Page 17 of Crewe (Nelson’s Honkytonk Saloon & Bar #3)
Chapter Seventeen
R y held tight to Crewe as he took the corner to Mistletoe Canyon MC’s clubhouse. The kids were happily ensconced in front of a movie in the Christmas pajamas Peck, Burt, and Bill had bought for them. The resort holding a movie and pajama night for guests each night was a gift to parents.
Crewe pulled into the parking lot, and all Ry could think about was the scraps of material Ellie and Vivi had given her.
She’d loved the way they looked on, but she wondered how long he’d notice that she was wearing them.
The red lace edged in white fur had been too sexy not to wear, but usually, Ry wasn’t a thong type of girl.
She’d worn jeans, cute wedge-heel boots, along with a dark red collared shirt with buttons up the front.
She’d left the top button unbuttoned, then decided to live a little and unbuttoned another one.
It gave a better view of her cleavage, which she never showed at the bar in her crew neck T-shirts.
Crewe parked the bike and held his hand up to help her off the bike. Once he was off, he helped her with her helmet and the slick contraption Vivi had given her for her hair. She could feel it was a little flattened from the ride.
“Hold on,” she told Crewe and bent over at the waist. Running her fingers through her hair, she shook her head, then flipped back up.
“Ry,” Crewe whined. “That’s like the sexy move we guys all imagine a woman doing. Are you trying to kill me? ”
Ry grinned and chuckled at his aggrieved tone. She walked up to Crewe, staring at his face, laying her hand against his chest.
“Nope,” she said, popping the p and smirking at him. He shook his head, breathed deep, and slid his arm around her. He breathed deep again, sniffing her hair.
“You smell like trouble,” he said.
Ry walked in with Crewe, enjoying every second of Crewe’s arm around her.
So she smelled like trouble, hmm? It seemed like tonight might be the night to get into a little trouble with Crewe.
She’d never experienced getting to tease a man before.
With Crewe, she was safe to be herself and become more.
The MC’s bar had a table with snack foods out and had music playing. The last time they were there, she’d only heard Christmas music, but a rock song was playing tonight.
Ry waved at Beth, Rose, and Remi, who all worked for Franks & Daughters Bail Bonds. Beth gave her a thumbs-up back. Beth had told her months ago to take a chance on Crewe, and Ry had ignored her. She hadn’t been ready.
But now, she was getting there. Each little thing that happened moved her closer to Crewe. Tonight, she was taking a chance.
“Would you like to dance?” Crewe asked.
She nodded and took his hand. She wanted to be against him without thinking about her job or her children. How long had it been since she’d done something just for herself?
The song changed to a slow one, and she giggled as Crewe pulled her into his arms. Marvin Gaye seemed like the perfect song. She moved with Crewe. Getting a little bolder, she ran her hands down his back. His smirk told her all she needed to know, as did the hardness growing against her.
She smiled back at him and swayed, moving her hips and chest closer, then farther away. He chuckled and spun her away from him, then brought her in close.
“Looks like you’re in a frisky mood,” Crewe said, his hands trailing down her back, brushing her butt .
The song switched to an even slower one. Crewe brought her arms around his neck, pulled them flush, and they swayed to the music. His eyes stared into hers as the words played.
They said the eyes were the windows to the soul, and as a photographer, she’d always been fascinated with what you could tell about a person by staring into their eyes. Tonight, Crewe’s were telling her a story of his hopes and dreams for their life together.
And she was finally ready to accept that story and take the chance.
The weight of this decision had tears filling her eyes.
To know she wouldn’t be all on her own gave her such a sense of relief.
Crewe saw the decision in her eyes, his grin spreading across his face until he leaned in and rubbed their noses together.
“I promise you won’t regret this,” he said, sealing his promise with his lips. A shiver worked its way through her, an ache to have this man building. Would it be too soon to head back to the hotel? After thoroughly swamping her senses, Crewe pulled back .
“Let’s enjoy our first of many dates, Ry,” Crewe said, dancing her around the room. Ry gave herself over to dancing. Tomorrow her organized mind would click back into all the logistics of dating Crewe.
Crewe kept an eye on Ry while chatting with some of the Mistletoe Canyon MC guys.
Brothers Levi, Kris, and Sin Noel ran Père Noel Toys along with the Père Noel shop.
Crewe was fascinated not only by the men being part of the MC but also that most of them had other duties too.
Kris was a member of the fire department.
Sin ran the search and rescue for the town.
Levi was the MC President as well as being the mayor of Mistletoe Canyon.
Levi chuckled when one of the women walked by and flipped him the finger.
“Who’s that?” Crewe asked .
“One of our members,” Levi said.
“You’re a co-ed MC?” Crewe asked.
“It’s a long story. Suffice it to say, when Ivy came home from the military, it was either become a co-ed MC or deal with our mother’s disapproval at every meal. Our mom is best friends with Ivy’s mom. And honestly, it is the best thing we’ve ever done,” Levi said.
“Yeah, we do a lot of charity work, and having women help with the MC is an advantage,” Sin said.
“You taking care of that issue we discussed?” Levi asked.
“Yes. We’re moving in the right direction. About that, is there a jewelry store here in town?” Crewe asked.
“You remember that compound you passed on our bike ride?” Sin asked.
“Yes,” Crewe said, nodding.
“One of the guys up there makes jewelry. If you want to visit him, let me know, and one of us will take you up there. The compound doesn’t like letting anyone on the property unless they are recommended by someone,” Levi said.
“Thanks, I’ll let you know, but right now, I’m going to get my arms around that woman,” Crewe said, with a smirk. Levi patted him on the shoulder.
“You know, I think you have a great idea,” Levi said.
Crewe walked over and slid his arm around Ry’s waist. “Having fun?” he whispered close to her ear, taking great pride in the shiver that ran through her.
She turned and gave him that smile that he hoped he’d be waking up to tomorrow.
“I am,” she said, then her attention was caught by something across the room.
Crewe turned to look and chuckled. Levi and Rose seemed to be having quite the discussion if the gestures were any indication.
Levi threw his arms out in a a what the hell gesture, then he bent over and tossed Rose over his shoulder .
He walked by them, waving at everyone. “Nothing to see here, people. Just a little discussion between friends.”
“Everything okay, Rose?” Beth called.
“Yes, it’s time for this hard-headed, pig-headed, can’t-listen-to-anyone-else’s-opinion MC President to have his opinion changed,” Rose yelled back.
Ry snickered against him, and Crewe joined in. Laughter from everyone filled the MC.
“I don’t know about you all, but I sure wish we had the parking lot wired for video,” Sin said, grinning.
Crewe had to say he wouldn’t mind it either. He knew Rose a little bit. Former police officer who worked for the bail bonds now. She was a strong personality, and it seemed like Levi was too. He’d have to be to lead an MC. He was sure Ry would get all the good gossip on them sometime this week.
Men might say that women gossiped more, but Crewe had grown up with men, and the Nelson clan men gossiped just as much as women. Halligan prided himself on always knowing what was going on in town and was downright surly if someone heard something first.
He stared into Ry’s eyes and cocked an eyebrow.
Her mischievous grin had him taking her hand and leading her out to the bike.
He helped her put on her helmet, running his hand across her shoulders and down to grasp her lush butt, pulling her toward him.
He laid claim to her lips, not caring who saw them.
He reluctantly pulled back and got on his bike, waiting to start it up until Ry was settled behind him.
“Let’s hope we don’t see anyone at the hotel. I’d like to get you in our room as quickly as possible, you temptress,” he said, pulling out. He didn’t wait for Ry’s reply, just pulled out and headed toward their bed.