Beautiful Moves: A Motorcycle Club, Shifter, Romance (Shifting Steel Book 3) Page 4

  “Join me for dinner,” Wolf blurted. “We can discuss my budget,” he quickly amended.

  Ella was biting her lip as she considered his offer, when the roar of bikes outside distracted her. Vick, Tony, Mark and Jericho entered the clubhouse carrying on like they usually did.

  The four Shifters looked Ella up and down with a familiarity Wolf didn’t appreciate. Before he could let out the subtle growl forming in his chest, the men burst out laughing.

  “Sorry man. We didn’t know you were trying out a new sweet butt,” Jericho chuckled.

  Ella frowned as she looked from the jack asses to Wolf. She’d relaxed around him, at least marginally, but suddenly that damn wall was back up again.

  “Is there a bathroom I can use?” Ella asked uncomfortably.

  “Of course. The ladies use the bathroom on the other side of the hall. It’s the one that wasn’t demolished,” he pointed out.

  The four mongrels watched Ella walk away despite Wolf glaring at them. Mark had the audacity to laugh so hard he doubled over.

  “I’m not interviewing a club whore, assholes,” Wolf growled low, so only they could hear him.

  Ella was as far from a club whore as you could possibly get. In fact, the suggestion grated on Wolf’s nerves for some crazy reason.

  “Could’ve fooled us.” Jericho pointed to Ella’s retreating figure.

  Wolf turned to see what had them acting like idiots.

  “Fucking hell,” he groaned as he watched her disappear into the bathroom.

  “Come on man. That’s hilarious,” Jericho insisted.

  Ella

  Ella nearly died when Wolf tried to blame the damaged wall on the non-existent earthquake.

  If he only knew the cause of the apartment tremor.

  Ella was so distracted, she nearly broke her neck, when she stumbled over the prybar. It took everything in her power to keep it together, as Wolf’s large capable hands gripped her behind. He lingered for a bit longer than was necessary. The searing heat from his palms, working its way through her, settling in the pit of her stomach. Maybe it was her imagination, but Ella thought Wolf looked at her with more than casual interest, as he held her against his rock-hard body. He smelled so good, like leather and musk.

  Oh god, relax, relax. One, two, three, four…. Ella struggled to dispel the cascading feelings of desire that were stirring up her curse. Thankfully he let her go just in time.

  Ella knew she shouldn’t go to dinner with Wolf, but she really wanted to. She was going around and round in her head, when the four rowdy bikers walked in. The guys were just as massive as Wolf, making her wonder if they put steroids in the town drinking water.

  No wonder the clubhouse looks the way it does. All it would take is one drunken brawl, to do some real damage. Exhibit A; the hole in the wall.

  The men were typical bikers, rough around the edges, matching leather jackets, grease on their jeans, and tattoos peeking out here and there. At least they didn’t sport long shaggy ZZ Top beards, or have pot bellies, like so many of the bikers she’d seen. Even though Wolf wore a tailored suit, she knew he was every bit the badass these other men were, perhaps more so.

  What Ella didn’t understand, was why the four men laughed and called her something derogatory? They didn’t know her. Ella felt the need to flee, when their mocking tone caused a horrible memory from middle school to surface.

  Her teenage years had been so awkward. Miserable really. She was just learning about her quirky nature, and it was taking its toll on her. Sabine was sick all the time, so her parents had little time for her, between doctor’s visits and hospital stays. Ella had been desperate for her mother’s attention as womanhood struck. Her mother was so stylish, but Rene was doing her best to hold herself together, much less bother with an awkward preteen.

  Ella shivered as she recalled the horrendous perm that turned her into a human poodle. Ella’s attempt at a self-makeover had failed miserably. She was lucky she didn’t burn her hair off with all those chemicals. The worst part was going to school looking like she’d stuck her finger in an electrical socket. Kids could be so cruel. The popular boy sitting behind her in class laughed, as he informed her he spat in her hair. If Ella had the power then, that she had now, she might have sent him careening into the wall. Instead she shut down her despair, and congratulated him in her most scathing sarcastic voice.

  Granted it was over a decade later, and she’d grown into all her body parts, but Ella still felt like that ugly duckling. It was foolish, but she couldn’t help it. Ella sighed as she hustled into the bathroom, and attempted to calm down.

  Oh, dear god. THIS is the ladies room?

  Grungy didn’t quite describe it. Ella could only imagine what the men’s room looked like before the pipes ruptured, hosing it clean.

  Ella smoothed down her jacket, then turned to use the toilet. That’s when she caught a glimpse of something white on the back of her skirt. Her eyes widened as she saw two large drywall-dust handprints, one on each cheek.

  Ohhh, Ella repressed the screech that wanted to bubble up, as she scrubbed at the dusty marks. No wonder the men had been laughing at her. What did they call me? A sweet butt? What is that? Some sort of whore?

  The way they asked Wolf if he was trying out a new sweet butt, made it sound like a common occurrence. Ella imagined Wolf going through girls like water. At least that was the implication from the comment the blonde guy made.

  Ella couldn’t believe she got all worked up with his hands on her butt. He could’ve grabbed my arms to steady me, like a normal person, she huffed. He probably gets away with pawing ladies all the time. All he has to do is flash that panty melting smile. God I’m so stupid. He’s probably getting a good chuckle right about now.

  The flare of excitement Ella felt earlier was instantly crushed. It was replaced with embarrassment and frustration.

  “What are you moaning about?” Ella muttered to herself as she hovered over the toilet.

  How many times do you have to remind yourself, you aren’t like other people? And even if you were, getting involved with a man like that would no doubt end in heartache.

  Ella took several deep breaths, steeling herself as she exited the bathroom. Ella couldn’t look at Wolf, so she toured the room, taking a few pictures with her cell phone while guesstimating the dimensions. It gave her a chance to dispel her lingering embarrassment.

  “I think I have what I need. Wolf, I’ll have to take a raincheck on dinner. I should get home and let Wright out, but thank you,” Ella said politely without making eye contact. “Is this the only space you want me to work on, or do you want to include the bathrooms and the connected kitchen?”

  “They all need to be redone.”

  “Ah man. Seriously?” the blonde biker groaned.

  Ella hoped the complaint wasn’t directed specifically at her and what she might do to their den of iniquity.

  Whatever.

  “Alright, I’ll put a proposal together.” Ella turned toward the complainer and the brown-haired biker, who were tearing out the broken studs in the damaged wall. “By the way, you should to stop what you’re doing. That’s a load bearing wall. You need to get a lolly column, or the place is going to come down around your ears.” Ella might be a girl, but that didn’t mean she didn’t know her business.

  “Shit! I’m a grease monkey, not a damn carpenter,” the blonde complainer grumbled.

  “Shut-up, you whiney bastard,” the brown-haired biker shoved the blonde.

  “Cut it out,” Wolf growled at the two men, then led Ella out to his car. “Thanks for the advice on the wall. You sure I can’t get you to change your mind about dinner?” Wolf wore a slight frown and appeared genuinely disappointed.

  Ella shook it off. His puppy dog eyes wouldn’t work on her.

  I’m sure you’ll find a new sweet butt soon.

  “No, but I really do appreciate you giving me this opportunity.” Ella remembered her manners, giving him a genuine smile. She
didn’t want Wolf to think she didn’t appreciate him giving her the job in exchange for rent.

  Wolf nodded, then they drove the five minutes back to the apartment in silence. Wolf kindly opened her car door when they arrived, and walked her to her apartment.

  “Should I pick you up for the get-together tomorrow night?” he asked.

  Ella repressed a groan. She forgot she agreed to go to the party at the clubhouse.

  “I’m not sure what I’ve got going on tomorrow. I can find my way. What time should I be there?”

  If Wolf picked her up, it would feel too much like a date, though she doubted he intended it that way. Then again, maybe he did. In that case, she shouldn’t encourage him.

  Ugh. Ella was so confused.

  She’d done a good job avoiding guys after the few hairy incidences in her youth. She wasn’t experienced in reading their intentions. Of course, none of the men she encountered in the past had been half as difficult to ignore as Wolf. He radiated a power all his own. She was inexplicably drawn to him like a magnet.

  “Things don’t really get going till nine.” Wolf ran his hand through his unruly black hair. Ella watched the compelling casual gesture, wondering how it would feel to run her fingers through his wavy mane. “You might wear something a bit more relaxed,” Wolf added, snapping Ella out of her day dream.

  Get it together, Ella. I hope he didn’t see you ogling him. That man doesn’t need the added ego boost. Why does he have to be so sexy?

  “Okay, see you there. Good night,” she replied.

  Ella opened her door and quickly fled inside. Wright was desperate to go for a walk, but Ella waited, hoping Wolf had gone into his own apartment, before she headed back out again.

  3 A Game of Telephone

  Wolf

  Wolf stood at Ella’s door debating what he should say. The handprint mishap yesterday had obviously embarrassed her. Ella’s stiff demeanor had started to ease, then his idiot pack arrived, and she clammed up again. No girl likes being laughed at. Hopefully Ella wasn’t still upset. She’d need tough skin around his pack. They weren’t known for going easy on people.

  Then again Wolf couldn’t really blame the guys. There was something about Ella, that made him want to ruffle her feathers.

  Maybe she’ll agree to catch a bite to eat with me.

  Wolf’s hand was poised to knock on her door when he heard Ella talking to someone on the other side.

  “He grabbed my butt, Sabine. I was so mortified, I nearly had a conniption fit right then and there,” Wolf heard her say through the door. Ella sounded like she was pacing as she squealed into the phone. “Yeah. God, I hope he doesn’t think I’m interested in him, cause that’s never gonna happen.”

  Wolf froze as indignation surged through him.

  She thinks an awful lot of herself.

  He turned and stomped back into his apartment, grabbed the stale pizza out of the fridge, only to toss it untouched onto the counter. Wolf had been shot down before. It didn’t happen often, but it had happened. The most frustrating part, was that he hadn’t even put the moves on Ella, not really.

  “Of all the stuck-up,” he growled. “If I ever decide to man-handle her, she certainly won’t be complaining about it afterward.”

  Wolf stalked into the bedroom and caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. He was instantly disgusted. For some inane reason, he’d put on a pair of black pants and a dress shirt.

  “Fuck this shit.”

  Wolf tore off the button-down shirt, trading it for a wife-beater that would show off the ink on his back and shoulders. Then pulled out a pair of well-worn jeans and tugged them on.

  “I doubt the librarian even owns a pair of jeans,” he muttered. “The gloves are off. If Little-Miss-Straight-Laced wants to be mortified, I’ll give her something to be mortified about. And she better deliver a fucking awesome plan for the clubhouse, or she’s out on her ass.”

  Although Wolf knew he wouldn’t toss her out, the comment still made him feel better.

  Ella

  “Hello.”

  “Oh, thank god. I was worried you’d be asleep,” Ella said as Sabine answered the phone.

  “What’s up Bella Bear? What’s wrong?” Sabine heard the panic in Ella’s voice.

  “I just need you to talk me down from the bell tower.” Ella paced in front of her closet ready to run screaming into the night. “I have to go to a biker party and I don’t know what to wear. And I’m not sure if I can face my neighbor. Ugh,” Ella moaned.

  She’d been thinking about the incident at the clubhouse the entire day, and she was still as turned around as ever. Ella was certain Wolf had genuinely offered her the job, and in retrospect grabbing her butt probably hadn’t been intentional. On the other hand, she also had no difficulty believing Wolf was a consummate playboy. The whole situation was beyond embarrassing, and now, Ella had no idea how to act around Wolf. She liked him, but she shouldn’t, she couldn’t. Wolf had her twisted in knots.

  “Okay, back up. You’re going to a biker party with that hot neighbor you told me about?”

  “Yes and no. Wolf actually owns the apartment and he’s giving us a break on rent in exchange for some work on his biker clubhouse.”

  “That’s smart. You do awesome work. Did you seriously say his name was Wolf?” Sabine choked out a snicker.

  “What’s so funny?” Ella scowled as she pulled out a navy top, frowned at it, then hung it back up again.

  “A sexy biker named Wolf,” Sabine said, attempting not to giggle. “Oh, Bella Bear, or should I say Little Red Riding Hood. Watch out or he’ll gobble you up.”

  “Zip it, Sabine. You’re not helping.” Ella’s cheeks flamed as illicit thoughts entered her mind, courtesy of her rowdy sister.

  “I can hear the hamster turning in the wheel. What are you thinking?”

  “Nothing. Shut up,” Ella groaned. Damn her sister. Sometimes Ella wondered if they could read each other’s mind.

  “Spill it, or I’ll call mom and give her our new address.”

  “Don’t you dare.” Ella loved her mother, but she’d grown eccentric after their father died. “Fine, I was thinking, ‘Wolf, what big hands you have.’” Ella cringed as the words came out of her mouth.

  Sabine’s eardrum shattering cackle, had Ella pulling the phone away from her ear. Ella noticed the clothes rattling in her closet, and threw up her hands in disgust at herself. She tried to relax, but her usual tricks didn’t work. Her tops and dresses just danced on their hangers, mocking her. Ella stared cross-eyed at them.

  Stop it!

  “I seriously need your advice, Sabine,” her voice came out high-pitched and strained.

  “You’ve got it bad, don’t you? I’m sorry Bella Bear. You need to grab a glass of wine and relax.”

  Ella nodded. That was the first sage advice, her sister had offered so far.

  “I don’t know what to do. You’ll never believe what happened. I don’t know if I can show my face. Yesterday, I went with Wolf to see his clubhouse. I tripped over some tools, and he kept me from falling,” Ella related as she walked toward the kitchen.

  “That was nice.” The way Sabine made the comment, Ella knew there was an, ‘And…’ tacked on to the end.

  “He grabbed my butt, Sabine. I was so mortified, I nearly had a conniption fit right then and there,” Ella screeched as she paced.

  “Seriously?”

  “Yeah. God, I hope he doesn’t think I’m interested in him, cause that’s never gonna happen,” Ella whined as she walked over to the cupboard and grabbed a wineglass.

  “Would that really be so bad?”

  “Yes! Do I need to repeat what I told you? EARTHQUAKE, Sabine. Besides I’ve got a feeling he’s not hurting for female affection. I don’t need to pile onto that party bus. Ugh. I don’t know what to think or do.”

  “I didn’t say you had to fuck him.”

  “Sabine, you have the mouth of a sailor,” Ella admonished.

  “Wh
atever. I’m just suggesting you have some fun. Flirt. Tease. Live a little.”

  “Yeah and then I wake up from a raunchy dream, to find the building has fallen down. I just need to do this job, then keep my distance.”

  “Bella Bear, why can’t we have normal lives?” Sabine sighed in resignation.

  “I don’t know, Sis.” Ella closed her eyes, sharing her sister’s misery.

  “Hey, enough poor us bullshit. You said you need something to wear, right?”

  “Yep, potty-mouth.”

  “Okay,” Sabine snorted at the rebuke. “Put on a pair of skinny jeans and that silky green halter top. It accentuates your eyes and makes your ta-tas look great.”

  “Sabine you’re incorrigible.”

  “Yeah, but you love me,” Sabine yawned.

  “I do. Thank you. I always feel better after talking with you.” Ella’s worst nightmare was the thought Sabine might not be there one day.

  “Anytime. Good night, and have fun, Bella.”

  “Good night.”

  Ella hung up with a smile, then eyed the sleek emerald green halter in her closet. She’d only worn it a few times, since it wasn’t business attire. And she rarely went anywhere that called for such a saucy shirt. There wasn’t much to the top. It left her entire back exposed.

  Ella drained her glass of wine, called upon the liquid courage, and proceeded to get dressed. After another hour fussing in the mirror, Ella struck out for the clubhouse. She was glad it was a warm evening as the sun dipped past the horizon. Ella liked this burb. It had more green space than the city. She paused to watch a bat flit out from the eaves of and old Victorian, hunting bugs in the waning light.

  Ella continued for several blocks, quickly regretting the strappy sandals she’d worn.

  For that matter, why’d you put on these jeans?

  Ella had to resist pulling the denim mega wedgie out of her butt. The three-quarter length jeans with sparkly sequined pockets, were super cute, even though she had to pour herself into them.

  Ella giggled as she did the Bewitched nose wiggle, and willed the jeans out of her crack, while levitating a hair off the ground. When she was a preteen, she honestly thought she was a witch, and that the nose thing actually worked.