CHAPTER FIVE

Rhyan

The Next Day

"Urgh!" I let out an obnoxious groan as I throw yet another shirt on my bed—the pile growing higher and higher.

Chewing on my bottom lip, I turn to my closet, spotting a black button-down with a pair of skull hands on either side of the shirt, which looks like they're grabbing my boobs. Shrugging, I reach for it and slide it over my shoulders, doing up the buttons. I peer down, seeing the skull hands groping my boobs and chuckle.

"Dad's gonna love this," I murmur to myself before I tuck in the front of the shirt, leaving the back and sides out of my short jean shorts, then pull on my Converse, leaving the mass of clothing on the bed to deal with later.

I'm already running late. I need to get out there to meet Sadie.

Making my way into the clubroom, I spot Sadie standing beside her brother, Wes, chatting by the bar. They're probably going over stuff for the business they run for the club. Wes and Rip manage the cannabis farm together, and Sadie bakes the cannabis into an edible range, which is then packaged and sold on the internet. The loft that Haven used to sleep in when she first arrived has been transformed into a packaging room. The shipments are then boxed in the loft, picked up by courier, and shipped off. Tampa Defiance runs the East Coast for sales, and we run the West Coast, which works really well.

Stepping up to Sadie and Wes, I smile at the two of them as they continue to talk.

"So, I don't know what you wanna do, Sades? You tell me?" Wes asks, and Sadie shrugs.

"Well, they paid for overnight shipping. Are you one hundred percent sure there's none left?" Sadie queries, making me raise my brow.

Wes shakes his head. "I checked the inventory, checked the stock, double-checked the fridges. We just don't have any. I don't know how we missed that we're running so low on them when they're one of our best sellers."

Sadie slowly turns to me, her eyes somber while she gnaws on her bottom lip. "Rhy… I know we had a day of pampering organized, and fuck, I really wanted to go with you. Lord knows I need it. But I have to stay here and make a batch of these baked brownies for this order so we have some in stock when more orders inevitably come through. I know the appointment is nonrefundable. I am so sorry. But I will make it up to you, I swear!"

Smiling at her, I reach out, gripping her arm, seeing the stress on her face. "Hey, don't even worry about it. You get done what you need to. Maybe Clover or someone can come with me?"

"Clover's heading out with some people from her internship to an event in the city to do social media coverage."

A sinking feeling settles in my stomach.

Guess today is a bust, then.

"Oh… okay. Another Saturday at the clubhouse isn't so bad. I'm sure I can find something to occupy my time." I try my hardest not to sound overly disappointed, but I know I'm failing.

Sadie sighs. "I am really sorry, Rhy."

I wave her off. "It's fine. Honestly. I can have a spa day anytime. Profit for the club is far more important."

Sadie exhales, reaching forward and pulling me into a tight embrace. "I owe you."

"No. You don't. Just don't work too hard."

She snorts out a laugh, then walks off with Wes toward the kitchen while I huff, spinning on my heels to face the bar. Leaning against it, I tap my fingers along the bar, wondering what the hell I am going to do today.

I guess the first thing I should do is call the spa and cancel.

Turning, I sit on the stool and go to pull out my cell when Noah steps up cautiously beside me. My eyes slowly take in his tall, powerful frame, following the curves of his muscles all the way to his gorgeous face. When I land on his luminous green orbs, they stare down at me with an undeniable exchange, that intangible spark.

There is something about his red hair that always makes me feel a little giddy. Some of the brothers rib him for it, but to me, it makes him unique and undeniably attractive.

His smell, all sandalwood and leather, invades my senses as he smirks. "H... howdy, hey, h... hi," I mumble, stumbling over my words like a blubbering idiot.

"I couldn't help but overhear your conversation with Sadie."

I glance to where we were standing moments ago, even though no one is there now, and then I turn back to him. "Oh, that. Yeah, well, I mean… it's fine. I didn't really want to go anyway, so—" I rush out quickly and then just stop talking because I sound like a nervous teenager.

He sighs, moving to sit on the stool next to me, giving me some much-needed space from him. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding before he shrugs. "You sure? Because I was going to offer to go with you. If you still need someone to go, that is?"

My eyes widen. "You do realize where I'm going? What I'm booked in for?"

He chuckles. "A girly pamper day. Yeah, I get it. I said I'd take you. I'll be there with you to hang out. But I'm not getting anything done. The guys already give me enough shit about my red hair. But I see how disappointed you are at having to cancel. You don't need to. I'll be your girlfriend for the day."

I snort out a laugh before saying, "Y-you'd really do that… for me?"

"If it means I get to keep seeing that beautiful smile on your face, then yeah. Plus, heading out with a brother for protection is always a good idea."

Nodding, I giggle like a damn schoolgirl. "Mm-hmm. Okay, well, the appointment is in fifteen minutes. Do you think we can still make it?"

He glances down at his watch, then back at me. "If we take my bike."

My stomach flutters in butterflies as I glance over my shoulder to my dad, who's watching us, his eyes hard while he eats his breakfast. But there is no time to ask for permission. Besides, I always play by the rules. Noah is the one forever breaking them. Maybe I need to take a leaf from Noah's playbook.

"Okay, Prospect, take me for a ride," I tell him.

He grins, holding out his arm for me to link with his. Excitement bubbles inside me before I slide my arm through his, and we walk briskly out toward his bike.

The entire way, butterflies flutter happily in my stomach, a nervous giddiness flowing through me at the thought that Noah is willing to do this for me. I've been on the back of his bike once before, and he rode extra cautious that day. But having my arms around him felt all too natural. I can't stop the excitement bubbling to the surface, knowing I get to experience that connection again.

The thing is, Noah and I hardly talk to each other. When we do, it's fleeting because everyone is always watching us. It will be nice to finally have some alone time with him.

I can't help but notice he pulls out his cell and is sending off a text while we stride up to his bike. My eyes meet his, knowing exactly what he is doing. I'm just not sure who he's informing of our departure as he slides the cell back into his jeans. I jut my hip out the side before speaking, "Was that text to my dad?"

He grins while handing me his helmet. "Alpha, I'm kinda on house arrest and can't leave the clubhouse unless I am taking one of the girls somewhere they need to go."

Smirking, I nod in response, then take the helmet from him, and when our fingers briefly touch, it's enough to send a jolt through me that has my breath completely escaping my body. From the look on his face, he felt it too.

Clearing my throat, my eyes drop from his, breaking the clear tension between us while I slide the helmet over my chestnut hair. He smiles, my body thrumming with anticipation. An energy is buzzing between us, similar to the threat of an imminent cyclone, ready to vaporize everything in its path. All I can think about is how I can't wait to have my body pressed against his with the hum of the bike between my legs.

Noah's bright green eyes meet mine as he steps closer to do up the straps, tightening them against my chin. "There. Snug as a bug." He taps the top of the helmet, and I don't miss the way he clenches his jaw as he takes a step back.

I let out a small snort, effectively putting a damper on whatever was building. "Does anyone actually ever say that?" I chuckle before he spins, throwing his leg over his ride.

He glances back at me, a warm smile crossing his face. "My mom used to say it when she would tuck me into bed when I was a kid. It's kind of stuck with me."

His tone is sad, so I decide not to push. I simply nod again, moving my hand to his shoulder as I slide onto the bike behind him. "Well, I like it. Anything that makes you smile makes me smile."

He reaches behind him to grab my hand, and my eyes widen the second his fingers touch mine. A spark of electricity shoots through me stronger than before when he guides my arm around his waist. My tummy tightens with nerves when I move my other hand around his waist to meet in the middle at the front.

"Hold on tight, okay?" he calls back to me.

"O-okay," I reply, caught off guard as he starts the engine and then kicks back the stand.

He takes off for the gate. Rip opens it before we reach it. Noah's speed is slow while we exit, but once he moves through the gate, he hammers down, fully opening the throttle and not holding back. I let out a small, excited squeal, clinging to him tighter before he races off the feeder road onto the highway, his torso shaking with laughter.

Adrenaline surges through me as he rides like I have seen him with careless abandon—carefree and untamed. The smile widens on my face when he weaves in and out of traffic, cars honking, and people yelling at us as we go. My hand raises in the air, and I scream, "Woo-hoo!" at the top of my lungs.

All my life, everyone has treated me with kid gloves. Always handled me like I'm precious cargo. Even Noah did on our first ride together, but I can tell now that it was because he was riding with the rest of the club. My father always rides with me on the back with such caution that it's like he's so worried about what could go wrong that he made me into this rule follower.

This anxious person who is always so afraid of everything.

Because I've grown up in the club, I have constantly faced danger. Due to that fact, my dad has tried to shelter me from it and taught me to hide from it.

It's made me weak.

Right now, as Noah and his rebellious streak race through the streets of Los Angeles like a wild, untamed animal, it's only now that I truly see this.

I haven't been living.

I have been hiding.

And it needs to change.

Even though it's scary as hell, maybe I need to step out of my comfort zone and try to be more assertive, stop being so shy and scared of everything, and live in the moment.

If Noah can—I can too.

Noah pulls the bike up to a skidding halt in front of the spa, the back tire sliding around to meet the edge of the sidewalk, stopping perfectly in position to park the bike. Bursting out laughing, I slide off from behind him, racing frantically to undo my helmet as he turns to face me, the brightest, cheekiest smile on his face. I yank the helmet off my head, swaying my hair from side to side, and place the helmet on the seat after he stands. Then I leap into his arms, catching him off guard. Noah chuckles, leaning back against the bike, his arms wrapping around me while I embrace him tightly.

"Thank you, Noah," I chime when he holds me to him, and I don't miss how his nose slides into my hair.

Our arms are still wrapped around each other as I slowly pull back, just enough for our eyes to meet.

"What for?" he asks, his eyes not so subtly dropping to focus on my lips.

My breathing hitches, the energy around us sparking like the Fourth of July. "For not babying me like everyone else does."

The corner of his lips turns up, the cheeky look so fucking sexy on him. "You're far from a baby, Rhy. Especially in that shirt." His eyes look me up and down. "From where I am standing, you're all woman."

While fighting back a smirk, I slowly unwrap my arms from around him and regrettably step back. "We ah… better get inside, yeah?"

He glances at the salon with a long exhale and adjusts his jeans, making me blush. "Yeah… let's do this."

Spinning away from him, I widen my eyes, mouthing, oh my God, to absolutely no one while my insides tremble frantically with excitement. I take off, heading toward the door of the salon, but before I can reach the door, Noah's hand slides out in front of me, pushing it open. I glance over my shoulder and smile. "Thank you."

He winks at me, and then I turn to walk through with him following behind me. The woman at the front desk glances up, and instantly, her eyes widen as she takes in Noah's tall frame, a flirtatious smile crossing her face. Then she pulls her shoulders back, making her breasts push out further.

Rolling my eyes at her obvious actions, I clear my throat, forcing her attention back to me. "Hi, I ah… have a booking for, well, right now. Two people for a pamper session."

The receptionist glances back at Noah, widening her eyes. "For the both of you?"

Noah clears his throat. "Oh no, I'm just going to be watchin'—"

"Yes, for the both of us. Noah will be joining me," I interrupt him, deciding to start my more assertive behavior right this second. I turn to face Noah, his stare on me intense before he shakes his head slightly.

"That's wonderful. It's always great when boyfriends join in to have a spa day with their partners. So supportive and such a fantastic bonding experience," the receptionist chimes.

Fighting back my smirk, I reach for Noah's hand, taking it in mine. "Hear that, honey? Such a supportive thing, not to mention the bonding. You wouldn't want to miss out on that, now, would you, pumpkin pie?" I tease.

He narrows his eyes on me, his face turning redder with every second, but he grits his teeth and shakes his head, tightening his hand in mine. Then he snaps his head back up with the brightest smile to face the receptionist. "That's why I'm here. Because I am the most supportive boyfriend Rhy could ever have. Whatever my girl wants, she gets. Isn't that right, sugar tits?"

The receptionist gasps, and I chuckle, slapping his chest playfully. "We just love to tease each other with our crazy nicknames. Isn't that right, my tiny, squishy sausage?"

The receptionist tries to hide her laugh but is completely unsuccessful.

Noah glares at me. "We do, peach butt."

Inhaling sharply, I narrow my eyes on him. "That one is my personal favorite, isn't it, Gollum? I call him that because he likes to dress up sometimes as characters from Lord of the Rings and call me his precious ."

Noah wraps his arm around me tightly, pulling me to him. Playfulness aside, having his arms around me makes my breath catch. "Okay, baby, I think this lovely lady has heard enough. Can we head on through?"

The receptionist smiles wide like she loves how crazy we are. "You guys are true couple goals. Go straight through. You're booked in for your mani-pedis first."

I glance up at Noah, his expression falling. "Wonderful," he grits out, mocking the situation as he leads us through.

"Thank you," I call out cheerily to the receptionist after she waves to us, and we walk off. I turn back, Noah's arm still wrapped around me, and I can't help but let out a small giggle.

He shakes his head, dropping his arm. "Well, aren't you a surprise package?" He smirks, raising his brow.

Shrugging, I glance over my shoulder, peering at my butt, giving it a little shake. "You mean me and my huge peach ass?"

Noah releases a low growl, his eyes tracking the movement. "Firstly, your ass is not huge, it's fucking perfect. Trust me when I tell you, a peach butt is not the insult you think it is."

Those pesky butterflies flutter in my stomach again as we make our way to where a couple of ladies are sitting at a nail station. "Thank you… for doing this with me. It means a lot."

His shoulder bumps into mine, that cheeky smile lighting his face again and the heat from a moment ago gone. "That's what friends are for, right?"

My heart sinks as I fake a smile back at him. "Friends… right."

He swallows hard while our eyes remain locked until one of the ladies clears her throat, breaking the tension. Our heads snap around to the woman standing in front of us with a range of nail colors. "Hi, I'm Amber, and this is Seline. We will be your nail technicians today. Would you like to start by selecting a color for your nails and toes?"

I excitedly bounce up on my feet but Noah shakes his head. "I really wouldn't."

I snort out a laugh, reaching for the samples. "C'mon, Noah. Where's that rebellious streak you're known for?"

He lets out a laugh. "It's back at the clubhouse imagining the absolute terror the guys will put me through for having nail polish on my fingernails."

He's not wrong.

The guys already give him shit for his red hair.

This will only make it worse for him.

I can't put him through that.

"Okay, how about a compromise?"

He tilts his head. "I'm listening."

"Just get a clear coat on your nails so the guys won't know, but I get to pick the color for your toes."

Amber and Seline grin, and he slumps his shoulders, huffing. "Fine, but I don't want anything too fucking girly. I'm a biker, Rhy."

Chuckling along, I nod in agreement and hold my hand out for him to shake. "Deal."

He shakes it, and I lean into Amber and whisper in her ear, "I have an idea for his toes. Can we make this work?" I subtly point to a sample with some nail art, and Amber dips her chin in response.

"I can definitely make that work for him."

"Perfect! Thank you," I reply.

Noah takes a seat, swiveling in it like he's uncomfortable, so I move into the seat next to him. Amber sits in front of Noah, his entire body tensing. I know for sure he would rather be shoveling the pig shit at the farm instead of being here right now.

Letting out a long breath, I exhale. "I'm sorry, Noah. You don't wanna do this. Thank you for bringing me, but I don't want you to be uncomfortable. That's not who I am. You can go if you want. I'll catch an Uber back to the clubhouse."

He slumps his shoulders, finally letting them relax. "No, no… I want to be here. I have to stop thinking about the brothers and their teasing and enjoy spending some time with you. I'm here. I'm present. Let's do this. Fuck it! Paint my nails pink. I don't care. I get to spend a whole afternoon alone with you without them looking over our shoulders. Pink nails and some hardcore teasing from everyone is worth it."

A slow smile crosses my face at his honest words.

Darn, those pesky butterflies.

Selene leans across the table closer and whispers, "He's a keeper this one."

I turn to her, my heart racing. "Oh, we're not…" I spin back to Noah, who is picking out the brightest pink nail polish, and reply, "Yeah, he's a great guy."

I reach out, taking it from him, my chest squeezing so tight that he would do that for me. But I place it down on my station, shaking my head. "I think this is more your color," I tell him, choosing a clear with a hint of pink, a closer shade to natural.

His eyes meet mine as I hand the barely visible color to Amber. Noah's hand slides out gently, resting on my knee. The heat sparks from his touch in all the right ways up my thigh, like an arrow straight between my legs, then our phones go off with an incoming message. He jerks his hand back like a snake bit him, pulling his phone from his pocket.

I grab mine and see a message from my dad, then chance a glance at Noah. His brows are pinched and he sits taller.

"Let me guess. My dad?" I prompt, and he dips his chin in response, typing out a reply.

Figures my dad couldn't let it go and just let me live. Turning my attention back to my phone, I open the inevitable text.

Dad: You left without saying anything, young lady? And with a prospect, no less?

I don't have it in me to reply, so I silence my phone and put it away instead. It shouldn't surprise me, but I thought that just this once, he would let me live. Shaking my head, I shift uncomfortably, needing to know what he sent Noah, and ask, "Well, what did he say?"

I watch as he swallows hard and shakes his head. "I would have worn the pink."

"What?"

"The pink… I would have worn it." His hand slides back to my knee.

He's deflecting, and I know it's because of something my dad said.

My hand shifts down, resting on his, giving it a small squeeze. "I know you would have, and it means so much to me that you'd have put yourself on the line like that. But you're right… the guys will tear you to shreds."

He shifts like he's suddenly uncomfortable with my touch, but then, in complete contradiction, he assures me, "I'm glad I'm here."

Smiling, I exhale, hoping it doesn't come out like an irritated huff. Once again, my dad has managed to interfere in a good time. "Me too."

"Shall we get started?" Amber asks quietly, and I turn back, shifting my hands to meet Selene. I gesture for Noah to do the same. Amber picks up his hands, takes one look, and widens her eyes. "When was your last manicure?"

Noah jerks his head back. "Lady, I'm a biker. Does that answer your question?"

Amber puffs out a long huff of air. "Okay, Noah, was it?" Noah nods. "You need to take better care of your hands. Your cuticles are a mess. Selene, I'm gonna be here a while with this one. So feel free to take your time."

Noah looks at me like he has no clue what's happening, but I smile at him. "Just go with it. You'll be surprised how much better you feel after."

Noah shrugs, sinking back in the chair. "Okay, Amber, make my hands beautiful."

"I don't know if I can make them beautiful, but I can at least make them presentable."

Noah chuckles. "I'll take that. Amber, I'm all yours."

I giggle, sitting back in my chair, a comfortable ease washing over me. It's time to be present like Noah said earlier. Shit with my dad can wait. I'm here with Noah without the club's presence.

I'm really going to enjoy this.