Free Riding with the Bad Boy (A Dark Motorcycle Club Romance) by Emma Russell Page A

out of my clothing piece by piece, leaving them in car while I changed into something more suitable for my walk.

    W hile I was trying to get the office off my mind, my thoughts flashed to her. Ava. I pushed it aside and focused on the trees around me

    W hen I was finally ready , I let out a howl of excitement and bounded through the woods. I had approximately four hours before I needed to be back for another meeting, and I was willing to make the most out of it. Nothing like a run in the woods.

    M y mind was more stubborn than I gave it credit for as it continued to pull me back to Ava. She was like me, I just knew it. Struggling to make something of herself, alone. Like me.

    I ’d never connected instantly with a person like that. And known so much about them. All just from a look.

    S ome people might of mistaken that for “love at first sight” but I knew better.

    I t was more like the recognition of similar souls.

    S he was working for me , but now I had to do the hardest part.

    C onvince her to get to know me.

    A va

    “ D o I look good ?”

    “ I love it . Not couture by any means, but for working in an office, I doubt anyone will notice.” Madison was always right there with the kind of compliment that stung. Just a little.

    I swallowed . All I had was what I could afford, and somehow it didn’t feel like it was going to be enough to impress Mr. Gilmore, or any of the people I was suddenly working for.

    “ L ook , your job isn’t to be the one talking, right? You’re an assistant. That’s all, so it isn’t like they are going to expect you to be walking around in high quality clothing. You look hot, and professional all at the same time.”

    I nodded , she was right. I was just being nervous. First day butterflies getting to me.

    “ G et going , you fucking rock this girl. Look, I’m sorry what I said before. It’s just, it’s been a hard road for me lately, I’ve been pissed at my luck. You, you totally deserve this. You are great.”

    S hit , Madison had been struggling to find work for a year and half, and I could totally understand her anger, her pessimism. It kept her from really getting mad, and it gave her a reason to fight. I was more than just a name and a checkmark in a box, and she gave me the perspective to fight for that.

    “ M aybe I can put in a good word for you, D.”

    “ P lease , Hun, don’t tease me.” She smiles and ushered me out the door and on to my fate.

    ***

    L uckily , this time, I didn’t break any heels. Rather than walking into the building with bloody palms, I walked back into it with my head held high and my confidence soaring. It was hard to make it in a man’s world, especially as a strong, independent woman. I was doing just that. And kicking ass.

    B ut as soon as I entered the building all the confidence I had eroded, replaced with nerves.

    W hat if he didn’t like me?

    W hy does he want me ?

    W hat if I mess up ?

    I swallowed my fear and walked up to the front desk secretary. “Hi there, I’m here for my first day of work.”

    “ N ame ?” The woman didn’t even look up at me, talk about intimidating.

    “ A va Jacobs .”

    “ A ve ?” She kept typing.

    T his wasn’t the first time she heard the mistake, but Ava fought the urge to roll her eyes.

    “ A va . With an A at the end.”

    S uddenly the woman looked up , a flash of something in her eyes.

    “ M s. Jacobs , you are working with Mr. Gilmore. Here is your keycard. Normally, intake would handle you, but he wants to do this himself. Take it, go to the elevator, swipe it, and it will take you to your floor.”

    I nodded and she looked back down at her computer, then looked up, like she thought of something. Then closed her mouth. Finally, she opened it.

    “ M s. Jacobs , be careful. A lot of women here wanted that job, hell, a lot of men wanted it too, and they know he only hires women for it. You are going to have to really watch yourself.” I could tell that she