Chapter 2 – Gabe
GABE
It’s been a crazy day at the shop. People are trying to get their cars serviced and head out of town before the big storm hits.
The weatherman called for snow, which is insane because we don’t get snow in Oakridge.
We get flurries from time to time, but just enough to make the roads slick, never enough to cause any real trouble.
But with the way food is flying off the shelves and people are frantically trying to get shit done and get on the road, they believe him.
I pull into the clubhouse, ready to get some grub and see my woman.
Avery told me earlier they were coming back here tonight so Everly can practice their hair and makeup.
I’m hoping to get the chance to sneak Linzie away to my room so we can talk through what’s been bothering her and get back to the way things were between us.
I’ve been trying for weeks to get her to talk to me.
To spend time with me. Every time I’m met with an attitude.
But I know she wants me as much as I want her.
Her body betrays her. Every time I touch her, she shivers.
Whenever I talk dirty to her, she clenches her thighs.
If the stubborn woman would just talk to me so we could figure our shit out, I could take that ache away and make us both feel better.
Inside the clubhouse, the women are all in the main room drinking wine and talking about the food for the wedding.
Everly is currently curling Linzie’s hair while Linzie is arguing with Andi over which type of meatballs to serve at the wedding.
Andi wants Jack Daniels meatballs, while Linzie thinks she should make teriyaki meatballs to complement something else I didn’t hear.
I’m too busy watching Linzie’s long blonde hair drape down her back, imagining it wrapped around my fist while I fuck her mouth for all the smartass comments she’s been giving me lately.
“Whatcha doin’, Pres?” Hawk’s voice pulls me out of my imagination. I adjust myself, not giving a shit that he sees me doing it. “Oh. I see. You were daydreaming about a certain spirited blonde barista, huh?”
“Shut the fuck up. What are you doing lurking about?”
“I’m not lurking. I’m keeping an eye on Sadie,” he says, smirking. “They went to the Night and Day store in the mall today, and she’s hiding whatever it is she bought.”
“Night and Day? Isn’t that the place Sadie says provides some of the best orgasms and outfits all in the same shop?” My niece has a way with words, and most of them are unfiltered.
“That’s the one.” Hawk smiles. “I saw the bag in the trash, which means she’s already put it away somewhere, but I couldn’t find it.
Which means one of two things. Either she’s wrapped it as a Christmas gift, or she’s got it on her person somewhere.
” Hawk’s got his bank app open on his phone, scrolling.
“And your plan is to do what exactly?”
“Ply her with alcohol and force her to tell me. My woman is a horny drunk. If I get her revved up, all I have to do is tell her to let me see what she bought today, and I’ll use it to make her come.
” He shrugs. “She’s easy to manipulate, especially when she’s being edged.
” His phone chimes in his hand, and he barks out a laugh.
When he turns the phone around to show me a text from Sadie, it says, “You’re an idiot if you think I used your account to buy you a gift. ”
“Where are you hiding that damn clone you made of my phone, Sadie Jay?” Hawk shouts, making a beeline for her. She’s laughing hysterically, then takes off running down the hall toward Hawk’s room.
“We won’t see them for about an hour,” Skyler tells the group. “Any other food ideas for the wedding? Avery, you don’t want anything with a lot of sauce or anything too messy. You might spill it on your dress,” Skyler points out. “And Violet, you might not want anything too spicy.”
“Violet loves spicy food.” Declan says, rubbing Violet’s shoulders. She bites her lip as if to keep her mouth shut. “Don’t you, baby?”
Violet turns her head and smiles up at Dec. “I do, but she’s probably just saying that because I had an upset stomach earlier.” Declan nods, accepting her response, but I watch the look the two women exchange and Skyler’s silently mouthed apology and know they’re hiding something.
“Sissy.” Kailey tugs on the back of Everly’s pants. “I need to go to the potty.”
Everly puts the curling iron down and picks her little sister up, hitching her on her hip as she rushes down the hall.
Mason sees her coming and rushes ahead of her to open the door for them.
Everly disappears with Kailey behind the door, but Mason doesn’t move.
He stands guard outside the women’s bathroom, waiting.
Interesting.
Sneaking up behind Linzie, I run my fingers through her curls and shift them to one side. I hear her little gasp. She knows it’s me behind her. Leaning down and moving her hair off the side of her neck, I place a soft kiss there behind her ear and feel her shiver beneath me.
Gotcha.
“I know what I want to eat after the wedding.” Linzie takes a deep breath.
She’s trying to control her body’s reaction to me.
Trying to deny what we have together. I’m not going to let that happen.
Knowing how my dirty words affect her, I whisper, “You.” Linzie doesn’t disappoint, clenching her thighs while gripping the edge of the seat.
Her body does exactly as I knew she would, then she jumps up from the seat to get away and I chuckle.
“I’m sorry, Avery. It’s getting late, and I really should get going. I have an early day tomorrow. I’ll come by after my shift and help Andi with whatever food shopping we need to get done before your bachelorette party tomorrow night.” Linzie starts gathering her things.
“Wait. Everly’s not done with your hair and makeup.” Avery says. “Please stay and at least let her finish. It won’t be very much longer. I promise.”
Linzie’s shoulders sag, but she pastes on a fake smile and agrees. “All right, but just a little while more. I really do have an early morning tomorrow.”
“Linzie. Why don’t you and I go have ourselves a little chat before Everly gets back from…” Right on cue, Kaylie comes barreling out of the bathroom and plows into my legs.
“Mr. Gabe!” Kaylie squeals. “Will you give me a ride on your shoulders? Pleeease?” She begs, and she’s the cutest damn thing with her hair up in pigtails and her little ribbons on top. How could I tell her no?
“Sorry.” Everly mouths. I wave her off and pick Kaylie up, swinging her over my shoulders. I catch Linzie smiling at the two of us.
“Don’t leave here without telling me,” I demand. Linzie narrows her eyes.
“You’re not my keeper, Gabriel. Go play with the children. You seem to fit right in with them. The women are discussing women’s business.” It’s my turn to narrow my eyes.
“I hope your ass can cash those checks your mouth’s been writing, baby.” She rolls her eyes, ignoring my warning.
“Mr. Gaaaabe!” Kaylie draws my name out. “Let’s go! I want to go see everyone from way up here.”
“All right, sweetheart. Hold on. We’re going.
” I take Kaylie on a ride through the clubhouse, and all the guys make a big show, teasing her about how tall she’s grown and ignoring my existence altogether.
She’s eating up the attention and giggling her little heart out.
It’s a great sound. One I hope fills this clubhouse soon.
With all my guys finding their women and settling down, it’s bound to happen soon enough.
“Mason!” Kaylie squeals. “Look how tall I am!”
Mason smiles, wiping the inside of a glass behind the bar with a rag.
“Wow. You weren’t but this tall a few minutes ago when you went to the restroom.
” He places his hands on his hips and asks, “Have you been eating your vegetables?” I can see Kaylie’s face in the mirror behind the bar, all scrunched up in disgust.
She shakes her head fiercely and yells, “Noooo. Veg-tedables are gross, Mason! Bleck!”
I swing her down off my shoulders and onto the bar stool, taking the seat beside her.
Mason hands her a juice box with the straw already punched through for her.
“Kaylie, why do you call him Mason and me Mr. Gabe?” It doesn’t really bother me, but I find it interesting all the same since she calls all of us Mister, except him.
She takes a sip from her straw, then answers, “Because you’re a grownup and Mason is my friend. Right, Mason?”
Mason’s face lights up. “The bestest of friends,” he says, and Kaylie’s face matches his as she nods her head emphatically.
“I see. So, Mason is a child, like you then. Is that what you’re telling me?”
“No.” Kailey giggles. “Mason is Ever’s best friend, which makes him my best friend because he’s always coming over and helping us. And he brings us lunch and snacks and builds my toys. You don’t do any of those things. You have a job and sponsibilities.”
I bark out a laugh. “You’re cute, kid. I’m glad to know Mason’s been looking out for you and Everly. A man ought to take care of his woman.” I raise both brows, daring Mason to dispute the idea. Instead, he nods.
“Damn straight, Pres. Kings take care of their own.” He looks me square in the eye as he says it, so I push a step further.
“And is she yours or just under the Kings’ protection?” I lean back with my arms crossed over my chest.
“A man doesn’t make his claim lightly, Pres. But the woman has to accept it before it can be announced.” Translation—he wants her, and she’s resisting.
Sounds familiar.
“Yeah, I think it’s in the water these women are drinkin’,” I tease. Mason laughs. Kaylie denounces water with the same disgusted face the vegetables earned before.
When I turn back to find my woman, she’s nowhere to be seen. Declan catches my eye across the room and gives me a questioning look. I mouth, “Where’s Linzie?” and his response is to point at the door.
I make my way out to the yard and scan the lot for her car, noticing too late that those are her taillights passing the gate.
Shit.
I could go after her. Follow her home and put an end to all this bullshit, but I think better of it and decide I’ll give her another day or so to get her shit worked out in her head.
But that’s all I’m giving her. If she hasn’t come around by the wedding, I’m going to tie her ass to my bed until she does.
Reentering the clubhouse, I pass through the room without a word to anyone else.
I’m pissed off and in need of whiskey and silence.
I storm down the hall and into my office, and there on my desk is a two-foot Christmas tree covered in butt plugs of all shapes, colors, and sizes.
And is that … anal beads wrapped around it like garland?
Who the fuck?
I move around my desk and find the card, expecting it to be from Hawk or Sadie. I’m shocked when I read the hand-printed message.
I finally found the perfect gift for an asshole this season. Merry Christmas, Gabriel.
Love,
Linzie
I smile to myself, leaning back in my chair. My woman wants to play games, it seems. All right. But now I’m definitely going to find out what that luscious ass can take. And she gave me everything I need to explore the possibilities.
Game. Fucking. On.