Rather than be serious as I believe she’s expecting, I try to be a bit lighthearted. “Best first kiss I’ve ever had.” I take a step away from her, wearing a pleased smirk on my lips yet already missing the warmth emanating from her luscious frame. She was everything I knew she’d be, and that’s one hell of a pleasing realization.
“You’re leaving?” she asks, her tone curious, not needy. I’m not sure how I feel about that, her not needing me, not even a little bit.
I incline my head. “Yeah, I’ve distracted you enough for one day, I’d say. I’ve got to get back to my club.” I’ve been gone a while, visiting family and then stopping by to see her. Time away from my brothers makes me uneasy, and the chaos always builds up when they’re not around to balance me out. Yet something in my gut whispers that she may be able to offer me the same—that peace I’ve always craved yet never been able to fully reach.
Her mouth twists into a coy smile. “Is that what it was? A distraction?” Her chin tilts, making me want to kiss her now more than ever. Finally, she bobs her head, agreeing. “Fitting, I suppose.”
I nearly sputter, wishing to take back my words.
I’m an idiot.
I don’t want her to think that’s all it was.
“It’s only the beginning,” I promise, wiping the smile from my face.
Her brows rise. “That so? You’re quite presumptuous, aren’t you?”
“Mmm.” I shrug. “There’s a difference between cockiness and confidence.”
“And which one are you?”
“I’m surprised you need to ask, Hollywood. I’m all confidence.” I end the statement by stealing a peck from her perfect lips.
She tips her head back, an amused, throaty laugh escaping. “Oh, you’re something, all right.” She taps my nose with a wink.
The woman is crazy. She’s gotta be to tap me on the nose like I’m a cute little boy she’s entertained with.
“I’ll be back,” I warn, my gaze serious. This wasn’t a quick distraction. I meant what I said. I’m only beginning with this woman.
“On that, I have no doubt.” Her hips sway seductively while she trots off, adjusting her shorts as she goes, and then gives her hair a bit of a shake, no doubt thinking it’s still trashed from being up against the wall. It’s not. I fixed it for her. There’s no other way to explain how she walks. Her hips have so much swing in them, it’s enough to make your mouth drop at the damn sight. She’s the epitome of everything a man would want yet shouldn’t possess. She’d be too much to handle for most, that I’m certain of. Luckily, I’m not them.
With one last glimpse at her backside, I head for my bike. I’d call this stop a success. I’ve still got the taste of her on my lips, the scent of her memorized, and the banter I’d craved. I feel like I’ve been waiting my entire life to come across a woman like her, and I’m damn sure not going to let her slip through my fingers.
I climb on my motorcycle, toe the kickstand, and hit my ignition. The engine purrs to life, and I can’t help but rev the gas a few times, my noisy pipes a parting reminder that I was here, and I’ll be back. At this rate, I’m not sure I’ll ever get enough of her, and while that would scare a man in my shoes, it only makes me want to return for her sooner.
Lifting my feet, I pull out of the RBMC, wearing a wide, satisfied grin. It’s been too long since one has graced my face, and I’m feeling pretty fucking good about it. My brothers will be able to tell something went down from a mile away, but I’m not so sure I’m ready to share her with the others just yet. Or ever.
Chapter 6
“How’s the girl?” Nightmare rumbles as soon as he sees me. The brothers have all met Kadence several times from when she was in college and would visit on her breaks. “Kay’s ol’ man still treating her right?”
With a nod, a smile curls my lips. I can’t wait to share the good news. “She’s pregnant.”
His brows jump. “No shit? Another so soon?”
I shrug. I could be upset, but she’s not, so I’m happy for her. “They’re excited and in love. So long as he’s good to my kid, I won’t kill him,” I rumble.
Night chuckles. “One of us would be happy to do it. You wouldn’t have to get your hands dirty.”
“I appreciate it more than you know, but Tyler’s not stupid enough to hurt Kadence.” I clap him on the back. “Vike around?”
His chin lifts toward the hallway. “The office.”
“Bet. I’ll catch you later.”
I quickly head for the office, rapping my knuckles on the open doorway.
“Yeah?” Viking calls out between kissing Princess. She finally pulls away, her hands lingering on his finely braided hair, and he swats her ass, making her laugh.
“Prez, Princess,” I greet, flashing his ol’ lady a soft smile. She’s been through her fair share of shit, and while it’s hardened her a bit toward outsiders, she’s still the same woman who helps take care of our group of misfits.
“Chaos.” She sends me a warm smile and pulls me in for a quick hug. “It’s good to have you home,” she says as she steps out of my hulking embrace. She blows a kiss toward Viking, then she’s out the door.
Home. That’s one thing I thought I’d never find, but I have. The Oath Keepers became more to me than my sanctuary, they became my brothers, and the club became my home.
“Glad to have you back,” Viking rumbles, shuffling through a few papers on his desk. He pauses on one and mutters to himself, “Found it.” He sets the invoice aside, then meets my stare.
“It’s good to be back.” While I’d love to see Kay all the time, it’s not practical. I know she has her own life, and I’m no longer at the center of that. The moment she asks to have me around more, I will be in a heartbeat. “I swung by RBMC before I arrived,” I share as I take a seat across from him.
He nods.
“Everything seemed to be all right out their way. No blowback?”
“No one’s caught on yet that we know of. Zeus has been keeping his ear to the ground, as has Ripper.”
“Still no vote on if they’re patching over?”
He shakes his head. “Ares wants to think on it, and he’s right. We shouldn’t jump so quickly to take on another club’s baggage. We still don’t know who’s running these drugs through our territory. Ripper believes it’s one of their charters, but who knows if they’re at the center of it.”
I shrug. “You know you have my vote either way.”
“Appreciate it.” He chugs the rest of his bottled water and chunks the plastic in his trash can. After he and Princess reconciled, I rarely see him anything but sober. He only drinks if she asks him to, and it’s infrequent at best. After spiraling and nearly losing everything he had, he pulled his head out of his ass and got his priorities straight again. I don’t know where this club would be if he hadn’t eventually fought through his grief. I can understand his turmoil. The loss of a child never sits right with anyone, not even a ruthless biker hell-bent on giving his woman everything she needs. “How was the ride?”