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“Regret isn’t the right word, but I understand what you’re saying. Thank you, baby doll.”
I still don’t think I expressed the right words. “You’re fair and humble. You know when to speak and when to observe. You’re good at what you do, but you give credit where it’s due and that’s the mark of a true leader. It’s why your brothers respect you so much and why others will resent you. It’s not sycophantic allegiance you’ve earned from your brothers. It’s genuine loyalty and respect.”
He frames my face with his hands and places a soft kiss on my forehead. “Where were you twenty years ago?” he mutters. “I would’ve been ruling the world by now if I’d had you by my side.”
I turn my head and rub my lips against the underside of his wrist. “Well, I was in high school, so you probably would’ve ended up in jail, not supreme ruler of the universe.”
He chuckles.
“Besides, a big badass biker like you wouldn’t have even noticed the quiet, nerdy girl in the corner.”
He rubs his thumb over my cheek. “I would’ve noticed you no matter what. I bet you were just as beautiful back then.”
“Somewhere I have picture proof that’s not the case. But thank you.”
CHAPTER NINE
Rock’s phone vibrates in his pocket and he groans. Reaching to grab it, he shakes his head and apologizes.
“What?” he barks into the phone. His gaze slides to me and he gives me a quick smile. “Now? Yeah, all right.”
He hangs up and tosses the phone on the dresser. “That was Z. We’re needed downstairs at the pool.”
“For?”
“Family fun splash time? I don’t fuckin’ know.”
“Good thing I brought a bathing suit.”
Finally, I’m rewarded with a smile from him. “You have my full attention.”
“Don’t get too excited, it’s a pretty conservative one-piece.”
“Good,” he growls. “Don’t want you showing off for anyone but me.”
“Trust me, neither do I.”
He narrows his eyes and I shake my head. “I’m not putting myself down. I’m saying the only male attention I want is yours.” I wave my hand at the door.
“Believe me, you have it.”
Rock recently mentioned he liked me in purple. More specifically a dark purple bralette I like to wear at home. But the second I spotted this swimsuit hanging from the rack at Macy’s, I knew it would be perfect for our trip.
“Give me a few seconds.” He digs through his own bag while I slip into the bathroom.
After wriggling into the suit, I decide maybe conservative wasn’t the right word. Compared to the outfits a lot of the girls who visit the clubhouse wear, this seemed positively matronly. Now, I’m not so sure.
Rock stares at me when I strut out of the bathroom, stopping to pose in the doorway for him.
“You’re stunning.” He crosses his arms over his chest and cocks his head. “That’s your idea of conservative?”
“Well, it has a sarong that goes with it.” I wrap the sheer purple scarf around my waist and tie a knot at my hip.
“It’s not your bottom half I’m worried about.”
The crochet suit has a high neck, but the woven material is almost see-through down the center and at the sides, giving it the illusion of being more sheer than it actually is. The back is mostly open with double ties that meet in the middle.
Ignoring the look he’s giving me, I turn and point to the back. “Tie me up?”
He groans. “I want to tie you up all right. To that bed. While I spank your ass for torturing me and fuck you until you can’t walk.”
I cover my mouth with my hand to stifle my giggles. “Missing our fun room already?”
“Fuck, yes I am.”
Heat from his body sears my back as he presses closer. He drags the ends of the ties over my shoulder leaving goose bumps behind. “Most of your back is bare.” He strokes from my neck, down between my shoulder blades, stopping to press two fingers into my lower back, right above my butt. “I can almost see those cute little dimples I love so much.”
“I don’t have dimples.”
“Yes you do.” He presses against the spot harder. “Sexy as fuck. Gives me a nice target.”
A soft moan slips out of me. “I love your filthy mouth.”
“I want to put my filthy mouth on every pretty part of you.” He reaches past me and picks up a bottle of sunscreen. “You feel so soft and silky. Shouldn’t be putting my big, rough paws on you.”
“I love those big, rough hands all over me.”
He groans and tugs at my ponytail. “Pull your hair all the way up so I can get your back. I can’t have my girl getting sunburned.” He traces his finger between my shoulder blades making me shiver. “So soft, and delicate.”
“Thank you,” I whisper.
He takes his time rubbing the sunscreen into my skin, making sure not to miss an inch, knowing I’ll burn before I ever tan. “All done,” he finally says after working his way down my legs.
“Your turn.”
He’s patient while I give him the same treatment. When we’re both coated, he pops the bottle in my tote bag, adds a towel, and a few other items, then holds out his hand. “Sooner we make an appearance, the sooner we can escape.”
Downstairs my concerns about my suit being too revealing vanish. The outfits on the other ol’ ladies are skimpy enough to make me feel like I’m wearing a parka.
Where the hell is Trinity? I scan the area and fail to find her bright blonde and blue hair anywhere. She also bought a one-piece, so at least I won’t feel so out of place next to her.
Rock surveys the vast pool and picnic area with a bland expression I can’t read behind his sunglasses.
“Does the owner of the smallest suit win a prize or something?” I mutter.
He laughs and shakes his head. “Z said they had a picnic table in the shade, in the far corner. Let’s circulate first.”
Goodie, just what I want to do.
But that’s what I’m here for, so I follow Rock as he stops to greet members from other charters and their wives or old ladies.
One thing these women don’t lack is self-confidence. Most are bubbly and welcoming as if I’m a long-lost sister instead of a stranger among family. It helps me pull the stick out of my ass and relax.
Since there’s so much skin on display, I take the opportunity to admire the “property of” tattoos some women have branded across their backs. The small “Mrs. North” on my hip, doesn’t seem so daring now.
“That something that interests you?” Rock asks against my ear.
His smooth, raspy voice heats me more than the sun beating down on us. “Maybe.” I move my hair to the side and tap a spot on the back of my neck. “Something smaller, though. Maybe right there.”
He makes a low, growly sound of approval and scoops me up, raining kisses over my neck and shoulder. “You surprise me every day, woman.”
“Here he is,” someone rumbles behind us.
Rock gently sets me down and takes my hand, turning us to face the national president. “Hello again, Mrs. North. Having a good time?” he asks.
“Oh yes. The hotel is lovely. It’s great that you’re able to rent the whole place for everyone.” Nerves makes my cheeks heat up and I shut my mouth before I continue babbling.
Priest doesn’t seem to mind. He nudges the woman at his side forward. “I wanted to introduce you to my wife, Valentina.”
Valentina. A perfect name for the statuesque beauty. Long, sleek, black hair falls to her waist, and even though she’s already a tall woman, she’s wearing stilettos, without so much as a wobble, that I’d break my neck in. Her warm smile highlights bronzed cheeks as she pushes her large mirrored sunglasses up to rest on top of her head. While she doesn’t seem as terrifying as Tawny, that doesn’t make me any less leery of her intentions.
We share some introductory small talk before Priest asks Rock if they can locate Z and spe
ak privately.
Ask is stretching it. What Priest issues is more of an order.
Valentina smiles as our husband’s walk away, then turns her inquisitive copper eyes my way.
“You two haven’t been married long, right?” she asks.
“We just celebrated our two year anniversary.”
“Ah, nice anniversary trip,” she says with enough sarcasm to make me warm up to her a whole lot more.
“It’s been fun so far.”
A little girl runs up and wraps her arms around Valentina’s legs, begging her to go in the pool with her.
