One Rule

Chapter 3

Note: This chapter is flashback.

I don't believe in love at first sight. I do believe in lust at first sight, and god did we have that in spades. The first time I met Herman Kozik was after my first night class. I'd walked to class that morning because I lived close enough to campus, but I decided half way through the day that I wanted a ride home that night. I texted Happy, who had been my initial contact person, and asked if he (or someone) could pick me up after class. He told me he'd send Kozik because he was already in the area.

I walked out of the building with some of my classmates. I was looking for that familiar kutte. "I can take you home," one of them offered.

"No, it's fine. Someone is coming for me," I smiled.

"Do you know who? Because it sounds like you don't." She was understandably skeptical of the situation.

"I have a name. That's about it. And you know, motorcycle," I shrugged.

It was about that point when someone in a Reaper kutte pulled up in front of us. "Diana Morrow?" he asked. He was cute.

"That's me," I said, stepping forward.

"Herman Kozik," he said, handing me a helmet.

"Let someone know you made it home okay, Diana," one of the girls said.

"I will. I promise I'll be fine. I trust him." I put my helmet on and they started to walk away.

"I don't know if she's brave or stupid," I heard one of them say as I got on behind him.

I rolled my eyes and swore under my breath so Kozik was the only one that could hear me. "Bitch." I put my arms around him and rested my cheek against his back. "I'm ready when you are."

"Yes ma'am," he said, pulling away from the curb.

He took me home. I didn't even have to give him directions. When he pulled up in front of my building, I wasn't quite ready for the ride to end. "Do you want to come up for a bit?"

"Sure. You okay?" he asked, getting off the bike. He helped me get off the back.

"Yeah. It's just hard explaining this life to someone who doesn't understand." I took my helmet off and we put them both down in the saddlebags before we went upstairs.

"It is. You also can't say that your dad is a..." I cut him off so he didn't have to say it.

"A psychopath who would kill whoever was responsible for any injury that should befall me. I basically said that I was expecting a friend of my dad's that I'd never met before," I explained as we walked inside my apartment. "So what nickname do I call you by?" I asked, dropping my bag on the floor next to my desk. The fact that he gave his name in front of the other girls made me think it might be a bad one.

"My last name is fine," he replied. "The only person that calls me Herman is my mother." We laughed.

"Not even your Old Lady? That has to be weird," I commented. "Do you want something to drink?"

"I'll have whatever you're having," he said as he watched me fill a kettle with water. "But, um, I don't have an Old Lady. Not yet."

"Seriously?" I asked.

"Haven't found the right girl yet," he replied.

"Well, I hope you find her."

"Is it a fair assumption that you don't have an Old Man yet?" he asked, resting his elbows on the counter next to me.

I laughed. "You've met my dad right? He'd murder anyone that tried. If I were to date anyone in the MC, it would have to be so far under the radar. No one else could know because of what Clay might do."

"Wow."

"Honestly, I haven't really dated because I've never found anyone that was worth what Clay and Gemma would do or say," I admitted. "And I'm not just talking about anyone in the MC. I mean any guys." I realized quickly that that was probably too much information. "I'm sorry for dumping all of that on you!"

He laughed, "It's okay. It doesn't sound like you've had a lot of people you that you can talk to."

"You hit the nail on the head," I said, stretching up to grab a couple of mugs out of the cabinet.

"Can I ask a personal question?" he asked.

"Go for it!" I sat the mugs back down on the counter, and turned back to face him.

"Have you ever been kissed?" He was bold, and I liked that about him.

"Not since I was in high school and I was dared to kiss David Hale," I replied.

"Follow up question. Can I kiss you?" he asked, moving to stand in front of me.

I nodded, looking up at him. Kozik pushed my hair out of my face, and tipped my chin up. His hand came to rest on my cheek. It was warm, and I melted into his touch. Then he gently pressed his lips to mine.

My hands found their way to his chest, resting there.

When he made a move to deepen the kiss, the kettle on the stove started to whistle. We pulled away laughing.

It took me a minute to catch my breath and put a coherent thought together. "Wow," I breathed, finally willing myself to move and take the kettle off the stove. "You can kiss me again anytime," I giggled.

"Only if you want me to," he replied, out of breath.

I poured the water into the mugs, and popped a tea bag in each one. "I want you to."

The mugs were abandoned as he helped me jump up on the counter. I opened my legs so that he could get closer. I pulled him closer by his kutte as he pressed his lips to mine again. His hands found purchase on my waist and mine wound around his neck.

I broke the kiss because I needed to breathe. I rested my forehead against his shoulder, hiding my face. "I can't believe I did that. It's not like me at all," I blushed.

"You're cute when you're embarrassed," he teased, tilting my chin up again.

"You can't tell anyone about this," I pleaded.

He kissed my forehead. "I wouldn't dream of it. I want it to keep happening, and I like my appendages where they are."

"Me too," I laughed.

He helped me down off the counter. "I'm too much of a gentleman to go all the way on the first date," he said.

"That's fine. The thrill of the chase and all that," I replied. "Pick me up at the same time tomorrow night?"

"Same place?" He asked as we walked toward the door.

"Yes, sir,"

"Goodnight, Diana," Kozik said, leaning down to kiss me goodnight.

"Goodnight, Kozy."

Eventually, he took me on a real date, and there was chemistry beyond the physical. That was the first night we slept in the same bed together. No sex, just sleep. It was also the first time I was able to actually sleep since I got to town...