Page 2 of Property Of Nicky

I watch as some silent communication transpires between the two twins, like they can read each other’s minds and are having a full-blown conversation. Joe shakes her head in frustration and turns her attention back toward me. “Nick-y”—she glares at her sister as she adds the last syllable—“is going to be staying here with us for a few weeks. I wanted her to finally meet you all and see what the Savage Knights are all about.”

I have to bite back my smile as the music falls from Joe’s lips to my ears, because that’s what it sounds like as she tells me mygirl is going to be residing under the same roof as me for a bit. Or forever if I have my way. Now, I’ll be able to see her every day and chisel away at those walls she seems to have resurrected. I’m curious if some asshole dropped some baggage off on her doorstep before taking off and leaving her with a broken heart. Or maybe she’s still taken, and that’s why she’s trying to ignore the undeniable chemistry that’s ever present between us.

Have to say, based on what I’m feeling, I could give a shit if there’s a man in her life. I’d put all my money on the fact that whoever he is, if there is someone, doesn’t do it for her, because otherwise she wouldn’t have to be fighting the attraction to me so damn hard. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be looking as if she wants to run from the room and hide from me. Yeah, she can try to hide, but I’ll find her and be convincing her that if there is a man, he’s not the right one for her. Because I’m the man that plans to lock her down and make all her dreams come true.

Fuck. I don’t even know the girl and I’m ready to get down on one knee and propose. What the hell? For all I know, she could be a brat like that Lindy girl who was here earlier. Although, that’d be hard to believe given who her sister is because Joe is definitely made of true grit and is good people. But given my dick’s reaction, I don’t think he would give a shit either way. He’d still be game for a night of fun and to have those sweet, suckable lips of hers sucking all over him and my balls.

“Hey, Joe. Can you show me to my room and get me on the Wi-Fi? I really need to get some work done. A bunch of things came in while I was driving and some of them need to be addressed ASAP.”

Nope. She’s not like that Lindy girl at all. Nicky obviously cares about her job and her responsibilities. She’s been here all of a few minutes and is already trying to tend to her business matters, whatever they may be.

“Sure thing.” Joe smiles, and tells me she’ll be back. She then leads her sister down the hall toward her old room. Joe’s going to be shacked up with her soon-to-be husband now, Riff, so her old room will be vacant. Love that. It’s two doors down from mine. So, I’ll get to see my hot little vixen all the time.

Riff comes through the door carrying a bunch of bags and I’m positive they belong to Nick. I have an insane urge to make the guy drop her things and tell him that I’ll be the one to look out for her from here on out, but decide I need to be patient. The girl already got spooked and ran off, and I don’t want to go charging down the hall and barreling into her life and risk pushing her further away. I need to sit back, observe, and wait for just the right time to make my move. And I definitely need to gather more information from that sister of hers. I need to know if it’s another male that I’m up against, because then I’ll play my hand differently if that’s the case.

Riff and Joe come back out moments later and I finally get to congratulate the happy couple on their upcoming nuptials.

“Congrats, you two! Seriously, couldn’t think of a better man to take this one off the market.” I pull Riff in for a hug and pound his back.

“Thanks, man.” He moves back, and I pull little Joe right in next.

“Seriously, j-bear, love looks real good on you. And I’m so damn happy for you.”

The big man to my side growls and pulls his woman right from my arms. Yeah, I get it. The jealous possessiveness. I’m sure it doesn’t help knowing that she was a sweetbutt and most of us know exactly how lucky he’s going to be for the rest of his life. Because damn, that girl is wild in the sack. Which has me wondering if that sister of hers, who looks even wilder on the outside, might give her sister’s skills a run for their money.Shit. My dick is having a hard time understanding what the wordpatienceis at the moment.

“Thanks, Trig. Sorry about Nick, by the way. She really doesn’t understand the whole MC club thing yet, but she will. That’s why I wanted her to come so she can see what you guys are all about. She also hates guys at the moment, like wants to have nothing to do with them, so don’t take offense if she’s rude. I’m hoping her opinion on that matter will change too while she’s here and gets to see how great you guys are and how you’re not like the rest of the assholes in the world. How you’re a family.”

Awesome. Not only does Nicky think the club is a joke but she’s against my species at the moment. Good news is, there isn’t a man in her life. Not so great news, I’m going to have a war on my hands to get through to her. Well, challenge accepted. I’ll definitely be the one changing her opinion on the club and men. I’ll show her exactly who the Savage Knights are and what we believe in and fight for every day. And I’ll show her that not every man is a bastard. And that some of us are worthy of her time. Well, one man in particular is worthy of all her time.

The two lovebirds who are staring at each other like they’re both about to combust into flames turn and in unison tell me good night and that they’re heading up to their room. I chuckle as Riff tosses his girl over his shoulder and practically runs up the stairs. There’s definitely a pain of envy seeing them together. Not because I ever wanted Joe, but because I want what they have. I want what my parents had. A love that lasts a lifetime.

CHAPTER 2

Nicky

The knock on the door has my eyes opening. Who could be bothering me this early in the morning? It has to be like 7 a.m. I look over at the clock and see that it’s after noon. Oops. I guess I slept later than I thought. Probably because I was up half the night thinking of those brown eyes, which held me hostage with just one look. And…a grizzly baritone voice that rumbled through me like the sound of a muffler. Muscles that were made for a linebacker but gifted to a lethal-looking man. A chiseled jawline peppered with scruff, which looks like it would feel so good rubbing along certain places on my body, definitely some inner places. Those strong forearms painted in colorful ink that I could stare at for hours and get lost in the beauty of the art. And that face…. I was up half the night thinking about, or I should say stewing over the hottest man I’ve ever seen.

The pound at my door comes again, and I snap out of my daze. Dammit, I was doing it again. Lusting over a man. That has never happened before. And I definitely don’t like that it’s happening to me now. I pull myself up, toss my hair into a messybun, and then go to open it. I’m not wearing a bra under my tank top so I only crack the door a smidge, but as I do, the person comes barreling into the room. It’s him. The one I just spent the entire night thinking about.

“Afternoon, sunshine.” Trigger walks over to my nightstand and places a plate of food down, then turns and hands me a cup of coffee. I want to kiss him for the gift because until the hot, roasted, yummy goodness is running through my veins, I’m not a functional human being. Or a nice one.

“Mmmm…I love you,” I purr, holding the mug up to my nose and inhaling the smell of the nutty liquid. My favorite drink in the world. Suddenly, the words I just spoke register and I quickly look up at the man who looks even better in the light of day. “I mean, I love you for this. For the coffee. For bringing it to me. I mean I don’t love you love you.” I’m stumbling through my words, trying to make sure he doesn’t think I have feelings for him or doesn’t pick up on the fact that I just spent my entire night thinking about him, but the more I try to recover myself, the more I make a fool of myself. Seriously? Why does he have to be so damn sexy?

He chuckles and once again the sound does all kinds of crazy things to me. “I know,” he rumbles and it runs straight through my veins, jolting my senses awake faster than caffeine has ever done. “Your sister told me you didn’t play nice until you’ve had your coffee, so I came prepared.”

Play? Him using that word brings up all the ways in which I dreamed of playing with him last night. That word isn’t safe so I focus in on the last word he said. Prepared. Prepared for what? For a battle. In the sheets?No. Stop it, Nicky. I seriously need to screw my head back on straight. I don’t lust after men. I don’t want a man. I’m celibate for a reason.

I take a sip of my coffee because clearly my mind isn’t quite as awake as the rest of me, otherwise, I wouldn’t be thinking ofbreaking the life vow I made to myself the day of my mother’s funeral. Five years ago, I swore off men, and for five years it’s been the best decision of my life.

“You were up late, huh?”

I nod and take another sip. Sipping is safe. Talking is not.

“You usually a night owl?”

“Are you usually this nosy?” Snipping is also safe. Sipping and snipping. Oh God! I’m such a dork and such a basket case.

“Are you usually this fun when you wake up?” His teasing tone has me trying not to crack a smile.

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