Riders Of Tyr 5: Ironhand

CHIARA

I find myself biting my lips again, for what feels like the millionth time. Calm down! I tell myself. This has been my mantra since yesterday.

This isn’t a pie contest. It’s not like the wedding announcements I used to write for a local paper when I was fresh out of school. This is the real deal.

I’m about to go undercover in an outlaw den. Alone. Without a backup plan.

I’ve considered calling Jason, but he would try to stop me, and I need to be unstoppable. Everything will be okay.

I push open the door of the bar and step inside, teetering on the mile-high black heels I’m wearing. I chose a simple black dress, so tight and short that it’s impossible to be comfortable in it.

But comfort wasn’t what I was aiming for today. I needed to blend in, and this dress, which looks more like a glorified blouse, will help me do just that.

Looking around at the other women, I realize I might be the most modestly dressed one here, as if I’ve just stepped out of a convent.

The bar is packed with people. There’s smoke, loud music, alcohol flowing freely, and I see a few joints being passed around.

This isn’t a quiet, peaceful gathering. It’s loud, raucous, and downright dirty, living up to the Riders of Tyr’s reputation.

I take a deep breath, and surprisingly, I find myself enjoying the atmosphere. It’s exciting and exhilarating. And potentially deadly.

I let out the breath I’ve been holding and refocus on my task. I quickly scan the room before anyone notices me.

Across the room, I spot Tor. Oh my God! He’s kissing a girl, but it looks more like he’s devouring her face while grabbing her exposed ass.

His other hand is tangled in the long blonde hair of a girl who’s on her knees in front of him. I can’t see exactly what she’s doing, but I can guess. This place is like a porn studio.

Vince is in the center of the room, sitting on a chair with three Chinese girls draped over him, each one touching, kissing, and nibbling him. I swallow hard.

This scene is debauched and wicked, but it’s also…hot. My body reacts to the scenes around me, the smell of sex in the air, the sensual movement of bodies to the music, the erotic energy that fills the room.

That’s when I feel it. A tingle at the back of my head tells me I’m being watched. I turn and see him. Girard.

He looked good in the photo, but in person, he’s irresistible. He’s 6’6”, but his bulk makes him seem even taller. He’s standing in a dimly lit corner, holding a glass, and looking straight at me.

When I saw him yesterday, I nearly squealed in excitement. He looks so dangerous and…masculine. Rough, hard, gruff. The kind of man who would take you in his arms and…

I look down at my heels, swallowing hard. I’m here to work, not to drool over the Ironhand of the Riders! Admiring Girard would be perfectly fine if I wasn’t here to spy on them and then expose them.

I take a step into the crowd, but I can’t resist the pull I feel from him. I glance back at him, only to find him still watching me with those dark eyes. Does he suspect me? Is he interested in me?

The first possibility scares me. The second…

“Erin!” I hear Vince’s excited voice.

Damn. I plaster on a wide smile and turn to face him. I need to keep this casual, avoid being publicly exposed, and somehow steer clear of the threesome that Tor and Vince seemed to have agreed on yesterday.

“Vince,” I respond with a slight nod.

“You look fucking hot, babe,” Vince slurs, clearly drunk.

“You’re looking good yourself,” I retort.

“Glad you think so, babe.” He leans in closer. “I’d like to be the first to get deep in that pussy of yours.”

Classy, I think, rolling my eyes internally. Sure, Vince is attractive with his square jaw, piercing eyes, killer body, and that scar that makes him dangerously sexy, but…Really? That’s not even a pick-up line.

I need to get out of this situation now, or he’ll have no problem fucking me on a bar stool for everyone to see. Judging by the women around me, the Riders are used to that kind of service on a regular basis, and I’m seen as the latest club whore.

“Sorry, Vince,” I say in what I hope is a seductive voice, “but my pussy is spoken for tonight.”

“No shit?” he slurs. “Who is it? I’ll kill him and then we can see who claims your sweet ass.” He grabs my waist and pulls me against him.

Great job, Chiara. Now get out of this one. The tingling feeling returns, and I glance over my shoulder at Ironhand. His gaze is fixed on Vince, and he’s frowning.

I don’t know why, but Vince takes a step back. Perfect! Ironhand isn’t much of a talker. ~Understatement of the year.~ If asked whether I’m with him, he’ll just grunt, give a long hard look, and leave. That could mean anything from “Erin who?” to “Damn right.”

“Ironhand?” Vince shakes his head. “Sorry, baby, but if the chief wants you, I’m not getting in his way. Maybe some other time.” He winks.

Okay, Vince seems scared of Ironhand, which is seriously hot, but I don’t need to appreciate that right now. I’m sure Vince will spread that rumor enough to buy me some time.

I decide to approach Ironhand, talk to him, endure his usual silent treatment, persist just enough to solidify my cover, and then slip away to the back. My target? Tor’s office.

So, I do just that. Phase one: approach Ironhand. I steel my nerves, adjust my dress, and turn to face him. Please, Great Spirits, help me!

He couldn’t look hotter than he does right now. He’s wearing a black shirt with the top buttons undone and the sleeves rolled up, revealing his muscular arms.

His long, perfectly straight hair falls like a dark waterfall over his shoulders and down his back. And just to add to my confusion, he takes a sip of his drink and runs his thick tongue over his full lips.

I unconsciously mirror his gesture, and that’s when he turns his attention back to me, his eyes following my tongue. I’m treading on dangerous ground.

I’m almost there. I continue to walk, my eyes locked with his. My feet seem to have a mind of their own, and my hips sway just a bit, catching me off guard with their audacity.

I’m not one to sway my hips on purpose. I don’t flirt, I don’t lick my lips, I don’t bat my eyelashes.

So why did you just run your fingers through your hair? Wait, what? I catch my fingers in the act, red-handed. I pause, contemplating whether to abandon this whole endeavor.

I’ve only been here for about five minutes and I’m already losing focus. This could be dangerous. But I don’t back down.

Instead, I approach him.

“Hey, Ironhand,” I venture.

He clenches his jaw, blinks slowly to show his disinterest, and leans back against the wall, looking away. Just a little longer.

“Alone?” I dare to ask. “I thought you’d have some company by now. I could…”

I don’t finish my sentence. He peels his tall, muscular body off the wall and gives me a long, intimidating look before leaning in, invading my personal space in an attempt to scare me off.

But it doesn’t work. It should, but it doesn’t. It should because he’s a massive man with a permanent scowl, clearly trying to intimidate me.

But it doesn’t because… Because his fresh, aquatic scent reaches me, and a strand of his hair brushes against my shoulder as he leans in.

“So much loneliness in the world,” I say.

Really? Is Vince contagious or something? Because that was the worst pick-up line ever! The best thing I can do is keep my mouth shut before I start spouting more cheesy lines.

So, I do the next best thing. I touch his arm.

Girard looks down at my arm and for a moment we both freeze. I’m not sure why he’s holding his breath, but I’m lost in the softness of his skin and the firm muscles beneath.

That was the best mistake ever.

I try to regain my focus, but I can’t. It’s only when he pulls his arm away from my touch that I snap back to reality. He doesn’t want me touching him.

The thought makes me frown. I mean, Tor and Vince thought I was good enough. Sure, good enough to use as a new sex toy and then discard, but still…

I hate to admit it, but his rejection stings a bit. If he noticed my reaction, I can’t tell. All Girard does is straighten up and walk past me down the hall.

It’s now or never.

I glance around and I’m relieved to see Vince and Tor are watching. I flash them a smile that’s both innocent and knowing. I hurry after Girard down the dark corridor.

Things just got real.