Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36019 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36019 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Reid was gone.
My pulse sped up for a second until I spotted the black leather cut folded neatly at the foot of the bed. A small square of paper rested on top of it.
I sat up slowly, wincing at the ache in muscles I didn’t know I had, and soreness between my legs. Tugging the blanket with me, I reached for the note.
Had to take care of club business. Don’t leave the room unless you’re wearing this.
- R
The bold scrawl was unmistakably his. I traced over the letters with a soft smile.
The message wasn’t long or flowery, but it didn’t have to be. His care for me came through loud and clear.
Warmth bloomed in my chest, twisting up with something fluttery and completely ridiculous. I lost my virginity to a broody biker with protectiveness in his touch, and now he wanted me to wear his cut when I was around his club brothers. The women in the clubhouse wore property patches. That was what Reid had called them when I asked. This wasn’t quite the same, but that didn’t lessen the impact of him giving it to me.
After taking a shower to ease my aches—the ones from Reid popping my cherry more noticeable than my shoulder—I smiled as I pulled on a pair of leggings and a loose top from the pile of clothes Reid had someone get for me yesterday. Then I picked up the cut and lifted it to my face, breathing in his woodsy scent. I liked knowing I’d be surrounded by it all day.
The vest hung heavy on my shoulders as I shrugged it on, nearly swallowing my frame, the bottom hem brushing the tops of my thighs. I walked into the bathroom, and when I caught my reflection in the mirror, something about the sight made me stand up straighter.
Even when he wasn’t here, Reid was still looking out for me. Trusting me with the symbol of the brotherhood that meant so much to him. That knowledge gave me the confidence I needed to explore the clubhouse without him.
I cracked the door open and peeked out. Padding into the hallway with only socks on my feet, I wandered downstairs.
With my stomach growling, I headed straight for the kitchen. I barely made it three steps inside before a curvy brunette spotted me.
“Look what the cat dragged in.” She set down her coffee mug with a clink. “You must be Peyton.”
I nodded, offering a sheepish smile. “Guilty.”
“I’m Gemma, Hawk’s old lady. And that’s Alice.” She gestured toward a redhead seated at the table with twin toddlers on either side. “Greg and Gus belong to her and Deviant.”
“Your husband is the computer guy.” I beamed a smile at Alice but kept the details slim since I wasn’t sure how much the guys shared with their women.
“Yup, he has magic fingers.” Gemma and I giggled, making Alice blush. “When he’s at his keyboard. Geesh, get your minds out of the gutter.”
Gemma handed me a plate and shooed me toward the table. “Sit. Eat. You look like you’re about to fall over.”
“And here I thought I was doing so much better.” I snagged a chair across from Alice and set the food on the table in front of me. “Maybe some coffee would help. I’ve slept a ton but still feel so tired.”
“Having a building collapse on top of you is bound to do that to a person,” Alice muttered, shaking her head.
“You definitely deserve a cup of coffee after all that.” Gemma set a full mug on the table. “Want creamer or sugar?”
I beamed her an appreciative smile. “Thanks, black is fine.”
“You’re welcome.” She dropped onto the chair next to me. “Is Wrecker taking good care of you?”
“Mm-hmm.”
I focused on my food to cover the fact that my cheeks were filling with heat, but it didn’t work.
“That blush and the cut on your back are answer enough.” Gemma giggled. “I think it’s safe to assume he’s taking excellent care of you.”
“They all do.” Alice patted her twins’ heads. “And that’s how so many of us end up pregnant.”
My cheeks burned hotter—and not just because I nearly choked on the bite I’d just taken. The memory of Reid’s words from the night before bounced around in my mind. Luckily, Alice and Gemma didn’t push further, letting me finish breakfast instead.
After I was done, I tried to help clear a few plates before Alice shooed me away. I was still sipping my coffee when Blade walked into the kitchen, dressed in scrubs and looking like he hadn’t slept much.
“Coffee hot?” he asked, already making a beeline for the pot.
“Yup,” Gemma confirmed, nudging the half-full carafe toward him.
He poured a cup, then glanced my way with a tired nod. “Still doing okay?”
“Yeah,” I confirmed with a small smile.
He grunted what might’ve been a “you’re welcome” before leaning against the counter. His gaze flicked to Gemma and Alice before returning to me. “What’s Wrecker up to?”