"Shame, I’d have grown hard seeing you in those fuck-me heels, straddling the back of my bike.” I give her a grin and quickly turn my back to her, walking back to our stall before she can respond. I’d love to see the stunned look on her face as I walked off, but I’m hoping to see her again later to rattle her some more. If I have it my way, she’ll be on the back of my bike in no time.

Chapter Three

Kadence

“Need some help, Miss Turner?” Nix’s voice calls behind me as I try to pack the remaining boxes into my car. Shit.

After sauntering off with his dig about my heels and his bike, I’ve tried to avoid him at all costs. Being on the school committee board, I couldn’t leave considering all proceeds of the fair would be going to the new library we petitioned for, but I did my best to not be alone with him.

“No, thank you. I’m good,” I rush out, hoping he moves on. He gets me all flustered; I can’t stand to even look at him.

“Here let me.” He moves forward taking the box from my hands.

“I’m beginning to think that you don’t listen to anyone,” I remark, trying to keep my eyes off his ass as he bends at the waist to push the boxes into the trunk. After watching him all day, I’ve come to the realization that I want him. The way he is with Z just seals my opinion of him. The persona of a cocky, arrogant biker might be what he puts off, but under that he seems so different.

“You have no idea.” He turns back around, catching me checking him out.

“Sorry?” I ask, trying to hide my embarrassment at being caught. Damn it.

“I said, you have no idea,” he smirks, knowing he’s got me fumbling.

“Well, maybe you should work on that. Women don’t like it when men don’t listen,” I recover and smile at him.

“Is that what you need? A man who listens, Miss Turner?” He takes a step toward me but I hold my ground.

“I don’t need anything, Mr. Knight, especially a man.” I close the trunk, lock the car and start walking to the local diner to meet Missy and Sam for dinner.

“Where you runnin’ off to?” He grabs my hand as I walk away.

“Dinner, I’m late,” I explain as I pull out of his grasp.

“Well, have fun.” He smirks as I nod and walk to where Sam is waiting for me at the front of Happy Chef. I don’t look back. More than anything I need to get away from him before I do something stupid.

“Hey, who is that?” Sam asks as we walk in to find Missy.

“A student’s parent.” I brush it off as nothing. I don’t need the girls knowing I’m lusting after him. I need to stop thinking about him and the words he said to me before I get myself into trouble.

My reprieve of Nix is short-lived when he walks in thirty minutes later, with two guys wearing the same cut as him. How convenient. He waves over as they sit opposite from us across the diner.

“Wow, you know the Knights Rebels?” Missy’s grin spreads across her face and I can see the wheels ticking in her head from across the table. Great.

“No, one of them is a student’s parent,” I explain, annoyed that he followed me in. I need to stay away from him. It’s like he’s constantly been in my thoughts, and now he’s continually in my presence. I need to get away from him and not have him in my space, making me want him more.

“They keep looking over here,” Sam giggles.

“Just ignore them,” I tell them, trying not to make eye contact. Where’s the check? I need to get out of here fast.

“Mind if we join you?” Nix’s rough voice asks, now standing at the table, his two friends on either side.

“Sure.” Missy smiles, looking like all her Christmases came at once. The guys pull up chairs as Nix sits down next to me.

“Real smooth,” I whisper to him, annoyed that my friends have now been pulled into conversations, leaving me stuck with Nix.

“So, Miss Turner, have you got a first name?” He leans in, trapping us in our own invisible bubble. His green eyes sparkle playfully, waiting for a reaction.

“Nope, it’s just Miss Turner to you.” I pull back, breaking his spell.

“That’s okay, baby. I don’t need to know your name, just need to know how hard you like it.” His words go straight to my stomach, the sensation awakening a part of me that I thought was lost.

“You won’t ever know how hard I like it, Mr. Knight,” I snap, afraid he can see how much he affects me. He just smiles and shakes his head. The man is crass, but for the life of me, I can’t seem to hate him for it. I try to engage in conversation with the rest of the table, but with Nix next me, it’s making it hard to concentrate.

“How’s Z?” I finally cave to him, but try to steer the conversation away from anything he could turn sexual or make me want to rip my clothes off and demand he take me with his dirty mouth.

“I don’t know what’s gotten into him. He’s going through some stuff.”

I nod in agreement. Z’s behavior has been way off the last couple of weeks. The fight in class is the worst of it, but since detention started, his attitude hasn’t changed. I bite my tongue to keep myself from saying anything; it’s clearly time to call a meeting with both parents to discuss my concerns.

“Hey, Kadence, did you sign up for the charity ride?” Missy asks me from across the table, pulling me away from thinking how fun that meeting would go. I shake my head, remembering Nix asking me the same question earlier. The thought of sitting close to him, our bodies touching, is too much of a temptation.

“Kadence, huh? I like it even better than Miss Turner.” He leans in close, too close for comfort, and I know if I turn my head, our noses would touch. He says my name again, trying it out on his lips, and as much as I hate myself for it, the sound coming from his mouth sends a jolt through my system.

“And Nix is your full name?” I ask, wondering if his mother called him that.

“No, Nix is short for Phoenix. Nix is just what everyone calls me.”

As much as I like it, Nix suits him more, but being the smartass I am I decide to call him Phoenix from then on. I smile and nod, trying my hardest to keep myself in check. The thought of pushing him for a reaction gets me excited. We continue to play nice, until Nix decides to push again.

“So Kadence, what’s the rule with teachers and parents dating?”

I have to laugh at that one. He’s so sure of himself. I’m sure I wouldn’t lose my job, but I don’t want him to know that. Yes, he is attractive, and sparring with him is fun, more fun than I’ve had in a while, but I’m not sure crossing that line is wise.

“Not going to happen, Phoenix,” I reply, loving that I get to call him by his name.

“So you’re stubborn and sassy. I love a good chase,” he responds, not one bit deterred.

“It would be a pretty boring chase, like a dog chasing his tail.” I smile sweetly at him. The thrill of going back at him sends a swarm of butterflies through my stomach.

“Jesus, you’re like my dream woman. Smart mouth, sexy clothes, perfect body,” he laughs, shaking his head. “I’m not giving up on you, Kadence,” he quietly promises before his cell rings from his pocket. Standing from the table, he takes the call over near the restrooms.

I’d be lying if I said those words did nothing to me, but I have to remember it would be a huge mistake to get involved with him. Okay, not huge, but a mistake nonetheless.

I have to give him credit though. He is persistent and it’s working. Each one of his jabs tears at my resolve to keep my distance. My resolve that I don’t find him utterly drool-worthy is being tested. The truth is he is hot as sin. One night with him would make any woman happy I have no doubt, but could I possibly do one night with a man who reminds me of something that was taken from me?

I have to leave. The tension between us is too much. My choice is leave immediately or crack under the pressure of his bad-boy charm. I say my goodbyes to the table while Nix is on the phone, and quickly leave out the front, annoyed that I’d let my guard down for a minute.

“You running off?” Nix startles me from behind as I reach for my door.

“Oh, God, Nix.” I spin around and smack at his chest, annoyed that he snuck up behind me like a stealthy ninja. He grabs my wrist and before I can object, his mouth claims mine.

The light taste of beer on his lips and the warmth of his tongue demanding entry have me losing myself. Sliding his hands into my hair, he tugs back hard for better access, the sensation pulling me further into his assault. My stomach drops as our tongues collide, the throbbing between my legs beating to its own rhythm.

The kiss isn’t sweet or sensual. It’s hard and fast, just like him, and before I know it, my hands have taken over. Fisting his leather cut I pull his body to mine. His denim-covered cock presses into my stomach, making my knees weak. My brain stops functioning, my body controlling its need. I know what we’re doing is wrong, but the taste of his lips and the hardness of his arousal are telling me different. I want this man. Want everything he is doing to me and then more. His hips push further, his thickness growing against me as I lean back against the car. Knowing I caused this reaction in him sets me on fire.

“Prez,” someone calls out into the dark parking lot, breaking our connection.

“Fuck,” he whispers, bringing his forehead to mine; his breathing is as erratic as mine. “Give me five,” he yells back.

“Shit, that was a mistake,” I mutter as my fingers soothe my swollen lips.

“Like hell it was,” he hisses, taking a step back, watching me.

“I’m not interested in you,” I lie. My hands shake in front of me, the rush of adrenaline that shot through me at his touch now leaves me feeling exposed. "In fact, I have a date tomorrow night, so if you’ll excuse me.” I turn and open my door, desperate to get away. His hand comes to the door, stopping me from closing it.

“If you kiss like that when you’re not into it, I’d love to see how you kiss when you are,” he challenges with an arrogance that seems to affect me. He smirks then lets go of my door.

“I don’t intend for you to find out,” I reply before slamming my door, starting the car and driving off. I have to force myself not to look back.

***

Sitting in a booth the following night at Fireside Bar, I think back to Nix’s challenge. “If you kiss like that when you’re not into it, I’d love to see how you kiss when you are.”

The bastard is playing with me; I know it and now I can’t get him out of my head. I’ve known the man for all of five minutes and I can honestly say he infuriates me. Infuriates me and makes me think of things I shouldn’t be thinking about, especially about a student’s dad. Taking a sip of my cocktail, I push all thoughts of Nix Knight and his amazing kissing abilities aside and attempt to enjoy my night.

After tossing and turning all night and thinking about that kiss, I woke this morning and vowed to not think of him again. Yeah, I was failing miserably. I wasn’t lying when I told Nix I had a date tonight. My best friend Holly dragged me out tonight for a double date. She’s been seeing some guy named Ben and they thought it would be a good idea to set me up with his roommate, Braydon.

So far things haven’t progressed well, and I’m starting to regret agreeing to come along, something that I always seem to do around Holly.

Braydon is not my usual type, but he looks good, so that’s a win at least. However, everything else is lacking. I like my men to be a little manlier, a man’s man if you will. Someone who takes charge of the situation, but not someone who bosses me around, 'cause I sure as hell won’t put up with that. I spent too many years with my ex-fiancé, letting him dictate to me. I was weak back then. Now I’m not afraid to stand up for myself.

Shaking my head of thoughts that won’t change the past, I realize Braydon and Ben are still talking about the latest football game playing on the overhead screens. Great.

Looking over at Holly, I watch as she scans the club checking out the talent for the night. That’s Holly, on a date and still scoping her options. I’m about to tell her to quit when she kicks me under the table.

“What?” I whisper-yell to her as I lean forward and rub the shin where she just planted her stiletto.

“Check out the hot piece of ass that keeps looking over here,” she whisper-yells back, and I turn my head to see the man who’s been the center of my thoughts since the first day I met him, Nix Knight. Jesus, the man looks better each time I see him. I groan out loud when my eyes connect to his, and he gives me a wink. What an ass.

“Who the hell is that?” she questions, and I motion her to the ladies' room to talk.

Having escaped our table without even a glance from our dates, we push through the bathroom door when Holly starts firing out questions on who the sexy guy in leather is.

I’ve known Holly since college, meeting during first-day orientation. We realized we had a few classes together and so our friendship began. Her crazy personality brings out the fun in me, and she’s been my best friend for over ten years; not a day goes by I’m not thankful for her. When I lost my house, she welcomed me in with open arms. I survived and fought my way through recovery with her help. She came to every appointment with me, sat with me after every surgery and setback. If it wasn’t for Holly, her upbeat attitude and her crazy out-there moments, I don’t know where I'd be. Three years later, we still live together and haven’t killed each other, yet.

Pounding at the door startles me mid-way through my explanation about the badass biker who I met in my classroom last week, and the sexy, smartass man I kissed last night. The door pushes open, revealing none other than Mr. Sex On Legs himself. My best friend, or should I say ex-best friend, looks to me, her smile in place as she wiggles her eyebrows.