...the next day...
He had been staring at budget reports for the last few hours causing a dull headache to start behind his eyes. "Come in." replied Sheriff Davis watching as his lead detective walked through the door. Spotting the file in his hands, he hoped it was the report from the coroner. "What do we know?" seeing the look on Ryan Walker's face.
Sitting down across from the man who he considered a father figure, the detective opened the file. "Finally got her name just before I came in here. Lindsay Matthews. Thirty-one years old. Single. Residential loan specialist with Sacramento Bank & Trust. No criminal record. Originally from San Jose. Youngest child of Richard and Pamela Matthews." giving the basics first.
"Cause of death?"
"Suffocation." as he turned the first autopsy photo toward his boss. "Her windpipe was basically crushed." pointing to the dark, almost black bruise around her neck. "Mike estimates she died within a minute. Weird thing though." waiting for the sheriff to finish looking through the photos.
"Weird?"
Shaking his head, "Yeah. Mike found a mixture of the motel soap and dish washing detergent with bleach." taking a moment before continuing. "Whoever killed her, washed her body thoroughly after she was dead."
He sifted back through the photos of the young woman. Looking for anything that looked out of place, but there was nothing there. "Do we know why she was in Newton?"
"Not yet. Put an APB out on her car about an hour ago."
Slamming the file shut on his desk before he leaned back in his chair looking across at the best detective he'd ever had on his force, "I want your full attention on this case. This takes top priority over anything that comes across your desk." disgusted that someone was murdered in his county. "Whoever the son of a bitch is that did this, I want his ass on a platter."
***T-M***
He hung the towel up on the hook behind the door before he walked naked into his adjoining bedroom, looking forward to a few hours of sleep before their run tonight. Throwing the dark gray comforter back, he climbed in, remembering to set his alarm. Settling back against his pillows, he closed his eyes wanting to let sleep claim him. Instantly, his body felt the immense difference in the bed he currently was in versus the one he woke up in this morning. The only similarity being he was alone in bed, again. Running a hand over his freshly shaven head, it still bugged him that she had somehow managed to slip out of his arms, get ready for work and leave without him even realizing it until he woke up without her, finding a note next to his gun explaining something had come up at the job site. Thinking about their night, he couldn't help but grin remembering how damn good it had been. He was finding it impossible to not want to be around her. Even during the day, he found himself needing some type of contact with her, even if it was just a brief text or phone call. It had become routine that they met up for lunch daily at Ralph's if they could and every night he'd end his day buried deep inside of her before they fell asleep wrapped around each other. On the rare occasion he wasn't doing a night run, they had even managed going out to dinner a few times, nothing fancy, sticking to local favorites in town, although both of them were just as content to order in and stay at her place. It was more than apparent to him that even his brothers liked the woman who from that first day officially meeting her at the condo had slowly penetrated herself under his skin. Her beauty was undeniable but as he slowly got to know her, he found himself wanting to know everything there was to know about Olivia Parker. He knew she wasn't perfect, hell he'd seen her stubborn side first hand more than one time, but there was something about the woman that kept leading him back to her, and the more time they spent together, the more he realized he couldn't keep mentally telling himself that sex was the reason. Reaching for his phone, he typed a quick text before placing it back on the table.
***Pitman Road***
"What the fuck we goin'a do man? We ain't got shit now!" shouted Barry looking between the two men on the couch. "I can't believe you're this fuckin calm!"
"Pete, can you just sit the fuck down!" yelled Darby. "Bitchin' at me ain't gonna get you anywhere." internally irate another one of his cook houses had mysteriously went up in flames. Staring down his complimentary copy of the fire report, he felt his blood pressure soaring. The cause had been determined to be faulty wiring in the basement, but he knew without a doubt it was at the hands of SAMCRO. Crumbling up the report in his hands, he glanced back at his two strongest soldiers. "You two head over to the Ames Street house. Get at least a hundred packs ready." as he walked toward the front door.
"Where you headed?" asked Roger still sitting on the couch.
Glaring back, "Out." pausing before finishing his statement. "Need to check on something. You two shits keep your phones on." finally walking out the door, headed to his truck. Throughout his entire life, he'd watched from the sidelines as SAMCRO paraded around Charming as if they were the Gods of the town, with Clay fuckin' Morrow leading the way. He'd won a few battles with the biker gang, only to lose several wars, but this latest incident was the final straw.
***Main Street Diner***
"That has to be the best salad I've ever had." Spoke Olivia as she blotted her mouth with the paper napkin. After an extremely busy morning and early afternoon, she was just grateful the two of them were able to find time to eat. Sliding her empty plate to the side, she laughed watching Christy's face as she took the last bite of her cheeseburger.
"So good."
Smiling as the waitress cleared their plates, she looked around at the almost empty diner on Main Street.
"Crap!"
Refocusing her attention on her co-worker, "What's wrong?" she asked concerned at her sudden outburst.
"I totally forgot Sean needed me to go by the tailor and get his new uniforms." digging in her purse for her wallet.
Taking another sip of her water, "Go ahead. I've got this."
"You sure?" Christy asked sliding out of the booth.
"Positive."
"Thanks. I'll see you back at the office then." As she quickly headed toward the door, passing their boss and construction manager on the way out.
"Hey guys!"
Turning her head at the sound of familiar voices, she watched as Elliott and Michael walked toward her table. "Hey."
"Christy okay?" Asked a curious Elliott.
Waiving off any worry, "She's fine. Just almost forgot to go by the tailors for Sean." Looking between the two men. "Everything okay?"
"Yeah. Actually just came from the lumber yard. Placed the first order on the spec houses."
Smiling at the news, "Nice. I can imagine the local lumber owner is over the moon we're going to use him exclusively."
"Where are we on the sample boards?"
"Right now, I have six complete but I want to have at least ten by next week's grand opening." hearing her phone beep from her purse. "Am I still good to start decorating the model later this week?" as she looked at Michael.
"Painters finished up late yesterday and the lighting fixtures are being hung right now. Should be able to move stuff in as early as tomorrow."
She exhaled hearing that she had two extra days to get the model ready. For only working with the two men across from her for just a little over three months, the teamwork between them was solid, and she couldn't have been more pleased. Unable to keep the smile off her face, she pulled her phone out to check her messages. Tuning out Michael and Elliott's conversation, she opened the message and was instantly confused at what she saw. After just a few seconds, it hit her like ton of bricks at the same time she could feel bile threaten to rise from her stomach. Quickly placing the phone on the table, she composed herself hoping to not look like a complete fool in front of her boss and co-worker. "I'll be right back. Going to run to the ladies room." she said making her way to the restroom at the back of the diner. Opening the door to the small three stall bathroom, she walked over to the sink, turning to lean against it. As she closed her eyes, the image flashed vibrantly across her memory, but she shook her head to rid herself of it. Turning back toward the sink, she looked at her reflection in the mirror and silently vowed to herself that she didn't care and she would not let it bother her.
He had been listening to Michael talk about possibly using a local paving contractor to handle the driveways when he noticed her face change as she opened the message. With a quick glance back toward the restrooms, he looked down at the Iphone laying on the table, with curiosity eating at him. Reaching across the table, he slide the phone open finding the message still there.
"What are you doing?" question Michael wondering why Elliott was looking at Olivia's phone.
Glancing over at him, then back toward the bathrooms, "Something just upset her." as the photo uploaded. "What the hell?" staring down at the phone. Oddly he felt anger rising inside him, as he realized what he was seeing. Without hesitation, he quickly forwarded the message to his own phone, before closing the photo and placing the phone back as it was, just as he saw Olivia coming out of the restroom.
Making her way back to the table, she prayed that the two men hadn't noticed anything, but noticed an odd look on Elliott's face.
"You okay?"
With a soft smile across her face, "Yeah. Just wanted to wash my hands." hoping her story was believable. The last thing she wanted was for Elliott to think she was distracted from her job.
He didn't say anything, just shook his head at the woman he had grown to care for as another daughter. Noticing the time, he needed to get Tristan from school and to her gymnastics practice. Looking over at his construction manager, "I'll drop you back off at the office and my way to get Tristan." watching as Michael stood up from the table. "Olivia, where you headed to?"
Throwing a tip down as she stood up, "Back to the office. Plan on getting those last four boards ready tonight. You two have a great evening." as she gave a small smile and wave before heading out the door.
***Charles Road***
Her prayer had been answered as she watched him walk through her back door. Placing the rolled up dollar bill down on the laminate counter, she smiled brightly as she stepped toward her lover. "You have no idea how happy I am to see you." she said failing in her attempt to wrap her arms around him.
This wasn't a social call, but he knew he had to handle the situation delicately if he wanted to get her to help him. Grabbing a beer from the refrigerator, he took a long pull before he spoke the first word to her. "Let me guess...you're running low on powder."
She slowly walked toward him, swaying her hips, as she stopped with her chest lightly pressed against his. "Can't a woman just miss her man?" she asked looking up at him through her false lashes.
A huge part of him wanted to slap her puppy dog expression right off her face, but he needed info and she was going to get it for him. "I bet you do miss your old man. Say, when's the last time you went to see Otto?" he questioned instantly receiving a half-ass'd hurt look in return.
Narrowing her eyes at him, she turned and walked around the coffee table as she reached out for another smoke before sitting down on her worn sofa. She took a long draw off her menthol before replying. "Sounds like someone's jealous." letting her eyes roam over his body.
Hiding the smirk from his face, he realized this was the opportunity he needed. "Am I to believe that I'm who you're missing?" knowing damn well it was the vile in his pocket she actually longed for, but he'd play the game in order to get the intel he needed.
Seductively recrossing her legs, "Well I do believe it's your dick that I can't get enough of." taking another drag noticing his questioning look. "In fact, I do believe I could use a little of that right now."
It was in moments like this that he realized just how desperate she was, and didn't feel the least bit sorry for exploiting her weakness for his own gain. He wanted revenge once and for all against SAMCRO, and if he could use one of their own old ladies to take them down, it would be that much sweeter.
***Oswald Warehouse***
With the last crate now loaded into the van, Happy closed the door before walking back toward the makeshift warehouse. Placing a fresh tooth pick in his mouth, he glanced toward the sky noticing the sun was slowly setting. It was so quiet you could probably hear a pin drop, with the only noise coming from inside no doubt from Tig and the two prospects. Standing just outside the door, he was visually scanning the surroundings when he heard Tig.
"You two shits find Weston's hide out yet?"
Johnny and Reed looked at each other before Johnny finally spoke up. "Still have two places to check, but my money's on the one off of Route 17." noticing Happy walk back in, quick to notice that the club's top assassin looked as if he was ready to kill the first enemy to cross his path.
Shaking his head in agreement, "Yeah. There's no reason why he would be out that far from town unless he's shacked up somewhere near there."
Tig was itching to finally get his hands on Anthony Weston and it could come soon enough. In his typical snarky tone of voice, "Any idea of when you can confirm this?" watching as Happy's eyes slowly moved from prospect to prospect.
Knowing they both wanted answers, "For the past two weeks, he's met Zobelle at this office by nine every morning. If Clay doesn't need us in the morning, we can check it out then." replied Reed looking to Johnny to back him up.
"He didn't mention anything we had to do other than keep watch like we've been doing."
Ready to head out and grab some food before their drop, "Head back to the clubhouse. Check with Clay about tomorrow and if he doesn't need you two for anything, find that fucker's hideout." and with that statement, Happy turned back toward the door, heading outside to the van.
Pulling the keys from his jean pocket, Tig looked at the two current SAMCO hopefuls, "Don't fuck this up." he stated before following his partner in crime outside.
Neither said a word until they watched the tail lights disappear down the long gravel road, until Reed found his voice first. "I think that's the most I've ever heard out of Happy."
"No shit."
Thinking back to before they left the clubhouse, "Shocked the hell out of me to actually see him smile."
Looking back at Johnny like he'd lost his mind, "What? That man never smiles."
With a small laugh, "Nah man. Not the first time I've seen it either." Johnny said, looking around to make sure no one was listening in. "Saw it today when he was texting someone."
"So what...that doesn't mean shit." replied Reed completely disbelieving what he was hearing.
With absolute certainty about what he had witnessed, "Seriously man. The other morning when I got to Olivia's place, I happened to see them standing down the hall in her bedroom, he had the same look on his face. Bet anything, he was texting her earlier."
Reed couldn't deny what Johnny was saying. He may have not yet seen the man known as the Tacoma Killer smile, but he had witnessed with his own eyes some private moments with the sexy brunette. He met them at her door half dressed but armed every morning they had been back over at her place doing recon. Whatever it was going on between them was far from one sided.
***T-M***
"Clay, you got a minute?" asked Bobby holding a steaming cup of spiked coffee in one hand and a ledger in the other.
With a simple nod, the club president motioned for the treasurer to take a seat. "What's on your mind?"
Getting comfortable in his normal spot at the table, "Just finished our books for the month. Another solid one. Profits up ten percent, so I'm going to put an extra ten grand in the bail fund." grateful the club was back on the right path earning.
"How much we keeping out right now?" asked Clay about their day to day operating cash.
Opening the book before spinning it around for him to see, "Actually carrying heavy right now with fifty in the safe."
Liking what he was hearing, Clay smiled at his longtime friend. "Add another twenty to the ten you're already moving." lighting up one of his treasured Cubans. "We should be good with thirty. The Niner's next payment is due later this week. That'll bump us back up to forty once we spread the wealth." closing the ledger and sliding it back over.
"Not going to hear me argue." confessed Bobby. "Still don't have the past two months from Tacoma."
"Seriously?"
Shaking his head, "Yep. Not much going on here, so I'm going to just head up there and get the shit myself. I'll call Slade later and give him the heads up. Thought Koz was bringing them down with him last week, but he never showed."
Curious as to why Tacoma wasn't complying with club rules, "What Koz say about not getting it down here?"
With a shrug of his shoulders, "Nothing really. Got a text from him earlier in the week saying some shit came up they had to handle, and haven't heard anything since. You good with me taking a road trip?"
"Yeah. You want someone to tag along?" asked Clay.
"Nah. Looking forward to some peace and quiet."
***Oswald Ranch***
"Thirty more minutes, Tristan, then lights out." noticing his daughter was still reading on her Ipad. Heading down the hall toward his bedroom, he felt his phone vibrate.
Be there in an hour
Typing a quick reply to meet him by the pool, he heard his daughter's voice. "Daddy, I'm going to bed now." as she walked over to him.
"Alright. I'll see you in the morning. I love you."
Smiling up at her favorite person in the world, "I love you too, Daddy." giving him a big hug before turning to go back to her bedroom.
His eyes followed her all the way until she disappeared into her room, as his mind thought of the day when Anthony Weston would pay for what he had done to Tristan. That day couldn't come soon enough for him, even if it wouldn't be him to finally rid this world of such a monster. It wasn't a question of whether he himself could kill Weston, because he knew he could, without so much as a second thought. All he had to do was remember looking at his battered and beaten twelve year old daughter on a hospital bed as she was poked and examined after being raped. No, Elliott Oswald would have no guilt at taking the life of such a vile bastard, but he wouldn't risk being caught and having Tristan's life ripped apart if he went to prison. To his own amazement, it had been Tig Trager who led the campaign that Elliott had to keep his hands clean and to let him exact revenge for Tristan. He always had known how truly special his daughter was, but after watching the sweet yet strange bond that an outlaw biker shared with a twelve year old girl, he knew she was truly a gift from Heaven. Finishing his nightly check of every door and window, he walked quietly back downstairs, taking the security Ipad with him. With the screen showing his sleeping daughter secure in her room, he vaguely heard the low rumble of motorcycles coming up the long driveway. With his glock resting on his thigh, he heard the two men coming up the back walkway and into sight.
"What's wrong? Midget okay?" asked Tig the instant he spotted Elliott.
"Shh." wanting them to keep their voices down. "She's fine. Great actually." motioning the two bikers to take a seat.
Letting himself relax hearing that his pint-sized friend was okay, he sat down across from the club's strongest ally. "What's up?"
He had always considered the club members his friends, even if he strongly disagreed with some of their doings, especially when it came to women. And in his defense, he never voiced an opinion about anything he'd seen or heard about, choosing to mind his own business, since it never involved him. That was until earlier in the day and witnessing first hand the look of shock on Olivia's face. Although neither of them spoke about what was going on between them, it didn't take much to know that they liked each other. Hell, Elliott had lost count at how many times he'd walk past her office and find the scary bald biker propped up against her desk or the two of them having lunch at Ralph's. He wasn't the type to pry into someone's personal life, but Olivia Parker was a vital piece of his business, and it was important to him that she stay happy and working for him in Charming.
"Ran into Olivia at the Main Street Diner today." instantly seeing Happy tense up.
Watching his brother's body react, his first thought was their next target. "Weston approach her?"
Shaking his head quickly to stop that worry, "No, nothing like that."
"Then what?" asked Happy starting to get irritated.
"Olivia got a text message while we were at the diner. Pretty sure it upset her." looking directly at Happy.
"What was it?" Tig asked.
Picking his phone up off the table, he opened the message waiting for the photo to upload. "I don't usually get into my employee's personal life, but I'm quiet fond of Olivia. Not to mention that she's essential to this new community being successful, so I'm trying to understand why someone would send her this photo of you getting your dick sucked at the clubhouse." as he handed Happy the smart phone.
Grabbing the phone out of his hand, "What the fuck!" Happy said louder than Elliott would have liked.
"Hey...keep it down. Tristan's asleep and doesn't know we're out here."
Staring down at the photo, he felt his blood pressure spike. Taking in every detail, his eyes focused in on the only two words on the screen. Unknown Number. Of course whoever had sent this was a coward, using an untraceable burner phone, but it didn't take a genius to know that it was someone with access to the clubhouse. The rage flowing through his veins was going to burst through at any moment causing him to want to smash the phone.
"How'd you get this?" he finally asked.
Elliott immediately felt a wave of guilt wash over him. "She went to the restroom right after she got this. To be honest, I could tell something had upset her and I was nosy. Forwarded it to my phone before she came back to the table."
"She say anything to you?"
Shaking his head, "Nope not a word. Doesn't know I even looked at it." trying to read what was going through the biker's mind.
"Forward it to me." Happy all but commanded. "I'll handle this shit."
***T-M***
She had spent the last two hours focusing on anything but the short haired blonde girl currently playing darts with Chibs and Juice. The initial feeling of nausea had left her late in the afternoon after returning to the office, only to be replaced with an overwhelming feeling of numbness. Zoning out of the current conversation between Lyla and Tara, she let her eyes discretely wonder over to the woman she now knew as Sam. She knew it was wrong of her to sit here and critique the girl, but she couldn't help herself. The photo she received earlier had thrown her completely off, but walking into the clubhouse tonight to find the same girl sitting at the bar laughing with her best friend, had floored her. She fought herself internally to remain impartial as she took a mental note of the woman from the photo who had been on her knees in front of Happy, who was looking down at her with what she could only imagine was excitement. Sam was probably 5'7", 110 pounds, short wild blonde hair and covered in tattoos from what she could tell. No doubt the perfect biker girl. She had learned from just observation that she was well thought of with Clay and Gemma, not to mention all the guys seemed to fall all over her. To her own surprise, she found Sam to be quiet friendly herself, having had a brief chat with her after Tara made the introductions. The ongoing battle in her head was screaming at her to say her good-byes and leave, not wanting to be anywhere near a woman who had no doubt pleasured a certain bald biker earlier in the day, but she refused to allow her bruised ego to make her run. Thinking back to the night before, she now constantly questioned on whether her own performance had been satisfying to him after all. He certainly appeared to have enjoyed the first blowjob she had given him, but now she wasn't so sure. The possibilities were running rampant through her mind. Had he faked it? Was it not good and he had Sam take care of him when he got back here? Was he just a typical man who wouldn't turn it down? Her mind now replayed an earlier conversation with Mark.
"Can I ask you something?" putting her hand up to stop him from answering. "First, let me say that it's a little personal." looking across the table at Mark.
Now definitely curious about what she wanted to ask, "Ask away."
Looking up to the ceiling, she felt hesitant about even asking such a thing, but she wanted a male's opinion. "You're a guy."
A loud laugh escaped his lips, "Yep. 100%."
Noticing his reaction, "Yes, I know you're a guy."
He couldn't help but notice how nervous she seemed. "Just ask it. What ever it is."
In all her thirty three years, she never expected to be asking anyone this, much less a co-worker. "As a guy, if you had been seeing someone pretty much regularly, but was offered a certain oral service from someone else", hesitating before continuing, "would you allow it?"
Knowing they were the only two people in the office, it didn't stop him from looking out her office door, "Well, I am male and that is something we highly enjoy." noticing the slightly fallen look on her face, "but if I'm in a committed relationship, the answer is no. If I'm dating around, definitely." seeing her nod her head slowly. "Is this question related to a certain tall sexy biker that's been keeping you company for quite some time now?"
Her head instantly raised hearing his question.
Tilting his head to the side, "Don't even try and deny it, woman. I may be gay but I still know what two straight people who like each other look like." as he handed her another tile sample.
"Do you want a drink, Olivia?"
Startled as she heard her name, she turned her head back toward the bar, finding Reed staring back at her. "What? I'm sorry."
"I asked if you wanted a drink." see her shake her head no.
"No thank you. I'm fine with water." knowing that deciding to drink with the current thoughts running through her head would not be smart. Checking the time on Miller Light clock above the bar, she heard Tara's voice.
"How long are you in town for Sam?" noticing the woman was standing on the other side of the doctor.
Downing her shot first, "Probably through the end of the week, then back out to Vegas." motioning for Reed to pour her another.
The wave of nausea was back at hearing Sam state she was staying the week. A sudden realization hit her like a ton of bricks. She was jealous. Olivia Parker was jealous of the skinny blonde woman standing a few feet away from her and it utterly pissed her off. She didn't do jealousy. In fact there was nothing to be jealous over. It wasn't like they were in a relationship or dating, so why was she feeling this way? Her week had started off bad with being stood up and now she was quietly sitting at the club's bar, listening to one of her best friend's make small talk with a woman who had given Happy a blow job earlier. Nope, she didn't do this. Knowing it was best that she leave before anyone would notice something was wrong, she turned to grab her keys off the bar when she heard the door open followed by a loud boisterous Tig Trager.
"Sweet Sam! How the hell are ya, girl?" as he picked her up off the ground, swinging her around.
"Damn it, Tig. Put me down before I throw up Jack all over you." bracing her hands on his arms.
With her sitting somewhat behind Tara, she watched his face as he walked in behind Tig, careful to notice his reaction at seeing the woman. His eyes scanned the room first before landing on the blonde, then on her. There was no smile, no grin, simply no readable expression on his face. Not that she expected one, knowing he wasn't one to show emotion, but she had hoped to see something, or so she told herself. Truthfully, if he had shown a reaction to seeing the blonde, it would have probably scarred her for life, she thought, or could he have seen them both at the same time and was wondering why she was even here? It was definitely time for her to leave considering the crazed thoughts now circling her mind. As if he could read her thoughts, she stepped down off the stool to see him walking toward her.
He didn't see her SUV until he was backing his bike into his normal spot. An earlier text with her said she was working late, so it surprised him to see her at the clubhouse. Ever since leaving Elliott's it made sense to him why she had been short with him via text. Just a simple Working late. His plan up until they were summoned to the Oswald Ranch was to head straight to her place, finding he was in much need of a hot shower and an even hotter woman, but that was shot to hell after seeing the text that was sent to her. After a brief discussion with Tig, both men decided to keep this situation between them until they could figure out who sent it. As he approached the door, he questioned silently what he was about to walk into.
Crossing the threshold, he scanned the room, taking in everyone before his eyes landed on the bar. He spotted her at the same time Tig yelled her name, but she only briefly caught his attention. Watching Tara shift on her stool, he saw Olivia sitting at the end of the bar. Quickly and carefully he took her in, looking for anything to gauge her mood, only to notice she had a blank look on her face. Instantly he could tell she had flipped that off switch of hers. Making his way toward her, he gave Sam a nod as Tig swung her around, before stopping right in front of her.
"You leaving?" he asked seeing her reach for her car keys, barely looking him in the eye.
Desperate to not have a conversation, "Yeah. It's been a long day. Have an early appointment tomorrow." as she started to step around him, feeling his hand on her lower back. She glanced up at him uncertain as to what he was doing.
"Let's go." as started to guide her past everyone at the bar.
"Tara, I'm heading out. Lyla it was great seeing you." giving each of the old ladies a hug. "Sam, it was nice meeting you." she said trying to be sincere.
"You too." spoke Sam honestly shocked at what she was seeing.
Tig and Happy exchanged only nods as the pair walked out of the clubhouse. She kept staring at the now closed clubhouse door, almost ready to question what she just saw. Turning back toward the bar, "Reed, I need another shot." looking at Tara then back toward Tig who was sitting on her other side. "Did I just see what I think I saw?"
Tig couldn't help but grin and Tara just shook her head. "Yes, you did."
Downing her latest shot, she paused before responding. "Happy just left here with that sexy woman who I know damn well can't be a crow eater?" again looking between the two.
"Yep." replied Tig, taking a long pull from his beer. "You jealous?" as he winked at her, slightly nudging her in the shoulder.
"Hell yeah! She's hot as hell." turning toward Tara. "You sure she's not into women?" just wanting to be sure.
The doctor laughed, "Yes. Hate to tell you but she only likes men." leaning closer toward her and lowering her voice to a whisper, "Especially Happy." as she put her finger up to her lips to keep it a secret.
"But don't act like you know with either of them...they won't acknowledge it." commented Tig in a matching whispered voice.
Reaching for Tig's beer, "Well damn." the only words Sam could think of.
***Olivia's***
What the hell was wrong with her? As she emptied the dishwasher, her mind was waging a silent war in her head. Why had she allowed him to follow her home, much less let him in? Glancing down the hall, she had to assume that he was still in the shower. It was clear to her that she had lost the last bit of common sense she had, because why else would she let a man she had been sleeping with, who she now knew without a doubt was screwing other women into her home? This wasn't her. She couldn't let him spend the night with her. Not tonight or any night for that matter. This fling or whatever it was had to end. Hearing him walking down the hall, she pulled the silverware caddy out and opened the drawer, making sure to keep herself focused on anything but him.
"What time did you leave work?" wanting to get her talking.
Putting away the last fork, she moved on to the spoons. "Around seven." noticing she was about to run out of silverware.
With her back to him, he slowly moved around the counter, making his way toward her. "How was your day?" he asked now just a few feet from her.
If he only knew how bad she didn't want to talk, "Fine. Slow actually." placing the caddy back in the dishwasher and closing the door. As she stood up straight, she felt his hands on her hips as he turned her around to face him.
"Did you finish the boards?" knowing she had wanted to get them done today, as he slowly backed her up against the counter.
She was trying her hardest not to look him in the eye, "Actually I did." keeping her answers short.
They were now standing just inches away from each other. He kept on hand on her waist as the other tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Guess what I did today?" he questioned before lifting her up onto the countertop, earning a squeak from her.
She truly had no desire to know what he did today. Hell, she had seen a picture of part of his day. She sure as hell didn't want to hear a play by play of it. Unable to answer him, she finally looked him in the eyes and she watched him study her face.
She was still in that damn off mode, and he was determined to get her out of it. "It started off by waking up alone in that bed in there." as he touched her cheek with his nose. Taking a step closer to her, he was now standing in between her legs. "Then I went to the garage. Worked on a few cars, took a shower and a nap, then handled some club business with Tig." as he lightly kissed her jaw, slowly moving toward her ear.
She was a complete fool to be letting him do this to her, but she couldn't fight it. Her attraction to this man was too strong for her to save her own self worth and stop him.
Slowly following his path to the other side of her face, "You know what else I did?" hearing another soft moan escape her lips, as she shook her head slightly. Just as his lips touched her ear, "I thought about you all day long." moving back so he could look at her reaction, but keeping his face almost touching hers.
She knew he could see the confusion all over her face, but she couldn't hide it. Part of her wanted to call him out on the bullshit, but she refused to stoop that low. She was just getting ready to say something when he spoke up.
"No lie. Thought about you all day." as he placed his forehead against hers. "Thought about how damn good last night felt and how bad I just want to kiss you."
She could feel herself falling into those two chocolate eyes staring back at her, but she also knew what she'd been sent, and it wasn't something she could ignore.
He knew she was struggling but wasn't exactly sure how to handle it without her shutting down completely. "What'd ya think about Sam?" not beating around the bush, feeling her tense up the second the question left his mouth. He felt her hands drop from where she had been holding onto his upper arms, so he pulled her more to him, as his arms wrapped around her waist, forcing them to be face to face.
"She's nice." wanting to not be this close to him.
Unwilling to let her move away from him, "yeah, she's not bad. Met her a few years ago in Vegas. Always use her to do the tats I can't do myself." watching her take it in. "Good artist".
She didn't want to know anymore about Sam, much less hear it out of his mouth, but she couldn't help herself. "She's beautiful." which wasn't a lie. Olivia did think the woman was pretty, especially considering the selection of women she had met so far at the club.
He could tell this was hard on her, so he decided to end it. "She's alright. Not my type."
This was just too much. "She's blonde. Nice body and has tattoos. Why wouldn't you like that? She's a female you?" hating herself for even asking him about her.
All he wanted to do right now was kiss her, but he had to make sure she understood what he was trying to tell her because it didn't seem like she was going to confess about the text message. "Don't want a lesbian." watching as it sunk into her brain.
Staring back at him, waiting for the slightest change in his expression, he was dead serious. "She's gay?" wanting to make sure she had heard him correctly.
He just shook his head. "She'd much rather have you." lowering his face more toward her. "Can't say I blame her though." as he softly kissed her lips.
She could feel the imaginary weight lift off her shoulders hearing what he had just said. "Sam's gay." she again said out loud for her own need to confirm what he had said, as she felt his lips brush her.
"Yes, baby, she's gay." kissing her again, before pulling back to look at her. "I promise." he whispered feeling her relax more in his arms. "And all I want to do right now is kiss you."
For the life of her, she couldn't explain it but she believed him.