Page 45

SHE’S NOT HERE YET. I’m keyed up. I’m gonna have to keep my hands fisted in my pockets so I don’t grab her and haul her deep into the woods. We cleaned the camp up good. The club bought it on the cheap five years back. We needed someplace to blow off steam where no eyes could look. A hundred acres of wild woods and mountains in southern Oregon fitted the bill. It used to be a summer camp for kids but now it’s Creed’s playground. I’ve spent days out here, getting everything ready. I’m chomping at the bit for my girl to show. Christ, listening to her pant as she came into the phone calling my name had me harder than granite.
She makes me feel re-energized as if the best sex of my life is yet to come—with her. I’m pacing like a damned idiot, checking my phone every five minutes in case she calls saying she’s lost. I should’ve driven her and Luce out here, but they wouldn’t let me. I know she’s embarrassed at the intimacy we shared. We haven’t had sex yet, but damn if it already doesn’t feel like we’re lovers.
“Damn, Rog. What’s eating at you?”
“It’s good to see you,” we clasp hands before pulling each other in for man hugs. But I drop him like a stone to pick up the brunette standing behind him. I spin her around in a circle like I’ve done a million times before. She has the same eyes, but her hair used to have little bows.
“Shanna, girl. I’ve missed you.”
“Me, too. Meat. Or can I call you Silver Fox, too?” She goads sticking a finger into my chest. My face turns red, all the feelings I have for Dev, turning me into a fool. I swipe a hand over my face as Duke and Shanna link hands grinning like idiots.
“No one calls me Meat anymore. Jesus, I have so many damn names…Jefe, Rog, Silver Fox, I’m having a goddamn identity crisis,” I joke taking the beer Smith hands me as he walks over to greet Duke and Shanna.
“So… where is she?” Shanna asks her eyes full of mischief.
“Not here yet,” I rub the back of my neck with one hand irritated at myself for feeling like a teen dying for his first crush.
“You look good.”
“Thanks baby girl. I feel good. I miss your pops like hell. Sometimes, I forget…”
“I know. Me too. I-I can’t go back to Springdale. It’s too raw knowing he’s not there. But the lake… this is as far as I can go to home. I’m just not ready yet.”
“I understand. I do. I miss you like hell. He still taking good care of you?” I nudge the tip of my boot in Duke’s direction.
“He takes the best care of me. Life came full-circle when we met. I believe everything happens for a reason. I know that sounds cheesy but… who would’ve ever thought twenty years ago that Colin Flynn’s daughter and John Masters’ son would be soulmates?”
“Not me. Shit. I remember how they fought. The two of them were like rabid dogs fightin’ over that bitch in heat.”
“Why did you bring up my aunt? Damn, Rog… that’s a very sore topic for me.”
I shrug, “Sorry man. That bitch was…”
“A homewrecker, for one. She ruined my eighteenth birthday. I’ll never forget it or forgive her even though she’s dead. My old man promised me we’d go out riding. He helped me re-build my first Ducati. He taught me everything I know about engines… but he forgot. She brought over coke and condoms and they had their own party,” he breaks off bitterly, taking a drag of his smoke.
I shake my head and raise my beer, “To the brotherhood. To Creed decades later, we’re still going strong despite that woman,” I raise my bottle feeling my heart trip and fall. Dev’s standing ten feet away. She’s as pale as a ghost and shaking like a leaf.
My friends forgotten, I stride straight for her. “Who hurt you? I’ll kill them.” My fists clench ready to tear the devil himself apart if need be.”
She looks at the ground, refusing to meet my eyes. I tip her chin up with my finger. My eyes hungrily roam over her face, her eyes hold a thousand secrets that I’m determined to discover.
She clutches my plaid shirt with her hands moving into my arms.
“I’m so sorry, Rog.”
“Shhhh, shhh,” I stroke her hair wondering what the hell she’s apologizing for, but know she’s in no state for me to pry it out of her… yet.
“I’m fine really. I just… my ex has been calling and texting a lot lately. Seeing you reminded how much I don’t want him anymore. I want…you.”
I pull back, hands cupping her face and kiss her like I’m her master and commander. No one is taking this woman from me. The thought of another man being where I’m going to go—has me seeing red. I don’t care that we have an audience. I’m staking my claim here and now in front of everyone—Dev is mine and under my protection. I’m trembling with desire, high on her words telling me she wants to be my woman as much as I want to make it happen.
I rest my forehead against hers, it’s not even noon yet and I vowed to woo her but I’ve already broken that vow when I touched her in the woods a few days ago.
“Come meet my family,” gently tugging her hand I lead her over to where Duke and Shanna stand with Smith. The three of them do a poor job pretending that they weren’t watching me and Dev like a movie.
Her feet move slowly, her head lowered. I’m puzzled. Dev’s never been shy. I must’ve embarrassed her. Shanna’s the first to break the ice.
“Hey. It’s about time someone beat some sense into Roger’s thick skull. I’m Shanna, nice to meet you.”