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He gave up half an hour ago, after gifting me multiple discounts every time I landed on his properties, much to the non-amusement of Kincaid, Psycho, and Paxton. Mac opted out an hour ago because Gryffin was being fussy and needed a diaper change and now she’s sitting on the couch nursing him.
Kincaid rolls the dice next, sighing deeply when she realizes that she has to go to jail… again.
“You know what? Eff this.” Standing, Kincaid flips the board, sending the pieces all over the living room. “Didn’t curse, you can’t cut my balls off.” She winks at Mac and plops herself beside her on the couch.
“Was that really necessary?” Mac questions her, but she’s smirking, and beneath me, Bear is chuckling.
“It ain’t a family game ofMonopolyuntil someone flips the board. I was just giving the authentic experience.” She shrugs, a half-smile on her face, the piercing in her cheek making the dimple more prominent.
A warmth spreads through me at her words. Family game. These people have zero judgment or shame with everything they do, and they have accepted me with nothing but open arms and a respect I don’t feel like I’ve earned.
I didn’t think finding people to trust would be this easy, but they’ve made it the simplest thing in the world. Trusting them with my life isn’t even a question at this point.
Paxton has a smile on his face bigger than I’ve ever seen and I’m thrilled that he’s being brought into this crazy fold of bikers just as much as I am. It’s obvious to see how much he looks up to them all and he hasn’t stopped talking about the ride over.
I think they all needed this in some way. I know they’re still worried about the club members that are missing, Shade and Diablo, but this has given them the opportunity to relax and take a breather.
“We’re gonna head back. I’m almost out of diapers. This kid shi—craps like nothing I’ve ever known.” With a chuckle, Mac stands and hands Gryffin off to Psycho while she starts packing her baby bag.
“I have a garage full of motorcycles to clean with Jonesy so I’ll head back with ya.” Kincaid glares at Psycho. “Thanks for that by the way.”
He laughs in response. “Life of a prospect, amiright?”
“Yeah, doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
“You wanna ride in the truck with me, Paxton? I can drop you home first.” Mac continues packing her bag as she asks the question.
“Yes, please.” He looks a little disappointed, probably because he would have loved a ride on Psycho or Kincaid’s motorcycles, but I’ve seen them both ride and just no. They’re both amazing at stunts and riding like lunatics, but I wouldn’t want Paxton to get hurt by mistake.
Ten minutes later, Mac, Gryffin, and Paxton are in a truck, while Kincaid and Psycho are on their bikes, all leathered up. The bikes don’t set off until Mac does, and they ride behind her as she pulls away, tooting the horn and waving out the window with me and Bear watching.
“Thank fuck for that. I’ve been waiting to get you all to myself this entire damn day.” Spinning me in his arms, Bear palms the sides of my face and leans down to kiss me on his porch.
I shiver, but only half from the cold, the rest is from the way he holds me.
“Let’s get you inside, Baby Girl.”
Bending, he slides one arm behind my knees, the other at my waist, and lifts me, taking me back into the warmth of the house. The move makes me squeal and laugh, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling myself up a little to kiss his cheek.
“You wanna watch a movie or something?” He sits on the couch with me across his lap, which seems to be his favorite position for us and I won’t complain. It’s my favorite too.
I want to be bold and answer with the latter, but I’m not sure if I’m ready for the something I really want yet. I think I might be,but my body aches, and while he might say he loves my scars, it might be different if we’re… well. Instead, I say, “A movie would be great.”
“You wanna choose?” He hands me the controller for the TV but I have no idea how it works. There are way more buttons than I know what to do with.
Shaking my head, I snuggle into him instead. He smells more delicious than the fresh cookies and this is better than any movie.
He chuckles and rubs my back with his large palm before kissing the top of my head. I don’t know what movie he puts on, but it begins playing and he continues to hold me close, drawing lazy patterns on my thigh.
I realize I must have fallen asleep as the warmth beneath me disappears and I sit up straight, breathing a sigh of relief when I see Bear pulling off his top before climbing into bed beside me. I’m still fully clothed, wearing one of his T-shirts that I put on this morning and my trusty black leggings.
“Hey, sleepy girl.” His smile makes me feel like I’m dreaming.
“Hi.” I grin back sleepily, shuffling closer to him.
As if it’s automatic, he lays out an arm, giving me access to my favorite pillow: his chest. It doesn’t take me long to get into position, nestled against him, his strong arm around me.
Now that we’re here again, the lust Bear fills me with by simply existing comes flooding back. The doubts are still there; will he be disgusted with my scarred body and even want to… oh gods… what if he doesn’t want to?