Motherfucking Talon and his twinkle bullshit. Even I can’t deny the shine in my eyes. I switch off the light and go straight to Harley, tucking her close.
“I think we broke a record.”
“Record?”
“Not sure if there’s a section in the Guinness book for most sex, most positions, most orgasms, and loudest screams in a day. But if there is, we should claim it.”
I chuckle, kissing the side of her neck. “You saying I wore you out?”
“No, I’m just glad I have time to prepare for your next birthday.” She rolls onto me, her hand caressing my jaw. “You enjoyed it.”
“Best one ever.”
“Then it’s good I have a year to top it.”
“Baby, I’m not sure anything can top today.”
After she left this morning, I got a few hours of sleep before heading to lunch with the guys. Dad and Rich met us at the restaurant. For years, if the situation allowed, the guys and I did something low-key on our birthdays. It’s another day. But today, Rich and Dad didn’t hide their happiness to hang out, chat it up, and occasionally jab me for something. Usually about Harley.
After a while, I settled in and enjoyed it. We all went back to the neighborhood where Celia and Doug had flown in for the holiday, and they met us at the lot to discuss the next steps.
At four, Talon, Major, and I headed to the gym. Which was a total ruse. They drove me to a Tattoo Studio in East Nashville. When we arrived, Harley was waiting.
They shot me shit-eating grins before bolting, leaving me with my bumbling and excited woman. She was ready for her first tattoo. When she explained what she wanted and where, I was glad I was there.
She chose a small section of my design that she wanted placed in the same spot as mine, scaling her ribcage.
A piece of my art inked on her skin forever. I decided to duplicate the design lower on my skin, linking the design further.
When we got back here, our parents and Jewls were waiting. Then Harley dropped her last surprise. She hadn’t been with the women preparing Thanksgiving most of the day. She was preparing a meal for tonight.
Not any meal. A meal of my favorites.
I didn’t care the house was full of people, and I had to share her, because she was the star of the show.
And she was perfect.
After dinner, Talon, Major, and Ford went to work. Celia and Doug went to a hotel close to the airport to pick up their daughters in the morning, and the rest went home.
The last person was barely through the door when I attacked.
The kitchen, the hallway, the living room… everywhere I could. We never got to the hot tub because I’m a greedy son of a bitch and couldn’t get enough.
“We finally christened the rug.”
“Good choice, baby. Remind me to thank Erik next time he’s around.”
“Why?”
“Because this morning, you whipped your body around to sit on my face without ever losing my dick. Tonight, I fucked you hard in almost every position. I’m thinking his conditioning on Saturday mornings is the reason for your flexibility.”
“Isn’t it awesome?”
I smile against her hair. “It’s awesome.”
“Who do I thank for your stamina?”
“You’re irresistible. It’s impossible to control myself.”
She lets out a little purr, snuggling close. “Give me a few hours and we’ll test that theory further.”
“Looking forward to it.”
20
Harley
Breathe in, breathe out… deep breaths… You got this, Harley.
“You okay over there?”
“Yes,” I lie.
“Sounds like you’re doing those lammaz exercises,” Mike teases as he swings into the driveway already loaded with vehicles.
“Nope, clearing my head.”
“Do me a favor and don’t hyperventilate or faint. Knowing these guys like I do, they’ll beat each other to give mouth to mouth. I don’t think Ace would approve.”
“I’m not fainting!”
“Then get your ass out of the truck.” He eases out, waiting for me.
I grab the gift bag and join him. “I still don’t understand why you insisted I come today. These people don’t know me, and it’s a birthday celebration for the hostess. How awkward.”
“That’s exactly why you are with me. We’re breaking the ice, and you’ll understand nothing is awkward. They are down-to-earth people.”
“Yeah, if you consider world-famous, high demand, multi-millionaires down-to-earth.”
“Can’t wait for my little Harley to eat her words.” He opens the door without knocking.
A loud chorus erupts when he steps inside and immediately dies as all eyes come to me.
“MJ, man, didn’t know you were bringing a date,” someone yells.
He shakes his head at the same time a brunette rushes my way with an adorable toddler racing behind her.
“Harley,” she greets me with a dazzling smile.
I’m speechless. Words don’t form as I am face to face with Raven Collins.
She’s stunning. Anyone in the music scene knows the love story of Raven Hayes and Declan Collins. Their pictures and stories were plastered everywhere when Declan’s band, Sayge, started making it big and being recognized. Mike told me most of the stories were pure rumors, but there was some truth to the hardship their relationship endured.
To prepare for my new position, I’ve been studying Mike’s clients. There’s rarely a mention of Sayge without Raven. She’s termed the fifth member of the band.
Mike’s hand brushes my back and I snap to attention, all eyes on me. “Hi,” comes out more as a squeak, and I clear my throat to try again. “Hey, Mrs. Coll—”
“Do not finish that statement. We’re practically the same age. I’m Raven, never Mrs. Collins to you.” She shocks me again by throwing her arms around me. “I’ve been dying to meet you!”
“Meet me?”
“Absolutely. And not because Mike’s been gushing non-stop. I’ve seen your work, and you are likely to become my godsend.”
The toddler slams into us, screeching in baby girl glee.
Raven lifts her and blows a raspberry on her cheek, which sets off another round of squeals. “Let’s introduce you to Miss Harley. This is our youngest, Rayne,” she tells me.
“Hello, Rayne, you certainly are a cute little thing.” I tickle her belly.
She squeals in delight, and Mike takes the bag in my hand quickly so I can get her. Rayne nuzzles in my neck and yanks my hair.
“I have got to get me one of those. Chicks love the littles,” the same voice from before states.
“Nate, you are a dumbass. You don’t just get a baby,” someone else replies.
Raven rolls her eyes, shaking her head with a regretful expression. “Let’s get this over with. You should meet the guys.”
She points to each man as she introduces them. “Nate, Blake, and Cooper are all in the band.” They wave, and I recognize each from their pictures.
“Jay is our go-to man for everything.” She motions to another man lounging on the sofa.
Mike had also mentioned a man named Jay and his role at the record label. I’ll be working somewhat closely with him. Someone steps into Raven’s side, and I fight standing.
His pictures don’t do him justice. My eyes burn at the hotness factor. Facial piercings have never been my thing, but I’m rethinking my stance. Then again, I never thought I’d date a man with a penis piercing. He’s not Achilles, but I appreciate every bit of his lusciousness.
“And this is my husband, Declan.” Raven introduces him unnecessarily. Because really? Who wouldn’t know him?
“Hey, Harley. Welcome to the team.” He flashes me a grin, his green eyes glimmering. The velvety smooth baritone of his voice washes over me.
I sway and Mike chuckles.
Jesus, get a grip.
“Hi, ummm, nice to meet you.”<
br />
“Wait, you’re banging your new employee? Isn’t that against the ethics code?” Nate speaks again, and Raven’s eyes bulge.
“I swear they’re harmless, but all my years of training fly out the window when a gorgeous woman walks in,” she admonishes him while looking at me.
Gorgeous? She thinks I’m gorgeous. Whoa.
“She’s my cousin, you idiot,” Mike clarifies our ties.
Nate bows up, clearly happy at this news. “Awesome.”
“Hey, everyone.” I give a half-wave and gesture to Mike. “This is for you. Happy birthday.”
He hands over the bag, and she glances inside, smiling warmly. “I love champagne! Thank you.”
“And I’ll take this one.” Declan lifts Rayne from my arms. “You girls go enjoy.”
Raven hooks her arm through my elbow, guiding me forward. “My parents and father-in-law are coming to get all the kids. They left after the cake portion of the afternoon to prep my parents’ house. The children think it’s a cousin’s sleepover, but it’s a huge birthday present for me. I get the night to let loose. My sisters-in-law get a night to party. Sleeping in tomorrow is a luxury I plan to enjoy.”
Her warm and gentle reception eases all my nerves, and I smile back at her. “My boyfriend’s birthday was this week, too, and it’s been crazy. I can imagine that extra rest will be bliss.”
“You do not know. Now let’s go to the back yard. There’s a whole other crew for you to meet. And most importantly, the bar.”
“Sounds great.”
She leads me through her house, and when we hit the kitchen, my feet freeze mid-step, jerking her back.
“Oh my God,” I whisper in awe.
She shuffles uncomfortably, glancing around.
“I’m in love with this kitchen.”
“Thanks,” she responds apprehensively.
“I’m building a house soon, and this is exactly what I’d design.”
“I can’t take credit for it. It was designed when we bought the house.”
“It’s perfect.”
Her unease loosens, and she grins proudly. “Declan and I love to cook, and we spend a lot of time in here as a family.”
“I can see why. I’m learning to cook. Now this can be my inspiration.”
“The developers definitely chose high-end builders for this neighborhood.”
“That’s the truth. Celia set me up with several of them to help decide on my choices.”
“Celia Whitman?” She leers at me quizzically.
“Yes.”
“You know Celia and Doug?”
“Yes.”
“Are you building close?”
“Mike didn’t tell you? My boyfriend and his friends bought the group of lots on Holmes Court. It’s in phase three of the development.”
“No, Mike didn’t tell me. We’ll practically be neighbors.”
“It’s close. Our home will be a little more… um…” I search for words that don’t sound insulting.
“Traditional? Humble? You can say it. Everyone in our lives has teased us mercilessly since the day we signed the contract about the size of this place. But no one complains when it’s time to party and there’s a game room, a theatre, a pool, and enough privacy for the band to jam without neighbors complaining. Plus, Declan keeps wanting more children, regardless of my protests. I have help with a nanny and our parents with the children, but no one helps when it comes to wrangling the four boy-men in the band. They are worse than all my babies combined.”
I press my lips together, but a small sputter escapes. “Believe it or not, I can understand.”
“Come on, we need a drink. As soon as the parents grab the kids, the party really goes off. But I need to warn you,” she pauses, twisting her face in thought. “Some of my friends are highly blunt and inappropriate. Ignore them.”
“I’ll introduce you to my best friend, Jewls, and you’ll see that’s not a problem.”
“How about we save this bottle for a night it’s only us?” She places the gift bag on the counter and drags me out the back door.
Once again, I’m stunned. The sizeable crowd of people all turn our way. The outdoor set-up resembles a normal birthday party. Streamers and lights hang high. Multi-colored balloons are tied to chairs and posts. A brightly colored cake that is half-eaten sits in the middle of a table.
All the guests are dressed casually. Even in the chilled weather, a few of the women are barefooted with their legs propped on the stones of the fire pit.
It’s not the glamorous, high-society birthday celebration for the wife of a lead singer in a world-famous band.
It’s informal, comfortable, and sophisticated without all the glitz. Completely down-to-earth.
Mike has earned his right to gloat like a fool when I eat my words.
A loud cheer has me swirling in the other direction, and I gasp. Loads of kids are playing some kind of game. Boys and girls run in different directions, and my quick count adds up to ten.
“Everyone, this is Harley Jacobs. Harley, this is everyone.” Raven waves her hand in a semi-circular motion. “Three of those kids are mine, two belong to my brother, and the rest are nieces and nephews from Declan’s sisters.”
“Hi there, I’m Ember.” Another beautiful lady introduces herself, handing us a cup of pink liquid. “And I’m in charge of keeping the birthday girl’s drink filled all night. That’s kind of our signature drink. If you’d like something else, we have a full bar stocked. Let me know.”
I take a sip and groan in appreciation. “Are you kidding? This is one of my favorites. I haven’t had a pink panty pull-down in forever.”
She beams proudly. An incredibly handsome man comes up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. The resemblance to Raven is unmistakable.
“This is my husband, and Raven’s brother, Robbie,” Ember carries on.
The floodgates open and the introductions are endless. Declan’s sisters and their husbands, Raven’s best friends and their husbands or significant others. There’s no way I’ll remember all their names, but I try my best to keep up.
Declan and the rest of the guys join us with another round of guests that are obviously the parents. After a few minutes, they gather the overly excited kids and leave.
“You good?” Mike comes to stand next to me.
“I’m eating my words.”
He grins around the rim of his beer bottle.
“Yo, boss man, I’m stealing your cousin.” This comes from Charlie. She’s not only married to Blake in the band, and one of Raven’s best friends, but she’s also my soon-to-be co-worker.
“Behave,” he warns her.
“We’re not at the office, so you can suck it up,” she snips, dragging me to an open chair amongst the other women. “For the first time in for-fucking-ever, no one is pregnant.” She lines up eight plastic shot glasses on the side table and fills them with a yellow liquid, then scans the group. “Right? No one is pregnant?”
There’s a quick chorus of ‘no’.
“But since I’m nursing, shots aren’t a good idea,” a lady named Harper pipes in.
“Pump and dump that shit like the rest of us did.” Charlie passes the shots around to us and goes to shoot it then stops, pinning me with her eyes. “Wait, I heard nothing from you.”
“Me? I’m not pregnant. I’ve been drinking this.” I show the cup Ember gave me earlier.
“Yeah, but you could be fake sipping. And since I don’t know you, I can’t tell.”
“I’m not even married, so no, I’m not pregnant.”
“I wasn’t married either,” she replies.
“You were engaged,” Raven points out. “And your wedding was in less than a month when you found out.”
“Very true. Okay, bottoms up, girls.”
We all shoot back the tangy, citrusy concoction.
“That was delicious.” I lick my lips and get the aftertaste of sweetness.
“Of course, it was. I make
a perfect lemon drop,” Charlie brags. “Now that the pleasantries are done, time to get real. Please tell me you know how to whip ass.”
The hair on my arms prickles under the heat of the curious stares. “Whip ass?”
“In the office. I’ve spent a lot of years in several positions at MJ Labels, whipping that place into shape. The staff and clientele know very well what happens if they step out of line. I need a wingman and hope like hell you’ll fit the bill. Mike assures me you have it in you.”
I stare at this woman, understanding exactly why Mike refers to her as a wildcard. A bubbly giggle escapes before I slap my hand over my mouth. When it’s under control, I answer. “I bartend three nights a week at a bar geared toward cops. My dad is a cop-turned-detective, and I frequently spend time with four macho-type men. You can count on me to hold my own.”
“Good to know. But note—giggling is not good. Badass bitches don’t giggle,” she chides.
“Charlie, stop harassing her. If she changes her mind about joining the label because of your mouth, I’ll strangle you.” Raven cuts her eyes in warning.
“I’m resigning on Monday. You can rest assured Charlie isn’t chasing me off.”
The back door opens again, and Raven squeals like a little girl at the group walking through.
“Max!” She leaps up and rushes to a dark-haired man whose arms are outstretched.
“That’s Max Roberts, and the couple is Finn and Presley Black. Max, Finn, and Robbie are best friends and served in the Marines together. Max is the only one still active,” Ember leans in, informing me quietly.
Hearing the word Marines, I twist to her. “Your husband is a Marine?”
“He and Finn did many years and now work in security.”
“My boyfriend was active and is now in the Reserves.”
“Wow, small world. I have a feeling our guys will have a lot in common.” She toasts her cup to mine and flashes me a mega-watt smile.
It’s then I realize these people aren’t only down-to-earth, they’re cool. My earlier trepidation disappears. I say a brief prayer that the other clients of MJ labels are equally as awesome and easy-going.
Speed King (Men of Action) Page 22
