Standing By (Road House) Read online

  This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents depicted in this work are of the author’s imagination or have been used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, locations, or events is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved.

  Copyright 2013 Madison Stevens

  No portion of this book may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without the prior written permission of the author.

  Chapter One

  Pan sighed. She was sick of chasing after someone who didn’t want her. For some reason, she had a hard time not seeking out Emilio. Something about him just pulled her in. Aside from his amazing good looks, he seemed so in charge and dependable. Not that he was letting her close enough to really find out. Nope, she was left out, looking in.

  “Something on your mind?” Tyler nudged her arm. She smiled at him. Now here was the guy she should be going for. Tats, piercings, the whole nine yards. Yet every time she was around him, she just didn’t feel it. He was a fantastic guy though. She was happy to be around him.

  “Nothing really,” Pan said and glanced again at Emilio. His tan, muscled arm flexed as he took a drink off his beer. A lock of his ink black hair fell over his eyes. Pan ached to brush it back.

  “Yeah, that sure looks like nothing,” Tyler said. He arched a brow at her and glanced over across the room. “Not sure what his deal is, but it’s his loss.”

  Tyler tossed his arm over the back of her chair and pulled her a little closer.

  Even if he wasn’t who she really wanted, it was nice to be wanted. Pan enjoyed the warmth and leaned her head on his shoulder.

  Damn it! If Emilio had to watch them for one more second, he was going to lose his cool. It was bad enough he had to avoid her like the plague, but he wasn’t about to watch as she got together with Tyler. She wasn’t supposed to end up with him. Not that she should end up with Emilio. With the shit-storm his father had left him with, it was better that he not be tied to anyone. He never knew who could be watching, and he wouldn’t risk her safety.

  No, it was better that he just deal and stop sulking like a little bitch.

  Emilio slammed a shot. One of many this night.

  “Easy,” Luc said over the haze of the alcohol.

  He looked over again to see her place her head on Tyler’s shoulder.

  There was no way he was going to sit around here and watch her hook up with his friend. Emilio spotted Karen across the room. Usual big hair, big tits, no brain combo. Just what he was looking for. Something he could really sink into and forget his troubles.

  He winked at her across the room. Didn’t take long for her to saunter over.

  “Hi, Emilio. What are you up to tonight?” She leaned over, real close to his face, giving him the perfect view of her tits.

  Emilio stood up. “Let’s get out of here.”

  “You sure?” Luc shot him a pensive look.

  With a short nod of his head, the two made their way out of the bar.

  Pan’s eyes flew open when, startled as Sarah flopped down into the seat next to her. The music had faded to a nice buzz, and she was just starting to feel at peace.

  “Phew! I don’t know if I’ve ever been so tired.” She grabbed her ticket book and fanned herself.

  “It has been pretty busy lately.” Pan had noticed the increase and wondered if it was the occasional band or if Sarah’s mother had pushed for some advertising. She suspected it was a combination of the two.

  Sarah leaned in when Tyler excused himself to the bathroom.

  “So what the hell is going on between you all?” she asked.

  “Who?” Pan asked with surprise. “Me and Tyler? Nothing. It’s just nice to have a warm body to snuggle next to sometimes.”

  “Well don’t lead him on. Tyler might look tough with all the muscles, ink and piercings, but he’s more than that.” Sarah looked toward the bathroom with sadness.

  Pan got the impression there was something she wasn’t being told and looked at Sarah expectantly.

  She shrugged. “I’m just saying, he’s a fine piece of man meat, but he’s got real feelings. I think a lot of people don’t give him enough credit because he looks so tough.” Sorrow rimmed her eyes.

  Pan huffed. “Do you know something I don’t?” Her arms crossed in front of her.

  “Nope.” Sarah took her towel and swiped the table a bit. “Just seen it in his eyes.”

  Pan knew what Sarah was talking about. She’d seen that haunted look that seemed to follow Tyler around. If only she could make herself love him. He really would be the better choice.

  Tired, she shook those thoughts from her head and stood.

  “Tell Tyler I had to split will ya?” She stretched, and the tank she was wearing inched up under her breasts.

  “Sure,” Sarah said as Pan walked out the door.

  The chilled air reminded her that summer was just about finished. Here soon it wouldn’t be so comfortable for her to wear the tanks and jeans. The change always made Pan a little sad. All her great tats would be covered up. Such a sin really.

  Lost in her own thoughts, Pan was surprised when she rounded the corner to the bar and spied a couple nestled in the alcove of the building. She was surprised that she hadn’t heard the woman previously with all the noise she was making.

  Trying hard not to be noticed, Pan stilled and tried to figure out what to do. She glanced over at the woman again as her high-pitched staccato squeaks cut through the air. There wasn’t much she could see of the woman. Her back was mostly wedged on the side of the building that jutted out to the side. It partially blocked her from the view of the street.

  She gasped when her gaze fell on the man. It was Emilio. His eyes shot up to her.

  Her heart beat triple time and twisted from the pain.

  This was a man she’d been after for ages, and yet there he was, fucking some bimbo. She really wanted to be angry, but in truth, the sight of him turned her on more than anything. His eyes hooded over as he stared at her.

  Her breathing became uneven as she watched him plow into the woman. She licked her dry lips and felt a tingle in her nipples that sparked down to her clit. Pan squeezed her legs together to ease the throb. Emilio watched her with such hunger that she couldn’t look away.

  Watching him caused such an ache. She felt her hand trace a path on her neck. It made her nipples pebble. As her hand slid down to ease her tortured breasts, Emilio watched with desperation in his eyes. Never easing up, he continued to fuck the woman at a near brutal pace.

  Just as Pan reached her nipple, Emilio ceased his movement and closed his eyes.

  “Pan,” he whispered.

  Everyone froze.

  Pan dropped her hand in shock. Had he really just said that?

  Emilio’s eyes snapped open. Apparently, he realized his mistake.

  “What the fuck!” The woman pushed away from him. “Did you seriously just do that?”

  Pan choked as she tried to catch her breath.

  The woman turned toward the sound.

  “Oh fuck you both.” She shoved Emilio back.

  “Karen!” he shouted.

  This was too much. Way more than Pan could deal with. The man was so distant every other time, but he wanted her when he was going at it? She turned and walked quickly to her bike.

  “Wait,” she heard him call. Whether he was calling to her or Karen, she didn’t know, but it didn’t matter. It’s not like things were going to change.

  Pan hopped on her bike and tore out of the parking lot.

  Emilio sighed. That had turned to shit real quick. He pulled off the condom and tossed it in the dumpster.

  He didn’t
know what he would have said if Pan hadn’t run off. Wasn’t like his situation had changed. There were issues he had to deal with, and she couldn’t be involved. End of story.

  He scrubbed a hand down his face. That had been amazing though. The want for her almost seemed to manifest his desire. One second he was seeing her in his head, they next she was there. Not only that, but it wasn’t the first time he’d called out her name at release either. His desire for her consumed his every thought.

  Emilio sighed again and started toward the door. Maybe he could get a ride home from one of the guys. Tonight was just not what he expected.

  ***

  Pan’s heart slammed into her chest.

  What the hell was that?

  She was not the kind of woman that liked voyeurism or even PDA. So what the heck was that all about? She shook her head and slowed down as she turned the corner near the bar. She would just have to chalk it up to being horny. It had been quite a while since she had gotten any.

  Something caught the corner of her eye as she passed an alley near the bar. Two men lurked in the shadows. She shivered as she drove past. One of the men stepped out slightly. His gold tooth glinted in the streetlight.

  Max. Pan cursed under her breath. She had done a run for Max recently. Being a courier meant that sometimes she ran documents for less than savory people, but since all she did was paper, there was little risk in the deal. Until she made the run for Max.

  The man receiving her delivery looked less seedy but dangerous none the less. When he looked in the envelope and proceeded to light it on fire, she was more than a little surprised. He handed back what was left of the ash paper and paid her to relay a message to Max.

  “Go suck a dick,” she had said to Max.

  “Go what?” Max’s hand crunched the paper.

  “Suck a dick.” Pan backed away slightly. This was not the kind of situation she wanted to be in.

  “Got another run for you,” Max said, his tone menacing.

  “Sorry, can’t take on any more work.” Pan quickly hopped on her bike.

  “Oh, I don’t think you understand.” Max reached forward and placed a hand on the front of her bike. “This isn’t really a request.”

  “Are you threatening me?” Pan carefully placed her hand on the side pack of her bike. She’d tucked a knife in there just in case something like this came up but really didn’t want to use it. Especially since she was certain Max and his cronies were all packing heat.

  “Let’s not call it a threat.” He leaned forward, close enough for her to experience his stale breath. “Let’s call it a promise.”

  “Really? Talk about cliché.” Pan revved the engine and leaned toward him, reaching into the side pack. “How about this for a promise? Move back before I give you a new hole to piss out of.” She tapped her knife on the inside of his thigh.

  Max’s face contorted in rage. The other men outside the warehouse stilled to watch where things would go.

  “You bitch!” he said through gritted teeth. “Don’t think this is the last of this.”

  “Well, next time I’ll be sure to bring bigger toys.” Pan put both hands on the bike and spun out. “And use some mouth wash before you kill someone.”

  Nope, things had not gone well. And now here was Max. So, she watched the alley to see if Max would come after her. Instead, a teen walked from the sidewalk into the alley. She watched in her mirror as the three disappeared into the darkness.

  Pan shook her head and tried to clear out all the crap from recent days. Between Emilio and Max, she was having a hard time keeping things from getting all jumbled.

  The bookstore came into view. She was more than a little happy to slip her bike around back in the shed. It wasn’t the most ideal spot but better than alerting Max where she might be. Especially now that she had a pregnant sister to worry about.

  The back door popped open at the click of her key.

  “Hello,” she called.

  She turned to double-check that the lock was in place and then stomped up the stairs. Normally Pan didn’t like to make so much noise, but there had been more than one occasion she’d come home to her sister and Luc going at it.

  “Everyone’s getting some but me,” she mumbled as she made her way to the apartment.

  The door to the apartment was much like any other door except it was inside the bookstore. Pan fished out the key and went inside.

  It was a small space, but she loved it. Although she was technically sharing it with her sister, Iris had mostly moved in with Luc. The two would sometimes sneak up stairs for lunchtime hanky-panky, but that was usually the extent of things.

  After their uncle had died, Iris took Pan to a number of stores, and the two picked out furniture they could afford and liked. Pan picked things that were comfortable. She might be a tough biker chick, but she’d be damned if she didn’t like a nice comfy sofa.

  She plopped the keys in the bowl by the door and made her way to the couch.

  So many things to process. She shook her head. The images of Emilio flashed through her head. Her chest ached. It didn’t seem to matter how much she cared or even how much he might want her. Pan was tired of chasing.

  Pan rolled on her back and forced herself up. She needed to get to bed because tomorrow was a new day. A start to an Emilio-free life. She shuffled off into the room, the resolution fermenting in her brain.

  Chapter Two

  Emilio walked around the bike. This was just not working. He had tried everything. The damn thing just wouldn’t run right. The diagnostic tool sat on the floor beside the bike. Things seemed so much simpler when bikes weren’t computerized.

  He glared at the box. If it weren’t so expensive, he’d consider drop-kicking the damn thing across the room. He kept getting the same reading, but there just didn’t seem to be a reason for it. The exhaust was in perfect working order. Hell, the whole thing purred like a kitten. Or maybe a small tiger.

  Emilio threw down his gloves and went to the cooler for some water. Maybe this was less about the bike and more about his thumping head. He massaged his temples. Getting wasted the night before had been not such a hot idea.

  He sighed. No, it had been a terrible idea.

  Not only was Karen ready to rip his balls off, but he didn’t know if he could look Pan in the eye again. In the haze of the moment, she had been there when he wanted her the most. With her looking so amazing, he just couldn’t stop himself. When she had slid her hand down to her tits, he just lost it. Even now, just thinking about it made him hard.

  Shifting to the side, Emilio tried to hide the evidence. Last place a man wanted to be hard was in a garage full of men. Well, the last place a straight man wanted to be hard.

  A noise from across the gravel lot drew his attention.

  Pan climbed out of her Lincoln Town Car. She looked his way. A blush darkened her cheeks, and she quickly looked away.

  Emilio nearly groaned when she climbed into the backseat of the car, her jean-covered ass poking out. The way those pants fit like a second skin made him want to explore things he shouldn’t. She came out loaded down with boxes, and he was slightly disappointed he hadn’t spent more time checking out her low-cut top.

  “Hang on, Pan,” Tyler shouted from the mouth of the garage. Emilio couldn’t stop the hard line that formed around his mouth.

  He liked Tyler, but he had no right to be all over Emilio’s woman.

  Emilio froze. That wasn’t right. She wasn’t his woman. Hell, he’d done just about everything in his power to convince not only her but himself that she wasn’t his woman.

  There was no way he’d drag her into his shit. His dad had done a good enough job of that considering the mess he, his sister Mary, his brother Nicoli and mother were all in thanks to that douche. It would be a miracle if he came away from his dealings unscratched. He already suspected Nic was involved in dangerous shit.

  He looked longingly as Tyler reached Pan. No, there just wasn’t room for her and every
thing she would mean.

  Pan pasted a smile on her face. How was it that the last person she wanted to see was the first person she looked at? Yes, some cruel force must have been at work for that to happen.

  Tyler stepped up and reached out.

  “Here, let me take some of those,” Tyler said. She reached out to hand over a few of the boxes but came back empty handed when he took them all.

  “Thanks.” She hurried to open the door.

  She took the boxes back and placed them just inside the door. Iris peeked through the screen.

  “Oh hi, Tyler.” Iris caught Pan’s eye. The questions were nearly bursting out but now was not the time.

  “Looks like you’re really settling in now with Luc,” Tyler said with a nod.

  Pan smirked at the blush coloring her sister’s cheeks.

  After the wild courtship between Iris and Luc, it was no surprise to anyone that Iris ended up pregnant or that she would move in with him. They really were a complementary match. Iris and her bookish ways, Luc and his bike shop.

  Pan chuckled. He was her yin to his yang.

  “I guess I am,” Iris said. She gave a weak smile and placed a hand on her growing belly.

  Iris seemed a little less ashen today. The past few months had been hell for Iris. At nearly six months, they had all expected the morning, or in her case all day, sickness would be gone. Unfortunately, she was one of the few whose illness lingered. It had been a big reason Pan had stayed close to home and taken the job from Max. She wanted the money, but traveling out of state just wasn’t something she wanted to risk. Luc had been great, but someone had to be there when he couldn’t. Besides, who was going to run the bookshop when Iris felt like garbage?

  Truth be told, she actually liked being home. She got to hang at the bar and keep up with friends. It meant she and Iris had time to bond, something they hadn’t done in years.

  “I’m just going to take this stuff back to the room,” Iris said. She gave Pan a pointed look.