CHAPTER ONE
ROCHELLE
Istare at my sleek frame in the floor-length mirror and run my hands gently over my stomach. What I would give right now to have that swell and be able to carry Drifter’s child. We’ve been trying to conceive for some time now, but nothing seems to be working in our favour. We recently decided to visit a specialist and underwent a number of tests to determine why things aren’t happening naturally for us. Dr. Elise West informed us that I’m not ovulating regularly, so she wants us to try a medication that will help me.
The only issue is, I’ve got to inject myself daily, and I fucking hate injections. But right now, I’m willing to do anything.
I catch Drifter watching me in the mirror. He smiles from the bed, naked and unapologetic, fully aware I’m staring.
“It’ll all be okay. You know that, don’t you?” he reassures me, as if reading my mind. He pulls himself up to sit, resting back against the headboard.
I nod and offer him a weak smile, but I can’t hide the intrusive thoughts about this not working. If I can’t give him a child, he’ll leave, and I’ll be heartbroken.
We’ve been together for years. We both grew up in the MC, with our parents being members of the Broken Iron Demons. It’s the only life I’ve ever known, and I’d be lost without it.
“But,” my voice cracks with emotion, “what if it doesn’t work?”
“You can’t think like that, Hell. Remember what the doc said? There are more options if this doesn’t work, including IVF. Just relax, we’ve got this,” he says, getting up from the bed and making his way over to me.
His arms come around me, hands covering mine on my stomach, and he nuzzles into the curve of my neck. I lean back into him, feeling his erection poking against my arse.
“Okay,” I whisper, breathing in the scent of his musky aftershave as it wraps around me like a coat of armour.
He pulls away slightly, just enough to slap my bare backside. “Now, get your arse in the shower before I take you back to bed.” He winks at my reflection before sitting on the edge of the bed.
I pout, turning to face him. “Maybe that’s what I want?”
“Well, you promised Red a girls’ day out. I think it’ll do you good too,” he replies, shimmying into his jeans. “And although I want nothing more than to throw you on that bed and ravage that glistening pussy of yours, it’s gotta wait, I’ve got church.”
He throws on his creased T-shirt, which was in the same place he threw it last night. I roll my eyes. “Really?”
He places his kutte over the top and eyeballs me. “What?”
“You’re not going to get a clean shirt?”
“Why would I want to wash the scent of you off my clothes? I’m taking that sweet-smelling pussy with me wherever I go.”
I roll my eyes again. “How fucking romantic,” I add sarcastically.
He brings his T-shirt up to his nose, inhaling deeply, then humming his approval before leaving the room.
I contemplate getting back into bed and sleeping the day away. The doctor did advise me that I might experience some side effects from this medication, but my low mood wasn’t what I expected.
Maybe Drifter is right—spending some time with Red will do me a world of good.
I go into the bathroom, grabbing the box containing my injections for the next twelve days. Dr. Elise believes these are going to help stimulate my ovaries to release eggs, but I have this niggle in the pit of my stomach that I can’t shift.
I clean the area, the coldness from the alcohol pad sending a shiver down my spine. I pull a syringe out of the box and pinch the skin between my fingers. I take a breath, then inject the needle, wincing as I plunge the liquid into my stomach. As I pull it out, I exhale then discard it into the sharps box.Another done.
I look at my reflection in the mirror. “You’ve got this,” I mutter, reminding myself that I’m stronger than I know.
I want this more than anything.
I arranged to meet Red in the local cafe instead of staying in the clubhouse, which has worked out perfectly because a change of scenery is what I need right now.
The sun is shining, so I’ve opted for a bright summer dress that flows elegantly to just above my knee, and I’m thankful because it fits the weather perfectly.
As I approach, I see Red sitting outside with Meli. She’s bouncing her on her knee whilst she clutches a little giraffe that Rock recently bought her. Ever since Red came into our worldwith little Meli, it’s been like a beaming light, making me realise even more how much I want a family.
