Utah (Knights Corruption MC: Laredo #4)

Chapter 15

15

“Okay, brother. I’ll see you there.”

“Who was that?” Ria asked as soon as I tossed my phone on the bed.

She’d stepped out of the bathroom, a billow of steam swirling behind her. A small white towel was the only thing shielding her nakedness, and I was consumed with past memories of her spread wide on the bed, ready for me to consume. She waved her hand in front of my face to get my attention, shaking her head because she’d caught me staring at her.

“Renner. He called to see if I wanted him to pick me up for Crash’s service today.”

“Oh.” She nibbled on the corner of her bottom lip, looking as if I’d given her the trickiest puzzle to solve.

“What’s wrong?”

I tossed a pain pill into my mouth and swallowed it without water. I’d had one a couple hours ago and wasn’t due for another until later, but my stomach bothered me.

“I thought I was taking you.”

“You’re going to the funeral?”

“Why wouldn’t I? ”

“Because you didn’t know him. I just assumed you’d sit this one out.”

She lightly squeezed my forearm. “He was important to you and to my brother because he was part of your club. I can appreciate the comradery. I’d like to be there for you.”

“Don’t you have an early shift today?” I clasped the buttons on my shirt. “The service is at one.”

“Will is covering for me until four.”

Hearing her coworker’s name instantly irritated me. “I’m sure he was only too happy to do you a favor.” I failed to hold back the contempt in my voice.

“What does that mean?”

“It means he’s gonna want you to repay these favors he keeps doing for you.”

“Again, what does that mean?”

Her hand found a place on her hip, and if I wasn’t so annoyed right now, I could appreciate how sexy she looked, even while she scowled at me.

“He’s gonna try and collect one day.” Her silence prompted me to add, “Sex, Ria. He’s gonna want sex.”

“Stop it. Not every guy is like that. We’re friendly because we work together. He’s nice and has never said or done anything inappropriate.”

“Yet,” I added. “And yes, every guy is the same. You pay us a tiny bit of attention, and we think you want to fuck us.”

“That’s gross.”

“It’s the truth whether you like it or not. We’re not complicated.”

“So, you’re saying you’re easy.” The corners of her lips rose, and the memory of our kiss the other day rushed forward.

“Yup.”

“Pig.”

“I’m okay with that. ”

Her light chuckle eased some of the tension of our conversation.

Focus, man. Today is about Crash. You don’t have the energy to hate her coworker right now. Priorities.

“No tie?” Ria looked me up and down, pursing her lips.

“I’m not a tie kind of guy.”

I’d chosen a long-sleeved button-down under my cut, rolling the cuffs to my elbows because it was warm outside. I wanted to dress up a bit. Crash deserved a little out of the norm from me.

“Do you need help putting on your boots?”

I shoved aside the image of her on her knees. I didn’t have time right now to fantasize about all the things I wanted to do to her.

“Are you gonna get dressed first? Aren’t you worried about losing your towel?”

“Not unless you yank on it. But just in case….” She gave me her back, opened her towel, and readjusted the material before turning around to face me again. “All secure. Now, do you need help with your boots or not?”

I wanted to say no, but I could use her assistance. There would be less bending and pressure on my stomach if I let her help me.

“I do.”

I stared at the top of her blonde head when she kneeled to help me slip on my boots. After she tied the laces, she moved to stand but stopped, grunting in the process.

“Damn,” she said, expelling a breath.

“Are you okay?” She didn’t respond, and I became worried. “Is it the baby?” Ria shook her head. Then it dawned on me. “Nausea?”

She threw her thumb in the air while continuing to breathe through her mouth. I hated feeling helpless. Here she was, growing a human inside her, and the little thing was wreaking havoc. Was this a precursor for what was to come once he or she was born?

I spotted the peppermints on the bedside table and placed one between her lips. Her thanks came out on a mumble as I reached for her hand to help her to her feet. Several moments later, she finally looked at me, her half-smile filled with a blend of tiredness and worry.

“You really don’t have to go. Why don’t you stay home and rest until you have to go to work?” I hated the mention of her job, but my concern for her well-being trumped any jealousy I had.

“I’ll be okay.” She snagged the tin of mints and tossed them into her purse. “How long do we have before we gotta leave?” she asked as she walked toward her closet.

“Half hour.”

The one thing I loved about Ria was that she wasn’t the type of woman who took forever to get ready. She didn’t fuss over every tiny detail of her outfit or her hair, yet she always looked phenomenal.

“Plenty of time.”

“I’ll wait for you in the living room.”

The clank of the metal hangers sliding across the steel bar as she searched for an outfit echoed in the small space as I left and closed the door behind me.

Twenty-five minutes later, Ria waltzed into the living room wearing a sleeveless black dress that was tied at her waist. Her black heels added at least two inches to her height. She styled her hair straight, tucking it behind her ears. She looked gorgeous. Elegant.

I realized we were going to a fellow brother’s funeral, but all I could think about at that moment was what I needed to do to get this woman to agree to be mine in every sense of the word.