Chapter 14 Laken
LAKEN
As soon as I gave him the okay, Thatch made a call to the prospects and ordered them to go over to my apartment and pack up our things.
Keeping true to his word, they moved everything, and I didn’t have to lift a finger.
Sadly, that wasn’t the case when it came to unpacking.
I used all of my free time and eventually managed to find a place for everything.
I had the guys put my bedroom furniture and the sofa in one of the empty bedrooms. I figured it could be used for a guest room, and they put my kitchen table and dishes in Thatch’s garage. I hung up a couple of pictures, and it didn’t take long before the place looked completely different.
When Thatch came in from the clubhouse and saw everything I’d done, a proud smile crept over his face. “It looks great, babe.”
“You think so?”
“Absolutely.” He glanced around with a big smile on his face. “I didn’t even know it could look this good.”
“Great. I’m glad you like it.”
“See? I was right. All this place needed was you.”
As I stood there gazing at him, my mind was suddenly filled with wonderfully wicked thoughts. I walked over to him and took him by the hand, leading him into the bedroom as I said, “You know, it’s tradition to christen the rooms after moving in.”
“Haven’t we done that?”
“Yes, but this time, the move-in is a little more official.”
“I see.” He removed his cut and draped it over the dresser as I nodded with a smile. “And you’re wanting to do this christening thing now?”
“I am.”
“And Baylor?”
“In her room taking a nap.”
“So, we have to be quiet?”
A simple nod was all it took. As soon as he got the answer he needed, his mouth covered mine with a kiss that was hungry and demanding.
I let my fingers trail along the curves of his perfectly defined chest, and I felt him smile against my mouth as I reached for the hem of his shirt.
I eased it up over his head and let my eyes slowly drift down, roaming over his defined muscles.
The man was a specimen. There was no doubt about it, and I couldn’t imagine wanting anyone more.
And I spent the next three to five minutes showing him just how badly I wanted him, and I managed to do it without either of us getting too loud. As soon as we were done, I dipped into the bathroom and cleaned up while Thatch got dressed and readjusted the covers on the bed.
Once the evidence of our shenanigans was gone, I stepped in front of him and slid my arms up his chest. He grinned, like he already knew what I was about to do, and the grin remained as I leaned in and kissed him, slow and deep.
It was just enough to make my knees go weak and his hands tighten on my hips.
When I finally pulled back, he smirked and said, “You'd better watch it or you’ll be in for another round.”
“I wouldn’t complain, but I couldn’t anyway.”
“And why’s that?”
“Antonia and Jenna asked me to go Christmas shopping.” I grimaced as I added, “That is, if you don’t mind keeping an eye on Baylor for me.”
“Sure thing. I’d be glad to.” He looked at me for a second, then asked bluntly, “You got money?”
I gave him a look, the one that said he was about to cross a line, and he knew it. Before I could say a word, he raised his hand and shook his head. “Don’t give me that look. This is our first Christmas together, and I want it to be special.”
He pulled a wad of bills from his pocket and stuffed them into my purse. “Thatch, I don’t need…”
“This isn’t up for discussion.” He leaned in and kissed me on the forehead. “Buy whatever you want, and if you need more, just say the word.”
I stood there for a moment, trying to decide if I was irritated or touched beyond measure. I let out a breath as I told him, “Fine, but I’m picking out your gift with my money.”
“Baby, the only gift I need is standing right in front of me.” He let his eyes skirt over me. “I could unwrap you all day long.”
“You’re a mess.”
I rolled my eyes, but as I walked out of that house, I felt like I was the luckiest girl in the world.
I drove over to the outlet mall to meet the girls, and the place was a full-blown warzone.
People were everywhere. Music was blaring, kids were crying, and everyone seemed to be in the rush of their lives.
Jenna, Antonia, and I were doing our best to weave through the chaos, but it was rough.
It didn’t help matters that our hands were full of bags, and we were adding more by the second.
My arms were burning, my feet hurt, and Jenna had just hip-checked a lady who tried to snatch the last vintage Piglet from her hands.
“This is insane,” I grumbled, trying not to trip over the kid who’d just barreled through us. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”
“This is nothing.” Jenna shook her head and scoffed. “You should’ve seen it on Black Friday. It was a madhouse.”
“That’s putting it lightly,” Antonia snorted. “I ended the day with a raging migraine and a sprained wrist, but I got my candles from Bath and Body Works and that knife Weston has been hinting around about for weeks.”
“And I’m sure those hints aren’t really hints,” Jenna giggled.
“Oh, no. He’s sent me links and everything.”
“I wish Lawson would send me links to something. I have no clue what to get him.”
“I don’t know what to get Thatch either.” I rolled my eyes as I added, “He said I was the only gift he needed.”
“They think they’re being sweet when they say stuff like that, and it is. But it’s also frustrating.”
“So, this is a Fury thing?”
“Yeah, but they’re all different.” Antonia plopped down on one of the benches as she said, “Now that you’re getting to know everyone, we should warn you that the guys are wonderful, but they’re also a little unhinged.”
“Accurate,” Jenna laughed.
“Okay, give it to me.” I sat down next to Antonia. “Teach me the ways of the Fury men.”
Jenna’s eyes danced with mischief as she settled in next to us and said, “Let’s start with his father.”
“Okay. Spill.”
“He’s the club’s enforcer, so he’s all growly and intense ninety percent of the time.” She furrowed her brows and crossed her arms as she said, “You know, his death glare, his arms crossed, and his veins popping out for no reason.”
“Yes, I know exactly what you’re talking about,” Antonia’s eyes skirted to the ground. “He can be pretty intimidating.”
“Well, he’s not like that with Luna.” She beamed. “With her, he’s a complete mushball. He sings to her and lets her play with his hair and paint his nails. It’s the sweetest thing ever.”
“Now, I know where Thatch gets his sweet side.”
“Exactly.” Jenna’s smirk returned. “I wonder if Skid has a compulsion with his razor like his father does.”
“What do you mean?”
“It drives him crazy when I move it, much less use it.” She giggled.
“Sometimes I put it in the shower just to make him think I shaved my legs with it, and he goes postal. Not on me, of course. He never says a word to me about it. He just whines and complains to the brothers about it, and it’s hysterical.
They’re always pleading with me to stop. But I can’t. It’s just too funny.”
“You do it on purpose!” Antonia gasped. “Weston would have your ass if he knew that.”
“Which is why you can never tell him.” Jenna cocked her brow. “Girl talk stays in the vault. It’s a rule.”
“Fine, I’ll keep your dirty little secret.”
“Okay, who’s next?”
“Preacher.” Antonia glanced over at Jenna before saying, “He’s the president, and everyone knows it. He walks into a room, and everyone straightens up. Even the kids.”
“Yes, he’s an amazing leader, and all the guys are loyal to him.” Jenna’s expression softened. “But it’s not because he demands it or expects it. He earns it. He’s a father figure to all of us, and we love him for it.”
“And we love his son, too.” Antonia gave me a playful nudge. “Well, I do. Not sure about everyone else.”
“We all love him.” Jenna smiled. “It’s impossible not to. He’s the spitting image of his father. Same jawline and same stare that makes you rethink all your life choices.”
“His is not nearly as intense as Preacher’s,” Antonia argued. “He’s more like a golden retriever in a room full of tennis balls, but in a sexy way.”
“That’s a very specific description.”
“But it’s so very true.”
“So, we have the intense marshmallow dad, strict father figure, and sexy golden retriever?”
“That sounds about right,” Jenna laughed.
“Who’s next?”
“Well, there’s Creed. He’s the VP. He’s quiet and sometimes seems standoffish. He gives that I’ll kill you in your sleep kind of vibe, but when Devin or the kids are around, he’s an old softy.”
“He’s like an onion. He has many, many layers.”
“Understood.”
We all paused to shift our bags, and I was beginning to think they were done telling me about the guys when Antonia’s smirk returned. “We have to warn her about Goose.”
“Oh, no. I think she needs to experience the full Goose effect on her own.”
“The Goose effect?”
“You’ll see.” Jenna scratched the back of her head. “He’s pretty. There’s no doubt about that. He’s also a huge flirt and never backs down from anything, even if it means getting his ass kicked.”
“He sounds like a real gem.”
“Oh, he is.” Antonia laughed. “The guys love him, and we do, too.”
“I look forward to getting to know him better. The other guys, too.”
“And you will. Starting with the family Christmas dinner. It’s a little hectic, but it’s a great time.” Jenna stood as she said, “So, are you a desert or casserole kind of gal?”
“I’m whatever you need me to be.”
“See.” Jenna looked to Antonia. “I knew she was a good one.”
Antonia and I gathered our things and followed Jenna through the crowd.
We walked through the food court and grabbed some coffee before heading back into the thick of it.
We walked as a group, bags bumping against us as we searched for the perfect gift, and we were laughing and talking the entire time.
We absolutely dominated the holiday madness, and I couldn’t remember a time when I’d enjoyed girl time so much.
It was yet another blessing to add to the list.