Page 5 of Devil's Dilemma

It signals the end of our evening. People start getting out phones, or Brice, who hasn’t had much to drink, gets out his car key. My phone’s still in my hand, so I call up the Uber app.

Skull notices. “I’ll give you a ride home if you want.”

My sharp eyes land on him. I don’t know this man at all, and he rides with a motorcycle club that he’s just told my co-workers is yes, a lot likeSons of Anarchy. I’m someone who’s watched the whole series twice, well okay, three times. Like so many women, I’m secretly in love with Jax. But know I wouldn’t be able to handle a real-life biker.

“I’m okay, thanks.” I tap on the screen. “There, done. My Uber’s only a couple of minutes away, so I’ll wait out front.”

I pick up my purse, pull on my jacket and stand.

“See you Sunday,” Beth shouts out.

“Yeah, see you Sunday, Melissa.” Skull winks.

To my relief, he doesn’t try to follow me out.

When I get home, I don’t go anywhere near the drawer which holds my vibrator. Skull’s got me riled and uncomfortable, but no longer in an arousing way. I’m not old enough to be his mother, but I am older and by a lot.

Questions keep running around my head.What does he want with me? Was he serious when he suggested I go out on his bike with him? If so, why? I wasn’t dressed in a ‘I might meet someone I desire so might as well get dolled up to attract them’ way. There was nothing to suggest I was on the prowl for a man—unlike some of the other women I’d been out with. Why did he focus on me?

I end up convincing myself I’m being used in some way. Maybe he was attracted to Sian, for example, and is going to use a friendship with me to get close to her.

After a restless night—the few bouts of sleep I did drift into being haunted by dreams of scenes from theSons of Anarchyseries, but instead of it being Jax’s face, it was Skull’s instead—I wake tired and irritable.

My solution? Obviously, to bake. An activity which calms and soothes me.

I’ve just finished icing the final batch of cupcakes when my phone rings. I jump for a moment, then sigh with relief, seeing Beth’s name on the screen.

“Hey, Beth. Got cupcakes, chocolate chip muffins, those cheesy biscuits you like, cookies, a carrot cake, oh, and a pecan pie.”

“My God, woman! You opening a shop or cooking for my get-together?”

I look around at all the Tupperware filled to the top. Maybe I have overdone it. “If there are any left over, people can take it home.” I consider the arrangements. “I’ll bring it in my car tomorrow and drop it off. What time do you need it?”

“You’re thinking you’ll leave it and go, aren’t you?” Her tone warns me to be careful.

“Look, Beth, we both know me saying I was going to your party was just an excuse I concocted to appear to be busy. You know I don’t like to socialise. Did enough of that yesterday.”

“Skull said he’d come.”

I huff a laugh. “Like he’s actually going to.” And if he does turn up, that’s a very good reason for me not to be there.

“Oh well, if he’s here, and you’re not, I’ll give him your address.” She says it so breezily it takes a moment for the implication to sink in.

When it does, I hiss. “Don’t you dare. He’s a biker, Beth. Who knows what he wants to do with me? Don’t you find it suspicious it was me he approached?”

“No, I don’t. Melissa—”

But I’m in full flow. “The reason’s simple. He thinks I’m easy. Thinks I’ll be flattered. Thinks a fat old woman like me would just be grateful for the attention. I don’t know exactly why, but there has to be a reason. I won’t be made a laughingstock.”

“Have you quite finished?” She can’t see my nod, but from my silence assumes it. “I don’t know where you get these stupid ideas from. You’re gorgeous Melissa. Okay, you might carry more weight than Sian or Holly, but you’re the only one who worries about it. You’ve got amazing eyes, your hair is beautiful, and your face is so expressive. I don’t know who you think you see when you look in the mirror, but you’re clearly not seeing the same things I am.Idon’t find it odd that Skull targeted you.”

“He’s young,” I cut across her objections. “I must be ten years older. What would we have in common, Beth?”

“That, you’ll never know unless you give him a chance to find out.”

“He’s a biker!” I snarl, as though that makes all the difference.

At least it gives her pause for thought. “Okay,” she begins again, slowly. “I’ll give you that. Haven’t heard much about the Satan’s Devils he rides with, I just know they run a strip club, but they also have an auto-shopanda family orientated bowling alley. Those things don’t give much away about what they really get up to. Look, maybe I wouldn’t be happy with you going off with him alone, but tomorrow you’ll be in company. If he comes, spend some time talking to him. At least you can let the poor boy down gently, but you might surprise yourself.”

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