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Spin
I’m ashamed of myself. I got caught up in Naomi’s beauty, and then when her breasts began to leak, I was in a complete trance. I ran to the bathroom to not further embarrass myself with the tent in my pants. I’m not sure what it is about her exactly to get me so damn turned on. She probably thinks I’m some creep she has to share a room with. I never meant for it to be this way. It sort of fell in my lap, and I scooped the opportunity up with both hands.
When I was in church with the brothers and they brought up the possibility of others visiting for the holidays, I immediately volunteered my room. I even vouched and pledged my protection for her. Over eager? Maybe.
So far, every woman Sadie has brought in, we’ve had one brother assigned to help maintain her safety, and the rest of us acted as backup. My volunteering didn’t seem out of the ordinary to anyone at the table, but they haven’t seen how curvy and gorgeous she is yet, either. I’m sure I’ll catch some hell once they realize as much, but it won’t bother me any.
Maybe I should offer to sleep on the couch in the rec room tonight to give her some space. She was napping in my room when I finally peeled the bathroom door open and peeked my head through like a giant chicken shit. Once I saw her eyes closed and heard the adorable soft snores leaving her lips, I ducked for cover and got the hell out of dodge. Now I have guilt clawing up my back at leaving her in there alone when she doesn’t know a soul here aside from me and the brief encounter she’s had with Sadie.
“You straight, bro?” Cain, our VP, asks as he slides onto the stool beside me. I may be posted up at the bar, but I’m not tossing them back. I have a beer and a glass of water resting on the bar before me, both getting warm as I mentally chastise myself and overthink things. One bed seemed like a dream come true earlier, but after getting a hard-on by her breasts alone, I’m not so sure if it’s smart anymore. The other problem with not sleeping in the same bed is, if one of the visiting brothers attempts to get her in theirs, I won’t be able to keep my mouth shut, and it’ll be an issue for sure.
With a shrug, I watch the condensation run down the side of my water glass. The heat’s cranked up in the clubhouse because none of these assholes like wearing shirts, even in the wintertime. I’m not exactly sure what to say in return.
Am I okay? I’m fine. Just disappointed in myself when I wanted to make a decent impression. Is that such a bad thing? To want to come off as a good guy to a pretty woman in a rough situation. She needs protection and trust, which I was hoping to give her both.
Peppermint, Brently’s ol’ lady, ducks behind the bar. She grabs a few beers and smiles warmly at Cain and me before she returns to Brently, offering him one of the bottles and sliding onto his lap. They started a bit shaky. The brother followed her home and took the door off her hinges to get her to talk to him. They’ve been glued at the hip ever since. Maybe I should take a page from his book and dive in head first, but who knows if it’s truly the right answer in this situation. I don’t want to come off as too pushy.
“Spin, talk to me.” His brow shoots up, beefy-as-fuck arms crossing over his chest. He’s been a fighter for as long as I’ve known him. He made a lot of money fighting in other clubs but has slowed down. Becoming vice president and popping out a few kids takes up the majority of his time now. He sips his protein shake, eyeing me up, looking like the intimidating motherfucker I know he can be. He’s not going to let me walk away without getting something out of me. I should expect nothing less, though. This is what family is all about—the Oath Keepers have taught me as much time and again.
Sighing, I run my finger over the label on my beer. After a beat of contemplation, I admit, “I may be a bit hard up for Naomi.”
“Naomi... you mean the new chick we’re protecting? From the vote earlier?”
With a nod, I divulge my thoughts. “Finding her like I did... it changed something inside of me. I can’t stop thinking of Naomi and wanting to be good enough for her. I don’t know why or what the fuck happened, just that it did, and it has my fucking head spinning.”
He emits a low whistle, lips tipping into a smirk. “Good for you, brother. And what the fuck do you mean good enough? You’re one of the coolest dudes around here with no drama, no bad attitude, and you’ve been steady for as long as I’ve been a member. You own your own business, and I’ve never seen you disrespect a woman... so clue me in, ’cause she should be gone for you too.”
Prez comes strolling up beside us, catching the last tidbit of Cain’s spiel. His brows skyrocket as well, making me roll my eyes. They’re my brothers, and by extension, nosey as hell. We’re all up in each other’s business at the club because we’re close. We’ve been in more than one too many shitty situations in the past not to have each other’s backs at this point.
“Ares,” Cain acknowledges.
“Prez,” I state, nodding my respect to the human tank. I’m not exaggerating. When it comes to massive dudes, Ares is one to head up the pack and is hella intimidating being our prez.
“The fuck you two gossiping about?”
“Nothing,” I mutter.
At the same time, Cain responds, “He likes the new woman. Our brother is sprung already.”
“Fuck.” With a curse, my hand goes for my beer and I take a swig, attempting to wash my embarrassment down. They probably think I’m trying to save another chick and don’t know what I really want. I’m not captain save-a-hoe or anything. I just come across women in distress on occasion and jump in to help them if needed. There are worse habits to have.
“Hmm...” He grunts, resting his bear-sized hands on his hips, taking me in. “You like her? Enough to keep her?”
I give him a jerky nod as 2 Piece waltzes behind the bar flashing his ol’ man a grin. His ol’ lady is around here somewhere as well. 2 Piece, Ares, and Avery have been solely committed to each other for years—a real live threesome, front and center. I envy their level of love and commitment and am glad the club is open-minded enough to accept their type of love.
“Stop stressing about whatever has you stuck in your head and tell her.”
“Ah... she just got here, Prez.”
Cain butts in. “True. You don’t want to scare her away. Maybe go easy for a little while and not jump straight to giving her whiplash.”
Prez huffs, grumbling to himself. He obviously disagrees with the VP and won’t hesitate to say what’s on his mind. “Wasting time is all it is. Trust me. I pissed away far too much time holding on to unspoken feelings. Worst mistake I ever made. Don’t wait too long, so she’s already gone when you’re ready to spill how you feel.” Prez is fucking crazy. A madman who chops up the bodies of his enemies and feeds them to the pigs at the farm, yet the brother is giving me advice on love. I guess if anyone can be the poster child of love having no bounds, it’d be him.
“I don’t even know her. I found her on the side of the road... we briefly talked in the hospital and then again earlier. I’m so fucking confused. This chick has me in knots over wanting her already, ’cause it’s too soon for this to be happening.”
“But you felt a connection?” 2 Piece questions, suddenly neck-deep in the conversation I didn’t want to have. Bunch of nosey fuckers.
“Unlike I’ve ever had before,” I confess, feeling my shoulders lighten by saying it aloud. It’s out in the open now and can’t be taken back. I have to own it, and I intend to.
Cain bops his head, not bashful for a second to point out when he’s right about something. “See. I knew it.” It takes everything in me not to flip him off. Cocky fucker.
Ares gestures to 2 Piece, stepping off to the side so they can speak quietly while I shoot daggers at my nearly full beer. I don’t intend on finishing it. I don’t know why I ordered it in the first place. Probably habit of sitting at the bar. I shouldn’t be drinking with a guest and a baby on the way. It doesn’t taste good today anyhow.
“I’ve always caught shit for how I look.” I finally acknowledge my deep secret I’ve kept locked tightly away, my words quiet enough not to be overheard by anyone else.
“I never thought you gave a fuck.”
“I didn’t. Not really, anyhow.” I shake my head, rubbing my palms over my black-wash jeans to get the sudden itch out of them.
“But you care now? Enough to let it bother you?”
“She’s about to have a baby. I want to be a good example.”
“Fuck, bro.”
“What?”
“You’re gonna patch this chick. I can see it already. You’ll marry her and put a property patch on her.” I stare at him, silent. He continues, “Wouldn’t be the first time a woman rolled up in here with a baby on the way from another and was claimed by one of us. Look at Twist and Sadie. Brother was gone, straight mental, and she managed to bring him back from the deep end. I thought the brother was going to kill himself, but then he found his ol’ lady. They’ve been together for years, and I don’t see Twist ever letting her go.”
“She was exactly what he needed, then and now. Helped heal his soul from losing his child.”
Cain concurs, reaching for my beer I’ve been glaring at. I wave it off, giving him permission to drink the barely touched beverage. I’d have wasted it anyhow. “You think Naomi could be the one for me? I’m not as jaded as Twist was, but I have my hang-ups I deal with too.”
I’m self-conscious, an over-thinker, and protective of my baby sister to probably an unhealthy level. In my defense, she’s tiny. Then again, I’m overly protective of all vulnerable women. Someone has to be. My mother was murdered, and it fucked up my sister, Mercy Mae, to the point she nearly took a dive off a building at a young age. Mercy never spoke about it after she grieved, and at the time, I was too young to know what to do with my sister. She grew up here and in the tattoo shop. With the brothers’ help and the old prez, she turned out whole and healthy. She isn’t perfect, but none of the best ones are.
If only I could remember the sentiment when it comes to myself.
“If you’re torn up over her and this is only day one? Fuck yes, I think she is.” His eyes grow wide. “Speaking of... you didn’t tell us she’s a knockout. And do not repeat that shit around my ol’ lady or I’ll be missing one of my nuts by mornin’.” I try to hold back my chuckle from escaping, but it’s no use.
London is crazy enough she’d fuck him up some way or another. Maybe not saw a nut off since she seems to enjoy popping out a ton of Cain’s babies, but she’d mess with him somehow. Probably drop his car off at the chop shop or send it off the side of a cliff and call it a day, or at minimum go joyriding again and burn through the expensive wide tires while scraping the rims against a curb. Just thinking of the possibilities gives me the shivers and makes my asshole pucker.
Glancing at Naomi, her face is lit up at me laughing. She flashes a wide smile in my direction, and the air in my chest stutters to the point I feel like I can’t breathe. How can she do this to me with a mere smile? Is this really how fast things happen when you meet your soulmate?
What am I saying? I’m getting ahead of myself, and I need to pump the breaks a bit. Take it easy, one baby step at a time so I don’t send her running for the hills. It’s going to be hard, though. I want to wrap her up and stick her in my pocket so I can carry her with me everywhere. That shit sounds strange, yet it also makes perfectly good sense in my mind.
As soon as she’s close enough, I greet her. “Hey, Little Momma. How you doin’?”
“I’m okay. I must’ve passed out on you.” Her eyes are full of questions, but I can’t give her any answers right now because the last thing I want to do is embarrass her in any way with my truth.
Nodding, I slowly grab her hand, giving her the opportunity to deny me if she wishes. “You had one helluva day, and it’s late. You deserve to rest and get your strength back. By the way, this is the vice president of the club, Cain.” I meet his gaze. “This is my Naomi.” The word slips in unplanned, labeling her as mine in front of club members. Not good unless I plan to formally claim and patch her as Cain had taunted me with moments before.
“Hi. Nice to meet you, Cain. I appreciate you letting me stay here.”
He grins. “You too, Naomi. Not a problem at all. Stick close to Spin so he can protect you if needed. Though I don’t see anything happening to you while you’re here. They’d be stupid to show up trying to hurt a woman in this clubhouse. Those are the types we show special lessons to.”
“If only that worked online too. I am scared to check my accounts. I’m sure he’s drug my name through the dirt. You know how people believe everything they see online, no matter how untrue it may be.” She frowns, making every beat of my heart want to make her smile again.
“Cyberstalking is disgusting. Done by cowards. Don’t give them a second thought. Anyone with half a brain knows better than to believe the bullshit those narcissists spiel. As far as I see it, if they can’t provide legit proof, then they’re nothing but liars,” Cain says.
Her fingers tremble on the hand I’m not holding before she clenches it into a fist, hiding her anxiousness. I’d never have noticed had I not been checking her over when I caught it. “He’s right.” I grumble. “Fuck stalkers and cyberbullies. Bunch of pansies I’d gladly teach a lesson to. Real men don’t act like that. You don’t worry about anything. You have me, remember?”
Her teeth sink into her lower lip as she meets my concerned stare. “I remember. Thank you so much, Spin.”
With a wave of my hand, I change the subject, wanting to put her at ease. “You hungry? How’s the baby?” Her stomach growls loudly, and the three of us burst into laughter. Her cheeks flush, so I give her hand a soft squeeze. She has no reason to be bashful around me. I held her in my arms on the side of the road. There’s no more vulnerable time that I can think of with someone than being unconscious in their care. “You’re still looking like you need more sleep, and the doctor said to take it easy, especially over the next few days. Want me to grab something to eat and bring it to the room? You can lie in bed and prop your feet up?”
Cain slaps me on my shoulder, obviously pleased with my suggestion. He has a house full of kids, so he’d know the best way to take care of a pregnant chick. I’m glad because I know next to nothing and only want to make Naomi’s life easier. She’s already been through a tough enough time, and she needs to realize it comes to an end with me.
“Yum, sounds great. I haven’t eaten since this morning, aside from the IV and Jell-O at the hospital. Oh, and nothing with onions. They make me puke. Sometimes the smell alone will set me off. It sucks.”
“No pukey onions. Got it. I’m glad because I think they’re gross and should only be used as a form of torture.”
Naomi laughs. “Have a good night, Cain. And I’ll see you shortly.” She winks at me, and I nearly combust on the spot from wanting her so badly. I’m left watching her every step, the sway of her hips putting me in a hypnotic trance.
“You’re hooked and in trouble if you don’t lock it down soon,” he states as soon as she’s out of earshot. “If it were me, it’d already be done.”
“Huh?” I’m drawn out of my staring contest with Naomi’s big round ass. More cushion for the pushin’.
He chuckles, downing the rest of the beer. “Nothing, man. Forget it. Go take your woman some food, and tomorrow, grab her a body pillow, a massager, and some sweet snacks. Nothing salty. It’ll make her swell up and be in pain. Make sure she drinks plenty of water, and she’ll probably want chocolate milk for heartburn.”
“Wow. Okay. I’ll text you. I’m sure I’ll have more questions.”
He stands to leave. “You’re going to knock her up after she has that kid. I can already tell. One taste of pregnancy won’t be enough for you, will it?”
Shaking my head, I quietly admit what had crossed my mind earlier. “I think I’m obsessed with her pregnant body and everything else about her.”
“Welcome to the club, bro. My ol’ lady owns my ass, hook, line, and sinker. I’ll catch you later. One beer is my limit as London’s waiting in my bed.”
“Ride easy, brother.” I punctuate it with a fist bump and head for the kitchen.