“Regg!” I screamed throwing my arms around his neck.
“Hey, beautiful!” he said, returning my hug. I stepped back, holding him at arm’s length when my face fell. If he was here, chances were Luke was nearby.
“He’s here. I know what you are thinking,” Regg said, winking at me. As if he heard his name, Luke appeared looking just as hot as I remembered. His ripped jeans gave me a view of his toned, tanned legs and the sleeveless t-shirt he wore under his vest made his full sleeved tattooed arms available for my eyes. My breath caught in my throat when my eyes landed on his mouth. His lips were turned up into a smile, clearly enjoying my reaction. The stubble around his mouth reminded me of the pleasure it gave me when it was on my most sensitive area.
He stepped closer to me, returning the favor of undressing me with his eyes. I was still dressed for work in a cream colored silk blouse and black slacks. He started with my face, pausing momentarily at my cleavage that was barely visible through the opened buttons on my shirt. Then they sRedmed down my legs, all the way to my black Yves Saint Laurent pumps and back up to my eyes. I quickly regained my composure, and regarded him impassively.
“Luke, what a pleasant surprise.”
“Dallas,” he said stepping towards me and closing the distance. “You look absolutely beautiful, as always.” He leaned in, causing my breath to hitch in my throat and planted a soft, chaste kiss on my cheek.
“You must be Lindsey,” he said, turning from me and holding his hand out for Lindsey to shake. She stood staring at him wide eyed and taking his hand in hers, finally managed to mumble something that resembled a hello. I rolled my eyes at her and turned to Luke again.
“We were just leaving,” I said, managing to keep my voice calm and even.
“Really?” he asked, not hiding his surprise.
“No hell y’all weren’t. Y’all were over here flirting with these men,” Regg chimed in, grinning from ear to ear. He really had no filter. Before I could respond, Luke smiled warmly at me.
“Well, who am I to interfere. I hope you ladies enjoy yourself. Ms. Lindsey it was a pleasure to meet you.” And with that, he turned and walked away. My eyes followed him all the way to the door. “Oh and by the way, Dallas,” he said, turning to walk backwards so he was facing me, “Stay away from them cowboys.” He shot me a wink and a boyish smile that left me reeling.
“So that’s Luke?” Lindsey asked me, pulling from my dreamy gaze.
“In the flesh,” I responded, holding up my empty glass to the bartender. “Let’s get shitty, Lindsey.”
“Yes!”
It was midnight when we finally made our way to the parking lot. I held my keys up, pushing the alarm button to remind my cloudy mind where we were parked. We were drunk and giddy as we followed the sound of the horn blaring. Not sure of where it came from, but we were singing loudly tunes from the musical “The Sound of Music,” filling in words we didn’t know with “la- la- la- la.” Our laughter ceased when our eyes came to focus on the two motorcycles sitting next to my car. Regg and a man I didn’t recognize were laughing and shaking their heads at us.
“Did y’all have a good time?” Regg asked, through his laughter.
“Yesssirr,” I slurred, with a solute.
“Damn. How about we give y’all a ride home.” Regg said. It was a demand, not a question. Shit. Are all bikers like this?
“Nah, we’re good,” I responded, swaying slightly.
“Here,” Regg handed me a helmet and took my purse and keys from me before I could respond. The other guy followed suit, taking Lindsey’s purse and handing her a helmet. I started to protest, when Lindsey planted a finger on my lips and shook her head. “He’s cute,” she said, giggling and nodding her head toward the guy with PROSPECT stitched on his vest. I decided not to argue. I owed it to Lindsey- although I was a little displeased that it was Regg I would be riding with and not Luke.
The thought of Red came to my mind and I quickly ignored it. Maybe she wouldn’t find out. Maybe she knows? Oh well, who gives a shit. I clambered onto the motorcycle, with the assistance of Regg. He grabbed my leg and pulled my foot onto his lap. With a disapproving look, he grabbed first one and then the other heel and handed them to PROSPECT. He dutifully took them and repeated the same process with Lindsey who was smiling ear to ear, and put them in his saddle bag.
I winked at Lindsey and held tight to Regg as he fired up the motorcycle and sped out of the parking lot. I couldn’t help the feel of exhilaration I got. I should have been drunk when I rode with Luke. I laughed in Regg’s ear and he shook his head in response. We headed east on Hardy street and I wondered where he was taking us. I didn’t ask I just enjoyed the ride. A small part of me was hoping that wherever we went Luke would be there. The wind in my hair felt amazing. My arms were wrapped tightly around Regg. A twinge of nervousness surfaced when we took a sharp turn to the right, but I closed my eyes and quickly put it at the back of my mind. He pulled up into the parking lot of a hotel. One of the nicest hotels in Hattiesburg, I noted, and parked at the front entrance. Helping me off, he handed me my things and placed his hand on my back, leading me into the hotel. I looked back to see Lindsey wrapping her arm around PROSPECT, but he seemed oblivious to her.