Page 2 of Primal Urges (Bikers of Mayhem #1)

CADEN

“ T hree more,” the voice of Satan himself announced, trying to be encouraging but only managing to make things even more hopeless.

He couldn’t give up.

The man had just turned forty and still lifted weights like he was a fuckin’ twenty-five-year-old.

This, right now, was a matter of pride. If he didn’t finish these last three reps, it would only confirm to him and everyone else standing around them that Marcus—his old-ass boss—was still a beast and could take down any punk-ass young’un who dared to puff out their chest.

To be fair, Caden hadn’t puffed out his chest. He’d merely asked if Marcus wanted to hit some weights to burn off some of those cupcakes that Alexis brought into the bar last night. They were so sweet and sugary, he swore he could still feel the excitement rolling around in his mouth.

Plus, he needed to maintain his six-pack abs. Women didn’t drool over flab and softness.

Breathing in through his nose, he brought the weights down, then breathed out through his mouth as he pushed the weights up again.

The movement was slow and painful. Talk about getting a nice pump in his chest. He was going to look so ripped after this.

“That a boy. Two more,” Marcus encouraged.

I fucking hate you , Caden thought to himself. Why did his boss have to be so goddamn strong?

“Come on, Cade, almost there,” Ace, another one of the young bucks, cheered.

Great. Another set of eyes to watch his downfall and humiliation if he didn’t finish up the last two reps of his bench press.

He could hear the taunting comments in his mind if he failed.

Can’t keep up with the big guy?

Don’t worry. One day, you’ll be as strong as Big Daddy.

This was now a matter of self-respect.

He took another breath and pushed everything he had into the last two reps. His arms burned, and his lungs felt like they were going to explode from his chest.

“There we go!” he heard his boss cheer as he helped guide the shaky bar back onto the rack.

Huffing, Caden sat up slowly. Sweat dripped down his face.

Stay strong. Don’t let them see how much those last two reps nearly killed you.

His boss gave him a slap on the side of the shoulder, then passed him his water bottle.

“Thanks.” Caden huffed, trying not to show how out of breath and in pain he really was.

“You did good, man. Your form is looking tight.”

Why did his boss always have to be such a fucking nice guy? It made hating him always so damn hard. Not that he really hated his boss. He only hated him when his manhood and pride were at stake. Like right this moment.

“Thanks, boss. You weren’t doing too bad yourself.”

“For an old man, you mean?” Marcus chuckled.

“Hey, forty is not old,” Caden rushed to clarify. He didn’t want his boss to think that he didn’t respect him or that he thought being forty was old.

“Well, from what I hear, being old starts at thirty-two, or even late twenties, like that little prick over there,” he said, nodding over his shoulder at Ace, who was busy checking out some dude as he bent over to pick up a dumbbell.

“Hey, there’s nothing little about my prick,” Ace defended, snapping his head around and glaring at them both.

Marcus and Caden burst out laughing.

“Hey, don’t get all defensive. I’m sure it’s well-proportioned for a guy your size,” Caden joked.

Ace was five-ten, but standing next to both Caden and Marcus, who were six-two and six-four, the man looked like he belonged in munchkin land.

Marcus wrapped his massive arm around Ace’s shoulders and pulled him in for a headlock. He rubbed his knuckle through the guy’s hair, smiling as Ace shouted and fought back against his attacker.

Caden couldn’t help but laugh. Watching Marcus and Ace together made him wish he had siblings as well. Marcus and Ace were brothers. Well, stepbrothers, if you want to get technical.

Marcus’s father remarried Ace’s mother when Marcus was sixteen and Ace was three. Marcus practically raised Ace when it became clear that both of their parents preferred to drink and party rather than spend time raising and taking care of their children.

When Marcus’s assault on Ace’s hair finally finished, he released his brother and patted him on the back.

“So, tell us about how your hot date went last night?” Marcus asked, removing the small weights from Cade's bench press and adding a heavier plate on both ends.

Fuck, he better not expect him to do another set at a heavier weight.

Marcus must have seen the look on Cade’s face because he chuckled.

“The weights are for me. Figured I’d get in one more set before calling it a day.”

The grip on Cade’s stomach loosened. He would be able to lift his arms after all.

“So? Date? How’d it go?” Marcus asked, glancing over at his younger brother.

Ace crossed his arms against his chest, appearing suddenly pissed.

“Well, the date started off great and strong until he found out who my brother was. Then he suddenly remembered that he had to take his sick grandmother to a doctor’s appointment.”

“At nine o’clock at night?” Marcus asked, pissed that someone would run out on his little brother.

Ace shrugged. “It’s always the same. Cockblocked by my own stupid brother.”

Cade wondered if Ace truly felt that way or if he was trying to tease his older brother. Marcus had a bit of a reputation in town, so it wouldn’t be surprising if guys kept their distance from the boss’s younger brother. That was one heart that wouldn’t be safe to break.

“Don’t be mad. I’m just making sure that you hold out for someone who’s worthy of that ass of yours.”

Ace’s mouth dropped open.

“What makes you think I’m a bottom?”

He totally was.

Marcus and Cade both gave Ace a “who do you think you’re kidding” look.

Rolling his eyes, Ace gave them both the finger. “You’re both assholes.”

Cade chuckled as he positioned himself at the top of the bench press, readying himself to give his boss a spot.

Marcus slid down on the bench press. “But you love us anyway,” Marcus added as he lifted the bar into the air.

“Don’t forget to wipe down the bench after you're done. Not sure if crabs can leak through sweaty gym shorts, but it’s best to be safe, just in case. Right, Marcus?” Ace cut as he picked up his gear and headed toward the locker room.

Cade couldn’t help but laugh at Ace’s ruthlessness. There was a reason that he loved the little homo.

Below him, Marcus shook his head back and forth. “I don’t have crabs.”

“Sure you don’t, boss.”