Page 21 of Coal
And then there’s the whole worry about him seeing me naked. That had me breaking out in a cold sweat, wondering what he’ll think. While I was happy with my body, I wasn’t blind tothe stretch marks from carrying Shea nor the cellulite that I had on my thighs. Coal was gorgeous and way out of my league.
“Feck,” I whisper, wiping my hands again as I think to this morning and the size of the cock that had been nestled between my arse cheeks.
While I wasn’t an innocent, I’d only ever been with one other man, and he definitely hadn’t been as big as what I’d felt this morning. Coal hadn’t pushed for anything. In fact, he’d gone out of his way to move his hips away from me before disappearing into the bathroom. He’d been nothing but respectful, but now I’m thinking that maybe it was because he didn’t find me attractive. That what I’d felt this morning was biology and what occurred for men every morning.
I’m a mess of worry and nerves as we pass a sign for theQueens Wraiths Roadhouseand then the sign for what I know is his mam’s cidery. We pass the cidery first and then take the next turn, driving past the roadhouse and down a tree-lined road for just under a mile until a large building comes into view. Above the open double doors is the club insignia, and off to the side of the clubhouse is a covered structure that the men ride their sleds into and park. I’mgetting better at remembering that’s what they call their bikes. I stop the vehicle I’m driving, as I’m not sure where I’m meant to park.
Coal points to a spot next to the clubhouse, and when I drive towards it, my eyes widen a little in surprise at the sign.
Reserved - President’s Old Lady
Thea Tin
I wasn’t sure how I felt about the whole Old Lady thing, as I’m only twenty-six, but if it meant my baby was safe, I’d put up with whatever they wanted to call me. Although, from what I understood of motorcycle culture, it was a respect thing, and I can roll with that. I’m not sure when he had the sign made or who he’d got to put it up, but it did make me feel better about everything.
Coal had told me often over the last couple of days that I didn’t have to worry about what being his Old Lady meant for me. He’d take care of us. It wasn’t until seeing my name in writing that I understood he meant every word. I’d already started to trust him—much quicker than I’ve ever trusted anyone else before, except for my siblings. Him earning my trust that fast was a huge thing for me, considering mychildhood.
Once he’d seen that I was following his orders on where to park, I turn my attention to the people waiting for him and have to smile when the teenage girl, who I guess is their sister Opal, as she has the same dark curly hair as the Tin brothers, throws herself at Coal only to be caught up and hugged tight before she rushes to Copper.
When he turns to the woman standing next to the man, who can only be his da with how much they look alike, although he’s inherited everything else from his mother. When I lay my eyes on his mam, I relax a little because now I understand why he didn’t seem to be put off by my height and size. He’d grown up with a mam who was tall. It makes my heart happy when he wraps his mam in his arms and hugs and kisses her. They have a small conversation, and he keeps an arm around her the whole time. He clearly loves his mother and isn’t ashamed to show it, no matter his important position in the club.
Gathering my courage, I get out of the vehicle when Shea squeals impatiently from behind me. I watch from under my lashes as he greets his da. Opening Shea’s door so that I can get her outof her car seat, I smile as she babbles at me.
I’d not expected him to come and get me, that he had does all sorts of strange things to my heart. That he even thought about us is beyond my comprehension. He more than likely has a hundred things on his mind now that he’s home. I’m not sure what to do with a man who didn’t think of only himself.
Uncertainty about the situation has me asking him, “What happens if they don’t like me?” I wasn’t sure if I could bear his family not liking me. It would make mine and Shea’s life harder, but it wouldn’t be the first time I’d lived with people who didn’t have use for us. I’d make it work, but I didn’t want him to feel like he had to choose, especially with how close he and his family are.
I hated crying, as that shows weakness, and the last thing I ever want to appear is weak. But his next words have me tearing up, and the walls I’d built around my heart—walls I’d only ever let my siblings and Shea in—cracked as he assures me, “They’re going to love you, baby. How can they not? You’re fierce, protective, a fucking fantastic mother, and best of all, you’re not afraid of this lifestyle. It’s like you were born just for me.”
I hadn’t lied when I told him it’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. And the walls fell a little more when, as soon as I had her out of the car, Shea was reaching for him. It seems it’s not only me falling for the big, gruff American. Truth be told, I’d known it’s a waste of time guarding my heart when I found out they’d made the trip to Ireland to rescue my little sisters, knowing nothing about them. I welcome the arm he wraps around me on our walk to meet his parents, who are patiently waiting for us. His sister and the rest of the brothers have disappeared into the clubhouse.
Wiping my hands down my thighs one more time to remove the sweat that had built up on them, the last thing I want is clammy hands when I meet his parents. Lifting my head as we get closer, my eyes are caught and held by his mother’s gaze, and there is something in them that makes everything go still. All the worries and chaos in my head still as soon as her kind eyes meet mine. It’s like I’ve found a kindred soul that understands all my worries without me having to say a word. When she holds her arms out to welcome me, I don’t think to hold back as she enfolds me in her warm embrace. Comfort and love are all I feel. All my worries disappear when she rocks me from side to side,and the tears I’ve been holding back flood my cheeks at her whispered welcome, “Welcome home, Thea. You can’t know how happy I am to meet you. I’ve been waiting a long time for you.”
Behind us, I can hear Coal’s dad assuring him I’m okay, and I am. It seems that all the emotion I’ve been holding back for years chose this moment to come flooding out. Maybe because it was the first time I’d felt a mother’s embrace since I was eight years old. Maybe it was because, for the first time in forever, I felt safe, or maybe it was a combination of everything. Whatever it was had me sobbing in Maggie’s arms. When I was finally done and stepped back, I thought I’d be embarrassed, but Maggie wouldn’t allow it. She wipes at my tears with a smile. Then wipes at her own. The growl of displeasure from the men behind us has me chuckling, and I turn and nestle myself under Coal's arm as if it were second nature, assuring him they weren’t sad tears.
Shea had already made herself comfortable with Coal’s da, but when Maggie took her and welcomed her, I knew for sure we’d found home, and I’d move heaven and earth to make sure we kept it.
“Come on, baby, let’s introduce you to the restof the brothers and my sister. I need an hour to catch up and then I’ll take you home,” Coal informs me.
“Okay,” I reply agreeably, turning towards the clubhouse still under his arm. I’d known that he’d have a lot to do when we got back, that he’d taken the time to explain meant a lot.
“Fuck,” he groans in my ear, adjusting his cock in his jeans, making my cheeks flush with colour. Peeking over my shoulder, I’m happy that his parents aren’t paying attention to us. Tilting my head to look up at him, my question clear in my eyes. I’m not sure what’s turned him on, but something has. I scan the area for another woman. There is none, so I can only assume it’s me.
Although his answer clears nothing up for me, “I can’t wait to get you home and see if you’re as agreeable in bed,” he mutters under his breath. My cheeks heat more. I’m sure my face is blazing with colour. I’m not the most experienced woman, but the fact that he can’t seem to wait to make love with me is a heady feeling.
“Stop,” I poke his side, “I can feel my face is bright red.”
Coal chuckles, pressing his lips to my ear. Ashiver runs through me when he tells me, “I know, and I can’t wait to see that colour covering your entire body as I make you come.”
“Holy shit,” I whisper hoarsely, coming to a complete stop just as we get to the doors. My clit is throbbing, and I’m wondering if he really needs to have a meeting with his brothers. “Are you sure you need to meet with your brothers?”
Coal barks out a laugh, kissing my cheek; he lets his arm drop from my shoulders and takes my hand instead, tugging me with him into the clubhouse. “I’ll make it up to you, baby,” he assures me as we walk into a well-lit room that has a gorgeous wooden bar built down one side, comfortable couches and chairs in one area, as well as a pool table and dartboard. It’s bright and clean, nothing like I’d thought it would be. Not that I knew much about MCs other than what I’d seen on telly or read in books, but this was spotless. No whores or smoke lingered in the air.
Coal tugs me along behind him. I look over my shoulder, but Shea seems perfectly happy with Maggie. Turning back around, I follow along behind Coal until he stops at the bar. Blue, who’d been on the road with us, is behind the bar serving. “What would you like to drink?” Coal asks me.
“Water, please,” I reply. Blue takes a bottle from the fridge and hands it to me. Coal surveys everyone. He lets out a whistle, and everyone turns towards him and focuses their attention on us, making me shrink back against Coal. When he wraps his arm around me and brings me back against him, only then do I relax. I hate being the centre of attention. Nothing good ever comes of it.
“Church in ten minutes to go over our trip. Before that, although most of you have already met her, I want to formally introduce you to the new queen of the Queens Wraiths. Everyone, meet my Old Lady, Thea.”
