16. ‘Kitty’

SIXTEEN

‘KITTY'

RUBY

I can't remember the last time I've slept so well. When I glance at my phone on the charger and see the time, I jump out of bed, grabbing the phone, and look at the texts to see if anyone is looking for me. Thankfully there are no new texts, so I'm good. Then I take a breath and smell something which has my stomach growling. Damn, is Lachi already up and cooking? Crap, I'm not making the best impression, though it doesn't seem like there is anything I could do to push him away. I quietly thank God for that. A man who is willing to fight for what he wants is the one for me. Fingers crossed I don't screw this up.

I walk into the en suite and take care of my morning routine. Once I've used the facilities, brush my teeth, and washed my face, I run a brush through my long dark hair. Looks okay, so I walk out of the bathroom through the bedroom and down the hall to the kitchen. That's where my mouth drops open. Lachi is in fact making breakfast in workout shorts, no shirt, and bare feet. I blink to make sure I'm not dreaming or imagining that phenomenal body right in front of me. All those muscles, dips, and bulges are making my mouth water.

"Beauty, you keep looking at me like I'm your favorite breakfast food, I'll turn these burners off and let you have a taste if that's what you want."

I feel my face getting red but push through it. I move past the counter to the Keurig. In the cabinet above it are my mugs, so I pull out a rainbow one and grab a pod of my favorite morning coffee. The cream is already out so I put the amount I like in the bottom and after it is all set up, I push the button. Before I can turn, I feel his heat along my back as two strong arms wrap around my middle. Lachi's mouth is leaning over to kiss my cheek. Not sure why, but I turn my head so he can reach my lips. At first, he nibbles but pretty quickly he flips me around and wraps his arms around me. We are touching from our chest to our knees. Damn, he's hard everywhere and I mean that. And he smells so good, like outdoors with a hint of citrus followed by the forest. The scent is sexy and a bit dangerous. Then he licks my lips and I open. He immediately dives in and, damn, I forget everything and anything. By the time he gently pulls away, I'm panting. Looking up at him, I'm thrilled that he too is out of breath.

"All right, enough of that, Beauty. If we keep doing this, breakfast will be ruined and can't have that. I'm making my Malachi's Famous Egg Muffins."

I giggle then start to laugh until I snort. As Lachi watches me, I full-out start laughing so hard I'm bent over at the waist, holding my stomach. And his eyes are looking at me like I'm the only woman in the world. I have no idea what it is about him but, damn, he's all I can think about and when I'm around him, I'm willing to step out of my comfort zone each and every time.

"So am I going to get a taste of these famous egg muffins or are you all talk?"

He looks at me with those eyes like he's trying to read into my soul. Then he smiles and gives it right back to me.

"Well, if you ask nicely, I might be persuaded to indulge you in a muffin. So, Beauty, are you going to ask me nicely?"

This game going between us has me smiling like a goof, though I refuse to beg for anything. So I think what any of my sisters would do and Shadow pops into mind first. Not sure she's the one I should want to be like, but she's slowly changing since Panther came into her life, showing a softer side of herself. Well, here goes nothing.

"Malachi, if it wouldn't be too much of a bother, would you mind making me one of your famous muffins?"

I swear the color of his eyes gets darker and warmer. The smirk on his face does things to me I'm not sure I'm ready for, though I want to be so badly. When he moves a bit closer, I tense up but all he does is give me a peck on the cheek, then gently shifts me to the side.

"Well, if that's what you want, move, woman, so I can get to work. After we eat, Ruby, we need to have a conversation about what happens next. Hey, calm down, not just between us but all of this shit Jude has dragged us into. Just breathe, everything is going to be okay."

He turns and starts to work on breakfast as I take a sip of my coffee, trying to put stuff into perspective. I have no idea where any of us go from here. The Thunder Cloud Knuckle Brotherhood is like one of my club's worse nightmares. No matter how hard we work, or whatever we do, they keep showing up in situations the club is involved with. Though this time it was not the Devil's Handmaidens. The brotherhood seems to be looking for ways to infiltrate our club, and they will use anyone or any method they can.

I'm so deep in thought, when something that smells heavenly passes my face it draws my attention. When I look down, there's a plate with a toasted English muffin with an egg, cheese, and bacon on it. And damn, does it smell heavenly. My mouth starts to water just looking at it. When I shift my eyes to Lachi, he's smiling widely.

"Told ya I could cook. Come on, let's eat."

I make it back to the small dinette where my coffee is already sitting. Lachi places the plate down and I immediately pick up the sandwich, blow on it a bit, then take a bite. My mouth explodes with so many different tastes and textures. Between the over-easy egg, crispy bacon, and a bit of salty cheese on the toasted English muffin that Lachi covered with butter, I can't stop the moan that comes from my lips. Immediately I can feel my face getting red and when I shift my eyes to Lachi, the look on his face says everything. And for the first time in my life, I'm not afraid of that look. It shows me no matter how shy, anxious, or what, there is something in me that can draw a man like Malachi. And in my soul, I know it's not just for sex because this man sitting across for me didn't have to go to this extreme for a romp in the hay, as they say.

"So, Beauty, what are your thoughts? Should I buy a food truck and drive from coast-to-coast making my ‘Malachi's Famous Egg Muffins'? Shit I could probably get rich on these. Oh, wait a minute, I don't have to do any of that 'cause I just remembered I'm already rich."

By the look on his face, I can tell he's trying to lighten the mood and what he just said did just that. I start to laugh again and he joins in. After that we eat our muffins and catch up on what's been going on in each other's lives. Before I know it, I'm shoving the last bite into my mouth and washing it down with my lukewarm coffee. I remember Lachi wanted to talk so I stand and grab both plates. I rinse them off and place them in the dishwasher, then grab the two pans, rinsing them and putting hot water and dish soap in them to soak.

"Hey, you want to get another cup of coffee then we can talk? I'm going to make a new one, this one's almost cold now."

He grabs the dishcloth and wipes down the table and counters then puts away the few things left out. Once I have my coffee fixed, I head to the sectional so Lachi can make his. In a few minutes, he comes into the room and sits down a few feet from me, placing his coffee mug on a coaster. That makes me smile because most men would never even think to grab a coaster. He was raised right.

"Ruby, my mother would have my hide if I ever placed anything on one of her tables without something under it. And I knew what you were thinking by the way your eyes got so big watching me grab the coaster."

I just smile at him and sip my coffee. I'm not sure what he wants to talk about so I wait. He doesn't make me sit here too long before he starts to explain what's on his mind.

"Hey, nothing bad, just want to make sure we are on the same page. This shit with Jude is wrong on so many levels, I don't even know where to start. What I do know is, his family is at my parents' home or staying somewhere on the property. Nova has been in touch with two groups of… I don't know if they're his friends or co-workers or what. One group deals with security. The kind in-person so bodyguards, though Nova actually called them mercenaries. He told me they will do anything to protect whoever we tell them to, as long as we pay their price. Yeah, I get that look because I feel the exact same way, especially since I've involved my family. Dad doesn't feel that way, so we'll see. The second group of people Nova has been in touch with, he wouldn't tell me who they are but they are going to confront the Thunder Cloud Knuckle Brotherhood assholes who started all of this. No, Ruby, don't panic. Nova said this is what they deal with."

"Lachi, we don't want to rock the boat any more than it already is. We might want to talk to Tink and Glory. Or Tank, I'm not sure. Our two clubs have been dealing with the brotherhood for quite a while now, so we have firsthand experience with them. Saying that, I'm thrilled Nova has experienced people to protect your family. So, is this what you wanted to talk about?"

He shakes his head slowly, his eyes never leaving my face.

"Ruby, no, that's not all of what's on my mind. Yeah, we needed to go through this shit, but now what I wanted to talk to you about. I want to get something straight with you. My intentions coming up to Montana, which is in the middle of nowhere, let me say that first though, it's stunning. I came to Timber-Ghost for you and you only. Beauty, something about you is drawing me to you. It might be your quietness or your ability to see but not be seen. Maybe it's the way you lead with your heart for everything. I'm not sure but I knew if I didn't take the time to come up here, I'd lose you, and that is not an option for me. One thing you need to learn quick, Ruby, is when I want something, I go balls to the wall to get it. And I'm not saying you don't have a choice because you damn well always do. I'm just putting you on notice that if you don't want my attention, then now's the time to let me know so we can talk through it. I promise to listen but again, Ruby, you mean something to me. I'm feeling things I've never felt before, and it's because of you."

My mouth drops wide open and I can feel my eyes bugging out. What in the hell does this guy, who seems to have his shit together, is gorgeous as hell, and sweet to top it off, see in me? I'm nobody and have no one except my club sisters. As I'm trying to wrap my brain around what he just said, my phone goes off. Oh shit.

"Lachi, I gotta take this. That's Glory's ringtone and when our VP calls, we all listen."

He scoffs a laugh my way just as I hit accept. Glory must have heard him because even before a good morning she jumps on the bandwagon.

"Kitty, holy mother of God, did Malachi spend the night with you, like with you?"

Just that sentence has whoever is with her screaming and going nuts. Lachi's eyes get wide as I pull the phone from my ear. I give him big eyes, which has him grinning like a loon. That is until there is pounding on my front door and Shadow is screaming to be let in before she knocks the door down. I look at Lachi and give it to him straight.

"Hey, you sure this is what you want? This is my life and they are my bat-ass, crazy as shit family, which I won't get rid of."

He moves closer and pulls me into him as his lips place a very tender kiss on mine. Even though I'm scared, I'm hoping for more as the pounding starts up again. Never have I said or even thought it, but right now I wish I had the skills to take Shadow down. And that thought has me giggling. Yeah, me giggling.