by Debra Kayn
She looked into his eyes as if begging him to understand. He pulled her to him, holding her tight.
Damn right, he understood.
She never said the word love, and he sure in the hell wasn't planning to say it. He'd promised her a day at a time, and she'd accepted those conditions. She stuck by him, accepted the club, accepted him, and accepted his need to protect her. She gave him her trust, and he'd already done her wrong by keeping the truth from her.
Her body relaxed into him, and Remmy tightened his hold, his heart thumping in his full chest. There was no turning back. She was his woman, and he wasn't going to let her go.
"I like hearing that, lady," he murmured. "All you need to think about is us. I don't give a shit about your past. You have a right to feel the way you feel. There's no judgment coming from the club or me if you want to roll with your feelings. It's nobody's business on how you act or go about your life, except it's my business...and I appreciate hearing what's going through your head."
She gazed up at him and her brows lowered. "I probably should've kept it to myself for a while, but I wasn't expecting you back. Why are you here?"
He chuckled. "Because I want you to go to Pitnam with me."
"Whoa." She sucked in her breath. "But this is club business."
"And as my woman, you're a Bantorus woman." He kissed her hard and came back licking his lip, which tasted like ice cream. He rubbed his thumb over her upper lip, grinning. "Grab a duffle out of the closet and put an extra set of clothes in there and whatever else you need to make yourself pretty. We need to roll."
"Four days and one set of clothes?" She rubbed her mouth with the back of her hand.
He turned her around, slapped her ass to get her moving, and said, "If you need more than that, the Pitnam women will give you clothes."
Natalie bent at the waist, rummaging at the bottom of the closet. He tilted his head, taking in the hip to waist ratio. Whether it was the borrowed shorts or the fact that she'd gained a little weight over the last few weeks, her ass was hot.
She half turned. Her hair scattered in all directions from her wild foray into the closet. To him, she never looked more beautiful.
"Shit. I forgot about my class." She straightened. "I can't go."
"You're going because I'm going, and I'm not leaving you behind." He took out his phone. "I'll text Sawyer and have him contact the women to reschedule your class for the day after we get back."
She raked her teeth over her bottom lip. "Okay. I guess that'll work. Have him tell the women that we'll go back to the regular scheduled class after that."
He typed into the phone. "Let's get a move on. The others are waiting for us down the interstate."
Ten minutes later, Natalie walked with him outside, holding his hand. He squeezed her fingers, excited for the ride.
"We're riding hard, because we need to make up time I took coming back to get you." He stopped by his Harley, strapped her bag on the back of his bike, since the satchels were full of his supplies, and handed over her helmet. "You're going to get tired and your legs could cramp. Don't start wiggling around, because we'll be traveling fast. I can't have any unexpected movement. If you become too restless, scratch my stomach, and let me know."
Her eyes widened in excitement beneath the helmet. "Okay."
"Or scratch whatever you can reach." He wiggled his brows.
Her eyelids closed and when she looked back up at him, her warm gaze left him groaning. He could read her mind, and he liked what she was thinking.
He swung his leg over the leather seat and put out his hand to guide Natalie on behind him. He'd had her wear jeans and on the way out, he'd taken one of Risa's leather jackets off the rack in the hallway for her to borrow on the ride. She'd be glad for the uncomfortable clothing by tonight when she wasn't suffering from sunburn and her sensitive skin wasn't wind chapped.
He turned and gazed up at the clubhouse, spotted Sawyer, and lifted his chin. The kid proved to be a devoted and trusted member over the last year. Sawyer pumped his hips back and forth, giving Remmy a thumb up at his decision to come back for Natalie. Remmy flipped him off and started the bike. The kid reminded him a lot of himself when he was younger. Always thinking about pussy, and enjoying the benefits of the club bitches.
He pulled out of the parking lot, and set his course. In eight hours, he'd be back on his homeland, seeing his family, and introducing them to his woman. The news about his new status would shock them.
Hell, he was shocked, but he had a good feeling that he was doing the right thing.
Chapter Fourteen
The back of Natalie's legs vibrated. Her ass numbed by the eight-hour ride no longer hurt, because she couldn't feel a thing. The muscles in her calves protested before she even attempted to move her boots off the pegs. Her stomach growled. Normally, she could go hours, even a full day, without eating.
She craved ice cream, a sub sandwich, a spoon and a jar of peanut butter. She groaned in discomfort. A whole freaking cheesecake would make her feel wonderful.
"You have to climb off, so I can stand, and we can go inside and join the others," Remmy said.
She leaned forward against his back. "Nope. I'm going to sit here for a little longer. I'm not ready for the ride to end."
He chuckled, dropping his hands down to her thighs and rubbing. "After you go inside, have a beer and move around. Your legs will regain their strength."
"You lie," she whispered, exhaling loudly in resignation.
His body tensed and he half turned, scooping her up, and helping her off the bike before she could muster the strength. She clutched onto his arm as he followed her off the motorcycle, surprised that she didn't crumble on the spot.
Remmy stretched his back and grinned. She glared. Show off.
He practically lived on the Harley. Once she had some miles in her repertoire of experiences, she'd be fine too.
"Okay?" He stepped forward, putting his arm around her, and cupping her butt.
"I will be." She kissed him lightly, and then turned and looked over the area. "So this is your old club?"
The one story brick building sat on the edge of a good size town, off Main Street. The non-descript bar with a one-way see through glass door at the front looked like any other type bar she'd find along Interstate 5 that catered to an informal crowd. She turned her gaze and peered out into the parking lot. At least fifty motorcycles lined the front row.
A car pulled into the lot beside a quaint pink and white mobile coffee shack. On the roof, a sign read Tori’s Coffee Shack. Underneath the name, in scrolling letters, it read Free love advice with every cup.
"A coffee with tons of sugar sounds great," she said.
Remmy kissed the side of her forehead. "After you have a beer. Trust me, you need something to relax your body, not hype it up."
"Okay, let's go meet your family." She turned and wrapped her arm around his waist, more for moral support than physical.
He'd told her a little about how this Bantorus MC was the original, and changing times and the growth in membership made it possible to extend their territory. That's how Kurt and Remmy ended up starting the Federal Charter. She leaned against his side as they walked to the door. She still had no idea how Bantorus chose the officers in the MC, but Remmy was the oldest member in Federal.
Remmy stopped and planted his boots on the ground. She looked up at him and found him staring toward the rear of the building.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"A whole fucking lot." He veered her away from the door.
A gorgeous young woman with flowing blonde locks, wearing thigh high boots, cutoff shorts and a halter-top, stood a few feet from the back wall, hands on hips, and mouth moving. Natalie whistled softly. That was one pissed off girl.
The girl caught sight of Remmy, glanced at the back of the bar, and hurried around the corner and jumped into Remmy's arms. Natalie stepped away to keep from being hit by a swinging limb as the girl gave Remmy the world's
biggest hug.
"What's wrong, Lilly?" Remmy put her back on the ground.
"Nothing." Lilly kissed his cheek with a loud smack. "You're back!"
Remmy set her down, held her head, and cussed under his breath. "You've been crying."
Lilly rolled her eyes and pulled away. "Allergies, Uncle Remmy. What would I have to cry over? I'm enjoying summer break. I've got a killer job now that mom's let me take over running the coffee shack and in one more year, I'll finish my schooling and get dad off my back."
Ink walked out from behind the building, rubbing the back of his neck, and ignoring Remmy, Lilly, and Natalie. Except Lilly's gaze followed the biker and she lost her smile for a split second before she recovered.
Natalie recognized the problem, but she wasn't sure Remmy would notice the longing and hurt in Lilly's expression. She moved forward and stuck out her hand. "Let me see if I got this right. You're Lilly, your dad is the president, and your mom is the very beautiful Tori...who has an equally gorgeous daughter. You."
Lilly blinked. "Uh, who are you?"
"Sweetheart, be nice," Remmy whispered. "This is my woman, Natalie."
"Your woman?" Lilly looked over Natalie again. "Since when?"
"Since it's none of your business, little girl." Remmy exhaled loudly. "You okay?"
"Yeah, yeah." Lilly waved her hand, shrugging off his concern, and smiled at Natalie. "You caught Uncle Remmy. Go, you."
Natalie laughed. "I guess I did."
Lilly jumped, full of energy, squeezed both Remmy and Natalie's arms, and smiled an almost seductive, perfect smile. "I need to go check in with dad, but I'll find you later. I want to talk to you about coming and visiting Federal before summers over. I have a week in early September before classes start."
"Too much shit happening." Remmy shook his head. "He's not going..."
Lilly jogged off without letting Remmy finish. Natalie puffed out her cheeks and wondered if she ever had that much energy.
"Why in the hell would she want to go to Federal?" Remmy muttered.
Natalie leaned into him. "I think her and Ink have something going on between them."
"Jesus Christ. Lilly's only twenty one years old. Ink's...I don't know, thirty." Remmy ran his hand through his hair. "Whatever's going on, I don’t want to hear it, because it ends now. It's against the rules."
"What is?"
Remmy frowned. "Lilly's the prez's daughter. Bantorus members can't touch her."
"What will happen if something develops between them?"
"Rain will kill Ink. It's against club rules, and she knows it. Ink knows it." Remmy sighed. "Come on, let's go in. And, keep an eye out for Ink. He makes one move on Lilly, and his ass is mine, because I want at him before Rain puts him six feet under."
She glanced at Remmy to see if he was joking. The lines on his face, and the hardness around his mouth told her he was serious. She liked Ink. She certainly didn't want him killed.
Inside the bar, the chatter dimmed upon their entrance. She squeezed Remmy's waist, realizing everyone in the place turned and gawked at them.
"Jesus, nothing ever changes here." He looped his arm around Natalie's shoulders. "I still have a way of walking into the bar and getting all the attention."
A gorgeous blonde woman around Natalie's age walked across the room, her high-heeled boots clicked against the floor. "I never thought I'd see the day you returned with a woman at your side, my friend."
Remmy leaned over and accepted the woman's hug. "Good to see you, sweetheart."
"Same here," the woman whispered, smiling happily.
"Tori..." Remmy pulled Natalie tight against his side. "This is my woman, Natalie. Nat, this is Tori, she's Rain's old lady...wife to the president."
Natalie held out her hand. "It's very nice to meet you."
"Honey, it's wonderful to meet you." Tori glanced between Remmy and Natalie. "I'm so happy for you both."
Remmy half turned, raising his voice, and spoke over the crowd. "Where's my favorite girl I came all this way to see?"
A woman, dressed in a skintight mini-dress giggled—belying her age. A man helped the older woman out of the chair and with his arm around her, walked her to Remmy. Natalie's arm on Remmy slipped and he held her tighter as jealousy washed over her. The woman, though timid in movements had the comfortable gaze of a woman who knew Remmy intimately. Gorgeous with short graying hair and heavily lined eyes that hid the laugh lines, she was not shy about ogling Remmy.
Remmy tilted the woman's face, his thumb caressing her cheek. "Nat...this is Ginger, one of my closest friends who've stuck by me through the years."
Friend? She didn't think so. More like one of the women who made herself available to him if he snapped his fingers.
Natalie counted to five, plastered on a smile, and said, "Hello."
Ginger finished hugging Remmy and turned her gaze to Natalie. "You're a lucky woman. Hold on to him tightly."
She nodded, unsure what to say. Remmy claimed her in biker style, but she was still getting used to the rules and lifestyle. She certainly wasn't holding him down until she knew what the future held.
"Brother." The big man beside Ginger clasped Remmy's hand. "Good to have you back. We've missed your kind of trouble around here."
Ginger elbowed the man and laughed. "Be nice."
Remmy joined in the amusement. "Missed you, Jedman."
"Fuck, man, you missed the competition for the ladies," Jedman stroked his beard, dodging Remmy's fist. "Prez wants you in the office. He said you can take your woman."
Remmy slapped Jedman's shoulder. "Thanks, man."
He guided Natalie through the throng of bikers. She returned smiles, while checking out the all the men in leather vest and questioning Remmy with looks. So many things were similar to the clubhouse in Federal. She had to remind herself that this wasn't her first time here.
The pictures on the wall of the MC members at rallies and get-togethers showcased familiarity and time spent together over the years. The understanding looks with the knuckle bumps and even the public displays of affection no longer took her by surprise.
"Right through here." Remmy knocked on the door, received a 'Yeah?' in answer, and pushed through the door.
A tall biker with long black and gray peppered hair straightened from the desk he leaned against and walked across the room. Remmy finally let go of her and clasped the man, filling the room with back slaps.
"Good to be back home, prez," Remmy said.
Natalie scooted away and took in the worn jeans, leather vest, and intent gaze coming from the head president. She knew without Remmy introducing her that this man was Rain Brookshire. He was as confident and powerful as Remmy described him. In much the same way as Kurt was in the Federal Charter. She crossed her arms and uncrossed them quickly, not wanting to appear nervous, but she was.
Remmy loved Pitnam and his family. She feared he'd want to stay, and she was starting over in Federal until she cleared up her problems with Will and money from Meghoni Mine started coming her way.
"Rain, this is Natalie." Remmy held out his hand and she walked to him. "My woman."
"She's sitting on your bike?" Rain's gaze softened.
Natalie sucked in her breath, because when the president lost the force behind his eyes, he was remarkably beautiful. She glanced at Remmy. Rain wasn't as handsome as Remmy—with his more laidback personality, but they both shared a toughness she'd never seen in other men. Robert, despite his façade he wore in front of others, lacked self-confidence.
These men oozed confidence, and that kind of personality was attractive on them.
"Yeah." Remmy tugged her closer and kissed her upturned lips. "She's on the back of my bike."
"Good news. Congratulations." Rain moved back to the edge of the desk. "We'll share a shot to celebrate before the meeting. Are you two staying in one of the cabins or hitting the hotel?"
"Cabin C." Remmy chuckled. "It'll be good to sleep in my old bed."
&
nbsp; A knock came behind Natalie. She jolted. Rain and Remmy's eyes came to her, and she made herself relax.
"Open the door," Rain said.
Remmy moved Natalie over to the side of the room, keeping his arm around her. Thankful for the support, she stuck beside him. Out of her comfort zone, she was afraid to say she was overwhelmed and have him think she wasn't excited to be here. She was, but the extended family was hard to take in all at once. She'd had Remmy mostly to herself, and now she had to share him.
An older man wearing a vest sans shirt with flames on his chest stood in the doorway, and Remmy left her side to hug the man. Then he stood back and both men punched each other's shoulders before going in for another backslapping hug.
"Good to have you home, brother," the man said.
"Nice to visit, but Federal's the place now." Remmy moved back to Natalie's side. "All of you old assholes settled down, and I needed to keep living."
The older man stepped forward, looked Natalie up and down, and grinned. "Looks like you're living pretty well to me."
Remmy laughed. "Natalie, this asshole in front of you is Torque. Torque, my woman...Natalie. Hands off and keep your eyes from straying, or I'll sic Brandy on you."
"You do that, man." Torque grinned. "Nice to meet you, sweetheart. I'm glad someone was able to settle my brother down."
"Oh," she said, looking up at Remmy. "Sounds like I haven't heard all the stories."
Remmy tightened his hold on her. "In the past, lady."
The men in the room grinned. She relaxed. The familiarity and teasing between them struck a chord. Her parents back in Delaware came from big families, even though she was an only child. Family reunions gave her that connection she needed growing up, much like the one Remmy received from his club.
"Meeting tonight after everyone gets caught up." Torque gazed at Remmy. "We'll put a prospect on your woman."
Remmy shifted and stood behind Natalie, wrapping his arms around her chest. She glanced over her shoulder at his movement and caught him mouthing something to Rain. She looked at Rain and he winked, but his mouth remained hard. They weren't in Federal anymore, and Will had no idea she'd left town, so why would she need guarded?