Page 50 of Collect the Pieces

Shelby clutches her stomach. “I know, right? I think I’m hungry.”

“Hey.” I nudge Margot. “I’m going to grab our stuff so we can put it upstairs, okay?”

“I’ll go with you,” she says, pivoting toward the door.

And here I thought she’d been easing into things.

“We’ll be right back,” I say to Rooster.

Outside, I curl my hand around Margot’s and lead her to the truck. The driver’s side is facing the woods, giving us a little privacy.

“You all right?”

She leans back against the side panel. “Yeah, just overwhelmed. I like everyone,” she hurries to add.

It’ll be a lot more overwhelming once the whole club and all their guests arrive. “Everyone already likes you, Margot.” I brush her hair out of her eyes. “When I told the club about us, they were more concerned aboutmecorruptingyouthan anything else.”

That seems to help. A soft smile curves her lips. “Did you tell them that you have thoroughly and irrevocably corrupted me?” She pushes away from the truck and loops her arms around my neck. “Did you tell your brothers what an excellentteacheryou are?”

“No.” I dip down and catch her lips in a quick kiss. “Do you want me to?”

“No! I was kidding.” She stares up at me with wide eyes. “You really didn’t…you know, share locker room talk?”

“We don’t have a locker room.” I glance toward the clubhouse. “Okay, yeah, technically there is a locker room. But no. I told you before, none of the wifed-up brothers share stories about their ol’ ladies. It just doesn’t happen. Lost Kings guard that information with their lives.” I squint toward the forest. “Honestly, the only time we get a hint of that is when Heidi brings her sex toy catalog in, and everyone wants to place an order.”

Margot releases me and takes a step back, like I’ve completely scandalized her. “You’re kidding?”

“Nope. Right at the breakfast table.” I slap my hands together. “She’ll smack that catalog down and take orders.” Isqueeze my eyes shut and laugh. “She didn’t think it through though, because when Charlotte orders?—”

“Oh, ew. Yeah, I’d die if my brother’s wife ordered sex toys in front of me.”

“Exactly. Out of all of us, Sparky’s the only altruistic one. He likes to order these little vibrating cock rings for the whole house.”

“Little, huh?” She lets out a small, nervous burst of laughter. “Well, those won’t doyouany good.”

“I’ve never tried one on but thanks for the compliment.” I reach for the door. “I promise everything will be fine.”

She lifts her chin and nods quickly. “I trust you.”

That means more than anything to me.

Margot

Back inside the clubhouse, Shelby’s waiting for us. “Everyone went down to the dining room for dinner.”

Jigsaw glances at me. “I’m going to run this stuff upstairs.” He lifts his chin.

“Come on.” Shelby grabs my arm, leading me toward the long wide hallway that seems to end in a set of swinging double doors. “We’ll stop in the ladies’, give Jiggy a chance to catch up with us.”

“I’ll be right back.” He pops a kiss on my cheek and hurries toward the stairs.

Shelby watches him for a second, then squeals. “What’d I say? Smitten.”

The same warmth I’d felt when she said that over the phone returns, spreading across my cheeks.

“Come on, I’ll give you the tour as we go.” She slaps her hand against a door as we pass it. “Men’s room—avoid at all costs.”

“Noted.” I laugh.

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