Get over it?
The arrogant ass. As if sending me a text to tell me all is forgiven and I need to get over it is going to make me want to jump back into his bed. And why? Becausehe’sover it? Well, fuck him. As a matter of fact. I think I know just the thing to get my point across. Maybe Gabriel does need a Christmas gift from me after all.
“Excuse me.” I call, reaching across to get the cashier’s attention. “How much is that Christmas tree?”
“Well, the tree itself is not for sale. It’s a display of sorts for the anal-play products,” she says, blushing.
“Yes, I know. I want to buy the treeandits decorations. I know just the place to put it. It’s a gift. For a friend.”
CHAPTER 2
GABE
It’s been a crazy day at the shop. People are trying to get their cars serviced and head out of town before the big storm hits. The weatherman called for snow, which is insane because we don’t get snow in Oakridge. We get flurries from time to time, but just enough to make the roads slick, never enough to cause any real trouble. But with the way food is flying off the shelves and people are frantically trying to get shit done and get on the road, they believe him.
I pull into the clubhouse, ready to get some grub and see my woman. Avery told me earlier they were coming back here tonight so Everly can practice their hair and makeup. I’m hoping to get the chance to sneak Linzie away to my room so we can talk through what’s been bothering her and get back to the way things were between us.
I’ve been trying for weeks to get her to talk to me. To spend time with me. Every time I’m met with an attitude. But I know she wants me as much as I want her. Her body betrays her. Every time I touch her, she shivers. Whenever I talk dirty to her, she clenches her thighs. If the stubborn woman would just talk to meso we could figure our shit out, I could take that ache away and make us both feel better.
Inside the clubhouse, the women are all in the main room drinking wine and talking about the food for the wedding. Everly is currently curling Linzie’s hair while Linzie is arguing with Andi over which type of meatballs to serve at the wedding. Andi wants Jack Daniels meatballs, while Linzie thinks she should make teriyaki meatballs to complement something else I didn’t hear. I’m too busy watching Linzie’s long blonde hair drape down her back, imagining it wrapped around my fist while I fuck her mouth for all the smartass comments she’s been giving me lately.
“Whatcha doin’, Pres?” Hawk’s voice pulls me out of my imagination. I adjust myself, not giving a shit that he sees me doing it. “Oh. I see. You were daydreaming about a certain spirited blonde barista, huh?”
“Shut the fuck up. What are you doing lurking about?”
“I’m not lurking. I’m keeping an eye on Sadie,” he says, smirking. “They went to the Night and Day store in the mall today, and she’s hiding whatever it is she bought.”
“Night and Day? Isn’t that the place Sadie says provides some of the best orgasms and outfits all in the same shop?” My niece has a way with words, and most of them are unfiltered.
“That’s the one.” Hawk smiles. “I saw the bag in the trash, which means she’s already put it away somewhere, but I couldn’t find it. Which means one of two things. Either she’s wrapped it as a Christmas gift, or she’s got it on her person somewhere.” Hawk’s got his bank app open on his phone, scrolling.
“And your plan is to do what exactly?”
“Ply her with alcohol and force her to tell me. My woman is a horny drunk. If I get her revved up, all I have to do is tell her to let me see what she bought today, and I’ll use it to make her come.” He shrugs. “She’s easy to manipulate, especially whenshe’s being edged.” His phone chimes in his hand, and he barks out a laugh. When he turns the phone around to show me a text from Sadie, it says, “You’re an idiot if you think I used your account to buy you a gift.”
“Where are you hiding that damn clone you made of my phone, Sadie Jay?” Hawk shouts, making a beeline for her. She’s laughing hysterically, then takes off running down the hall toward Hawk’s room.
“We won’t see them for about an hour,” Skyler tells the group. “Any other food ideas for the wedding? Avery, you don’t want anything with a lot of sauce or anything too messy. You might spill it on your dress,” Skyler points out. “And Violet, you might not want anything too spicy.”
“Violet loves spicy food.” Declan says, rubbing Violet’s shoulders. She bites her lip as if to keep her mouth shut. “Don’t you, baby?”
Violet turns her head and smiles up at Dec. “I do, but she’s probably just saying that because I had an upset stomach earlier.” Declan nods, accepting her response, but I watch the look the two women exchange and Skyler’s silently mouthed apology and know they’re hiding something.
“Sissy.” Kailey tugs on the back of Everly’s pants. “I need to go to the potty.”
Everly puts the curling iron down and picks her little sister up, hitching her on her hip as she rushes down the hall. Mason sees her coming and rushes ahead of her to open the door for them. Everly disappears with Kailey behind the door, but Mason doesn’t move. He stands guard outside the women’s bathroom, waiting.
Interesting.
Sneaking up behind Linzie, I run my fingers through her curls and shift them to one side. I hear her little gasp. She knows it’s me behind her. Leaning down and moving her hair off theside of her neck, I place a soft kiss there behind her ear and feel her shiver beneath me.
Gotcha.
“I know what I want to eat after the wedding.” Linzie takes a deep breath. She’s trying to control her body’s reaction to me. Trying to deny what we have together. I’m not going to let that happen. Knowing how my dirty words affect her, I whisper, “You.”Linzie doesn’t disappoint, clenching her thighs while gripping the edge of the seat. Her body does exactly as I knew she would, then she jumps up from the seat to get away and I chuckle.
“I’m sorry, Avery. It’s getting late, and I really should get going. I have an early day tomorrow. I’ll come by after my shift and help Andi with whatever food shopping we need to get done before your bachelorette party tomorrow night.” Linzie starts gathering her things.
“Wait. Everly’s not done with your hair and makeup.” Avery says. “Please stay and at least let her finish. It won’t be very much longer. I promise.”
