39. Melody
MELODY
The courtyard in front of the clubhouse is bathed in sunlight, glinting off all the motorcycles parked there. It’s a hot day, but a breeze picked up today, just enough to make it bearable, which I’m going to take as a good sign. Everything points to today being an amazing day.
I sent an invitation to Dad, but I’m not surprised I never got a reply. I’d just feel bad if I didn’t at least try. It’s okay. Just because my blood isn’t coming doesn’t mean I’m not surrounded by family, and by now I consider everyone in the Screaming Eagles family.
It took forever to find a dress I liked, not made easier by the fact that I hardly ever wear a dress to begin with, so when Sandra suggested that I dress up in a way that felt comfortable instead, I kind of jumped on the opportunity.
I can look sexy for the guys even if they’re going to have to work a little to get into my pants afterward, as she put it.
My skintight jeans are new, just worked in enough to fit well.
My motorcycle boots, a representation of the culture that brought us all together, make me look just bikery enough to make it clear where we are.
A fitted V-neck T-shirt, pale pastel pink, exposing a little belly and low cut enough to show off a little cleavage, should keep their eyes on me.
I’m wearing a silver chain around my neck that they got me for my birthday.
It’s formed like a very fine drive chain, and there are three silver motorcycles that hang like little pendants.
And underneath, my lingerie is black and the same pale pink as my shirt, which I’m sure they’re going to love peeling off me after the ceremony.
We’re getting hitched. For real. Well, not for real as the city hall sees it, but in the way that matters—the way the club sees it. I’m becoming their old lady and they’re becoming my old men, even though we’re all still somewhere in our twenties. And since it’s nice out, we’re doing it outside.
It’s been a whole fall, winter and spring since I moved in here, and over that time, Sandra, Mila and Rory have become my core team, the group of friends I always wished for as a kid, but never had.
The kind that I feel I can tell anything without judgment, and hope that they feel the same way about me.
I think they do. When I told them we were making it official, they became the three-person expert support team to help us get everything set up.
They made sure Chef was available to cater it, with four giant grills set up outside, and enough coolers of beer to drink a whole army under the table.
They put up decorations, with balloons, and flowers and even a huge banner with Rebel’s, Mad Dog’s, Riptide’s and my names on it, linked together in an elaborate arrangement.
And they made sure everyone knew to block off the day in the calendar so that we’d have a good turnout.
And we do, though I bet I can blame the weather for that too.
Riptide is the first to spot me coming down from Emily’s house, where Kaylee did my hair and makeup, making me the prettiest me I think I’ve ever been in my life. Sandra suggested a more dramatic look, but much as I love her style for her, I’m glad I trusted Kaylee in this case.
He waves to me and smiles from where he’s standing with Rebel and Mad Dog.
And Eagle-eye, who’s the master of this ceremony as the standing president of the Screaming Eagles MC.
He made sure I used the whole title last time we talked, though I think I’m starting to know him well enough to identify his dry sense of humor.
He thought it was extra amusing because he was sitting at the time.
Riptide nudges the other two so they turn to look, and if you’ve never felt the intensity of three head-over-heels bikers looking at you like you’re the sun rising after six months of rain, then I heartily recommend it.
I’ve never felt as beautiful in my life.
They’re one step away from one of those old cartoons with big beating hearts, wolf howls and tapping feet.
As soon as I’m close enough, Rebel wraps me in his arms and pulls me close, careful not to mess up my hair.
That comes later.
“You look fucking beautiful, Mel.”
Riptide and Mad Dog agree enthusiastically and it’s love bombing of the good kind. The earnest kind that doesn’t expect anything in return. Not that they don’t deserve it.
“You boys clean up nice too.” I run the flat of my hand up Mad Dog’s chest, feeling the contours of his muscular torso through the tight black T-shirt. The neck is wide enough to expose a nice amount of smooth skin and hangs off his broad shoulders like it was sculpted to him.
Then I turn right into Riptide, whose jeans cradle his ass like my hands like to. They sit tight over his powerful thighs, teasing what’s underneath and making me want to tear them off him right here and now. Not that I will. I think. A little risk and exposure is just fun, right?
Rebel pulls me in, pressing my back against his chest. He smells of cinnamon and sandalwood, a cologne he tried recently that makes me want to peel his clothes off to see where the scent is coming from.
As soon as the other two realized, it’s become the go-to for all three of them, and now our apartment always smells like it’s trying to keep me horny twenty-four-seven.
Honestly, it seems to be working. I have to send them back to their quarters some nights, just so I get some uninterrupted sleep. Mostly I don’t, though.
He turns me to face Eagle-eye, who’s just clearing his throat.
Eagle-eye looks around. “Holy shit, there are a lot of you fuckers here today.” He’s dressed up a little too, and his mustache is newly waxed. Lazing in the heat around his feet are both Jupiter and Hercules. There’s a water bowl set out for them, but for now they’re both ignoring it.
“The girls did a good job getting the word around,” I venture, then clam up when I get a sharp look with the good eye. Got it. This is his moment. Rebel gives me a little squeeze in support.
“Ladies. Gentlemen.” He shrugs. “The rest of you.”
I chew my lip, nervous. I’ve never done anything like this before and I have no idea what to expect.
“It’s my dubious honor to present to all of you, Rebel, Mad Dog and Riptide.
Three brothers who have proven themselves more than once, who support their brothers and love their club.
Three assholes that I’m proud to have on my team.
And this time, they’ve done the fucking impossible—found a beautiful woman to love them. Somehow.”
The crowd cheers, while I’m just gaping at him.
That’s how bikers get hitched? I’ve been to a wedding once, and the priest definitely approached the process with a slightly different angle.
Bikers don’t do things like the rest of us.
Or them. I guess I’m part of the bikers now, crazy as that is to get used to.
“Melody is a young, beautiful, smart, well-spoken, clever, sensible woman… which makes her decision only that much more mysterious to me. Still, one way or another, these three members have managed to fool her into loving them, and in the end, what the fuck is more foolish than love? I just don’t understand how the fuck all my teams keep doing this. It’s not fucking natural.”
More laughter, and a couple of cheers.
“Oh, you fuckers love the unnatural, huh? Doesn’t fucking surprise me.
” He looks at us, his dagger of a gaze carving us up one after another.
“Mad Dog, Riptide and Rebel. You fuckers are taking on one hell of a responsibility. You have found a girl who wants to spend her life with you and that doesn’t come lightly.
You need to protect her, support her, love her, fuck her senseless and kill any motherfucker that tries to hurt her.
You have to be fucking vigilant, and make sure she always has everything she needs.
And this never fucking ends. Never, got it?
So knowing all of that, are you prepared to make Melody your old lady from here until fucking forever? ”
“Without a doubt,” Rebel says without hesitation.
“Hell yeah.”
“Forever.”
They all confirm it, and despite the funky wording, my heart’s swelling and making it difficult to breathe. I want to weep, and it’s not even my turn yet. I’m not going to make it through this ceremony, am I?
“Hm,” Eagle-eye says, as if he’s completely unimpressed.
But when he turns to me, it’s obvious this is not messing around.
“Melody. Melody, Melody, Melody. I don’t know why you fucking do this to yourself, but for some reason you’ve chosen these three fuckers to all be your old men.
Fuck, that sounds tiring.” He lets out a little sigh.
“But they’ve sworn to stand by you, and to make sure that you want for nothing.
Are you ready to be the same for them? The life of an MC, as you’ve already clearly seen, is far from peaceful.
It’s dangerous on the best of days, and on the worst, it’s fucking deadly.
Taking this on means taking on that risk as well.
Your men are gonna need your support, emotionally, spiritually, and fuck, sometimes even physically.
Are you willing to be that woman for your men? For Riptide, Mad Dog and Rebel?”
“God yes. Every day.”
“Really?” He raises his thick eyebrows in confusion, like he can’t for the life of him understand why.
“Fine. If that’s what you want, then that’s what you get.
Let it be known that Melody is now property of Rebel, Mad Dog and Riptide, and that they are the property of Melody.
Anyone try to fuck with that, they’re gonna answer to me.
They’re all taken by each other, and I expect everyone to honor that and honor them.
” He glances over his shoulder. “Chef, are the grills ready? I’m fucking starving. ”
Chef raises a beer in a salute.
“Alright people. Go party. Eat, drink and if you gotta screw, try to keep it out of my fucking office. Ceremony over.”
The guys sweep me up in their arms, squeezing me between them.
“How’s it feel, now that it’s official?” Rebel asks as he pulls me in.
“Amazing. I kind of wish we didn’t have to stick around, honestly, since I’m in the mood for celebrating, and I’ve got something to show you guys.”
“Yeah?” Riptide puts a wet kiss on me that gets my heart speeding. “And what’s that?”
I exchange glances with all three before I lean in and stage whisper, “It’s under my clothes.”
“I like the fucking sound of that,” Mad Dog says with a sexy smirk. “You know, I’m pretty sure no one really gives a fuck whether we’re here right now. They got beer, they got burgers, and you know, I’m not super hungry yet. They’ll be going all night, so…”
I catch his drift. “So if we slip out for a little while, then…”
“No one’s gonna even fucking notice,” Riptide says and captures my jaw so he can tilt me up for a kiss.
“I’m game. Let’s go.” Rebel starts walking, expecting us to follow, which we do.
I honestly can’t believe how lucky I am to have found not just one man, but three who are as eager to make me happy as they are. I’m sure there’ll be rough times and it won’t always be a party, but I’m sure that no matter what happens, we’ll be there to support each other through it.
And in the meantime, fuck a lot.
The last thing I do as they pull me out the gates to cross the street over to our apartment is to look back over my shoulder, just to catch Sandra looking at me with a huge grin on her face, while making a gesture where she makes a ring on one hand and pushes her index finger in and out of it.
I guess she agrees.
Thank you so much for reading Sweet Revenge for the Bikers!