Part 5 (2/2)

”No. Johnny never knew his mother. Lindsey died in the same motorcycle accident that I was speaking about the other night.” I expounded.

”Oh, Sebastian. I'm so sorry. That's terrible.” She said sadly.

As she apologized, she turned in my arms so she could see my face, and I found myself nearly pinning her in. ”I wasn't that close to Lindsey. It made me feel awful that she died, but there was nothing I could do to change the outcome.”

She nodded in understanding. ”Where is your son? I didn't see him as I made my way inside.”

I stared at her. Her eyes were rimmed with black eyeliner. Not so much that she looked trashy or anything, but enough that it made her eyes pop with color. Today, those eyes looked more gray than blue, as they had the other day, and I wondered if they changed with her mood. She didn't look like she was wearing anything else though, and that made me happy.

I wasn't a big fan of primping. I liked when a woman looked natural.

”He's with Lindsey's mother. They have him every other weekend and Wednesdays.” I told her before backing away before I did something stupid like kiss her, and then f.u.c.k her against the counter.

”That's nice of you. You don't have to let them see him.” She said, sounding grateful that I'd given her s.p.a.ce.

”Yeah, they're good people. Older, but they have fun with Johnny.” I agreed as I held the door open.

”Thanks for fixing my hand. It happens a lot. I should be better prepared than I am.” She said to me as she walked through my bedroom to the door.

We both studiously ignored the large bed that dominated the master bedroom and walked back out into the family room. My place was a f.u.c.king mess already, and I hated that I'd have to clean all this s.h.i.+t up by myself later. Those stupid f.u.c.king so called friends of mine didn't know how to find a trashcan if it was right in front of their G.o.d forsaken faces.

Baylee absently grabbed empty beer bottles and used paper plates as she walked past them, and tossed them in the trashcan as she headed out onto the deck.

”You have a nice place here.” She observed as she took in the new deck chairs.

”Yeah, I've been saving up for this place since I turned eighteen. Had it built on a plot of land my dad owned. He deeded it to me when I left the military.” I told her.

”When I got out of college, my parents offered me their house. They wanted to move into something on the lake there. I didn't want it though. It was f.u.c.king ma.s.sive and I didn't want to mow the lawn.” Baylee laughed.

Hand on her lower back, I led her down the hill, heading for my spot I'd vacated earlier in my quest to get to a hurt Baylee. ”Yeah, this place looks like a f.u.c.kin' jungle if I don't mow it once a week. Can't deviate from that either, or there would be a ton of snakes hiding in the yard, using the taller gra.s.s as cover.”

”Hey, I wholeheartedly agree. Snakes are not my friend. Nor are frogs. Or bugs. Or rodents.” Baylee's laughter tinkled, causing everyone to stop their conversation and stare as we made our way down the hill towards them.

A wave of possessiveness overcame me as I took in all the men from the station, as well as my own MC members, staring at the lovely vision before me. I wanted to rip their eyes from their sockets just for staring at my woman, but refrained.

Barely.

And when the h.e.l.l did she become my woman?

h.e.l.l, I didn't know. What I did know is that I wanted her. And that I wouldn't be letting her go. Especially since Baylee was all I could think about. I'd catch myself doing that constantly, daydreaming when I should be working.

s.h.i.+t like that was dangerous. In my line of work it could easily get me killed.

My hand went out to Baylee's, grabbing it tight as I could, while I helped her up onto the deck, and led the way down the dock towards the gazebo, and the rest of the crew. As we got closer, everyone noted Baylee's hand grasped possessively in my large one. Eyebrows raised, but no one asked.

They didn't need to. Baylee was mine, and it was more than obvious.

”Who's your woman, Su...” Dad asked before I interrupted him with a curt barked retort.

”Don't you f.u.c.king dare.” I snarled, making Baylee jump.

My father's lips curved into an evil smile. ”What's wrong, Sue? You don't want your lady friend knowing your name?”

My head fell back, and I contemplated the wooden beams of the gazebo's roof while I willed my temper to take a back seat.

My father was such a d.i.c.k. He knew how much I hated that middle name. h.e.l.l, every time I even thought about my middle name, I wanted to rage at someone. Sure, it wasn't that bad. But, when you took into account my father's obsession with Johnny Cash, and then the name, Sebastian, I never heard the end of it.

I sure felt for the man in Johnny Cash's song, A Boy Named Sue.

Flipping my head back down and glaring at all the people giggling like little f.u.c.king girls I groaned. ”Thanks, dad. Really wanted her to know that.”

”Anytime, son. Anytime. Take a seat. How's your hand, sugar?” My father turned his probing eyes to Baylee.

Baylee smiled at my father and sat down gingerly on the bench that only allowed enough room for the both of us to sit within inches of each other.

She landed with a soft plunk, and I used the closeness of Baylee's body to throw my arm up over her shoulders to run along her back.

Winter and s.h.i.+loh, who were sitting by my father, both with huge smiles on their faces; I glared at them to make sure they kept their s.h.i.+t to themselves.

”It's okay. I'm a clumsy person. This happens a lot.” She told my nosy father.

Torren, the comedian of all The Dixie Wardens' brothers, watched the interaction with a smile on his lips. Then, as if on cue, he stood and faced Baylee.

”Baylee, my dear. I'm Torren. It's very nice to meet you.” He said as he held his hand out for Baylee to shake.

I knew where this was going even before Torren stood up, and couldn't help the groan that slipped from my lips before Torren's mouth even started to move.

”Nice to meet you, too.” Baylee said soberly.

”I want to ask you a serious question, and you have to promise to be truthful. This is an ongoing debate at the firehouse,” Torren was interrupted by groans by everyone within hearing distance. We'd all seen and heard this particular argument before. Many times.

He glared, but continued with the question. He asked every single woman that ever gets close to the club or firehouse. Why would Baylee be any different? ”...do you watch The Bachelor?”

Baylee stayed silent for a few moments before shaking her head. ”No. I think that's the most ridiculous show on the face of the planet.”

Cheers rose throughout the men, and most of the women groaned. I found myself smiling, despite the ridiculousness of the entire debate.

”Thank you, Jesus!” Torren said, pumping his fist before taking his seat.

”What's the big deal?” Baylee asked, pulling her feet up onto the bench, effectively getting closer to my own body without realizing it.

My hand came to a rest on her up raised knee, and she instinctively curled into my body, leaning her head on my chest.

I turned my head slightly, letting my chin rub against the top of her head. The smell of her shampoo rose up, and I took a deep breath, smelling the clean smell of her.

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