Page 21

CHAPTER

TWENTY

ZOEY

Leaving Harrison’s side that night was harder than is believable.

As I helped with the women’s aftercare, he always made sure he was visible and I could see him, as well as Elodie, at all times. My little angel stayed on a pallet where she entertained herself—somebody pulled a sketch pad and crayons out of their ass, because she spent the time I was helping out with the survivors drawing and coloring.

I don’t know how I got so lucky with her, outside of the monster that she wakes up as, she’s a good kid who knows when to keep herself occupied and out of the way. Most children her age would be underfoot, whining and complaining about being bored.

LoneStar and Hazard, who should be resting after being pierced by a bullet, made sure we were fed and shown to Harrison’s room where we cleaned up. Elodie and I are both wearing one of his shirts and I threw on a pair of his boxers. My poor baby blushed when she realized we didn’t have any undergarments for her so LoneStar sent out a text to one of the hangers he trusts, and not too long after that, brand new packages of personal items were delivered for us to toss on under the shirt. I got a sports bra so he didn’t have to ask me for that intimate detail, but I chose to keep wearing Harrison’s boxers and T-shirt. Elodie, not wanting to get out of hers either, refused to wear the nightgown bought for her. I get it, she wanted to shroud herself in her dad’s smell, it’s one of the reasons I made the decision I did.

When we snuggled into his bed, Harrison came in, kissed us both telling us how much he loves us and left for church. That was two weeks ago, and tonight, Icer and Letti, who’ve grown as thick as thieves, are watching Elodie so I’m putting a seduction plan into place. Harrison has been a gentleman about the entire thing, giving me a chance to settle into this new life and adapt to the fact that I’m no longer having to look over my shoulder on a daily basis.

Yes, my parents are still roaming around out there, along with the sheriff plus district attorney—unfortunately—but I no longer fear them or see them as the biggest threat to me. I know that not only will Harrison protect me, but so will his brothers. They proved that when they came roaring into the parking lot of the old warehouse building we were being held captive at, then they not only saved me and my girl, but the other women who had been abducted.

Plus, their IT person is hunting down where the babies were taken. I shudder to think that there are people out there who are into that kind of thing. Children should be protected and cherished, not used in such a horrific, reprehensible manner. I feel confident that they’ve probably reached out to other chapters for assistance in this as well because as far as Riptide is concerned, the Dragons fucked with the Kings. Even though none of the women are associated with the club, they’ve been pulled into the fold because of me and surprisingly, Letti.

Icer has stuck to her like glue, much like he’s doing with me and Elodie. I don’t know what that means, exactly, but at the same time, I can tell she’s good for him. He’s somewhat calmer, which is saying a lot considering he’s been on a hairpin trigger since his princess went missing.

Taking a step back I look at the room and am happy with the ambience of the setting. I have LED tealight candles glowing throughout the living room, fresh flowers that I had delivered in a vase sitting in the middle of my coffee table, and the aroma of the roast permeating the room. I’ve set the scene, but I’m hoping he’ll lead since I don’t have the experience to get across what I’m wanting from him.

A knock on the door has butterflies dancing in my belly. My worry is that it isn’t Harrison since he was given a key. I don’t want anything to ruin this night, and the only people capable of that are the degenerates in this town. This scene reminds me of the one when Hazard was watching over me, so reluctantly I softly walk over and check the peephole. A bundle of flowers are covering the face of whomever is on the other side.

“Who is it?” I ask, my voice trembling.

“It’s me, baby,” Harrison announces, moving the bouquet to the side so I can see his handsome face.

A smile blooms from me as I remove each chain and unlock the deadbolt. “Hey,” I whisper shyly, suddenly timid. “Come in.” Instead of letting me back away, he lowers the flowers to the table in my entryway and grabs me by the waist, lifting me up. My legs and arms wind around him as he leans forward and captures my lips with his.

When we pull apart, he says, “Hey. Something smells scrumptious and has my mouth watering.”

“I made us a roast,” I state. “It’s been cooking all day and should be tender by now. You ready to eat?”

“I could eat,” he says, nodding his head, carrying me out of the foyer as he kicks the door shut behind him. As he seductively lowers me to the ground once we hit the kitchen, his fingertip grazes my sternum and he continues, “But afterward, I want you for dessert.” A light gasp leaves me at the electric current flowing through me from that simple touch.

Clearing my throat, I nervously reply, “I’d like that, but you know I’m not exactly experienced.”

He glowers at me then states, “Tonight’s about me and you. We’ll figure out what you like and don’t like because trust me, Zoe, I’m gonna like whatever you’re able to give me. That’s a fucking check you can take to the bank!”

I can tell he’s serious which calms me significantly. “I, uh… okay, Harrison,” I whisper. “Let me get this plated up so we can eat.”

“I’ll help,” he decrees, which causes me to giggle. “What’s so funny?”

“Well, honestly, I never expected a biker to be willing to help out in the kitchen,” I admit as I pull down two plates. The roast has been settling since I pulled it out of the oven and is the perfect temperature to cut. The timer goes off and I grab the oven mitt so I can pull out the biscuits. I already have the gravy made and it’s in the gravy boat I unearthed.

“I’m quite handy,” he reminds me. “Remember how I got the name Indiana?”

I double over laughing because when we were younger, Harrison was obsessed with the Indiana Jones movies. So much so, that he started dressing like him, down to the fedora, leather bomber jacket, and a bullwhip that was always attached to his side.

“I miss those days,” I say around a sigh. “It’s what attracted me to you, other than the fact that you stepped in and helped me with that boy that was being harassed.”

“Well, just so you know, I picked up a few tricks over the years as far as cooking, which is why I’ll never complain about helping you out, babe,” he supplies as he walks over to the fridge and pulls out a beer for him and a soft drink for me. “And I’ll always be there to help you fight the bullies.”

I typically don’t drink that much because of Elodie, unless the occasion calls for a glass of wine, and I love that he instinctively realizes that fact. He carries them over to the table, then comes back and grabs the gravy boat, the softened butter, and the rolls and puts them in the center, while I cut the meat and parcel out the vegetables and potatoes.

“Is that enough or do you want more?” I ask.

“If I’m still hungry after consuming all of this, I know where the kitchen is,” he answers, winking at me.

“I have a chocolate cake for dessert,” I tell him.

“You’re dessert, the cake can be a snack later on between rounds,” he replies, smirking at me as I blush at his words.

Or maybe it's his aphrodisiac tone, which has dropped into a seductive husky timbre. Either way, a sudden desire washes through me as my core dampens. Considering that I’ve never really felt that, it momentarily catches me off guard.

While I’m sitting here panting over his words, he stands from the table and lifts me up. He slams his lips on mine as he carries me to the bedroom. I’m confused because there’s a perfectly good couch in the living room with the picture perfect scene set up for our first time, when I voice that to him he snorts.

“Not taking you on the couch for our first time, Zoe. That can come later.”

“Okay,” I whisper, liking this side of him. Thankfully, I changed the bedding earlier today so the sheets are clean and have that fresh, crisp smell that comes from removing them from the dryer.

He doesn’t toss me on the bed like a caveman which surprises me. He exceeds all of my expectations when he places his knees on the mattress and crawls to the middle where he gently lays me on my back. “You’re wearing too many clothes, beautiful.”

“Then I guess you better get on that,” I sass, feeling bold as I smile up at him.

It doesn’t take him any time to have me completely bare and while he stripped off his boots, socks, shirt, and jeans, he’s still got his boxers on, although they’re definitely showing off his impressive bulge. Not that I haven’t noticed before, because his jeans are always molded to his thick, muscular thighs, so his dick is pretty much always on display.

“You’re beautiful,” I murmur as my gaze roams his broad chest, his muscular arms, and his trim waist. I already know I could bounce a quarter off his ass because I’ve tried a few times when we were younger. We might’ve never gone all the way, but there were a few stolen kisses, and one night when I mentioned it, he gave me a quarter and dared me to try.

“Men aren’t beautiful, Zoe. They’re buff or manly, but beautiful shouldn’t be used,” he replies.

“You are, though, Harrison. Not just with your looks, but how you treat those you care about. Now, can you kiss me so I can see what all the fuss is really about? Doing it myself is all I know outside of that which shall not be discussed while we’re in bed together, that is, so show me, Harrison.”