Page 10 of Reaper & the Lioness (Lone Star Mavericks MC #1)

Thane’s eyes crinkled as he grinned. “Thanks, darlin’. Glad you could make it.” He gestured to a group of picnic tables under a cusp of oak trees. “Rhetta and the old ladies are over there if you want to join them."

I nodded in thanks as I strode across the yard and sat beside my friend. I traced the initials and crude drawings carved into the worn table with my fingers.

“How does it feel to be robbed from the cradle?” I began, a teasing lilt in my voice. “What are you, like fifteen years younger than the birthday boy?”

The other women laughed, and Rhetta swatted my arm. “Age is just a number, sugar. Besides, I keep that old man young.”

Rhetta introduced the group of old ladies I hadn’t yet met.

“This is Cora,” she said, gesturing to a twenty-something blonde with a pixie cut sitting beside Maisie. “She’s with Ace.”

I shook the strawberry blonde’s hand and noticed an intricate tattoo wrapped around her pale, scarred wrist.

“And this is Jess. She’s with Reno.”

Jess nodded at me from across the table, brushing her hair from her face as her green eyes assessed me.

“And I don’t know if you remember her, but this is Taryn. The two of you met at my bridal shower. She’s with Tomcat.”

“Of course I remember,” I exclaimed. “You had adorable twin girls, from what I recall.”

Taryn nodded proudly. “Tilly and Talia. They’re the ones using Reaper as a jungle gym right now with Cora’s boy, Leo.”

I glanced across the yard, letting out an unexpected laugh as I saw two five-year-old girls hanging off Reaper’s large frame with a boy of about ten sitting on his shoulders. The sight of the man who commanded respect overrun by a pack of children caught me off guard.

I noticed Merrick’s intense gaze from across the bar as we chatted. The sergeant at arms watched my every move with suspicion as he spoke to a blond-haired, blue-eyed biker. I tensed under his scrutiny as I brought a round of drinks to the table.

“Don’t mind Merrick,” Rhetta said, following my line of sight. “He’s just doing his job. Even though Thane says you’re good, he’s still waiting for you to pull a badge out of your bra.”

I laughed. “I didn’t realize I gave cop vibes.”

I became distracted when I caught sight of Reaper moving through the crowd. Our eyes met, and a jolt ran through me.

“So, when’s the last time you had a little fun?” Rhetta asked, a sly grin spreading across her face.

I pretended to misunderstand. “I have fun every day. I have a job I love and a rambunctious puppy.”

Cora chuckled. “I think she means fun with a man.”

“A naked man,” Jess clarified.

My cheeks warmed. “Oh, it’s … it’s been a while,” I admitted, suddenly very interested in the label on my beer bottle. “Dating in D.C. was a nightmare.”

“You’re in luck,” Taryn said as she pulled her black hair into a high ponytail. She gestured around the clubhouse yard. “Plenty of single guys here.”

“Reaper among them,” Rhetta added, the corners of her eyes crinkling as she grinned.

I choked on my drink. “Absolutely not.”

Rhetta beamed as I continued to sputter.

“Reaper is frustrating and annoying and?—”

“Hot as fuck?” Cora finished, raising an eyebrow.

My face flushed even deeper. I couldn’t deny my attraction but pushed the thought aside. “He’s a client. He owns one of the club-associated businesses that I’m here to represent. That’s it.”

Rhetta shrugged. “If you say so, sugar. But if you ask me, you need to loosen up and let go. Shed that uptight, professional persona and live a little. What better way to break free from those corporate shackles than getting tangled up in sheets with a man like that ?”

A hot flush spread across my cheeks. “Stop,” I insisted. “It’s not happening.”

“Sugar, I’m speaking from experience. A night with a biker is just what you need to forget your troubles.”

As the night wore on, I found my eyes drawn to Reaper.

Each time our gazes met, the same inexplicable pull teased at my chest. But I steeled myself against it, reminding myself of professional boundaries and the complications that would arise from any involvement with a client—especially one as complex as him.

The group of old ladies broke apart when the prospects yelled it was time to eat, some moving to make a plate for their children and others sitting beside their bikers.

Having already eaten at home, I leaned against the bar and nursed my third drink of the night. I watched the members interact in fascination—like a zoologist watching a pride of lions interact across a savanna.

A clean-shaven man wearing black glasses and a prospect cut approached the bar. His handsome, polished appearance felt out of place amongst the gruff crowd.

He flashed a charming smile. “Can I buy you a drink?”

His bright blue eyes raked down my body quickly before he offered a boyish grin. He couldn’t have been older than his mid-twenties.

“From the open bar?” I laughed. “Sure, why not? I’ll take another Woodford Reserve on the rocks.”

As he ordered our drinks from the bartender who’d been introduced to me as Leah, I studied him.

“I’m Tyler Grove. I don’t think we’ve met.”

“Eva,” I replied, shaking his hand. “I’m a consultant. Thane hired me. And I’m old friends with Rhetta.”

“Ah, the PR girl. I’ve heard about you.”

I offered a fake grimace. “Good things, I hope?”

Tyler laughed and stepped closer. He leaned casually against the bar. “Mostly. Some of the guys aren’t sure about you yet, though. You’re not what I expected.”

That piqued my interest. I tilted my head. “What did you expect?”

He took a drink as he considered the question. “Reaper has complained endlessly about having to shadow you. And Hatchet said you were all business, no fun.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m plenty of fun. What about you? You don’t exactly fit the Maverick mold.”

Tyler chuckled. “I hear that a lot. I moved back to Texas after law school. Never thought I’d join, but here I am. My dad was one of the founding members.”

My eyebrows jumped in surprise. “You went to law school?”

Tyler shot me a self-deprecating grin. “Don’t be too impressed. I failed the bar exam. Twice. Now I’m working construction to pay the bills while I figure out my next move.”

As we continued chatting, I enjoyed Tyler’s harmless flirtation. The alcohol had loosened me up, and his attention was a welcome shift from my tense exchanges with Reaper.

Tyler wasn’t my type, but perhaps the old ladies were right. A no-strings-attached night with a biker could be fun—as long as they weren’t one of the business owners.

Tyler moved closer, his hand brushing a rogue hair out of my face. “Maybe I can take you for a ride. Texas looks better from the back of a bike.”

A flush crept up my neck. “I would love that. I’ve never ridden on a motorcycle before.” The whiskey made me bold, and I swept a hand across his forearm, tracing his nautical tattoo.

Before Tyler could form a response, a shadow fell over us. Reaper scowled as he glanced between me and Tyler. I dropped my hand and stepped backward, my heart thudding in my chest.

“Everything all right here?” Reaper growled, his eyes fixed on Tyler.

Tyler stepped back, and his throat bobbed as he swallowed. His easy confidence faltered under Reaper’s menacing glare. “Yeah, boss. We were just talking.”

Reaper’s jaw clenched. “Go talk somewhere else. Now.”

I watched in confusion as Tyler nodded and retreated with no contest. I turned to Reaper. “What the hell was that about?” My earlier good mood turned to dust. The nerve of this man.

His eyes met mine. “Just looking out for you. Tyler has a bit of a reputation.”

I crossed my arms. “I can take care of myself. I don’t need you to look out for me.”

His eyes roamed over my face, lingering on my lips. For a moment, I thought he might kiss me. Part of me desperately wanted him to. Another part of me wanted to throat-punch him.

Reaper leaned in. “You have no idea what you’re getting into here.” His voice sounded low and rough amongst the happy chatters of the partying crowd.

“Then why don’t you tell me?” I challenged. “Why did you chase Tyler away? I was having a good time talking to him. He was going to take me for a ride.”

Reaper’s scowl deepened. “You know what? Do whatever you want.” He turned and stalked away.

What the fuck? Part of me wanted to chase after him to demand an explanation for his bewildering behavior. However, another part—my more rational side—understood that confronting him in the middle of the party would only lead to more tension.

Instead, I scanned the crowd for Tyler, hoping to pick up where we left off. But every time I tried to approach him, he vanished into the throng of partiers.

My mood soured. It was time to leave, but I was too buzzed to drive myself. I fumbled with my phone, squinting at the screen as I pulled up the rideshare app. As I waited for a driver to accept my request, Rhetta appeared at my side.

“Heading out already, sugar?”

I nodded in exhaustion. “Yeah, I think I’ve had enough excitement for one night. My Uber will be here in a minute. I’ll get a ride back in the morning to pick up my Jeep.”

“Nah, we can take care of that.” She held out her palm. “Give me your keys. A prospect will drop your Jeep off in the morning.”

“Thanks,” I said, fishing the keys from my purse and dropping them into her outstretched hand.

Rhetta wrapped an arm around me in a side hug.

“Thanks for coming tonight. I hope you had fun."

I nodded, not wanting to let on that I was leaving because I couldn’t stand the club’s VP and his dominating presence.

As I walked to the end of the driveway, I could sense eyes on my back. I didn’t need to turn around to know they belonged to Reaper. The weight of his gaze followed me down the driveway.