Page 33 of Chains

“What’s the little guy's name?” Sera asks, writing his and Zoe’s details. Zoe studies him for a minute, taking in his front paws that have white on them, as well as his back legs.

“Mr Boots.” she replies, and I smile. It suits him to a T.

“Well, Mr Boots, looks like you’ll be coming with me.” She cuddles the kitten close to her chest and walks out of the room, returning a few minutes later.

“He’s in excellent hands here. I’ve got all your details, so once it’s all done, I’ll notify you. You should be able to take him home tomorrow.”

“Thank you so much, Sera. You’ve been great.” Zoe replies, and I wrap my arm around her waist, bringing her into me. Sera doesn’t miss the proprietary hold I have on Zoe, and smiles.

“Not a problem. You two have a great day, and I’ll see you back here tomorrow.” With that, we leave the clinic.

I help Zoe get back on my sled, the feeling of her wrapped around me is nothing like I’ve felt before. I’ve had no other woman on the back of my bike before, and I have to admit, it’s a nice feeling. But that’s because it’s Zoe, and not some random.

I understand what Kick and Tiny mean now, when you have the woman, you want to spend the rest of your life with on the back of your bike. And that’s what Zoe is to me, I can finally admit it, and not have the feeling of hives attacking me. I just need to convince her it’s true and not some line I’m feeding her.

We spend the rest of the afternoon buying supplies for the kitten, food and water bowls, and a kitty litter tray for when she takes him home tomorrow.

After packing everything in my saddlebags, I head towards Cullville, which is at least a half-hour ride away, and stop in the parking lot of the diner where the club comes to eat regularly. It has decent food; besides that, I wasn’t prepared to leave her at the house just yet.

“What are we doing here?” she asks, not getting off the sled and not removing her helmet. Her entire body tense, I can almost see her eyes moving from side to side—behind the visor, checking out her surroundings. I want to know what that’s all about, so I turn in my seat, removing her helmet. I need to see those beautiful moss green eyes.

“We’re going to the diner because it’s almost lunchtime, and I’m guessing you’ve had nothing to eat except for the pastry with your coffee this morning.” I tell her, patting her on her perfectly pert ass to get her going. Loving the hitch in her voice when she says,

“And if I’m not hungry?” At that moment, her stomach makes a liar of her, and I can’t help but chuckle.

“I’m guessing you are. Come on, little one,” I say, taking her by the hand as we walk inside the diner, ignoring the way electricity courses up my arm and fans out throughout my body, making my cock rock hard.

Finding a free booth, I slide in one side, hoping she’d sit beside me so that I could touch her. But she chooses the seat across from me, and I can’t help but smirk at that. She’s obviously nervous as hell around me. I can work with that. I quickly adjust myself so that my zipper isn’t cutting into me. It's going to be a long afternoon.

“The brothers and I come here often. They serve the best burgers.” I tell her, just as Maddie—a waitress I’ve banged a time or two—saunters over, and I can’t help the groan from escaping my lips.

She’s a regular at the club when we have parties, and most of the brothers, including me, have fucked her. Her blonde hair is up in a messy bun, held together somehow by a pen, which she takes out and pops a balloon with her gum.

“What can I get you, sugar? Your specialty is waiting in the back.” She winks, inflecting her voice low and sultry, and I curse under my breath; the tone of her voice is suggestive, and it’s obvious to anyone with eyes what she’s offering.

I look across at Zoe and notice she’s tense as a rubber band. Shit, I need to get things back on track. I can’t let my past derail my future with this woman in front of me.

“I just bet it is.” I hear Zoe mutter, and it’s all I can do not to burst out laughing, as Maddie’s fiery gaze lands on my woman.

“I’ve suddenly lost my appetite.” She adds for good measure, making to get out of the booth.

“I have to say, jealousy looks good on you, little one.” My words have her eyes narrowing on me, but I continue, “but there’s nothing to be jealous about.” I assure her, grabbing for her hand to stop her from leaving. I return my gaze back to Maddie, an unmistakable warning in my eyes as I’m about to tell her in no uncertain terms to stop flirting or I’d ask for another server.

Just then, the bell over the door tinkles and in walks Kick with Everleigh, Tiny and Sage, and Riggs and Lexie bring up the rear. Seems they all had the same idea for lunch at the diner.

They all notice us sitting there, and when they see Maddie, most of the faces of my brothers drop. Maybe this could work to my advantage? If she sees that, it’s not just me that has a past with this woman. I call them over, and they crowd around the booth, making it impossible for Zoe to move.

“Why’re you pissed at me?” I whisper under my breath, holding her hand, even though she’s trying to pull it away.

“I’m not.” She grits through her teeth, showing me she is, in fact, pissed off. I know it’s probably the way Maddie’s checking me out, but I can’t help that.

“Hey, you two,” Lexie calls out, planting her ass down beside Zoe. Riggs gives her a look I can’t decipher, which she pointedly ignores, angrily grabbing a chair from an empty table as do Kick and Tiny, Everleigh taking up the last seat in the booth as Sage gives me a piercing look, telling me to move without words. I open my mouth to tell her off, but catch Tiny’s warning growl, and quickly scoot out and grab a chair instead. I’m not prepared to piss off the big man.

Riggs and Lexie are ignoring each other, and I can’t help wondering if things have already cooled off before they’ve even begun? Interesting. Zoe’s still giving me the death glare, even though I still don’t let go of her hand, rubbing deliberate circles over her delicate wrist. And she hasn’t taken her hand away, so I continue to do it.

“What’s going on with you two?” I ask Riggs, Lexie shoots me a glare.

“Nothing. Why?” she asks, though there is a slight blush to her cheeks.

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