I swooned on the spot. To be so in love and unapologetic in public. I would’ve never believed Storm would act this way with any woman, but with Maddy, the guy made sure to show the world she was his.
Jill snorted, ice-blue eyes glittering with mischief. “So is that all you want her to do, Storm? Rest?”
He narrowed his eyes. “Go find your man, Jill. He mentioned needing his dick sucked after the day he had.”
I couldn’t help but snicker. Storm never talked that way to Madeline, Tina, or his Aunt Sugar. He knew how to mind his tongue, just not with everyone, apparently. I was cool with it, though. Jill should’ve kept her mouth shut.
A giant man entered the bar with a long, black beard. His dark beady eyes landed on Jill. Without a word, she hopped out of her chair and ran into his arms. Compared to his massive form, she was teeny tiny.
Jill and Wolf were an interesting couple. He was what some called a Russian giant.
Again, I wondered about the nature of business the guys had at this time of night. From what Maddy said, they’d be busy all weekend. Did it have anything to do with Hero or the Hunters? I’d never ask, but I was curious.
“Will you be okay?” Maddy shouted above the music with her arm looped around Storm’s neck. “I can stay if you want.”
The twitch in the corner of Storm’s mouth showed his disapproval of her offer. God, those two were a pair. A He-Man action figure and Princess Lolly from the Candyland game my students loved to play.
I stifled a snort. “No. I’ll be fine here with Sugar and…” I glanced around the bar as a few of the bikers wandered in, seeking out their kitten of choice. “Copper’s at the bar. I can hang with him before I go to bed.”
Storm cradled Maddy effortlessly as she considered me with her keen eye.
“Okay. If you need me, you know where to find me.” She didn’t actually believe I’d be okay, I could see it on her face. It made me uncomfortable, because she wasn’t wrong. I should tell her the truth: that I was heartbroken, lonely, afraid of the wind, and wanted to hurt myself to make it all go away.
But I couldn’t.
Shame and embarrassment came with those thoughts. When everyone saw me as a confident, smartass redhead, the most liked second-grade teacher at Heritage Elementary, I didn’t want them to ever know the inner struggles I battled. They couldn’t know. No one would trust me with their kids if they knew what I did to myself in private. A bitter taste took over my tongue.
“Ubetcha, Mads.” I nodded and waved, assuring her I was good. The only thing that was good about me at this moment was my acting skills. Almost had myself convinced by the way I was talking to my bestie.
Her blue eyes shimmered a bit. I hoped to God it wasn’t with unshed tears. I’d feel worse for upsetting her. But I wondered if after all these years, could she read me like a book? Could she tell I was hiding major trauma from my childhood? If she could, why hadn’t she ever pressed me about my past? Dammit, I thought I’d mastered beingnormal.
Inhaling a breath as the lovebirds left, I stared in awe as Storm carried away his bride. Mads was out of her ever-loving mind if she believed I would disturb her and Storm. They didn’t get to go on their honeymoon because of Hero’s arrest. Club business was priority number one. Maddy had accepted it without complaint, but they deserved time alone together.
Plus, I’d been reminded of just how boisterous they were during sex when I stayed in Hero’s room three doors down from theirs. Nope, I wouldn’t bother them unless it was an absolute emergency. Like the clubhouse was on fire or Maddy’s favorite singer, Carrie Underwood, strutted into the building singing “Before He Cheats.” I snickered, recalling when Maddy sang the song at The Bullet. She’d met Storm that night.
Wow, our boring lives dramatically changed in four months…
Yeah, I’d be fine in a room filled with a dozen Thors. My personal bodyguard, Copper behind the bar, was my favorite. That too-cute ginger made sure my glass stayed full. Getting sloshed would keephim,the damn man who’d made my demons resurface, out of my head.
I wanted Hero to vanish from my memory more than anything. I didn’t regret giving my body to him and having the best sex of my life. I could do empty, meaningless sex. Where I’d gone wrong was letting my guard down and opening my heart to him.
Damn fool.
Never again. No man could be trusted with such a delicate organ.
“Hey girl, wanna play a round of pool?” Libby wiggled her eyebrows and jerked her head toward an available table. Usually, all three were occupied by brothers playing. Once, I’d seen a kitten bent over it with a beefy Knight taking her from behind. That had been a verystimulatingnight.
I wrinkled my nose at the thought. “Is it sanitary?”
Sugar choked on her whiskey. “Oh my, that’s hilarious.” She coughed a little as she laughed. “They’re wiped down daily. There’s also disinfectant wipes over there too.” She pointed along the wall. “The kittens do their best to keep this place germ-free, but never forget how much sex goes on around here.”
I held Sugar’s amused gaze for a long second, then popped my shoulders, standing up. “What the hell.” Anything to occupy my mind so I didn’t think about Hero. In this place it wasn’t easy to not think about him. I saw himeverywhere. Alas, I’d rather be here where I felt safe than home alone where I might give into the temptation of hurting myself.
I had no idea what I’d do next weekend when I was alone; when my anxiety reared, its ugly head. The only way to make it stop was to keep busy, stay focused on something else. At least tonight, I didn’t need to worry about it.
I felt safe.
Nothing else mattered, not even the constant pain ravaging my insides, all because of that stupidly handsome biker. I wanted nothing more than to forget Hero, but he had a hold on me. I’d let him breach the iron gates to my heart, gave him my body, welcomed him into my soul.