Page 30 of Ironside
Jenny groaned and stole a bite of cake from Lila’s plate.
“You’re right. At this rate, he’ll be seventy years old before he ever ties the knot.”
Ironside grumbled under his breath.
“At least have the decency to talk about me behind my back, ladies.”
Jenny waved her fork at him with a smile.
“Oh, don’t worry. We do that all the time, too.”
Ironside huffed with dry amusement and pressed a kiss to my cheek.
“Why am I not surprised? I better get going, petal. We’re heading out in a few minutes for the ride. If you need anything, give me a call. And don’t let these ladies turn you against me in favor of a younger man.”
I shook my head.
“Trust me, there’s no chance that will happen.”
Ironside smiled softly, his eyes crinkling at the corners with fondness. Then he knuckled me on the chin and turned away, climbing onto his bike with the others, lined up on the main road.
I watched him go—the confidence in his stride, the width of his broad shoulders, the strength and ease of his movements. He was in full biker gear today, with heavy boots, black jeans, and his cut. The Reckless Order MC arched in bold letters across his back.
I resisted the urge to pinch myself. Was this all a dream? Would I wake up to find Ironside had been nothing more than a figment of my imagination?
He certainly didn’t fit the type of guys I’d dated before. The quiet, reserved, nerdy types who worked in a cubicle all day at a standard, run-of-the-mill office job.
How did I possibly end up with a guy like him?
“So,” Jenny said, inching her chair closer with an eager glint in her brown eyes. “Time to spill the beans, Lena. Tell us how you met Ironside. Did he sweep you off your feet?”
I could feel the blush beginning to rise up my neck and I bit the inside of my cheek to hide a smile. For so long, I had heard other women tell stories about their love lives—meeting their boyfriends for the first time, how their husbands popped the question, romantic anniversaries.
But I didn’t have any stories of my own to tell. Just one heartbreaking failed date after another. Dumped or ghosted.
Until now.
I couldn’t contain my smile anymore, beaming from ear to ear, as I told the story of Ironside walking into my shop one day, and how he managed to figure out my favorite flowers just by the scent of my perfume.
The charity event lasted late into the night, with music, games, and a seemingly endless supply of food. As my energy began to wane, Ironside took a seat at my side, letting me lean against his shoulder with fatigue. He curved his palm over my thigh, stroking his thumb along my skin.
I closed my eyes, comforted by his presence and the hum of conversation all around me. I had no idea that a motorcycle club full of bikers could feel like one big, boisterous family.
“It looks like Jenny and Hades made up after their little lover’s spat the other day,” Ironside said.
Opening my eyes, I looked in the direction he indicated. Jenny and Hades faced each other, Hades leaning forward, earnest, while Jenny stood there with her arms crossed, guarded.
“I don’t know,” I hedged. “She doesn’t look very happy.”
“Give it a minute.”
I waited. Then Jenny melted, and her arms sagged to her sides. Hades pulled her close as he kissed her neck. A pleased little smile spread across her lips and she draped her arms around his shoulders.
“How did you know that?” I demanded.
Ironside shrugged.
“I’ve always had an eye for reading people, I guess.”
