Page 1 of Property of Gray

Chapter One

The Past

“Stay here.” My brother Curtis snarls at me, shoving me back toward the porch as his buddies fire up their dirt bikes and four-wheelers.

“Granny Mags said I could go. Anything you stupid boys can do, I can do too.” Tears burn in the backs of my eyes as he snaps my hot pink Barbie fishing pole in half. I stomp my foot and wipe at my nose. “You big, fat meanie. You’re ugly, and no wonder no girls like you. You stink.” I stomp on his boot and punch him in the belly.

“Stop being a brat. It’s not my fault you don’t have friends,” Curtis gripes, knowing how to hurt my feelings.

“Just let her come, man. I’ll keep an eye on her.” Braxton Gray smiles at me, yanking on one of my braids.

I smile back at him, not caring that I’m missing my two front teeth or that he’s ten years older than me. Braxton is always nice to me and doesn’t care if I tag along. He treats me better than my smelly fart knocker brothers do.

One day I’m going to marry him.

“Whatever. Just stay out of the way,” my brother tells me.

“Stick with me, pipsqueak.” Brax hands me his helmet. It’s heavy and way too big, but I don’t care. I wear it like it’s a crown fit for a princess.

I climb onto his dirt bike, barely able to put my arms around him and hold on for dear life.

He races alongside my other brother, Elijah. He and Curtis are twins. They think because they are older than me that they can bully me and boss me around. One day I’ll show them. When I marry Brax, he’ll kick their asses.

Present Day

I smile at Gray, hoping this is it. Tonight is the night he’s going to claim me.

He’s going to tell everyone I’m his girl.

He stares at me with his piercing hazel eyes that have these flecks of gold and green flaked in them. His lips tip into a crooked grin as he watches me from across the bar. I can still feel the roughness of his facial hair against my thighs.

Last night was everything. Beautiful. Raw. Passionate.

I watch him as he watches me and wonder if he’s remembering the night before the same as I am. Being with him is all I’ve ever wanted and now he’s mine.

All mine.

No more club girls coming between us. No more worrying about what everyone will think or say. He claimed me in every possible way. All but one that is. He’s yet to claim me in front of the club.

He’s talking to my brother, Woods, right now. The club’s president and his best friend. It’s the perfect time to tell him about the two of us. To tell the world that I’m his girl and he’s my man.

There’s nothing I’ve ever wanted more than this. More than him. I’ve dreamed of this moment more times than I care to admit, but he knows I’ve been in love with him all my life.

Gray’s gaze shifts back to my brother. They continue to talk while I gather my nerve. Every cell in my body is humming with nervous energy. I twist my fingers around the silver, diamond-encrusted cross hanging around my neck, below my black choker. I suck in a deep breath. Woods will accept us. He’ll be happy for us.

“Do I look okay?” I do a spin in front of Elsie Jo. I’m wearing a cropped Rolling Stones tee with a pair of True Religion cutoffs, fishnet stockings and my favorite pair of Doc Martens.

She shoots me a thumb up. If anyone knows how I’ve pined for Braxton Gray, it’s her. She’s been my nearest and dearest friend since third grade. She’s dried my tears and celebrated my wins more than her fair share over the years.

“Go get him, tiger.” She flashes me a smile and saunters off in the direction of Swift, the club’s newest tech guy.

I strut toward Gray. ‘Girls with Tattoos,’ byPassengers Unknownthumps through the speakers. My silver bracelets jingle on my wrist as I sway my hips to the music. Gray’s gaze catches mine. His smile falters as I get about three feet away. He tilts his head to the side and gives it a shake to tell me no.

I nod, and his eyes darken.

I close the gap between us and put an arm around his waist.

His lips twist into an ugly snarl. “I’m busy.” He scrapes me off like gum stuck to the bottom of his boot.