Z’s the first one at the dining room table the next morning, which is unusual. Still pissed about last night, I grunt at him instead of an actual greeting.
Trinity hurries past me into the kitchen and once again, I’m irritated that my girl’s serving everyone breakfast.
Except she’s not my girl—yet. I’m trying hard to honor her request, but it’s annoying the shit out of me.
By the way Z keeps staring, I’m waiting for him to say something.
“Sorry about last night, bro.”
Surprised, I raise an eyebrow at him.
He shrugs. “I wanna see you two work your shit out.”
“It ain’t me, brother.”
Z cocks his head, but doesn’t seem surprised. “I never…not until she told me a couple weeks ago and then it all clicked…if I’d known you two had something back then…I never—”
Fuck me. “Yeah, I know.”
“You gonna claim her or not?”
Z must think this cast is gonna stop me from beating his ass. “She’s not ready.”
He gives me a So what? shrug.
“No. There are some things she needs me to tell her to do, and others…” Yeah, Trinity’s been tough to figure out, but I’m learning. Slowly. “Besides, I ain’t claimin’ an ol’ lady who doesn’t want me to be her ol’ man.”
Z nods, and I realize he understands. “She worried about the club?”
My shoulders lift. “I guess. She had a fucked up childhood.”
He looks away for a second. “Yeah, I always kinda figured.”
My hands clench into fists because I can only guess what made him say that. Fuck.
Murphy swaggers in, and I’m overwhelmed with the urge to punch him. Don’t know why. Instead of sitting, he curls his hands over the back of one of the chairs and leans over. “Where’s Trin at?”
“Why?” I growl at him.
“Need a blowjob,” he says with a cocky smirk.
Never hit a brother.
Fuck that shit.
Unless he’s earned it.
That comment’s definitely grounds for a beating. Cast doesn’t slow me down a bit as I jump out of my chair, reach across the table and wrap my fingers around his neck. Z’s up so fast his chair clatters to the floor. He slaps his hand over my arm. “Let him go,” he says to me with complete calm.
Just one more squeeze and I release the little fuck.
“Seriously, bro?” he asks Murphy.
Murphy leans over and coughs. “Fucking hell.” He lifts his wary gaze to me before standing up straight. “What the fuck? I thought you were just staying in her room—”
“Let it fucking go, and watch your mouth, asshole,” Z advises as both of us sit back down.
Murph’s got no sense of self-preservation, because he pulls out a chair and drops into it. He runs his hand over his neck, but won’t meet my eyes. “Sorry. Fuckin’ irritated from seeing Heidi and Axel all over each other last night.”
Z cocks his head. “When was she up here?”
He shrugs. “She came up to surprise him. T ended up chasing her home.”
I feel for him, but I’m still fuckin’ pissed. “From now on, find someone else to work out your Heidi-frustrations.”
Murphy doesn’t get to respond because Rock and Hope join our tense group. He casts a suspicious glance at each of us before pulling out a chair for Hope. Sweet and oblivious as always, she smiles at everyone, as if we’re not a crew of degenerate fuckwits.
Teller joins us next.
“Thought you were home?” Murphy asks.
“Nah, came back after I dropped Heidi off.”
Murphy grunts and looks away.
Hope’s gaze keeps darting between Z and me. As if she’s worried we’re gonna kill each other. If only she knew. Murphy’s more likely to get the fuck beaten out of him at the moment.
Trinity brings mugs out for everyone, then coffee. Hope chews on her lip as she watches Trinity move around the table.
“Trinity?” she calls.
“You need something, Hope?”
Curious about what she’s up to, I wait for Hope’s answer.
“Don’t you ever eat breakfast?”
“Sure, in the kitchen while I’m getting everyone else’s stuff together.”
“Oh, no wonder you stay so skinny,” Hope answers with a grin.
“Look who’s talking,” Trin jokes back.
Hope’s gaze flicks over each one of us. “Well, I’m kind of on testosterone overload. Would you mind eating breakfast out here today?”
“Sure, I’ll be right back.”
Hope jumps up and follows Trinity into the kitchen. Girl is persistent, which is good because otherwise Trin will dawdle and find excuses not to return.
I lift my chin at Rock. “What’s your woman up to?”
One side of his mouth kicks up and he shrugs. “You heard her. We’re boring.”
The girls are gone for a while, making it impossible to pay attention to the conversation at the table.
Hope returns first, hands Rock his breakfast and kisses his cheek like it’s the most normal thing in the world. Trinity sets plates in front of Z and me, then hesitates. Hope’s not going to be deterred though, she taps the chair next to her.
Murphy apparently still needs his ass kicked. “Hey,” he mumbles.
Teller turns and scowls at him.
“Birch is coming,” Hope explains to the little bitch.
Still shocked at the way this morning’s turning out, I must be staring at Hope. She glances up and pink stains her cheeks. “How do you feel today?” she asks.
“Hung over. Sore. But happy to be home.” Happy as fuck to have finally weaseled my way into Trinity’s room too. Even if she slapped a bunch of conditions on our arrangement.
“I think everyone is relieved you’re home,” she says with a chuckle. Her attention turns to Trinity, who hasn’t moved. Hope picks up the milk and shoves it at her. “Sorry, didn’t mean to hog up the milk, Trin.”
It’s enough to pull Trinity out of whatever’s bothering her. “Thanks, Hope,” she mutters.
Thanks is inadequate. She’s done more for my girl in five minutes than I’ve been able to do in five weeks.
“Sucks we’re gonna miss the run with Sway’s guys down to Virginia,” Z says. “Last big run before we’re all trapped in cages for winter.”
Like I don’t feel bad enough about all the shit going on. “Fucking go,” I grumble at him.
“No fucking way. We all go, or no one goes,” Murphy shoots back. As if loyalty is going to stop me from kicking his ass today.
“We’ll do up a big one at the start of the next season for you,” Teller adds.
They turn to discussing what upgrades they plan to work on over the winter. It just depresses me because I probably won’t be ready to ride at the beginning of the next season. And I sure as fuck ain’t in any condition to work out in the garage all winter long.
“Don’t you ever get tired of all the boy talk?” Hope whispers, loud enough for all of us to hear.
Nervous laughter tumbles out of Trinity. “Not really.”
“What do you like to do, Trin?” Hope asks.
She shrugs. “This place keeps me busy. I can’t wait for next spring. The guys are going to put in a garden so I can grow some veggies and stuff here.”
Hell yeah. She got so excited about farmers markets and feeding me all that healthy crap during my training. Can’t wait to help her out with that, plus it will keep her busy. “We’ll get the prospects started on that early, so it’s ready for you,” I say.
Trin’s mouth quirks, but she doesn’t respond.
“So gardening? Are you the one who keeps the big Buddha guy looking spiffy?” Hope asks.
Trinity finally smiles and seems less freaked-out. “Yeah, that’s me.”
“Neat. I’ve never been able to keep any plants alive for more than a week.”
“Sparky helps,” Trinity explains. Please. Sparky barely leaves the basement. He ain’t much help. Girl’s too modest.
“Which one is he?” Hope asks.
That’s Rock’s cue to interrupt because the answer is, The mastermind behind our weed-growing operation in the basement, that I’ve never told you about.
“Babe, is that all you’re gonna eat?” he asks.
She turns and glares at him, making me almost choke on my toast. “Yes, I’m getting fat enough, thanks to you.”
Haven’t noticed any fat on her. If anything she looks better than she did when she first showed up, looking like a fucking skeleton. But I don’t think Rock will appreciate that observation.
“You need more protein,” I say instead, pointing at her now-empty bowl.
“Fuck, here we go. Mr. Clean Eating Fighter,” Teller interrupts with a roll of his eyes.
I shrug. “Whatever, welterweight.”
“Let’s go, mountain man. This welterweight will kick your ass,” Teller shouts, jumping up and flexing for everyone. Murphy throws him a kidney punch, while Z and I laugh our asses off.
“Sit down before I punt you across the room with my good leg,” I warn him.
The girls aren’t impressed with our antics.
“What else do you do for fun around here?” Hope asks.
“I read a lot,” Trinity answers.
Huh. That’s news to me. We’ve been spending night and day together for weeks and I haven’t seen her with a book in her hands yet. Of course, I’ve been monopolizing all her time, making her take care of me. Between that and all the stuff she does for the house, no wonder she’s had no time to do anything for herself. Makes me feel like an asshole.
“I don’t know what kind of music you like, but my friend, Sophie, has an extra ticket to see Afterlife on Friday. You think you’d like to go?” Hope asks, nudging Trin’s arm.
“Hey,” Rock huffs in an offended tone.
“Girls’ night,” Hope says without turning her head.
After what Rock’s told me about Sophie getting drunk and trying to jump him, I can’t say Trinity hanging out with her thrills me.
Trinity hasn’t answered yet.
Hope, on the other hand—girl only has eyes for Rock. The idea of Trinity spending more time with her is very appealing. I like the idea of her having more girlfriends.
“Come on. You’ll probably need a night off from playing nurse to Wrath, right?” she encourages, jerking her chin at me.
My lips quirk up. Funny girl. I throw a look at Rock that I want him to read as Make this happen, motherfucker.
Trinity looks to me. Silently asking for permission and my chest tightens. I nod and she turns back to Hope.
“Yeah, I like them. Sounds like fun.”
Hope acts like a five-year-old on her way to Build-A-Bear. “Cool! You’ll like Sophie and Lilly. Hell, they’ll probably like you more than me.”
“Where’s the show, Hope? Not the dive we went to last time?” Z asks. Christ, I wish he’d let that shit with Lilly go.
“No. Downtown at the arena,” Hope answers. He and Rock share a look. Hope’s nose wrinkles.
That’s right Cinderella, you’re not taking my girl downtown alone and unprotected.
It’s such a lovely fall day, after breakfast, I set up an over-sized lounge chair for Wrath outside. He grumbles the whole way through the kitchen and out the back door. He really hates me helping him down the back steps. But once I show him the spot I made, his grouchiness disappears.
“How’d you know I was gettin’ tired of being inside?”
Because he’s like a bear in a cage when he’s cooped up for too long. “Just took a guess.”
He flops down and I grab his crutches while he stretches out. Before I open my mouth to protest, he pulls me down next to him and tucks me against his side.
Except for the occasional noises from inside the house, the only sounds are some very vocal birds and the wind through the trees. It’s peaceful, and for the first time in a long time, I’m content.
“Looking forward to the concert?” he asks after a few quiet minutes.
“A little. You sure you don’t mind?”
He tilts his head down, so he can see me. “No. Why would I mind?”
“I don’t know.”
“It’ll be good for you to get to know Hope better.”
That’s too funny to ignore. “Made your peace with the fact that she’s not going anywhere, did ya?”
“Something like that.”
He’s quiet afterward. Between the breeze, the birds, and the thump of Wrath’s heart under my ear, I drift off to sleep.
Wrath is as demanding as a toddler, and I spend my week running him to the gym and doctor appointments. By the time Friday rolls around, I’m eager to get out of the house. Maybe that was his plan all along.
Hope knocks on my door in the afternoon. She’s bouncing with excitement. I’m baffled by her eagerness to spend time with me. Did Rock ask her to be my friend? I hope not, because the more I get to know her, the more I like her.
Holding up a traincase of makeup, she bustles into my room, making her the second person who’s ever been in my space. “So,” she says, “I own a ton of makeup. But every time I use it, I end up looking like a cracked-out clown.”
From the bed, Wrath snorts. Hope’s cheeks flush pink when she notices him sprawled out. “For a big guy, you blend in awfully well. I thought you were in the garage with the guys.”
“Nope, but continue. I want to hear more about this cracked-out clown thing,” he says while pointing at her face and twirling his finger in a circle.
Her mouth twitches, but she ignores him and turns back to me. “Since you do eye makeup so well, I was hoping you’d help me out?”
To say I’m surprised is putting it mildly. “Yeah, I can do that.”
“Thank you.” She glances around the room and back at Wrath. “It’s still early, do you want me to come back later?”
“Nah. We can get started now.”
I throw a pointed look at Wrath, who doesn’t seem to take the hint. “What?”
“Are you planning to stick around for a makeover?”
He curls his lip. “Are you kicking me out?”
Hope giggles and I shrug. “If you really want to stay for this, by all means.”
“I’m thinking of wearing a dress? Unless you think it will be too cold?” Hope asks me, dismissing Wrath entirely.
“We’re going to be inside.”
“Good point, I’ll be right back.” She drops the traincase on my desk and darts out the door. Wrath shakes his head as he watches her leave.
“You’re really going to kick me out?” he asks.
“Yup. Change of scenery will do you good.”
“Doctor told me to rest. You were there, you heard him.”
“He also told you to move around, so you don’t end up with a pulmonary embolism.”
He waves his hand and makes a dismissive snort-grunt sort of noise. “I’m perfectly healthy.”
“Good, then take your perfectly healthy ass to the living room. Otherwise I’m going to practice my eyelining skills on you.”
He sits up and gives me one of his devilish smiles. “I might like that, baby.”
It’s such an unexpected thing for him to say, it takes a minute for it to sink in before laughing.
“Give me a kiss, and I’ll go.”
I glance at the slightly open door. Hope will be back any minute.
“I know what you’re thinking,” he says all low and smoky. “Do it anyway.”
When I hesitate, he moves to lie back down. “Okay, make sure whatever you pick matches my outfit.”
In two steps, I make it to the side of the bed and grab a fistful of his shirt, pulling him to me. That’s the extent of my bravery. Wrath takes over from there, gripping my hips and pulling me into his lap. His hand works through my hair, holding me while his mouth seals over mine. My body has a mind of its own and doesn’t care that Hope might walk in at any moment. My arms wrap around him and I’m pretty sure I’m grinding my hips into him as well.
He groans and pulls away. “That’ll give you something to think about tonight.”
“What?” I ask, pulling back.
Fixing his gaze on the door, he won’t meet my eyes.
“You don’t trust me? You think I’m such a whore, I’ll pick up some random while I’m out with Hope?”
“What? No. That’s not what I said.”
“It’s what you meant.”
“Are you a mind reader now?”
I can’t think with my body plastered against his, so I drag myself out of his lap and take a few steps back.
His hands are balled into fists, his head hanging down. “I don’t want to fight with you Trinity. I’m done.”
“With me?”
His head snaps up. “Never. You don’t get it so I’ll say it again. I’ll never be done with you. But I am done arguing with you over bullshit.”
Now I feel stupid for overreacting. “Tell me what you meant then?”
“I’m pissed I can’t go with you—not because I don’t trust you—because I worry about you. I’m a useless invalid right now.”
Wow. That’s a lot for Wrath to admit. Like we’re really a couple and this might last. “You’re never useless.” I take a step closer and wrap my arms around him. Because he’s who he is, he takes the opportunity to nuzzle his face against my boobs. “You’re an ass,” I tease. When he looks up, I brush my knuckles over his cheek. “Don’t worry about me, okay? I can take care of myself. You taught me all those kick-ass self-defense moves, remember?”
He smirks. “Yeah.”
“Should I come back later?” Hope asks from the doorway.
“No, I was just leaving.” Wrath pushes me back so he can stand, and I hand him his crutches. “Trin threatened to use her eyeliner on me, so I’m outta here.”
Hope giggles and opens the door wide for him, standing back so he can pass by.
When he’s gone, she breezes in and drops an armful of clothes on my bed. She shakes her head. “Boy do you have your hands full.”
Knowing Wrath’s worried about me, my safety, tangles up every one of my emotions. “You have no idea.”
“I can’t believe you’re letting them do this,” I bitch at Rock when I find him in the living room.
Fucker has the nerve to laugh at me. “One doesn’t let Hope do anything, brother. And I don’t think you have much say over Trinny, either.”
Like hell I don’t.
“Fuck off,” I mumble. Pointing down at my cast, I feel the urge to remind him of our recent misadventure. “It’s kinda soon after this bullshit to be letting them run around unprotected.”
“Z and I took care of those fucks.”
True enough. Still bugs me.
Music drifts out from Trin’s room. I’m happy she’s having fun with Hope, even if I’m annoyed I don’t get to watch them dress each other. “It’s like backstage at a fashion show down there. Why couldn’t they do that shit in your room?”
Rock shrugs. “Who’s coming up tonight?” he asks to distract me.
“Fuck if I know,” I grumble. I haven’t done a damn thing related to my job all week. Rock really should strip my patch.
“You worried about something else?” he asks. When I shrug, he chuckles.
I may have told a small white lie to avoid an argument with Trinity. I trust her, but this relationship stuff is new to her too. Even though I understand where it’s coming from, her refusal to acknowledge what we are to the people we’re closest to is fucking with me. Having it tied to something I can’t control—my broken leg—only makes it worse.
“They’re not going out to pick up guys,” Rock says.
“I know Hope isn’t. But those other two—”
Rock jabs his elbow into my ribs and I shove him back. “I called Blue. He’ll make sure they’re protected at the show, and Birch will be on their tail. They’ll be fine,” he assures me.
That’s a bit of a relief. Blue’s a solid guy. The arena they’re going to is in our territory, so they should be fine.
Trying to distract myself with the television is pointless. Rock disappears into the office and I consider asking him if he needs help.
The sound of the girls giggling makes my mouth twitch up. “We’re almost ready to go,” Hope announces.
Rock pokes his head out of the war room and I about piss my pants laughing at the look on his face when he takes in her outfit.
Trinity’s arrival draws my attention away from them. Fuck me. Go ahead and call me a fuckin’ pansy, but I recognize the dress she’s wearing right away.
“Jacket?” Rock asks Trinity.
She holds up a black leather jacket. “Yes, Dad.”
“Very funny,” he mutters as he snaps a picture of the girls. I assume he’s going to send it to Blue. Smart man.
Hope grabs Trin’s hand, dragging her to the door before I have a chance to say anything to my girl. “Let’s go. I don’t like the bossy caveman faces I’m seeing.”
“Hey, wait a sec,” Rock calls her to him.
I can’t get to Trinity fast enough. Thankfully, she meets me half way. Uncertain honey eyes stare up at me.
Leaning over I kiss her cheek. Her soft, sugary scent rushes straight to my head. “You look fuckin’ beautiful,” I whisper against her hair. Her breath catches. My hands tighten on her waist, holding her still. “I remember the last time you wore this dress.”
“You do?” she whispers.
“Yup. Remember every second I’ve spent with you. Good and bad.”
“Wy-”
“Go,” I cut her off. “Have fun. I’ll be waiting for you when you get back.” My hand slides over the curve of her ass. “When you step inside the bedroom later, I want you to take everything but the dress off.”
I pull away and look in her eyes to make sure she sees I’m dead fucking serious. Her cheeks flush pink and pretty. “Okay,” she whispers.
Fuck, yeah. “Get out of here, before I change my mind and fuck you right now,” I grumble at her.
She chuckles and pushes me away. Grabbing Hope’s hand, she says, “Let’s run before they change their minds.”
They head for the door, and I watch them go. Thinking about what I’m going to do to Trinity when she returns has my dick so hard it hurts.
By the time we get downtown, I’m ready to go home. I haven’t met Hope’s friends before but I’ve heard plenty about them. Sophie’s a lawyer like Hope. Lilly has some sort of graduate degree. Considering I barely made it out of high school and couldn’t use the college scholarship I was offered, I feel totally out of place. And let’s not forget the fact that they all have real jobs while all I am is a housekeeper-whore.
Hope introduces me as her friend, which catches me off-guard. I don’t know why. She’s too classy to introduce me as “the whore of my boyfriend’s club.”
In all my years with the Kings, this is the first time I’ve questioned myself. Compared to the girls that usually hang around up there, I’m pretty damn lucky. Compared to these three, I feel like shit. I concentrate on not tripping in the heeled boots I borrowed from Hope as we walk to the Red Room.
As soon as we place our dinner orders, Lilly pounces. “So, how tight are you with Z?” she asks. I’m not surprised or annoyed. I’d been expecting it, honestly.
Whether he wants to admit it or not, Z really likes this chick. While I want to be nice to her in case we have to spend time together in the future, I’m also not going to let her push me around. “I’ve known him for a long time,” I answer.
Lilly’s eyes narrow. “You fuck him?”
Next to me, Hope gasps and slaps Lilly’s arm.
Well, at least the bitch is direct. I have no idea what Z’s told her, so I answer honestly. “Not lately.”
Lilly seems to appreciate honesty. She sits back. “He fuck around your MC a lot?”
“Why are you so curious?”
She fiddles with her napkin for a beat before answering. “We hooked up. He keeps calling. I just want to know if he’s worth the effort, or if he’s full of shit.”
Christ, Z’s an asshole. But my loyalty is to the club—including the big manslut—not this chick. I glance at Hope, not sure how much of this she wants to know. “Besides club girls, I’ve never seen him with the same chick twice. That’s all I can really tell you.”
Lilly seems satisfied with my answer and the awkwardness surrounding us evaporates.
Sophie proceeds to get drunk on tequila shots. Lilly keeps an eye on her, and doesn’t drink anything herself. Lilly and I end up talking—not about Z, thankfully—and I discover she’s pretty funny.
When we finally leave for the show, Hope’s bouncing up and down like a teenager—even though she didn’t have a drop of alcohol—but her excitement is infectious.
Sophie’s law firm has box seats. It’s a nice set-up and I’m relieved not to be out in the middle of the crowd. Especially since, from our high vantage point, I can see the moshpit is intense and no place on the floor seems to be safe from flying bodies and crowd surfers.
I send Wrath a text letting him know we’re okay and safe in the box seats.
Good. He answers back.
After the show, Sophie has connections that get us backstage.
“You okay with this?” Hope asks me outside the band’s dressing room.
“Sure. I wouldn’t mind meeting Chase. He’s fucking hot.”
We both giggle. The singer is indeed hot, but Wrath could probably bench press him. The band is nice enough. Their drummer’s clearly down-to-fuck, and offers to give me a “tour” of their bus, but I politely put him off. There was definitely a time in my life where attention from a guy like that would have had me on my back in two seconds flat.
Wyatt’s your boyfriend now.
Wow, that’s weird.
He’s waiting at home for you right this second.
When Hope asks if I mind leaving, I’m jumping for joy inside. Lilly shocks me by pulling me in for a hug. “We’ll hang out again soon, I’m sure,” she says. Huh. Here I thought I’d made a lousy impression.
Hope takes her time saying goodbye to Sophie, who probably won’t remember much of their conversation. To get her moving, I walk up and bump her with my hip. “Ready?”
“Yup.”
The hallway is about twenty degrees cooler and a welcome relief.
“Hey, Trinity,” a thick, rough voice calls from behind us, scaring the shit out of me. Blood pounds through my ears, drowning everything else out for a second.
“Oh, shit. Hey, Blue.” Feeling foolish, I throw my hand out in a casual wave.
“Enjoy the show?” he asks as he approaches.
“Oh yeah, it was great. What’re you doing here?”
“Working security.”
“Cool. Oh, this is Rock’s ol’ lady, Hope. Hope, Blue used to bounce at CB.”
She responds with a shy hello.
“Where you ladies parked?”
“The garage on Second Street.”
He nods and gives the backstage area a once-over. “I’ll walk you girls out.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Hope protests.
Oh, Hope, you have no idea.
Throughout the night, Trinity sends me a bunch of texts. It makes me real fuckin’ happy that even though she’s out having fun, I’m on her mind. Each message raises my hopes that things between us will finally work.
The last one she sends is my favorite.
On our way home.
The clubhouse’s packed. Rock must have gotten irritated with the parade of muffler bunnies bouncing around. He ducked into our office, closed the door and hasn’t come out since. I knock before throwing the door open.
“Girls are on their way back.”
He glances at the clock behind him. “Earlier than I expected.” I can already see him vibrating with excitement at the thought of seeing his girl. Fuck if I don’t feel the same damn way.
“Let’s go wait outside for them,” he suggests.
We push through the crowd and settle on one of the stone benches in the front yard.
“You still in pain?” he asks, nodding at my leg.
I shrug. “Nothing I can’t handle.”
“You two getting along okay?”
“Yeah. I think so.”
“We gonna make an announcement soon?”
My lack of an answer seems to piss him off.
“What the fuck is wrong now?”
“It’s not me. She’s not comfortable. Thinks I’m only saying I want to be with her because I need her to take care of me or something.” I go to run my fingers through my hair and remember it’s not there anymore. Fuck.
“You’re all right with that?”
“No. But that’s what she seems to need right now.”
Rock raises an eyebrow and stares at me.
“What?”
“Nothing. It’s good to see you finally set your ego aside and take care of her.”
“Fuck you.”
“I didn’t mean it as an insult, ya fuck.”
“Sure sounded like it.”
Rock shakes his head and mutters what sounds like asshole under his breath. “She talk to you about her past yet?”
“No. And that’s another thing. I want her to tell me herself.”
“She doesn’t know, you know?”
“No.”
Rock seems to think that over. “I feel like I betrayed her—”
“You should have told me a long time ago, asshole.”
He looks over at me. “Maybe.”
Rock rarely admits to fucking up stuff like that. I guess we’re all growing up. “She won’t be mad at you, if that’s what you’re worried about. She fucking idolizes you.”
He doesn’t get cocky about that. “Pisses you off, doesn’t it?”
“It used to,” I answer honestly. “I understand why now.”
We’re silent for a while. The other reason Trinity wants to keep our status a secret springs into my head. “She’s afraid if we don’t stay together, the club will kick her out.”
Rock shakes his head. “Eight fuckin’ years. We haven’t had to worry about a damn thing around this place for eight years because of her—” He huffs out a deep breath. “Fuck.” He flicks a hand at the house. “Our basement-dwelling brothers would be two mummified skeletons if it wasn’t for her.”
Laughter explodes out of me, because that’s absolutely true.
“You want me to talk to her? Explain she ain’t goin’ anywhere unless she chooses to?”
“Not yet.” I stare down at my hands, closing them into fists. “I’ve been trying to follow your advice. She makes it hard.”
He snickers and shakes his head. “I can imagine.”
We’re interrupted by the crunch of gravel. Trin comes into view first. Hope’s not far behind. She ignores me and flings herself into Rock’s lap. That’s it for them, they won’t come up for air anytime soon.
Trinity hangs back, watching them with a smile.
“Hey, angel.”
She holds out her hand to me and I grab my crutches.
It’s too noisy to talk inside, so we go straight to her room.
“Did you have fun?” I ask as soon as she shuts the door.
She doesn’t answer right away and I turn to find her unzipping her boots and sliding her hands under her dress to roll her stockings off.
I’m feeling off after my talk with Rock. “Babe? Tell me about your night first.”
She glances up at me in surprise, her lower lip trembling. “Why do you keep doing this to me?” she whispers.
“What?”
“One minute you’re hot to fuck and the next you’re telling me to keep my clothes on.”
“I absolutely did not say keep your clothes on.” Dropping down on the bed, I prop my crutches against her nightstand. “Come here.” She approaches slowly and sits next to me.
I curl my hand over hers. “I meant what I said. I want you to be my girl. Really be my girl. That means I want to actually talk to you and hear how your night was.”
Her mouth opens and closes and she shakes her head in confusion. “I’m not used to that.”
“So get used to it.”
She smirks and lets out a soft snort. “I’m trying.”
I raise an eyebrow and wait for her to continue. “It was fun. I was worried at first, but it turned out okay.” She rolls her eyes and chuckles. “Lilly pumped me for information about Z.”
That’s fuckin’ hilarious.
“Sophie got wasted. And the drummer for the headline band offered to show me the back of their tour bus.”
“What?”
She chuckles. “I told him I had a boyfriend.”
My mind’s still snagged on some—wait, “You did?”
“Yeah.”
“Wish I’d been there to beat the piss out of him.”
She snorts and covers my hand with hers. “Yeah. You could have snapped him in two.”
“The girls were nice, though? Treated you okay?”
“Oh, yeah.”
“What else?”
“Mmm, Blue walked us to the car. I assume Rock set that up?”
My mouth curls into a smirk. She doesn’t really need me to answer that.
“Did you miss me while I was gone?”
Did I ever. Reaching over, I tuck her hair behind her ear and trace her cheek with my finger. “Yeah, I did.”
"Me too,” she whispers.
To me, this is a huge moment for both of us, but it’s quiet and still except for the sounds of our breathing. “I loved all your little texts.”
One corner of her mouth lifts. “You weren’t annoyed?”
“No. Never.”
She ducks her head and my gaze wanders over her. “You look really pretty.”
She tilts her head to peek up at me from under her lashes. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. Stand up.” She does and I put my hands on her hips to guide her in front of me. “How far did you get?” I ask, tipping my head back so I can see her face. The soft blush that races over her skin flips my switch.
She tilts her head toward the door, where she discarded her boots and tights. “Not far.”
“Turn around.” She doesn’t hesitate. I take my shirt off and ease up from the bed, standing behind her with our bodies barely touching. Her warmth sears my chest and I fight the urge to crush her against me. My hands paw along the back of her dress, searching for the hidden zipper. Leaning down, I whisper in her ear. “This is why I wanted you to leave it on. So I could take it off.” As I drag the zipper down to her waist, I enjoy the sound of her breathing picking up. “I’ve thought about getting you naked all night long.”
“Then do it.”
“Don’t be so impatient, Trinity.”
My dress loosens freeing my torso. I shimmy and it falls to the floor. Behind me, Wyatt groans. “That was sexy, babe. Do it again.”
Bending over to pick up the dress, I press my ass into him and wiggle. A growl rips out of him and I barely have time to throw the dress over my desk chair before we’re tumbling onto the bed. “That’s a dangerous game.”
He holds me tighter as I laugh and try to wriggle away. “No fair. I’m injured.”
I snort. “You already have a huge advantage over me.”
His mouth tips up in a filthy grin. Gripping both of my hands in one of his, he pulls them up over my head. “Don’t try to get away again.”
A sassy comeback lingers on my tongue, but I can’t force it out. It probably has something to do with his fingers traveling up my ribs, tracing under the edges of my bra. One of is big hands covers my breast. He nuzzles his way from my neck to my chin working his way to my mouth, kissing me hard and fierce. My ability to think scatters away. I want to put my hands on his face or his neck and hold him close, but he has me pinned. Thinking about how much I love his kisses, keeps any bad thoughts at bay.
He breaks away, staring down at me. His grip on my hands loosens and I wrap my arms around his neck. “Are you okay?” he asks, concern wrinkling his forehead.
“Yeah. Why’d you stop?”
He runs one hand over my arm. “You were squirmy and not in the good way.”
I hadn’t realized. He seems so upset, I force a smile and wiggle my eyebrows. “Now I’ve gotcha.” I push and he rolls back, letting me settle on top of him.
His fingers trace over my cheek. “This what you wanted, Angel Face?”
“No, this is.” Leaning down, I press my lips to his softly at first, tasting and taking my time. One of his hands holds the back of my head and he deepens our kiss, sweeping his tongue in my mouth, demanding access. Heat from his body seeps through the thin bits of lacy underwear I still have on. My hips circle, grinding against his rigid cock and he draws back.
“You’re torturing me.”
“What do you want, Wyatt?”
Instead of answering, he reaches out and grabs a condom, handing it over. “Get me ready.”
I palm the little square and tease my fingers over his chest, over the ridges of his abs, work his belt loose and slip my hand inside. A rough groan comes from his throat.
“You want my cock?”
I bat my lashes and graze him with my fingertips.
“I’m already harder than steel, babe. No extra teasing required.” He tucks his arms behind his head, one corner of his mouth lifting in a sexy smirk. “Take my dick out. Show me how bad you want it,” he says low and rough.
I work his shorts off and drop them to the floor. When his cock is in my hands, I take my time sliding them up and down. He makes a sharp hissing sound when I press my lips against the head, softly kissing. His body jerks and one of his hands cups my face when I close my mouth around him. “Go ahead, make me yours.”
I hum in approval and give him one last lick before ripping the condom open and smoothing it on. A hint of a smile curves his mouth, but his eyes are dark and possessive as they follow me. Whatever control he’s handed me, he takes back. Two rough fingers shove my soaked panties to the side. His hands curl over my hips, lifting and lining me up the way he wants, guiding me down. My eyes close and I roll my hips until he grunts every time I slide down.
“Trinity, look at me.”
It’s almost too much. The fierce way he watches me, eyes glazed with pleasure. He reaches behind my head and draws me down for a kiss. A sweet, unexpected kiss that triggers a devastating orgasm. I cry his name against his mouth and he answers by wrapping his arms around me as he shudders through his own release.
Too spent to move, I burrow my face against his neck letting his scent surround me. The scent of Wrath and risk.