Page 25 of Klutch's Kryptonite

“Here.” She holds out the helmet.

I take it from her and hang it on the handlebar, then lead her inside with my hand on the small of her back again. Touching her is becoming a habit I have no intention of breaking.

The diner is nearly empty at this hour, just a couple of truckers at the counter and a group of night shift workers in a corner booth.

“Klutch!” Rachel calls from behind the counter. The sixty-something woman with bottle-red hair has been feeding bikers for decades. “The usual?”

“Make it two,” I tell her, guiding Demi to a booth in the back where I can keep an eye on the door.

We slide in, and I deliberately take the bench that puts my back to the wall. This gives me the best view of the entire place. Old habits die hard.

“You didn’t have to do this,” Demi says, eyeing the menu like it’s a ticking time bomb.

“I know I didn’t have to.” I shrug, leaning back and stretching my arm across the back of the booth. “I wanted to.”

Her eyes flick up to meet mine, those blue depths filled with suspicion. “Why?”

I shrug, not ready to admit that I can’t get her out of my head. “You’re too skinny.”

She barks out a laugh and rolls her eyes. “Wow. You’re a real charmer”

“It’s the truth,” I counter, my lips twitching. She could use a few more pounds on her. She’s sexy as fuck no matter how tiny she is, but I like my women with a little more meat on the bone.

Rachel swoops in with two coffees, setting them down in front of us. “Who’s your friend, Klutch?”

“Demi,” I answer before she can. “She just started working at The Underground.”

Rachel’s penciled on eyebrows shoot up as she gives Demi a once-over. “Honey, you don’t look like the usual type that gets sucked in there.”

“I’m not,” Demi says quickly. “I’m just waitressing for a few weeks and then I’m out.”

“Mmhmm,” Rachel hums, clearly not convinced. “Well, food will be out in a few. Holler if you need anything else.”

As she walks away, the barbs on the back of my neck press in. I look around the room and instantly spot the fucker at the counter that can’t stop glancing over his shoulder at my girl. His eyes finally lift to meet mine and I level him with a cold stare. His face pales and he quickly turns away. Disrespectful, prick.

“So,” I turn my attention back to Demi, “you said you’re only going to be at The Underground for a few weeks. Why there?”

She looks everywhere but at me as she shrugs her shoulders and says, “Trying to make rent. Same as everyone else.”

I raise a challenging brow. “Bullshit,” I call her out immediately.

She shifts uncomfortably, her fingers playing with the edge of a paper napkin. “I was supposed to start at Meramec Community College this fall.”

“Was?”

She sighs, her shoulders slumping slightly. “Let’s just say things didn’t work out the way I planned.”

I study her face, the resignation in her eyes telling me there’s more to the story. “What aren’t you saying?”

Her head snaps up, eyes narrowing. “Look. I appreciate you bringing me here and giving me a ride, but I don’t know you.”

I hold up my hands. “Alright, Blue. Simmer, babe. I’m just trying to figure you out.”

“Well don’t,” she snaps back.

My dick twitches behind my zipper at the fire in her eyes. I’m so fucking fucked. Her bitchy attitude only makes me want to fuck her more.

My lips turn up, “Now you’ve got me interested.” It’s as close to the truth as I’m willing to admit right now.