Chapter 23
brOOKE
It’s been a week since I woke up. I took three days off before I gradually started to return.
I was getting tired of doing nothing. Gears said that he would let me come back to work if I took it easy.
My leg isn’t bothering me as much, and I can do almost anything now.
Gears makes me take breaks when I am working, but I am just thankful I get to work.
Bear has been super protective of me, so he tends to hover a lot and tries to stay near as often as possible.
I’ve had to tell him that I will be okay and will stay in the clubhouse.
Normally, I am around Ink, Whiskey, Gears, and Phantom when Bear is on a run.
I don’t mind, I don’t really type on the phone, but listen to the guys talk.
I have met several more people in the past couple of days. They are all super eager to meet the person who has stolen Bear’s heart. I don’t think I have his heart, but I definitely am close to him. I’ve felt safer in the past few weeks than I have in years.
I have gotten to know the layout of the compound.
Exploring is how I’ve managed to meet so many people, but sometimes I am by myself, and I enjoy that.
I am not supposed to be by myself and am always supposed to have a brother with me, but I don’t tell Bear that I am alone.
Gears lets me have some alone time as long as I stay on the compound.
“All right, Brooke. You are done with work, and so am I. Let’s go get something to eat,” Gears says.
I nod and walk toward him. Before Gears can ask me what I am doing, I wrap my arms around his torso and give him a hug. I take a deep breath in as his arms wrap around my body.
“Thank you,” I say.
Gears puts his hands on my shoulders and pushes me away. He has round eyes, and his mouth is hanging open.
“Did you just speak?” he asks.
“Yes,” I reply.
He grins and pulls me in for another hug. He squeezes me really tight before letting go.
“What are you thanking me for?” he asks.
“Everything. You have been nothing but kind to me and haven’t given up on me,” I reply.
“You don’t have to thank me for that. You are worth it.
You have made your way into almost every biker’s heart in this club.
Your first week here, you showed us how timid you were, and we all wanted to protect you.
Pres said something bad had happened to you, so we all wanted to help you get away from the danger. ”
I give him a grateful smile. He has always stayed positive and joked around with me, even when I ignored him. I tried so hard not to interact with him, but failed miserably because he just kept trying and showed me that I didn’t have to fear him.
“Did you say your first words to me?” Gears starts to get excited.
“No, my first word was ‘help’ to Bear when I got kidnapped. And after I woke up, I was only talking to Bear,” I whisper.
“Awwww. I really wanted to be the first person you talked to. I guess I can understand you talking to Bear first. Am I at least the second person?”
“You are. I am slowly getting more comfortable with other people. I grew the confidence to talk to you. I don’t think I can talk in front of a lot of people, but one-on-one I feel more confident.”
“And that is perfectly fine. Don’t let anyone push you to talk. I won’t tell anyone that you talked to me. It can be our secret, well with Bear, but you understand.”
I nod and chuckle, grateful that he’s so cool about it.
“Thank you,” I reply.
“You’re welcome. Just promise that we will talk when no one is around. You have such a cute little voice. And now that I know you can talk to me in private, I expect us to joke around while we work,” he says, cracking a smile.
“Deal.” I stick my hand out.
We shake hands and laugh. I am glad to be able to joke and laugh with Gears. He’s got a great personality and has been a good friend. Feeling this comfortable and safe makes me happier than I’d ever thought I’d be.
“Well, are you ready to go and eat something?” he asks.
I nod, and we walk toward the kitchen. I wonder if Butch is cooking. I could use some of his delicious food right now.
“I can smell Butch’s cooking,” Gears says, smiling.
He knows how much I love his cooking. Since I got here, I have felt healthier and well-fed for the first time in a long while, and I’ve definitely put on a few pounds.
“Hello, Brooke and Gears! Would you like some of my homemade pasta with carrots, Bok Choy, and onion with chicken?” Butch asks.
I nod enthusiastically. Gears and Butch laugh at me.
“She loves your cooking,” Gears says.
“She is my number one fan. I’ll cook for you anytime you want. You just tell me what you want, and I will make it for you.” Butch smiles.
I nod and sit at the table. Several times I have tried to get my own food, but Butch loves to get it for me. He likes to take care of people. I don’t mind him serving my food since he seems to have a knack for getting it just right.
“Here you are! I hope you enjoy it. You’ll have to tell me what you think,” he says, setting down my plate.
I give him a thumbs-up before I pick up my fork and start to dig in. The first bite hits my taste buds, and I moan. It tastes absolutely amazing. All the flavors coming at me at once from the chicken hits the right spot.
“That good?” Gears and Butch ask at the same time.
I nod enthusiastically and continue to eat. I don’t pay attention to either of them and just scarf down my food. It is absolutely amazing, and I could eat it all the time.
I finish my plate and frown. I am still hungry. I am slowly regaining my appetite as I am working more. I am using more energy than I have been and not eating enough.
“Do you need some more?” Butch asks.
I shyly nod, and Butch grabs my plate. Normally, I am satisfied with what he gives me, and I never create a scene, but today is different. Thankfully, it is just Gears and Butch in the kitchen who have witnessed this.
“I didn’t know a woman could eat that fast. Did you eat breakfast this morning?” Gears asks.
I put my thumb and pointer finger close together. I hadn’t eaten much because I had woken up late. I made sure to eat a cereal bar before, but I didn’t have enough time to eat anything else.
“What did you have to eat?” Gears raises an eyebrow.
I get up from my chair and walk toward the kitchen. I open a cabinet and pull out a cereal bar bars, holding it out to Gears. He frowns at me, clearly not pleased with my choice of breakfast.
“Why did you only eat that?” he asks.
“What did she eat?” Butch asks, setting my plate on the table.
Butch looks over at me and sees that I am holding a cereal bar.
“She had that for breakfast, and I am wondering why,” Gears responds.
I put away the cereal bar and make my way over toward them. Gears slides his phone over to me, and I sigh, knowing I won’t get out of this.
I woke up late and didn’t want to be late for work, so I just grabbed that real quick.
I hear him let out a sigh before turning to me. I start to eat the food as Gears talks.
“I want you to eat a good breakfast, so you are fueled throughout the day. I don’t care if you are late.
You are a hard worker and get your work done.
I am worried that you aren’t eating enough and will pass out.
From now on, I am going to ask what you had for breakfast and check the cameras or have someone watch you,” Gears says.
I glare at him. I don’t need someone to watch me eat breakfast. I am an adult and can make my own decisions.
“I can make you breakfast in the morning, so you don’t have to think about making it,” Butch says.
I shrug. I wouldn’t mind him making breakfast for me, but I don’t want to take up his time.
I hold my hand out for Gears’s phone, and he places it in my hand.
I don’t want to make you do it. You already cook me lunch. I can cook myself breakfast.
“It’s no problem at all. I eat breakfast around the same time and can just make extra for you. It won’t take up any time at all. And then a random stranger doesn’t have to watch you eat breakfast,” he replies.
I would rather have Butch watch, instead of a random person. I know I won’t get out of this agreement and decide to go with it.
I nod and give him a smile. I might need to start working out if he is making me breakfast and lunch.
“All right, it’s settled. Now I don’t have to worry, and definitely don’t have to tell Bear about you not eating breakfast,” Gears says.
Bear doesn’t need another thing to worry about me. It is sweet that he worries, but sometimes too much can be bad.
I get up from my seat and grab my now-empty plate. My stomach is so full, and I feel satisfied.
“Don’t you dare do that. I got it. I saw Bear sit at the bar a couple of minutes ago. You haven’t seen him since this morning, so go say hi,” Gears says.
I turn and look at him, about to argue with him.
“I don’t want to hear it. You have the rest of the day off to relax.” He gets up and gently pushes me toward the kitchen door.
I stumble but catch myself before I fall. Butch and Gears laugh quietly. I turn around and stick my tongue out at them before making my way to the bar.
“Brooke, come sit,” Bear yells when I walk in, patting the spot right next to him.
The five other people who were in the room look at me as I make my way toward Bear. I slide into the chair next to him, and he puts his arms around me.
“I didn’t see you this morning. I tried to call you, but you left your phone in our room. Why?” he asks, passing me his phone.
I was running late to work and wanted to be there on time. My phone didn’t even cross my mind as something to grab.
“Oh okay. Was Gears mad about you almost being late?”
I shake my head. He didn’t even notice that I was late this morning.
“Come here,” Bear says.
He scoots his chair back, and I crawl into his lap, my chest to his chest. I lay my head on his shoulder as he runs his hands up and down my back. I let out a sigh and snuggle into his chest.
“Was work all right?” he asks.
I lean back and look him in the eyes. I smile and give him a thumbs-up. It was actually a pretty good day.
“I’m glad you had a good day,” he says.
I bet he could make it better. I give him a sweet smile and place my hands on his chest. He raises an eyebrow and looks at my hands as they slowly travel down his body, slipping under his shirt, and pressing against his bare skin.
Bear holds onto my wrists. “You don’t want to start this.”
I giggle and move my hips, rubbing against his dick. He lets out a groan and releases my hands, placing them on my hips. I slowly slide my hands up his chest and back down. His grip is loose on my hips, so I shift again, creating friction.
“If you continue to do this, I will take you upstairs and finish what you started,” Bear says, looking straight into my eyes.
I am ready to take things further with him. Take a step further into our relationship.
I give him a smile and move my hands down toward his stomach, trailing along his waistband.
He groans, closing his eyes and leaning his head back.
I continue to move my left hand above his waistband and my right hand skirts over his pants, stopping above his zipper where I apply pressure, teasing his already hard dick.
“All right, we are going,” Bear says, picking me up and making his way toward the stairs.
I look around the room, and Gears gives me an amused smile, wiggling his eyebrows. I blush and push my face into Bear’s shoulder. He takes two steps at a time and speedwalks down the hallway toward his room.
“Oh, what I am going to do to you tonight,” Bear says, opening his door.
Before I can think of all the possibilities, I’m dropped onto my back. My body is surrounded by blankets as I bounce on the bed. I prop myself up on the bed once I stop bouncing and watch as Bear closes the door before locking it.
Bear turns around and gives me a mischievous smile. What have I gotten myself into?