Chapter Five

Chapter Five

Meg

Alice was a nut.

I loved it.

We were all pleasantly full, waiting for our dessert, and Alice had been talking about her highland cows for the past half an hour.

The names and stories she had to tell about them were downright hilarious. She had us all laughing and smiling the whole meal.

I could sense when Wrecker and Pipe had started talking about pinstriping that Lo was on edge.

I got it, but I also knew that in Lo's mind, things were a lot worse than they actually were. Sure, he struggled a little with fine details, but even when he struggled with his pinstriping, the end result was still fucking amazing. That's what happened when you were so damn good at what you did, that even on your worst days, you were most people's best work.

It was getting Lo to accept it, and that was the challenge.

"And finally, we have Logan Birch, who will be leading the Pinstriping with Ease seminar tomorrow at two o'clock," the announcer called. "Stand up for us, Logan."

I had been hoping that they would skip over Lo. He was already nervous enough about tomorrow, and now he had to stand up in front of everyone.

Lo stood and modestly raised his hand. The room went up in a round of applause, and I felt a swell of pride in my chest.

I knew that this was hard for Lo. He thought that he wasn't as good as he was before the stroke and didn't deserve any of this.

I knew differently, though. Lo deserved all of this and more. He was one of the best pinstripers in the country, and no one in this room thought he was any less after his stroke.

He nodded to a few people and gingerly sat down.

I leaned into him and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Smile, handsome," I whispered. "They all know how great you are."

He turned and pressed a kiss to my lips. "Only because you're by my side."

I was more than good with being next to Lo. It was where I belonged.

Speaking of belonging, everyone at this table belonged.

Talking with Alice and Nikki had come like second nature. They were ol' ladies just like me and Lennox, and that unspoken bond between us was strong.

The waiters delivered large slices of chocolate cake to each of us.

"Oh, boy," Jonas called. "They should have brought anything but chocolate cake."

"What?" Alice asked.

Lennox nodded to me. "Meg makes the best chocolate cake in the world. There is no way that this is even going to compare."

I rolled my eyes and picked up my fork. "I'm sure this is going to be just fine." I knew it was going to suck. I could already tell by looking at it that it was going to be dry as hell, and the ganache looked grainy.

"Nice try being modest, babe," Lo chuckled. "I'm not even going to try that because I can tell it's dry and grainy."

I glanced at him. "I've taught you well." I guess that's what happened after over twenty years, me bitchy and moaning about bad cake to Lo.

"It's chocolate, so I'll eat it," Alice laughed.

"So, what are you ladies doing tomorrow?" Nikki asked.

Lennox glanced at me.

We had both agreed before coming here that I needed to stick close to Lo during his seminar. "Uh, well," I hemmed.

"Because," Nikki drawled, "We were thinking of hitting up the spa at some point this weekend and wondered if you guys would want to come with us."

"I wanted to watch Lo's seminar and see some of the meetings," I replied. I definitely needed to be with Lo when he led his seminar. And if he wanted me to be with him the whole weekend, I would.

"Oh, sure, sure," Alice replied. "Maybe we could hit the spa up after that, huh?"

I glanced at King, who nodded. "That should work." If anything, I could always back out if Lo needed me, and just leave Lennox with them.

"You mean you're going to run off to get massages while we sit through boring meetings?" Pipe drawled. "That seems like we're getting the short end of the stick."

Pipe and Nikki had a give-and-take dynamic. Pipe gave Nikki shit, and she took it for the most part, though she didn't miss a beat to dish it back to him.

"You're going to be sitting on your butt listening to guys talk about car stuff all day. I'm pretty sure that is right up your alley," she drawled. "I think you'll manage."

"We'll sneak snacks down to you guys," Alice laughed. "I'm pretty sure my air fryer has a bake setting, and I saw a roll of cookie dough in the cooler."

"That cookie dough is for snacking," Nikki mumbled.

"I still can't believe you guys brought an air fryer," I sighed. "I totally would be baking some banana bread in my room." I went through kicks of baking certain things. Lately, I have been on a quick bread kick, with banana being my top flavor.

Alice dropped her chin to her chest. "Did you just say banana bread?"

I nodded.

"Ugh, that is my absolute favorite. I'm sure you've got some amazing recipe. I'll have to get it from you so I can make it when we get back to the clubhouse."

I tipped my head to the side. "I mean, you guys have an air fryer, right? I could give you a list of ingredients to buy, and we can have a little baking session in your room after Lo's seminar instead of hitting the spa," I suggested. I was all for being pampered, but if I was given a choice between baking and getting a massage, I was going to always pick baking. That was my kind of self-care.

"No, no," Alice called. "I wouldn't want to take away from your time to show me how to make banana bread."

"Y'all," Lennox called. "It is no joke that Meg loves to bake. When she offers to bake for you, you have to take her up on it."

Jonas nodded. "You'd be crazy not to. I might skip the last meeting of the day just to get some banana bread."

"No, you're not," Lo growled. "You can have Meg's baking whenever you want."

Jonas rolled his eyes but didn't argue with Lo.

Alice and Nikki exchanged a glance.

"I mean, if you insist. I would totally be down for some freshly baked banana bread." Alice pulled out her phone. "What is your phone number? I'll text you my room number."

I rattled off my phone number. Lo put his hand on my thigh and squeezed gently.

"Only you could wrangle an invite to someone's room to make banana bread," he laughed.

"What can I say? I was born to bake."

Alice

"I think she liked me."

Wrecker leaned against the doorframe to the bathroom and crossed his arms over his chest. "Not anything about you not to like, babe."

I splashed my face with warm water and washed off my makeup.

Wrecker and I had gotten back to our room a few minutes ago, and I was ready to pass out for the night.

"I think King liked you and Pipe, too."

Wrecker shrugged. "Don't be trying to pair us up, Alice. Just because you hit things off with his ol' lady doesn't mean King has to become my new best friend."

I rolled my eyes and grabbed the towel off the rack. "Come on, how can you guys not be friends? You're both prez of MCs and extremely sexy."

Wrecker grunted.

"I mean, you're sexier, of course." I dropped the towel next to the sink and flipped off the lights. Wrecker stayed, blocking the doorway.

"Bedtime, beardilocks. You've got a big day ahead of you of meetings, and I need to find a grocery store in the morning." I stepped toward him, but he didn't budge. "Are you mad at me?" I asked. I wrapped my arms around his waist and tipped my head back to look at him. "You've been quiet since we got back to the room."

He shrugged. "Just been thinking."

"About?" I asked.

"King is so well-known here. Accomplished."

I nodded. "Yeah, all of you guys seemed to know him." I didn't know what Wrecker was getting at.

"I want that."

"Baby," I whispered. "You are accomplished." Wrecker had done so much in the years I had been with him. Hell, he had saved my ass at least a dozen times.

"Not like King, though. I'm not going to walk into a room and get a round of applause like he did."

I reached up and cupped his cheek. "Well, you walk into the clubhouse, and each and every one of your guys will clap for you."

"Yeah," Wrecker laughed, "that's not really what I'm talking about, babe."

I realized Wrecker had always been the biggest personality in the room before tonight. He was the one everyone looked up to and knew. Until tonight.

"You know, I think you might be more well-known than you think you are. When we walked into that room tonight, I noticed everyone looked at you, and I lost count of how many guys had shaken your hand and talked to you. They knew you, honey." My strong, handsome, and confident Wrecker was feeling a little less than, and I got it. I was used to being the big personality in the room, and tonight, I had to share that with Meg. It didn't make me any less, though. Hell, it made me realize that she would be a hoot to hang out with.

"I guess it just made me realize that maybe I want to be known for something," he confessed.

"You're known for being a kind yet firm Prez, Wrecker. There are so many people who look up to you and want to be half the man you are. Your two sons included. You know Kingston and Fox think you hung the moon, baby, along with Eden."

He brushed my hair back and pressed a kiss to my lips. "Thank you, babe. I guess I was just feeling a little less than sitting next to one of my idols I look up to."

"I'll always be here to remind you of how amazing you are. It's part of my job," I laughed.

"You're doing a damn good job," he rumbled.

He swung me up into his arms and stalked toward the bed. I felt a rush of warmth envelop me, his strong arms cradling me with ease. The familiar scent of his cologne mixed with the musk of leather and the faint smell of motor oil filled my senses. With each step, his presence grounded me, reminding me that this was my wonderful life, and I never wanted it to change.

He set me down next to the bed and pulled my shirt over my head. "You're fucking perfect, Alice," he whispered.

His touch ignited a spark of anticipation within me. I took him in as he stood before me, towering and commanding, his presence filling the room. With practiced hands, he pulled down my pants, his movements deliberate yet tender, each article of clothing falling away to reveal the curves of my body beneath.

I plopped onto the bed and laid back to watch the show of him undressing. After all of these years, Wrecker was still the most handsome man I had ever seen. His large, muscular frame spoke of years spent working hard and riding free, his tattoos adorning his arms and chest like badges of honor. The intricate designs told the story of his life, each mark a testament to his strength and resilience.

But it was his bushy beard and kind eyes that captured my heart every time. Despite his rough exterior, there was a warmth in his gaze that melted me from the inside out. In those moments, as he watched me, I felt seen, understood, and loved in a way that words could never fully express. Wrecker was perfection in every sense of the word.

Wrecker climbed into bed beside me; his body filled the bed, his warmth seeping into my bones. With a gentle touch, he gathered me in his arms, pulling me close until there was no space between us. His lips found my neck, trailing a path of soft kisses that sent shivers down my spine.

"Hmm, I loved having dinner with everyone," I confessed, my voice barely a whisper, "but I have to admit I was looking forward to being alone with you."

Wrecker grunted in response, his lips moving lower to trail kisses across my breasts. I arched into his touch, a soft sigh escaping my lips as pleasure washed over me. With a sense of abandon, I raised my arms over my head, inviting him to explore every inch of my body.

His touch sent waves of pleasure coursing through me, his fingers teasing and tantalizing as they moved lower, until he was between my legs. With a gentleness that belied his strength, he parted the lips of my pussy, his touch sending sparks of pleasure dancing along my skin.

And then his mouth was on me, his tongue tracing circles against my sensitive flesh. I gasped as pleasure built within me, a wildfire raging out of control. "Oh my god!" I cried out, unable to contain the overwhelming sensation that consumed me.

Wrecker growled in response, his movements becoming more urgent as he drove me to the brink of ecstasy. And then it happened, a wave of pleasure crashed over me as I came undone beneath him, my body trembling with release.

But Wrecker wasn't done yet. With a primal need driving him, he moved back up my body, his lips finding mine in a fierce, hungry kiss. And then he was inside me, his hardness filling me completely as he drove into me with unbridled need.

I cried out as pleasure consumed me, each thrust pushing me closer to the edge again. With each movement, I felt a connection between us, a bond that went beyond words or actions. And then it happened, a release so intense it left me breathless, my body shaking with the force of it.

Wrecker called out, his release filling me full until he couldn't hold himself up anymore.

"God damn," he grunted.

God damn was right.

"You think we'll ever slow down?" I asked as I traced lazy circles on his chest. "I mean, we're getting up there."

Wrecker grunted and pulled the blanket over us. "As long as I'm breathing, babe, I'm always going to want you. Get used to it."

I didn't doubt Wrecker would always want me; I doubt if our bodies would be able to keep up with this pace for the next thirty years.

"Well, then I need to get some sleep because, honestly, I don't even think I could stand right now."

Wrecker hummed under his breath. "Then stop talking, beautiful."

I playfully slapped him on the chest. "Um, I'm sorry. I'm just trying to make sure you know you're amazing, even if a room full of people doesn't clap for you when you walk in."

"I'm good now," he sighed. "Forget I even mentioned it."

Yeah, as if I was going to be able to forget that. "I can't believe I'm going to say this, but you're crazy, Wrecker."

"No, that is you, babe. If anything, you're to blame because you're wearing off on me. Now, go to sleep. I got a big day ahead of me tomorrow, and you've got plans with Meg."

I looked at him in the darkened room. "I love you, Wrecker."

Wrecker pulled me close, his warmth enveloping me. I felt a sense of peace settle over me. His words, spoken with a certainty that only he possessed, washed away my doubts like a cleansing tide.

"I know. That's why I'm not going to worry about being known for something," he murmured, his voice a soothing balm against my skin. "You, the club, and the kids' opinions are the only ones I am going to be worried about. I had about thirty seconds of doubt, and you brought everything into perspective for me. Now, sleep."

His words hung in the air, heavy with meaning, and I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. All the thoughts and worries that had been swirling in my mind moments ago seemed insignificant now.

I had been ready to dive into a discussion about all that Wrecker had ever done to reassure him of his worth and accomplishments. But now, in the quiet intimacy of the moment, I realized that I didn't need to.

"Uh, okay?" I replied, a hint of disbelief in my voice. Well, hell. Who knew a few simple words could have such a profound impact?

Wrecker chuckled, the sound vibrating against my chest. "I love you, babe," he said, his words a gentle caress against my skin.

I snuggled into his arms, feeling content and at peace. As sleep began to tug at the edges of my consciousness, I knew that everything was as it should be. In Wrecker's embrace, I found solace, love, and acceptance.

I drifted off to sleep, happy and satisfied, knowing that I was exactly where I belonged, and so was Wrecker.