Locke (Aces MC Series Book 4) (13 page)

I flushed the chain and washed my hands biding myself a
little more time before plucking the courage to leave the bathroom.

"Saviour honey you better be ready for me." I
walked provocatively from the bathroom towards the bedroom swinging my hips to find
two men sitting at the small table in the corner of the room.
"Saviour I didn't know we were having company? I'm gonna have to charge
you extra." I flounced towards him feeling my heart race as I sat on his
lap curling my body to his for some reassurance. Locke wrapped his arm around
my waist and pulled me close before placing a kiss on my temple.
"Saviour you dirty dog, I didn't realise you had a Tom here." The
taller of the two men stated with a cocky grin.
I moved slightly and felt Locke's hand dig firmly into my waist not wanting me
to leave his side but I ignored his plea and stood placing my hand on my hips.
"I prefer to call myself an escort." The two guys sniggered at my
boldness. "Can I get you two boys a drink?" I asked walking over to
the mini bar.
"As much as we'd like to stay and join the party, we've got a long ride
home." The skinnier guy stated giving me a cheeky wink.
They stood and the room felt incredibly small and claustrophobic as they
strolled towards the door, "Have a nice evening." The skinner guy
said slapping me on the arse before he left the room.
"We will," I stated seductively as I lounged on the bed.
Locke stood to see them out, "I'll be home in the next couple of days."
"Not a problem." I heard one of the guys say before Locke closed the
door.

Locke secured the chain, I didn't say anything as I just
watched him rest his head on the door and breathed heavily, he stood still for
a while before he turned and stalked towards me. Locke scooped me into his
embrace and held me tightly as we lay on the bed, moving his hand to cup the
back of my head.
We lay like this for a while but my arm started to ache from leaning on it for
so long taking my full body weight.
"As much as I like a cuddle my arm will drop off if I don't move
soon."
Locke sniggered and eased his hold so I could adjust my position. "Sorry,
I didn't mean to squash you." He moved so that he was now leaning against
the head board, "I was so worried that they were going to hurt you babe."
"Why would they want to hurt me?" I asked bemused.
"You pretended to be a Tom, they could've tried to fuck you."
"Well would it have been better to say that I was just a one night stand
Saviour
?"
"You've proved your point."
I looked at him intently, "Are you going to brush over what just happened
or are we going to talk about it like adults?"
"I think you better go it's getting late."
"Don't just fucking dismiss me." Locke raised his brow, "And
don't look at me like I'm a naughty school girl either." I stood and paced
the bedroom. "What would've happened if I'd called you Locke?" I saw
him swallow hard, "Exactly, so shouldn't you be thanking me for thinking
off the cuff rather than being so fucking rude to me?"
"What you trying to achieve Irish?" Locke asked exasperated.
"I want to know who those men were and why they called you Saviour?"
"I can't tell you that."
"Can't or won't?"
"Won't!"
I walked into the bathroom and removed the robe, and hung it on the back of the
door. Grabbing my panties from the vanity unit I quickly stepped into them to
cover my modesty.
"What you doing?"
"Going home like you asked me to. I don't want to fall out with you Locke,
I've had a good evening."
"Stop it!" he shouted.
I placed my hands on my hips, "Stop what?"
He glared at me, "The fucking attitude."
I placed my hands on my chest mocking the situation. "Is this like our
first fight?"
Locke shook his head and I could see his frustration, "Get your arse naked
and in my bed now."
I smiled as I removed my underwear and walked seductively from the bathroom,
making sure that I brushed past him.
"I'll just use the bathroom then I'll join you."

I lay on the bed and sniggered to myself, I couldn't
remember the last time I'd had so much fun. Locke had proved tonight that he
was hiding so much but I shouldn't have pushed him to divulge the particulars.
He hadn't shared this information with his closest friends so how could I
expect him to share it with me, his latest one night stand.
As I lay my eyes became heavy and drooped despite my attempts to stop, I tried
in vain to stay awake but sleep quickly took hold.

"Morning sleepy head." I slowly opened my eyes to
see the light stream through the window and pulled the cover up over my head.
"Oh no you don't, you've got work this morning." Locke tried to pull
the cover off me but I held firm rolling over onto my front and taking the
duvet with me.
"Surely it's too early to get up." I whined.
"It's 8.00am babe, I've left you as long as I could."
I squinted at the clock, noticing that he was correct. I'd text Declan last
night and told him that I'd be in this morning, I'm sure if I were running late
he would've forgiven me but I wasn't too sure whether Locke would want me
hanging around.
I sat up and glanced towards Locke and smelt the familiar aroma of coffee. I
didn't know what you drank so I ordered tea and coffee. I reached for the robe
that was on the end of the bed and wrapped it around my body before I stood and
made my way over to the small table.
I poured myself a mug of coffee, "I'm sorry about last night."
"What do you mean?" Locke looked confused by my apology.
"I think I fell asleep."
"You most certainly did."
I took a sip of my coffee and appreciated the hot drink slide down my throat.
"So what are you up to today?" I asked intrigued.
"I'm meeting up with CJ and then we have club business to attend to."
I nodded my head and wrapped both hands around the hot mug, "While I have
your attention I want to thank you for last night."
"Thank me?"
"Yeah. I needed to unwind and have some fun." I took another quick sip
of my coffee before I placed it onto the table and walked to the bathroom. I
reluctantly removed the robe and dressed not looking forward to the walk of
shame, and secretly hoping that the same receptionist wasn't on duty as she
would know what I'd been up to all evening. Come to think of it the whole bloody
hotel probably heard me.
I sniggered to myself as I left the bathroom, "What you laughing at
Irish." Locke leaned against the wall looking hot, no wonder I couldn't
say no to him last night.
I shook my head, "Nothing." Moving towards him I stood on my tip toes
to place a kiss onto his cheek. "Look me up if you're ever in the area
again." I walked to the door and removed the chain.
"I may just do that." I glanced over my shoulder and smiled before I
opened the door and left his room reluctantly.

"Good morning, something rather pleasant must've
happened to put that smile on your face." Declan said cheekily as I
entered the shop.
I could feel my cheeks blush under his scrutiny and tried to do my best to keep
it together as I opened my diary, pondering over today's orders.
"Don't ignore me," Declan closed the book and the heavy pages trapped
my fingers.
"Ow!" I removed them quickly and shook my hand.
"Well don't ignore me and fess up, I want all the juicy details."
Declan leaned on the counter and glared at me with a sparkle in his eyes.
"I'm still in last night's clothes,"
"Damn right you are!" He stated raising his brows.
"So I'm going to take a quick shower."
"And then you'll spill the beans?"
I frowned, "You're my brother, that's gross."
Declan stood straight and stamped his foot, "Damn! I knew I should've
pursued him for myself."
I sniggered at his comment and made my way around the counter, "I'll see
you in twenty." I fluttered my fingers and left the shop to make my way to
the front door of my flat that was directly beside the shop entrance.

I made my way up the stairs and breathed in the distinctive scent
of my home. My flat wasn't much but being directly above the shop had its
advantages and I'd never been late for work. I removed my shoes and let out a
sigh as the pinching sensation stopped. These were pretty but I was more of a
converse kind of girl.
Walking through the living room I noticed the light on my answer phone flash
and rolled my eyes, it could only be dad or Siobhan as they're the only people
to have my number. I reluctantly pressed the flashing button.

"Hi Keira, it's Siobhan. Dad and I were wondering
when you may be coming home? We haven't heard from you in a while and wanted to
make sure you were okay. Anyway give me a call when you're not too busy.
Hopefully I will speak to you soon. Love you."

I groaned. I'd purposely ignored their recent calls not
wanting to talk to them. They must've known that Declan had moved over to England
to live with me after their huge argument last year.
Dad was a disciplinarian which had made it difficult on the three of us
throughout our childhood and even tougher after our mother passed away. He had
a set of strict rules that we needed to adhere to, and it was fine when I was
younger as I didn't know any difference but as I grew, I wanted to become my
own person and live my life how I wanted to live it.
After college I got a job in a florist shop in Cork and travelled the twenty
minute journey every day from Mallow. I gained a little independence but I
still had my father breathing down my neck watching my every move.
When I turned twenty-one I decided that in order to have my full independence I
would need to move away and that's when I made the decision to move to England.
It wasn't too far that my family couldn't visit but far enough away so that I
couldn't be watched all of the time.
Declan had decided to stay although I'd begged him to come with me. He'd been
fighting with his sexuality for years and I thought the move to England would
be good for him. Declan was gay, we all knew he was but my dad had never
mentioned it although it was obvious to everyone in the village.
My dad was a proud man and Declan was his only son so he did everything within
his power to toughen him up. I remember the time that my father signed Declan
up for the rugby team, my dad was the proudest man out on the side lines
watching Declan parade up and down the field. At the time I remember being
confused by Declan's enthusiasm of joining the rugby team as contact sport
wasn't really his thing but it wasn't until I caught him snogging his first
boyfriend in the car park behind the rugby clubhouse that I realised what all
the fuss was about.

I sniggered to myself and quickly forgot about Siobhan's message.
I didn't have time for bigots in my life, Declan was my family now and I would
do everything within my power to make sure that he was happy.

After my shower I dressed in comfortable clothing and made
my way down the stairs towards the shop. We didn't have much on this morning
which I was grateful for as I wanted to get up to date with the paper work side
of things.

"Speak of the devil," Declan stated waving his arm
in my direction. The young lady he was talking to turned and I noticed her
striking features. She was in her early twenties with long straight black hair
that shimmered as she flicked it behind her shoulders.
A smile grew across her face as she walked towards me with her hand held out,
"Hi I'm Ink." She must've seen my bemused expression, "Sorry,
Harlow, Ink's the name my old man gave me." She rolled her eyes before
retuning her attention to me. "I hope you don't mind but I wanted to thank
you personally for the flowers you made for Jimmy's funeral, they were just beautiful
and I'm sure he would've loved them too."
I smiled sweetly at Harlow, she was obviously involved with the club but she looked
so young. She mentioned an old man and spoke so confidently considering her age,
could she be someone of importance?
"Thank you I appreciate your kind words." I directed her towards the
table and chairs we had at the back of the shop for customers, "Sorry I
didn't know you were here otherwise I would've come down sooner but I needed to
take a shower."
Harlow sniggered, "Declan's given me the low down, hot date was it?
I swung my head around to glare at Declan through narrowed eyes, to see him
shrug before leaning on the counter to get comfortable to listen to our
conversation.
"I bet he did!" I said bluntly before turning my attention back to
Harlow. "I think you may know him." I wasn't sure what to call him,
Locke seemed silly but would she know him as Jake?
Harlow grinned, "Well Locke is a mysterious man at best. He grunts a lot
and I don't think I've ever heard him have a full conversation."
It was interesting to know that I wasn't the only one to extract information
out of him but it seemed that I may have had more success than some. "He
certainly holds his cards close to his chest but all the same it was a pleasant
evening."
We were interrupted by the roar of laughter coming from Declan. I didn't give
him the satisfaction of turning to speak to him and simply held up my middle
finger in his direction, "Ignore him."
"I know it's none of my business but have you arranged to meet up with him
again?" Harlow asked looking at me intently.
I fidgeted feeling a little uncomfortable under her scrutiny although I'm sure
she didn't mean anything by it, "He's leaving in a couple of days
so..." I trailed off not knowing what to say.
"Well I've heard that he is a fantastic singer, so I'm sure he'll want to
come out with us on Thursday evening for Karaoke." She smiled brightly.
I sniggered, "He did mention that he had a wonderful singing voice."
Harlow raised her brow and looked surprised by my comment, "Did he
now!"  Harlow glanced at her watch and stood. "Unfortunately I've
gotta make a move but thank you once again for the flowers they were lovely. I
also know that Duke's interested for you to arrange the flowers for the
Birdcage but he'll sort that out with you directly, I just wanted to give you a
heads up."
"Thank you Harlow, I appreciate you coming over."
"One last thing, can you come out with us on Thursday? I know that the girls
would love to meet you and if you're going to be working for the club it all
just makes sense." I was enthralled by her enthusiasm and found myself
nodding before I even thought it through. "Excellent!" Harlow tried
to clap her hands excitedly although hampered by her arm cast.
"What happened to your arm?" I asked out of politeness.
Her smile slipped from her face quickly, "It's a long story so that's why
you need to come out on Thursday." Harlow picked up a business card from
the counter, "I'll text you the details."
"Talk to you after," Declan sung cheerily as Harlow waved leaving the
shop.