Lexie was strong, talented,andloyal. Could she be any more perfect?
“Go ahead, pixie.” I rubbed her back. “I appreciate you looking out for him, but this could be important.”
“Okay well, this is sort of awkward, and I hope he doesn’t get angry with me later for mentioning it. I mean, if he makes it to later.” She stopped and stared off.
I reached my arm around her waist and wrapped my hand around hers. I gave her fingers a light squeeze, and that seemed to snap her out of wherever she’d gone.
“Is he a religious guy?”
One of the guys snorted and a few coughed to cover up their laughter. Our man Tracker hadn’t stepped foot in an actual church since his grandma had him baptized as a baby.
“Well, maybe he found religion in that moment. Or his mind was playing tricks on him.” She sighed. “Whatever. I think he was worried about his soul because he was talking about seeing the Devil. I’m sure I wasn’t helping by screaming fire. Poor guy probably thought he was in hell.”
“The Devil?” Maverick’s eyes narrowed. “What exactly did he say?”
“Well, he didn’t say devil, exactly. He said ‘diablo here,’ but I took Spanish in high school, so I know he meant the Devil was here. Although, I guess he should have said diablo aqui, but hewas dying so…” she trailed off, finally realizing the shift in the room.
“Okay, brothers.” Baller looked up. “They’re ready.”
I looked at Mav, who nodded toward the door.
“Lexie, come on. I’ll get you set up for tonight.” I lifted her off my lap and stood behind her, guiding her to the door with my hand on her back.
“Tonight?” She lifted her gaze and her innocent blue eyes stared into mine.
“Yeah, it’s not safe for you to go home until we figure out what happened.”
“Bear,” Mav shouted. “Leave it for the prospect. We need you in here.”
I turned to face him, then looked back at Lexie. “She’s wearing my cut, Mav. I’m not leaving her to a prospect.”
He sighed. “So it’s like that?”
I nodded, looking around at all of my brothers. “Yeah, it’s like that.”
“Fine. We’ll wait, but make it quick.”
11
BEAR
“There’s a bathroom in here with clean towels and soap if you want to take a shower. The drawer is full of t-shirts. Take whatever you need.” I should have taken her to one of the spare rooms. That had been the plan. But once I had her in my arms, still wearing my cut, my feet refused to take her anywhere but my room.
“Are you sure I need to stay here? I wouldn’t turn down a ride home, since I am kind of exhausted, but…” She looked at the bed and back at me. “I don’t know about sleeping in the MC clubhouse. I’m, uh…” Her cheeks turned red and she looked down. “I’m not that kind of girl.”
I grinned, hooking my finger under her chin and forcing her to look up at me. “Pixie, I know exactly what kind of woman you are.”
“Oh yeah?” She raised an eyebrow, and I loved the defiant tone in her voice. “And what kind is that?” There was the fire I was missing.
“Mine.” I pressed my lips to hers. She gasped in surprise, and I used the opportunity to slip my tongue inside. I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close as I deepened the kiss. She got over her shock quickly, and I was delighted when her tongue danced with mine.
I reluctantly pulled away, wishing I didn’t have church, but knowing if I didn’t stop now, I’d never make it back.
“What was that for?” She blinked a few times, her eyes drunk with desire as she ran her fingers along her swollen lips.
“Gabriel.” I brushed my hand along her cheek. “When it’s just us, call me Gabriel. And that was me letting you know how serious I am about us. I don’t know what twist of fate brought us together at Costco of all fucking places, but I’ll be forever grateful. I’ve never planned a cookout in all my twenty-eight years. But there I was, in the right spot for my brave little caterer to shoot her shot. You’re mine now. I know it. The universe knows it. And soon, you’ll know it, too.”
Her eyes widened like an adorable deer in headlights.
