I didn’t answer and instead asked, “What’s up?”
“Want a word.”
It wasn’t a request. Looking back at Cedar, I said, “Give us a few minutes.”
Uncertainty and a little fear marred her expression. She was smart to feel it because these were not people you fucked around with, but she didn’t hesitate when she said, “Okay.”
Dax waited for her to disappear into the office before he got to the reason for his visit. “We need someone to work on our bikes. You got a way with them, and you don’t run your mouth. I don’t offer it lightly, but if you want a place, you’ve got one.”
The offer took me completely by surprise. This wasn’t just a job; this was the Iron Guardian MC. It wasn’t a job you took then left; it was a lifelong job. Had I not found Cedar, I’d have been seriously tempted to take it because my dad had a long reach, but not even he would fuck with an MC. But I had Cedar. I was following her to Manhattan or wherever the fuck she wanted to go. That being said, you didn’t turn down a job offer like this one without giving it the consideration it deserved. To not do so would be an insult. I couldn’t help but wonder why he was offering it. Sure, I worked on their bikes, was good at it too, but extending me a place in their club seemed a leap. I wasn’t going to question him, because, again, insulting these dudes wasn’t an option.
“I don’t know what to say. Thanks, man. I gotta think about it, but…” I held my hand out. “Seriously, thank you.”
Dax waited a beat before he took my hand. “You earned it. Offer’s not on the table for long, so think fast.”
“Will do.”
Cedar appeared in the doorway. Dax’s focus shifted to her before he said, “I’ll let you get back to your sweet…” he paused and amended, “your girl.”
He straddled his Harley, fired it up and, without another word, backed out of the garage, his brothers following him.
Cedar reached my side, her focus on the hogs rumbling down the street. “What did they want?”
“To offer me a job.”
I felt more than saw when her focus shifted to me. “A job?”
“Yeah.”
“But aren’t they...” I turned my attention back to her, as she struggled for the words. I didn’t miss the worry in her expression. I grinned and touched her cheek because she really was fucking adorable.
“An MC,” I offered.
“Yeah, one of those.”
“I’m not taking it. I’ve got plans to head to Manhattan.”
Worry shifted, her eyes growing warm. “This is a good plan.”
I yanked her to me again, wanting to feel as much of her against my body as possible. “Yeah, it is.”
Declan had been MIA, so when he strolled into the garage out of the blue, I was surprised and a little apprehensive to see him, particularly after our last conversation, where I felt I’d walked into it in the middle.
“Hey, man,” he said, reaching me and shaking my hand. “I got something brewing and wanted to know if you want in.”
It wasn’t the first time Declan tried to be an entrepreneur, but he had no head for business. How the hell he was going to take over for his dad when he spent all of his time high or fucking was beyond me.
“No, thanks.”
I didn’t miss the sharp look he gave me. “You don’t even know what it is.”
“Don’t need to.”
“Because of her.” The venom in his words had me straightening. “Time for you to go,” I said coldly.
“Your dad may be a dick, but he’s right about family toeing the line,” Declan said.
What in the hell, talk about a one eighty. “Since when the fuck are you on the party train?”
“I was never off it. My dad may be a fuck, but he’s worth a fortune, a fortune that I’ll inherit. I’ll toe the line to make sure that happens. You’re letting her pussy blind you.”
“Get the fuck out.”
“Don’t be stupid, Brock. We come from privilege, don’t make yourself average for a babe. You’ll have the money to have a harem of pussy.”
“Why the fuck do you care what I do? My shit has got nothing to do with you.”
I didn’t miss the look, but I didn’t know what fueled it, and I didn’t give a shit. I turned back to the car. “There’s the fucking door. Use it.”
He started away from me. “Just looking out for you, man.”
Bullshit. The only person Declan looked out for was himself.
I rarely felt nervous, but I was feeling it now, as I parked in front of Cedar’s house. I hadn’t had a meal with them in years. I ran my hands down my pants, ones I found courtesy of Goodwill. I’d rather walk around naked then go home for my clothes. My button-down shirt was a little big, so were the shoes, but they’d do. I climbed from the car, reached for the bouquet…ironically purchased from Cedar’s mom’s florist. I didn’t cut corners on the flowers because the woman knew her flowers.
Walking up the path, it still amazed me that I was here again. I didn’t even reach the door before it was opened by Cedar. I stopped moving to take her in. My heart twitched right along with my cock. I hadn’t realized how long her legs were, but in the black skirt she was wearing, her legs went for miles. A baggy cream-colored sweater sat off her one shoulder, her hair was down, her feet were bare, and she was smiling. “Nice flowers.”
She was beautiful. It wasn’t until her expression softened that I realized I said that out loud.
“So are you.”
Was it bad form to kiss your girl right there in her foyer? Even if it was, I did. Walked right to her, grabbed her around the waist, pulled her to me and kissed her. It was hard, fast, but enough to settle the craving.
She looked dazed, then her fingers lifted to run along her lips.
“Keep that up and I’m kissing you again,” I warned.
She showed a bit of sass when she replied, “As if that’s a deterrent.”
Before I could make good on my threat, her mom appeared. “Brock, it’s so good to see you again.”
My focus lingered on Cedar for a few seconds, before I turned it to Sage, crossing the room to her and offering the flowers. “It’s nice to see you, too. Thanks for inviting me to dinner.”
She took the flowers, handed them to Cedar and then surprised the fuck out of me when she pulled me in for a hug. “We’ve missed you.”