“Yeah, you’ll get used to it. The lake’s just about twenty-five minutes from here, so the jelly leg you’ll get should be mild.”
“Jelly leg?”
“Yeah when you get off after your first long ride it’s like having sea legs and stepping onto land.” He glanced over his shoulder. “Don’t worry, I won’t let you fall.”
The connection between them popped and crackled like wood in a fire. He cleared his throat, holding her gaze. “Put your arms around my waist and hold on tight. When I lean into a curve, you need to match my movement. Other than that, try to get comfortable and enjoy the experience. You never forget your first ride.”
“You got a thing about firsts. Makes me wonder about you, Shooter.”
“Only yours.” He started the bike up before she could reply. She held his waist tight and he eased on the throttle. The scenic route usually put him in a relaxed mood. But the feel of her breasts pressed up against his back and her thighs wrapped around him made that impossible.
They pulled up to the lake and he willed his hard-on to deflate. He wasn’t used to going without. It was an exercise in restraint. Shutting off his engine, he rolled his shoulders, pulled the helmet off his head, hung it off the handlebars, and glanced over his shoulder. “How you doing back there?”
“Stiff,” Juliette said, laughing slightly as she removed her helmet and shook down her ponytail.
“Yeah, you’ll get used to it after a while—“
“Hey. Who’s the bitch?” Slim’s husky voice shattered any hope of easing her into their lifestyle. She gasped.
“Give me a fucking minute and I’ll introduce her, Slim.” Shooter yelled back.
“Bitch?” Juliette whispered.
“They didn’t mean any offense. It’s just a term for women,” Shooter said.
“Wow.”
He wanted to soften the blow but this was sink-or-swim time. She’d be able to deal with this or she wouldn’t. Either way, he needed to know before he let himself get in any deeper. “Words are all relative.”
She remained silent, taking in the scene. A handful of tents had been set up a few yards away from the lake. His brothers stood around in various stages of dress. Whores hung off their arms in tiny bikini tops, small bottoms that exposed their asses and cut-off jeans that left little to the imagination.
“They’re staying the night here?” she asked as he held a hand out and helped her off the back of his bike.
“Yeah, you got a problem with roughing it?” He narrowed his eyes. I didn’t take her for a high-maintenance type of chick.
”No, not at all. It just wasn’t what I was expecting.”
“Forget everything you think you know about bikers and get to know us personally. You think you can do that?” He glanced down at her, wishing he could see inside her head. Bringing her among them was a risk. She could turn tail, shut him out and run for the hills. It wouldn’t be the first or the last time a woman discovered she couldn’t handle M.C. life.
“Come on, I’ll introduce you to some people.” He placed a hand on the small of her back and guided her away from the row of cycles. Tension flowed from her and he swore he felt a wedge forming between them. He led her over to Moose, who had his arm wrapped around Peaches. The bleach blonde gave a friendly, dimpled smile.
“This is Juliette, she’s hanging out with me today. Juliette, this is Peaches and Moose.”
“Hi,” Juliette said. Her voice was soft and subdued.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Peaches said. Her pronounced southern twang and friendly blue eyes seem to set Juliette at ease. Juliette took the hand Peaches offered and shook it.
“You the bitch that caught his eyes at the club?” Moose asked.
“Yes.”
“Damn surprised to see you here,” Moose said.
“Um…” Juliette looked toward Shooter.
“He hasn’t brought a girl around in a long time. You must be pretty special. You a magician or something?”
“No-no, a librarian,” Juliette said.