“He’s nothing but trouble,” Gloria says, and then looks at me. Until now, she has been great. I hope that doesn’t change just because of this incident.
“What did he say?” she asks with a suspicious look on her face. I’m not sure I should mention that Hunter wants to take me out, but if he does come to the salon to pick me up, she will see him and think I’m hiding things from her.
“He asked me out.”
She tenses and then shakes her head. “He’s a player, Dakota. Make sure you don’t go for his sweet words, because they mean nothing.”
There is real resentment in her words, which tells me that there is definitely some kind of history between the two of them. Do I want to get in between them? What am I thinking? I have no intention of getting involved with someone. In the end, I will just break his heart and mine, as Jason will never give up! I will not take the chance of getting anyone hurt because of me. That has happened before. I will not let it happen again.
“He belongs to that motorbike club just out of town, doesn’t he?” the customer asks. “All those men are drop-dead gorgeous. One of them delivers in my area. I must confess to having ordered items just to have him come to my house.” She laughs at her statement, which has me smiling at her, but I notice that Gloria has a pensive look on her face.
“Yes, I noticed his kutte,” I say, remembering the words “Wolverine MC” embroidered on the back of the kutte in a dark red. “So, you say that one of them delivers parcels?” That’s a strange occupation for a biker.
“Oh, no, sweetheart, they have a delivery business. All the bikers deliver parcels, but they all allocate in different areas.” I guess it’s better being in the delivery business than distributing drugs or weapons like most motorbike clubs do. Maybe he isn’t such a bad boy as his look portrays.
“Are you going to go out with him?” Gloria asks.
“Well, I said no, but I don’t think he was listening.” She frowns in anger.
“In my opinion, I would go out with him, sweetheart, even if it’s just to look at him,” the woman snickers playfully. I shake my head in amusement at her playfulness.
“Dakota, why don’t you take Mrs. Thomson to wash her hair?” Gloria snaps, which has both of us looking over at her. She must have realized her snappish attitude, because her cheeks start to flush in embarrassment. This thing with Hunter has upset her, which tells me that I need to keep away from him as much as I can, because I can’t afford to lose my job.
“Please follow me, Mrs. Thomson,” I say as I walk towards the basins. After washing her hair, I take her towards the chairs where she will be having her hair cut. The rest of the day rushes past as one client after another walks in. Gloria and I work quite well together. Jenny is also one of the hairdressers, but she’s on leave today. I was lucky to have gotten this job when I did and so quickly, but one of Gloria’s ladies had just left the day before when I came in looking for a job.
I have had a niggling feeling like someone is watching me the whole day, but no matter how many times I look through the floor-to-ceiling salon window, I can’t see anyone. I know I might be a little paranoid, as I am constantly on the lookout for any sign that Jason might have found me again, but I doubt he would have found me so soon.
When Gloria agreed to give me the job, I told her about why I was here, and that I was on the run from my ex. I was lucky that she was very understanding to the point of saying that if he showed his face here, she would help me bash it in. The thing that I didn’t tell her is that Jason is in the marines and it is difficult for anyone to get one on him. I wonder how Hunter would do against him? At that thought, I stop what I’m doing and frown. Where did that thought come from?
I have never had such an instant attraction to anyone like I do with Hunter. His very presence dominates my every sense. I wonder if he will be true to his word and come here after work to take me out? Maybe I should ask Gloria and leave a little earlier so that he doesn’t find me when he comes. I know she would be fine with the idea, as she has been quiet and moody the whole day, and I’m sure that has to do with Hunter’s visit this morning.
I want to ask her if there is anything there between them, but I don’t want her to know that I’m interested, in case that will impact her keeping me here.
Our last customer just left, and now it’s just packing everything away. My stomach is in knots, thinking that as soon as I walk out, Hunter will be there waiting for me.
What should I do? I know I want to go out with him, but I also know getting involved with another bad boy is a terrible idea. Looking around, I see that there is nothing else I can do to keep me here any longer. Sighing, I walk to the back to take my handbag and change my shoes. I am walking back into the salon from the back when I hear voices.
When I step through the door, I see Hunter standing before Gloria, his hands low on his hips as she stands before him, a scowl on his face. Her right hand is resting on his chest as a sign of familiarity, an angry look on her face. At my entrance, Hunter’s eyes snap towards me and stay. Gloria must have realized that I have entered, because she pulls her hand away and turns towards me.
“Hunter is here to take you out,” she says, her voice bland but her eyes still showing the anger she has been portraying the whole day.
“I didn’t confirm that I would go out with you.”
He shrugs. “You have to eat. You might as well eat with me.”
“Look, I don’t want problems, and it seems like this is going to be a problem.”
“There is no problem here, is there, Gloria?” Hunter says, not taking his eyes away from me. I glance at Gloria and see her wince at his question, and then she shakes her head in denial.
“No, Dakota, Hunter is right. There is no problem here,” she says, and then she walks towards me. Placing her hand on my shoulder, she nods. “He is a great guy, and maybe he will be able to help you with your situation.” With those words, she steps aside and inclines her head towards him. “Now go and have something to eat.”
It’s not as if I can refuse now that Gloria has practically thrown me at him. “Don’t get any ideas. This is just a meal.” But with the sexual magnetism between us, even I know that I’m lying through my teeth. I haven’t been with a man in the last three years. I think my body is rebelling and wanting the attention that Hunter is silently promising.
HUNTER 3
This won’t be just a meal, but if it makes her happy to think so, I will let her. I have been outside the salon the whole day. There is no way I am going to let another male near my mate until she is bound to me. Two men tried to come in to get their hair cut, and I graciously turned them away. I’m not too sure that I like Dakota touching other men, even if it’s just to cut their hair.
Another thing that I am curious to ask about is this situation Gloria suggested to Dakota that I might be able to help her with. Nothing will be too much when it comes to my mate. I haven’t bound our life force yet, but already I feel an inseparable feeling towards her.