“Stay. I can walk myself.”
“Know you can, Lex.”
“You know what I mean. You don’t have to bother.”
“I want to be bothered.”
Her stomach fluttered. “Fine, but tomorrow—”
“Tomorrow, you can walk over to us alone.”
He led her across the street to her door. There, he faced her, planted a hand on her lower back, pressed a soft kiss to her lips, and drew away. “Can’t be more than a peck ’cause it’s more than that, I might forget Cul’s alone.”
Yes, she was glad she’d caved.
She smiled. “Good night.”
“Tomorrow. Nine. Don’t forget. Don’t disappear. You do.” His gaze heated. “I’ll find you.”
She shook her head. “Is that supposed to scare me?”
“Quit playing, and get inside.”
“Good night, Dodge.”
“Night, Lex.”
She opened her door, strode inside, and closed and locked it behind her. In minutes, she lay flat on her back in bed, replaying the last hour in her head. A great hour. Right then and there, she felt she’d made the right choice. How she’d feel tomorrow or a week from now, she didn’t know, but she’d find out eventually. She wouldn’t worry until then. She’d only live once and all that.
She shifted her head to her right and spotted her alarm clock on the nightstand. Seven past midnight. Maybe turning thirty wouldn’t be so bad.
Chapter Twelve
Dodge barely slept thinking about her. At six, he dragged himself out of bed, usual for him since that was the time Cul woke. Amped the fuck up he’d get to see her in just hours, he hadn’t been able to hold back and told his son Lex would spend the day with them. Cul had been thrilled.
In hindsight, that might’ve been a bad idea considering every half hour on the dot, Cullen looked to him and said, “Lex?” He’d told him seven times Lex would be there soon. Six of those times, he believed it, but now, it was nine thirty and still, no Lex.
He couldn’t help but wonder if she’d changed her mind. After all, she’d done it once before, and last night, he had to convince her to give them a chance and he’d only done that by kissing her.
Not wanting to get too anxious waiting, that morning he hadn’t looked out his windows. But now, he had no choice.
Walking to the closest window, he pulled the blinds aside and peeked out. In her drive, not one but two cars were parked. None of them hers.
His chest clenched. Impossible to ignore, impossible not to be pissed, not to think about anything but the fact that she was doing it again—avoiding him.
He fisted his hands, closed his eyes, and breathed deep to fight the anger burning his gut.
Not telling him to his face was fucked. Not showing up and not bothering to call to make some excuse was fucked too. He was a man, a biker, so he’d deal, but what about Cullen? Hadn’t she thought it’d break his heart not showing? She could fuck with him all she wanted. Every woman did, so fuck it, but hurt his kid?
Fuck, no.
Part of it didn’t make sense. She’d been worried about them because she didn’t want Cullen to get hurt should they not last.
He knew what he should do—leave her be. She didn’t want him. Fine. Cullen would get over it. It seemed women fucked Cullen over too. He was just like his dad in that. Though he hated his son had to learn that lesson, he couldn’t protect him from everything.
“Lex?”
He looked at his boy, brow creased, eyes wide, biting the side of his lip.
Fuck that. He had to do something.
He ground his teeth. “Cul. Come.”
Cullen stood from his position on the couch and walked to him, not missing his gruff tone. Dodge grabbed his hand and keys then walked out of his house. Striding across the street, he knocked on her door, not giving a flying fuck who was visiting her. He’d say what he had to say.
The door swung open, and his gaze landed on a woman who looked like Lex. Around the same age, her facial features similar, same lips and nose, but her eyes were green instead of blue and her hair was an ash blond instead of that strawberry color he loved so much. Pretty, but nowhere near Lex’s beauty.
Her eyes narrowed. She smiled a knowing smile. “You must be Dodge.”
Lex’s sister, and it seemed Lex had talked about him, not anything good.
Cullen wrapped his arm around his leg and moved behind him, his face now pressed to his hamstring. He nodded. Before he spoke, footsteps echoed.
The door parted wider, and Lex appeared. Her eyes widened in a way he knew she was trying to communicate something, something he didn’t get. She spared her sister a glance and whispered, “Be nice.”
He swung his gaze from her beautifully made-up face—though he preferred it without, it was still gorgeous—to the rest of her, wearing a pair of jeans, a blue loose shirt, a yellow headband, and necklace. Her shoes, a pair of flats, were yellow too.
“Hi, Cullen.”
Cul peeked from behind him and smiled. “Lex.”
She stepped forward, glided her fingers from the top of Cullen’s head through his hair and then rested her hand on the back of his neck. “Sorry I was late. I’m so glad you came to get me.”
She angled herself toward him. Her eyes locked on his, and she whispered, “Had no idea they were coming.”
“Why wouldn’t we come? It’s your birthday. We always spend our birthdays together.”
Birthday?
Shit.
Unbelievable.
Looking sheepish, she lifted a brow. “Surprise?”
He threw his head back and burst out laughing. When he recovered, he slanted his head down. “Heard that, Cul? It’s Lex’s birthday. What do we say?”
Cullen released him, launched himself at Lex, circling his arms tight around her hips.
Her hands went around his back. She smiled. “Thank you so much, Cul.”
“What’s going on out there?”
The door parted fully, and a woman came to view. An older version, a cross between Lex and her sister. Their mother, no doubt.
Her stare slid from Cullen to Lex to him. She smiled wide. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Patricia, Lex’s mom. You can call me Patty.” She extended her hand.
He shook it. “Nice to meet you. I’m Dodge, and this is Cullen, my son.”
He didn’t think it possible, but she smiled wider. Her eyes went to Cullen. “A handsome boy.” Then she spared glances at each of her daughters. “Girls, we don’t keep company out on the porch. Let them in.”
Her mother turned and walked inside. Her sister hesitated then followed.
Lex’s eyes widened. She drew closer and whispered, “You don’t have to.”
He grinned. “It’s fine.”
More than fine, getting to meet her mother and sister was great. He’d win them over. Cullen would no doubt help because Cullen was a great kid who loved Lex, and Dodge would get to know more about Lex, which considering they were starting something was fantastic.
Lex grabbed his arm, nails digging into his bicep tightly. Then eyes wide, brow wrinkling, she shook her head. “You don’t understand—”
“Alexa, do not leave your gentleman waiting out there.”
Lex rolled her eyes, the cutest shit he’d ever seen, but she obliged, spinning and heading inside. Cullen grabbed Lex’s hand walking side by side with her. He followed behind. They strode toward the back of the house where two men stood talking loudly. One familiar, Dodge had seen him not so long ago hugging Lex. Probably close to his age, maybe a little older, tall, built, and he had dark hair. The other was older, also tall and physically fit with ash blond hair like Lex’s sister but graying. His eyes were ice blue like Lex’s.
The voices died abruptly. Then both males shifted their heads to them.
“Dad, Tim, this is Dodge and Cullen.” Lex, her hand still in Cul’s, turned partially to him. “Dodge, Cul, meet my dad, Aaron, and my brother-in-law, Meg’s husband,
Tim.”
Aaron, Lex’s dad, looked to Cullen first. “Hey, there, bud. I see you like my Lex.”
Cullen smiled and nodded.
Aaron’s gaze then moved to Dodge. “Peculiar name.”
Dodge extended his hand and nodded. “Good to meet you.”
Aaron shook his hand but didn’t return the sentiment.
Then again, Dodge hadn’t expected him to. He didn’t know what it was like to have a daughter, but he imagined having a pretty one like Lex would suck. A man wearing a cut knocking on her door at nine thirty on a Saturday morning would suck more. He wasn’t a bad guy, never played women, but he wasn’t the type of man any father wanted for his little girl. From experience, he knew a father wanted the best for his kid, and he was a biker who worked at a garage. A woman like Lex could have any man she wanted, a guy like her sister’s husband, clean-cut wearing a polo.
Tim extended his hand. “Good to meet you.”
He took it and shook. “Good to meet you.”
Tim’s gaze moved from him to Cullen. “Cullen, right? How old are you?”
Cullen looked up to Tim but didn’t respond.
“He’s shy.” Lex slid her free hand from the side of Cullen’s head to the back, threading her fingers through his hair.
Warmth slithered up his chest then spread leaving no part of him untouched. Second time she’d done that that morning and they hadn’t been together longer than ten minutes. He loved it, loved when she touched his boy lovingly, kind of like a mother would. His mother had never done that. Cullen’s hadn’t either, and Cul loved it too. He knew just by the way his boy leaned in to Lex’s touch, grabbed hold of her, and refused to let go.
“And he’s three. Right, Cul?”
Cullen nodded.
Meg smiled. “Looks more about five. You’re tall.”
Cullen looked to her and shrugged, smiling shyly.
Meg, not hiding a smirk, looked at Lex. “Seems we’ve interrupted your plans, sis.”
Lex’s head shot toward her sister. Her eyes narrowed.
“Stop it, you two.” Patty stood in the kitchen turned away from them, but she said this loud and clear in that same admonishing tone she’d used before.
“We weren’t starting—”
Patty spun and strode around the bamboo top island toward them with a tray of cookies, pinning Lex’s sister with a warning stare. “Yes, you were, Megan. Now, drop it. We have company.”
She set the tray on the coffee table, walked the short distance to Lex, and smiled. “Alexa, you have guests. What do you do when you have guests?”
Lex turned her flushed face to his. Her eyes wide, again trying to tell him something he still didn’t get. “Can I get you and Cullen something to drink?”
He bit the side of his mouth so he wouldn’t laugh. Grinning, he agreed and offered to help mainly because maybe then she’d finally tell him what she tried to without words, twice.
She walked toward the kitchen with Cullen, still holding onto her like a lifeline. He followed behind.
She opened the fridge and then whispered, “You should go.”
His brows shot up. He had to keep from yelling to her back. “Why?”
She spun on her heel, facing him. “Because my family’s here. They’re…they’re just…family, you know.”
No, he didn’t. Growing up, his family sucked. He had Cullen now and the club, but that was different. The club was family but one he picked. Cullen was his kid, and they may be a family but not one like hers.
She released a sigh and took a step toward him, leaving the fridge parted. “You know…family.” Shaking her head, she dropped her voice another octave. “They’re going to share embarrassing stories. My mom’s going to continue to badger me to get you this and get you that and make sure you’re comfortable because you’re my guest. Because you’re my gentleman, she’ll insist I serve you drinks and food before I even serve myself because she thinks it’s still the fifties. My sister’s going to ask you a billion questions, prying into your life to find out if you’re worth my time. Tim won’t say anything, but he’ll support Meg because she’s his wife and he loves her. My dad will be the epitome of the strong and silent type until he gets you alone then…”
She leaned in to him. “He’ll give you ‘the talk.’”
He’d seen women be a lot of things, manipulative bitches, nags, you name it, but he’d never seen a woman throw a hissy fit until now. And fuck him, but it was hilarious and cute. Maybe because she was so beautiful, maybe because he thought she was hilarious, maybe because it was her and not anyone else, he didn’t care the why.
He tried his hardest not to laugh and did this by clearing his throat. “First, you can get me drinks, serve my food, and keep me comfortable, I’ll never complain about that.”
Her lips parted.
“Your sister can ask what she wants. I’ll respond when I want. Tim can support his woman, and I won’t hold it against him. Your dad can give me ‘the talk.’ Never heard one before, so I’m curious. They can tell all the stories they want; I’ll love every minute of getting to know you better.”
Her brows quirked.
“I finally convinced you to hang out with me. Cul’s been bouncing off the walls since I told him this morning, so today were any other day, we wouldn’t leave. Fact that it’s your birthday means there’s no way in fuckin’ hell, we’re leaving ’cause there’s no way we’re missing your birthday.”
Her eyes warmed. “That’s sweet,” she whispered. “Even with the cursing.”
He couldn’t help it then. He laughed loud and continued to as he sidestepped past her, grabbed the gallon of milk from the fridge, and set it on the island.
“Where’re your cups?” He turned to look her way, still standing in front of the open fridge. His boy pressed to her side, grinning.
She smiled then laughed.
He knew her family watched them, probably wondering what they found funny. He didn’t care. It seemed she didn’t either. Her smiling gaze glued to him, a stunning grin in place.
Chapter Thirteen
“What the hell was that?”
From her porch, Lex heard but barely, her stare riveted to Dodge’s broad back. “What?”
“That?”
Dodge opened his front door and let Cullen inside before following behind. She lost sight of them. Still, she had to tear her gaze away before meeting her sister’s narrowed eyes. “What?”
“That.” Meg pointed in the direction of Dodge’s house.
“It’s Dodge.”
Her sister’s jaw dropped. “What the hell did he do to you?”
What could he have possibly done to her? He spent the day with her and her family. They barely had a minute alone.
She lifted both brows. “Nothing.”
“What did he say to you?”
Her cheeks flamed. “None of your business.”
“It must’ve been mind-blowing considering you’ve been staring at him, oblivious to me standing here talking to you. You couldn’t even look at me until he closed his front door.”
“I’m not oblivious—”
Meg cocked her head. “Oh, no? Okay, what did I ask you?”
Yikes. She had no clue. “I forgot.”
“You didn’t forget. You weren’t listening to me. I asked you three times, and you didn’t hear me because you’re in la-la land because he said who knows what.” Meg crossed her arms over her chest. “Tell me you haven’t slept with him, Lex.”
Tim strode out her front door and onto the porch looking between the two.
“Let’s talk about this inside.” She walked past Tim into her home.
Dropping her arms to her sides, Meg followed close behind and didn’t wait for Tim to close the front door before she persisted. “Tell me you didn’t sleep—”
“I haven’t slept with him.”
“Then?”
“Then what?”
“You know what. What the hell happened? Two days ago, yo
u told me you were avoiding him. This morning, he shows. Clearly, you two had plans.”
She sighed. “It’s a long story.”
“Well, you better start,” Meg snapped loudly.
“Babe, please, relax. Lex’s a grown woman. She can—”
Meg turned to her husband. “I’m her sister. I’ve never lied to her. I don’t plan to start now, and she better not start lying to me either.”
Meg was overreacting. It was who she was and what she did. It seemed the pregnancy and her raging hormones weren’t helping.
Knowing this, Lex released a breath and calmly explained, “It happened yesterday.”
Meg sliced her stare to her. “What did?”
“I decided I’m going to take a chance on him, on us.”
“You decided first, you weren’t.” Meg shook her head. “Come on. I mean he was an asshole more than once and has heartbreak written all over him. What did he do to convince you?”
She’d never been good at lying, so she had to shut this conversation down, quick. Frankly, she couldn’t tell Meg how he’d changed her mind. It’d make her dislike him more.
“We had a talk last night and came to an agreement—”
“That you’re going to put your heart on a platter so he can chop it up?”
“I don’t know if that’ll happen. Considering my relationship history, probably, but I’ll never know until I try. I’ve never felt like this toward anyone, so I’m going to take a chance. Maybe I’ll regret it. Like you said, he’s been a jerk to me. The fact of the matter is I’ll regret not knowing more than I’ll regret getting my heart broken.” She shrugged. “If that happens, I’ll have to move, and you may get your wish anyway.”
Meg’s shoulders slumped. Some of the tension lining her body melted. She didn’t say anything though, but from the contemplative look on her face, she thought on it.
“He looks like the wrong guy for you.”
Lex’s gaze flew to Tim, who’d spoken. He went on.
“But looks can be deceiving, and he has a kid, a kid he obviously cares about. Motorcycle club or not, I don’t think he’d be inviting you into their lives if he wasn’t serious about you.”
Riding Hard (Hell Ryders MC Book 4) Page 11