Free Between Embers (Lost Kings MC #5.5): A Companion to White Heat: Three Short Stories by Autumn Jones Lake Page B

got a lot of pretty girls here. Sure you want me to stick around?”
    He pulls back, and I want shove the words back into my mouth. I’m never so insecure around a guy. Tonight I’m rattled, for lots of reasons.
    “Yeah, Lilly. I want you to stick around,” he says so seriously, my heart thumps.
    “Are you drunk?” I ask.
    “Not at all,” he answers in a tone of voice that’s almost grave.
    I don’t need a whole lot of convincing. Although staying at the clubhouse reminds me an awful lot of sleeping at a frat house, I’m not sure where else we’d go at this hour.
    “Heading out?” the big scary blond one asks with a smirk. Z punches him in the arm and he barely reacts, except to laugh.
    “Do you need me?” Z asks, dropping the attitude.
    “Nah, we’re good. I’m going to head back in a few minutes myself.”
    The glow from the wedding site only carries so far, but Z seems very sure of where he’s going. He does take my hand, though. “Sorry, all the UTVs are being used, or I would drive us back.”
    “It’s fine. It’s pretty at night.” It is too. Except for the party going on behind us, it’s peaceful…tranquil up here. I can see why Z likes it so much.
    A couple of guys are in the yard in front of the clubhouse. Z doesn’t stop to talk to any of them.
    “In a hurry?” I tease.
    “Yeah. Don’t want you to change your mind.”
    “Hey.” I stop and yank on his hand until he looks at me. “I’m not leaving.”
    He flashes a quick smile, dimples and all, then leans in until we’re so close, I can taste the sweet mint on his breath.
    “You want me, pretty girl?”
    I lose myself in his clear blue eyes. Endless midnight blue like a cold winter night sky. “I always want you.”
    He closes the distance and our lips meet. Slow at first. For a rough guy, Z can be awfully gentle when he wants to be. Then his fingers grip my ass, pulling me closer. My mouth opens and he slides his tongue inside, stroking softly.
    Someone whistles at us, and he pulls away. I duck my head, not sure why I’m embarrassed. Z doesn’t bother answering the catcall. Instead, he leads me into the clubhouse. Except for two guys and a girl in the living room, the downstairs is deserted.
    “Give me a second?” Z asks.
    I nod, and he pulls me over to the couch. “Hey, Willow.” He nods at the girl, and she smiles back.
    Jealousy sinks its dirty claws into my skin. Who is she? How do they know each other? Maybe Z senses the change in me. He squeezes my hand and pulls me closer. “Lilly, this is Willow. She tends bar for us down at Crystal Ball. Willow, this is my girl, Lilly.” He doesn’t look at me or stumble over the words my girl .
    I don’t know how I feel about that. I’m a grown-ass woman. I should be insulted. But I kind of like Z introducing me as his girl.
    Willow nods and gives me a warm smile while Z continues introducing me to his brothers, Sparky and Stash.
    “Interesting road names, guys.”
    Sparky grins but doesn’t offer a story behind his name.
    Niceties over with, Z gets down to business. “Stump’s gonna stop by later for—”
    Sparky cuts him off with a serene smile and quick, “Got it.”
    Z nods and takes me upstairs.
    Briefly, I wonder which one of the scary guys at the wedding was named Stump and what he’s stopping by for.
    “You need me to watch the dogs, brother?” Sparky asks with a quick glance at me.
    Z grins. “Yeah. You mind?”
    “Nope.”
    Sparky follows us upstairs and when Z opens his door, two pups wriggle out, dancing and pawing at Z’s legs.
    “Down,” he orders them.
    “Oh my God, they’re so sweet,” I squeal like a little girl. Squatting down, I take a few minutes to pet them. “Hope mentioned the dogs. I didn’t realize they were yours.” I tilt my head so I can see Z’s face.
    He shrugs. “They’re the club’s dogs, but I’m training them.”
    Sparky lets a short sharp whistle loose and the pups snap to attention.
    “Looks like they answer to him