Page 19 of Royally Lucky

She sucked in a breath and pressed her face against his neck. He smelled divine, with a hint of bergamot and black currant. She loved the combination.

Once he came to his senses, he’d drop her like a hot potato and return to the debutantes who belonged in his circle. In contrast, she, well, she’d return to her lonely existence. Until then, she’d soak up his caring. No other man, not a single guy she’d dated, had ever picked her up and carried her as if she were precious.

They stopped moving, so she opened her eyes, blinking hard as they adjusted to the brighter surroundings. A matte black vehicle sat next to two large SUVs. She shivered when she saw them.

“You’re safe,” Kendrick said again.

“What about the other men?”

Voices were speaking around them, but Kendrick didn’t put her down.

“Is she okay?” King demanded.

She jerked, surprised to find the President of the MC there.

“She’s been traumatized, but she’ll be okay. I’ll ensure it,” he bit out.

King’s brows rose. “It’s like that?”

Sutton looked between the two men. With her arms around Kendrick’s shoulders and him cradling her in his arms, she wondered what King saw. The aches from her fall and rough handling were beginning to catch up with her now that her safety registered. She needed a cool bottle of water that wasn’t drugged, some anti-inflammatory, and something to help her sleep for the next twenty-four hours. Of course, she was sureshe’d be having nightmares that wouldn’t allow her to have a peaceful rest, but a girl could wish.

Chapter Nine

Sutton settled into the soft leather interior, comforted by the heated seats. Kendrick gave her a bottled water, which she happily accepted. The refreshing liquid soothed her throat, and then the man who seemed to be a mind reader passed her two Ibuprofen. If she hadn’t already been infatuated with him, he’d have sealed his fate right then and there.

Through the tinted windows, her eyes tracked his movements. He and King were of similar build, and good lord, they were both commanding men. The first time she’d met Ayesha, she’d wondered how the woman could put up with a man who was bossy as fuck. Although he’s shown her nothing but kindness and been gentle, there was steel and a whole lot of command underneath those smiles and soft touches.

The knowledge should have her throwing up walls and spiked rails. Instead, she found herself dreaming of candles and soft music, followed by silk sheets.

“Get yourself together, Sutton James. A sophisticated man like Kendrick Calderone might want you for a night or two, but at the end of the day, he’ll return to his life and leave you with a broken heart.” Could she live with herself after a fling with him, knowing any man afterward wouldn’t measure up? The real question was, could she live with not knowing what it was like to be with him?

The door next to her opened, letting in the scent of salty sea air. Kendrick filled the doorway, his green eyes studying hers. “King thinks you need to return to the clubhouse and see the doctor.”

She didn’t miss the slight growl as he said the words. As if King’s suggestion of taking her anywhere pissed him off. “Tell him I’m fine. I know people think medical professionals are the worst patients, but I promise I'd be the first to go if I needed to see a doctor.”

Her ankle hurt, but she didn’t break it. All she needed was to wrap it with a compression wrap, which she could grab almost anywhere. As for the rest of her aches, they would ease after some rest.

King’s form appeared behind Kendrick. “Ayesha would feel better if she saw you in person. I know you’re all doctor-like and shit. But could you do me a solid and allow my ole’ lady this one thing? She needs reassurance you’re going to be okay. This attack happened on our watch.” He raked his hand over his head and looked away. “Please.”

The fact that he’d whispered the please did it for Sutton. The big bad president of one of the most notorious MCs never asked. He ordered. She looked at Kendrick and saw a little grin twitch his sexy-as-sin lips before it disappeared.

“Okay,” she agreed. She had a fleeting thought that King might be using Ayesha to get his way, but in the end, she was too tired, and honestly, if it kept the others from stressing, she’d go with the flow.

“We’re almost finished here. You good?” Kendrick asked. He looked at the water and then her.

“Yeah.”

The two men didn’t say another word as the door shut, leaving her inside with her thoughts. She closed her eyes and cradled the water between her fingers. Time passed, and then she felt Kendrick’s arms lifting her again.

“What’s going on?” she asked sleepily.

“We’re here,” he said in a calm, soothing voice. The massive white and black modern-looking farmhouse King and Ayeshacalled home sat in front of the vehicle. The back entrance showcased a three-tiered deck with an outdoor kitchen and enough seating for over two dozen people to hang out. A massive in-ground pool sat off to the side with the deck spanning it but gated off, so the kids couldn’t access it without supervision. However, large trees shielded the home from the road and on the opposite side, creating a sense of privacy and a fairytale atmosphere Sutton loved. No doubt, Ayesha masterminded the architecture of the home and outside space.

“I thought you were taking me to the clubhouse?” She tensed, wondering if they’d be disrupting Ayesha and the kids.

“King led the way, and this is where he stopped. He told Andre to follow him. Look, here comes Ayesha.”

Sutton expected him to put her down, but the man’s arms tightened slightly as he climbed the steps. Ayesha met them at the top.

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