Page 70 of Tank’s Weakness

He puts my helmet on, strapping it for me before pulling me in by the helmet and blowing me a kiss through the visor.

“If it gets to be too much, what is our safe word?”

My belly warms as I realize what he is saying. If I say the word, he will get me out of there without question.

“Papaya,” I whisper.

“Yes. Remember that.”

I let him put his coat around me, zipping it up. I’m surprised by how heavy it is.

“Why does it feel heavy?” I ask.

“Plates in case we get in an accident. I drive as safe as I can, but other drivers are a factor I can’t control.”

“I trust you,” I tell him.

He nods, climbing on the bike. I wait for him to turn it on and hold out his hand for me. Then I climb onto the seat behind him.

It feels like my seat. I wasn’t sure the first time he took me on a ride, but the more I’m on the bike, the more I am learning to love it.

Hell, the more I’m with Tank, the more I’m learning to love him.

The worst part is that I don’t even think I care anymore. I’m falling fast, and I don’t plan to stop it.

The ride to the clubhouse isn’t too terribly long, yet I enjoy every minute of the cool evening air. This is one of my favorite times of year. We don’t usually get all four seasons in Pensacola, but in the spring, the heat hasn’t quite set in yet, making it unbearable outside. I love how beautiful it is.

I’m already looking forward to fall, when the leaves change colors. So much has already changed for me this year. I’m changing colors, finding what feels right for me. By the end of the fall, the old me will die away, but in her place will be a new bloom.

I can’t wait to meet her.

When we finally pull up to the clubhouse, all my nerves have faded away. I feel like this is where I belong.

We get off the bike, and I let him take the helmet and jacket from me.

“Remember what I said,” Tank tells me as he threads his fingers through mine.

“If I see anything illegal, no I didn’t. If anyone is having sex or doing sex stuff, I can look, but mind my business. Don’t leave your side unless it’s with Sloane, Jane, or Kelly.”

“That’s it. My brothers know you’re mine, but I’d rather keep you close.”

He pulls my hand up to his mouth to kiss it.

This is what being cherished feels like.

I let that warm feeling settle inside as he opens the door to the clubhouse, letting me enter before him.

I’ll admit, I figured it would be a lot more rowdy from the way he talked. I pictured every movie and TV show about bikers all wrapped up into one. Drugs, alcohol, women with barely there clothes and all that, but this is much more tame.

Several brothers are hanging around drinking. Some are at a pool table. Others at a bar.

Oh, I spoke too soon.

As we walk through the main room and into one in the back, I see the scantily-dressed women. One is giving a lap dance while another is making out with a guy while straddling him.

Tank doesn’t linger, he pulls me into a room with several couches.

I recognize Jagger immediately.