Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 142728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Cell service is shitty out here.
No. That’s a coward’s action. Not mine.
“Do you want to come up to the clubhouse with me?” I ask Emily, pulling her body against mine and leaning on the back of her couch.
“Now? Tonight?” She pulls her phone out of her pocket and checks the time. “I can’t. Libby will be home soon.” The corners of her mouth lift. “And I need to get to bed early so I can actually go to work tomorrow.”
Shit. I’m ready to ask her to quit her job and spend all her days with me. I’ve never liked spending so much time with anyone. By now, I’m usually ready for solitude, a break from the burden of conversation or expectations. But I feel none of that restlessness with Emily. I just want more. More time with her. More of her.
Don’t get used to it.
“You have to go?” she asks.
“Wrath wants us for church.”
Her eyes widen. “I thought you guys only met on the weekends.”
“Yeah, but if something important comes up, we get called in.” Fuck. Wrath wouldn’t have sent the text without a good reason. My lack of urgency or concern should be a warning light flashing bright in my brain.
But it’s not.
What the fuck is wrong with me? Women aren’t supposed to come before the club. Especially one who isn’t patched. Not wanting to leave my girlfriend alone with bad memories isn’t a good enough excuse to skip a meeting with my brothers.
As if the universe wants to toss me a bone, Libby whirls through the front door. I blow out a relieved breath. At least I won’t be leaving Emily alone.
“How was rehearsal?” Emily asks.
“Ah-may-zing!” She tosses her coat in the closet, kicks off her shoes, and hurries into the living room. Her eyes widen and a big grin stretches across her face when her gaze lands on us. “Dex! You’re still here.”
Emily chuckles and shifts herself out of my arms.
“You’re going to come to the play, right?” Libby asks.
“Wouldn’t miss it,” I promise.
“Oh, Em. I’m gonna stay at Linda’s Friday. We’re getting up early to work on sets Saturday and I know you like to sleep in on the weekends.”
Emily frowns. “What’s her parents’ situation again?”
“Uh, her mom’s single. She’s a nurse at Johnsonville Memorial. Brother’s a bratty little twerp.”
“Who’s going to drive you to the school Saturday?”
Libby glances away for a second. “Her mom.”
“What if she gets called into work?”
“Mackenzie will pick us up.”
Emily grumbles but agrees. “Or you can call me for a ride.”
“Whatevs,” Libby says. “How many people fit on the back of your bike, Dex?”
“Uh, one.” I wrap my arm around Emily’s waist.
“Em, can Dex give me a ride to school on his bike?” Libby asks with excitement in her voice.
I’m not touching that one. Not my place.
“Uh…” Emily’s gaze darts between her sister and me. “Yeah, that might be fine one day. You need the right helmet though.”
Libby fluffs her hair and seems to reconsider.
“I gotta head out.” I try not to notice the look of disappointment on Libby’s face. What does it say about me that I’d rather stay and listen to their back-and-forth instead of sitting down with my brothers?
Nothing good.
Emily slips her hand in mine and walks outside with me. I’m trying hard not to be a possessive dick, but I really want to toss her on the back of my bike, feel her holding me tight for the whole ride, and then tie her to my bed at the clubhouse.
“Thank you.” Emily loops her arms around my neck.
“For?”
“Today. Everything. Just being you.”
“You’re welcome.” I lean down and brush my lips against hers. “I hate going. You know that, right?”
“I’m trying to be nice about it because I know it’s important.” She pulls me down for another kiss.
“How would you feel about coming up to the clubhouse this weekend?” I ask. “I can pick you up after work Friday. We’ll stay over. Do the whole family breakfast thing Saturday morning. Sounds like Libby will be at her friend’s, then busy with her play.”
“Family breakfast, huh? That sounds…intense.”
“Not at all. Half the time it’s brothers clowning around and our president threatening to throttle them.”
Say yes, firecracker. Say yes.
“Yes. I’d like that.”
“Good.” I wrap my arms around her waist and lift her in the air. “I’m a very happy man now.”
She touches her fingertips to my cheek. “Good.” She traces a line between my eyes and across my forehead. “As sexy as I think you are when you’re scowling, I love seeing you smile.”
Her voice, so low, sweet, and sincere punches a hole through my chest.
I love her. That’s what this is.
I set her on her feet. “I only do it for you.”
“Good. You’re much too handsome to flash that smile at anyone else but me.”
Jesus, she makes me laugh. “I’ll talk to you later.”