Page 85 of Chasing After You

“It always is, kid. But hey, I’m glad to hear you want to introduce her to me. You never did introduce me to those college girls you went around with. This one must be pretty special, huh?”

“Yeah… um, but just to double check—”

“Boy, you’re killing me. I said it’s okay!”

“He’sa man,” I blurted out. When Paul remained quiet, I continued. “I-I know you just joked about me being your husband and all, but—I just don’t want to bring him somewhere only to have people judge him. He’s… he’s really important to me.”

“I get it, kid. Don’t worry about it at all, okay? The President’s husband is our Road Captain, and one of our Enforcers is seeing this little young guy that he brings around. Oh, also got Brenda, she picks up chicks at every damn stop. I’m serious! She’s real popular. I’m pretty sure she gets more pussy than all of us combined.”

I held in my surprise, laughing, as I envisioned this Brenda lady stealing all the girls from the other members. “I can’t wait to meet them all.”

We made plans for me to drive out on Saturday morning, and he gave me the address of the meetup. It felt surreal, like my two lives were about to collide—Paul and bike grease and country roads meeting Dorian and espresso and psychodrama.

That night, I told Dorian while he was reorganizing the spice rack for some reason.

“I got a call from Paul earlier,” I said. Dorian had never met him, but I’d shared enough fun stories about our time living together that he knew who he was—and what he was—to me.

Dorian stilled. “Yeah?”

I nodded. “He’s gonna be near Yakima this weekend. I told him we’d drive out.”

His expression didn’t change, but I could feel the sharp attention in him. “You want me to come?”

I hesitated, pulling my earlobe. “I mean… yeah, if you’re up for it. It’s just like a two-hour drive. I um… I’d like it if you came with.”

He tilted his head and blinked slowly, like I’d offered him something he hadn’t expected. “You want me to meet him? Did you tell him about us? About who I am?”

I shrugged, suddenly feeling a bit awkward. “I told him I’m seeing you and that you’re important to me. But I didn’t say who you were. I didn’t really think about it. He said his club is really inclusive, though, so I don’t think there will be a problem.”

“What is his relation to my mother again?”

“Umm… Oh! Second cousin. Or at least I think that was it.”

“I’m not sure, but he may recognize me then. Are you okay with that?”

“But you haven’t met each other, right?” I asked.

“Not that I recall, but he could’ve met me as a toddler for all I know,” he answered. “Or seen me on the internet. Victoria’s old Instagram or even campaign photos in the news.”

“Oh, I didn’t think of that,” I fretted. “It would still be okay, wouldn’t it? If he recognizes you? We’re not doing anything illegal.”

That earned me a flicker of a smile. “Alright. You said it was two hours? The drive?”

“Yep!” I grinned, feeling warm and bubbly inside.

“I’ll drive. You can be my passenger princess,” he decided.

I let out a startled laugh. “Oh my God, no.”

But he just smirked, lining up the little glass spice jars like they were soldiers in a parade. “Do you want the window seat or my lap, princess?”

I snatched the jar of cumin out of his hand and gave him a playful glare. “If you ever call me that again, I’ll… I’ll dump all these spices in your closet so that all of your clothes and shoes smell seasoned forever!”

He grinned like he’d just won a prize. “Uh-huh, sure you will. You can just admit it—you’re flattered by my offer.”

I rolled my eyes, but yeah, I kind of was. I’d prefer never to be called a princess ever again, but it made me a little giddy each time Dorian took control over something. It was so different from my past relationships where I was supposed to be the big, dominant, Alpha male.

As I leaned against the counter and watched his long, regal fingers work, I couldn’t help smiling a little.