Biker Bound: The Lost Souls MC Series (18 page)

“Whose fault is that?” he points out.

“You’re the one who ended dinner,” I argue.

“It was worth it,” he smiles, “Do you want to go down to eat or shall I order room service?” he asks.

I am not ready to burst our little bubble just yet, especially if we stay in the room and he keeps his top off and chest on show.

“Room service.”

“Good choice.”

He calls down and orders coffee and pancakes. While we’re waiting he climbs back on the bed and lays beside me.

“Thank you for last night…and this morning.”

“I should be thanking you, I feel fantastic,” I tell him.

“When you opened the door I couldn’t believe you were you. The memory of you dressed like that will be forever burned in my head. I feel like the luckiest fucker in the world.”

“I know what you mean, I wasn’t expecting to see you dressed so…normally,” I can’t help but laugh.

“I can do normal occasionally, only for you though.”

“Good because the whole biker look you’ve got going on is pretty hot.”

I damn myself for blushing.

He dips his head to kiss me and I try to savour the way his lips feel on mine.

“I hate that I have to leave you today,” he frowns, pulling away.

“When will you be able to come back?”

“I have some club business to sort out over the next few days so not till next week.”

“It’s going to be a long week,” I say sadly, the thought of a week without him doesn’t make me feel good.

“For us both darlin’.”

A knock at the door interrupts us. Slade gets up and answers in only his boxer briefs and takes the trays from the hotel valet.

The coffee is gorgeous, the pancakes are gorgeous and the man sitting cross-legged beside me on the bed is gorgeous. The only part missing is Zachery.

“Why do you look upset?” he asks, concerned.

“Do I?”

“Uh-huh.”

“I was just thinking about Zachery. This is the first time I’ve been away from him. He’ll be awake now and wondering where I am.”

He doesn’t think about what he says next and it damn well causes my heart to swell.

“How about I take you back soon and we can take him out somewhere before I leave? I’ve missed the little guy too.”

“Sounds perfect.”

As much as this beautiful man wants me to be his, he never makes me feel like Zachery is in the way. In fact, thinking back over our many conversations he always includes Zachery. He understands I come with a child and it has never bothered him.

I’ll always be a mom first no matter what, but Slade makes me feel like I am Kristen again, that I can be both.

I am falling in love with him and I am not scared of it. Oh God, I love him. How can I wait a week to see him again? I can’t.

He told me once it was inevitable I would live with him and he was right. I want to go back to Willows Peak with him. I am about to tell him this when his phone rings.

“I’m sorry but I have to answer this,” he says, looking pissed.

“Sure, go ahead.”

He doesn’t say much during the call but his whole body language changes. I can’t see his face as his back is turned to me but it doesn’t look like he’s hearing anything good.

He doesn’t say goodbye as he snaps his cell shut and then makes me jump when he throws it against the wall.

“Sorry, I shouldn’t have done that,” he mutters, as he begins pacing the room.

Making sure the sheet is wrapped around me I slip off the bed and stand in his way.

“What’s going on?” I demand.

When he won’t look at me I know I’m not going to like what he has to say.

“You said you wouldn’t keep anything from me anymore,” I remind him.

“And I won’t, but what I’m about tell you will just confirm your fears about being with me.”

“Just tell me Slade, you’re worrying me.”

He begins pacing around me so I make it easier for him and sit on the edge of the bed.

“That was Cas on the phone. About an hour ago some photos were delivered to the clubhouse,” he pauses and tries to calm himself down.

“Photos of what Slade?”

“Of us. Me picking you up last night and us at dinner,” he stops pacing and watches me waiting for my reaction.

Judging by the look on his face he is expecting me to crumble, but I am furious. Last night was my first real date and no one is going to spoil that for me.

“Who would do that? Why would anyone do that?” I ask calmly.

He joins me on the bed and surprizes me when he keeps his hands to himself.

“Someone is out to get us, the club not you. For the last few months they have been causing trouble for us and we don’t have a fuckin’ clue who it is or what they want. Whoever it is though, they know everything about us. This is probably them saying they know where we are at all times.”

“Am I in danger now?”

“It was me they were following but they probably know by now how much you mean to me so I can’t be sure if you’re in danger or not.”

At least he’s honest this time. Silence fills the room and now he does take hold of my hand and holds it tightly.

“This isn’t what you want but I can’t leave here today unless you come with me. I have to know you’re safe and I won’t know that if we are miles apart.”

“Okay.”

His head turns to look at me so fast it should have snapped his neck.

“Really? I was expecting you to fight me on this.”

I smile and shake my head.

“Slade, I am not scared of someone taking photos of us, maybe I should be but I am angry that last night has been tainted by this. I trust you won’t let anything happen to us. So no, I’m not going to fight you on this.”

I now believe him when he told me that the club looks out for one another because the thought of being Willows Peak makes me feel safe.

“I won’t let anything happen to you and no one can take last night from us. It was the best night of my life and nothing will ruin that,” he promises me.

“Last night was one of my best nights too and I expect many more,” I say bluntly.

“Well let’s get dressed and back to Willows Peak so I can show you what I have to offer.”

As we drive up to my aunt’s house the realization that Slade is about to meet my mom hits me. I’ve never introduced anyone to her before, she didn’t even meet Billy. This is bound to be awkward.

“Are you ready?” he asks, opening my door.

When the hell did he get out of the car?

“Sure.”

After digging the spare key out of my purse, I grasp Slade’s hand and hope he feels my anticipation.

Walking through the house it is too quiet. It isn’t until we enter the kitchen that we hear voices flowing in from the back decking area. Stepping out into the well-tended to garden my aunt, my mom and Zachery are eating breakfast.

“Are you ready for this?” I ask, trying not to move my lips.

“More than you would believe.”

I peak up at him and see he’s completely calm. My aunt notices us first and jumps to her feet.

She’s four years younger than my mom and looks four years older than her. She has been known as the party girl in her youth and throughout her thirties. Now in her fifties, she enjoys the peaceful life even if she does moan she is bored often.

“Oh my Kristen, you brought extra breakfast for us to devourer,” she winks, taking in every inch of Slade.

“Leave him alone Aunt Helen.”

Slade pulls out a chair for me and takes a seat himself between my mom and I. “Mom, this is Slade McCarthy. Slade, this is my mom Marnie Collins and this is my aunt, Helen Maguire.”

“It’s nice to meet you both,” he says, awarding them his best smile.

Before anyone, specifically my aunt can embarrass me, I turn our attention to Zachery.

“Hey baby, did you behave yourself for Granma?”

“He’s been a little angel, no trouble at all,” my mom says, speaking for the first time.

“How come we have the pleasure of meeting Slade this morning? You were adamant last night I wasn’t to come down when he arrived,” mom says, cheerfully.

And here it is, embarrassing at its best.

“I’ve decided to go back with him, I thought you should meet him,” I shrug as if it isn’t a big deal.

On the inside I feel anything but casual.

“Last night must have been exceptional to have changed your mind this fast?” Aunt Helen smirks.

I roll my eyes at her innuendos and prey this is over quickly.

“Last night couldn’t have been better Miss Maguire,” Slade says, squeezing my hand under the table.

“Can’t say I blame her Marnie, you couldn’t be without Robert when you first met him and he was nowhere near as sizzling as this young man.”

“Hold your mouth Helen.”

“Okay, I’m going to pack our things. Please don’t scare him away while I’m gone,” I beg.

“He’ll be safe enough with us,” Aunt Helen promises.

“I’ll help you,” my mom says, standing with me.

Zachery shimmies of his chair and rounds the table, stopping next to Slade.

“Hey little guy, how you been?” Slade asks him, picking him up and onto his lap.

“Mom-ma,” Zachery beams.

“I’ll be back in a minute baby,” I tell him, heading back into the house.

My mom keeps her opinion to herself until we are in the room I’ve been staying in.

“He’s a very good looking young man,” she starts.

“Yes he is,” I agree.

“I’m not going to stop you from going, you’re old enough to do as you please but as your mother, I have a right to make sure you’re thinking this through properly?”

I sit on the bed and smile up at her.

“I couldn’t be surer about anything. I can’t explain it, the way he makes me feel, how he is with Zachery, it is everything about him. I love him mom, and if I don’t go back with him I’ll be wasting time and I don’t want that.”

And it is because of that and not because of the photos taken of us.

“You remind me of myself when I fell in love with your dad. He could have told me the sky was green and I would have believed him. I never wasted time with him and I am so happy I didn’t. I trust you to know what you’re doing and if he makes you this happy then I am glad you found him.”

“Thanks mom, I’m glad you’re smiling again too.”

“You have your Aunt Helen to thank for that, it was the right decision moving out here. There was too many memories of your dad.”

“Good memories,” I agree.

“Always good, that’s why it hurt too much. Good memories are sometimes the most painful to bear.”

I whole heartedly agreed, my father was a diamond in the rough.

It doesn’t take long to collect my things together and change out of last night’s dress. Arriving back downstairs I find Slade and Aunt Helen laughing and chatting away with Zachery still on Slade’s lap.

“I’ve never seen Zachery so taken with someone not in the family before,” my mom observes next to me.

“I know, he’s like my sixth sense when it comes to people. They both click.”

“Mom-ma,” Zachery squeals when he sees us.

“Hey baby, come and give momma a cuddle.”

I peel him away from Slade and hold him close until he is begging to go back to Slade.

He takes him from me and stands by my side. A sense of jealousy hits me. I have had Zachery all to myself since he was born, him choosing me over anyone else and now it feels like he doesn’t need me. I know I am being silly, having Slade in his life is good for him.

“Are you ready to go? I don’t want to rush you but I want to get on the road soon,” he ask, quietly.

“Ready when you are.”

After goodbyes have been said and my mom and aunt have given Zachery their hugs goodbye, he’s back in Slade’s arms again and it dawns on me I won’t be driving my car back. I doubt Slade will drive separately.

“We can have it brought back, don’t worry,” he murmurs in my ear when he catches me looking at my car parked in front of his. I nod and feel relieved, the last thing I need is to be in Willows Peak and relying on him to drive us around.

I leave Slade to buckle Zachery in his seat which has been transferred to his truck and hug my mom once more.

“Call me when you get there and never forget, you are welcome here anytime,” she assures me.

“I know mom.”

“Look after them please,” she urges Slade when he joins us.

“You have my word Mrs Collins,” he smiles.

Once we’re in the car I get myself comfortable for the long journey.

“Ready to go home?” he asks.

Home. It feels weird referring to Willows Peak as my home but that is what it is about to become so I nod and rest my hand on his thigh as he drives us away.

I had long ago fallen asleep, the smooth motion on the road was hypnotizing. Horns blasting stirred me and had me looking out of the rear view. No one was there. Slade looking amused, pointed into the short distance in front where four men clad in a mix of jeans and leather were sitting on their bikes. As we passed they pulled off from the side of the road and followed behind us.

“Don’t look so worried, it’s only Cas, Sparky, Oak and Pope,” he tells me.

“Why are they here?” I ask.

“Just making sure we get back to town safely,” he says, taking a side glance look at me, “Trust me darlin’, this is what we do, we look out for each other.”

I settle back in my seat and take a peek at Zachery, he is watching out of the window trying to work out what the noise of the bikes is.

“How long do we have till we get to town?”

“About half an hour.”

The time soon flies by and instead of going straight to Slade’s house, we pull into their clubhouse.

The last time I was here feels like a lifetime ago instead of just under a week.

I still remember I have apologies to make but right now I am too tired and achy.

“I promise this won’t take long and then I’ll take you both home.”

“It’s okay, we can stretch our legs while we wait.”

As I make my way round to Zachery, Slade is waiting and has a devilish grin spread across his face.

“What?” I ask, wondering what I missed.

“This,” he murmurs, pulling me against his chest.

His lips smack against mine in full force taking me by surprise. I quickly get over it and return the hunger he is feeding me.