Page 165 of Burning Ember
“Doesn’t stop him from actin’ like a jackass.” Taz whips his phone out and snaps a picture of the scene. Turning it so I can see, he shows me the damning photo. “He won’t remember shit tomorrow and he’ll pay me fifty bucks to delete this. Dumb ass doesn’t realize I’ve been saving these to my computer.” Sitting back, he smirks around his toothpick. “I’ve got enough of these to blackmail his ass for life.”
Taz, Goose, and Griz are sitting at the table with us. Lily on Goose’s lap. A voluptuous brunette is on Griz’s, playing with his beard. She looks maybe eighteen and doesn’t appear to be bothered by the fact that he’s three times her age.
The song changes and a few seconds later, Bodie grabs a chair and plops down next to me.
“Nice moves,” I kid.
He throws me a roguish smile. “Thanks. You and Lily gonna come out there with me and show those bitches how to work it?”
“Um, no,” I say and then drink what little is left of my Tequila Sunrise. I lean back into Mav and enjoy the sensation of his hand on my stomach.
“No?” Bodie’s eyebrows shoot up. “Why the hell not?”
“You have plenty of partners already. Don’t sound so disappointed,” Taz grumbles.
“The more the merrier,” Bodie quips. “You could come out there too and have some fun, you know, once you take that gigantic stick out of your ass.” Addressing me, he asks, “Do you know how to dance?”
I eye the girls popping, locking, and rubbing up against one another. “I do, but not like that.”
Mav shifts me on his lap. He licks his bottom lip after taking a sip from his beer then places it on the table. After sweeping my hair away from my shoulder, he searches my face. “How do you dance then?”
Shrugging, I say, “I don’t know. Just differently.”
“Like ballet?” I shake my head. “You gonna show me?”
Lily claps excitedly and stands. “Please. You promised to dance when you were drunk enough.”
“I may never be drunk enough, Lily,” I whine. “I don’t want to make a fool of myself.”
“Why not?” Taz looks straight at Bodie. “It’s what all the kids are doin’ tonight.”
“C’mon, ginger snack, no one’s gonna laugh at you,” Bodie pleads.
“Yeah, they’ll be too busy laughin’ at numbnuts here.” Taz points his toothpick at Bodie.
Mav nudges me. “Babe, show me. I wanna see.”
I glare at the table around me, but no one relents. The pressure builds as they keep trying to coax me out there. Finally, like the girl I am who always wanted to fit in with the cool kids, I succumb to peer pressure. Groaning, I reluctantly stand, linking my hands with Mav’s as I do. I attempt to tug him to his feet, but he doesn’t budge.
“Aren’t you coming out there with me?”
The sides of his mouth lift and he slowly shakes his head. “In a minute, but first I wanna watch. He slides his free hand up my inner thigh and pulls me close. I melt and fall a little against him. I have to place my hand on his shoulder to keep my balance. His fingers draw lazy circles on my thigh, increasing the dampness between my legs.
Still confused, I ask, “You want to watch me dance with Bodie?”
“Fuck, no. He touches you and I’ll cut his hands off.” He shoots said biker a warning glare.
Lily grabs my hand. “I’ll dance with you. He won’t cut my hands off for touching you, will you, Mav?” Mav’s smile grows into a mischievous grin. He looks over at Goose and they both pick up their beers and try to hide their pleased expressions.
“Oh, jeez. Men,” Lily mutters and starts pulling me away.
Against my better judgment, I end up on the dance floor, and once there, my gaze anxiously sweeps the room. Bikers, some I know, some I don’t, watch us. A few even turn fully for a better view.
Chills flare up my arms and unease fills me.
It’s one thing to dance for Mav, but quite another to perform for a room full of horny, drunk bikers.
I try to retreat, but Lily’s grip tightens like she’s ready for me to bolt. She shakes me a little to get my attention. “Relax and focus on me. I’m right here and Mav’s the only one watching you.”
