rough-and-tumble, badass biker could cook. And with such a flourish.
She nodded. “Thank you.”
Shock poured himself a coffee and sat beside Steele.
Laurie ate in silence. She could only manage half of the omelet and didn’t even touch the bacon, before she pushed away the plate. She glanced at Steele, still taken aback at his stunning good looks. Her gaze shifted to Shock, then to Wild Card who sat across the table from her. He watched her but didn’t say anything.
She drew in a deep breath. “So what happens now?”
Wild Card pulled her plate toward him and grabbed a strip of bacon. “Well, since Shock cooked, I guess I’ll be doing dishes.”
She pursed her lips. “How long are you going to keep me here?”
“That’s a good question,” Steele said. “One I don’t have an answer for.”
Her stomach tightened. What did they want from her?
The sound of footsteps hurrying down the stairway and a woman laughing interrupted the flow of questions swirling through her brain. Raven burst around the corner followed by Rip. He grabbed her arm and pulled her back to him, then drew her into a deep kiss. She wore an oversized T-shirt and nothing else and when his arm tightened around her waist, the hem of the garment hiked up and Laurie assumed they’d all get a good view of lacy undies, or maybe bare flesh if Raven was wearing a thong, but the flash of red fabric under the shirt covered the essentials.
“I’m going into town to pick up the list of groceries Shock asked for,” Rip said. “Anyone else want anything?”
“If cream’s not on the list, add it,” Steele said.
“And more beer,” Shock added.
“Cream and beer. You got it.” Rip kissed Raven again. “You be good.”
Raven grinned. “Oh, I’ll be better than good. I’ll be exceptional.” She glanced at the men in the living room. “Right guys?”
“She’s always been exceptional when I’ve been with her,” Shock said with a grin.
“Me, too,” said Wild Card.
Rip chuckled then kissed her again. “I’ll see you when I get back.” He strode to the door and went outside.
“I’m going for a swim.” She smiled enticingly. “Anyone want to join me?”
“Not me,” Wild Card said. “I’m on cleanup duty.”
“And I’m resting up after slaving over a hot stove,” said Shock.
“Steele?”
He shook his head. “Maybe later, Rave.”
Her gaze slid to Laurie, but then flickered away. “Okay, you know where to find me.”
She walked to a big cupboard by the window and pulled out a beach towel, then slipped out the front door. Laurie watched her through the big window facing the driveway as she trotted along a grassy path heading toward bushes, instead of toward the beach they could see from the window facing the lake.
Wild Card picked up Laurie’s plate and the two empty mugs, then headed out of the room. Long moments passed and no one said anything.
Laurie sat impatiently, wondering what to do next. The two men seemed happy to just ignore her. Shock had picked up a book and was reading while Steele just gazed outside.
She stood up and walked across the room, having to pass behind the men sitting on the couch.
“What are you doing?” Steele asked.
“Nothing.”
She kept moving toward the front of the house. He stood up and followed her. Her heart thumped, but she walked toward the entrance, and the front door.
She reached for the doorknob.
“Where are you going?”
She gripped it and hesitated. “Nowhere.”
He said nothing more, so she turned the knob.
“You said you weren’t going anywhere.”
She glanced at him. “I just want to go outside.”
“No.”
“But I—”
“No.” His tone was sharp this time.
She drew in a deep breath and sighed. “You’re treating me like a child.”
His lips turned up in a grin, wiping away the severe expression of a moment ago. “Maybe I should spank your bottom.”
She drew in a deep breath as she stared at him. The thought of his big hand smacking
Vivian Wood
Erica Vetsch
Cher Etan, BWWM Club
John M. Del Vecchio Frank Gallagher
Lane Hart, Aaron Daniels, Editor's Choice Publishing
John Thomas Edson
Billy London
Allison Lane
C. M. Owens
Linda Kage