Page 33

By the time the Fourth of July rolled around, I was ready for my first official club visit. They were having a big barbeque, and Eliot, Bull, Fee, and Charlie had all asked me to go. Even Beth was attending, so I decided to put my big girl panties on and dive in. When we first arrived, it was a little intimidating. I had never seen so many big men in one place.

“Is there some sort of height requirement to join?” I muttered as I walked in, and Beth laughed. She put her arm around my shoulder, giving me a squeeze.

“You’re gonna do just fine, my girl. All of the men here would rather die than hurt a woman. There isn’t a safer place you could be.” Before I could freak out too much, Eliot was crossing over to us.

“Hey, Ma,” he said. He pulled me into his arms for a brutal kiss. When he pulled away, there was a ringing in my ears, my cheeks pink as I took in all the people watching us. Charlie was jumping up and down, elbowing Fee from a nearby table, and I ducked my head against Eliot’s chest.

“Everyones looking!” I hissed, and he gave a sharp laugh.

“Let them.” Beth had already crossed the room and was talking to some women in a group. Unsure where to go, I was grateful when Eliot made the decision for me, lacing his fingers through mine as he pulled me toward Charlie and Fee. Bull had joined them, and there were two other men standing there as well.

“I fucking LOVE this,” Charlie said once we were close enough.

“Easy, C. Don’t scare them off right away,” one of the men said. He was tall, with dirty blonde hair and bright blue eyes. Bash was embroidered on his vest, and things clicked into place.

“Hey, everyone. Happy Fourth,” I said awkwardly as everyone at the table studied us with unabashed interest.

“I’m Bash. Nice to officially meet you.” He reached out and gave me a sturdy shake.

“I apologize in advance for whatever exploits the girls have pulled. Just don’t blame Fee. Charlie’s a bad influence.” She punched him not so softly on the shoulder.

“Speak for yourself. You’re just jealous because Lilah likes us more than you.”

“That’s a big assumption, Little Bit. Give her some time. I’m sure you’ll piss her off.” He jumped back before Charlie could reply as an older man approached, holding Birdie.

“Children, behave. We have company.” Birdie reached her chubby arms out, her hands opening and closing as she reached for her dad. Bash didn’t miss a beat as he pulled the baby into his arms, a bottle appearing out of nowhere.

“Dad, this is Scythe’s girl. Lilah.” Bash introduced me to the older man. The resemblance among the family was uncanny.

“We’ve heard so much about you. Welcome to the clubhouse. Name’s Guard,” he said. I smiled. He was a jovial man, and his lighthearted demeanor was calming. Guard leaned in, and in a quieter tone, asked a question.

“So, how do I get my wife into this spicy book club of yours?” His eyebrows waggled, and an unexpected laugh bubbled out of me.

“Ew!

“Dad!”

Both Charlie and Bash looked like they were on the verge of throwing up.

“Mind your business. The adults are talking.” Guard hushed them, returning his attention back to me. Shortly after, his wife, Cece, joined the group, and soon, an official book club had been started, with rotating locations and members.

All of the brothers I met were kind. Some were rough around the edges, but who wasn’t? They were honest, funny, and down to earth. Whatever I had expected wasn’t that, and it made me happy. Knowing that Eliot and Beth had them, what that really looked like, genuinely comforted me.

As the summer turned into Fall, I couldn’t believe how full my life had become. The weekends were spent at the clubhouse or out on whatever adventure Eliot had cooked up for us. During the week, if they were around, Charlie or Fee would come by during craft nights, sometimes together or sometimes alone. Occasionally, Birdie would be with them, and I had to agree with Charlie; she was the cutest baby I had ever met.

Both Charlie and I were in school, the fall semester finding us juggling classes and work between girls’ nights and club events. Eliot and I were getting to know each other over long talks into the night, falling asleep whispering secrets to each other.

Phone calls, messages, little notes…Each one revealed something deeper. Then there were nights like that one. Eliot picked me up on his bike, and we spent hours riding around. The back of his bike was one of my favorite places, wrapped around him with all that steel vibrating under us.

The tension built as I pressed closer to him, his hand lingering on my calf at each stop light. By the time we got back to my house, I was shaking with need. Sliding back, I stayed on the bike for a moment, not trusting my legs to hold me. Next thing I knew, Eliot was hauling me toward him by the back of my neck, lifting me off the bike until my legs were wrapped around his waist.

I didn’t know how he got us inside, but as soon as the door closed behind him, we were clawing at each other. Pushing at his jacket, it fell to the ground as he bent down to kiss me again, walking us toward the bedroom. Somewhere along the way, I kicked my shoes off, and Eliot yanked my shirt over my head.

“Need these off,” he muttered gently, pushing me onto the bed as together we got my jeans off. Standing at the foot of the bed in his pants and boots, Eliot looked down at me. His eyes were dark, his muscles tense, the swirls of ink wrapping around his torso like armor. He crawled over me, pressing teasing kisses to my neck and down my chest. My hands roamed his back and shoulders, eyes closing.

“Oh!” A surprised shock went through me when I felt the heat of his hand on my pussy, ghosting over it without nearly enough pressure. I found my hips raising, chasing him. In the next instant, he had ripped them off before covering me with his mouth.

A moan escaped as I dropped back to the bed. His mouth was urgent, teasing licks, but never where I needed him. My hips started moving of their own accord, and I let out a gasp when he sucked my clit into his mouth. The pressure was amazing. I was desperate for more.