Page 71 of It's Always Been You

They did make small talk over dinner. About how juicy the burger was, or how Travis still preferred the taste of corn-fed beef. But their tone was more as acquaintances. Caitlin made some inane comment about the interesting architecture of the bar. Travis mentioned the following day’s weather forecast and some of the activities they could do.

“Do you want to head back to the inn? Or do you want to grab a couple of drinks?” Travis asked. He signaled for the check.

“I’m not tired. We can hang out here for a couple of drinks.”

“I’ll settle the bill for dinner, and we can move to the bar and open a new tab.”

Caitlin nodded and motioned for Travis to get out of the booth. He frowned at her. “Where are you going?”

“Ladies room.” She made to flounce off, but Travis caught her arm.

“Wait a sec, I’ll go with you.”

“Don’t be silly. See that line there?” Caitlin pointed to the far corner where a couple of women were texting on their phone or chatting with each other. “That’s the ladies room line.”

She tried to pull her arm again. “Caitlin.” His voice was firm, his mask of indifference dissolving.

Either it was the alcohol, or she was just plain exasperated at him. She yanked her arm out of his grasp and said not too quietly, “Jesus, Travis. It’s just the ladies room!”

Their server appeared with their check distracting Travis enough so she could stomp off before he could stop her.

The line seemed to move quickly, or it seemed some of the women changed their minds about using the restroom when five biker chicks appeared behind her. They were talking loudly, and were bumping against her. If Caitlin didn’t know better, she’d think they were doing it deliberately. When she entered the ladies room, the furthest of the three stalls was the one empty. Two of the biker chicks following in behind her became obnoxious as they pounded on the other two stalls to hurry up the occupants.

Caitlin shook her head and did her business. There was a cackle of laughter that sent goose bumps of alarm up her arms. She suddenly didn’t have a good feeling about this. When she stepped out of her stall, biker chick #1 was sitting on the sink, eyeing her maliciously while biker chick #2 was leaning nonchalantly against the ladies room door, inspecting her hot pink acrylic nails.

Caitlin walked over to the other sink. “There’s a line out the door,” Caitlin said as she washed her hands. “If you girls are not using the restroom, you might want to let the others in.”

“Aw . . . isn’t she an upstanding citizen.” Biker chick #1 leaned over and peered at Caitlin. “Your man is hot, darling. And our own man Duke thinks you’re pretty cute. Although, he hasn’t seen your scar up close. Hey, Marnie, you think Duke will like this chick after all?”

“All he wants is her cunt, Star.”

The women laughed. Caitlin, having had enough, moved to the door. “Let me out.”

Star jumped off from the sink and immediately yanked Caitlin’s hair. “We tell you when you can leave.” The woman hissed at her and released her hair.

There was a rap on the door. Marnie opened it to a tall, blond biker. He was wearing only leather cuts over bare skin.He was exceedingly attractive in a sun-kissed surfer way. His muscular arms were covered with sleeve tattoos, and several chains adorned his neck.

“They treat you all right, doll face?” the newcomer asked, surprisingly courteous.

Caitlin pursed her lips mutinously.

“Damn it, Star, Marnie. Did you bitches scare the poor thing?” blond biker guy snapped.

“Aw, Duke, she didn’t wanna wait for you,” Star whined.

“My husband’s waiting for me,” Caitlin informed them bitingly.

“Now, we know you’re lying, girl,” Duke said. “He’s got a wedding ring, you don’t. Something’s telling me your man is cheating on his wife with you. Don’t blame him, nice piece of ass you are. So, I’m here to be your savior.”

What the fuck?The situation was too ridiculous for Caitlin to even contemplate.

“I assure you, you all misunderstood, so you can save your Jesus complex for someone else,” Caitlin retorted. She had to walk around Duke to get to the door. She never got there. Her body went airborne, her butt landing on the sink bowl.

“What are you doing?!” Caitlin screeched as her limbs flailed to regain purchase.

Her skirt was shoved up her thighs. Ignoring her gasp of outrage, Duke wedged his hips between her legs, his face dangerously close. “I’m not going to force you, but I’ll give you a taste of my mouth and, if you like, my cock. They don’t call me Big Dick Duke for nothing.” He yanked her against his crotch as if to prove a point. “You’ll be begging for more—”

Duke didn’t finish because Caitlin swung her right fist, connecting against his cheek. She might not have her adrenalin surge, but she wasn’t helpless without it.

---