Page 201 of Misrule
Kendall had declined, although neither Outlaw nor Meggie demanded she do so. Johnnie, too, decided to cry off and returned to the club, sending his children with Meggie.
After dinner and discussion, Knox had gotten his mother on the phone to ask about the rehearsal dinner. Everything was full-speed ahead.
Except, of course, the sham of Roxy and Knox.
Eventually, Roxy had stood up to leave, tired of the pretense. At that point, Mortician, motherfucker number one, had invited everyone to watch a movie. Motherfucker number two, Knox, seized upon the opportunity. Everyone knew Mortician’s home theater was notoriously small. The huge screen made it seem even more cramped.
Feeling cornered, Roxy grudgingly agreed. In the room, Mortician, Digger, Val, and Outlaw pulled their wives onto their laps. At one time, Roxy enjoyed these movie nights. Not now, when Knox felt so strong and hard underneath her. His five o-clock shadow gave him a rakish air, and the whisky he was drinking reminded her of all the times they’d kissed after a night out.
She was on his lap. It would’ve been so easy to fall back into his arms, and pretend their argument had never happened.
Knox’s fingers played at her nape and she shivered. He leaned forward. “You know, sweetheart, if you’re trying to save my life, you’re not acting too convincing. You’re sitting as far away from me as possible.”
He was right. It surprised her that Mortician or Outlaw hadn’t commented on how she leaned away.
Scooting backward, her ass brushed against his semi-hard cock. She regretted that they both wore pants.
Uh, no. She washappythey both wore pants. No chance of dick-to-pussy contact.
She settled her back against his chest, her muscles stretched taut.
He brushed his lips behind her ear, thrusting up, taking advantage of everyone’s attention being focused on the movie.
“Can we meet later?”
The husky tone of his voice lulled her to sayyes. She elbowed him. “Fuck you,” she whispered.
“Would you?” he shot back.
“Not a goddamn chance.”
“I want you, Roxanne. Can’t you feel how hard my cock is for you?”
“My pussy is wet for you, Knox. I miss you, but this is the way things are and will continue to be.”
“Suppose I change? Suppose I learn to ride? Get a tattoo.”
For a moment, she stilled, knowing if he’d go that far to win her back, she’d be powerless to deny him the second chance he so desperately wanted. “Don’t,” she warned. “You’ll come to regret it and resent me.”
“No, sweetheart, I wouldn’t. I’ve scheduled sessions with Gabe, Bunny’s brother. I’m getting a tattoo. I love you. If I want to be a part of your world, I have to fit in.”
“Don’t do that,” she said, her voice, her feelings, wavering. “It isn’t about aesthetics. It’s about attitude. It’s about your perception and your refusal to understand that these boys aren’t bad people.I’mnot a bad person. Crass? Rough-around-edges? Y-yes.” Her voice wavered. She stood. “I’m exhausted,” she said, not lying. “This has been a long day.”
“For me, too,” Knox admitted, sliding to the edge of the theater-style seat. “I’m not getting a tattoo solely to impress you. I swear.”
“Why are you getting it then?”
“Uh…” His voice trailed off.
When he said nothing more, Roxy sighed. “Exactly, sugar. Don’t get ink, Knox. It’s just a temporary fix to a much deeper problem.” She started off, then decided to turn and kiss Knox’s cheek.
The gesture wasn’t for show. Purely selfish reasons guided her. Caressing his jaw, she turned on her heel and walked out, noting no one tried to stop her.
Chapter Forty-Nine
Surprised at the dilapidation before her, Emily looked at the ratty exterior of a biker bar in dire need of repairs. In her wildest dreams, she wouldn’t have ever expected Johnnie to take her to such a rundown place. They could’ve stayed in her neighborhood. Just last night, she’d seen two low-level dealers get into an argument, with one shooting the other one in the head, right out in the open. That type of lawlessness abounded in areas plagued with dereliction.
Like this neighborhood.
