Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 59767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 299(@200wpm)___ 239(@250wpm)___ 199(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 299(@200wpm)___ 239(@250wpm)___ 199(@300wpm)
Tony nods, already grinning. “Sure thing.”
“Don’t forget the ice cream!” I call as I stand, then walk with Alex.
“You know it!” I hear Tony call out and Lara’s laughter rings through the noise, too.
Alex gestures toward a table near the door. I roll my eyes but follow him anyway. “I don’t have long,” I mutter, sitting across from him. “I’m not letting my ice cream melt, and my pie go cold all because you want to insult me.”
He looks uncomfortable, shifting in his seat. “I’m not here to insult you, Brushes. I’m here to apologize. I shouldn’t have done what I did. I don’t even know why I did it.”
“That’s easy,” I say, voice cold. “You did it to make money off a bet about how soon you could take my virginity.”
He flinches before exhaling a sigh that sounds sad and forlorn. “It was stupid. The worst part is that I really liked you. But when my buddies found out I’d asked you out, they started in on me. Laughing and talking shit. I brought up the bet to shut them up. It felt like they were mocking me.”
I laugh bitterly. “So, you thought it was better if they mocked me instead?”
“Yeah,” he says quietly. “I was an asshole, Brushes.” I puff out air so hard that my bangs move. He’s frustrating me. Something about Alex using my club nickname softens me a little. Well, that combined with the fact he doesn’t even seem like the same person who hurt me. “I just wanted to say I’m sorry. I hope, with time, you’ll forgive me. But if you can’t—if you want me gone from the club — I’ll leave.”
I frown. “You want to leave the club?”
He shakes his head. “Hell no. It’s the only home I’ve ever known. But you’re Grifter’s old lady, and if I make you uncomfortable, I’d rather move on. You deserve to be happy.”
“Where would you go?” I ask, confused. It’s not like Dreary is that big, we’d still run into one another.
“I don’t know. Maybe Kentucky. They have some good MC’s there. That’s why Grifter is there right now doing business with the Devil’s Blaze while getting a car worked on for us to sell. I’ve heard they’re looking for new members. Someone mentioned the Savage Brothers has a Tennessee chapter near Cherokee Lake. I’d find somewhere. I just really wanted you to know how sorry I was and that I truly want you to be happy. You deserve that more than anyone I know.”
I study him and shake my head slowly. “Alex, I don’t want you to leave The Kings. The club is Griffin’s family. If you’re part of that, it would upset him for you to leave. Besides from the things he’s said, I know you guys need all the manpower you can get right now while you rebuild.”
He lets out a small laugh. “I think as long as you’re beside him, Brushes, Grifter can handle anything.”
I blush. “I’m not sure that’s true.”
“Not sure what’s true?” That voice — low, rough, and warm. My heart flips. I turn and look over at the door to see my man standing there.
“Griffin!” I exclaim, jumping up without a thought and running into his arms. I don’t care. He’s back, all muscle and masculinity and mine. It doesn’t even bother me that he has road dust stilling clinging to his clothes. I just need to touch him. The minute he wraps his arms around me, everything is better. I smile, my brain completely ignoring Candyman who is beside him, smirking. “You’re back from Kentucky!”
Griffin’s mouth curves into a grin as his arms wrap tightly around me. I relish the feel of them, strong and sure, and screaming of safety. I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to how perfect it is. I give up wondering about it when his lips find mine and he kisses me—deep and intense—like he’s been starving for me as much as I have him. The whole diner disappears for me.
When he finally pulls back, his thumb brushes my cheek. “I missed you, Georgie,” he purrs softly.
“I missed you, too,” I confess, glowing under his stare. “I’m so glad you’re back.”
“Nothing would keep me away,” he murmurs, “not even C trying to start a club war.”
C raises a hand from behind him. “Haven’t started one yet. But give me time.”
“But I thought you were just taking a car up there for Beau’s Customs to paint? How would you start a club war doing that, C?”
I arch an eyebrow, when no one answers, but Griffin shakes his head. “Later,” he says. Then, his gaze sharpens on Alex. “Now what’s going on with you two?”
“Nothing is going on with us,” I say, swatting his chest because his phrasing annoys the crap out of me. “Alex just wanted to apologize for something that happened a long time ago. We’re good now, aren’t we, Alex?”