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Minutes later, the craft approaching us sees nothing but a group of men on a couple fishing boats rafted together, having a party. They wave. We wave back. They pass by to our port, and continue on their way.
“Whew,” Country says under his breath. “That was a fuckin’ close one.”
“They were probably fine,” I reply. “Wasn’t the Coast Guard, just some pleasure boaters. But last thing we needed was them gettin’ suspicious andcallingthe Guard.” I take a swig. “Come on. Finish your beer and let’s get back on solid land.”
Business concluded, we untie from the trawler and head back. The trip is a little shorter this time, the wind and thus the current being on our side.
By the time we get back to the cabin and unload the boat, it’s time for happy hour. I try to convince my brothers to drive back down to Minneapolis tonight, but they’re not feeling it. I know if we were on bikes, they’d be up for the ride no problem. But we’ve been sitting in a pickup or on a boat for the whole damn day, so I don’t push it. Instead, we find ourselves a bar and grill in Baudette and settle in for some drinks and a meal.
We put our cuts back on to go into the restaurant, and we get some suspicious looks from the local patrons. At the table next to us are two old biddies who look like they’ve spent the last hour sucking on lemons. They stop talking as soon as we’re seated next to them, and it becomes clear pretty quickly that they’re gonna sit there and listen in on our conversation. So, we give ‘em something to listen to. I strike up a conversation with Black and Reed about when they got their “red wings.” They immediately figure out what I’m doing and play along. Country doesn’t know what the term means, just like I expected. So, I get to give him — and our audience — a very detailed explanation.
The biddies leave the bar soon after that. And we settle in to eat in peace.
Next day, we get back to Minneapolis. I don’t waste any time. I’m dialing Kat’s number as soon as I leave the clubhouse. “Babe,” I say as soon as she answers. “What time you get off work? I’m comin’ over tonight.”
12
KAT
Waking up in the morning in Connor’s arms feelsright.
When he got back to Minneapolis yesterday after his run up north for the club, he came straight here, and hasn’t left since. I was so happy to see him I almost cried. I missed him so much — a lot more than I probably should have, considering we’ve only been back together for a little over a week.
As I lie in his warm embrace, listening to his deep breathing, the novelty of being here with him is not lost on me. Until recently, we had never actuallysleptslept together for a whole night, in an actual bed. We were too young to have anyplace to go back when we were first together. Plus, we were sneaking around behind my brother’s back, and then hiding our relationship from Connor’s MC.
My heart feels a little pang for the young, in-love girl I used to be. The young boy Connor used to be broke my poor foolish heart. And now here I am with him, all over again. Isn’t the definition of crazy doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results? Is this madness, opening myself up to being hurt by him all over again?
I shift restlessly in the bed, and Connor stirs. “Where you goin’?” he murmurs, his arms tightening around me.
I push away my doubts, not wanting to waste the time I have with him. “I have to pee,” I sigh. “And unfortunately, I have to get to work pretty soon.”
“Already?” he groans. “How is that possible?”
I grimace. “I’m covering someone else’s shift for them today. Believe me, I wish I didn’t have to go.” It’s true. I’d love to stay in bed in my little sex-cocoon with Connor, and shut out the real world for as long as possible.
Hopping out of bed, I resist the urge to cover my naked body before I pad barefoot out of the room. In the bathroom, I turn on the water and jump in the shower. But before I can start soaping up, Connor appears and climbs in with me.
“Well, hello there,” I say, giving him a coy look. “I figured you’d go back to sleep for a bit.”
“Already wide awake,” he says, nodding down toward his crotch.
“Ah. I see what you mean,” I smirk.
“How about we get dirty before we get clean?” he rasps, reaching for me.
I had always heard that shower sex was overrated, but my sample size of one soon tells me that is definitely not the case. I emerge from the steamy bathroom panting and buzzed, wishing more than ever that I could stay here with Connor all day, with the goal of having sex in every room of my small apartment. Including the closet.
Connor slips into the kitchen and makes a pot of coffee while I dry my hair. He brings it to me back in the bedroom, and lies on the bed to watch me as I get ready for work. “Stop it,” I protest as I catch him in the mirror staring at my ass. “You’re making me self-conscious!”
He lets out a bark of laughter. “Babe, after everything we’ve done lately, there’s not one inch of your body I haven’t seen — or tasted. It’s a little late to feel shy, don’t ya think? Besides, you are the hottest, most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. You got nothin’ to be worried about, trust me.”
At his words, I can’t help but wonder how many women there have been for Connor over the years. My god, there must be dozens.Hundreds? Gah!!!He’s an incredibly good-looking man. He exudes masculinity, and he can turn on that sexy biker charm like a light switch. I bet women practically drop their panties just at the sight of him. I’ve been around bikers enough to know they are hardly saints. Everything tells me that Connor has probably has his pick of pretty much any woman he wants. I honestly can’t imagine anyone saying no to him.
I know I don’t really have the right to be jealous. After all, Connor and I haven’t been together for years. But I am, dammit. I really, really am.
Don’t think about it. You’ll drive yourself crazy. Just enjoy this for what it is. Easier not to get hurt that way.
Connor takes me to work on his bike. As we ride toward the hospital, I lean into his warm, strong back and close my eyes, relishing the feeling of normalcy. I pretend that this is our life, that we never separated all those years ago. The fantasy is so compelling that it takes over my mind, shutting out everything else. When I feel the bike slowing to turn into the hospital entrance, I jolt back to reality with a real sense of loss.
