Chapter Eleven Gambit
Chapter Eleven
Gambit
Standing outside the guestroom, I stare at the wooden door separating me from the woman I’ve never been able to forget.
With the life or death stakes out of the way, I’m a mass of muddled emotions.
Resentment burns brightly in my belly, but higher in my heart is a longing to understand.
I smash the gentle feelings down and lean into the rage.
Knocking lightly, I step inside. The scent of lavender and sandalwood floats around me, igniting memories of better times.
I’ve always associated the subtle aroma with the goddess seated on the edge of the bed.
The withered, weak woman with wild hair and hazy eyes is gone.
In her place is a brown-skinned dime piece with glowing skin, perfectly coiled curls, a body highlighted by jeans that fit like a second skin, and a black tank top.
The body I remember from youth has matured and bloomed.
Blood rushes straight down. The swell of her breasts teases me, and I lick my lips.
My fingers tingle with the need to squeeze her hips and explore the expanse of her waist. She peers up at me through her long, dark lashes, chewing her plump bottom lip.
“The girls helped me get ready before they left.” Her voice is still slightly husky from her ordeal.
“Good.” I clear my throat, mentally shaking myself out of my stupor. “It’s time to head to the airport.”
Sliding off the bed, she stands. “I’m ready.” Bending over, she grabs a pale pink carry-on. The perfect peach of her ass has me stifling a moan. How can a woman with such a black heart be so damn tempting? If I didn’t know better, I’d believe the aura of kindness and light radiating off her.
Hardening my resolve, I look away. “We need to go over some rules.”
“Rules?” Straightening, she frowns.
“You’re about to enter a new world the second the plane touches down. I won’t be embarrassed or undermined.”
Her full, glossy lips form an O. “I wouldn’t.”
“No. You won’t,” I agree, holding her gaze with my own.
Clamping her lips together, she gives a curt nod.
“I’m serious, Rowan.”
“You’re doing me a favor. Why would I do anything to hinder you?” Her voice is whispery and raw. Is she offended by my lack of trust? Too fucking bad.
“I don’t pretend to know who you are, Rowan.”
She flinches at her full name. “Makes sense,” she mumbles, looking down.
“As far as they know, you’re my pretty, well-mannered southern girl who understands she needs to stay in her lane.”
Her jaw twitches.
“This is a boy’s club, petite. Women tend to be seen, not heard, unless it’s a co-mingling kind of event.”
“I see.” Tension runs through her lush frame. Keeping her back and shoulders ramrod straight, she reminds me of a soldier prepping for battle.
“While you blend in, I need you to keep your eyes and ears open.”
“For?”
“You’ve always been observant and quick on your feet. Your profession proves that’s continued.”
She snorts. “Thanks.” Licking her lips, she tilts her head. “Do you want to give me a hint on what it is I’m looking for?”
“Duality. Anyone who looks like they’re collecting data. Be my wire.”
“Will I be in danger?” She swallows hard.
“Right now, the club is in turmoil. I won’t let you go in blind. I need you on your toes, watching your back.”
“And yours?”
“I learned to do that for myself a long time ago.”
“Right.” She clears her throat.
“I’ve never brought a woman around, so you’ll need to sell this.”
“What does that mean to you, Benoit?”
My given name on her lips sends chills up my spine. The warmth and affection are at odds with our last interaction before the storm.
“You’re the first love I reconnected with and brought to California with me because I couldn’t stand to be separated.” How much of this is a lie? Since I held her, I don’t want her out of my sight for too long. But I’m not eager to forgive and forget either. It leaves me in a fucked-up limbo.
She inhales sharply.
“You think you can handle that?”
“I’ll do what’s necessary.”
“What do you know about the lifestyle?” I guide her from the room, eager to put space between us and a bed.
“Only what I saw on Sons of Anarchy.”
I snort. “It’s a decent starting place, but Gemma had a fictional amount of control.”
“Because women have no voice?” she asked, wrinkling her nose.
I stop in the doorway, and she runs into my back.
“Sorry.” Jumping back like she’s been burned, she clutches the handles of her bag, using it as a shield between us.
Do I make you nervous, little one? Good.
“I never said that. But they sure as hell don’t dictate how the club runs or make such vocal demands in front of God and everybody. Good ones. The ones who become old ladies, ground us. They help relieve all the stress we live under.”
Her eyes widen. She presses her thighs together, and something tightens low in my belly. The attraction still burned hot between us. “Got it.”
I shake my head. “You don’t’ really, but you will. It's an experience you have to live to really get.”
She hums thoughtfully.
“While I throw together a bag, let’s get our story straight.” She follows me inside my room. I move to the closet, grabbing a black backpack. It’s strange having her in my sanctuary. The woman who haunts my memory is standing in front of the king-sized bed we’d once dreamed of owning together.
She stands out in the sea of dark green and black curtains and bedding.
I don’t bring women back here. This space is just for those I trust most. Still, it seems fitting to allow her to see what she passed on.
Spinning in a slow circle, she takes in her surroundings.
I wonder what it looks like to her. There are landscape photos from previous bike trips. Shots of me and my brothers, and Lotte.
“Did you take these?” Ro asks.
“Yeah. It’s still a hobby of mine.”
“They’re good.”
“Hmm.” I can’t bring myself to thank her for her compliments. I grab a few outfits.
“How do you want to set this up?” she asks.
“We reconnected through my sister. I came out to visit her, and there you were. One long weekend was all it took.” I fold the underwear and undershirts, then roll them up in socks, as the veteran members taught me.
“And you think they’ll buy it?” Skepticism coats every word.
“People don’t tend to pry too much.” I shrug, zipping the bag shut. A thought hits, and my stomach drops. “Am I keeping you away from someone?” I care more about her answer than I should.
She snickers. “Only patients.”
“Did you call in like I told you to?” I turn to face her.
Pursing her lips, she gives a jerky head bob. She doesn’t like being told what to do. I get a sick satisfaction from rattling her cage. “Yes. I told them I had a family emergency due to the flooding. And I was my sister’s guardian until we make contact with our father again.”
Storing the information, I turn it over in my head. “That’s smart thinking. Build a case.”
“So, they’ll believe I just left everything behind to follow you to California like a love-sick puppy.”
I laugh. “Petite women leave home with bikers for far less. Besides, you’re infatuated, remember?” I wink. “If it helps, your home is underwater, so what better time? To be with the man, you have to accept the club. They’ll consider it your trial run.”
“That I’ll fail, obviously,” she mumbled.
“Did I say that?” I step closer. “Maybe you’ll be the mysterious girlfriend not connected to club shit. Some couples keep things separate.”
“Why would you want that?” She frowns.
“Doesn’t matter. You want to pay me back, don’t you? This is what I need.”
“Fine.” She grits her teeth.
“Better practice that smile. You have about five hours to perfect a loving attitude.”
She cocks her hips, showing the sass I always loved. “And what about you?”
“You doubting my abilities to show people what I want them to see?” I invade her personal space.
“Let me demonstrate.” I tuck thick locks of her hair behind her ear.
She shivers. I trail my fingers down her jawline, relishing the softness of her skin.
She leans into me, and I peer down into her eyes, searching for answers I’ve waited years for.
Bending, I pause, hovering my mouth a millimeter from hers. Her chest heaved. Her eyes become a black abyss with a small ring of brown, and her lids lower to half-mast. She doesn’t pull away.
“You’re even more beautiful than I remembered.” I cup the back of her neck, pulling her curvy frame flush to mine. A throaty moan escapes her. I inhale the scent of mint on her warm breath. “Look at me.”
She tilts her head back, obeying instantly.
“How’s that for believable?”
“Fuck.” She exhales, going lax against me. Clearing her throat, she pushes herself away. “Time to go.”
Releasing her, I step away. She sways, slightly off kilter.
I struggle to calm my own racing heart. Hustling her out of the house, I get behind the wheel of my black truck and turn my mind to work.
I can’t let this distract me. It’s time to buckle down and support the family who’ve held me down all these years.
Chapter Twelve
Ro
Studying the man beside me as he takes a catnap on the plane, I allow my guard to drop.
I survey the changes time’s etched into his face.
Smile lines around his lips and eyes tell me he never lost his humor.
The golden tan brings out the brighter copper tones in his deep red hair, which contrast with the navy seat material.
Sunlight pours through the window, turning his features angelic.
In sleep, his sharp features are lax. Tracing the strong jaw, angular chin, and full lower lip with my eyes, I can almost taste his rich flavor on my tongue.
The tease earlier has my panties drenched, and the truth tango dancing on the tip of my tongue.