Lyon

I wasn't expecting her, so I guess that's why she blindsided me. This was totally unexpected and at a time when I had all but thrown in my hat and said f**k it. I'd been playing the field for a while now, and was tired of it. I was looking for something more; something was missing. I'd come close once, but thank God I escaped that nightmare. Turns out she was more interested in status, and all that other superficial bullshit. So I'd taken a step back, and taken myself out of the game. There just wasn't anyone in my circle that came close to what I was looking for, so I'd decided unofficially to hang it up. I was thirty two, and I guess my biological clock was ticking, if such a thing even existed for a man. That's when she sidled into my life with no big splash and no fanfare. That wasn't her style, and maybe that's how she did it. Maybe that's how she wrapped herself around my heart so effortlessly. She was a complete enigma, and she was totally opposite from every woman, or girl, I'd ever been with before. Shy, quiet, and sweet as f**k. *** My boy Jared had been going on for weeks about his childhood friend. Some chick named Kat that was moving here from Arizona. Why the hell anyone would want to move here was beyond me, but her dad was here, supposedly, and she was coming to live with him. The way Jared talked I imagined some timid little thing afraid of her own shadow. The way he made it seem like he'd spent their summers together protecting her from everything. I didn't really have time for that type; they usually just got on my f*****g nerves with their simpering asses. Always afraid to try new things! Jared was dying to bring her to meet the crew when she landed, and I wasn't too jazzed about it, but it was his deal, so whatever. "So, Colt I was thinking." "What were you thinking, Jared?" I tightened the front wheel of the beauty I was working on. A chopper for some Hollywood hot shot who would probably total the s**t in less than a week. s**t, it was his seventy five thousand down the drain. Why should I care? I looked back at Jared when he didn't answer right away. I have a cool relationship with my guys. Not only were they part of my riding crew, but most of them worked for me building top of the line bikes. I knew enough to keep one separate from the other, and I took a lot of pride in the product that left my showroom. If someone wasn't pulling their weight, they were gone. Luckily that wasn't a frequent occurrence, but it has been known to happen. "Why don't you give Kat the job as receptionist. You haven't found anyone to fill the position so far, and I think she would be perfect." "I don't know man, the way you talk, I'm not sure she would fit in here." "You won't know until you try, come on, what'll it hurt?" "Let me think about it, okay? I'm not making any promises." I wiped the oil off my hands as I looked over my handy work. "Good enough. Thanks man, I just knew she would be perfect." "You got the hots for this chick?" "Who, Kat? Nah, she's like my sister man. I just feel I have to look out for her, ya know?" "Okay, I hear you, when's she coming again?" "She'll be here in a couple days; I'll bring her around either way for you guys to meet her." "Sure, Jared, I'll get back to you before then. If anything, I can always give her a trial run." He trotted off with a grin, so I'm pretty sure he thought it was a done deal, but we'll see. Like I said, I don't have time for timid little girls. My crew was a rough and rowdy bunch, and I'm the only refined motherfucker in the bunch, but I'm no prince. That fucker rode my ass for the next day and a half, until I wanted to b***h slap him just to get some peace and quiet. Yes, we needed a receptionist. The last one was trying way too hard to get f****d, and I never s**t where I eat, so b***h had to go. If I'd been remotely interested in hitting the skins, then I might've broken her off a piece before sending her on her way, but nah. I wasn't too into the ridden hard and put up wet type, unless I was the one doing the riding. I'm not as f****d up as I sound, at least, I tell myself I'm not. I come from a refined family that has money, prestige, and the whole nine yards, but for some reason around year sixteen, I decided to break the f**k out. I said f**k you to the preppy schools, and Harvard medical that was glaring me in the face, and I decided to pursue my own joy. Thankfully I have a father who backs his kids above all else, or my mom would've guilted me into doing some s**t that would've made me miserable for the rest of my days. It didn't help that two years later my older sister Stacy decided to use her art major education to become a tattoo artist, and I swear to this day my mom still blames me. Stacy is responsible for my tats, and her and her hubby Emory opened their parlor where they did tattoos and piercings for high-end clientele, so we've pretty much got the badass criteria cornered. I own my own bike shop, and I run a bike crew of hell raisers, while Stacy and Em paint and pierce the gang. We're not a real gang, and we don't go around starting fights and stupid s**t. I'm not exactly barbaric, we're more into raising money for a good cause like helping little old ladies fix their leaky roofs on the weekend, and s**t like that, but the reality is that s**t does happen, and sometimes that s**t can end with someone in the hospital. We have rivals who don't like the way we rock, and we could give a f**k. We're more guardian angel than hell's angels, and the community loves and respects us. That doesn't mean we wouldn't f**k a motherfucker up, or that we haven't, it just means that's not what we're all about. We're not glory hounds, and we just love to f*****g ride. *** Now it's Monday, and Jared is supposed to be bringing this chick by any minute for a meet. I still wasn't sure about this, but Jared's a friend, so what can you do? I heard his hog pull up outside and got up to go out there, because no one entered the inner sanctum unless they were part of the crew. Jared was walking ahead of...something. His face broke out in a sappy grin when he saw me. "Colton, this is Katarina." I watched her disinterestedly as he made the introductions, and before extending my hand for her to shake. Her hand was soft and small in mine with a slight tremble, and I wondered what happened to make the little swan so nervous already. Granted my look put fear in grown men, but she was here with one of my men, so she shouldn't be afraid. Whatever, I didn't have time to placate some scared little virgin afraid of her own shadow. "Katarina." "Nice to meet you Mr. Lyon." I looked at Jared with a raised brow. I hope he knew what he was doing bringing this lamb into the Lyon's den. I couldn't make out much of her body because her tiny frame was shrouded in a hoodie that looked three times too big, and her legs were encased in I guess...skinny jeans, and her feet shoved into what has to be the oldest pair of chucks I've ever seen. "Nice to meet you, Katarina, how are you enjoying your move so far?" She blushed, what the f**k, this chick was way too timid. I hope she isn't one of those retiring types who cries at the drop of a hat or at raised voices and s**t because my guys will eat her alive, f**k, what the f**k was Storm thinking? "So Jared tells me you're interested in the job." "Yes sir." "I'm up here, Katarina, look, if you want to work around here you're going to have to do better than this. These guys are rough customers, and some of the people we build for are even worse. Not to mention the people you have to deal with on the phone, so you're gonna need to up your game." I saw Jared give her a nudge before she picked her head up and looked at me. "Can you handle that?" "Yes...uh, ahem, yes sir, yes, I think I can." She threw her shoulders back and lifted her head, and behind her eyes there was some kind of war going on. I guess I was asking her to go against her nature. Okay, Jared was my boy, and she was his friend, so for him I'll give her one week, or two at the most to get her bearings. If I noticed that she wasn't working out, then I would let her go, friend or no friend. "You can start tomorrow. Come around eight, so I can show you the ropes. It shouldn't be too hard. We have a spread sheet set up in the system already, and our ordering system is organized, so all you need to do is keep track of what's going out, and how much we need to replace every week. All special orders go through me, no exceptions. If you have any questions about anything come to me, and anyone bothers you, same deal. We clear?" "Yes sir." "And knock off that sir s**t, I only like women I take to my bed to call me that." Her face almost exploded with her blush. Oh joy, I run a hard-core crew of badass men, and I get stuck with Polly f*****g Anna as a gal Friday. The f**k! Jared was grinning like a jackass as he led her out of the office to show her around. I heard the murmur of the guys' voices as they greeted her, so I guess Jared had warned them of her titmouse attitude because there were no lewd remarks floating back to my ears. She might be timid as f**k, but those eyes,...yeah, those eyes, f**k if she didn't have the most amazing eyes. *** KAT *** I wasn't quite sure what to make of Jared's boss. He's... I don't know...very intimidating, with his six foot three frame, bulky biceps covered in tattoos, and his chest well defined in his tight black T-shirt. He left me feeling confused, and I guess... hot? I've never felt these things for anyone, not a real-life person anyway. I blushed just thinking about my guilty pleasure, my dark secret, the thing that made me burn. The part of me that has to remain hidden lest people think of me as a freak, or more of one anyway. Jared was all excited about me working here, but I don't know, I'm not sure what working with Colton Lyon day after day would do to my equilibrium. *** COLT *** Jared showed her around introducing her to the boys who seemed on their best behavior for a change. I hope he knew what the f**k he was doing for real. He'd pushed so hard for me to give her a chance, but she seems... not one to fit in here. I heard a commotion outside my office, and I heard some rather colorful comments coming from the guys, shielded as humor of course, but I knew who had just shown up even before my door was opened. "Who is she?" "What the f**k do you want, Jennifer, I told you to stop coming by here like this, unannounced." "Oh come on, Colton, we're old friends, so why can't I just drop in?" "Because I don't want you here. That ship has sailed, so please move the hell on." "You know, you really should be much nicer to me. I might have some new customers lined up for you." She tried putting on her sultry act, yeah okay, that s**t just left a bad taste in my mouth. "Not interested." That got her attention since she was a mercenary little money grubbing w***e, and it was hard for her to believe that everyone wasn't ruled by lust or money, as she was. "What...what do you mean. You didn't even hear me out..." "If these people are friends of yours then I'm not interested in them, or their business, now get out I have to work to do." I turned back to the papers on my desk as she flounced out of the office in high dudgeon. Outside the door I heard her repeat her question, as to who Katarina was. Crazy psychotic b***h would be jealous of anything female, even a teenage girl who hid her body in men's clothes. "Step off, Rossetti." That was Jared in protective mode, and he'd better be, because Jennifer would eat his little rabbit for breakfast. I was about to get up and go intervene, but I changed my mind. If she was going to fit in here, then she'd have to learn how to protect herself. After Jared returned from running her home I called him into the office. I had a few questions I needed answered. He was still all smiles and excitement, which led me to believe, there was more going on with them than he was saying. "What's up, Colt, you wanted to see me?" "Yeah come in and sit down." I studied him as he sat across from me, and his relaxed posture as he slouched in the chair. "You sure she can handle working around here, Jared, this place is not your everyday run of the mill office." "Don't worry man, she'll be fine, just let her get settled in and she'll be a great asset I promise." "Why're you so into this girl? I thought you weren't interested like that." "Nah man, she's like my kid sister, it's just, she's had a hard time lately, and I just want to look out for her, ya know. We've always been tight. Our fathers are like brothers man." "Okay, if you say so. I heard you getting into it with Jennifer before, how'd that go?" "Seriously, what did you ever see in that tarantula bro, she's like toxic." "Don't I know it. You think if I knew she was schizo I would've gone there? You know these women, they show you one face when they wanna get their hooks into you, and then when you least expect it they turn into blood sucking leeches." "Did she scare your little friend?" "Nah, Kat's not as much of a wimp as you seem to think, she can hold her own..." "Coulda fooled me..." "That's just for now until she finds her way, but trust me, Kat's an okay chick, and she knows bikes." "What do you mean knows bikes?" "She used to work on my first ride with me in the summer when she'd come to visit. I even taught her to ride when she was like fourteen." "So, what's her family situation, and why isn't she in school?" "She finished high school, and she's taking some time off before college." There was something there. The way he shifted his body when I asked changed his whole persona. What the f**k could be the issue with school? "Alright man, if you're sure, then we'll give it a shot. How's she getting here in the mornings?" "I'll bring her until her truck is ready. Her old man and mine are still working on it, and it should be another week at the most." "As long as she has a ride." I let him go since there was nothing more to discuss, and plus I had s**t to do. I had clients coming in later to pick up their s**t, and two new bikes to get started. I put her out of my mind for the rest of the day as I went about my busy schedule. A bike shop was a noisy-ass place with men doing six different things at once while calling out to each other for different parts and tools. Nothing like the showroom where the finished product was showcased. Jennifer might very well have had a line up of clients with deep pockets, but like I'd told her, I didn't want any part of them if they were her buddies. Her circle was just not my cup of tea. Social climbing socialites who had nothing better to do than cause conflict and mayhem at every turn. Mama's boys with their two hundred dollar haircuts and their whiny asses, no thank you. My bikes were for riding, not showpieces. At end of day we went our separate ways, since it was a Tuesday, riding day was usually the weekends unless we had something special lined up. Most of my guys had families that they needed to get home to. That was one of my only stipulations. That any man with a family had to put in the time, because if you neglected your family I couldn't expect anything good from your ass, so you had to show me that you were man enough to man up. Most of our activities were family oriented, unless we were going to kick some ass, then we left the ladies at home. A fight was no place for a female, and women's rights could go f**k themselves if they thought differently. I had about ten God children because we're a clannish bunch. The women were close, and they were always planning s**t. Everything revolved around food, I guess that's what happens when you have kids. I paid my guys a better than decent wage because I could afford that s**t and because they deserved it. Any one of them knew they could come to me at any given time for help because that's how I roll. Some of the wives even called me when their men weren't doing their s**t. I have a mother and two sisters, f**k that, no one in my crew was screwing over his old lady on my watch. If a dude wasn't holding up his end of the bargain, and he couldn't be talked into seeing the error of his ways, then he was out. If the wife stayed with him, then that was on her, and if she decided to cut the d**k off, then the rest of us looked out until such time as she got back on her feet. Thank God we'd only had to do that twice, but a couple of lawyers in the crew were good at getting those women what they needed for them and their kids out of the scumbags, so it was all good. Women weren't cast out just because their men were out. Once a part of Lyon's Crew you were family, man, woman and child. My phone rang just as I was about to climb on the back of my Dodge Tomahawk V10 bike. "What's up mom?" "Is that any way to answer the phone son?" "Hello mother, how are you today?" "Smart ass, are you coming to dinner or not?" "Is today Tuesday, and did you not make my favorite roast and potatoes?" "You know I did, Colton, now what time shall I expect you?" "How does seven thirty sound? That'll give me enough time to get cleaned up." "Sounds lovely dear. Are you bringing anyone?" "Like I've told you every time you've asked that question since I was twenty one, no, now stop pushing. When I meet someone, you'll be one of the first to know." "That doesn't make sense. My friend Charlotte, you remember Char, you know she likes to dabble with the cards though she shouldn't, well anyway, she swore to me that you were going to meet the girl of your dreams today." "Sorry to disappoint you and Madame Laveau, but no such luck." "I don't know why I listen to Char in the first place, her predictions never hardly ever come true, though there was that time..." "Mom, if you want me to be there sometime this millennium, then you're gonna have to let me go. You can regale me with stories of Char's sorcery over dinner, okay beautiful?" "Oh alright, you didn't defile your body any more since I last saw you did you?" "Mom..." "Okay-okay, it's just I despair of what you'll do to yourself next, and please for the sake of my sanity be careful on that death trap you like to get around on. I don't know what's wrong with that perfectly nice Volvo I got for your last birthday." "I'm not a sixty year old virgin..." "Colton Anthony Lyon, you watch your mouth." I could hear the laughter in her scolding, good old mom, you gotta love her she never gives up. "See you soon beautiful." I rang off and went home. It promised to be a long night at the Lyon's dinner table, mom took her crack pot friend Char's words as gospel, and she will nit pick me to death about every female I met today. If she only knew that the only female I met today was a timid little thing that I wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole. *** I was ready for her the next day at seven thirty. I'd spent way too much time last night dwelling on her, and how she would fit in here, not to mention, trying really hard not to picture her face every time mom mentioned Char's predictions. I put all of that out if my head as I awaited her arrival. I needed my head examined for even going through with this. This person will be working very closely with me, and I'm a hard task master. I like things done a certain way, and if they weren't, I wasn't always too kind in showing my displeasure if you know what I mean. I could be a motherfucker when it comes to my business, and if this chick turned out to be a thin skinned broad who cries and gets emotional at the drop of a hat, then she was f****d. I'm extremely nervous. It's my first day on the job and already I'm dreading it. The work shouldn't be a problem. I'm kinda smart, so taking orders and putting them into a computer spread sheet should be easy enough, but Jared hadn't told me his boss was so...male. Then again Jared doesn't know my little secret, no one does. "Kat, you sure you want to do this so soon. Why don't you give yourself some time?" "It's okay, dad, I need to stay busy. Don't worry about me, Jared will be there, so I'll be fine." "If you're sure, I just don't want you to think you have to work. I can give you an allowance until you decide what you want to do." "Thanks, dad, that's sweet, but I'm cool. Now eat your breakfast and get to work." "Yes ma'am, you know you don't have to do this everyday. I can always grab a bite at the diner on the way." "It's no trouble, dad, stop worrying." "So, how's this new boss of yours, he seem like a nice guy?" I took my time answering. I knew because of what had happened in Arizona everyone felt they had to shield me from everything, but I didn't want them to. I was wounded yes, but not broken, and I fought very hard not to be that person. "He seems nice enough, dad, it's just answering phones and keeping track of supplies and stuff like that, no biggie." "I could probably get you on part time down at the station as a filing clerk or something, just for the summer, until..." "Dad, I'm fine, so stop worrying about me. I'm okay, I promise." "Okay, Kat, I'll back off, but if things change, then you let me know right away." "Okay, dad." I kissed his cheek as I heard Jared outside. "You tell that scamp to be careful with you on that death trap, or I'll have his hide." "Yes sir." I left the house before he locked me in my room to keep me safe from the big bad world. "Hey, Jared." "Morning, Kat, you ready?" "As I'll ever be." I climbed on the back of his custom made bike, and the legs of my baggy trousers almost covering my ballet flats. I loved the feel of the wind on my face as it rushed by, the freedom I felt on the back of a bike; it felt like I could just fly away from it all. We got to the bike shop way too soon, and Jared left me to go in by myself as he sauntered off to the shop in back. My palms were sweating, and I felt sick. Get a grip Kat he's just a guy. Just don't pay any attention to his arms or his tattoos or his face, s**t, just don't look at him. "You plan on hanging around out here all morning, Sloane?" I almost jumped out of my skin, where the hell had he come from? "No sir...uhI mean no, Mr. Lyon." "Colton, my name is Colton, and I believe I told you about talking to the ground when addressing me." Shit, does that mean I have to look at him, not good. I lifted my head and hoped for the best. Well hell, didn't the man wear anything other than muscle shirts How's a body supposed to breathe around all that hotness. Down girl he's way out of your league. I took a deep breath and tried again. "Colton, I'm ready to get to work if you'll just show me where to start." Good, my voice didn't crack or anything. He turned to lead the way into the office, and I got a look at his buns. s**t, was there anything about the man that wasn't perfect? And how had I forgotten that I would be working this close to him. Please, God, let him spend most of his time in the shop, and not cooped up here in this office with me. I wouldn't last a week. "Something on my ass?" Oh s**t, kill me now, the worlds hottest man had just caught me staring at his ass. My mortification knew no bounds. *** "Oh, no, Uhmmmm, I wasn't looking at your...uhmmmm, my mind just wandered there for a minute." Yep, right into the gutter. He kept going, and dropped it, thank God. I shrugged my shoulders trying to keep the too large suit jacket from falling off of me. I'm sure I looked a sight. I hated it, but I needed it, so baggy clothes and drudgery had become my crutch since the incident, and it was hard to give them up. The fact is, I hadn't really felt alive in a long time, until yesterday when I first laid eyes on Colton Lyon. A part of me that I had believed died at callous hands came back full force without warning. Now all I had to do was keep my head on straight and stop obsessing over his f**k-hot body and those to die for tattoos. "This will be your desk, and mine's through that door, so you'll have the place to yourself mostly since I'm usually in the shop working, or on the showroom floor." "No one comes in here when I'm not around. My guys already know this." "I run a tight ship, no slacking off. You get an hour lunch, and your hours are nine to five, unless I need you to stay a little extra for some reason. That shouldn't happen too often, but it could happen. You know your way around a computer?" "Yes sir...uh I mean, Mr. ... Colton." It's not my fault that I was a stuttering, blushing mess. For crying out loud, you should see him. He's standing with his arms folded, which only makes them seem more built, legs braced apart, biker boots, tight black tee stretched across his chest with a picture of a naked Betty Boop on the front. His tats are dark and sexy, and they cover one forearm and run up to his neck and my panties are wet. So there! Even my thoughts are exhausting. He sighed, as though I was a trial. Whatever big boy, try being on my end of things. He finished showing me around the office, and doling out instructions with his highbrow accent and elocution in total contrast to his bad boy looks. "You got all that?" "Yes, I believe I do." *** The first half of the day was a snap. I uploaded the orders from the sheet he'd given me, placed calls to suppliers as he'd instructed, and fielded calls for new orders. Seems everyone wanted a Colton Lyon original. True to his word he was only in and out sparingly, but each time was worst than the last. Like now, sweat made his T-shirt stick to his body, and he looked a little flushed I guess from the heat in the shop, and the way he was drinking that bottle of water, eeeeeeek. "What is it now?" "Huh, what?" Oh, merciful heavens, please tell me he didn't just catch me ogling his junk, but what did he expect, walking around here in those tight jeans,... that hid nothing. Didn't that hurt, to stuff all that in there? "You've been staring at me with a blush on your face for the last five minutes, Sloane, you got a fever or something?" "Yeah, I've got a fever alright." Of course I mumbled that under my breath. The man was going to be the death of me, no wonder I kept spazzing out. Did he have to wear that cologne? "What was that?" "Nothing, nothing at all, sir, just getting back to work here, lots to do." Please take your package and exit far left, I need a damn cigarette and I don't even smoke. I turned back to the computer screen before he opened his mouth, and he almost gave me heart failure. "Am I f*****g you?" Say what now? "Uh...no?" Was my new boss hitting the pipe? "What did I tell you about that sir s**t?" Gulp. "Sorry, I'll try to remember." "See that you do." Would you get out of here already before I combust? The big guy upstairs must've been listening, because he made an exit not long after. Jared brought me lunch which I ate at my desk, because I found that the last person had made a mess of the files. Not that anything was missing, it's just that there was no real order to anything. Around two the phone rang, good, break up the monotony. "Lyon's Place, how may I help you?" "Where the f**k is Lyon?" "Excuse me?" "Lyon, the quack that runs that outfit over there, where the hell is he?" "Sir, how may I be of service? Mr. Lyon is rather busy at the momentª" "Listen girlyª" "No, you listen. I don't know who you are, and quite frankly I don't care, but your telephone manner leaves much to be desired." "Now either you speak to me in a civil tone, or I'll be hanging up on the count of five. One, two, three, fourª" "I'm almost there little missy, we'll just see about this." He hung up the phone. Oh s**t, my first day and I'm gonna get canned. Who the hell was that? Damn, when will I learn to keep my big mouth shut? Jared was going to be so pissed. Not long after, I heard the same gruff voice outside the door, followed by a few others, namely Colton's. My stomach was in knots, and I had to throw up. "Marcus, what the hell?" "Fight's not with you, Lyon." "You have a beef with any one of my staff, on my property, the fights with me Grimaldi." "I want to talk to little missy with the big mouth." "What's this about, Grimaldi?" "You learn how to build a decent bike yet?" "Listen, we've been going back and forth with this for the last year. If you don't like my work, then there's nothing I can do for you, but you're not going to come here and harass my people." Maybe I should get out there before things get out of hand. Colton was beginning to sound frustrated. I took a deep breath and walked to the door. I had to fortify myself before opening it. I opened the door to Colton, Jared, and a couple of the guys, Tommy and Pete among them. "Hey, you the one I spoke to?" Okay, he did not look anything like his voice sounded, and he was dressed like a refined gentleman while he spoke like a ruffian. What was it with the men in this town not being what they seem? I wasn't quite sure what I'd done to set him off, so I decided to play it safe. "Yes sir, I think I am." He looked me up and down with a sneer. "Well now, you're just a little itty-bitty thing, not much to you at all." Watch it old man with the short jokes. Instead of actually answering his obnoxious observation, I just straightened my shoulders and stood a little taller. "Was there something I could help you with?" "There it is, that same snooty tone she used on the phone, that how you running your business these days, Lyon?" Colton started to answer him, but for some strange reason I felt the need to defend myself, especially since the old reprobate was smirking at me like a three year old tattletale who'd gotten me in trouble.