Chapter Eighteen
L ooking in the mirror, I sigh.
This is as good as it’s going to get. I don’t know why, but tonight I tried my hand at being more girly. I scrubbed my hands until they were red, making sure there wasn’t a speck of oil to be found. Then I watched four videos on how to curl my hair with the ancient-looking curling iron I found in the closet before putting a little tinted moisturizer, mascara, and lip gloss on.
You know why you put in more effort in your appearance.
Tonight Gunner and I are going on a double date with Smoke and Kelly.
While I adore Kelly, we couldn’t be more different if we tried. She’s always so put together and makes it look effortless. By the way Smoke looks at her, you can see that he’s clearly in love with her, and for some reason, I want Gunner to look at me the same way. I want him to be proud standing next to me. Don’t get me wrong, I know he likes me for exactly who I am, but I want to show him that I’m more than a girl who only wears jeans and grease.
All I have for my troubles tonight are three burns from that stupid curling iron, my curls already falling, and the taste of hairspray on my tongue.
The pounding of boots coming down the hall has me peeking out of the bathroom door.
“Hey, you’re early,” I say when I see Gunner.
His eyes heat as he takes me in. Maybe I didn’t do such a bad job after all.
“I’m just on time. Look at you,” he says as he leans in for a kiss. “You ready?”
“Do I look okay?”
Gunner’s head jerks back as he leans against the doorframe. “You look great.”
“Are you sure?” I press as I fiddle with the seam of my shirt.
“Tell me what’s going through your head, Trouble.”
Blowing out a breath, I lean against the counter. “I’ve never been on a double date before.”
“Neither have I.”
I don’t know why, but his admission has my nerves letting up just slightly.
“Usually when we go on a date, it’s right after work, but tonight is different. We’re going out with not only my boss and his wife, but your best friend. I wanted to look good for you.” I glance over at the mirror before turning back toward him. “Then I realized I have absolutely no idea how to do all this,” I say, waving a hand over myself.
Gunner pushes off the doorframe and takes a step toward me, pulling me into him by my hips.
“Let me get this straight, you’re nervous to go on a double date with me and two people we hang out with often enough?”
“Yes.”
“You put shit on your lashes and hurt yourself fucking around with your hair to try and impress us?”
“Well, when you put it like that,” I mutter, avoiding eye contact.
Gunner doesn’t let me though and tips my chin up, making me look him in the eye.
“Trouble, I don’t need you to be something you’re not. I like you for you. If you want to put shit in your hair and on your face, go for it, but don’t do it with me in mind.”
“I wanted to look good for you though,” I admit quietly.
“Sloane, you always look good. I love the way your jeans and leggings cup this fantastic ass,” he says, moving his hands from my hips to my ass and squeezes. “It makes me crazy seeing you in my clothes that are three sizes too big for you, and we both know I fucking love it when you’re naked and spread out in front of me. Don’t go out of your way trying to impress me when you already do.”
Sighing, I run my hand through his beard, cupping his jaw. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now, do you need more time to make you feel more like yourself or can we hit the road?”
“Let’s go.”
I let him lead me down the hall, my hand in his. I don’t even complain when he picks my keys up from the counter, then uses them to lock the door behind us. Part of me wonders if I should feel like his alpha need to take care of me is womanizing, but I don’t.
Instead, I let the rightness of it settle over me. This is how Gunner shows he cares. I want to soak up every second of it.
He doesn’t let go of me until we stop beside his bike.
“Lee with Crow?” he asks as I buckle the helmet.
“Yeah, I can’t thank you enough for introducing those two. He is a different person. The guys really helped him gain some confidence,” I tell him.
“It was nothing. Crow likes Lee, so it isn’t a hardship hanging out with him.” He smirks at me. “He’s like everyone’s little brother. All the guys dote on him.”
“You say that, but not everyone likes having a teenager around,” I point out as I get onto the bike behind him.
“Well, we do,” he says before starting up his bike.
We take off, and I lean into his body. I close my eyes and enjoy being close to him without having to say anything. When we come to a stoplight, Gunner rests his hand on my thigh, holding me close. I smile as I stare at his hand on my thigh. Does he even realize he does it? Touch me every chance he gets now that things have changed?
When we pull into the restaurant, I can’t help but feel a little sad that the ride is over already.
“You know what we should do?” I ask after he shuts off the bike and begins to remove the helmet.
“What?” He looks over at me.
“We should go on a longer ride. Kind of like we did when we went to the rally.” My cheeks heat at the suggestion.
Gunner gets off his bike and pulls me off and into his arms, his hands cupping my ass once again. “You want more time on the back of my bike?”
“I do.”
He leans down and kisses me hard. “You were made for me, weren’t you, Trouble?” he murmurs against my lips.
“Probably.”
Gunner chuckles and shakes his head. “Come on, I saw Smoke’s bike over there. We better go join them, otherwise, I might bend you over my bike.”
“I might like that.” I let my hand slide into his.
After a few moments, I look up.
“Is that them sitting on the deck?” I say, pointing to a couple who has a table next to the deck railing.
“Hell yeah, we don’t even have to go inside. We can just take the stairs,” he says as he pushes me ahead of him, keeping himself right behind me.
We make the quick trek through the parking lot and up the stairs. Gunner tells the outdoor hostess that we are meeting someone, and she lets us pass.
Kelly notices us first and smiles. “Hey, you two, glad you could make it.”
“Thanks for inviting us,” I tell her.
Gunner pulls out my chair for me, and I sit with Kelly on one side of me and him on the other.
“Relax and enjoy yourself. I got you,” Gunner leans over and murmurs.
I look over at him and study his face for a moment before responding quietly, “I know you do.”
“What are you two whispering about?” Smoke asks.
Sloane turns toward him and smiles sweetly. “Just planning world domination. You know how it is.”
“Of course. I should have known.” He smirks, shaking his head.
The server comes and takes our drink and appetizer order before running off.
“So how have you been since I saw you last?” Kelly asks Sloane.
“Good. You?” Sloane is beaming tonight.
I know she was worried before, but I wish she hadn’t gone through the trouble. Even seeing the slightly red skin from where the hair thing touched her has me wanting to tear the world down. Then I want to kiss each and every burn until it feels better.
Kelly squeezes Smoke’s hand that she’s holding on top of the table. “Couldn’t be better.”
“Same,” Smoke says.
“Can’t complain,” I add as I squeeze Sloane’s thigh.
“Who would have thought we would be on a double date together?” Smoke jokes, looking at me.
“Sure as hell not me, that’s for sure.” I laugh.
“You know, I’ve heard the guys joke at the shop about how you two have one hell of a bromance, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen it,” Sloane says as she rests her hand on my upper thigh.
“I don’t spend too much time in the shop. I have much better things to be doing. That’s why I leave it to Gunner here.”
“Except you still need to find me an office person. I refuse to do paperwork,” I grunt.
“It’s okay, snookums. I know you secretly love having me hang around a couple times a week. Makes your dick hard and everything,” Smoke teases me.
I roll my eyes. “In your dreams. You are too pretty for me. I mean, you refuse to even grow a real biker beard. That close-shaved shit makes you look like you are metrosexual.”
“Maybe I should get my nails done too. I hear men do that.” Smoke laughs.
“Trust me, it will come out when you least expect it. It’s fucking weird when they start finishing each other’s sentences,” Kelly tells Sloane, ignoring us.
Smoke scoffs. “We don’t do that.”
Kelly turns toward him with her eyebrows raised. “Really? Tell me, what do you think of the snow?”
“Fucking hate it,” we say in unison.
Smoke and I glare at each other as the girls laugh.
“That proves nothing. I’m sure the other guys would agree,” I tell her.
“I don’t know. You guys sounded pretty in sync to me. Hell, your voices were the same pitch and held the same level of disgust,” Sloane muses.
“Right, that’s what I’m talking about!” Kelly cries.
The server stops by and takes our food order when she drops off our appetizers and bounces.
“Oh, this spinach and artichoke dip is delicious,” Sloane moans.
I lean over and whisper in her ear, “Don’t make those noises at the table or I’ll be forced to take you in front of everyone.”
“Please, you’re all talk. You would never,” she says as she takes another bite.
“Don’t be so sure.” I grab her hand and take a bite of the pita bread. “That is pretty good.”
“I told you,” she mutters as she reaches for another.
“You guys need to try this. It falls apart,” Smoke tells us.
I pick up my fork and stab a piece of braised beef tips and bring it to the mini plate Sloane sets in front of me. The knife slides right through it like butter. Sloane steals a piece before I can take a bite.
“You’re welcome,” I tell her as I take a bite of my own.
When the flavors hit my tongue, I hum. “That’s delicious.”
“Shit, I need a bigger plate of these,” Smoke says as he takes another one.
Kelly covers her mouth with her hand. “Hey, leave some for the rest of us.”
“You snooze, you lose, babe.” He shrugs unapologetically.
“We could always order more,” Sloane says.
“Yeah, but where’s the fun in that? Besides, I’m looking forward to the steak I ordered,” Smoke says.
Sloane leans forward with a gleam in her eye, and I brace for whatever she’s about to say. “Can I ask how old you are, Smoke?”
He looks over at me before turning back toward her. “Thirty like Gunner. Why?”
Sloane nods slowly and hums.
Smoke’s eyes narrow. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she lies as she shakes her head slowly.
“Just spit it out, kid.” He sighs.
“Well…I just think it’s interesting that you ordered so much red meat for dinner. That’s all.” She shrugs.
“What’s wrong with red meat?” he asks.
I lean back and sigh, already knowing where this is going.
“Well, you’re old. You should probably eat a few more vegetables and less red meat. We don’t need you having high cholesterol,” Sloane says solemnly.
Kelly laughs and slaps Smoke’s thigh. “She called you old.”
“I’m not old,” he grumbles.
“You kind of are,” Kelly teases.
“You really are.” Sloane nods with an evil smirk on her face. “Don’t worry, all you have to do is watch your diet and you should be fine. You’re not like this guy,” she says, nodding toward me. “Who probably has some neurological problem since his eye twitches all the damn time.”
“My eye twitches because you’re a pain in my ass,” I tell her.
“Hey, don’t blame me for your problems. I’m just trying to look out for you. Don’t hate me for trying to take care of my elders,” she says, raising her hand in surrender.
“Your elders? Seriously, we’re not that old,” Smoke sputters.
“Sure…” she drawls.
“Oh god, I think I love you,” Kelly says between fits of laughter as she wipes under her eyes.
Smoke turns toward his woman and narrows his eyes. “Hey, if I’m old, so are you.”
“Don’t worry, honey, I’m sure you’ll age like a fine wine and only get hotter with age,” Kelly says, trying to soothe his ruffled feathers.
“Thank you, doll,” he says before turning toward me. “Your girl is trouble.”
“I know, I’ve been telling you guys that since I met her. It’s literally her name,” I remind him.
“I might be trouble, but I’m everyone’s favorite,” Sloane quips.
“Because they don’t know any better,” Smoke mutters.
“All right, all right, let’s calm down now. Sloane, how is your brother?” Kelly asks.
Sloane’s eyes light up. “He’s great. I honestly don’t know if I’ve ever seen him happier.” She looks over at Smoke. “I seriously can’t thank you guys enough for taking him under your wing.”
Smoke shrugs and tips his chin toward me. “Don’t thank me, thank him. Besides, he’s a good kid. Just needs a little guidance.”
“He’s growing into himself,” I add.
“He’s so sweet every time he comes to the clubhouse. I swear he’s genuinely curious when he asks me about work.” Kelly smiles.
“He does. Lee’s always been great about that. I swear the kid was born in the wrong generation. He would rather sit and have an actual conversation than have his nose buried in a phone.”
“Nothing wrong with that. Shit, we probably need more of that in the world if we’re being honest,” I say.
The rest of the evening goes much the same way, jumping from topic to topic, until a chill hits the air and the girls start shivering, making us call it a night.
I make sure to wrap my leather jacket around her, not even caring that I might get cold on the way home. It’s definitely getting closer to fall, that’s for sure. I would rather take on hypothermia than have my girl freeze, though.
When we walk back to my bike, Sloane lays her head on my arm. I don’t even have to ask her if she had a good time because I know she did. Even I did, and oddly enough, I can’t wait to do it again.