“Pierce, just taking a break down here, bit of sun, sea, and sand.” She smiled.
Carter was impressed, not a hint of apprehension. He guessed being an attorney did that to someone—or being a good one did.
“More like sun, sea and a bit of rough, eh.” Belle laughed, a high-pitched sound, a cackle. “No offense, Cart.”
“None taken.”
“I’m used to rough.” Leah smiled.
“You are?” Wyatt asked, his eyebrows rising.
“Comes with the territory.”
“What territory?” Belle asked, then blew a pink bubble that popped with a snap.
“Let’s get those pancakes.” Carter gestured to the bar. “We need food.”
“Sure.” Leah smiled up at him. “Let’s do that.”
Damn it, that smile. She was in a league of her own. What was he thinking bringing her here? Believing she could be his for more than a night? He was stupid, that was what he was. Smart, beautiful women with wit, compassion, and damn good hearts didn’t hang out with MC members. They socialized with other attorneys, doctors, dentists, vets … fuck, her father was mayor, for God’s sake.
He gritted his teeth and frowned as they approached the bar.
Nina looked their way, as did Taff.
Taff’s gaze went straight to Leah and then drifted from her head to her toes then back up again, stopping at her breasts.
Carter’s frown deepened. Taff might be a drunk, but that didn’t stop him from getting the ladies. Tall, with dark hair, twinkling eyes, and some unholy charm that seemed to work. But as far as Carter was concerned, that charm was a trick to make women like him, and not see what was really on his mind.
Filth.
“Why Carter, you have company.” Nina smiled warmly. “Who is this beauty?”
“Yeah, she is a beauty.” Taff licked his lips then glugged on his beer.
Carter tore his attention from Taff to Nina before he thumped him. “This is Leah. She’s with me.”
“Can see that.” Nina directed her smile at Leah. “And what a pretty dress.”
“Er, you think?” Leah plucked the material. “I feel kind of overdressed now though.”
Nina stared at her for a moment, then she tipped her head back and let out a raucous guffaw. “Oh my, you gal.” She pointed the whisky glass at Leah. “Are gonna fit right in here.” She banged the glass down. “What can I get you both?”
“Pancakes.” Carter pulled out a bar stool for Leah. “If you can?”
“For you, my boy, anything.” She pressed her hand over Leah’s. “You gotta good one there, the pick of the bunch, you know.”
Carter sat and nodded at the stacked glass-fronted refrigerator. “And a couple of them.”
Nina chuckled. “Sure thing.”
She set the beers on the bar then wandered to the kitchen area.
“Cheers.” Carter clinked his bottle to Leah’s. “To your first trip to the compound.”
“You think there’ll be more? I’m going back home soon.”
“Let’s not think about that.”