Chapter Nine
Come home with me...
The words tumbled around in Shiloh’s brain, keeping her awake.
Insomnia was a bitch. In her high school days, she existed on about two hours of sleep, so she wasn’t a stranger to sleeplessness.
Only, back then it was because she was afraid of her stepdad coming into her room while her mother was passed out.
When Vette rose, she decided she’d had enough of her own thoughts and got up to start the day. Her friend stood in front of the microwave, staring at the metal mesh screen, as if she could actually see the electromagnetic radiation bouncing around, unable to escape.
“You okay?” she asked.
Vette jumped and spun around, slapping her hand to her chest. “Good lord, almost gave me a heart attack.”
“Sorry,” Shiloh replied.
“Nah, it’s me,” Vette mumbled, then yawned. “I’m so tired. All I want to do is go back to my bed and sleep for a hundred years.”
“Then you’d be old and wrinkly, and your vagina will probably be as dry as the Sahara.”
Vette blinked. “That is an excellent point. Thank you.”
Shiloh grinned. “You’re very welcome.”
The microwave dinged, and she took out a mug that had a tea tab hanging down the side. Then she started dunking and moving the teabag around in the hot water.
“Vaginas aside,” she drawled, sitting at the table. “How’s work going?”
“I love it,” Shiloh replied softly. “I’ve been transforming the front of the store.
Before, it was barren. Like uncomfortable plastic chairs to sit on.
Design pics were haphazardly taped to the walls.
No refreshments for customers who could be there for hours waiting.
Sometimes the people getting the big tattoos needed a break, and we had nothing to offer. Soda, water, coffee. Nothing.”
“How are you transforming it?”
“Jade allowed me to buy furniture so I got comfy chairs that won’t make your butt go numb. I rearranged the designs and put them in frames. I added a snack bar. I even put plug-in air fresheners in the bathroom.”
“You have to use the unisex bathroom?”
“Yes, and do you know how awful it smells when a man shits out his Mexican buffet from the day before? It’s toxic. Breathe it in, and you die.”
Vette giggled. “I’m around animal poop all day. I sympathize.”
“I know we haven’t spent a lot of time together. I just want you to know that I’m forever grateful to you. And I love you.”
Vette grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “I love you, too. Time is overrated. Right now, we’re two career women trying to make a difference. We’re family, Shi, and nothing can change that. What counts is knowing we’ll always be there for one another.”
Shiloh nodded, a little choked up. Whatever good deed she did to get such a wonderful friend, she thanked her lucky stars.
“Oh,” she added. “By the way, I’m spending tomorrow night with Jade.”
Vette gave her sly grin. “Have lots of fun, yet safe, sex.”
****
Her hands shook as the hours counted down until the time Jade had said he’d pick her up. All she could think about was what was to happen that night. Would he take the lead or would he expect her to? Could she do that?
He made sure I was okay with the kiss, so would he wait for her to initiate the moment?
How the hell was she supposed to take that first step?
Tumbling thoughts in her head had terror threatening to hijack her body.
The fight or flight response was settling in quick, and it was still daylight.
So many questions led to so much panic. It took all her strength to breathe deeply, like the YouTube videos suggested.
Life never taught a person how to handle emotional upheaval.
What if he saw the real her?
What if he saw her scars?
What if she couldn’t go through with it?
What if he turned out to be just like her stepdad?
That last question broke through the cracking ice, leaving her unable to contain her tears. She ran to the bathroom and slammed the door shut just as the tears fell. Slapping her hand over her mouth was her only defense line for muffling her damaged psyche.
Not now. Not now. Not now!
Crying never solved anything. It wasn’t a time machine. It wasn’t a do-over. There was no going back, only forward. Tears created a crack in order for her other emotions to seep from, to strip her soul bare.
If she cried, the monster won.
It took a few minutes to calm down. To rein in the tumultuous storm.
Deep breath in, let out slowly. Rinse. Repeat.
That became her mantra, lending her strength so she could rebuild the ice.
Freeze out all the pain and shield her mind once more.
The past was dead and buried, and she had no desire to awaken the zombie.
Washing her face, she took a deep breath and let the cold water finish mortaring her walls.
Then she straightened and left the bathroom. In control once more.
As soon as she opened the door, her phone beeped. It was Jade, telling her he was outside. As soon as he saw her, a frown pulled at the space between his eyes. The artist in him missed nothing as he studied her face.
“You okay?”
“Yep. Perfectly fine.”
“Fine? That’s what you’re going with?”
She licked her lips, and Jade’s gaze centered on them.
Suddenly, all those tingly feelings were back.
Shiloh wanted his kiss, but didn’t know how to ask for it.
Struggling with words that should’ve been easy.
Maybe she should just jump in with both feet.
What would he do if she took the initiative and just kissed the hell out of him?
The touch of others had frightened her for so long it was hard to cross that bridge, but she had to.
One step was all it would take. One tiny fucking step.
Before she comprehended what was happening, his head swooped down, and his mouth captured hers.
The kiss was gentle at first, just a brushing of lips.
Then he traced her bottom lip with his tongue, and she opened for him.
Jade surged in, exploring every nook and cranny in her mouth as his tongue danced with hers. Shiloh quickly realized the kisses she’d had in the past paled in comparison to the onslaught of his kiss. Magnetic. Powerful. Soul-consuming.
When he pulled back, she couldn’t help but stare up at him. Jade gave a small noise that sounded suspiciously like half a moan and half a laugh merged together. Somewhere during that mind-blowing kiss, her arms had crept around his neck. His dark eyes glowed like hot emeralds.
Pressed up against him, his heart rate raced along with hers. Maybe she affected him, as well. That thought made her feel better.
****
The Inkpot closed early for the barbecue, and when the workday was over, they all left to head over to the clubhouse.
Shiloh had no idea what to expect because when she’d Googled MC club life, she’d seen a slew of different types.
She’d even seen what other Sons of Sin chapters looked like. Who knew it was a franchise?
The house was big, all one level, with a wall around the property. Music blared, and several fire pits were lit, with people smoking and drinking around them. The men wore their leather cuts, and many women had clothing designating them as “property” of a member.
Jade plopped their helmets on the handlebars, then took her hand and led her forward.
People greeted them, waving and whistling.
Shiloh felt curious gazes on her, which made her heart race.
She’d never been that social to begin with, but she tried to smile.
The last thing she wanted to do was piss off someone important to Jade.
“Shiloh!”
She glanced over to where the twins were grilling over several barbecue pits, and saw Kira hurrying toward her. When she caught up, Kira hugged her and at first Shiloh froze, then she remembered this was her friend and hugged her back.
“I’m so happy to see you,” Kira said, beaming. “Come on, let me introduce you around.”
Shiloh threw a panicky look to Jade, but he only smiled and waved.
For the next hundred years, which realistically was only about thirty minutes, she met a bevy of people whose names she had no hope of remembering.
But the one thing that put her at ease was how nice she was greeted.
They included her, making her feel welcome.
The complete opposite of what she expected.
Before she knew it, she relaxed and started to enjoy herself. This wasn’t the terrifying party she expected. She was making friends. In time, Jade brought her a plate of food, and he sat next to her and ate. When it grew late, she and Jade said their good-byes, and she made promises to come back.
They rolled quickly through the city, heading north, until he turned into an older section of the city.
Unlike newer construction, where houses sat on postage-size lots and were practically crammed together, these houses had larger backyards.
Loud music could be played, and the neighbors would be hard-pressed to hear it.
He pulled into the driveway of a brick rancher with an attached garage and what looked to be an added room above it.
“It’s not much,” he said once he shut off the engine.
“Are you kidding?” she asked after she dismounted. “It’s really, really nice, Jade.”
“Yeah?” He tilted his head, as if measuring her words.
“Yeah,” she agreed, smiling at him.
“Come on, I’ll give you a quick tour that ends in my bedroom.”
She chuckled. “Perfect.”
Jade took her hand and used his hand to point at every room. Since the light was off, however, she couldn’t see anything. Kitchen. Den. Living room. Bedroom one. Bathroom one.
True to his word, they ended up in the master.
This was it. It wasn’t until her toes halted at the door that she realized she had no intention of stopping. Still, even with her mind made up, every nerve in her body jumped to life.
At the foot of the king-sized bed, he paused and brought her around. He laid his hands on her shoulder and searched her face.
“You want this, Shiloh?” he asked her.
“Yes,” she replied, a bit breathlessly.