The Billionaire Biker's Bitch 2

The Billionaire Biker’s Bitch 2

by Layla Wilcox

Copyright © 2016 by Layla Wilcox All rights reserved.
 

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, places, organizations, or persons, whether living or dead, is entirely coincidental. All characters in this book that participate in sexual activity are 18 years of age or older.

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Claire leaned into Alex’s back as the Harley cruised across the last bridge before the mainland. The ride home to Miami from the Keys was even better than the trip down. The sun was setting, and the rosy glow in the sky reflected on the water. It couldn’t have been a more perfect ending to the day.
 

She and Alex had met up with his friends in Key Largo and spent the day on someone’s Bertram 540. Claire had never been in a home so luxurious, much less a yacht. It was a nice break from being a working student putting herself through school, counting every penny, with only an occasional splurge on entertainment. A few times she had to pinch herself for a reality check. She took pics on her phone throughout the day so she’d be able to show her friends, because she doubted anyone would believe her.
 

Claire wrapped her arms tightly around Alex’s waist as he wove through the dense Miami Beach traffic. Back to reality. And a new job on Monday. She remembered that they hadn’t discussed her new employment yet, and she didn’t know what she’d be doing or where she’d be working.

She shrugged. Plenty of time to talk about it tomorrow. She’d agreed to spend another night at his place. But she’d told him she wanted to make Sunday an early day so she could do some schoolwork.

Alex pulled into the parking lot of The Pirate’s Den, a chain restaurant that served seafood and chicken wings and were more famous for the scantily clad waitresses than the food. Claire scowled as she dismounted.

“What’s wrong?” Alex asked, as he took her helmet and secured it to the back of the bike.

“Not exactly my favorite place to eat,” she said, consciously refraining from rolling her eyes.

“Yeah, the food kind of sucks, but the view is great.”

“Great for you, maybe.”

Alex laughed heartily. “No, I mean the view of the Bay out back. I figured we’d have a few more beers and maybe some wings and fries and watch the moonlight hit the water. I like to stop here on my way home from the Keys. And they usually have a good band playing on the weekends.”

Claire brightened. “Sure. I’m not hungry, but a beer and music while sitting on the deck sounds good.”

The hostess grinned broadly when they approached the desk. Without Alex saying a word, she took two menus and led them to a table on the water. Claire looked around as she followed the hostess. Several groups of people were waiting in the lobby, and the place was packed—yet they didn’t have to wait.
 

After they were seated, the hostess leaned across the table to hand them the menus, offering a clear view down her top. “I’ll be right back with your pitcher of beer, and two frosty mugs,” she said, still smiling at Alex.

Claire took a deep breath and buried her eyes in the menu. None of the greasy fried food piqued her interest. She turned her eyes to the magnificent boats docked nearby and across the water to the sailboats on the smooth-as-glass water.
 

Alex took her hand, and she settled in comfortably, feeling silly for letting the atmosphere of the restaurant steal even a minute of her joy. What could be better than to linger a little longer and extend a fabulous day?

“Alex, my man! Good to see you!” A loud, but velvety deep voice interrupted her reverie. Alex jumped up and hugged the owner of the voice that could melt the panties off a girl.

She smiled, waiting to be introduced. Once Alex stood back, Claire could see that his friend’s face and body matched the voice.
 

“Claire, this is Gio, my buddy and the owner of this fine establishment.”

She held out her hand, but Gio came around the table and pulled her up. He kissed both her cheeks, and then took her hands, smiling with his sultry grey-blue eyes.

 
Gio waited for her to sit, and then sat next to her in the empty chair at their table.
 

“A pleasure to meet you. Alex has already told me so much about you!”
 

Claire looked at Alex and then back to Gio as she replied. “Really? You must have spoken very recently, or there wouldn’t have been much for him to say.”

He laughed. The waitress came over and brought the pitcher with three mugs. Gio watched her pour them each a drink. “Thank you, Andrea. Please make sure to keep the pitcher full, and bring a plate of appetizers for my guests.”

Claire held up her hand in protest, but the waitress had already turned and left the table.

“So, Claire, I hear you’re a writer.”

Claire smiled and nodded, pleased Alex had mentioned this to his friend. “Working on it.”

“I also hear that you need a job where you can earn a decent wage while you finish your schooling and not be distracted from your writing.”

Claire sat back in her chair holding her mug. “You know so much more about me than I do about you. Alex didn’t even tell me he knew the owner here.”

Gio threw Alex a mock glare of indignation. “Shame on you. You brought Claire here under false pretenses.”

Alex grinned. “Guilty as charged.”

He turned to Claire. “Sorry about that. Time seemed to slip away today on the boat, and there’s not much opportunity to talk while we’re riding.”

She nodded, sensing she still didn’t know everything she should. She took a sip of beer. “So, Gio, do you own all the Pirate’s Dens in Miami? Or just this location?”

Gio exchanged glances with Alex. Annoyance was seeping through Claire. What else was going on here that she didn’t know about?

“I own the franchises—all of them. But I run this one. The others are leased out to various managing partners.”

Claire nodded. She now understood the royal reception they received. Alex was this man’s good friend.

Gio stood. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Claire. Come in around nine o’clock on Monday morning. I’ll have Jeanette, our coordinator, walk you through the training. But based on your credentials and education, I’m sure you’ll be ready for the front station in only a day or so.”
 

Alex stood, and he and Gio exchanged hugs again.

Alex filled Claire’s mug, which she had drained while watching the two men.

“I told you I had another job lined up for you,” he said.

“And you think this would be a good fit for me?” she asked.

Alex took an appreciative look up and down her body. “Of course!”

“That’s not what I meant.”

Claire willed her eyes not to fill with tears.

“What then?”

“After spending even the short amount of time that we’ve had together, I’d think you’d realize that this is not my dream job.”

Alex’s face darkened. “It’s all show. What’s the big deal? All you have to do is smile and lead people to their tables. Even the seating is done by computer.”

“I thought you said my manager gave you a good review of my first week at Harriman Motors.” Claire hoped the wavering in her voice didn’t betray the fury in her eyes.

“He did. That’s what makes you perfect for this job. Good customer service skills, great on the phone, and attention to detail.”
 

Claire bristled, seeing impatience in Alex’s eyes and body language.

“It’s not the responsibilities of the job I’m objecting to. Did you really think my
skills
are the determining factor here?” She waved her arm around, and almost knocked over the platter the waitress was holding.

“Sorry, I didn’t see you there,” Claire said, when the waitress adeptly moved out of the way.

“Sure, no problem,” the waitress said, looking at Alex with a wink. “I could see you were talking.”

“Hey, these women work hard, and there’s nothing wrong or reprehensible about the work they’re doing,” Alex said. His voice was flat, but his glare was steady.

“Not saying there is. But it’s not for me.”

“All right, Claire. I won’t argue with you. I thought you could work here, even for a short while, until you found something else.”

Claire pushed away the plate of food that he served her. “I liked the job I had. It was perfect for me, and you got rave reviews from my manager. What’s the problem with me staying?”

Alex sighed. “I hate to lose a good employee, but rules are rules, Claire. You can’t work there and date me.”

Claire stood up. “Then, if I have a choice, I think I’ll keep my job. I guess that means I’ll have to find another ride home, since I don’t want to be in violation of Rule Number 5. See you, Mr. Harriman.”
 

She heard him call after her as she stalked off into the restaurant, so she quickly ducked inside the restroom. Pulling her cell phone from the back pocket of her shorts, she scrolled through her contact list and
 
clicked on Danica’s face.

Dani answered on the first ring. “Hey, Claire. Didn’t think I’d hear from you until tomorrow night. What’s up?”

“I’m at The Pirate’s Den in South Miami. The one on Biscayne Bay. I need a ride home. Now. Can you come get me?”

“Are you all right? You sound weird.”

“I’m safe, if that’s what you mean.”
 

“Of course. It’ll probably take me at least thirty minutes or so to get there, though.”

“I don’t care how long it takes. Call me when you get here, and I’ll come out.”

It was close to midnight when Danica dropped her off. Claire turned and gave her friend a hug.
 

Dani squeezed her back. “Sure you wouldn’t rather stay with me tonight?”
 

Claire shook her head. “No. I want to take a shower and go to bed. Thanks for the rescue.”

“Any time,” Danica said, and threw a kiss before driving off.

A draft of hot, humid air hit Claire’s face as she climbed the stairs in the breezeway leading to her third floor studio apartment. It was typical student housing in the pricey Miami market, and Claire had been looking forward to moving to a bigger place in a better location once she had a few paychecks under her belt. She sighed as she turned the key in the lock and pushed the door open. Then she screamed.

Justin was sitting on her couch. He jumped up and moved toward her when she shrieked.

“Claire, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“Justin, what are you doing here?” Claire glared at him. “I can’t believe you let yourself in here. We’re not together any more, or did you conveniently forget?”

He moved aside and pointed to a giant vase of flowers on her coffee table. “I only got here a couple of minutes ago, Claire. Really. I brought you these. When you weren’t home, I thought it would be better to bring them inside than leave them at the door where someone could take them. I was about to go when I saw you pull up with Danica.”
 

Claire’s eyes rested on the floral arrangement. “Still, you have no right coming in here. Give me my key right now.” She held out her hand.

“All right.”
 

Justin fumbled with his key ring. He looked up and smiled. “While you’re waiting, why don’t you read the card with your flowers?”

Claire rolled her eyes in exasperation, but walked to the table to admire the giant bouquet. “They are pretty,” she said, and leaned over to smell them as she picked up the envelope that lay next to the vase on her coffee table.

When she pulled out the card, she couldn’t help but smile. A big photo of a puppy with an “I’m Sorry” sign attached to its chest stared back at her with big, soulful eyes. She had told Justin many times that his big brown eyes reminded her of a cute puppy she had as a child.

Claire flopped down on the couch and opened the card. “Please give me another chance. I promise I won’t pee on the carpet again. Love, Justin.”

She tossed the card on the table. “Cute, but I never told you what happened with that puppy.”

Justin put her key on the table and sat next to her, stroking her arm lightly.

Claire got up. “No. Don’t.”

“Come on, Claire. I miss you. You know I was only trying to help. It came across wrong—like I was telling you what to do. But, it’s more important to me that you’re happy than anything else. Please forgive me.”

Something in his eyes lit up, and she saw the side of Justin she loved. She felt her resolve melting, although her gut instinct told her that nothing had changed at all.
 

Breaking up sucked. Maybe she should give him another chance.

The doorbell rang.
 

“That’s probably Dani. I must have left something in her car, as usual.”

Claire threw open the door. ”What’d I leave now?”