by J. M. Walker
“Fine.” He carried me to the nearest booth and placed me on the bench, sliding in after me.
“Better?” I asked him, cupping his arm.
“No.” He wrapped an arm around my middle, pulled me into his side, and snuggled his face into the crook of my neck. “Now it’s better.”
I giggled, his beard tickling my skin.
He leaned back, giving me a goofy grin.
“Why do you have Shade outside and not in here with us?” I asked, resting my arm across his lap.
“Because we had a meeting a couple of days ago with Greyson and the rest of the guys,” Sunny said but he didn’t elaborate.
“That’s it? That doesn’t seem like a good enough reason.”
A deep rumble shook the walls of the restaurant. I glanced outside, finding several other bikers I didn’t know, pulling up to where Shade sat on his bike. Even from there, I could see the deep frown set between his brows. “What’s wrong with him?” I asked, noticing the smoke between his lips.
He sat up straighter, looking my way over his shoulder. Shade winked, blowing me a kiss.
I waved.
“Tanner’s taken a liking to you and we’re trying to figure out why,” Sunny murmured in my ear.
But before I could ask any more questions, Kimmy came back with two glasses of water and placed them on the table in front of us.
“Care to tell me what this is about?” she demanded, nodding toward the crowd outside her restaurant.
“Nothing’s going on,” Sunny told her.
Her eyes flicked between him and I. Her brows furrowed. She crossed her arms under her chest, jutting her chin forward. “If something happens, I’ll call my old man who will then call his buddy, Greyson. Neither of them will like that.”
“You know Greyson?” Sunny shifted beside me.
“Of course I know him. I also happen to know Meadow. So if something happens to her, I don’t think Greyson would like an appearance from my—”
“Old man. I got it,” Sunny mumbled.
“What’s going on?” I asked her. Kimmy had always been polite, nice, never demanding answers, or sticking her nose in where it didn’t belong. Something sparked this new side of her, but I had no idea what it could be.
“Meadow.” Kimmy headed behind the counter. “I need to talk to you.”
I gently pushed Sunny, but he wouldn’t budge. “Let me out.”
“You’re not wearing any sandals.”
“The floors are clean,” I told him. “Trust me. Kimmy is like Monica from Friends. She’s constantly cleaning.” I pushed him again. “Sunny, move please.”
“Fine.” He slid out of the booth and paused. “Fucking hell.”
“What’s wrong?” I followed his gaze, glancing out the large window and found the guys circling Shade. “Who are they?”
“Some of Tanner’s crew,” Sunny grumbled.
“Go.” I latched onto his jacket when he went to pull away. “Wait.” I pulled him toward me, placing a hard peck on his mouth. “Take care of our boy.”
He grunted, kissed me one last time, and left the restaurant, the sound of the door dinging behind him.
Even though I hadn’t known the guys for long, I knew that Shade was the calm one and Sunny was the one with the temper. But as the guys approached Shade, the anxiety inside of me rose. Shade’s brows were narrowed and before I knew what was happening, his fist landed against a younger guy’s face.
I gasped.
Before it could turn into more, Sunny pulled Shade away from him.
“Meadow.”
I jumped, forgetting that Kimmy was near.
“Sorry about this,” I said, swiping my arm out.
“You need to be careful,” she told me, crossing her arms under her chest. She nodded toward the scene in the parking lot. “I’ve spent many years around bikers. They find a new shiny toy, play with it for a bit and then once they’re bored or that toy becomes used up, they move on to something else.”
I frowned, no longer interested in the scene outside. “Are you referring to me as a toy? As their toy?” I asked, sitting back in the booth.
Kimmy moved to the booth across from me. “Not exactly, no. I just don’t want to see you get hurt is all.”
Could she be right? It wasn’t like I wanted to settle down or anything, but I enjoyed the way the guys made me feel. I also liked that they treated me as an equal and not someone who was younger than them.
“Just be careful,” she said, patting my hand and leaving the booth. “And tell your guys to clean up their mess after.”
“I will.” I stewed over her words, not liking the anxiety they caused. Maybe I wanted more than a fling after all.
***
(Sunny)
Shade had always been the calm and collected one. It was me who acted first before thinking but whatever the fucker said to him, pissed him off enough to hit him and in turn, sent rage coursing through me.
“What’s going on?”
I bristled at the new voice.
“Fucking hell,” Shade mumbled, pulling away from me.
“I asked a question,” Tanner demanded, joining the fuckface who said whatever it was to Shade to set him off.
I stiffened, getting ready for a fight but much to my surprise, Tanner got in the prospect’s face.
“You causing issues, Rat?”
“Nope.” The fucker, Rat, crossed his arms under his chest. He glared at both Shade and I.
“What did he say to you?” I looked at Shade when he didn’t answer. I had caught the tail end of their conversation when I left Meadow inside, but it wasn’t enough to send Shade’s fists flying. “Tell me.”
“Yeah,” Tanner cupped Rat’s nape, giving it a hard squeeze. “Tell us what you said.”
Rat winced. “I said that he should be shot and pissed on for being gay.”
“The fuck?” Fury burned through me. I went to take a step forward when Shade grabbed my arm, stopping me.
“Did you?” Tanner leaned his elbow on Rat’s shoulder. Which was funny in a way seeing as Rat was shorter than him. “Is that true?” he asked Shade.
“Yeah,” he grumbled.
“Interesting.” In a quick move, Tanner had Rat to the ground with his knee pressing into his back. Rat yelled out, trying to shove Tanner of off him but he was too small. “You see. I have an issue. I despise the fuck out of homophobic assholes like yourself.” Tanner grabbed Rat’s arm, twisting it behind his back until a pop sounded.
Rat screamed.
Tanner chuckled. “My favorite sound.”
Shade and I passed a glance.
“Did you know that my brother is gay? You saying he’s fucked up for where he sticks his dick? At least he’s happy and healthy. I’ve seen the sick snatch you stick your dick in, you might want to get a check-up.” He twisted Rat’s arm farther behind his back. “I need to wash my damn hands,” he muttered.
Rat sobbed, still attempting to push Tanner off of his back even with the broken arm.
“He has a brother?” Shade murmured, low enough for only me to hear.
Tanner caught our gaze, giving us a wink. “I think you should apologize.” He whispered something in Rat’s ear, something that made his eyes go wide and his face pale. I almost asked what was said when the sound of the door leading to the restaurant chimed.
“Everything okay?”
My body stirred. I spun around just as Meadow came toward us.
“Get back inside,” I told her.
“Why?” She frowned, looking around me. “What happened?”
“My prospect disrespected your boys.” Tanner pushed off of Rat. “Take him to the clubhouse,” he told the two large fuckers who had been watching the whole thing all along. He brushed the dirt off his knees and came toward us. “I’d apologize on his behalf, but I’ve never been known to be a morally decent human being. So, I’m not about to start now.”
“Meadow,” I said, ignoring him. “You’re not wearing any
shoes.”
She shrugged. “I need to take a shower anyway. What did he say to Shade?” She walked by me when I didn’t answer, and went up to him. Grabbing his hand, she ran her thumb over his knuckles. “What did he say to you?”
He stared down at her, a notable shiver trembling through him. “He said I should be shot and pissed on for being gay.”
Meadow snorted. “Fucking please. You’re not even gay.” She rolled her eyes and turned around to face Tanner. “You stuck up for them?”
“I wouldn’t call it sticking up for them.” Tanner yawned. “But that shit pisses me off.”
“His brother’s gay,” I told her.
“You have a brother?” she asked him, keeping Shade’s hand in hers.
“Yeah, little one. Something like that.” Tanner met my stare. “Listen, I asked Meadow to come to my clubhouse—”
“I wouldn’t consider it asking,” she mumbled.
“Anyway, I asked her to come but I think the three of you should.” Tanner looked over his shoulder, watching Rat being shoved into the SUV. “He’ll probably die before he patches in.” He sighed. “It’s hard to find good prospects these days.”
“Why are you wanting us to come to the club? Is it club business? You don’t need Meadow there if it is.” I didn’t trust the guy. Respect him yes but that was as far as it went.
“Look.” When Tanner looked at me then, it took everything in me not to step in front of Meadow and shield her from whatever monsters hid inside of him. I was man enough to admit it, he made me nervous as hell. “I need you both there because yes, as you said, it’s club business. Your president is retiring soon. I’ve called Jaron but he’s busy apparently. And the rest of the club couldn’t care what I have to say. Which, I’m kind of sad about.”
I rolled my eyes then. “Right.”
“Point is, come to the club, bring her with you because she’s nice to look at and then my girls won’t be so damn twitchy around a bunch of men. It’ll be nice having some fresh meat inside those walls.” He laughed at some inside joke that only he knew the punchline to.
“And if we don’t?” Shade said, pulling Meadow behind him.
“Oh, you don’t have to. But like I told her, that compound looks rather delicious and I’m sure it holds some tasty treats that my men would love to devour.” Tanner lifted a hand before either of us could say anything. “You show up. Those victims stay unharmed.”
“I’m sure whatever it is you think you could do to those poor people is nothing compared to what they’ve already been through,” Meadow told him.
A wicked grin spread on Tanner’s face. “You’re willing to take that chance, Meadow?”
Her jaw clenched, her cheeks reddening but she stayed quiet.
Good girl.
“Didn’t think so.” Tanner clapped his hands together. “Well, kids. It’s been fun. Too-da-loo,” he said, waggling his fingers and heading back to his bike. The SUV drove off, followed by Tanner and the rest of the guys. The rumble of the bikes disappeared, the farther away they got.
Once we could no longer hear them, I breathed a sigh of relief.
“You don’t think he would actually go after the center, do you?” Meadow asked, her voice soft and unsure. I didn’t like this side of her. I was becoming used to her confidence and when Tanner knocked her down a peg or two, it pissed me off.
“What the hell was that?” Shade spun on her, gripping her shoulders.
“Whoa there.” She shoved him back. “Don’t you dare put your hands on me like that.”
Shade stiffened, gave me a look, and stomped off toward his bike.
A shaky sigh left Meadow.
I grabbed her hand. “Come with me.”
She didn’t say anything and let me lead her toward Shade. “He needs some time, baby girl. Tanner is not a man to be messed with or pushed.” I stopped, forcing Meadow to look up at me. “He could rip you apart.” I cupped her cheek.
“I don’t like seeing him lose his temper,” she murmured, nodding toward Shade.
He sat on his bike, glancing our way.
“That’s your job,” Meadow continued.
I smirked, placing a soft peck on her nose and leading her the rest of the way to Shade. “You good?” I asked him.
He huffed, scrubbing a hand down his face. “I’m sorry,” he told Meadow. “I know what it’s like to be touched when you don’t want to be. It’s not cool. And I shouldn’t have done that.”
Meadow’s face softened. She moved around to the other side of him and placed a hard peck on his mouth. “I like it when you touch me. I like it when both of you touch me but not like that. Angry sex is one thing but that…”
“What?” he murmured.
I grabbed his hand, holding it in mine as he spoke to her.
Meadow caught the movement, a small smile splaying on her beautiful face. “I was with a guy who tried controlling me. Physically. Mentally. I don’t mind submitting but on my terms only.”
Shade nodded. “I was with a guy who forced my…He forced me to...” He coughed, cleared his throat, and squeezed my hand.
“I’m sorry, baby boy.” Meadow stood taller, her gaze falling to our joined hands. “So, is this finally a thing now?”
“It’s always been a thing and now you’re a part of it,” I told her.
Her smile grew, an unknown energy passing between all of us. “Good.” She clapped her hands together. “I’m glad. Now I need to go home and take a shower.” She grimaced, looking down at herself.
“Come over to our place,” Shade suggested.
“Really?” She looked between us. “Okay. I’ll run home quickly, take a shower and come over.” She backed up. “Text me your address.” She ran toward her car, giving us a wave over her shoulder.
I chuckled, shaking my head.
“Sunny.”
I met Shade’s gaze then, all previous humor gone.
“We have to protect her. And that center.”
“You don’t have to tell me that, Shade.”
“I know.” He looked around us.
“If this bothers you…” I pulled from his grip.
“No.” He mumbled a curse. “Listen, we need to talk to Greyson.”
I rolled my eyes. “Come on, we both know that Catch had a thing for Greyson and Tray. And besides, Greyson doesn’t care who we fuck as long as it’s consensual.”
“And no animals or children are involved,” Shade added, using Eve’s quote she liked to ingrain in our brains from time to time. “I know he doesn’t, but this is new for you. I don’t need you getting scared and leaving me.”
“Since when do I give a fuck what anyone thinks?” I cupped his face and placed a hard peck on his mouth.
He stiffened, pulling away. “Sunny.”
“Shut the fuck up. I’ll kiss you in front of our crew. In front of the whole damn world. I don’t give a shit who is near. As long as Meadow is fine with this, that’s all I care about.” I kissed him again before he could say anything more and stole the very breath from his lungs and made it my own.
Meadow
I CHECKED THE ADDRESS on my phone, looked back at the house before me, and back again to my phone. After losing my cell in the garbage bin, I remembered I had an old one I could use until I was able to get a new phone. Maybe this one was broken. I typed the address into Google again and this location came up. Again. But this couldn’t be the right address. For one, the house was huge and second, it almost looked too fancy for men like Sunny and Shade. I rolled my eyes. Now I was being judgy.
“You gonna stand out here all night?”
I jumped, spun around, and found Shade coming up the driveway with a few bags in his hands.
“Sorry, I’m late. I had to head back to the center. We’re expanding it and it’s taking all of us to make that happen,” I blurted out in one breath. Why I felt the need to tell him all of that, was beyond me. Truth was, these guys had me unraveled and I didn’t know how to deal with it hal
f the time. Okay, most of the time.
Shade chuckled.
My cheeks burned. “What?”
“Nothing, little lamb.” He kissed my cheek. “Nothing at all.”
The scruff on his jaw tickled, sending a wave of heat rushing through me.
“I was just admiring your house,” I told him, taking a bag from his hands.
“It is pretty amazing. Sunny had it built about ten years ago. We love the crew but sometimes you just need time away from them.”
“I get that. I love my best friends but there are always people over. And the kitchen is small as hell.” I followed Shade up the path to the large house. “One of these days, I’m going to have a kitchen so damn big, I won’t even know what to do with it.” It was unlikely but a girl could dream.
“Wait until you see our kitchen.” He winked.
My stomach flipped. God, these men and what they did to me.
“Are you good? I mean, with this whole Tanner thing.”
My stomach twisted. “Since he demanded that I go to his club and then he made an appearance and one of his boys made you lose your shit? Oh yeah. I’m fine and fucking dandy.” I grabbed Shade’s arm. “Are you good?”
“Listen.” Shade raked a hand through his short brown hair. “What Sunny and I have or what’s going on…” He scowled. “I’m confused as fuck and I hate it. But Tanner…we’ll protect you from him.”
My heart swelled. “I think Tanner needs a hobby,” I muttered, looking back at the house that sat before us. “Sunny called me,” I said more to myself. Even though I didn’t know exactly what was going on with them, it did something funny to me that Sunny would call me, needing advice over what to do about him and Shade.
“I know.” Shade looked at the house. “He told me. Whatever you said to him, thank you.”
“Of course.” I continued walking up the path, the hairs on the back of my neck tingling. I stopped, glancing back at Shade.
“I gave him a blow job,” he said, his eyes on my ass. “But it didn’t last long because we were interrupted.”
My stomach tumbled. “Really?”
He met my gaze. “Yeah. It would have probably turned into more but Sunny got a phone call and…” His cheeks reddened. “Anyway, it was intense. He’s intense. But I guess you know that already.”