Rowan

Later that night, after a couple of glasses of wine, I’d had time to think about everything the women had told me... maybe a little too much time. But, regardless, it was enough to know I was done being without him. I missed his little smirk when I let a pun rip. I missed seeing his eyes crinkle at the corner, whether they were behind his thick-rimmed glasses, or he happened to be wearing contacts. I missed the way he ran his hand over his beard when he was deep in thought, or when he watched me closely, even when he thought I didn’t notice.

I sighed. Let’s be honest. I missed everything about him.

I pulled out my phone and dialed his number.

He picked up on the second ring. “Hey, Rowan.”

“Hi. Can you come over?”

“No, I cannot.”

“I’ve made my decision and I’d like to tell you it in person.”

He sighed.

“Please,” I begged.

“I’m outside, baby. Give me two minutes.”

“Wait, you’ve been here the whole time?” I squeaked. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because we made a plan.”

“No, you made a plan and forced me to follow it.”

“I’m at your door, you can yell at me in person.”

“I don’t yell,” I grumbled, stomping to my door, and peering through the peephole.

Lord jumped off the sofa and followed me, sitting at my side.

“Hanging up now,” Scooby said, and I pulled open the door.

“Hi,” I breathed out. God, I’d missed him. And he looked extra especially delicious tonight with his tight jeans and thick-rimmed glasses. Good god, almighty, he was a nerdy biker in all his glory.

He smiled. “Hey.”

I stepped back. “Come in.”

He leaned against the wall of my stairwell. “I’m good here.”

I settled a hand on my hip in defiance. “So, if I get naked in my doorway, while you stand there, you’re going to do nothing?”

His eyes widened and his nostrils flared. “Are you saying your decision went my way?”

“Yes.” I smiled. “I’m scared to death, but yes, I’m in.”

He grinned, pushing through the door, his mouth landing on mine as he kicked the door shut.

“Wait,” I panted out, gripping his cut. I’d discovered in my meeting with the ladies it wasn’t called a vest after all.

“I’m done waiting,” he said, toeing off his boots.

“Well, I need to tell you something really important that’s pertinent to what we’re about to do.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Pertinent, huh?”

“Yep,” I said, with an emphasis on the ‘P.’

“Okay, Twinkles, whatya got?”

“Twinkles? Why Twinkles?”

“Because you’re always so twinkly,” he said. “You light up my world, Rowan.”

My insides went all squishy and I smiled. “Well, that’s just about the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.”

“Now, get to the point, because I’ve got a raging hard-on and I need to get my face between your legs.”

“Right.” I shivered. “I’m, well, technically, still a virgin.”

“Technically, how?”

“I’ve fooled around a little, but no one’s ever crossed my mighty Barrier Reef.”

“How the hell did you make it to twenty-eight a virgin?”

“Did you miss the part about me being mouthy?” I challenged. “Guys didn’t really stick around long enough to get to know me, and I didn’t stop them from walking away.”

“Then, they’re fuckin’ morons.”

“Maybe.” I slid my hands up his chest. “Gran was pretty religious, so I was raised pretty religious after my parents died, but I never really bought into all of it, to be honest. I kind of used it as an excuse to weed out the sheep from the goats, so to speak. I’ve only ever found goats.”

“Bible reference?” he asked.

“Yeah.”

“Well, consider me your very own Lambykins,” he retorted, kissing my neck and I chuckled before tugging on his beard.

“In all seriousness, Scooby, is that okay?”

“That you’re a virgin?”

I nodded.

“Fuck, yeah, it’s okay. But you know it means the stakes are higher, right?”

“How so?”

“I’m gonna be your first, which means, I’m sure as hell gonna be your last,” he said, leaning down to kiss me gently.

“I can live with that.” I smiled against his mouth. “Does this mean I’m your old lady?”

He leaned back slightly. “Who told you that?”

“I had a few visitors today.”

“Do I want to know?”

I gave a quick rundown of the ladies visit and he dragged his hands down his face. “Jesus fucking Christ. They need to mind their goddamn business.”

“You can’t be mad at them,” I said.

“Why the hell not?”

“Because they’re kind of the reason I came to my decision.” He crossed his arms and scowled, and I nearly burst out laughing. “Are you trying to intimidate me?”

“Fucking hell, Rowan, no, I’m not trying to intimidate you.”

“Oh, good, because it’s not working.” I smiled up at him, squeezing his arms. “For your information, they had some really nice things to say about you.”

“Oh, I bet they did.”

“They did. Especially Violet. Did the two of you ever date?”

He let out a snort. “Fuck, no. Jesus, why would you think that?”

I shrugged. “She’s just really pretty and seems to adore you, so I wondered.”

He relaxed his arms, wrapping them around me. “Not that I was interested, but she was Sundance’s princess, so she was off-limits. But the thing about Letti, is that she’s cool as fuck, so she wheedled her way into being one of my best friends. So, yeah, we’re close. But she’s also young and totally not my type.” He gave me a squeeze. “You are.”

“I wasn’t angling for reassurance, honey. It was just a question.”

“Love it when you call me ‘honey,’ honey.”

I grinned up at him. “I’ll do it more often, then... honey.”

“What else did the Primal Housewives of Monument have to say?”

I chuckled. “Is that what y’all call the women?”

“Either that or the Primal Hotties.”

“Oh my god, I love that,” I breathed out. “I want to be a Primal Hottie.”

Scooby grinned. “You’re already there, baby.”

“Anyway, they gave me a crash course in how an MC worked. More importantly, how yours worked, pertaining to the women. A little insight into their men and their relationships, etcetera.”

“And what did they tell you?”

I cocked my head. “Do you really want to talk about that, or would you rather get naked?”

“Deal with Lord, Rowan.”

I grinned big. “Go to bed, Lord,” I ordered, and he walked into his crate. I closed the door and locked the latch, then led Scooby into my room.

“You’re gonna have to direct me on this, Crew,” I said. “For obvious reasons.”

“My name outta your mouth...” He let out a deep sigh. “It’s fuckin’ sexy as hell.”

I slid my arms around his neck. “Good to know.”

“Just how sheltered were you?” he asked.

“I’ve had my share of sex-ed,” I said. “I’m aware that your dangly bit goes into my doodly part.”

“Technically, my dangly bit better turn into a diggity do by the time it’s ready to go into your doodly part or we’re gonna have a problem,” he retorted.

I snorted out a laugh as I dropped my head to his chest. After I’d comported myself, I met his eyes. “This is going to be fun.”

“Yeah.” He smiled, cupping my face, and running his thumb across my cheek. “I’m gonna do everything I can to make it good for you, honey, but if it hurts too much, let me know, and we’ll stop.”

I nodded. “Okay.”

“And, baby, you are most definitely my ol’ lady.” He smiled. “If you want to be.”

“Yeah. I want to be.”

His mouth covered mine, kissing me as he lifted me and gently laid me on my bed. Breaking the kiss, he slid off his cut, setting it on the chair next to my bed, then reached behind his head and pulled off his T-shirt. I couldn’t stop a quiet sigh at the sight of his chest.

“Wow,” I breathed out. A howling wolf was the only thing tattooed across his ribcage, but on his back was his club logo and a tribute to his brother which took up the majority of his skin. The rest of his upper body was bare, and I couldn’t wait to see if his lower was as well.

He smiled. “Like what you see?”

“I like it.” I licked my lips. “I like it very much.”

He settled his fists on either side of me and said, “My turn.”

Tugging my pants down my hips, he pulled them off, panties and all, leaving me completely exposed. I felt my face heat and covered myself with my hands.

“Baby, don’t be embarrassed,” Scooby admonished, kissing one of my upraised knees. “You’re beautiful.”

“Maybe I, um, should have waxed or something?”

He wrapped his arms around my thighs and spread my legs. “You do what makes you happy, Twinkles. I don’t give a fuck.”

Before I could fall deeper into mortification, he buried his face between my legs, and I was swept away by the sensation of his tongue on my clit. Unable to do anything but enjoy the ride, I wove my fingers into his hair and held on as I arched into his mouth.

“Crew!” I cried out as my body shuddered with release. “Oh my god.” I raised my head. “Sorry, was that too fast? Is that normal? I don’t think that’s normal.”

He met my eyes, his face still between my legs, smiling as his tongue swiped between my folds, and he sucked gently on my pussy. He kissed his way up my body, pushing my shirt up as he went. “Not too fast at all,” he said. “You are perfect.”

I wasn’t wearing a bra, and he took full advantage, cupping my breasts and rolling my nipples between his fingers. I pulled my T-shirt over my head, giving me full range of motion as he continued to work my nipples and I whimpered with need as I wrapped my arms around his neck.

“More,” I begged.

He kissed me gently, then stroked my cheek. “Gotta grab a condom.”

I nodded, and he stepped off the bed, sliding his jeans off. As he rolled the condom on, I couldn’t stop myself from swallowing convulsively.

“You’re going to slice me in two,” I squeaked.

“We’re gonna go slow,” he promised. “But we’ll stop if you need to, okay?”

He knelt between my legs, pressing his fingers against my mound before thumbing my clit, and I arched against his hand as my body warmed to his touch.

Scooby spit into his palm and slid it up his length, pressing the tip of his cock against my entrance. I licked my lips and took a deep breath. Hovering over me, he linked my fingers with his and slid my arms up over my head as he buried himself deeper.

“Oh, god,” I breathed out.

“This part’s...” He surged forward, and I cried out as the sting of my virginity was torn away, “... gonna hurt,” he finished, kissing me as he rolled us onto our sides, facing each other, instantly easing the pain. “Sorry, baby,” he whispered, as he wiped the tears from my eyes.

“I’m okay,” I lied, gripping his shoulders.

He kissed me gently and smiled. “Gonna get you ready again, but I’m not gonna move. You have all the power this way, so you rock against me when you’re ready. Tell me what you want, Rowan, and I’ll give it to you.”

“I don’t know what I want.”

“Let your body guide you, honey.”

“I like what you were doing to my nipples,” I said. “And I really like what you were doing to my clit.”

“Yeah, I was pickin’ up on that.” He stroked my cheek. “You’re so fuckin’ beautiful, Rowan.”

“So are you,” I breathed out. “I had no idea I’d ever feel this way about anyone.”

“Me neither.”

I slid my leg over his hip, arching closer to him, drawing him further in. The pain had subsided quite a bit and I relaxed into him.

“Go slow, baby,” he said.

I palmed his cheek. “I’m good but I need you to focus on my nipples and my clit again, okay?”

“Whatever you need, baby.” He licked his fingers, then slid them between my legs where he began to work my clit. His other hand went to my nipple, and I leaned back slightly to give him more room.

“Yes,” I hissed out quietly, closing my eyes and rocking against him.

“That’s right, baby, ride me.”

He continued to work my body into a frenzy as I rocked against him until I could no longer hold back another orgasm. “I can’t wait, honey,” I warned.

The second the words were out of my mouth, Scooby took over, thrusting into me over and over until I screamed out his name and buried my face in his neck as my pussy contracted around him.

“Jesus,” he rasped, holding me closer before kissing me deeply. “That was amazing.”

I nodded.

“You okay?”

I nodded again.

“Baby, I need you to start saying something or I’m gonna worry.”

“I’m good,” I panted out. “I just can’t breathe.”

He cupped my face. “In a good way?”

“Yes.” I smiled. “Definitely, yes.” I stroked his beard. “Was it okay for you?”

“Fuck, yeah, baby. Better than okay.” He kissed me quickly. “I’m gonna slide out now. It might sting.”

“Okay.”

He slid out gently, then stepped off the bed. “Where’s your bathroom?”

I pointed behind the bed.

“Don’t move,” he ordered, and made his way through the door. I heard the toilet flush, then he returned with a warm washcloth which he settled between my legs before stretching out beside me. “Let that sit there for a bit. It’ll help.”

“Thanks.”

“How do you feel?”

“Like I’m a real-life woman,” I retorted.

“Jesus, what did you feel like before?” he asked with a chuckle.

I grinned, rolling to face him, and settling my head in my hand. He mirrored me and slid my hair over my shoulder before stroking my cheek.

“I really thought that would be bad,” I admitted.

“How bad did it hurt?” he asked. “Be honest.”

“Minor sting. But I had two orgasms, and that certainly was not something I was expecting.”

Scooby grinned. “If you don’t have multiples every time we fuck, Twinkles, I’m not doin’ my job.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” I bit my lip. “Are you sure it was okay for you?”

“Baby, I came. I also was not expectin’ that, so I’m ecstatic.”

“You weren’t?”

“No. This night was all about you.”

“Wait.” I settled my hand on his chest. “Are you telling me that if I’d had my orgasm that second time and didn’t want to continue, you’d stop and forfeit your own?”

“I would have taken care of myself some other way, it just wouldn’t have been inside of you, but yeah, we would have stopped.”

I stroked his pulse. “You’re, like, the best guy on the planet.”

“Don’t start idolizing me for doin’ the right thing, Twinkles. Idolize me for everything else.”

I let out a quiet snort, leaning forward to kiss him quickly. “Okay, I’ll get right on that.”

“How’s your doodly part?” he asked.

“As long as I don’t make any sudden moves, it’s all good.”

“I noticed you’ve got a kick-ass tub in that bathroom.”

“I do,” I said.

“Why don’t you soak while I pour you a glass of wine and make us something to eat?”

“You cook?”

“Basic shit like quesadillas or nachos. I can also throw together a pretty decent grilled cheese,” he said.

“Well, I have all the fixin’s for grilled cheese sandwiches, so that sounds amazing.”

“Okay, I’ll fill the tub, you stay here for a few.” He kissed me gently and I found myself getting a little lost in his touch.

* * *

Scooby

“If you keep doing that, I’m gonna make you climb into that tub with me,” Rowan said, breaking our kiss.

“I don’t think there’s room for two in that old thing,” I said, pointing to her vintage clawfoot tub.

“You kind of filled it to the brim,” she said with a chuckle. “I’m not even sure how I’m gonna get in without spilling water all over the floor.”

“Sorry,” I said, scratching the back of my neck. “I haven’t run a bath since I was eight years old. I’m more of a shower guy.”

“No,” she said, kissing me again. “Don’t apologize, it’s sweet.”

“I’m gonna get started on those sandwiches.” I kissed her again. “Take your time and call out to me when you’re ready to get out of the tub.”

“Why? Are you going to be my towel boy as well?”

“You wish,” I teased. “No. I just want to make sure I don’t start the grilling process too soon. The cheese needs to be perfectly melty, or there’s no point.”

“Wait a minute. Did you downplay your culinary prowess? Are you afraid if I knew you could cook, I’d force you to take a shift at the diner?”

“Don’t get too revved up there. After grilled cheese, quesadillas, and grilling, my menu takes a sharp drop off to pouring cereal and ending at ordering pizza.”

“You don’t look like you’ve consumed a complex carbohydrate in your life,” Rowan retorted.

“I’ve been known to have a cheat day or two.” I smiled.

“Sure you do,” Rowan sang out.

“Gizzard once told me there are three surefire ways a man can shorten his lifespan. Cheating at cards, cheating on his woman, and cheating on his diet. The first two will get you shot, but cheesecake typically arrives at the table unarmed.”

“Oh my gosh, all this talk about food. My stomach is grumbling. How about I get into the tub, and you bring me the grilled cheese as soon as it’s done?”

“Tub-side service will be provided per the lady’s request,” I replied and left her to her bath.

Lord didn’t so much as twitch a whisker as I walked by his crate, so I let the sleeping dog lie and made my way to the kitchen. I was happy Rowan had Lord, not just for her mental health, but as a guard dog for when I wasn’t around. I was also happy Lord had grown comfortable enough with me to sleep soundly while I was in Rowan’s presence.

After a few minutes of scrounging around Rowan’s thankfully organized and well-stocked kitchen, I found everything I needed and got to work on what I hoped would be my shining moment in grilled cheese history.

I knew enough about knives to recognize the ones that were expertly crafted and razor sharp, so I took extra care when slicing cheese. For some reason, I was more nervous about impressing her with my performance in the kitchen than I was in the bedroom. I could chalk that up to knowing she was an expert in one place and inexperienced in the other, but the truth was, I wasn’t worried because I’d already felt connected to Rowan even before we’d had sex.

I couldn’t explain it any other way other than I felt tethered to her. Like someone tied a string around my heart, so tight it hurt a little. And on the other end of that string was Rowan’s heart. I’d never been in love, so I didn’t know if that was what it felt like, but I did know I planned on doing whatever it took to make sure that string that connected our hearts was never broken by anyone or anything.

I prepped the sandwiches but before grilling them, I made my way back to the bathroom, walking in to find Rowan humming to nonexistent music as her foot tapped the end of the tub.

“Whatya singin’?” I asked, sitting on the edge of the bath.

She grinned, running her hands through the bubbles. “Just a little Dolly.”

I cocked my head. “I can throw on some music for you, if you want.”

She shook her head. “No, I’m good. I just got Jolene stuck in my head for some reason, and I had to hum it out.”

“Well, shit, don’t go gettin’ any ideas.” I leaned down and kissed her. “No redhead’s comin’ between me and my blonde.”

She laughed. “Good to know.”

“You just give me a yell when you’re ready for me to toast your cheese.”

“That sounds so dirty.”

I lowered my voice. “I’ll toast your cheese any day.”

Rowan waved herself like an old timey southern belle. “My stars, sir, you certainly know how to make a lady blush.”

I gave her another kiss, unable to keep my distance. “Finish your bath.”

“I’m done,” she declared. “Start toasting, garcon. I’ll dry off.”

“Your wish is my command.”

I made my way back to the kitchen, letting Lord out of his crate on my way.