Graycie and Opal both laugh, but I don’t. I’m kind of genuinely worried about this. Is it possible to drown in pheromones and leather? Because it feels possible.
“Yes,” Graycie assures me, even though it’s not necessarily reassuring, “they are.”
I slump back into the booth while sucking the last of my drink up the straw. “I’m not sure I’ll survive it.” That earns even more laughter from both women and I hiss, “I’m serious. It’s exhausting being turned on all the time and having my body being all jangly-wangly. Feeling like prey from time to time is not something I’m used to.”
Opal and Graycie are clinging to each other while laughing. All I can do is watch them. It’s not funny.
“Jangly-wangly?” Opal gasps out the question.
“You know,” I try to explain and make jazz hands in front of my torso, “jangly-wangly.”
Once they get themselves under control, which takes far too long as far as I’m concerned, Graycie wipes away a tear and shoots a smile over at Snake who is watching her like she’s the brightest star in the sky. “That’s actually a pretty accurate description,” she says, the words thoughtful.
“I’ve always been kind of take it or leave it when it comes to guys, but this feeling is beyond my scope,” I admit.
Opal gives me a sympathetic look and winces slightly as she offers, “Hydrate?”
“That is not helpful,” I deadpan.
“But solid advice,” Graycie offers with a knowing look on her face.
I cover my face with my hands, only peeking through my fingers when there’s a soft thud on the table. When I look up, Bolt is already heading back toward the bar, and three new drinks are on the table in front of us.
“He’s a good kid,” I muse.
“He is,” Opal agrees. Then her eyes focus on me. “Now, lets talk more about how you’ve become boy crazy, but only for a certain motorcycle club president.”
“I don’t know about boy crazy,” I defend myself and Opal just makes a dismissive sound. “I guess,” I pause and search for the right word, “this whole thing has moved fast and it’s overwhelming.”
“They’re men of action,” Opal says, her eyes filled with pride when she looks around. Something flashes in her expression, but it’s there and gone so quickly before she looks at me again. “When they know what they want, they go after it with everything in them. They don’t know another way and once they find the right person, their loyalty is absolute.”
“This place might test you,” there’s a gentle warning in Graycie’s voice, “but that doesn’t mean you don’t belong.”
Warmth fills my chest and when I look back over at Titus, he’s watching me with a soft look in his eyes that makes me want to curl up in his lap. There’s safety there. And something more, something deeper than affection.
Something I could get lost in. Hopefully, he’ll find me.
CHAPTER 18
RYKER
Snake looks like he’s about to lose his shit entirely. His eyes are fixed on Graycie across the room. Not long ago, I would have been giving him shit right about now. Tonight? Hell no.
I completely understand the way he’s watching his Old Lady. I haven’t been able to tear my eyes away from Ezra for more than a few seconds all night.
I’m glad she’s having a good time and catching up with friends. As much as I want to have all her time and attention, I know she needs more than just me in her life. I guess.
She’s gorgeous, but her beauty isn’t just about her features. It’s about the way she gives you her attention. It’s about the way she cares and gives kindness like it doesn’t cost anything. It’s about the way she lights up those around her and offers genuine connection while doing it.
When Snake stands up, I do too. Playboy walks up at that exact moment with Lola hanging off his arm. For the most part, the club whores know to stay away from Mom and her generation of women. It’s better for everyone if there’s distance there. It’s also widely known that no one is stepping out on their Old Ladies. That shit doesn’t fly around here.
“Where you off to? I was just about to sit.” Playboy motions to the table.
“I’m headed over to my woman,” Snake grumbles the words, sounding more like a put-off bear than the VP he is.
I get it though.
“How long have you two been apart,” Playboy’s voice is filled with teasing, “like five minutes?”
