He glances up from his mobile, and grins when he sees me. “I wondered when you’d grace me with your presence.” He laughs, scrolling through his phone and I roll my eyes.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say innocently, as I throw myself on the sofa. “You hiding out?” I ask, noting the fact that Rochelle is nowhere to be seen.
“Rochelle is crazy with all the hormone treatments,” he mutters, shaking his head. It’s no secret they’ve been trying for kids and it’s not yet worked out for them. “Anyway, you’ve been holed up in that room the last couple of days. What’s the crack?”
I run my hands through my hair. I was crazy to think he wouldn’t notice. “Just trying to help the woman out.”
Drifter smirks. “How long have I known you for?”
“Too long, it seems.” I grip the back of my neck as I lean back into the sofa.
“You’ve never been interested in the women here, Clay, so there has to be something special about this one.”
“She’s special, Pres. But she’s got demons.”
“Don’t we all?”
“We sure do, Drifter. I need to help her, but she can’t be mine until she’s ready.”
“You know the club will help you, right? You don’t have to do anything alone anymore. You’re not a lone rider.”
“Fuck, Pres.” I sigh, closing my eyes. “She’s had her kids removed from her care, her ex has fucked everything up for her, and I’m honestly not sure of the right way forward. I’ve spent the last couple days trying to come up with a plan.”
“You’re sure he’s twisted shit?” I nod. “Because remember how you met her?”
“Pres, I get what you’re saying. Fuck knows I’ve gone over it in my own head a million times, but there’s no way. She ain’t depressed, at least, not because of her mental health. Her ex is a prick. He’s lied, said she’s high on drugs and unable to look after her kids. How long has she been here now? And not a single withdrawal.”
Drifter nods in understanding. “I can get Gears to get his sister to take a look at her case,” he suggests. “That woman needs putting on the club’s payroll.”
“Thanks, Pres. You know I appreciate it.”
“Now, fuck off so I can get ten minutes of peace before Rochelle hunts me down.” He laughs, and I roll my eyes. If she knew he was hiding out, she’d have his fucking balls for breakfast.
Chapter Nine
Bella
There’s the most amazing little tree in the courtyard of the clubhouse. It gives the perfect shade throughout the day. It towers into the sky, protecting me from the sun’s rays. My pale complexion thanking me for the reprieve from the sun. The UK isn’t known for its heat, but we seem to have been hit with an unusually warm spell of weather recently, the slightest glint of sunshine has my skin sizzling like a crisp.
This space has become a bit of a comfort for me over the last couple of days, feeling at ease behind the gates of the complex, protecting me from the chaos that waits for me on the other side. The thought of going back to work tomorrow, back to the reality that has become my life in recent months, fills me with dread.
I lounge back, resting against the trunk of the tree, my book’s open, but I’m not really engrossed in the story as I people watch. It really is one of my favourite pastimes. Everyone has accepted me and been so kind. Not probing me on how I came togatecrash their little bubble. I honestly thought they’d be hostile to outsiders, especially those outside the mc world, but they haven’t. Red and Rochelle have treated me like I’ve always been a part of their group.
The clubhouse doors swing open and Clay strides out beside Gears. They speak for a moment, and I watch as he rakes a hand through his hair. It makes me smile. No matter how many times he does that, his hair still falls back into that perfectly messy, just-rolled-out-of-bed look. Unfair, really.
He spots me as he pats Gears on the back, and my gaze betrays me. I find myself staring,lingering, as he starts walking over. His jeans hug in all the right places, and the thought that flashes through my mind is absolutely not something I’ll ever admit out loud. Apparently, Clay turns me into a horny schoolgirl. Fantastic.
“Morning, beaut,” he says when he reaches me, voice low and rough from sleep. The sound of it yanks me straight out of my dirty thoughts.
“Morning,” I manage, except it comes out as a croak. Heat floods my cheeks, and I cringe at myself, coughing to cover it. “Sorry. Frog in my throat.”
Smooth. Real smooth.
If he hadn’t guessed I’d been checking him out, he sure does now.
I drop my gaze to my book, hoping to hide my mortification. Clay sits beside me anyway, leaning in to peek over my shoulder. His quiet chuckle tells me he’s thoroughly amused and that I’m not hiding a damn thing.
“You do realise you’re only like three more pages along since the last time I looked over your shoulder?”
