Page 25 of Xane

I blink a few times and slowly drag my gaze up to collide with Grayer’s blue eyes.They’re twinkling with laughter and I can feel my cheeks flush.The man definitely caught me staring.

He’s right, though.I do like it, a lot actually.My name on his pecs.Watching him tattoo himself in front of the mirror was freaking hot.Why on earth he would do so completely blew my mind.Especially since Hawks, who’s also a tattoo artist, was sitting in the main room of the clubhouse.

“I do,” I tell him on a mere whisper and grab my coffee.

Malic stumbles into the kitchen and it makes me tense.Being close to Grayer feels normal, like we’re back to being friends.Which we actually agree to, and we’re more than friends...buddies who kiss...and wear one another’s claim on their skin...our twisted and permanent version of friendship bracelets.

Grayer leans forward, blocking Malic from my view.It’s as if he feels my stress and automatically protects me by putting himself in front of the person who makes me nervous.

“Any coffee?”Malic asks.

“Go ask one of the prospects to get you your fancy coffee,” Grayer rumbles.

Malic sounds frustrated when he says, “I did, but Balta hasn’t been answering any damn messages since yesterday.”

Grayer leans back and crosses his arms in front of his chest.“And you’re telling me this now?Where the fuck is he?”

“Dunno.He mentioned something about needing to check on his grandma or something, then he left.”Malic shrugs.

Grayer narrows his eyes.“The guy doesn’t have any family.”

“Maybe it was an excuse to fuck some random pussy.We haven’t been able to bring...”

“And for good reason.”Grayer cuts him off with a snarl, making me jump.

The words Malic just said echo inside my mind.Random pussy.They haven’t been able to bring...bring random pussy?Oh.Because of me.I’m pretty sure they’ve all been walking on eggshells since Grayer brought me to the clubhouse.I’m the one disrupting their normal routine.

“Sorry,” I mutter.

To my surprise it’s Malic who says, “Don’t be.Trust me when I say it has its perks.Not seeing a brother’s naked...”

“Didn’t you need to get some damn coffee instead of standing here dicking around?”Grayer snaps.

This time I don’t jump, but feel the corner of my mouth twitch.It’s kinda cute the way he tries to shield this stuff from me.I know we each had our own lives over the past ten years.Even if mine was probably less eventful than his.

“I didn’t say it was your naked ass, Prez.”Malic looks around Grayer to add, “I can vouch for the fact he hasn’t touched or looked at a chick since he came to town.At first, I thought it was weird...then I heard about you.”

“Malic, fuck,” Grayer sighs and rubs a hand over his face.

I take a deep breath and place my hand on his knee.Grayer instantly turns his head my way.These past few days he’s given me the opportunity to catch my breath and the first thing I realized is the fact that I’ve missed him.The friendship we once had.Young love developing at rapid speed...which might have caused our first chance to crash at liftoff.

This time, our second chance, starts where we ended the first time.Well, I’m the one who crashed and he committed.The things he said, the vows he made, the tattoos we exchanged...it all represents the strength of our connection, our bond, our friendship above anything.After all these years it’s still there.I might not feel at ease anywhere, but with Grayer near I know everything will be okay.

“Okay, I’m getting coffee.You two enjoy yourselves,” Malic murmurs while Grayer and I keep staring at one another.

Grayer reaches out and gently cups the side of my face.“Ever since I saw you again it’s made me crave what I once fucked up.”

I close my eyes and turn into his touch.Placing a kiss on his palm I whisper, “It takes two to fuck...things up.”

His soft chuckle makes my heart skip a beat.A feeling of joy and warmth flows through me.The familiar blue eyes are staring at me and I crave to feel his lips on mine.

I lean in to kiss Grayer but we’re interrupted when Malic slides into the kitchen with wild eyes.“Prez, outside.Now.Fuck.Come see this shit.”

Grayer gets to his feet and walks into the main room.Curiosity gets the better of me and I follow him to see what’s going on.Three bikers are standing in front of a monitor and two others come rushing down the hall with their weapon in hand.I get a small glimpse of who is leaning against a car sitting in front of the gate.

“Roux, get a good picture of the fucker and make sure to document every damn angle,” Grayer orders.

Panic hits me when I watch him stalk off in the direction of the door.He can’t go out there.Is he going out there?Alone?