CHAPTER 10
RYKER
“We have a still out in the woods actually,” there’s pride in Scratch’s voice as he talks to Ezra.
They’ve been having a conversation about Over the Ridge Moonshine for a while now, but I don’t have it in me to interrupt. Not when my woman has been showing my brother genuine interest in something that matters so much to his family and the club.
“Freak always says we have to know where we came from and to keep true to our roots. At least once a year he makes me go out there with him and Bolt to distill a bottle or two,” he says it like he doesn’t love his time out there in the woods connecting with their family’s past, but I know the truth.
Scratch lives for those weekends.
“I didn’t realize your family making moonshine went back that far,” Ezra sounds fascinated.
“Quite a few generations now,” Scratch nods, “and right here in the mountains around Dogwood Ridge.”
“I’d love to learn more about your family’s roots and connection to the history in the county.” Ezra grins and my brother and I can’t help but smile at her.
She’s charmed everyone at breakfast. Somehow, she was able to find some sort of connection with everyone she chatted with and not a single person seemed to hold her father’s opinions against her. Of course, there were some narrowed eyes, but I’m not surprised when club whores are territorial.
They’ll learn quick that bullshit and drama won’t fucking fly. Not with me. Not when we’re talking about the woman who is going to be wearing my property patch.
That will happen sooner rather than later. From the looks Scratch has been shooting to me, even after most people have drifted away from the table, he’s going to be all over ordering a cut for Ezra.
“I’m sure Freak would be more than happy to walk you through the family history. He lives for that shit,” Scratch tells her.
She glances at me and I nod, letting her know I’ll make the introduction whenever I can.
She can ask him whatever she wants. And Scratch is right; Freak loves his family’s history and their connection to the mountain range.
His family has found a home here for a long time and passed down their tried-and-true way to get by even when times are tough.
“I bumped into Bolt not long ago in the grocery store with Opal and Graycie,” Ezra tells him with a fond smile on her face. “I was filled in on the whole prospect thing. He was a good student when he was in my class,” she offers the words with sincerity.
“He’ll be taking online college classes,” Scratch tells her. “I tried to talk him into going off to school, but he wasn’t interested. He’s always been a little more into the whole distilling side of the business and dad is eager to show him the ropes.”
“Which means you’re more interested in the business side of things?” Ezra’s follow up question is breezy and her eyes flick down to his ‘Treasurer’ patch with amusement dancing in her eyes.
“Exactly. I’ve always been the numbers guy,” Scratch leans back in his chair.
“I remember that about you,” she says and I’m reminded that there is only a year between them, but I’m eight years older than her 27.
“So, you’ve probably spent a lot of time on the ridge,” Ezra says it more like a logical conclusion than a question, but she tilts her head in a way that encourages him to share.
I can’t tear my eyes away from her.
She pushes her glasses up the bridge of her nose, all of her focus on my brother. Fuck me, when she took her contacts out and pulled her glasses out of her bag? I almost came in my fucking jeans and it sure as fuck isn’t something I’ve found hot before.
On her? I’m having teacher fantasies like I’ve never experienced before.
“Have you ever seen the Coyote Man?” Ezra leans toward Scratch who grins from ear to ear.
“Never seen him, but I’ve heard him. Playboy still makes me go camping with him every now and again to go Coyote Man hunting,” Scratch tells her, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
“No,” she gasps before laughing. She shakes her head. “He does not still go out to try and find him.”
When she looks at me, I hold my hands up in surrender. “He’s convinced something is out there. I guess he saw something when he was a kid,” I tell her.
“Really?” Her eyes light up. “I’m kind of fascinated by urban legends and how they shape oral tradition and communities.
I’ve never met anyone who has seen Coyote Man but hearing him is pretty common.
” One side of her mouth twists and her cheeks pink slightly like she’s a little embarrassed.
“I teach a unit on urban legends in a historical context and use the Coyote Man as a modern example.”
Scratch chuckles softly. “I would have done better in history if you had been the teacher.” His voice softens, “The kids are lucky to have you.” He sits back and glances at me before looking back at Ezra who is beaming.
“Some of those kids in the government club are almost scary smart,” he teases her.
“If you’re not careful, they’re going to set up a pyramid scheme or some shit. ”
Ezra’s laugh wraps around me and I can’t help myself. I lean over and kiss the top of her head which has her beaming up at me. Scratch’s eyes widen slightly before something like understanding crosses his face and he gives me a small nod.
I pull out my phone and send a text to Playboy, Sidewinder, Whiskey, and Snake for them to meet me in my office in ten minutes. They’ll be there; I don’t need to check and tuck my phone away again.
“Teach,” she looks at me with laughter still dancing in her blue eyes.
I hate the idea of dimming her light, but I’m itching to get an update and find out what the fuck is going on in my town. The need to figure out what she saw and what it means for her safety is riding me hard.
“The guys will be meeting up in my office for an update,” I tell her and my heart sinks when some of the sparkle in her eyes fades. “You done with breakfast?”
“Yeah,” she sighs and reaches for her plate.
Scratch waves her away, “I got the plates for you and Prez.”
When she looks at him in surprise he winks before smirking in my direction. I have to remind myself not to punch my brother, especially because it’s clear he’s just trying to get a rise out of me. That doesn’t stop me from giving him a look.
When he swallows hard, even while grinning, I know I’ve made my point.
“Thanks Scratch,” Ezra’s voice is bright, “that’s really sweet.”
“Shh,” he hisses and scrunches up his face while furtively looking around, “don’t talk so loud.”
I’m grateful to my brother when her head tips back and she laughs again.
Electricity shoots up my arm when I stand, and she slips her hand in mine without hesitation when I offer it. I look back at Scratch and give him a chin lift.
“Thanks brother,” I tell him, my voice filled with more gratitude than I normally allow considering the way he blinks at me and nods.
As I lead my woman out of the kitchen and toward my office, I’m glad none of the club whores are around. They were far too curious about Ezra during breakfast. If they know what’s good for them, they’ll stay out of her way and not try to make trouble.
I won’t hesitate to kick one of them out. I’ll be damned if I let someone get in the way when it comes to the woman who belongs on the back of my bike.
After I usher her into my office, I can’t keep my hands off her. My arm hooks around her waist to haul her against my chest. She smiles at me like all is right in the world now that she’s in my arms.
“Did you get enough to eat? Do you need anything?” I can’t help but ask; I want to ensure she’s gotten everything she needs.
“I’m good, Prez,” there’s a tease in her voice as she looks up at me with a smile. I don’t know what she sees on my face, but her features soften along with her voice, “You’ve taken good care of me, Titus.”
Before I can examine too deeply this need to take care of her, Ezra lifts up on her toes and presses her lips against mine. I pry her mouth open and allow my tongue to seek hers and explore her mouth. The way she melts into me has my cock thickening behind the fly of my jeans.
I only had her this morning, but I desperately want to be buried inside of her again.
This woman has me spellbound and I’m more than okay with it.
How did I stay away from her for so long? How did I manage to lie to myself that I was only keeping tabs on her because of who her father is?
Kissing her is everything.
A knock on my door has Ezra jolting in my arms. She tries to pull away from me, but that shit isn’t happening. Not now, not fucking ever.
“Enter,” I bark out while keeping my eyes on my woman.
Snake is the first to stride into the office but then freezes when he sees Ezra in my arms. Playboy walks right into him, which doesn’t even make him blink.
Playboy whines while stepping to the side, “Hey man. Why’d you stop?” When he looks at me and then at Ezra in my arms, his eyes go big and round. He breathes out, “Holy shit.”
“Hey Playboy,” Ezra greets my brother brightly. “Congrats on the cake eating contest win.”
She’s clearly decided to just brazen her way through the situation, and it has me falling even harder for her. Then I practically melt at my woman’s feet when she turns her attention toward Snake and her eyes soften slightly.
“I hope Graycie had a good time at the fair. Is she doing okay? Congratulations to you as well, I heard about the pregnancy. I hope morning sickness doesn’t kick her ass,” Ezra commiserates, sincerity filling her words.
She cringes slightly, “I’ve heard horror stories about it being all day sickness. ”
“Jesus, fuck,” Sidewinder grunts from behind Snake. “Can you move out of the fucking doorway.”
My eyebrows pull together because Sidewinder can be gruff, he can be quiet, but he normally doesn’t sound as frustrated as he does right now. I’m not the only one who notices considering how Snake and Playboy both turn toward our Sargent at Arms slowly with matching faces of concern and curiosity.