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I glared over at Lulu, because she'd obviously told Millie about our earlier conversation.

"Harlow—"

"Don't be mad at Lulu," Millie said, drawing my attention back to her. "We're besties. We tell each other everything. Besides, she didn't mean to let it slip out."

My anger dissipated as quickly as it had appeared, because really, it wasn't that big of a deal. Or a secret. And we were all friends. Women could have children any number of ways, but it was only natural that Millie would think that I was going to do it the old-fashioned way. She didn’t know that I'd already looked into the HRC Fertility clinic, although I hadn't scheduled an appointment yet. I wasn't going to rush into anything before weighing all the pros and cons.

"You just caught me by surprise, but yes, I do want to have a baby. I just don't need a man to accomplish that."

"So you're looking into fertility clinics?" JoJo questioned, taking a sip of her drink. I noticed that she kept one eye on the playground. I nodded. "What about adoption?"

I shook my head. "Nothing wrong with that, and it might be something I'd be open to for the next time around, but for the first time I want the full experience of becoming a mother." As I spoke, I glanced around our intimate group.

"So you've really given this some serious thought," Millie smiled.

I nodded. "I have. David never wanted children, and now that we're getting a divorce, I don't see any reason to wait. Besides, waiting for the next sperm doner to come along could take years."

Millie and JoJo's laughter was more contained, but Lulu had just taken a drink and coke went spraying out everywhere with her laughter. She grabbed the napkin on the table in front of her and quickly wiped her face. "Ohmygod! That doesn't even sound like something you'd say."

"I've been hanging around you girls for too long," I agreed with a slightly warm face. Her commotion drew several looks our way, and I hoped that no one beyond our circle had heard what I'd said.

"Come and get it!" someone suddenly called out, alerting us all that the food was ready.

"We better get in line before the men do." Millie was already getting to her feet.

JoJo, Lulu, and I quickly followed suit. I'd learned early on that the men's appetites for food were as voracious as their appetites for sex, and if you didn't get your food before they did then you were out of luck. To be fair though, I’d also noticed how some of the men who had women and children stood back during the initial stampede to let them go first. The old ladies were treated like queens, and I envied their positions in the club.

David had always treated me politely and with respect, but it would have been nice if occasionally he had let his tight control slip to show how much he really cared. Even when we'd made love it had been too practiced and lacking in passion, the kind of passion that creates sparks. It had taken me a long time to realize that his idea of showing affection was done through his wallet and not his emotions. Looking back, I couldn't fault him for that. He'd been raised by strict, religious parents who'd had him late in life and hadn't exactly been great role models.

I'd reached the huge stack of paper plates and I grabbed one, as well as a set of plastic utensils.

"Well, hello there, hot stuff!"

I turned toward the enthusiastic voice behind me and came face to face with a man I didn't know. Instinct told me that he was with the other biker club I'd seen meandering around.

"Look no further."

“Excuse me?” I didn’t know what he was talking about.

He stepped back slightly and made an attempt at a fancy bow by throwing his arms out wide and curtsying.

"Sperm donor ready and eager."

Shit!He'd heard us talking. I wasn't amused, and the fact that my expression remained impassive didn't change the drunken amusement on his craggy face. I could smell the alcohol on his breath, and he had that look in his eyes that warned that he could also be on something more than alcohol. As I thought about how best to respond, I was thankful that I was surrounded by the Desert Rebels.

Maybe no response is the best response,I thought to myself. I turned back around as if he'd never spoken and moved further up the line toward the food. Without warning, I felt the heat of alcohol-laced breath and the rough rasp of a bearded cheek against my neck as he breathed me in. I jerked away, turned my head slightly, and muttered, "Please leave me alone." Millie glanced back at me, and I returned her smile before she could face forward again.

"What's the matter, bitch? My dick not good enough for you?"

I shuddered but managed to reach for a roll without saying anything in return.

"Wouldn't mind havin' a little bastard with a woman like you." His low laughter caused a chill to run over my body. "Bet you have a tight little pussy, too."

Without thinking, I swung around and slapped him, and that triggered more than one immediate response. Some of the women in front of me turned and then gasped when they realized what I'd done. From my periphery I saw movement as others began to move in our direction. The next thing I knew, I found myself in the clutches of the man who'd insulted me.

I cried out at the roughness of the hands grasping my upper arms. He yanked me against him and snarled down into my face, "You fucking bitch!"

"Take your fucking hands off her!" Demon ordered.

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