by Lila Rose
She leaned into the car herself and grabbed the one tray left. “Offer what?”
“You can stay here, in my room for the night. I could grab a spare one somewhere else.”
“You wouldn’t mind?”
“No, Nancy.”
“Thank you, that would be nice.”
“It ain’t the cleanest place to sleep in.”
She juggled the tray as her fingers pressed against my lips. She shook her head, smiling. “Guys will be guys. This place is full of them. I understand what you’re saying, but know I don’t care either way.”
“All right.” I grinned. We started towards the door. “Does Talon know you’re down here?”
“No, no one does. Though, I know that won’t last long. I wanted to spend time with you in your environment without my family interfering.”
Chuckling, I told her, “You do know what you’ll be walkin’ into right? Just because Wildcat, Hell Mouth, and all the other pussy posse ain’t here doesn’t mean you won’t get bombarded with questions about us.”
“Shit. For some reason, I didn’t think of that.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll have your back.”
She bumped into my side. “I know you will.”
Chapter Nine
Nancy
It had been years since I felt so light in my body, my soul, my heart. All of me was shining, and it was all because of the man beside me. Yes, I would always and forever miss the man who still held my heart in the fiercest way. Richard was my life. It seemed, though, that Roman could be my oxygen.
No other man had captured my attention like the way Richard had, until Roman. I realised the previous night, knowing where I would be going and how much it meant to a man like Roman, he wouldn’t invite me to a family day with the Hawks MC if I didn’t mean a whole lot of something to him. What I figured was that our connection wasn’t because of Roman paying attention to me first. I wasn’t using him. There had been other men who’d asked me to coffee or told me I was pretty, but they hadn’t woken me up.
Roman woke me from a deep sleep I hadn’t known I was in.
It was as if he started my life again.
It was crazy since we’d only been in contact for over a month, but I felt connected to Roman in a way I couldn’t turn away from. I also had a feeling he wouldn’t let me either.
Smiling to myself, I said, “I’m looking forward to the day.”
He bent enough to capture my lips in a quick kiss. “So am I, darlin’.”
Opening the door, I held it open for Roman to enter. His lips thinned and I had to laugh, sure he was annoyed at himself for not being able to have his hands free to open the door for me. However, he had grabbed all trays except one to carry in, so I wouldn’t be weighed down.
“Get in there,” I ordered.
A single brow rose. “Could get used to you bein’ bossy.”
Heat rushed to my cheeks since my mind went straight to the bedroom and what type of orders he would take. And then I got embarrassed for even thinking it after only a month. Or was it normal? I didn’t have a clue because it had been so long since I’d courted.
Roman noticed my cheek colour and started chuckling. “What you thinkin’, Nancy?”
“Nothing,” I snapped. Then with a hand to his back, I pushed him through the door; he was still laughing.
As soon as we walked through the second door and into the common area, people surrounded us. Greetings in some ways were supplied by all of them. Those I didn’t really know stood back, yet I got a chin lift from those as well.
It felt like I’d been accepted into another family.
All because of the man at my side.
“Here, brother, let me take them off your hands,” Dive said to Roman.
Roman twisted in a way Dive couldn’t get them and glared at his brother. “Touch them you die.”
“Roman, I made them for everyone.” I laughed.
“I’ll share with the kids, that’s about it,” he stated, still eyeing his brother.
Dive scoffed. “Koda loves his dad. He’ll grab me one.”
“I’ll word him up. He’ll listen to me since I have the game he loves playin’.” Roman faced me, leaned in and caught my lips with his in front of everyone. “Gonna put these in the kitchen. Dive, make yourself useful and grab Nancy’s tray.”
“Then I can have a slice?” Dive asked, smirking.
“I’ll see,” Roman grumbled. “Be back, yeah?”
“Yes.” I smiled. Warmth spread through my chest with his uncertainty about leaving me. However, I could take anything on, especially since I knew the people there and also because I had Roman with me.
He was being ridiculous, in a humorous way, not wanting to share the treats I’d made. I watched as he walked off as Dive quickly swiped my tray from my hands and followed. Still, my eyes stayed on Roman… well, a certain part of him in his hugging jeans.
“You seem transfixed there, Nancy,” Low mentioned from my side.
“It’s certainly something to be transfixed over,” I told her honestly and then glanced to her. Others were around, but not close. Mena was handling Koda while he tried to grab for Vin, Beast’s dog. Knife laughed, until Neveah nearly dropped out of his arms when she leapt for the fun times on the floor. “Tell me honestly, Low. Do you think I’m too old for this?”
She studied my face for a moment before calling, “Women, time to gather and talk.”
“Low,” I warned.
“No, Nancy. You should know from the girls in Ballarat we’re up in each other’s business and share moments of our lives with each other, like you’re about to have with us.”
Shit. I shouldn’t have said anything.
Mena, Nary, Melissa, a very pregnant Della, Poppy, and her girlfriend, Manda, walked our way. Low took my hand in hers and pulled us towards a corner where there were couches. The men who already sat there glanced up. Low demanded, “Brothers, can you give us this area for some women’s business?” Even though they showed their displeasure with a few curses and grumbles, they still moved off.
It just went to show how amazing the Hawks men were with their women.
Low ushered me into the corner, and the others sat around us. “Now, Nancy, ask your question again.”
I groaned, glancing around to the much younger women. I wished Kari and Vanessa were there. Then again, they’d tell me how stupid I was being because they could see how much Roman was interested in me. I could see it too, or else I wouldn’t be there, but it still worried me I was too old for him.
“It’s okay, Nancy. You don’t have to share. Low thinks everyone does, but we’re not all like that,” Mena said.
“You bitches should be.” Low glared. She caught my eyes. “You asked if you were too old for this and by this, I’m thinkin’ you mean bein’ with Gamer. My answer would be no. Shit, woman, I haven’t seen Gamer with anyone or even act as if he thought of bangin’ one of the club girls. He’s all calm and shit. Then BAM, he’s all about Nancy.”
“Nancy, do you like him?” Della asked.
“Oh, she likes him,” Melissa said, smiling. “I saw the way your eyes hungered for his body when he walked away.”
Della snorted. “I didn’t mean in the looks way. He is good-looking.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Don’t let Handle know I said that. But what I mean is, and this is just an observation from someone who is fairly new to the club, I’ve seen you many times. You love your kids and grandbabies, but I also felt there was something missing from you.”
Nary nodded. “Something you lost when Richard passed.”
“Something you may have gained back since seeing Roman?” Poppy commented. “Because you do seem….”
“Lighter,” Low said.
“Happier,” Nary added.
“Hornier,” Manda put in. We all looked to her. “What? I had to throw something in.”
Laughing, I nodded to all of them. “He does make me feel all those things again.”
&n
bsp; Della shrugged, rubbing her belly. “Then I wouldn’t worry if you think you’re too old for this. I wouldn’t worry about anything if I was feeling all wonderful again in life.”
“I agree, and you know no one will judge you here.” Mena grinned.
Was that all I’d been worried about, what people thought? While I’d told Talon I didn’t care, a small part of me obviously still did. I had to put it aside. They were right. I was happier than I had been in years, and it was because of Roman Power.
“You’re all right.” I nodded.
“So,” was called, all of us jumping at the sudden voice. Low and I turned in our seats to see Julian pop up from behind the couch. “Do you need to set that appointment for a wax yet?” he asked.
Glaring, I grabbed my bag, swung it wide and hit him in the gut. “You scare me like that again, you little shit, and I’ll castrate you.”
“Oh, come now, mumma bear, you love me too much.”
“What’re you doing here? Where’s my son and granddaughter?”
“Home. I overheard Zara telling Mattie you were coming here. Of course I couldn’t miss out.” He sat on the armrest near me. “Hey, girlfriends, good to see you all.” He blew kisses all around, then tapped me on the arm. “You didn’t answer me. Do you need an appointment?”
“Don’t,” Mena breathed.
Low cackled. “Honey, just because your experience was bad doesn’t mean it’s the same for all.”
“I know someone else who would agree with me.”
“Yeah, who?” Low asked.
“No one.” Mena shook her head, glancing away.
“Mena, there’s a story there and I want to know.”
“I have to check on Koda,” she quickly said and got up, walking away.
Low harrumphed and sat back in the couch.
“Mumma bear,” Julian whined. “You haven’t answered me.”
“Then no, I don’t need that done yet.”
“Yet.” He grinned. The rest of the women did too. When chatter started around us, Julian leaned closer. His arm went around my back. “I also, 100 percent agree with the women. Gamer’s good for you. You have nothing to worry about.”
Smiling, I nodded. “I get that feeling also.”
“Good. Oh, speaking of that delicious hunk of a man, he’s storming this way.”
Roman was indeed storming our way with a scowl on his face.
Quickly, I stood. “What’s wrong?”
“Are they givin’ you shit about us?”
Good God, he was worried and ready to battle all of them for me.
“Aww,” Julian cooed.
Reaching out, I placed my hand on Roman’s chest. “No, everything’s fine.” His wild eyes roamed my face. Finally, he nodded.
“You want a drink? Somethin’ to eat?”
Sliding my hand down, I took his in mine. “How about I come with you to grab something?”
“Sounds good.” His grin was back as he stared down at our hands. Was he seeing what I was trying to show? That no matter what he thought people were saying, bad or good, I would always come back to him.
He’d been nothing but supportive of me and I had to let my doubts about our age difference go because it was holding me back, even when I didn’t realise it was.
Together, we walked down the hall towards the kitchen. There we grabbed some drinks, a plate of food, and sat at the table with some of the other brothers I didn’t know well. Roman introduced me to them again.
It was Elvis who asked, “You two a thing?”
Roman glanced at me. I nodded to Elvis and said, “Haven’t you heard? Once you go old, you’re sold.”
They all laughed. Roman wrapped his arm around my neck and tugged me into his side. “You’re not old. You gotta stop thinkin’ that,” he whispered into my ear.
Leaning back, I nodded. “I’m going to try.”
He kissed me, which brought the catcalls out. With a final breathless peck against my lips, he trailed his nose across my cheek until he said, “Good,” against my ear.
Chapter Ten
Nancy
It was late by the time Roman, with my bag from the car in his hand, walked me down another hall in the bedroom area. He stopped at a door near the end and opened it.
“This is mine,” he said, and waved me through. I stepped in, my eyes widening a little. Why had he been worried about the cleanliness? The place was spotless.
Turning to face him, I smiled and raised my brows in question. He’d already dropped my bag when he rubbed at the back of his neck. “I paid a prospect to clean my shithole up, in case you did agree to stay in here.”
Abrupt laughter fell from my mouth. “Next time, don’t. I want to see the horrors of how untidy you think you are.”
“Darlin’, I can get very dirty.”
Were we still talking about cleaning?
I know my mind wasn’t. Right then, it was on the king-size bed I saw with me laying tied on it while Roman…. I gulped.
I also knew my body had reacted to those words in a different way.
My belly swooped low, my nipples hardened, and I felt a tingle below. It was as if my vagina was saying, “Aye aye, Captain. Ready and present for action.”
My cheeks were on fire. I quickly glanced away from a smirking Roman and turned back to the room. Only it was then his heat hit my back and his arms wound around my waist.
Roman rested his chin down on my shoulder. “Maybe another time we can put to action whatever you were thinkin’.”
“Um….”
He chuckled. “Come lay with me for a bit?” His hands squeezed my waist before he straightened and let me go. He took off his vest, shoes, and socks.
“Sure,” I breathed. After kicking off my shoes and taking off my socks, I went to the right side of the bed and sat down. I pulled my legs up and when Roman climbed on the other side, I slid down to lie next to him as my heart beat like it was a wild beast.
Roman shifted over on his side while I lay on my back. He got up to his elbow and rested his head on his hand, staring down at me with a small smile on his lips. His other hand landed on my belly, which caused me to jump.
“Relax.”
I laughed. “I will eventually.”
“Have you always wanted to be a nurse?” he asked. His abrupt change of topic was his way of trying to lessen my nerves. It was sweet, and it worked since I loved talking to him about anything and everything.
“Yes. Well, at first, I pictured myself being a veterinarian. When I was a little girl and took a kitten home with a broken leg, I cried and cried because I couldn’t fix it. It wasn’t until I was older and found my emotions were stronger with people than animals that I knew my life would lead me to being a nurse. If I stayed the course of focussing on animals, I would be crying every day when I couldn’t help them.”
His expression was serious when I looked up at him. I didn’t expect it to be. Worry laced through me. Reaching up, I rested my hand against his cheek. His eyes flashed down to me. “I got a soft spot for animals as well.”
“I heard you’ve claimed Easton’s dogs as yours also.”
He nodded. “The only thing you don’t know is why I’m so easy to connect with animals.” He sucked in a breath. “When I was young, I had a heap of dogs. They were my refuge when my dick of a father was, well, being a dick. They’d also been the friends I didn’t have at school. Fuck, I sound like an idiot.”
“You don’t,” I tried to reassure him. “How come you don’t have any animals now?” I pressed, sensing something behind it.
He stared over me at the wall in thought. “Because it fuckin’ killed me when my father made me stand beside him as he shot my dogs in the head all because I didn’t take the rubbish out.”
Oh God, no.
My stomach plummeted while my heart rate spiked. “Roman,” I murmured, running my hand to his neck, over his chest.
“Not gettin’ attached,” he said, “was how I lived my life.” His ey
es came back down to me. “I’ve only recently learned, bein’ attached is a good thing. Making connections, puttin’ down roots, and livin’ a life with people you care about is important.” He shrugged, as if what he said was nothing. But it wasn’t.
My hand slid to the back of his neck and I gently pulled him down so I could have his mouth, his perfect lips against mine.
It started out slow, just a brush of lips before we were grinning against each other’s mouths. Only my grin was wiped away when his eyes darkened. His tongue came out to run along my bottom lip. I sucked in a breath as his teeth took my bottom lip in and gently bit, only to chase away the sting with another glide of his tongue. I tightened my grip on him, tilted my head, closed my eyes, and deepened the kiss. The need to have his mouth fully on mine, his tongue tangling with mine and his taste mingling with mine was too much. I had to have it and right away.
When we pulled away, both breathless, I told him, “There’s always going to be heartache in one way or another in life, but it’s whether you can come out on the other side that matters. You did, Roman. I did too. We did it with good people at our back. Now you have me and I have you. We’ll be there for each other.”
“We will,” he roughly stated. “Fuck,” he clipped, right before he rolled to his back, bringing me with him to lay on him. When my hair fell around me, he stared up with heated eyes and cursed again. He thrust his hand into the back of my hair and brought me down to nip at my bottom lip. As soon as I gasped, his mouth moulded to mine, and his tongue slipped inside to tease me into a desire-fuelled frenzy.
My body reacted to his touch, his taste once more. I ground down on him, only to gasp again when I felt his hardness beneath me.
He tore his mouth away from mine, to curse, “Fuck, Nancy.” His thumb ran over my lips slowly, I kissed the tip of it and then bit down, dragging another curse from him. “You undo me, darlin’. In all the right ways.”
