"Are you still planning on coming?" Dylan asked. The din of chatter, music, and glasses roared in the background.
"Yeah. Just running a bit late. On my way." Goldie stepped onto the porch. "We have to get going. Dylan's waiting for us."
"Dylan's going to be there? You didn't tell me that." She tugged at the hem of her dress, then stepped on the porch and locked the door. "We went to school together."
"Yeah, that's right. I didn't tell him you were coming, so it'll be a surprise."
"Is he married?"
"Not yet, but he's got a woman he's interested in. Her name's Skyla and she's going to be there too." He grasped her hand and led her to his Harley.
"Are you serious? I've never been on a motorcycle, and I can't go on one with this short dress. I'll be flashing my butt to everyone."
His gaze lingered on her backside, and then he nodded. "You got a point there. I don't want anyone seeing your ass but me." He popped open his saddlebags, pulled out a small blanket, and handed it to her. "You can put this on the seat and wrap it around you."
"I'm not doing that. It's hotter than hell, and I don't want to worry about balancing on the bike and keeping myself covered. We can just go in my car."
"I don't like cages."
"Cages? You mean cars?"
"Cars, trucks, or anything else that keeps you enclosed."
"So you don't have a car?"
"I have a pickup for hauling stuff and for the winters. Sometimes it's too damn icy for the bike. But I basically ride everywhere."
"Well, I'm not going to ride tonight in this dress. I'll take my car and meet you at the restaurant."
Goldie stood staring at her, amazed that she was turning down the chance to press her body against him as the wind rushed around her. He'd never had a woman turn down a ride on his Harley. For that matter, he rarely had women not go along with what he said. Hailey was driving him crazy, and a part deep inside him loved the challenge of her.
"Are you just going to stand there staring while Dylan's waiting for us?" She opened her purse and took out her keys. "Do you want to drive over with me or meet me there?"
From the way she lifted her chin and held her keys, he was pretty sure she wasn't going to change her mind. He'd concede, but he wasn't going to make a damn habit out of it. He grabbed the keys from her hands. "Let's go."
"I can drive."
"I'll drive. I'm not into chicks driving me around."
"You're impossible. And slow down. It's not easy to walk on an uneven sidewalk in five-inch heels."
He held the door open for her, then slipped into the driver seat.
Soon they were pulling into the lot at Bulldog Pub. The place heaved with people, and Goldie wrapped his arm around Hailey as they passed by a group of guys. The way some of them checked her out made his blood boil. If any of them say something or even make a sound, I'm gonna slam my fist into their fucking faces.
Inside the rustic-styled bar, pints of beer were being drawn for thirsty patrons as they crowded around the long mahogany bar. In the middle of the room, diners filled many of the wooden tables and chairs, as well as the red-leather booths that lined the walls of the establishment. There was an elemental feel to the décor, with lots of wood and exposed stone. It seemed as though it had been transported from a small village in England.
The hum of conversation, punctuated by sudden squalls of laughter, surrounded Goldie and Hailey as he guided her to a large booth. Dylan's beaming face greeted them.
"I thought you'd never get here. It's crowded for a weeknight," Dylan said, his gaze directed on Hailey as she scooted toward the wall.
"I got tied up." He slid in next to her. "Did you order?"
"Just drinks."
"Hi, Goldie," the cute woman next to Dylan said.
"Skyla." Goldie tipped his head. He placed his arm around Hailey. "This is Hailey. You remember Hailey Shilley."
Dylan's mouth opened as he stared at her. "Wow, you grew up." He quickly kissed Skyla's cheek when she punched him in the arm. "No. I mean, it's been a long time. I haven't seen you since we started high school. What're you doing back in Alina?"
As Hailey told her story, Goldie picked up the draft the waitress had brought and watched her use her hands as she spoke. She was so animated and, for a reason he couldn't understand, it was turning him way the hell on. Then again, it seemed like everything about Hailey turned him on. Never had a woman captivated him the way she had. Her laughter sparkled like drops of water in the sunlight, and it hit him right in the groin. But when she looked up at him through her thick lashes, his pants grew tight. Shifting, he tried to get comfortable, and when Hailey asked him if he could let her out of the booth, he grabbed his napkin and stood up. Skyla followed Hailey as they went to the ladies' room. Sliding back into the booth, Goldie threw his napkin on the table and shook his head.
"How long have you been going out with Hailey?" Dylan asked.
Goldie jerked his head. "I'm not going out with her. We're just friends."
Setting his beer down, he laughed. "You could've fooled me. The two of you got something going on between you. I can see it in both of your eyes and by your hard-on."
"What can I say? She's fuckin' hot. I always get a boner for a hot woman, but that's where it ends. Ryan's my best bud, and he asked me to keep an eye on her. She's got some fucked-up ex-boyfriend in her past and Ryan's afraid he may come to Alina and try some shit with her." Goldie took a long drink, avoiding Dylan's gaze.
"I've seen you with other hot women, and you don't act the way you are with Hailey. And she is damn hot. I couldn't believe it when you told me it was her. I mean, I always thought she was cute, but now she's definitely a grown woman." Dylan laughed.
"You and Skyla seem good together." Goldie wanted to turn the conversation away from Hailey. The more they talked about her, the harder he grew, and he needed to calm way the hell down before she came back to the table.
"We are. I think she's the one, bro. I want to spend all my time with her. I'm thinking of asking her to move in with me. Maybe even marry me."
"That's cool. I always thought Skyla was good for you."
"Are you guys done talking about us?" Skyla said as she slipped back into the booth.
Goldie stood up and let Hailey in. As she skimmed against him, his jeans grew tight again. Fuck! He sat down and retrieved his napkin, placing it over his bulge. The waitress came over with their burgers, wings, and salads, and he was grateful for the distraction.
Throughout dinner, they laughed and talked, and everything about her sent him into overdrive: her soft laughter, her scent, her eyes, and her leg pressed against his. She had no clue what her nearness did to him, and he kept reminding himself that she was Ryan's sister. Over and over the words "She's Ryan's sister" played in his head like a mantra; he wished his dick would pay attention to it.
"We should get going. I've got an early meeting in the morning," Dylan said.
"Me too. There are so many weddings this summer. I had a couple come in from Tula to order flowers for their September wedding. Anyway, I have a long day tomorrow." Hailey turned to Goldie. "We should go."
"Sure." He stood and helped her out of the booth.
After saying their goodbyes, Goldie drove Hailey home.
"I had a real nice time tonight. It was so much fun seeing Dylan again. And Skyla is so nice. They seemed really into each other. Maybe he'll be the first of your siblings to tie the knot."
"Maybe."
"I bet you're the last. You don't seem like the marrying type." She climbed out of the car and quickly closed the door behind her.
"I'm not." Before he could capture her in his arms, she'd sprinted up the porch steps and unlocked the door. He tugged her to him, his arms looping around her waist, her back pressed to his chest. Nuzzling her neck, he said, "You drove me wild all night."
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." She cocked her head to the side.
"I loved it," he said against her soft skin. "Are you going to invite me in?"
Stiffening, she placed her hands on his and tilted her head back. "I don't think that's a good idea. I have to get up early, and we're trying to just be friends, remember?"
"Bad ideas are usually the most fun. And we are friends."
She laughed dryly. "I don't want a friendship with benefits. Anyway, what would Ryan say?"
The mention of Ryan's name was a sure cockblocker. He released his hold on Hailey and stepped away. "I lost my head. I think you're a damn hot woman, and sometimes I forget it's you. I gotta go."
She turned around. "Where are you going?"
"For a ride, then back to the clubhouse."
"I'd like to ride on your Harley sometime." Her gaze caught his and the sexual tension between them crackled.