He put his arms around me and kissed the side of my neck. I sank into him, holding him tight.
“It’s nothing. Just a scratch,” he said near my ear, his lips brushing my lobe.
I shivered at the small contact, gripping his T-shirt. “That doesn’t look like nothing. Did you get into a fight?”
He pulled back so he could look at me and kissed the tip of my nose when he saw the expression on my face. “It was payment for lying to the club.”
The look on my face must have shown my horror at the thought of at least twenty people taking a shot at him.
“Are you insane? They could have done some serious damage.”
He brushed a strand of my hair out of my face, tracing his finger along my cheek in the process. “The club has become my life. It’s where I belong. Blade and a few others knew I was here undercover, but I still lied to most of my brothers. Something that required payment.”
I sighed but decided to drop it. Besides, him being in the club meant he wouldn’t be leaving. Maybe he really was serious when he said he wanted to stay here.
“Baby, I’m fine. I’m happier than I’ve ever been. I have everything a man could need: brothers at my back and my girl by my side.”
He leaned back to look at me, taking me in from top to toe, his gaze a caress that sent a tremor through my body.
“Like the skirt, beautiful. And the shoes. Especially the shoes,” he said, pulling my front into his side so I could face Blade and Grim, who were both watching us, Grim with a huge smile on his face, Blade with a frown. The guy really needed to loosen up. Every time I saw him, he looked like he’d taken a sip of Bud instead of their treasured Stella.
I found out at the last party that they didn’t allow Budweiser into their clubhouse. Nobody told me why, but even if they had, I probably wouldn’t remember since I’d had a few drinks too many that night.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?” Sebastian asked. “I could have picked you up.”
“Is it okay I’m here?” I asked, pulling back.
He didn’t let me get far, tightening his arms around me as he leaned in. “It’s more than okay. I didn’t know how tonight would go, so I didn’t want to make you go through the trouble of organizing a babysitter for what could have been nothing.”
“Apparently Grim knew it would work out,” I said, sinking into him. “I’m happy for you if this is what you want.”
Sebastian finally did what I’d wanted him to do all day and leaned down and kissed me. I wound my arms under his leather vest—something that was called a cut, as Gears informed me, horrified when I called it a vest—the touch of his lips a delicious sensation I didn’t think I’d ever tire of.
The kiss soon turned heated and my hands wandered under his shirt, the feel of his smooth skin under my palms intoxicating. There was something to be said about biker parties. They didn’t care what you did. I never thought I was into public make-outs, but it turned out there wasn’t much I wasn’t into when it came to Sebastian.
“How much do you have your heart set on partying?” he asked when we broke apart, both breathing hard. My body was flushed, my pulse racing. His kisses were magic.
“Depends on what else you have in mind,” I said, my hand still under his T-shirt.
He grinned at me, and I knew what he had in mind. “You want to take this upstairs?”
The answer to that question would always be yes. “I have to check on Malena first. She came with me, and I left her with Talon.”
“I can guarantee she’s in good hands,” Sebastian said.
He was right. If I could pick anyone to take care of my friend, it would be Talon. “I’ll text her to make sure she’s okay.”
“So how does it feel to finally be on the right side of the law?” Grim asked Sebastian, then laughed when he received a rude gesture as response.
I texted Malena while Sebastian drew circles on my hip with his hand, making my whole body heat up and break out in goose bumps. I had trouble concentrating and ended up sending a few messages before one made sense.
Me: Are you Ikea?
Me: What hushed to my message?
Me: Meant to say ostrich.
Me: How can it spell ostrich but not ukulele??
Me: Argh, not ukulele either!!
Me: Let’s try again. Just checking in. Do you want me to come and get you?
She responded a few seconds later. I knew she would because she always had her phone in her pocket. That way if she ever lost her handbag, she could still get home. I’d started doing the same and then ditched the handbag altogether.
Bestest bestie: I’m good, but maybe I should be asking you the same question?
Me: With Sebastian.
Bestest bestie: Then you’re better than good. Glad you found him. I’ll be okay down here for a few hours. Let me know if you’re staying the night.
Me: No can doodle. We promised to never ditch each other and go home alone. Besides, I promised the kidlets a sleepover. They’ll wonder where I am if I’m not there when they wake up.
Bestest bestie: Got it. I’ll let you know when I’ve reached my limit of badass biker party.
Sebastian leaned in, his hand traveling over my butt. “Malena okay?”
“All good,” I said and turned to Grim. “Have you guys met my friend Malena yet? She’s a hoot. You’d love her.”
“She’s a foot taller than Nora, has brown hair and hazel eyes and an attitude. Hard to miss. Feel free to find her. Now if you’ll excuse us, we’ve got somewhere to be,” Sebastian said, taking my hand and pulling me away from Blade and Grim. Grim belted out
