She did know better. Madeline had always shown me the utmost respect and minded her mouth in front of others. My woman had strong opinions and an even stronger will, but she never let them get in the way of being the perfect old lady. But behind closed doors, she’d let me have it if she didn’t agree with something. Good thing I rarely pissed her off. An angry Angel was the last thing I wanted.
“I need to get ready.” I stood, kissed the top of Birdie’s head, and dropped a soft kiss on my lovely wife’s lips.
“I’ll serve you. I need to get over to the clubhouse too. Sugar, Tina, and I are taking inventory of the pantry and making menus for the inevitable lockdown you’ll order.”
“It’s all about keeping everyone safe.”
“We know.” She went back to the stove. “Birdie and I love you for it.”
I didn’t deserve her, but I was grateful she was mine. I’d do anything to keep Angel and Birdie safe. The same went for my MC brothers and their families. Guess that was why I was restless. Carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders was an enormous job. As president, it was my responsibility to protect my MC family.
I wasn’t looking forward to meeting with Ciro and Roman in a few days. I was dreading it because I wasn’t a miracle worker. If Track were here, he’d bear the weight with me. He always knew what to say to make me feel better. I fuckin’ missed my best friend. He might not know it, but I needed him more than I realized.
Soon Track would return home, and life could get back to normal.
The weird feeling in my gut flared back up. Normal? I sensed significant changes were headed our way. I just could figure out what. Hell, I was even afraid to know.
10
Track
Brynne flipped her hair off her shoulder and swayed her hips to the music. I stayed beside a tree away from the crowd for a while just to take her in. Why had I thought coming to the lake would be a good idea?
Oh yeah, I remembered. I wanted to see if she’d admit to being at Ted’s.
I was an idiot. I should’ve known she’d be in a bathing suit—a fucking bikini. Scorching hot didn’t come close to how sexy and beautiful Brynne looked. She was so much more than a pretty face with a rockin’ bod. I’d gotten to know her sweet and sassy side, which made her all the more alluring.
Behind my dark shades, I tracked her every move, smile, and laugh. Who she talked to. Who got her attention. Which guys flirted and tried to touch her. I sort of felt like a weirdo. A stalker.
Regardless of my stalker vibes, my heated gaze traveled over her curves. The lust I tried to ignore would not be denied and ignited into a ball of fire in my belly… and lower.
Yes, there was lots of activity in my shorts.
I shouldn’t have come. I turned my back to Brynne and willed myself to go back to the car and leave. Except my feet were frozen in my place, and I warred internally with what to do.
Should I stay or go?
Man up and keep the creeps away from my… Step-sister? Friend? The object of my affection?
Don’t be lame, Track. She’s the woman you want with every breath you take.
I can’t.I stepped toward the car and stopped because I didn’t want to leave.
“Joseph?” Her voice made me spin around.
“Hey.” I slapped a stupid smile on my face. “Nice day, huh?” Say what? Moron. I was so damn happy she stopped me that I blurted the first thing that came to mind.
“I didn’t expect you to come.” She tilted her as she considered me. “I told younotto come.”
“It’s a free country.” And would she please stop sayingcome? I shifted from one foot to the other when my cock twitched.
“Don’t do this.”
“Do what?” I shoved my hands in my pockets. A little guilt crept into my conscience. “You’re right,” I said before she could educate me on the female language, something likewe mean what we say when we say itor some shit like that. I was sure she thought I was a total jerk, and I felt like one this second. “See ya.”
“So you’re leaving?”
I didn’t stop walking. My actions should be enough of an answer.