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His jaw got tight when that guy leaned in, reached out, ran his fingers down her forearm and she didn’t pull away. Or curse him out.
Oh, fuck no.
Both heads pivoted his way as the door closed behind him and he started in that direction, his eyes only for Cage.
Cage sat back, his chest rose and fell under his cut, as his eyes got more wary with each step Trip took toward him. When Trip got to the end of the bar, he put the bags of food down and stepped behind it.
He didn’t slow down until his body hit hers and he wrapped his fingers around the back of her neck and under her hair. With a tight grip, he leaned in and demanded, “Gimme your mouth.”
When her mouth dropped open, he laid one on her, muffling her complaint.
He kept the kiss brief but left his hand curved around her neck when he ended it and turned to face Cage. “Watcha doin’ here?”
Cage tipped his eyes down to the half-empty pint glass. “Havin’ a beer. Usually what you do at a fuckin’ bar.”
Trip dropped his chin and caught Cage’s gaze. “That it?”
“Talkin to my girl, here.”
“Your girl?” Trip’s eyes fell on Stella, who he had pressed to his side. “That right?”
“No,” she answered. “Do you want a beer?”
“Want answers first.”
“You’ll get a beer, instead,” she told him and yanked free of his grip.
As Stella moved away, Trip leaned in and said in a low growl, “Let’s get somethin’ straight from the get-go, brother, so there ain’t problems between us. Stella ain’t your girl.”
“She yours?”
“You gotta ask?”
“You know, Prez, you made me the Road Captain. I sit at that fuckin’ table. Didn’t hear you claim her durin’ that one bullshit meetin’ we had.”
“Do you think I can’t hear you two? Jesus Christ!” Stella snapped as she returned, carrying two fresh beers. “The taps are like five feet away.” She slammed one beer down in front of Cage, the foamy head of it spilling over the rim onto the bar top and splashing her hand, as well as Cage. The other, she slammed down in front of Trip. “That’s five bucks each.”
Cage’s head jerked up. “Five? It’s usually four.”
“It’s five for dicks. And you two are being big ones.”
Cage shook his head. “He’s claimin’ you? And you’re lettin’ him?”
“No and no,” Stella said.
Cage grinned, which Trip wanted to wipe off his face. “Good. Still gives me a shot.”
“No, it don’t,” Trip answered.
Stella turned to him with narrowed eyes and said, “Since you’re here, you can work the bar the rest of the night.” She leaned in. “Just a warning, Cage’s tips suck.” She turned, and disappeared into the storage area, no doubt heading upstairs.
He’d deal with her later. Right now, he had to get some things straight with Cage.
“You gettin’ a piece of her?” the man asked, sounding a bit annoyed. “Been workin’ on her for the past year and you come strollin’ back to town and she instantly drops her fuckin’ panties? What the fuck?”
“She didn’t drop nothin’.”
“She musta, if you’re actin’ like she’s yours.”
“She is mine.”
“Again, my ass was at that half-assed meetin’, too. Didn’t hear you claim her as your ol’ lady. And we certainly didn’t vote on it.”
“Was half-assed ‘cause all the spots weren’t filled. Now they are. And your vote ain’t needed ‘cept to fill in when necessary.”
If Cage had a thing for Stella, it might be good they wouldn’t need his vote. He’d probably vote no when Trip did officially claim her. And when it came to a brother claiming an ol’ lady, a no vote was rare. There had to be a good reason for it.
“Who took the secretary’s spot?”
“Ozzy.”
Cage guzzled down half of his fresh beer. “Have no clue who that is.”
“He moved into the bunkhouse today. Was an Original like your pop.”
“Yeah, Dutch mentioned somethin’ about someone comin’ back, didn’t say who.”
“Well, that’s who. Rooms are startin’ to fill up, so if you want one, you better grab one. You don’t, then you don’t. But can tell you, Stella’s gonna be movin’ into the farmhouse with me. That means she’s also gonna wear my cut. That also means that shit you did with touchin’ her? That ends right here.” He poked the bar top with his index finger. “I catch you flirtin’, touchin’, whatever with her again, you’re done. I’m not gonna have that bullshit in my club. Once a woman’s claimed, she’s totally off-fuckin-limits. You get me?”
“Then you better get to claimin’ her. ‘Cause until then...” Cage smiled.
“Judge is gonna be dishin’ out law and order. I’m sure he won’t mind teachin’ you a hard lesson if you can’t keep your hands to yourself.”
“Like you did? Forcin’ her to kiss you like that? And you gonna have Judge fight your battles, Prez?”
“Like I said, Judge is the enforcer and will keep law and order. But if I gotta make a statement, I will.”
