Infatuation

“You want some breakfast?” I stand and point to a chair, hoping she takes the direction so I can feed her. Like I thought yesterday, the woman hasn’t been eating. I’m only going by what I remember the night I met her, versus what I see now. She looks ski

Nothing a few weeks of her eating enough food can’t fix, though.

“Ahh, I’m pretty hungry, but please, I can fix it.”

“You sit. I’ll cook,” I order and watch her recoil at my tone and command. Shaking my head at my stupidity, I step forward and try to reassure her. “I have it sorted today. Maybe you can cook tomorrow.” It almost feels strange compromising on something like this with a woman. I mean I’m not a complete dictating asshole, but there are certain tastes I have.

A willing and submissive woman is one of them.

Something Mackenzie is not, which only makes the line already drawn even more vivid.

“Sure, we can take turns,” she agrees quickly and takes a seat next to where I was sitting.

“Coffee?” I hide my pleasure at her agreeing and reach for a cup.

“Yes, please,” she answers, and I fill the cup with the black liquid I brewed half an hour ago. I walk back to the table and hand her the cup. She doesn’t bother with cream or sugar. Instead, she takes a sip and rests back in her chair. Before I get caught watching her, I set about making eggs for the both of us. I’m sure some of my brothers will wake up to the smell of breakfast and probably give me a hard time for not cooking enough, but I don’t give a fuck right now.

“Kelly said she gave you a tour of the place last night?” I start an easy conversation hoping to relax her a little more.

“Yeah, the place is huge. I might get lost, but I think I have it.” I nod, cracking two eggs at a time into the pan. “And sorry I didn’t speak to you again, but I was just so exhausted.”

“No problem, but we will need to have a chat with Nix today.”

“Oh, did you decide something in your meeting?” I hear the panic in her voice before I turn back and watch it slide over her face.

“No, we wanted to talk to you about pressing charges against Chad.” I set her at ease, but it only serves to push her further.

“No, Beau. It’s not worth the hassle, with his co

“It will help. Having him caught up in the courts can give us more time.”

“No cops, Beau.” Her hands fist in front of her, turning her knuckles almost white.

“Kenzie, you have to trust who we bring in on this.”

“No cops,” she repeats, this time with more force. I hold her stare for a beat trying to get a read on her.

“Okay, darlin’. No cops.” She holds her breath for another few seconds before letting it out in a loud exhale.

“Thank you, Beau.” I nod, then turn back to the eggs. I shouldn’t be surprised by her distrust of cops considering Mayor Morre’s co

“So do you live here full time?” she asks, her tone lighter than only moments earlier. All signs of her apprehension are gone.

“I have my own place, but I stay here from time to time,” I answer, knowing from here on out I’ll be staying at the compound.

“You stayed last night?”

“I did, and will continue until you’re settled.” I reach up to the cupboard where the plates are kept and pull down two. She doesn’t say anything at my admission, so I don’t push it. Instead, I plate up the eggs and place some bread in the toaster. Mackenzie stays quiet while I finish making our breakfast. The silence isn’t awkward, more calming and I find myself not wanting to break it.

After a few minutes pass, I quietly place her breakfast in front of her and wait for her to come out of her head.

“Oh, this looks great.” She comes back to the moment and looks over at me.

“Just eggs and toast, darlin’,” I play it down, not wanting her to make a big deal about it.

“I’ve barely eaten in three days. It’s not just eggs and toast,” she states with a shrug, unfazed by her revelation and how it might affect anyone knowing exactly what she’s been through. She owns it and it practically has me coming apart.

“Well, don’t delay. Dig in.” I force myself not to react. Her fingers reach for the fork I placed beside her plate and I watch as she picks it up. I don’t want to seem like a fucking creeper, but I just want to make sure she’s eating. Before she can put my mind at ease, she returns the fork and reaches for me instead. Her hand lands on my arm, her touch soft and unsure.

“Thank you, Beau. Not just for the breakfast, but for everything you’ve done for me. I’ll never truly be able to repay you.” I nod once, not looking for gratitude. Any decent person would do the same. It’s what I tell myself, but I know it’s more than that. The emotion she awakens in me causes my words to fail. But it doesn’t matter, not right now. Words are not needed in this moment. I look at her, from her eyes to her hand still resting on my skin and then back up again. Neither one of us speaks or attempts to break the co

You can’t have moments like this with her, I remind myself, pulling myself out of it.

Clearing my throat, I turn my head. “Eat.” The demand comes out harsh, rough, even a little angry. She doesn’t act as shell-shocked as she did at my last command, but she retreats nonetheless, and for reasons I can’t figure out, I fight the urge to promise her I’ll never use the tone with her again. Instead, I take a seat and pick up my own fork, and satisfied the woman across from me is at least eating, I take my first mouthful.

Who knew making sure she finished her breakfast could have me so twisted.

Five

Mackenzie

“You have to trust us, Mackenzie,” Beau tries to reassure me later that day. We’re sitting on one of the sofas in the living area of the clubhouse. Most of the members are outside setting up for a club BBQ, while Nix and Beau sit with me to discuss what’s happened over the last twenty-four hours.

“I understand what you’re saying, but you don’t know them like I do. The whole sheriff’s department in Redwick is in his pocket,” I try to reason with them. The last thing I need is to have the cops brought in on this.

Jesus, the thought alone makes me want to run.

“Not all the men in the department are dirty, Mackenzie,” Nix adds, shaking his head, not agreeing with me.

Knowing I’m not going to get anywhere with Nix, I turn to face Beau. “Please, Beau. Don’t make me go to the police.” I know they’re only trying to help me, but they really have no idea what their helping might result in.

Beau regards me for a minute before turning his gaze to Nix.

Nix is the Prez of the Knights Rebels, and from what Beau has told me over breakfast this morning, his best friend.

“Your call, brother.” Nix shrugs, leaving it up to Beau.

“How about we see how you’re doing over the next few days? Let you settle in, find your feet. We hear anything with Chad or the Mayor, we act. If not, we leave it.” I let out a low breath and nod.

Yes, I can do that.

“Nix, I’m so sorry to interrupt, but I need some help.” Kadence steps out from kitchen. One arm trying to carry a plate of steaks¸ the other holding her wriggling daughter who is almost out of her hold.

Nix stands, and moves to his wife, relieving her of their daughter. She squeals in delight, her small chubby hands slapping his face.