Cherry Read online

  And how on earth did Viking know I’d be upset over Mercy? Did Chaos speak to him? Surely, I would hope not. He knows just as well as I do that me giving my heart to Odin would get me kicked out of the club for good. I can’t stand thinking of losing them all like that.

  I’m standing in the kitchen, leaning against the counter, lost in a daze when Chaos walks in. He’s looking fresh and chipper today as he does every morning. I don’t know how the man does it. I blame all the veggies and protein drinks I catch him chugging down time and again. He blames the habit on his many years of football practice and games. I think he likes it but doesn’t want to admit the fact since he gets teased about it. If anything, he should be proud that he still has such discipline even if he isn’t going to be playing in any pro football games ever again.

  “Damn sweetheart, those smell real good. I could catch the scents of spicy cinnamon all the way on the other side of the compound. Save me one without frosting, please?”

  “Of course. I always set a few plain off to the side for you, even though the frosting is the best part.”

  The buzzer sounds, and I turn to pull the next batch out before answering him. I place the fresh buns on the counter and grab another cooking sheet full of rolled dough. Placing it in the oven, I hit the timer and spin back around.

  “Damn, woman. How many cinnamon rolls are you making?” He gestures to the counter full of various cooling trays and I shrug, a touch sheepishly.

  “I may have gotten carried away,” I admit, and he grins, looking ever so charming even when he’s just woken up and hasn’t had his coffee yet.

  He goes for the steamy fresh Kona blend, favorite Patriot coffee cup already in his hand. “I reckon so. Any particular reason why you baked enough buns to last the brothers a week?” He fills his mug with the hot beverage, stirring in one scoop of sugar free sweetener before stepping back and giving me his attention again.

  “So, question...did you happen to tell Viking that Mercy stopped by the club and that I would be upset over it?” No use sugar coating it. This is Chaos my best friend I’m talking to.

  He shakes his head, carefully sipping from his drink. “No. You ought to know I wouldn’t betray your trust like that.” He blows the steam and the coffee smell spreads a bit headier in the air.

  Shit, I’m an asshole. Of course, I can trust him, but how else would Viking have known about Mercy stopping at ththe club and being a bitch?

  “I know that, but Viking caught me off guard earlier when I caught him in the bar. He actually brought it up to me.”

  His brows shoot upwards, a low whistle floating through his beautifully white, straight teeth. They’re fake. I already asked long ago, and he admitted they’re implants. I guess a few got knocked out in his football playing days. That’s probably how most of the guys around here have such nice teeth—get one knocked out and boom, here’s a perfect implant.

  “The Prez brought it up to you?”

  I nod, fidgeting with the hem on my crop top. This paired with yoga pants in the morning is my go-to outfit unless it’s hotter than the depths of hell in midsummer. That season in the state of Texas calls for tank tops, shorts and bikinis—anything else is too damn much. That’s another reason why I try to go one runs regularly. I must fit in those little clothes, so I don’t sweat to death outside and end up melting or something to that effect.

  “Well shit, sweetie. I’m gonna go with my first guess and say his boy Torch told him about it. They’re pretty fuckin’ close. These days, you’d almost think Torch and Odin were more BFFs than Torch and Viking. That entire dynamic is a little too full of testosterone with Nightmare, Torch, and Odin all being territorial when it comes to Viking. Anyhow, like I was saying, I wouldn’t put it past Torch to give the Prez a heads-up.”

  “Torch overwhelms me,” I admit, blowing out a breath. It’s the truth, the man is crazy intimidating. I wouldn’t be surprised if he killed kittens for sport. How he has a daughter too, blows my mind. I feel sorry for the girl when she has her first crush—he’ll end up going missing.

  Chaos smirks, amusement lighting his gaze as he takes another sip. “That’s his job, Cherry. Torch’s our Death Dealer; he’s supposed to be a mean, intimidating motherfucker.”

  “Mission accomplished,” I mutter and Chaos full-out smiles.

  “So back to the important part. Prez knows you were upset over Mercy and Odin?”

  “I didn’t actually admit to it. He didn’t really ask...it was more of him stating it. He was all, I heard Mercy was here and you were upset. Don’t be, Odin knows you’re loyal and he’s soft on you. It shook me up first thing in the morning.”

  “No shit? He actually said that?”

  I nod and busy myself by piping the cream cheese frosting into snowflake looking designs on the tops of the almost cooled cinnamon rolls. It smells so good that my stomach rumbles. I think in another life I could’ve loved being a baker.

  “Damn, that’s pretty much Viking saying he’s cool with you and Odin being so close. You should be fuckin’ happy about now, sweetheart.”

  Setting the frosting bag down, my gaze meets his. “You don’t think he’ll tell me to leave?”

  “No. You seem to forget who you were having this conversation with in the first place.” It hits me in my gut that’s he’s completely right. Chaos always has a certain way of making me notice things a little differently.

  Viking was a member of another club—The Widow Makers—when he snuck his way in with the Nomads who belong to the Oath Keepers MC. He fell for and claimed the Oath Keeper OG president’s daughter—the club princess, aka Princess. Then Viking’s betrayal came to light and rather than him being put six feet under for it, he eventually became the president of this hybrid chapter. That was the situation in the condensed short and tidy version, but it’s the truth regardless how crazy it was when it was all happening. I’m over here nerve-wracked about Viking casting judgment and inflicting consequences when in reality, he’s probably the most open person on this compound when it comes to going for what you want. What you believe in.

  “Damn,” I stammer. “You’re right. I didn’t even think about it like that. I was just too apprehensive about him being furious, about him telling me to get the hell out and to stay away from his younger brother.”

  He shakes his head. “Nah. If something pisses him off, he’ll give it to you straight. That’s how he’s always been and one reason why I respect him so much—why we all do. The fact that he actually attempted to make you feel better says a lot.”

  My eyes fill full of salty tears as womanly emotions overtake me and my heart feels a touch fuller. The president of the MC was offering me comforting words where his blood brother, who has my heart, is concerned.

  Of course, Odin chooses that moment to saunter his sexy ass into the kitchen, catching me on the verge of dropping the fat tears down my cheeks. He notices them immediately, his gaze growing hostile, the anger inside overflowing as he pins his wrath on Chaos.

  “The fuck you do to her, brother?”

  “Just talking to Cherry, that’s all,” Chaos mumbles, setting his cup on the counter with a smirk. I have one hell of a temper when I’m in protective mode, and I’m sure Chaos’s bracing just in case I decide to act on my annoyance. He should wipe the goddamn smirk off his lips too, being that close to Cherry. He’s lucky I don’t break his face.

  “Yeah, well, I’m getting real fucking sick of finding her either in your arms or else upset around you. I asked you straight up in church if you’re in love with her and you told me no.”

  A gasp escapes Cherry, her eyes wide with shock at the bit of confession. We discussed her in church and it’s rare we let any of those topics leave that room, but this fucker obviously needs reminding.

  My wild indigo irises flick to her momentarily before beading down on Chaos once again. “Now what the fuck is it, brother?” I mutter the words leaving a bad taste on my tongue, waiting for him to admit to his feelings. “You need
to fucking tell me if you’re hung up on her or some shit, now.”

  Chaos’s hands shoot up, in justification “Since you brought it up, out in the open and all, I’ll say it again. She’s only a friend to me. But did you stop to think that close friends often open up and talk to each other?”

  A growl leaves me. “Motherfucker.” Just the thought of this such closeness, drives me wild inside with jealousy and possessiveness. Cherry is my woman, not his, and he needs to back the fuck off her already.

  Cherry steps between our massively built bodies and lays her hands on my firm, flexed chest. She attempts to calm the storm before it thunders down completely onto her best friend who’s now standing behind her.

  Meeting her determined stare, my own is full of torment and confusion on what’s really sparking between the two of them. “Move Cherry. I won’t have you getting hurt in all this.” The last thing I want is her in the middle. I would never forgive myself if something happened to her and at this rate, I plan to teach Chaos exactly who the alpha is in this situation.

  “Please, calm down,” Cherry pleads. “There’s no reason to be upset right now. Nothing happened.”

  “The fuck there isn’t,” I huff. The motherfucker is moving in on the woman who’s warmed my bed the most out of any member in this club. That should say something right there and yet it doesn’t seem like Chaos is getting the fucking memo. She’s in my bed every damn night. Unless there’s more to it that either one of them isn’t admitting to, that is. “I caught you in the same room as him again,” I spit sounding like an overbearing fool, “On the verge of tears, again.”

  Her gaze is soft, witnessing me upset and angry on her behalf. I can tell with the expression on her face that her thoughts are racing. I’m not too sure if I like that fact or not. “It wasn’t his fault.” She gestures to Chaos.

  I roll my eyes, and she continues. “Really, Chaos came in for his cup of coffee and was asking me about all the cinnamon rolls.” She flashes me a small smile, attempting to offer a bit of comfort with her words. It’s too late though’ I’m already wound up toward Chaos. I don’t care if she claims that he’s her closest friend here. I’ll hurt the older man if it comes down to him fucking with her in any way.

  “Doesn’t add up, babe,” I grumble, and my own breath chokes me at the pet name. I never call anyone a pet name, ever. I was fucking pushing it with telling her that she’s gorgeous...that never happens with any pussy I fuck.

  “I got teary-eyed because Viking is back and I’m happy for him and Princess. You just so happened to walk in at that time.”

  Eventually, my look relaxes a bit, thankful to have Viking back home. I give in, nodding and sigh, “And what about all the cinnamon rolls?” My head tilts, acknowledging the counter full of sweet rolls.

  “I got carried away. On the bright side, there’s plenty for tomorrow or the week, for that matter.”

  “Smells like Mom’s recipe,” I comment with my stomach warming at her memory and knowing how damn good those buns are gonna taste. I wish Mom was here. Mona was such a kind person in the short amount of time I had with her. She showed me the love and acceptance I needed at a rough time in my life. Viking had recently killed my father, not that he was worth a damn. Right after that I moved here and was going through shit as a teenager. Mom was exactly the person I’d needed.

  “It is.”

  Chaos steps forward, moving to refill his cup now that the tension is finally dissipating. I grab for a clean cup, filling it full of the potent coffee after Chaos has topped his own mug off. “We’ve got church. I saw Vike a few minutes ago and he said it’s long overdue. We need to catch him up to speed and hash club shit out.”

  “Good, glad he’s back where he belongs.”

  “Me too.”

  That we can agree on. My brother is the backbone of this club and having him back in charge is less shit for me to deal with. I enjoy being VP immensely, but sitting in for the Prez, well, not so much. I don’t mind the knockin’ heads part and giving orders, but the clerical shit that goes along with it—no fucking way. I didn’t realize how much of a pain in the ass running a biker club can be.

  Then there’s also the part of me dealing with these feelings for Cherry that’ve decided to suddenly surface. They came out of fucking nowhere and I’m not the least bit prepared on how to go about handling them. I’ve said it before and will keep repeating it. Members don’t claim club whores. Am I even to that point to lay claim? Do I want my patch on that bitch’s back, letting the entire damn world know that her ass is my property, that she belongs to me and no other?

  I don’t think I’m ready for all that. I’m fucking young. I shouldn’t even be worrying about it just yet. Most guys in this life don’t settle down until they’ve lived a good half of their life, but the thought of Cherry on another man’s cock has me wanting to bash the fucking men in this club to the ground in my wrath.

  “You’re going now?” Cherry asks, and I finally take in what she’s got on. It’s her usual morning outfit, but fuck if she doesn’t look sexier today for some reason. And why in the hell does she not touch me now? When I’m about to rip Chaos’s head off she’s right there, hand on my chest...but now, she stands off to the side. I guess I should be grateful that she keeps her distance around the brothers, but I’m not. It fucking pisses me off.

  Grabbing her bicep, I yank the bitch to me and plant my lips on hers. I kiss her until her hands fist my white T-shirt, twisting and pulling under my cut and I feel her body melt. “You look good enough to eat,” I murmur keeping my lips close enough they brush hers with my compliment.

  Her lids part, irises gazing at me in a daze, “Huh?”

  “I said,” I rasp, “I want to fucking eat you, you look so goddamn sexy in this little getup.”

  Her cheeks flush and a throat clears. Fucking prick. He needs to mind his own business when I’m busy kissing this woman.

  She blinks a few times before licking her lips. “You always look sexy, Odin,” Cherry finally says, and my lips turn up into a smug smirk.

  I wanted her to say something to that effect in front of the other biker; he needs to understand this bitch is always on my dick. They may say they’re friends and Cherry claims to love us like her brothers or some shit, but I’m going to make Chaos realize I ain’t her fucking brother. He can be friend zoned, but fuck if it’ll happen to me.

  “When is church?” Chaos asks, drawing my attention from the beautiful woman staring up at me as if she was lost in my touch.

  “Now...I was coming to see if anyone was in here to let them know. Guess I found you.”

  He nods. “All right.” Then the fucker winks Cherry’s way. “I’ll catch you later sweetheart.” It takes all my self-restraint not to punch him in his eye and mouth, but I manage to hold back. I swear, if he doesn’t back off, we may need to borrow the ring over at the other clubhouse, so I can teach this guy to shut the fuck up.

  “I’ll be around somewhere,” she says with a wave and I place my heavy muscled arm over her shoulders and shoot Chaos a look that says, get the fuck out.

  She pinches my nonexistent love handle and leans in to tease. “All that built up testosterone inside, throw in that intense kiss you gave me...someone wants their cock sucked.”

  With a snort, I pull her closer and admit, “Nah, just wanted to say mornin’ to your sexy ass the proper way. I wasn’t planning on being interrupted when I greeted you today. I had other creative ideas in mind.”

  She bites her lip before gesturing to the many plates of delicious looking and smelling cinnamon rolls. “You should take a plate of these with you. You’ll have grouchy bikers on your hands this early and these bribes will help. I can follow you with the coffee and some empty mugs if you’d like.”

  Popping a chaste kiss on the top of her head, I step away. “That’s actually a great idea.” I don’t know why the fuck I kiss her like that; never have before. But her offer was thoughtful, and I like that shit a lot.

>   Grabbing the freshly brewed pot of coffee from the second coffee maker, I grip a plate of buns in the opposite hand. I’m not about to have Cherry carry the coffee and end up hurting herself—it’s too hot.

  She grabs a bunch of mugs, stuffs a roll of paper towels under her arm and grabs another full plate of buns then follows me to church.

  “We should get a bottle of the Irish Cream too.” I suggest.

  “The Baileys?”

  I nod, and she somehow manages to work a bottle into her arms as we hit the bar.

  Blaze is beside the door and grabs everything from Cherry when he sees us. She’s not allowed in the room we hold church in. It’s a club rule and it must be voted on by the members before she can step foot inside. “Fuck yeah! This is what I’m talking about!” Blaze grins, inhaling deeply. “I love these things. I’ll need to swipe some more from the kitchen when we get outta church. Can’t let you fuckers eat them all.”

  “Thanks, babe,” I mutter to Cherry with a kiss to her cheek before stepping into the room with the door closing behind Blaze and me. And I’ve done it again. This time, I’ve called her babe in front of another member and kissed her affectionately. We’ll see if Blaze has big enough nuts to call me out on it though.

  Eventually everyone shows up and we all get settled. With food and liquor laced coffee in front of us, the only sounds you hear is the occasional groan of men enjoying the oversized cinnamon rolls. I finish first, shoving my hand in my pocket, I fish out my brother’s patch. Holding it in my fist, I address Viking in front of the other brothers.