By the grace of the Gods, our waitress arrives to take our order, saving me from my embarrassment.
As we wait for our meal, I can’t help but think I’ve never met anyone quite like Dread before. He doesn’t hold anything back, and I like that about him. There’s no guessing, no games. He’s straightforward and honest, even when it’s rough around the edges. It’s refreshing after years of Eddie’s manipulation and lies.
I know I should be careful, but for once, I don’t care about playing it safe.
For tonight, at least, I just want to feel alive again.
CHAPTER SIX
DREAD
The sun has set,and the moon is high in the sky by the time we make it to the compound. I jerk my chin up at Lid, the slack-jaw prospect manning the gate. His gaze darts from Honey on the back of my bike to me, a questioning look in his eyes. He can wonder all he wants. She’s none of his fucking business.
Not gonna lie, I feel 10 feet tall and bulletproof with her at my back. I can’t explain it, but something about my sexy little neighbor does it for me.
She ticks all my boxes. Smart. Beautiful. And curves that have my hands itching to touch her.
Coasting into my usual space, I climb off my bike and watch as Honey unfastens the helmet. I’d bought the thing for Sarah, hoping one day she’d be the woman on the back of my bike. But seeing it on Honey, I’m starting to realize I’d gotten it for the wrong woman.
Honey catches the look on my face as she hands it to me. “What?”
Grinning, I shake my head. “Nothin’, baby. Just thinking you look good on the back of my bike.” She’d look even better bent over the seat with her jeans around her ankles and that perfect peach-shaped ass out while I pound that pussy. My cock twitches behind my zipper.
Honey’s brows pull together, but there’s a smile on her face. “Thanks? I think?”
I adjust myself in my jeans and clear my throat as I hang the helmet on the handlebars. “Just stating the facts.
“Careful of the pipes.” I dip my head at the danger as I offer her my hand and help her down.
“Holy smokes.” Her eyes are big as she takes in our little slice of heaven. “This place is beautiful.”
I look around, trying to picture the two-story western Saloon that serves as our clubhouse and the private beach from Honey’s perspective. “This place was a movie prop in the ‘70s. Chief’s old man bought it when it went into foreclosure a few decades ago. He had a thing for those old cowboy movies.” I smile thinking of all the stories Shade, Chief’s grandfather, has told us over the years. “He never changed a single thing.”
Her eyes light up. “Any movies I would know?”
I grin and shake my head. “I doubt it. Mostly low-budget shit.”
“Well. It’s still pretty cool.” She smiles.
“It is.” I look towards the clubhouse door, then back to her. “You ready to go in?”
Honey takes a deep breath and lets it out, like she’s gathering all her courage.
“Ready,” she says, grabbing hold of my hand.
I give it a reassuring squeeze. She doesn’t have anything to worry about. Everyone will love her. And with it being a family night, I don’t have to worry about her seeing anything that might send her running for the hills. She’s definitely not ready for that yet.
With Honey’s hand in mine, I lead her into the clubhouse.
Inside, the place is packed. My brothers are scattered around the room. Some playing pool, some darts. Others are camped out on the big sofa in the TV room.
Cora and the other ol’ ladies have gone all out this year. Christmas decorations cover every surface—lights, tinsel, and a massive tree in the corner that nearly touches the ceiling.
The smell of pine mingles with the scent of beer, weed, and whatever the fuck the women have been cooking all day.
“Wow,” Honey breathes beside me. “You guys really go all out for Christmas.”
I chuckle, pulling her closer to my side. “The ol’ ladies do. We just stay the fuck out of their way.”
