Free Charged by Kerri Ann Page B

beautiful creature up close, but deep down, you know it’s dangerous and it will likely tear you apart, but you can’t help it as you enjoy every minute of it.  
    Finally, his jaw unclenches, his eyes softening. “Yeah, I did. That’s why the doors are off. I had the feeling the panels had more rust than paint, and I was right. I took the doors off because the hinges were about to let go. You’re lucky your doors hadn’t fallen off already. They pretty much came off in my hands.” 
    I know he’s right. I’ve had to jerk the door up everytime I open it because it sticks. 
    “I pulled the hinges and asked one of the guys to fix the body so I can reattach them. You’re precious Creature is — was — on its last legs. It still could be. You’d be better off buying a new wreck than fixing that old piece of shit.” I open my mouth to reply, but think better on it when he levels a very harsh look on me. 
    “You again,” I hear from behind me. Turning, I see Jack strolling up to us with that same look as before. The one that lets me know he could eat me whole if he was hungry enough.
    “Hi, I…,uh,” I stammer and back away from Ryker. “I’m here to get your lunch orders for Hazel.” Being near Jack fills me a terrible feeling of unease, and that instinctual fight or flight reaction springs into action. 
    He looks me up and down, as if he’s taking inventory, then speaks in that menacing, harsh tone once more. “You’re working for Hazel? What is that woman thinking? I’ll have to talk to her about bringin’ in strays.” 
    I bite my lip, to terrified to say what I really want to. 
    “So, is there something you’d like for lunch?” I ask once more, this time with more conviction.
    “Sure, Ryk can tell you what I want.” He pauses on his way out the door, then stops, narrowing his eyes at me yet again. “Then he’ll get his ass back on that fucking Bird instead of crab assin’ around with your piece of shit. We don’t do charity work. Not even for a scrawny hooker like you.”
    Oh now, that I can’t abide by. 
    Anger courses through me, and I can almost feel the moment I lose all control of my temper. “Look Jack ,” I say with a sneer. “I’m not a hooker. I may not have enough money to buy your ‘bird’, but I’m not a stray hooker looking for a lay either. In fact, I am a paying customer.” I pop my hands up on my hips and tilt my head to the side. “Now, would you like a side of fries with that order? Sir.” I’ve probably overstepped by about a mile, but I’ve never been real good at keeping my mouth shut. 
    He levels me with a terrifying glare, but I’m too pissed to notice. “Where you from, girl? You don’t sound like you’re from around Mississippi?”
    “I’m from none of your business, just heading back to go fuck yourself. Can I take your order, or are you up for starving today?” That’s when I realize that it’s likely a really bad idea to start a pissing contest with this man, but he surprises me with a laugh, then he’s walking out of the room, waving his middle finger high in the air.  
    “You have a death wish or what?” Ryker growls at me.
    “No, but I’m not what he said and I won’t accept that. Now about my car —” 
    “I’ll do the best I can with it, just don’t expect miracles.”
    “I appreciate all that you’re doing to get me going.” Wow. No double meaning there. “Now, um. I’m here to get your lunch orders. What would you like? I got everyone else, I think just you and Travis are left. Well, that and Jack the ass.”
    “Yeah, get Travis a big bear with mayo, Jack a fried gorilla, no sauce, no lettuce and no tomato but extra pickles, and I’ll grab yesterday’s special again. Tell Gus, load on the avocado. I like that shit.” I write it all down as my hand shakes. 
    A tight smile creeps across his face. Stepping closer to me, he pushes some stray hairs behind my ears and presses me back against the car. I’d seen