She pushed herself up on one elbow, her messy chestnut waves cascading over her shoulder as she studied me carefully. I could see the curiosity in those amber eyes, questions flickering just beneath the surface. But to my relief, she simply nodded, trusting me without forcing explanations I didn’t have time to give.
I hesitated for a moment, my fingers gently trailing along her arm, fighting the urge to ask her to come with me. Even though the current threat wasn’t aimed at her directly, the protective instinct roaring through me wanted her within eyesight at all times. But logic won out. Dragging her downtown just to leave her sitting alone outside my office wasn’t fair or practical.
Her gaze softened, and she gave me a gentle smile as she sat up fully, the sheet falling to her waist. My shirt hung low off one shoulder, revealing bare skin that made my blood heat dangerously.
“I’ll miss you,” she admitted, her sweet tone sending a different kind of warmth spreading through my chest. “But there is so much to do here, I’ll be crazy busy once the gates open. As much as I would like it if we could spend the morning together”—her eyes drifted to the messy bed, and her cheeks heated adorably—“Harper and the twins will probably riot if I leave them shorthanded.”
The corners of my mouth curved up. “Wouldn’t want to start shit with your siblings.”
Clara laughed softly, the sound tugging at me, making it even harder to leave her. She leaned closer, pressing a lingering kiss to my lips that sent a possessive spike straight to my core.
“Be careful,” she murmured softly when she pulled back, her eyes steady on mine, the emotion in her voice clear.
“Always, baby,” I promised, brushing one last kiss against her forehead before forcing myself to dress quickly and head for the door.
Outside, the morning was bright and crisp, the orchard just starting to come alive with activity. I stepped down the stairs from Clara’s apartment, my boots crunching on the gravel. I’d almost made it to my bike when I heard a snicker coming from the side of the store.
Turning slowly, I spotted Harper and Ella standing near the extra produce stand they’d set up for the festival, smirks plastered on both their faces. Harper raised a brow, leaning casually against a crate of apples. “Hey, Rebel. You’re here awfully early.”
Ella giggled, folding her arms across her chest as her eyes sparkled mischievously. “Huh. We didn’t see your motorcycle roll in this morning. It’s almost like you spent the night.”
I shook my head slightly as I moved to my bike. “You two spend all your free time spying on your sister?”
Harper shrugged nonchalantly, her tone dry and teasing. “We have to entertain ourselves somehow. And Clara’s love life has been pretty boring until recently.”
Ella laughed, nudging her sister with her elbow. “Yeah, and who’d have thought she’d make it even more interesting by hooking up with a hot biker?”
“Not hooking up,” I warned lightly, with a meaningful look. Swinging my leg over my bike, I added, “You might not want her to catch you gossiping about her love life or you’ll probably end up locked in the corn maze with no map.”
Harper smirked again, her eyes gleaming. “I’m betting she’s way more likely to lock herself in with you.”
This time I grinned, firing up the engine and raising my voice just enough to be heard over the low rumble. “Wouldn’t hear me complaining.”
Both girls laughed, clearly delighted by my response. I shot them a mock salute before pulling away from the farm, the steady vibration of the engine beneath me doing little to ease the tension that had settled deep in my chest.
As the orchard faded in my rearview mirror, my thoughts turned back toward what waited for me at my office. But even with the seriousness of club business pressing in, I couldn’t shake the thought of Clara’s smile, her teasing sisters, and the family warmth I’d felt so naturally a part of.
It felt a lot like home, and damn if I wasn’t already craving more of it.
10
CLARA
It was probably good that Ronan had to leave to take care of something for the Hounds. This was usually the busiest day of the festival, and it would’ve been hard to head downstairs and get any work done if climbing back into bed with him was an option.
After he left, the quiet of the apartment felt bigger without him in it. I was behind the counter by eight thirty, restocking the donut case and trying not to yawn every time I bent down to grab another tray from the warmer. The sensual workout I’d gotten in bed was different from the physical labor I did every day. Muscles I’d never been aware of before ached in the best way. Every time I shifted, I felt the faint soreness between my thighs, a quiet reminder of Ronan inside me, filling me until there was nothing left but us.
The bell jingled a little after eleven, and Poppy burst through the door. Ace was right behind her with a protective hand on her lower back.
“Fall festival time,” my best friend cheered, making Ace shake his head with a chuckle.
Poppy looked up at him with a wide grin. “You laugh now, but you’re going to be happy I talked y’all into coming to the orchard this morning.”
I was about to ask who all her “y’all” included when King and Stella followed them inside. Cadell was balanced on King’s hip, his chubby fists waving. Blaze and Courtney were right behind them, and Arlen was asleep in a soft carrier strapped to Courtney’s chest.
Poppy rounded the counter to hug me. “This place is even more popular than last year. The pumpkin patch is packed already.”
I returned her hug, laughing. “Wait till you see the hayride line. The line was wild yesterday when word got out we had a Hound taking shifts driving the tractor. My dad will have some disappointed customers when they find out it’s just him today.”
