by Emma James
“It’s none of your business.” I point at him because he is still such a boy. I’m not even sure why he’s got himself hanging around a biker club. The kid looks more Harry Potter than a biker.
“Kitten has claws!” Romeo sounds delighted as he nudges one of the bikers who looks annoyed with the teenager.
Indistinct murmurings are floating around me from the other men as they watch, waiting to see how I react.
“Prez will be here soon, so how about you tell us your intentions.” Viper, the redheaded brother to Viking’s blond Nordic look, hikes both eyebrows up as though he’s got all the time in the world to wait for my answer.
Damn! I must have moved because I’m now facing this man. “Or what?” I clasp my hands in front of me to hide my increasing nerves. Bravado is not my middle name, but I know they must care for Torque to cage me in like this.
“Female’s got ‘tude,” Viking mutters, sounding impressed, his muscular arms now crossed over his chest, aiming for an intimidating pose.
I want to walk away, but I take a deep breath to ground myself. I force myself to keep eye contact with these men who look like their sole purpose is to interrogate me.
I note the other two bikers who haven’t opened their mouths. They’ve just been watching with amused looks on their faces. “You two got nothing you want to add?”
“Nope!” the two bearded bikers respond in unison.
“Well, to be flat-out honest with you men, I’m not sure what our intentions are towards each other.” And I don’t. I’m just going with the flow and not wanting to fight against the current.
“Prez isn’t a snuggler, but he was snuggling you,” Ice points out in a humorous accusing tone.
I eye every man surrounding me. I know they are playing with me and won’t hurt me. “I don’t usually go around snuggling men... ever.” On this particular occasion, maybe it was a part snuggle.
“You have a son, so you must have snuggled at some point?” Viper smirks and waggles his eyebrows.
“It’s been a long time between snuggles,” I reply, and it’s the truth, but I don’t need to explain the reason I let myself lean back into Torque’s chest. Their nosy questions have me wondering why I even allowed myself to lean against the man during the ceremony, other than it felt right. I welcomed Torque’s warmth, and he smelled so good. I like a lot about the man from the surface I have only scraped, but I’m not willing to admit this to these nosy men.
“We’ve not seen our prez behave like this. You are a first.” The Viking one watches me like I am an enigma to him, his brow slightly furrowed, his head tilted to one side.
“I don’t flirt, snuggle or date... as a rule—”
“But?” The man with the greenest eyes pushes his way into the group. He’s one of the groomsmen.
My mind instantly wonders where Torque is. I want to look for him, but I force myself to stay put.
The green-eyed guy’s suit jacket is off, and he too has rolled his sleeves up, revealing tattooed sleeves on both arms. His tie is now gone, and the first few buttons on his shirt are unbuttoned, revealing more tattoos.
“Drill, you been seeing what we been seeing?” Viking rumbles.
“Yup! I sure have been seein’ it. He’s sure got a thing for this one, and I don’t blame him, but I think this is none of our business, so I think we should be movin’ on out now and giving Flora some space.” He winks at me because he’s no doubt aware I’m Bowie’s mother. The man is a little fiercer looking than the other men with his closely shaved hair, but his wink softens his eyes, making me feel comfortable around him. “You all might want to break up this bird cage you have Flora in before Prez catches you... Yeah?”
I tend to agree with Drill.
“I, for one, could certainly do with a few beers,” Romeo pipes up.
“Kid, you won’t be drinking tonight, Prez has some duties for you to perform. If you are gonna get one in, you better do it now before he catches you.” Drill laughs, which softens his fierce look. “Please excuse me, Flora, I gotta go find my woman and my man.”
Oh, I didn’t see that coming.
Romeo heads toward the nearest canoe filled with adult drinks on ice, and the other men heed Drill’s words except for Viking the Vice President.
“I don’t want to leave you by yourself. Would you like a glass of champagne, Flora? I can get you whatever you need.”
“Oh, I am fine. I will help myself shortly. I might go freshen up in the bathroom for a bit.”
“Okay. I’ll let Torque know where you are when he gets here.” Viking eyes me up one more time as though I am a curiosity, he can’t work out and then walks away.
I head for my clutch and make it this time, scooping it up and swinging around to find the groomsman who stood next to Edge’s brother, holding his hand out for me to shake. He looks in his forties with a thick beard and eyebrows. His brown hair is tied back; it’s a look that suits him.
He sticks his hand out. “The name’s Hazard, president of the Soulless Bastards MC, and I don’t believe we’ve ever been formally introduced.”
My hand shoots out, grasping his firmly with my hand deliberately on top. One of the caterpillars over Hazard’s eye wriggles a little. I’ve learned to deal with some businessmen by showing them a stronger power handshake. “Why do I think you already know who I am?” I boldly question him. I don’t doubt he already knows my name; he’s just looking for an opening to chat with me.
I’m not sure if I impressed him with my body language, showing him I’m not some weak female or if I’m entertaining him the way the biker inclines his head, as though to say “touché” with an amused look tugging down the corner of his mouth.
“If we are going to be formal, my name is Flora Templeton. Do you have a surname, Hazard?”
“Not one you need to know just as yet.” His gravelly voice puts me in my place, leaving me feeling not as bold and a little awkward.
Another man appears breaking up the awkwardness that just sprouted up, looking like he could slide onto the set of The Three Musketeers and blend well—it’s the mustache and his hair.
“Blueblood, member of the Soulless Bastards MC at your service.” He bows dramatically and playfully twirls a finger at me like he’s brandishing a sword. “And you missy were spotted with the president of the Lion’s Den MC at the ceremony,” he states the obvious about his panoramic view from where he stood as one of the groomsmen. “So what gives? What spell have you put on our always-way-too-serious prez?”
“Blueblood, give it a rest.” Hazard sighs beside me.
“I shall not rest until this fair maiden tells me of her sorcery.” He folds his arms across his chest and watches me like he’s got all night to wait for my answer.
“No sorcery or witchcraft.” I leave it at that.
“I like you’re holding your cards close to your chest. You are sticking to your guns. Good on you! Could I interest you in a flute of French bubbly?” Blueblood switches tactics.
“Are you trying to butter me up with champagne and manners?” I question.
“Nope... not really, but a little alcohol could loosen those sweet lips of yours.” He grins broadly. “But seriously, would you like a drink?”
“I was actually on my way to freshen up.” I hold my clutch purse in the air. “I’ll get myself a drink on the way back, but thank you for asking.”
Hazard takes my comment as the cue that it is. “I’ll leave you to it, Flora, nice to formally meet you.” Hazard shakes his head at Blueblood. “I know when to leave well enough alone, but this one won’t take the hint so easily, but it’s his funeral.” He tilts his head toward Blueblood before heading off toward the grouping of the other men standing by the outdoor kitchen.
I decide to give Blueblood no choice. “Well, I’ll be going then too.” I try to side-step Blueblood, but instead of making my escape to the bathroom, another man steps in my way, holding two cans of beer dressed in the same suit as Blueblood—another of th
e groomsmen.
“There you go, Hermano.” Without taking his eyes off me, he hands one beer to Blueblood.
“Hello, there, belladama.” This guy looks barely thirty. He’s younger than Blueblood but carries himself with more authority. “I’m Lethal—”
“And that’s not a pick-up line,” Blueblood wages in cocking an eyebrow at me. “He is lethal,” he says a lot more seriously.
Is he warning me?
I’m curious as to why a man who looks more Wall Street businessman with dark brown short-back-and-sides and no tattoos—that I can see—in his matching groomsman suit has that title. But I’m not even going to ask.
“Poisons,” Blueblood volunteers. “Dude is good with killing you slooowly,” he says dramatically.
Lethal lets out a deep sigh. “Not trying to scare you, sweetheart. I studied biochemistry, and I know a thing or two about poisons, this is true. Haven’t had to take anybody down yet with my knowledge, but I would—”
Blueblood clears his throat. “I think you can leave it at that, brother. I probably shouldn’t have mentioned it. I was mouthing off.” The guy looks suitably guilty.
“So, you and Torque...?” Lethal trails off, hoping I will fill in the blanks. He’s very sure of himself, his intent stares unwavering, and that’s when I get a glimpse of the dangerous man that lies underneath the Wall Street appearance before he hides it by softening his look.
I’m a little over these two tag-teaming. “Okay, buddy, you might want to let me through. I owe none of you any explanations. I don’t even think I have any for you anyway.”
My back straightens. I feel a presence. I have this urge to look over my shoulder because I sense I’m getting watched.
I steal a glance. Torque’s standing with Hazard, listening to him, but his eyes are on me. Lethal and Blueblood are talking, but I don’t hear a word they are saying.
My heart performs a little happy dance, but at the same time, I have to think about Bowie. I was careful at the ceremony. It is going to be a lot harder here at the reception/party to role-play being Torque’s plus one.
The bond we both feel is real, and I find myself wanting to give in to the madness and enjoy my time with him, even if it is just for tonight, although this is something I am unsure of how to handle, so I decide to play it by ear and let Bowie know on a need-to-know basis. A few hours of a man’s company surrounded by a crowd of people will be easy to fly under Bowie’s radar.
Turning back to the two bikers, I cut off whatever they are saying —”If you two will excuse me, I’m just on my way to the ladies’ room.”
Again, I side-step Lethal, expecting it all to end there, and I can escape to the closest bathroom, but the man isn’t giving up easily.
Lethal holds up his hands. “Whoa there, sweetness. I’m sorry if either of us made you feel—”
And that’s when all three of us hear the manly growl.
Oh my!
I’ve walked into the garden reception with one thought on my mind.
Where is my woman?
The ceremony has proven Flora’s interest in me. It took her only a few moments until she ended up relaxing against me.
It felt good.
It felt right.
Some might call it insta-lust, I call it a feeling I can’t ignore and I know Flora can’t ignore it because she broke her only rule: No PDA.
We PDA-ed.
Might have been nothing more than her letting me put my arm around her, but I wouldn’t aim higher because of her son.
Yet.
We’re two magnets unable to fight the pull.
I can’t explain how this feels final.
I would move my life for this lady.
I didn’t think I had a heart that could open up and feel the things it now does.
I’ve had sex with plenty of women, but it was just a joining of sweaty lust filled bodies at more times than I care to admit in my life. It meant nothing to my heart and soul, only to my dick. It was happy.
Flora’s already made more than my dick pay attention; my soul is sitting up and taking notice.
I want this woman; I’ll wait for as long as it takes. I said my piece. I let Flora know we can’t deny what’s going on here, and she didn’t throw my words in my face.
Dennis-the-Menace taught me something today when I thought he was just throwing about childish hearts and flowers, but the kid might have already found his magnet to one day smash up against, he’s just way ahead of his time. Bowie might be far more emotionally mature than I gave him credit for. He only has to grow into a man before Edge, or any father will let what is precious to him fly the coop.
Edge certainly isn’t the type of man to be hearing words of marriage coming from a boy of eight and taking him seriously. Harper’s got time until she meets Future-Bowie. Harper’s not reciprocating professing her love for Bowie at not even eight years of age. All I’ve seen is foot-stomping, glaring, huffing, eye-rolling, and walking away. Boy’s probably got a decade to go before the foot stomping stops.
Yep, those two are gonna be fun to watch.
I’ve driven the wedding party back, arriving here a few minutes ago, including Bowie, Lily, and Jakob with the two little ones—Jagger and Colton—who had to stay with Harper and Presley for the wedding photographs. I kept one eye on Dennis-the-Menace the whole time.
The groomsmen beat us back because they rode here on their bikes from the ceremony. I just assisted all the women out of the Hummer and carried Colton’s baby paraphernalia up to the nursery. I stopped off at the kitchen to down some water with a painkiller because my ass and shoulder are singing an annoying repetitive tune, and I didn’t want anything messing with my focus tonight—because Flora is getting it all.
I survey the area with hands on my hips. Husbands of the bridesmaids are spread about in small groups, no doubt waiting for their females to surface. The women are probably taking time-out to touch up makeup and all those other things women seem to do before being reunited with their men.
I take a walk.
Viking and Viper are busy chatting up some female guests and Romeo’s downing a beer and has another in his other hand acting all animated in front of Happy.
I look up to the sky briefly and ask for patience. He knows he’s on duty tonight, which means no drinking.
I’ve had him as a prospect for six weeks, and in that time, he’s shown me to be a good kid but as clumsy as all fuck. He’s knocked over two Harleys, managed to trip over the air a dozen times at least, and tends to annoy the shit out of the other members, but nobody is complaining because they know he’s my nephew.
The boy needs a good solid father figure, and I’m currently about it. Romeo’s father split from my sister when he was five, and if I could find the sorry excuse for a male, I would. The guy doesn’t want to get found, and I gather that is a good move on his behalf because if I got my hands on him...
My sister wants her son in college, so I told her to give it a few months with me, and I’ll see what I can do with him. He won’t be so sure about the biker life by the time I’ve put him through his prospect time, and if he surprises me and comes through with flying colors—then so be it—family is family.
My six-week assessment is Jeremy, a.k.a., Romeo, belongs in college and needs to enjoy that life. He’s brainy but more Jerry Lewis than Steve McQueen. The kid just has to grow into himself. Romeo’s all about trying to be cool in front of a chick and thinks being patched in will make him an instant chick magnet. I’ll be the first to admit he needs all the help he can get. I decide I’ll let him down that second beer, and then I’m cutting him off.
I’m steppin’ down as President of the Lion’s Den MC El Paso. I got plans to be fillin’ now with Edge and Mathias, which might change Romeo’s way of thinking. It’s time for Viking to take the El Paso chapter of the Lion’s Den MC into his capable hands and lead the men.
I keep walking until I can pinpoint that yellow dress, and then all the rest comes into foc
us.
And there she is going for her purse.
Hazard approaches my woman, and then Blueblood joins their small group. I can only imagine the waffle coming out of Blueblood’s mouth. The guy is a charmer, but a good man to have on your side.
I lean up against a fairy light infested tree and observe Flora because she’s worth a man’s time to step back and appreciate the view.
I watch her knowing I’m gonna have to start all over again with Flora tonight. She’s not a female that throws herself at a biker—or at any man. Will I have to coax her back onto solid ground with me?
Although Flora is without female company, she seems like she’s holding her own chatting with Blueblood and Hazard, but then Lethal moves in while Hazard leaves.
They both now have a beer in hand, and Flora should be enjoying sipping from a champagne flute. None of them appear to offer Flora a drink. She’s not being looked after as a lady should. They think too much like they’re at the bar back at their compound and every man for himself.
And that pisses me off.
I like she’s so independent, but I’m a protective guy, and I find myself wanting to make sure she gets treated right.
I’m about to rectify the situation, but don’t get two steps before a beer gets shoved in my face.
“Here.” Hazard smirks at me before following my line of sight.
I snatch the opened bottle out of his hand and take a deep swig.
“Your men need to learn how to treat a lady,” I growl.
“Are you insinuating my men don’t know how to treat a lady?” Hazard waits for a reply, but I don’t give him one. “You claimin’ this woman? Because you’re sure acting possessive.”
“I’m claimin’ her.” I look at him sideways.
“She know you claimin’ her?”
“Yes. I let her know during the wedding.”
Hazard chuckles to himself and takes another swig of his beer.
“What? Are you laughing at me?”
“Nope, but I gotta ask, did you only meet Flora for the first time today?” Hazard sure is nosy.
“Yup.”
“Aannd... you been thinking already to lay claim to her without even a get-to-know-you first date?” Hazard sounds unconvinced.