Chapter 31Evan
Chapter Thirty-One
EVAN
H ades is already outside, sunbathing in his natural element. Dogs don’t realize how easy they have it. No responsibilities. No bills. No one breaking into their house.
“Are you okay watching him? I’m going to work in the barn for a little bit.” I ask Levi, who is lounging on the back deck.
I thought I would feel overwhelmed by having my house overtaken by a bunch of broody bikers, but if I’m being honest, I love it. I’ve been waiting for this feeling all of my life—the feeling of having someone there whenever you need them. Yeah, I’ve always had Zeke, but it’s not the same. I never wanted to bother him more than I had to. He would kill me for thinking that.
I guess I’ve just been waiting for the feeling of family. And for the first time, I’m just hoping it lasts because I know firsthand that good things never last.
“Yeah, we’re good, babe. Just gonna chill right here. Holler if you need me,” Levi says as he kicks his feet up on the little black cast iron outdoor table that I found at an estate sale.
“Will do.” I wave as I head into the barn.
Deciding it’s best to get the Storm situation over with, I shoot him off a text.
Me: Hey, I’ve got some stuff for you.
There. That doesn't sound suspicious, right? I’m one hundred percent overthinking this. I say this to him all the time. It’s going to be fine.
I jump as my phone vibrates in my pocket. “Get a grip,” I mumble as I pull it out. I open the lock screen at lightning speed.
Storm: Yeah? Tell me when I can get it.
Me: Tomorrow? At my place.
Storm: K. Will that guy be with you?
I freeze. Just staring down at my phone.
He’s never asked that before, and Zeke is almost always with me. So why is he asking now?
Me: Maybe. I’m not sure. Is that a problem?
Good. That’s good. There’s no way he’s on to me.
Storm: Yeah. I don’t want anyone I don’t know in my business.
Since when was that an issue? We’ve had this arrangement for years, and now he doesn’t want someone else in his business?
I hate that Cain’s right. Something is up with Storm.
Me: Alright, I get it. I’ll make sure that it’s just me here.
He doesn’t make me wait for a response.
Storm: Noon work?
Me: Yup. See you then.
I let out a sigh of relief as I pocket my phone. I’m glad that’s over with. The thought of being alone with him makes my skin crawl. It never used to be like this. I mean, yeah, I always thought he was a little scummy, but he was what you would expect from your basic line cook drug dealer. He could clean up if he wanted to, but for some reason, he likes looking like he showers once a week.
Time flies by as I work in the barn, and before I know it, it’s almost 5. I put everything away before heading up to the house, checking around for Levi and Hades as I head in, but they aren’t outside anymore. As I step onto the back deck, I hear rock music playing throughout the house, and I smile. Is this what home feels like?
“Hope you don’t mind we helped ourselves to your booze,” Cain says as I step inside. He’s at my side by the next time I blink, nabbing me around the waist and pulling me in for what I thought was going to be a quick kiss.
Instead, he’s nipping at my bottom lip, making me gasp in surprise before his tongue slips inside my mouth, roughly tangling with mine. I get lost in the kiss. My body has a mind of its own as my arms wrap around his neck, pulling him closer. I can feel every hard inch brushing against my body, making my nipples peak into hard points, begging to be played with. It isn’t until I hear the catcalls around us that I remember we aren’t alone. Cain chuckles against my mouth as he feels me tense against him.
“You can greet me like that anytime, hellcat,” he says against my lips before pulling away and smiling down at me.
I can feel how red my cheeks are as I look around at all the guys scattered across my kitchen and dining area.
“I’m ready for ya, darlin’.” Ink smirks from the bar stool he’s perched on, arms wide open in waiting.
“Ready for what?” I ask while furrowing my brow.
“My lovin’. It’ll be sweeter than what Prez just gave ya.”
I don’t even get a chance to respond before Cain smacks Ink on the back of the head.
With a roll of my eyes, I ask, “Are you guys hungry?”
I was answered with a bunch of grunts, which I assume means yes in biker talk. “Alright, I’m going to make some burgers. Does that sound okay?”
“Babe, you don’t need to feed us. We can just go to DD’s.”
“Absolutely not. If I can’t pay you in money, then I’m going to pay you in food.”
“A woman after my own heart,” Ink declares while dramatically throwing his hand over his chest where his heart is.
“Get your own girl,” Cain growls, placing a hand on my lower back, squeezing the side of my hip in a possessive move.
“Alright, Alright. I get it, Prez. Evan is yours,” Ink gives in.
Oh. “We’re just see—” I start before Cain cuts me off.
“You want to see your new living room?”
“You finished?” You can hear the excitement in my voice. I’ve been spending so much time finishing my kitchen that I didn’t realize how much the unfinished living room was bringing down my mood. It made the house feel so much less homey. Wait a second… “How did you know what shade of teal to go with? I never said which one I liked before I left.”
Cain chuckles. “I’m going to pretend to not be insulted that you think I don’t know by now that you would have picked the darkest shade. It fits my moody little hellcat the best.”
He sounds so proud of himself as he leads me into the living room and holy shit. My jaw drops. The color is everything I’ve been dreaming of. I can see myself putting the finishing touches on and everything flowing into the perfect moody vibe. The black and white checkered rug I’ve had my eye on will look so amazing in here.
“Thank you,” I whisper, the stupid tears brimming in my eyes again. “I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you, but thank you.”
“No need to thank me, babe. If we go in the direction I think we’re goin’, this will eventually be my place, too. Can’t only have my woman’s sweat put into it.” He places a kiss on my forehead before heading back into the kitchen where the guys are.
I’m frozen in my spot because he really just dropped that bomb on me and walked away like he didn’t just rock my world. He says so much but so little at the same time. Cain isn’t the type for grand romantic gestures. I’m starting to wonder if taking care of me is his love language.
And you know what?
A girl could get used to that.