Brand_A Steel Paragons MC Novel

by Eve R. Hart

  “I’m out!” Sketch said tossing his brown one up in the air and catching it in his mouth.

  “Ever single fucking time,” Blade grumbled, shaking his head at Sketch. “Not going to complain this time though.” He held up his orange candy, then tossed it into Sketch’s opened mouth.

  “Wait, what if I had orange, or yellow?” I asked trying to be smart. I didn’t. Nope, I had the chosen color. And I may have been taunting them to hide the trepidation and nervousness about being stuck with Brand alone for who knew how long.

  “Then Brand gets to do it alone. I think that is the way it should go.” Sketch shrugged like it was the best solution to the problem. A problem that didn’t really exist.

  “Let’s see it, Cami,” Brand said, his eyes dancing with some sort of mischief.

  “Fine,” I said with fake annoyance as I held up my red M&M. “I’m at your service, Sir,” I added a little head bow as a joke.

  And when I looked up there was something in his beautiful eyes that had my head reeling. But before I could get lost in it any further, Sketch stepped in between us, ripped the bag out of Brand’s hand, and poured half the candy coated chocolates into his mouth.

  And later that night after the shop was closed, Brand and I got to work. For the most part, we were quiet. There was a list of things that were to be done, and honestly, I wasn’t even a little bit surprised by it. That seemed to just be the way Brand was. I had to admit that I found it cute.

  I’d been lost in my head the last two hours. Thinking about the very man that was breathing the same air as me right now. We were alone. It was mostly quiet. There was the occasional grunt from him and yelp from me, because I was clumsy as all get out, and couldn’t manage to wipe something down without catching my nail or smashing my foot when moving things around. And so sweetly, he asked if I was okay every time.

  “I’m done. You want me to help you finish this up?” Brand asked squatting down to my level. I was currently wiping down the glass on the cases, the bottoms seemed to collect the most dust, so I was having to wipe it three or more times to keep from leaving wet dust streaks.

  “Sure, if you really feel like it,” I said with a laugh as I set down the thing of wipes so he could reach them.

  He flopped down on his butt and started working without so much as an irritated sigh. My eyes kept darting over to look at him as I continued working.

  The lights were mostly turned off, leaving the place only lit enough so we could see what we were doing. It was almost weird being there when the place was like that. I mean, I’d closed down the shop enough times that I’d been in there when it was like that, but it had never been longer than it took to walk to the back door and leave. The music had been cut the moment the doors were locked and there was something almost strange about the silence that hung in the air around us.

  He smelled good. Yep, even after working a long day and cleaning for the past two hours, he still smelled amazing. It was not fair in the least because I was pretty sure I smelled about as ripe as a trapeze artist after a performance. I hated him for it, even as I discreetly leaned a little closer to him and took a big breath in through my nose.

  Awkwardness took over and maybe I felt a little guilty about what I’d done. So naturally, I tried to cover it up and at the same time remind myself that he was taken.

  “So, you and Chris are really cute together. I mean, I just want to let you know that I think that, and I’m totally okay with…you know?”

  His head snapped to look at me, his brows furrowed deep in confusion.

  “I mean, I’m sorry,” I said, my eyes looking at anything but him at that moment. “Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything. I just think you guys are kinda perfect for one another. And I know it doesn’t matter what I think, but I…”

  Yes, I needed to shut my mouth right now.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw his head tilt back as a boisterous laugh boomed out of him, echoing around the silent space around us. I knew I was a mess but that didn’t mean he had to laugh at me. Then it was still and quiet again as he snapped his mouth shut. I felt his eyes on me, but I didn’t dare look up.

  “Cami, look at me,” he said in a calm tone that had a hint of a serious ring to it.

  I shook my head because I couldn’t look at him or even open my mouth to tell him so.

  “Cami.”

  “Just forget I said anything,” I mumbled completely embarrassed and I knew my face was bright red.

  “Chris and I aren’t together,” he said and I wasn’t sure I’d heard him right. “I’m not interested in guys. I know that for a fact.” There was something in his tone that sounded slightly humorous but I sensed it was more than just the fact that I thought he was gay.

  “Wha—huh?”

  “You really thought that Chris and I were a couple?” His eyes squinted and he scratched his head like he was really thinking about it. “I guess I could actually see that, though, now that I think about it.” He huffed out a small laugh.

  “It’s just that…well, he’s always taking care of you and you seem to really care about him. And Sketch made it seem like you guys were together. Or, he didn’t bother correcting me, I guess.”

  I clamped my mouth shut. Suddenly every interaction, every conversation, started to replay in my mind. I was looking at them all with different eyes.

  “Oh, shit!” I blurted out and yes, I said ‘shit’ out loud. I was hit with a huge wave of embarrassment that was far more clenching than what I’d had felt a few moments ago. “The bathroom. Oh, God. You saw me in my underwear in the bathroom. And you’re not gay!”

  I’d only felt semi-comfortable standing there with him in that small space because I thought he wouldn’t even be remotely attracted to me or taking in my body with any sort of sexual thoughts. Because I thought he wasn’t into women. Then again, maybe he wasn’t. But the attraction that I felt for him was a lot easier to deal with when I knew it would only ever be one-sided.

  “You’re laughing?!” I all but screeched. He was doing his best to hide his laughter behind his hand, but the way his whole body was shaking was a dead giveaway.

  “I’m sorry,” he said shaking his head. “I know. It’s not funny. I’m not laughing at you. It’s just…if you knew how hard it was for me not to actually look at you in that bathroom, you would definitely know that I’m not gay.”

  “I thought you were just like, not looking because you didn’t want to see my no-no bits because they gross you out or something.”

  “Did you just say ‘no-no bits’ for real?” he asked and his laughter was back in full force and this time he didn’t even bother to try and hide it.

  “That’s what you choose to focus on?” I stared at him.

  Then it happened. The laughter worked its way up my body and before I knew it, I erupted into a fit of giggles.

  It felt like forever before we both were able to get it under control. He looked down at the floor, his breaths so heavy they made his chest heave with each one.

  “I’m glad you find this so funny,” I said, my mind was still trying to play catch-up. “The more I think about, the more I feel embarrassed. I mean here I am, thinking I didn’t have a chance, and that all those thoughts I have of you and the fact that when you touch me it gives me goosebumps…”

  I clamped my mouth shut. I so did not mean to say any of those things, especially not all of them. But there they were, hanging in the air, showing exactly how crazy I was.

  “Thoughts?” he asked and as he bit the inside of his cheek, and if I wasn’t mistaken, I could see a little color creeping its way up his neck.

  “Um, no. Just forget I said anything.” I moved to stand. We were close enough to being done with the cleaning that I was going to call it good enough. It was time for me to go. I needed some air and a whole lot of space between me and this guy that I’d had a huge crush on that I just found out isn’t in a relationship—or gay!

  My head was spinning, to say the least
.

  “Cami,” he said. And I hated how he said my name. I hated how it sounded like a sweet whisper in my ears. I hated the way his eyes softened as it passed his lips.

  Had it always been like that? Did he always get that look? Or was I just being crazy? Maybe it was like some sort of pity plea. Yes, I could completely see that. Like ‘oh this girl has a crush on me and I don’t know how to tell her that I’m not into whatever kind of mess she has going on there.’

  I shuffled back, my feet refusing to lift up and carry me far, far away. In doing so, I tripped over the cleaning supplies. I felt myself going down and my eyes pinched closed so tight I could feel my nose scrunch up. Then I wasn’t moving backward, no, I was plastered to a hard chest with strong arms wrapped around me. I could feel his heart beating wildly in his chest against my cheek.

  “Look at me,” he said and I kept my eyes closed as I shook my head back and forth frantically. He didn’t release me but I couldn’t open my eyes. I could admit that I was way beyond embarrassed right then and I wished the floor would open up and swallow me whole. “Breathe and look at me, please.”

  Had I been holding my breath?

  I answered my own question when my lungs started to burn and my mouth fell open as a huge gasp came from what felt like my toes. The cool air of the shop rushed into my deprived lungs and I blamed the lack of oxygen on the wooziness I felt in my head.

  Slowly, so slowly, my eyes moved up his shirt, the gray, cotton fabric not only looked soft, it felt that way too. I knew this because my hands were awkwardly gripping onto his sides. Why was I focusing on his stupid shirt, I had no clue. A cute, smart, funny guy was all but begging me to look at him and I was taking my sweet time to honor his request.

  My eyes followed the lines of his silver necklace that never could make up its mind if it wanted to be tucked under his shirt or waving hello to everyone around. Currently, it was tucked away but part of it was visible around the back of his neck. Then I followed the line of his strong neck. How could a neck seem strong? It was the way it held up his head with pride and the corded muscles that bulged and strained with each emotion.

  I realized I sounded a bit creepy and maybe a little mental. It wasn’t like I’d spent so much time studying him, though I had to admit I had. It was more that I was familiar and curious about the human form. And let me tell you, his form was perfect.

  My eyes roamed over his perfect, stubble-free chin and full lips that I’d stared at and thought about more times than I should ever admit. Finally, I met his eyes, my heart pounding so hard I thought it was going to beat out of my chest.

  His brown eyes were more like dark chocolate than milk. His pupils blown wide-out and I couldn’t stop my body from shaking.

  “Oh, fuck,” he breathed out and it was like he had read my mind.

  His hand moved to cup my face and my hands fisted that soft, gray shirt.

  His lips were on mine, gentle and testing at first, but the moment I closed my eyes and opened up for him, he took it all.

  Passion. Something I’d never experienced outside of my art. My whole body felt it right now. I was aware of everything. My lips. My tongue. The blood rushing through my veins. The fine hairs on my body that were now standing on end. My heart.

  My.

  Fucking.

  Soul.

  The only thing I couldn’t seem to get a grip on was my brain, because right then, it was a blank mess.

  The kiss felt like it went on forever but wasn’t long enough at the same time. I didn’t want it to end. I held onto him like my life depended on it and he kissed me like he never wanted to kiss anyone again.

  “Shit, Cami.” His breath fanned across my lips, but I didn’t dare open my eyes.

  I only prayed that he felt it too. The intensity and magic. The feeling that this had to be. That we were two planes destined to crash into one another. I only hoped we wouldn’t go down in a fiery death.

  “I’ve been wanting to do that for a—”

  Crash.

  What the cheese balls was that?

  Before my brain could fully flip the switch back to its on position, a loud succession of popping noise rang through the air. Brand’s body was suddenly covering mine as I hit the hard floor with a thump, causing all the air to be forced out of my lungs.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Brand

  Gunshots.

  A whole bunch of rapid-fire gunshots rang out just as I was about to kiss Cami again. My first thought was to protect her. So I dove, plastering her body under mine, trapping us both right in the middle of the shop.

  Fuck!

  What was I going to do?

  I could tell that I was outnumbered and it would have been dumb-as-fuck to try and pull out my handgun and start firing back. And it wouldn’t have been good to get up and try to make a run for it. I was stuck and if I was being honest, I was a little scared. Not because I was getting fired at, but because Cami was here. I felt like I would die right there if anything happened to her.

  Bullets whizzed passed us, shattering everything around us. One grazed my shoulder and I did my best to bite back the pain.

  Her body was shaking underneath mine. And who could blame her? I was sure she’d never heard gunfire in real life, let alone been in the middle of it. They weren't after her, that was clear. I was to blame for all of this and poor Cami was an innocent getting trapped in the middle. I hated myself right then. I put her in this position.

  The night went quiet but I didn’t dare move. Car doors slammed and tires squealed and I prayed that we were in the clear. I stayed on top of her another long moment, just to be sure.

  “You okay?” I asked like an idiot because of course she wasn’t.

  She didn’t answer. Instead, her hands came up and gripped my sides, her short nails sinking into my skin through my thin shirt. My fingers tangled in her hair as I leaned back and cradled her head. Her eyes were wide with panic and her breaths were short and choppy.

  “Cami, answer me, please. Say something. Give me a little nod to let me know you’re with me.”

  I needed to know she was alright.

  “You aren’t hit, are you?” I started to shift back so I could look over her body in search of any blood, but her arms wrapped around my back, holding me to her. “Breathe for me, okay? Deep breath in and then let it out.” I did just what I said, trying to get her to mimic me.

  It took her a second, but she finally did. She opened her mouth and gulped in air like she had never needed oxygen before.

  “Brand?” she asked, her eyes suddenly snapping to mine.

  That was good, at least she didn’t seem like she was going into shock. That I could work with.

  “I’m here,” I whispered.

  “Were…those…guns?” she attempted to ask in between breaths.

  “Yes. I’m not going to lie to you because, well, there’s really no point. Those were automatics being fired at us, but I think they are gone now. Can you let me up so I can check?” I tried and succeeded at keeping my tone calm and even.

  “No,” her head shook frantically back and forth, but I didn’t lose her eyes. “What if they aren’t and something happens to you. No.”

  In spite of the fucked up situation, I smiled.

  “I won’t be long. I need you to stay low and crawl to Blade’s room, okay? I’ll come get you once I make sure we are clear.”

  “O-okay,” she sputtered out.

  She was still shaking and clearly scared. But who would have blamed her?

  A million things ran through my brain but I didn’t have time to process any of them right now.

  I leaned back and at my head jerk, she rolled over onto her hands and knees and began to crawl to Blade’s door. Once she was inside and the door was closed, I got to my feet, gun in hand, and scanned the area.

  The shop was fucked and as pissed as I was, that wasn’t what was important right then. I made hesitant steps toward the front. All of the front glass had been blown ou
t and was shattered all over the floor. Outside the streets were quiet, but I doubted it would be that way for long. Someone was bound to hear all the noise and I had a feeling the cops were around the corner.

  I needed to get Cami out of there before that happened. I also needed to call my brothers and get them down here. I had no idea who the fuck just opened fire on the shop but we needed to figure it out like right fucking now.

  Fuck.

  This.

  Night.

  I’d finally gotten to the root of what was holding Cami away from me and someone had to go and ruin it. I was sure that after this she’d never even want to see me. Fuck my life. Like for real. How many times could I be handed a shit sandwich and be expected to take a bite?

  Fuck.

  It.

  All.

  Seeing that we were in the clear, I ran to get Cami.

  She was crouched down between the far side of the chair and his five-drawer toolbox.

  “It’s clear. They’re gone,” I said holding my hand out to her.

  Without hesitation, she grabbed it and all but threw herself into my arms. I didn’t have to think twice about wrapping my arms around her and holding her as tightly as possible against my chest.

  “Oh god! You’re bleeding.”

  Her fingers moved to my shoulder, but stopped short before they actually touched the open wound.

  “I need to call my club. And I need you to get out of here. Okay? Can you drive?” I knew the answer to that before I even asked. She didn’t need to be driving anywhere, but it wasn’t like we had a bunch of options right then.

  Then there were lights bouncing off the whole place. Red and blue. And I knew we were screwed. There hadn’t even been the warning of sirens, and that should have been my first clue that something was wrong. I jumped up onto Blade’s chair, tucked my gun away on the top of one of the thick frames he had holding some weird piece of “original art,” or so he called it.

  “Come out. Hands up,” someone called from out front just as I hopped down.

  “Do as they say and it will be alright. I’m right here with you. Just tell them the truth,” I said taking her hand in mine and giving it a little squeeze.