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“Gray! You are acting like an idiot. Stone’s father owns the club. He might go there every night now that he’s back. I thought he was your friend.”
Gray’s shoulders droop as he exhales heavily. “You’re right, I’m sorry. Stone’s my friend too. I just don’t want him getting the wrong idea about you, that’s all.”
I soften my voice and step closer, resting my hands on his chest. “Stone’s not hitting on me, babe, I swear. He’s just being a friend, same as always. Don’t you trust me?”
“Of course, I trust you, Ivy.” Gray sighs heavily, scrubbing a hand down his face. “I do, it’s just... you two were always so damn tight back in the day. I don’t want him waltzing back in here thinking he can steal you away.”
I smirk. “Aha, so you admit you’re totally jealous.” I let my lips graze along his jawline. “Stone’s my oldest friend, sure. But you, Gray? You’re my man. Those are two very different things.”
He wraps me up in his heavily muscled arms. “I know, I know. I just don’t ever wanna risk losing you, babe.”
I smile as he finds that sensitive spot behind my ear, kissing and nibbling until I shiver. “Then don’t act like some crazy jealous fool, and you won’t. Stone being back around changes nothing for us, okay? What, were you hoping he’d just stay away forever?”
Gray’s deep voice is a low rumble in my ear now. “‘Course not, babe. I’m just lookin’ out for what’s mine, you know?”
I’m not fully buying that, but I’m too wiped to push it any more tonight. “All right then, we’re good.” I slip out of his strong embrace and start peeling off my clothes. “I’m hittin’ the shower. Be back in a few.”
“I’ll be right here waiting,” he replies in that signature smoky tone of his that says his mind’s already shifted to other things.
The shower is so hot the bathroom steams instantly, and I step under the spray with a satisfying moan. But I can’t even enjoy the hot shower because I can’t stop thinking about Gray’s words. He’s jealous of Stone because of our friendship.
At least the friendship we used to have.
Which is fair because now I realize that’s what’s been missing in my relationship with Gray. We have fun together, the sex is outta this world, and he always makes me feel beautiful. Even those times of every fucking month when I’m bloated, fat, and bitchy.
He’s everything a good boyfriend is supposed to be. But if I honestly look at our relationship, we’re friends all right, but not the way Stone and I were.
Remember Stone left for five goddamn years, and he never called you, not once.
That rational bitch in my head makes an appearance, and I know she’s right because, after that night in the Hornet’s Nest parking lot, she’s never steered me wrong. Stone and I are friends, but maybe I’m viewing our friendship with rose-colored glasses. I know I’m not, but it’s something to consider.
I step from the shower and dry my hair and my body before heading back to my bedroom. Gray wears nothing but deep green boxers that show off his chest and abs.
“Hey,” he says in his smokey voice.
My gaze slides over his naked torso and my body responds. Immediately. “Hey,” I say back.
I close the distance between us and wrap my arms around him, pressing the side of my face to his hard chest and inhaling his scent. “I’m glad you’re here, Gray. Don’t be jealous.”
“Okay, Ivy. I won’t.” He hugs me tighter, and I hug him back even tighter, willing everything in the universe to stay exactly as it is in this moment.
Don’t change.
Don’t complicate my life.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Stone
Wandering around the ranch, getting a feel for the place again. It’s crazy how it all comes rushing back. I spent my whole damn childhood chasing after bikers and ranch hands, soaking up everything there was to know about Hardtail.
Before I realized Dad was the Prez of an MC, I just thought he was the coolest fucking rancher around, and I wanted to be just like him. Look at me now.
I notice some of the buildings got a new paint job, and the fence between the cows and bison looks pretty fresh. The scream of the buzz saw in the equipment barn catches my attention, and I head over to see what’s up.
I step in to check out the new gear mixed in with all the ancient crap Dad won’t let go of and find Gray, the one person I was hoping to see. “Hey, Gray.”
He looks up and assesses me before he’s head down again and snorts out a quiet, “Stone.”
