Page 20 of Trusting Skulls (Rebel Skull MC #8)

Chapter Eighteen

Ash

I listen to Brody’s new “friend” lay out her plan.

“So, what do you think?” she asks us, folding her arms across her chest.

I look to Brody to answer. He knows her better than I do. “You think you can open her eyes?”

“I know I can. She’s gorgeous.”

His gaze darkens, and I feel like I’m sitting on the sideline of an intimate conversation.

“It’s not what you usually paint,” he reminds her.

“I know.”

They continue to stare at each other as a silent conversation passes between the two of them.

“I can do this,” she promises.

He turns to look at me. “What do you think?”

I shrug my shoulders. “Sure. If you can get her to see what we all do, then I’m down for it.”

“Per. Fect.” She turns and points where she wants everything set up. “We’ll be out in a few.”

Brody chuckles low as she walks away. “I think you’re in for a treat. Be fucking prepared.”

“Where did you say you met this girl?”

He doesn’t take his eyes off her until she disappears into the cabin. “The beach.”

“You went to the beach?”

“Yep.” His worried eyes turn my way. “Listen, Ash. Lexie had a tough time while you were gone.”

I follow him to his truck to unload Daisy’s painting supplies. “Jackson filled me in.”

He hands me a blank canvas. “I’m serious, dude. It fucking broke my heart. She reminds me so much of my niece. I was scared she might …” He draws a finger over his throat.

“She’s never given me indication she’s suicidal, but I sure do appreciate everything you and the club’s done for the both of us.”

“I can’t believe the little turd has been hiding upstairs from you. Why didn’t you just go up there?”

I set the canvas on the easel after he props it up. “I’m trying to respect her boundaries.”

“Hmm,” he hums. “She’s a stubborn one. You’re lucky we showed up, or she still might be up there.”

“Yeah, about that,” I tease. “What were you and your new friend doing here?”

His mouth pulls into a wide grin. “Just looking for a private place to get creative.”

I chuckle at that, but I’m happy for him. “I thought the club might have asked you to come. Anyway, I’m surprised Daisy talked Lexie into this. I feel like it’s got to be pushing her boundaries.”

“That’s what we need sometimes.”

Brody’s attention shifts toward the cabin as the door opens. His jaw drops, but he quickly snaps it shut. We exchange a glance before our focus goes back to Lexie.

She’s in a baggy sweater that hangs off one shoulder, leggings, and boots. It’s my new favorite look. Her hair is pinned up, and fuck, her neck … it’s so delectably slender. My mouth waters when she pauses. Does she feel the way her presence awakens all my senses?

Lexie holds perfectly still, just like prey hoping not to draw the attention of a passing predator. Daisy steps in front of her blocking my view. They talk quietly for a few moments.

“Holy shit,” I breathe out. “How did she get prettier?”

Brody laughs. “I’m not sure where Daisy’s going with this ...”

“Me either, but I’m fucking excited to find out.”

Lexie peeks around Daisy’s shoulder, her cheeks instantly turning pink. Brody’s new friend takes my girl’s hand and drags her past us, down to the bench that overlooks the mountains.

Daisy leaves her sitting there and takes up her position behind her easel several feet away from her. Abruptly, she turns to me. “You know what would be spectacular?”

My eyes haven’t left Lexie. “What’s that?”

“You should be in the painting too!” She claps her hands and nods at Lexie. She’s doing her best to persuade Lex that this is the best of ideas.

Lexie’s leg bounces nervously.

It’s the starting shot I’ve been waiting for. I jump forward. “I’ve never done any modeling, but you’ve talked me into it.”

Green eyes track me as I approach. I slowly lower myself to the bench, afraid any sudden movement might make her dash back inside the cabin.

“You guys just relax. I’ll just be working on the background for a bit.”

“I’ll go get started on supper and leave you guys to it,” Brody says, dismissing himself.

I think he knows Lexie will be more comfortable with fewer eyes on her.

I shift forward, finally giving Lexie my full attention. Instantly, her head falls. My hand finds her chin, and I gently lift it.

“Hi,” I say softly, memorizing everything about this moment.

I’ve spent hours with Lexie, but this is the beginning of something new. I want to savor every moment. This time, she doesn’t get to slip through my fingers.

Her gaze bounces over my face as tears pool in her eyes.

She’s always quiet around me, and I don’t think today will be an exception.

I don’t take offense. Lexie doesn’t offer me false accolades to boost my ego like she does other men, and I take that as a compliment.

There’s always been more between us than mere words can express.

A thousand apologies scream to me from the depts of her soul. There’s no attempt from her to hide how hard the last three months have been on her. Some men might be jealous or think badly of her for not holding strong in my absence. I’m not some men.

“It’s okay,” I whisper over her face.

She gives me a tiny nod while blinking rapidly. Her acceptance is something new … something welcoming.

“You’re beautiful,” I continue, feeling bolder by the minute.

“Please. I look like I’ve just rolled out of bed.”

There’s the Lexie I know.

“Well then, I can’t wait to see you roll out of my bed every morning,” I flirt, knowing that comments like this might make her uncomfortable.

I don’t care. I’ll never hide my attraction from her again, but I know it’s a fine line.

I don’t want her thinking I’m like other guys and that’s all I’m here for, but I also don’t want her to think I’m turned off by her sex appeal.

A flush paints her cheeks the prettiest shade of pink I’ve ever seen. “I … I don’t know what’s happening,” she admits quietly, tipping her head to the side toward the artist whose gaze bounces between us and her canvas. “This isn’t how I envisioned seeing you again.”

“I don’t know what’s happening, either. I’m just glad she got you downstairs.” My finger outlines her lips, and I lean in to whisper in her ear. “Turn around. I want to see my pin in your hair.”

She doesn’t argue. She obediently gives me her back.

I’m glad she’s turned away, so she doesn’t see just how much she affects me. My fingers tremble as I bring them toward the nape of her neck. They pause when the breeze sends little wisps of copper strands fluttering beneath my fingertips.

A shiver runs through her when I finally allow myself to touch her there. The heat of my breath follows closely behind. She smells heavenly. It’s simply her, nothing masked by a manufactured field of flowers. It’s intoxicating.

She turns her head slightly; I feel her internal struggle to pull away from me in the tightness of her spine.

Lexie’s not used to this kind of attention from me.

I was never brave enough. Strong enough.

But I’ve remedied that. I’ll stand toe to toe with her or anyone else who tries to tell me that I don’t deserve her.

Or that she doesn’t deserve me. We were made for each other.

“I’ll never leave you again,” I promise, sealing it with a kiss at the juncture of her neck and shoulder.

Her skin pebbles beneath my touch.

“Oh, that’s perfect. I like this pose. Can you slide your hand to the front of her throat?” Daisy asks.

Immediately, my hand follows her direction. She doesn’t break the spell as she guides us.

“Place your other hand over her stomach, holding her against you.”

A little puff of air leaves Lexie as I tug her against my chest.

Daisy stands and walks toward us. Her fingers pull at the loose strands of Lexie’s hair, arranging them around her face. She makes eye contact with my girl. “Breathe,” she reminds her.

I appreciate her checking in on Lexie. I should have known Brody would find someone like him. I bet she’s a good friend. She waits until Lexie relaxes against me.

As she backs away, her necklace catches the light. It’s a little dragonfly. It makes me embrace Lexie a little tighter. A sign from the universe that I’m right where I’m supposed to be.

Daisy meets my gaze before backing away. “If you guys can hold for a few, I’ll try to give it the justice it deserves.” She walks out of our line of sight.

“This is strange,” Lexie says, her heartbeat beating wildly against my palm.

It makes me ache with impatience. I want so badly to show her the love she’s been so desperately seeking in all the wrong places. “Strangely intoxicating,” I groan against the shell of her ear.

And that is where our conversation ends.

The sun drenches the sky in orange and pink and blue as her pulse continues to beat steadily beneath my hand. I could stay like this forever.

Daisy eventually breaks the silence. “I can finish from here. You guys were the perfect models.”

Lexie starts to pull away from me, but I tighten my grip, holding her close. “Don’t hide from me again,” I tell her quietly.

Brody must have been watching from inside, because on cue he hollers out the door. “The food is done! Come get it while it’s hot.”

I stand, pulling Lexie with me. Daisy turns her easel as we walk past her toward the cabin. “No peeking till I’m finished. Go on. I’ll join you all in a few.”

“I’m going to go change,” Lexie says, heading for the stairs the minute we step inside.

Brody and I watch her run up them. He shakes his head. “Didn’t know I was coming up here to watch someone else get their sexy on.”

I bark out a laugh. “Their sexy on?”

“Fuck, you two were hot. For a minute there I thought about jumping in.”

“Yeah, no.” I shut that idea down before the image has a chance to form in my mind. “I’m a one man show.”

Brody laughs. “Me too, brother.” He claps his hands together. “You’re so fucking lucky I showed up.”

“You’ve said that.”

“It’s true. You and Lex would have starved.”

He’s got me there, because neither Lexie nor I can cook. He and Daisy showing up has been an unexpected stroke of luck.

“I’m going to make sure she didn’t get stuck.”

I think he’s talking about Daisy, but he heads toward the stairs.

“You decent?” he yells up.

Lexie’s loud sigh drifts down the stairs. “No.”

That little bit of fighting spirit she always holds on to makes me chuckle. It’s probably what’s kept her alive.

His heavy boots thud against the wood as he makes his way up. She doesn’t protest, so she must have been lying. Did he sense her reluctance to join us for dinner? He’s spent more time with her as of late than me.

Daisy bursts through the door, the wind at her back. “Man, we cut that close. I think there might be a storm moving in,” she says, shoving the door closed with her hip. “I need a place for this to dry.”

I quickly jump up and take the easel out from under her arm, setting it up in the corner of the room. I move away, patiently waiting for her to turn the painting for me to see.

“I’ve never been so obsessed with my work,” she says, placing it on the stand. She backs away and then hovers beside me.

My mouth falls open but no words come out. We silently share a moment full of emotions.

“I don’t even know what to say.”

I feel her gaze heavy on the side of my face. “I’ve been longing to paint something real.”

“It’s heartbreakingly real,” I admit, staring at Lexie and me bathed in the soft light of the fading day, cradled in the beauty of the mountains. But there, hiding in the surrounding trees, demons lurk.

“Hopefully she’ll see how beautiful she is. Not despite the darkness, but because of it.”

I shake my head. Daisy is incredibly talented. One of those artists with the rare ability to capture what lies beyond. “I’m almost scared to look away.” I laugh, running my hands through my hair.