“Any news on you and Chains?” asks Eva, wiggling her brows. I fill them in on last night, cringing with embarrassment when I repeat what I said to him. And then I tell them how cold he was towards me today.
“He’s pushing you away,” states Anna. Eva nods in agreement. “Classic Kings Reaper. Can’t handle the emotions and feelings, so he turns into an ass so you’ll hate him. Problem solved.”
“So, you don’t think he hates me?” I ask with hope in my voice.
“No, sweety, he’s mad about you, but he knows the consequences of going against Riggs’ wishes,” says Anna. “He’s pushing you away to save his ass.”
“And the Kings won’t go against their brothers, especially their Pres,” says Eva.
“So, you think I should back off? Avoid him and go out with Ryan?” I ask. Maybe it is for the best. Upsetting Riggs is the last thing I want when he’s got his own shit going on. It’s clear that nothing serious will ever happen between me and Chains and I don’t know if I want it to. I’m so confused. My body's reaction to him happens on its own without my permission and it doesn’t mean that my heart feels the same . . . does it?
“No!” says both the girls together. “If you like Chains, then don’t settle for anyone else. You need to up your game,” adds Eva.
“You know, Eva, I’d expect that kind of irresponsible advice from Anna, but you . . . ” I shake my head in mock disgust. “I expect better. Anna is clearly a bad influence on you.” We laugh and Eva nods in agreement.
“But I’m a sucker for love and you light up whenever Chains is around. It reminds me of myself and Cree,” she says wistfully.
“Any news from Riggs?” asks Anna quietly and my heart aches for her. I shake my head. “I haven’t heard either,” she says. “I caved in and texted him to tell him the scan went well.” Eva groans and Anna jumps in quickly. “I know, okay. I’m weak. But I blame hormones. I cried on the trampoline last night for no other reason than it reminded me of the time we . . . ” She pauses and blushes.
I hold up my hands. “Oh my god, please do not finish that sentence. I don’t even want to know if you and my brother had sex on Malia’s trampoline!” I wail in distress and Anna laughs.
“What can I say, he likes to live dangerously.”
I pretend to dry heave and Anna laughs harder. “I’m calling Ryan and making plans. I am not listening to the advice from a woman who has sex on her child’s trampoline.”
Ryan answers on the first ring. I guess it’s sweet that he’s keen, but the masochist in me craves for him to be less desperate. “Hey, I was wondering if you’d like to go out for dinner one night?” I ask.
“As in a date?” I can hear his smile down the phone. “A real date?”
“I guess.” I shrug even though he can’t see me.
“I’m free tomorrow. Can I pick you up at seven?”
“That soon?” I ask.
“Why wait? I’ll book a place that’ll blow your mind. See you tomorrow at seven.” And then he’s gone. I stare at the phone in my hand and let out a long breath. I should feel excited, but I don’t.
“He said yes then?” asks Eva. I nod and fake a smile. “You know, if you want a badass, Gia said her brother asked about you the other day.”
“Riggs will kill you,” interjects Anna, and Eva shrugs.
“I think I'll steer clear of Vinn. Chains warned me off him for my own good.” I smile. I’m pissed at Chains, but that doesn’t mean I’ll break my promise to him.
CHAINS
I flip the beer mat over and over. I can’t stop thinking about Leia and it’s driving me to distraction. I must have almost knocked on her bedroom door twenty times to take back what I said last night. The thought of her and the nerd boy doing anything together makes me want to put my fist through something hard. I haven’t seen her all day—it’s like she’s avoiding me. “Chains, I got a kid at the gate, says he's here for Leia,” shouts Rock from the clubhouse doorway.
I follow him out and groan at the sight of that ass smiling at the gate. Dumbass nerd.
“Hey, I have a date with Leia,” he announces proudly, producing a bunch of flowers from behind his back. Rock smirks at me and I shake my head in irritation at this pussy’s show of romance.
“She didn’t tell me,” I growl.
“Are you her keeper?” he jokes and Rock laughs, patting me on the back.
“As a matter of fact, I am,” I snarl. “And she ain’t going nowhere with you!”
I smell her perfume and know she’s approaching from behind. “Ryan, hey,” she says sweetly, and I ball my fists as I turn to face her. Her step falters when our eyes meet. I know I look pissed and I ain’t gonna hide it.
“You have a date?” I hiss.
“Yes. You told me to make the arrangements, remember?” she asks, adding an innocent smile. I move into her space, blocking her view of her new lover.
“Don’t do it,” I mutter. “Not with him.”
“How do you know I haven’t already?” she asks patiently. “Besides, you said to go for him. You said he was hot for me, and I guess you were right. I mean, he did offer to help me out with the whole virgin thing so . . . ” She leaves the sentence hanging and gives me a bright smile. She thinks she’s so fuckin’ clever.
“Well, I changed my god damn mind and now I’m saying no. You ain’t going nowhere with him, so get back inside.”
“Mum,” she yells over her shoulder. Frankie appears and I wonder if they had this pre planned. Frankie places her hands on her hips and glares at me. “Can I go out with Ryan?” asks Leia sweetly.
“Of course, you can. Enjoy yourself,” says Frankie.
“Mama bear, don’t get involved in this,” I growl and Frankie arches her brow.
“Boy, don’t you speak to me like that. I’ll get the hell involved with my daughter any damn time I want to. Now, step aside. You said yourself that Riggs is letting her date. It’s not your call.” She’s right and she adds a smug smile. Riggs gave his blessing. He doesn’t want her to date anyone from this charter and time away has given him a new perspective.
I step to one side and Rock opens the gate. I watch through narrowed eyes as the nerd gives my girl the cheap bunch of flowers. My girl? Where the hell did that come from?
I stomp back into the clubhouse and almost crash into Dolly, the new club girl. She’s petite with long dark hair and tanned skin. Her sparkling blue eyes stare up at me innocently. I pick her up and she lets out a squeal as I throw her over my shoulder effortlessly and take the stairs two at a time. I get to my room and slam my door closed before placing her back onto her feet. “I need a distraction,” I mutter darkly and she gives me a wicked smile that she’s kept well hidden under those innocent eyes.
“Then you picked the right girl,” she smirks.
I drop onto my bed and prop myself up on my elbows. Dolly hovers over me, taking a firm grip of my jeans and tugging the button open. I keep my eyes fixed on her hands as she makes quick work of releasing me from the confines of the denim. My erection springs free and her small hands grip it. I let my head fall back as she expertly works my cock . I feel the tip of her tongue lick along the underside and I groan aloud, spurring her to take it in her mouth. “Fuuuck,” I hiss when I hit the back of her throat. I look down at her and her eyes flutter open, connecting with my own. There’s nothing hotter than watching a gorgeous woman choking on your cock. I grip a handful of her hair and She hums in delight, the vibration almost causing me to lose it. I close my eyes briefly and I’m greeted by an image of Leia glaring at me with heartbreak all over her face. Shit. What the fuck am I doing? She’s everywhere I turn. I try to relax and focus on the sexy brunette on her knees before me, but it’s too late—I’ve lost it and my cock softens. It’s like the damn thing hates me for not giving it Leia.