Free Against My Lips, Motorcycle Romance: AcesWild MC Series by Roxi Cooper Page B

heavenly. I went to the bathroom quickly and headed back outside. I brought my backpack with me because I didn't like the idea of leaving it anywhere. It was all I had left to my name.
    Jack's Place was right across the street from the motel, so it took us all of 30 seconds to get there. The windows were covered in neon beer signs, and the sign was dirty and broken in a couple of places. When we stepped inside there was a bar to the right with about five guys sitting at it. On the left was a line of booths, and straight ahead there was a tiny dance floor and a jukebox.
    Jim headed for one of the booths and I followed him. There was a small menu there featuring burgers and sandwiches.
    "Order whatever you want. This one's on me. Sally gives me a discount anyway."
    "Well, I'll be damned. Is that you Jim Stone? Haven't seen you around here in a while!" a woman with large breasts, bleach blonde hair, and a warm smile approached the table with a pen and pad in her hand.
    "Sally, darlin, how are ya? You're looking as beautiful as ever."
    "Flattery will get you everywhere. Who is this pretty little thing?"
    "This is Brooke. I'm giving her a ride to California to see her mother."
    "Hello, Ma'am," I smiled up at her and she returned it.
    "We barely ever see pretty young ladies in here. I'm usually the only broad around. Why don't I bring you each one of my specials?"
    "Sounds good," Jim was talking to Sally, but I suddenly couldn't focus on their conversation. Something, or should I say someone had stopped all rational thought.
    Sitting at the end of the bar facing in my direction was the most handsome man I had ever laid eyes on. His grayish-blue eyes were filled with anger and a hint of sadness, and my heart went out to him. I knew it was the same look that I offered the world. His hair was the color of a raven, dark as the night, and it was cut short. It looked like he hadn't shaved in a few days, but the five o'clock shadow just made him that much more beautiful. I guessed he was around 25 years old, but I could have been wrong. All I knew was that he had made my world come to a complete stop.
    "Are you okay, Brooke?" Jim's voice snapped me out of it, and I was embarrassed. I felt my cheeks catch fire as I tried to cover up what I had been doing. It was too late. Jim took a look over his shoulder and saw what had me breathless.
    "Brooke, that's one man you can look at but should never go near. He has more baggage than you might think. That's Jesse Dalton, and he’s surrounded by ghosts," I snuck another glance his way and found him still nursing the same beer.
    "He can't be that bad. We all have a past. He looks sad."
    "Now I know I barely know you, but please listen to me. Jesse is not anyone you want to go giving your heart to. I don't think he'd take it anyway. Just forget you ever saw him over there."
    Our food came shortly after that. We each got a tuna melt and fries, which tasted delicious. I sat there stealing glances. Jim kept shaking his head.
    "Listen, Brooke. Jesse is in a motorcycle club. The AcesWild MC. A few months back, the rest of his club was killed in a standoff with the feds. He was the last man standing; now everyone thinks that he ratted them out. He’s not some nice guy with a broken heart, he’s dangerous, and you need to stay far away."
    "Wow. But I still think everyone has their reasons for doing what they do."
    "Yeah, well his reasons are not honorable. He wants to be alone and you should let him be."
    I couldn't stop staring at him. His leather jacket was worn from plenty of wear and long rides on his motorcycle. There was a flaming patch on one arm, and all I could do was sit there and wonder what he looked like underneath it. He was tugging at my heart, and he had no idea I was even in the room. Maybe there was something I could do to change that.
    After dinner and a couple of beers, Jim was ready for some sleep. He told me it was time to go, but I hesitated.
    "I think I'm gonna hang out for a