Page 7

I wasn’t happy. These last two weeks had me in knots. After spending what I thought was a good day and night at the Punishers’ compound and having more effortless conversations with Tinker, I’d been encouraged when Gareth, Annie, and I left that night. I hadn’t felt like Tinker disliked me. It was more like it was a case of he had to get used to me. All that changed when I discovered I’d left my purse there.

We’d gotten all the way home before I noticed I didn’t have it. Gareth offered to run back and get it, but I told him no. I could use the alone time, and it was a nice night. I’d driven back with the window down, air blowing in, singing to the radio. I had to press a button when I arrived since no one was at the gate. Earlier, Troian explained how to get inside if it was unmanned. When a voice came over a speaker next to it, I recognized it as one of the prospects. I didn’t know which one because their voices were so similar. He’d told me to come on up, and he’d fetch my purse for me. I explained where I’d left it, and he promised to meet me in the common room.

I hadn’t thought a thing about walking in there. Boy, I should’ve. When I entered, I was treated to a very different party than the one we’d left barely over an hour earlier. Scantily clad women were here and there and were not shy about starting something with the guys. I didn’t see any actual sexual acts happening, but the fondling and kissing left me in no doubt what was coming. They were all adults, and the guys were single, so I dismissed it. That was until I happened to glance across the room and saw Tinker. When I did, my heart pounded, and I felt sick.

He was sitting on a couch, and a woman was kneeling between his legs, undoing his belt. It didn’t take a genius to know she was about to give him a blow job, and his erection straining the zipper of his jeans showed he was all for it. Disappointment and something more hurtful crashed through me. I was never so grateful in my life than when Dravin approached me with my purse. I tore my eyes away from Tinker’s. He’d seen me.

I couldn’t tell you what Dravin said, but I laughed—anything to cover up my pain. He was flirting like he had all day. When he offered to walk me to my car, I let him. I made sure not to peer over at Tinker and his friend again. I didn’t want to see the show. I practically ran to my car and zoomed off when I got outside. I didn’t know if I even said goodbye to Dravin. The drive home was drastically different from the drive there.

Over the coming days, I’d stayed away from the worksite as much as possible. I would’ve gotten someone else if I hadn’t already agreed to let Iron’s Rehab do the renovations. Once I discovered that Tinker would be doing some of the work, I ducked in whenever I saw his truck wasn’t there. Sometimes, he came with someone else, so it wasn’t a perfect system, and I couldn’t ask anyone if he would be there. They’d get suspicious.

I thought I’d done a decent job of ducking him. The few times we’d met, I kept our conversations brief and about the job. That was until yesterday when I was waylaid on the street by my cousin and Warrick. Talk about an unwanted meeting. I wasn’t in the mood for their bullshit and just wanted them to go. Having Tinker swoop in and rescue me had been a surprise, slightly heartwarming, and, as I told him, unnecessary. His suggestion that Annie, Gareth, and I come to the compound this weekend, I had no intention of mentioning to my aunt and uncle. I knew they’d most likely want to go. They’d push to know what was up if I didn’t go with them.

However, it seems Tinker knew this and had maneuvered it in his favor. He texted them an invitation. When I got home, we talked about Jubilee and Warrick. I found out about Tinker’s text, but only after telling them what was said between Jubilee and Warrick.

Understandably, they weren’t happy about those two. Annie was angrier than Gareth and wanted to find them and kick their asses. It took both of us to talk her out of it. She said if she had to go clear to Blacksburg, she would. Her defense of me lightened my mood. It plummeted again when they informed me of the invitation.

“If those two come around again, just walk away and call me. I won’t have them coming here and stirring shit. We left Blacksburg to get away from them and their drama. I’m not putting up with it,” Gareth groused.

“I will. They just caught me off guard, and then Tinker came, and it was a jumbled, confusing mess.”

“Yes, I can see Tinker stepping in. Any of the Punishers would. They’re protective of their friends like that. Speaking of Tinker, he texted and said he invited us to hang out at the compound, whichever day we wanted. I think that’s a great idea. You’ve been running yourself ragged for the past two weeks. I’ve heard you up late in your room at night. I know you’re anxious to get your business up and running, but don’t make yourself sick. It’s probably a several-month project. We need to de-stress and especially after having to look at and talk to Jubilee and her asshole of a man,” Annie said.

I tried to say no, but it went in one ear and out the other. They refused to hear it, and before I knew it, I was roped into going with them the following day. That was why I was sitting in the backseat of Gareth’s car with a knot in my stomach as the gate swung open. I’d suggested I drive myself so I could escape early, but they said no. Of course, I kept the escape part to myself.

Between Annie and the club, it was decided we’d come over in the afternoon. The sun would be out for hours, and the weather would be nice enough to swim for a while. I was praying that when it got dark, we’d leave. No way was I forgetting anything this time, and if I did, it would stay here.

I hadn’t forgotten what I saw or how it made me feel. I lectured myself many times that I was being stupid to be upset or hurt over it. Tinker was no one to me, and I was no one to him. Sure, he was attractive, but so were other men. However, I couldn’t seem to stop wondering who the woman was. Was she simply one of those hang arounds, bunnies, or someone more? Why it mattered, I didn’t know.

I reluctantly got out of the car after we parked. Coming through the gate, you could see the swimming pool and playground area. That was where the bulk of the club appeared to be, based on the number of bodies. Another thing Annie insisted on was I bring my bathing suit. She said we were going in the water this time. She asked before we walked out the door to be sure I hadn’t forgotten it.

As we joined them, the old ladies flocked over to us. Gareth said hello to them and then wandered off to join some of the guys. Wanting to occupy myself so I didn’t stare at Tinker like a weirdo, I held my hands out to Cheyenne. She looked tired but good for someone who had a baby less than a month ago.

“Can I steal him for some baby snuggles, or will Lily beat me?” I teased.

Lily was very protective of her baby brother. We’d seen it at the party. I doubted she’d changed over the past two weeks. Cheyenne chuckled as she handed him to me. Bringing him to rest on my shoulder, I gently patted his back because he wiggled like he might wake up and fuss. I inhaled that sweet baby smell. Something about it made my whole body relax. Who could be upset with babies or animals around?

“She’ll watch you like a hawk, and if you have him too long, she may tell you you’re hogging him. A word her daddy taught her. They argue over who hogs him all the time. It’s freaking hilarious to watch a three-year-old and a forty-one-year-old fight. Usually, she wins.” Her proud smile told it all.

All of us were laughing. “I want you to tape it next time. I want that for future blackmail,” Annie told her.

“Deal. I swear, I almost kicked them out of the house the other night. I’m not surprised that Reaper is that way. He did the same thing with Lily, but I didn’t expect Lily to be like her dad.” Cheyenne rolled her eyes heavenward. I choked down my giggle.

“She may look like you, but she’s got her daddy in her. God, can you imagine what it’ll be like when she starts to like boys and can date?” Alisse asked. This question brought out a bunch of groans and ominous predictions.

After we’d been there for an hour, I relaxed and hadn’t run into Tinker. I forced myself not to look for him. If he was there, he was staying away from me. Good. However, I jinxed myself by thinking that because fifteen minutes later, I felt a hand on my back—a big, masculine hand. Turning to see who it was, I gulped when I saw those soulful brown eyes.

“I’m glad you decided to come today,” he said.

“It wasn’t as if I had a choice. Annie insisted, but you knew she would when you texted her,” I accused.

He didn’t have the grace to look ashamed. He said to me as he nodded, “I did. You needed to relax after that run-in yesterday. It’s hot, and the water will feel great. Have a few drinks and fun. Can I get you anything to drink? Now that your arms aren’t full.”

The bitchy side of me wanted to tell him to forget it, but the other knew that being one would raise questions. The last thing I wanted was for anyone to know I had the hots for him, and he couldn’t care less. At least I didn’t think he disliked me anymore, but I wasn’t what he was into.

“Sure, I’ll take a beer.”

He was back in a flash with two beers. After he handed me one, I was maneuvered to a couple of chairs by the pool. He pulled one out for me, so I took it. The beer went down smoothly. I watched the bigger kids playing on the jungle gym set.

“Tell me about your cousin. Has she always been a bitch?” he abruptly asked.

I was taken aback. Scrambling to form an answer, I shrugged before telling him the truth. “Jubilee was born a bitch when it comes to me. She started with an attitude when we were small. We’re only a year apart in age. She’s older. It was like she hated me for being born and stealing attention from her. It never got better. I’m not the only one she treats that way, but I’m probably the one she hates most. I gave up trying to be her friend a long time ago.”

“That’s idiotic. So is her fiancé a douche because she’s a bitch, or is there more to it?”

I shifted my gaze to him. He was closely watching me. I tried to evade answering his question. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, it seemed like he had another issue with you. He mentioned believing you’re still upset over something. What did they do? He do?”

“Tinker, whatever has happened between me and him, them, is water under the bridge. It doesn’t do to dwell on it. Rick likes to stir even when there’s nothing to stir. The two of them aren’t happy unless they cause trouble. They’re ideal for each other. Both are toxic.”

He opened his mouth, and I dreaded the possibility he’d ask more, but I was saved. Annie came rushing over and grabbed my arm as she tugged to get me to stand.

“Enough sitting in this hot sun. We’re going into the pool. Tinker, are you joining us? It sounds like a lot of the others are.”

“Sure, why not? I’ll see you after you get changed.”

As he stood and his hand went to his belt, I jumped up and practically dragged Annie away. Undoubtedly, he had his trunks on underneath, but the sight of him undoing his belt was too much for me. My mind went straight into the gutter. I prolonged the process of changing and applying sunscreen as long as possible, but after a while, Annie hollered at me to hurry up.

We’d gone into the clubhouse and used one of the bathrooms to change. I wish I’d known about this ahead of time. I mean, far enough to be able to go swimsuit shopping. I had this one from last year when I’d gone on vacation with Gareth and Annie to the beach. She’d insisted I buy something new and sexier. When I didn’t, she did it for me.

It was still a one-piece, but it was more revealing. It was called a monokini. The top tied behind my neck and along the middle of my back. The front had a deep V neckline with two links holding it together, creating a peephole just below my sternum. My stomach was covered for the most part, except for where a cut-out on each side at my waist exposed more skin. The bottom was a high-cut brief.

The back was the revealing part. Along with my whole back being exposed, my ass cheeks peeked out. It wasn’t something I’d normally wear due to my curvy body and thicker thighs, but Annie had assured me I looked terrific in it. She had gotten it in a bright royal blue instead of the typical black I would’ve picked. I thought it set off my skin and hair better.

I had a wrap, so I ensured it covered me as we rejoined the others. At first glance, almost everyone was dressed to swim. The only ones not in swimsuits were Cheyenne and Lark, along with their guys. Someone had to keep an eye on the babies, who were in two playpens under the shade.

“Off with it,” Annie ordered as we stood by the pool’s edge. The water did look inviting and so blue.

“Off with what?”

She narrowed her gaze on me. “I swear, if you don’t take that cover-up off within the next ten seconds, I’ll tear it off myself. You’re crazy to think you don’t look good. Don’t you recall those men at the beach last year? Gareth wanted to kill them.”

Remembering them, it made me smile. They had been rather complimentary. Gathering my nerve, I latched onto the belt that held it closed. Annie tugged hers over her head. She might be fifty-one, but her body was in shape. I giggled as I saw Gareth making his way determinedly toward us. He only had eyes for her. I was grinning and watching him so intently that I wasn’t paying attention to whether anyone saw my suit as I tossed my wrap on a chair. That was until both my hands were grabbed, and the murmuring started.

On either side of me was Remus and Romulus. They were scanning me from head to toe. Their expressions showed blatant interest. “Goddamn, warn a guy. You almost gave us a heart attack, Haven,” one of them said. Without their cuts on, there was no way to tell them apart. They were that identical.

“Hey, don’t get any ideas. She’s coming in with me,” Crusher interjected. He stood in front of me. Before I knew it, I was surrounded by the single guys. They all complimented me and tried to get me into the pool with them. I admit it made me feel wonderful. Yesterday’s confrontation had made me feel shitty.

Suddenly, a hole appeared between Hail and Crusher. Tinker filled it. He was scowling. I didn’t understand why until he spoke. “I invited her, and I asked her to go get changed. She’s coming in with me. Back off,” he rumbled.

This warning or order made them protest and say he didn’t have dibs. It reminded me of boys in the schoolyard fighting over a new toy. I was about to tell them to stop, and I’d go in alone when Tinker stooped over, hoisted me in his arms so my feet left the ground, and started walking to where the steps went into the water.

“Tinker, put me down!” I exclaimed.

His hands were right in the crease between my ass cheek and thigh. Feeling him there sent my body into overdrive. My nipples stiffened, and a tingle shot to my pussy. When he kept walking, I wiggled, trying to make him put me down. But all that did was make his thumbs slip. And wouldn’t you know it? They slipped under my suit bottom and closer to my pussy. I froze. Dear God, don’t let him slip anymore. If he does, he’ll feel it. The “it” was the fact I was becoming wet. I knew my face was red.

As he walked further down those stairs, the water hit my feet, and then I climbed higher. I fought to calm myself. The suit only had a thin lining in the cup area. I was afraid to look down to see if my nipples were showing. The water was cool but not cold. As it hit my thighs and then up further, I sighed.

Tinker didn’t slow down until we were in the middle of the pool. At this point, it was about five feet deep. One end was shallow, at three and a half feet, and made for the kids. The deepest end was six feet. He kept going until we were in the deepest part. As he lowered me, sliding my body down his chest, causing me to shiver, I barely had enough brain cells to warn him.

“I need to move back toward the center. I’m not six feet tall,” I reminded him sassily.

His arms ended up encircling my waist. I swear, his eyes were heated and boring into mine. Instead of my temperature lowering due to the water, I was heating up. “I’ve got you. I won’t let you drown. You just stay here in my arms.”

My hands gripped his upper arms. The feel of his muscles, like steel, made me want to squeeze them. The tattoos all up and down his bulging arms and his lickable chest made me want to touch them all. I heard the others grumbling from a distance. Some had entered the water and were horsing around. Lily, Flynn, and Arya were at the other end with their parents. I had to clear my throat to croak out a response.

“Tinker, what has gotten into you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Why did you pick me up and carry me in here? Why tell the guys you invited me and I was swimming with you? I don’t believe you want to spend your time with me. So what’s the deal?”

He frowned. “Haven, why wouldn’t I want to spend time with you? And it’s true. I invited you here to spend time and to swim.”

“Sure, to be polite. Acting the way you just did will make people think untrue stuff. You need to stop.”

“Untrue stuff? Like what?”

Was he being purposefully obtuse, or did he truly not have a clue how this looked? “That you want to be more than friends with me. It’s not true. I don’t believe you should do things like you just did. What if one of the others wants something more? This might keep them from asking me if I want to go out with them.” I didn’t know what made me say it that way, but it was too late to take it back.

His answer was to jerk me against him. There was no part of my front not touching his. I gasped, and my mouth went dry. Not just from being startled but also from what it revealed. What was pressed into my lower stomach—his hard cock.

He lowered his head and placed his mouth next to my ear. “If they ask you out, they’ll have me to deal with. I don’t think they want that. But if they do, they’re welcome to come to me and state their case. I hope they’re ready for a long vacation while they heal in the hospital.”

“You’ve been out in the sun too long. You have heat stroke. You need to go inside,” I said.

He chuckled. I yelped as his teeth nipped my earlobe. It surprised me more than it hurt. It was more of a slight sting. I moaned when he curled his tongue around the lobe to soothe it.

“I think the lump in my trunks says something different. You walk out here in this killer suit, putting all your sexy-as-fuck curves and flawless skin on display, and expect me not to want to stake my claim, run off those drooling asses, or not get hard. That’s impossible. You should be thankful I didn’t carry you off to my house and devour you. Although, that offer is still on the table. All you have to do is say yes.”

I shoved on his chest, trying to put space between us. As turned on as I was, and believe me, I couldn’t recall being this turned on in my life, his words brought the image of that woman on her knees to mind. No way was I becoming just another body he used and then dumped. I wasn’t a bunny or a hang around. He reluctantly allowed a small amount of space between our bodies. I glared up at him.

“I’m not one of those club bunnies or other sluts you all have hanging around, wanting a ride on your cock. If you want to get laid, I know you have plenty of those to help you. Why don’t you find that one who was on her knees for you a couple of Saturdays ago? She seemed willing to do anything and be anything you wanted,” I snarled.

Shock was the first emotion to register on his face. It was swiftly followed by what appeared to be discomfort and morphed into anger. He let out a loud growl. I shrieked as he hoisted me higher, but this time, he slung me over his shoulder. His legs ate through the water. I pounded him on the back and yelled. I didn’t give a damn who saw or heard me.

“Put me down this instant, you, you Neanderthal! I’m not going anywhere with you, and I don’t want you touching me,” I yelled.

Those around us got quiet. They were watching. I saw Gareth step toward us, then stop when Annie tugged on his arm. She was shaking her head and saying something. No one else came to my rescue.

Tinker didn’t stop once we were out of the water. He kept striding briskly away from the pool, past the clubhouse, and toward a couple of houses on the other side of the clubhouse. That’s when he came up with a new response to my squirms and yells. Every time I did one, he’d smack his palm on one of my ass cheeks. It was hard enough to sting, and the wet fabric seemed to make it worse, but it made me tingle at the same time.

I wasn’t the most sexually experienced woman out there, but I knew enough about myself to know what turned me on out of what I’d tried. Spanking was one of those things that made me hornier. I so didn’t need that. Just to be a brat, I hit him again. I wasn’t trying to hurt him. I just wanted to get his attention.

This time, when he spanked me, a small moan slipped out. His hand rubbed over where he hit me. “That’s it. Moan for me,” he murmured. I bit my lower lip to stop more from escaping. Whatever had gotten into him needed to stop soon. If it didn’t, I’d beg him to take me to bed.

We were fast approaching a house. Tinker had to put me down sometime. When he did, I’d find a way to run. This was it. I wasn’t coming here again. The door opened easily when he turned the handle. He walked straight in and then took time to shut and lock the door. If he thought that would keep me in, he’d find out otherwise.

“Where are we, you big ape!?” I snapped. I had my head lifted, and I was scanning the house.

“You need to be taught to behave,” he responded right before another slap landed on my bottom.

This slap was harder than any of the others. The heat and tingles it sent through me were embarrassing. I was biting my bottom lip so hard to keep in my moans. I fought with myself not to enjoy this. Reaching down, I slapped one of his ass cheeks. The damn thing was like slapping iron. It made my hand sting and him chuckle.

“Spank me all you want, Witch. All it’ll do is make me harder. You and I have shit to talk about, and we don’t need a damn audience. This cold politeness has gone on long enough. You’re not leaving here until we talk and fix this.”

I made an undignified yelping sound as I was abruptly flipped off his shoulder, into his arms, and then lowered onto a couch. We were in the living room of a lovely house. I wondered who it belonged to.

“Don’t put me on this couch! I’m wet. I don’t want to ruin someone’s furniture,” I scolded him.

He didn’t listen and sat next to me in his wet trunks. I fought hard not to look, but I couldn’t stop myself. The wet fabric clung to him, showcasing the considerable erection he was sporting. My mouth went dry, imagining what it looked like and how it would feel to have that inside me. I squeezed my thighs together. He smirked like he knew what I was doing. I glared at him. He was holding my arm so he could tug me back down if I tried to get up.

Not seeing a way out of this talk, I decided to get it over with. As soon as it was over, I was going home. “Fine, talk. I have no idea what you think we have to discuss but go for it,” I said flippantly.

“Let’s start with the easy stuff first. What was the deal with your cousin and her fiancé yesterday?”

I wasn’t fast enough to prevent the cringe on my face, though I quickly let it drop. Being the eagle-eyed person that he was, he noticed. “Right there. That’s what I mean. You did it yesterday. Why is it that when you hear the word fiancé, you cringe or get a pained look?”

“I don’t know what you mean. They irritate me. They can’t let the inheritance issue go. That’s all.”

“Bullshit. We can stay here all day and night if that’s what you want, but I will find out the whole story. I could ask Gareth, but I’d prefer to hear it from you.”

The mulish expression he wore told me he meant it. I didn’t want to talk about Jubilee and Warrick. Those two had caused enough pain, but Tinker didn’t seem to care what I wanted. His attitude ignited my temper. I throw caution and good sense out the window when my temper gets involved. I yanked on my captured arm. He held onto it and slid closer. Not what I wanted.

“Talk to me, Haven. I can tell this eats at you. Get it off your chest. It’s more than your family being shitheads about an inheritance that drove you to move to Bristol.” His voice had lowered into a soothing tone. One that made you want to confess all your secrets and sins.

“What do you want to hear, Tinker? How my own family, except for Gareth and Grandma, couldn’t stand me and never could. Not even my mother sides with me. With Gareth gone all those years, Grandma was my only ally and safety. I knew she wouldn’t live forever, and then I’d be alone. That gloomy thinking made me make the stupidest mistake of my life,” I snapped.

“Tell me,” he demanded.

“It’s not any of your business, Tinker. Drop it,” I demanded.

He studied me intently for a few moments, then shook his head. “I can’t. I’m not trying to hurt you. I want to know what caused you to come here. I need to know if there’s a threat.”

“What if there is a threat? It’s not your concern. I can take care of myself.”

“It is my concern, and I’ll explain why in a bit. Should I tell Annie and Gareth we’ll see them tomorrow or whenever?”

His threat was clear. For lack of a better word, I was his prisoner until I told all. Suddenly, the fight in me turned to weariness. What difference did it make if he knew? If Tinker knew what a stupid fool I was, it wouldn’t matter. He was no one. That’s what I told myself, but deep down, I knew it was a lie. If I thought I had a chance with him, there would be no way I’d tell him. To do so would make him run away. No guy wanted a pathetic loser.