Chapter 8
CHAPTER
EIGHT
Nova
You have permission.
I fall asleep with Sawyer’s words on my mind. Funnily enough, I have a blissful sleep while I cuddle my Care Bear. I may be an adult, but I like to have something to cuddle at night. It makes me feel safe.
When I pad out to the kitchen the next morning, Payden is already up and making coffee.
“Morning sleepyhead,” she says.
“Hey.” I wave, then plop myself onto the stool at the counter, yawning.
“You smelled the coffee?”
“Uh, huh.”
“The usual?”
“Yes, please.”
We’re ideally suited as roommates because Payden is quiet and doesn’t poke into my business, and when she’s home, we don’t have to fill silence with words. We just both go about our lives.
“Are you going to Manny’s party on the weekend?”
“Uh, huh, but I have nothing to wear. Fancy a shopping trip? Some of the girls are going, and Manny offered to be our stylist for the day.”
She laughs. “Well, he knows what looks good on a woman.”
“Except shiny lycra,” I laugh. “I’ve been told it was bad.”
“I’m sure if anyone could pull it off, it’s him,” she says, pouring foam into her coffee as she puts my cup under the spout, changing out the pod.
“I’m free all of Thursday afternoon if that suits?”
“I’ll make sure I get off work early. I haven’t been shopping in so long.”
“I know what you mean. Work has been nuts lately, I barely have time to do food shopping,” she says.
We usually split the bills, or she’ll buy groceries one week, and me the next.
I pay my way, and contribute to the cleaning, too.
I’m not as neat as my bestie Sawyer, but I do have a tendency to leave piles of mess everywhere.
I’ve been conscious of trying to put things away as soon as I’m done with them since moving in here.
So living with a neat freak has, in fact, actually helped me.
“I can do some after work if you’d like. What do you fancy for dinner?”
“Oh, I’m having dinner with some clients,” she sighs. “So, I’ll be late, but you know I love leftovers for an easy meal tomorrow. Surprise me.”
“Those damn clients work you really hard,” I say, grateful when she passes me my mug.
“Especially this one. Oh, before I forget, someone broke into the mailbox downstairs,” she says. “Which is weird. I called the super, and he’s looking into the surveillance. I hope it’s just kids. They managed to leave us all the bills, though.”
“Ugh, people are shitty. Have they nothing better to do?”
“Clearly not.”
“Okay, well, I’d better chug this down and get in the shower.”
She smiles, tilting her head. “I’d better get going myself. Lock me in for Thursday, I can pick you up from work.”
“In the sports car?” I ask, excitedly.
“I don’t drive anything else, so I guess so.” She winks.
“Yippee! Can I drive?”
“Nobody drives my car except me, anyway, you’ve told me one too many stories about near misses and scrapes in your SUV,” she laughs. “So it’s passenger princess on this ride.”
“You’re right, I’d crap myself driving a Porsche around here. My insurance doesn’t cover PMS and bad drivers.”
“Touche. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Later.”
I have a nice, hot shower before getting ready for work, blowing out my hair and prettying up my eyes.
Not trying to look good for anyone, I tell myself.
Nor do I pull on the pencil skirt that makes my ass look amazing just because of a certain someone.
Nope. None of that is any incentive. I spritz on my favorite perfume, and head out the door with five minutes to spare.
I walk past the reception desk, waving to Harold as I pass by.
I like Payden’s building. It’s in the rich heartland because she’s got plenty of money, and it’s not only gated but also has all the amenities I could never afford.
She doesn’t need a roommate for the money, but sometimes I think she likes the company.
I know she also has a big heart and likes to help out, especially because I’m related to the Dawsons.
Payden is very loyal to the club, and I believe it’s not just because she’s on retainer when they need her help, but she also likes the family aspect.
It reminds me I don’t know a heck of a lot about her, but I should try to ask more questions and maybe even bring her something to say thanks for letting me stay.
There’s been no end date to my bunking in, and I think we’ve kinda fallen into a nice routine of living together.
The apartment itself is huge. It has three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a huge study, lounge, massive kitchen with all the modern furnishings, and a huge outdoor balcony with an amazing view of downtown.
I could never afford this on my own, or want to share with six people, and I don’t take her generosity for granted.
I hum a tune while I walk to my car, yep, she has two parking spots underground. It’s a miracle.
When I get to work, I immediately check to see if Sawyer’s motorcycle is in the lot. It is, along with all three of my cousins. They must be having a meeting.
I’m fifteen minutes early — one thing I promised myself when the boys offered me this job is I’d change my tardy ways.
I was a bit of a loose cannon when I first arrived, Brew even asked me if I was using.
Personally, that was insulting. I do not look like a drug user, but I guess some people don’t.
It didn’t help that I was sleeping rough and smelled like a brewery because someone spilled a drink on me the day before.
It hurt my heart a little that Brew would think like that of me, but in his defense, he hadn’t seen me for a long time and knew I’d been locked up.
If anyone is gonna be brutal with the truth, it’s gonna be him.
Erica hasn’t arrived yet, her mini-van isn’t in the lot, but when I step inside, I see a big box of donuts on the counter right above my desk.
My stomach growls. I only had a slice of toast and a banana for breakfast, hence the need to shop after work, so I head right for the box.
I don’t even ask, I just reach in and grab out the powdery white one which smells like vanilla.
“Help yourself,” Haze laughs, making me jump.
I wipe my mouth, slinging my bag under the desk. “If you leave a box of donuts out here on my desk, I am gonna help myself.”
“Wanna take notes for the meeting?”
I frown. The boys rarely get me to sit in. Not that they discuss motorcycle shit in there, that’s all done at the clubhouse, but usually Erica sits in for the important stuff we need to do later.
“Um, sure.”
He gives me a chin lift. “You doin’ okay?”
I nod. “Fine.”
“Sawyer told you about your ex?” Thank God he doesn’t say his name.
“Yep. The fucker had it coming.”
“He did, and he’ll think prison is a sanctuary when we’re done with him.”
“Hazey, you don’t have to do anything on my behalf. I know what he did was wrong, but—”
He holds up a hand. “He put his hands on you. End of discussion.”
I open my mouth, then close it again. I’m not gonna argue or try to defend what he did. It isn’t like I can stop the brothers and Sawyer anyway, so I let it go.
“Well, thanks, all of you, for being brotherly.”
He takes the box off the counter. “We protect our own, Nove, you of all people know that.”
“Grab yourself a coffee and head in.”
“Okay.” I don’t wanna miss this opportunity so I take two more bites, finish the donut, then head to the breakroom. I pour myself a coffee from the pot and add the creamer.
“Mornin’,” I hear from behind me.
“Oh.” I press a hand to my heart, almost wearing my coffee. “Sawyer! You scared the shit out of me.”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.” He waves his empty cup at me. “Was just comin’ to get a refill.”
“Here, let me.” I stretch my arm and he passes his mug to me. It’s got Little Miss Sunshine on the side in big print. A birthday present from me because I think I’m hilarious. He uses it though, not giving a damn about getting shit for it from the boys.
“You have a little, uh, powdered sugar on your—”
I look down, dusting my shirt. “Did you buy them?”
“You think the Nomad Brothers are gonna buy a dozen donuts out of their own pocket?” he laughs. “I don’t think so.”
He comes to stand next to me, then when I look up at him, he swipes his thumb over my bottom lip. “Here, too.”
My lower abdominals clench. Holy moley. My period is due any day, so I’m extra, uh, sensitive at the moment.
I smile slowly. “You sure you got it all?”
His gaze shifts down to my lips, then he turns his head over to the door. He wouldn’t… at work?
He does it again, then leans down and fuck me if he doesn’t take my bottom lip between his and he tugs on it. Okay, ovaries once again exploding. Holy shit.
I let out a moan, and he chuckles. “Saw,” I whisper.
He pulls back. “I know, but I’ve missed you.”
“You saw me last night.”
“That was too long ago, and you left without sayin’ goodbye.”
“I was tired.”
He pouts. “So, do you wanna watch a movie tonight at my place?”
I think about it for all of two seconds. “Sure, but I was gonna make dinner so Payden has something to reheat for tomorrow’s lunch.”
“I can come to yours.”
Oh, my god. That kiss, and the very idea that we are gonna cuddle tonight on the couch, has me reeling.
And that Payden will be out until late. My pussy all but damn well sings as I try not to show how affected he makes me.
We’re playing dangerously with fire here, but any chance to be with him is one I’m not going to pass up.
“Okay, but I’ve got to go grocery shopping after work, we’ve no food in the house.”
“I can be there at seven?”
“Sounds like a plan.” I finish making his coffee, then hand it to him.
He frowns ever so slightly. “You okay?”
“Saw, that kiss was—”
“Hurry up, you two!” Brew barks from the doorway, making us both jump. “Not payin’ you to stand around goofin’ off for fuck’s sake.” He stomps off and I shake my head.
“Looks like someone got out of bed on the wrong side. Poor Erica. As if pregnancy isn’t enough, she’s got him to deal with.”
“I think she’s used to him,” Sawyer sighs.
Erica is almost six months along, and she’s just adorable.
I could never imagine Brew with a kid until I saw him with Erica’s daughter, Olive.
She’s a teenager now, but he’s good with her.
A natural. Yes, he’s still grumpy, but he’ll break someone’s skull if they look at either one of them the wrong way.
I smile to myself. I think Brew will be a wonderful Dad.
Bringing children into a world like this is something I’ve never considered, and frankly, I’m unsure if I’d even want to.
I’d constantly be on edge from the moment they could walk.
We make our way into the meeting room, never getting to discuss that very sexual kiss he just gave me. What was that about? If he’s purposely trying to melt my panties, then he’s going about it the right way.
I brought my pad and pen because I like to write, not type, when I’m doing notes. Plus, my keyboard will get all sticky because I’m planning on grabbing another donut. Of course, when we enter, the boys are digging into the food like they haven’t eaten in ages.
I immediately ask Brew, “How is Erica?” She’s only working part-time, but she’s usually here already so I immediately go into worry mode.
He looks up from licking icing from his fingers. “She has a doctor’s appointment, she’ll be in later.”
“You’re not going?” I blurt.
He sighs. “No, I’m not Little-Miss-Fix it. She’s just pickin’ up some prenatal vitamins if you must know. Anythin’ else I can enlighten you on, or can we get goin’?”
Oops. I guess I was poking my nose in a little, but they should be used to me by now.
“Sorry, Brewster, I just like to make sure my co-worker is okay, sue me.”
I love calling them annoying names, especially Brew, because he hates it.
“Don’t worry, he just woke up on the wrong side of the bed,” Logan says, chuckling. “Now are we gonna begin, because I’ve got shit to do and a delivery comin’ in a few hours.”
“Hold on to your panties,” Haze says, as I glance at Sawyer—he’s awfully quiet. “We’re gettin’ to it.”
“Yeah, what’s the big deal?” I ask, reaching for the donut box. I grab out a chocolate one covered with sprinkles. “It’s very cloak and dagger.”
“Maybe they’re given’ us a raise?” Sawyer says, grinning at me.
All the boys balk at once so that seems unlikely.
“Like we don’t pay you enough,” Brew mutters.
“Yeah, note taking isn’t within my normal job description,” I join in. “But I’m happy to take on Erica’s secretary duties until she’s had the baby, for a price.”
“She’s a fuckin’ Dawson,” Logan muses. “We’ve never been shy about goin’ after what we want.”
He has a point there; we are all kinda go-getters when you look at it.
Logan rebuilding that rundown bar to what it is now — okay, it’s a glorified biker bar, but it’s still clean — and Brew and Haze establishing their own security business.
A business that is thriving. They outsource a lot of detail, including a company who runs all the personal security, installs alarms, and security cameras, but I know they want to move most of that in-house. More profit, fewer wages.
“Touche,” I say, setting my donut down onto my napkin. “So, boys, we can discuss my fee later. Let’s get down to the nitty gritty before the doors open. I’ve got work to do.”