Smokey (Hell's Bastards MC 2)

Harlow stayed with her and helped her clean up the bakery before heading home. Smokey was already waiting for her as she put the lock into place.

“Hello, gorgeous,” he said.

Ava stepped into his arms and pressed a kiss to his lips. “I missed you.”

Smokey stared at her for several minutes before he shook out of whatever surprise she’d caused him.

He held out his hand and she took it. They walked together toward his car. He hadn’t been riding his bike since he’d been driving her to and from work.

“You don’t have to keep doing this. I can drive.”

“I like taking you to work.” He held the door of the car for her.

“Don’t you miss riding your bike?”

“I can ride my bike any time. Don’t worry about me.”

He helped her with her seat belt. It was these little intimacies that she was starting to really enjoy and get used to.

Smokey helped her inside and rounded the car to climb behind the wheel. She was silent as they drove toward her house. More snow had started to fall as they arrived at her house. Ava stared at her front door.

The silence in the car wasn’t awkward, but Ava felt something else. A new connection.

“Are you okay?” Smokey asked.

Ava glanced over at him. “I forgive you.”

“Ava?”

“I … I don’t want to keep on hating you or pushing you away. We’re going to have a baby. I don’t know if we’ll ever be back to where we were, but I do know I don’t want to keep on feeling this way.” She forced herself to look into his eyes. “I hope … we can build a future together. Do you think that is possible?”

“Yes.”

“You didn’t even hesitate. Are you not going to think it over?”

“I don’t have anything to think about. I know what I want.” He reached out, cupping her cheek. “I want you, Ava. I’m not good at this stuff. I’ve never been great at it. With you, I want to try.”

“Then we’ll try,” Ava said. “If you want to, that is.”

“Yes.”

She smiled. “I don’t know what else to say.”

“You don’t need to say anything else.” He stroked her cheek. “Let’s get you inside. I don’t want you catching a cold.”

****

“Ava, I love you and I’m glad we’re trying. I want to marry you,” Smokey said.

“I don’t get it. Are you asking her or stating that you want to?” Ugly Beast asked.

“I hate you right now.”

“Hate me. You’re not the one who has to sit and listen to his prez stumble over some quick and easy words.”

“You’re supposed to be helping me.”

“I am. We’re on a stakeout of the Twisted Bastards MC due to an anonymous tip. I didn’t know that would mean I’d have to list to your endless list of shit proposals.”

Smokey wasn’t exactly happy about talking to his sergeant at arms about this either. He originally planned to do the stakeout with Raven, but with how new his relationship was with Ava, he didn’t want to mess that up. This required a woman’s touch. There was no way he was asking Abriana or Harlow since both women would go to Ava immediately.

He’d been tempted to ask her to marry him when she’d forgiven him in the car. That had been two weeks ago. He still hadn’t asked.

He didn’t know what was wrong with him because he wanted to marry this woman. She was his old lady in every single way that counted.

“You’re supposed to be able to help me. You’re married.”

Ugly Beast laughed. “Do you even remember how I got married?”

Smokey sighed. “I arranged it. It was purely a business deal, but you and Abriana are going strong. You could help.”

“I can’t tell you how to marry a woman, Smokey. I didn’t even know how to marry Abriana and be a good husband. It takes time and effort.”

“You’re not even tempted by any of the other women, are you?”

“Hell, no. If you’re worried other women are going to have your attention, you’re doing this all wrong and should just be a co-parent or whatever that is.”

Smokey tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. He wanted to try again with his proposal, but he’d put Ugly Beast through a lot already.

“What’s it like to watch the birthing process?”

“Holy shit, have I turned into your bitch now?”

“I’m still the boss and can whoop your ass. Don’t start.”

Ugly Beast ran a hand down his face. “We’re not girlfriends. We shouldn’t be sharing this shit.”

“I know. I get it, but … Ava’s getting bigger and well, she will drop soon, won’t she?” Smokey asked. “I want to be in the room with her, but I’ve heard of some guys fainting. Is it the blood?”

Ugly Beast turned toward him. “We’re really doing this?”

“I want to know.”

“Dude, your woman’s pussy is only so big and that thing has got to stretch to pop a kid out.”