Chapter One
Ieyed the trio of giggling women on the dance floor, then looked at my best friend, Syn Styles. “Tell me again why we hang out with those three?”
“Should I count them off, or do you just want the number one reason?” Syn sipped on her margarita, laughter sparkling in her blue eyes.
We both knew the main reason we had come in a group was that our big brothers would never let us come to a nightclub alone, but we also loved the three women. Renee shimmied her ass in a tight red leather skirt against the groin of a random dude, making him grab her around the waist. I watched the couple for a few seconds, making sure my friend hadn’t gotten into a situation she couldn’t get out of. Only when Renee tossed her long brown hair back, laughing, and the grabby dude eased off, did I turn back to Syn.
“Maybe we should rescue them?” I pointed my beer bottle toward Magee and Jozlyn, who were the center of attention of what looked like a frat party.
Syn looked at me like I’d grown two heads. Renee—better known as Nene—Magee and Jozlyn were great friends, but they definitely didn’t need anyone to rescue them. They’d come to the party wearing tiny bits of fabric, while I wore a pair of comfy jeans similar to Syn’s, which fit like they’d been made for us. Strategic rips kept us both just this side of decent. While Syn wore a tight V-necked T-shirt, I wore a tank top with a lace back. Since we’d driven our motorcycles, Syn and I had worn boots,unlike our friends, who were sporting heels that screamed fuck me.
“Excuse me, but I like my freedom. Could you imagine the look on Kellen’s face if he saw me try to walk out of the house dressed like that?” I thought of Syn’s brother Kellen and the look of horror he’d have if he saw his baby sister dressed in a miniskirt short enough to show her ass and a crop-top barely covering her voluptuous breasts. Kellen wasn’t only the head of the Iron Wolves MC, but he was also their alpha. What he said was law, and nobody, not even Syn, crossed him. My own brother, Xander—better known as Xan—was his second-in-command and was just as scary, if not scarier. Both stood at over six feet two inches tall, but that’s where the similarities ended. Kellen was black-haired and blue-eyed. He and Syn looked very much alike in their coloring and tall stature, while Xan had blond hair and brown eyes.
“I think we’d have to go into the witness protection plan if we tried it.” I laughed.
Raising her glass, Syn clinked her drink with mine. “True that,” she agreed.
I got up from the table. “Let’s dance, girl.”
“Bottoms up, baby.” Syn downed the rest of her drink before standing.
Our shifter metabolism kept us from getting drunk, but we enjoyed the slight buzz we got from the alcohol, even if it was only short-lived. We ignored the college guys who called out from several tables as we passed on our way to the dance floor. I was tempted to flip a few of them the bird or toss a couple backward, but I restrained myself.
“Seriously, do they think yelling hey baby, come sit on my face, will get them laid?” I asked, scooting between the tight tables.
“I’m thinking the answer is yes,” Syn tossed over her shoulder.
The DJ played a mix of country, hip-hop, and rock. The song that came on was for a popular line dance. Over half the people on the floor sat down, including Renee, Magee, and Jozlyn, because they didn’t like or know the steps. Syn shrugged her shoulders and got in line. I smiled as our three friends flipped their middle fingers from one of the tables, even though I couldn’t hear what was said over the music. I got lost in the dance steps, enjoying the beat and movements. Several songs later, all five of us were on the dance floor. I loved letting loose; I loved feeling the loud bass vibrating all the way up, from my toes to my head. I rolled my body with the music, imagining what it would be like if I were with a lover, and thought of the amazing orgasms it would cause. Of course, living with my older brother, I’d not had the chance to experience anything of the sort with anyone, other than my trusty vibrator.
“What’s put that frown on your face?” Renee asked.
I bit my lip, but a nervous giggle escaped. “I think it’s time for me to get my own place.”
Jozlyn and Magee stopped dancing, their eyes looking ready to pop out of their heads. Only Syn seemed to understand my need for independence, since she had just recently been given a cabin by her older brother. It was still on his property, but not in his home. Kellen was giving his sister a little breathing room, unlike Xan, who I swore still thought I was in grade school.
“Xan will never allow that,” Jozlyn and Magee said at the same time.
Syn growled at both younger girls. “And when did either of you become so in the know when it came to the second of the MC?”
Oh shit! I recognized the anger blazing in my best friend’s blue eyes and was shocked to see it aimed at our friends. If Ididn’t know any better, I’d think Syn was jealous. Which was absurd, since we each considered both Kellen and Xan brothers.
Renee stuck her finger in her ear and shook it. “Excuse me, but did you just growl at us?”
Before a fight could erupt, I stepped between them. “I gotta pee. You need to go with me.” I jerked on Syn’s arm.
By the time we wound our way through the throng of gyrating people and into the bathroom, Syn seemed to get herself under control.
“What the fuck was that all about?” I jerked my thumb toward the closed door and the club beyond.
A deep sigh left Syn in a gush as she leaned against the counter. “I have no clue. There’s this wild feeling inside me that seems to be growing lately. I feel like I’m going to snap, and if I’m not careful, I’m liable to bite someone’s head off. Ya know?” She placed her palm over her heart, tears swimming in her eyes.
I did the only thing I knew how to do. I wrapped my arms around my best friend. “I understand, truly I do. Maybe that’s what I’m feeling, too.”
“You should move in with me.” Syn pulled away, wiping her tears away with the back of her hand.
Laughing, I shook my head. “You think Xan would let me?”
“If it’s safe enough for me, then why not you?”
