Rooter (Double H Romance)

by Smith, Teiran

  I turn away and nod, unable to face him. Surely I’m about to learn something super embarrassing.

  “Nothing.”

  I gasp and look back at him. “What?”

  “It was so cute.” He kisses the palm of my hand. “You were staring at my cock with eyes wide as saucers and then you passed out cold.”

  “Oh my God,” I groan and roll over and bury my head in my pillow.

  “Babe, it’s a good thing you passed out because I honestly don’t know how I would’ve stopped if you’d touched me.”

  “I’m never drinking again,” I groan into the pillow.

  “Hey,” he rubs my shoulder, “look at me.”

  I turn my head to face him, but stay on my stomach. His lips are curled up into a reassuring smile. He delicately skims the small of my back with his callused hand.

  “Don’t be embarrassed.”

  “I’m not embarrassed. I’m mortified,” I admit.

  “Sophie, you have nothing to be embarrassed about. Last night was one of the best nights of my life.”

  I start to argue the point, but the intense expression he’s wearing conveys that he means what he’s saying. And truthfully, I just want to drop the subject altogether. “I need coffee.”

  He smiles, gets up from the bed and holds his hand out for me. I don’t know why after everything that happened last night, but I suddenly become shy. He smiles knowingly and walks to his chest of drawers and retrieves a t-shirt and a pair of his sweat pants and lays them on the bed next to me.

  “I’ll put a pot on.”

  After pulling on the baggy clothes, I go across the hall to the bathroom. I’m a complete mess. My hair is ratted, my makeup is smudged and there are streaks of black mascara all over my face. I’d brush my hair, but can’t find a brush or comb with which to do it. So I drag my fingers through it to smooth is out as best I can.

  I wash my face and without thinking, use Rooter’s toothbrush to brush my teeth. I’ve never used anyone’s toothbrush. I always thought it was disgusting when couples did that. Being with Rooter is changing me in a lot of ways.

  Rooter’s house is immaculate. The décor is masculine, but there aren’t any lame posters of motorcycles of half dressed women on the walls like I once imagined there would be. He has typical, but nice, bachelor-esque furniture; black leather sectional, huge flat screen television.

  He sits at his dining room table drinking a cup of orange juice. A coffee mug sits in front of the coffee maker for me, along with milk and sugar.

  “I don’t have creamer,” he says and points to the milk and sugar. “Will that be okay?”

  “It’s perfect,” I smile and pour the coffee into the mug. “Thank you.”

  His kitchen and dining room have obviously been renovated. The cabinets and granite counter tops weren’t in style when this house was built. He has brand new, top of the line stainless steel appliances including a gas stove with a surface for grilling.

  “I was thinking about making breakfast. Would you like some?”

  “That would be great.”

  Rooter strolls into the kitchen and kisses the side of my head on his way to the refrigerator.

  “I used your toothbrush,” I admit with a shy smile. “I hope that’s okay.”

  He shrugs like it’s no big deal. “Sure.”

  I watch him in awe as he moves around the kitchen shirtless. This man truly is an Adonis. No. He’s so much better. He’s a God, a demon, and an angel in one.

  “Can I help with anything?” I ask.

  “No. Enjoy your coffee,” he smiles and turns a burner on to fry some bacon.

  Dopey comes over and lays at my feet at the dining room table. I sink back into my chair and take a sip of the coffee. The first sip is always the best. The warmth of the liquid is soothing. I’d close my eyes, but I can’t take my eyes off of Rooter. His muscles constrict with every movement he makes. I feel a strong urge to go to him and trace his tattoos with my fingertips. And then I see the purple mark above the waistline of his jeans. My mouth was on his skin. Right there. I’d like to put it there again.

  Rooter chuckles. “Penny for your thoughts?”

  My face goes up in flames and I look down at my coffee mug.

  A few minutes later, he comes into the dining room with two plates and places one in front of me before taking a seat across from me. I take a bite of the bacon and close my eyes, savoring the flavor. I rarely ever get to have bacon. It’s a luxury I can’t afford.

  “This is so good,” I mutter. “Thank you.”

  The corners of his eyes crinkle when he smiles. “You’re welcome.”

  As I take another bite, I hear a motorcycle fire up. My head snaps toward my driveway.

  “Bear stayed with Miranda?” I gasp and turn to Rooter in shock.

  “Yep.” He takes a bite of his fried egg.

  My mouth hangs open. That’s not like her at all.

  Rooter chuckles. “Apparently we ruthless bikers have rubbed off on both of you.”

  “Apparently.” She and I are going to have a very interesting talk when I get home.

  “My parents are having a cookout this afternoon,” he says casually. “Mom texted and asked me to come.”

  I don’t know why he feels he needs to run it by me. Unless it’s because Candace will be there. Reading my expression he speaks before I can even ask the question.

  “Candace won’t be there.”

  I sigh with relief. “Good.”

  “I’d like for you to come with me.”

  My eyes go wide. “To meet your parents?”

  He shrugs and takes another bite. “Yeah, why not?”

  “Okay.” We eat in silence as thoughts about meeting his parents bombard my mind. I hadn’t thought I’d meet them so soon. “Should I get dressed up?”

  He shakes his head. “It’s just a backyard cookout, hamburgers, hot dogs. We’ll ride over on the bike.”

  Great, I’ll meet his parents with helmet head. And then I remember, they’re bikers too. Dressing up would be to them the equivalent of helmet head to most others.

  “What time?” I ask and push some egg around my plate.

  “We need to leave in an hour.”

  We pull up to his parent’s house right on time. The quaint log house sits back off the road on a wooded lot. A huge pond wraps around three quarters of it. The garage is open with a screen door leading to the backyard where I hear classic rock playing in the background. Rooter takes my hand and leads me through the garage to the backyard.

  A beautiful, exotic looking woman with long dark hair is watering the flowers in a nearby garden. The same woman I’ve seen at his house I the past. A girl who looks a lot like her is laying on a chaise lounge in her bikini. Rooter leads me to the woman whom I assume is his mother. Her eyes light up when she sees the two of us. She meets us halfway and wraps her arms around Rooter.

  “Hey sweetie,” she says with a thick Puerto Rican accent and squeezes him. When she pulls away to face me, her smile is genuine. “You must be the reason he’s missed the last few Sunday dinners.”

  I look sideways at Rooter. Sunday dinners?

  “I’m Sophie,” I hold my hand out to her, but instead she pulls me in for a hug. And not a typical, quick, nice to meet you hug. She wraps her arms around me and squeezes me the same way she did Rooter. “I’m so happy to meet you.” She pulls away. “I’m Camilla, but call me Mama.”

  The girl who was in the chaise lounge sprints toward us with a shocked expression. “Rooter, what do we have here?” She asks with a mischievous grin.

  “This is Sophie—” Rooter starts, but she cuts him off before he can finish the introduction.

  “I’m Isabel, but everyone calls me Isa.”

  Camilla and Isabel seem a little over excited about meeting me. I can only guess it’s because they didn’t know about me.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Isa.” I extend my hand.

  “We don’t shake hands in this family,” she
says and pulls me in for a quick hug and then hugs her brother. I think I hear her whisper to him, “Good choice,” but I can’t be sure.

  Rooter leads me to the deck next to the pond and we sit side by side on a wicker couch. Isa takes a seat on the other side of him.

  “I’ll go get Papa,” Camilla says and disappears into the house.

  Rooter smiles at me and squeezes my leg.

  “Did you wear a bathing suit?” Isa asks me and I shake my head. “You can borrow one of mine when you’re ready to get in,” she says casually and points at the manmade beach leading to the pond on the other side of the deck.

  A few minutes later, Camilla comes out of the house followed by a tall man with grayish-blonde hair. I recognize Rooter’s father from pictures I’ve seen in the paper and on the news. He looks at Rooter, then to me, and back a Rooter again and gives him what appears to be a nod of approval.

  Upon his approach, Rooter stands to greet him so I follow suit.

  “Pop, this is Sophie.” He smiles proudly.

  “Hey pretty lady,” his father says to me with a smile, “I’m Mick, but everyone here calls me Papa.” He opens his arms for a hug. When he hugs me, it’s in the same manner as Camilla.

  “It’s nice to meet you.” I look at him with a smile. His eyes are blue, but they’re kind like Rooter’s.

  The great thing about Rooter’s family is they don’t bombard me with a thousand questions to get to know me. Instead, we sit on the deck and make small talk. Camilla talks about her passion for gardening, which is evident as I take in their expansive lawn. Rooter and Mick talk about an old Harley they’re rebuilding together. Isa, talks about school and the boy she just broke up with and Mick chimes in calling him a “little weasel.” Rooter tells me if the boy hadn’t been underage, he would’ve relocated his fifth appendage.

  The only question asked is by Camilla

  “So, how did you two meet?” She looks back and forth between me and Rooter.

  “Sophie lives next door,” Rooter explains.

  “Lucky you,” Mick says to Rooter and winks.

  Rooter chuckles and nods in agreement.

  “We’re very happy to meet you, Sophie,” Camilla says and touches the top of my hand.

  A couple hours pass and I become more and more comfortable with everyone. They all listen intently as I tell them a little about myself. I’ve been corrected a few times when addressing his parents by their first names rather than Mama or Papa.

  After getting to know everyone, we decide to take a dip in the pond before lighting up the grill. Isa leads me to her bedroom to get a swimming suit. The moment she closes the door she turns to me and says, “There’s something you need to know.”

  Chapter 29

  Sunday Dinner

  I hope this is the part where Isa tells me Rooter has never brought a girl home. But the intense expression she’s wearing tells me it’s likely something much more important.

  “What is it?” I ask.

  Isa leads me by the arms over to her bed and has me sit next to her. “Something tells me you don’t quite understand the significance of my brother bringing you here today.”

  Maybe I was right after all and I am the first girl he’s brought home. “To meet all of you, I guess.”

  She laughs and shakes her head. “Honey, if that’s all he was doing, he could’ve done it on a Tuesday.”

  “I’m not following you.” I furrow my brow. “Is there something special about today?” Maybe it’s someone’s birthday, or an anniversary.

  When she speaks, she uses her hands to emphasize her words. “Sunday dinners at the Russo house are more sacred than Catholic mass at the Vatican. They’re for family only. No friends, no acquaintances. Just family.”

  Now I get it. “Oh. I shouldn’t be here.”

  She shakes her head again. “Honey, you’re not getting it. He didn’t bring you here to meet the family. His bringing you here today signifies that he’s bringing you into the family.”

  I gasp and choke on the air. Isa pats my back. “What?”

  “Looks like I have a new sister.” She smiles and hops to her feet. “Thought you might like to know.”

  I sit slack-jawed trying to process what she just said. “Wait Isa, are you saying he’s going to propose?”

  She laughs again. “Well, I don’t know about that, but if he’s asking us to welcome you into the family he might as well.”

  “Oh my God.” I lay my head in my hands. Is she serious? We haven’t even been together a month! I inhale a deep breath and count to ten.

  Isa tosses me a red bikini and pair of shorts. “We’ll be downstairs… sis.” She smirks and leaves me alone in the bedroom.

  I take a few minutes to collect my thoughts before changing into the bikini. The top is a little big since I’m not blessed with Isa’s Puerto Rican curves, so I tie it as tight as I can to make it work. When I make it back outside, Rooter and Mick are sitting side by side on the deck, engrossed in what appears to be a serious conversation. I can hear what they’re saying from the doorway so I pause to listen.

  “Of course, son,” Mick says and shoulder bumps Rooter. “She seems great and sure is pretty.”

  “Yes, she is.”

  “But I gotta say, I thought I’d never see this day come.”

  “Me either, pop.” Rooter pats Mick on the back. “There’s just something about her.”

  “Hey, Sophie!” Isa hollers and waves at me from the pond.

  I wave back and step out onto the deck. Rooter and his dad turn around to see me.

  “If I was twenty years younger and single, you’d have some serious competition, boy.” Mick bumps Rooter in the shoulder and laughs raucously.

  Rooter holds his hand out for me. “This one’s all mine.” He smiles and pulls me onto his lap.

  After dinner, I help Camilla and Isa clean up while the boys go out on the deck to talk. I wash the dishes, Isa dries, and Camilla puts away leftovers. The sliding doors are closed so I can’t hear what they’re saying, but Rooter keeps looking through them, smiling at me.

  “Isa told me she explained to you the importance of today,” Camilla says.

  I’m glad she brought it up. I wasn’t sure whether or not Isa was exaggerating. “She did.”

  “I can’t tell you how happy I am that my boy brought you here today.”

  “Me, too.” Isa chimes in. “I was seriously getting worried he’d try to bring Candace into the family.”

  Camilla swats Isa on the shoulder and shoots her a look.

  “What?” Isa returns the look to her mother. “If she doesn’t already know about Candace, she will soon enough.”

  “I know all about her,” I grumble and then remember Rooter telling me how she’s considered family to the club.

  “If you have any trouble with her, you let me know,” Camilla says. “You’re family now and she knows better than to mess with family.”

  Camilla’s statement moves me beyond words. She has known Candace her entire life while she’s only known me a handful of hours and yet she’s willing to defend me against her.

  “Thank you, Camilla.”

  She swats me on the shoulder. “It’s Mama!”

  “Sorry,” I blush and just about drop the soapy plate in my hand. “Thank you, Mama.”

  When we pull into Rooter’s driveway I spy Bear’s Harley in mine. Things are definitely moving fast with him and Miranda.

  “My family loves you,” Rooter says chin up, chest out after we dismount his bike. He’s beaming with pride.

  “I think they’re pretty great, too.” I smile up at him. “I’m glad you took me.”

  He scratches his head and rocks back and forth on his feet suddenly appearing nervous. “Isa told me she spoke with you.”

  “You mean in regards to the significance of taking me to the Russo Sunday family dinner?”

  He stands with his hands in his pockets. “Yeah.”

  “I would’ve rather you told me.” />
  He kicks at a beer bottle cap on the floor. “I was afraid you would think it’s too soon and refuse to go.”

  “Everything about us is happening really fast,” I admit, “but, it has been a year in the making. So…” my voice trails off.

  Rooter closes the distance between us and leans his forehead on mine. “I want to give you all the things you don’t have. You have a family now, Sophie.”

  His words nearly bring tears to my eyes. “I don’t know what to say.”

  Rooter places his hands on both sides of my face and brings his lips to mine slowly for a tender, closed mouth kiss. I rest my hands on his sides and he places delicate kisses on my cheeks, nose, and eyelids. His breathing has picked up and when his lips find mine again, he skims my bottom lip with his tongue asking for entrance. He continues to hold my face in his hands and kisses me so. Very. Gently. His tongue caresses mine slowly, softly. It’s as though we’re making love with our mouths. I moan and fall flush against his body.

  He takes me by the hand and leads me into his house. I’m left in a daze from his kiss and can’t take my eyes off of him. But Dopey comes loping toward us and jumps up on him, taking his attention away from me.

  “I’ll be right back,” he gives me an apologetic smile and takes the dog outside.

  I stand in place, unable to move, until they return. Rooter takes my hand once again and leads me to his room. He turns on his bedside lamp and stands before me for a long moment, staring longingly into my eyes. He pulls his shirt over his head then tugs at mine. I raise my arms up and allow him to pull it over my head. My stomach does back flips.

  This is happening. Rooter’s going to make love to me.

  There was a time, right after the rape when I thought I’d never want to be touched by any man, ever again. But in this moment, I’m absolutely sure I want Rooter. And even though we haven’t been together very long, I don’t want to wait. I crave the touch of his hands and the kiss of his mouth. I want to know what it feels like to be made love to. By him. I want to be his in every single way.