Tig rode behind Katie as they ripped out of Charming. He loved watching her ride, she looked so comfortable, so at peace like she belonged on that bike and nowhere else. She rode like one of the guys, not some yuppie woman with the stiff arms and straight back. She looked good and in his mind it was sexy as hell.
He still wasn't sure how he wanted to go about trying to reconnect with Katie. Should he try and push the subject and let her know how he feels? Or on the other hand just take it slow and see how the night would progress?
"Damn women, this is why I like hookers," Tig sighed to himself, frustrated at his current situation.
A little ways outside of Charming there was a small run down bar that Katie pulled into, Tig following closely behind. Cars were scattered throughout the parking lot, and few bikes parked out front. Katie shut the bike off and took a deep breath before turning to shoot him a half hearted smile.
"I thought you wanted to puts some miles on the bike darlin'?" Tig asked a little confused.
"I do Tiggy, but you gotta give me somewhat of a break, the leg is just healing and I can only take so much at one time. Let's get a few drinks then hit the road again. Just let me get some blood flowing," she said as she slowly got off the bike.
"Sorry, I didn't even think about that. Take all the time you need," he said as he watched her gingerly trying to put weight on her injured leg. "Where's your cane?"
"Fuck the cane, I'm tired of that damn thing. Makes me feel like I should have a wooden leg and a patch over my eye," she scowled as she walked with Tig into the bar.
The little bar was stuffy, smelled of smoke, stale beer and shame. The two made their way to a few empty seats at the bar and took in their surroundings. A short, haggard looking, older women with what seemed like a permanent looking scowl on her face, came over to take their orders.
"What can I get you," she asked in a monotone voice.
"Double shot of Jack on the rocks," Katie said reaching for her money clip.
"Same," Tig replied as he pushed Katie's hand back. "Put your fucking money away bitch," he said in a light tone.
"Ok but only cause I like it when you talk dirty to me," Katie said with a chuckle.
They sat in silence for a while, looking around the small, dusty bar to make sure there weren't any unfriendly faces with rival colors staring back at them. Tig couldn't help but notice how Katie shifted uncomfortably on her bar stole, no doubt trying to get the constant ache to ease up. In a way he felt bad for her. She was too young to have to deal with problems like this, pain like that. Although she would never admit it, he could see it in her eyes, the pain and frustration. She had turned her stole and was watching the crowd with her back to the bar as he sat and watched her. The dark circles under her eyes screamed of the lost hours of sleep that had been long robbed from her. He wondered if the nightmares and flashbacks had gotten any better since she saw Jack, but he didn't want to ask her. Had her sleep gotten better since she started spending nights with Chibs? Again, another question he wouldn't dare ask. His thoughts were soon interrupted by a voice he could have done without hearing.
"So the rumors are true… The beautiful princess of bikers has returned, and a war hero at that," Darby said from behind Tig.
"Darby, you haven't changed a bit I see, still bald and angry," Katie said turning to meet his eyes.
"How wrong you are. Bald yes, but who could be angry when they are staring at you. I must say you have grown up to be quite the beautiful woman," he said letting his eyes rake over her body.
"Back off Darby," Tig growled as he stood up from his seat.
"Calm down Tig, I didn't come over here to start anything. For once I was being genuine and wanted to welcome Kate back to her beloved Charming," Darby said with a chuckle.
"Tig, it's ok," Katie said patting the SON on his shoulder.
Tig sat down, slightly relaxing until he saw Darby hug her.
"It's good to see you made it back safe kid," he said as he hugged her.
"Thanks man, it's good to be back," Katie said hugging him back. "Did you keep your promise?"
Darby pulled away from the embrace and caught Tig's glare before turning his attention back to Katie.
"Yes, but you might want to explain what that promise was to Tig, because he looks like he's going to kill me," he said as he took a step away.
"Tig, calm down," Katie said in a serious tone. "Darby and I are on good terms and have been for a long time, since before I left. You remember the last time mom almost overdosed just before I left?" After a nod she continued. "Well, I went to Darby and talked to him and some of his guys."
"Well she talked to me, she beat the fuck out of two of my guys," Darby said with a chuckle.
"Yeah, whatever, details aren't important. But, he promised he and his guys would stop selling to my mom. As much as I hate the bitch I don't want to see her kill herself with that poison," Katie said.
"And I stopped dealing to her. In fact, last time I heard as of six months ago your mom has been sober," Darby said with a slight smile.
"Why the fuck would you do her any favors?" Tig asked with his glare still fixed on his face.
"Just because of the history between me and the club doesn't mean I can't do something nice for someone involved with you guys. Katie's a good kid, always treated me good despite all the history. I couldn't say no to her," Darby said smiling at pretty woman next to him. "Look I just wanted to say hi. I'll let you guys get back to it. Good to see you sweetheart."
Tig watched as Darby walked away, and then turned his attention back to Katie who was now staring back into the crowd in the bar.
"Why the fuck didn't you say anything to me about that?" Tig asked in an angry voice.
"What was there to tell? You think you know every move I used to make?" She replied matching her tone to his own.
"You could have at least mentioned you had a good relationship with Darby, that could be beneficial to the club," he said as he picked up his glass.
"Relax Tiggy, it's not like I was sleeping with him or anything, chill the fuck out," she said growing more agitated.
"I just don't like it, it's Darby," he said with a growl.
"Drop it Alex," Katie said in a dangerous voice.
"Whatever," he snapped before turning back to his drink.
Katie eyed him for a moment.
"What the fuck is you problem Tig? You have been nothing but hot and cold to me since I came home and it's starting to piss me the fuck off," she said in a dark voice. "You got some problem with me? Fuck!" She growled as she slammed her glass on the bar and stalked out to the parking lot.
"Fuck me, well that went well," Tig said as he got up from his seat to follow her out. "Katie, wait!"
Again, how did things go wrong so quickly? She had always had a short temper but Christ this was ridiculous. Things were not going the way he had planned yet again which seemed to become habit.
"Katie, will you fucking wait?" Tig yelled as he followed her into the parking lot a few steps behind her. He finally reached her and grabbed her by the arm, stopping her and spinning her to face him. For a minute he stood there, her cobalt blue eyes meeting his as he studied her. A million thoughts flew through his mind along with all the things he wanted to say but couldn't. Her expression was no longer angry, instead her face reflected the physical pain she was in and he suddenly understood why she snapped at him.
"I'm sorry I got pissed Tiggy. I'm just hurting pretty bad right now and my patience and temperament are kind of off," she explained.
Tig took a step closer to her, his face softening giving her a sympathetic look as he took her beautiful face into his large, rough hands. He couldn't help but smile at the way she seemed to relax into his touch and saw his window of opportunity. Without thinking, he slowly closed the space between them pulling her to him, their bodies pressed together. The inches between their mouths slowly becoming less and less until Tig finally pressed his lips softly to hers. It was short but sweet and meaningful unlike the kisses they had shared before.
"Come on, let's get you back to the clubhouse so you can put your leg up, baby your over doing it," he said in soft tone after he broke away from her.
They took the long way back to the club house but when they got back Katie's pain was in full force. Tig rushed over to her as she struggled to gain her balance and get off of her bike. Wrapping an arm around her waist he helped her as they slowly made their way to the clubhouse. Once inside the first person they saw was Chibs which made Tig groan inwardly.
"Darlin', what 'appened?" Chibs said making his way over to her.
"Nothing Chibby, leg is just hurting. Think I'm over doing it a little too much," Katie replied with a small smile.
"Let's get ya into the back and off your feet and let me take a look at that leg," Chibs said with a small kiss on her cheek as he snaked his arm around her waist, almost completely dismissing Tig.
"Hey want me to grab you some ice?" Tig asked as he watched Chibs help her away.
"No, but you can grab me that bottle of Jack," Katie smiled over her shoulder.
Chibs changed her bandages and helped her change and get comfortable on the bed with her leg propped up before excusing himself to go take a shower. Tig had left, said he was actually going to go home for once. A slightly hurt look on his face as he kissed her on the cheek before he left.
Katie sat trying to comprehend the events of the night but with no avail. The whole Tig situation was getting weirder and weirder and she was thoroughly confused. Their kiss earlier was completely out of character for him and it played over and over in her mind. What was he trying to do? What game was he playing at? Her thoughts consumed her and while in her own little world, she didn't hear the shower shut off and Chibs walk out of the bathroom.
"Katie," Chibs said in his thick Scottish accent. "Darlin', I called ya name a couple a times, are ya alright?" Katie snapped out of her fog and turned her attention to Chibs. The handsome Scott was standing in front of her in nothing but a pair of boxers. His hair still was dripping wet, shedding small water droplets which ran down the front of his chest.
"Sorry Chibby, zoned off a little there," she said as she let her eyes roam over his body.
"Ya' doin' alright?" He said sitting on the edge of the bed next to her running his hand up her arm in a comforting way.
"I'm alive," Katie replied with a sigh.
"Well, thank God for that," he said with a smile before leaning in to kiss her.
There was something about the way he kissed her that made her melt, she had never been kissed like that. It was slow, delicate and passionate and made her come unhinged. His lips were the distraction from life that she needed and when he kissed her it seemed everything else just faded away. Her thoughts and questions involving Tig drifted away and no longer existed. Suddenly, everything revolved around that kiss, that moment.
"I swear love, I could lose track 'o time doin' that," Chibs said after breaking the kiss and taking a moment to look at her.
"Well, who said you had to stop?" Katie asked running her hand over his cheek and through his hair. That was all the reassurance Chibs needed before bringing his lips to hers once more.
Every part of Katie's body was one fire. It was like an electrical current that started at her lips and ran all the way to her toes. Chibs experienced lips and tongue moved slowly with hers causing her heart beat to rise and the rest of her come alive. She loved the way he smelled of soap, leather and smoke and tasted of Scotch and mouth wash. He had moved from his seat on the edge of the bed and was now carefully laying on top of her, moving his weight just right heightening her arousal and attraction to him.
A sound suddenly started to breaking through the haze of pleasure that had surrounded them, slowly making its way to Katie's ears. The nagging sound slowly became louder and louder until Katie came to her senses and realized her phone was ringing.
After pushing Chibs away she leaned over to the night stand to grab her phone.
"Yeah?!" She barked in an irritated tone as she tried to catch her breath.
"Jesus Christ, I've been trying to call you for 10 minutes. Where the hell are you?" Jax replied on the other side of the line.
"I'm at the clubhouse. Where the hell would I be cuzzie?" Katie said sitting up a little straighter.
"Where's Chibs, is he with you, been trying to call him to?" Jax asked in a rushed tone.
"Yeah, he's here. Why?" Katie said eying the sexy Scott with lust filled eyes.
"Need both of you to meet me at Gemma's house now, come strapped," he said.
"What the fuck happened Jax?" Katie asked suddenly alarmed.
"Brown shot up the house. We are having a meeting now, and you need to be here," Jax said before hanging up.