13. Poker
CHAPTER 13
POKER
Just being near her is like standing in the presence of something all powerful.
“What the fuck are you smilin’ at?”
I shake my head at Screamer as I read Meri’s text.
Meri: Since you won’t tell me where we’re going, can you at least tell me what to wear?
“It’s gotta be Meri,” my brother grumbles.
“Yep,” I reply as I text her back.
Poker: Your bday suit
Meri: I’m serious
Poker: So am I
Meri: Poker, dammit
Poker: Fine. Just something casual. We’re taking my bike so boots and jeans for sure
Meri: K
Poker: See ya @ 4
The elementary graduation doesn’t start until seven, but I want to take her to a few other places around town beforehand. Satisfied that our text exchange is over, I pocket my cell.
“Have you told her she’s yours yet?” Screamer asks.
Rolling my eyes, I nod. “Yeah. Had to when I stupid fuck asked her for a blowjob at Ballinger’s.”
His brows shoot to his hairline. “Is he still breathing?”
“Unfortunately.”
“How’d she handle that?”
“She was fine.”
“So, the two of you are like a thing now?”
The question rattles in my brain for all of a second. “Yep.”
“Good for you.”
“Thanks, brother. Meri is…”
“Perfect for you,” he says when I let the sentence hang.
“She really is.”
Screamer slaps me on the back. “Now all ya gotta do is let all the Bangin’ Betties know you’re taken,” he teases. “They’re gonna love that.”
I scoff. “It’s not like I’ve fucked any of ‘em recently.”
“Doesn’t matter, man, and you know it.”
“Yeah, yeah.” I stand from the couch in the common room. “I gotta get ready. I’ll see ya later at the school.”
“See ya.”
An hour and a half later, I pull into Meri’s driveway. As I dismount my bike, she steps out the front door, and my mouth goes dry.
Holy. Fucking. Shit.
How can this woman look so damn tempting in dark wash jeans, a form fitting green tee, and black leather jacket? I’ve seen her in dresses that expose far more skin, but she’s equally, if not more, beautiful like this.
“Is this okay?” she asks when she reaches my side.
“Perfect,” I groan before pulling her against my chest and capturing her lips.
Meri sighs into the kiss, licking her tongue into my mouth with so much passion I fear I might combust. Knowing that if I don’t stop, we’ll never leave her house, I reluctantly pull away but keep my hands at her hips.
“We should go,” I tell her.
She nods, and I help her onto the back of my bike. Meri isn’t hesitant, and as soon as I settle in front of her, she circles my waist with her arms. I navigate us out of her neighborhood before wrapping my hand around her thigh.
This feels right… me holding her, her holding me, both of us on my Harley.
When I reach our first destination, Meri climbs from behind me easily. She looks from the building to me.
“You in the market for a dog?” she asks.
“Nah.”
I grab her hand and thread my fingers through hers. The move is automatic, like I’ve been doing it my whole life. We walk into the animal shelter and are greeted right away.
“Hey, Poker,” Jinny says with familiarity.
Meri bristles next to me so I squeeze her hand.
“Hey, Jin. This is Meri, my girlfriend. Meri, this is Jin. She keeps things running smoothly here for the animals.”
Meri instantly relaxes. “Nice to meet you.”
“You, too,” Jinny states. “You must be pretty incredible if you got this joker to settle down.”
“She is,” I confirm.
“So, what brings you by today?” Jinny asks. “We’re still working through your last donation, so I know it’s not to bring another.”
“Donation?” Meri inquires.
“Yeah,” Jinny confirms. “Poker and the club donate to the shelter regularly. And I can’t tell you how much we appreciate it. Because of them, we have the means to operate a no-kill shelter and provide any and all necessary vet care. Our babies are fed, have toys, and we have actual staff along with volunteers, so the animals are never alone.”
“Wow,” Meri exclaims as she eyes me. “Does the club do fundraisers or something? Why haven’t you told me about them?”
I shake my head. “No fundraisers. All our donations are possible thanks to a high-stakes poker game I play in sometimes,” I explain, choosing my words carefully so I don’t out Meri to Jinny.
She gasps. “That’s… You never told me.” Her tone is accusatory, like I lied to her or something.
“Wasn’t trying to hide it,” I assure her. “Just not doing it for recognition. Honestly, the only reason you know now is because I wanted you to see the good that you’re making possible. And because I don’t want there to be secrets between us.” I glance past her to Jinny. “Can we see some of the dogs?”
Jinny grins. “Of course. I’ll get some of them gathered outside in the exercise yard.”
When she walks away, I pull Meri close. “Tell me what you're thinking.” She hesitates, and I add, “Please.”
“I’m…” Meri swallows. “I’m thinking that what started as a crush could easily turn into something serious.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
“No, not bad, just…”
“Just what?”
“Isn’t this a little fast?” she asks.
“Does that bother you?” I counter.
“No, but I figured it would bother you.”
“Why would it bother me?”
She laughs, but there’s no humor in it. “Because you’re this badass biker who could have any woman he wants. Hell, I’ve seen you with beautiful women at the bar. I don’t know why you want to settle for me.”
Meri is not a woman who shows vulnerability. She always projects confidence, so her statement takes me by surprise.
“First, I don’t want any woman. I want you,” I tell her honestly. “Second, any other female’s beauty pales in comparison to yours, whether you’re in one of your sexy green dresses or sweats or a flour sack. And third, I’m not settling. You’re so far out of my league it’s insane, but I’m not about to look a gift horse in the mouth.” I give her a quick peck. “Now, wanna see some dogs?”
She nods with a small smile.
We hang out at the shelter until it’s time to leave for the elementary school. I’ve spent the last hour and a half watching Meri’s excitement with each new dog Jinny introduced her to, listening to her laughter at all the canine antics.
“Why do I have a feeling you’ll be back to pick out a new fur baby?” I tease her as I help her onto my bike.
“Oh, I’m so coming back. Chaos, that Great Dane, was so damn cute. I need him in my life.”
“He was pretty cute,” I admit.
The ride to the elementary school only takes five minutes, and after parking, Meri looks at me with confusion.
“Uh, why are we at a school?”
“It’s the fifth-grade graduation,” I explain. “The club needs to show their support because we were invited due to our donation.”
“More donations made possible by Mistress Green?” she asks.
“Exactly.”
Meri smiles at me, and it’s blinding in the most stunning way. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Showing me this. It means a lot.”
I shrug. “Better get used to it, babe. You’re mine now which means you’re a part of this world.”
The rest of the evening goes by in a blur. Graduation goes off without a hitch, but I barely remember any of it because of the woman at my side. Just being near her is like standing in the presence of something all powerful. She’s burrowed her way into my heart, and I’ll be damned if I ever let her go.
It’s a few hours later that I drop her off at her house.
“I had fun today,” she says as I walk her to her door.
“Me too.”
“Wanna come in for a bit?”
“Do I want to? Absofuckinglutely. But I can’t.”
Meri frowns. “Why not?”
“Club business.”
“Oh. Okay.”
I can tell she wants to ask questions, but she doesn’t. “No secrets between us, right?” She nods. “I promise you I will never lie to you, but when it comes to club business, I don’t have a choice as far as not discussing it. Don’t think of it as secrets but more like government clearance. There are just some things people can’t know.”
She seems to think that over for a minute before replying. “Makes sense. And I don’t expect you to betray your club. Your loyalty is one of the things I like about you. Just don’t keep me in the dark about anything personal or that has to do with me, okay?”
“Promise.”
I lean my forehead against hers, about to kiss her, but she startles.
“Oh, shit. I almost forgot. I got Esteban’s RSVP for the game. He didn’t add a plus one though.”
“That’s good,” I tell her. “We need to talk about security for the game he’s attending. I know you’ve got your team, but I’d really like for some of my brothers to be there as well.”
“I…” Meri swallows. “Is it important?”
“It is.”
“Is it necessary?”
“Yes.”
“Is it because of club business?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. I’ll give Malcolm, Solomon, and Grant the night off that week. But Conrad stays. That’s not negotiable.”
“I’m good with that. My brothers will be too.” I kiss her quickly before I start to back away. “Thank you. Now, get inside and get some rest. I know you’ve got a long shift tomorrow.”
“‘Night, Poker.”
“‘Night, babe.”