“Hey, I’m not asking because it’s personal. I’m trying to work out some information I was given.”
Her anger seems to dial down to a simmer and, finally, she shrugs. “I wish I could tell you more, but I’ve only had limited contact with her.”
I call Lala over again. “You got Josey’s number?”
“No, but I have Sasha’s.”
“Call her and tell her there’s a big party going on this weekend and to bring as many friends as she can round up. Don’t mention Josey specifically unless she mentions her first. Can I trust you to do that for me?”
“Yes! Absolutely, Z. Uh, I mean, Prez.”
“Z’s fine, sweetheart.” I flash a smile at her and she struts away.
Lilly’s waiting with a barely-patient expression. “Z’s fine, sweetheart,” she mimics.
I roll my eyes at her. “Are you seriously jealous?”
“Nope.” She taps my chest. “I told you. I don’t do jealous.”
“Good, because if you think I see anyone else in this room or want anyone else in this room besides you, you’re fucking nuts.”
Her expression softens and she presses her palm to my chest. “Keep talking.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Lilly
Tomorrow, we’re supposed to head to the upstate clubhouse for a celebration in Z’s honor. Today, I feel like crap and just want to hide under the covers.
“What’s wrong, Siren? You’re pale as fuck.” Z steps out of the bathroom and sweeps his gaze over me. “You in pain?”
My cheeks heat. How is this man always so damn perceptive? Not a lot embarrasses me anymore, but I can’t remember ever discussing such intimate details with a boyfriend. “Cramps,” I finally mumble when he sits down next to me on the bed.
His face falls and I playfully slap his leg. “You can survive a few days without sex.”
He smirks. “It’s cute you think that’ll stop me from fucking you.”
“Uh, okay then.” He can’t be serious. I sit up and put my back to the headboard. “What’s with the disappointed face, then?”
He shifts, inching closer to me. After raining a few soft kisses over my exposed shoulder, he whispers, “I’ve filled you with so much cum lately, I was hoping I knocked you up by now.”
His dirty words send sparks of desire firing inside me. Still, I can’t help ruining the moment. “You think now…with everything going on, that’s a good idea?”
The playful look on his face vanishes and I wish I’d kept my mouth shut. But he’s not mad. More thoughtful. He takes my hands in his, staring down at them for a few seconds. “Probably not. I can’t stand for you to go through that alone again. Although,” he meets my eyes and I get a little lost in their deep blue depths, “even if things don’t go…my way, you wouldn’t really be alone this time.”
“No,” I whisper. “Everyone made that clear while you were…” My voice trails off because I can’t bear to say any version of locked up, in jail, behind bars. None of it.
“Why don’t you go back to sleep and I’ll get little man up and ready for the day.”
“Thank you.”
He rests his hands on my belly. “Or,” he says in a low, rumbling voice, “is there something else I can do to make you feel better?” His lips brush my earlobe, the sensation a bolt of lightning to my nipples.
“I already took some Advil.”
He moves my hand to the rock-hard bulge behind his fly. “I had a more holistic approach in mind.”
This man. “Holistic, huh?”
“Uh-huh.” He stands and takes my hand, tugging me out of bed. “You, me, a hot shower and a couple of orgasms, I bet you’ll feel much better.”
I’m not even sure what to say, but I like the way my man thinks.
I’m one lucky bitch.
With the amount of parties I’m expected to attend, it’s a good thing I don’t have a job at the moment.
“Being my old lady is your job right now,” Z assures me when I voice that concern.
I shoot a glare at him. “Ten years ago, I would’ve stabbed you for saying that.”
“God you’re fucking hot.” He reaches for me and I step away.
It’s hard to admit what’s really bothering me. “It almost feels wrong to celebrate when we still have these charges looming, Z.”
His playfulness vanishes, replaced with pure devotion. “I can’t tell you how much better it feels to have you say ‘we’.”
“I’m serious.”
“I know you are. We’re going to get through it. Right now, I’m out and things look good according to my attorney, so let’s try to enjoy the day.”
“Are you sure I shouldn’t go down early to help Charlotte out? I feel kind of useless.”
“They invited us. Rock and I thought it would be a good idea for the two charters to mingle more.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t before.”
Z pauses and runs his hand over his chin. “We did, but it was always a little tense. The way Sway’s club formed, there’s always been some lingering animosity between us.”
“Well, from what I’ve heard and the few times I met him, Sway seems different from you guys. In a lot of ways. I’m guessing that’s why the clubs splintered?”
“Sort of.”
That’s all I’ll get out of Z about “club business” which is fine. I don’t need a lesson in Lost Kings MC ancient history. If it’s something Z thinks will impact me, he’ll let me know. “Well, I’ll still stick around and help Charlotte clean up.”
“I’m sure she’ll appreciate that.” He leans in to kiss me. “Thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me. I’m excited to get out and see everyone. With you. As good as everyone treated me, I felt incomplete without you.”
“Come here.” He pulls me closer. “I know all of this has been rough and I’m sorry. But I’m so fuckin’ happy you’re still here.”
I can’t help but wrap my arms around him and rest my cheek against his chest. “There isn’t anywhere else I’d rather be. We’ll get through this, Z.”
“I still want to go to California with you and help you pack up your place.”
“Oh, shit. I forgot all about it, honestly. I should probably give the landlord a call.”
“You need money? This is my fault it’s taking so long for you to get back.”
“I’ve got it covered for now, but I’ll let you know.”
He squeezes his eyes shut for a second and either laughs or breathes a sigh of relief. “Thank fuck. Thought you were going to bite my head off and tell me you can take care of your own shit.”
I’d be mildly insulted, except that a couple years ago, that’s probably exactly what my reaction would’ve been. “Nope. We’re in this together, Z.”
“As soon as this is dropped, I’ll be able to go with you. If it drags on…”
“Then we’ll figure it out. Don’t stress about it now, please? We’re supposed to relax and have a good time with everyone. You can fret about everything on Monday.”
He touches his forehead to mine, still staring into my eyes. “You’re what I’ve needed in my life for so long.”
“I don’t know if old Lilly would’ve been as beneficial to you.”
He draws back. “Why do you say that?”
“Back then, I wasted a lot of time worrying about the wrong things. How other people saw me. Pleasing my parents because I felt guilty for moving out when I was younger.”
“They tried to marry you off like it was the middle ages.”
“I didn’t say it was rational.” I shrug. “I had it drilled into me to respect my parents and elders forever. Most of my rebellious streaks got squashed quick. So, even though I know I made the right call, the guilt lingered.”
“I understand. It’s hard to give up on the people you’re supposed to love the most. But when all they do is cause you harm, sometimes you have to let them go.”
“Thank you.”
He raises an eyebrow. “For?”
“Not judging me. You make me feel like I can tell you anything and you’ll take my side.”
“That’s because I will.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Z
“Are you upset we had to take the truck?” Lilly asks, glancing in the back at Chance. “We could’ve followed you.”
I reach over and squeeze her leg. “I feel like we missed enough time together while I was inside. I want to talk to you.”
She rests her hand over mine. “So, you don’t miss your bike?”
“Real story? Sure. First time I was ever on a motorcycle, it allowed me to experience true freedom. Nothing else in the world like it.”
“I can understand that. How old were you?”
“Fourteen? Fifteen? Can’t remember. A friend of my dad’s let me mess around with his old Harley.”
“Your dad didn’t ride?”