Riggs

R iggs finished up some yard work around his house, keeping a close eye for any sign of Phoenix as he did. He hated that she got spooked and took off the way that she did. His plans of spending the day with her and Lydia went up in smoke pretty quickly, and there was no salvaging any of it.

Mrs. Aggie came home at about dinnertime and ran over to his place to let him know that Vindicator was going to be all right. She had driven the older biker home and then was sure that she mumbled something about not getting to tuck him in.

“I appreciate you watching over my girls,” she said. “It was sweet of you to text me to tell me what was going on. Are the girls still here?” she asked, trying to peek around him. If wasn’t such a skeptic, he would swear that Mrs. Aggie almost wanted them to still be at his place.

“Um, no,” he said. “They left this morning, not long after you dropped Lydia off. Phoenix said that she wanted to put her down for a nap and get ready for work.”

Mrs. Aggie checked her watch and smiled back up at him. “She doesn’t have to be there for a couple more hours,” she said.

“I know,” he grumbled. “You do know that your granddaughter is very stubborn, right?” he asked.

“So, I’ve heard,” Mrs. Aggie said, blowing out her breath. “Listen, Tommy, I’ve seen the way that you look at her and if I’m correct, you have feelings for her, right?”

He had never lied to Mrs. Aggie, and he didn’t plan on starting now. “I do,” he admitted. “But I don’t think that she feels the same way about me.”

“You’re wrong about that,” she insisted. “I’ve caught Phoenix watching you from her window more than once, Tommy. She likes you; she’s just had a tough life these past four years. Just give her some time to figure out what I already know.”

“And what’s that?” he asked.

Mrs. Aggie patted his bicep and smiled up at him once more. “That you are a good guy who won’t hurt her.” wasn’t sure if she was telling him how she saw him, or letting him know how things were going to be. Either way, she was right. He would be good to Phoenix if she’d just give him a chance.

Mrs. Aggie started down the front steps to head back home and quickly turned around. “Oh, I forgot to tell you, I’m going to head down to Savage Hell tonight to let the guys know about Vin. I thought about just driving Phoenix to work. Will you be there tonight?” she asked.

“Yeah, it’s church, so I’ll be there,” he said.

“Great, would you mind bringing Phoenix home tonight after her shift?” she asked. He wanted to insist that Phoenix would never allow that and that she had her own truck, but then Mrs. Aggie smiled and winked at him, and he knew exactly what she was doing. She was giving him a chance that he might not get otherwise with Phoenix.

“Sure, not a problem,” he agreed. She waved goodbye and took off across the yard between their two houses. He couldn’t help smiling at her as he watched her leave. She was sneaky, he’d give her that, but could tell that she only wanted the best for her granddaughter, and he just hoped he was it.

walked into Savage Hell and found the guys all standing around Mrs. Aggie, holding Lydia on her hip, telling them about Vindicator’s accident. She had them all captivated while she told them about Vin flirting with the nurses, and Lydia seemed to be entertained by her great-grandmother until she spotted back by the bar.

Lydia started to squirm and fuss about getting down and Mrs. Aggie did as she asked. The toddler ran straight back to him and held up her arms. He knew that every guy in the bar was watching him with the toddler and for some crazy reason, that didn’t bother him at all. Lydia giggled, saying his name, and when she tugged his beard and he pretended that it hurt, she full-on belly laughed.

“Looks like you have a new fan,” Phoenix said walking out from behind the bar.

“Yeah, we had fun this morning while you were sleeping in,” he teased.

Phoenix looked around the bar as she shushed him. “I don’t want everyone here to know that I spent the night with you,” she insisted. Yeah—that one hurt his feelings, but didn’t let her know it. He kept his smile pasted on his face as he let Lydia pull his beard while he made silly faces for her.

“You don’t have to worry about everyone knowing, Phoenix. I’ll keep it quiet. I can take a hint,” he whispered.

“I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings, ,” she breathed. “It’s just my first night and I don’t want anyone to know about us,” she said. “I don’t mean that there is an us, but you know what I’m saying, right?” she asked.

He shook his head, “Not really,” he admitted. “Do you want there to be an us or are you still too embarrassed to tell anyone that you have feelings for me?” he whispered.

“I’m not embarrassed,” she insisted.

“No?” he asked, “you freaked out this morning when I told you that your grandmother knew that you slept with me. Then, I mention our sleepover a bit too loudly and you shush me. If you’re not embarrassed by me, then what the hell is going on, Phoenix?” he asked. He realized that the room was eerily quiet, and he looked around. Everyone seemed to be very interested in what was going on with him and Phoenix, and he was sure that she wouldn’t like that at all.

Mrs. Aggie walked across the room and took Lydia from . “Tommy, I think that you both should have this conversation in a more private place,” she said.

“You can use my office,” Savage said from across the room.

“Honestly, that’s not necessary,” Phoenix insisted.

“Oh, honey, it’s necessary,” her grandmother said. “You and Tommy need to figure out how to get along—we’re neighbors.” wanted to point out that he had no problem with wanting to get along with Phoenix. He wanted to do a hell of a lot more than just get along with her, but telling her grandmother that wasn’t going to happen. And discussing that in front of the Bastards was definitely not happening.

“Let’s go, honey,” said taking her hand into his own. He was done pretending that he didn’t want Phoenix. He didn’t give a fuck who knew about it either. He practically dragged her to Savage’s office and opened the door to find the Harlot’s Prez sitting behind his desk.

“Hey,” she said. “Oh, um, you two need some privacy.”

“How do you know that?” Phoenix asked.

“She’s some kind of witch, I swear,” breathed.

“I heard that, ,” Banshee said. “I could tell by the look on both of your faces. looks like a man on a mission—and I believe that you’re just that for him.”

“I’m his mission?” Phoenix asked.

“Yep,” Banshee said, “and you look—” She paused, and wondered what she was going to say exactly. Banshee scrunched up her nose and looked at Phoenix. “Do you want me to say it?” she loudly whispered.

“I’d like to know,” said. “Because for some crazy reason, I have no idea what’s going on in that beautiful mind of yours, honey.”

“What’s going on is I need to get back to work,” she insisted.

“I’ve got you covered,” Banshee assured. “I’m a pro at waiting on these Neanderthals. You take all the time you need, Phoenix. Just tell what you want.” They watched Banshee walk out of Savage’s office and pull the door shut behind herself.

leaned against the big desk, crossed his arms over his chest, and stared Phoenix down. She didn’t seem to be intimidated by him at all, and that worked for him because he wanted to know what was going on with her, and he didn’t want to bully her for answers.

“Tell me what you want, Phoenix,” he almost whispered. “I want to know.” sounded like he was begging her, but he didn’t care. He’d get down on his knees if she gave him some answers.

“I want you, ,” she whispered. “I have since we met, but I’m worried that I’ll make the wrong decisions, just as I have over the past four years. My track record with men isn’t the best. I mean, I’ve only had sex once, and that resulted in Lydia being conceived. How do I know that you aren’t a bad decision?”

He shook his head, dropping his arms back to his side. “You won’t know,” he admitted. “I can tell you that I’ll never hurt you and I’ll always treat you well, but you won’t believe any of that until you actually see it, honey.”

“No, you’re right,” she said. “I have some trust issues,” she admitted.

“I’ve noticed,” he said. “I’m not asking you to trust me until I prove to you that I’m trustworthy. I’m asking that you give me a chance. Your grandmother seems good with us being together, and Lydia loves me.”

“If you do say so yourself,” she teased. Her giggle filled the small office, and he couldn’t help but pull her into his arms. She stood between his legs and his cock sprang to life. Every time he touched Phoenix, his whole body hummed to life, and right now, she had to get back to work.

“Stay the night with me,” he said.

“Are you asking or telling me to?” Phoenix asked.

“Asking,” he said. He was pretty sure that was the right answer with the way Phoenix smiled at him.

“Well, Aggie did drive me in tonight. And now I need a ride. I’m starting to think that it’s not a coincidence,” Phoenix said.

“Um, she did stop by my place to tell me how Vin is doing, and she asked me to drive you home. Honestly, I think she plotting to put us together,” he admitted. He was sure that Mrs. Aggie wanted her granddaughter to be happy and for some crazy reason, she must have thought that would be able to do just that for her.

“So, what are we going to do about that then?” she asked.

“I say we let her set us up. I mean, you have already slept with me,” he teased. Phoenix giggled and slapped his arm. He pretended that it hurt, but it didn’t.

“I have not slept with you,” she insisted. “We slept in the same bed. There is a difference.”

“Sure,” he said. “And when I woke up with you practically laying on top of me, that was just you sleeping in my bed?” Yeah, he wasn’t playing fair, but he didn’t care. Having her sleep snuggled up against him all night had him hard and needy, but there was no way that he’d take advantage of her while she was passed out.

“Well, I’ll have to try harder to stay on my side of the bed,” she mumbled. Was she saying that he’d get a second chance with her?

“Does that mean what I think that it means?” asked.

“If you’re thinking that I’m telling you that I’d like to sleep with you again, then yes,” she said. “We’re thinking the same thing.”

“Thank fuck,” he breathed. “When I drive you home tonight, how about you stay with me at my place?” he asked. “And this time, you won’t be passed out.”

She rolled her eyes and groaned, “Don’t remind me about last night. I’m still hungover.”

“Oh, if you’re not up for coming back to my place after work, I’d understand,” he said.

“No, I didn’t say that. I’d like to come home with you, , if you want me to,” she said. He wanted her to come home with him more than he wanted his next breath, but he didn’t want to seem too eager.

“I do,” he whispered. He stood from the edge of the desk and pulled her into his arms, sealing his mouth over hers. He kissed her like a starving man, and when she sighed into his mouth; he took that as a good sign.

“I’ve got to get back to work,” she said against his lips. He hated letting her go but knew how important her new job was to Phoenix.

He nodded, releasing her, “I’ll be at the bar when you’re ready to go home tonight. I’ll stick around until you’re ready.”

“Um, do you mind dropping me by Aggie’s so I can grab a few things? I’d rather not run home without pants tomorrow morning like I did today,” she said.

“Yeah, we can run by, but aren’t you afraid of waking up Mrs. Aggie and Lydia?” he asked.

“No, they are both sound sleepers. Plus, after everything Aggie has been through with Vindicator, she’s exhausted. She said she’d be going to bed early tonight.” thought that sounded like a great idea. It would give him more time with Phoenix, but he’d take whatever time she’d be able to give him. She was definitely worth the wait.