Page 22 of Playing for Keeps

“You share a lot in common,” Tuesday claims about the fifteen-year-old and nineteen-year-old. “You’re both grossed out by your more sexually adventurous elders.”

The young women look at each other and share a “she isn’t wrong” expression. I smile at how Clover has a person to entertain her during the party.

The Blood-Red Suns meatheads eyeball the Rawkfist guys who seem less anxious. I suspect the local guys understand how this alliance will leave them on top.

Duke seems to realize the same thing. I feel his mood shift. Though he uses a friendly tone with Emmett, Court, Donovan, and Jared, my dad’s clearly on edge.

Grandma Erin immediately zeroes in on Christine, aka the matriarch of the homestead.

“We call her Queen Meemaw,” Val says, sounding horny as he stands way too close to me.

Around us, people spread out and fall into smaller groups to chat. Val takes my hand when I ignore his “Queen Meemaw” comment. As we walk around the homestead, he stops and speaks to members of the Blood-Red Suns. I’m surprised when he knows information about each of them.

“Your mom cares for stray cats,” he tells Mucky whose normally messy long hair is tied back and his beard is trimmed.

Likely unhappy to be so cleaned up, Mucky only grunts, “Yeah, so?”

“Queen Meemaw runs a vet clinic. If your ma ever needs help getting those cats shots or fixed, we can arrange that.”

Mucky looks at me for permission to approve of this idea. I give him a “fucking duh” eye roll, so he smiles at Val.

“My ma sure loves those rowdy cats. Can’t imagine how you’d get them rounded up for shots or to get their nuts snipped.”

“Ever since I was a boy, I’ve helped out Christine with stray animals. We use little tricks to get it done. And healthy cats live longer, which I bet your ma would appreciate.”

Mucky’s smile goes too big. For a moment, I think he wants to pal around with Val. Then, he notices the other Suns watching him, so he dials down his Val fanboying.

“That’d be cool,” Mucky mutters and wanders off.

With my hand still trapped in his, I watch Val win over various meatheads. I’m impressed by how he acts interested in their lives. They all warm up under his attention.

Suddenly, Val and I end up at his family’s back deck. Behind us, the party has hit a rowdier mood. Tuesday is serenading her husband with a karaoke machine. There’s a lot of awkward laughter.

I’m distracted until Val pins me to the outside wall of his house. His hands slide into my hair, wrapping my head in his touch before he plants a kiss on my lips.

Val tastes like the best kind of heaven—the naughty sort. I’m floating as his devilish tongue slides across mine, tempting me to ignore my brain and ride hard with my heart.

“What’s all this?” asks a woman suddenly next to us.

Val slowly peels his lips from mine before returning for a quick taste. He finally flashes his gaze toward the woman. I do the same and find Poppy Mercer. I’d be able to recognize her, even if Val hadn’t sent pictures. She looks like an older version of Tuesday.

“I’m kissing my future wife,” Val says and drapes his powerful arm around my shoulders. “She’s a beauty, isn’t she, Ma?”

Poppy is a beautiful woman with thick blonde hair and bright blue eyes. Having seen Emmett and Poppy up close now, I can understand why Val and his siblings are so damned beautiful.

“I was hoping to meet your mother today,” Poppy tells me.

“She lives in Minnesota.”

“Will she take time out of her busy schedule for your wedding?”

“Yes.”

“Well, okay, then,” Poppy says and then starts to smile before going hostile again. “Is your mother an uppity northern bitch?”

“Yes,” I lie since I sense Poppy’s testing me.

“Oh, well, that’s fine. I like variety.”

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