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“Not officially. She started working here a few months ago and whenever she dances, it pisses Sammy off.” Not that I understood exactly why. “How’s Piper doing?”

Jaron smirked. “Perfect.”

I chuckled, shaking my head. “How’s she feeling?”

“She said she feels okay, and that this pregnancy is different than with Brynlee. I don’t know how different, but she thinks it might be a boy.” Jaron sat up straighter at that thought. “I’m happy either way. I’m just glad I’m here for this one.”

“Me too. Sammy and I kind of forced ourselves into her life, so we could watch her for you. I’m surprised she never told us to go fuck ourselves.” I remembered back to when we first met Piper, the only woman who had ever captured Jaron’s heart. That wasn’t a good night, but Jaron had saved Piper from getting attacked by a so-called friend at the time. It could have gone down much worse than it had but they still lost each other for a bit as a result of Jaron’s rage.

“She loves you both like brothers. Besides Bee, she’s the only one who can tell Sammy off and get away with it.” Jaron laughed.

“Oh yeah.” I had a feeling that Red would be able to tell Sammy off as well. He needed it. Our cousin Bee had told Sammy that she hoped he would find someone who could knock him down a peg or two after he had given her a hard time about the man she had fallen in love with. Now, you would never know that Sammy and Bee’s husband, Tanner, hadn’t gotten along at first.

While we sat in silence, I mindlessly sipped at my beer. The guys were mingling with the dancers, drinking, and having a good time. It was a way for us to relax. Taking a night off was needed.

I finally called it a night, said goodbye to Jaron and a few of the guys, and made my way out of the club. The stench of smoke and sweat, lingered beneath my leather cut. A hot shower would be the only way to get the smell off of me.

As I was making my way to my bike, a slight movement caught my eye.

Sammy was standing with Red by her car. She was glaring up at him with her hands on her hips. He leaned down toward her ear, muttering something that made her eyes widen.

I wasn’t sure what it was about her that pulled him in, but I knew my brother. He was hooked and the fact that she turned him down, probably made him want her even more. I knew because it would be how I would react.

I couldn’t wait for the day that I met my match. I wasn’t submissive in the least but if the right woman came along and told me to kneel, I would. And I would beg at her feet until she gave me what I wanted. And more.

Ainsley

The Dove Project wasmy safe place. Literally. No one judged. No one asked questions. Technically they weren’t allowed to, but they could have pulled me aside and asked. They never did, thankfully. I almost wondered why. I didn’t talk and hadn’t said more than a few words in a very long time. Not by my choice really. I was conditioned to be silent and only speak when spoken to. But now that it was so deep in my head that I wasn’t allowed to talk, I just stopped altogether and chose to speak through American Sign Language instead. I learned it as a girl but never took it seriously until it was my only way of communicating as I got older. I wondered if I would ever speak again. Maybe one day. With the right person. The right man. Someone who was patient and kind. Someone who pushed me but didn’t expect anything in return. Who gave and took only when I allowed it.

I found that while I could still communicate, a lot of people or most people actually, were put off by my lack of words. Several times I had come across those who assumed I was deaf just because I used ASL. Then I would catch them talking about me. It was useful sometimes, especially before. Then. Back when I wasn’t free.

Shaking my head, I forced those thoughts to the back of my mind. I couldn’t go there.

Inhale.

Exhale.

Repeat.

My heart started racing.

Inhale.

Exhale.

Repeat.

Blowing out a slow breath, I closed my eyes and mentally counted to ten. The hairs on the back of my neck tingled and I realized then I was being watched.

Opening my eyes, I found the darkest pair of eyes staring back at me. My throat dried. My heart jumped. My stomach did a little flip, sparking feelings I had never felt before. Not ever in my twenty-seven years of existence.

The eyes heated, almost like they were looking into the deepest parts of my soul. It was as if they were trying to reach a part of me that had never been revealed to anyone because I had no idea it even existed untilthem. But they never let me embrace that part of me. They assumed it was unnatural and took parts of me away only because I was inexperienced in my sexuality at the time. I reacted to a rough, firm touch and it backfired on me. It resulted in me being called horrible names and worse.

The man’s mouth twitched like he was holding back a smirk. He was standing outside with another guy who looked like him. They must have been brothers, or they were definitely related in some way at least.

While the first guy with the smoldering eyes continued staring at me, the other one followed his gaze. But when he looked at me, it made me feel small. Worthless even. I wasn’t sure why but for whatever reason, he didn’t like me. I didn’t even know him. Never met him before in my life but by the way his brother, I could only assume, was looking at me, he didn’t like it. He muttered something, pulling the other guy’s eyes from mine. I almost whimpered at the loss. I couldn’t explain it. I wasn’t even going to try but I found that I liked his eyes on me. But clearly, his brother didn’t.

“Ainsley.”