“The boys wouldn’t even let us step in this place if it wasn’t safe.” Said Scarlett. “I can only go to the Den if Axel is with me.”
“That’s more to do with the male strippers and not about trouble.” Teased Joelle. “Your man doesn’t want you gazing at gyrating butts unless it’s his.” Everyone laughed, and Scarlett didn’t deny it.
Slipping out of the little jacket, Lisa left it on the seat and reached out for the wine waiting for her. It tasted fruity and crisp, just what she’d needed after the day from hell.
“Nina filled us in on what’s been happening. That fuckstick needs his balls cut off, whoever he is.” Casey hissed.
“Castration is too good for someone who thinks it’s okay to threaten women.”
“He’s threatening Ryan, though.” Lisa input. “That’s what I don’t get.”
“Could it be your ex?”
“Rowley? Hardly. He couldn’t fight his way out of a paper bag; I say that kindly. It’s not his nature. And he’s happily married. Plus, this happened ten years ago, the first time. I didn’t know Rowley then.” Lisa’s head had been going around it all day, driving herself mad with who it could be. She’d come up with precisely zero answers. “Ryan is looking into it. I trust him.”
“I’m glad,” Kelly said sagely, patting Lisa’s knee. Lisa was surprised at the gesture because Kelly was the one Lisa was least close to. Not that the woman was unfriendly, but Nina had told her earlier on in their group friendship that Kelly took a while to warm up to new people. And she especially didn’t like outsiders who judged the bikers and their lives. “The MC won’t let this go unchecked. You belong to Splice now. To threaten a clubwoman is a black mark against anyone.”
Oh, wow. Yeah. She hadn’t thought about it that way.
He was so damn gorgeous sitting there, an arm resting on the bar, one leg on the rung of the stool, the other flat to the floor. He looked like a model who had just come from a photoshoot. And he affected every cell of her being.
She was so wildly attracted—no; it was worse than simply lust. She was becoming deeply addicted to Ryan. The kind where she wasn’t happy if a day went by without them seeing each other. Though he never missed a phone call, checking in throughout the day, or sending random texts. She thought his pursuit might dial down now that he had her, but if anything, Ryan was more focused on their relationship.
She’d asked the universe that tipsy night with Nina for an attentive man, hadn’t she? And they’d delivered Ryan Gold in a gift basket.Thank you, Fates!
He was fulfilling all her desires, leaving her a giddy mess, overwhelmed by the new emotions that surfaced whenever she gazed at him.
“Okay, stop sending googly eyes at your man,” Nina said. “He’s playing guard dog, but we’re here for girls’ night, and that rarely involves penis-havers.”
“Price is here for me, too.” Said Scarlett, mentioning the probie, “Axel wouldn’t let me come out alone. And I’ll probably only stay an hour. I had FOMO.”
“You should be at home nesting,” Lottie said.
“Or riding the hubby to bring on labor.” Advised Kelly.
As Lisa listened to everyone talking, she looked over at Ryan, needing to see him from time to time. Sometimes men were chatting with him. Other times, she saw women trying to gain his attention. Though she felt a flicker of possessiveness stirring in her belly, she trusted him. Thank God, because what was she going to do? Start a bar fight? Not in her white jeans and red-bottomed shoes. She’d have to undress first. And then there were her silver hoop earrings to take out. Nah, better not to fight over her man, she thought, chuckling to herself.
“What has you cackling?” Nina asked.
“I was imagining how much I’d have to take off before I could fight women over Ryan.”
“Hell! Are we gonna fight?” Nina blinked, looking over at Ryan, too, who was flanked by two brunettes. The women weren’t touching him, so it was fine for now.
Lisa laughed at the horrified yet prepared look on her best friend. Damn, she loved that lady.
“Not in these shoes.” She lifted the pair to show her expensive footwear, and they all made agreeing noises.
The conversation turned to a fundraiser Kelly was planning for the local women’s shelter. As the girls discussed their roles, Lisa discreetly texted Ryan from beneath the table, her phone on her lap.
It was the most daring text she’d ever sent anyone, and her cheeks were burning by the time she let the text go.
Lisa: Don’t forget to tell those barflies you have a very possessive woman who thinks you’re so fuckable, she can’t wait to get you home tonight to wear your sexy body out.
He lifted his head and gave her an incredibly intense gaze. He tried to move off the stool, and Lisa just shook her head, telling him to stay put.
Ryan: My goddess owns every inch of my body. I already told them I’m taken.
Lisa: My sweet boy. I might let you come a little sooner.
