Willow nodded. “Deacon said whenever there’s a lot of loud noises in the rooms, it’s people exercising. Uncle Bishop exercises a lot.”
I bit my lip to keep from laughing at Deacon’s explanation. I had to hand it to him for coming up with a good explanation. I’m sure with the type of men and women Willow was around there was a lot of “exercising”.
When we started toward the back door, one of the prospects who had been at Willow’s tea party stepped in front of the door, blocking the exit. “I’m just going to walk Willow home,” I explained.
“It’s my job to do that.”
“But I want Miss Alex to,” Willow protested.
“I don’t think there’s a reason why we both can’t walk her home. Do you?”
He shook his blond head. “No, ma’am.”
I extended my hand. “I’m Alexandra.”
Hesitating, he glanced left and right before accepting my hand. “Archer.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.” He then stepped aside for us to go out the door. As Willow led me down the gravel pathway, Archer hung back, giving us our space. Willow jabbered about who lived in each of the simple houses. Of course, I had no idea who anyone in the club was. Apparently, Deacon and his brothers each had a house of their own along with their mother.
“But we always eat together. Grandma says it’s because the boys can’t cook.”
I laughed. “That’s not too surprising.”
Deacon’s mother’s house was at the end of the pathway. It sat in the middle of a small culdesac. Multicolored flower beds brightened the front of the porch. I hurried to keep up with Willow who dropped my hand and bounded up the stairs. When I got onto the porch, I turned around to see Archer at the bottom of the stairs. “Thanks for seeing us home,” I said.
He smiled. “You’re welcome.”
“Come on, Miss Alex,” Willow cried, grabbing my hand. She barreled through the front door, dragging me behind her. “Grandma I’m home!” she called.
“I’m in the kitchen, sugar,” a kind voice replied.
When she turned around, Liz jumped at the sight of me. The last time we had met was Open House at the beginning of the school year. As her hand swept to her chest, she gave me an apologetic smile. “Oh, Miss Evans, I’m sorry. I wasn’t expecting company.”
“And I’m sorry for startling you. I just wanted to walk Willow home. I wasn’t expecting to come in.”
“Oh, but I’m glad you did.”
We were then interrupted by the back door banging open. Deacon appeared first followed by Rev. I watched in surprise as another young man came in last, closing the door behind him. At the sight of me, a grin curved on his handsome face. “Well, well, I finally get to formally meet the famous Miss Evans.”
Warmth filled my cheeks at his words and the way he was looking at me. The fiery intensity of his stare was burning the clothes right from my body, leaving me naked before him. “I’d hardly say I was famous,” I argued.
“In the rugrat’s eyes you are,” he replied.
“What do you mean ‘formally meet’?” I asked.
“Oh, I saw you at the clubhouse the first day you came. You know, when my asshole of a brother had you by the throat.”
I gasped at the memory while Deacon slapped the guy on the back. “This is my youngest brother, Benjamin.”
“That’s Bishop actually,” the blond god corrected, throwing out his hand.
The moment our hands met I suddenly remembered the sounds of sex and Willow’s words about Uncle Bishop exercising. “Did you have a nice workout?” I blurted before I could think better of it.
His brows knitted in confusion. “Huh?”
“Never mind,” I replied. When I met Deacon’s eyes, amusement shone in them. Unlike his clueless brother, he knew exactly what I had heard and what Willow had told me. With my embarrassment growing, I knew I needed to get out of there. “Well, I guess I better head home.”
