Page 106 of Rune
True, we spent most of our time alone. But I’d been trying to remember to venture out for meals so we didn’t seem antisocial. Plus, I felt bad for Croft and Vas being stuck in the clubhouse because of my cousin. And that none of the guys could have their usual parties. I felt like I owed it to them to play pool and poker and watch their gory movies.
Though, one particularly fun night involved one of the club brothers I hadn’t met before—Sully—walking in with a vagina-flower-printed Hawaiian shirt and a big suitcase. The shirt? A gift from a club old lady. The suitcase? A craft kit compiled by his wife.
Then I sat around a folding table with a bunch of arms-dealing bikers… painting ceramic vases.
“Who are you giving yours to?” Rune asked once everyone else said they were giving theirs to their moms, aunts, or friends.
“I thought it might make a nice housewarming gift for my sister,” I said. “I mean, if we can get it fired and shipped in the near future.”
“Already rented kiln time,” Sully declared as he painted his with dogs.
“She’s gonna love that. It suits her,” Rune said as he looked at all the bright colors.
I loved that he already knew her so well too. How much he cared about her.
Every time she sent pictures, he wanted to look at them. When she called, he insisted on eavesdropping. When we video-chatted before bed, he always wanted to say hi.
I’d never met a guy who was so family-oriented before. Then again, I’d never known a man who grew up in such a big family. He was constantly answering texts not only from his mom, dad, and sister, but all his cousins.
One night, I’d caught him online shopping for a birthday present for one of his nieces. Let’s just say the little girl was about to be spoiled as hell.
Another night, I’d heard him in the bathroom, whisper-talking on the phone. My heart sank. Until I heard him say Willa’s name, and realized he was talking to his cousin. The one who was a new mom and had a somewhat nocturnal schedule.
The man was always there to chat, to show support, to offer love.
I couldn’t imagine how lucky any child of his would be. Even as I really hoped I would get to see that for myself.
“What do you say?” Rune asked.
“About a picnic in the glass room?” I asked, pretending to hem and haw it.
It was the only spot in the whole clubhouse I hadn’t been privy to yet. Only because of my own limitations. But my hand was feeling a lot better and we were both reasonably sure I could get up the ladder using one arm and the crook of my elbow.
“I think it sounds like fun. If I can get up the ladder.”
“You’re mostly using your legs to climb. Besides, I’ll be below you. Enjoying the view.”
“And making sure I don’t fall.”
“Right. Sure. That too. But it’s mostly for the view.”
I rolled my eyes and crawled off the bed I’d been rotting in most of the day. “Are you preparing the picnic?”
“It was my idea, so I’m handling all the details.”
“Then I’m going to take a quick shower.”
“Can I change my mind and join you?” he asked, eyes bright.
“No. You promised me a picnic. I want a picnic.”
“Fine,” he grumbled, but grabbed me by the hips and pulled me in for a kiss long and lingering enough to make me second-guess myself.
“Nice try,” I said, pulling away and planting a hand to the center of his chest to push him back. “Go get everything ready. I’ll get myself pretty.”
“Already done. But fine.”
Alone, I took my time scrubbing, shaving, and slathering on lotion. There was one thing I knew about the glass room (aside from how safe it was), and that was that everyone ‘broke it in.’ If we were going to have sex up there during our picnic, I wanted to be smelling, feeling, and looking my best.
