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“You look hot, Goldie,” Gunner agrees. He licks his lips and flashes me a little wink.
I can’t help but beam back at him. After one last glance in the mirror, I confidently strut back to the fitting room to try on the next look.
I feel my confidence increase with every outfit I try on. Instead of trying to hide my body, Kitty and Kiki selected clothing to accentuate my figure. They chose flattering colors for my complexion instead of the virginal pastel shades my stepmother always steers me towards.
I look like a whole new person. I’m not Marigold anymore.
Three hours later, we’re finally finished, though Kitty and Kiki have drug us throughout the entire mall. I now have two weeks’ worth of outfits, new bra and panty sets, three pairs of new shoes, and toiletries, all at Gunner’s insistence. He paid for everything, including some new items for his sisters, by peeling hundred-dollar bills from a roll that he kept in his pocket.
Gunner carries all the bags out to the car, his hazel eyes still scanning for signs of danger amongst the other shoppers. He opens the door of the SUV for me and I settle into the front seat as Kitty and Kiki hop in the back.
We’re zipping home, the girls chatting away in the backseat, and Gunner has threaded his fingers through mine.
Normally, I feel worse about myself after a shopping excursion. My stepmother and even Bianca’s critiques leave me feeling like a disgusting blob. With some surprise, I realize that I actually feelhappy.
Is this really what my life could be like?
Dusk is falling as Gunner guides the SUV into one of the many stalls of the Grim Rider’s massive garage. The vast majority of the bikes have disappeared, and I feel every muscle in my body tense.
Are they meeting with my father right now?
Gunner pops open the trunk to collect our shopping bags. He rolls his eyes when Kiki offers to help but allows Kitty to hold open the heavy metal door for us.
I’m quiet, but the girls chat away as we walk through the maze of hallways. We reach Gunner’s room first and he sits the shopping bags inside of his doorway before pulling a roll of cash from his pocket.
“Order a pizza for dinner,” Gunner grumbles, peeling off two twenties and passing them to Kiki.
“What do you guys want?” Kiki asks, raising one of her auburn eyebrows.
“You’re on your own,” Gunner growls and both sisters smile knowingly.
“Okay,” Kiki sings. “Goodnight, you two!” She has to jump to reach her brother’s cheek for a kiss and then she wraps her arms around my shoulders.
After an embrace from Kitty, the girls collect their shopping bags and saunter down the hallway, still giggling. Gunner stands still, just watching them walk away.
“They really like you,” He mumbles.
“I really like them, too.”
Gunner wraps his arms around me before pressing his lips against mine. He holds me there, kissing me until my head spins. Gunner presses his hard body against me, and I start to feel a bulge between his legs.
“I want to take you to bed right now,” Gunner growls in my ear when he finally pulls his lips away. “But we’ve got to meet Rex and Zeke.”
I’m still catching my breath as Gunner grabs my hand and leads us towards the main hallway.
“We’re not going back to your room?” I ask. I’m frowning but secretly pleased that I’m beginning to orient myself to the compound.
“The bar,” Gunner answers, turning to speak over his shoulder. After a few more of his long strides, he slows to hold a door open.
“It’s where we wait for the rest of the Riders to come back,” Gunner explains, his voice soft.
My stomach performs a somersault, but I console myself with the fact that it will all be over soon. Gunner’s hand is warm on the small of my back, guiding me, and he swings open one more door before we’re in the Grim Rider’s gigantic party space.
The heels of my boots click against the tiles of the floor and seem to echo. The bar looks even larger when it’s not filled to the brim with bikers and their babes. Right now, the pool tables, booths, and couches are all empty. There’s no haze of smoke to wade through.
“Goldie!”
Rex is the first the call out. He slides off of his barstool and darts over, immediately wrapping his olive-skinned arms around me. I breathe in his scent, leather and a slight musk, and Rex is kissing me hello.
