Banger’s Ride(8)

“Nope. I came here to see you.”

“I usually work nights. How’d you know I’d be here?”

“Called Ruthie and asked. Her second husband and I are good friends. Have been since high school. That’s how I met Ruthie, and we’ve been friends ever since.” He squeezed her hand. “I wanted to see you again.”

She swallowed hard. “You did?”

Banger stared into her eyes. “Yeah.”

She slowly slid her hand from under his then pretended that someone had texted her. Even though her head was down, she was aware of his stare boring into her. She set her phone on the table then stretched out her arms, her hand knocking over his water glass. Damnit! He makes me so nervous.

Banger jumped up as water spilled on him. He grabbed a handful of napkins to sop up the liquid as it dripped off the table.

With her hand over her mouth, she said, “I’m so sorry. I really am. Here, let me get a rag.”

“No need.” Banger motioned the waitress over. “Could you take care of this mess for us?”

The waitress dried off the table and set a full glass of water in front of Banger before ambling away.

“You must think I’m terribly clumsy. First slamming into you last night in the hall, and now spilling water all over you. I’m usually careful. I don’t know what’s gotten into me.” Her voice trailed off, and she avoided his look because she knew exactly what the problem was—him. The man made her heart flutter, her mouth go dry, and her body ache in areas that scared the crap out of her.

“I think you’re pretty and cute.” He took a sip of water. “I’m going to try your beef stew and rolls. Then I gotta go back to the clubhouse to do some work.”

Noticing the president patch on his jacket for the first time, Belle asked, “You belong to a club?” She then spotted his one percent patch and wrinkled her nose. “You an outlaw biker?

“Yeah. The Insurgents.”

She pushed back from the table. Her only experience with a biker was Holly’s brother, but she wasn’t sure which club he belonged to. She knew he lived in New Mexico. When Belle had first moved to Pinewood Springs, she’d been so despondent that her friend, meaning well, had hooked her up with her brother. She’d gone on a couple of dates with him, but he’d been so pushy, he’d given her the creeps. Remembering him made her shudder. She couldn’t imagine how he and Holly could be brother and sister—they were so different.

Banger looked her over. “Is that a problem for you?”

She shook her head. “Not really. You’re a customer, that’s all.”

“Is it?” His hard gaze latched on to hers.

Diverting her eyes away, Belle nodded, releasing several strands of hair in her face. She tugged them back under her clips forcefully. The red bloom on her cheeks felt hot as she slid her fingers over them, all the while staring at the napkin dispenser.

He leaned over and said in a low voice, “Your look just told me I’m more than that.” With his finger, he traced her jawline softly, and she instinctively tipped her head to the side, a small sigh escaping through her lips.

“On second thought, I’ll take my meal to go. It’s getting late.” He motioned the waitress over and in less than ten minutes, a paper bag held a container of stew and three rolls wrapped in foil. He left the money on the table and got up.

Belle swiveled her legs from beneath the table, but before she could stand up, he grabbed hold of her wrists and pulled her up in one smooth movement, bringing her close to him. She breathed in his scent of clean freshness, letting it wrap around her like his powerful arms had done the previous night. He kissed her cheek and said against her ear, “Later, beautiful.” He winked at her then strolled out of the diner, leaving Belle staring after him.

The roar of his Harley brought her out of her reverie, and Belle went back in the kitchen to prepare for the evening rush. As she busied herself, she could still feel the touch of him on her skin, knowing the flutter of excitement that ran through her as she thought of him meant bad news. He did something to her; she was drawn to him, but she didn’t want to be. She had her hands full with her children. There was no way she could juggle all the crap going on and add Banger to the mix. It was too much. And he was a biker, the worst kind of man for a woman who’d been betrayed by the men in her life. Nope, she would have to keep it simple and at the diner. A few hellos and winks were about all she could handle.

The hard beat of the AC/DC song “Highway to Hell” filled the kitchen as Belle ran over to retrieve her phone. Her daughter always rolled her eyes at her mother’s ringtone, but whenever she heard it, it uplifted her. Lately, she’d needed all the uplifting perks she could find.