Down and Out (Hawks MC: Caroline Springs Charter Book 3)

by Lila Rose

  “We’d eat just about anything, sunshine.” Kalen winked. “Babe, that there is Knife, Muff, Dallas, and Beast.”

  Muff offered a salute, Beast a chin lift, and Dallas a head nod.

  “Hi, all. Thank you for coming to help. I hope it didn’t put anyone out.”

  “How come you’re moving in, darlin’?” Muff asked.

  “Um.” Nervousness and embarrassment flipped my stomach.

  “She’s in between places,” Kalen said before he shoved a bit of pizza in his mouth. I met his eyes and smiled my gratitude for not telling them my story.

  “Too bad you don’t live in Caroline Springs. I would’a had you at my place, in my house and bed,” Knife stated. My face went to raging heat in seconds, quickly running down my neck also.

  “Knife,” Kalen clipped in a rough tone.

  “If she cooked like this all the time, I’d give it a try as well.” Dallas grunted, taking another slice of quickly disappearing pizza.

  “If she looked like that every day and couldn’t cook, I’d have her in mine,” Muff said. My cool hand went to cover my cheeks. Koda, finished with his food, started babbling about something and playing with his truck.

  The only one who didn’t say anything was Beast. Though when I looked at him, he winked at me. I quickly averted my gaze and heard a chuckle from all.

  All except Kalen, who said acidly, “Jesus Christ, brothers.”

  When the front door opened and Judy called out, “I’m here,” I sighed in relief. She came into the kitchen, smiled, and greeted everyone. She then made her way to my only escape. She took Koda from the high chair and cooed at him. “How long until you finish up?” Her eyes went to her son.

  “‘Bout an hour.”

  “Cool.” She looked to me and said, “You’re gonna love it. Best feeling in the world.”

  Confused, I asked quietly, “What?”

  “Hadn’t told her yet, Mum.”

  “Told me what?” I asked, looking to Kalen and standing from my seat.

  “Gonna ride out with my brothers for a while. You’re on the back of my bike.”

  “I’m sorry?” I whispered.

  Kalen smirked, rolled his eyes and said, “You. Back of my bike in an hour.”

  I was stunned speechless. Kalen wanted to take me for a ride on his bike. In front of his brothers, with his brothers riding with us, around us. Did Kalen realise I would have to hold onto him, so I didn’t get my brain squished on the pavement?

  Hugging Kalen.

  Holding Kalen.

  Oh. My. God.

  I fisted my trembling hands. My eyes went low, and heat hit my cheeks once again. Wow, I couldn’t seem to get my blushes under control around these people. That and the fact I seemed to turn red quite a bit when Kalen came to mind.

  “Sunshine?”

  Looking up, I mumbled, “Hmm?”

  “You in?”

  “She’s in,” Judy announced. “Now go and get the shit done so you can go.”

  Kalen gave me a look I didn’t understand before he followed the rest of his brothers out of the house.

  Once the side door closed, I spun to Judy. Laughing at my expression, she pulled me into a side hug and said, “Why do you look so worried?”

  “Does Kalen understand I’ve never been on a motorbike before?” That my arms would be wrapped around him?

  “He can tell, like we all can. You look a little green around the gills.” She laughed. “Don’t worry. He’s a brilliant rider. They all are.” She smiled. “Oh, by the way, I have some of my clothes that don’t fit me anymore in the car. They’d be perfect for you, though. There’re some jeans in there. Why don’t you go out and grab them while I spend time with my grandbaby.”

  With my chin out and up, I asked, “Did Kalen tell you about how few clothes I have?”

  Her smirk told me he had, though she replied, “No, why would he do that? I was just having a clean out before I head away.”

  Grumbling under by breath, I headed out to Judy’s car and grabbed the bags from the back seat. Really, I shouldn’t complain. It was sweet he’d rang his Mum.

  Very sweet in fact.

  As I changed in the bathroom into jeans, a smile lit my face. A silly smile. My stomach churned from the giddiness sweeping through me. Riding on Kalen’s bike with him… I couldn’t wait. In fact, I found myself skipping from the bathroom and down the hall.

  “They fit perfectly,” Judy commented as I came to a stop in the living room.

  “I’m just going to clean the kitchen while I wait. Are you okay with Koda?”

  She scoffed. “Of course.”

  It turned out to be an hour and a half before the men came back inside. Judy was in Koda’s room putting him down for his nap. I sprung up from the couch and stood, with my hands clasped in front of me.

  Kalen was the first to enter the living room, and I sucked in a hiss. He looked handsome in a rough biker looking way, wearing his biker vest. His eyes raked over me before he nodded and gave me a wink. Those winks were driving the lower half of my body crazy.

  “You ready?”

  “Yes.” I grinned. “Though, I have to admit, I’m a bit nervous. I’ve never been on a bike before.” Or had my hands on your waist, or been pressed close to you.

  “You’re a virgin.” Knife laughed. “Man, let me take her on the back. I have the need to break her in.”

  Kalen’s hand came out, and the slap to the back of Knife’s head seemed to echo in the room. “Fuckin’ enough.” With a nod, he gestured to the door. The brothers, understanding any movement or grunt or chin lift, filed out of the house through the front door. Kalen looked back to me and said, “They can sometimes be dicks, but don’t let it get to you.”

  Shaking my head, I said, “I won’t.”

  “Good,” he said and then went into the kitchen for something, coming back with a helmet. “I don’t have a spare one right now. You can use mine.”

  He didn’t have a spare one right now.

  Right now.

  Did that mean he was going to be getting one for me?

  What was going on here?

  “But, what about you? You need to be safe as well.”

  He smiled and pulled a piece of cloth from his back pocket. He tied it around the top of his head. It was a bandana, and he looked amazing in one.

  What would his beard feel like on my body?

  Oh, God. Where did that thought come from?

  “Ready?”

  “Yes,” I answered breathily.

  Mind still thinking about his beard, I watched his lips twitch, lips I could see clearly because he kept his beard trimmed nicely. I lowered my gaze, taking a calming breath. I had no idea how I would survive pressed against him and not turn into a puddle of goo.

  He started for the door, and I followed quietly. The sun was still shining down on us. No dark clouds marred the sky. His brothers were already astride their rides waiting for us. Kalen stopped beside his and flung his leg over.

  “You need to put the helmet on first, sunshine.” He smiled. I fumbled with it and placed it on my head. I tried doing up the straps, but I couldn’t work it out. Were they freaking childproof? Or did you need to take a course on it? Chuckling, Kalen demanded, “Come here, woman.” I stepped up to him. His warm hands went to the straps and too soon, he had it done up. “Throw your leg over and slide on, Mena.”

  “Um, okay.” I nodded yet stood frozen. I wasn’t sure I was ready for a ride.

  My decision was taken from me when suddenly a large presence was behind me, Dallas. I let out a squeak of surprise when he picked me up and sat me straight in behind Kalen. Then, to my utter embarrassment, he placed his hand on my butt and pushed me forward, so my crotch pressed against Kalen’s lower back and butt. Finally, if that wasn’t bad enough, he took my arm and wound it around Kalen’s waist. I quickly did the other one and gripped them to Kalen’s leather vest.

  “Done. Now let’s ride,” Dallas barked.

&
nbsp; All the men, even Kalen, threw their heads back and laughed. Of course, I watched Kalen. When he’d calmed down, he looked over his shoulder and asked, “You good?”

  “I’m afraid to move in case Dallas comes back to rearrange me.”

  He chuckled. “You’re good.” He slid his mirrored sunglasses onto his nose and kicked his bike to start.

  Judy was right. I freaking loved riding. Holding Kalen close wasn’t the only fact I loved so much about riding. It was being surrounded by his brothers, feeling safe with them all. It was the wind, the smell, and the sound. It was everything combined.

  After an hour-long ride, we had a quick coffee in town before Kalen’s brothers headed back to Caroline Springs. Feeling in the best mood, I made them all suffer through a hug and thanks for coming to help. Though, the only ones who really suffered were Dallas and Beast. Knife went to feel my butt up until I smacked his hand away and glared. He was a tease and nothing else.

  I didn’t want the afternoon to end, but all too soon, we were pulling up out the front of the house. I climbed off, and while I took off my helmet, Kalen hopped off, and then I passed it over to him. He placed it on the seat behind him.

  “Wanna see your room?”

  Smiling, I said excitedly, “Yes, please. But, will Judy mind us being a bit longer?”

  He snorted. “Nope.”

  We walked across the lawn. I trailed a bit because my legs were a little like jelly. They weren’t used to sitting on a Harley. Kalen already had the door open and stepping in by the time I was there.

  Gasping, my hands went to my chest. Then I slid one to cover my mouth because my bottom lip trembled. Tears filled my eyes and my heart beat at a frantic, excited pace.

  It was wonderful.

  No, it was amazing.

  Beautiful and special.

  Kalen had done this for me. Having someone give so freely meant more to me than anything I had experienced in life.

  There was a bed in the far back, and next to it were some drawers. On the other side was a nightstand with a lamp. In the space at the end of the bed, sat a couch. Opposite it was the TV and stand. A little kitchenette was to the left of the room. It had a bar fridge and a small two-seater table. The room seemed warm. My eye landed on the heater to the right of the room. Everything was perfect.

  “There’s a toilet room with sink to the side of the bed, but it don’t have a shower, so you’ll have to use the one inside. We cleaned it up as much as we could. Some stuff was already in here. The rest we got in from my place in Caroline Springs.”

  “Kalen… it’s fantastic. No, more than that, but I can’t think of the right word to use.” My voice hitched. “I, you, I mean… I don’t know what to say.”

  “Nothing is needed to be said, Mena. Glad you like it. I’ll leave you to it.” He started for the door, only to face me again and say, “There’re some things in the fridge already. I asked Mum to fill it. But, did you want to grab something inside for dinner?”

  “Thank you, but do you mind if I stay out here? Unless you would like me to cook something for you and Koda?”

  “All good. Koda would have eaten with Mum, so I’ll just grab a sandwich or something. See you in the morning, Mena.” He turned to the door again, but I called his name and rushed at him. I had to hug him. The day had been perfect. I had to hold him and show him how much it meant. Before he could wrap his arms around me, if that was his intention, I moved back.

  Smiling up at him with tears in my eyes, I said, “Thank you again. So much, Kalen, thank you.”

  He winked. My heart winked with him. “No problem,” he said gruffly before he walked out, closing the door behind him.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Two Weeks Later

  Dive

  She wouldn’t eat dinner with us. She’d make it, and then, once I got home, she’d take off out to her shed. I’d asked, but she’d said she had her meal already. Shit, I found myself hoping for the last two weeks she’d stay, keep me company, and eat with us. Even after Koda was in bed, I stood at the kitchen window looking out to the light in the shed and wondered what she was up to. Mum was away on another trip, so I knew she wasn’t getting any food from her. Then again, Mena was more than capable to go into town to buy her food in her car during the day, after I’d given her keys back. I trusted she wouldn’t up and leave. She loved Koda too much to leave him.

  What did she think of me, though?

  I didn’t have a fuckin’ clue.

  I wanted… no, I needed to get to know her.

  Fuckin’ hell, why didn’t she want to spend time with me at night?

  Fed up with pining for her company, I opened the door and took the steps it took to get to her door in a quick stride and knocked.

  The moment it opened, I barked, “You eaten?” Then, fuck me, my eyes slid over her, and I had to hide my smile when I saw her dressed in Big Bird PJs and slippers that had the head of Big Bird as well. They looked fucked-up for a thirty-year-old to wear them, but still, she looked goddamn cute.

  “Um, yes?”

  What in the fuck? Why was she answering in a question?

  With a hand on her belly, I pressed forward, and she moved aside. I stalked to the kitchen and opened the fridge. Milk, cheese, and some vegetables stared back at me. I picked up the last carrot, and it flopped to the side. Growling low, I threw it in the sink and moved to the small cupboard and opened it. Fuckin’ cups of soup and noodles.

  Spinning to face her, I took in her heated cheeks and wide eyes. “This is what you ate for dinner?”

  Her eyes narrowed, her chin jutted out and up, and she hissed, “Yes.”

  “This isn’t enough, Mena.”

  “It’s done me fine for nine months, Kalen.”

  “I want you in the house every night to eat with us.”

  “No.” Her hands went to her hips, an action I was becoming familiar with, and her upper body edged forward.

  “Why in the fuck not? Do you hate being around me so much you refuse to be in the house when Koda isn’t around? I haven’t been a prick to you for a long time, Mena. You don’t have to hide from me now.”

  Her eyes widened. “No, God no, Kalen.” Her sass was gone. Her bottom lip trembled. A lip I wanted to take between my goddamn teeth and suck on. “You’ve already done so much for me. I couldn’t ask for more.” She sighed. “I don’t want to become a nuisance.”

  Groaning, I scrubbed a hand over my face and stepped close to her. “Sunshine, you’d never be a nuisance. And Jesus, it’s only food. Food you fuckin’ cook anyway for me and Koda, so why not make a little extra for yourself. You eat lunch outta my cupboard already, so what’s another meal that I don’t give two fucks about. And hell, you eat like a mouse anyway. Just… do it for me?”

  With the back of her hand, she wiped the tears that escaped. Hell, she was even stunning when she cried. Most woman got all snotty, red-eyed, and crazy looking. She didn’t.

  “Okay,” she whispered to the floor and then looked up at me. “Thank you.”

  Rolling my eyes, I smiled and said, “Woman, don’t thank me. Koda and I love your cooking. If anything, I’m being selfish for that reason alone.” She giggled. “Have you eaten already?”

  “Well, yes.”

  “Come in for a snack then.” I didn’t want to lose her company just yet.

  “I’d like that. But I should get changed first.”

  “Sunshine, it’s right out there.” I gestured with my thumb outside. “I don’t think anyone would see you in your pyjamas, and I promise to keep your fascination with Big Bird a secret.” Her cheeks pinked and my dick twitched, like it did every time I saw colour touch her face. I chuckled and then reached out for her hand. Dragging her outta the room, I closed her door and led her to the house. Once inside, I let go of her hand and grabbed the baby monitor outta the back of my jeans and placed it on the table.

  “What do you feel like?” I asked, heading for the cupboards.

  “Anythin
g, thanks.” She took a seat at the kitchen table while I got out some bread and vegemite, then the butter from the fridge. “I’m not much of a cook, but I can do a mean vegemite sandwich with cheese.”

  She smiled. “Sounds great to me.”

  We were silent until I placed her sandwich down in front of her with a bottle of beer. “You do drink this, right? You weren’t just being polite last time and just had it for the sake of it?”

  “No, I really do drink it. Though, it may go straight to my head.”

  “Don’t worry, I’ll get you to bed if it does.”

  Not sure which bed it would be, though.

  Fuck. No, I can’t be thinkin’ that shit.

  “So, um, can I ask you something?”

  “Yeah.” I nodded and watched her take a bite of her sandwich, chew, and then swallow. Hell, was I staring too much? I took a pull of beer and waited while munching on my own.

  “How did you become a biker?”

  Sitting back in the seat, I shrugged. “My dad used to be one. Guess it was born and bred in me. Though, I hated the club he was with. Rough, mean fuckers who didn’t give a shit about anything. They sold powder, pussy, and guns. Knew I’d never want to be a part of that when I saw the shit my mum went through worrying about the dick.”

  “Hawks doesn’t deal with any of that?” she asked hesitantly. It was my fault for her thinkin’ I would say shit about myself. I’d never broached the subject of me and wanted nothing to do with her either. But shit had changed.

  “Fuck no. Which is what I admire about them. Some of my brothers and I used to live in Ballarat where the main charter is. Talon is the president for all charters. When he got in charge, he stopped all illegal bullshit happening in the club. He wanted it clean, so all brothers could breathe easy. Now we own some strip clubs and mechanical places we help out in. Then, Talon sent me and Dodge down to Caroline Springs to help Pick and Billy out when they were goin’ through some shit with Josie. Now it’s home for us.”

  “You all seem really close,” she commented before taking her last bite.

  “Yeah.” I smiled. “It’s the way things are in the club. Fuckin’ proud to call them all my brothers. They know I’d be there for them for anything, and I know it’s the same for me. Like today, they’re only a phone call away, and they’ll willingly drop shit to help me out. Like I’d do for them.”