13. Dom

"Oh no," Thea says, shaking her head back and forth in denial.

"What? Raze hasn't had you on the back of his bike?"

"Not yet, no. We both know putting a woman on the back of your bike means something. Neither one of us is ready for that."

"Hate to break it to you, but having sex means something."

"If that's the case, you've had thousands of relationships," Thea huffs. How did I not notice she was so full of snark? It probably shouldn't be a turn on, but it is.

"Very funny. I meant the fact that Raze hasn't touched anyone but you, means something."

"Whatever, I'm not riding on your bike."

"You are. We're family. I'm not declaring to everyone that you're my old lady. Quit being weird and hop on, will ya?"

Thea mutters under her breath but puts her hand on my shoulder and slides on the back of my bike. Once she's settled, I start it back up and head out. It's the perfect day for a ride. The sun is bright and the warmth of it sinks into my bones. Thea's arms are holding onto me, her fingers pressing into my stomach. It has been a long time since I had a woman behind me. I shouldn't be thinking about Thea as a woman. She's family. Hell, Mom and Dad view her as their own daughter. Still, Breaker put thoughts in my head that shouldn't be there—especially after the dreams I've had of Thea. I can't seem to stop them. I even felt guilt when I spoke with Raze last night. He didn't mind a bit that me and Thea were going out today. He even said he thought it was good that I was trying to mend fences with her. Apparently, Thea had told him how she and Gabby hated one another. I tried not to feel guilty when I spoke with him, but it wasn't easy. I'm pretty sure if the fucker knew I was having sex dreams about Thea, he'd have tried to kill me, not encourage me to spend time with her.

I wasn't going to confess to him, however. I was serious with Thea. I want us to mend fences and become friends. If I find an opening into more? I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. I won't stab my brother in the back, though. Despite my past, that's not who I am. I know others think I'm lying when I tell them I legitimately did not realize that Gabby was stringing both me and Thomas along. Sadly, I'm not. I knew Thomas had feelings for her, sure. Gabby, however, promised that she told him they were just friends and that she was dating someone else. I was wrong by not just telling T outright that Gabby and I were together. I can admit that. I didn't want to hurt him. However, if I had known that Gabby was lying to me and had kissed my brother and was keeping him as an option? I would have ended things with her and never looked back. Since the club now knows what happened with Gabby, I'm hearing more and more rumors that she fucked someone else, too. Surprisingly, it didn't bother me she fucked around on me. By the time those rumors came out, nothing to do with that woman surprised me. I just found myself wondering how I got so lost when it came to her.

Honestly, when I look back on our relationship, I realize that I never did publicly claim her as mine. Maybe there was a part of me that knew it would be the wrong thing to do—self-preservation if you will. Whatever the reason, it is in my past. I haven't heard a word from her since that day in the motel and honestly, I'll be glad if I never do. Something about that night doesn't sit well with me. It could be because I was drunk off my ass and don't remember shit about it. I haven't drunk, but an occasional beer here or there, since that night. I've vowed that I'm never going to get drunk again, and I mean to stick to it. I won"t let myself lose control again.

I take Thea on old Route 25. She has no idea where we're going, and that makes me smile. I drive down the road, taking her into East Bernstadt. Then, I follow the curves and turns until I get to what I want to show her.

I turn onto Cliff's Edge Road, and then drive until I get to a graveled drive where recent dozer work has been done. I stop in the empty area and cut off my bike.

"What's this place?" she asks.

"Get off and I'll show you," I respond with a grin.

"Yeah, about that. My leg is feeling a little stiff. I'm not sure standing is going to be easy without my cane."

"Oh, shit. I'm sorry, Thea," I mutter, feeling like an idiot. "Hold on a second."

I manage to maneuver off my bike without hitting her in the head with my boot. It wasn't the most graceful of exits, but I did it. I take her arms and pull them up to my neck.

"Dom—"

"Wrap your arms around me. I got you."

She gives me a look of disgust, but she doesn't argue with me. I lift her off the bike with her hands connected at the back of my neck, while one of my hands is under each of her thighs. My cock apparently is enjoying remembering my dreams because the asshole is hard and threatening to show Thea all my dirty secrets I have hidden when it comes to her. That's something neither one of us is ready to address—despite Breaker giving me the green light. I let her go enough so that she can stand, but I keep my hands on her hips until she's steady.

"Thanks," she mutters, embarrassment clear on her face.

"You okay?" I ask, gently, feeling her body quiver under my touch. I really should have thought this over before putting her on my bike. I know her leg gives her trouble and pain.

"I'm fine," she says, standing back and creating space between us.

"I'm sorry. I should have thought ahead. I just thought you would enjoy riding the bike. I know you used to ride with your dad all the time."

"I do love riding. It's fine, honest," she responds, even managing to give me a smile. Her response just manages to make me worry more, though.

"Has your leg gotten worse? I don't remember you having this much trouble when you'd come to the house with Bull or Breaker."

"No. Dad put special bars on the back of his bike that allow me to stretch out my bad leg. Mattie did something similar. Still, I'm fine. The muscle damage is pretty bad, so if I hold my leg at a certain angle, they tighten up more."

"Shit."

"It's okay, I promise. It loosens up after a bit," she says with a gentle smile.

Obviously, I'm losing my mind, because at that moment I do something that I shouldn't. I take a hand and slide it against the side of her neck, then lean down and kiss her forehead. Maybe getting laid might not be a bad idea because apparently, I have gone too long without sex. My brain has stopped functioning—or has been infected by the fantasies I keep having of the beautiful woman in front of me.

I drop my hand and step away. We stand, staring at each other for a moment. I think both of us are afraid to speak. Damn.

"What is this place?" Thea asks as I open my saddlebags.

"I bought the property a while back. The club pays me good, and I don't need a lot. I paid cash for it. Figured one day I might build a place away from the club."

"Away from the club? You're a lifer. You live for the club, Dom," she laughs as I get the container I put in earlier, along with the blanket I stored.

I walk over to her and hold out my free hand. She looks down nervously, then puts hers in mine. I guide her over to a small dock that's built over dry land. It leads down to a set of stairs that run along the side of the hill. "I will always be a part of the club," I admit.

"Duh," she laughs, making me smile.

"Since T left, it's not the same. I still love the club and like I said, I'll always be a part of it. Yet, being there gets overwhelming these days. T was the one who was calm. He grounded me, I suppose. I'm starting to realize that I need a break from it all. Breaker is enjoying spending time at his house now that you're there. It's made him relax more. Figured I might try the whole home thing."

As we talk, we go down the hill and now she can see the dock that goes out to the lake. She lets out a small gasp. "Where are we?"

I laugh. "I forget you've been in New York for so long that you don't know what our hometown has to offer anymore."

"Not much has changed, ding-dong."

"Such cute pet names you have for me. I'd about forgotten that one," I laugh. "But didn't you used to go to Wood Creek Lake with our dads?"

"Not really. I hate fishing."

"Really?"

"Yeah, it's gross. I also refuse to touch worms." She scrunches up her nose in distaste as she says that, and I throw my head back in laughter.

"I never knew that you were such a girly-girl."

"Well, to be fair, you never truly knew me," she points out.

I hand her the container of food I brought and lay the blanket down over the dock. "Maybe that's fair, because I think you didn't know me either."

"Are we having a picnic?" she murmurs.

"Yep. Maybe we'll both get to know each other now."

"I already know you."

"You're so positive?" I challenge.

"Yep," she responds, sounding way too smug. She goes so far as to make the one syllable word end with a popping noise as she draws it out.

She takes out the sanitizing wipes I threw in there and cleans her hands and gives me one to do the same. Then, she takes the top off the food container, taking out a couple of sandwiches and bowls that contain pieces of Thea's favorite fruits. There are also a couple packs of trail mix in there—also Thea's favorite, with assorted nuts, pieces of chocolate, dried cherries, and yogurt balls. She looks at the food, then stares at me in surprise.

"I told you I know you," I respond, reading the question in her pretty eyes.

"You asked Mattie. Admit it."

"Nope, I didn't," I deny, taking one of the fruit bowls. "Whenever we had family cookouts, you loved the fruit plate. You stayed away from things like kiwi and oranges. You tended to go for blueberries, watermelon balls, strawberries, and cherries. I also know you love the red grapes but can't stand the green."

"Color me impressed," she responds. "I suppose I don't even need to ask about the trail mix."

"Not at all. I used to ride with Breaker when he went to the local fruit market and bought the homemade trail mix. Breaker said you would cry if you didn't have it when you were stressed."

"He's not lying. Food is my comfort drug," she laughs.

"Then I take it I've done good so far."

She opens her packet of trail mix but just holds it as she looks up at me. "It's very nice. Should I worry that you are being so …"

"So… magnificent?"

She smirks. "That's not exactly the word I was looking for, but hey, if you need to feed that big-ass ego you have …"

"Ouch," I laugh. "Seriously, I just wanted to give you a calm, relaxing day and show you a side of me you might not know. That's all."

"Well," she hums, drawing out the word. "I didn't think that you were the type to build a house, so I can admit that's a surprise."

"Where did you think I would live? At the club my whole life?"

"Yeah," she laughs. "It suits you. A house means a family and a picket fence. You, Dom, are not that type."

"I'd like kids," I mutter. "I mean, I hadn't really thought about it, to be honest."

"And?"

"With T and Lyla having a baby, it got me thinking. I want that. I always thought if we had kids, they'd grow up together. Everything has changed now. I don't really like it and I have no control over it. I'm not going to lie, Thea, I'm missing my brother. There's shit going on with Dad and I'm feeling pretty damn alone."

She studies me. I resist the urge to look away—afraid she might see more than I want her to. It's not like I'm used to being vulnerable around other people. I'm not even sure why I shared as much as I did with Thea. Damn it, there's just something about her that is easy to talk to. I've always known that. It's one thing that I always missed about her. I've wanted to fix things between us for a while. I didn't try because I knew with the animosity between her and Gabby that it would be impossible. I'm starting to realize that, overall, I allowed myself to be pulled away from my family because of Gabby. When I look at it now, I feel like a fool.

"You haven't lost Thomas, and you know it."

"Thea—"

"I mean it, Dom. Thomas loves you. You're always going to be brothers. We all grow and change. We all have important people that move into our lives, but they don't take the place of people already in our hearts. The relationship you and Thomas have is special. No one else will be able to touch that."

"You sound so positive."

"I am. You're brothers."

"Apparently, that's not an exclusive club."

"What's that mean?" she asks, her forehead crinkling as she tries to figure out what I'm saying.

"Nothing. Let's change the subject. I want this date to be fun."

"Date?" she laughs. "What is in that fruit bowl you're holding? You're talking crazy."

"Just your favorites, Princess," I joke. I reach into the bowl that I have and pluck out a grape, trapping it between my thumb and index finger. I stare at her, bringing it up to her lips. Something intense flashes across her face. I don't know what it is, but the moment between us feels electrically charged. For a moment, I think she might deny my offering—at the very least I expect her to take it out of my hands. Thea surprises me when she leans down and captures it between her teeth. I help her, letting my thumb brush against her lip. It wasn't on purpose—well, at least not consciously. There's an electric spark between us that I feel deep inside of me, and it shocks the fuck out of me with how strong the pull toward her is. My cock stretches with a hunger I haven't felt in a long time—if ever. I have to force myself to take my eyes off her. I clear my throat, doing my best to break the moment.

"Do you really like accounting and shit?" I ask her, studying the fruit in my bowl, before looking back at her. Her face is blank. I can't tell what she's thinking at all, and I don't like it. Thea's face is usually expressive. Admittedly, when it comes to me it is usually anger, but still…

"What?" she asks, telling me her mind is elsewhere. Just like mine. I can't help but wonder if we're thinking about the same things, such as her naked in my bed.

Christ, I'm going to have to get a grip on myself. That little voice inside my head reminds me I've been gripping myself every night for a while with only thoughts of Thea.

"College," I respond roughly. I probably sound grouchy as hell, but I can't help it. I'm too busy trying to get visions of pumping my cock while Thea watches me out of my mind.

"Oh," she breathes. "Yeah, I mean, I've always been able to handle numbers easily. They make sense to me. I enjoy it. It calms me."

"It's a long way from modeling."

"I'm going to let you in on a little secret," she laughs.

"What's that?"

"I hated modeling."

"What?" I ask, completely dumbfounded. "Bull and your mom bragged all the time about how great you were doing and how much you loved living in New York."

"I know. I spent most of my time convincing them of it. I mean, sure, I liked parts of it. New York can be beautiful. There's nothing like the Appalachian Mountains though. I love the small town feel and most of all, I missed my family."

"Even Skylar?" I laugh, knowing how Breaker and Thea struggle with their younger sister.

"Even her," she admits. "Skylar isn't that bad," she tries to defend, making me laugh.

"It's okay. I've heard enough stories from Breaker."

"Yeah. She's young. Hopefully, it will get better. She's just a little…"

"High strung?"

"Spoiled," Thea laughs. "Dad doted on her."

"He did you, too, but you're not like that," I point out.

"Mattie," she murmurs, her face going soft. "When I became too much of a pain, he would let me know it. Lord knows he tried that with Skylar, too. We both have, but she refuses to listen."

"Well, I think you're perfect the way you are."

"Yeah, right," she laughs.

"I mean it, Thea. You're one of the most grounded people I've ever known. You always have been."

"Not always. I used to be a dreamer," she answers with a sad sounding sigh.

"You?"

She shrugs her shoulders and looks up at the hill that we walked down. "You really want to build a house here?"

"Yeah. I mean, I'm not sure it will be a permanent home. But a weekend getaway? I could see that. I always imagined I'd build a house close to the compound so I could make sure my woman was safe. Club life isn't exactly picket fence material," I joke.

"And your kids," she adds.

"Huh?"

"You said you wanted kids, too. You'd want them safe."

"Yeah, definitely."

"Our parents never lived close to the compound. I think you could build a nice place here. If not here, then buy property close to Holly Bay or something. There you could still have the lake."

"What kind of house did you dream of growing up?" I ask her out of curiosity.

"Barbie's Dreamhouse," she giggles.

"Smartass."

Her giggles turn into right out laughter, and it takes her a bit to contain it. The sound is so joyful that I find myself joining in. When she finally gets control, she looks up at me with a huge grin. "If I tell you, then you can't tell Mattie. I don't want him to revoke my membership in the Savage family."

"Your secrets are safe with me, baby."

I see her stiffen with the endearment I use. I actually didn't mean to. It just slipped out. If I'm going to continue working on my friendship with Thea, I'm definitely going to have to get laid. Right now, that's impossible because all I do is dream of her.

"You're such a spaz," she mumbles.

"Huh?"

She shakes her head and I know she's not going to tell me what she means. I don't push it because I'm just glad she's not raking me over the coals for calling her baby.

"I want a farm," she answers.

"Oh my God."

"I know, I know. It's shocking. I always wanted an old farmhouse with chickens and a big fluffy barn dog."

"Is that all? No horses or cows?"

"Oh, gosh no. I mean, I think horses are beautiful, but I prefer riding a bike. I don't want to spend most of my day taking care of a bunch of animals. I just want a small taste of it. Chickens, a small garden, and a big front porch swing is fine with me."

"A garden?"

"I love growing things. I had herbs, tomatoes, and carrots on my balcony in New York. I also had one of the patio orange trees."

"Maybe I didn't know you all that well," I muse.

"Told you," she chuckles.

"I like what I'm finding out, though. I like it a lot."

She gives me a smile and I bite my tongue to keep from telling her I like it too much. We spend the rest of the evening talking before we load up and I take her back to Breakers. When we get there, Raze is standing on the front step waiting for her.

It takes all I have to leave. I really need to get laid and pray that cures me of this attraction I keep having with Thea.

If it doesn't, I'm not sure what I'm going to do.