Righteous:
Count on it.
My heart skips a beat, and butterflies swarm in my stomach when I read the promise in those three words. I place my phone on the bed and stand to return to my closet. The amount of jeans I have makes it easy for me to settle on an outfit. I’m not sure why I’m struggling, because it’s what I wore to my first date with Righteous.
“Ooh, I can just pair the jeans with a black shirt and wear my black peep-toe booties. It should give me a casual look without over- or underdressing,” I say when I reach the closet.
Once I have my chosen attire, I drop it on the bed and then head to the bathroom for a quick shower. My mind flashes to the shower Righteous and I had taken after our last sex session, which causes my body to heat like an inferno. My pearl throbs and whines at the reminder of how well Righteous handled my body. The third leg that Righteous walks around toting should come with a warning label. Not to mention, the definition of his muscular legs and firm abs that would have every woman he encounters trying to leverage and keep his attention for the long haul.
My shower time is quick, and I step out as air instantly hits my body. But thanks to the lewd thoughts in my mind, I’m unable to feel the chill that should come with it. I grab my towel and quickly dry myself off before I move to brush my teeth. Once that’s done, I leave the bathroom and go through the motions of getting dressed. Then I go through the process of adding a few curls in my hair so my crown is on point. When my hair is done, I add a light beat to my face and then leave my bedroom before I can second-guess anything about how I look.
I hold my breath when I exit my front door, then look from left to right, unsure if anyone has been commissioned to watchme. The coast is clear, so I walk like my feet are on fire to the elevator. A sigh slips from my lips when the car opens, and no one is inside. I push the garage button repeatedly and pray for mercy as the elevator descends. It takes me less than five minutes to reach my SUV, thankfully without incident. In the safety of my vehicle, I text Righteous.
Me:
Hey. I’m heading in your direction.
I close out the thread between Righteous and me so I can enter the address into the navigation system. Once the directions load, I pull out of my assigned spot and leave the garage. Music flows around the interior, and I’m grateful for the light distraction as I head toward the Baxtown Iron festivities. My heart races with every mile as I contemplate the environment and people I will encounter. But none of it makes me want to turn around or give Righteous up. From the garage to the building that houses Righteous and his family, it’s nearly forty minutes.
The numerous motorcycles lining the front of Baxtown Iron MC have me anxious. There's a group of men in black vests, similar to Righteous’s out front, who watch me like a hawk when I pull into the lot across the street. The merriment I had before arriving is at war with the intense urge to throw in the towel. But I refuse to let it win. I send another message to Righteous to let him know I’m here.
Me:
I’m here. I’m in the parking lot across from the building.
Again, Righteous’s reply is instant as I bite my lip before I cringe at the memory of my lip gloss.
Righteous:
Sit tight. I’m coming to get you.
With the knowledge of Righteous on his way to me, I quickly grab my purse to retrieve and reapply my lip gloss. I also give myself a once-over and nod when I’m satisfied with how I look.
“Ah, shit!” I scream when my door is opened.
“Scary ass,” Righteous says.
The smile on his face is genuine and reaches his eyes as my pearl tingles with awareness of his close proximity.
“Do I look okay?” I ask.
Righteous helps me out of the vehicle before his eyes rake over me from head to toe. His eyes darken and become full of lust when they connect with mine.
“I’ll let you know just how much when we have a minute alone. Come on.” Righteous connects our hands, and a smile forms when a zing shoots up my arm.
That reaction settles me and gives me the silent assurance that I need to move forward. It also lets me know that I’m not crazy for being here. This moment signifies my presence in Righteous’s life, and I’m ready for whatever is bound to come next. A sincere smile is in place as I strut beside Righteous with my head held high.
“Man, I thought we were about to shoot that SUV up. Who dis, Righteous?” a burly man asks once we’re inches away from the front of the building.
The man has a deep keloid scar that runs down the right side of his face which matches the mean glower he’s sending me. It takes every ounce of fake tough girl I have not to cower from the hateful look.
“Imagine waking up in the ER at Shadow Stew Memorial after making such a costly mistake. Don’t let your desire tobecome a patched member have you writing a check your ass can’t cash, probie,” Righteous says.
Righteous’s tone is abrasive, and his words are like a bear in attack mode over someone messing with its cub. In this moment, I feel protected just the same as my smile widens. When we enter the building, music instantly rattles my body with its sudden impact. With the door closed, no one would know what’s going on inside. My eyes bounce in every direction as I attempt to take in the scene before me. An overflow of bodies fills what appears to be an expansive room. Some people are dancing to the music while others are in various conversations.
“Stay close to me,” Righteous tells me as we continue through the space.
I swallow my retort when a woman walks toward us with her eyes set on Righteous. Her tight eyes and deep frown alert me to her mood, and she seems ready to fight. Unsure how this is about to go, I tighten my grip on Righteous’s hand. The woman’s forward progress halts Righteous and my steps as my antenna rises.
