A Little Bit Wicked (The Wickeds

by Melissa Foster

  The guys were so different from the friends she usually spent time with, she hadn’t been sure she’d fit in, but she’d never laughed so hard or enjoyed herself so much. By the time they got on the road, she felt like one of the pack.

  Chloe had always been a planner. She had to be. There was no one else to do it for her and Serena. Because of that, she always knew what was expected of her, where she was going, and how to get there. Keeping on task and remaining in control had kept her safe, made her an excellent student and a valued employee. She rarely allowed herself to feel truly unencumbered, but as she sped down the open highway plastered to Justin’s back, with the rumble of the engine echoing through her and Justin’s cousins and brothers surrounding them—Tank at the lead, Zeke taking up the rear—that feeling of freedom overtook her again, and her need to remain in control sailed away with the whipping wind. She thought she was past any great metamorphoses in her life, that she was who she would always be. But Justin was helping her shed her old, confining skin, uncovering parts of her that she hadn’t even known existed.

  After a while they turned off the highway and drove down a long stretch of two-lane road lined with farms and ranch-style homes. They passed under an arched sign above the road that read HARBORSIDE, WHERE HEAVEN MEETS EARTH. A thrill chased through Chloe. She’d lived on the Cape her whole life, and though she’d heard of Harborside, a small beach town with a boardwalk, known for good surfing and the Taproom, a rustic restaurant/bar located on a pier, she’d never been there.

  After a few miles, the road widened to four lanes and farms gave way to grass, sand, and gorgeous beach houses. The group turned into town, passing colorful storefronts and cafés. A beautiful beach came into view. The pier shot out over the water, forming a T at the end where the Taproom was located. Chloe was excited to be in Harborside, which she could already see looked remarkably different from the Cape, and equally excited to sneak pictures of the guys’ hands for Justin’s sculpture.

  The group parked at the back of the parking lot by the beach. The sounds of the engines echoed in her ears even after they’d been silenced. As it had earlier, holding Justin, and the ride itself, had left her feeling embarrassingly turned on.

  Justin climbed off the bike looking virile and gorgeous as he pulled off his helmet and pushed a hand through his thick hair. Chloe took off her helmet and shook out her hair, and a slow grin spread across Justin’s face.

  “I love watching you do that,” he said as he helped her to her feet. “Almost as much as I dig having your arms around me as we ride.”

  He lowered his lips to hers, kissing her so deeply, she came away feeling high.

  “What do you think, sweet cheeks?”

  “I told you I can’t think when you kiss me like that.”

  He chuckled and pressed his lips to hers again. “I guess that means the ride was okay, too.”

  “The kiss and the ride were awesome. Riding with the group was nothing like I thought it would be. I wasn’t nervous at all. I felt safe riding with everyone.”

  “That’s the power of brotherhood, baby.”

  The guys gathered around, and Chloe learned that they were meeting up with the Dark Knights of Harborside at the Taproom. When Justin heard that Chloe had never been to Harborside, he suggested that they knock around town and meet up with the guys afterward. Gavin and Harper joined them.

  They made their way to the center of town, popping in and out of shops and chatting with Gavin and Harper. Every shop was cuter than the last, and the people were warm and friendly. They passed a diner with a cheerful yellow sign in the window that read GIGI’S, then went into a cool custom-furniture shop called Artsea, where everything was made from driftwood, metal, and glass.

  “I think I’ve died and gone to heaven,” Gavin said as they walked through the shop. “My clients would love some of these pieces.”

  “I love them,” Harper said, touching a mirror made from driftwood and shells. “Wouldn’t this look beautiful in the sunroom?”

  “That would look beautiful in any beach house, and Serena would love this chair.” Chloe texted Serena a picture of the chair with the message, I’m in Harborside with Justin and the Dark Knights! Motorcycle road trip! SO FUN! Thought you might like this chair.

  Serena’s reply was immediate. LOVE the chair but OMG I love even more that you’re with Justin!

  Chloe had been so wrapped up in Justin, she hadn’t realized she hadn’t had a chance to tell Serena about what was happening between them. She glanced at Justin, admiring a table at the front of the store. He looked so thoughtful, she had to snap a few pictures while he was unaware. The artist in him was showing. She had never felt strong enough about any man to want to gush about them like she did with Justin. She thumbed out a response to Serena. Me too! It was weird at first because he knows me so well. I’ve never dated a friend before. But, Serena…She had so much she wanted to say, but she didn’t want to be glued to answering text messages while she was with Justin, so she added a heart eyes emoji and a celebration emoji and typed, Can’t chat now. Love you! Her phone vibrated a minute later, and she read Serena’s message. I know. I married my best friend! Friends make the best lovers. Just sayin’. Xox

  Chloe was walking on air as she made her way toward Justin.

  She stopped to check out a piece of driftwood with inlaid candles that reminded her of the night on the beach when she and Justin had poured out their hearts. It was a large piece, about four feet in length, and the candles were placed along the high ridges and concave gullies. She ran her fingers over the rough edges and the smooth dips and curves of the wood, which reminded her of her life. Sometimes things were smooth, and other times they were tumultuous, but she could still find the beauty in it. Even more so now.

  Justin came to her side and said, “The craftsmanship on the furniture is excellent.” His gaze moved over the driftwood. “That’s a beauty.”

  “You like it?” she asked. “I was just thinking that it would look nice on the stone table you have by the window overlooking the pond.”

  He’d given her a tour of his house that morning. Earth-tone decorations and warm hardwood floors made his house feel homey and inviting. His bedroom was one of the cantilevered rooms with glass walls overlooking the pond on one side of the house and woods on the other. His sculptures were prominently placed in two of the cantilevered areas. There were pictures of his family and friends, but not as many as Chloe had at her cottage. Justin displayed the people he loved in an even more important way. Etched into his skin. His house was so artfully done, she’d asked if Gavin had helped him decorate, and she’d been impressed when he’d said he’d done it all himself. Justin was obviously a man who knew what he liked.

  As he slipped an arm around her, she thought, In more ways than one.

  “That would be perfect there.” He put his mouth by her ear and said, “We can throw a blanket on the floor and make love by candlelight.”

  A shiver of heat rippled through her. His eyes flamed, as if he’d felt it, too, and he kissed her.

  “I like spending the day with you, sweet thing,” he said softly.

  “Me too.” If anyone had told her two weeks ago that she’d be spending today kissing Justin and out with a group of bikers, she’d have said they were nuts. But now there was no place else she’d rather be.

  As they made their way through more shops, Justin held her hand and opened doors for her. He was a gentleman dressed in leather, and she loved being out with him as a couple. He showed her things he thought she might like, and she enjoyed seeing what he was drawn to. She was aware of women checking him out, but even as the green-eyed monster clawed at her, she held her head high, knowing he could have any number of women, but he’d chosen her. Both of those things were also new to her—the jealousy and the realization that out of all the women Justin had known and had met over the past year and a half, he’d chosen her. He’d seen and held on to the very thing she’d been running from—that to the naked
eye, they seemed to be opposites.

  Now she knew that in the most important ways, they really weren’t opposites at all.

  She was discovering many things on that sunny afternoon, like how close he and Gavin really were. The two men tried on army jackets and hats in a military surplus store, laughing at inside jokes that Chloe and Harper weren’t privy to. But she didn’t mind. She and Harper had their own inside jokes. He and Gavin talked about Mike’s fall and their upcoming tour of LOCAL. Justin told Gavin and Harper about the dogs they’d rescued and what had happened when they’d gone with the police that night. Gavin put his hand on Justin’s shoulder, quietly offering words of comfort. Chloe had known they were close friends, but seeing them in a setting other than a bar when Justin was flirting with her brought the depth of their friendship to life.

  When they passed the Endless Summer Surf Shop, Justin said it was owned by Jesse and Brent Steele, two brothers who were also Dark Knights. He said they owned a restaurant in town, too, and that she would meet them at the Taproom, along with Levi, one of their cousins, and a number of other club members.

  “It’s cool that you know Dark Knights from different areas,” Chloe said as they made their way into a music store.

  “We’re one big family, babe,” Justin said.

  “I kind of wish Gavin would prospect the club and become a member,” Harper said. “But he’s worried about having enough time to commit.”

  “One day,” Gavin said as they walked into an eclectic store that had old records, antique furniture, and a hodgepodge of other things. He nudged Justin and said, “Dude, let’s check out the vinyl,” and dragged him across the store.

  Harper took advantage of the men stepping away and said, “Okay, girl, what’s the scoop? Daphne told me what Justin did for the book club meeting. Did you guys hook up after, or…?”

  Chloe peeked across the store at the guys checking out records and said, “No. Things changed between us the night before the meeting, but we didn’t hook up. We talked for a long time, and I realized how wrong I was about him. I don’t know how it all happened so fast, but, Harper, I’m so happy. I thought he was going to be too rough for me, or his lifestyle would be like the guys my mom goes out with. But he’s not like that at all.” She saw Justin staring at her with that look in his eyes that turned her insides to mush. “He’s pretty wonderful, and I’m kind of bummed that I wasted all that time trying to fight my feelings for him when we could have been together all along.”

  “I’m so happy for you,” Harper said as Justin headed their way. “Things happen for a reason. Maybe you guys needed that time to be sure you were right for each other. Remember, there was a whole year between when I first met Gavin and when I saw him again. And look at us.”

  Justin reached for Chloe’s hand and said, “You girls look like trouble waiting to happen.”

  “We’re the best kind of trouble,” Harper said. “You left my hubby alone with records? We’ll be in this store forever. I swear he loves shopping even more than I do.”

  “We’re not in a rush.” Justin pulled Chloe closer and said, “They have a display by the register of those decorations you put in your albums—stickers, charms, that kind of thing. Want to check them out?”

  There was no hiding her joy over his thinking of her scrapbooking.

  “Oh boy, Justin. You are a goner, aren’t you?” As Harper walked away, she looked over her shoulder and mouthed, He’s so cute!

  Forty minutes later, after buying charms and stickers and checking out a few more shops, they stowed their purchases on Justin’s bike and made their way down the pier to the Taproom. It was a balmy afternoon, but the breeze coming off the water kept them cool. Justin’s cousins and brothers were sitting at tables with a bunch of other guys wearing leather vests with Dark Knights’ patches. Chloe had never seen so many bikers in one place. There were other people there, too, couples and families seated around their own tables. A young, lanky guy with pitch-black hair was playing guitar and eyeing Chloe as she followed Justin toward a table where Baz and Tank were sitting with a few men she didn’t recognize.

  Suddenly Justin stopped walking and put a hand on Chloe’s back, setting a dark stare on the guitar player as he said, “Brandon, get your eyes off my woman.”

  Brandon stopped strumming and a devious grin lit up his face. “Dude, I don’t want to cause any trouble. You know I’ll gladly do both of you.” He waggled his brows and grabbed his crotch.

  A rumble of chuckles rose around them.

  “Keep yourself in check, Owens,” Justin warned. He moved behind Chloe, keeping a hand on her as they made their way toward his cousins.

  As Harper and Gavin sat down at the table with Tank and Baz, Chloe pulled Justin aside. She poked him in the chest, speaking in a hushed voice. “You do not need to mark your territory on my behalf.”

  “I didn’t like my buddy Brandon checking you out.”

  “Well, get over it,” she snapped. “That was embarrassing. Open your eyes, Justin. Practically every woman we’ve seen today has checked you out, and you didn’t see me getting green with jealousy.”

  Justin put his arms around her and said playfully, “I don’t mind if you get jealous, baby. I want you to claim me.”

  How could a man be so cute and so irritating at the same time? “I don’t need to prove my feelings through being a jerk to other women. You know how I feel about you—”

  “How do you feel about me?” he asked with a knowing smile.

  That lopsided grin did her in every time. “I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t crazy about you.”

  “Damn, babe, I love hearing that.”

  He pulled her closer, the emotions in his eyes softening her resolve.

  “I’m crazy about you, Justin. How can I not be? You’re charming and funny, and you know you’re hot. But more importantly, it wouldn’t matter how many women checked you out or how beautiful they were, because I know that I’m the one you want. Can’t you give me the same respect?”

  His expression turned serious. “It is respectful to keep guys from ogling you.”

  “No, it’s kind of cavemanish. We’re a couple, which means we’re a team on all fronts. I’m proud of being a strong woman who can take care of myself, and that’s not going to change. Can’t you meet me halfway on this?” She reached up and stroked the back of his neck the way she knew he liked and said, “Just know I’m yours, and if you feel the need to stake claim in front of other guys, then hold my hand or kiss my cheek. Don’t make a scene and embarrass me.”

  His eyes narrowed, and he said, “And if the guy keeps looking?”

  “Then take it as a compliment and know you’re the only man I’d go home with.”

  She went up on her toes and kissed him. He held her tighter as cheers, applause, and whistles rang out around them. Chloe turned to see what all the commotion was about, and her cheeks flamed. The Dark Knights were standing up, applauding them.

  There was only one thing to do.

  She turned back to Justin and said, “I hereby condone two minutes of Neanderthal behavior. Please kiss me until I forget how embarrassed I am.”

  “Damn, baby. You are one hell of a woman.”

  “And I’m all yours.”

  When his lips met hers, more cheers rang out. Justin took the kiss deeper, burying his hand in her hair and turning all the embarrassing nonsense to white noise.

  LUNCH WAS DELICIOUS, and Justin introduced Chloe to everyone, including Brandon Owens, the guitar player. It turned out that Harper knew him, too. Brandon was the graphic designer who had created the logo for Harper and Tegan’s production company. Chloe knew she’d never keep the names of all the people she’d met straight, but she’d loved meeting them, and they clearly thought the world of Justin.

  They were heading back to the table after talking with Jesse and Brent Steele and their cousin Levi, when a chipper little honey-haired girl yelled, “Maverick!” She ran between Tank and Baz and threw her arms arou
nd Justin’s waist, beaming up at him.

  “Hey there, princess.” Justin lifted her into his arms, and she hugged him around the neck.

  Holy moly. Chloe’s heart did a double take. Big and bad, with that sweet little girl in his arms, Justin became ten times hotter.

  Justin said, “How’s my favorite girl?”

  “Good,” the girl said, basking in his attention. “Did you make my sculpture yet?”

  “Peanut, what did I tell you about that?” Levi asked.

  “You said not to bug him. But, Daddy, I’m not bugging him. I’m just asking.”

  Justin chuckled and said, “I’m working on it, and you know I won’t let you down.” He smiled at Chloe and said, “I have someone special I want you to meet. This is my other favorite girl, Chloe. Chloe, this is Levi’s daughter, Josephine.”

  “Maverick!” The little girl rolled her eyes, and it was about the cutest thing Chloe had ever seen. “I’m Joey. Are you Maverick’s girlfriend?”

  “Yes,” Chloe said, enjoying the grin on Justin’s face.

  Joey hooked an arm tightly around Justin’s neck and said, “Well, I’m going to marry him when I’m older, so don’t get your hopes up.”

  “Josephine Steele, that’s not nice.” Levi chuckled and said, “Sorry, Chloe.”

  “It’s okay. Your daughter has good taste.” Chloe took out her phone and said, “Would you mind if I took a picture of you and Maverick? I’ll be sure to print it out and mail you a copy.” It was strange using Justin’s road name, but in this part of Justin’s world, it was probably strange for everyone to hear him called by his given name.

  “Nope! Go ahead.” Joey rested her head against Justin’s. He lifted her hand from his other shoulder and held it as Chloe took the picture.

  “Can you text me a copy?” Levi asked.

  He gave Chloe his number, and she texted the picture. “I have a photo printer at home. I’ll send you a hard copy, too.”