CHAPTER 8
COWBOY
I lead her out of the dorm with her hand in mine. She packed a backpack with a few things to stay the night with me at the clubhouse and a cute little sundress for dinner. I need my girl.
I nod at Butcher as we walk toward my bike. When I finally release her hand, I notice she’s glancing around, like she expects someone to be watching us.
“Nymph, it’s okay. I’m ready to tell Striker. He shouldn’t hit first and question later.” I joke, but I’m sure he’ll strike first. It’s his nickname.
I just need time with my girl. I’ve missed her. I won’t let her pull away from me. She’s mine. She’s my end game for everything. I’ve waited a long time to feel this, and now that I do, I won’t let it go.
Opening the saddlebag, I remove the helmet I bought her. I talked her into leaving her cowboy hat behind so we’d have room in the bags. She braided her hair back. I miss her longer hair, but I love the style she went with too.
I plop the helmet onto her head. The full-face black with pink filigree was meant for her the moment I saw it. Andi lifts her chin, and I secure the strap before storing my cowboy hat in the saddle bag and slipping my own helmet on.
I climb on and start the bike. Then she climbs behind me, scooting right up against my back. I pat her knee, and we head out. I know Butcher will be riding behind us, giving us the space we need.
Heading toward the coast, I drive to the spot I go to when I need to be alone and think. Now I want to share it with her.
Andi climbs off the back of the bike and stretches her legs. She lifts her helmet and takes in the surroundings.
“This is really nice, a bit private too.” She smiles.
I remove my helmet and pull her close before swinging off the bike. I take her lips in a deep kiss.
“I come here when I need to think. I found it shortly after I arrived. It’s one of the reasons I decided to settle in Eastport. Being here makes me calm.”
She takes a deep breath and closes her eyes. “I could use some calm now.”
“Tell me about it. Please.” I know there’s more going on than what she’s telling me. Butcher more or less confirmed it, but said I had to talk to her.
“My accident wasn’t an accident,” she says softly, opening her eyes. She looks out at the waves rolling onto the beach. “My saddle was sabotaged.”
“Are you fucking kidding me? Did they find out who did it?”
She shakes her head. “In January, I got a weird card in the mail. Then last month, another showed up. This time it had pictures. Whoever sent them threatened me. I don’t want you to worry. I have people looking into it.”
“Fuck that.” My grip tightens on her waist. “You’re mine. I take care of what is mine. Do you get that?” Leaning into her space, I make sure she’s looking me in the eye.
“We’re still so new, Callum. I’m—”
“I don’t care if you think we’re new. You’re it for me. I won’t let anyone go after you. Whoever this is will learn exactly who you belong to.”
“Callum,” she says, but I kiss her briefly, shutting her up.
“Is that why Butcher is on you? What does Striker think we should do?”
She looks down, avoiding my eyes.
“Striker doesn’t fucking know, does he?”
She shakes her head. “Striker just sent Butcher to watch over me. My team put a protection detail on Jude while I was staying at the house. But now that I’m not there anymore, I’m not sure what the plan is.”
“Who is the team?” I lift her chin so she’s looking at me. “If it’s not Striker, then who?”
She looks everywhere but at me.
“Eyes, Andi.” I squeeze her a little closer, hoping to ground her and make her feel safe.
“I got a hold of Ridley and Julian. They’re looking into the accident and the letters and photos. I thought it was a fan. I still do. But they don’t.”
“What kind of photos?”
Something in my gut tells me this is deeper than just a fan. I agree with Ridley and Julian on this one.
“Mostly photos of me and Raine after the accident. But there’s one of you and me.”
And there it is. The reason she was pushing me away.
“What was that photo?”
“The one of us?” she asks, and I nod. “You and me outside Striker’s house.”
“Fuck. I’m sorry, baby, for leaving you exposed like that. We’ll get this figured out, okay?”
“I don’t want you to have to worry or be inconvenienced by me.”
“You are never an inconvenience.” I brush my lips softly against hers.
Deepening the kiss, I slide my tongue into her mouth. Her body starts to move against mine. If I don’t want to take her out here in the open, or in front of Butcher, I need to get her somewhere more private. I slow the kiss and pull back.
“Come on, baby. Let’s go get some food and then head to the clubhouse for the night.”
We take off and head into town to a small restaurant I’ve been wanting to try. If I take her to the Roadhouse, word will get back to Striker and Amelia. I need to make a call before that happens.
The pounding on the door startles me, and both Andi and I jump. I reach for the gun hidden under the edge of the bed, but then I hear Frost’s voice.
“Get up. You have a visitor.”
“I’ll be out in a bit,” I respond, then roll until my girl is under me. “Baby, I wanted to wake up and have breakfast, but that plan has been interrupted. If you want to just wait here, I’ll be back in a bit. This shouldn’t take long.” I kiss her deep and press my morning wood into her.
“I can go to the kitchen and get us some breakfast.”
“No. The breakfast I want doesn’t come from the kitchen.” I move my hand to the apex of her thighs, and she blushes. “I want you for breakfast for the rest of my life,” I say, getting a dopey smile in return. “Stay here and keep the bed warm.”
I press into her and kiss her again. When I pull away, her lips are swollen and her pupils are dilated.
“Fuck, baby, how am I supposed to get out of this bed with my cock so hard it could pound nails?”
“I guess you’re going to have to be late or think of something else.” She giggles, and I tickle her.
I can’t believe how close I feel to her already. I want to hear that giggle for the rest of my life, just like I want her for breakfast every morning.
I roll out of bed and dress quickly. The sooner I get this over with, the faster I’ll be back between my girl’s legs.
I need to tie her to me in every way possible.
First, I’ll get her knocked up. Then I’ll put my property patch on her.
Finally, I’ll give her my name. Andrea Forbes will be Andrea Rutherford before the end of the year if I have my way.
With that thought, I send a quick text to Striker, letting him know I need to speak to him. He responds back that he’ll be here shortly. It’s past time I told him what my intentions are with Andi.
Everything is set until I turn the corner into the main area of the clubhouse and see a very dour-looking woman standing there with an infant car seat. I know right then that everything is about to change.
Andi
Stretching, I realize I must have fallen back asleep and that Callum hasn’t come back.
Glancing around the room, I notice the sun is higher in the sky.
Rolling to the side of the bed, I check my phone and see a missed call from my mother.
I ignore it for now. It’s almost eleven o’clock. Dang, where is Callum.
I climb out of bed and slip his T-shirt on as I pad to the bathroom. Looking down between my legs and seeing the dried semen, I realize I need to be more serious about Callum wearing a condom. The pill isn’t one hundred percent effective.
When I come out of the bathroom, he still hasn’t shown up. I get dressed and decide to go search him out. He said he would be talking to Striker today, so I should be fine.
I slip on my boots and braid my hair, which is crazy from last night. We made love a few times in bed. My hair was soaked after taking another shower and not drying it very well. Callum was all over me, saying he was making up for lost time. I have to admit, I needed it too. I missed him so much.
Walking down the hall after I close and lock his door, I realize I’m not wearing his cut. Last night he told me I was to wear it every time I walked around the clubhouse. I’ll just wait to do that until he talks to Striker. We don’t need anyone letting it slip before Callum gets to talk to him.
I should call Lia and tell her what’s going on.
My phone rings as I turn the corner, and I come to a stop.
There stands Callum, a small baby in his arms. My heart clenches.
He looks so good holding a baby. But it’s the worried look on his face when he sees me that makes me freeze.
Glancing down at my phone, I see it’s my mother again.
I send her to voicemail. I need to figure out what’s going on with Callum.
“Callum?” I ask.
A very stern-looking woman stands before me, her dark hair pinned back so tightly it pulls at her eyebrows and forehead. She eyes me up and down, and I can tell she finds me lacking. I don’t know why, other than I’m obviously in an MC club.
My cell rings again. This time it’s Lia.
“Just a sec, Callum.” I quickly answer. “Hey, girl. I can’t talk right now. What’s up?”
“Pick up the call from your mother. It’s urgent. I’ll tell her to call you back in about ten.” Lia sounds out of breath, like she’s moving around.
“Is everyone okay? Is it Tiffany or Grandma?” Panic rises in my chest, and Callum notices.
He walks over with the cute little bundle in pink.
“Everyone is fine in the family. Just take her call. I’ll be there as soon as I can get the boys in the truck.”
“What? I don’t understand.”
“Just don’t answer any questions until we get there.”
“Answer what questions?”
She hangs up, yelling at Jude to get his butt in the truck.
I stare at the phone in shock, then look up at Callum. “Who is this cutie?” I ask, though I’m sure I know the answer when I see the color of her eyes.
It can’t be, can it?