“I’m so glad you’re here. I missed you.” She pulls back, swiping at her tears.
“You okay?”
She waves me off. “Ugh, hormones,” she explains with a laugh.
My stare pins on her midsection. “You’re?” I ask and lay my hand on her stomach.
She nods, beaming. “Yep. Surprise! It was killing me not telling you right when I found out, but I wanted to surprise you in person since we’d be seeing each other soon.”
With a choked-up nod, I pull her in close for another hug. “So happy for you, kid,” I whisper and hold her as she cries. It’s happy tears, or my little girl would tell me differently, and I’d do whatever necessary to give her the world.
“Pop-pop!” My tiny terror comes running out the front door.
“There’s my grandbaby! Come give ol’ Pop-pop a hug.” I release Kadence to scoop my grandchild up. This is what life is all about, a full heart filled by the love for my family. I always dreamed of a full house, and now it’ll finally come true with my daughter’s family.
Tyler’s next, taking one look at Kay and shaking his head. “You already told him, didn’t you?” he asks with a laugh, eyes soft for his wife.
“I couldn’t wait! I tried, but seeing his face made me spill the beans.” We all laugh, and I’m grateful to hear she still can’t seem to keep things from me. She was never good at it, and it was a blessing.
I slap Ty’s back in a one-armed hug since the tiny terror is hanging on to me like a jungle gym. This is exactly what I’ve been needing—time with my family. One lesson I’ve learned in my life is that through it all, this is the most important thing there is out there. “Tyler, glad to see you. Now let’s talk about that corner from Buffalo giving you issues last week.”
“Dad,” Kadence chides as I flip my grandbaby upside down, relishing in the excited squeal that fills the air.
“Pumpkin, he’s got another baby on the way. Time to think of ways to get a bigger contract,” I mutter, and Tyler laughs.
“I’m all ears. What advice do you have for me, old man?”
That makes me grumble. Wasn’t long ago I’d have been running circles around this kid. I have a feeling, thanks to retirement and moonshine, that wouldn’t be the case today.
Chapter 5
Since the club is my life, I should be excited to get home. I am, in a sense, but there’s something else I’m finding myself anticipating a bit more. I want Hollywood’s lips on mine something fierce, and I’d wager that the allure won’t diminish until either one of two things transpires—she either allows me to get her in one hell of a liplock, or the second, less desirable option, she tells me to piss right off. It’s not an option I’d normally give much thought to, but with this woman, there’s really no telling. Anything is possible.
The craziest thing of all? I crave being on edge when it comes to her. It’s different, refreshing in a twisted sort of way, or perhaps I’m just a glutton for punishment. It wouldn’t surprise me, considering my track record with women. They seem to want me for all the wrong reasons—money, status, or my dick. Thankfully, the club has managed to shroud me away from the gold diggers who’d know me from my football playing days. It doesn’t stop the patch bunnies or club whores, however. Like I said, everyone wants something, and coming across a woman who brushes me off like a stray piece of lint... well, of course, it only makes me crave her sexy ass like a bad habit.
I find Powerhouse and Ripper chilling in the RBMC clubhouse when I make my way inside. The main room’s nothing special, but they do have a sick-ass mural on the back wall. “What’s up?” I greet with a chin lift.
“I’m beginning to think there’s something wrong with the Oath Keepers’ clubhouse. Been good to me each time I swung through,” Ripper chides, giving me shit and making Powerhouse chuckle.
“Not a thing, but lately, your beers have been tasting better. Still trying to figure that one out, considering Oath Keepers have my moonshine and all.”
Both guys flash knowing grins. Powerhouse shakes his head. “Not going to happen, man. She’s sharp as nails. She’ll slice you open and watch you bleed out.”
I shrug. Maybe she’s prickly to them, but she’s been pretty damn sweet to me. I won’t be sharing as much with any other bikers, whether they’re friend or foe. “It’s all good. I need a little torment in my life. Keeps it interesting.”
Powerhouse replies, “Masochist.”
Ripper lets an amused snort free. “You’re probably right with that one,” he chimes in, and I laugh them off. They have no idea. None.
Speak of the devil, little miss comes strolling into the bar carrying a case of beer. She’s tiny but mighty. I have no doubt about that fact already. “How’s it goin’, Hollywood?” I ask, sending her a playful wink.
She rolls her eyes. “Still on that one, huh?” She busts my balls about the nickname, and both guys raise their brows to me like ‘See, told you.’ I won’t give in so easily, letting their gloating slide right off my back.
“I’m open to suggestions. I’m sure we could get creative,” I flirt shamelessly. The corners of her lips twitch. She wants to smile but is holding it back, I know it.
Rather than grabbing me a cold beer from the cooler, she pulls one right out of the case from storage and pops the top. She sets the warm beer on the bar gesturing toward it and winks back. “For the trouble you went to with that nickname.” Then she trots off back to the storage room.
The guys behind me hoot and holler with their laughs and ribbing. This woman is fiery, and apparently, I’m not the only one around here who enjoys her sass. It takes everything in me not to follow her to the storage room and plant my mouth on hers. I could show her fire, that’s for sure. Instead of pushing her further, I lean against the bar, moving the beer closer. I patiently wait for her to return, ignoring everyone else in the room.
The moment she does, her sparkling gaze full of challenge meets mine. I’m never one to back down from something I want. So rather than ask her to toss the beer in the trash, I do the opposite. I tip it back and chug the entire thing. I set the empty bottle along with a five-dollar bill on the bartop and spin around. “See you guys next time,” I call out, not uttering a word to the magnificent woman behind me.
Ripper and Powerhouse offer me a two-finger salute, both of their faces painted with amused grins as I head back outside.
Stepping to the side of the door, I toss a piece of gum in my mouth and wait a beat. My patience pays off. Hollywood comes rushing through the door, not expecting me to be casually leaning beside it. As soon as she’s outside, I yank her to me. I spin us to put her against the wall as I lean over her, my arms braced on either side of her head. I’ve caught her off guard, but her shocked expression soon morphs into a knowing smirk.
“Didn’t get too far,” she comments, making my lips twitch as I hold back a chuckle. She came after me, which means one thing, she craves me as much as I do her.
I lean my big body against hers, my hands moving under her thighs to lift and open her wide. We fit together like two pieces of a puzzle. “I want you,” I murmur, my lips whispering against hers. I refuse to beat around the bush—she deserves me to be upfront with her.