Diamond in the Dust (Lost Kings MC 18)

“I don’t even know if Rooster likes this stuff.” I motion toward a frilly lacy bodysuit, trying to picture how it would fit my figure.

Angelina’s perfectly sculpted eyebrows draw down. “I’m pretty sure if his heart beats and his dick works, he enjoys lingerie on his woman.”

My lips twist into a slight smirk. “Everything works great.”

She lets out an exaggerated sigh. “You don’t have to rub it in.”

“You’re not seeing anyone?” I glance up from the rack. “No one special back home?”

She cocks her head and crosses her arms over her chest. “Do you know how many men are lining up to date an MC president’s daughter?” She forms a circle with her thumb and fingers in front of my face. “Zero, Shelby. Ze-ro.”

I snort out a brief giggle at her dramatic tone and expression. “Your dad’s really nice.”

“Nice?” She pauses, a faint smile curving her lips. “Oh, right. You’ve only met him in certain situations. Trust me, he’s terrifying when he wants to be.”

I’d caught a glimpse or two of Chaser’s protective side, so she’s probably right on that one. The more I think about it, the more vividly I’m able to picture Chaser intimidating most men who show an interest in dating his daughter.

“Still, you’ve never…I mean you’re surrounded by a lot of—”

“Bikers who think I’m a little sister or a niece they need to protect,” she finishes for me.

“Well, yeah.”

“It’s not sexy, Shelby.” She fiddles with the ribbon on another lace bodysuit. “Most men cower at the sight of my dad. So, I lose respect for them quickly. None of his brothers are ever going to choose me over the club. I’d rather date outside my dad’s sphere of influence.”

Wonder if her dad’s ever tried to shoot any of her boyfriends. “What does your mom think?”

She lifts one shoulder. “When I find the right guy, I’ll go to her first. She’ll help me convince my dad to back off.”

That’s kind of what I suspected. “Sure sounds better than my momma, who tried hard to talk me out of gettin’ serious with Rooster.”

“But he’s so sweet to you.” She blinks rapidly. “Why? Is it because he’s a biker?”

“No.” I shrug, sort of wishing I hadn’t brought it up. “My dad left when I was a kid. She doesn’t want me to suffer through the same thing or have anything derail me from my career.”

“Shoot, Shelby. I’m sorry.” She hesitates, her bottom lip quivering like I’ve noticed happens when she’s about to say something she’s worried I’ll find offensive. “It was probably rough on her trying to be both mom and dad.”

Well, doesn’t that make me feel lower than a bug on a grasshopper’s foot. “Never quite thought of it in that context. I think we finally came to an understanding the last time we were home.”

“Did Rooster get mad at her?”

“Nah. He’s more patient than I am. His plan is to keep being with me whether she likes it or not.”

“Solid plan. That’s kinda sweet though. Lot of guys would get bent out of shape.”

I’m not going to get into Rooster’s family or what his evil ex did to him. After being dragged through hell and back by Ashley’s snooty family, my momma’s antics have to be a ray of sunshine.

“How about this?” She holds up a strappy black lace bodysuit.

“I’d probably get tangled up like a bug in a spider web.” I flick one of the elastic ribbons dangling off the scrap of lace. “Nothing black or bondage-y. Too cliche for a biker’s girlfriend.”

She chuckles and returns it to the rack. “Good point.”

“Oh, this is cute.” I pull out a bundle of pale, baby blue chiffon about the size of two napkins.

“Not much to it.” Angelina squints at the fabric.

“That’s the point.” I hold up the sheer, polka dot bra that’s more like a tube top with tiny, ruffled cap sleeves. The matching panties will give about as much coverage as a transparent Band-Aid. “You think it’s too slutty country girl?”

She taps her finger against her bottom lip. “Hmm. Like, one part slutty country bumpkin, one part Dorothy-we’re-not-in-Kansas-anymore and two parts bad bitch who’s gonna get lucky.”

I tuck the scraps under my arm and grab a bottle of massage oil.

“Sounds like a recipe for success to me.”

Chapter Forty-Nine

Shelby

“I’m staying downtown tonight,” Angelina announces as we’re finishing up in the studio. “That way you can reconnect with Rooster without worrying about me overhearing.”

I snort-giggle. “Here’s where I should protest and say you don’t have to do that.”

“And yet…”

“Seriously, are you sure you don’t mind?” I follow her out of the studio and upstairs. “We can go stay at a hotel.”

“Nope.” She gives me a tight hug. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Rooster said he wouldn’t be here for another couple of hours but she seems eager to leave.

I’m not quite finished with the song I was working on. Dawson said I could use his upstairs music room whenever I wanted. I drag my gear into the large white space. The wall-to-ceiling windows let in lots of sunshine unlike the dark downstairs studio.