Jake’s Angel (King’s Of Fury MC #2)

Chapter 4

CHAPTER FOUR

JAKE

I pull into Magpie’s lot, surprised to find Ethan and Hawk standing beside their bikes, talking. I pull into the spot beside them, cut the motor, and dismount.

“Mornin′,” I greet both with a chin lift. They return the gesture. “What are you doing here?” I ask Ethan. “I figured you’d be sleeping the next couple of days to recoup.”

“I’d love nothing more, but my woman woke up and decided she needed Magpie’s for breakfast. She was dressed and out the door, I didn’t have time to protest.” He chuckles. “I took Lilah over to Violet’s to watch Carter, then decided I’d meet Skyler for breakfast.”

“You mean you couldn’t stand being away from her and decided to drag your ass over here to get her,” Hawk smirks. Ethan flips him off.

“Come on,” I motion for the door. “Let’s go get food and answers.”

Walking into the restaurant, we’re greeted by Patsy.

“Well, what are you three troublemakers up to this morning?” She’s wearing her teal button-up top and a pair of jeans that hug her hips, with her black hair half up in a teal bandanna. For being a woman in her late sixties, she doesn’t look it.

Hawk embraces her, kissing her cheek. “Now, you know we aren’t making trouble, Patsy. We’re here for the delicious food and great service.” He winks. She slaps his chest.

“The hell you are Nathaniel Hawk. You three are up to no good. The way Skyler slouched in her chair beside Sadie Jay and her little friend tells me so.” At the mention of a friend, both Hawk and I spin to see who she’s got with her. Ethan is looking for his wife, who seems to be hiding herself.

“Who’s that with Sadie?” I ask no one in particular.

I get a glimpse of a long blonde ponytail and the top of a black hoodie. Too petite to be a guy.

“That look right there.” Patsy goes on to say , “ I’d say you’re fixing to do a bit of pot stirring, and I don’t mean in the kitchen.” She looks at us over the top of her glasses. Hawk barks out a laugh.

I chuckle too, because she’s not wrong. Ethan is already on the move, headed for Skyler.

Hawk drops another kiss on Patsy’s cheek and asks for coffee. At the table, Sadie and Skyler are whispering conspiratorially. Their friend, a cute little blonde, sits tearing into a waffle and strawberries like she hasn’t eaten in a week. She's not looking at us. She's completely engrossed with her food. Completely oblivious, she pays no attention to the three large bikers approaching her table.

Hawk’s not good at being ignored. He smirks at the newcomer’s lack of attention and makes himself comfortable, squeezing into the booth next to her. The little blonde takes notice, looking a little unsure of things now.

She slides herself toward the window, creating more space between them, still not saying anything as she watches us from the corner of her eye.

“Hey, baby.” Ethan takes his place standing behind Skyler. He greets his wife, tilting her head back to kiss her on the mouth. “You taste like syrup.”

Skyler smiles wide, “It was so good.” He smiles back at her.

“I’m glad you could get some food in you finally.”

The blonde watches them intently. Her eyes bouncing back and forth, taking in Ethan’s appearance, then Skyler’s. What she’s trying to make out, I don’t know. But I don’t like the judgmental look she’s giving my brother.

Grabbing a chair, I spin it backward, straddling it at the end of the table. Sadie and Skyler look guilty as hell, but their new friend seems oblivious to their conspiracy. She’s lost in her own thoughts.

My chair scrapes the floor loudly as I drag it a little closer to the table, and her eyes flick to me momentarily. She’s taking me in from head to toe, slowly. I tilt my head, the corners of my mouth curving as I smirk. Realizing she’s been caught ogling, she looks away, back to her plate, nervous, but not speaking.

I do a little perusal of my own and notice something’s off.

It’s over ninety degrees and the little blonde is wearing a hoodie and jeans. Where most girls are showing off their bodies in the summer, she’s trying to hide hers.

She looks so small, balled up in the corner of the booth next to Hawk. There’s an innocence to her. Both wonder and wariness are at war behind her beautiful, emerald green eyes, revealing a vulnerability that tugs at my protective instincts.

She’s breathtaking. One of those natural beauty types. The kind of girl who doesn’t have to work at making herself look pretty. She just is. Every guy in here has looked his fill. Most girls would be basking in the attention, but not her. She’s trying her damnedest to make herself seem invisible.

Her long blonde hair is pulled back in a high ponytail, the end of which almost touches her waistline. A black choker with a set of angel’s wings adorns her slender neck. Her eyes scan the restaurant and the parking lot nervously. She’s either worried about something, or maybe she’s not comfortable around men like us. We are intimidating to most people.

Hawk, being the attention whore he is, deviates my attention from the intriguing woman. Leaning over the table, he grabs a piece of sausage off Sadie’s plate and asks, “So, what have you beautiful ladies been up to this morning?” Sadie stabs his hand with her fork, forcing him to pull it back. Rubbing the spot on his hand, he yells, “Damn it, woman!”

“Don’t. Touch. My. Sausage.” Sadie growls, raising her brow at him.

“All right. But for the record, you can touch my sausage any time you like.” He wiggles his brows.

“Already been chewed food isn’t my style.” Sadie sasses back. Skyler giggles, but it’s the gasp from the small stranger that has me curious.

Misty walks by, handing us our coffee on her way through the diner. Hawk winks, “Thank you, darlin′.” She checks to make sure no one else needs anything, grabbing up some empty plates before scurrying off back to the kitchen.

“And who is this delectable creature?” Hawk leans toward the mystery guest sharing his seat, as she leans further into the window.

I saw her first.

She doesn’t say anything, only makes eye contact with Sadie.

What the hell is she so afraid of?

“Don’t worry darlin′. I don’t bite unless you’re into that sort of thing. Then I’m more than happy to oblige.” He gives her his go-to boyish grin. The one most women seem to melt for. “So, tell me darlin′, are you? Into those types of things?” She scoffs, rolling her eyes at his flirting. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t make me happy to see her brush Hawk off.

She looks at Sadie as if asking for something. Permission maybe? Sadie offers a wide smile and a nod of approval.

“Does your cocky bullshit actually work?” The blonde shakes her head, then shovels another piece of waffle into her mouth like she didn’t just bust his balls. Ethan, Sadie, and Sky laugh. Hawk scrunches his face, but he’s amused with her. I can’t figure the little thing out.

Whoever she is, she isn’t afraid to eat in front of people, and I have to admit I’m kind of enjoying the way she’s putting each bite in and swiping the sticky syrup off her lips with her finger before sucking it clean.

“Depends on the woman, I suppose. Why? Is it working?” He looks at her mouth, watching her take another bite.

Around a mouth full of waffle, she questions him, “You’re kidding, right?”

“I never kid when it comes to pleasing a woman. Tell me what it is you like, darlin′, and I’ll make sure you leave satisfied and ruined for any other man that comes after me.”

Sadie scoffs.

“Sorry to disappoint you, darlin′, but I’ve already been ruined for all men. But thanks for the offer.” She pats his shoulder condescendingly.

The conviction in her tone says she believes what she’s said. She doesn’t mean it the same way Hawk did.

“Oh, I get it. You’re not into men,” Hawk says, nodding his head as if it finally makes sense why a woman is unaffected by him. The blonde gives him a ‘you’re an idiot’ look but doesn’t deny his claim.

I’m certain she’s not into women. Not with how she quietly is checking me out when she thinks I’m not paying attention. But I am paying attention. To everything. She’s not a lesbian. She’s fucking with him. And I find I like that she is.

Bringing her finger to her lips, she licks it clean again. She’s clueless about what she’s doing. There’s no hint of flirtation or sarcasm in her tone. She’s thoroughly enjoying her damn food and now I have to discreetly adjust myself.

I turn the focus back to Sadie.

“You need to hurry and finish your food, Sadie. We’re taking you to pick up your car at the clubhouse, and Pop needs a word.” At my stern tone and the command that she leave with us, Sadie narrows her eyes at me.

“Mack’s here?” she asks, a hint of nervousness in her voice. She looks from me to her friend, whose eyes are now wide and alert.

“He’s on his way into town. Pres sent us to find you. You’ve left your shit at the clubhouse, and they want answers.” I know she’s gearing up to tell me off, but to my surprise, it’s her seemingly shy friend who comes to her defense instead.

“Who the hell are you to tell her what she has to do? We’ve been sitting here enjoying our breakfast, discussing our plans for the day before you two asshats barged in and made yourselves comfortable. Sadie doesn’t have to go anywhere with you if she doesn’t want to.” She’s pointing her fingers at me; all fire and sass in those eyes glaring back at me.

She has a fire to her. Her green eyes turn darker when she’s angry, and I find myself getting sucked into them for a moment.

Coming back to my senses, I look pointedly at her fingers and beside me, I can hear Hawk trying to stifle a laugh.

I look pointedly at the angel dangling on her neck, watching her fingers as she plays with it nervously. I lick my lips Her eyes follow the movement. There’s something there.

Curiosity. Desire. Want.

Leaning forward, I draw a little syrup with my finger off the plate in front of her and lick it. “You don't have shit to say here, Princess. It’s club business. Know your place. Be a good little girl. I wasn’t talking to you. So, why don’t you go on enjoying your breakfast? Let us continue our conversation?”

There it is. The glaring in those eyes from before. She’s pissed and my dick is hard. Shit.

Her angry eyes narrow at my rude dismissal of her outburst. She drops her fork onto her plate, and leans toward me on the table contemplatively. Clearly not liking the way I brushed her off. Too damn bad.

“I didn’t catch your name, Princess.” She flinches, cutting her eyes to me, and glares.

“I didn’t toss it,” she replies.

Turning my attention to Sadie, I ask her. “Who the fuck is she, Sadie? How do you two know each other?”

Sadie opens her mouth to answer, but the feisty blonde cuts her off with the wave of her hand. “It’s none of your business who I am. For all you know, I’m her girlfriend and you missed one hell of a girls’ night.”

Skyler howls in laughter, pointing at Hawk’s now gaping mouth. Her hand comes down on the table, causing the dishes to clank. Sadie joins the mix and high fives the little minx. Hawk is glancing between the three of them, his mouth still hanging open, no doubt imagining what that scene would be like.

“Oh. My. God. I am so fucking proud of you,” Sadie congratulates her friend. The girl blushes.

I’m fighting back my own amusement. She’s playing games. The way I long to put her in her place, preferably underneath me , tells me I need to get the fuck out of here.

This girl is trouble. I can feel it.

“Oh, Sweetheart. You just became my new favorite person. I’ve never seen a tiny thing like yourself shut Jake up before,” Hawk tells her with pride, reaching his arm over the back of the seat. She smiles politely, but she still backs away from him. He takes the hint, raises his hands in surrender, placing them on the table in front of him.

“Holy shit.” Skyler breathes, calming herself down. “That was awesome.”

“Where you from, sweetheart?” Hawk asks, clearly as intrigued as I am by her.

“Here and there, and nowhere in between.” She says flippantly, returning her focus back to her food.

Ethan’s brow creases. He’s been silently observing the scene but based on what I’m seeing reflecting back at me in his expression, he’s thinking the same as me.

She’s trouble.

“You’re definitely not from around here or we would’ve gotten to know each other by now.” He wiggles his brows at her.

“I doubt it,” she snarks.

“I don’t.” His eyes scan her body from head to toe in a suggestive manner I don’t like at all. “For the record, if what you said is true, I’d like an invite to the next girls’ night. I’m an excellent listener, bartender, camera man … Whatever you need me to be. I just need to be there.” He raises his hand like a damn kid volunteering himself to erase the boards for his teacher. The four of them continue to laugh.

Her laughter stops abruptly when something outside the window catches her attention. A car. A pearl white BMW has her completely distracted from the conversation. She becomes restless and fidgety, the color slowly draining from her face. She’s grabbing for her backpack next to her, as three overly made-up and obviously spoiled rich girls exit the car. I watch her carefully as she cautiously observes the three girls.

“Shit. Sadie,” she mumbles under her breath slightly, nodding her head to the window. They make eye contact. Raising her eyebrows, motioning toward the end of the table where I’m sitting, she’s trying to plot her escape. From the I’m-going-to-kill-a-bitch look on Sadie’s face, she isn’t too pleased to see them here, either. Whoever they are, they’ve got our little mystery guest ready to bolt for the door.

“Um, I need to use the ladies’ room. Hawk, is it? Could you let me by, please?” she tosses a handful of twenties on the table near Sadie and gently pushes Hawk’s shoulder, trying to move him along faster as she glances back out the window.

The girls are about the same age as Sadie and heading to the diner entrance. Sadie is watching them closely but never takes her eyes off the hallway where the fiery blonde disappeared. Whoever they are, they’ve got her spooked for some reason, and Sadie’s hackles are standing at full attention.

Skyler looks to Sadie for answers, only getting a slight nod. Had I not been paying close attention I might’ve missed it.

“Friends of yours, Sadie?” Hawk asks, stealing another bite of food from the plate since no one’s paying attention enough to stab him away from it.

“Do they look like people I would keep company with?” Tilting her head, she glares at him. He chuckles, licking syrup off his fingers. It’s not the slightest bit sexy when he does it.

“No, I suppose not. Your new girlfriend seems to be concerned by their presence. Why is that?” He probes.

She shrugs. “Why, because she had to pee at the same time three girls came walking in? Maybe her bladder was full, and she waited too long to go? Maybe she didn’t want to leave our titillating conversation.”

“I like the word titillating coming out of your mouth. It sounds dirty.” He smirks. She throws a piece of sausage at his head, causing him to duck and for it to land on the table behind him.

The three teen-girl-movie look-a-likes head to a table in the far corner of the diner near the bathrooms. I excuse myself to find where our little blonde has disappeared to.

I pass the three girls, who giggle and gasp when I walk by, turning the corner in time to catch her trying to make her way out the back door.

“Going somewhere?”

She jumps at the sound of my voice, covering her mouth to hold in her scream.

“What the hell is wrong with you? Don’t sneak up on people.” She whisper-shouts, scolding me. I take a few steps closer, forcing her to back away from the door, boxing her in between me and the wall. Her breathing becomes ragged. The angel on her choker is bouncing with the beat of her pulse. I take it between my fingers, watching her as she searches my face. I rub the charm between my fingers. Her beautiful green eyes with their brownish gold flecks are full of fear.

“You afraid of me, Angel?” I ask, taking a step closer. Releasing the charm, I move my hand to the wall beside her head and my other hand goes to her hip, keeping her still. Her hands instinctively go to my chest, preparing to push me back, but I’m not moving. I watch as her fingers rub back and forth across my name patch on my cut. Her eyes follow them as she traces the stitching along the edges. I see her wheels turning. She’s contemplating her escape plan.

I brush my finger down the side of her cheek, the movement bringing her eyes back to mine.

There you are.

She shivers at my touch, or maybe she’s scared. Something’s got the girl panicking, but I’m pretty sure it’s not me she’s worried about here in the dark hallway.

Maybe she should be.

Her eyes are locked on mine as she licks her full lips. The gesture bringing all kinds of dirty thoughts to my mind.

“No,” her voice is breathy, making my dick twitch at the sound.

“No?”

She scrunches her eyebrows as she narrows her eyes at me. She can feel what she’s doing to me. It’s actually kind of cute the way she’s trying to come off as if she’s unaffected by me. The small spark that flashes in her eyes says otherwise.

You’re not fooling anybody, Angel.

“I, uh, needed to use the restroom.”

“That why you took your bag and are trying to escape through the back door without saying goodbye?” I tug the strap of her backpack. “Why are you running, Angel? Who are those girls?” She swallows hard, seemingly surprised I knew the cause of her abrupt departure.

“What happened? You steal one of their boyfriends at the club last night or something?” My attempt at humor does nothing but piss her off.

“What?” She makes a face of complete and utter disgust. “No. Club? What do you … I just …” she sputters. Lowering her voice, she whispers, “I have to go. So, if you wouldn’t mind.”

She tries to shove me, but I lean in further, pressing my hips into hers, crushing her hands to my chest, running my nose along the side of her neck.

Damn, she smells good. Like strawberries and syrup.

“What are you running from, Angel?” I ask again, bringing my face inches from hers. It's not right for me to be playing with her like this. I need to get back to Sadie and the club, but the feeling of her short, warm breath on my lips is causing all my blood and decision-making skills to rush south, making my cock and my ability to walk away harder.

I hear the hitch in her breath and know she can feel what she’s doing to me. Judging by the way she’s holding her breath and the flicker of lust in her eyes, I’m absolutely certain it’s not me she’s afraid of.

“I’m not …”

There’s noise to our left. I turn to see what it is and catch a glimpse of blonde hair, but I am completely surprised when her hands grab my face, turning me toward her. Before I can ask her what she’s doing, her lips are crashing into mine.

She’s hesitant at first. Her lips moving softly. She nibbles at my bottom lip with hers, tentatively. Her inexperience is evident in her every move. Deciding against my better judgment and taking full advantage of the moment, I wrap my hand around the nape and take control of the kiss. Running my tongue along the seam of her lips until she opens herself to me. I don’t know what the hell is going on, but what I do know is I like the intoxicating taste of her syrupy sweet mouth on mine.

Her arms circle my neck, her fingers rubbing the back of my head and across my shoulders as her lips continue to move over mine and our tongues continue to taste and tease each other. I tilt her head back, giving me better access and deepen the kiss. Pushing my knee between her thighs, I can feel the heat coming off her body. She moans softly, and I know if I don’t stop soon, I’m going to take her right here against the wall.

My hand makes its way to her ass, giving it a firm squeeze, and she breaks the kiss. Our breaths are ragged. Her lips are swollen and red from kissing mine. I watch as her eyes go from hazy and filled with lust to confused and scared. She pushes against my chest. Another expression I can’t quite decipher dances across her beautiful face.

Her sudden withdrawal and stuttered breathing forces me to release her and take a few steps back. I’m not sure what caused her sudden panic, but I give her the space she needs.

Her hand raises to her mouth, her fingers gently caressing her lips. She’s trying to process what the hell just happened between us.

Me too, Angel. Me too.

I smile to myself.

Her head turns toward the bathroom door. I follow her gaze, to find two of the teen movie trio giggling as they rush from the bathroom back to their table.

Guess they caught our little show.

The door behind me slams, drawing my attention back to the now empty wall. I was distracted, and she took the opportunity to escape through the back door. Aroused, and feeling a little used, I want to follow her but I don’t.

She’s like all the others. She had her thrill and now she’s gone.

The thought pisses me off, but I don’t have time to wrestle with why it makes me angry or why I care. It doesn’t matter.

It was just a kiss. She’s not my problem .

I turn my focus back to the reason I came here in the first place. Getting Sadie back to the clubhouse before Pop and Gabe lose their shit.