Hesitantly, she lifts her eyes, looking at me before turning her focus to her hair.
I run my fingers through it, feeling my rage rise to the surface. “It’s edgy. I like it.” I’m still able to grab a fist full, so I do, tuggingher head to the side. “Look at the copper in the light,” I tell her, but it’s not her hair I’m looking at any longer.
Her slender neck is right there in front of me like a buffet of heavenly scented flesh.
She wiggles against me, and it takes monumental effort not to sink my teeth into her soft skin. I release her when there’s a commotion in the other room.
Serenity’s brows pull together as she pushes past me to press her ear against the wood. Her mouth falls open when she hears Tiffany yell.
“I’m sure she didn’t mean to,” she rushes to say, pressing herself against the door to prevent me from leaving.
I don’t say anything.
“You’re not going to hurt her, are you?”
“You’d have me spare her after what she did to you?”
“It’s just hair.”
“You said not to say that.”
“Yeah. But at the end of the day, itreallyis just hair. It will grow back.”
“It will,” I agree easily.
“O … Okay,” she says hesitantly, moving away from the door.
I open it, waving for her to exit in front of me.
We find Tiffany sitting in a chair in the middle of the room.
Something tugs at my chest as I picture Serenity sitting there as Shelly fixed her hair. I’m sure Tiff didn’t give her a salon style, and neither will I.
“The rest of the guys will be here shortly,” Cole says, perching on the corner of the dresser.
Cowboy enters the room with a big smile on his face. He knows he’s about to be rid of the thorn in his side. He put his dick in Tiff first, before we figured out who she was. That’s how we voted in fairness that he should be the one to babysit her.
“Thank god,” he says absently while tipping his hat to Serenity. “Who’s this pretty lady?” he asks.
“She checked in yesterday. You know who she is,” Tiffany spits.
He looks at her and then at Serenity. “Well, I’ll be. It is you. The beauty who checked in yesterday. Wow, don’t you look gorgeous.”
Serenity’s lips part at his compliment like she doesn’t know how to respond. Maybe she’ll believe me now that she’s heard it twice. She glances at me shyly, dipping her head.
I sit down beside her and drop my arm across her shoulders. Cowboy’s eyebrows jump in surprise at my sudden claim on her. I know he’s flirting with Serenity to piss Tiff off, but I also sense he has a genuine interest in her.
He tips his hat at me and backs away.
The next to arrive are Wizz and Wolfe. Wizzard has a keen eye for patterns. He was the first to recognize Tiff was sent by the Scorpions. He makes most of his money – and mine – by playing the markets. Thanks to him, I was able to buy my house.
Wolfe is semi-retired. He spends most of his time tending bar over at the Trough, not that he has to. He just enjoys being an ear for the guys. Every club needs a wise old geezer, and he’s ours. I brought him with me when I started the club. His calm presence is a godsend. He keeps our heads level.
A few minutes later, my VP strolls in. “Sorry, I came as fast as I could.”
“Bullshit,” I say. “You were right across the hall. I saw you slip into that cougar’s room last night when I was leaving.”
He holds his hands up in surrender. “Guilty as charged.” He winks at Serenity. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Cub.”