Page 40 of Toxic

“Okay,” she said, straightening her shirt with one hand while she held the cup. Her cheeks were flushed and she was avoiding eye contact.

“You and your grandfather are coming with me.”

Now her eyes met mine, flashing with irritation. “That’s not a good idea. He’s not supposed to be moving around a lot.”

“I read the take home instructions,” I told her with a wry smile. “They said it was good for him to get up and move each day.” Tilting my head, I studied her. “Why don’t you want to go?”

“Why do I need to go?” she countered, fisting one hand on her hip.

“Because I’m not leaving you out here alone for the time it’ll take for me to get back into town, go to church, and get back. Not fucking happening, Lightning.” It was bad enough we’d have to leave the ranch alone and exposed for a couple hours, but I was going to have to take the risk. Lock needed most of us at church and the other members were busy and couldn’t stay out here. It was only a couple hours then we’d be back.

She blinked at me in confusion. “You’re going to church?” She gave me a dubious look. “You don’t seem like the type.”

“Not that kind of church. I’ll explain it later on the drive. Be ready to leave by four,” I called out because she was already walking away from me, shaking her head.

Adjusting my wayward dick, I went back to working on the stubborn machine in front of me.

CHAPTER 15

Billie

Iscowled at Toxic when he winked at me in the rear view. We were almost to his clubhouse, according to him. Gramps thought this was great fun.

“Never been to a biker clubhouse before,” he said with a cackle. “Probably going to be full of pretty women.”

“It is, but most of those pretty women belong to my brothers,” Toxic warned. “They won’t care that you’re an old man if you don’t mind your manners.”

Gramps snorted. “Like I’d do anything inappropriate. That’s only for if they ask.”

I stared at him, horrified, while he and Toxic shared a knowing look.Gross.I didnotwant to think about my grandfather that way. I shuddered at the mere thought.

“Here we are,” Toxic said as we pulled into a gravel parking area. There were motorcycles parked everywhere. He’d explained what church was. And that this SUV, and the truckhe’d been using actually belonged to the club to use whenever someone needed more than a bike. He’d gone over some of the rules of the club and what some of the basic terms meant, but I still felt woefully unprepared.

It didn’t matter that I’d met a good number of his brothers already. This was their territory. He’d also mentioned that, because it was summertime, most of the old ladies and the kids would be here and that they were excited to meet me.

When I asked why, he’d just said it was because I was friends with Dani and Keely and so were they. I got the feeling he wasn’t being completely honest. It was the sort of dread that built up knowing you were about to meet his parents, but somehow this was worse.

He walked us over to the clubhouse and as soon as he opened the door, he gave me a nudge to walk through first. My eyes widened because the place was packed full of people. And they were all staring at me. I backed up a step and bumped into Toxic’s body.

“Don’t worry, Sweet Girl,” he all but purred in my ear. “They don’t bite.” There was a brief pause. “I do though.”

I moved away from the heat of his body and shot him an unamused look before standing next to Gramps. It was like he knew the sorts of emotions he stirred up inside me and took every opportunity to do so.

If I was being honest, having him around all day, and now sleeping in my home was creating this vulnerable raw spot inside of me. Like he was wearing me down. But I remembered what happened the last time I trusted a ladies’ man. My dad hadn’t raised a fool and I wasn’t falling for that again. Even if the man kissed like sin.

The vibe in the air was like the calm before the storm. Everyone seemed to be…waiting. Especially the women.

“Everyone,” Toxic said, with a shake of his head. “This is Billie and her grandfather, Robert.”

Now they were all teeth as everyone smiled. I could sense the women were holding themselves back from an estrogen fueled need to swarm me. There was a hushed undertone of whispers and laughter. I had no idea what was going on. Looking over at Toxic, I gave him a desperate look. One that said, please don’t leave me alone with these people.

The crowd parted and Danica rushed forward, pulling me into a hug. “Oh my God,” she said. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen you, B.”

I squeezed her tight, thanking every God I could think of that at least I knew someone here other than Toxic and Gramps. Because Gramps was already heading toward the bar and I knew Toxic had to go to his meeting, church, and was planning to leave me.

“Too long,” I replied to Dani, smiling at her. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t able to help you while you were getting divorced from that dickhead.”

“Don’t be,” Dani said with a laugh. “Smokehouse had it under control. Besides, it sounds like you’re having trouble of your own.” She wrapped her arm around my waist and started leading me toward the waiting group of women.

---