Losing Control: Heaven Hill, #3

By Laramie Briscoe

The Prospect & The Teacher

 

Jagger Stone

Jagger Stone only wanted two things – to be a patched member of the Heaven Hill MC and to get to know Bianca Hawks. One for two isn't bad, but when her car breaks down and she's left with no one else to help her, he plays the situation to his advantage. Over late nights driving up and down the interstate and nights in spent at her apartment, Jagger realizes that there is so much more to Bianca than he ever knew..

 

Bianca Hawks

Bianca Hawks met Jagger Stone in the most embarrassing of ways. After watching him play music at Wet Wanda's for months, she fell half naked into his arms after a drunken bout with a stripper pole and the back of a pick-up truck. Avoiding him and his killer smile no longer works when she needs her car repaired and he comes to her rescue. His request for payment comes in the form of date nights spent with just the two of them – away from both the strip club and the MC.

 

When her dream of becoming a school teacher is threatened by someone who wants her all to himself, the two of them are thrown into a dangerous game of cat and mouse. For the first time, Heaven Hill isn't sure what they are up against or if they can keep their family safe. In times of danger, Bianca and Jagger know the only thing they can do is hold onto each other while trying not to admit they are losing control.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Laramie Briscoe
• Release date: Mar 4, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386576419

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Has anyone ever told you that you should be a male model instead of a biker?

Jagger Stone froze. That husky voice had haunted him for months. Since the Harley Drags in October to be exact. It was a hell of a story really, the way the two of them had finally met. She’d been on the back of a truck that had been outfitted with a stripper pole. He’d caught her when she’d lost her footing and taken a tumble. She had been a lot drunk and mostly naked. Since that day, he hadn’t been able to get her out of his head. The few times they had spoken with each other since hadn’t been enough.

Anybody ever tell you it’s not good to sneak up on a biker?

That same voice gave a low laugh that went straight to his groin. Never in his life had anyone affected him this way.

’Sneak up on a biker’ is a relative term. You didn’t even have your back all the way to the door. I’m sure you knew I was here.

She was right with that statement, but it wasn’t because he didn’t have his back to the door. Since that day she’d fallen into his arms, he’d been hyper-aware of her. No matter where he was, if Bianca Hawks walked into the room, he knew it. Every part of his body came to attention. She was sure to be an itch he wouldn’t ever be able to scratch.

Ignoring her comment, he put a cigarette in his mouth and fired up his lighter. To hell with Bowling Green’s smoking laws. What is a pretty little thing like you doin’ here? he flirted. Of course he knew she worked here, that was one of the reasons he kept coming in.

Here indicated Wet Wanda’s, a bar better known as a strip joint, that some of the other brothers tended to frequent when not providing security for the ladies. It was a dive at best. Women were sometimes up on the bar naked, and word had it you could get hand jobs or even better if you played your cards right. The clientele was right up his alley though; they loved to drink and they loved to get rowdy when he came out to play his brand of country music that bordered on rock ‘n’ roll.

Bianca rolled her eyes at the question. He acted like this was some sort of high-class establishment. Workin’. What does it look like?

He loved the little bite of attitude she gave him. He also knew that she thought she had hidden well from him, so he played along. I didn’t know you work here. I come in here all the time.

I know. I see you playing.

With any other woman that would have been an automatic home run into her panties. Especially in a place like this. With her, it didn’t even look like it impressed. There was an awkward pause while he tried to figure out how to respond.

Obviously, you’re not a fan.

Now, I didn’t say that, she smiled. I just won’t fall at your feet. No matter how sexy you look on stage when you play a guitar. With that she was gone, but the scent of her shampoo remained.

He couldn’t help the chuckle that bubbled up from his belly as he took another hit off his cigarette.

You ready?

Jagger dragged his gaze from Bianca’s backside and looked up at his brother, Tyler. He’d phrased his words as a question, but he was obviously ready to go as he held his helmet in his hands.

Yeah, I guess so.

Tyler laughed. You gonna run outta here with your tail tucked between your legs?

What’s that supposed to mean? We conversed. Jagger cut his eyes over to the bigger man. It was hard to act like you had game when you stood next to the great Tyler Blackfoot.

Sure you did. When that girl comes around, no matter when or where, you act like a teenage boy with a boner for the first time. You need to man the fuck up.

Jagger shrugged. I do alright with the ladies.

Tyler put his arm around Jagger’s shoulder, much like an older brother would do. He could tell that the Native American was about to impart some wisdom. You do alright because you don’t have to try. You flash those pearly whites and give that little boy grin you got, and they usually fall at your feet. This one’s gonna take some work.

Not wanting to say anything that would give his feelings away, Jagger did little more than nod and get on his bike. Before he fastened his helmet, he cast a look back at the little bar and couldn’t help but notice Bianca standing in the doorway.

Their eyes met before she turned away, breaking the spell to walk back inside. His gut churned as he watched her go. Tyler was right. This one was going to take a lot more than him flashing the dimple in his right cheek. He just had to decide if she was worth it or not.

Hours later, Bianca sat behind the wheel of her late model Mustang beating it to within an inch of its life. Her hands ached as she gripped the steering wheel and did her best not to bang her head into it.

Why me? she wailed.

The cold January air seeped into the interior of the car making her teeth chatter. She’d dressed in just enough clothes to be decent in order to get the best tips and now she was regretting it. Tucking the jacket she kept in the backseat around her body, she popped the hood and cursed as she jumped out into the elements.

She didn’t know a whole lot about cars, but what she saw when she looked under the hood caused her stomach to pitch. Oil was everywhere. She fought back the initial reaction to cry. Bianca Hawks didn’t cry when the going got tough. She just sucked it up and rolled with the punches, doing the best she could with what she had. Before she could slam the hood down on the car, she heard the roar of bikes.

They went by her and she breathed a sigh of relief. Save the group that she was comfortable with, bikers tended to creep her out. When the sound of a lone bike returned, she tensed. The man who rode this bike was covered from head to toe and had a bandana around his face. He came to a stop in front of her and pulled the bandana away.

Hey, Jagger grinned, causing her to jump.

You scared the ever-loving shit out of me! But I am so glad you aren’t gonna murder me, I can forgive you.

What’s wrong with it? he asked, coming around to stand beside her in front of the car.

Oil’s everywhere, and it just died on me. I need to do some maintenance on it, but I can’t really afford it.

He fiddled around inside the engine and then closed the hood. It’s not goin’ anywhere tonight, darlin’. I’ll call Liam tomorrow and see if we can get it into the shop. Do you need me to take you somewhere?

She eyed her bare legs and then his bike. I’d love a ride, but I’m really not dressed for it.

Without saying a word, he stripped off his leather chaps and leather jacket before handing them to her. Underneath the jacket, he had on a long sleeve thermal shirt along with his cut.

You’re going to be wearing a patch on your back, but this is all I got.

She knew after hanging around this group what that meant and just how much of a gentleman he was being in doing this for her. Thank you, she told him sincerely as she put the chaps on over her bare legs and shrugged the jacket on over her body.

You’ll have to give me directions, but I’ll get you home in one piece, he yelled over the roar of the engine.

She wrapped her arms tightly around his waist and hung on as they sped off into the night. As with many times in her life, this night hadn’t exactly turned out the way she’d planned.

CHAPTER TWO

Bianca sighed deeply. She wasn’t used to sitting still and she was bored, even if she was using the time to study. Without a car, she had no mode of transportation, and since she had no mode of transportation, she wanted to go everywhere. Beside her, her cell phone rang, Jagger‘s name flashing on the screen.

Hello?

Hey. She could hear the smile in his voice, see the dimple in his cheek as clear as day.

I’m just lettin’ you know, your car’s done. I can drop it by for you if you can bring me back to the shop.

Not a problem. I’ll be waiting.

Quickly, she got up from her couch, closed the textbooks she’d been studying, and hurried into the bedroom of her small apartment. Noting that there was still ice on her window, she grabbed a large hoodie and a warm pair of jeans along with a pair of boots. She heard a car pull into her parking space and ran a brush through her hair before grabbing her purse and bounding down the stairs.

He didn’t get out of the driver’s seat, so she went around to the passenger side and got in. I don’t even get to drive my own car?

This thing is really nice when it’s been taken care of, he grinned, backing out into the street.

A sinking feeling took root deep in her stomach. What did you have done to it? Her funds were very limited. She didn’t know if she could actually afford what he’d done to her car.

Don’t worry about it. He waved his hand at her.

No really, what did you do to my car?

He could tell by the look on her face that she wasn’t happy about what he was going to say. I did what needed to be done to it. You drive this car back and forth to work late at night. It needs to be safe.

In the passenger seat, she fumed silently. I appreciate it, she managed to get out between gritted teeth.

No you don’t, he laughed.

That deflated her anger just a little. No, I really do, but I don’t like that you did it without asking me. I’m used to taking care of myself. I had planned to get it taken care of with my living stipend that gets mailed to me in February.

Stipend?

Crossing her arms over her chest, she explained. I’m an education student at Western on a very small scholarship. That’s why I work such a shit job with shit hours. Education is a hard program. I want to teach and it’s expensive.

That was a surprise. He had assumed she had the same type of background as the other girls that worked at the bar. He would never have guessed she wanted to be a teacher. Really?

Don’t look so surprised. Many women have done what they’ve had to do in order to go to college. I’m damn smart.

He didn’t doubt that. Just the way he had seen her handle herself showed just how smart she was. I know you are. I’m just surprised.

She snorted. I always get that when I tell people what I want to do. They assume that just because I came from the proverbial wrong side of the tracks and I work at a strip club that I won’t do anything with my life. Go ahead, be like everybody else in this ass-backwards town.

The rest of the ride to the shop passed in complete silence, and Jagger wanted to smack his own mouth. He pulled up to the shop and put the car into park, turning it off. Look, I’m sorry, okay.

Bianca refused to look at him. She picked at her fingernails, which sported a dark red color, and stared out of the passenger-side window. Don’t be sorry. You had a thought, you voiced it.

But I apparently hurt your feelings in the process. I’m not good at this kind of stuff. I thought I was doing something nice for you. He ran his hands around the circle of the steering wheel and cursed himself for being so damn dumb in situations like this. He wanted to impress her, not piss her off and make her run away.

You did, she relented. But I take care of myself. That’s just the way it’s always been. Please tell me how much I owe you. I don’t care if it’s how much it really cost or not, just give me an amount to pay you back. Please, I don’t like to owe people.

Maybe I did it out of the goodness of my heart.

She knew he was trying to be cute, but in her experience no one ever did anything out of the goodness of their heart. It was hard to explain the way she thought, to someone who hadn’t grown up the way she had. Most people gave others the benefit of the doubt, she couldn’t remember a time when she ever had. And maybe you did, but please, let me pay you something back.

It hurt his pride that she wouldn’t accept this gift from him, but he realized that maybe it was a pride thing for her as well. Three hundred. Whenever you can get it to me will be fine.

Bianca closed her eyes. That was a lowball quote if she’d ever heard one, but she appreciated that he’d not said something any lower. Alright, I’ll get it to you a little bit a week.

A thought popped into his head. Only if you let me take you out to dinner once a week. No place fancy, but just let me spend some time with you.

Okay, but only until I pay you back. It was important to her that he didn’t think she would take him for his money. It was important to her to pay her own way.

Who knows, after you pay me back, you might just want to spend time with me.

She laughed, flashing a bit of her straight teeth. In your dreams.

He got out of the car and handed the keys to her. It was on the tip of his tongue to say she didn’t know how deep in his dreams that went, but he didn’t want to play his hand so soon.

I’ll call you later on in the week and find out when a good time is for you, he offered.

I’ll be waiting. She winked.

With that, she was gone, leaving him to watch the car disappear from view.

You got it bad. Tyler clapped his hand on Jagger’s shoulder.

And you don’t? If there was anyone that loved his mate, it was the man standing next to him. Tyler had been through hell with Meredith and they stood together now – stronger than ever.

Yeah, but at least mine has the sense to love me back.

Bianca watched in her rearview mirror until she could no longer see him. She had wanted to tell him that no one had ever done anything like this for her before. No one had ever cared if her car worked well enough to get her from point A to point B. It was disconcerting to someone who had always only had to rely on herself. Pulling up to her apartment, she made her way up the stairs and inside.

She had so much work to do if she wanted to keep up with school, and it felt like she was getting deep in over her head. Girls from her family didn’t go to college. They found men, popped out babies, and ‘drew a check’. That had never been what she wanted for her life. At 19, she had started taking classes, sometimes only able to do partial hours, but always doing something. Sighing, she had a seat on the couch and checked the time. It was four hours before her shift started at Wet Wanda’s. If she was lucky, she’d be able to do some of her required reading and finish a paper that was due next week. Maybe then she would feel a little bit more on top of things and more in control of her life. Maybe then Jagger wouldn’t make her feel so out of control.

Mind made up, she set the alarm on her phone and dove headlong into her assignments, not letting up until that alarm went off and she had to get ready for work.

CHAPTER THREE

Wet Wanda’s was bursting at the seams with patrons, and Bianca’s feet were killing her. The number of people that had gathered into the small space swelled until it was over capacity. It was always this way when Jagger came out to play. Leaning against the bar, she took a breather and gazed out at the sea of people that had crammed themselves in every nook and cranny available.

Her gaze landed on a group of people near the stage, all wearing the red and black colors of Heaven Hill. They had been regulars since Jagger had begun performing. It was nice to see the camaraderie that the group shared. There was never a night he performed that they didn’t pack the place. She’d noticed recently there were more women coming with them. She knew that two of them belonged to Tyler and Liam, but the rest she just knew came for Jagger.

Why are you shootin’ daggers at all those women over there? Jasmine asked, an all-knowing grin on her face.

No reason.

Bullshit. If you like the man, why don’t you just go for it?

It was hard to explain, even to herself, why she didn’t feel like she could just make a move on this man. Something kept holding her back. In not wanting to be one of those women who drew a check, she had somehow managed to shut herself off to every available avenue towards romance there was. We’d never work out.

With those words, she pushed away from the bar and went back out into the crowd. There were people who needed beer, and she had a job to do.

Jagger stood behind the small brick building that housed Wet Wanda’s, smoking a cigarette. Usually, he liked to be inside the club, feeling the vibe of the crowd, but tonight he craved his own company. He still felt bad about what had transpired between him and Bianca that afternoon. Even though he’d managed to get a dinner once a week out of it, it still left a bad taste in his mouth that she refused help.

Crowd’s gettin’ crazy in there. You need to hit the stage soon.

He glanced up, noticing that Wanda herself had come out to greet him. His breath showed bright white in the night air as he exhaled deeply. I’ll be in there in a few minutes, he promised as he took the last drag off his cigarette.

His shoulders squared, he walked in and grabbed his guitar out of its case. Normally his show was rowdy, and it couldn’t be described as either rock or country. Tonight though he felt melancholy and wanted to project that to everyone who had come to see him. For some reason, he wanted to show a different side of the man they all thought they knew. Sitting down, he put his guitar across his knee and worked on warming up his fingers and voice before he hit the main stage.

He played the familiar chords to a song he’d written a few years before and softly sang the words, welcoming the feeling that came over his body. This was where he felt at home, when he had the weight of a guitar in his hands and on his knee. The back of a motorcycle was his freedom, but the stage was his salvation. Eyes closed, he continued with his warm-up until his hair prickled, and he knew that Bianca watched him.

Opening his eyes, he grinned at her, continuing to strum, making up a little song about her spying on him.

She couldn’t help the giggle that came up from deep in her belly or the blush that spread across her cheeks. You’re silly.

Wow, you do have a sense of humor.

Every once in a while, so enjoy it while you got it. She gave him her back, her hair flying towards him.

He caught the scent of raspberry vanilla shampoo and almost salivated. Everything about this woman drove him crazy. You stayin’ for my show? he asked.

I’m workin’, so I’ll be here.

But will you be watching? he asked, his fingers poised on the chords of the guitar, waiting to see what she would say.

She turned, her eyes twinkling. He loved it when he could see a bit of life there. When she was having fun. When for just a few moments she seemed to forget how serious she was supposed to be. Maybe.

Two hours later his melancholy had all but lifted as he listened to the roar of the crowd. They were chanting his name as he went off stage. He loved this little