Scrooged by the Biker Read online

  Scrooged by a Biker

  Love Demands a Holiday

  McKenna Rogue

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Holidays with the Romance Chicks

  Dear Reader

  Also by McKenna Rogue

  1

  Charlie

  “Mom, I’m not coming for Christmas,” I snarled.

  Her shrill whine made me pull the phone away from my ear. “Why not, Charrrrr-lieeee?”

  I made myself take a deep breath. “How much have you had to drink?”

  “I am—” she paused, like she was trying to think of the right words or trying not to slur “—don’t drink anymore.”

  I stared at the ceiling, looking for some patience or understanding, but there was nothing up there either.

  “Okay, well why don’t you go sleep it off and call me when you’re sober.” I ended the call.

  Slumping back against the wall outside of my great aunt’s room in the care facility, I wondered why I even bothered answering my mother’s calls. She called me at all hours of the day and night trying to get me back into her life.

  But I couldn’t worry about Mom right now. I was here to see Aunt Mary.

  I tried to get by to see her once a day, but I’d gotten sick and missed a few days. Ever since I’d gotten out of the Marines and moved back to Jubilee Falls, I made sure I found time for her.

  “You okay, son?”

  I glanced over to see Pastor Williams moving toward me.

  I pushed off the wall, sitting a little taller. “I’m okay, sir.”

  “How is your aunt?”

  “She’s doing well. She’s having a good day today.”

  He smiled. “I’m glad to hear that.” He put a hand on my shoulder. “We miss seeing you on Sundays.”

  I shifted uncomfortably. “It’s nothing personal, sir.”

  “It never is, Charlie. But you’re always welcome.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  “If you need anything, you know I’m here for you and your family, right?”

  “That’s very kind of you.”

  The pastor gave me a nod and went on his way.

  I headed back into my aunt’s room. She was knitting and watching a Christmas movie. She loved Christmas, and even when it wasn’t the right season, she usually had a Christmas movie playing.

  “Aunt Mary, Pastor Williams says hello.”

  She glanced over at me through her glasses drooping off the end of her nose. “Pastor Williams called you? I thought it was that crazy niece of mine.”

  Sighing, I sat in the chair next to hers. “It was mom. I ran into Pastor Williams in the hallways.”

  “Is your mom drinking?”

  “Yes, she is.”

  Mary shook her head. “That girl needs to get her priorities straight. She acts like she’s the only woman who has problems. I lost two husbands and my children don’t even bother me visit me. I’m luckier than some of the other son-of-a-bitches in this place. I have a great nephew who spends time with me, but your mom doesn’t know how good she has it. She needs a reality check.”

  If only my mom would listen to Mary or anyone. But she was dead set on defying on everything and everyone and killing herself in the process.

  “I thought she would get better if I weren’t around.”

  Mary shook her head. “Her mess has nothing to do with you, sweetie. She’s been messed up since she was little.”

  “I didn’t make her life easier.”

  “Honey, children don’t. It’s not their fault. You acted out because your parents weren’t doing a very good job. But you grew out of it and you grew into quite the young man. Stop being so hard on yourself. And stop taking responsibility for your mother’s behavior, because she’s the one who should be responsible.”

  “You have a way with words, Aunt Mary. I almost feel better.”

  “Why don’t you go out and get ahold of your life? It’s Christmas time. You should be out there kissing some lucky girl under the mistletoe.”

  “Life is not a Hallmark movie.”

  She laughed. “Of course, it isn’t. Except for when it’s Christmas time.”

  I got up and kissed her forehead. “I’ll see what I can do. Do you want me to bring anything tomorrow? It’s Christmas Eve.”

  Her eyes lit up. “Already? Goodness. I’m so behind on all my shopping.” She looked around the room. “Where is my Christmas tree? I haven’t done any decorating yet?”

  I recognized the odd dullness in her eyes. Aunt Mary was lost again.

  “Who are you, young man? You shouldn’t be in here.”

  Fuck. I hated it when this happened.

  I managed a faint smile. “Have a nice evening, Mary.”

  I hoped she would be clearer tomorrow. It was getting late and I didn’t want to agitate her before bedtime.

  It had been unseasonably warm in Jubilee Falls, and even though we’d had snowstorms off and on for weeks, today was almost balmy. I climbed onto my motorcycle and donned my helmet, staving off a chill with my leather jacket.

  The air was changing. It was much colder than when I went inside. Clouds had covered the night sky, not even the moon shining through.

  I wasn’t ready to go home.

  Instead, I headed back to my shop. The ride was cold, but exhilarating. It helped clear my head.

  Pulling up to the garage of my shop, I punched in my code and the door lifted.

  I pushed the bike inside slowly.

  “Charlie?”

  I knew that voice. It haunted way too many of my dreams and fantasies. I’d done everything in my power to stay away from her.

  I turned to find Ginger Williams sauntering up the cement toward me. She had a red tin in her hand with a green bow.

  “Hey, Ginger. What brings you around?”

  She fidgeted with the shiny bow, looking shy.

  I made her nervous. A fact that I would’ve been way better off without knowing. Ginger always brought out the worst in me. At least in my dirty mind.

  She was a couple of years older than me, but she was a good girl. She was way too good for me.

  And to top it all off, her father was the pastor. I, in no way, wanted to lose what little respect he seemed to carry for me.

  I’d always had a thing for her, but I knew it was forbidden. She deserved to be with someone so much better than me.

  “I made a bunch of holiday cookies for all the businesses in Jubilee Falls. You’re my last stop.”

  “Kinda late to be delivering cookies, isn’t it?”

  I headed into the shop, hearing her heels clicking on the cement behind me.

  “Jubilee Falls might not be a metropolis, but you’d be surprised how long it takes to go to every business and small talk with everyone. And because I’m the pastor’s daughter, everyone feels obligated to tell me all the good deeds they’ve done and then they all want to know what I’ve been up to.”

  I could practically hear her rolling her eyes.

  “Since when do you hate being everyone’s favorite angel tree topper?”

  I pocketed my keys and went behind the counter to ensure there was something between me and her. She looked so prim and proper, with her long skirt and her coat buttoned up to her neck, that every bone in my body just wanted to rumple her demure exterior. Even her brunette hair, tied up in a bun with a bright red bow, was begging to be let loose.

  She stopped in front of me on the other side and slammed down the tin.

  “Since everyone treats me like I’m still twelve years old, believe in Santa Claus, and couldn’t possibly be interested in anything lik
e sex or rock and roll or anything interesting.”

  Her saying sex like she was desperate for it had my cock’s attention.

  “Aw, come on, Gingersnap, you’re beloved. Deal with it.”

  “You’re such an asshole.”

  “Whoa. That escalated quickly. What the hell?”

  “You know I like you. You’ve always known I like you. And you treat me like I’m some underage jailbait. I’m older than you. And here’s the thing, I think you like me too.”

  “Ginger…”

  She held up her hand. “No. I’m not going to listen to polite excuses. I sat on Santa’s lap. And I told him what I wanted for Christmas was you. For the record, I’m not some virgin. I’ve had sex. Lots of sex. Dirty sex.”

  I cocked an eyebrow. “What kind of dirty sex?” That was the wrong fucking question to ask.

  She paused. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

  I chuckled. “Tease.”

  “You’re the tease.” She crossed her arms over her chest.

  “Why are you wearing mittens and a coat like it’s…” I paused when I looked over her shoulder to see snow falling.

  She grinned. “The weather woman has been saying for days we were going to have snow for Christmas.”

  “Are you sure you’re not an angel tree topper for Jubilee Falls?”

  She stuck her tongue out at me.

  I leaned on the counter toward her. “Did you really come here to tell me that you want me for Christmas?”

  “Too forward?”

  “No. Not at all. But we can’t be together.”

  “Unless the reason is because you don’t want me, I call bullshit.”

  “What makes you think I do want you?”

  She put her hands on her hips. “I have methods to prove that you do.”

  I chuckled, but my palms were a little sweaty and I couldn’t stop looking into her big brown eyes.

  “You’re basically the holiday spirit in a cute, little curvy bundle. And I’m Scrooge or grinch or possibly both. And I just want to tear all the Christmas decorations down and make all of Whoville suffer.”

  “Don’t be so dramatic.” She pushed off the counter and pulled off her mittens as she eyed the motorcycles. “You’re just like everyone else.”

  “I’m not. Trust me, I don’t have a problem seeing you as a sexy woman who enjoys sex.” Even as I said it, my throat clogged with lust and grew deeper.

  Her red polished nails lightly dragged over the leather seat of a motorcycle.

  “You know most of this town sees my alcoholic mom and nobody thinks much of me because of it.”

  “That’s not truly, Charlie.” She turned around and abruptly changed the subject. “Wanna go out with me tonight? Weather the Storm is doing karaoke tonight.”

  “I think I’ll pass.”

  “Afraid you won’t be able to keep your hands off of me?”

  I cocked an eyebrow. “Are you drunk? I’ve never heard you talk like this.”

  She shook her head. “I’m taking life by the balls. I’m tired of being proper and waiting for you to decide to come after me.”

  “What happened?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Why are you suddenly taking life by the balls?”

  She blinked at me. “Because I am.”

  “Tell you what, why don’t we go to the bar as friends, and you can tell me what’s going on?”

  “As friends?”

  “Yes. I stand by what I said. We can’t be together.”

  Her dark eyes scrutinized me for a moment, her mouth pursed. “All right, I’ll tell you if you tell me.”

  “Tell you what?”

  “Why you’re Scrooge.”

  “I suppose that’s fair. You warm enough to walk?” I asked.

  She nodded.

  I made sure the garage was closed and we walked out the backdoor of my shop and headed toward the bar. We were almost shoulder to shoulder as we strolled through the snow.

  The streets were quiet, and the gentle flurries seemed to make everything even quieter.

  “I know I’m going to sound like a tree topper, but it’s really beautiful tonight. I love what the snow does to the earth.”

  I smiled. “You do sound like a tree topper, but you’re not wrong. It’s beautiful.”

  Snowflakes landed in her hair and all over her clothes. She looked like a snow angel. It was a bad idea going out with her, even as friends, but I couldn’t help it. I liked hanging out with her. And more than that, I liked her.

  She glanced up at me. She was nervous again.

  Fuck, she was cute.

  I opened the door to Weather the Storm Bar and Grill and gestured for her to go first. It was Saturday night and the place was buzzing with chatter, music, and laughter. Just like every other business in Jubilee Falls, the place was covered in Christmas Decorations.

  I followed Ginger to the bar and watched as she hauled herself up onto the stool. She crossed her legs and shimmied out of her coat. My eyes went right to her legs. Her skirt was calf long, but the slit went to her midthigh. That skirt was completely two faced. It came off all “I’m prim and proper” and just when I thought there was no possible way for it to be sexy, the slit came out and revealed all kinds of skin.

  Fuck. I was in way over my head.

  2

  Ginger

  What the heck was wrong with me?

  My complete lack of sex appeal was super annoying. I basically threw myself at him, and here we were, sitting at the bar at a perfectly acceptable distance. Clearly, I was not going to get what I wanted for Christmas.

  Oh well. It was a long shot anyway. I was just glad to be sitting with him. He’d been avoiding me for the last few months. Running away every time he saw me. Though, I doubted Charlie ran from anything. It just seemed like he was trying to be wherever I wasn’t.

  “What’s your poison?”

  “Arsenic?”

  “Cute. You want wine or something?”

  “Because that’s something a tree topper would drink?”

  “Actually, I think tree toppers drink eggnog exclusively. And probably the nonalcoholic kind so they can stay balanced on top of the tree.”

  “What are you drinking?”

  “Jameson on the rocks.”

  “I’ll have that.”

  Charlie’s blue eyes met mine. “I don’t think so, Gingersnap.”

  “Why not?”

  “You planning on getting wasted?”

  “One glass of Jameson is going to get me wasted?”

  “Not one, no.”

  “I don’t need a bottle, Charlie.”

  “My bad.”

  Margot sauntered over to us. I loved Margot. She was one of the few people in town who didn’t treat me like I was twelve years old.

  “Hey, hot momma, how are you?” Margot grinned as she stopped in front of me. “Is this guy bothering you?”

  “If anything, I’m bothering him,” I said. “I told him he’s what I wanted for Christmas and he opted to be in public somewhere I couldn’t attack him or something.”

  Margot smirked. “If he’s dumb enough to not push you down on the nearest flat surface, then it’s his incredible loss. Do you want something to drink?”

  “Two Jameson’s on ice. Though, be careful, I think Charlie is probably going to be wasted.”

  “He is a light weight,” Margot teased.

  I glanced over to find Charlie staring at me. I couldn’t read his stoic expression. I looked away, not wanting to stare too long into his deep blue eyes or get tempted into running my fingers through his shaggy blond hair.

  Margot placed two glasses in front of us. Jameson was almost clear enough to see through. I swirled the ice around and then took a sip. It was warm and burned a little on the back end, but I liked it.

  “That’s good.”

  “Yeah?” Charlie’s voice was a little deeper.

  “Yeah. Why are you surprised?”

  “Har
d liquor isn’t for everyone. And you don’t seem the type to drink much.”

  “You pay attention to my drinking habits?”

  Charlie shifted so he was facing me more directly. “What happened? Why are you suddenly on this agenda?”

  “To get into your pants?”

  He smiled and quickly quelled it. “Stop that. Get to the nitty gritty, Gingersnap.”

  “My dad is sick.”

  Charlie’s frown deepened. “What? I just saw him earlier, he looked fine.”

  “He has pancreatic cancer. Looks good, doesn’t he? He won’t for long.”

  “Ginger, I…”

  “The man has a direct line to God and yet he’s going to die in the next year. But not before he poisons his own body with chemicals to try to slow down the dying.” I knocked back the rest of my drink, enjoying the burn and trying not to let the sting of tears win.

  “Your dad being sick has made you realize that life is short.”

  “I know, I’m a walking cliché. But life is short. And I’m tired of not being brave. My dad is so brave. He’s taking this whole thing like it’s another test from God. He’s going to fight it, because life is valuable. Never mind the odds.”

  “Never tell him the odds.”

  “Thank you, Han Solo.”

  “I’m serious. My great aunt has Alzheimer’s and my mother is drinking her liver into the ground. Don’t let the odds keep you from winning. Your dad is pretty awesome and I’m willing to bet if anyone could win that fight, it’s him. And maybe a little because of his faith, but mostly, because he has you in his life and he’ll want to fight for you.”

  Margot replaced my Jameson with another, and she set a glass of soda, most likely cherry Coke, next to it, since she knew my real poison.

  “He’s the only one.”

  Charlie knocked back his drink. “No, he’s not. This town may treat you like the twelve-year-old tree topper you are, Gingersnap, but every one of them would step in front of a bullet for you. Including me.”

  “Good thing bullets are flying around Jubilee Falls then.” I poked him in the chest. “Would you stop calling me a twelve-year-old. I’m twenty-four. I have a college degree. I can drink legally. I can vote.”