Rock Me Two Times by Dawn Ryder Page B

hours out of her. So it was quitting time.
    She picked up her phone and trolled through Facebook and a couple of travel sites to see what the city offered for night entertainment. Surely there was a local hot spot somewhere close with a band or signature dinner dish that she could enjoy.
    Her phone chirped. It startled her, but she grinned when she recognized the name of one of her Bay Area clients. His name was Clarence O’Malley, but it was a whole lot safer to call him by his preferred nickname.
    “Hello, Conan.”
    “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming to the Bay Area?”
    Kate smiled, feeling ridiculously rescued. “It was last minute. Um…how’d you know?”
    “You’re logged into Facebook, with the location app. You’re too cute to have that turned on, you know. Someone like me might use it to stalk you,” Conan said.
    “Um…yeah.”
    Conan chuckled on the other end of the line. “You doubt my badass-ness?”
    Kate laughed and reached back to rub her neck. “Never. Just your level of desperation to resort to stalking. Last time I checked, you had a small harem.”
    “Maybe. Get down to the lobby.”
    “You’re here?” she asked incredulously.
    “Yeah, I drive my ass down to your end of the state because no one can sew leather like you. Just shut up the shop. Let’s grab a cold one and get some chow. Got a couple of guys I’d love to introduce you to. Can’t wait to tell them you were in my pants while you’re sitting close enough for them to see how hot you are.”
    And that was why he liked to be called Conan. He claimed to be a barbarian at heart. Which made him just interesting enough to be fun.
    “You’re on,” Kate said.
    She wasn’t going to hang around waiting for Syon. She’d put in a full day. If she was going to be on tour, she might as well enjoy the sights a little. She could catch up on her sleep on the road.
    She swung around and took a moment to run a brush through her hair and apply a fresh coat of lipstick. The elevators were express ones, and a few moments later, she was striding through the polished marble floors of the lobby. Conan had pulled up on a chopper. The doormen were eyeing him as security eased closer.
    Not that she blamed them. Conan was rather typical as far as her clients went. His shaved head had a tattooed skull on the back, and his forearms sported more ink. He had a huge, square-cut jaw, and his nose bore the evidence of being broken. When he grinned, one full gold crown winked at the suit-clad security men watching him. The only way he wasn’t typical was in the fact that he ran a very lucrative business. The bodyguards edging in on him would have been surprised to discover themselves dealing with a man who could afford to rent out one of the exclusive penthouse suites. Ripped jeans and all. The guy owned several Armani suits, but needed to be beaten half to death before putting one on.
    He revved the chopper and whistled when he spotted her. Kate swung the shoulder strap of her bag over herself, cross body.
    She reached out and steadied herself with a hand on his shoulder before lifting her leg to get on behind him. There was a roar as Toxsin pulled into the half-circle drive, taking control of the space completely. Conan turned his head to admire the chrome work on the Harleys. Kate slid her leg along his back.
    “What the fuck?” Syon ripped off his shades. “Get the hell off that chopper, Kate!”
    She wasn’t completely on the back of the bike yet. Surprise kept her frozen. Syon threw his helmet and launched himself off his Harley.
    “Know this dude?” Conan asked her, his attention on Syon. There was a clink as he kicked the stand into place. “His tone says he needs his ass kicked.”
    “That’s the only action you’re going to get tonight,” Syon growled.
    Conan was off the chopper the second Syon got close. Kate stumbled back as they faced off.
    “She’s not worth it.” Ramsey grabbed Syon by the shoulder and tried to pull him