Until July

by Aurora Rose Reynolds

  “Baby,” Wes comes and stands in front of me, and his palms hold my face gently as he nudges my cheek so that my eyes focus on his and not Z. “I need you to help him. The wound is clean through, so all you need to do is sew it up.”

  “Wes,” I whisper, looking away from him to Z.

  “Look at me.” I do, and his face lowers toward mine. “I need your help, baby.”

  I search his face and whisper, “Okay,” then clear my throat. “I need to go to the clinic and get supplies. I don’t have anything here.”

  “I’ll take you.”

  “No, you stay with him. I’ll go and be back quickly.” I go to my room and get on a pair of jeans, a sweatshirt, and a pair of sneakers. I walk past the guys, head out of my garage, and open the door, and that’s when I see that I’m blocked in by Wes’ SUV.

  “I’m driving you,” Wes says, stepping out into the garage. He takes my hand, leads me to the passenger side of his truck, and helps me inside before jogging around to his side. It takes less then five minutes to get to the clinic, and by the time we arrive, my body is shaking with nervous energy.

  I’ve never done any kind of stitching on a human patient before, or been around anyone who had ever gotten shot.

  “It’ll be okay,” Wes tells me, placing a hand on my lower back as I open the back door. I go right to the supply room and gather the necessary provisions into a shopping bag before locking the building back up and heading to my house. When we arrive, Z is sitting at the table still, but he now has the bottle of Jack my sister June and I bought when she was home visiting from college.

  “You better not neuter me, girl.” Z smiles, and his words make some of the anxiety that I was feeling leave and a laugh to bubble out of my mouth.

  “You probably need to be neutered,” I tell him, and he grins then eyes the stuff I begin to set out on the table.

  “Can I ask how this happened?” I question softly, pulling the towel away from his shoulder and looking at the wound.

  “No,” Wes says, pulling out a chair and taking a seat.

  “You don’t think I have the right to know, when you show up at my house in the early hours of the morning, asking me to stitch up a guy with a gunshot wound, while refusing to take him to the hospital?” I narrow my eyes on him, and he doesn’t even flinch.

  “Nothing you need to worry about.” He looks at Z, and I see some kind of silent conversation happening between the two of them, which pisses me off.

  I dump some alcohol onto a piece of gauze and begin wiping down the wound as I look at Wes. “This is the last time I see you,” I tell him, even though the words leave a nasty taste in my mouth.

  “You already know that’s not happening, July,” he says as his jaw clenches tight.

  “No.” I shake my head, getting a new piece of gauze so I can clean the backside of his shoulder.

  “I know twice you’ve called me a bitch without cause.” I shake my head then turn it so my gaze connects with his. “I know you made me feel like crap when you found my cousin in my house.”

  “I—”

  “No,” I cut him off before he can say anything. “You didn’t even ask; you just jumped to conclusions.” I finish cleaning Z’s wound then look at Wes again. “Then you show up at my house and ask me to do you a favor, refusing to tell me anything. So, yes, this is the last time we see each other. I think it’s obvious we have no reason to stay in contact,” I mutter the last part then frown when I see Z is smiling at me.

  “You are so fucked, brother,” he mumbles, looking at Wes. I ignore them both and start to thread up the needle. It doesn’t take long to get the wound closed up, and I’m surprised that Z doesn’t even flinch as I work on him. By the time I’m done putting a bandage over the wound, the sun is beginning to rise, casting an orange glow throughout the room, and my eyes are so heavy I can barely keep them open.

  “Thanks, girly,” Z rumbles, standing up.

  I sway on my feet in front of him, and a hand slides around my waist and Wes leads me back toward my bedroom. “Go wash up and go to bed, babe. I’ll clean the mess up.” I nod, not even caring. At this point, my body is completely exhausted. I’m running on empty, and not even coffee could help me now.

  I go into my bathroom and take a quick shower then put on my robe from the back of my bathroom door, not even bothering with clothes, and climb into bed, where I immediately fall asleep.

  I wake up to the smell of bacon, and roll to my side, coming face-to-face with Capone, who is looking at me with his tongue hanging out of his mouth.

  “What are you doing here?” I sit up and look at the clock, seeing it’s after three in the afternoon, and then look around the room, making sure I didn’t just dream that I came home last night.

  Capone climbs into my lap and licks my cheek then jumps off the bed and leaves out of the small gap in the door.

  I stand up, tie my robe tighter around me, open my bedroom door, and head through my living room. Coming around the corner into my kitchen, I stop dead when I see a shirtless Wes standing in front of the stove, wearing only a pair of jeans and necklaces that hangs between his pecs, with a cross and dog tag on it. I blink, trying to clear my head as my body reacts to the way he looks.

  “You’re awake.”

  I lift my eyes and take in the extra scruff and the way his eyes are soft, like he just woke up as well. “What are you doing here?”

  “One of the brothers came and picked up Z last night, and I stayed so that we would have a chance to talk when you got up.”

  “Why’s Capone here?” I ask as the dog sits down at Wes’ feet, looking between the two of us.

  “I had him dropped off. I didn’t like the idea of him being at my place alone for so long.”

  “Oh,” I mutter, wrapping my arms around myself.

  “I’m not good at this kind of thing,” he says, and I feel my nose scrunch up. “As you may have noticed, I can be harsh and jump to conclusions. But I can admit when I’m wrong and when I’ve fucked up. I’ve done both with you more times than I want to count. I won’t apologize for being me, but I will apologize for being an asshole. You didn’t deserve that.”

  Wow. Okay, I didn’t know how to recover from that. I never expected him to apologize and to admit that he was an asshole.

  “As for last night, not happening. I appreciate you helping Z, but this is not a situation that I would ever let you be involved in.”

  “Thank you for apologizing.” I bite the inside of my cheek, not knowing what I should say or do, and my stomach takes that moment to remind me I haven’t eaten in over twenty-four hours, breaking into the moment with a loud growl.

  “Sit, I made you breakfast.” He points towards my kitchen table and I take a seat, and the second my ass hits the chair, I immediately realize I have no panties on and my robe is not exactly long. He brings the plate over and sets it in front of me before I have a chance to get up and go to my room. Then he comes back a second later, setting down a cup of coffee. He gets a plate for himself and a cup of coffee, sets it on the table next to mine, and then sits next to me, his jean clad leg rubbing against my bare thigh. I squeeze my legs together as tightly as I can and pick up the coffee in front of me, taking a sip.

  “Is it okay?”

  “Perfect,” I mumble then look down at my plate. “You made this?” I look up at him then back down at the perfect omelet that is sitting on my plate next to two pieces of flawlessly cooked bacon.

  “I did.” He smiles, taking a bite of his, and I follow suit and moan as the taste hits my tongue.

  “Holy crap, you can cook,” I mumble, taking another bite, then I swing one leg up to cross over the other without thinking. His fork that was halfway to his mouth pauses and his eyes drop to my right thigh. I quickly uncross my legs and pull my robe back down to cover myself up.

  “Please tell me you have something on under that thing,” he rumbles, and the deepness of his words vibrates between my legs.

  “I—” />
  “Fuck,” he clips, making me jump slightly. He stands from the table and walks to the fridge. “Go put something on before I set your little ass up on the table and eat you for breakfast,” he growls, clenching his fists at his sides.

  HOLY COW My pulse kicks into overdrive, and I feel my core clench at his words and the way he’s holding himself. “I…”

  I start to…I don’t know, apologize, when his eyes flash again and he snarls, “Now,” making me jump out of my seat and run to my room.

  “Holy shit,” I whisper. I go to my dresser and grab a bra and panties, slipping them both on quickly. Then I dig through my closet until I find a pair of sweats, and pull them on with a t-shirt before slowly making my way out of the room and back into the kitchen.

  “Is this better?” I ask, not even sitting down until I know I’m safe.

  His eyes sweep over me and he nods, so I sit back down, pick my coffee back up, and shakily take a sip.

  “Until I get in there, and I mean really get in there, you need to wear clothes when I’m around.”

  “This is my house,” I mutter, ignoring the part about him getting into me, because that image caused my whole body to heat up, and I could feel myself turning red from the thought alone.

  “Never said it wasn’t, baby,” he murmurs, taking a seat next to me.

  I try to think of something to say, but my mind is so focused on just trying to breath that nothing comes to mind.

  “You wanna tell me why you were dressed like Catwoman last night at Mamma’s Country?”

  “Nope,” I reply immediately definitely not wanting to fill the silence with that conversation.

  “Why were you there, July?” he questions more firmly.

  “So you don’t have to tell me why you showed up at my house last night, but you expect me to tell you what happened?” I lower my eyes to my plate, saying, “Not likely,” under my breath.

  “Is it about the dogs?” he asks gently as his fingers pull up on the underside of my jaw, causing my gaze to meet his. “Talk to me.” The gentleness of his voice and softness in his eyes causes the words to come tumbling out.

  “The morning Jax was here, there was another dog left outside the clinic.”

  “Fuck, I’m sorry, baby,” he says as his fingers come up to run down the side of my face and I try to ignore the way his touch feels.

  “I want to find out who’s doing this.” I lower my gaze when I feel tears sting my nose from thinking about the helpless animals that have lost their lives just so some asshole could have a few minutes of entertainment. “I will find out who’s doing this.”

  “Do you believe the person who’s connected to the dogs was at the bar last night?” he asks gently.

  I nod, still looking down at my plate. “Kayan and I followed the guy after he dropped off another dog.”

  He lets out a loud puff of air and I can feel the energy change. “Don’t go there again.” My head comes up and our eyes connect. “I know you have no reason to trust me yet.” His eyes drop to my mouth and his thumb touches the edge of my bottom lip before they meet mine again. “But I need you to promise me you won’t go back there.”

  “Why?” I ask softly.

  “Babe.” He shakes his head then frowns when pounding starts on my front door. “Who’s that?”

  “I don’t know.” I get up and head toward the door when Wes pulls me behind him and opens it.

  “Do you want to live, Silver?” Jax asks, shoving his way into my house.

  “Fuck you, Mayson,” Wes replies, and Jax looks me over then shakes his head, looking at Wes again.

  “You told me you were serious about my cousin, and then you let her walk right into the fucking snake pit where someone could see her?” Jax asks, and my eyes go between him and Wes and I feel my brows pull together.

  “Don’t go there,” Wes growls.

  “You,” Jax turns on me and shakes his head, “what the fuck were you thinking?”

  “What?” I ask, confused.

  “Why were you at Mamma’s Country last night?”

  “Uh…”

  “I don’t have time to babysit you,” Jax growls.

  “Hold on one damn minute.” I put my hands on my hips and get in his face. “I have never, ever asked you to babysit me, so you need to get off that high horse you rode in here on and back off.”

  “You’re family.”

  “And?” I ask, making my eyes big.

  “Does Uncle Asher know you’re seeing Silver?” he asks, and my body freezes and my heart speeds up.

  “I’m not seeing him.” I bite the inside of my cheek. I wasn’t technically lying, was I? I peek over at Wes, who’s frowning, then swing my head to look at Jax.

  He growls, “Two days he’s been here in the morning.”

  “So?”

  “So, I haven’t told my dad or anyone.”

  “I haven’t told anyone about all the women you have in and out of your house,” I tell him.

  “I’m a dude. No one would care.”

  “Your mom would.” I smirk. Aunt Lilly would kick his ass if she knew the way he went through women.

  “Do you think my mom’s dumb?”

  Okay, he’s right. Aunt Lilly knew he had never been in a committed relationship, but she still didn’t like it. “Whatever. We’re getting away from the point,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest.

  “Yeah, the point being that he,” he points at Wes, “should have made sure your ass was nowhere near Momma’s Country last night, or any night for that matter.”

  “I would like to remind you that I’m a grown woman.”

  “You’re also a woman who has no idea the kind of fucked up people there are in this world.”

  “I don’t?” I ask, narrowing my eyes on him.

  “You don’t,” he confirms, crossing his arms over his chest.

  “Every week, I have animals that have been abused or left for dead come into the hospital. Helpless animals that cannot defend themselves. So, yes, I do know the kind of horrible people who live in this world. I do not have rose-colored glasses on, Jax.” I choke on the last words as tears fill my eyes.

  Wes steps toward me and pulls me into him, tucking my head under his chin.

  “I was talking to her about going there when you showed up. I told you I had her, and I do.” I hear and feel Wes rumble as he speaks.

  “Why was she there?” Jax asks.

  “Someone’s been leaving dogs outside the hospital that have been fought. She followed a guy from there to the bar last night.”

  “You think Snake is in on it?” Jax asks, and I turn my head against Wes’ chest to look at Jax.

  “Not sure, but I wouldn’t doubt it,” Wes tells him.

  “You’re not seeing him?” Jax asks doubtfully as his eyes sweep over us, and I realize my arms have wound themselves around Wes, my cheek is pressed to his chest, and one of his arms is wrapped around me, with the other hand cradling the back of my head.

  “What’s going on between July and me has nothing to do with you.”

  “Whatever you say, Silver. You have no idea the kind of men my dad and uncles are.”

  “I’ve dated before.” I frown, stepping away from Wes while defending myself. Not that it matters, I reminded myself. I’m not dating Wes, but still. Yes, my dad is overprotective, but he accepts I’m not a little girl—or I should say my mom talks him down every time he forgets I’m not a child anymore.

  “You have,” he agrees then looked at Wes, “just not a guy like him.”

  Okay, so he had a point, but I was done. “Don’t you have somewhere to be?”

  “I do, but before I can go do my job, I needed to come over here and rein you in.”

  “Well, now you can leave,” I tell him, opening the door and sweeping my hand for him to walk out.

  “If she gets into any trouble, I’m holding you accountable,” Jax tells Wes as he walks through the door.

  “Bye.” I roll my eyes and shut
the door, coming face-to-face with Wes, who is smiling.

  “You want to finish breakfast and go for a ride with me?”

  “A ride?” I ask suspiciously, and his lips tilt up farther.

  “Just a ride.”

  I study him for a moment, and just like every time he’s near, my gut is pulling me toward him, telling me that if I miss out on the promise of him, I will regret it. “Sure,” I agree, ignoring my brain, which is roaring at me that I have just changed the course of life as I know it.

  Chapter 5

  I hold onto Wes’ waist and memories from today wash over me. After we finished breakfast, I went and got dressed in a pair of jeans, my high-top Chucks, and a black tank top. When I walked into the living room, Wes was sitting on my couch with Juice and Capone, who had somehow became best friends. Seeing them all sitting there together made everything stop.

  As a little girl, I told myself that my Prince Charming would love to ride motorcycles, have a soft spot for animals, and be strong like my father. When I got older, I realized I would have a better chance of finding the Holy Grail than the man I envisioned spending the rest of my life with.

  I didn’t know much about Wes yet, but I did know he was gorgeous, when his arms wrapped around me when I was crying, I felt sheltered, he loved riding, and he had a soft spot for animals. So far, he had more going for him than men I thought would be my perfect match.

  Wes’ hand coming to rest on top of mine lying against his stomach brings me out of my thoughts, and I feel that strange feeling in my chest again, the one that somehow makes me feel like I’m connected to him in a way that goes beyond this lifetime. When the bike starts to slow, I pull my face away from his back and look around, realizing we arrived at his clubhouse.

  Earlier today, we dropped off Capone and his truck at his place, which was about ten minutes from my house. He lived in one of the newer apartment buildings in town. My friend Ken lives in the same building, so I know the kitchens are open, with granite and stainless steel, and the rooms are all large enough that you don’t feel like you are in an apartment. When we arrived at his place, I declined going inside and waited near his bike. He took Capone inside and came back out a few minutes later with his helmet.