He frowns. “Why?”
“Because me and Sophie are leaving within the hour to go to the gym, and then I have to meet her father.”
His face tightens. “Don’t fuck it up!”
“Can’t you call and put a good word in for me?” Hope filters through my words.
He shakes his head. “It won’t work… not with him… He doesn’t like bikers. He only puts up with us because I’m his nephew and he gets a cut of the profits. It won’t matter what I say about you—he’ll just think you’re a coward for getting someone else to put in a good word. He’s old-school and big on respect, and just the fact that you didn’t even meet him before marrying her, he’s going to be uptight about.”
I run a hand through my hair. “What will score me points with him?”
“Nothing… Sophie’s his only daughter. He’s always been overprotective of her, and you’re an outlaw, so he’s already going to hate the idea you two are together. He’s not the type of person you can manipulate—he’ll see right through it. Gifts won’t work, and the only other things that matter to him are his family’s businesses and his family’s legacy, and you’ve kind of shit all over that.”
My head falls back as I groan. “How come the only woman I’ve ever wanted is a Crown? What luck do I have that she’s got Garrett as a father?” I cringe. “No offense…” Bomber is Sophie’s cousin, after all.
“None taken. I don’t envy you, that’s for sure, but watch what you say to him.”
I hear someone approaching. temptress is walking down the stairs with a small bag on her back. I put my arm out, gesturing she should walk ahead of me. She’s wearing those fucking ass-curving shorts again. I glance up at the ceiling. She’s going to be the death of me.
My dick wants her… but I’m here for the long haul. Well… that’s what I’ve got to keep reminding myself because holy smoke… all I want to do is haul her ass back into my room. My eyes devour every curve, as we make our way through the clubhouse and outside.
Whack!I slap her ass… hard. She shrieks and jumps, then turns to me. I see the flash of excitement in her eyes before they narrow at me. I curse at myself… she’s not making this easy for me… I’m not making this easy for me.
I grab the helmet that’s hanging off Bomber’s bike and hand it to her. “It’s Zara’s.”
She frowns. “When do I get my own?” Before I can answer, she says, “And don’t say only if I stay longer.”
I nod, agreeing with her. “We’ll get you a helmet today when we’re out.” She needs one for her safety, and from the way she’s eyeing my bike, I’d say it’s another thing on the list that she likes, which works in my favor. When she pulls the helmet on over her head, her long blonde braid hangs out at the back.
I swing my leg over my bike and hop on, grab my helmet and pull it over my head, and glance over at her. “C’mon wifey, it’s your turn. Get on my bike and hold on to me.” She slides onto the back of my motorcycle, wraps her arms around my waist, and leans into me. I smile. “Hold on tightly.” After she tightens her hold, I start the engine, and we accelerate down the road. I enjoy the sensation of her body pressed up against mine.
When we arrive at the gym, I park and wait for her to climb off. Once I do too, she hands me the helmet. “I love it!” she beams.
I pull off my helmet and grin at her. “Good to hear it, wifey… good to hear.”
When we walk through the gym’s automatic doors, the cool AC hits me. Mia, the gym owner, greets us with a smile at reception.
“Mia, this is Sophie. She’ll be casual here for the next month… or so.” Sophie raises a brow.
“Nice to meet you, Sophie.” Mia places paper and a pen in front of her. “Can you please fill this out and I’ll grab you a casual pass?”
Sophie smiles back at her, then Mia leaves and Sophie looks around at the gym. It has lines of ellipticals, treadmills, and bikes at the front of the room, with the machine equipment and weights in the middle and a boxing ring at the back.
“How old is this gym?” she asks.
“A few years now. Mia set it up with her boyfriend, Ashton.”
She bobs her head. “Good on them. She looks young.”
“About Rage’s age.”
Sophie fills out the paperwork, and Mia hands her a pass.
“Where’s the toilets?” Sophie asks.
We swipe in, and I point toward the restrooms. We walk together, and when we reach the female room, she takes the bag from her back, takes out my clothes and shoes, and passes them to me.
“I’ll meet you back here.”
