Page 45 of Rocky Top

“Back off,” Rocky said, voice like a clap of thunder.

I spun around and there he was, all clenched fists and tight jaw. His eyes looked… different. Brighter. Wilder.

“She’s mine,” he snarled.

The room went quiet.

Bandit chuckled, holding his hands up. “Ain’t tryin’ to start nothin’. Just talkin’.”

Rocky didn’t move. “Talk with someone else, dick lips.”

Bandit backed away, muttering under his breath, and the moment passed. But I was left reeling.

Mine?

That word… it did something to me. Made my chest ache and my thighs clench and my brain screamwhat the hell is happening.

Later, I pulled Rocky aside near the bar. “You really think you can just growlminelike I’m your damn property?”

He didn’t flinch. “You got a problem with it?”

“Yes,” I said, heat rising in my face. “And don’t go thinking I’ll ever wear some sweaty “Property of” vest. It’s not my style.”

He stepped in close, eyes dark and hungry. “You’re mine, Birdie. You ain’t gotta say it. You ain’t even gotta believe it. But I know it. I feel it.”

I swallowed hard. “Well… you didn’task.”

“Didn’t think I needed to,” he said, brushing his fingers down my arm. “But I will. You wanna be mine, Birdie? Just say the word.”

I didn’t say anything. Couldn’t. My whole body was humming like an electric fence.

Before I could even think up a reply, the clubhouse doors swung open and Eliza came in, glowing like she was lit from the inside.

“Y’all,” she called out, holding up her hand. “Look what I got!”

Everyone gathered around to see the ring, and Eliza held out her hand to show off the delicate butterfly design. Her smile was so wide, so full of love, I thought my heart might burst.

I ran to her, squealing, hugging her tight. “It’s perfect!”

“You picked it?” she whispered.

I nodded, tears in my eyes.

She looked over at Knox, who was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, eyes only for her.

“I told him you said he gave you butterflies,” I explained.

She beamed. “That biker…”

“I know,” I whispered back.

As the party ramped up, I sipped a beer, watching the people around me. This rough, rowdy, loud-as-hell family that had slowly started to feel like mine.

There was that word again…

Rocky’s arm wrapped around my shoulders.

“You good, Sunshine?”

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