Neighbor Cottage (Devils of the Dawn MC - #1) [On hiatus]

Chapter 8

Author's note: explicit sexual content at the end of the chapter.

LOTTIE

Lottie was still at the hotel, when her phone rang on Tuesday evening. There had been an unexpected staff shortage at the front desk when three people called in sick on the same day and the hotel was full, thus Lottie had offered to help out until the night shift came in at ten in the evening. During her four years at the hotel, she had helped out quite a few times when the front of house was in dire need of assistance. She knew the hotel booking system well enough to handle check-ins and check-outs and treatment bookings and table reservations. She found it a nice change to her normal work and the colleagues at the reception were always very nice and grateful when she came in. Since she wasn't currently serving a guest, she let herself take a look at the caller ID and in the next moment she wished she hadn't. Gravel was calling her and she still wasn't sure if she wanted to talk to him. Since Saturday she had spent every evening considering whether or not she should give him a call. Rosalie had urged her to give them a chance to hear both Gravel and Nitro out.
"You can go take the call, I'll be fine," Judy, the other receptionist, told her with a smile. It had quieted down considerably at the reception, because almost everyone had checked in and people were now having dinner.
Lottie nodded, "thanks. I'll be in the back." She slipped into the reception's back office and answered the call.
"Hi Gravel," she said in a neutral voice, trying to reign in the giddy feeling that was spreading in her stomach.
"Little bird." Gravel sounded just as tempting as the previous time he had called her almost two weeks ago. Freaking phone sex operator voice.
She wanted to call him out on using the pet name, but she didn't. He anyway wouldn't listen.
"What can I do for you?" She asked after they both were silent for a moment.
"We have a few things to discuss with you concerning our shared property border. Can you come to the clubhouse some evening?"
Lottie was a bit disappointed that he hadn't called to talk about what was or wasn't going on between them.
"I guess, if it can't be handled via email," she replied guardedly.
"It would be better to talk about it in person. We have a proposition for you," Gravel replied and she mentally stumbled over the word proposition. It sounded like they once again had a plan, and she wasn't sure if her opinion would really matter. She got the feeling that these men are used to getting their way and they wouldn't make an exception for her.
"Hmm, alright."
"You don't sound too excited," Gravel said quietly as if he was disappointed. It bothered her more than she liked to admit.
"It's okay. Sorry that I'm not more enthusiastic. I'm still at work and it's been a long day." Lottie tried to explain. It was partly the truth. She was tired.
"How long are you still working, little bird?" Gravel's voice was a little gruff but rather quiet.
"Should be done by ten."
"Have you had dinner yet?" He asked.
"Not yet. I'll pick up something on the way home," Lottie replied.
"Come by the bar and grab a bite to eat. We can chat at the same time," he suggested.
"I don't know, Gravel," she said indecisively. Part of her really wanted to go but the rational side in her was scared.
"Why not, little bird? What's stopping you?"
"You know why," she answered. Gravel huffed on the other end.
"We can really just talk about the property. Please."
Lottie got the feeling that the DOTD's president wasn't a man that used the word please very much.
"Okay. But I can't stay long because I'm really tired." Lottie tried to keep some distance.
"Sure. We can drive you home," he offered and she knew whom he meant with we - himself and Nitro. A small shiver ran through her thinking about having both men in her home. God, she was so screwed.
"Hmm. Let's see. I have to go now."
"Of course, little bird. We're waiting for you."
Lottie sent a quick message to the girls telling them that she was meeting the bikers again, so they would be placated. She was supposed to take her friends along but since Gravel just wanted to talk paperwork, it should be alright. That was at least what she was telling herself.
The rest of the shift was over quickly and she left the hotel reading her friends' answers. Their group chat had exploded and the girls were partly upset with her. All of them wanted to support her but they were tied up in various responsibilities and couldn't come. But they had a lot of comments and their advices ranged from 'be careful' to 'if they try something funny, knee them in the nuts'. The last advice came from Sally who had seemed on a warpath with the MC since Lottie had gotten hurt. But that was typical Sally-behavior, she was very rigorous with her opinions.