I beamed back at him and offered him a one-shouldered shrug.
He grinned in response, shaking his head.
Ettie and Connie pulled me into the fun and we danced our asses off until the set ended, and we all turned to find our men.
I navigated through the crowd as I made my way toward Ry, a slow sexy grin lighting up his face when he saw my intent. In a black tee, Levis, and motorcycle boots, he was so handsome, my knees weakened at the sight.
Once I reached him, his hands planted themselves firmly on my hips and he propelled me backward until my back hit the nearest wall. His hands moved beneath my thighs, lifting me so I straddled his hips as his mouth crushed down on mine.
I didn’t have the brainpower to care that we were putting on a show for whoever cared to watch. I was too busy pulling him closer, digging my fingers further into his thick hair.
He broke away from my lips, his teeth grazing my neck, making my whole body shiver. “Your friends staying tonight?” he demanded, his voice ragged.
“Hm mmm,” I managed, with a nod.
“We’re staying at my place then,” he concluded.
“I have the dogs…” I trailed off. I didn’t want Sam and the guys to have to take care of the dogs overnight.
“They can come,” he interjected.
I laughed at his enthusiasm. “All right.”
“‘Brown Eyed Girl,’ huh?” he quirked a brow, still holding my weight against the wall as he pulled back to look me in the eye.
“Yeah well, I may have had more whiskey than I should have and divulged that tidbit.” I blushed. “I wasn’t sure if you’d remember the song that was playing…” I trailed off.
“Are you fucking kidding?” he demanded. “I remember every detail of that night and every one after.”
“Me too,” I admitted.
“Pipe, come on!” Connie squealed from behind Ryker. “Ry, can you take baby out of the corner and let her come have a drink?” she demanded.
I burst out laughing, as he begrudgingly set me down.
She grabbed my hand, whisking me toward the girls with Ry at our heels.
*****
It was late by the time we’d swung by my place, collected the dogs, and made it to his apartment.
“You go on up, I’ll take them out,” he told me, indicating the dogs and handing me his keys.
“Okay,” I agreed gratefully. I was wiped.
I made my way into his apartment for the first time, looking around the barren space in surprise. The small kitchen was off to the right with the living room straight ahead, a simple couch and coffee table making up the space. There were no pictures, no color, and no mementos of any kind. It was so vapid while Ry had always been brimming with life. I looked around, surprised that this was his place.
I wandered down the hall, finding his room much the same. A large king-sized bed made up the space, and not much else. I didn’t want to think too long on the significance of that.
I got changed for bed as quickly as I could and crawled under the covers, which smelled blissfully like Ry.
Within seconds I was dead to the world.
Tank’s growling and barking woke me up. Ry was a step ahead of me and had already vaulted from bed and was throwing on his jeans.
“What is it?” I asked hoarsely.
“Don’t know. Stay there,” he ordered, stalking from the room with both dogs at his heels.
When I heard a woman’s voice I ventured out cautiously, clad only in Ry’s t-shirt.
“What the fuck are you doin’ here, Cassidy?” Ry was demanding of the inebriated-looking brunette, who stood on the other side of the door. He was holding both dogs back, but they were noticeably calmer, not sensing a threat.
I, on the other hand, wasn’t so sure.
“Who the fuck’re you?” she demanded belligerently once she got a look at me.
Ry shot me what looked like an annoyed glance that I hadn’t stayed put.
“She’s my girl,” Ry answered for me, letting the dogs go so they could run back to me. “And I’m pretty fucking sure you don’t want to mess with her, she’s possessive as all hell.” He shot me a meaningful look, his eyes aimed at the claw marks on my neck. They had faded quite a bit, but not fast enough for my liking.
I glared at him, my arms crossed over my chest
“Your girl? I thought you ‘didn’t do relationships?’” she demanded, throwing her fingers into lopsided quotation marks.
“I do for her,” he responded easily.
The girl looked me over from head to toe. I straightened my spine under her scrutiny and braced for whatever heartwarming comment I was sure she was drumming up.
“She’s not even that pretty,” she scoffed.
There it was.
I watched Ryker’s spine stiffen and jaw clench. “You blind?” he growled.
“Ry,” I murmured. “It doesn’t matter.”
He turned to me with narrowed eyes. My man was seriously pissed. “Doesn’t matter?” he demanded. “You’re the most beautiful fucking woman I’ve ever seen and it doesn’t matter?”
I looked him in the eye. “That right there is why, babe. I know you feel that way. So no, it doesn’t matter. Not to me. What do I care what she thinks?” I scoffed, gesturing to the swaying girl, who was looking more and more confused. “Call her a cab and come back to bed.”
He turned to the brunette, pointing a finger at her. “You were one night, she’s forever.” He gestured to me and my eyes popped wide in shock at his declaration. “Don’t ever disrespect her again. You do, you answer to me and you do not want that. My girl’s feeling charitable, so I’ll call you a cab, make sure your drunk ass gets home okay. Go park yourself on my curb and wait. After that, I don’t ever want you at my door. Got it?”
She looked up at him blearily and nodded once before her face disappeared behind the door Ryker closed in her face.
“I can’t believe that bitch,” he fumed, locking the door and stalking to me. “When I tell you to stay put, you fucking stay put,” he ordered, getting into my space.
“Hey now.” I held up my hands, glaring at him. “It certainly didn’t sound like some security concern, and the dogs had calmed down. I figured it was safe to see which of your past treats had decided to show up.” I rolled my eyes. “And what a treat she was. You’ve got great taste, Ry,” I muttered.
He stepped even closer, tilting my chin up. “Yeah,” he murmured, his countenance softening as he stared down at me with meaning. “I do.”
I softened at that, letting him take my hand and lead me back to bed.
He placed a brief call to a cab company before turning his full attention back to me.
“You fell asleep on me earlier,” he accused, pulling the shirt I wore up over my head. “Want you to make it up to me.”
“Oh, do you now?” I quipped, breathless, as his hand ventured low.
“Yeah, I do,” he murmured.
I could work with that. Definitely.
Chapter 11
Over the next few weeks, I threw myself doubly into the boutique. I worked tirelessly and was motivated by Ry and the rest of the club, who came by every now and then to help. Ryker was there nearly every night doing whatever was needed, from sorting inventory to manual labor. The date of reopening had been set and it was just a few weeks off. Without his help I’d have been panicking. As it was I kept my anxiety to a somewhat minimum—on most days anyway.
I’d been to see my dad once, the first day he’d been allowed visitors. He looked much better, but he still seemed low and withdrawn. It had been a hard visit. The facility had suggested I wait a while longer until the next visit. Now, the date we’d discussed was upon me. I was both nervous and excited to see him.
“You want me to go with you tomorrow?” Ry asked that night, as I was locking up the store. “How about I drive you?” he continued, taking my hand as we walked to his bike parked at the curb.
“You don’t have to do th
at,” I replied, reaching for the helmet he held for me.
He kept it out of reach, so I had to look up at him. “I want to,” he answered without hesitation.
“Okay, thanks, babe.” I smiled warmly.
He drove to my place, where we’d spent every night together. Neither one of us spoke about what it would be like when my dad came home. We’d only been back together a short time, but I couldn’t imagine sleeping without him.
I kept telling myself we’d cross that bridge when we got to it.
“I’ll take the dogs out and then I gotta get with the guys. I’ll be late,” he informed me, as we walked through the front door. “One of the guys will do a drive-by. Keep the doors locked and the alarm on,” he ordered, as per usual.
I nodded.
Things with the Riders had been quiet—at least, there had been no more sightings—but the undercurrent of tension remained. Ry had been vigilant, rarely leaving me alone or without a “man on me,” as he called it.
“You good?” he asked, after he’d taken the dogs out.
“I’m good,” I confirmed, tilting my head up and smiling at my handsome man. He ran his hands over my hair and took my mouth in an all-too-brief kiss.
“You good with me wakin’ you up later?” He grinned with a raised brow.
He knew I loved it when he woke me up in the middle of the night. I also enjoyed the early morning wake-up sessions and everything in between. My expression clearly betrayed this fact.
“She’s good with it,” he muttered to himself with a smile, delivering one last kiss before he headed out.
My cell pinged with a text as I was contemplating dinner.
Bored at home. Is Ry gone too? Connie’s text asked.
Yeah, you’re welcome to come over.
I think I’ll do that. See you shortly!
“We’ll have some company after all, guys,” I told the dogs. “And that means I won’t feel like a crazy person talking to the two of you all night,” I added dryly.
The doorbell chimed soon after and the dogs ran for the door, barking excitedly.
“I picked up something along the way.” Connie winked with a smile toward Ettie after I’d opened the door to find them both on my front stoop. “Oh and this,” she added, as they each held up a bottle of wine with matching grins.
I laughed. “The more the merrier.” I smiled, gesturing for them to come inside. “Did you guys eat?”
“No, and I’m starving,” Connie replied.
“Pizza?” I suggested, already picking up the phone.
“Sure, sounds good,” she answered, looking at her phone. “Kat wants to come over too, but she’s wondering if it’s okay with the baby.”
“Of course,” I agreed, watching as Connie fired off a text. I hadn’t had the chance to spend much time with Kat and was looking forward to it.
Kat arrived with baby Wren in tow moments before the pizza arrived. Soon we were all settled around the living room, sipping drinks and eating.
“You look tired, babe,” Connie commented, looking Kat over.
Kat was gorgeous with dark hair and bright blue eyes. It was hard to believe she’d just had a baby, her body was so slim, but she did look tired.
“I have a newborn,” she replied simply. “I’ll sleep again someday.” She sighed wistfully.
“You want us to watch her, so you can go upstairs and take a nap?” I offered.
She gave me a wan smile. “I probably should take you up on that, but I’d much rather hang out with you guys. I don’t get out much these days. Between Wren and Sal in über-protective mode, I’m feeling a bit claustrophobic.”
“Who’s out front?” I asked, knowing one of the guys must be.
“Blue,” Kat replied, referring to one of the prospects.
I nodded. “Poor guy, he gets stuck with me a lot. Ry made him go to the market with me the other day. I think he just about passed out when I bought tampons.” I giggled.
“Oh I do that just to fuck with him all the time.” Connie grinned. “The other day, I bought this huge thing of lube just to see how red he could get. Turns out it was really red,” she shared, as we all laughed. “Wes thought I was just feeling insanely horny when I came home with it.”
I doubled over, laughing so hard I had to catch my breath.
“Poor guy.” Kat grinned, no sympathy in her tone as she cradled Wren in her arms.
“I’ll hold her while you eat,” Ettie spoke up, gesturing for Kat to hand the baby over.
“You sure? Thank you.” Kat sighed, gratefully, placing Wren carefully in Ettie’s arms. “I love her so much, but I never knew how much I’d appreciate getting a spare second to do something as simple as eat!”
“You’re doing great, babe. How’s Sal holding up?” Connie asked.
Kat smiled, her eyes lighting up at the mention of her husband. “He’s a wonderful dad. He gets up with her in the middle of the night. He dotes on her. He’s been home a lot more, which I love; but, I don’t like how tight he’s wound.”
“All the guys are.” Ettie nodded. “This shit with the Riders is gonna come to a head one way or another and we all know how protective our men are.”
“Wes and I were trying for a baby,” Connie broke in quietly, her typical jovial behavior somber, which was surprising.
“What do you mean were?” I asked carefully.
She bit her lip, her blue eyes shining suddenly with unshed tears. “He doesn’t want to anymore—not right now. He’s too wound up about everything going on.”
“Oh, honey,” Ettie replied quietly, reaching over to grasp her friend’s knee. “This will blow over soon. Then you can start again.”
Connie shook her head. “It’s an excuse. I don’t know if he wants to have kids. This isn’t the first time he’s changed his mind,” she admitted, as Ettie and I exchanged a look, neither knowing what to say.
“He’ll come around,” Kat assured her.
“Well he better because I’m pregnant.” She groaned, her head in her hands.
“What?” Kat exclaimed, moving to put her arm around Connie’s shoulders.
“That short time we were trying must have worked,” she told us, scraping her fingers through her hair before sitting up, her eyes bright with anguish.
“How long have you known?” I asked, placing a hand on her knee, as Kat’s arm remained around her shoulders.
“A few days,” she replied.
“Honey, it’s gonna be okay. It sounds like he just has a bit of stage fright. This is the real deal, he’ll come around,” Kat repeated. “He loves you and he’ll love this baby.”
“God, I hope so,” she sighed, wiping her face. “Because I want this, badly,” she emphasized.
“Of course you do. You’ll be a wonderful mama.” I smiled.
She gave me a watery smile. “Thanks. I know I have to tell him soon. I’m just… working up to it.”
“Better tell him before you start throwing up all over the place,” Kat quipped. “He might figure it out for himself by that point.”
Connie snorted. “Wes isn’t the most observant guy. I don’t think he’d put two and two together until I had a full-on belly or placed a baby in his arms. But yeah, I’ll tell him soon. Can we talk about something else now?” she pleaded.
“Sure, honey,” Kat agreed, giving her one final squeeze before removing her arm.
We moved the topic of conversation to lighter fare until Kat had to take Wren home. Connie, Ettie, and I settled in on the couches and turned on a movie.
“Tink,” Ry’s quiet voice woke me sometime later.
I opened my eyes, looking around disoriented. Wes and Mack were standing over their women, also trying to stir them.
“Sorry, we fell asleep.” I yawned.
“Clearly.” He grinned. “You feeling okay?”
I nodded. “Just tired, I guess.”
“Let’s get you up to bed,” he replied, helping me to stand up and wrapping a strong arm around my wais
t.
“You good?” he asked Wes and Mack.
They both offered chin lifts, hoisting their women up, preparing to take them home. “I’ll swing by and get Connie’s ride tomorrow,” Wes replied.
“Night, ladies.” I waved to my friends, as Ry propelled me from the room.
I got ready for bed while Ry locked up the house and let the dogs out. He’d taken over as the head of household so seamlessly, I wasn’t even aware it happened. It was as natural as breathing to him.
I crawled into bed, curling into him when he joined me.
He wrapped his arm around me. “You ready for tomorrow?” he asked quietly.
“I think so,” I replied.
“Well, however it goes, I’ll be there,” he assured me.
I looked up at his handsome face and smiled. “I know, babe. That’s why I’m not worried about it.”
His expression softened and he kissed my forehead. “Night, babe.”
“Night, Ry.” I sighed, burrowing closer, loving his warmth and strength.
Chapter 12
“Babe,” Ry’s deep voice sounded, as I sifted through boxes in the garage the next morning.
“What? I need to sort these—maybe there’s stock for the store, or stuff I should send to my mom’s family,” I explained.
“Babe,” he repeated, leaning in the doorway, his arms crossed as he watched me patiently. “How long have you been down here?”
I wrinkled my nose. “A while,” I admitted.
“Since before the sun came up, I know that much.” He chuckled, moving to my side and offering a hand up.
I took it, leaving behind the Tupperware bin I’d been sorting through.
He led me back into the house, where I smelled coffee and bacon.
I looked at him in surprise. “You made bacon?”
Ry only cooked on rare occasions.
He threw an arm around my shoulders, as the dogs clambered over to greet us. “Yeah, Tink, I figured today was a day for bacon.”
“You figured right,” I murmured, as he sat me down at the table.
“What exactly is it that you’re so nervous about, baby?” he pressed lightly, as he placed a warm cup of coffee in front of me. Just the way I liked it—black with two sugars.
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