Page 26 of Blade

“What’s the problem?” It’s just like my father to get straight to the point.

“Emryn doesn’t like talking about her family. And she has this thing about doing everything herself. She has a hard time accepting help, and when I offer, she tries to brush it aside or change the subject. I know there’s something going on, but she hasn’t opened up to me.”

“All families have their own dynamic. Her family could be very reserved, and sharing isn’t what she’s used to. I’m not going to pretend to know why Emryn is the way she is, but I will tell you this: any woman you think about from the first minute you’re up in the morning to the last moment before your head hits the pillow is worth waiting for. One more thing. She might be afraid that you won’t feel the same way if she shares what it is that she’s keeping hidden away. That’s a blow that she may not be willing to take just yet.” My father says all the right things at the right time.

“I’ll give her time.”

He smiles. “Good.” He sighs. “I like how your two families have come together, Ben. I want this for you.” Dad and I walk back, his arm around my shoulders, and I know in this moment, life is good.

Fifteen

Blink of an Eye

Blade

Later in the evening, after my parents and kid sister have left, the party turns into a real club party. Hanna and Risk are on kid duty tonight, which means a sleepover with all the rug rats. In the morning, one of the other moms will supply copious amounts of coffee, and Hanna and Risk will get a day of rest. Knowing Risk, he’ll take the time alone with his wife to do anything but rest. Risk adores Hanna and has since the day he saw her deliver a cake to the club. Those two are meant to be together. As much as Risk loves Hanna, Hanna dotes on her husband and son.

It’s the same throughout the club between the other men and their wives. For the longest time, I was immersed in fitting in, working hard, and proving myself. Women were a distraction, albeit a lovely one, but my focus on the club was all I could handle. The biker bunnies were fun, but any relationship with them was just a good time for one night and nothing else.

With Emryn, I want to know her. I mean, know everything about her, from the way she takes her coffee to her deepest darkest fears. I have an urge to protect her, and I don’t even know from what. Demon’s words come to mind. Live in the moment. Don’t ask for trouble, because it will come calling. Just be prepared when it does. Demon has survived a great deal of tragedy. I’m not sure if I would have made it through if it had been me. Being a rock star isn’t all it’s made out to be. He rose to the top, got sucked into drugs and alcohol, like the rest of the band, then watched his best friend die in front of him. That was just the beginning of the downward hell he lived. But he’s still standing.

Maddie coaxes Emryn to dance with the others while Demon belts out his latest tune with Maddie’s band. The women move to the beat of the music, but my eyes are glued to Emryn shaking her ass, hand in the air, with her hair tousled around her face. She’s fucking gorgeous.

I’m not much of a dancer, but I move onto the dance floor and go to Emryn, snaking my hand around her waist from behind her. She turns her head and leans back into me, rubbing her bottom into my groin. Emryn and I sway to the melody for a while longer, and when Demon sings his final note, I dip my mouth to her ear. “I want to show you my room,” I say, then nip her lobe.

Emryn takes my hand and leads me back into the compound. Silently, we walk through the building. The boisterous voices from the party ebb as we move up the stairs to the second-floor bedrooms. My bedroom is at the end of the long hallway. When I first moved in and saw it was available, I grabbed it. I like privacy, and with most of the club brothers having a home and a place of their own to go to at night, I have the quietest room of all.

I click on the lights, and Emryn surveys the small space. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s neat and clean. I like an orderly room. Maybe it’s my mother drilling it into my head from the time I was three to pick up my toys, but mostly, I like to know where everything is. I’m the same with my workspace. The bed is always made, my clothes are put away, and even my small bathroom is clean. I’m no decorator, but I managed to make my space my own. I have pictures of me and my brothers on the wall, and a few more of my family. I’ve never needed much; just give me a place to sleep and my Harley, and bikes and cars to work on, and I’m a happy man.

“What do you think?” I ask.

Emryn sits on the edge of my bed. “It’s homey. I didn’t expect that,” she says, reaching over to the photo of me and my family on the bedside table. She glances up at me and says, “You’re very close to your family, aren’t you?” I can hear the sadness in her tone.

“Yeah. My parents are great. Jaci can be a handful, but she’s got a heart full of love. She’s still trying to figure out where she fits. She’s got another year of college, but I’m not sure if she figured out her passion. I think she should work with kids, because her face lights up whenever she’s around them.”

“Jaci liked hanging around the play area with the little ones more than the adults,” she says. “She’d be a fantastic teacher.”

I shrug. “I gave her my opinion, but it’s her life to lead and her choices to make. God knows no one could talk me out of becoming a mechanic. Not that they tried. Mom and Dad were always on my side and told me that if I chose a profession, I’d better pick something I love.”

And there it is, that profound look of sadness. Fuck, I hate it, but I don’t know what to do about it. I lose her eyes when she lowers her gaze to her lap, and I see her hands tightly clasped. I’m about to straight out ask her what the hell is going on in her head when she reaches out, taking my hand and pulling me down to sit by her side.

“My family doesn’t work like yours. They’re not bad people, just different. I know you want me to tell you more, but I’m not ready. Not yet anyway,” she says, lifting her eyes to mine. “Do you think you can be a little more patient?” She sucks in her lower lip between her teeth, her expression pleading for me to understand.

I recall my father’s advice, and my answer was that I would give her time. “Yeah, babe. You take the time you need, but this is something that’s on your mind a lot, and it will come back and bite again and again until whatever it is you’re dealing with is resolved.”

She doesn’t respond but lays her head on my shoulder. I gather her into my arms, and she nestles close. “I can’t believe I had a personal concert with Lucien Bardon and Maddie and the Smoking Guns,” she says quietly.

“Best part of your night, huh?”

“Nope.”

“Meeting my family?”

“Nope.”

“The good eats?”

“Nope.” She turns her face to look at me and giggles. “This is the best part. Being with you. All my life, I’ve been looking for someone who wants me for me. You believe in me. That means everything to me.” Her eyes well with tears.

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