“DANI!?” EMILY REACHED over and squeezed my arm.
“Sorry, what?” I focused on her sitting next to me at the dinner table. I’d been distracted all evening, my date with Austin the night before swimming around my mind.
What is going on with you?” she asked, grinning like she knew something I didn’t.
My sister was not only highly intelligent, but also gorgeous, glamorous, and very, very taken. She was tall and blonde, with emerald green eyes, and a body to die for. She’d married Mitch Parsons right out of law school, and it was coincidentally their fifteenth wedding anniversary, which we were celebrating tonight. Mitch was also gorgeous, but in a rugged way. He’d been a cop before he changed careers and turned to bounty hunting. He loved my sister with an intensity that was sometimes scary, but she’d admitted it was also a huge turn on.
They had two gorgeous and glamorous children, Brandon, who was twelve–years–old, and Amelia, who was ten. They sat across from us, their blond hair perfectly coiffed, their behavior impeccable, and their senses of humor on overdrive. They were great kids and I adored them..
“Nothing.” I said, quickly. “Just didn’t sleep much last night.”
Because Emily was so incredibly smart, she could see through me.. truth be told, she could see through most people.. with case. She was often underestimated because she was so pretty, which she used to her advantage any time she could.
My sister raised an eyebrow. “Liar,” she whispered. “Spill.”
“Em,” I hissed.
She le
leaned clover. “You’ve met a guy!‘
I shook my head.
“What are you two conspiring about our mother asked.
“I’m trying to get Dani to go out with a friend of mine. Emily improvised.
“And it’s not going to happen,” I said.
“Go easy on the baby, Em,” Elliot piped in “Her date the other night was a total bust,”
my father asked. “That’s a shame.”
y wine as everyone laughed. “Say that a little more believably, Dad.”
I choked on my
“I’m surprised you haven’t forced her to wear a chastity belt, Emily said.
“I have always allowed you girls to make your own choices,” he ad.
“Olunigod, Dad,” I droned. “You are such a liar.”
“Is that allowed in law enforcement Emily mused. “Lying to your children?”
“I think Ell should arrest him for being really bad at it,” I said.
“Leave your father alone,” my mom said. “He’s very, very pretty he can’t be good at lying too.”
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That sent us all into fits again, including my niece and nephew.
“How about Dani and I do the dishes and get dessert ready? Emay suggested. “Mom, you go relax for a bit.”
Mom grinned. “I won’t say no to that.”
“Who wants to play pool” My dad asked.
“Mel” Brandon said. “Can L, Mon
“You and your sister clear,” Emily said. “And then you’re free.”
Mitch chuckled. “I’ll help, then I’m gonna beat my kids butts at pool.”
Not even gonna happen, Dad,” Anelia droned.
“We’ll see, honey.
She chuckled and started to clear the table.
Once Emily and I were blissfully alone in the kitchen, she scraped plates while I rinsed and loaded the dishwasher.
“Okay, girlie, spill,” Emily demanded.
I sighed. “The guy that fixed my car is gorgeous and confusing and scary. And he’s decided we’re gonna get to know each other.”
“Wow, all of that, huh?”
I nodded.
“Who is he?” she asked.
I bir my lip and dropped forks into the basket.
“He’s a biker, Emi
She cocked her head. “Like Tour de France?” she joked
“Like Hells Angels”
Emily nearly dropped a plate into the garbage can. “He’s in the Hells Angels?”
“No Dogs of Fire,” 1 faced her and grimaced. “Right? I can’t do this”
“Why can’t you do this!”
“Because all I keep coming back to is that all I know about motorcycle clubs is what I’ve seen on television, and that’s pretty limited. I have no idea if he’s a criminal or if he kills people. Heys the club’s clean, but I’m just not sure.” I shook my head. “Even saying that our loud makes me sound like an idiot.”
“It doesn’t, honey,” Emily assured me.
“He’s gorgeous, Em, but he’s also really bossy and I think he’s used to having people do exactly what he tells them to do, because he gets all weird when I defy him. Like it’s alien to him.
Emily laughed. “Welcome to the club, babe.”
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“Really?”
“Hells yes.
Mitch is the same way, Well, he was.”
“He was! But he’s so sweet with you and the kids.”
She smiled. “Yes, he is, but he’s also bossy and protective, and if another man looks sideways at me, or disrespects me, he’s pissy about it because he can’t beat the shit out of him. Or at leas, he doesn’t do that anymore.”
“He beat people up?”
“Oh, honey, yes. When we were first together, it was a huge problem because I couldn’t just vent to him about the assholes I had to deal with. He’d actually go and have a “conversation with them before I could work it out. He was constantly getting in my business and making things a lot harder for me. We had come to Jesus meeting and when he still continued to do it. I dumped his ass.”
I gasped. “You didn’t.”
“I totally did.” She set a plate on the counter. “I needed him to understand that I was a grown ass woman and for the most part, could tight my own battles. I’m an officer of the law so to speak. I couldn’t have my man breaking it in order to make my life easier. I still have to be careful sometimes with how much I tell him, which is hard, because he’s my best friend, but he’s also much better about letting me work staff out myself.
“What if you can’t work it out?
Emily bit her lip. “Then I have asked him not to use his fists”
“Ohmigod, Em. Seriously?”
She nodded with a grin. “Sometimes it’s nice to have a badass husband willing to defend your honor.”
“I guess so.”
Emily leaned against the counter. “Give me this guy’s
y’s info and I run him through the system.”
I sighed. “Kimmie said I should do that, too. Of course, she said should make Elliot do it”
Emily rolled her eyes. “I wonder if there will ever be a woman able to resist him.”
Ishrugged. “Doubtful.”
“We don’t need to get the men involved,” she said. “You and I can handle it on this end, I think
I grinned. “You’re the best sister ever.
“Back atya
Family dinner wrapped up and after hugs all around, I headed home..
I arrived to find Austin waiting for me in the parking lot. He was handing next to one of the prettiest Harley–Davidsons I’d ever seen limited exposure, of course, but it really was pretty) and he was dropping his phone into his jeans pocket as I stepped out of my car.
“Hi,” I said.
He lifted his chin. “Hey, babe”
He closed the distance between us and leaned down to kiss me.
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I smiled. “I thought you were busy tonight.”
“Had a break. Wanted to see my girl”
This sent a thrill down my spine. “And who might that be?”
He chuckled “How was dinner?”
“I was good,” I said, and started up the stairs. “How long’s your freak?”
“I’ve probably got about an hour.”
“Want to come in for a drink or something?” I asked.
“Or somethin
I unlocked my door, leading him inside. I shrugged out of my coat and hung it up, while Austin dropped his onto a chair and planted himself on the sofa. I grabbed him a beer, poured myself a glass of wine, and sat beside him on the couch. In the light. I could see the stress on his face and frowned.
“You okay?” I asked.
“Shis day.”
“Want to talk about it?”
He shook his head. “I can’t, babe
1 sighed. “You look tired.”
“I am” He took a sip of his beer.
What time did you get to bed last night!”
“I didn’t.”
“Seriously?” I frowned. “Mack dropped me off at eleven. You didn’t go home after the meeting?“\\\
“Had a thing.” He smiled tiredly: “Got about two hours of sleep this morning.”
I set my wine on the coffee table. “Have you eaten?”
He checked his watch. “Not since this morning”
“Austin,” I admonished, and rose to my fo
feet. “I’m going to fix you something to eat at least.
His phone buzzed and he nodded. “Appreciate it, baby.”
He answered his call and I headed back to the kitchen. I pulled out bread and cheese, figuring grilled cheese was quick and easy to prepare, and it would tide him over for a little while.
I was setting the food on the table when be walked back into my apartment, his face grim.. well, grimmer than it had been Twenty minutes ago.
“You okay?”
He nodded and sat at the table, devouring the food in record time. “Thanks, babe,” he said, and dropped his plate into the
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“Got time to sleep for a bit!” I asked.
Austin shook his head, sliding his hand to my neck.
“What can I do
“You’re doin‘ it, habe. You make everything better,” he said, and pulled me close.
I wrapped my arms around his waist and squeezed. A familiar scent registered and I leaned back. “Why do you smell like gun powder! Please tell me you were at a firing range.”
“Are you carrying?
He stroked my cheek. Tim always carrying”
“You’re scaring me a little, honey. What’s wrong?”
“Nothin‘ that won’t be handled tonight, so I just have to deal.”
“Are you in danger?”
Not currently, no.”
“That’s not what I mean,” I said.
“I know, baby, but I can’t talk about it.”
“Fine” I settled my cheek against his chest and closed my eyes. He stroked my hair and kissed the top of my head and we stood like this for a while. Our peace, however, was disturbed when he answered his phone again.
“Yo” He tried to pull away, but I held him tighter, so he settled and wrapped an arm around me “Yeah. No. What do Crow and Hatch say? Shit. Yeah, I’m here. No. Okay. Fuck me, Mack. Yeah. Fine. Okay. If that’s the case, then I’m gonna grab some shut–eye. See ya He hung up and dropped his phone in his pocket again.
“Are you staying?” I asked.
He chuckled. “Kind of you to offer, baby,”
I smiled i
I up at him. “Well, you pretty much announced you were going to, so I have benevolently decided not to kick you
Austin laughed. “Appreciate that. I lock up and meet you in the bedroom.”
“Um, no,” I countered. “I’m going to bed. You’re sleeping on the fa
“You’re fuckin‘ hilarious, honey”
I’m serious. Austin.”
He frowned and shook his head. “Not sleeping on your fuckin‘ sa, Dani. Also, not gonna fuck you if you don’t want me to fuck you. What I am gonna do is hold my woman and sleep until I’m called up again.”
“I am not a slut. Austin
“Never said you were.” He scowled down at me. “What the fuck Dani?”
I bit my lip. “This is just going too fast.”
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Chapter 13
“Jesus, Dani” He set me away from him and left the kitchen to lock up the apartment, returning quickly, and grabbolu,iny hand. He led me back to my bedroom and faced me. “What side
“Excuse me?“:
“What side of the bed do you want?”
I let out a frustrated sigh. “Window.”
He laid his gun and phone on the nightstand by the door and promptly removed his clothes, graciously keeping his boxer briefs on. I swallowed at the sight of his body. God, it was still as magnificent as I remembered. He pulled the covers back and flopped onto the mattress, linking his hands behind his head. “You comin?
. “I… um.. have to take my makeup off and brush my teeth.”
“Be quick, babe, yeah?”
“No funny business
“I’m too tired for funny business
I shook my head, my attempt at keeping him out of my bed a big fat failure, and headed to the bathroom. After removing ny contacts, washing my face, and brushing my teeth. Lopened my closet, found some pajama bottoms and a cami and changed into them in the closet. I flipped off the light and made my way to the bed, pulling the covers hack and slipping inside. I was promptly pulled onto Austin’s chest and kissed to distraction
He rolled me so his chest was to my back. “Night, baby”
“Goodnight” I whispered
1 scooted closer and his arms tightened around me. I smiled as closed my eyes. This was pure bliss.
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