Master (Chaos Bleeds Book 8) (28 page)

At the end of the date, Spider took her to the construction site for the apartments. There was a metal cage around it, and several dump trucks, and equipment.

“Wow, that is huge,” she said.

“There’re over thirty floors, and each floor will have a minimum of three apartments.”

“Just three?”

“We’re trying to decide if we should do smaller one bed apartments, or two beds allowing for a start to a family. You know, the luxury of space.”

“I can see that. I’ve always lived in a house so I haven’t had to worry too much about space.” They leaned on the hood of his car, and he wrapped his arms around her shoulders. “I love this, being with you.”

“Great, does that mean I can take you out to the movies Friday night?”

“Yes, I’ve love that.”

He cupped her cheek, stroking her soft, supple skin. Leaning in close, he pressed his lips to hers. That touch was enough, and Spider pulled back, staring into her eyes. “Let’s get you home before you catch a cold.”

****

Charlotte leaned against the wall as she listened to Gash play the piano. They had gotten their own place within Fort Wills, and he’d organized a piano. At first she had thought he was going a little crazy, but then she heard him play.

The song was a sad one yet filled with passion. Folding her arms, she listened to him, closing her eyes as the notes filled the room. They didn’t have any neighbors close so neither of them had to worry about complaints.

“I didn’t mean to wake you,” Gash said when he stopped playing.

“It was beautiful. Did you dream about him again?”

Ever since he’d taken Andrew’s life, Gash had been struggling with the guilt.

“No. I just wanted to play. I dreamed about you, about us.”

“Gash, do you regret us being together?”

He glared toward her. “What?”

“I just, I was wondering if you blamed me, or if you wished you and I were not together anymore.”

Gash left the piano and advanced toward her. He cupped her face, pulling her toward him. “The only thing I regret is not killing him sooner.”

She licked her lips, holding onto his arms. “You’ve been so different.”

“I’m relieved, Charlotte. We’ve shared our honeymoon with Sandy and Stink. I loved every second of it. I love being with you. You’re my girl, always. I want us to have a baby.”

“You’re ready for that?”

“Aren’t you?” he asked. “Charlotte, I love you, and that’s never going to change. I want us both to move on. Do you regret being with me?”

“No, of course not.”

“What do you say?”

“A baby?”

“Yeah, do you think you could handle us having a baby?”

Charlotte smiled at her man. A baby. One baby had been taken from them by Andrew, and with him gone, they’d be able to have another. A family, the start to a family. She was never told that she wouldn’t be able to have another.

“Yes, I want a baby. I want us to be a family.”

Gash leaned down, picking her up. Charlotte squealed, wrapping her arms around his neck, not wanting to let go. He always picked her up, and because she wasn’t a slender woman, she worried that he was going to drop her.

“I love you playing the piano.”

“You do?”

“Yeah, it makes me hot. My little musician. When did you learn?”

“A long time ago when I was a boy. Never cared for it but I find I enjoy it a lot more now.”

She liked watching him play, and listening to him. A family, a future, she couldn’t wait.

Chapter Twenty

In the weeks that followed, Lola came to stay with her, and it was nice to see her friend getting along so well with Celia. Paris continued to study, and she also started to write. It was just a random collection of words without any real thought to it, but she enjoyed it. Late at night when her sister was in bed, Lola had gone to sleep, and one of the brothers was playing on a video game, she’d sit on the sofa, eating ice cream, and writing.

Spider didn’t take over from the guys in taking care of her. He had become her boyfriend, taking her dates, several times a week. She didn’t pressure him, nor did she rush him to take the next step. They had gone to several good movies, enjoyed lots of dinners, and they always hung out when Lexie threw a large dinner for the whole of the Chaos Bleeds club. Spider was giving her a romance that she never thought she’d have. He took his time, and he came to see her often. Celia adored him as they shared breakfast plenty of times.

Memories of Andrew invaded her when she least expected it, but she found that his hold on her mind was starting to fade. There had been more time away from him now. She was a stronger woman now, and Andrew, he’d failed.

With Lola visiting, she had to get used to being around Spider, and a few of the Chaos Bleeds men.

At first Lola was a little skittish around him, but then she was skittish around the whole of the club. Not really knowing what to do with her, Mia got her a job at the diner in town where there was no risk of her ever having to deal with modern technology.

Lola was a complete technology buff, and that had been taken from her.

She still refused to do the online thing, and so far, her being able to talk them through setting one up had been a complete failure.

Natalie, three weeks before Christmas, hoped to have several of the outfits ready to show to Lola. Paris had told Lexie and the girls her plan of getting Lola involved. This wasn’t just about getting them on the internet. Yes, if they could get Lola past her fear, it benefited them, but Paris wanted her friend to be happy in life. If she was constantly hiding, then she wasn’t living her life.

The colleges that Lola had once been planning to attend had withdrawn their scholarship. She was working as a waitress, refusing to take a chance at a future. Spider believed her plan could work, and he understood why she needed to do it.

“How are my two favorite girls?” Sinner asked, coming into the kitchen. Lola was looking through a Christmas recipe book, and Paris was finishing her latest batch of cookies.

Lola’s cheeks went a deeper shade of red, and she mumbled a response, ducking her head into her book.
Weird.

Paris smiled. “Are The Skulls visiting for Christmas?”

“Some of them are. Stink, Sandy, Gash, and Charlotte are taking a Christmas vacation somewhere. Apparently they all had such a good time that they’re going off to do it again. Lash and Angel are having a private affair this year.”

“Who’s coming?” Paris asked.

“Tiny and his lot. Whizz and his lot. He wanted to come and see you, Lola.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know. He had a gift for you. I don’t know what that is. Steven is coming as well. Everyone else is staying at home or something like that. It has been a long year for us all. I don’t know about you ladies, but I’m looking forward to the next year. I’m fucking exhausted.”

“Remember, if Simon’s around, that swear jar will be there as well,” Paris said.

“Not a chance. The swear jar only comes out when it’s him. Tabitha coming to visit, kid won’t even be thinking straight. Last I checked, he’s getting Lex to teach him to bake. It’s fucking funny watching that kid fall head over heels.”

Paris had witnessed firsthand that kid’s love over Tabitha. The Skulls were going to come during Thanksgiving, but with Tabitha being sick, The Skulls had decided to stay at home for Thanksgiving. Simon had been in a mood all day, not talking to anyone. She’d felt bad for the little boy.

“How are we on Christmas presents?” Paris asked.

“I spoke to my parents. They’re going on a cruise so I’ll be staying here. I hope that is okay.”

“More the merrier,” Sinner said. “There’s usually several large turkeys cooked up. A ham, it’s going to be a tasty Christmas. I can already feeling the pounds adding to my ass.”

Paris smiled as she saw Lola blush. Yeah, Lola had a little crush.

“I’m going shopping later with Spider. I want to get the last few bits for my Christmas shopping,” Paris said.

“Excellent, I’ve gotten everything,” Sinner said, looking at Lola. “And I got something for you so I expect a gift in return. I do give to receive.”

“I have brought you something. I just need to finish it off.”

“I’m free tomorrow afternoon. Do you want to do that?” Sinner asked.

“Sure.”

“Right, I’m going to head on over to the clubhouse for a little bit. You two good?”

“Yeah, more than good.”

It had been over six months since Andrew’s death, and life had gotten so damn good. Paris found herself smiling more than ever now. Once the last of the cookies was done, she made her and Lola a drink, and together they headed into the sitting room. Celia was at school, and her sister was flourishing being around others.

“So, do you have a little crush on Sinner?” Paris asked.

“God, is it so easy to see that?”

“It’s not easy. Nah, that’s a lie. You blush every time he looks at you.”

“I don’t mean it. It’s not like he’d ever look at a girl like me.”

“Girl like you?”

“I’m not exactly beautiful, and I’m a nerd.”

“Can’t be a nerd unless you touch a computer.”

“And I can’t do that, so I guess I’m just miserable and ugly.”

“Hey!” Paris glared at her friend. “You’re not ugly. Stop calling yourself that, and what’s with all the negativity?”

“I’m sorry. I’m just having a bad day.”

“Why?”

“I know what you guys are hoping for with me trying on those clothes, and it’s not going to happen.”

Paris ate her cookie and licked her lips of the few remaining crumbs. “Look, we want you to have a good time. You love technology. You spent your whole life perfecting what you do, and all of a sudden you’re going to stop doing what you love for one stupid guy.”

“I have the same talk with myself over and over. I just, I can’t do it.”

“Then don’t worry about it. I’m not going to lie to you pretend we’re not hoping it will inspire you. We are hoping that. You deserve to be happy, and being a computer nerd makes you happy. However, if that doesn’t happen, then boo on us. We still want you to have fun, trying on new clothes. You can’t deny that Natalie is the bomb of new clothes.”

“I do. Do you think she and Sinner have something going on? I have noticed him talking to her a lot.”

Paris thought about it and cringed. Shit, she had seen something between the two. “I don’t know.”

“You do know. It’s okay. I can understand.”

Blowing out a breath, Paris turned to her friend. “I know they’re friends, and that they get along. There’s more men out there, you know. You know you don’t have to go for the first man that looks at you.”

“I’m not. It’s okay.”

“I think Natalie is friends with everyone.”

“It’s okay, Paris. Don’t worry about it.”

Still, later that night hanging out with Spider going through the mall, she couldn’t get it off her mind.

“What’s troubling you?”

“Do you think Natalie and Sinner have a thing going on?”

“No. They’re friends. Natalie is the same with everyone, even Slash, Dick, and Reese. Why?”

“Lola has a crush on Sinner.”

“He knows.”

“What?” Paris asked, holding onto Spider’s arm. “How does he know?”

“When a girl blushes and struggles to talk to you, you kind of know. Sinner has already spoken to me about it. He thinks it’s cute, and sweet.”

“He doesn’t like her?”

“I didn’t say that. Lola is still … damaged by what happened. She’s also young. She turns nineteen after Christmas.”

“I hadn’t thought about that.”

“I’ve seen Natalie with the guys. She’s nice, but again, she’s not overly nice to them.”

Thinking about it, Paris did see that. Natalie was nice to everyone.

“I don’t know why I was worrying.”

“You care, and that’s a good thing. It’s good to care.”

****

Paris sipped her orange juice as she watched Natalie organizing the dresses. Lola was relaxing as all the girls drank and had some fun. Lexie came to sit with her. She was only just starting to show a little bump, as were the other women.

“How is the dating going with Spider?”

“It’s slow, but I’m loving it.”

“You’re taking it slow, and that is a good thing.”

Paris didn’t feel under any kind of pressure, and her time with Lola, Spider, working, and being part of Chaos Bleeds, were healing a wound she thought was never there. Annie hadn’t helped, not at all. She’d stopped visiting her therapist over a month ago as it was a waste of both of their time.

“Lola’s flourishing while she’s living with you.”

“We’re not coddling her, and I think that is good. She can even sit with me when I’m on the laptop. It’s good.” The first night she’d had the laptop, Lola had disappeared to the other side of the room. It made for a really uncomfortable experience, and not one Paris hoped to ever repeat.

“Whizz wants to spend a little time with her. He’s got something he hopes will help.”

“Good. I can’t wait to see what it is.”

Lola came out, and the little fashion show for themselves was startling. Natalie fitted the clothes to each woman, making careful adjustments to make sure they fit just right. Paris noticed several bruises along Natalie’s arm, and started to worry about her.

When Natalie made her way toward the bathroom, Paris followed her in.

“It’s going great, don’t you think? The clothes have come out really good.”

“They’re amazing. I’ll be trying a few on myself. Where did you get your bruises from?”

Natalie looked straight at the bruises. “Ranching. Got caught by a damn calf who went all skittish on me today. Damn things hurt. I tell you, ranching is not the same as designing. However, you still get injuries from that.” She held her fingers up, which showed a little blood from the pins she’d been putting into the clothes. “Ouch.”

“You’d tell us if something bad was going on, right?”

“Paris, not everything is bad in the world that is going on. Ranching is hard work. It’s labor intensive, and it can leave a lot of bruises. Honestly, I wouldn’t allow anything bad to happen to me. My parents are the best.”

She watched Natalie leave to join the others, and she cursed her own stupidity. Since the crap that went down with Andrew, she’d been seeing the bad side to everything. Staring in the mirror at her reflection, she had to wonder if she would ever be normal. Not only that, would there ever be a time when she’d be able to accept Spider into her bed? They were taking it slow, and when the time came for more, she hoped she was there, right there with him.

****

Stink waited outside of the hospital for Sandy. She had returned to work part time, and he always made sure that he was there to pick her up. Staring at his wedding band, Stink smiled, recalling married life with his woman. She had been so skittish, almost afraid to commit to him. In a couple of weeks, they would be heading to Piston County for Christmas. Several of the guys were going, and Stink had decided to go with Sandy.

This was their first real Christmas together as a couple, and he wanted it to be a memorable experience. He’d purchased a bracelet for her, and some matching earrings. He’d already wrapped them up. If he didn’t wrap them he’d be tempted to give them to her.

Sandy came out of the main doors, and the moment she saw him, she smiled, rushing toward him. Holding out his arms, he caught her up in them.

“I missed you,” she said.

“I missed you, too.” He kissed her neck, pulled away, and stared into her eyes.

“What are you thinking?” she asked.

“I’m thinking I’m the luckiest man in the world.”

Sandy bit her lip. “I always know what to give my man.”

He wrapped his arms around her, and together they walked out toward his car. It was already freezing cold, and the moment they hit the cold air, Sandy shivered.

“I love Christmas,” she said.

“You do?”

“Yeah. When I was a kid my parents used to find ways of hiding my presents so that the whole day of Christmas was spent with me hunting for them.” Sandy smiled. “I’ll never forget how happy I was.”

“Well, we’re heading to Piston County this year, and we’re going to have a lot of fun.”

“Whizz has a surprise for Lola, doesn’t he?”

“Yeah, he wants to help the poor girl.” Stink turned over the engine in the car, and made his way back toward their house. Whenever he thought about Lola, he always found himself feeling sad.