Page 17 of Judge
“You don’t need to worry about that, just say yes.” With that his hand snakes inside, grips the door handle and then slams the door in my face. “Maybe put on some lipstick!”
What the hell? I look at my distorted reflection in the microwave and then jump out of my skin when someone bangs on the door.
“What the hell, Pops!” I yell as I fling the door open again, only to jolt and let out a squeak when I’m met with Judge’s large body blocking out the sunlight.
“Kaia,” he breathes out, staring like he hasn’t seen me in years. I guess it’s not too far from the truth. Apart from last night we haven’t really been in each other’s vicinity long enough for a full conversation. I’ve spent more time with his brothers.
“Judge.” I ignore the flinch when I call him by his road name, and not his real name. Yes, I know all about road names now. Still have no idea how the guys got them, just that the only people to call them by their government names are their Ol Ladies.
“I was wondering if you would like to join me for dinner tonight?” He looks nervous as hell. So I make him sweat, for the laughs.
He rocks from foot to foot, first staring too intently at me, and then looking at something over my shoulder. I stare him down, knowing that he’s hella uncomfortable. Then I remember Pops’ words and I guess it’d be a good time to finally have a reason to talk.
“OK.”
His eyes flick to me in surprise, “OK?”
“Yeah. Yes. OK, I’ll have dinner with you.”
“I’ll pick you up at 6pm.”
He turns to walk off. “Wait, we’re on lockdown, wouldn’t we just be eating here?”
He turns toward me and damn the sunlight beaming down on him. It’s giving him a hazy look, like he’s been lit up by damn angels or something. It’s also highlighting how incredibly handsome he is. This is something I don’t need. There is no need for me to look at this man as anything other than the guy I grew up with.And had hot, soul shattering sex with. Two times.I shake my head, to dispel the thoughts and concentrate on the not hot man staring at me.
“Pops has got everything arranged.” He shrugs one broad shoulder.
“Well, OK then. See you at 6.” He smiles that lopsided smile I used to love before walking away with a bounce in his step.
I watch his ass work behind the fabric of his jeans and wonder if I should maybe ask for his glute workout regime andthen remember that that ass has been a total ass this whole time and to not be a weak willed woman. I’ve been in trouble before thanks to pretty looks and hard thighs and I don’t need that kind of trouble in my life again. For shit’s sake, I’m hiding out from the cartel as we speak.
“I saw what you were looking at,” a droll voice calls out.
I flip the bird in Rider’s direction and ignore his laughter as I shut the door behind me. I have hours to go before Judge collects me, and in the meantime there are things I want to try making in the farmhouse kitchen. My aunt’s jambalaya will go down a treat and can just simmer away until it’s ready to be eaten.
Gathering up the spices that I refuse to go anywhere without, I make my way to the farmhouse kitchen, nodding at Sniper along the way. I’m not sure of the man’s story, but something definitely haunts him.
“Hey, little lady, need a hand with anything?” Mad Dog calls out, already making his way down the front steps of the house toward me.
Before I can reply he has my little basket of spices out of my hands and into his much larger ones.
“Oh, are you cooking?” another voice nearby calls.
Swinging my head around I’m met with Nitro pushing Fox in a wheelchair along the deck. I roll my eyes, grin and continue making my way into the kitchen. The kitchen that thankfully is large and roomy, because somewhere along the way I’ve picked up more giant bikers all clamouring to see what I’m up to.
Spinning, I place my hands on my hips and stare them down. “I never see you all in here crowding around Mama Debs when she’s cooking.”
“That’s because we know we’re gonna get the good stuff.” My brow raises at Rider whose face turns pale before he starts backtracking, “I mean, we know you’ll give us the good stuff too,because the diner and all that, but we don’t know your repertoire yet.”
“Good save,” Switch tries to whisper but instead it reverberates off the walls.
“What he’s trying to say, but can’t because he’s a dumbass, is that you have a whole new set of meals that we would love to try, if it’s OK with you,” Fox smiles sweetly. Nitro presses a kiss to the top of his head, his hand resting on his shoulder.
They are the sweetest couple, but I was shocked to find out that this is a new development, brought on by the clubhouse attack. Watching them for a moment I can’t help but think that as shocking and awful as the attack was, some good came out of it.
I’m pulled from my thoughts by Rider, which is probably a good thing because I think I was staring like a creep at Fox and Nitro. “So, whatcha making?”
“Jambalaya. And all y’all gonna help me. Wash your hands, stand in a line, and I’ll give you your orders.” I clap my hands twice and they all rush to the sink.
