wine glass.
Sofia was doomed. As much as she wanted to play the good wife, she knew Wheelie had invaded not only her thoughts, but her life, and she wasn’t sure how she felt about that. All she knew was that he had brought excitement back into her life.
And like an addict, she craved her next fix.
Chapter Two
Seeing Tigger’s armwrapped so possessively around Sofia as they walked across the parking lot made Wheelie’s nostrils flare with something he refused to call jealousy. Pushing the emotion out of his mind, he nodded his head at Sofia as she looked quickly over her shoulder before climbing into the SUV.
Wheelie fixed his eyes on the street long after the white car disappeared into the horizon. He hadn’t planned on coming that night. He’d been purposely staying away from family nights since Banger had made them mandatory for all old ladies. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to see Sofia—hell, he couldn’t get her out of his mind—it was just that he didn’t see any point in torturing either of them. Sofia was taken by another brother, and as much as he hated that, he had to respect it. Getting involved with a brother’s old lady was off-limits and cause for getting a member’s ass thrown out of the Insurgents… something he didn’t want to happen. The brotherhood was his life; it was the blood in his veins. Banger, Hawk, Throttle, Rags, Bear, and all the other members had been with him every step of the way when Kendra had been murdered by her fucking husband. If it hadn’t been for their unflinching support, he would’ve drowned in his rage and sorrow.
No… he couldn’t risk getting involved with Sofia while she was still with Tigger. And the fact she was still with the fucker pissed the hell out of Wheelie.There’s no way she doesn’t know I want her.It seemed like Sofia enjoyed the attention he gave her but still loved Tigger. Wheelie couldn’t understand how she could stay with someone who hurt her, but then he never comprehended that with his sister, either. All Kendra ever told him when he’d bring it up was that she loved Russ. Years ago, Wheelie had accidentally walked into the bathroom while she was still using it, a towel wrapped around her, and he’d been shocked at all the black and blue marks covering her body. He was only fifteen at the time, but he didn’t buy her excuse of falling down the gym stairs at school. Kendra told him not to tell Mom, so he’d kept quiet, but the rage and hatred he felt for Russ began onthatday.
“You going back to the club?” Rags asked, dragging Wheelie back from the past.
“I was thinking of it.” That night Wheelie needed to be around his brothers; he didn’t want to be alone with his thoughts of Sofia and Kendra. “A few shots and a game of poker sounds good.” Wheelie had every intention of getting shitfaced even though he knew he’d regret it in the morning when he had to drag his hungover ass over to the car wash.
“Did you mention a poker game?” Blade asked as he came over. “I’m in. Skeet will be too.”
Ruben came over and clapped Wheelie on the shoulder. “I’m coming by tomorrow with my truck. It needs detailing. Can I get it back in a couple of days?”
“For you, dude, I’ll have it back in a day.”
Ruben’s old lady, Doris, grabbed her man’s hand. “I can follow you and get my car washed.” She ran her gaze up and down Wheelie’s body then settled on his face. “Sofia looked pretty tonight, don’t you think?”
“What the fuck kind of question is that, woman?” Ruben said gruffly. “Sofia’s Tigger’s old lady, so none of the brothers are looking at her.”
“All men look at pretty women whether they’re taken or not,” Doris replied, her eyes still on Wheelie’s.
“Let’s go.” Ruben yanked her toward the door. “See you in the morning, bro,” he said to Wheelie as he walked away.
“Doris is a meddling bitch,” Rags said. “She loves stirring the fuckin’ pot. Watch yourself, bro.”
Wheelie rubbed the back of his neck. “There’s nothing to watch.”
“You know what I mean,” Rags said in a low voice. “It’s probably better that you stay away from Sofia. The way you looked at her tonight, you’re just asking for all kinds of trouble. No chick’s worth that.”
Even though Wheelie knew Rags was right it irked the shit out of him, and licks of anger burned down his spine. “I don’t need any fuckin’ advice on how to live my damn life from you, Throttle, or any other brother. If Doris gets in my business, I’ll make sure she regrets it. End of fuckin’ discussion.”
“What’s going on, dude?” Throttle asked as he sidled up to Wheelie. “You look pissed as hell.”
“Doris is yapping her fuckin’ mouth again and trying to stir the damn pot,” Rags replied.
Throttle jerked his head back. “What about? I’m figuring by the way you look, it has something to do with you,” he said, looking at Wheelie.
“It’s nothing. You know Doris is famous for trying to make some drama. Look at the shit she started between Hawk and Cara last December.” Wheelie folded his arms across his chest.
“What’s she saying about you?” Throttle took a gulp of his beer. “Wait… I bet it’s shit about Sofia.”