“Yeah, I know. Viking told me he was calling the brothers in.”
“Of course, you’re already aware. I’m being dumb.”
“No, you’re not…so tell me what’s going on?”
Exhaling I fill her in on the importance of the vote, and when I’m finished, she’s wearing a broad, excited smile. Reaching across to me, she lightly squeezes my wrist with affection.
“I’m so happy for you and Odin! The two of you deserve this, to be happy and together. I had wondered if Odin was ever going to come to his senses and figure out that you had it bad for him and that he was just as bad off for you. Even being around Mercy on and off for years, he never looked at her like he does you.”
A nervous laugh escapes. “Oh? How does he look at me?” I question, a glutton for punishment. I’ve seen Mercy many times over and know she’s beautiful, even if the bitch is a Joan Jett wannabe or something just as ridiculous.
Her mouth hikes to one side, and she glances over my face before saying, “Like you’re the most beautiful woman in the room, like he can’t breathe right when he first notices you. It’s sweet.”
Tears crest. She's so sincere with the compliment that I nearly believe it. Would it be bad to hope it’s the full truth? To know a man gazes at you with such wonder and affection? I’m nothing, and he’s everything and here’s Princess telling me that Odin sees something different in me.
“I love him,” I admit, finally free to say it aloud, wanting to scream it to the world.
“I know you do Cherry; it’s the only reason why I and Viking are fully on board with him taking you as his ol’ lady. We think you’re good for him.”
“You are? And even your ol’ man is okay with it?”
She nods. “Of course he is. We both see how much you love our brother and we want someone who will adore him the way he deserves. You give him that, and as long as he will return that and treat you well, then we both agree you and Odin should be together.”
The tears spill over, as my heart’s so happy to know that at least two other people are on our side with this. “I’m afraid the brothers won’t vote in our favor. I’m afraid that I’ll have to leave and lose all the people I love—my family, the man who has my heart—all of it.”
“Odin’s as stubborn as his older brother.” She pats my hand, not being condescending but offering me real comfort. I don’t know why I’d expect anything less from these people; they’ve always treated me well. Maybe, because I’m used to Honey and her jealous comments that I’ve come to expect that reaction from others as well.
“But I’m a club whore,” I mutter, and he shrugs as if that fact isn’t an important bit of information.
“And?”
“I’m not ol’ lady material like you and the other ladies. Y’all are beautiful and badass, and I’m just me.”
“Oh Cherry.” She shakes her head. “You need to check yourself out in the mirror doll. I know the men tell you that your tits are nice, I’ve heard them talk. What they’ve failed also to mention is that you’re stunning. You don’t look like some washed-up druggie whore. You take care of yourself, and you show the committed men and their women respect. You help around here and treat us like family. You're already ol’ lady material.”
“Thank you,” I respond on a breath, grateful for her support and the sincerity of it.
Before she can say anything else about it, the door off to my side opens. The members come piling through the doorway. They’ve had church. It's over, and that means they’ve reached a decision. None of them glance our way with even a flick of interest and my stomach twists with dread. My throat grows tight, and I feel like I can’t breathe—already fearing that their verdict wasn’t a favorable one. I’m already beginning to brace myself for it, as the news isn’t good, not for me anyhow. Does this mean I’ll lose everything now? Will Odin pretend that I no longer exist? That I never did? Will the club completely disown me, leaving me with my meager belongings outside the gate, officially barred from club property?
Where will I go? Who do I have to call for help? My friends are here in the MC. This is my home. Maybe I could ask Nancy at the bar? Would she let me sleep in the shed if I clean the bar for her? Will I ever see Odin again? I could always bake, but the recipes do me no good without any food or supplies and an oven.
Speaking of, Odin’s nearly the last to leave church, the only other being Viking, patting him on the back. He’s so serious, and it takes everything inside me to be strong and to not burst out in tears trying to break free. I could cry and plead, beg them to keep me, but the Oath Keepers hate weakness. They’re a club of alphas; most are killers or previous Nomads. An MC of strong women and like-minded people all in one place. If I get on my knees and show my weakness, I’ll not only lose my place here but what bit of respect I do have from them. I may give up everything else to this club, but I won’t hand over my pride all because I fell in love with a member. After so many years, they should’ve expected me to fall for one of them. It was practically inevitable unless they expected it to be a passer through, but none of them have ever caught my attention. It’s always been one. Only Odin. Always Odin.
He turns my way, our eyes locking and I catch my breath. He’s the most gorgeous male I’ve ever seen in my life; his long blond hair’s neatly wrapped to land down his back. Odin’s massive frame is corded with muscles and tattoos. He makes a lasting impression on me from his entrance and has always had my attention from day one. I’ve wanted him from the very moment I saw him scowl; he was a young guy who ached to be loved. With time he grew into this dominating biker that I can’t seem ever to get enough of. He owns every single piece of my heart.
“Babe,” he finally says, his gaze lighter than I was anticipating. He’s happy. I can see it in his irises. “It’s time beautiful,” he deeply rasps. His words are like a rip to my soul. This is exactly what I was dreading. Why isn’t he upset about the brothers voting me to leave? I figured he’d at least miss me a little bit.
Climbing to my feet, the tears I’d been holding at bay cascade down my cheeks. I can look strong, but inside I’m so damn shaky, my knees feel weak. I need him. With a swallow I step around the table and then I’m in his arms, his strength locking me in place as he kisses me until I’m panting and can’t remember my name let alone anything else in the room but him. He’s everything, my heart, my soul, my life. I can’t possibly let him go.
He lays me back, my body against the hard surface of the table I was just sitting at. Princess is no longer seated. I don’t see her anywhere, just the members. They stand around us, serious, watching. Odin isn’t soft or gentle like he was making love to me last night.
Is this our goodbye? Is this the end of our time together?
His powerful hands rip through the sweater dress I’d shimmied into just hours ago. The black knitted material stretches, doing it’s damnedest to hold up. Same as my heart has been, but my man’s not having it. Muscles straining, his jaw locked tightly, his teeth grit together as he eventually shreds the entire front of the dress in a zigzag fashion. Parting the material, he takes in my bareness. I rarely wear a bra, unless I know the club kids will be around and I didn’t bother with panties, knowing there was a chance we’d get to celebrate later.
With a flick of his wrist, his pants break free, the button no match for his deft fingers. His jeans are shoved down to his thighs, the back still covering a part of his ass. He shoves my legs open farther. With a gasp of surprise leaving my lips, he yanks me closer to the edge of the table and then he’s sinking his length deep inside me. I feel like he’s home.
Bending over, with his mouth close to my ear, he growls, “Mine.”