I groan, “Never back down, Graycie-girl.”
The smile she gives me is filled with satisfaction. I kiss her hard, unable to stop myself. I press my body against hers, strongly considering taking her back upstairs.
Someone clears their throat and Graycie lets out a gasp as she turns her head and her eyes widen.
“Just wanted to let you kids know that dinner is ready,” my mom’s voice fills the space around us, and I let out a grunt as I let my forehead fall onto my woman’s shoulder.
“Be right there, Ma,” I growl and my woman has the fucking nerve to giggle. I hear my mom’s footsteps move away as I husk, “You’re not the one who has to walk into dinner with a raging hard-on, Angel.”
“Maybe not,” she shrugs her other shoulder, “but my lady balls are still blue.”
I rear back from her to find her eyes sparkling and an adorable smile lighting up her face while I bark out a surprised laugh. When I tuck her into my side, she melts into me and I finish leading her to dinner.
Right before we walk through the doorway, she stiffens and I pitch my voice low so only she hears me, “Don’t worry, it’s not like they’re waiting on us.”
She blows out a relieved breath as we step into the large dining area with an open concept industrial kitchen on one side. Opal is already waving wilding to get Graycie’s attention. Like we wouldn’t be able to find her.
Graycie chuckles and gives my waist a squeeze, possibly in apology. Because we clearly aren’t moving fast enough and Opal is up and practically tackling my woman to the ground. Thankfully, I’m there to keep them both up right.
“Fucking hell, Opal,” there’s a warning in my words, but no real heat, “be careful.”
My sister doesn’t even look at me, she simply pulls my woman back toward the table where Opal is sitting along with Sidewinder, Ryker, his parents, and my parents. When I see the chair open next to my woman, relief hits me. If I couldn’t sit next to her that shit wasn’t going to work for me, and I don’t give a fuck if it made me look like a bitch, I was going to flip my shit.
Opal is already pulling Graycie down into her seat and grinning like mad while practically vibrating. If I had any concern about her feeling a certain way about me claiming her best friend, I clearly don’t have anything to worry about.
“Hi Jackal and Vera,” Graycie smiles at Ryker’s parents, their faces showing surprise that she remembers them before they mask it. “It’s nice to see you again, Warden and Patsy,” her eyes soften just slightly as she greets my parents and I swear both of them melt right in front of me.
What the fuck?
Damn it.
Now I’m going to be competing for my woman’s attention and time.
I can already feel it.
Before she can get swept up in a conversation with the ladies, I lean down and murmur, “I’ll grab you a plate. Do you have any allergies or preferences I should know about?”
Fuck. Needing to ask just reminds me how much I don’t know about my woman.
“No,” she whispers back with a slight shake of her head, “no allergies and I’m not all that picky. Except I hate tomatoes,” she grimaces.
I chuckle and watch as goosebumps skate along her neck and arm as my breath fans over her skin. “How about ketchup?”
“Ketchup is a food group,” she tells me solemnly.
“Noted,” I chuckle and kiss her temple before straightening up.
When I’m at my full height, I realize everyone around the table is staring at us, their eyes darting between me and my woman. Let them watch. Let them see it all.
I make a little salute motion with two fingers before I saunter off toward the buffet style dinner. It’s easier to serve and Patsy and Vera have it down to a science at this point. Opal might be in charge of the clubhouse, but not the kitchen when it comes to anything other than supplies. My sister can’t cook to save her own damn life, let alone anyone else’s.
Even though I know my woman is safe, I keep an eye on her as I dish up lasagna for both of us along with some salad and bread sticks. I almost stomp my foot when I realize I’m going to have to make a second run to get drinks. Sidewinder pops up next to me with a look on his face like he wants to say something.
“I’ll get you and Graycie something to drink,” he says after swallowing hard. He nods towards my hands. “Looks like you have your hands full and I really don’t want you to have to spend too long away from her. You look like you’re about to explode,” he adds on while eyeing me warily.
“Thanks,” I grunt and head right toward the table.
I almost stumble over my feet when I get a good look at her because she has a hand over her mouth like she’s trying to physically hold back her laughter while amusement dances in her eyes. She’s looking between Mom and Opal like they’re her personal variety show.
