Nova (MorningStar MC Novels, New Orleans Chapter #2)

Chapter 14

Chapter

Fourteen

SIMONE

I wake up hot.

Someone is in bed with me, and I’m deliciously sore between my legs. My memories of last night with Maddox rush back, and my heart rate picks up. He took my father’s words seriously, and suddenly, the fake engagement I had carefully planned was now very much real.

I glance at my hand and admire the ring in the new dawn light streaming inside my bedroom. This whole time, that bastard had me wearing a real ring! I roll over to yell at him for not telling me because I am the world’s most irresponsible human being when it comes to jewelry, and stop cold.

His face is all puffy and red.

“Maddox, wake up!” I shake his shoulder, and he tries to open his eyes.

“Oh no,” I say as he clears his throat a few times to try to talk.

“I thought you loved pussy?” The words pop out of my mouth so quickly that he frowns.

“Not the furry kind.” I look down at my body.

I know I’m between waxes, but it’s not that bad.

“Wow. That’s just racist. Lots of women don’t…” He covers my mouth with his hand and points at Freckles, who’s asleep by our feet.

“No, I meant the animal kind. I need Benadryl.” Oh, OH!

It’s not me. It’s my animals.

“Oh god! Are you allergic?” Why on Earth wouldn’t he tell me that?

Here, I thought he was reacting to me. A perfume, my skincare, or something else that would have gotten on him during our escapades last night.

“Must be. Never been around so much pussy in my life.” My eyes widen.

“But you’re an escort that runs a strip club.” My brain is having a hell of a time keeping up with his sarcasm this morning.

I blame the lack of coffee.

“Trust me, I’m aware of the irony. I should be fine once I get those meds in me.” Oh right!

I jump out of bed and get him the allergy relief, then some water. By the time I’d brewed a pot of coffee and made us breakfast, the swelling around his eyes had gone down enough for me to see the bright blue orbs tracking me around the kitchen.

“You’re antsy this morning.” His observation has me slowing down.

“Maybe a little.” I try to shrug it off.

“Why?” He tilts his head slightly to study me closely.

“We’re getting married today?” I meant for it to come out as a statement, but all my insecurities are laid bare in front of him with that one simple question.

“If you would do me the honor, yes. I would never force you, Simone.” Crap on a cracker.

He thinks I don’t want to.

“It’s the opposite, Maddox. This was supposed to be a fake relationship. I paid you to be here! No matter what my family said, I can’t force you to do this. I don’t care if they disown me. I won’t marry a man who doesn’t want me, and I sure as fuck won’t marry Tyler just so my father has job security. My mother can kiss my ass. Why aren’t you paying attention!” I snap at him when he starts fiddling with his phone.

“I’m returning your money and canceling our contract. I’m also informing my client network of my retirement from services. I will no longer be taking any appointments.” He puts his phone down and looks back up at me.

My phone dings on the counter, but I don’t bother to pick it up.

“You quit without notice?” He chuckles as he shakes his head.

“I’m the boss.” Oh, right.

“Just like that, no questions asked?” He stands and comes over to me.

“Dove, you are the only thing that matters to me.” No, that’s too much pressure.

“Your family, friends!” I remind him.

“You will be my family, and we are friends.” I try to step away, but he doesn’t let me.

“Simone, don’t run from this.” I swallow hard.

“You are more than I ever dreamed of. I have thanked the universe countless times for walking into that bar. I dreamed of you every night. Hell, I couldn’t get hard without thinking of you.” Ok, that was not necessarily something I needed to know.

“Excuse me?” He rolls his eyes at me.

“Alright, that was probably a dumb thing to say.” I shove him.

“You think!” He catches my wrist and holds me still.

“The point is you are it for me.” Oh.

“What about love?” I can’t look at him when I ask.

My feelings for him are complicated. There is plenty of lust and a ton of frustration, for sure. But love? I’m not sure I know what that feeling really is.

“Close your eyes.” I glance up at him, and his smiling face nods at me.

I take a deep breath and shut them.

“Think about your future. Five years from now. You’re living your dream life. You are on vacation, relaxing, and having the time of your life. You look to your left at the one person in the world you’d want to share all of that with.” I nod as the picture starts to form.

We’re in the mountains. It’s cold, so the fireplace is going. I’ve got a hot cocoa in my hand and an open book in my lap. I’m watching the snow falling outside and the steam from a hot tub that is calling my name. I smile at the image.

“Can you see it?” Maddox’s soft whisper floats through my fantasy.

I nod.

“Are you alone?” I shake my head.

I can feel a presence with me, but I haven’t seen them yet.

“Who’s with you, Simone?” I turn in my fantasy and watch as Maddox pulls cookies out of the oven and shoos Felix off the counter.

I open my eyes.

“My husband.” I grin up at the real Maddox, who is still here with me, even though any sane person would have run away from me, my crazy family, and the animals he’s clearly allergic to.

“Good answer.” He draws me in and kisses me thoroughly.

“Go pack. I’ll book our flight. Don’t forget a white dress.” He slaps my ass, and I rush out of the kitchen to do exactly as he said.

There’s a wait at the Chapel.

Since we had to wait two hours before we could get married and were both starving, we decided to walk over to one of Maddox’s favorite restaurants.

“You know, my uncle could marry us quicker, but I really don’t want to bother him with this.” We’re standing in a crowded bar with one of those hand buzzers.

“So, will your family be as surprised as mine?” Maddox frowns and then chuckles.

“Nope, they’ll think this is typical behavior for me. It’s why they gave me the road name Nova.” I shake my head.

He told me about the bikers and how he couldn’t wait for me to meet them all. I’m still not sure what the appeal is, but according to him, riding a Harley will change my life. I guess I’ll see when we get to New Orleans.

“Tell me more about your siblings.” We talked about them briefly, but it’s my turn to learn more about his life.

“We’re triplets.” I freeze.

“Relax, Dove. I know that might be triggering, so I was hesitant to tell you, but you should know since you’ll be meeting them soon.” His hands caress my bare shoulders.

“Am I cursed or something?” I mumble.

“Hey, look at me.” He turns me so I’m facing him.

He takes my chin between his fingers like he did the night before, and my whole world narrows to him.

“I am nothing like Tyler. You are safe with me always. Repeat it.” His voice has that command I am helpless to ignore.

“I am safe with you always.” He nods.

“Now add that to your mantras.” He kisses my forehead.

“Ah fuck no. Not now.” His words make me look up at him, but his eyes are across the bar.

A tall blonde woman with green eyes smiles at him, making a beeline towards us. She’s wearing designer everything and is oozing the personality of a model. I know them well from all the fashion shows I’ve been to in support of my sister.

When she stops in front of us, she ignores me and air kisses both of Maddox’s cheeks.

“Maddox, love. How have you been? Well, hello. You must be tonight’s lady. Have you test-driven him? So good for the money. He can go all night. Remember last summer in Aspen? That hot tub?” She finishes her rude ass greeting by sneering down at me like I’m last season’s reject style.

“Really? All night huh? Damn, it was just a few minutes for us.” Maddox’s eyes go wide at my words.

“Excuse me?” He clearly thinks I’m trying to insult him.

I smile sweetly and pat his chest, turning to the woman who’s grinning like she’s won some game. Time to bring this bitch down a notch.

“Maybe you should work on your vaginal wall strength. Kegels babe. You won’t have a man not be able to cum ever again. Oh, look, our table is ready.” I lift the buzzer that is dancing in my palm and lighting up.

I take Maddox’s hand and pull him away from the woman, still standing like I slapped her.

“You are a fucking goddess,” He chuckles as we approach the hostess.

“I know.” We’re finally seated and enjoying our meal when he curses under his breath again.

“I’m so sorry,” his words are the only warning I get when another woman sits on his lap and kisses him.

I drop my fork and cross my arms.

“Natalie, hello.” Maddox gently pushes her off.

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry. Are you working?” She turns to me and smiles.

“What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” She winks at me.

“Well, herpes, children, and regrets tend to cling around after. Just saying.” She gasps as I stare daggers at Maddox.

“Your client is a bitch, Nova.” Nova?

That’s his MC name.

“You’re the bitch Nat. You assumed, since I was an escort, that my fiancee was a client. You were wrong on both counts, and you need to apologize. Now.” She covers her mouth in horror.

“I meant no disrespect! I’m so fucking sorry. Welcome to the family.” Natalie literally runs out of the restaurant with tears in her eyes.

“Is she going to be okay?” I ask Maddox, who is now fuming.

“She’ll be lucky if King doesn’t kick her out of the club. I’m finished. Are you ready?” I nod ‘cause I’ve lost my appetite completely.

“Who is she?” Maddox shakes his head at me as he drops a few hundred dollars on the table and offers me his hand.

“No one of importance, and I don’t want you to think about either of those women again. I’m done with that life, and I wish I could say it won’t happen again. I promise never to hurt you on purpose, but I can’t change my past or control the actions of others. Please say you’ll still marry me?” I stand and fix my dress.

The white, frilly one he picked from the three I brought and give him my hand to take. Whatever happens from here on out, I’ll have him by my side.

“I do.”