“All right, guys, we are done here,” Dev said.
We left through the front, making sure to lock the door behind us. The street was quiet. No one had called the cops.
I nodded to myself. The neighbors probably hated him too. My hand hurt but I felt good. Vindicated. I’d been wanting to beat that guy’s ass since he came on to Suzanna. Threatening her had made it a necessity instead of just a pleasure.
It was time to go and see my woman.
* * *
“Unbelievable,” Whiskey said, crossing his arms over his chest as he surveyed the cabin. Our women were all draped over the furniture, looking sleepy.
“They are all drunk!”
“I’m not,” peeped Kirstin from the chair by the fireplace. She wiggled her fingertips. “Just buzzed.”
I stepped inside and stared at Suzanna. She was okay. She didn’t look as traumatized as she had a few hours ago. The ladies had worked their magic just as I’d hoped, distracting her.
With lots of margaritas, from the looks of it.
I’d hoped to distract her even more, but I wasn’t going to bang her if she was tipsy. As fun as that might be. Not the first time.
I wanted her to remember every second of it. I wanted her to feel every second of it. And I needed to take her with a clear conscience because I planned to do utterly filthy things to her.
She gasped when she saw me and stood up, walking toward me.
“Mac! Are you all right? I was so afraid he might hurt you.”
She walked right into my arms. We stared at each other while the rest of the world faded away. I was vaguely aware that everyone was staring at us.
“I’m fine,” I said, stroking her hair away from her face. “Everything is going to be okay.”
“Mac kicked his ass!” Lucky said, slapping my back.
“You did?” Her huge eyes searched mine. “For me?”
“He needed someone to set him right.”
She laid her head against my chest and hugged me tightly. I squeezed her back just as hard.
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“Yes, I did.”
She leaned back, and we stared into each other’s eyes, silent words passing between us.
“All right, ladies, that’s our clue,” Donnie said loudly. I ignored him.
“She’s a keeper, Mac,” Sally sang out as Donnie collected her. She gave Suzanna a quick kiss as Donnie led her away by her hand. “I am so glad you are one of us now.”
Suzanna let go of me to hug her new friend goodbye. Then Becky, who whispered something in her ear that made her blush. Molly was giggling like a loon when Cal scooped her up and threw her over his shoulder. Janet told Suzanna to remember what she said with a wink. Jack rolled his eyes and said goodnight.
Lucky and Kirsten both hugged Suzanna. Lucky slapped my ass and said they’d see us tomorrow. I nodded.
Dev and Kaylie were the last to go.
“Thank you so much for letting me stay here tonight.”
“Stay as long as you need to. That’s what it’s here for.”
Kaylie squeezed her hand.
“We mean it. We are going to move out here eventually. As long as you are out of here by the time our kids start school.”
“Kids?” Dev said, looking alarmed.
“Kid,” Kaylie clarified. Then she winked at Suzanna. “So far. And she’s not even two.”
Suzanna giggled and I stared at her. The sound was so girlish and carefree. It was like a breath of fresh air.
I wanted to hear that sound again.
A lot.
I wanted to hear it for the rest of my life.
We walked them to the door and stood on the porch, watching them go. Dev still rode most places, but not when he had his lady with him. Though I know the guys gave him shit about taking her on long, slow, Sunday afternoon rides.
Yeah, our fearless leader was definitely tamed. Most of our crew was. And it looked like I was going to be next.
I turned to Suzanna, ready to tell her how I felt. But she was staring at something lower.
Wait. Is she staring at my dick?
“Your hands! Why didn’t you say something?”
Get your mind out of the gutter, Mac.
She gripped my wrist and tugged me back inside. She shoved me into one of the chairs around the kitchen table. I landed with wide eyes and a harder dick.
Suzanna was worried about me. When she was worried, she was bossy. And being bossed by Suzanna was the biggest turn-on I’d had in my entire fucking life.
Chapter 21
Suzanna
“Why are you smiling at me?” I asked suspiciously. Mac was sitting there, bleeding, with the goofiest look on his stupid, handsome face. I was so upset that he’d gotten hurt on my behalf. I felt guilty and worried about it. “Put your hands on the table where I can see them.”
I found a first-aid kit and some supplies, carrying them to the kitchen table. I almost cried when I saw up close the mangled mess he’d made of them.