And men. Lots and lots of men.
They all turned to look at them when they walked in. Every single guy in the joint gave her the look over. Janet looked around and saw a few seriously underdressed women here and there.
She smiled to herself. Her mini skirt and tank top were practically modest. Not as modest as Kaylie's outfit, but close.
Devlin made a beeline for them, kissing Kaylie quickly before holding out his hand in greeting. God, he was cute. Janet couldn't help but be a little envious of the adoring way he was staring at her friend.
There was no doubt in her mind that he loved Kaylie.
Of course, it was kind of hard not to love Kaylie. Janet had adored her since they were little girls playing in the sandbox together. Didn’t matter that Janet’s family was wealthy or that Kaylie and her single mom lived in a less desirable part of town.
It had been friendship at first sight. Nothing, and no one had been able to keep them apart since.
Well, other than the whole leaving town to pursue a classical dance career part.
She sighed dreamily, wondering if anyone would ever look at her the way Devlin looked at her friend.
The crowds parted as he led them over to the bar. Without a word a few guys got up to vacate stools for them. She and Kaylie hopped onto the stools as a handsome guy with spiky black hair and bright blue eyes came over to take their orders.
"You must be Janet. I've heard a lot about you. I'm Donahue."
Janet blushed a little bit. What had Kaylie said about her to these guys? And why would a tough as nails biker give a shit?
From what she could see, they used up women like tissue paper. But Kaylie was in a protected class, and because of that, Janet was too.
It wasn’t just that she was the MC’s President’s old lady. It's because they cared about Kaylie, Janet realized.
Kaylie was one of them now.
Janet had never belonged to any group. Even as a dancer it had been a mostly solitary occupation.
Her abilities growing up had set her so far above the rest of the local talent that no one had really talked to her. Except her teacher Mrs. Lewis, who adored her. And other dancers in the company had seen her as a threat. Until the accident.
Now she was just plain old Janet Mahoney.
"Thanks. It's… nice to meet you too."
"What can I get you lovely ladies this evening?"
She glanced at Kaylie who smiled conspiratorially and leaned forward.
"Two sea breezes please."
Donnie rolled his eyes at the girly order, making them giggle. There were two other guys behind the bar running around and doing the grunt work but Donnie made their drinks, even adding fresh fruit.
They turned around on their bar stools to include Devlin. He waved to a man across the room and he started over.
Janet's heart did a little flip flop at the sight of him. Now there was a biker. Tall and lean and mean looking.
He had long dark hair and was dressed in leather pants and a club jacket, with a black t-shirt underneath. His worn in jeans hugged thighs as thick as tree trunks. And his calves were so big they filled out his jeans. His feet were big too. She shivered as he got closer and she saw his eyes.
No man should have eyes that beautiful. Not in a face made out of granite. And they were dark- so deep and secret that they looked black. His lips were full and sensual even though he looked like he hadn’t smiled in a century.
He didn't look to the left or the right as he walked toward them. It was kind of like she was staring at the Terminator, but a really sexy one. She realized she was gripping her drink too hard and relaxed her hand.
"This is Jack, my second in command. Jack, this is Janet."
Her mouth felt dry as the giant turned his attention toward her. She held her breath as she waited for their eyes to meet. His eyes flicked over her as if she were inconsequential.
But then- he paused as their gazes locked.
There was a glimmer of something- warm in his eyes. Hot even. She felt it down to her toes.
Other places too.
Forget that he was an outlaw biker- eyelashes like that on a man should be criminal. He jerked his eyes away and that was it, whatever electric current she’d felt leap between them was gone.
He nodded at her, and then at Kaylie. And then he turned around and stalked back to the spot he'd been occupying across the room. He hadn’t said even one word.
Janet's mouth must have been open as she stared at him. He was - Jesus - he was a little bit scary! Kaylie giggled and sipped the fresh drink that Donnie had just placed in front of her.
"Don't mind, Jack. He's not as mean as he looks."
"He isn't?"
Devlin grinned and grabbed the beer Donnie served him without asking.
"Jack's one of the best people I know. He just doesn't like to brag about it." He grinned. “Or anything, really.”