Exquisite Baubles isn’t used to having bikers in their delicate, prissy store. The unease rolling off the sales guy doesn’t concern me, though.
I’m here to get my girl an engagement ring. This place is supposed to have the best jewelry designer in the area. My girl’s getting nothing less than the best.
So I put up with the attitude.
For now.
Unfolding the drawing Bricks sketched out for me, I lay it out on the crystal-clear glass counter. “Can you do it or not?”
The sales guy’s eyes bug out. “Let me get Arthur.”
Arthur reminds me a bit of Sparky. Not that he’s high, but he clearly doesn’t like being taken away from his precious stones and metals.
He picks up the drawing and studies it. “The top here, this is the engagement ring?”
Ah, he gets it. “Yes.”
“Clever. Very fitting for a queen.”
Right. Essentially, Hope’s my queen, and I want something that reflects that without being gaudy or obnoxious.
Arthur doesn’t care about the patches on my cut, my inked skin, my grease-stained jeans, or anything else. He swings the counter door open and beckons me inside. “Come.”
I follow him into a small room where he starts tapping information into a computer. He scans in the drawing, does some more tapping, and then hands me a printout.
He’s made a few changes, but since they only enhance the design, I nod.
“It’s intricate work, so it will take me some time.”
That’s not what I want to hear. “I need it as soon as possible.”
Arthur studies me for a moment. “How long have you known her?”
“Almost three years.”
“When did you know she was the one?”
“The day I met her. It’s been a long, hard, twisted road to get here.”
Arthur nods. He scribbles down a number on the top of the page. “Leave a fifty percent deposit with Kenny up front. I’ll start working on it today, but it could be a couple weeks. I must order a few things to complete it, and I have no control over my suppliers.”
I certainly understand that.
“Leave a number where I can reach you.”
The amount isn’t as high as I expected, so I’m prepared to pay in full today. I count out the bills for Kenny, whose eyes are big and much more pleasant than earlier. Arthur wanders back out to see how we’re doing. He nods at the pile of cash.
“I need it soon. But it needs to be perfect. You feel me, Arthur?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good.” We quickly shake on the deal, and I head out.
As soon as I get back to the clubhouse, I tuck the drawing and receipt into my locked cabinet in the war room. Not that I think Hope has ever snooped through my stuff upstairs. But it would be the worst possible timing if she decided to get curious now and ruin my surprise.
Since I gave her the property patch, I don’t think she expects anything else. Everyone has explained that in our world, it’s as good as a ring. Even though I swore I would never get married again, that was before I knew Hope. Although it’s a big fucking deal to me, the property patch isn’t enough. I need to own her in every single way available. It doesn’t escape my notice how I never offered my first wife a property patch. She got the ring, nothing more.
Hope will have everything.
It’s going to be torture waitin’ for that ring to be done. While I’m waiting, there’s other things I need to get in place. I think I know the exact way I want to propose to her.
I want it to be perfect.
Didn’t give it a lot of thought the first time, but I am now.
I’m not sure why I’m dwelling on my failed marriage. It was a lifetime ago. I was a kid who had no fucking clue. What if I’d met Hope back then? She would have been eighteen, right before she met Clay. Would stupid twenty-three-year-old me have recognized what a treasure she was? Would she have had the strength back then to stand by me when I went to prison? Would we have survived all the bullshit the club went through when Wrath, Z, and I took over?
I don’t know the answers to any of these pointless questions. All I do know is we’re right where we should be.
The rest is irrelevant.
“Hey, feel like going for a hike in the woods?” Rock asks out of the blue one afternoon.
We’ve been spending more time up at the clubhouse lately. Well, actually for a week or so, we were snowed in. Since the courts never seem to close—even for piles of snow—I had to ask Adam to cover the few cases I had. That certainly set me back a bit, but it doesn’t bother me like it might have a couple months ago. Maybe there’s something wrong with me, but I’m very content right where I am. I can’t say it wasn’t amusing to watch Z and Hoot try to keep up with all the snow we got pummeled with either.
Since the big nor’easter, it’s been cold but sunny, melting away a lot of the snow.
Glancing up, I crane my neck to see out the window and shiver. “No. It’s freakin’ cold out,” I finally answer Rock’s question.
“Babe, it’s supposed to be in the forties today.”
“Yeah. Cold.” Taking a closer look at Rock, I can tell he’s frustrated. “Okay. I didn’t bring any hiking boots up with me, though.”
His mouth pops into a grin as he strides over to his closet. When he comes out, he’s carrying a large box, which he sets at the end of my lounge chair.
My eyes skip from the box to his face. “You bought me hiking boots?”
“Yup.”
Odd, but sweet. Even stranger, he presents me with a thick pair of woolly socks.
Sensing he’s up to something, I keep an eye on him while I get ready.
Once we’re properly bundled up, we trudge through the light layer of snow that’s more crunchy than powdery this late in the winter.
Rock stops near a scattering of pine trees that looks very familiar.
“It’s a little cold for sex in the woods, Rock.”
He snorts, and we tread a bit farther before he stops again. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to be seeing, but a large area has been marked off with pink surveyor tape.
A very large area.
“What do you think?”
“What am I looking at?”
“Building site. Our building site. I want to build us a house here.”
I suck in a deep breath and immediately start choking on the cold air.
Rock chuckles and pats my back. “Careful, baby doll.”
“I love it,” I finally manage.
Some of the tension he’d been carrying on the way up here drains out of him. “Good. We’ve got a few months before we can begin, so there’s plenty of time to figure out what we want.”
“Okay.”
“We’ll have to spend more time at the clubhouse until it’s finished.”
I cock my head to the side, inviting him to explain.
“I’m thinking of renting my house to Bricks and Winter. Give them a chance to save up and buy it in a couple years. Got the fenced-in yard and enough bedrooms for their kids. Plus, it’s in the same school district Bricks’s kids are in, so it should make things easier on him.”
Inside, I melt at how much thought Rock’s put into this. “Where are you going to work on your bikes?”
“The club owns that vacant piece of property next to Crystal Ball. I’m thinkin’ of opening a shop there eventually. But for now, I’ll keep doing it out of my garage. Gonna have Bricks help with the more elaborate paint jobs.”
“That sounds great.”
“So do you like this spot? We can pick out another one if you want. Got more than enough land.”
Taking in the view, I picture what it would be like to live out here. It’s peaceful, and if I ever get bored, the clubhouse is a short—
Next to me, Rock is suddenly on one knee.
And my hand is in his hand.
“Rock?”
“Hope, I waited a long time for you. I fall more in love with your beauty, kindness, loyalty, and courage every day. When we spend our first night in the house we’re going to build here, I want you to be my wife.”
Holy shit. When he explained the property patch meant wife status in his world, I figured that was his way of telling me he didn’t want to get married again. Yet here he is—holy shit!
“Rock—”
“Babe, the only word I want to hear is yes.”
“Yes! Of course, yes!”
He drops his gaze to the ground and lets out a barely audible sigh. I can’t stop the tears rolling down my cheeks as he places the most beautiful ring on my finger. I’ve never seen anything quite like it. The intricate setting looks like a small crown, showcased by a diamond-encrusted interwoven band. The stones sparkle and dance in the sunlight streaming through the trees as I hold out my hand and wiggle my fingers.
Lifting himself from the ground, he sweeps me into his arms and seals his mouth over mine for a burning kiss. When we part, I’m dizzy, and one thought dominates. “Rock, please let me say something.”
His eyes narrow, but he nods.
“You remember the doctor told me I might not be able to have children. If I can’t give you a family, are you going to end up hating me?”
Confusion that morphs into anger settles over his face. “Hope, listen carefully to me. If my sole goal in life was to reproduce, I could have done it a hundred times over by now.”
“That’s not as romantic as you think.”
He shakes off my attempt at a joke. “I love you. All I need is you. We are perfect together. We’ll figure this out like we’ve figured out everything else. Together. You want kids, we’ll figure it out. I hear science is pretty amazing these days. You don’t want kids, I’m perfectly content with it just being the two of us for the rest of our lives. You are more important to me than any potential future children.” He gestures back the way we came, toward the clubhouse. “Besides, we already have a houseful of kids to look after.”
A very unladylike sound erupts from me, somewhere between a snort and a sob. In my wildest fantasies, I never could have come up with a man like Rock. The thought and care he put into proposing astounds me. His words. The beautiful ring that he undoubtedly had specially designed. Every detail. I can’t even—
His fingers settle under my chin, tipping up my head, interrupting my thoughts. “Are we clear on this?”
Sinking my teeth into my bottom lip, I nod my head. How did I get so lucky?
“Don’t make that face at me, Hope. Even though it’s so cold my balls have crawled back up inside my body, I could pin you to that tree and fuck you senseless right about now.”
“That is some lovely imagery, Rochlan,” I manage before falling into a fit of giggles.
We’re engaged.
The hike back to the clubhouse is really more of a sprint. Hope wasn’t kidding when she said it was too cold for sex in the woods. The thought of it shrivels my dick. But the thought of getting her alone in our room and stripping her down ‘til she’s wearing nothing but my ring keeps my feet moving over the rough ground.
Her excited yes plays over and over in my head.
Breathless, we tumble into the parking area around the clubhouse. Hope’s giggles twist my own mouth up. Snagging her around the waist, I tug her against me for a kiss.
Breaking away, she runs her hands through my hair, staring up at me. The smile’s gone, but there’s a gleam of mischief in her eyes that’s hard to miss.
“When do you want to get married?” she asks.
Right this second.
“Whenever you want,” I answer.
“Where?”
That one’s easier, because as long as Hope’s at the end of the aisle, I don’t give two fucks where we do it.
“Anywhere you want.”
Her fingers lace behind my neck, but her gaze drifts around the woods behind us. “How about here? I like the idea of getting married outside, close to nature,” she says with a dreamy tilt to her lips.
That’s fine with me. I even know the perfect spot on the property. But as seamlessly as my girl has accepted everything about me and my world, I wonder if she knows what she’s asking.
“Babe, you sure you want your family and friends at a white-trash biker-hillbilly wedding in the woods?”
Pain slashes across her face, and too late, I realize what an awful thing that was to say to her. Her arms tighten around my neck, forcing me down to her level. “You are my family.” She jerks her head toward the clubhouse. “You and your club of delinquent, loyal biker brothers are my family. Anyone who doesn’t like it isn’t invited.”
My heart is racing so hard. I want to drop down on my knees and ask her to marry me all over again. “I love you.”
Her fierce face softens. “I love you, too.”
“Aww, hey, lovebirds, where ya been?” Trinity calls out from somewhere behind us.
Hope spins out of my embrace, dropping me like a hot muffler, and races over the gravel. “We’re engaged,” she shouts, flashing her hand in the air.
Trinity bounces on her toes and claps her hands. When Hope reaches her, the two of them hug, and my chest tightens seeing how close they’ve gotten.
“Lemme see!” Trinity gasps.
I watch them ooh and ah over the ring. Even from here, I can see Trinity going into party-planning mode. I give them a few minutes of giggling together before I head their way.
Trinity glances up as I approach. Taking in her glossy eyes, I hesitate. She gives Hope’s hand a quick squeeze, then throws her arms around me. “I’m so happy for you, Rock-n-Roll.”
Chuckling into her hair, I return the hug. “Thanks, sweetheart.”
“What’s going on out here?” Wrath questions from the doorway. My gaze flicks to his placid expression, and for a number of reasons, I wonder how he’ll take it.
I can see Trinity’s dying to spill our news, but she waits.
Hope flashes her hand at my brother. “We’re getting married.”
“Holy fuck.” He glances at the snow-covered ground separating us from him then down at his cast. “Get the fuck over here,” he says with an irritated wave of his hand.
She runs up the stairs while Trinity and I hang back for a second. Wrath surprises the fuck out of me by taking her hand and checking out the ring while Hope excitedly chatters away. Then he outright floors me by kissing her forehead and whispering something in her ear that makes her grin.
“And that’s enough of that,” I grumble.
Beside me, Trinity breaks into laughter.
The first thing I do when we get inside is send a text to Sophie, Lilly, and Mara, sharing my good news.
My phone vibrates in my hand instantly.
Lilly.
It’s hard to understand her through all the screaming. “You did not just tell me you’re engaged via a group text!” she shouts.
“I did.”
My phone beeps.
Mara.
“I’m so happy for you, sweetheart,” she says softly. “We need to get together Friday so you can celebrate with your girls. And I need to see Rock’s rock.” She giggles into the phone. “Hamilton’s?”
The place where Sophie orchestrated Rock and me getting together? Yeah, that seems appropriate to celebrate our engagement.
I don’t hear back from Sophie until later in the evening. “Hope! I’m sorry. I’ve been crazy all day. Congratulations! I’m really happy for you guys.”
I recount to her in detail how Rock proposed.
“That’s so sweet, Hope. Who knew such a scary guy could be so romantic?” she teases. At least I think she’s teasing. It’s hard to tell over the phone.
The memory of Rock admitting to me how Sophie arranged our first night together still astounds me.
“Hey, Sophie, Rock told me.”
Over the line, her sharp intake of breath is clear. “What are you talking about?”
Her tone makes me laugh. “How you set us up to meet at Hamilton’s.” Warmth spreads through my chest as I think how important that night turned out to be. “I don’t know how I can ever thank you enough,” I say quietly.
“You’re welcome, buttercup. I’m happy for you. You deserve good things, Hope.”
“Thanks, Sophie.”
We make our plans for Friday night and hang up.
Trinity is surprisingly excited when I ask her to join us. On Friday night, we take her Jeep into Empire, even though Rock mentions something about picking us up later.
After I shrug off my wool coat, the girls all giggle.
I quirk an eyebrow at the trio, inviting them to explain what’s so funny.
“You look like a slutty Hello Kitty,” Lilly says with a snicker.
Running my hands over the material of my dress and looking down, I shrug. “What? I think it’s cute.”
“Oh, it’s adorable,” Sophie chimes in. “Lilly’s just jealous because her boobs would never fit in it.”
“True story.” Lilly giggles.
“I like it too,” Mara says, reaching over to give me a quick hug.
I love this dress. Yes, it’s a little close to the bubblegum end of the pink spectrum, but it’s got long sleeves and a cute fit and flare skirt. I paired it with thick, wooly gray tights and gray patent leather Mary Janes. Rock made growly noises when I modeled it for him, something Trinity witnessed. And by the wink she gives me, I know she’s about to spill to my friends.
“Her man almost didn’t let her out of the house when he saw her tonight. You’re lucky I got her down here.”
Lilly and Sophie, of course, laugh it up.
“Seems like a good time to hand you this, then,” Mara says, picking up a shiny pink gift bag from the floor.
Pinning each of them with a look, I joke, “I’m scared to open it.”
My apprehension was justified. “Oh my God!” Inside are three books—one his and one hers Guide to Going Down and 365 Sexual Positions to Try with Your Man Tonight complete with graphic descriptions and illustrations.
I’m laughing too much to maintain my stern expression. “Really? Have I given any of you the impression we need help in that department?”
Trinity laughs so hard she almost falls out of her chair. It’s nice to see her a little more lighthearted, so I’m not insulted.
“There’s more,” Mara says as she flails her hands in the air with excitement.
One by one, I pull increasingly kinky items out of the innocent pink bag—candles, massage oil, warming lube, a tiny pink butterfly vibrator, a coil of pink silk rope… and a paddle.
“What the…?” I glance up, my gaze roaming over each of the girls, finally landing on Mara.
More laughter and a few snorts escape from Trinity.
Mara apparently doesn’t possess an ounce of shame. She shrugs. “You never know.”
“God, you’re a horny bunch of bitches.” I sigh and set the bag down next to me.
It’s something so out of character for me to say that they all laugh. So loud we get stares from everyone in the bar.
“Calm down. Jeez, we haven’t even had any alcohol yet,” I scold in my best courtroom voice.
That’s all the prodding Lilly needs to jump up and stride over to the bar. We watch her flirt for a while and take bets on whether she’ll go home with one of the cute bartenders.
Sophie grabs my attention. “Are you going to take your time planning this one?” She waves her hand in the air, almost smacking Lilly, who has returned with a smug smile. “You and your mother threw the last one together so quick, we all thought you were pregnant.”
I suck in air, gasping as the pain hits me right in the chest. Lilly, Mara, and Trinity all gape at Sophie. “Fuck, honey. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean… I forgot. Shit, it just happened, and wow, I’m sorry.”
She didn’t know. She didn’t know.
Not wanting to hurt her feelings, I take a few rapid, cleansing breaths to push away the tears and paste on a fake smile. “It’s fine. We did plan it quick. But we’d been together forever by then. It was time.”
Everyone relaxes, except Trinity, who’s still giving Sophie some serious stink eye.
“So have you had any ideas about the wedding yet?” Sophie finally asks.
“I don’t know. Something informal and fun. Outdoors.”
Sophie nods. “That makes sense since the last one was so over-the-top.”
What the hell has gotten into Sophie?
Lilly and Mara also seem surprised.
Trinity glances at Lilly. “So, Lilly, are those knockers real?”
Well, that’s certainly one way to take the focus off me.
Lilly’s a good sport. And used to this question. She flashes a sexy smile at Trinity. “Yes. I expect in another couple years, they’ll be hanging out by my belly button.”
Wrong time to sip my water. I cough and sputter while Mara pats me on the back.
“Lilly stripped her way through college and grad school,” Sophie adds.
Trinity nods as if she’s not surprised, which makes Lilly narrow her eyes.
“Nothing wrong with that.”
“Your MC owns a strip club. Why don’t you dance, Trinity?” Lilly asks.
Trinity toys with her drink. “I’m getting a little old for that. Besides, Rock’s never liked the two things mixing.”
We’re approaching awkward territory again. Thankfully, we’re interrupted by Adam and Ross coming in the front door. Since our table is to the immediate right, they spot us before they’re even inside.
I scoot out of my chair, and Adam scoops me into a hug, lifting me off the ground a little. “You bitch. Why didn’t you tell me? I had to find out from these nuts?”
My shoulders twitch. “I didn’t think about it. It’s all been a little crazy. I’m sorry.”
He shakes his head at me and goes to the bar.
Ross squeezes me next. “Let me see it.”
Holding out my hand, I wiggle my fingers and enjoy how the light bounces and sparkles off the beautiful ring. I’m still stunned by all the effort Rock put into everything. He doesn’t do anything half-assed.
“Wow. I’ve never seen anything like it. Very regal.” Ross gushes. “Uh, not that I spend lots of time shopping for engagement rings.”
The corners of my mouth twitch. “Of course not.”
He gives me a playful shove, and I sit back down.
The guys drag chairs over to join us. Pitchers of margaritas show up, and we make quick work of them before more pitchers of margaritas show up. Our conversation turns loud and filthy. Around ten, the bar is packed.
The front door swings open and cool air sweeps over my flushed cheeks.
Rock steps in. I drag my gaze up, sort of in slow motion, taking in all of him. Boots to jeans to gloves and leather jacket. His serious expression undergoes a complete transformation as our gazes collide. I shove out of my chair so fast it almost tips over. Because I’m hammered and have been sitting for so long, I trip. Oh hell, let’s face it. The man still makes me swoon. But Rock’s right there to catch me.
“Careful, baby doll,” he warns in his low voice.
Throwing my arms around his neck, I bury my nose in his jacket, absorbing the brisk, wintery scent he brought in with him. “What are you doing here?” I murmur against his neck.
His arms wrap around me tighter. “Missed my girl. Told you I’d come by.”
Behind us, my friends whip out some wild catcalls and other assorted noises that make Rock rumble with laughter. After another squeeze, he releases me. Keeping an arm around my waist, he leads me back to my chair.
I’d been so caught up in my man I didn’t realize Z had walked right in behind Rock. He winks at me when I finally spot him. “Hey, sugar.” He’s standing by Trinity and gives her a quick poke in the shoulder. “Your roommate’s waitin’ outside.”
Trinity rolls her eyes but doesn’t get up.
Adam and Ross both stand and shake Rock’s hand, congratulating him—well, us—on our engagement.
After a few minutes of small talk, I glance up in time to observe Lilly and Z staring each other down. Since she’s kind of in the middle, Trinity jumps up and gives Z her seat. Her face twists into a gaggy eye roll, which makes me snort with laughter. More chairs are pulled over to the table, and Trinity drags one next to me.
“Wait, is Wrath waiting outside?” I finally ask.
Z shrugs. “He’s not comin’ in here.”
“Damon’s on his way to pick me up,” Mara says as she glances up from her phone.
“Okay.”
Rock plants a kiss on the top of my head. “Be right back.”
I turn so my gaze can follow Rock as he strides up to the bar. Something so simple still turns me on. Every move he makes is confident and sexy. All mine.
“Damn, girl, calm down,” Ross teases, breaking my attention.
Shaking myself, I turn to him. “What?”
“Jesus, I’m horny just from watching the two of you,” he jokes.
Mara bursts out laughing. “You’re such a pervert.”
Ross waggles his eyebrows at her.
Z laughs. “Try living in a room next to the two of them. Non-fucking-stop.”
Ross nods knowingly. “Nonstop fucking, I get it.”
My cheeks explode with heat. “We do not.”
“Sure. Whatever you say, sugar.” Z flashes a quick smirk at me before turning his attention back to Lilly.
Rock returns, standing behind me, settling his hands on my shoulders. I tip up my head, bumping him in the groin. “Sorry,” I mumble.
He smiles down at me, absently rubbing my shoulders.
My head drops forward, and Rock’s body ripples with laughter. “How much did she have to drink?” he asks.
I open my eyes and watch Mara pinch her thumb and index finger together. “Lil’ bit,” she answers.
Ross vacates his chair and motions for Rock to take it. After pulling the chair closer to me, he drops into it and curls his arm over my shoulder. My body automatically leans into him. “Tired, baby doll?” he asks.
“No.”
“Don’t forget to show Rock your presents, Hope,” Sophie says.
I straighten up, and Rock’s arm slides down my back, where he rests his hand against my hip.
“Shut up.”
Mara breaks into giggles.
My lips twist into a pout, and I turn to find Rock staring at me with curiosity.
“What?” he asks.
“You don’t want to know.”
Mara, ever so helpful, snatches the bag off the floor and passes it to Rock behind my back.
My hand shoots out, reaching for the bag, but my balance is off and I miss.
Glowering at Mara and Sophie, I slump back and fold my arms across my chest. There’s a moment or two where I’m floating, and I realize I’ve closed my eyes again.
From the end of the table, I hear Z and Lilly chuckle.
Rock’s sharp laughter fills the air. “Nice.” More paper rustling. Some hummy noises of approval. “Hope doesn’t need any help in this department,” he remarks.
“Thanks, baby,” I say, opening one eye to find him staring at me.
He raises an eyebrow and pulls out the paddle. “Now what am I supposed to do with this?”
“Bend over?” I suggest helpfully, which gets a laugh from everyone at the table, even Rock.
“Aw, Christ, I’m gonna need to buy earplugs, aren’t I?” Z moans.
Rock reaches over and gives him a friendly punch. Turning to the girls, Rock’s lips curl into a smile. “Thanks, ladies. I’ll put everything to good use.”
“Jeez,” I mutter.
Rock turns my way. “You ready to go, doll, or do you want to stay?”
Taking in my drunk friends, I shake my head. It’s barely eleven o’clock. When did we get so old? “We can go. Damon’s on his way to pick up Mara.”
He nods at Mara. “We’ll wait with you.”
Sophie jumps up. “I gotta grab the bill.”
Rock shakes his head but doesn’t look at her. “All taken care of.”
“Thank you, Rock,” Lilly coos.
His mouth turns up. “Anytime.”
Rock steadies me as I stand and helps me into my coat. Trinity grabs her jacket and pushes out the door first. Rock, Mara, and I follow.
Wrath’s leaning on Trinity’s Jeep, facing the bar. I assumed he’d be annoyed with waiting outside, but he gives Trinity a broad smile as she approaches.
“You could have joined us,” I call out to him.
His head snaps up. “Nah, I’m good, Cinderella.”
Mara giggles at the nickname.
“Oh, Mara, this is… Wrath. Wrath, Mara.”
Wow, this is weird.
He nods at her, and she sort of finger waves back. “I’ve heard lots about you.”
Wrath grins at me. “I bet.”
“None of it good,” she clarifies with a chuckle. That only makes his devilish smile bigger.
“Jerk,” I grumble.
Trinity loops her arm through mine and chuckles. Wrath’s eyebrows lift, but she ignores him.
I could get whiplash from these two.
Adam and Ross step out of the bar and join us on the sidewalk.
“What the hell are Sophie and Lilly doing?” Mara snaps at them.
Ross snickers. “Trying to figure out who’s giving who a ride.” He turns to Rock. “I think they’re gonna fight over your boy.”
Rock snorts and shakes his head. Against me, Trinity shakes with laughter.
“Great,” I mutter. I’m sure Sophie is enjoying being the third wheel there.
Adam and Rock step away to talk.
“Goddamn,” Ross whispers near my ear when he finally notices Wrath. “Please tell me this one is gay?”
Trinity doubles over so fast she almost knocks me over. She’s laughing so hard she starts coughing.
Wrath narrows his eyes at me. “How much did she have to drink?”
I shrug. “Nothing that I saw,” I say, pretending I don’t know why she’s having a hysterical fit. I’m not sure how he’ll receive Ross’s “compliment.”
Ross leans over. “That’s a no, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
He shakes his head. “What a shame.”
We’re saved from this by Z, Lilly, and an irritated Sophie joining us on the sidewalk.
Wrath tips his chin up at Z. “What up, brother?”
“Gonna drive the girls home.” Lilly opens her mouth to protest, and Z glares at her. “Neither of you are in any shape to drive.”
Can’t argue with that.
Damon pulls into a spot across the street from us. He waves as he gets out. It takes a minute as he pulls baby Cora out of her car seat and carries her across the street to us. Mara immediately runs to them. Damon pulls her close for a kiss, and Cora lets out a happy squeal when she sees her mom.
My breath catches as I watch them interact. Heart hammering, I turn away for a second. Then Rock’s arms wrap around me, solid and comforting, holding me against him. He doesn’t say anything, just rests his chin atop my head.
Mara grins at us.
Keeping one arm around me, Rock extends his hand to Damon. Damon takes everyone in, and I’m too out of it to make any introductions.
With the force of a whip crack, I realize how awkward this whole situation is.
Lawyers, one judge, and a few outlaw bikers all just mingling on the sidewalk together like it’s no big deal.
This is what our wedding will be like… but worse.
Hope’s unease is obvious to me right away. In my own clumsy way, I tried to explain this to her when I proposed.
As president, it’s my job to be the public face of the MC when I need to be. So I’m used to mixing with lots of different members of society, whether I enjoy it or not.
Wrath, on the other hand, doesn’t have a lot of use for people not associated with our club or with fighting. I can see him twitching from here. It probably doesn’t help that Trinity’s been refusing to acknowledge him since we stepped outside.
Z’s only concern is burying his face in Lilly’s tits as soon as possible. That much is clear.
My only concern is getting to the clubhouse, taking Hope upstairs, and using the gifts the girls gave her.
Then I take a better look at my girl. Her gaze is fixed on Mara holding her baby and talking to her softly. Glassy eyes signal she’s about to cry. I hug her to me tighter and kiss her cheek.
“Love you, doll,” I whisper in her ear.
She twists away from Mara, wrapping her arms around my waist, and sniffles softly. Yeah, definitely time to get her home.
“Good seeing you again, Damon.”
I shake hands with Ross and Adam, say our good-byes, and push Hope into my car. Turning around, I catch sight of Wrath snagging Trinity into his hold, and I shake my head.
“Trin,” I call out, and both their heads turn my way. “You okay to drive?”
“Yeah, I only had water.”
Z’s already halfway down the street with Lilly and Sophie. Buddha help the poor bastard.
With the women, brothers, and vehicles accounted for, I get into the car with Hope. “Did you have fun?”
“Yeah,” she answers softly.
I can tell something’s bothering her. “That’s good. You hadn’t seen the girls in a while.”
“True.”
Firing up the engine, I shift into drive and point us toward the highway.
Even though I know she’s tipsy, I want her to keep talking to me. I hate how down she seems. After a night out with her friends, I expected her to be bubbling over with stories for me.
An unpleasant thought occurs to me. “Did Sophie behave?” I ask in a teasing way.
Her head snaps up. “I don’t know what was up with her. She was a little weird tonight.”
That’s not good. “Sorry.”
“Poor Z’s going to have his hands full with the both of them,” she says with a snort.
“I’m sure he’ll manage.”
She’s quiet after that. I realize she’s drifted to sleep and click the radio on low. Kind of reminds me of the first time she spent the night at the clubhouse. I glance over at her and smile with satisfaction at the way my ring looks on her finger.
She doesn’t stir when I park the car or when I open her door. Shaking my head, I extract her from the seatbelt and gather her into my arms. Trinity and Wrath pull up just as I’m realizing I can’t juggle Hope and get the front door open.
Wrath snickers. “It’s sad that you gotta keep druggin’ your girl to get her up here.”
“Fuck you.” But I’m laughing as I say it. “Grab her stuff for me?” I ask, nodding at my car.
Trinity gets the door for me and they follow me inside. “Nice pink bag,” she teases Wrath, who grins.
“What the hell’s in it? It’s heavy.”
Trinity starts giggling. “Books and sex toys.”
Wrath looks at me and raises an eyebrow. “Her friends’ idea of an engagement present,” I explain.
Of course, he digs through it and starts laughing his ass off.
“Give me that,” Trinity says, snatching Hope’s things out of his hands. “I’ll go drop this in front of your door, prez.” Wrath watches her run up the stairs.
Hope stirs and blinks up at me. “Where are we?”
Home. “Clubhouse, doll. Can I set you down?”
She tosses her head side to side like she just realized she’s midair and giggles. “Yeah.”
“Have a nice nap?” Wrath asks.
“I guess.”
Wrath’s got that expression on his face that I know means trouble. “So a paddle—that for you or him?” he asks, nodding at me.
Her cheeks turn pink. “Neither! Mara’s idea of a joke.”
“Sure, whatever you say, Cinderella.”
“There’s a guy’s guide for going down on his girl. You can have that since Rock doesn’t need it.”
Yeah, Hope’s definitely drunk.
Wrath throws his head back, laughing. “Trust me, neither do I,” he manages. Trinity appears at the top of the stairs, and Wrath calls up to her, “Right, babe?”
She waits until she’s downstairs with us before answering. “What am I agreeing to?”
“All right, doll, time for bed,” I say, curling my arm around Hope’s waist.
She follows but calls out to Trinity. “I offered him the guide to going down.”
Trinity giggles. “No. He doesn’t need it.”
Jesus Christ.
“Leave it for Murphy. Brother needs all the help he can get,” Wrath calls out as I drag Hope up the stairs while she yells, “Ewwww!” all the way.
“No more liquor for you, lightweight,” I tease as I guide her inside my bedroom.
A sensual tingling down below pulls me from sleep. My arms stretch over my head as a shudder works over my body.
Rough hands skim under my tank top, palming my breasts, thumbs brushing over my nipples. My lips part, and I moan. Blinking my eyes open, I find Rock’s face inches from mine.
“Morning, baby doll,” he greets in his sexy rasp.
I can’t stop myself from reaching out to trace my fingers over his cheek, prickly with morning stubble. He turns and presses kisses to my fingertips. “Morning.”
His hands continue pushing up my tank top until my only choice is to sit up and fling it on the floor. “Ready to come for me?”
“How long have you been up?”
He glances down the length of our bodies, and my eyes are immediately drawn to his thick erection. “Long time,” he answers with a filthy grin.
“Oh yeah?”
He lowers himself over me. “Mm-hmm.” His lips find mine, soft at first, then insistent, until I open for him. All his pent-up need comes through in each kiss, lick, and stroke of his tongue against mine.
He nips his way down my neck, leaving a wet trail. Dipping his head lower, he takes one of my nipples into his mouth, and I gasp. Always thorough, Rock pays equal attention to both breasts. Soft, sucking pressure zings straight to my clit.
“Please,” I beg. I’m not even sure what I’m asking for.
“What do you need?”
“You.”
“Good. Been thinking about your little bag of presents all night.”
“Oh, geez.” I roll to the side, but he catches me around the middle, pinning me where he wants me. Rock is multitalented. He manages to hold me down while working my shorts off. Of course, I offer assistance and kick them off my legs.
“Much better,” he murmurs.
Wriggling my hands free, I run them all over his back and shoulders. “I love how you feel,” I whisper.
Against my face, Rock grins. “Feeling’s mutual.” He touches his forehead to mine. “I need inside you so bad. I’ve been half hard all night.”
“You’re never half anything,” I tease. “You should have woken me up,” I add.
He shifts, and it’s difficult to describe how excruciatingly perfect he feels against me. Skin on skin, the firm weight of his big body pressing into mine. A delicious shiver of anticipation flutters over my skin. His lips press against my cheek, trailing against my neck, and I sigh.
His body shifts again, but I’m too excited to bother to see what he’s doing. I assume he’s searching for a condom.
Instead, he reaches between us, caressing, then flicking his fingers over my clit, massaging, rubbing—driving me nuts.
“Rock, that’s not… I’m ready,” I beg.
He sort of chuckles against my hair, and I’m still not smart enough to figure out he’s up to something.
The sharp tingling between my legs intensifies. “What the—”
More chuckling. “Warming lube,” he answers.
“You, ahhhh, you better fuck me—now.”
He has the nerve to laugh harder and take his time reaching for a condom. Underneath him, I struggle and wriggle, trying to get some sort of relief. He pauses to stroke my hair, which would be sweet if I didn’t need him to stroke somewhere else instead. Preferably with his cock. My heels dig into the mattress, legs spreading wider, hips arching, anything to get what I need.
“Fuck, you’re pretty when you’re desperate,” he whispers as he sinks into me.
The insistent throbbing between my legs isn’t satisfied, though. “Rock,” I plead.
“Hold on.”
I arch, grinding up against him in time to his furious thrusts. The drag and friction of his cock sends shooting sparks of pleasure up my spine. I roll my hips, but after a while, his movements turn wild and unhinged. His forearms planted beside my head hold him up, keeping me caged in. His thumbs stroke over my cheeks. Then his mouth captures mine in a kiss that’s almost tender despite the intensity of his thrusting.
Heat shivers over my chest, down my legs. Finally, I’m ready to tip over that glorious edge I’ve been seeking. My back arches, my hard nipples pressing against him. A sharp moan tears from my throat. My body jerks in violent waves of pleasure. I’m panting, trying to catch my breath, when Rock’s arms scoop underneath me, twisting us until I’m on top.
“I love watching you come more than anything.”
My skin blazes at his words. “Yeah?”
He rubs his thumb over my cheek. “You’re always so shy, reserved, and in your own head. I like seeing you let go. Knowing I made you do it.”
I plant my hands on his chest and sit up a little. My hips circle and I grind myself down hard. “We’re not done, are we?”
“Fuck, no,” he groans as I slowly keep working myself up and down.
His bottom lip rolls inward and he bites down. Sexiest face ever. That storm-gray gaze clings to mine while I ride him. He lets me tease him and please myself. Lets me think I’m in control while I’m on top. After another orgasm burns through me, he shows me who’s actually in charge.
Strong fingers dig into my hips, holding me in place, while his hips snap up. I lean back, bracing my hands on his thighs. Beneath me, he tenses and lets out a deep, grunting shout of pleasure.
I’m done. I give him a second, then drape myself over him, kissing his neck and shoulder while he groans into my hair. His hands lift my hips, setting me next to him gently. Chest still heaving, he rolls to the side for a second, then returns, tucking me tight against him.
My hands drift down against the hard bricks of his abs, stopping to tickle his hip where the anchor tattoo with my name rests.
His breathing slows, and he presses a kiss to my cheek. “Wanna go back to sleep, baby?”
“No. This is nice.”
His hand roams up and down my back, stopping to squeeze my ass every now and then.
As far as I’m concerned, nothing outside this room matters.
Finally asking Hope to be my wife has lifted a weight off my shoulders. She still flashes me a dazed smile every time she glances at her ring.
I’m pretty thunderstruck myself, although I’m making an effort to keep it under wraps. My brothers, of course, see right through my bullshit act.
“Pick out your flower arrangements yet?” Wrath asks with a wiseass smile.
“Aw, now don’t be jealous, dickhead. I’m sure Hope will ask you to be a bridesmaid.”
On my other side, Z snickers like an ass.
Wrath brushes off my joke with a twisted grin.
After waking Hope in my special way, she ended up falling back asleep. Once I refuel, I plan to go back upstairs and wake her up with my face between her legs.
“I’ll be surprised if she asks Sophie to be a bridesmaid after last night,” Trinity comments, pulling me out of my filthy thoughts.
“What?”
Wrath glares at Trinity, but she ignores him. Z quirks an eyebrow.
Trinity lifts her chin at Z. “Your girl Lilly tell you what crawled up Sophie’s ass last night?”
“No.”
“Didn’t she sneak out of here at sunrise?” Wrath asks with a dickish grin.
“Yeah, but we weren’t talking about chick shit all night,” Z grumbles.
Trinity sighs next to me. Normally, I’d laugh, but I want to hear more about what kind of bullshit came out of Sophie’s mouth last night.
“Hope said Sophie acted weird,” I prompt.
“Yeah, she just made this really bad joke about how Hope planned her first wedding so fast they thought she was pregnant. Hope looked like she’d been punched in the gut.”
Godfuckingdammit. This doesn’t sound like the same woman who came into my strip club, begging me to do something to help Hope out of her depression last year. What the fuck is wrong with Sophie lately?
But Sophie isn’t my problem. Hope is.
“That it?” I ask Trinity.
She sort of shrugs, which isn’t comforting. “Yeah, I distracted them by asking about Lilly’s tits.” She glances at Z. “Your girl’s a good sport.”
Z breaks out laughing. “Yeah, but she ain’t my girl.”
By the expression on his face, Wrath is clearly finished with this conversation. “Downstate called. Sway wants you to come pay a visit.”
Now I understand why he’s so annoyed. “Fuck. What for?”
Z bristles. “Fuck that. I ain’t in the mood for that place.”
Wrath flicks his gaze at Z, then back my way. “He said ol’ ladies were invited. It’s not a bad idea for you to bring Hope. Have her meet Tawny…” He lets the idea hang in the air.
Tawny is a hardcore ol’ lady. Her man is president of our downstate charter. I get why Wrath thinks it’s a good idea for Hope to hang out with Tawny for a weekend, but I won’t lie and say there’s no chance Tawny won’t send Hope screaming for the hills.
“What’s this, your last-ditch effort to scare Hope away?” I ask without a trace of humor.
He cracks up. “Yeah, man. If Tawny don’t scare your girl away, nothing will.”
“Don’t subject Hope to that bitch on wheels,” Z pleads with a headshake.
“What exactly did he want?” I ask Wrath.
“Something about national.”
Inwardly, I groan. For bikers who claim to love living on the deviant fringe of society, the Lost Kings have turned into a complicated maze of political bullshit. I prefer to stay out of the political aspects and focus on my own charter.
Unfortunately, there are some responsibilities that can’t be avoided. I can’t deny that when I’ve needed Sway’s help in the past, he or one of his guys has always been there. As much as it annoys me, it looks like I’ll be planning a trip downstate.
Wrath can’t go because he’s still got his cast. Turning to Z, I lift an eyebrow.
“I’d rather not,” he answers my unspoken question.
“Take Murphy and Axel,” Wrath suggests.
“Really, Axel? He’s a fuckin’ kid. Barely been wearing that prospect rocker a month. Bad enough we broke the rule about allowing him up here before his year was up.” I don’t even bother mentioning the bad blood already brewing between Murphy and Axel over Heidi.
“It’ll do Murph some good. Keep his cocky Irish ass in check. Plus, might as well see if Axel can hang now rather than later.”
“That’s fine. Hope likes both of them, and I know they’ll look out for her.”
Wrath seems insulted, which is amusing considering how much he enjoys tormenting my girl.
“Prez, I’ll go if you’re worried about Hope,” Z offers.
“Nah, it’ll be fine.”
“Man, she thinks this place is the gateway to hell. Wait ‘til she sees Sway’s setup,” Wrath says with a little too much glee in his voice.
“Dick,” I mutter ‘cause I know he’s right.