Page 22 of Nevada

I figure now is probably as good a time as any to bring up my mom. “Speakin’ of which, been meanin’ to have a chat with you.”

“Uh, huh.” He starts to walk off. “What about?”

“My mom.”

He stops in his tracks and turns back around. “Audrina.”

Something about the way he says her name has me frowning a whole lot more. It sounds almost pretty coming out of his mouth and that can’t be good.

“Yep. That’s my mom’s name.” I roll my eyes. “Saw you gettin’ pretty cozy at Priest’s weddin’ last night.”

He runs a hand through his hair, his gaze meeting mine. “Well, she’s a fine woman. We danced, had a laugh, nothin’ in it.”

“Uh huh, that all?”

He piques a brow. “You think I banged your mom in the bathroom stall?” He winces at the idea. “I’m a gentleman, and if it makes any difference, I wouldn’t disrespect her like that.”

Yeah, that’s what they all say. “Right. I’m just makin’ sure because she only divorced my dad a few years back. They didn’t end badly, they just fell out of love. Mom’s not been on the datin’ scene at all.” His eyebrows shoot up at that. Great, now I’m giving him ideas. “I don’t want her to get hurt.”

He stares at me for a few moments. His hardened face softens. I see something cross his eyes. Respect? I’m not sure. “Appreciate that. I’ve been around the block a time or two, Sunshine. I get how it works. Not in this to hurt your mom or even get in her pants, pardon my French. I like her company. She’s fun. We laugh. That’s it.”

I don’t like the sound of that. It’s my mom… Then again, I can’t tell her what to do as much as she can tell me what to do. But that doesn’t mean that I’m okay with it. I know what bikers are like, and in West’s case, men who ‘have been around the block.’

That ain’t no place for my mom.

“You’re a man,” I point out.

He quirks a brow again. “Yeah.” He palms his cock over his jeans. “Fairly sure it’s still hangin’ there.”

I shudder. “What I mean is, man to man, I like you, West. A lot. But if you bang my mom and break her heart, I will rip yours out. You got my understandin’?”

To my surprise he doesn’t get mad. Nor does he take a swing. He just nods in agreement. “I got it.”

“She’s a little… delicate. She’s only ever been with my dad. She doesn’t know how the datin’ world works these days and that men can say things to get what they want.”

“And you think I’m just gonna swoop in and sweep her off her feet?”

“The sweepin’ ain’t a problem. It’s the part that comes after.” I don’t want to think about my mom doing nasty shit, but I also know she’s too trusting.

“What if I told you I’m not interested in one-night flings? I’ve done all of that for years. I’ve had my fair share of women over the years, and that shit gets old.”

Jesus, so he’s looking for an ol’ lady? I don’t know what’s worse.

“I’d say I believe you, and like I said, I like you, but that doesn’t mean that I won’t protect my mom at all costs.”

He gives me a shoulder squeeze then points in my face. “You’re a good son. The world needs more shit like this. I won’t hurt your mom. Like I said, right now we’re just friends. I don’t think she looks at me as anything else.”

I snort. “Right, Fabio. As if you don’t know what all the girls at the clubhouse are sayin’ about you?”

He smirks. “What they sayin’?”

“Shit I wish I could bleach from my brain, Silver Fox. They crap on about somethin’ called BookTok and how older guys are the bomb.”

He laughs. “You’re half my age, you should know what BookTok is.”

“Do you?”

He nods, walking away again. “Yep. And don’t worry, Sunshine. It’s all good.”

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