Page 21 of JoJo

When I looked back to see Steel’s reaction he wasn’t looking around the room, taking it all in. Nope, he was watching me as I tried to see the room through a stranger’s eyes. “What?” I asked, feeling a little self conscious all of a sudden.

“Nothing. This room is completely you and yet still somewhat surprising too. I like it. Maybe we’ll need a bigger bed though. I kind of liked the king they had in the suite in Vegas.”

“Spoiled!” I laughed out.

“Yeah, not really, just wishful thinking.” I smiled as he finally continued his perusal of my personal space. “Do you always keep it so tidy?”

“I guess I’m just not a naturally messy person. I pick up after myself. I’m not obsessive about cleanliness or anything. It’s just easier to keep up with this way.”

“I like that too. One thing that living with a bunch of bikers will make you appreciate more is cleanliness. Some of the guys from the Dakotas Chapter had horrendous hygiene and worse rooms. I remember they tried making me clean the brothers’ rooms when I was prospecting. I told them that was where I drew the line, because there were some things about people you couldn’t un-know.”

“I’m surprised you had to prospect at all. You’re a legacy times two in a way.”

“Yeah, well, even legacies have to prove themselves worthy first. Being blood isn’t enough. As you well know with your brother, the difference between blood relatives can be night and damn day.”

“True.” I sat on the edge of my bed. “Luckily, none of the girls are too filthy at our clubhouse. Although there are only six of us with rooms there. The Riding Club members have access to the clubhouse and our common areas, but only the active MC members get space set aside for them.” Steel sat down beside me on the bed, our knees touching, and his spicy scent wafted over me making little tendrils of desire become noticeable.

“So, you mentioned doing work for your mom earlier, what does she think of our arrangement? She’ll probably hate me right away, because we didn’t invite her to our impromptu wedding. What about your dad? How will they react when they find out?” I really wanted to know how he planned to, or managed to, break the news to his family. I didn’t really have anyone I had to worry about getting judgmental with me about a quickie marriage. I had another reason for popping the questions out there too. I was suddenly nervous as we both sat within touching distance on my bed. Was it our bed now? Was he planning on sleeping in the guestroom or in here? Hell, he mentioned that ‘we’ needed a bigger bed just a few minutes ago. God, I was so damn confused. I was down for trying this marriage out for real. I mean, I had already sampled the goods and they were delectable. Why not? I just didn’t know if that’s how he felt.

“They’ll be fine, I promise. I’ve always kind of done my own thing. Honestly, I don’t think either of them will be that surprised.”

“You run off and marry strange women often?” I laughed.

“No, just once. I don’t think they’ll be surprised that I helped you out though, or that I’m genuinely starting to like you the more I get to know of you.”

That particular proclamation left me feeling all kinds of warm and fuzzy inside.

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