Page 94 of Ravage

The coffee pot was untouched, chairs were left crooked, and the boots that were usually by the back door were gone. It was just me and the silence,

and it gave me an uneasy feeling as I poured myself a cup of coffee.

I took a long sip and leaned against the counter. I knew what this kind of quiet meant. Something was happening, something serious, and I had no doubt it had something to do with the men who’d trashed my studio.

It was only a matter of time before the guys would start gathering in the parking lot with guns tucked beneath their cuts, and I would be left here wondering when or if they would return. My chest tightened when the conference door opened, and voices filled the hallway.

Footsteps thumped against the hardwood floors as the brothers started to disperse through the clubhouse, which meant they were done with church. I had just taken another sip of coffee when Jax walked into the kitchen with Reaper and Coop.

“There she is.” He walked over and pulled me in for a quick hug. “How you making it?”

“I’m hanging in.” I hugged him back. “When did you get back?”

“Couple of hours ago.” He pulled back and studied me for a moment. “You really okay?”

“I’m fine,” I assured him. “Just in dire need of caffeine.”

“You and me both.” He poured himself a quick cup, then asked, “What’s on your agenda today?”

“I’ll probably spend the day rescheduling appointments. Any guesses on how far out I should push them back?”

“At least a couple of days. Maybe more.”

“Okay. What about you?” I asked. “Will you be around?”

“I’ll be in and out.” His eyes skirted over to Reaper as he told me. “I’ve gotta go help Ace out with something, but I’ll be around if you need me.”

“Us, too,” Reaper interjected.

“Thanks, but I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

Reaper gave me a nod, then followed Jax out of the kitchen. Coop, on the other hand, lingered, and I could tell by his expression he had something on his mind. He gave me an awkward smile as he started, “I’ve been wanting to talk to you about the other night.”

“The other night?”

“Yeah… at the party?”

Heat rushed to my face so fast I was pretty sure I could feel it all the way to my ears. “Oh, yeah… about that. I’m really sorry. I had no business trying to rope you into something like that.”

“I don’t know.” His smile widened as he casually leaned against the counter. “I’ve got a feeling it would’ve been a lot of fun.”

And my cheeks got even hotter. I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Thankfully, Reaper’s voice came from down the hall. “Move it, Coop! We got shit to do.”

“Yeah, yeah. I’m coming.” He pushed away from the counter, but before he left, he turned back to me with a mischievous smirk. “If you ever want a raincheck…”

He let the words hang between us.

I shook my head and said, “Coop.”

“I’m just saying.”

“Go.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

He sauntered out of the kitchen, leaving me feeling like a complete idiot. That was it. I was never drinking again, especially around the guys. I was still trying to get my embarrassment under control when Cole walked into the kitchen. He glanced around the room, making sure we were alone before his eyes landed on me.

He cocked his brow as he asked, “Are your cheeks red for Coop or for me?”