Rhythm of the Road (Lost Kings MC 16)

“Really?” Her brow wrinkles again. “I saw the party downstairs. It must be like that all the time.”

Worse, actually. Upstate’s tame compared to downstate. Although, Z has cleaned up our downstate clubhouse a lot since he took over. Still, some nights you could film a movie on the decline of the Roman Empire in our clubhouse.

“I’ve been busy.” I lean down and kiss the tip of her nose. “Besides, every time I close my eyes, I only see one girl.”

“Who?”

She really needs to ask? “You.”

You’d think she’d look happier after that declaration.

Shit, maybe there’s a reason she’s not turning cartwheels. “I don’t expect you to say the same thing.” I barely force the lie past my lips. I’m ready to hunt down any motherfucker who’s touched Shelby and—

“I haven’t either.”

“Why?”

“Well…” She reaches up and strokes my beard. “I’ve been pretty busy myself.”

“I saw the line of fans dying to meet you tonight. Saw the guys with their marriage proposals. Never figured there were male groupies.”

“Oh, yeah,” she drawls. “Some of ’em are super sweet. Bring all sorts of presents with ’em. Then they’re too scared to talk to me.”

I growl. Why didn’t it occur to me to bring her anything tonight except my hard cock and a handful of ‘wanna ride my beard’ jokes?

“Others offer to take me to hotels, or ask me to invite them onto the bus, or into my dressing room.”

Another low growl I can’t control rumbles out of me. “And?”

“I haven’t met anyone else with such a kick-ass beard.” Her big eyes and tilted lips are at odds with her teasing words.

“That a requirement for you?”

“It is now.”

“So, you’ve got guys handing out marriage proposals every night, Ms. Morgan?”

“It’s Miss Morgan.” She wiggles her brows at me. “Ms. Morgan if you’re nasty.”

I snort with laughter. “Please, you weren’t even born when that song came out.”

“Neither were you!” She taps the side of her head. “A good musician knows music from every genre and decade.”

That doesn’t surprise me. Maybe I’m biased but watching her performance and then Dawson Roads’ show were two different experiences. Everything about Shelby’s music is genuine and from her heart. She’s so fucking talented, I’m not sure the world deserves her. Then again, neither do I.

Keep giving her the truth. “I haven’t been with anyone since you.”

“How is that possible?” She runs her fingers down my chest.

I hold one hand up in front her face, wiggling my fingers. “I re-named this one Shelby and the other Morgan. They work fine.”

She snort-giggles, rolling toward me until her head’s resting on my chin.

I draw back, staring down at her. “What do we do about this situation, Shelby?” Jesus Christ, am I really the one initiating this conversation? Right now? Tonight? My dick’s ready to go feral if I don’t get it inside her soon. That stellar blow job wasn’t nearly enough to satisfy me.

Her body stiffens. “What do you mean?”

My inner commitment-phobe recognizes where her fear’s coming from. “I’m not asking you to leave your tour or stop what you’re doing. I’m not even asking you to move up here after your tour’s over.” Not yet anyway.

Underneath all her sassy, southern charm, I’ve always sensed Shelby’s skittish when it comes to…whatever the hell I’m proposing here. I haven’t been interested in being in a relationship since high school myself, so I don’t hold it against her.

She blows out a long breath. “Thank you.”

I twist my index finger around a wet, blond wave. “I want to see you more often, though.”

“You do?”

“Hell yeah.” Honesty. Just be honest. “These last couple months have been hell.”

Her eyes shine. “Really?”

“Can’t you tell from all those needy texts I send you?”

“They’re not needy, Rooster,” she whispers. “I love…every one of your messages.”

“I’d rather give you more in person.”

Her gaze slips away. “I’m on the road until almost Thanksgiving.”

“I’m a biker who lives for the open road, baby.”

Shocked eyes rush to meet mine again. “You’d really come visit me?”

“Fuck yeah.” Now we’re getting somewhere.

“But that’ll be expensive. I only have a handful of dates kinda close to here.”

I roll to the side, propping myself up on one elbow. “Have I given you the impression I’m some sort of bum?”

“No. You’ve never really told me what you do.”

“I do fine.” I just got her to understand that I haven’t fucked any other women, no reason to bring up the porn company now.

“I don’t want you to waste your money on me.”

“It’s not a waste.” I stop myself. Maybe she’s looking for excuses to keep me away. “If you don’t want me to visit you on the road, say so, Shelby.” I hate the hard edge creeping into my voice but can’t help it. “You won’t hurt my feelings.”

No, it will annihilate me but I’m sure as fuck not giving any woman that kind of ammunition.