Rebel on the Run (17 page)

She was surprised when they merged into the crowd escorting the Nova. She looked up to see a woman with a microphone, which was surrounded in a box-shaped ad for the local TV station, trailing them—a videographer right behind—along with a gathering of random people who must have been out for an evening walk before catching on to the sensational proposal unfolding in the park. Lucky break for the station. They must have been filming something nearby.

Kaelyn ducked her head, hiding in the crook of Bryce’s arm as they relished the squeals coming from the passenger side of the Nova as the Powertools crew continued to enhance their celebration. By the time the song ended, Kaige had pulled his car next to Bryce’s Rebel and the rest of the Hot Rods’ hot rods.

He climbed from the vehicle and opened Nola’s door. She barreled him over when she rushed from the vehicle and pounced on the gorgeous man, making his dreads swirl around them. He cushioned her so that she landed on top of him, his hand over her still-flat stomach.

And then he set her down and got on one knee.

The words he spoke were low enough to be private, but the looks on their faces told the entire story. The cute news reporter rushed past Kaelyn, bumping her shoulder as she snuck in for a close-up. Holden stepped up, preventing the woman and her cameraman from intruding too much on the precious moment.

Then no one had eyes for anything but the pure bliss radiating from the couple, who embraced before Kaige slid his ring on Nola’s finger. The group of friends and family surrounding them cheered in support of their everlasting promises.

Together, they led the way to the pavilion Nola’s sister, Amber, and Kaelyn had rushed to prepare for an informal engagement party. No way would the Hot Rods let their Powertools friends leave without enjoying every bit of their company.

It was the most perfect moment she could ever recall, watching the couple blossom while Bryce held her close to his warmth and the pounding of his heart, which she could measure against her cheek.

He looked down at her and smiled, then covered her lips in a delicious kiss that neither of them was in a rush to end. So what if they were the last ones to dinner?

It was worth it.

Kaelyn tidied up some white lights that had drooped from the tree branches and surveyed the apothecary jars filled with punch, which sat on the lace tablecloth that draped a picnic table. At least they
had
been full. It seemed people were enjoying the fruity concoctions.

Same could be said for the appetizers that had been scarfed down before moving on to the cupcake bouquets and the plates of cookies. 

“I can’t believe we pulled this off.” Amber high-fived Kaelyn.

She clapped hands, then went in for a full-on hug.

“We make a good team.” Her smile was genuine. When was the last time she’d been part of anything bigger than herself?

“Yeah, we do. Your
hors d’oeuvres
are amazing. Those gorgonzola pear tartlets are going on my catering menu for sure.” Amber laughed, then stopped, growing very serious. “You know…my sister ditched me for this lot.”

She waved toward the Hot Rods. Kaelyn could see that she was happy for her sister, but maybe a teensy bit worried too. “I have a ton of events coming up, stuff I hadn’t even told Nola about yet since she’s been so preoccupied.”

“Do you need help?” Kaelyn was glad to pitch in.

“More like I need a new partner.” Amber’s eyes grew big in the twinkling lights. “You’d be perfect. I mean, I don’t know what you’re planning to do…”

“Are you trying to steal my admin?” Eli sauntered over, one arm flung around Sally’s shoulders. “I just got her.”

“Oh, you’re working for Cobra?” The pretty mocha-skinned woman tried to hide her disappointment, but Kae could tell. She was flattered.

“Part-time, anyway. Maybe I could do half and half?” She nibbled her lip, wondering what Bryce would say. “I do love setting up events. It’s something I actually have oodles of experience with.”

“I can tell.” Amber smiled. “You’d be a huge asset to my company. It wasn’t Nola’s favorite aspect of our collaboration. She was more into the marketing and consulting side of things, but…I think this is what I like best. And now that it’s just me, I can take some new and different clients. Steer the business in a more specific direction. What do you say? Would you be my part-time partner? I’m willing to settle for joint custody.”

“Hey now, that’s what I like to hear.” Holden planted a smacking kiss on Amber’s cheek. “A woman who shares. Perfection.”

“Eww, Swinger.” She swatted at him. “Not like that. Not when my sister’s in the picture.”

Kaelyn, Eli and Mustang chuckled at their antics. But when Amber refocused, Kaelyn knew it was the right thing to do. She put out her hand and shook Amber’s. “I’m thrilled to accept. Thank you.”

“Sweet!” Amber rushed forward and hugged her. “This is going to be great. I can’t wait to tell my mom. Have you seen her?”

“I think she’s over there by the tree swing.” Kaelyn pointed to where Tom pushed Ms. Brown lightly in an arc while she dangled her bare feet and her dress rippled in the wind.

“Oh, jeez. I’m surrounded by hopeless romantics.” Amber pretended to be put-out, but Kae caught her soft smile.

“I’m afraid you are.” Bryce rejoined the group along with Nola and Kaige. He stared right at Kaelyn, his gray gaze lasering into hers with an intensity that had her checking her watch. How much longer until they could be alone?

Or slightly less than alone, but in private.

She counted the seconds.

“Rebel, I think you should know I hired your girlfriend. Meet my new partner in crime.” Amber grinned.

“Seriously?” He looked to Kaelyn. “That’s great. I still can’t believe you two did such an awesome job with short notice. Everything looks phenomenal.”

His praise warmed her from the inside out.

“Thank you.” She went onto her tiptoes to kiss him. “You don’t mind me taking a job, really?”

“Absolutely not.” He hugged her tight. “I’ll support you in whatever you want to do.”

“Even…” She whispered a wicked suggestion into his ear.

“Definitely.” He shouted over to his friends. “Kae and I are going home. See you guys there.”

They laughed and teased him about his eagerness, but he didn’t seem to care.

“Congratulations,” he said more seriously when he turned to Kaige and Nola. “It couldn’t happen to better people, truly.”

“We could say the same.” Nola hugged first Bryce, then Kaelyn.

And while they rushed back to Hot Rods, they missed Holden intercepting Sabra Harp—the local news reporter—after she’d interviewed the newly engaged couple about their spectacular proposal. Bryce and Kaelyn hadn’t thought to remind anyone to make sure they were kept out of the footage when it was shown as a feel-good piece on that night’s news.

Swinger did it for them, looking out for his own.

Chapter Ten

Kaige took Bryce aside as they entered their apartment. “Do you think Kaelyn’s ready?”

“For?” He took a deep breath.

“Tonight won’t be the same if we can’t celebrate
our
way. You know, start the rest of my life as I intend to live it.” Nova had never seemed so earnest before. “Tom and
Willie
—I still can’t believe that’s her name—are gone for the night. The Powertools crew had to hit the road, though I wish they could have stayed too, and I’d really love to share this once-in-a-lifetime experience with you guys. Kaelyn included. You’re not going to let her go, are you?”

“Never,” Bryce confirmed.

“Then we have to test the waters sometime, right?” Kaige cleared his throat. “Unless you don’t imagine yourself sharing anymore.”

That wasn’t an option. Not for Bryce and not for Kaelyn.

He couldn’t believe how much their needs aligned.

Complementary decadence.

“No, you’re right.” He glanced over to where Kae chatted with Nola. She was sandwiched on the couch between Holden and Carver without seeming the least bit intimidated. In fact, she seemed to be leaning on Swinger a bit as she talked to Kaige’s fiancé about embarking on a partnership in the event-planning business with Amber, Nola’s sister.

Things were working out even better than he’d hoped.

Speeding along, exactly like he preferred.

Only one thing left to try.

“Let’s do it.” Bryce clapped Kaige on the shoulder. “If she doesn’t want to or can’t handle it, I’ll take her out, but I want you to know that I’m happy for you and I want to celebrate with you.”

“Maybe someday soon I’ll be doing the same for you when Kaelyn agrees to be part of us officially. I know you’ll make it happen when the time is right. After you’ve adjusted to finding each other again.” Nova smiled. “She’s perfect for you. And for us.”

“I’m going to do my best. If she’ll have me. I have to give her some time to figure things out, though. Stand on her own before I take that from her by making her mine.” Bryce sighed. He could wait if he had to. She was worth it.

“She will.” Nova sounded certain. “I’d bet my car that she’s loved you since you were kids. Same as you have her. I remember how I’d find you staring at that picture of her you have in your room sometimes. I knew I recognized her, you jerk.”

“Usually on her birthday. It was the hardest thing to know another year had passed and she’d probably forgotten me a long time ago.” Bryce could finally confess to his friend.

“Nah. Bonds like those don’t fade away. You could leave here for ten years and you’d always be a Hot Rod, right?” Nova shrugged. “Not that I ever want you to try it…”

“I’m not going anywhere. And if I have my way, neither is she,” he promised.

“Then let’s go party, Rebel. There’s a lot to be pumped about.” Nova grabbed his crotch. “And he’s extra happy anticipating it.”

“I can see that.” Bryce laughed at the hard-on Nova didn’t bother to shield from him.

“You want to talk to her first?” Kaige winced as if the delay would be painful.

“When it comes to this, I think it’s better to show than to tell.” He shook his head. “She got an eyeful of Carver, Holden and Roman the other night. She knows everything. It won’t be a surprise.”

“Okay, I’ll follow your lead when it comes to her.” Nova nodded. “I’m really happy for you, Rebel. Nola’s the best thing to ever happen to me. I’m glad you have that too. That we all can drink it in.”

“Same goes, Nova.” Bryce hugged his friend. “I can’t wait to spoil your kid. I bet we can Hot Rod a tricycle.”

“Ah, shit. I’m going to be a dad.” He laughed and looked slightly horrified at once.

“We’d better pack in all the fun we can before then.” He tipped his head toward the living room and the rest of their gang. “Come on.”

Kaelyn could sense Bryce approaching the instant he turned his attention to her. Every nerve in her body went on high alert as if he was a magnet and she a great big pile of iron shavings. 

Mustang Sally took one look at the intensity on his face, and Nova’s, and grinned. She did a fist pump, then whipped her neon pink tank top off. She sported a leopard-print bra beneath that made the best of her assets.

“How did you know we weren’t going to ease Kaelyn into this?” Eli shook his head at his wife as he laughed.

“Because she doesn’t need kid gloves.” Sally shrugged, then allowed Alanso to peel her jeans from her voluptuous hips.

“Good point.” Nola nodded before allowing Kaige to make quick work of her dress.

“Thank you.” Kaelyn figured, what the heck? She might as well be proactive. With a shimmy, she shucked the borrowed jeans Nola had lent her, then tossed her blouse over the sectional couch.

Bryce glanced from her to his friends. The men and women focused on their partners, or for those single…on her.

She shivered.

“Are you scared?” he asked her. “We don’t have to do this.”

“I’m more afraid that if I don’t, I might never know what I’m capable of. What it feels like to really fly. I’ve had by-the-book. Dull. That doesn’t cut it. And if what I felt with you and Holden last night is any indication, taking on four guys is going to blow my mind.” Kaelyn grabbed his collar and tugged him lower so she could kiss him. They stayed that way for so long most of the other people in the room were stark naked the next time she peeked around.

“If it’s too much we can slow down. Or watch. Say the word and I’ll put on the brakes. No one will be upset or offended. Okay?” He kissed her softly, letting her really decide.

“Yes. But I’d rather you step on the gas.” She unbuttoned Bryce’s shirt, loving the hard expanse of his chest, which she revealed with each fastener she undid. Tracing the valleys between his six-pack abs, she pushed the fabric aside until it fell from his shoulders.

As if the balmy air from the fireplace hitting his bare skin was some kind of catalyst, he sloughed the rest of his clothes and divested her of her underwear in no time flat.

Suddenly, she was surrounded. Bryce, Holden Roman and Carver paid her an inordinate amount of attention. Kissing and touching every inch of her as they told her over and over how glad they were that she was joining them.

They pressed on her shoulders, guiding her to the floor until she lay in the middle of the four gorgeous men. Bryce kissed her as his friends plumped her breasts, suckled the taut peaks and one of them—Carver, she thought—pressed between her legs, spreading her thighs around his shoulders and petting her trimmed pussy.

A cry flew from her parted lips into Bryce’s mouth. He broke contact for just a moment from where he lay beside her to observe his friends. “Go ahead, Meep. Eat her pussy. Get her good and slick for me.”

Kaelyn whimpered when the Hot Rod did as her man ordered. She realized in the first instant his mouth fused to her and began to ply her with wet laps and suckles that he was part of Bryce. An extension of the man she adored.

Bryce was giving her this. More than he could ever do alone.

It was a phenomenal gift. Precious and rare.

She appreciated it. Him.

And she let him know with the ferocity of her hunger as she devoured his mouth.