THE BRIGHT MORNING SUN HITS me hard, blinding me and causing me to groan and cover my eyes as I step out front in search of Royal.
“He’s gone,” Blaine says from the porch step, grabbing my attention.
I cup my eyes from the sun and look down at him to see him toss his cigarette to the ground and look up at me. “Oh . . .” I respond softly. “When did he leave?”
“He was gone before I woke up.” He reaches his arm out and grabs my hand, to pull me down next to him on the steps. “I’m sure he had something important to do. Don’t look so down, you gorgeous ass woman. Sit with me.”
I take a seat next to him and pull the band from my wrist, tying my hair up on the top of my head. “So you and Madi? I had a feeling it was you when things started falling off the damn walls.” I smile up at him to see him smirking. “Wild Blaine.”
“Yeah well . . .” He stops to slick his hair back and get in a more comfortable position. “Royal had me text your girl to let him in the house last night. What can I say; your fine as hell friend wanted a ride on my Harley. So . . .” He fixes his shirt as if he’s all slick. “I took her for a ride on my dick instead.”
I laugh and nudge him in the side. “That you did. And I’m sure she won’t be asking to ride anything else but for a while now.”
We sit here in silence for a few minutes, before Blaine wraps his arm around my shoulder. “You know . . . you remind me a lot of my sister for some reason. You’re strong willed and say what’s on your mind, without giving a crap about what others think. I like you and I can see why Royal does too.”
I smile and lean into him. “So your sister is pretty fucking cool then, huh?”
He nods his head and his amber eyes go dark. “Yeah . . . she was pretty fucking awesome.”
My heart stops as soon as the word was leaves his mouth. That’s not at all what I was expecting to hear. “Was?” I force out the word, unsure if I should ask the next part. “What happened to her?”
He looks away and exhales, before answering. “Some assholes took her from me. They took the best person in my life and left me with no other family.” His left hand grips the top step and I can see his jaw clenching as he takes a moment, before continuing. “She was fucking raped and killed by three low lives. You better fucking believe that if her fiancé had not killed those pieces of shit first, I would have. There’s nothing I wouldn’t have done for her. She was older than me by a year and took care of me growing up. Through the endless bouncing between foster homes, she was the only solid, certain thing in my life. Now she’s fucking gone and there’s not a damn thing I can do about it.”
His words cause my heart to hurt for him and I find myself reaching out to comfort him as he drops his arm from my shoulder and rubs his hands over his face.
I can’t stand it right now. I don’t want to see these boys hurt. It’s not fair. Not at all. “That’s fucking horrible, Blaine.” I lace my arm through his and lean my head against his arm. “I’m so sorry that happened to your sister.” I swallow hard, trying to keep my emotions somewhat under control. “What happened to her fiancé?”
He pulls out a cigarette and lights it, quickly taking a long drag and blowing out away from me. “He’s around.”
“He’s not in prison for what he did?” I ask in surprise. “How long ago did this happen?”
“Almost two years ago.” He shakes his head. “And nah. Self-defense. Those assholes broke into his home and murdered his future wife. He had every right to fight back and he did. Some people look down on him for it, but not me. He’s the most badass, loyal, dependable motherfucker that I know.”
“So a lot like Royal,” I ask. My chest tightens with need at just the thought of him, and I can’t help but to wonder where he is.
Blaine’s eyes meet mine and for a split second he looks surprised. “Yeah.” He desperately takes another drag of his cigarette and slowly blows out. “A lot like Royal.”
Sitting in silence, I hold onto Blaine’s arm, wanting to somehow comfort him and show him that I’m there. I may not know Blaine very well, but I know that Royal cares about him. That makes me care about him as well. He makes me smile. I like that about him.
The thought of the loss these boys have suffered through the years breaks my damn heart and makes me realize just how rough they’ve been living.
Royal lost a friend recently, his fiancé at some point, and Blaine has lost his sister. I’ve known these men for less than a month, yet I ache so hard for the pain they must be feeling and holding inside.
“I’m really sorry again.” I squeeze his arm and he wraps his arm back around me. “I’m here if you need me, okay.”
He smiles. “Really?”
I nod my head and look him in the eyes. His eyes really are quite beautiful, and I find myself getting lost in them for a second. “Of course. And I’m a pretty good listener too.”
“No shit.” He pulls me closer and rests his head against mine. “I’ll remember that, Babe.”
We both look up as Royal pulls up in his truck.
“Don’t make me break your fingers off, Asshole,” Royal says to Blaine as soon as he walks around his truck toward us. He holds up a plastic bag from some restaurant I’ve never been to. “Went to pick up some breakfast. Thought you’d still be sleeping when I got back.”
Blaine stands up and Royal eyes him over while grabbing my hand to help me up. “You two sure did seem nice and fucking cozy out here.”
I clear my throat and rub Blaine’s arm. “Blaine was just telling me about his sister, so you’re damn straight we were nice and cozy. I was comforting him.”
Royal looks at Blaine. Blaine quickly shakes his head, silently answering whatever the hell that look he’s giving him is asking. “Good.” Royal grabs my chin with his free hand and presses his soft lips against mine, gently breathing against them when he pulls away. “I don’t expect any less from you. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” I whisper. “Now what’s in that bag? I’m starving.”
Royal lifts a brow and smiles. “Everything.”
Once we get inside, Royal opens the bag and starts emptying its contents onto the counter.
Bagels. Pancakes. Waffles. Eggs. Bacon. Sausage. Burritos. Fruit.
“Holy shit,” I say with wide eyes, about to tackle the food. I’m that excited. “A damn breakfast buffet. I think I might just love you.”
“You better,” he says, making my damn heart skip a beat from the tone of his voice.
Pulling my eyes away from his, I reach for one of the paper plates and dig in, before I can think too much on his response and take it for something more than what it is.
Madison finally joins us in the kitchen about ten minutes later, looking like she got hit by a damn bus.
Holy shit, Blaine tore it up . . .
She looks around the kitchen at the three of us eating. “How damn rude. You dicks couldn’t shove a bagel in my face and wake me up?”
“I thought about shoving something else in your face,” Blaine says. “But then you wouldn’t have wanted to get the hell out of bed.” He winks.
Madison tears off a piece of her bagel and grins. “So damn true.”
Everyone gets quiet, sitting in their own little random spots around the kitchen and eating. It’s a comfortable silence and I find that I like it. I could get used to this being my mornings.
“Come on, Blaine.” Madison jumps to her feet and walks over to straddle Blaine in his chair. “I have a few hours before work. You up for round five?”
Blaine quickly stands to his feet, picking her up with him. “Oh fuck yeah.” He tosses his piece of sausage down and grips her ass, before spanking it hard. He turns to Royal. “I’ll catch your ass later at Savage, yeah?”
Royal nods his head.
Then Blaine carries Madison out of the kitchen and we hear her bedroom door slam shut.
“Go get dressed while I clean up.” Royal pushes away from the counter and walks over to me. He places both of his hands on my hips and squeezes. “I’ve got to go help a friend with something real fast.”
Smiling, I wrap both of my arms around his neck. “Oh yeah. And what makes you think I want to go with?”
Royal leans in and brushes his lips against mine, before grabbing my bottom lip in his teeth and gently tugging. “What?” He whispers. “You don’t want to?”
I nod my head and suck my bottom lip into my mouth as he releases it. “I’ll get dressed,” I say, while rubbing the back of his head.
“That’s my girl,” he says against my lips, before kissing me and walking away to clean up.
I exit my room fifteen minutes later to find Royal standing on the front porch, texting on his phone.
He looks up when he hears me open the screen door. “You look fucking sexy in an old pair of jeans with your hair pulled back.” He hits end on his phone and puts it away, before even finishing his message. “Fuuck me.” He cups my face and presses his lips against mine. “How the fuck do you always taste so good? I’m pissed that my brother ever got to taste you. No more of that shit. Not as long as I’m breathing. Got it?”
“Yeah,” I barely get out, through my heavy breathing. “Your lips are so much better than his anyways,” I say with a smile.
His face softens and I’m surprised when he pulls me into a hug and buries his face in my neck. That always gets me.
I could never get tired of the way he makes me feel, and I suddenly feel emotional as he holds me close, as if he needs me. It makes my heart go crazy in my chest and causes my stomach to do flips, making me want to scream out that I love this man and I never want him to let go.
I want to always be what he needs. I want to always be his comfort and to be the neck that he buries his face in; no one else.
He finally pulls his face away. “Let’s go.” Grabbing my hand, he walks me to his truck and opens the door for me. Like always, he helps me in and shuts the door behind me.
“What about your text?” I ask once he’s inside the truck with me.
“I’m with you right now. Jax’s text can wait.”
My heart swells and my breath hitches when I feel Royal’s hand grab mine. He pulls it into his lap and runs his thumb over it.
“What if it’s important?” I can’t help but to ask.
“Then he’ll call when I don’t text back.” He glances over at me, before turning the radio up and relaxing into his seat as if he’s comfortable and content for the first time in a long time.
I spread my hand out on his thigh and smile as I watch him drive.
How can one man be so damn beautifully broken and breathtaking?
We drive for a good twenty minutes, before pulling down a dirt road that leads us to a big white house.
“Cole is an old friend of mine. He was Riley’s brother.”
I squeeze his thigh. “What happened to Riley?”
He parks the truck and looks over at me, while pulling the keys out of the ignition. “A motorcycle accident. Someone in a van ran the stop sign and hit him. He died on impact.”
“Oh my God.” I look at him, now worried for his safety. “I don’t know what I’d do if that ever happened–”
“Don’t worry,” he cuts me off. “That will be the last thing that takes me.”
He releases my hand and grips the door handle. “Come on.”
I jump out of the truck and meet up with Royal at the front. He grabs my hand and starts walking toward the barn.
“You out here, Cole?” He yells when we get closer to the front of the barn.
“Yeah, Man,” Cole yells in return. “This shit is pissing me off. Can’t get it to start for . . .”
His words trail off as he steps through the door to see Royal and me.
“Hi,” he says to me, looking a bit shocked. He wipes his hand off on a rag and reaches it out for me to grab. “I’m Cole.”
“This is my girlfriend, Avalon,” Royal says while squeezing the hand he’s been holding. “I thought you guys should meet.”
I look over at Royal, trying to contain my surprise at his word choice: girlfriend.
His girlfriend?!? Am I his fucking girlfriend? Oh God. Please say yes. I just need to hear it one more time.
I look at his lips, silently willing them to move again and repeat the word.
Royal must sense my hesitation, so he pulls me to him and presses his lips against mine. “Yes, you’re my fucking girl. I can’t share you with anyone and I don’t have any plans to. Got it?”
I swallow and turn around to grab Cole’s hand. “Nice to meet you, Cole. Sorry to hear about your brother.”
Cole gives me a weak smile. “Thanks. It’s good to meet you as well.” He looks me over, as if he still can’t believe that I’m standing here. “I never thought I’d see the day that this guy brought another girl here.”
Royal releases my hand and runs his hands through his hair. “Alright, Man. Let’s just get this shit looked at.”
Cole smiles at me. “Feel free to take a seat anywhere you want or walk around and hang out. It won’t take long. Royal is a fucking genius when it comes to getting motorcycles running.”
Royal plasters on a cocky smile while stripping out of his black flannel and bending down to work on the bike.
Finding an empty crate, I take a seat and watch Royal as he works.
I find it so damn sexy watching him get dirty from the motor and I can’t help but to beam as I watch him move and work so easily, as if it’s nothing to him.
Twenty minutes later, the motorcycle is running and Cole is slapping Royal on the back, thanking him.
“Holy fuck. Good shit.” Cole straddles the bike and revs the engine. “I’m going to take this shit for a test run,” he yells over the loud roar of the engine. “Be back.”
Royal backs up to let Cole drive past him and out the side door of the barn.
I smile at Royal as he cleans his hands off. “You did a great job.”
He tosses the rag aside. “My father used to work on bikes. He taught me everything he knew about them.”
“Well he did a damn good job,” I say.
“Thanks.” He smiles and nods his head for me to follow him.
We walk around to the back of the barn and stop when we reach an old tire swing. Holding it, he calls me over. “Come here.”
I laugh. “Alright. You going to push me on the swing?”
Yeah,” he responds. “Now get your beautiful ass on before I bite it.”
I pause to look back at him after getting one leg through it. “Is that supposed to scare me?” I stick my second leg through and grab onto the rope. “Because nothing in the bedroom can scare me after what you did to me in the middle of the night.” I smile from the memory of me waking up in the middle of the night to him finger fucking me. We didn’t sleep much after that.
“It got you turned on though, didn’t it,” he says while giving me a push. “And I can do a lot more fucking damage to your body than I did last night. Never doubt me.”
I laugh and grip onto the rope as Royal starts spinning the tire, winding the rope up.
“Woah! That’s tight enough.”
He stops spinning the tire to look me in the face and laugh at me. “Hold on, Babe.”
He releases the tire and it starts spinning so fast that I can barely hang on, yet I can’t stop laughing as I fight to keep my head up.
As it slows down, I catch glimpses of Royal watching me in satisfaction.
“Did you enjoy me screaming my head off?” I tease, when it stops.
He grabs the top of the rope and pulls me to him. “Oh . . . you were laughing your head off. You loved it.” Leaning in, he runs his tongue over my lips, before slipping it inside my mouth and swirling it around my tongue.
The indescribable feeling of my heart about to beat out of my chest takes over and I find myself gripping the rope even tighter, afraid that I’ll faint and fall off.
This man truly has no idea what he does to me. I don’t even know what he does, but I love it.
“Hey!” Cole runs out from the barn. “She runs like a beast. Damn, Man. I owe you.”
Royal grabs my hand and helps me out of the tire. “You want to meet me in the truck? I want to check on him before I leave.”
I nod my head. “Of course.” I smile over at Cole. “It was great meeting you.”
“Hey, you too.” He watches me as I walk away, before turning back to Royal.
I’m in the truck for about five minutes before Royal jumps into the driver’s side and instantly grabs for my hand, pulling it into his lap.
“Is everything okay with Cole then?”
“He’s good,” he responds. “He’s getting by.”
We’re halfway to my house when Royal’s phone starts ringing in his pocket. “Shit. Can you grab that for me?”
“Yeah, sure.” I dig into his pocket as he leans up for me to be able to get my hand inside.
I hit connect and hold it out to him.
“Take the call for me,” he says. “I’m not going to talk and drive when I have you in my truck.”
Feeling a bit awkward, I hold the phone to my ear. “Hello.”
“Hey,” Jax says into the phone. “Royal driving you?”
“Yeah,” I respond. “We just left Cole’s.”
“Good,” he says. “That’s real good. Hey. Tell Royal that his appointment is here and I have them set up in his chair already. Kay?”
“I’ll let him know, Jax.”
“Thanks, Babe.”
With that, he hangs up.
“Jax said your appointment is waiting on you.”
“Oh fuck!” He grips the steering wheel. “I forgot all about that shit.” He grabs his phone from my hand and tosses it in my seat. “You good for the day?”
I smile and nod my head as he grabs my hand. “Yeah, I’m good. I could use some rest before work. The stupid owner stops by every Thursday. She’s sort of a cunt sometimes.”
Royal looks over at me and smiles. “I love that dirty mouth.” He pulls up in front of my house and shifts the truck into park. “I’ll pick you up from work, alright? Don’t walk outside until you see me.”
I lean in and run my fingers over his face. He grabs my hand and his eyes meet mine. “I’ll wait for you,” I say. “Thanks for breakfast.”
He grabs my hand and kisses it. “Alright.”
I jump out of his truck and stand on the porch, watching as he drives away.
What am I going to do about this man? I’ve completely fallen for him . . .