Page 1 of Coast

Prologue

Coast

Ileaned against theclubhouse and watched the doctor dance with every brother who asked her. I wanted her in my arms, my bed, and my name echoing off the walls when I brought her to completion. It was her I wanted under me when my own release took my breath, and my heart pounded in my chest.

Mackenzie avoided me at all cost since the day at the diner when I snapped at her about paying for lunch. I hadn’t known then what made me do it, but now, as I watched her head lean back while she laughed at something Bull said, it was because she had the ability to destroy me. I knew it the minute she walked out of her office building that day, and I’d laid eyes on her for the first time. So, I made the play for her. Even now, knowing she could crush me, I wasn’t going to be able to stay away from her much longer.

I lost sight of Mac when the music stopped, and River and Jag moved to the front of everyone.

“You boys are falling quickly. Been a long time since the clubhouse hosted a wedding celebration. Hell, I think it was when Dare married Shakes.”

I glanced over at my dad as he leaned against the building beside me, then I turned back to watch River as she prepared to toss her flowers to the women who had started to form a group.

“Figure we’ll see a few more before long. Maybe we can get the others to do it at the same time,” I said, and my dad, Cruz, chuckled.

“Damn, I hope we don’t have to break up a bunch of women fighting over flowers.” I shook my head at my dad’s comment and watched the group of women laugh as they moved around each other to get into the best position.

“Thelma’s in the group. Not worried she might catch it, are you?” I cocked my brow at my dad when he turned his head toward me.

“You got something to ask me, Emery?”

“Nope, so don’t get your back bent all out of shape. But Bull and Tank might think different.”

“I’ll speak with them if the need arises. Neither she nor I need your boys’ permission. But out of respect because they are members of this club and Thelma’s sons, I’ll speak with them.” I grinned at my dad. “What?”

“Doesn’t seem like ‘us boys’ are the only ones falling quickly. What happened to the‘We’re going to do what we want, when we want, and enjoy taking off on our bikes whenever the road calls to us,’speech?”

“We still can. Just means a warm woman behind me on the bike and in the bed at night.”

“Christ, Dad, you might not want to make that comment when you talk to Bull and Tank.”

“I might be getting older, Emery, but I haven’t lost any of my brain function. And I plan to keep it, too.”

“Yeah, it isn’t your brain I’m worried about, Dad. Now, your ability to move around after they get a hold of you—whole different thing.”

“You’re such a fucking, smartass,” my dad said and chuckled.

Loud laughter and squeals ended our conversation and had us looking toward the women just in time to watch the bundle of flowers arch and then disappear into the middle of the group. When the crowd separated, a grin split my face when I saw the flowers in Mac’s hands.

“She’s a tough little thing to have gotten in there and come out the victor. Not bad on the eyes either, huh? You know, tradition would have her as the next bride. Be interesting to see who snags the garter.” I glanced at my dad and didn’t miss the smirk on his face.

“What the hell does one have to do with the other?”

“See, that’s what’s wrong with today’s world. Young people don’t give a shit about traditions. You’d think having knowledge at their fingertips with the internet and the search engines, their intelligence would be advanced to a whole new level. No, instead, everything offends them and then they need time off because of it. Don’t even get me started on trophies for participation.”

“Really? I had no clue my dad was a stickler for wedding traditions, and an analyst on the problems with today’s youth,” I said to get my dad away from the subject of Mac, and because I just liked getting him going. It didn’t take much to send the man into a tangent. I laughed when he smacked my stomach with the back of his hand.

“You’ve always been mouthy. What can I say, I know a lot of shit. Granted, some is useful, and some just takes up space in my head.” We both chuckled, then my dad continued. The more he talked, the more my grin spread.

“You know, I might be able to work with that,” I said. The information that my dad shared appealed to me. If nothing else, it’d give me an opportunity to touch Mac.

“I thought you might find it interesting.” My dad winked. “And perfect timing for it, too,” he added with a chin lift. When I followed the direction he pointed toward, I watched the women set a chair down, then wave River over to stand beside it. They proceeded to point where they wanted the men, who stood nearby, to move.

I pushed off the wall of the clubhouse. “Thanks for the chat, old man. And the information,” I said as I placed a hand on his neck and planted a kiss on his forehead, then released him.

“What the hell was that for, Emery?”

“Everything you’ve ever done for me.” I turned to leave when his hand landed on my shoulder. I turned my head to the side and glanced over my shoulder at him.

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