by Harley Stone
“Zombie’s a good man,” Wasp reminded me. “He saw a good lookin’ woman and made a play for her, like we’ve all done. Nobody told him she was Link’s sister.”
“He knew she was coming.” And Link had warned us all to stay the fuck away from her. Again.
“Yeah, but I’m sure Zombie didn’t expect to find her working in the garage.”
Wasp had a point. I took a deep breath and released it, trying to force away the tension and anger I felt. “Did Naomi break his arm?”
Wasp grinned. “Nope, but she bruised the hell out of his shoulder. Probably all the way to the bone.”
The pride I felt about that was unfounded and confusing. Pushing it away, I stepped aside so Wasp could go talk to Rabbit. Wasp shook his head at me once more before leaving. I couldn’t blame him. I wanted to shake my head at myself. Naomi wasn’t mine, I hadn’t seen her in two years, but the thought of another man touching her made my blood boil.
Frustrated, I tossed back the last of my whiskey and headed back to the fire station. It was well past midnight and I doubted that Naomi would be waiting around for me in the common area. But, I went in through the back door and slunk up the stairs like a goddamn coward, just in case.
I didn’t lock my bedroom door before I stripped and climbed into bed, but nobody came knocking. I was both relieved and disappointed.
***
In addition to my club duties, my day job had me working as a quality inspector for an automation company deep in Seattle’s industrial district. The pay and benefits were great, and the seven-to-three, Monday-through-Friday hours freed up my evenings and weekends. I had enough vacation banked that I could have taken Friday off, but the pile of paperwork on my desk made me glad I hadn’t.
The day went quickly, and before I knew it, it was time for the wedding rehearsal and dinner. Because we didn’t have access to the Joni Earl Great Hall at Union Station yet, we were rehearsing the ceremony at the fire station. I showered, dressed, and headed down to the common area to meet up with everyone.
My gaze unconsciously sought out Naomi before I even made it to the bottom of the stairs. Her hair was longer now, and down in loose waves. She wore an off-the-shoulder blouse, blue jeans, and high heels. She looked a little older and more mature, sexier. Slowing my steps, I watched the animated way she listened as Jayson, Emily’s assistant, spoke, her eyes widening with her smile.
God, her smile was gorgeous. No wonder it had held my thoughts captive over the past twenty-four months.
“There you are,” Link said, joining me.
Quickly averting my eyes away from his sister, I gave him a chin lift. “Yeah, sorry I’m late. Traffic from work was a bitch.”
“Well, the preacher’s ready, so we might as well get started,” Link replied, rounding everyone up.
Naomi’s gaze met mine. A slow smile stretched across her face as she took me in. “Hey, Eagle. Good to see you again.”
The electricity between us was so strong it made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. “Thanks. You too.” So goddamn inadequate for all the shit I wanted to tell her, but it was all I trusted myself to say. All I should say.
We took our places at the back of the fire station as Link and the preacher made their way to the front. Someone started up the music and we began our march. Jayson was Emily’s man of honor, so he linked his arm in Havoc’s and the two of them walked up the aisle, creating quite the scene. Jayson wasn’t just gay, he was the kind of flamer you could roast a marshmallow on. He flirted relentlessly with Havoc, but Havoc didn’t pay him any mind. Jayson was harmless, and we’d all gotten used to his antics.
Wasp and Naomi prepared to walk down the aisle next. Naomi linked her arm in Wasp’s, and the asshole grinned at me as he flexed and drew her closer. I looked away like I didn’t give a damn.
Lastly, Julia, Havoc’s woman, linked her arm in mine and I escorted her down the aisle. Naomi watched us, her expression guarded, as I deposited Julia to stand beside her. Then I took my place next to Wasp.
Link and Emily rehearsed their vows while Naomi and I stole glances at each other. The past two years had toughened her up. Her body was leaner and more muscular, and her expression was hard to read. She smiled at Emily, and I caught a glimpse of the confident Air Force officer who’d told me she didn’t ride bitch to anyone, but that person disappeared as her smile dropped. Her eyes were darker, haunted. Naomi had seen some shit since I’d last seen her, I’d bet my patch on it. The realization made me want to wrap my arms around her and offer her my protection, a desire that surprised the fuck out of me. I’d had a woman to protect once, and I’d failed. I swore I’d never put myself in that position again.
Something about Naomi made me forget myself and the promises I’d made. It had been two fucking years since I’d seen her, but the chemistry between us had only intensified with time.
I needed to stop staring at her, but I couldn’t seem to force my gaze away. Having her so close but still out of reach was torture. Memories played in my mind, reminding me of how she’d moved, how responsive she’d been to my touch. To my tongue. To my cock. I’d fucked several broads since, but none of them had been like Naomi.
By the time we were done with the rehearsal, I needed a drink. Desperately. Making my way to the bar, I poured myself a glass of whiskey and had a seat. Brothers were filing into the club in preparation for Link’s bachelor party.
My gaze involuntarily sought out Naomi again. She stood by the door talking to Jayson as Emily and Julia said goodbye to Link and Havoc. Apparently, the women were heading out to their own party. Good. With Naomi gone, I didn’t have to worry about her ending up in my bed. I kept telling myself I was happy about that, but disappointment sat like a rock in my stomach.
Her gaze met mine and she raised her chin, challenging. Damn, if that look didn’t make my cock jump. Was she remembering our night together, too? Had she thought about me at all? Did she want more?
What the fuck is wrong with me? I sound like a goddamn woman.
Determined to get my shit together, I poured myself another glass of whiskey. The women left, and I joined Link, Havoc, and the rest of our brothers as we all got wasted and kicked off Link’s celebration.
***
I was hungover as fuck when I finally opened my eyes around noon the next day. Alone in my bed, I couldn’t help but wonder where Naomi had ended up last night. Was she in her own bed? Did she find someone who was less of an asshole to curl up next to? It wasn’t any of my business, but that didn’t stop me from making myself sick over the idea of her warming another man’s bed.
And there I was, sounding like a goddamn bitch again.
Knowing I needed to get up, shower, and join the land of the living before the wedding, I rolled out of bed and headed for the bathroom.
Three and a half hours later I was dressed in a suit and standing beside Link, Havoc, and Wasp at the front of the Joni Earl Great Hall. We were waiting for Jake to signal that Emily was ready, so we could get the ceremony over with and get on to the celebration. I’d never worn a suit before, and it had to be the most uncomfortable thing I’d ever put on. I’d rather wear my combat uniform in the stinking desert than this. I couldn’t wait to get back into my jeans and T-shirt.
“You got the rings?” Link asked Havoc.
A vein throbbed in Havoc’s forehead. This had to be the fifth time I’d heard the president ask that question in the past five minutes. Havoc handled Link’s anxiety better than I would have, patting his suit pocket and patiently replying, “Got ’em.”
Link wore a hole in the floor, pacing back and forth as he stared at the back of the room. If Emily wasn’t ready soon, we might have to liquor him up so he didn’t drive us all to drink.
“I’m sure he hasn’t lost the damn rings since the last time you asked, Prez,” Wasp replied, adding his unnecessary two cents. Two years in the club and he still hadn’t learned not to poke the bear. “What’s wrong? You having second thoughts? Re
ady to hock the rings and head to Vegas? You’re not turning into a yellowbelly on us, are you?”
“Fuck off, Wasp,” Link growled. Then he apologized to the preacher standing behind us.
“That’s quite all right,” the preacher said, gesturing toward the back of the room where Link’s father, Jake, was waving like a mad man. “Looks like the ladies are ready for you, though.”
Link stopped pacing and clasped his hands behind his back. Havoc, Wasp, and I walked under the barrel-vaulted ceilings with inset lights, past the rows of padded chairs full of family and friends, toward the black and white mosaic dance floor.
As we reached the back of the building, Jayson hurried out of the dressing room. Wearing an emerald green suit, he looked like some comic book villain rather than the man of honor at a biker wedding. He took Havoc’s arm, and the two of them headed up the aisle.
Naomi emerged next and my jaw dropped at the sight of her. Some complicated hairdo exposed the slender lines of her neck, begging for my lips. She wore makeup and jewelry and her sleeveless, floor-length dress hugged every inch of her curves, softening her up.
It was hard to believe that two days ago she’d taken a wrench to Zombie. She looked far too classy for that.
“Eagle,” she said by way of greeting, giving me a tight smile. Her high heels put her just under my height, and her clean, slightly sweet scent enveloped me as she walked past.
Wasp grinned at me and offered her his arm. “Damn, Naomi, you clean up nice,” he said, ogling her.
I wanted to poke his eyeballs out.
“Um. Yes,” Naomi replied, looking a little stiff.
Chuckling, he took her up the aisle while I fought the urge to march right up after them.
“Hi, Eagle,” Julia said, startling me.
Havoc’s woman was a gorgeous redhead who came from money and you could tell by the way she held herself and dressed, but she sure as hell didn’t act like some rich snob. Julia was down-to-earth, and from what I’d heard, she knew her way around a shotgun and wasn’t someone you wanted to piss off. It had taken her two tries, but she’d finally planted her ex-husband’s cheating ass in the ground.
“Hi Julia. You look beautiful,” I said. She did, too. Havoc was a lucky man.
“Thank you.” Smiling, she slid her arm in mine, and I escorted her up the aisle.
Naomi released Wasp’s arm, and then stood beside Jayson, turning to watch me and Julia, but she wouldn’t meet my gaze.
“She’s stunning,” Julia whispered.
Knowing I’d been caught staring, I looked over the crowd and played dumb. “Who?”
Julia just shook her head and smiled. Havoc was glaring at me. Not wanting to get on the Sergeant at Arms’ bad side, I picked up the pace and deposited Julia next to Naomi, who still wasn’t looking at me, nodded to Link, and took my spot beside Wasp.
Emily’s parents had died when she was young, and her grandfather had passed a few years ago, so she had Jake, Link’s dad, walk her up the aisle. Jake was grinning like a fool as he kissed her cheek and gave her away to his son.
The preacher talked about marriage and vows were exchanged, but I had a hard time paying attention to any of it with Naomi standing across the aisle looking like a fucking siren. I knew I was openly gawking at her, but I couldn’t force myself to look away. My entire body homed in on her, and there wasn’t a damn thing I could do about it.
Everyone cheered as Link dipped Emily and kissed her thoroughly. By the time he let her up for air, her cheeks were rosy and her lips were swollen. The whole place erupted as he picked her up and carried her down the aisle.
We all followed the happy couple, going straight to the bar. I needed a glass of whiskey like I needed my next breath. Loosening my tie, I leaned against the bar and placed my order.
“Make that two,” Naomi said, crowding in beside me.
“Hey,” I said.
She gave me a chin lift. “Hey yourself.”
She was so damn close I could feel the heat of her body as it begged to be touched. The bartender handed me a shot glass and I wrapped my fingers around it to keep them occupied. “You look…” There were no words to describe how she looked, so I settled with, “Great.” Then realizing how stupid that sounded, I said, “Gorgeous. You look incredible, Naomi.”
And I was rambling like a goddamn idiot.
The smile she gave me was amused. “Thanks.” Her gaze ignited as it raked down my body. “You look incredible, too. Toast?” She held up her shot glass.
I joined her. “To Link and Emily?”
“Sure, we’ll give them the first one.” She tapped her glass to mine then tossed it back like a pro before ordering us another round.
I knew I should resist her—should get the hell out of there while I still could—but I didn’t want to. Instead, I picked up my refilled shot glass and asked, “What are we toasting next?”
Naomi
I AM NOT going to sleep with Eagle.
I am not going to sleep with Eagle.
Determined to keep myself under control so I didn’t jump his bones the instant I saw him coming down the stairs, I repeated the mantra, over and over in my head. Like usual, he was wearing a short-sleeved T-shirt under his cut with jeans and boots, but God, he looked good. His arms and chest had gotten even bigger and more defined. His eyes, darker and more intense. His long dark hair was loose and still wet from his shower. The clean, masculine scent of him screwed with my senses as he strolled by, watching me with his heated gaze.
I am not going to sleep with Eagle.
But then I saw him in a suit and all bets were off.
I didn’t understand the attraction because men in suits had never been my thing. Give me a rough-necked blue-collar man over a suit any day, but putting a rough-necked blue-collar man in a suit… That just wasn’t playing fair.
I was so screwed.
Well, not yet, but I wanted to be.
He stood at the back of the Joni Earl Great Hall, waiting with Wasp as Jayson and Havoc headed toward the front. The instant his gaze landed on me, it felt like my entire body went up in flames. Memories of how his mouth had felt on my core made me ache with need. Visions of his hands sliding over my waist and gripping my hips made my thighs squeeze together as I approached him, his greedy gaze gobbling me up.
My legs wobbled as I strolled past him on three-inch heels, trying to focus on Wasp. Wasp said something but all I heard was blood pounding in my ears. He was waiting for a response like he’d asked me a question. Feeling like an idiot, I muttered, “Um. Yes.”
Wasp chuckled and linked arms with me.
“Sorry, what did you say?” I asked with one eye still on Eagle.
“Nothing. Never mind. You two better stop staring at each other or Link’s gonna know something’s up.”
Thankfully we were walking down the aisle, and Eagle was now behind me. Smiling at my nervous brother, I breathed deeply, and repeated the mantra.
I am not going to sleep with Eagle.
Even as I muttered the words under my breath, I knew they were a lie. I’d stooped so low I was lying to myself now. Not really, I reasoned since I had no desire to sleep with Eagle. Honestly, sleeping was the furthest thing from my mind. I wanted to rake my hands through his hair, pull his head back, sit on his face, and let him pleasure me until he made up for not saying goodbye.
And then the real fun would start.
His heated gaze boiled my blood and made me want to fan myself. Wasp deposited me beside Jayson and I kept my attention on Link. I couldn’t look at Eagle as he and Julia walked up the aisle. If I did, I was likely to throw myself at him right there in front of the preacher, my dad, Link, God, and everyone.
Being in Eagle’s vicinity was like playing with G-forces. He was a planet, warping time and space around him to create an irresistible gravitational pull. I’d spent two years away, but that pull on my body was even stronger now. I could keep fighting it, but I’d run out of fuel eventually. Landing on
Eagle was inevitable.
More memories of our night together played through my mind during the ceremony, drawing my attention away. It was only sex. I’d had sex before and since, so why couldn’t I stop thinking about that night? Loud cheering made me realize I’d missed something important. I looked up to see Link trying to suck Emily’s face off. Laughing, I shook my head and joined in the cheering. My brother’s smile grew feral as he picked up his bride and carried her down the aisle.
My chest squeezed at the sight. I was happy for Link and Emily, but for the first time ever, I felt like my life was missing something. I felt… lonely.
Marriage had never even been on my radar, but I could practically hear my biological clock ticking as I joined Wasp and followed the happy couple down the aisle. Did weddings bring this shit out in everyone? My hormones felt out of control, and my life-long single status suddenly seemed offensive. I was so emotionally fucked-up that adding alcohol to the mix seemed like the natural next step, so I did the stupidest thing I could think of and followed Eagle to the bar.
Feeling strangely empty and desperate to be filled, I sidled up next to him and ordered a shot. If I was going down, I planned to go down in a whiskey-fueled blaze of hot and passionate glory. We drank until all common sense and inhibitions were obliterated and Eagle was giving me the suggestive side eye.
I’d run out of fuel to escape his gravity field. Hell, I didn’t even want to wait until we went back to the fire station to hook up. Excusing myself under the pretense of using the restroom, I searched for a somewhat private room we could get busy in. The dressing room door was closed and locked. I put my ear to it and heard that someone else had the same idea. Sounded like Havoc and Julia. Apparently weddings did have this effect on everyone.
I found a broom closet that would have to do.
Returning to Eagle, I told him where I’d be if he was interested in joining me. Then I went to the closet to wait. The heat in his eyes had told me he’d follow, but I still worried as the minutes ticked away. Finally, the door opened and in he came, looking dapper in his suit yet wild with lust. He locked the door behind him, took one look at me, and then closed the distance between us.
