Page 13 of Barker

I swear, she had some kind of magical power because no matter what I tried to do behind the bar, I couldn’t keep my eyes from finding her out on the floor. She was making really good tips too. The customers loved her. She was a natural people person. She laughed at their jokes, blushed at their compliments, and even gave a few of the regulars a hard time. She fit in just fine. I tried to tell myself I was just watching her because I wanted to make sure she could handle the crowd, but even as I kept telling myself that, I knew it was a lie and a bad one at that. I didn’t doubt Annistyn, not for a moment.

All night I had been trying to figure out how I was going to sneak her the tips that Talon and I had accumulated. Luckily, she trusted me with her apron full of her tips for the night when she went to the restroom, so I could easily slip the extra cash in with hers. I just hope it’s always that easy.

After ushering the last two stragglers out, I headed into the kitchen to drop off the last few dishes. Stopping at the fridge, I grabbed a bottle ofMountain Dewthat I had bought and stored in there for Annistyn. Luckily, Wilder hadn’t seen them, but Carl, the cook, had and he just laughed to himself. I was glad no one asked about them because to be honest, I didn’t have an answer as to why I purchased them. I mean, I knew it was her favorite and that we didn’t serve it here, but it wasn’t like she couldn’t drink something else. I had just felt this need to get herMountain Dew. I was starting to sound like Drake when it came to Zoey.

When I had handed Annistyn the bottle, she seemed shocked and the softening of her eyes made my heart react funny. I was just being ridiculous now. This wasn’t like me at all, but as I stared into those sage green eyes, I found myself acting more and more unlike my normal self and I couldn’t stop it. Hell, I wasn’t sure I’d even want to if I could.

As we sat there, I ended up asking her to come for a ride with me.I didn’t normally like to ride with anyone except my brothers from the Sons of Sin, and my buddy, Gunner. The only time I had ridden with a girl is when she’s been on the back of my bike. This was going to be a different experience. I lock the door behind us as we head for our bikes.

Annistyn makes her way over to the red and silver Yamaha R6 parked next to mine. I was impressed, to say the least, and I watch as Annistyn swings a leg over the seat. When she looks back at me, there is a slight smirk on her face. “Enjoying the view?” she teases.

I wink at her. “You bet your fine ass I am.” I make my way over to my bike. My royal blue Kawasaki Z900RS sits there just calling my name. I’m glad I rode this one tonight instead of my Harley. We slip on helmets and Annistyn revs the engine of her bike. She leans forward and then before I know it, we are off. The streets are quiet and deserted, just the way I like them. Annistyn and I race each other at times before I finally take the lead. She follows me without hesitation. Once we hit the highway, I turn down a side road. I’m not even sure why I’m bringing her here—but I am.

We make our way down the road, slower than I’d like. I take the time to think about things. I’m still on the adrenaline high from riding, the same high I get every time I take a seat behind the wheel of my car or on a motorcycle. However, there is an unusual flutter of nerves gnawing at the pit of my stomach right now. The closer we get to our destination, the more the feeling grows. I’ve never brought anyone here, not even my brothers. So, why am I bringing Annistyn?

The grass gets a little taller and greener and before I know it, I pull along the side and stop the bike. Annistyn pulls in behind me. I watch as she pulls her helmet off and she takes in our surroundings. “For a minute there, I thought you were trying to lure me to my death.”

I shake my head. “I’m pretty sure it’s the other way around.” Annistyn gives me a confused and curious look, but she has no idea how unusual all of this is. She doesn’t know how she makes me feel. Hell, I don’t even know how she makes me feel. It’s foreign to me, all of it is. She does something to me and it's freaking terrifying, yet I can’t stay away. So, if anyone is luring the other to their death it’s her luring me. “You good to walk in the grass in those?” I ask as I look down at her wedges.

She laughs. “Honey, I was born in heels.” With a wave of dismissal, she heads off through the tall grass. For a moment, I just watch her as she moves toward the water. She comes to a stop under a huge tree, the same tree that I always sit under. This is my spot. It’s a hidden piece of tranquility away from everything and everyone. It’s been my secret since I first discovered it, right after I moved to Los Angeles. There’s a small lake lined with trees and wildflowers.

“This is the place I come to when I need to escape. When I need a break. When I need to think. This is my little slice of Heaven on Earth,” I admit quietly.

“It’s gorgeous,” she says, but for the first time, my eyes aren’t on the water. They’re drawn to her and the way the moon above casts a halo of light around part of her. The other part still hidden in the shadows of the night and trees.

“It is,” I say, and when she looks at me, she knows I’m referring to her and not the scene in front of us.

She laughs and shakes her head, before turning to face me, her arms crossed over her chest as she leans back against the tree trunk. “Does that actually work?” I raise my eyebrows in question. “This,” she replies, waving her hands around. “Bringing a girl out here, the moonlight, the water, the cheesy line while you stare at her. Is this your game, Barker?”

She has no idea what she’s talking about. I step forward, eliminating the space between us, and notice the small hitch in her breathing. “This isn’t a game. I don’t play games,” I tell her in a husky whisper, as the floral scent she wears hits my nose. Annistyn rolls her eyes like she doesn’t believe me, but the blush on her cheeks tells me otherwise. Another step toward her. “You don’t believe me? I’m a grown man. Games are for boys looking for reassurance. I don’t need that.”

“Barker, I grew up with the boys. I know how you all work. I’m not some dumb girl that falls for sweet words whispered under the moonlight.”

One step and I’m directly in front of her. “I never thought you were that girl, but again you grew up withboys. I’m no boy, Annistyn.” Shaking my head I tell her, “You’re different from every girl I’ve ever met, Annistyn. That’s why I brought you here. I’ve never brought anyone here… not even my brothers. I don’t play games because I don’t need to. I see no sense in them and let’s be honest, we both know my reputation and that I don’t need to play games to get what I want—but you’re different.” I reach out and trace her jawbone and notice another hitch of breath. “I know what I want. What do you want, Annistyn?”

She bites down on her bottom lip for a moment, but that moment feels like forever. The crickets sing in the background along with the thunder rolling in the distance. The breeze dances in the air. It’s just like the movies where everything is in slow motion and it’s exciting and torturous, all at the same time. I’m waiting for her to make a move and finally, ever so slowly, she reaches her hands out and fists them into my shirt, pulling me into her. I lean down and hover just above her lips, my entire body humming with anticipation. Just when I think she’s not going to make a move and I’m about to give in, she closes the space between us.

Her lips on mine, the slight citrus taste ofMountain Dewlingers on her tongue, her hands moving up my chest to wrap around my neck; all of it is intoxicating and addicting and completely terrifying.

Thirteen

Annistyn

I’ve been kissed before, but you wouldn’t know it by the way my body reacts to Barker. Every nerve is on high alert. Everything feels like so much more. The intensity and sensitivity to everything around and within me. I can smell his scent and the bite of mint that lingers on his tongue from the gum he likes to chew on. His lips are rough, yet gentle. I can feel the calluses on his fingers from where he works on his car and bike. The way they scrape along the small of my back. The small little growl at the back of his throat sends a vibration through my entire body. The breeze is now cold against my heated skin.

Somewhere in the distance, I can hear the roaring of the thunder, but it doesn’t register. Not now, not at this moment. All I can hear is the pounding of my heart. All I can feel is Barker. I dig my fingers into his thick, dark hair in an attempt to get more. The bark of the tree trunk bites into my shoulder blades, but I ignore it because moving could possibly break this feeling and I can’t let that happen.

That thought scares me, makes me falter for a moment, and Barker moves his mouth to my neck. I know he can feel my pulse racing in my neck. I never need anyone. I haven’t let myself need someone aside from my dad and Talon. Needing people leads to heartbreak and I can’t survive that again. I’ve lost too much from needing people. I take a deep breath as Barker nips at my collarbone.

I place my hands flat on his chest and lightly push him back. Instantly, he takes a step back, but the confusion written on his face knocks the wind out of me. It makes me want to pull him back toward me and claim his mouth as my own again, but I can’t. There’s too much to risk here. I take a deep breath and I give him the best smile I can muster. “That was…”

He shakes his head. “Yeah it was, but I’ve got the sinking feeling in my stomach now that you’re about to slam the brakes on me.”

I sigh, shaking my head. “Barker…”

Barker holds up his hand. “No explanation needed.” The thunder roars in the distance and Barker stares off across the grass back toward where we parked our bikes. “We should go before that storm hits. This road will be no good once that happens.” I watch him as he starts to make his way back. My heart sinks and I don’t know why. I shake my head in an attempt to remove this feeling. I shouldn’t have let myself be this girl. It was one damn kiss. I need to get myself back together. I know I can only rely on myself.

I walk about ten steps behind Barker the entire time. It’s a conscious decision. When we reach our bikes, we say nothing. The silence between us feels like rolling around in a garden of nothing but thorns. We each climb back on our bikes and I follow behind Barker as he leads us back to town. The fun banter and racing from earlier are gone and I bite down on my lip to keep the ridiculous tears at bay. When I reach my street, I turn to head home, but I’m shocked when Barker follows behind me.

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