Page 3 of Paladin's Hell

“Yeah, been doing some thinking. You take her anywhere, she needs to have brothers around her.” Rolling my eyes, I glare at him. Sure. Sounds like a great date. “Nah,” there’s a twinkle in his eye as he continues, “also thought about that. Why not take her to the Wheel Inn? Treat her to a decent meal?”

It’s a thought. More than I’ve been allowed up to now. It’s a decent restaurant in Tucson, and one which is owned and run by the club. Sufficient culinary reputation that any young girl would be excited to go there for a dinner date, and with the benefit that a couple of members are normally there in the background. If they’re loosening the reins a little, who am I to object?

“If I do, would a goodnight kiss be out of the question?” I ask eagerly, already anticipating the touch of her lips, while thinking I may have pushed my luck.

Slick looks around, shrugs, smirks then leans forward, puckering his lips. “If you insist, Brother.”

I stand abruptly, waving him back, grinning like a loon. He may have deliberately misunderstood me, but he hadn’t shot me down.

As she sees me walking over, Jayden’s got the balls set up, and at my nod, takes the first shot. She’s learned quickly, it’s fifty-fifty whether I’ll beat her or not. Me? I just enjoy watching her stretched out over the pool table, her breasts, small but perfectly adequate, hanging low over her cue. My cock twitches as I think on the benefits of Colorado. If we ended up there, in a few months I could make her mine. Yeah, that’s a definite plus.

At last I get a turn. As I line up the cue, I ask casually, “Wanna go on a date, Jay?”

Her squeal makes me miss my shot. Chuckling, I look back over my shoulder. “Is that a yes?”

She pouts. “Slick wouldn’t allow it.”

Moving away from the table, I stand, leaning on my cue, indicating that she should take her turn, then explain. “He actually suggested it. Thing is, Jay, you, me. We made promises for the future. I like you, you seem to like spending time with me, but we need space to explore if there could be anything between us.”

She seems to have forgotten the game. For a second her face is unreadable. I feel my heart skip a beat. Having expected her to leap at the chance, her non-reaction is worrying. But then, she lights up with a smile. “I thought Slick was going to make us wait the full time before you were allowed to take me anywhere.” Now she’s beginning to get excited. “Can we go on your bike, Pal? Always wanted to ride on the back.”

“Whoa, slow down.” I’m laughing at her enthusiasm. “Nah, I know what you girls are like. You’ll want to get dressed up all fancy. Don’t think the bike goes with that.” And while I want her, I’ll need to know a relationship will be for keeps before I have her on the back of my bike. I’m nowhere prepared for that level of commitment, and there’s practicalities to consider first. I’ll need to get a pillion pad.

Whether Ella’s so content with her life at the moment, she wants everybody to be as happy as her; not only does she agree to Slick’s suggestion, but she helps Jayden to get organised with clothes and makeup. On the following Saturday evening when Jayden appears, she completely blows me away. I have never seen anything so fucking gorgeous in my life. That includes my Harley.

I think my mouth drops open. For a moment, I stand and stare. That’s until the smile she’s wearing starts to slip from her face. That’s when I step up. “Doll,” I can barely get the words out. “You’re fuckin’ beautiful.” She also looks at least five years older, definitely not jailbait.

I want to reach out, to hold her, hug her close. But Ella’s standing behind her with her arms crossed, a brow raised as though in challenge. It’s probably one of the most stupid fucking things I’ve ever done, but I reach for her hand, bring it to my lips and kiss it.

I hadn’t noticed Slick coming up behind me. He barks a loud laugh. “Chivalry’s not dead, eh? Knew there was a reason we named you after a knight.”

Jayden seems as confused as myself. She giggles awkwardly at my gesture and Slick’s words and takes her hand away quickly. I notice she’s softly caressing the place my lips touched with her fingers.

How do we do this? How do we go from friends forbidden to be anything else, to a couple who are courting? I don’t want to fuck this up. Apart from how Jayden feels, I’ve got to do right in front of Slick and Ella.

“Shall we go?” I want to take her hand, put my arm around her shoulders, but what does she expect? And is that too far for her brother-in-law and sister?

“I’m ready.” Her eyes sparkle, letting me know she has expectations of this evening. I just hope I don’t disappoint.

We walk down to where the club’s SUV is parked behind the garage. Gentleman like, I open the passenger door, and help her in. Then, leaning over her body, I fasten the seat belt. Doing so, my hand brushes against her breast. At her sharply inhaled breath, I apologise. “Sorry.” Smartly I step around to the driver’s side and get in.

“Have you ever been to the Wheel Inn before?” I ask her as we wait for the gate to be opened.

“No.” Her response is stilted.

“It’s got quite a good menu.” Why the fuck did I say that? Conversation that usually flows easily between us feels awkward.

“Ella’s excited about the baby.”

I already know that, you couldn’t be in the clubhouse and not see for yourself. Seems Jayden’s struggling for things to say as well.

I’m relieved when we draw up to the restaurant that the Satan’s Devils own, driving into the rear parking lot. She reaches for the door, I tell her to wait, and again, acting the gentleman, go around and help her out.

As I start for the entrance, she gently rests her fingers on my arm. I turn around to see her lips curving.

“If I don’t tell you later, I had a good time tonight.”

My fist softly makes contact with her bicep. “You watch that darn film too much.” And I’ve watched it with her, many times. Sometimes worried she’s reading some of her situation into Pretty Woman, how a whore can find redemption. She isn’t a whore. Far from it. Not for the first time, I’d love to know what’s going on inside her head.

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