Page 9 of Ruby

“I… Well, it’s just I have no parents, either… And I’ve no damn clue why I just told you that.”

“Because we’re vibin’, honey. I’m here to make you feel good. Hear me out for a second?”

So we’re both on the same page with one major thing in our lives, not that it’s something to build a solid foundation on, but it’s a start.

I wonder what happened in her life and what happened to her parents. She’s tough as nails; she proved that tonight in the bar. I took the trash out, not because the Stilettos aren’t capable, but because that’s my duty as a man. It’s the least I could do, after all, being a guest in this town and with the MC.

Wrath wouldn’t expect anything less; in fact, none of my club brothers would.

But lying here right now? It’s the most peaceful I’ve ever felt, so I want to savor it. I don’t want to think about tomorrow or what that might bring. What’ll be will be; that’s what I know.

Maybe I’ll wake her up with my mouth. Yeah, there is no way I’m letting her go without tasting her one more time. Just for the road.

Tomorrow, all bets are off, and I can’t wait to see how my little spitfire reacts when she realizes I’m not going anywhere.

I crack one eye open, already knowing she’s gone. I don’t feel her presence anymore. When I reach over, her side of the bed is cold.

Her side of the bed.

My, how the mighty have fallen.

I yawn, stretching out as I drop my face into her pillow. Man, it still smells like her.

Sweet, like vanilla cupcakes. It hardens my dick all over again, like we didn’t fuck our brains out all night.

I swipe a hand over my face. I need to get ready for today. My mission is set. I can’t lose sight of why I’m here. I still have to report back to the Stilettos and act as their spy, no matter what. My club is depending on me. I’m ready for my patch, but I also need to see her again. She might kick my ass to the curb, and that’s something I have to be prepared for, but I don’t see how she can’t feel it, too. The woman fell asleep in my arms. She cuddled me. I didn’t know I was a cuddler until last night.

I’m a complete stranger, but she felt safe enough to be vulnerable, which is the best fucking thing that’s happened to me in a long time.

I get ready with a spring in my step. I shower—even though the idea of washing her off my body feels wrong—but walking into the clubhouse smelling like sex probably isn’t the greatest of first impressions.

When I’m parked in the lot an hour later, I dismount my Harley and head for the front doors.

The property is spectacular. Set on a massive acreage as far as the eye can see, the ranch boasts stables, cabins, and a huge two-story homestead that doubles as the clubhouse as well as living quarters. It’s impressive, but I’ll bet everything these ladies do isn’t by halves. They have a reputation to uphold, and fighting with this greedy neighbor who won’t leave them alone means stepping up to the plate. Hell, I don’t mind being their secret weapon; in fact, I’m looking forward to it.

Wrath has been a father figure to me these past few years, and I’d do anything for my club. They’re the only family I’ve ever known. After multiple shitty foster homes, I ran away at fifteen and fended for myself. It was better that way. Finally, a kind-hearted woman took a chance on me. I had no idea then that she was Wrath’s mom, Janie, or that she would save my life. Maybe that’s why I have such high regard for women, because one saved my crushed soul and put me back together again. Without her and the MC, I’d be dead by now, of that I’m certain.

I glance up at the doors and the Stilettos’ emblem blazing across the windows. A woman on a motorcycle with a stiletto underneath.

I feel as if I should knock, but there’s nobody in the entrance, and the chick at the gate said to just go on in because they’re expecting me. So I do.

The wooden floorboards creak as I make my way down the hall, admiring how homey and inviting it is. Nothing like our clubhouse, with its ripped pool tables, naked women, and kegs of booze lined up ready for the next party. In Wrath’s defense, he runs a tight ship, but the boys run amok every now and again. I should know, I’ve been cleaning up after them for over a year.

Not after this. After this is over, I’ll be patched in. No more shit-kicking.

Plus—I’ll be free to pursue Ruby.

“Drifter? Get your ass in here!” Diamond hollers.

“I thought the prospect was named Screwdriver?” someone asks, sounding confused.

That is my prospect name.

“Yep, he is, but I, for one, refuse to use that stupid nickname,” Diamond tells them. “It’s completely ridiculous.”

“So you just made one up?” Another woman laughs.

Yeah, she did, when she called me for the first time, and the name stuck because I am a drifter.