Shade's Fall (The Last Riders 4)

Lily went to Shade’s room, getting a fresh pair of flannel pajamas before she went into the bathroom to get changed. She was tired. Tonight she wanted to sleep in the bed, yet she knew she was incapable of climbing into the bed with Shade.

Lily opened the door to see Shade was taking off his shoes. He had already removed his t-shirt and his jeans were unsnapped.

He got up from the side of the bed and then went inside the bathroom, closing the door.

Lily stood in the middle of the floor for several seconds. She couldn’t do it, going instead for the corner.

When Shade came out of the bathroom, she thought she saw a flash of disappointment before his face became impassive. He got into the bed, turning out the lamp.

Lily stood there several moments before she sat down on the floor. Her mind was thinking she was already stiff from working out and sleeping on the floor was going to hurt her even more. She had to find another place to stay.

As she sat there thinking, several things occurred to her. She had walked across the floor barefoot, and while the carpeting was thick throughout, where she was sitting was extremely padded. She put her hand down and noticed it was thicker. There was extra padding underneath the carpet where she was sitting. The room itself was very warm, which she liked; she wasn’t cold and didn’t need a blanket to keep warm.

She was staring at him sleeping on the bed when it dawned on her that she could see him clearly. Her head then turned in the direction of the bathroom. He had left the door open and the light on.

Chapter 16

Lily filled the last order of the day, aware of Georgia’s eyes on her. Lily wanted to turn around and stick her tongue out at her. Feeling childish, she packed the items back to the table and began sorting them.

Jewell was on her way out, finished with her last box, when she stopped by Lily’s table. “That woman is Jonesing for you.”

“She doesn’t like me,” Lily agreed.

“No shit,” Jewell mocked, throwing a glare at Georgia.

Lily almost laughed but didn’t think it would help the situation, and it would increase Georgia’s hostility toward her.

“I must rub her the wrong way. I don’t think I’ve done anything to make her dislike me.”

“I’ll tell you why she doesn’t like you in one word. Jealousy.”

“Georgia is not jealous of me,” Lily said wryly.

“Oh, yes she is. She’s hung up on Shade. She made friends with me just to get closer to him.” Jewell shrugged. “I’m a sucker for a pretty face and a rocking body.”

Lily studied the sultry body that always had one of The Last Riders close.

“I assumed—I mean… never mind,” Lily trailed off, embarrassed.

“That I’m into dudes? I’m into anyone who makes me feel good,” Jewell replied, not in the least bit embarrassed. “I like sex. I really like sex.”

Lily couldn’t help but like the woman who had showed her where everything was when she had first started working at the factory.

“I keep hoping she’ll ease up,” Lily admitted.

“Georgia isn’t going to take a personality pill one day and become a nice person. You have to stand your ground. She can’t fire you, so tell her to fuck off.”

“I can’t be disrespectful. She’s everyone’s supervisor.”

“She’s a worker. Whichever of the club’s members is over the factory is the boss. That’s what counts. You have to learn to take up for yourself, Lily. That’s why none of us has said anything to her. This is your first real job, and everyone wants you to learn to handle this situation without one of us stepping in and fixing it for you. You have to stop being such a sweet person all the time. A little bit of being a bitch wouldn’t hurt.” Jewell advised.

Lily had mixed emotions. She understood what Jewell was saying. She was trying to tell her to stop being a wimp. She didn’t want to get in Georgia’s face, though. She always avoided confrontations. She hated confrontations.

She didn’t like that part of herself. She had to get past that fear or she was never going to stop the panic attacks that had plagued her throughout her life.

“I’ll try.”

“Cool. If you need any help, let me know. I always enjoy a good fight.”

“All right,” Lily said, getting back to work.

“Finished?” Raci asked Jewell.

“Almost. I just need to give this paperwork to Shade.” Jewell left, taking the paperwork to Shade’s office, leaving the door open.

Lily continued packing the order, listening to Raci describe a movie she had watched the previous evening. She saw Jewell sitting on the corner of Shade’s desk, talking while leaning toward him. The expression on her face was very explicit. When her hand glided up his arm, Lily tore her gaze away, concentrating on Raci’s words.

“Are you going to come to your first party tonight?” Raci asked eagerly.

“What?” Lily asked in shock.

Raci shrugged her shoulder. “Well, since it’s not a secret anymore, and you’ve been at the house all week, I just assumed you would be at the party tonight. I have an outfit you could borrow, but you have to promise to give it back.”

“No, thanks. I’m not going to the party.” She might have been upstairs several times during mealtimes and during the evenings when most of the members mainly had done nothing more than drink a few drinks, yet none had become drunk. Several of the members had even gone upstairs together, leaving no doubt what was about to happen, but Lily was sure their Friday party wouldn’t be so restrained.

Raci grinned infectiously. “I remember the first time Beth and Winter came to our parties. They were shell-shocked. Don’t worry; once you’ve seen it and get over the newness of seeing everyone, it’s hot. It’s my favorite day of the week, but I enjoy the rest of the week, too.”

Raci was open and nice and she liked to keep everyone happy. She would constantly jump in and volunteer when the orders backed up. During the week, Lily had also noticed the men around her a lot.

“Can I ask you a question, Raci?” Lily hesitated. Raci nodded. “Do you have a room to yourself or do you share others’?”

“I have a room to myself now since Knox moved out. Why?”

“I know this is an imposition, but would you mind if I shared?”

“You’re giving up Shade’s bed? Are you crazy? He’s the only member who doesn’t let anyone sleep with him. Ever. Do you know how many women have tried to spend the night with him?”

“Um, no. Shh… everyone will hear you.”

Raci didn’t lower her big mouth. “A lot, including me. He might fuck you all night, but no one sleeps beside him. Damn.” Raci shook her head, staring at her in disbelief.

“I don’t mind you sharing my room. It’ll be fun. Of course, Train and Rider will love it. One of them always spends the night; they love to show off.”

“Never mind. I’ll stick to Shade.”

When Raci looked disappointed, Lily drew the conclusion that the men weren’t the only ones who liked to show off. Lily looked toward Shade’s office; the door was now closed. Lily began to become agitated and wasn’t sure why. Her hand went to her wrist, snapping the band before she went back to taping the package closed.

Raci was describing the new outfit she had purchased for tonight. “I broke down and bought a few new clothes. The women are notorious for swiping the best ones. They steal them out of the laundry baskets.” Her eyes traveled down Lily’s cream dress. “Of course, you don’t have to worry about your clothes,” she finished lamely.

Lily realized her taste in clothes had just been insulted. She looked down at herself. She had intended to purchase more clothes. The next time she went into town she would, but she doubted they would be any that they would consider borrowing.

Her eyes went back to Shade’s office door to see it opening and both of them coming out. Both of them seemed in a good mood, which was rare for Shade. Lily’s teeth clenched.

She began cle

aning her workstation with jerky movements.

“Ready?” Shade asked, coming to her side and touching her arm. Lily jerked away from his touch.

“Yes.” Lily turned to the door, ignoring his inquiring blue gaze. Opening the door, she blinked briefly as her eyes became adjusted to the light, her temper simmering without cause.

She went to the path which led to the house where Train and Kaley were arguing, making no attempt to lower their voices.

“Please, Train, talk to them.” Her voice was pleading against his stony face.

Lily felt sorry for her when she heard Train’s negative reply.

She had to pass Kaley on the way to the path, and Kaley’s reaction at seeing her wasn’t pleasant.

“This is all your fault,” she said hatefully.

“Excuse me?” Lily asked, coming to a stop.

“Shut up, Kaley. It’s not Lily’s fault you didn’t keep your mouth shut,” Train said.

“No one would have cared if she hadn’t been nosing in, like my sister.”

“Miranda was worried about you,” Lily protested.

“Miranda was just jealous. I was getting plenty of sex and she wasn’t.”

Her harsh words had Lily taking a step back, coming into contact with Shade. As his arm slipped around her waist, Lily tried to move away, but he held her still.

“That’s not true,” Lily tried to reason with the angry woman.