When I finally lift my head, she smiles softly. “Something tells me that you’ll survive. You’ll soon figure out that Isla learned her sass from a master.”
“Then I’ll have to ask Sawyer for tips on how to handle the two of you.”
Her smile slips, and some of the afterglow starts to fade. Shit. What did I say? I watch her, waiting as her eyes search mine. I don’t know what she’s looking for, but whatever it is, I hope she finds it. Finally, she sighs and says, “You’re going to make it really hard for me to stay away from you, aren’t you?”
Not what I thought she’d say, but I can work with it. “I’m going to do my damndest. Is that a problem?”
“It can be if it’s going to end up with Sawyer or Isla getting hurt in the process. And I don’t mean because of the whole bad MC club and Vlad business. I mean, if they get close to you and then you decide we’re done. They’ve lost a lot in their lives, and I don’t want them to get close to you and this club any more than they already are if it’s going to be yanked out from under them. I can handle myself, but I want to protect them.”
“I promise, Avery, that won’t happen. You’re a part of us now. Even if you and I don’t work out, that won’t change the fact that the club will always be there for you. Hell, Rose isn’t going to let you or the kids walk away after everything that’s happened. She’s basically going to adopt all three of you, and she’ll flip me the bird if I try to butt in or cause a problem. As for the kids, they’re good kids, and honestly, I like them on their own, not just because they’re connected to you. Isla is a mini-Rose, and I have a few tricks up my own sleeve to make her unstoppable. Fuck, I’m going to enjoy watching her run the boys around her ragged. Sawyer, he’s smart, and I can see him soaking up as much information as he can. Even when he came into the med area while I was recovering, he’d be asking questions and really listening. Not pretending like a lot of kids his age do. Hell, he’snot a Prospect, but he’s already leagues ahead of any of the ones that fell out over the years. He’s aching for male figures in his life, and we can all be one for him in one way or another.”
Avery winces slightly. “Yeah, I’ve thought about that. His dad died before he hit his teens, and I’ve never had a serious boyfriend since they came to live with me. I’ve been so busy with them and work, it never crossed my mind. He always had guy friends, and hung out at their places, so I guess I was kind of hoping that would help, but probably not completely.”
“Angel, you’re an amazing sister, anyone can see that. Sawyer isn’t lacking for anything, but sometimes a guy just wants to be around other guys that can teach him a thing or two, and aren’t the same age as him wanting all the same shit.”
“So, you think he wants a man around to talk about girls and sex with?” she asks drily.
I shrug. “Possibly. Or it might just be that he has a few things he wants to ask, but is too embarrassed or nervous to ask you about. Sometimes it’s easier to talk to a guy, and asking your friends opens you up to questions that you might not want to ask.”
She nods slowly. “Yeah, okay, I get that. I guess it’s different because Isla just straight up asks me anything.” She shakes her head. “Giving her the puberty talk was hell. The girl asked me questions like a drill sergeant, and then woke me up in the middle of the night to ask me more because she couldn’t sleep.” She makes a face. “She even asked me if a penis can get stuck when you have sex if it gets too hard. She was freaking twelve. Worse, she even drew an anatomically correct picture after searching for it on her laptop, but then decided that she needed a second one where the dick got stuck in the vagina and the stick figure guy was screaming his head off. I had to lock the thing and put on parental controls because of course there was porn on there, and not laugh at the picture.”
I laugh, unable to help myself. God, the girl is riot. “I mean, at least she asked.”
“I had to tell her I’ve never seen a dick get stuck in a vagina all on its own, but it can happen if people add things in, like a piercing or a cock ring. That set off another round of questions. I think this went on for weeks until she was satisfied. I was terrified she’d go to school and announce everything I told her, and I’d be in shit with her teachers, but thank God, she kept it to herself. Well, I’m assuming she did.”
“I can see why Sawyer wants to talk to a man.” I snicker. “Fuck, Isla overhears him and it’ll all be over.”
“Yeah. Anyway, just promise me that you’ll be careful with them, Hulk.”
I sober and cup the side of her face in my hand. “I’ll be careful with all of you, angel. You and them. I know this entire situation is freaking you out, but I promise things will be okay. We’ll take it one step at a time.”
Again, her eyes search mine, until finally she nuzzles into my hand and nods. “Okay,” she breathes. Then she smirks, “And just so we’re clear, if you fuck up, I’m sending Rose after you. After that display earlier, she’s scarier than me. Add in Isla, and you’re fucked.”
I grin. “If I fuck up, I deserve all that and more.” Elation fills me, but I don’t let it show. Not yet. We’re nowhere near close to this being permanent, but I can work with this. I kiss her quickly again, needing the connection.
She pulls back and smiles. “Keep doing that and I won’t leave,” she murmurs.
“I’m okay with that.”
“Yeah, but do you really want to have two teenagers coming in here and asking questions?”
I shrug. “Wouldn’t bother me. I’m sure they’ve figured it out by now since you’ve been in here a few hours.”
She groans and covers her face with her hands. “Isla is going to ask so many questions,” she moans.
Before I can tell her that she can stay in here since there’s a guard on their door, there’s a loud knock on the door. “Hey, sis, Sawyer wants to know if you’re done sexing up the sexy giant biker and want your bed back, or if he has to sleep on the cot again,” Isla calls out loudly.
I can’t help it, I start laughing, as Avery curses and hurries to climb over me to get dressed. “I’m coming,” Avery calls back, before giving me a you’re going to pay for this look.
“So many jokes, but I might give Theo a coronary with how hard he’s laughing,” Isla calls back. Then her footsteps start moving away.
I climb from the bed and pull on my pants, shirt, and cut, grinning as Avery quickly yanks her shirt over her head, sans bra, which she grips in her hand. She sends me a warning look. “Don’t even think about it. You’re staying right here, and I’m going to try and not to die of embarrassment from all the questions I’m going to be dodging. Four orgasms give you a good amount of grace, but not enough that I won’t stop sending her over here for you to answer them all.”
I want to tell her that none of that will bother me, but my phone buzzes, drawing my attention. I pull it out of my pocket, and I see Bullet asking me to come speak with him. Looks like I’m avoiding Isla’s questions after all. “I have to talk to Bullet,” I tell her, putting my hand on her hip and leaning down to give her a quick, hard kiss. Then I grin. “So you’re on your own with the questions for now.” I bend quickly to pull on my boots.
A flash of worry flies across her face when I look at her again, but then it’s gone, and she nods, heading for the door. “Thanks a lot,” she grumbles sarcastically. She opens the door but stops and grins wickedly at me over her shoulder. “But I make nopromises about what will happen tomorrow morning.” Then she continues out and into the hall.
I shut my door behind me and nod at Theo, who’s grinning at me like an idiot. I ignore him and haul Avery back, spinning her so that I can kiss her again. She melts against me, before she finally eases back. “I’ll handle whatever is thrown at me,” I murmur. “Now go to bed, and I’ll see you in the morning. And make sure you dream of me.”
