Tanner: A Black Widow MC Romance (10 page)

The clock radio next to my bed started to ring at eight in the morning. My hand reached out from under the covers and searched around until I found the snooze button. Strong arms wrapped around me and a sculpted body spooned me from behind. I looked over to see Tanner all naked and smiling next to me.

“Good morning, Grace.” Tanner yawned.

“I didn't think you were the type of guy to stay the night.”

“There's always a first for everything.” Tanner kissed me and his morning breath didn't even bother me.

I rolled over and nestled in the nook between his arm and chest. “Can we stay in bed all day?”

Tanner traced his fingers across the bare skin of my arm. “I wouldn't want anything more.”

Was this really happening? Did I really sleep with the biker? I wanted to pinch myself to make sure it wasn't a dream. I'd never felt this happy before. Not even when I graduated from med school or became a real doctor. I always thought I'd dedicate my life to my career—that it would be enough to satisfy me.

I didn't know what I was missing.

I felt this overwhelming love for Tanner. I'd only known him for a short while but it felt right. Felt like we belonged together. But could this really work? We were so different. Could I stay with an outlaw?

“Do you think we could really work together?”

Tanner lifted my chin until his gaze met mine. “Don't we deserve to be happy?”

I kissed him, feeling his strong embrace. “Yes,” I replied. “How about some breakfast?” I asked.

Tanner nodded. “Sounds fantastic. I didn't know you knew how to cook.”

I laughed. “I don't actually. My sister Rachel has been doing all the cooking even though she isn't very good either.”

Tanner cocked an eyebrow.“She's the one that said she'll kill me if I hurt you, right?”

I sucked my lips in. “Yep, she's the one. I'm sorry, she's actually pretty harmless.”

Tanner hid behind the sheets. “I think I'll stay here why you go find us some breakfast.”

I swung my legs over him and straddled his hips. “Don't tell me the great Tanner King is afraid of a girl?”

Tanner swung a pillow out of nowhere and hit me right in the face. He could barely contain his laughter. I scoffed and grabbed my own pillow, swinging with all my might. My hit didn't even phase him. Tanner attacked with his tickling that rendered me useless. I fell over and Tanner rolled on top of me, pinning my arms above my head. His dark eyes gazed into mine, his lips all serious.

“I'm never going to leave you, Grace Holmes.” He bent down and bit my bottom lip.

“You better not, or I'll hunt you down,” I replied, kissing him passionately.

Maybe an outlaw and a doctor could actually be together?

It was the perfect day for a picnic. The sun was shining brightly and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. A huge crowd was gathering in the park for the annual picnic in Sacks County. I looked to the other end of our flannel blanket and Tanner was sitting up, unloading our lunches from the picnic basket.

I lay back and soaked up the sun, holding my swollen belly. I stretched out my legs and arms, the diamonds on my wedding ring reflected back at me.

“How's our boy doing?” Tanner asked.

“Kicking a lot out. I think he's ready to leave.”

“I can't wait. Remember our wedding?”

“How could I forget? One hundred bikers and my small family,” I replied.

“I'm glad I got to meet your parents,” he said.

“I'm just glad that they finally made up with Rachel. I felt so bad when we got engaged and I had to move out.”

Tanner reached his hand over to mine. “Where is she by the way?”

I looked around and found her walking over with Claire. “How's my little pumpkin?” Rachel said, rubbing my belly.

Claire kneeled down next to me. “What's his name going to be, Grace?”

“We were thinking about Isaac.”

Her eyes glistened as she smiled and felt my belly. “He's going to be a strong boy like his father.”

Tanner nodded and I laughed. “Yeah but hopefully he doesn't come out with a black widow tattoo already.”

We watched the other MC members set up for the picnic. Big Mike brought over a giant barbecue and he was cooking burgers and hot dogs. Caleb and Slade were sitting at a table arguing over  whose Harley was better.

Tanner lay next to me. “Are you happy, Grace?”

I looked over at him concerned. “Why do you ask? Can't you see the smile on my face?”

“I know but I just want to know if you're truly happy being with me.”

I held his face in my hands. “We've had our ups and downs but I wouldn't change anything. We're about to become a family.” I put his hand on my belly and Tanner felt Isaac kick. “We made that and he's ours.”

Tanner almost started crying.
My strong King.
My heart couldn't handle the amount of love I felt for him right now.

“I love you, Mr. King.”

Tanner kissed me. “Love you too, Mrs. King.”

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Shit!
I arrived at the Nautilus Club fifteen minutes late again. The seedy building stood in an abandoned complex right next to the jammed freeway. A gigantic neon sign repeated girls three times and a long pink awning jutted out from the front door.  I stumbled out of my car, carrying my purse and bag of school books. In between dances, I could get a little homework done if nobody bothered. Jerome stood at the front door looking menacingly as always. He was an over-sized black man with the softest heart and a hug that could crush every bone in your body. He grinned and let me right in.

The club lights were dimmed and Cherry danced on stage to Britney Spears's “Womanizer”. A bar sat along the far right wall and Johnny was there tending to the drunks. A shot of whiskey sounded good right about now. I took a hard right through velvet curtains that stated employees only.

Joe, the owner, came barreling towards me. His hair had receded to the very back of his head and he wore the cheapest suits available. He wasn't as soft as Jerome but he took care of his girls. “Brooke! You gotta be kidding me. How could you be late again after we just had that talk?”

Damn!
I thought he might not have noticed this time.

“I'm so sorry, Joe, but I got caught in traffic.”

Joe checked his watch. “There's no traffic at eight o'clock.”

“I promise it won't happen again.” I gave him my best puppy dog eyes.
Joe was a sucker for a pretty girl.

He narrowed his eyes at me. “Cherry offered to switch. You go on in twenty minutes.”

I really owed Cherry a big one. This was the fifth time she had covered for me.
Maybe I could buy her some makeup as a thank you.

Joe continued, “I also need you to cover Jasmine's shift on Saturday night.”

Double Shit!
This Saturday I promised my mom I'd come visit her. But I couldn't negotiate with Joe without him firing me on the spot.

“You got it, Joe. Whatever you need.”

Joe clasped his hands and bowed before me. He really wasn't all that bad. I just needed to be on time more often.

I walked into the makeup room and sat at my station. Exposed light bulbs surrounded the mirror and pictures of my family were taped to the edges. I wanted my area to feel a little more homey—a little more personal. I went to the open rack behind me that held the few outfits I owned. The dancers at Nautilus were required to pay for their own costumes which meant I couldn't afford too many.

I pulled out a blue bikini that was bedazzled with little sequins. It looked really cheap but you couldn't tell in the dark club. I quickly changed and stuffed my big breasts into the bikini top.  I sat down at my station and opened the drawer full of makeup. I brushed my hair and darkened my eyes with black liner and eyeshadow. I added the biggest fake lashes and overdid the lipstick.

Helena strutted into the room wearing a long dress and platform shoes. She was very thin and tall with small perky breasts. She could've been a model if she wanted to. Most of the women were so jealous of her body.

“Joe seems angrier than usual. Were you late again, Brooke?” Helena sat down at the station next to mine. She had been dancing at the Nautilus for over ten years.
When I started dancing, Helena helped me through the basics.

I capped my lipstick and pursed my lips in the mirror. “Only by fifteen minutes. I could be one minute late and he'd still go ballistic.”

Helena laughed. “Joe is Joe.” She put her hand on my shoulder. “We just got in a big group of bikers.”

“I hope they have deep pockets.” I winked.

Cherry came back from the stage all sweaty.

I got down on my knees and groveled at her feet. “Thank you so much, Cherry. I owe you a million times over.”

Cherry's fake red hair burned brightly. “You better believe you owe me. I barely got any tips out there and a group of bikers just came in right after I finished.”

“How about I split my tips with you tonight. Will that make up for it?”

Cherry smirked. “Yeah that might work.”

My phone buzzed on the counter. I checked my message and it was from my roommate.

Jenny: You better text me when you're on your way home.

Brooke: Don't worry I will :)

Jenny didn't have a job so she made it her life's work to make sure I was safe. She was so worried that one of the customers would try to kidnap me. Jerome was always around and would never let that happen.

Joe popped his head in. “You're on in five, Brooke.”

“Knock em' dead, Sapphire.” Cherry kissed me on the cheek.

Sapphire was a name I quickly came up with right before my first dance. I needed a stripper name that radiated class. Diamond was already taken so Sapphire became mine. Most girls went by their real names backstage and some lucky girls like Cherry were already born with a fake stripper name.

I took a deep breath and went to the back of the stage.  I peeked through the curtains and spotted a ton of guys surrounding the stage. They were all covered in tattoos and wearing leather vests.  Tonight might actually be a good night.

The announcers voice boomed through the air. “Ladies and gentlemen, the Nautilus Club proudly presents: the mysterious, the insatiable, the lovely—Sapphire!”

My song: “Pour it up” by Rihanna blasted through the speakers.

I burst out of the curtains with fire in my eyes. The overhead spotlights focused on my body as I made my way down the raised walkway. The boys cheered my name, throwing one-dollar bills onto the stage. I ran my hands up my stomach and grasped my boobs, flaunting them to the crowd.

“Take it off,” one of the bikers screamed.

I pouted my lips and shook my finger to the crowd. I faced away from the audience and slowly undid the string around my back. My bikini top hung loosely against my chest and I held it in place with my hands. The men hollered at me. I turned around and danced for the bikers, not letting them see it all yet. Dancing was the art of seduction.

I dropped the bikini top and let my large breasts free.  The boys cheered and whistled at my tits.  I went up to the cold steel pole and pushed it against my cleavage, rubbing myself up and down. I bent over all the way, hugging my ankles and giving the best view of my thong and ass.

My eyes caught one of the bikers and my heart skipped a beat. He wasn't like the others. He sat quietly and stared at me. This guy had long slicked-back hair that was shaved on the sides. Intricate tattoos covered both of his strong arms and broad shoulders.

The mysterious biker's dark gaze focused in on me. I became flushed and lost my way for a moment. I climbed  high up the pole, wrapping my legs around and locking myself in. I leaned back and swung around, slowly dropping all the way to the stage floor. I flipped my blonde hair back and locked eyes with the biker.

This is way too hot.

Rihanna's words slowly faded away and the crowd cheered. I gathered my bikini top and all the tips off the stage.

“One more round of applause for Sapphire,” the announcer yelled.

I gave the audience a curtsy before disappearing into the back—but not without getting one last glance at the biker. He sat in his seat, blanketed in shadows, with one finger slowly tracing his lips.

“How much did you make?” Cherry asked.

My head was all cloudy and my cheeks were bright red.
Who was that man?

“I said, how much did you make, Brooke?” Cherry repeated.

“Oh sorry. Thanks again for covering for me.” I didn't even bother counting the tips. I handed her the majority of the crumpled up cash in my hands and her jaw dropped.

Cherry fanned out all the bills. “You made all this from one dance?”

I shrugged.“I guess they liked me.”

I sat down at my station to calm myself down. I didn't have another dance for a couple hours and desperately needed a drink.

Joe came in. “Great job, Brooke. You got a guy out there requesting a lap dance.”

I nodded and touched up my makeup.
Could it be him?