Toni couldn’t have controlled her laughter if she tried. “Worth it.”
* * *
By the timeRanger pulled into Cross’ driveway, it was after dark and there was only one other cage in it besides Cross’.MaybeRanger could have chosen a better time to role play that scene he’d read last night in Toni’s book. Maybe. It wasn’t his fault he’d had trouble falling asleep. And it had been so fucking perfect!Shehad been fucking perfect. Who knew repeating a line from one of her romance books would get her so riled up? Ranger would never understand the stigma behind women reading—what was the word Toni used?—cliterature? He saw it no differently than when he’d “read” Playboy magazines as a teen. And if it gotthatreaction out of her… Well, he might just have to start reading more.
Cross’ front door opened as Brently, another of Cross’ sponsees, exited the house. Ranger had parked behind Cross’ cage, so he wasn’t blocking anyone in. After helping Toni off and removing her helmet for her, Ranger removed his own along with his cut. It was a habit for him to not wear his colors at AA. Toni took it and folded it nicely before putting it and both their helmets in his saddlebags.
Ranger approached Brently, offering the man his hand. “How pissed is he that we missed the dinner?”
“Pissed?” Brently repeated, shaking his head. “Try disappointed.”
Ranger winced. “That’s even worse.”
“Don’t I know it. How’ve you been?” Brently was from Johnstown, so Ranger generally only saw him at the Sunday lunches Cross hosted.
“Few rough days,” Ranger admitted, knowing better than to go with the vague party line of “fine”. “But I got through them. You?”
“Comes and goes. Still having trouble finding a new job, which doesn’t help with the stress levels.” Brently shrugged. “But I’ve got a few interviews lined up for next week. We’ll see what happens.”
“Good. I hope you find something.” Feeling Toni approach next to him, Ranger linked an arm around her waist. “Have you met my girlfriend, Toni, yet?”
“Don’t think so.” Brently smiled at her and offered his hand. “Very nice to meet you. I’m Brently.”
“Toni,” she offered, shaking his hand. Her eyes kept flicking to the doorway of Cross’ house that Ranger was dutifully ignoring.
Brently glanced over his shoulder, catching sight of Cross’ silhouette. “Best not to keep him waiting. He feels really bad about not being around the past couple weeks. Even tried to bake a cake. Whatever you think it tastes like, say it’s pineapple. Trust me.”
Ranger grimaced, knowing he was likely going to have to eat the pineapple-not-pineapple cake to make up for their absence.
As Brently got in his cage, Toni smacked Ranger’s abdomen with the flat of her hand. “Itold youwe were going to be late.”
“Thought you said it was worth it?” he countered.
Toni’s expression was a mixture of bliss and guilt, which only made Ranger chuckle.
Taking her hand, he led her onto the stone path that cut through the grass towards the front stoop.
“Wow. Finally decided to grace me with your presence?” Cross asked, his eyes boring into Ranger’s. They turned much kinder as he shifted his gaze to Toni. “It’s good to see you again, my dear. Did you have a good day off?”
“I did,” Toni answered as Cross stepped back to let them inside. “Liam took me on this mountain path that was just beautiful with the fall colors. I want to look into one of those cameras that attaches to my helmet so I can get some pictures while we drive.”
“My one nephew has one of those. He dirt bikes,” Cross explained, closing the door behind them. “I’m not sure of the brand, but I can ask.”
“Thank you,” Toni smiled. “One of Liam’s club brothers makes TikTok videos. I know it’s not the same thing, but I figured he’d be a good one to ask, too.”
Cross offered Toni his arm, leading her past the foyer and into the kitchen area. “I’m just an old fart who can’t figure out his voicemail, but I can’t imagine the cameras are that different. My wonder is how you mount them on your helmet. Wouldn’t that be top heavy?”
“I really don’t know.” Toni shrugged. “But if it’s too heavy for me, I’ll mount it on Liam’s helmet.”
Cross chuckled, patting her hand. “You’re a good influence on him, my girl. I am very glad he met you.” Then he turned to Ranger and raised an eyebrow. “So what excuse do you have for missing my dinner that I slaved all day over?”
Ranger glanced at the scattered pizza boxes on the kitchen counter, but his guilt over disappointing Cross had him biting his tongue against questioning the man’s definition of “slaving”. “We were riding and lost track of time. I didn’t realize how far we were from your house. I’m sorry.”
Cross’ eyes narrowed. “Hm.” He leaned down to fake whisper to Toni. “Do I believe him?”
Toni’s cheeks pinkened but she also grinned at the teasing man. “I think he does feel bad about being late, but I’m not opposed to you making him do some yard work or something to make up for it.”
Ranger’s eyes narrowed on Toni, which only made her grin widen. Her ass wasdefinitelygetting a spanking when they got back to Becks and Ghost’s home.
