Page 37 of Painless
We both looked down, watching Freyja rub herself between his ankles with a loud purr. "Don't worry, little one." He reached down and scooped her up. "You're coming too."
"She is?" I stared at him.
"We'll figure something out." He flipped her over belly-up, holding her like a baby. "For all we know, she can keep right up with the bikes like Horus and Hades."
"She's barely left my side, so I guess we'll find out."
He scratched the cat's head while Horus tilted his head to peer down at her from his shoulder.
"Get your gear on, baby girl." Gunner leaned in and kissed my forehead. "We'll take off when you're ready."
"Okay," I smiled at him, hoping the freedom of the open road would release my fears. "I should let Reaper know where I'll be."
"While you're at it," Gunner stepped closer, bringing his lips to my ear, "I'd love to bring you home tonight. Just you and me. I know you haven't seen my place properly yet, and," his eyes dropped shyly, "I just want some time with you. Naked or not."
My chest finally started to relax, the tension melting away to all the warmth and safety I felt with this man. It couldn't be him to hurt me. Never him.
"That sounds amazing."
His smile lit up the darkest depths of my soul as he set the cat back down on the floor, then touched a chaste kiss to my lips.
"I'll bring the bike around," he said. "Meet you out front, baby girl."
I found Reaper in the garage. He was dressed in full riding leathers with the engine idling on one of his bikes, and the garage door open. He had his back turned to me, fiddling with something in his saddlebags. When Hades looked at me, I pressed a finger to my lips and the dog stayed put, grinning slightly.
I snuck up on Reaper and hugged him from behind, feeling his body jerk in surprise.
"Shit, sugar. I didn't hear you." He lifted an arm and tucked me into his side. "Hades," he chastised.
The dog tilted his head, returning his look with wide, innocent eyes.
"Where you off to?" I asked, sliding my hand across his lower stomach.
"Paying a visit to some other MCs in the area. See if Tash's been busy cutting deals elsewhere." He gave a gentle squeeze of my nape. "We're gonna need allies."
"Really?" I looked up at him in surprise. "I thought it was every club for themselves. Two sharks in the same ocean are still enemies, I think was how you put it."
"I know what I said," he nodded. "And it worked for a time. But going up against a general? We’re more than just us. And I'm tired of waiting around for Gunner's dickwad uncle."
"Who's going with you?" I asked.
"Slick, Dallas, Big G, maybe a couple other guys."
"Big G?" I raised an eyebrow. "His wife just gave birth yesterday."
"I know, sugar, but he was dying to ride. We're not going anywhere where pussy's on sale, so you don't have to worry about that."
"I'm not, but Tessa needs to rest, feed a newborn every two hours,andtake care of the boys! Jesus, I'm so pissed for her. I can't imagine howshe'sfeeling."
"Dallas sent Andrea to help her," Reaper assured me. "I'm sure she'll be happy to have you and Noelle check in, too."
"I'll make sure Noelle does, but Gunner's taking me out for a ride today." I chewed my lip. "That's what I came down to tell you."
"Oh yeah, where?"
"Somewhere fun and educational, he said."
Reaper chuckled, his hand sliding down my back to cup my ass. "Will I see you tonight?" His voice lowered to that gravelly rumble that drove me wild.
