“There... wear that. It should cover more of your skin.”
I get off the bed, stand, and pull his shirt over my head. It smells so damn good. The hem of the shirt falls below my knees. It covers more skin, but I look like a mess in it.
He steps toward me, grabs a fistful of his shirt, and abruptly yanks me to him until I’m glancing up into intense stormy eyes. “You look so fucking sexy in my shirt,” he says before briefly crashing his lips to mine. I love how he takes control. His lips curve into a smile against mine. “Let’s get some food. I’m starving to death.”
I chuckle as he takes my hand. It’s quiet when we descend the stairs, but while we navigate through the house and toward the kitchen, I hear voices outside. Axle leads me out the back door. Everyone is sitting at a long wooden table in the back yard. Platters of food have been set out along the center of the table. I recoil—everyone is staring at us. I give them a tight smile as a blush creeps up my face.
Grace and Vera are sitting together between Reaper and Candy. Grace says something to Vera and they both stand, their chairs scraping back. With heads held high, they grab their plates and walk past us.
Axle tugs on my hand, and we sit in the chairs Grace and Vera vacated. With Axle now seated next to Reaper, I sit next to Candy, who gives me a small smile. Axle loads his plate with bacon and eggs, toast, and hash browns. I follow his lead but dish up only one-third of his plate of food.
“What?” he asks me.
My eyes flick from his plate to his face. “Nothing,” I murmur. I smile, wondering where all the food goes, because he’s fit.
There’s chatter around the table.
“Nice shirt,” Viper muses.
I peer down at the black War Brothers MC T-shirt that’s hanging off me.
“Yes,” Axle answers for me. “She looks hot in it.” Then his eyes narrow. “You take your flirty eyes off her.”
Viper chuckles. “I haven’t seen this overprotective boyfriend side of you.” He raises his brow. “I must say, it’s highly amusing.”
The chatter around the table changes to a lingering silence. I sense everyone’s eyes on me, but I calmly savor my meal and focus on my plate. I look up just in time to see a slice of toast, tossed by Axle, hit Viper in the head, which makes Viper laugh even harder.
Candy inches close to me. “Are you two in a relationship?” she asks quietly.
I slowly nod at her.
She cringes before she smiles. “Congratulations.”
“What’s wrong?” I ask warily.
“Oh... ah...” She lowers her voice to a whisper. “I guess I’m just shocked that out of all the MC members, it’s Axle that’s in a relationship. Like him... of all people.”
“Aren’t you with Viper?” I ask.
She frowns. “I wish... well, not yet anyway.”
I chew my toast, my mind drifting off, wondering why everyone is so surprised by the way Axle acts around me. Is it because he likes me more than others... or is there something else I’m missing? And why has no other biker got a partner? It strikes me as odd.
“When are you checking the bikes?” Reaper asks Axle.
“Today,” Axle replies.
Reaper nods. Even sitting down, he’s an imposing man. He has broad shoulders and carries himself with authority.
My eyes wander over the table to Bomber. He has black hair and a thick beard. Every time I’ve seen him, he’s always seemed crabby and in his own world.
Cash is next, and there’s a noticeable ease in his demeanor compared to the others. He offers a genuine smile, his eyes crinkling warmly, and I find myself mirroring his expression. His calm presence makes me feel more comfortable and at ease.
Twitch sits next to him, with Mercedez on his other side. She seems to be by his side all the time.
The scary one is last. Demon’s skin is covered in tattoos that extend all the way to his neck. He sits back casually in his chair, observing. He rarely speaks, but there’s something not right about him. I watch him flick open a switchblade and then press the lock on the bolster before snapping the blade back into the frame. I shiver and shuffle closer to Axle.
After breakfast, as we’re leaving the table, Axle asks, “Mind if I take a couple of hours to inspect the motorcycles? I want to make sure they’re running smoothly for our ride.”
