She nodded and curled up under the blanket, mumbling about him being a good kid. She was right about that. I just hoped he stayed that way and would maybe rub off on Tate a bit more. It was unusual for Rubin to drink as much as he had, but after Drew’s explanation of the revelation the night before, I guess it made more sense, which was why I’d called his mom on his behalf. She hadn’t known he wasn’t in his own bed at that point, but knowing how late the boys slept around here, she’d have figured it out soon enough.
I made my way back to our room through the club and met Drew at the door. He smiled down at me, his hand pushing under my hair to grab my neck and angle my head so he could reach my lips. I hummed in appreciation, even as he released me and slid his hand down my back to pat my ass.
“Gonna let Slate know we’re heading out. Meet you outside.”
I nodded in agreement and stepped into our room to grab our overnight bag. I scribbled out a quick note to Tate and then left, pulling the door closed behind me. I slipped the note under Tate’s door as I passed. He was going to be pissed when he woke up and found his bike gone, which was why I hadn’t told him where the bike was, and I’d sworn both Moose and Autumn to secrecy until I got back. I knew Tate wouldn’t call Drew or me to find out where I’d taken it, and no one else around here knew, which lessened the probability of him figuring it out. I’d meant it when I’d told Drew that Tate had tomake his own decisions.
I understood that Tate would probably get drunk to spite me. He’d probably screw Libby seven ways from Sunday in inappropriate places to make his point, but the more control I tried to hold over him, the more he would rebel. Losing the bike was temporary this time, but every time I had to execute that right, he would lose it for longer and longer. The damn thing was in my name, and this seemed to be the only thing that would penetrate that thick skull of his enough to leave a message, especially if the guys went for a ride this weekend without him.
I slipped out of the front doors as quietly as I could and smiled at Drew as he glanced up at me from his parking spot. I don’t think I’d ever spent a night with him outside of The Hut before. We would be away from Babylon, away from his brothers, away from the shit that weighed him down, and I was excited about that. Dallas wasn’t that far from where we were, but tonight it might as well be a continent away. I didn’t think a desert island would hold this much appeal for me. I loved my life with Drew and the club. I loved every one of the guys in varying degrees for various reasons because they were my family, but the selfish little girl inside of me was plain giddy at the idea of having Drew all to myself for one whole night.
I pulled my helmet on as I reached the bike and swung my leg over the back, tightening the straps of my backpack to keep it in place. The moment Drew kicked the bike to life and got himself comfortable, I pressed myself against his back and held on as he pulled away and slipped out of the yard and onto the smooth highway.
I’d made this trip so many times on those lonely nightsI’d spent in my truck, my radio turned up, windows down, and air filtering into the cab. I only realized now that this was the feeling I’d been trying to achieve. That feeling of flying you could only get on a bike. I lifted my head and closed my eyes, arms wrapped around my man while a smile played on my lips as Drew pulled onto the interstate and took off.
Chapter Twenty-Six
DREW
Iusually hated the city, but there was something special about seeing the Dallas skyline come into view. I’d been born a small-town boy, raised a small-town rebel, and grown to be a small-town man. I knew how to handle that life. There were elements I could control. But the city? That was a different story. Too many shadows, too much technology, and way too many people I couldn’t figure out.
It was a different world here. The feeling of being away from my family and my brothers was one I didn’t relish all that much anymore. Not since Ayda had brought me back from my dark place just a short time ago. Still, that time of recklessness had done some good to me. I now knew about places I’d never known before, including the cute little motel just off the Northwest Highway. Eric and I had stopped over here while riding out, the two of us taking a break on the roadside before we headed off on roads with no destination again.
Pulling the bike into the parking lot, I slipped it into place behind a truck, killing the engine and kicking the kickstand out as I looked up at the building in front of us. It was all cream stone, two stories, and about as quaint and romantic as you could get considering it was a typical, quick and cheapcity-type building.
Ayda climbed off the back of the bike, pulling her helmet off and leaving her hair wild. She glanced up at the building with wide eyes before turning back to me.
“Where the hell did you find this place?”
“I’ve been a few places recently. Discovered some new things. This was one of them.” When I looked over at her, I softened immediately. That look she was wearing was one I’d hoped to see. “I wasn’t lying when I said we had business to take care of up here, but I figured I could spare one more night to romance my woman the way I should have been romancing her for the last few weeks. Instead of, you know, doing the bad shit.” I cocked my head to the side, gesturing to the building as I climbed off the bike, eyeing Ayda the whole time. “What do ya say, old lady? You happy to spend the night with your ex-convict, future husband away from all the dirt and drama of Babylon?”
Smiling, Ayda stepped toward me, her arms circling my body. “I thought you’d never ask.”
I kissed her forehead, and we grabbed our bags to make our way inside. The reception area wasn’t all that. In fact, it was a little dated with dark wood, cream and red furnishings, and brass fucking detailing in the wooden wall panels, but it was away from home, and I was pretty sure it was the last place anyone would ever come looking for me.
Once we were all checked in and the room key was in hand, I guided Ayda down the hall, feeling like a rat in one of those fancy ass cages with plastic tubes they could run through. It felt like prison… only prettier. I found myself tugging at the neckline of my hoodie and twisting my head from side to side in an attempt to breathe clearer when we finally came to the door that said 169.
Ayda stopped and leaned against the wall by the door. She studied my face for a moment, a smile finally breaking free. “I love this little place, I really do, but a regular motel would have been fine for the night.”
I swiped the card through the door, pushed down the handle and kicked it open, wedging my foot in the doorway, keeping my eyes on her. “I’m sick of telling you, Ayda. I do what I want, when I want, for who I want.” I reached down and smacked her ass playfully. “Now get inside the goddamn room, woman, and appreciate the moment.”
With a roll of her eyes, Ayda headed straight toward the large king bed in the center of the room. She twisted and dropped onto the mattress, bouncing as she grinned up at me.
“Admit it… you just wanted to get laid.”
“Always.” I grinned, dumping my bag by the set of drawers than ran along one side of the room. I took a look around for myself. It was warm. Welcoming. Especially when I looked down at the woman sitting in front of me.
“Another first for us.” She smiled. “One I’ve been waiting for. I get to be greedy with you.”
I stepped closer. “Just so you know, you have my permission to be greedy with me whenever the hell you want.”
Ayda gave me a knowing smile. “Yes, but tonight means no one running in and seeing parts of my anatomy we’d both prefer them not to see.”
I tugged her back to standing, holding our joined hands against my chest. “There’s a whole lot of stuff I can show you here in Dallas while no one else is looking.” My feet began to move slowly, leading her into a small intimate dance I’d never danced with her before.
Eyes widening, Ayda fell into step easily, her surprise worn in her smile as she glanced up at me. “You’ve been holding out on me?”
“Can’t spend a lifetime with you and let you know all my secrets within the first year.” I winked and pushed her out, spinning her under my arm before curling her back against me.