Thunder (Hell's Handlers MC 10)

It would push anyone to their limit.

With a nod and a dazzling smile she probably didn’t deserve, he took a few steps back. “Even exhausted, you’re gorgeous.” He winked. “Thirty minutes.” Then he spun with a flourish and joined his brothers at the table of sinfully attractive men.

Mak groaned as she turned and mumbled, “Thirty minutes.”

IF HE COULD kick his own ass, he’d make it so he couldn’t sit for a week. Why the hell hadn’t he come here first thing in the morning? Better yet, he should have swung by her house and blocked her goddammed driveway. Of course, stubborn and overly responsible Makenna wouldn’t stay home. What was a night of trauma when there was work to be done? The money meant a great deal to her, not for herself, of course, she didn’t have a selfish bone in her body, but because she had so many others to care for.

“Well, boys, what are you all in the mood for?” Shell asked, as she leaned her hip against her husband’s large shoulder.

Copper slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. “Just coffee, please, baby,” he said. The others nodded their agreement, so Thunder did as well even though he could have eaten the table he was so hungry. Last thing he wanted to do was hold up their ability to close up by submitting a late order.

Mak needed to get home so she could get some sleep. Though how restful would a house full of rowdy kids and teens be?

Hmm, the thought got him thinking…

“Hey, Shell, can I ask you a favor?”

“Of course, Thunder. What do you need?”

“It’s kind of a huge one.”

She shrugged. “You know if I can do it, I will.”

He peeked at Copper, who’d raised an eyebrow as he watched the exchange. “Mak didn’t get to bed until after three-thirty this morning, and I’m assuming she was here before seven. She’s exhausted.”

“Yeah, she’s been dragging through the whole shift, making mistakes, and looking like a zombie. Completely out of character for her.” Frowning, Shell shifted her concerned gaze to Mak as she walked a tray full of dirty dishes into the kitchen.

“She’s trashed. But she’s got all her siblings at home. Maybe the younger one or two could stay with you guys tonight, give her a chance to have some quiet time?” He gave Shell his most endearing smile, earning himself a kick from Copper under the table.

“Ow, fuck!”

Shell laughed, rubbing her husband’s upper back. “Put away those pearly whites. You don’t have to charm me, Romeo. It’s a fantastic idea, and I’m embarrassed I didn’t think of it first. Between Mama V and I, we can take both of them. You know Cassie loves spending time with the kids. It’s good for her. Keeps her busy, and her mind occupied. It’ll be fun. A big pajama party. Then Mak can have some alone time.” As she spoke those final words, she flashed Thunder an impish grin.

What the hell was that supposed to mean?

“Jesus,” Copper muttered. “Looks like I’m sleeping at the clubhouse.” But there was no heat behind his words. The prez approved of the idea as much as his ol’ lady did. Mak had no idea she’d already been tucked into the family fold, especially after she’d passed along information that prevented Jazz from being injured.

They sat around, sipping coffee and bullshitting until the women finished, and the last customers vacated the diner.

“All right,” Jazz said as she dragged a table up alongside the booth. Toni joined her, pulling over empty chairs. They all shuffled around so each woman could sit by their respective ol’ man.

Mak ended up next to him as though she was his to protect. Christ, were that the case, he’d be bound to fuck it up within the week. What the hell did he know about keeping a woman happy? Especially one who came with a pack of children.

Fuck. It’d be a disaster from day one. No, he needed to stick to what he understood. Dancing, fucking, and his club. Thoughts of the pressure and responsibility associated with making a woman his own had him breaking out in a cold sweat.

No matter how nice it felt to have Makenna’s leg brush his under the table. Or how his chest puffed up when she looked at him with those big, trusting eyes. Or how hard his dick got when she licked that damn lower lip.

Once everyone was seated and had a full cup of steaming coffee, Copper dove right in. “Last night Makenna worked the bar for a CDMC party.”

All the women gasped, and their heads whipped in Mak’s direction.

“Seriously?” Toni asked, eyes wide.

Beside him, Mak squirmed, clearly uncomfortable with being singled out. “I didn’t know,” she whispered, staring at the table.

“She had no idea what the club’s history with them was,” he snapped at Toni, cringing at the defensiveness bite to his own voice.