Truly, Madly, Whiskey(40)

“Sounds like my guy,” she mumbled.

“No, it doesn’t. I might be possessive and protective of you, but I don’t think I own you.”

“Then you won’t sell me to the highest bidder?” Her smile told him she was kidding.

“Not unless you misbehave.” He set Harley on her lap. She’d known him and his siblings long enough to understand that their club was comprised of people who shared an interest in motorcycles and biker culture, as opposed to a motorcycle gang, which were typically known for engaging in illegal activities.

“There’s no difference between going out with me and going out with a guy who’s not in a motorcycle club except I’m better looking, tougher, smarter, and a million times hotter in bed.”

“My biker boy is very arrogant, isn’t he?” she whispered to Harley.

He laughed. “You’re a strong woman, Crystal, and I’d imagine you’re not going to like some things about how the club works.” That brought serious eyes up to his.

“Dixie told me that she’s not allowed to be a member, so you’re not going to shock me with the no-women-allowed thing.”

Relief swept through him. Thanks, Dix. “I know it sounds chauvinistic, but I respect the reasons behind what started as tradition and lives on as brotherhood among members. Think of it like a boys’ club. Once you add women into the mix, romances between members start, breakups happen, and the brotherhood becomes divided.”

“I love that brotherhood. The way you and your brothers are there for Tru and Gemma and the kids is amazing. And what you did for that little boy the other night? That’s what real heroes are made of.”

“No, sugar. That’s what humanity should be made of.” He was thrilled that after all these months she was finally admitting her feelings toward him instead of doling out snarky comments. “My father taught us well in that regard. I just wish there was more equity where Dixie is concerned.”

“Where does Dixie fit in? She doesn’t seem to mind the boys’-club mentality of the Dark Knights, or at least she doesn’t let on that she does.”

“Unfortunately, Dixie is stuck in the ‘princess’ slot in our father’s old-school head.”

Crystal laughed. “‘Princess’? Your sister is no princess. She’s the toughest woman I’ve ever met in my life. She doesn’t take shit from anyone.”

“I don’t mean ‘princess’ as in she thinks she’s a princess. She’s the president of the club’s daughter. She’s relative gold. No one messes with the president’s family. Especially the women. And my father adores her, but he’s so frigging old-school that he holds her back. She works as hard as me and my brothers but has no say in any of the bigger business decisions. I respect my father, but that doesn’t mean I agree with everything he does.”

“But she runs your shop and she works at the bar. How is she held back? She loves working there.”

“She’s done great things for our shop because I put her in that position against my father’s wishes. I gave her a shot and she proved herself. But her talents are wasted working at the shop and waitressing at the bar. If ever there was a person who should be running a business, it’s Dix. If he let her take charge of the expansion, she could do great things. Asking me to do it with Dixie helping out behind the scenes is a slight to her.”

Her eyes filled with challenge. “Then what are you going to do about it, Mr. I’ll-Make-You-Want-Me Whiskey?”

“It doesn’t work that way. It’s all about respect, baby, and I respect the hell out of my father.”

“And what about Dixie?”

Therein lay the issue. What about Dixie?



CRYSTAL SAW BEAR’S walls go up the minute he started talking about his family. She knew his brothers and Dixie well, but she only knew his parents in passing. She was a little worried now that she knew his father’s true feelings about a woman’s place in the world. She wasn’t exactly good at biting her tongue.

“Let’s get out of here.” She pushed to her feet and carried the pizza box and her plate into the kitchen to wrap up the leftovers. Bear followed her in.

“Where to, gorgeous?”

She wound her arms around his waist and said, “Whispers.”

Whispers was one of the busiest nightclubs in Peaceful Harbor. They’d been dealing with such heavy emotions the last few days, she hoped Whispers would be just the distraction they needed to get out of their heads for a little while.

He groaned, kissed the kitten’s head, and set her down beside her food dish. “How about Whiskey Bro’s instead?”

“If we go to Whiskey’s, you’ll stay in that place in your head that’s got your face pinched tight.” She slid a finger into the waist of his jeans. “I want to dance in your arms with no thoughts of anything other than you. And maybe that incredible feeling you gave me earlier.”

His eyes darkened, and he grabbed her butt.

She guided his hands up to her waist. “Take me dancing, biker boy.”

“You’re not sitting on my bike in that skirt unless you want to witness me killing every man who takes an eyeful.”

“Seriously? All my goodies will be pressed up against you. Nobody can see anything. But I’ll change to calm your jealousy. Give me a sec.”