He also asked her about piercings. After Becks had explained about the bad experience she’d had when she had gotten her ears pierced at five, Ghost was understandable that she was apprehensive about getting her nipples or anything else pierced too. Instead, a package the next day surprised the hell out of Becks.
Inside were fake nipple dangling piercings and a necklace. She’d never seen anything like them, and had needed Ghost’s help to explain. The silicone bands had two rings on each end, plus a dangling diamond in the center. As he slid the loop over her nipple, he showed her how to use the rings to tighten the band around her. Becks had been surprised just how tight he could make them, increasing the pressure like a noose. Or he could leave them loose, tightening them just enough where they wouldn’t easily slip off and they became nothing more than nipple decoration. The dangling diamond was not real, and he’d gotten a variety pack that gave her different options to exchange out each day.
The necklace was a different story. It was a long chain with two loops at each end and no clasp. Ghost showed Becks how to fold the chain into the loop, creating a necklace that went over her head and hung loosely down in between her breasts—that is, until Ghost took hold of one end and pulled. The chain immediately tightened around her neck into a choker collar and leash. While neither of them had any interest in animal play, the idea of breath play did intrigue Becks. However, it was something they were going to have to approach carefully after doing a lot of research and something they would only explore when they were absolutely certain she wasn’t pregnant. The necklace would not be used in such a fashion, but Becks could not deny that it sparked her interest.
Life seemed surreal. In many ways, it was hard to believe only three weeks had passed since she moved to Mount Grove. In other ways, it felt like she’d known Ghost forever and it was hard to believe they were only together for three weeks. The single downfall was her fucking brother. Andshecould call him that because he washerbrother. Nobody else, not even Ghost, could call him that.
Liam was being a dick, pure and simple. Becks had tried to talk sense into him numerous times, including when he came to the clubhouse for club business or the club runs, but he continued to give Ghost the cold shoulder. Was he blind to how happy she was or was he choosing not to see it? If Ghost had his way, she would be discovering her pregnancy in the next couple of weeks, which would make Liam an uncle. All Becks had to say was that he better have his head out of his ass long before any baby sprouted from her hoo-ha, or he was getting no access to that new baby smell.
When some of the other ol’ ladies and Becks were talking about her podcast a few days ago at the clubhouse, she saw Liam’s head pop up in interest, and it reminded her that hedidn’t even know about her podcast. She’d finally come clean to her mom about it, and Libby already knew, but she hadn’t yet talked to Liam. At first, Becks had gotten her hopes up, thinking that perhaps talking to him about how Ghost was helping her achieve her dream career could break the ice between the two of them, but then Cameron claimed Liam’s attention, and Becks’ hopes were dashed.
It did not escape her notice that Ghost had pulled Liam aside later that afternoon, the two of them disappearing out the backdoor of the clubhouse—and then both of them reappeared with several new bruises, and a split lip in Liam’s case. Becks wondered if it made her a bad sister that she felt some satisfaction at that.
Becks wasn’t the only one who thought Liam had his head up his ass. None of the ol’ ladies understood it, and the few club members that had commented on it all agreed that the rift between Ghost and her brother was ridiculous. When Ghost took her to the bar with him, the two basically ignored each other. They clearly had worked around each other enough where they didn’t need to communicate to run a business effectively, but the fact that they were acting like they were playing the childish silent game made Becks want to roll her eyes.
She’d even gone out of her way to try to talk to Cameron about it, thinking maybe her brother’s girlfriend might be able to knock some sense into him. But all Becks got in return was a snide remark about how she didn’t give a damn if Liam was happy, so long as he kept fucking her.
Which was just gross, and only cemented Becks’ dislike of the woman.
The only brotherly exchange she’d gotten out of Liam was on the three-month anniversary of their grandmother’s passing. Becks was feeling low, missing her something awful. Ghost had been busy that day, pulled away early that morning by clubbusiness before Becks had even gotten up, and Becks hadn’t wanted to bother him. If Ghost ever found out, he’d be pissed, claiming he would have dropped anything to come to her if she needed him—which was exactly why she hadn’t called him.
Liam had pulled up on his motorcycle and offered to take her for a ride. It had been exactly what she’d needed that day, and the fact that it was with her big, protective brother had made the day even more special. They didn’t speak much, not even when they stopped at a burger joint for milkshakes. Neither of them wanted to ruin the already hard day with fighting, but just the fact that he’d been there had been enough.
It would take time, but eventually, she’d get her brother back and Ghost would get his best friend back. Until then, she wasn’t going to let Liam’s stubbornness or the stick he had jammed up his ass get in the way of her happiness.
Ghost feltantsy as he pulled up to the bar, and it had nothing to do with the fact that he was heading into work and everything to do with the pregnancy tests he’d just picked up at the pharmacy for Becks. It had been four days, and she was officially late. He couldn’t remember a time when he’d been more excited and nervous—not even when he’d earned his Trident.
And now he had to wait until he got home around two in the morning to wake Becks up and make her piss on a damn stick. Because no fucking way was she pissing on any stick without him there. He never knew what happened to his parents, but whatever the reason that he’d been abandoned, Ghostrefusednot to be there for his kid or kids. He was there for their conception, and he’d be damned if he missed even a second of their lives after that.
It was Saturday night, and four weeks since Becks’ and his wedding. He wanted nothing more than to be home with his woman, watching her pee on a stick, but instead he had to pull up his big boy pants and go to work. It was his rotation, with Ranger due to come in a few hours and close up. The system had worked well for them for the past several years, and it wasn’t going to change now that Ranger was pissed Ghost had married his sister.
Permission?Ghost scoffed at the word, recalling his conversation with Ranger. He sure as fuck neededno one’spermission to marry the woman he loved, and there was no doubt in his mind that what he felt for Becks was love. Neither of them had said those words yet, but a part of Ghost felt like it was unnecessary. He knew Becks loved him too. It was in every touch, every laugh, every look… She was incredibly his, and Ghost had no idea how he’d gotten so fucking lucky.
Leaving the pharmacy bag in his saddlebag, Ghost dismounted his bike and headed towards the bar’s front door. They opened at four, but the crowds wouldn’t show until closer to six or seven. The beauty of having four prospects was that there generally was a spare to go around, so one of them now opened with a waitress or two so neither Ranger nor Ghost had to be in the bar for ten to twelve hours.
Ghost couldn’t remember who was on the schedule tonight, but thought it might be Specs, short for his name Thomas Spector. The former Army musician liked to bring his guitar and play on slower nights, which tonight would not be. Ghost wouldn’t have minded the change up if it was, though. Some of the modern songs annoyed him, which always made him feel his age when the college students were partying hard to them.
The door opened as Ghost approached, and to his surprise, Cameron walked out. The blonde reminded him of Margot Robbie’sBarbiecharacter, but with less brain cells than theplastic doll the actress portrayed. Ghost couldn’t deny she was pretty, and yes she made Ranger happy when they weren’t bickering or fighting, but he had no idea how Ranger held conversations with the woman. Once when Ranger asked Cameron what she wanted to drink, Ghost had overheard her say, “Regular water, please. I don’t drink carbonated water, because it’s full of carbs.”
Ghost was pretty surehelost brain cells listening to that conversation.
She stopped short when she saw him, and when he noticed her frown, wondered if she and Ranger were on the outs again. If so, was he planning on moving back home? Not that Ghost would object—not really—but it had been really nice having the house to just him and Becks. He’d lost count the number of times he’d fucked her on, over, or by the living room couch. Not to mention the laundry room, and all the counters in the kitchen.
But itwasRanger’s home too. The man had been back a few times to get some of his things, but the majority was still there. It wasn’t like he’d packed up and left entirely.
Ghost nodded to her politely. He might not like her, but he wouldn’t disrespect her. “Cameron. What are you doing here?”
“Getting stood up, apparently.” She crossed her arms over her large breasts. Ghost suspected hers were fake, whereas Becks’ wasallwoman. “Ranger was supposed to meet me here a half hour ago!”
It was nearly six now, but Ranger wasn’t due to arrive for work until ten. The bar served appetizer-type foods like nachos, fries, mozzarella sticks, jalapeño poppers, and such, and a few dinner options like steak, cheeseburger, and even a salad. However, Ghost would be the first to admit that the diner’s food was a shit ton better, especially since Tally and Sophia had taken it over from Sophia’s parents. Still, not his date, not his dinner choice. Ghost wasn’t going to judge.
Ghost’s bike wasn’t the only one in the parking lot. He’d seen Grumpy’s too, but not Ranger’s. Pulling out his phone to verify that nothing had happened with the club that had caused Bulldog to pull Ranger away—there wasn’t—Ghost could only conclude that Ranger had chosen not to meet Cameron for dinner. Which was a real dick thing for him to do, and not atalllike Ranger. If something had come up or he’d changed his mind about meeting Cameron, he should have told her. A month ago, he would have. Now? Ghost wasn’t sure, and that sucked.
“Do you want me to walk you to your cage?” Ghost offered, putting his phone back in his pocket.
The look Cameron gave Ghost immediately changed from one of annoyance to one of lust. She took a step forward, but Ghost did not allow her to come into his personal space. He backed up, deliberately putting his hands shoulder high so they were in clear view of the overhead cameras.
“I’m offering to walk you to your cage for your safety, nothing more,” he said, scowling at her. “Don’t try anything with me.”
