Page 4 of Royally Twisted

Tymber’s lips tilted up in a grin, and she just knew what was going to come out of his mouth was going to be dirty. The man didn’t disappoint. “Hm, that would definitely wake a man up. Not that I’d need that to wake up around you.” He wagged his brows.

She punched his arm playfully. “I get the feeling you don’t need help in that department.” She looked him up and down, admiring the way he filled out the denim jeans. Damn, he really was built.

Ivy was saved from further comment as they moved to the front counter, placing their orders. Tymber ordered two coffee cake slices, declaring her underfed. Ivy raised her brows, placing her hands on her hips. “Have you the need of glasses, sir?” she questioned him. She was a lot of things, but skinny wasn’t one of them. Curvy and proud of it. However, since Luke’s death she’d lost a few pounds, but not so much she would be considered skinny.

“I see you perfectly. Every damn inch of you looks perfect to me.” Tymber paid for the coffee and the cakes, smiling at the young girl who blushed as he winked at her. “Booth or table?”

She looked at the booth with its padded seats, then the table by the window. “Booth please.”

Once they were seated at the booth, he waited for her to settle in before motioning toward the coffee cake. “Alright, try it.”

Picking up the fork, she cut a small piece off, bringing it to her mouth. She felt Tymber’s eyes on her the entire time, but she forgot about him as soon as the delicious morsel hit her tongue, moaning her pleasure. “Oh my god, this is amazing.”

He sat back, a satisfied smile on his too handsome face. “Told you.”

She finished chewing, then took another bite before responding. “Aren’t you going to try it?”

They both began eating the little treat until their plates were empty. She sat back, smiling as he scraped his plate. “You have a sweet tooth, Mr. Black,” she announced, pointing her fork toward him.

Tymber shrugged. “Only when I know its good sweets.”

There was no way she could miss his double entendre, or maybe she was reading too much into his words. Hell, maybe it was her who was the horny one, wanting him while he was being the polite guy.

“So, what do you do? I mean for a living that is?” Ivy asked after clearing her throat. Jesus, she sounded like a damn teenager on her first date instead of a grown ass woman who lived a crazy life.

The man across from her picked up his coffee cup, took a sip, then sat it back down. “I own a tattoo shop with a couple buddies here in town.”

His words had her sitting up taller. Sure, he looked like a, well a lumberjack with the flannel and jeans, but a tattoo artist was something she wouldn’t have guessed. “Oh, which one?” Their city was pretty big, nothing like Los Angeles to the south of them, but Santa Clarita had over two hundred thousand people. She chose the center on the opposite side of town for a reason, the main one being that nobody who ran in her circles would be around, she’d hoped.

“Twisted Ink. It’s right off the highway.” Pride suffused his tone.

Her heart beat against her chest. She’d heard of his shop. A few of the MC brothers had gotten inked there. Hell, she’d almost gone there herself, only circumstances kept her from going the last time. “That’s pretty cool. How long you been doing that?” Just because he tattooed members of the MC didn’t mean he would be friendly with them. She’d been around them her entire life and would’ve seen him if he’d been a prospect or a hang around. No, Tymber hadn’t been at any of the club parties or at the clubhouse. Of course, with his intensity, she could see him fitting in just fine with the Royal Sons, no problem. Fuck, she didn’t need another MC member in her life.

“What’s wrong?” He reached across the table, taking the coffee cup out of her hands.

Ivy hadn’t realized she’d picked up the hot liquid or noticed her shaking hands. “Nothing, I just realized how late it was. I should be going.” She really didn’t want to go. Something about the man sitting so calmly, like a solid tree, made her want to lean on him. She knew that was dangerous territory, because she’d learned not to rely on anyone but herself. To rely on anyone else would only lead to heartache and a letdown. No, she would only trust in herself. Men, especially big tough men like Tymber, like the men of the Royal Sons MC, didn’t care about anyone but themselves and their brothers.

She was shocked at the ease talking with Tymber was. The guys she’d been with before were all about themselves, yet here was this gorgeous stranger wanting to know about her and her life. The only problem, or main problem being she couldn’t tell him too much, or he’d run for the hills.

For the next hour and a half, two cups of latte and another piece of cake later, Ivy didn’t know if the guy was for real or a figment of her imagination. He listened when she spoke yet didn’t push when she stopped.

“I don’t know what your past relationships were, but from the look on your face, I figure you must’ve only been with assholes. Ivy, there ain’t a man or woman alive who should make you feel as though you were worthless.” His gaze ensnared her almost the same as the hand he placed over hers. She wondered if tattoos on his hands, the intricate designs, were meaningful.

“How do you know what my past relationships were like?” she asked, her heart racing. No way had he seen or heard of her before today.

Tymber smiled, not the megawatt, melt the panties off of every woman within his vicinity, but a knowing one that had her pulling her hand back. His words ringing in her ears. He’d change his mind if he knew her past.

“I really should head out. Thank you for the coffee and cakes, although my ass isn’t going to be thanking you when we can’t wiggle into our favorite pair of jeans,” she joked, hoping her tone rang true.

“I’ll walk you to your car.” Tymber scooted out of the booth before she could protest.

“You don’t have to do that. I’ve been on my own for a long time. I’m pretty sure I can make it back to my car just fine.” She looked up into his gorgeous eyes, willing her voice to be strong.

He nodded. “Just the same, I’ll walk you to it, if you don’t mind.”

“And if I mind?” she asked.

He shrugged. “I’ll still do it, only I’ll be the asshole who walked you to your car instead of the nice man you met.”

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