Page 133 of Manny

“Took that bodyguard out before he even blinked, accordin’ to Lace,” I say. “And they say Tag and Jett are the beasts around here.”

Tag grunts, Jett just cracks his knuckles. He looks like butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth, but I know better.

“So, it’s settled,” Cash goes on. “With Judice. Let’s fuckin’ hope the club can go back to normal. Anyone else got anythin’ they wanna tell me about from their past? No dealin’s with any mafia, rival clubs, hitmen, snipers, drug mules, disgruntled family, exes or stalkers?”

“Better still, does anyone care for a cinnamon roll fresh out of the oven?” Manny sing-songs, waltzing in the door. Of course, he’s back to his usual self; Poison t-shirt, tight black jeans, cross earring dangling from one ear and that smudged eyeliner in place, not forgetting his apron. I smirk when he gives me a wink, placing two large plates of deliciousness on the table. His eyes are on me as he adds, “Don’t pretend you don’t want it.”

I roll my lips as Riot screws up his nose and tells us to get a room.

“Gotta say, I missed you a lot, Manny.” Ryder grabs the first one, shoveling it into his mouth as Manny stands back to admire his handiwork of everyone leaping out of their chairs at once to grab a buttery, soft treat.

“Fuckin’ cinnamon rolls,” Harlem grumbles, but he still grabs one.

“Don’t worry, old boy, Indi still loves you, even withlove handles,” Manny snickers.

Harlem rolls his eyes. “Been talkin’ to my ol’ lady. What a fuckin’ surprise.”

“You know without me, most of y’all would be in therapy, and you’d definitely be thankin’ me for all the times you’ve acted like neanderthals and I’ve reminded your women that you’re not all a bunch of meatheads.”

“Thanks, I think?” Priest scratches his chin.

“Always happy to help, right,Beefcake?”Yep, he still calls me that, and I’ve actually started to like it.

I smirk. “Somethin’ like that.”

“You two start gettin’ all lovey dovey in here and we’re gonna have to put a ban on both your cinnamon rolls,” Nevada laughs, thinking he’s hilarious.

“The man took a bullet for my sister, I think he’s good,” Riot says. We both know how protective Riot is of Lace, but he’s kept his word and butted out. Neither of us plan on doing anything to make her cry, or worse, in fact, that’s the last thing we want.

“Well, if we’re done here.” I go to stand. “Got some shit to take care of.”

Cash gives me a chin lift. I know they have other business to discuss that I’m not privy to, only the committee members. Plus, I wouldn’t mind having a little alone time with Manny while they get down to business. I love to watch him creating in the kitchen, especially when he gets a little flustered.

“Get outta here,” Cash says. “We’ll talk later.”

I give everyone a chin lift, snagging a cinnamon roll on my way out as Nevada tries to snatch it from me. Manny’s behind me as I head toward his domain.

“You lost,Cowboy?” he teases.

I push the kitchen doors open and the second he gets inside, I push him against the counter and kiss the fuck outta his mouth. He’s panting by the time we’re finished.

“What the heck was that for?” He moves back in, our tongues colliding.

“Bein’ delicious is a good start.”

I grab his ass. “These buns are delicious.”

He snickers, our bodies pressing together as I feel him harden. “You’re getting me all flustered at work,” he chastises playfully. “You know what that does to me.”

“Makes me wanna bolt that kitchen door and get on my knees.”

“You’re a very naughty boy, today, that early wake up call not enough?” he snickers.

I give him a look. “I’ll admit I’m jealous that you and Lacey get to cuddle and I don’t, but it won’t be like this forever.”

“Speaking of which, we wanna take Eli out to the movies this Friday.”

“Am I invited?”