Part 15 (1/2)
It would be temporary as all of Max's relations.h.i.+ps were, but his lightheartedness was what she needed right now. She was going to take his advice and see where the road ahead took them.
”Don't go. Listen, let me get Gert to watch the kids, and we'll go for a ride.”
”I should go home, Max.”
”It'll be a short ride. Come on...” he said persuasively.
”All right.”
As soon as she gave in, he called Gert to come over to keep an eye on the kids while they were sleeping. Max had found his house for sale when he had visited Gert at home. It had been large enough with the four bedrooms, and Gert was always nearby if he needed a babysitter when the Predators called him out during their visits.
Gert was there within a few minutes, giving Casey a cool look as she came inside.
Max rushed Casey outside. ”Thanks Gert,” he said, closing the door on her frown.
”She knows what happened?”
”Yeah, let's go.” Max wasn't going to lie about the other members being angry with her. Casey could have brought the law down not only the brothers but all the members who shared in the profits from the club, and Gert was one of those members.
”Where are we going?” Casey asked as she climbed on behind him.
”I thought we'd just see where the road took us.” Max gave her a devilish smile, he always liked to keep his options open. It kept the women off his back until it was to late for them to do anything about his actions.
He drove steadily out of the neighborhood toward town. They rode through several streets for over twenty minutes before Max felt her shudder against him. He then turned down one street, coming to a stop in front of a bar. Max eyed the lone bike he had parked next to on the street.
He stood, reaching down to help her off the bike.
”Why are we here?”
”Because you're cold, and like a dumba.s.s, I didn't grab either of us a jacket. Come on, let's get a drink.”
”I don't want to go in there. It's a strip joint,” Casey protested.
”Don't worry, there are plenty of women in there.”
”On the stage or in the audience?”
”Both.” Max took her hand, giving her no choice other than to follow.
The strip club was busy tonight, and looking toward the stage, Max could see why. Sherri was on the stage, doing a new routine.
Max found them a table at the back of the club and pulled a chair out for Casey before taking one for himself.
”Couple of beers,” Max yelled to one of the girls working the floor.
Max turned toward the stage, watching Casey stare impa.s.sively as Sherri pulled her top off while she gyrated toward the front of the stage.
”It doesn't bother Sherri for you to come in here since you broke up?”
”Why would it? I watched when we were together. Besides, she's with Henry now. He owns the club.”
”Thanks, angel.” The s.e.xy waitress set their beers down on the table. Max took out a twenty, handing it to her.
”Thanks, Max.” She gave him a wink before moving away to another table.
Max turned his attention back to the stage.
”I'm ready to leave,” Casey said quietly.
”We haven't finished our beers.” Max lifted the beer to his lips, taking a long drink.
”Why are we pretending, Max? We both know you brought me here to punish me. I would rather you just do it than these jabs you keep taking at me.”
Fury that he had been keeping suppressed flared out of control. Standing, he took her hand and jerked her up before walking toward the staircase that was across the room. He led her upstairs, keying a number into the keypad on the large door at the top. He pushed her inside to the private bar that only exclusive members could enter. Going to the bar, he took out a couple of hundreds, slamming them down.
”Any of the rooms open?” Max asked angrily.
The bartender eyed him thoughtfully before reaching under the counter for a key and handing it to him.
”Thanks.” Max glanced at the red key before leading Casey to the door on the side of the wall. Unlocking the door, he pushed her inside then slammed the door.
Casey gasped, staring around the gaudy room.
”You b.a.s.t.a.r.d!” She started to go around him, only to find herself pinned against the door.
”I brought you up here to talk. I don't plan to f.u.c.k you. At least not yet.” Max buried his mouth in her neck, knowing it was overly sensitive. She s.h.i.+vered when his tongue traced to the tip of her ear.
”What are you doing?”
”What you suggested-punis.h.i.+ng you. Isn't that what you wanted me to do? This is certainly the room for it, don't you think?”
”I think you've lost your mind!” Casey struggled against him as his hand slid up her thigh.
”I lost my mind over you a long time ago, Casey. I can remember the first time I tasted that mouth of yours. You remember that night, Casey?”
”Yes.” She tried to turn her head to the side. ”I remember.”
”You were seventeen; my tongue was in your mouth; and my d.i.c.k was hard as a rock. If Ginger hadn't walked in that door, I would have f.u.c.ked you with my fingers next.”
”I wouldn't have let you,” Casey denied.
Max brought his hand to the waistband of her jeans, unb.u.t.toning them. ”Sweet thing, you wouldn't have stopped me. You would have begged me.”
”No,” Casey whimpered.
”Oh, yes, you would have. We both know it, don't we?” Max's hand slid inside the jeans he had loosened, finding her moist and warm.