Page 22 of Banner

I turn back to the chicken on the cutting board and smile.

Five.Four.Three.Two…

I listen as the front door opens and three sets of boots “Babe!”

I look at the clock above the stove and chuckle.

6:00 p.m.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about my husband over the last week, it’s that he’s consistent, down to the minute.

“I’m in the kitchen” I call over my shoulder.Since coming to live here, Banner has made it his mission to establish a domestic routine, of sorts, and I must say, I’m not mad about it.

Warmth hits my back as two strong arms wrap around my waist.“Let’s go out tonight and have some fun,” he whispers into the crook of my neck.I tip my head to the side to give him better access.

“I’ve created a monster.”He laughs, kissing my pulse point and pulling away.

Spinning around in the circle of his arms, I look up at him and ask, “Where are we going?”

“Haze is fighting tonight.”I peek around his shoulder at the massive man sitting at the island.Watching two men beat the snot out of each other isn’t exactly my idea of a good time, but I made a promise that I’d be open to new experiences, and being the wife of the president of a motorcycle club comes witha lotof new experiences.

“Okay.”I look down at my black leggings and bite my lip.

Banner laughs and shakes me from side to side.“You can wear whatever you want, baby.Anyone from the garbage man, all the way up to the mayor might be there.The fights are pretty popular.”

The mayor?

“Can I dress up?”

“Knock yourself out, Mouse.”I clap my hands, excitedly.

Banner presses a kiss on my lips and then aims me toward the stairs.I know exactly what I’m going to wear.

An hour later I descend the steps in a black halter-style dress with two sexy slits that run up the sides to just below my hips.My hair is straightened into long ebony sheets that rest just above my bottom.To finish off my look, I slipped on a pair of peep-toe Louboutins and a stack of gold bangles on each wrist.I look damn good, even if I do say so myself.

“Fuck me, babe.You look…” Banner blows out a heavy breath as his arms rest atop his head.His eyes slowly move from the tips of my toes to the top of my head, where they linger on my long tresses.Most people are shocked by how long my hair is when it’s straight and it looks like the hubby isn’t any different.

“Need to take more knives,” he mumbles under his breath as he comes to stand in front of me.His arms snake around my waist and he presses his forehead to mine.“You’re so goddamn beautiful, Mouse.”

My heart skips a beat.“Thank you.”

“I’ve got my car waiting outside for us.”His hands smooth down my naked back and he gives my bottom a squeeze before stepping back and twining his fingers through mine.I never pictured The Butcher as being the type of man who held hands with his woman, but he keeps continuing to surprise me.I follow beside him and grin to myself when he holds the door open and ushers me outside.A stone-cold killeranda gentleman.

“What do you think?”he asks, pointing to the sleek sports car parked at the curb.

“It looks fast.”

“It is.”He laughs as he helps me down the steps.He reaches around me and opens the car door, then guides me inside so I don’t flash the neighborhood my goodies.

It takes us forty-five minutes to make it over the bridge and into the city.I know we’re on the Lower East Side but I’m not sure where and I’m even more confused when he drives through the gates of what appears to be an abandoned warehouse.

“Where are we?”

“You’ll see,’ he answers cryptically.He pulls up close to the door and cuts the motor.He aims his boyish grin, the one I’m starting to fall in love with, at me and hops out.He rushes around to my door and reaches in his hand to help me out.Banner wraps a protective arm around my waist and leads me towards the massive wooden door.

When we step inside, I’m immediately blown away.Massive gold chandeliers are hanging from the ceiling and lush fabrics are on the walls.This place is beautiful.“Wow,” I whisper.

“A hidden gem,” Banner teases.It truly is.From the outside this place is unsuspecting, but once you step through the door you’re transported into a world of pure elegance.

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