Page 77 of Bloom: Part 1

It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him I needed him, but just like Crowe wouldn’t make him choose this morning, I couldn’t come between him and his brothers. Not unless they were putting him directly in danger.

“Hot damn, Bloom’s brought a man home!” the biker I recognized as Bay cried, bringing the lively conversations to a halt. We became the center of attention, stopping the bikers in their gambling, drinking, smoking, and doing some serious petting.

“Why not take a picture? It’ll last longer.” Bloom sounded annoyed, but he was grinning. Of course he was. I was the trophy he finally got to bring home. If only he knew he was the real prize.

“Come join us for a drink,” another biker said. What was his name again? “Let’s celebrate…you know.” He winked at Bloom.

“Sorry, can’t. Just came to grab some stuff. Then we’ll head out.”

“Not so fast.” Gunner smirked, rocking back on two legs, his arm around the chair of the man next to him—former police chief, current husband to a criminal. “You gotta introduce us to your man, Bloom.”

Bloom raised his chin in a defiant gesture. I squeezed his hand to put out the fire burning inside him. Did they think I wouldcower before them because they were bad men? The men in my past would make them seem like babies.

“It’s okay.” I stepped forward. “Everyone, I’m Dr. Logan Collier. Don’t be surprised if you see me around more often.”

“Oh?” Gunner flicked a lighter on. “Is that so? I don’t recall giving you permission to be here today, much less to come back.”

I narrowed my eyes. He was deliberately fucking with me. “I don’t need to be here, but considering your business, I suggest you be nicer to me. Never know when you might need me to save your life.”

Bay chuckled. “He got you there, Gunner.”

Gunner scowled. “I’m doing your job, motherfucker. You just gonna let him date your kid like that? He’d gotta be at least twice Bloom’s age.”

“I didn’t get a say over you fucking a cop, so you don’t get to have an opinion about my love life,” Bloom said.

“But he’s right, Bloom,” Bay said. “We just want what’s best for you. How do we know that’s the doc? We should run a background check on him.”

Shit. A background check? The US Marshals had done a good job erasing my past and establishing my new persona, but if the bikers went digging, they could find out who I was. Information on the Internet never truly vanished.

“Cut it out, Bay.”

I held Bloom back when he lunged forward. “It’s okay. They’re just teasing us.” I hoped like hell they were. “They’ll get over it soon. As much as I’d like to stay here and entertain you all, Bloom and I have plans for the day. If you want to interrogate me further and question my motives, you can call and make an appointment.”

“I’m gonna get you back, Bay, and tell Gerald all your dirty little secrets.” Bloom pulled on my arm.

“Should have filed for that restraining order when I suggested it, Doc.” Ben grinned. “Now you’re in as much trouble as I was.”

Gunner turned to him with a scowl. “What kind of trouble is that? You calling being with me trouble?”

Their voices faded as Bloom and I made our exit and walked down a long hall. Bloom let out a frustrated sigh. “They can be so irritating. How can you be so calm?”

“That’s the way siblings react to each other. It shows they care about you. I wish…”

“You wish what?”

“Nothing. Where’s your bedroom?”

“Right there.” Bloom stopped in front of a door with caution tape and a chain with a padlock. I raised an eyebrow.

“You sure you don’t want to go in before me and hide the bodies first?”

“Haha. Now you’re teasing me.”

“Because when you pout, you look so adorable.”

I tipped his chin and placed my lips over his. He sagged into my arms, all his irritation melting away. His lips parted under mine, and our tongues met in a languid waltz that sent sparks down my spine. How could he taste of innocence and rebellion—an intoxicating blend—at the same time? I pressed him against the door.

“Bloom?”

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