Chapter Ten
Charli
“Do you want a mint double chocolate chip cookie?” Konstance asked Charli.
“Do I! Mm, these smell delicious. I may need two.”
The woman chuckled. “Help yourself. I have more batches.”
“In that case...” Charli took three cookies and piled them on her napkin before taking a bite of one. “Oh, gracious, this is heavenly. Do you offer these sweets at your boutique? Because you absolutely should. Oh, oh, or Glenda could buy them for her coffee stands.”
Konstance laughed. “Thank you. As a matter of fact, she approached me about that very idea. I’ll be spending all day tomorrow whipping up batches of cookies for the stands in Eden.” Her face suddenly lost some of its joy. “Such a shame about the stand in Hunt.”
“Yes, it is. Spineless pricks. Oo, sorry. I’m a cusser.”
“Ha, no worries. You should hear my sailor mouth at times. Actually, I think I’d be embarrassed if you did.” Her cheeks turned pink.
“Nah, nothing wrong with well-placed sentence enhancers.”
The two laughed and continued their chit-chat while Charli tossed tiny bits of treats to Max and Tidbit, two other Club dogs besides Nitro. They’d quickly attached themselves to Charli, who didn’t mind at all.
Charli and Roark arrived at the compound about an hour ago after a well-deserved morning of sleeping in.
After which was followed by more sexcapades, then showers, and a quick snack.
Roark informed her there’d be at least fifty to sixty people at family day with probably another twenty arriving later after work.
She did her best to file away everyone’s names, but no doubt, she’d need some reminders.
“Do you normally have your shop open on Saturdays?” Charli asked.
“Every other unless I decide otherwise. I need to give myself time to do other things, and with the kids out of school, I especially like time with them. In two weeks, we’re going to do some sight-seeing up in the Ketchum-Sun Valley area.”
“That sounds like fun. Bradley going to join you?” Charli wiggled her brows at Konstance. The woman grew even more red in the face.
“I haven’t asked him. I’d like to, but...”
“Hey, he asked you to family day. That’s a big deal.
It’s easy to see how much you two are attracted to each other.
Don’t wait, Konstance. Not that he’s going anywhere, but don’t wait to be happy.
And not that you aren’t. What I’m trying to say is, if you like him, let him know.
Enjoy every second of joy together that you can. ”
“I’m not a very forward person. The twins’ father was my one and only love.
We were high school sweethearts who thought we had our whole future mapped out.
Then reality slapped us in the face when I got pregnant at sixteen.
Then he decided to enlist, saying it was the best option he had to earn money while also learning a skill.
Life seemed on track. Until he was KIA and my world fell apart. ”
Charli felt for Konstance. “I’m so sorry. I know a thing or two about loss and trauma.”
“I hope this doesn’t upset you, but Owen asked me to remain when he spoke with Bradley and Roark about what he knew of your past. While our devastation differed, it still sucked.”
“And we were strong enough to come through the other side. Now it’s time for us to take control of our lives and live it. Right?”
Konstance smiled. “Right. Thank you, Charli.”
She nodded and took another bite of the delicious cookie.
“Ya know,” Konstance started, “we should plan a lady’s day. Figure out something fun to do together.”
“I love that idea. I’ve never done that. I wouldn’t be opposed to some pampering, like facials and massages. If you plan it, I’ll do it.”
“Wonderful. I’ll think of some things and we’ll make it happen.”
Konstance set the plate of cookies on the table filled with plenty of other food, and when she looked up, Charli watched her gaze find Bradley speaking with several other guys. Charli gently bumped her hip against the woman’s.
“No time like the present.”
Konstance looked at Charli for several seconds before nodding.
She put a smile on her face and walked over to Bradley.
Konstance was an adorable pixie of a woman, reaching maybe five foot three.
Golden curls fell around her face and just beyond her shoulders, and her sky-blue eyes still seemed filled with so much innocence despite what life threw her way.
She waited for an opening to talk with Bradley, then Charli watched them walk a short distance away. As they spoke, Bradley’s eyes lit up and a smile formed as he nodded his head. Konstance’s smile was even more radiant, and her cheeks were pink. Again.
“One of them finally making a move?” Roark whispered in Charli’s ear.
She leaned back into him and chuckled. “Yes. Konstance asked him about joining her and the twins in a few weeks when they’d planned to do some sight-seeing up in the Sun Valley area.
At least that’s what we were talking about, so I hope she did.
Given Bradley’s happy response, I’d say it’s happening. ”
“Good for her. ‘Bout time.”
Charli turned and smiled up at Roark. “And at some point, she and I are going to have a lady’s day. I really like her.”
Roark smiled, tender enough to melt Charli’s heart. “She likes you too. Glad you’re making friends.” He then looked down at the cookies in her hand. “Gonna share?”
Charli lifted a cookie to his mouth, and he took a healthy bite. “Good, right?”
“Yep.” Once he swallowed and licked his lips, he leaned down to kiss her. “But you taste better.”
“Mm, so do you.” Charli winked then took a bite for herself. “But don’t tell Konstance I said that.”
“Said what?” Konstance asked, causing Charli to whip around in surprise. Bradley stood by her side, grinning, as if he knew what they’d been talking about.
“That I taste b—” Roark started, but Charli quickly slapped a hand over his mouth. He still managed to laugh.
“Who’s ready to check out the bouncy house?” Charli said, carefully removing her hand and giving Roark a look that said, don’t you dare finish that sentence. The man winked. Charli turned to Konstance. “I think we should have a turn, don’t ya think?”
Konstance looked at Bradley with a curious stare, and he simply shrugged. Charli crammed the last of her cookie in her mouth, swallowed, and grabbed Konstance’s hand.
“Let’s do it!” And they took off running, giggling like little girls. They each kicked off their sandals and crawled inside where four others were jumping around wildly. The kids looked at them with confusion but didn’t stop playing. “I think there’s room for all of us!”
The kids cheered, and they all bounced together, laughing hysterically.
Throughout the afternoon, Charli had a marvelous time meeting the Club family, chatting more with Konstance, and of course, sitting in Roark’s arms once the bonfire was lit at dusk.
The Club compound had a man-made lake they’d gathered near, and while the bonfire added ambience, a smaller pit fire was going for those who wanted toasted marshmallows.
Most of the kids gathered around, holding their sticks over the fire and roasting the sugary, fluffy goodness to varying degrees.
Kaydence and Kadon helped some of the smaller kids, clearly enjoying the activity.
As family came and others left, the activities settled down as night descended. Darnell had been in charge of the music most of the day, and soft rock now played over several speakers. Charli caught sight of Konstance and Bradley walking near the shore of the lake, holding hands.
“They look good together,” Charli said. “Did you know she’s a widow?”
“I did,” Roark said. “And, yeah, I think they’ll be good together.”
“Me too. I don’t know a lot of the details, only that she had the twins young and their father was killed in action.”
Charli felt Roark stiffen behind her. “That’s tough.”
She turned her head up to look at him. “Yeah.” She continued to stare, and Roark looked down at her with a questioning stare.
“What’s on your mind, Charli girl?”
“Just wondering about your time in service. What you did. What you thought of it.” When his face became stoic, she added, “I’ll understand if you don’t want to talk about it. I’m just being nosy.”
“No, you’re curious. I won’t talk about specifics, but I was a sniper. One of the best shooters my drill sergeant had seen. I went in wanting to do Special Forces, and I did. Wouldn’t settle for less. Had plenty of missions. Made good friends. Lost some friends. The Club needed me, so I came home.”
Charli knew there was plenty to fill the gaps, but she wouldn’t push for anything more than what Roark was willing to give.
“The Club got involved in intercepting human traffickers.” She sucked in her breath at that statement then moved to sit so she could face him.
“Yeah. Sadly, it’s everywhere. There was an operation bringing people in illegally to work the farms, the ranches.
Lots of places. Some of them just kids. We worked with the six surrounding county sheriffs to patrol the back roads. To stop them.”
He stopped to look down at his hands, and Charli could see, even with his beard, his jaw flexing. She reached to take his hands in hers, rubbing her thumb across the tops as she remained silent.
Roark looked into her eyes. “Most times, it went smoothly with people being saved and the coyotes—those who transported the illegals—being arrested and deported. Other times ... well, not so smoothly. Everything has a trickle effect, and those in charge of the trafficking got word about our involvement. About how we were disrupting their business.” He snorted with disgust. “The Club got targeted.” Charli’s hands tightened on his.
“Thankfully, no casualties. Can’t say the same for those fuckers. ”
“But you stopped them.”
“We stopped the majority of their operations. It’ll never completely end, but the government and their entities have a better handle on it. If needed, we’re here.”
“Always some shit to deal with,” Charli murmured.
“Yeah.” Roark chuckled but there was no humor in it. “Hey, enough about that. This is supposed to be a fun day. And I’m going to turn it into an even better night.” He winked at her.
“Oh?” She crawled onto his lap, and his hands circled her waist. “Any hints?”
He gently rocked his hips, and there was no mistaking his erection. “Any more questions?”
“Just one. When do we leave?”
Roark laughed. “Oh, we aren’t leaving, babe. I thought we’d stay at my cabin here. It’s closer.”
“Mm, I like the way you think.” She leaned in to kiss him, slow and sensuous.
Roark pulled her flush against his body, smashing her breasts against his chest. She rocked her hips, rubbing her center across the thickness in his jeans.
Even between two layers of their denim, she could feel his heat.
She could taste his eagerness. And when he pulled away with hunger in his eyes, her body buzzed with anticipation.
He got them to their feet and linked hands with her, leading them away from the bonfire. Several people waved, and Charli waved back, but Roark remained silent.
“Are we going to say good night to anyone?”
“No need. They’ll get the idea when they can’t find us.”
As they walked through the compound and past the main picnic area where the tables and chairs were still in place, Charli noticed a couple on a bench beneath a tree.
In the shadows, she could still determine it was Konstance and Bradley locked in each other’s arms, kissing wildly.
She veered Roark in the opposite direction so as not to interrupt, and when they rounded the clubhouse, Roark stopped her, pressing her against the side.
He smashed his mouth to hers while sliding his thigh between her legs.
“Roark, wait, wait,” she said breathlessly.
“You wanted to take a detour.” He suckled her neck while both hands molded around her breasts.
“I, I only wanted... I didn’t want to disturb Konstance and Bradley.” Her breaths were ragged. “I don’t know where your ... ah,” she moaned when a hand cupped her pussy, pressing against her center.
“What if I can’t wait to get to the cabin? I’ve been needing you all fucking afternoon.” He deftly flicked open her shorts and maneuvered his hand inside, running his fingers through her wetness. “Jesus, Charli, you drive me fucking crazy. Can’t get enough of you.”
“I ... same ... ah, yes,” she moaned when he slipped his fingers inside her. He set a steady rhythm, pumping in and out as his thumb swirled around her clit. She shamelessly rode his hand, knowing she was close to going off. Always, with Roark.
“That’s it, baby, ride my hand and give me that orgasm.” Roark kissed her fiercely as he strummed her perfectly, igniting her climax that had her writhing in his arms. He kept his mouth sealed to hers, taking in her cries until she eventually went limp in his arms.
“Holy cow,” she murmured, anchoring her hands on his arms.
Roark kept his gaze on her as he pulled his fingers out of her shorts and sucked them dry. “Fucking delicious.”
Charli released a strangled laugh as she pressed her forehead against his chest.
Roark took her hand and led them along the length of the clubhouse. “Cabin’s not too far.”
The night had reached that point where there was still enough light to negotiate, but shadows lengthened, and stars made their appearance. Within moments, they reached a cabin that sat alone near the eastern edge of the property. Charli could make out the wall about a hundred feet away.
Just as Roark opened the door, several blasts had Charli jolting, and when they turned around, fires erupted across the compound.