I had to admit it felt pretty fucking surreal sitting next to Samantha surrounded by my family. Even though we were only eating hamburgers and hot dogs and drinking cheap beer, it felt significant. Of course, I couldn’t help thinking that the last time she had been here at the compound, it had been with Marley, and now she was here with me.

As my date. Well, sort of.

No matter how many times I repeated that in my mind, I couldn’t seem to wrap my head around it. Sure, there were still too many gray areas between us to think of this as a date. I had even said as much to Sam on the phone. But deep down, I couldn’t help feeling as though we had finally turned a corner in whatever it was that we were doing. I wanted more with her, and I was willing to wait as long as I had to. As though maybe if enough time went by, I wouldn’t feel so bad about her being Marley’s girlfriend.

Even though my brothers had given me shit about Samantha, I was glad I had talked to them. It was good to know I had their blessing. From the way she was getting along with Mama Beth and Alexandra and Annabel, I knew she would get their stamp of approval as well. Although in the end, I wouldn’t have let their opinion change my mind about her.

The screech of a microphone sounded, followed by Kim’s ear-splitting whistle. I turned around to see Breakneck was taking the stage with his guitar. Immediately, it felt as if I’d been punched in the chest by the memories flickering through my mind.

“Are you okay?” Sam asked.

With a nod, I replied, “Just kinda overwhelmed at the moment. Breakneck hasn’t sung or played the guitar at a party since my dad died.”

Sam gave me a sympathetic look. “Oh. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay. I’m glad to see him back up there. We used to have some crazy times singing along with him.”

“I would’ve liked to see that.”

I chuckled. “No. You probably wouldn’t have. None of us Malloy boys can really sing. We just think we can when we’ve had too much alcohol.”

Throwing her head back with a laugh, Samantha said, “I think the same thing happens to me. I pity anyone within a mile radius of me at a karaoke bar. I never would have stepped foot in one if Gavin hadn’t liked them. I used to tell him the things he could get me to do for love.”

My brow furrowed in confusion. “Who’s Gavin?”

Samantha’s face flushed. “Oh, just an old boyfriend.”

The mention of Samantha’s old loves had my fists clenching at my sides and I wanted to punch the wall. I hated that just the mention of an old boyfriend could turn me into a raging idiot. Samantha’s past was none of my business, and I sure as hell wouldn’t want to have to discuss mine with her.

Breakneck’s tapping on the mic interrupted me. “Evening, everybody. I wanted to come up here and do a song for Rev’s birthday. It’s been a while since I’ve done this song. Haven’t done it since I lost two of the best friends I’ve ever had, Preacher Man and Case. But I think it’s time to bring this one out of retirement, since it was both men’s favorite song.” The crowd erupted into whistles and clapping, which caused Breakneck to grin. “Before I get started, I’m going to ask Deacon, Rev, and Bishop to come up here and help me like they used to.”

While Deacon shot off the bench, Rev furiously shook his head back and forth. “Oh, hell no,” he said.

“Oh, go on, honey,” Annabel urged beside him.

Rev opened his mouth to argue, but Deacon interrupted him by grabbing his arm and dragging him up off his seat. “Come on, B. Help me get his ass up there.”

With a chuckle, I got up and took Rev’s free arm. “Asshole,” Rev muttered as we pulled him through the crowd and onto the stage riser. Breakneck motioned to the microphone stand beside him so we could do the harmony on the chorus.

Once we were assembled, Breakneck lifted his gaze to the sky. “This one’s for you guys—Preacher Man and Case.” He then gazed back out into the crowd. “Here’s ‘The Weight.’”

Breakneck started strumming the opening of the song I knew so well. Closing my eyes for a moment, I could see myself riding on the back of Preacher Man’s bike, my arms wrapped tight around him as “The Weight” blared out of the radio speakers. I could always feel him humming along when I rested my head on his back.

“‘I pulled into Nazareth, was feeling ’bout half past dead,’” Breakneck began in his smooth voice. So much had happened since the last time I heard him sing. We’d all faced our own personal tragedies. We’d lost a father, Kim lost a husband, and Breakneck lost a daughter, all to the violence of the MC world. It was then that I was first able to really feel thankful that we were changing the vision of the club. Even with the threat of Eddy and the Diablos hanging over us, I knew we had made the right decision. I couldn’t help thinking that my old man and Case would approve of what we were doing.

When it came time for the chorus, Deacon, Rev, and I leaned in around the microphone and sang our hearts out. Once the song ended, we received thunderous applause and whistles. I smacked Deacon and Rev on the back. “Felt good to do that again.”

Deacon grinned. “It sure as hell did.”

“Yeah. It did,” Rev said, smiling.

After I hopped down off the stage, I headed straight for Samantha. She jumped up off the bench and threw her arms around my neck to give me a hug. “That was awesome!”

I chuckled at her enthusiasm. “I think you’re just a little bit prejudiced,” I said as she pulled away.

“Nope. I just call it as I see it.”

Deacon and Rev appeared beside us then. “We still got it, huh?” Deacon asked with a smirk.

Alex grinned at him. “Oh yeah. You do.” As she rose off the bench, she handed Wyatt to Beth. “Now I think you owe me a dance or two.”

“I think I can oblige you with that one,” Deacon said.

As they headed over to the dance floor, Rev went over to Annabel and pulled her up. “Will you honor me with a dance, Mrs. Malloy?”

A dreamy expression filled Annabel’s face. “Of course I will. But they’re not playing a slow song.”

“I’ll make them play one. It is my birthday,” Rev said.

Once they left, Samantha and I were all alone. With an awkward silence hanging around us, I wondered what I should do. Was asking her to dance coming on too strong, or would she be offended if I didn’t? The whole gray area of friendship was a real pain in the ass.

Just as I was about to man up and ask her, I felt a tug on the back of my shirt. I turned around to see Willow staring up at me. “Will you dance with me, Uncle B?”

Since I was incapable of ever telling Willow no, I held out my hand to her. “Of course I will.” Once she slipped her hand in mine, I glanced over my shoulder at Sam. To my surprise, she didn’t seem pissed at my picking a six-year-old over her. “I’ll be right back.”

She gave me a warm smile. “Have fun out there.”

Willow jerked me along until we were in the middle of the couples. Rev hadn’t yet asked for a song change, so it was still a fast one. I started making goofy moves that rewarded me with giggles from Willow. She then started copying what I was doing. With her love of ballet, she was a pretty natural dancer, even when doing the sprinkler. When I looked back at the table, Sam and Mama Beth were both laughing at our antics.

As soon as the song was done, I squatted down beside Willow. “Would it hurt your feelings if I asked Samantha to dance with me now?”

Her face lit up. “No. It wouldn’t.” She patted my shoulder. “Samantha is really, really nice. I think it would be good if you made her your girlfriend.”

“Oh, you do, huh?”

Willow nodded. “Poe really liked her, too, and you know he doesn’t like just anyone.”

I refrained from arguing with her that I couldn’t base a potential relationship on the fact that a deer—who had probably been after the corn—approved of the woman in question. “It’s good to know that Poe liked her.”

“All the family likes her, so you should, too.”

Once again I had to remember that Willow was just a kid. She was such an old soul sometimes. “Thanks for the dance, rug rat.”

“But I’m the one who asked you.”

I grinned. “Yeah, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it.” Pulling her closer, I said, “Now give your favorite uncle a hug.”

“But, Uncle B, I love you and Uncle Rev the same. I promise,” she argued as she threw her arms around me.

As I rubbed her back, I said, “I know. I’m just teasing you.” When I pulled away, I winked at her. “Now if you still want to dance, go over to Joe and tell him as a prospect, he has to dance with you.”

Willow wrinkled her nose. “That’s okay. I don’t want to dance with him.”

“Why not?”

She shrugged. “Just because.”

Although I could have pressed her, I already knew the response. He wasn’t Archer, whom she had a crush on. Back when he was a prospect, she would have loved to make him dance with her. Of course, Archer was twenty-one and totally wigged out by Willow’s crush. He worried at any moment one of us Malloy men was going to kick his ass for being a pervert. We loved to give him shit about that.

“All right, then. I’m going to ask Samantha to dance.”

“And I’m going to get more cake.”

“You do that. But just don’t let your mom and dad know it’s your third piece.”

Bringing her finger to her lips, she shushed me. “They’ll never know unless you tell them.”

I raised my hand. “Scout’s honor.”

She giggled as she ran off in the direction of the food table. With more confidence in my step than I felt, I made my way over to Samantha. She and Mama Beth were chatting like old friends, which was really nice to see.

As I stood in front of her, I cleared my throat. “You wanna dance?”

“Sure.” She climbed off the bench and turned to Mama Beth. “Don’t go anywhere, because I want to hear more embarrassing stories about Bishop when he was little.”

With a groan, I swept my hand across my face. “Seriously, Mama? That’s what you two were over here talking about?”

“I thought you liked having beautiful women talking about you,” Samantha countered with a smile.

“Not when it includes stories that make me look bad.”

“But they were sweet stories . . . and funny ones. Like the time you sat on Santa Claus’s lap and asked for a wiener as big as your dad’s.”

I rolled my eyes. “Seriously, Mama. You’ve known Samantha barely an hour, and you break out the wiener story?”

Mama Beth grinned at me. “But you were so cute and so serious about it. If only we’d had a video camera then, I would have sent it to America’s Funniest Home Videos.”

“Okay, that’s enough. You two are not allowed to talk to each other ever again.”

Mama Beth and Samantha only laughed at me. “Isn’t he cute when he’s mad?” Mama Beth asked with a grin.

“He’s adorable,” Samantha teased.

“No matter how old you get, you’ll always be my baby,” Mama Beth said as she cupped my cheek.

As Samantha said, “Aw,” I threw up my hands. “That’s it. Let’s go dance. Now.”

Sam grinned. “Now you’re a caveman barking out commands, huh?”

Taking her by the hand, I led her over to where the other couples were. When I found a good place for us that wasn’t too close to the band or too crowded, I let her hand go. I then slid my hands around her waist and drew her close to me. Samantha wrapped her arms around my neck. At the feel of her curves against me, I couldn’t help the shiver of desire that ran through me.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

“Just a little chill. I’m fine,” I muttered.

We swayed in awkward silence. “So, I have a question.”

“Shoot.”

Fighting a smile, Samantha asked, “Did Santa finally bring you a wiener as big as your dad’s?”

I threw my head back with a laugh. “Yeah, he did. I could argue it was the best present he ever got me.”

With a giggle, Samantha said, “You’re terrible.”

“You’re the one who brought it up.”

“After that story, how could I not?”

I scowled at her. “Did she tell you anything else embarrassing, like how I used to strip down and run naked through the streets?”

“Nope. But I’m glad that you did,” she mused.

“For the record, I stopped that shit when I was five. It’s not like I’m still doing it.”

Sam waggled her eyebrows at me. “That certainly would be interesting.”

“I don’t think Mama Beth would find it as cute and funny if I did it now.”

“I wouldn’t think so.”

“It’s safe to say I’d probably scar Willow for life if I did something like that.”

Sam laughed. “I imagine so.” Tilting her head back, she stared up at me. “Speaking of Willow, I think she wants everyone to think I’m your girlfriend.”

With a grimace, I replied, “Yeah. Sorry about that.”

“You don’t need to be sorry. She’s just looking out for you and wanting you to be happy.”

I chuckled. “She’s a mess.”

“You’re so good with her.”

“She’s pretty easy now. I don’t like to think about when she gets to be a teenager.”

Samantha laughed. “I’ll admit teenage girls are pretty scary with all the hormones. I know I gave my mom fits.”

“With the hormones come the boys, and I’ll have to beat the hell out of any guy who hurts her . . . or puts the moves on her.”

“Poor girl. Between her uncles and her father, she’ll maybe get to date when she’s thirty.”

I grinned. “Damn straight.” Cocking my head at her, I said, “As beautiful and sexy as you are, I bet you had half the men in your family keeping tabs on you and guys.”

She laughed. “Yeah, I did. They would have been protective anyway, but when you throw in the fact that my dad had died, they were extremely protective.”

“So you didn’t get to raise too much hell as a teenager?”

“Not really. But the truth is, I really didn’t want to get into too much trouble.” At what must have been my surprised expression, Samantha grinned. “Sorry to disappoint you. I guess it’s safe to say I’m not exactly a rebel.”

I shook my head. “Oh no. I disagree on that one. You’re interesting. Mysterious . . .”

“And exotic. Remember you called me exotic the first time you met me?”

I stared at her in surprise. “You remember that?”

She nodded. “You were the first person besides my mom to call me that.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Nope. She always said I looked exotic like Olivia Hussey—the girl who played Juliet in the 1968 movie version of Romeo and Juliet.” At what must’ve been my blank expression, she added, “Sorry, I must be the only one to remember the play and the movie from high school.”

With a sheepish look, I said, “I dropped out in ninth grade.” Before Samantha could say anything, I quickly added, “But I got my GED last year.”

“Good for you.”

“Thanks. I was tired of being a loser.”

“You could never be a loser, Bishop. You have too much drive and ambition.”

“I didn’t always. I was pretty much a lazy drunk when I was a teenager,” I admitted.

“It’s hard for me to imagine you like that.”

“Trust me, it wasn’t pretty. I gave my poor parents hell with all the trouble I got in.”

“What turned you around?”

“My old man. He had me start prospecting at eighteen so that I could have some direction.” Shaking my head with a smile, I said, “In some ways being in an MC is like going into the military, and the prospecting period is like boot camp. Being disciplined by all the men I knew and admired really helped to put me in my place.”

Samantha’s expression turned serious. “Can you ever imagine not being part of the MC?”

I shook my head. “Nope. It’s not only in my blood, but it’s the only world I’ve known. Plus, it’s how I met you.”

She gave me a small smile. “That’s true.”

“Don’t worry, Sam. The MC world isn’t going to bury me until I’m an old man.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“We won’t be living by violence anymore, so we can’t die that way.”

“That’s a very interesting concept. One that I hope is true.”

“You just have to trust me.”

Something flared in her eyes. After staring at me for a few seconds, she finally replied, “I’ll try.”

I smiled at her. “Forget about your feelings for the MC world and just enjoy tonight. Enjoy dancing with me.”

“I am. I really am.”

“I’m glad, because I am, too.”

A teasing smile played on Samantha’s lips. “The first time I ever laid eyes on you was when you were dancing.”

My eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Really?”

She bobbed her head. “I say dancing—but it was really more like humping on the dance floor.”

I barked out a laugh. “Yeah, I guess that’s the only real dancing I know how to do.”

“You’re not so bad with the slow, non-humping kind.”

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

As I stared intently at Samantha, I said, “I really like dancing with you.”

“You said that already,” she murmured, gazing into my eyes.

“I wanted to say it again because I really meant it—it wasn’t just some bullshit line.”

“Is that right?”

“Yeah. More than just dancing, I like being with you. I like the way you laugh at my stupid jokes, how you don’t take any of my bullshit, and how you keep me on my toes. Most of all, I like how I feel I can tell you anything.”

Samantha’s tongue darted out to lick her lips. Although it seemed like a nervous gesture, it caused my dick to jump in my pants. “I feel the same way about you.”

“I’m glad to hear it.”

As the song came to an end, Samantha kept herself flush against me. Neither one of us seemed to want to move. We wanted to stay right there in the moment.

And I knew then there was no turning back.