I blew through a shower, washing the sweat and dust from my body and hair, and took a little time to shave my pits, legs, and bikini line. I jammed underwear and a sports bra into my backpack, thinking the clothes I would put on to ride in would be clean enough to change into later, and added my hairbrush and an elastic hair tie. I put on my purple bikini, looked in the mirror, and almost took it off again. I’d made the suit for those occasions I got to lie in the sun and tan. No one had seen it but me, and there was a lot of me showing. I shrugged off the intimidated feeling and kept it on since I didn’t have anything else I could wear. There was no way I was missing a chance to dip in a pool. I didn’t bother with makeup as I knew it wouldn’t last. I threw on a pair of shorts and a company T-shirt, as that was the last one I had that was clean. Damn! Time to make a trip to the laundromat.

Stud was waiting for me outside my tiny house. I saw Connor watching us as he waited for my other brothers to get themselves sorted. He had a frown on his face, but I didn’t bother to wait around and ask him what was up his ass. I was too excited about getting to ride on a motorcycle.

“Okay, Stud, how do I do this?” I asked, bouncing a little. I slung the backpack over my shoulder and he handed me a helmet, which I crammed on my still wet head.

“Is this your only one? What are you gonna wear?” I asked while buckling the straps under my chin.

He smiled. “I don’t have another one with me, but this isn’t a real ride. Barely a couple miles up the hill. I’ll take you for a real ride sometime on the Tail.”

I’d heard about the famed stretch of road called the Tail of the Dragon. Full of tight twists and turns, it was supposed to be a biker’s wet dream. I grinned at him.

“You’re on, pal! Let’s blow this joint! I gotta date with a pool and you’re holding me up!” Did I mention I loved swimming?

He laughed at me and pointed out the pegs where I would put my feet. I managed to mount behind him and not groan at feeling his body so close to mine. My knees were spread around his hips and I lightly grasped his waist. He grabbed my wrists and pulled me closer, placing my hands on his hard stomach. It took all my super control powers not to feel him up a bit. I didn’t have to resist long, as with a roar we were off and shooting out of the lot.

He was right. Even though the ride was a short one, just up to the much-talked-about Lair, I loved it!

I squealed and clutched him harder when he revved the engine and opened up the throttle. Shit, I was being such a girl, but I didn’t really care. The big red and chrome machine rumbled under me as if it were alive. I leaned when Stud leaned, feeling the movement and power of the bike as it pulled around the turns. I could feel him smoothly changing gears.

All too soon the ride was over and we arrived at the Lair. It looked more like a camping lodge resort than an MC clubhouse, but I wasn’t going to complain. I got off the bike first, swinging my leg high enough to make sure I didn’t get tangled and end up on my ass. Stud backed into a spot along a row of fancy bikes. I didn’t know enough about them to tell one kind from another, but I decided I would be doing some serious googling very soon.

“That was amazing! I want a bike!” I crowed after Stud shut down his bike and joined me.

He laughed again, totally amused.

“I’m serious! I’ll have to get a trailer or something to hook up behind my house, but I’m definitely getting one! How hard is it to learn how to ride? Do you have to have a special license?” I peppered him with questions as he led us around the lodge to the back area where the sounds of music and happy screaming children could be heard.

He kept laughing and shook his head. “Too much, Cactus! Grab a spot close to Betsey and the other old ladies.” He pointed to a trio of women lying in lounge chairs close to the pool’s edge. “The one on the right is Molly, Cutter’s woman, and the other one is Tambre, Taz’s woman. You’ll meet the other members later, after church. Speaking of which, I need to get going. You gonna be okay?”

I looked in his eyes. I couldn’t say I wasn’t intimidated a bit by being left by myself in the midst of a bunch of strangers, especially women, but I was a MacAteer and could brazen out anything. Hell, I’d been in bars far more dangerous than this.

“Go pray, confess, or whatever else you do in church. I’m gonna get wet!” I declared.

Stud snickered, and I gave him the best evil eye I had. “Don’t say it!” I threatened, balling up my fist and shaking it at him.

He threw back his head and let out a roar of laughter. I loved it when he did this with me. Friend zone or not, I loved making him laugh, seeing his eyes glow and the sounds of his pure mirth. He wrapped a hand around my neck and pulled me in closer. I wasn’t expecting what happened next, and I had no idea how to handle it.

He kissed me.

Not just kissed me, but kissed me!

His lips covered mine and he drew me in. I lost my breath somewhere. His tongue traced my mouth and I felt a zing straight through my breasts to between my legs. I opened up, mostly in shock, and he dove right in. It was powerful. It was wet. It was wonderful. It was—Holy shit! I panicked.

I’d snuck a few kisses once or twice with a boy I liked in my Myrtle Beach high school year. He told me he liked me as well, but when you’re a girl with five older brothers and a tough as nails father, it does not make for easy romantic relationships. Fergus nixed that budding romance quickly and thoroughly—when the boy showed up for the one single date I had, all six of my male family members stood around the poor teen in a circle and grilled him on where we were going, when we’d be back, and “don’t you dare think we won’t find you if you do something we don’t like.”

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” I gasped, pulling away, grabbing at my inner Irish bitch and bringing her out. She was my automatic defense anytime I got panicked or scared. On the outside, she could deflect nuclear missiles. Inside, I was shaking like a leaf, wondering if my breath was okay and wishing he would do it again.

“Help me out, Eva, please play along,” he whispered low against my mouth. About that time I heard a vaguely familiar whine.

“Stuuuuuuudly!”

I turned to Bike Bunny Bambi. She was younger than I’d thought she would be, barely in her twenties, with short dark hair, brown eyes, and a pouting mouth. She didn’t have a lot up top but what she did have was popping out of a tiny yellow bikini top. I was guessing her short shorts covered a matching bottom.

Ah, I get it now! He just wanted an out and I was convenient. I put away the bitch, but strangely, couldn’t decide between relief or disappointment.

Stud spoke to the visibly upset girl. “Bambi, I’m with someone else tonight. I told you how it was earlier this week.”

“But I thought we were gonna hook up?” She stuck out her lower lip. It was probably supposed to make her look cute and appealing, but instead it made her look like a belligerent child gearing up for a big tantrum.

Actress Eva to the rescue.

“Sorry, Bambi,” I found myself saying in a squeaky voice. I wrapped my arms around Stud’s neck and snuggled close. Snuggled!

I had to admit it was nice. Especially when he put his arm around my waist and pulled me closer.

“He’s my hookup tonight.” I put as much saccharine sweetness into a breathy voice as I could. Totally not me. Gag!

“You can have him again next week. Tuesday is open.” I widened my eyes and squealed. “Oooooooh! I know! I just had the best idea! We can take turns! You know? Like on a rotation schedule! Ooooh! I’m sure the others will like it too!”

His hand tightened at my waist, probably warning me I was going too far. Deal with it, buddy. You asked for this.

“Others?” she asked, her light bulb dimly lit. “You mean he’s got more than one hookup?”

It took everything I had not to burst out laughing. Instead I nodded sagely.

“Uh-huh! There’s lots and lots. Like a whole harem!” I giggled and curled a lock of Stud’s hair around my finger while his eyes showed both irritation and amusement. “We all share Mr. Studly Muffin.”

He squeezed my waist hard enough to make me jump. Apparently “Mr. Studly Muffin” was too much. I ignored him.

I turned back to the girl. “But it would be sooooooo much better if we all like, you know, had a schedule or something? Like a calendar to, you know, like sign up for a time slot or something? We should, like, totally put one up and everyone can like, you know, sign their name for a regular night.”

The girl was still not getting it. “You mean, like, I gotta wait my turn?”

I smiled a big vacant smile. “Yeah! Like that! So awesome, doncha think?”

“Eva,” Stud warned, clearly not amused anymore. His hand at my waist squeezed again, and I ignored it again.

“I dunno.” The girl looked like her brain needed some serious oiling. The gears were grinding slowly and a breakdown was imminent.

“Well, it’s my turn tonight!” I turned back to Stud and pouted, sticking out my lower lip in a perfect impression of Bike Bunny Bambi. “You need to get to your meeting, sweetie pook. I’ll see you at the pool later.” I pecked him quickly on the lips, keeping in character, and walked off toward the sounds of splashing and screaming children. “Bye, Studly Muffin!” I called. I think he growled.

The look he gave me as I made my grand exit promised retribution. Okay, maybe I did take it a bit too far, but damn, that was fun!