Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 121578 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 608(@200wpm)___ 486(@250wpm)___ 405(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121578 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 608(@200wpm)___ 486(@250wpm)___ 405(@300wpm)
The way she automatically turns to me for safety satisfies some caveman need I didn’t even know I had. Who am I kidding? The urge to protect her showed up the day we met and never left. I fight off the urge to kiss her.
Tonight isn’t a business transaction or a passing hobby. Meeting my family is important to her. Making a good impression matters. That’s the difference.
I wrap both arms around her, turning her to face me, and pull her close. “If you’re weird,” I say in a low tone, “it’s the good kind and everyone accepts that here.”
She lets out a nervous laugh.
“Margot.” I dip lower, pressing my forehead against hers. “My brothers and I all ride two-wheeled death machines and wear matching outfits. That’s a little weird, right?”
She giggles harder. “I guess.”
Much better.
“Are you planning to swallow her whole?” Rooster slaps my arm. “Let the woman breathe.”
I shoot a glare at him, and he backs off. His gaze darts between Margot and me, his brow furrowing slightly. The big dope must figure out that Margot’s nervous. “I hope you’re prepared for Murphy’s chili. My eyes were actually watering when we went in the kitchen.”
“I like spicy food,” Margot says.
“You’re in luck, then.” Shelby crosses her arms in front of her like a shield. “I gotta stay far, far away from it.”
“Jigsaw said you’re allergic to tomatoes.” Margot’s tone is so solemn, I’m worried she’s having a flashback to a client who died of a tomato allergy or something.
Shelby must be having a similar thought. She tilts her head and squeezes Margot’s shoulder. “Sure am. Best thing about not being dead broke now is carrying a couple epi-pens with me wherever I go.”
Margot sighs. “That’s good.”
“I was gonna tell Murphy that real, traditional chili doesn’t even have tomatoes in it—it’s called chili for a reason—but I didn’t wanna be that person.” Shelby titters with laughter. “And I don’t even like it that way. Unless it’s over a Frito pie, it’s basically a big ol’ bowl of braised meat on its own.”
“I thought the big disagreement was whether beans belong in chili or not?” Jigsaw says.
“True, in Texas it doesn’t have beans,” Shelby explains. “But not everyone has the luxury of being able to hunt or afford all that meat, especially if you got a big family to feed. Beans stretch it out, ya know?” She waves her hand in the air dismissively. “I never liked the beans or not argument. Seems classist to me.”
“I never knew you had all these opinions on meat and beans,” I tease.
Shelby clutches her stomach. “I know, right? I think I’m hungry.”
“Hey.” I nudge Margot. “I’m going to grab our stuff so we can put it upstairs, okay?”
“I’ll go with you,” she says, pivoting toward the door.
And here I thought she’d been easing into things.
“We’ll be right back,” I say to Rooster.
Outside, I curl my hand around Margot’s and lead her to the truck. The driver’s side is facing the woods, giving us a little privacy.
“You all right?”
She leans back against the side panel. “Yeah, just overwhelmed. I like everyone,” she hurries to add.
It’ll be a lot more overwhelming once the whole club and all their guests arrive. “Everyone already likes you, Margot.” I brush her hair out of her eyes. “When I told the club about us, they were more concerned about me corrupting you than anything else.”
That seems to help. A soft smile curves her lips. “Did you tell them that you have thoroughly and irrevocably corrupted me?” She pushes away from the truck and loops her arms around my neck. “Did you tell your brothers what an excellent teacher you are?”
“No.” I dip down and catch her lips in a quick kiss. “Do you want me to?”
“No! I was kidding.” She stares up at me with wide eyes. “You really didn’t…you know, share locker room talk?”
“We don’t have a locker room.” I glance toward the clubhouse. “Okay, yeah, technically there is a locker room. But no. I told you before, none of the wifed-up brothers share stories about their ol’ ladies. It just doesn’t happen. Lost Kings guard that information with their lives.” I squint toward the forest. “Honestly, the only time we get a hint of that is when Heidi brings her sex toy catalog in, and everyone wants to place an order.”
Margot releases me and takes a step back, like I’ve completely scandalized her. “You’re kidding?”
“Nope. Right at the breakfast table.” I slap my hands together. “She’ll smack that catalog down and take orders.” I squeeze my eyes shut and laugh. “She didn’t think it through though, because when Charlotte orders—”
“Oh, ew. Yeah, I’d die if my brother’s wife ordered sex toys in front of me.”
“Exactly. Out of all of us, Sparky’s the only altruistic one. He likes to order these little vibrating cock rings for the whole house.”