He winks and points to me. “This one’s for you, li’l shawty.”

Rihanna’s “Hard” comes on and I throw my head back, laughing. I pop my collar for him and he scratches the record then plays it again. Yeah. I think he and I are going to be great friends.

Venom. He has a thing for snakes. He told me he has a dozen of them at his house. A dozen. Just thinking about it sends shivers up my spine. His house is one place I’ll never be visiting. He’s hot, though – shoulder-length black hair and muscles you get from lifting weights every day. He’s the club’s treasurer. Chopper, I absolutely adore. Physically, he’s like all the pictures I’ve seen of my dad’s father, only not Mexican. He’s doted on me all day, cooking for me and making sure I was comfortable. I don’t care what Gage says; Chopper is sweet. A few of the guys’ old ladies stopped by for a while and they were really cool, too. Everyone seems so different from what I thought. The old adage has never been truer – don’t judge a book by its cover.

I don’t know if it’s the man behind me or if I’m getting a contact high from all the weed smoke, but I’m feeling extremely relaxed. Better than I’ve felt in a long time, given the circumstances. With Chrissy being here and texting Toni all day, my mood improved as the day went by. Now, all Toni wants to talk about is Gage and when I’m going to fuck him. Like I haven’t been trying. I take a selfie with his arm around me and send it to her. She replies instantly.

T: Bitch! You gonna show me his face or nah?

R: Nope. Not yet.

T: Whatever. You need fi send on di pussy and stop hitch.

Toni’s parents are Jamaican. I know things are getting serious when she starts speaking Patois. At first, when she used to slip into the dialect, I couldn’t understand a word, but I pretty much have it down now. She thinks I’m the one stalling. Short of tying him up and taking what I want, I don’t know what else to do.

R: I’ve tried! He won’t do it until I turn 18.

T: You found the last man on Earth with morals? Sounds like a keeper.

R: We’ll see.

She sends me a song but I can’t listen to it now, so I leave it for later. I lay my head on Gage’s shoulder and he kisses my neck softly. The light touch of his lips on my skin makes me quiver. I close my eyes and let out a barely audible moan.

“You’re stayin’ with me tonight.”

I snap out of my lusty haze and turn my head, regarding him carefully. “What?”

“You heard me.”

Yes, I heard you. I just can’t believe what I heard. “I have to go home…and I have work tomorrow.”

“Millie won’t mind.”

“I can’t leave her shorthanded on a Sunday. Not with the church crowd.”

“Fine. I can take you to work in the morning.”

I turn around to face him and drape my arms around his neck. “You really want me to stay, don’t you?”

“I want you in my bed.”

“Aww…Mr. I-Don’t-Sleep-With-Anyone wants to cuddle?”

He scrunches his brows together as if the ramifications of me staying just occurred to him. He stares at me, and I can see the wheels turning in his head. Once he’s come to a conclusion, his face relaxes.

“I liked waking up with you next to me.”

Oh, damn. Fuck the world. If that’s what he wants, that’s what he’ll get. “Okay. I’ll stay.”

***Gage***

I’llstay.

I never thought two simple words could make me so happy or that a woman could both infuriate and calm me to such degrees. I was about to explode when I walked in here and saw her bent over the pool table, her ass on display. I can’t believe she erased all that anger with just a touch.

She’s leaning against me once more, observing everyone. It’s a calm night—by our standards, anyways. With no Hounds around, the boys are pretty tame, but they’re still having a good time. They don’t seem to mind the girls. In fact, they look like they’re fitting right in. Rico yells something in Spanish and the girls burst out laughing. I have no idea what’s so funny, but the three of them start going back and forth. What I do know is that Rico’s enjoying having people around who speak his language.

E walks in and slowly takes in the scene. Once his gaze lands on me, his lips curl up in a smirk, and he heads our way. Asshole.

“Hi, Raven. How do you feel?”

“Great, Dr. E! Whatever you gave me last night, it knocked me right out.”

He looks up at me with a grin. Fucker knows I stayed with her last night, and I know I won’t hear the end of it.

“And you? How’d you sleep?”

“Just fine, Dr. E.”

I’m smiling, but he knows the “fuck off” look I’m giving him all too well. He chuckles, unable to hide his amusement.

“Do you still want me to do that thing for her?”

Shit. I totally forgot. “Yeah, yeah. Go with E, babe. He’s going to take care of you.”

“’Kay.”

She takes his hand as they walk away and jealousy rages inside me once again. I take deep breaths, reminding myself that this is my best friend. A man I’ve known all my life. My anger doesn’t dissipate until they return, though. She talks with Chrissy and they hug before her friend starts saying her goodbyes.

“Bye, Gage!” She waves at me.

“See ya, Chrissy. Ron, get Allah to go with you.”

I smile as Raven walks back to me, trying hard not to trip over my pant legs. Why do I feel so good seeing her in my clothes?

“I’m a little tired. I’m going to take a shower and lie down.”

“Okay, doll. I’ll be in soon.”

“’Kay. ’Night, boys!”

I’m surprised to hear a few disappointed groans and pleas for her to stay. Damn girl has bewitched my entire club. She giggles and waves them off as she leaves.

“She’s a good girl,” E states, taking the bar stool next to me.

I turn to him as I take a pull of my beer. “I know that.” He hands me a piece of paper that I unfold and see it’s Raven’s prescription. Finally, an advantage of having a gynecologist for a best friend. “Thanks. I’ll take care of it.”

“Take care of her.”

“Why the fuck are you talking like I’m getting married or some shit?”

He pats me on the back as he pushes the stool away from the bar.

“You’ll figure it out soon, brother. I’m out. Got a hot nurse to examine,” he says, waggling his brows.

“Yeah, you need to go fuck a pussy and stop being one.”

He gives me the finger and waves Booker over as he walks backwards out of the clubhouse.

“Come on, Booker. You’re with me.”

“Yes, sir.”

He leaves, but his words stay with me. I know she’s a good girl and I have no intention of hurting her. That’s why I’ve always been honest with her. I won’t let anyone else hurt her, either. Not as long as I’m breathing. As I grab another beer from behind the bar, I realize I care about her more than I thought. She’s slowly working her way under my skin, and I’m powerless to stop it. Do I want to? I don’t have a fucking clue.

I give Tek the card with the phone number I got from Cassidy. He nods and heads toward the rooms.

“I’ll see what I can dig up.”

“Tek…tomorrow, yeah?”

“Got it, boss.”

Razor winks at me as he leaves, jerking his head at Rico to follow. I hope that fucker knows what he’s doing. Cassidy is a real piece of work. With everyone else gone, Crow and Motor start grumbling about their old ladies. After they leave, I lock up and head to my room.

She’s in my bed, wearing one of my T-shirts with the club logo. Her knees are drawn up to her chest, those thick, juicy thighs taunting me. The only thing I can think is that she fits. She fits me, my club…she just fucking fits. She’s reading something on her phone and singing that Bonnie and Clyde song by Jigga, but stops and smiles up at me as I enter. I swear it’s the most beautiful sight in the world.

“Hey,” she greets me.

“Hey. What you doin’?”