Page 7

Six

The Longest Date

Blade

T he entire day, I worked with a smile on my face, knowing that I was seeing Emryn tonight.

After my walk with Demon, I went back to my room at the club.

The solace of my personal space seemed more attractive than the party going on downstairs.

This was the first time I was the first to leave a party, and one in my honor to boot.

Guard caught me making my escape and lifted his glass with a grin.

That’s what I love the most about my brothers: no judgment.

Back in my room, I stare out the window and up at the stars.

The next time Emmy gets a hankering for lying out on the grass, snapping pictures of the night sky, I’m going to be there with her.

The keys to Emmy’s car are sitting on my dresser. I grab them and head downstairs. I pulled her car out of the bay earlier today and parked it in the space beside my bike. Orion is parking his motorcycle in the spot on the other side of my bike.

“Hey, man. How’s the newest member hanging today?

” he kids. Orion is as fierce as they come, but there’s another side to this man.

He understands loss and has lived his nightmare.

Orion’s past is what makes him the man he is today.

Guard helped him see the light, but to be truthful, it was Hanna who let the big man have it when he was being a total dick.

His behavior almost cost Orion his wife and kid, and because of that, he’s learned to share his thoughts when his mind takes him to a dark place.

“Living the good life,” I respond.

“Word of warning, bro. Vi met Emryn today.”

My jaw drops. This could go either way. Vi could have been a powerhouse, which might have overwhelmed Emryn, or Vi could have been sweet, and Emryn would have loved her. “Shit! Do I dare ask?”

“Last I saw, they were heading over to Hanna’s. That can’t be bad,” he says.

“How is it that your wife gets to go out with Emmy before I do?”

“Vi is a force of nature. I’ve learned how to survive the storm and enjoy the sun when it shines,” he tells me with a chuckle. Then he turns serious. “You know she’d never do anything intentional to screw you over, right?”

“Yeah, I know.” I blow out a breath.

“Emryn is sweet. Vi called me an hour ago to tell me they’ve already adopted her into the Lady Pride. Prepare, brother, the tribe is going to rally, and Emryn is going to find herself surrounded by new friends.”

Tribe, that’s priceless. Orion’s right. The Lady Pride are as united as the Satan Pride brothers.

They live, love, laugh, and get into trouble together.

Ava, Guard’s wife, is their queen. Most think it’s because of Guard’s status in the club, being the president, but it’s more than that.

Before my time with the club, there was an incident with a rival club, and Ava put herself out there to take care of Guard and the others.

She’s earned the title. Ava’s not like Vi when it comes to being bold.

Her strength is quieter, but no less effective.

“Aren’t they all jumping the gun? We haven’t even had a date yet, which I’m going to be late for if we keep talking,” I remind him.

“Who the fuck are you kidding?” He leans his ass on his bike, his arms folded. “I got eyes. You’re into her.”

“I’ve been into other women.”

“Not like this one.”

“Whatever.” I brush him off, but I can’t deny that I feel different about Emryn. Still, it’s ridiculous to make it more than it is, at least for now. “Later, man.”

I hop into Emryn’s car and drive it over to her house, parking in her driveway.

Emryn doesn’t let me knock twice; the door swings wide open, giving me a fantastic view of Emryn in a sexy gray number that I take in from head to toe.

Everything from her flowing brunette tresses falling around her shoulders, to the ankle boots that give her the chic-girl-meets-cool-chick look has my dick going hard instantly.

I want to undo the buttons on her dress from top to bottom, stopping to kiss every inch I uncover.

“Hi,” Emryn says, pulling me out of my trance.

“Hey, baby,” I murmur. My gaze is fixed on her glossy pink lips.

“Do you want to come in for a minute?” she asks innocently. Fuck yes! I want to come in and never leave. “I don’t have my furniture yet, but I have a couple of stools at the counter,” she adds.

I pull myself together. “I made reservations at a restaurant not far from here. And besides, if I come inside, I’m going to kiss you senseless, then you’re going to have to redo your hair, and we’ll be late.”

Her eyes grow wide, then her lips form a perfect “O.” She scurries to her kitchen counter and grabs her small purse and her black leather jacket.

With the jacket, she’s totally the epitome of an elegant rocker chick.

Christ have mercy! How the hell am I going to be able to keep my hands off her all night?

I lead her to her car and wait while she slides into the passenger seat. “Um, it’s my car,” she says as I get in beside her.

“Yeah, Emmy, I know.”

“Shouldn’t I be driving?”

“When we’re out together, babe, I drive,” I answer as the motor roars to life.

“Pardon?” She raises her brows. “Isn’t that a little sexist?” Her face scrunches up like an annoyed kitten.

“I’m not implying you don’t know how to drive.

I’m just that kind of man. When I’m with you, I want to drive.

I also want to open your car door. Call it old-fashioned, but that’s who I am.

Do you have a problem with that?” I ask.

Emmy might as well know what kind of man I am.

It’s not about controlling her. I want Emryn to pursue her dreams, run her business, and do whatever makes her happy.

It’s just that I like her relaxed and sitting next to me.

When I’m with her, I have the urge to protect her.

Her face softens immediately, and in a quiet tone, she replies, “Nope.”

“Good.” I touch her cheek, and instinctively, she leans into my hand.

Damn, she’s sweet. I tear my hand away, and we head off to dinner.

We chat about her first couple of weeks in a new home and all the places she’s explored in town.

Surprisingly enough, Emryn’s spent more time walking the trails along the outskirts, taking in the beauty of nature, than she has in town.

She goes on and on about the fall colors and how they come alive when she takes photos.

Her entire face lights up when she talks about photography. She chatters on about lenses, specific cameras for different types of shots, lighting, and so on. Normally, this would bore me to tears, but the sheer exuberance she shows draws me in.

The conversation continues to flow easily through dinner, and it’s nice to see a woman who enjoys her food instead of another lettuce nibbler.

We end up sharing our meals. I went for the ravioli, and Emryn decided on the veal parmigiana with a medley of seasonal vegetables.

I feed her some of my pasta, and she closes her eyes and moans when she wraps her lips around the fork. Jesus, she’s killing me!

“It’s really good,” she says, licking her lips. “Try mine.” She holds out her fork. Our eyes meet when I take the bite. That’s when I see that Emmy is just as affected as I am.

We walk hand in hand out of the restaurant, back to her vehicle. “I almost forgot to ask how much I owe you for the new tire,” she says.

“Consider it a welcome-to-the-neighborhood gift,” I tell her.

“That’s the second time I’ve heard that today,” she mumbles with a frown.

“What’s with the face? Who else did you hear that from? Most people like gifts.” I assume it was Vi, then Emryn confirms it.

“Vi insisted that the belt I’m wearing is a gift. I love gifts, but I want to make my own way,” she says.

“Vi is a generous woman. Believe me, with Vi, it’s all about heart. You made an impression on her, and it meant as much to her. As for the tire, I paid wholesale, so it’s not a huge expense. Seems to me you’re doing a lot of driving, and that means you need decent wheels,” I explain.

“But your time?—”

“Babe, I hope to be spending a lot more time…with you.” She bites her lower lip, then smiles shyly.

“You like the idea,” I say, and her small nod confirms I’m right.

“Then it’s in my best interest to make sure you’re safe whenever you’re driving around.

Peace of mind for me, and an excellent functioning vehicle for you. ”

“Then for payment, I’m making you my French silk pie.

Well, that is once all my boxes arrive and I can find my baking stuff,” she says with a giggle.

“I’m making do with a pot and a frying pan for now.

Wednesday can’t come fast enough. I’ll be spending two days putting everything together, but I’ll finally have my bed back. ”

“What have you been sleeping on?” I ask with great curiosity.

“I bought a sleeping bag. It’s kind of like camping out. Only inside,” Emmy answers, her giggle turning into a laugh.

“You’ve been sleeping in a sleeping bag since you got here?”

“Well, yeah. I was going to buy a mattress, but that would have been a waste of money when mine is on the way.”

Now I’m curious about what else Emryn’s been doing without.

When we arrive at her cottage, I walk her to the door, open it, and hand her back her car keys.

“Want some help getting the boxes out of your trunk?” It must be expensive equipment because I recall Emryn didn’t want to leave her car in case it was stolen.

It was safe enough at the club, but out in the open, leaving it isn’t the smartest move.

“Would you? That would be awesome. I can make some coffee, if you like,” she says.

“It’s a plan.” Apart from not wanting Emryn to be lifting the heavy boxes, it gives me an excuse to come inside and take a look around. She hands me back the car keys. It takes two trips, and I pile the boxes right by the front door.