The bells clang in my head. Shit, I was dealing with Jono, and now it looks as though Cole is going to be more of a problem than I anticipated. “And this blog.”
Data whistles. His smile splitting his face. “It’s hot stuff. I’m still trying to trace the boyfriend.” Data chuckles as he passes me a file. “I think he’s closer to home than anyone realized. This is what I’ve got on Johnson.” I take the file Data removed from his bike trunk. “I was going to drop it off later.” His gaze goes to the house. “There wasn’t any need to come over.”
“I was out for my run. It wasn’t a problem.”
Data’s chuckle follows me down the path as I leave the house. I’m still frustrated, and it’s going to be a few days before I find any relief. I smile. On my return to the riverboat, I’ll be passing Doc Holden’s place. I’ll see if he can rush the results through.
Chapter 8
Mia: Her home Noir Valley
“Shit. Shit. Shit.” I pace the kitchen floor, my hands clutching at my housecoat and my pussy throbs. It had taken everything in me not to say yes to Alex’ offer of a date tonight or to take him to my room and fuck him. A giggle escapes me. Shit, I can’t believe I straddled Alex while Data and Pond watched. I was mad with Alex. The way he watched me as he taunted me about taking me to his bed had turned my blood molten. The blue of his eyes gleamed, and I had risen to the bait without a blink. My blood racing through me and as I straddled his lap. The thin silk material of my pjs failing to hide the evidence of his arousal. An arousal which increased my already raging libido. His earthy, sweaty scent hadn’t eased the ache in me.
From the kitchen window, I watch Alex and Data chat. My frown deepening when he accepts a file from the younger biker. I nibble my lower lip. Shit, I’ve just agreed to have an affair with Alex Whitton whilst dating Cole. My giggle turns into a nervous chuckle. I’ve managed to delay the inevitable with Alex while he has his tests. Tests he wants me to have. Fuck, I haven’t had sex since that night with Alex.
“Everything okay?”
Lost in my thoughts, I jump when Poppy enters the kitchen. “I’ve agreed to have sex with Alex.”
Poppy’s eyebrow rises as she bites her lip. “You know what you’re doing.”
I nod. Inside, I am quaking. I have no idea what I have just got myself into. What I do know is I should run. That I should keep Alex at arm’s length. “He’s agreed I can keep seeing Cole.”
“You–He–Cole.” Poppy checks her purse. Then collects a set of keys from the hook beneath the top cupboard. “Shit, if I didn’t have a test this morning, I’d skip class.” Poppy’s amber gaze penetrates into me, and I hold my breath. Her lips set straight. “You really think Alex is going to accept you seeing Cole while you’re his?”
“I’m not his. And he has agreed.”
“For how long?”
I shrug. Hopefully long enough for me to get my defenses into place. “He also knows about Dale.” I say on a gulp of air.
Poppy chuckles as she shakes her head. “You mean the fake boyfriend.”
I nod, “shut up, Poppy. You make me sound like an adolescent.”
“I’m not mocking Dale. Shit, he’s paid for our weekends away. And talking of weekends away. Have you told Alex?”
“I’ll tell him.”
“You do.” Poppy pecks me on the cheek, then heads for the kitchen door. She turns to look at me. “This is going to be fun to watch.” The sparkle in her eyes matches her smile. “Best thing Firebird did was hook up with Leon. Otherwise, I’d miss out on all this drama. Shit, it’s better than the TV.” She shrugs, “hearing about it second hand through Noir Valley’s gossip chain, wouldn’t have been the same as watching from the sidelines.” Poppy shakes her head. “You’re about to become notorious. And that blog of yours will pay for spring break. And yeah–you’re coming.”
I shake my head as the door closes on Poppy and make a fresh coffee. Shit, eight days ago, I gave up on Alex. Now, he’s bang center in my life. The door from the hallway opens and Pond strolls in. He’s fresh from the shower and in his hands are his bike keys. He stops as he looks at me. His gray eyes full of concern. “Is there any spare coffee?”
I nod and watch as he pours himself a mug. “I thought you were on Poppy duty.”
“I am. But I can spare five minutes.” I smile as he sits opposite me. “Shit, I’m sorry about this morning. Beneath the surface, Alex is a nice guy.”
“He is nice, Pond. Anyway, I’m a big girl and I know what I’m doing.”
Pond’s smile twists, “He saved my life. I was living on the streets when he found me.” He scratches his head. “He’s a jerk because he’s still hurting.”
“I know and I like him.”
Pond nods as he stands. “I’ll catch you later.”
I nod and as the door closes, I find myself on my own. Lost in my own world. Cole is a defense against Alex. I’ve never used anyone before, but right now, I need the defense Cole offers. Besides, I like Cole. He’s fun to be with. Not like Alex, who is a grouch.
I glance at the house as Cole parks his bike outside a small townhouse. The tap of his fingers against my jean clad thigh draws my attention.
“No restaurant tonight,” I said
Cole dismounts from his
