The other soldiers knew that when Gavin was on a mission, he didn’t go into it to fail. He wouldn’t let any of the other men risk their safety without putting his own on the line first. Safeguarding others was such an intrinsic part of him, and the one that’d helped him survive his captivity.
Shade slid into the cab of the truck that Gavin borrowed to drive him back to the club. Neither of them spoke on the short ride. It was only when he was getting out that Gavin broke the silence.
“When does she leave?”
“Ginny?”
“Which of the men is their turn to watch her?”
“Rider at lead and Nickel.”
Shade studied the brother. He had asked Gavin numerous times to take turns with various members who volunteered to guard Ginny. That the job was taking much longer than they had expected to find her stalker had built his own concern that the fucker was laying low, waiting for them to relax their guard. Viper felt the same way, which was why either he or Rider were sent.
“When does she go?”
This was the most words said in the last two months. Gavin never initiated conversations, and when he did talk, it was usually curt yeses or noes, if not outright ignoring a question posed to him.
“She and the band will be flying out at the end of the week.”
When Gavin opened the truck door and got out, Shade did the same, walking toward the pathway to his house while Gavin headed in the direction of Viper’s. But then Shade blocked his way.
“Rider could use a break.”
“Then give him one. I don’t give a fuck what you do.”
Gritting his teeth, Shade stepped aside, letting Gavin go on his way, just like all the brothers did, not wanting to upset him whenever the subject was broached about him taking a turn.
Ginny was the first woman who had arisen interest in Gavin since he had come back to the clubhouse. Shade wished he had introduced the two of them.
Several years ago, Ginny worked for The Last Riders for a while. During that time, Shade picked up on several facets of her personality. She pretty much gave respect to those who deserved it while ignoring those who didn’t. She had faced down more than one person who thought her polite personality would allow them to be disrespectful to her. She wasn’t confrontational, but she didn’t back down either.
It would have been interesting to witness Gavin’s reaction if they had been introduced. He was also curious as to how she would have reacted to Gavin.
Going up the steps to his front door, he swung it open, expecting to see Lily. However, the empty living room had him going through the house in search of her.
Becoming concerned, he went back downstairs. Taking out his phone, he texted Lily.
Where are you?
I’m at Rosie’s Bar.
What are you doing there?
Waiting for you.
CHAPTER 7
Lily wrung her hands as she stared out the window toward the parking lot, watching for Shade. The music Mick had turned on for her before leaving was playing, heightening the anticipation she was feeling.
She flushed, remembering the amused expression on Mick’s face when she had shown up after calling him to ask if she could rent his bar out for the next two hours. Gratefully, he hadn’t asked why when she arrived, just told her where the door key was for when they finished.
Running to the door now, her fingers fumbled with the lock before she quickly took off Shade’s large raincoat that she had worn to cover what she was wearing. Placing it on one of the tables, she then rushed to the middle of the dance floor, pretending nonchalance as her husband strode into the bar.
Hiding her trepidation as she heard the sound of the lock kicking back in place, she frantically started focusing on the beat of the music as she twirled on the pole in the middle of the dance floor.
When he stopped at the edge of the dance floor, she seductively leaned back against the pole. “Have a seat.”
Anger had been radiating from him when he entered, but she’d been married to Shade long enough to see he desired to watch her more than give in to his desire to spank her for stranding him at T.A.’s house.
As Shade picked up a chair, carrying it to the dance floor, she expertly hooked her arm around the pole. Twirling, she used a firm grasp to hold on while leaning her upper body away from the pole. With her free hand, she touched the floor as she made circles.
“What are you doing?”
Lily spun to a stop, leaning back against the pole once again. “Giving you your present. Do you like it?”
She saw her answer before he spoke.
“Yes. How did you get Mick to close up?”
“I rented it for two hours.”
“For how much?”
“Does it matter?”
“No. I just want to know so I can tip him.”
“You already did. I used your credit card.”
She twined her long leg around the pole as she leaned backward, reaching out for the floor again as she watched his reaction upside down.
His eyes shifted to her breasts that were barely managing to stay confined inside the red bra that was under the mid-length, flimsy red nightie.
“Did you give him a generous tip?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
Lily used her stomach muscles to raise herself, turning to give him her back. As the seductive music flowed faster, she then twisted her hips, scooching down until her butt rested on the heels of her feet before slowly rising.
“Come here.”
Turning to face him again, she gave him a stern look. “No.”
Baiting her husband, she scooched back down to the floor, trying desperately not to flush when his eyes went to the display visible between her thighs.
“You left me without a ride at the reception.” His eyes flickered over to the thin coat that was laying on the table. “I expected you home when I got there.”
Her confidence began to build at the low timbre of his voice.
“Are you mad at me?”
“I’m not pleased.”
She provocatively walked toward his chair. “Good.”
It was hard to keep appearing unaffected. The glittering desire she could see in Shade’s hooded eyes had her nipples tautening. He was sprawled out comfortably on his chair. The thick bulge at the crotch of his jeans had her biting back a whimper. She wanted to sink to her knees and beg him to let her touch him.
She loved being submissive to Shade, being excited by the games they played. Putting aside her own preferences, though, Lily was determined to make it a day just for him.
Placing a high-heeled foot on the chair between his legs, she bent over, displaying her breasts only a couple of inches away from his mouth.
Shade reached out, brushing a knuckle across her peaked nipples.
“Uh-uh.” She quickly struck her hand out, smacking his away. “There are three rules. Rule one: don’t touch.” She turned and sat on a hard thigh to twine her arms around his neck. “Rule two: no talking.” Kissing the corner of his mouth, she let the tip of her tongue flick out before rising. Provocatively, she then slowly removed her nightie until she was standing in front of him in only her shoes, panties, and bra. “Rule three”—her lips curled in a sinful smile when the next song, “Kiss it Better” began playing—“you have to do everything I say, and I might, just might, give you a present.”
“Which is?”
Tsk-tsking him that he had already broken rule number two, she started dancing farther away from him, returning to the pole. Looping her leg around it, she started climbing. Reaching the top, she stared at him mischievously as she slowly made her way back down the pole while the sexual lyrics played. Shade’s face was etched in stone as he watched.
Reaching the bottom, she swayed back toward him. Licking her bottom lip, she saw his bulge grow under his jeans. Satisfied, Lily abruptly turned to stretch her left foot. Bending down, she gracefully touched her toe, listening to the beat of the mus
ic. She then stretched and extended her right foot, bending to repeat the same maneuver.
Gliding around, she caught his eyes as she clasped both her hands together behind her head, the action thrusting her breasts out. Dropping into a squat, she lowered her hands, planting them on top of his thighs. She used the momentum to raise herself before jauntily moving to his side. Raising her leg, she placed her heel back on the chair.
“Do you miss coming here to watch strippers before you married me?”