Ready For Love?

Chapter9

Steamy didn't answer, so I went and just pilled a plate with a mix of things before giving it to him and his raised eyebrows. I could tell this was his shocked face for someone who didn’t normally show much emotion.

"Do you need a drink as well?" Asked both him and Fire.

“Don't worry. I have him covered, don’t I baby?” One of the bunnies appeared beside me, practically purring before she handed him a beer in a seductive manner.

Like t**s out, bum in the air just to bend over slightly to hand it to him. It was actually almost comical, and I did wonder if my back even bent like that anymore... after at least one Osteopath appointment. Or would I need the Osteo appointment after... or a hospital visit.

“No problems.” I went back to make sure all was going well… and honestly, I really didn’t want to watch another woman fawn all over him.

Not one that was about 15 years or more, younger than me with the body I wish I had. I don’t even have a good body in my dreams. How cruel is that?!

All was sorted at the food station, so I went into the kitchen to start putting things in order there. And I also needed a minute to work out my feelings.

Part of me felt guilty for feeling like this, another part… my neglected parts, were happy, but I… I don’t know. I really don’t know.

I honestly didn’t think this would happen so soon. I have only just moved my rings.

There was another prospect, Match in the kitchen scrubbing some pans.

“Stop that. Go and eat. I will get it done.” I tried to shoo him out.

“Already eaten Ma’am.” He pointed to a clean plate on the drying rack.

“Ewww…. Anne, please. I already feel old around a lot of you, but Ma-am is just making me want to go through a midlife crisis.”

He let out a full belly laugh as I found the dish towels and started drying… after putting on some music again, of course.

Rip POV

I took the beer and glared at Ava before looking for Annie, but she had disappeared.

“f**k off slut we’re eattin’” Fire shot at Ava.

I didn't say a word and went back to ignoring Ava, sitting back with my plate and shoveling the first mouthful in.

The flavors taking over my tongue, making me shovel it in faster than my mouth could chew it.

“That good, huh?” Viking sat down.

Everyone had made a show of coming over to tap Fire on the shoulder or a chin lift to show support. They would then acknowledge me before quickly walking off. As the Sargent In Arms of the club, even if I don't want the title, they steer clear of me leaving the space around us empty, until Viking, Trigger and Bones come to join us.

“Yep!” I replied with a mouth full.

“f*****g awesome.” Fire sat back after putting her empty bowl back on the table beside her. “Anne had me taste test all the sauces as we went.”

Trigger shook his head as he watched her smile. “Anne’s not a puppy you can keep Fire.” Fire pouted, actually pouted as she sighed. “Take her lessons and keep in contact when she goes home. I’ll pay for your trip to Australia if you want.”

Her eyes lit up as she looked at her dad. “Promise?” He nodded, making her look like she wanted to jump out of her skin until her body reminded her she couldn't.

Doc walked over with a plate and sat down. He asked how Fire was feeling before tucking in. “Damn! Feed us like this, and you’ll have a full house every night.” We all nodded as we listened to everyone boasting about the food.

Even the bunnies were in a complimentary mood.

“Where's Anne?” Doc asked after a moment.

“Went back into the kitchen. Can you get the prospect to kick her out and get her a plate?” Fire looked at Trigger, who followed her order with no issues.

Anne was marched out of the kitchen rolling her eyes before a drink and a plate were shoved in her hands.

“Are you bossing me around through other people?” She pointed to Fire as she sat down at the closest table with Doc.

“Yes!” Fire smirked, making Annie laugh.

Her laugh was like her, full of emotion, heart and came from deep within, making everyone around her smile or at least glance in her direction.

I did not like the way Bones was looking at her. He was in the middle of his third f*****g divorce. Not happening.

Fuck… I put my plate aside quickly before the little Bulldozer jumped into my lap.

I tickled Doc’s eight-year-old hurricane of a child, making him squeal out. I made sure we were facing away from Fire so she didn’t get a stray leg or arm to the face.

Colton was all brawn and had more chance of being a linebacker than a doctor like his father. He was a cute kid that always had a smile on his face… normally a mischievous one because he was up to something.

Kyla, their eldest at ten, was more like her father, but was more interested in drawing than blood.

“Tap out. Tap out!” He squealed and laughed before I let him go.

He sprinted for his father and tackled him next before he saw the food and practically stopped dead.

“Evenin’ everyone.” Amy finally made it to us, with Kyla trailing behind. Doc quickly pulled Amy into his lap as Colton sprinted for the food and Kayla rolled her eyes and sat at the table quietly grabbing out her phone.

Keys saw Colton, and they disappeared into the kitchen together.

“Well, howdy. I’m Amy.” She thrust her hand out to Annie.

Annie smiled and shook her hand. “Anne.” I strangely wanted to correct her but held back. “It’s lovely to meet you.”

“Oh an Ozzie. How’d you end up in here?”

Annie laughed. “Long story.” Before she looked at Fire and Amy was on her in a second.

“What the f**k!”

Fire brushed it off with a ‘I’ll tell you later.’

Colton was suddenly in front of us again pulling on his mother’s arm, complaining something about ‘nuggets’.

“Oh, you mean the dinosaur nuggets? The secret ones I have hidden in a special place?” Annie whisper-talked conspiratorially to him, making Colton’s eyes sparkle before he jumped up and down.

“YES! YES!”

“Well, I might be able to help you if your mum and dad say it’s OK.” She looked at Doc and Amy, who both gave her a big nod.

Colton then grabbed Annie’s hand and dragged her back to the kitchen. Annie laughing the whole way.

I zoned out as I noticed Annie hadn’t touched the food. I got up and grabbed it and her drink and followed her into the kitchen.

“Go get her tiger.” Fire called out, making the room erupt with wolf whistles.

I ignored the fuckers as I stalked into the kitchen not seeing her anywhere. Colton was sitting on a bench with Keys and Scruff standing beside him.

“My nuggets are in the oven,” Colton announced when he saw me.

I put the plate and drink on the counter. “Where’s Annie?”

“Annie?” f**k.

I raised an eyebrow as Keys motioned to the door to the hallway. “Latrine.”

I nodded and walked off down the hall after her. The door opened in front of me and Annie looked up at me surprised.

She let out a small laugh. “Hello again, tall dark and creepy. All yours.” And stepped to the side.

I crowded her with my body, backing her back into the room and shut and locked the door behind me without taking my eyes off her.

“Reid.”

“What?” She breathed out with wide eyes.

“Names Reid.”

“I thought it was Rip, like the hot guy from the TV show.” She looked confused while trying to control her breathing as I now had her caged against the wall with my body.

“That’s my road name. My real name Reid.”

She gave me one of her large smiles as her breathing shortened. “OK Reid. What can I do for you?”