by Skye McNeil
“This is no place for you, princess.” He glanced around the room in disarray. “You need to go home.”
Isa glanced to Cueball, who nodded once, then moved to the doorway. He wouldn’t leave completely, but she was grateful for the minimal privacy. “I am home.”
“Nah, you’re in Colorado, where you keep getting shot at.” He shook his head. “That’s not home, baby. You need to be somewhere safe.”
Kneeling in front of him, she cupped his face. Worry and pain overwhelmed his blue depths. “Ireland and Colorado aren’t safe. The Twelve Brothers made sure of that.”
“Then what?” He frowned. “You want to go somewhere else? Australia maybe? I’ll take you where you want.”
“You beautiful idiot.” She gently kissed his mouth. “I’m only safe when I’m with you.”
He didn’t immediately reciprocate, and she cursed herself at her lack of sympathy. Pulling back, she examined his injured face. “Bloody hell. Sorry, love.”
“Don’t you dare apologize for loving me.” He tucked her hair behind her ear. “I’m so stupidly in love with you that I couldn’t bear it if you left.”
“Really?”
“Fuck yes, princess.” His thumb traced her bottom lip.
She closed her eyes. Hearing him call her that washed away the bad memories from not yet an hour earlier. Opening her eyes again, she smiled. “I love you.”
“Hell yeah you do,” Hawk teased from the doorway.
This time, it was Isa who flipped him the bird. “I never told you before you left, and I wish I had.”
“I knew, baby.” He winked, and she rolled her eyes. “You’ll be my old lady, that much I know for certain.” A frustrated sound escaped him. “I really want to kiss you.”
She chuckled and placed her finger on his lips. “Don’t you dare let a day go by when you don’t.”
“I promise.”
She kissed his cheek, the rest of the world melting away. Well, at least until the doctor came in to yell at him for opening his stitches.
Eyes heavy, she watched Doc bullshit the doctor and his club brothers. It was the best dream and one she never wanted to wake from.
40
Doc
A week turned into three before Doc felt halfway decent. His injuries weren’t completely healed, but the doctor in him knew it was only a matter of time. Phantom called earlier that day, letting them all know he’d come to a truce with the Twelve Brothers. No one believed it’d last long, but peace even for the time being was preferred. The Twelve Brothers members who attacked Macha and survived were extradited to Ireland.
We definitely haven’t seen the last of them.
He sipped the glass of Guinness and watched Isa over the rim. She and Brewer were prepping the bar for the Saturday night crowd. With the upcoming summer festival, the tourists of Snowshoe would abound.
He shifted on the seat, doing his best to not grimace. It was easier when it was just him and his princess. Recovering had its perks, and Nurse Isa was a sight to behold. He’d be damned if any other man tasted the medicine she prescribed. His cock hardened at the thought, but he hadn’t been able to yet. Doctor’s orders or some bullshit. Sure, he sampled Isa, but his body craved another type of procedure that’d leave them both satisfied.
Country music drifted over the speakers as he finished his beer. Tonight was the night. He’d have Isa all to himself. No volunteering with Queenie or slaving away on her latest designs.
“You ready to go?” Isa asked, coming up to the table. She looked too beautiful to be in this bar. Hell, he was the envy of all his brothers. With her short jean shorts and white lace tank top that showed just enough of her breasts to tease him, she was perfection. She pushed back her long hair with new highlights courtesy of Queenie.
“Always ready for you, princess.” He winked and she rolled her eyes. “You sure you wanna do that tonight, baby?” He stood and tugged on the belt loop of her shorts. “No restrictions mean I can punish you.”
A knowing smile lit her face. “Maybe that’s why I did it.” She not so subtly traced his dick with her palm before swaying that gorgeous ass of hers toward the door.
“Oh, you’ll be sorry you did that,” he growled, catching up to her.
She laughed, the sound music to his ears. He’d have more of that every day if he could manage it.
She swung open the door and held it until he stepped outside. “I doubt it.”
His bike sat in the parking lot, and she reached it first. Straddling it, she nodded. “I’ll drive.”
He clucked his tongue. “Sorry, not tonight.”
“Why not?”
“Because you don’t know where we’re going.” He got on the motorcycle and turned her on, the purr only outdone by the sounds Isa made under his touch.
They started off before she could say another word. Her arms hung loosely around his waist, a vast difference from the first time they rode together. The sun slowly made its way across the horizon, the red-orange hue falling over them. Isa hugged him close on curves, her hair tickling the back of his neck.
The drive ended before he liked. He’d gotten used to having Isa on his bike over the past months. Somehow, riding without her felt incomplete. He pulled off the road and killed the engine.
“Where are we?” she asked, setting her helmet on the back of the bike. She took a few steps toward the small cabin overlooking Snowshoe.
“My dad left this place to me when he died.” Doc walked to the door and laughed at the rotted wood. “It’s not in very good shape. I kind of let it go to waste because I was pissed at him for abandoning my mom and me.”
Isa kept her gaze on the city below. “I can understand that.”
He shoved his hands in the front pockets of his jeans and joined her. “But then I realized why my dad cut off contact and how it actually helped my life.” He laughed. “At least until I grew up. It made sense once I joined Macha, but I couldn’t grasp it until I met you.”
She stayed silent, his words floating in the air.
“I’d never let anyone hurt you, Isa.” He turned to face her. “I think your dad was trying to do the same for you.”
“Well, he went about it all wrong.”
“Yeah, he did, but when someone threatened you, Phantom stepped up and protected you.”
“No, he exiled me to Colorado.”
“He sent you to me.” Doc searched her eyes. “I’ll always be thankful he did, too.” He took her hands in his. “Because if he hadn’t, I’d never have met you.”
“I can’t imagine never meeting you.”
He smirked. “Never thought you’d say that.”
She rolled her stunning gray eyes. “Just can’t take a compliment, can you?”
Doc wrapped his arms around her and breathed in her lavender shampoo. The woman always smelled so damned good. His brothers were right. He was lost to this woman and never wanted to be found. “I only desire compliments from you, princess.”
They stood in silence, enjoying the cool mountain air, the view, and each other’s company. It was the most comfortable he’d been in years. With Isa, he wasn’t the doctorate washout or the biker doctor. He was simply Tad O’Brien, a man in love.
“I need to go back to Ireland.” She said the words so softly, he wasn’t sure he’d heard correctly. “To see Orla and Niall.” She cleared her throat. “And Phant—my da. I owe him my thanks.”
“You know, phones are pretty handy for that kind of shit.”
She playfully swatted his chest. “I live there, smartass. All my clothes, books, everything is there.”
“That’s true.” He ran his right hand over his bearded chin. The thought of Isa leaving even for a week sent a shiver of worry down his spine. What if she never comes back? He took a step closer to the run-down log cabin and rested his left forearm on the side.
“Come with me.” She looped her arm around his waist and rested her head on his shoulder. “You’ll love Ireland.”
&nb
sp; He glanced down, and a tiny part of his heart leaped at the dreamy look in her eyes. “I love anywhere I’m with you.”
“Such a sweet talker.” She leaned up and kissed his jaw. “What ever will I do with you?”
Doc cupped the side of her face. “Love me. That’s all I want from you.”
“Loving you is the easiest thing I’ve ever done.” She lightly nipped his bottom lip. “Most of the time.”
He caught her mouth beneath his before she could add another sassy remark. He deserved them all, but the moment was too precious.
He’d make Isa his once and for all. Tonight was supposed to be the night, but now, Ireland sounded like the perfect place to make both their dreams come true.
41
Isa
Ireland. She took a deep breath, letting the island’s scents consume her nostrils. Only that didn’t happen. A combination of leather and oil overwhelmed the air instead.
She opened her eyes and glanced at Doc. They were overlooking the ocean, her hometown behind them. Niall and Orla weren’t in the shop yet, so she’d persuaded him to explore the countryside with her until the little Open sign popped up in the shop window.
“It’s gorgeous here.” His hair ruffled in the wind, his eyes hidden by dark sunglasses.
“Be glad it’s not raining.” She laughed and slowly turned in a circle, arms splayed. “But this is home for as long as I can remember. I never left the island much. Mum couldn’t bear to have me far.”
“Seems like a good place to raise a family.” His voice dropped off as if those words were meant to be a thought instead of verbalized.
She hid a smile. What they had wasn’t a passing thing. While she had limited experience with men, she’d seen all the romance movies and read all the raunchy books. A man didn’t change. Not unless he truly wanted to for himself. Doc wasn’t the same biker she’d met a mere three months ago. Just the same, she wasn’t the innocent woman who’d left Ireland either.
“I don’t know, I kind of enjoy Colorado.” She kept her gaze on the horizon, the sun bouncing off the waves. “It has an eclectic aura.”
His black boots shuffled through the green grass until he stood behind her, lacing his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder. “You think so?”
“I do.” She turned her face just enough to see his smile. It’d knock her off her feet if he wasn’t holding her upright.
“Isa?”
Whirling around, she nearly hit his nose at her quick movement. “Orla?”
Her best friend let out a whoop and started running toward them. Isa grinned, then broke into a full sprint.
“Oh God, you’re finally home,” Orla said once they collided in a mass of arms, tears, and laughter. “I’ve missed you.”
Isa pulled back. A faint shadow of a bruise lined her friend’s brow. “They did that to you?” Angry tears outweighed the excited ones. She traced the small line. “I’m so sorry. I never meant for any of this to happen.” She hugged her friend again, relishing their reconnection.
Orla stepped back and wiped Isa’s tears, then her own. “I’m all right, you loon. I told you a hundred times before you arrived.” She laughed. “It’ll make a great story for the baby someday.”
Isa held her out at arm’s length, eyes dipping to her friend’s stomach. “Wait, you’re… you’re pregnant?”
A secretive smile crossed Orla’s lips. She vigorously nodded. “I found out this morning.”
“Oh my God.” Isa pulled her in again for a hug, this time the tears ones of joy.
“Love, we’re about to open….” Niall’s words fell short when his eyes met Isa’s. “You’re back.” He grinned. “About bloody time.”
Isa held out her right arm and brought Niall into the group hug. Having her best friends with her once again felt better than she imagined. Tears mingled until she wasn’t sure whose were whose. She didn’t care. She was home, and her friends were safe.
A slight breeze brought Doc’s presence back to her, and she knew she wasn’t home anymore. Ireland wasn’t home.
She lifted her gaze to her biker. He was her home, and she never wanted to leave him again.
Sprinkles of rain suddenly started falling, and the group hurried into the shop. A torrential downpour happened the moment Doc closed the door, the bell announcing their entry. Isa walked behind the counter and rested her elbows on the wood. It all looked the same. The homemade lotions and soaps were still displayed by the register, the scent of lavender light but poignant. If she left, she’d be thousands of miles away from her dream store.
“You must be Isa’s biker,” she heard Orla say above the storm. She looked over in time to see a proud smile on Doc’s face.
“I am.”
Niall’s left brow lifted slightly. “I hear you saved our girl more than once.”
This time, he glanced her way and winked. “No more than she saved me. She’s quite wiry when she wants to be.”
Orla chuckled. “Yep, that’s our Isa. Feisty and fearless.”
Doc walked over to the counter and leaned against it. “Among other qualities I find irresistible.”
“So, what’re your intentions with our best friend?”
“Niall!” Isa and Orla said simultaneously.
“What?” He shrugged and eyed Doc from head to toe. “I’m not about to let one of my oldest friends get hurt.”
Isa shot Niall a glare and then an apologetic glance to Doc. He held up his hand.
“I got this, don’t worry,” he whispered, then replied to Niall. “I want to be the first person she sees when she wakes up and the last person she sees before she goes to sleep for the rest of her life.”
“Aw.” Orla placed her left hand across her chest.
“But that’s not all.” He met Isa’s gaze. “I will do everything in my power to make her the happiest woman alive because that’s what she does to me.”
“She makes you the happiest woman alive?” Niall asked with a smirk.
A red tint covered Doc’s face, and he shook his head. “No.”
“Niall, I swear you’ll be on diaper duty for a year if you—”
“It’s okay,” Doc interrupted Orla’s scorning. “I fancy myself a lady’s man, but since I met Isa, I don’t want anyone else. Ever.”
He walked behind the counter and locked Isa in place with his hands. His blue eyes sparkled with mischief and adoration. “My intentions aren’t pure, but they’re lifelong.”
“Oh. My. Bloody. Hell.”
Isa held in a giggle at Orla placing both hands over her chest this time. Lifting her right hand, she ran her fingers through Doc’s wind-tousled blond hair. He wasn’t an ordinary man. She could search the world and never find anyone like Doc T O’Brien.
“That’s good enough for me,” a new voice chimed in from the doorway. The bell clanged loudly, spoiling the moment.
Isa looked behind her and caught sight of her father. “Da.” He looked older than when she left Ireland. His beard was a shade whiter, new frown lines on his face.
“Isadora, you’re safe.” Phantom closed the distance between them, his black leather squeaking from the recent rainfall.
Moving toward him, she paused before he could embrace her. Other than their reunion three months prior, she barely knew the man who sired her. But her time in Colorado altered her opinion on him. Doc also had something to do with her change of heart.
Phantom reached out his hand, then pulled it back awkwardly. Neither knew how to react. Out of the corner of her eye, Isa noticed Orla and Niall busy themselves restocking the shelves with Doc close by. One of his more endearing protective qualities.
“You look so much like your mum.” His voice cracked, and he let out a shaky breath. His gray eyes watered, reminding her of her parentage. She may have been her mother’s replica, but the eyes were all her father.
“I miss her.”
He nodded. “So do I, lass. More than you know.”
“You didn’t
want her to leave, did you?”
He forced a smile. “No. I never did, but it was for your safety.” He timidly touched the top of her head, his calloused hands running along her long locks. “Macha wasn’t safe back then. By the time it was, it was too late. You were grown, and your mum, well, she’d lost hope. Years apart will do that to a relationship no matter how strong.”
Isa looked over her shoulder and met Doc’s eyes. She couldn’t imagine a time when that would happen for them. “Well, I won’t lose you again, Da. That much I can promise you.” She closed the minimal distance, wrapping him in a tight hug.
Phantom gradually returned the embrace, and Isa felt his tears against her hair. Reconnecting with her father was never in her plans. Then again, neither was falling in love with a Macha biker.
42
Isa
Isa spent the rest of the day sharing stories with her father, Orla, and Niall. Doc looked on and added some tidbits about their Colorado adventure but mainly stayed quiet. His silence was abnormal, but here he was the outsider. In Colorado, he’s always chatting up the other members and I’m the one listening.
She brought the last of the dessert dishes to the sink. Being back in her one-bedroom flat above the shop felt different. Phantom left five minutes prior, and Doc was currently chatting with her two best friends in the living room. The sun set hours ago, and she was thankful her friends took the day off work. Staying here long term wouldn’t work, and running the shop was impossible to do from Colorado. Plus, it looks like Orla and Niall took over most of it.
Rinsing the ceramic cups, she placed them to the side. While she loved Doc, she couldn’t give up on her fashion dreams. Queenie suggested she design clothes for Macha’s stores and Doc wholeheartedly agreed, but Isa wasn’t so certain. What if we return to Colorado and we don’t work out?
She worried her lips together, staring out the window into the darkness. A lone light shone in the distance from a lighthouse. The view usually calmed her. The beacon of hope in the moody night. Tonight, it did nothing to resolve her tension.
