Bianca sat in the waiting room that had been secured for the club. It was amazing the power these men held. They asked for their own private waiting room and they got it. She was still working on the paper for her class, but nothing sounded right."This paper is going to be the death of me. It's half my grade, and I'm so going to fail," Bianca moaned, putting her face in her hands.Meredith looked over from where she sat and felt sympathy for the other woman. Having already been through college, she knew just how stressful one paper being that much of a grade could be. She walked over to Bianca and sat beside her. Putting her hand on the other woman's forearm, Meredith squeezed."Don't stress about it too much. They made us write articles and stuff, like we really worked for a major paper, in one of my classes. I got an F on my very first one and pretty much wanted to drop out. Half the class failed, and then they dropped the class. When we came back the next day and saw that hal
"Okay, I have two hours to finish this and get to class," Bianca said as she passed the laptop back over to Meredith.The two of them had done this all night, watching as nurses came in and woken Jagger up at different times, asking him simple questions. He'd been so out of it, he hadn't even noticed the three of them there. Tyler had conked out a few hours ago, but they were still going strong.Bianca excused herself to the bathroom, taking a bag of toiletries that she kept in her purse. Glancing at herself in the mirror, she took note of her dark circles and sighed. This was going to be a hell of a long day. She worked on covering up those circles with what makeup she had and making herself appear just a little bit more awake. Since this was also her "bar bag" as she liked to call it, she had a small can of dry shampoo. Spraying it on her hair, she styled it as best she could and thanked heavens she'd had the presence of mind the night before to put on clothes that matched. Mouth
Two days later Bianca still hadn't spoken to Jagger. She'd texted him a couple of times and he had replied, but it was muted compared to the way he had normally teased her. This was going to change. An 'A' on her paper that she had been so worried about made her very happy. Grabbing her phone, she placed a call to a number she had texted numerous times in the past days."Bianca?""Yes, Meredith, it's me. Ya know, actually calling someone. I think you called this a friendship."On the other end of the phone, Meredith laughed. "Smart-ass. What can I help you with?""Jagger is still not really speaking to me, I want to surprise him. Would it be okay for me to bring him some lunch to the clubhouse?"Meredith's heart warmed. She was in love and wanted everyone else to be that way too. "That would be great. Lunch time is when it's the least busy too, so you'll almost be alone with him. I'll set it up so that you have no problems getting in, and his dorm is next to Tyler's. Their na
I forgot to give you your money. If you feel up to it, get somebody to drive ya over here.Jagger looked at the text he'd just received from Bianca. He'd purposely not reminded her of the money as she had left. He was hoping to see her again as soon as possible. Getting up gingerly out of his chair, he wandered to the living area of the clubhouse to see who all was around."Layne! Just the man I want to see."He and Layne had prospected together, but Jagger had moved up in the club faster. "Hey, how you doin'? Ribs okay?" Layne asked."Dude, they hurt like a motherfucker, and I can't ride my bike. That's what I was coming to ask you, by the way. Can I get a ride over to Wet Wanda's?""I am always down for going over there. Sure."* * *Layne's giving me a ride over. See you soon. Bianca grinned as she read the text message from Jagger and then stuck the phone in her pocket."What's got you so happy?" Jasmine asked, as she saw the smile on Bianca's face."Jagger's c
"So thanks for coming to see me at work tonight," Bianca smiled.Jagger chuckled. A few hours later, they sat in her car, in front of the clubhouse. He hadn't wanted to leave her at the club alone so she had offered him a ride home."You're welcome. Sorry I made a mess.""I'm not," she whispered. "It was kinda hot. You know, you protecting my honor and all."He liked this side of her. The side that was playfully truthful. "You bring out a protective side of me that no one else ever has," he admitted.They had been talking for almost an hour when she stifled a yawn with the back of her hand. "I really should be going.""What do you have going on tomorrow?" he asked, not wanting to let her go."Nothing actually. It's a rare off day with no school. I need to do some homework and laundry, but other than that I have nothing planned and I am so excited about it.""Why don't you stay here with me tonight and hang out with me tomorrow? I'm still on light duty thanks to these ri
"Do I need to tape your ribs?" Bianca asked as she saw Jagger sit gingerly on the bed."That would be a good idea. They don't hurt so much today, but they're still sore to the touch. There's some medical tape in the bathroom. Not sure if it's on the counter or under the sink."She nodded, heading into the bathroom. Glancing at the counter, she grinned. Jagger was not the cleanest of guys. He was very disorganized, and she couldn't help but straighten up as she searched for the tape she needed. Not seeing it, she bent down and opened the cabinet door. There was a huge mess. Pulling things out, she continued to search when she came to a packet of papers. She knew she shouldn't look, but she couldn't help it. Glancing through them, she saw a birth certificate that read John Edward Stone, the date of birth was right with Jagger's age. She wondered if it was his and Jagger was just a nickname. She snickered, he probably hated his real name with a passion. Tucking that information into h
Jagger lay in the hot tub, his head thrown back as he sighed. This was heavenly."You comfortable?" Bianca asked, a smile on her face."This is the best I've felt in days."A thought occurred to her. "Why didn't you use this when you first came home?"He shrugged. "I was feeling sorry for myself. Pissed off that it had happened and embarrassed really. You don't like to admit to other members of the club that you've laid your bike down.""Stupid macho pride?" she finished for him."Pretty much."He held his arms out to her. "Why don't you come over here and sit next to me?""Don't think you're going to get fresh with me, Jagger Stone. You're hurt."She had no idea how much he wished he could do the things he wanted to do with her. Say the feelings that bubbled up in his throat every time he saw her. He just knew that he would scare her away, and that was the last thing he wanted to do."I'm not going to. I just want to feel you next to me."When he said things like
A week later, the snow had melted, and everyone was getting back into the normal swing of things. "I so need another job," Bianca sighed as she got her mail and trudged up the rickety stairs to her apartment. It had been a long night with not nearly as much money as she had hoped to get. She was still running short thanks to the snow, and that even included the money that Jagger still hadn't taken from her. Even though the snow was gone, it was still very cold, and she shivered as her hands fumbled with the lock on the door. Finally turning it, she all but stumbled into her apartment. It was cozy since she had left the heat up high, but now she had to think about the gas bill that was coming."It's a never-ending cycle," she mumbled, throwing her stuff on her couch and taking her mail with her to the kitchen.Rifling through it, she saw bills and groaned. Doubt plagued her. Wouldn't it be easier just to quit school and get a real job that allowed her to do most of what she wa
The temperature in the cab of the truck was downright frigid as Remy drove to Tyler's house to drop off Addie first. Tatum refused to meet his gaze and that flat out pissed him off. If she was going to give herself to another man and then have the balls to sit in front of him like this, she should at least have the decency to meet his eyes when he looked at her."Am I going to have to explain to Tyler why I'm dropping you off at one in the fucking morning?" Remy glanced in the review mirror of the truck, looking back to where Addie sat in the extended cab."No," she shook her head, looking about as tired and unhappy as he felt. "He's at the clubhouse. He and Mom had planned to stay and they took Caelin with them."Well, thank God for small favors, because the one person besides Liam he didn't want to face off with tonight, was Tyler."You're lucky I don't call him and tell him where the hell you've been. How could you let her go up there with him?" he questioned her, the irrita
Tatum's heart beat through her chest as she followed Gavin upstairs to a much quieter part of the house. Her mouth was dry – the result of her nerves, or the alcohol she'd consumed – she wasn't sure which. Her hand gripped Gavin's tightly, but she knew it wasn't because she was excited, it was because she wanted to yank on it, and stop him from leading her into the empty bedroom. Part of her wanted to put a stop to it, the other part wanted to go through with this so she could throw it in Remy's face. Those stubborn traits she'd inherited from her dad were alive and well tonight.She glanced over her shoulder, spotting Addie pulling out her phone and making a call. The worried look on her friend's face told her all she needed to know. Addie was probably calling in reinforcements and her time had suddenly become very limited."You feelin' good?" his deep voice questioned in her ear, causing her hair to stand up and goosebumps to appear on her arms. This time it was different than wh
Remy was in a piss-poor mood, had been since the night of the Christmas party and everything that had gone down with Tatum. He bit off the head of anyone foolish enough to ask if he was okay. He'd been eating lunch by himself, and overall had been a miserable fucking loner. Even right now, while everyone else was partying their asses off, his big date was being in the gym and beating the ever-loving shit out of a heavy bag. It was the only thing that seemed to calm him the last few days.Hearing his fists connect with the bag felt good, even if it was muted by the gloves he wore. His arms burned, his shoulders and back ached, his chest heaved, and sweat poured down his forehead and into his eyes; making them sting. The sting felt good though, because it distracted him from the guilt he felt for the way he'd treated Tatum. And that guilt was pressing down on him like he was trapped under a thousand-pound boulder.He'd felt every emotion on the spectrum since she'd walked out on him
Tatum's blue eyes took in the party-goers around her. In different parts of the room, she could see members of her graduating class, some kids that were now seniors, and a few college kids. God, this had never been her thing, she'd never found high school or college parties worth anything to her. She could see everything that went on at them and more, at the club parties. Plus, this was a mob mentality – everyone here went along with everyone else, and it was so boring. Nobody had any individuality. Normally, she'd have tossed the invitation in the trash can and not even thought twice about it. She would have spent the night at the club's New Year's party and have an actual good time with her friends and family.Tonight though, she was on a mission."Do you see anybody?" Addie asked as they surveyed the room.Tatum took a drink from the bottle of Strawberry Boone's Farm she carried in her hand. It was the bottom shelf stuff, guaranteed to get you loaded in the least amount of tim
Tatum had never felt anything like the all-consuming lust that blasted through her as soon as Remy grabbed her hip and pulled her deep into his body. She'd thought she had but damn, she was wrong. Her fingers grasped at his shirt, trying to ground herself in the feelings, when she felt his bare palms slip up under the hem of her dress. The sharp intake of breath, and the way he nipped at her lip indicated he'd discovered she'd worn a thong."Fuck, Tate," he moaned as he pulled his lips from hers.She almost cried as he abandoned her lips and smeared his mouth down her neck. She felt the sharp nip of his teeth down to the core of her body. It caused her nipples to tighten further against the lace of strapless bra, and before she knew what she was doing, she was rubbing up against him."Please, Rem," she gasped out when she felt one of his hands on her ass venture back over her hip, and closer to the wetness and heat she felt between her thighs."Has anybody touched you?" he grow
He knew the second she walked in, just like he'd known when she'd entered the bakery. Even seven shots of Pappy in, he could feel her, he knew she was there by the way the hair on the back of his neck stood up, the goosebumps he got on his arms and the way his dick stirred to attention. He wasn't sure what kind of hold Tatum Walker held over him, but it was strong, maybe dangerously so, like some sort of Jedi Mind Trick he'd never be able to resist. And dammit if his hand didn't shake as he took his next shot."Too much for you?" Drew asked as he noticed the slight tremble of the other man's hand.How did he tell the man sitting beside him, he was hard up for his little sister? Easy. He didn't."Nah, I'm good, but I gotta hit the head. Be back."Plan number two when plan number one didn't work? Run and hope she wouldn't follow. As much alcohol as he had consumed, he wasn't sure he could push her away this time. After all, he was only a man and he wasn't immune to the way she lo
He should have brought a date. Those were the first words Remy thought when he walked through the door of the clubhouse. It hit him like a ton of bricks, and all he wanted to do was turn around and head back to Cash and Harper's. Normally, he lived at the clubhouse, but he'd had dinner at their place tonight. He could relieve the babysitter watching Maddy, and he wouldn't have to worry about keeping his guard up.Couples were paired off, which meant anyone without a plus one would be inevitably thrown together. Looking up, he saw mistletoe was hung randomly around the room. Shit. Since he was the youngest, he seemed to be one of the few without a woman on his arm. Sure as the world turned, he'd find himself thrown toward someone tonight.Gazing around the room, he didn't see Tatum and for that he was extremely thankful. He'd been able to avoid her since the day at Harper's bakery, but it'd hadn't been easy. Not that she'd gone out of her way to be around him but they were in the sa
Remy told himself to slow down as he grasped her neck, hauling Tatum closer to him. He cautioned his lust-drunk body not to make a fool of itself. He warned his libido not to let this go too far. They were in the middle of the bakery, in the middle of downtown. Anyone could walk through that door from some dumbass off the street, to her brother, to her dad. But he couldn't stop, couldn't force his hand not to trail down her body and grasp her tight ass in his fingers. He wanted desperately to pull her lower half into his, wanted to shove his thigh between her legs and feel the heat he knew would be there. His tongue was forceful as it made its way into her mouth, testing how far she'd let him go.Turned out she'd let him go as far as he wanted to.His brain tried to warn him that this was progressing too quickly. It was getting too out of control, too fast. If he didn't watch it, he'd be picking her up and putting her ass first against the nearest wall. He was losing his mind, losi
Son of a bitch. Something in the way Tatum's gaze met his made him think he'd said those words loud enough she could hear them. But fuck, she looked amazing. Even more than she usually did. Tatum had been gorgeous for a long time, but with her hair in this new cut, she looked sexy, and almost… sophisticated. But this was Tatum. She'd never fully be a lady, not really. She didn't do dresses unless she had to, she didn't do caked on makeup, and she could hang with the guys – no matter how raunchy it got."Do you like it?" She asked again, this time looking much more unsure than when she'd started out. Very slowly, she ran her fingers through her hair, giving it a tousle.Remy cleared his throat, not sure how honest he wanted to be, but at the same time knowing he couldn't help but be honest. If he lied to her, she would know, and it would do nothing to help the situation they seemed to always find themselves in. The two of them always seemed to be either pushing or pulling at each ot