She grabbed the box with both hands and bolted down the hallway like it might explode if anyone else saw it. It was bad enough that she'd worried all day over Baker picking up the package outside the gate. What if it came in a box that had a picture of what she'd bought on the outside? Luckily, that wasn't the case. The fact that she had the box and no one was the wiser about the content made her more excited.
When she reached her room and clicked the door shut behind her, she was breathless, flushed with nerves, and giddy with anticipation. She stood with her back against the door for a second, gripping the package to her chest and smiling like an idiot.
She crossed the room, entered the bedroom, sat on the edge of the mattress, and slowly peeled away the tape. Thecardboard creaked softly as she opened the box, her fingers careful but eager. Nestled in layers of discreet black tissue paper was the skin-toned vibrator she'd ordered—sleek and elegant. The reviews claimed it was quiet and classy, unlike some of the others she'd seen online. This one looked... beautiful. Intimate. Grown-up.
A rush of warmth filled her chest, even as she bit her lip and gave a nervous laugh. She reached in and ran her fingertips over the device's surface. It felt cool, smooth. Like something secret. Something private.
She set it gently beside her and looked at the box again. The rest of the contents were simple: a tiny charging cord, a velvet pouch, and a folded instruction sheet. She skimmed it, not needing much help. She already knew what she wanted to try.
Slipping into the bathroom, she washed the device and then returned to the bedroom. On the mattress, she took off her shorts. Her heartbeat echoed in her head. The quietness of the room only made her secret more titillating. She picked the toy back up and held it in both hands, looking at it.
This wasn't only about pleasure. It was about becoming the kind of woman she thought Kodiak might want. A woman who knew herself. Who wasn't afraid of her own body or her desires.
Kodiak was older and more experienced. Through the years, she'd seen many women come and go from his room. She understood what happened behind closed doors. He was doing the same thing many of the Royalla members would do in the dark shadows of the clubhouse during parties.
But she had zero experience. How would he even notice her or be interested in her compared to other women who were sexually active?
She groaned in frustration. The way Kodiak viewed her was the opposite of how she saw herself.
Lately, it was hard to ignore the way her stomach fluttered around Kodiak or how her skin buzzed after he brushed past her in the garage. He looked at her differently, too. Something had changed. And if there was even theslightestchance he might someday want her the way she wanted him, she wanted to be ready.
She wanted to feel confident in her skin, not like some clumsy, uncertain girl fumbling through her firsts. She wanted toownherself.
And this—this vibrator was a step toward the life she wanted.
Wasn't that what Kodiak wanted for her? He was always encouraging her to make the most of herself.
Roma leaned back against her pillows, still holding the toy. The room was warm. For the first time in a long time, she didn't feel like she was waiting for something to happen.
She was making it happen.
And maybe, just maybe, the next time Kodiak looked at her... he wouldn't see a kid.
He'd see a woman.
Chapter 15
The garage door groaned to a stop behind him, sealing in the criminal activities that took place after hours. Kodiak wiped his hands on a rag, having waited until Roma left to begin preparing everything for shipping. The truck would be here by midnight to pick up the chopped parts and transport them.
He rounded the stripped-down Honda. "Duke, start wrapping the panels. Ring can get the crates ready. I'll open the storage room so you can get the containers."
They moved fast. No questions were asked. They'd dealt with stolen parts for almost twelve years now. As more one-percenters made changes to stay out of prison, they'd turned to stolen goods rather than drugs and women. It was the way of the world now, and every motorcycle club was desperate to retain its territory and contacts.
Kodiak entered the office and flicked the light switch on the wall. The usual clutter was gone. Over the past few weeks, Roma cleaned, organized, and rearranged the furniture. She had things running more smoothly lately.
Now that the guys could keep working and Roma handled the paperwork, they were getting things done more quickly. The men were happy.
He walked to the back of the room and frowned. The small hook where the storage room keys hung was empty.
He stared for a second, jaw ticking. The last person he knew who'd been in there was Roma when she had to refill toilet paper in the restroom.
Kodiak turned without thinking and headed across the compound toward the clubhouse. He needed the keys so they wouldn't fall behind schedule. If they weren't ready, the truckwould leave without the parts, and they'd run out of money for the month. He had a lot of men counting on him.
The clubhouse was quiet. Most of the men were working. Those at the compound were in the garage, preparing the shipment.
He walked down the hallway and stopped outside Roma's room.
Turning the handle, the door creaked softly as he pushed it open and stepped inside. The air was warmer here, scented faintly with sweet vanilla or whatever lotion she always wore that tended to linger after she left the room.
