Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 103637 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103637 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Axel’s silence extended. “Dad is not happy,” he said in the end, and by the sound of footsteps in the gravel, Arden gathered he’d walked off.
“You heard that? What a coward,” Mike said, rubbing his hands up and down Arden’s back.
Someone whistled. “Get a room, you two!” Jeff, the youngest of the Heller siblings. Of course he found it hilarious that his older brother made a display of hugging another man.
“I’ll get a room when I want to get my sausage deep in there, Jeff,” Mike called back, with a smile to his voice.
Arden should’ve been offended. He also should’ve been uninterested in sex after what Luke had done, but there was no denying that even the most stupidly vulgar mention of sex with Mike ignited sparks he didn’t know he still had deep down. Arden had the brains not to act on impulse though. He’d learned his lesson, but since being Mike’s boyfriend for laughs was his ticket to safety, he gave himself leeway to play around.
So he kissed Mike between the collar bones, savoring his masculine scent.
But regardless of the narrative Arden was spinning in his own head, it wasn’t for show, because no one would notice a gesture so minor without standing close. He pulled away from the tight embrace when he realized that much but was already missing the feel of Mike’s ass against his hands when he came face to face with a family that would hopefully not be out for his blood. After all, Zolt and Leo were a couple—both MC members. And Rain was part of it too. A woman. The club was progressive enough, but while Leo and Rain were family, Arden was an outsider leading their brother astray. He couldn’t count on the same rules applying to him.
Jeff cocked his head, furiously typing on his phone, but it was Leo’s gaze that Arden ended up catching in the crowd. Was the frown an expression of harsh judgment?
“You guys want to ask me somethin’?” Mike asked in the end, but he kept Arden close, standing straight, as if he were anticipating a medal on his chest.
“Yeah, I want to ask you to stop making fun of Arden. I think he’s got enough on his plate,” Leo said, stepping closer to Rain, who left Mona with the twins and came over with hands stuffed deep down her jean pockets.
Arden felt like a shit for lying to her after she took him under his wing and convinced the club president to let Arden stay, but the agreement with Mike was still standing. “N-no, it’s okay, we… it’s all so sudden.” Saying this nonsense to her face stressed him out so much he had to take a deep breath to decompress.
Leo spread his arms, but it was clear his expression of annoyance was meant for Mike. “Is this some extremely convoluted way to get attention from girls?”
Mike took a deep breath, and Arden fought to keep his eyes open, because the crowd of people gathering around them was becoming too much after the shocking interaction with Luke.
“Seriously, Leo? I thought you of all people would understand!” Mike roared, pointing at Leo’s chest so abruptly the poor guy took a step away, blinking.
One of the children cried, awoken by the commotion, and Mona scowled at them, starting to gather her things.
“Arden, you don’t have to put up with Mike’s shit no matter what he told you,” Leo said, intent on not letting this go, and as if that wasn’t bad enough, Arden spotted Kane’s fiery red head at the edge of the courtyard.
Arden took a few seconds to compose himself, but found his voice at last and slipped his hand into Mike’s. “It’s true though. Mike is exactly my type. I couldn’t help myself around him.” He looked up at Mike’s handsome face, taking in the cocky grin, the blue eyes, and the blond beard… There’s never been a truer lie. If Mike really wanted Arden, he’d eventually break Arden’s defences with his dirty mouth and confident touch.
It would be inevitable, no matter what Arden thought about it. Which was why he needed to find a solution to the issue with Luke fast.
“Trixie, would you drive Mona home? I’ll be back later,” Jack told his old lady and rolled out of the plastic chair, heading in their direction like a bald tank with muscles so big they strained the front of his T-shirt. Where Axel was the silent assassin at the Smoke Valley court, Jack was the king-to-be, despite several members being older. He just had that air of authority about him, and Arden hadn’t seen anyone questioning his decisions.
The female hangarounds jumped apart to avoid accidental trampling, and the men stood still, once Jack faced Mike. With his thick neck stiff and hands balled into fists, he looked like a bull about to charge, but despite the unease hanging in the air, Arden felt perfectly safe in Mike’s arms.