“I was afraid you wouldn’t listen to reason. I’m sure Beth will be relieved, too. She doesn’t want you unhappy, but she wants you safe,” Viper told her.
“I know.” Lily didn’t know what else to do or say. She really didn’t want to stay here. They were obviously used to living a lifestyle that she didn’t fit into; however, it was the only option she had available right then.
Viper took another drink of his beer and someone turned the music up louder. Winter and Evie started talking about Mrs. Langley while Lily half-listened as her eyes wandered the room, which had several sitting areas. The members had spread out throughout the large room.
Her gaze caught on Bliss sitting with Cash. She had leaned forward and her top had fallen open at her breasts. Cash’s hands had come out, tracing the outline of a tattoo that Lily couldn’t see.
She hastily turned her gaze away, joining into the conversation with Evie and Winter. She felt Shade get up then return. He handed her a bottled water while she saw he had a beer in his hand.
Lily ran her hand nervously through her hair. She desperately wanted to snap her rubber band, yet she didn’t want him asking why in front of the others.
She noticed then Cash and Bliss walking up the steps to the upper floor.
Winter leaned sideways, breaking off her conversation with Evie. “The members will watch how they behave around you for a while, but eventually you’ll walk into an embarrassing situation. Just do what I do: leave the room.” Winter’s face was blood red as she talked, letting Lily know she was as uncomfortable as Lily was discussing the topic.
“At least she did the first few times,” Viper corrected her, cutting into the conversation.
Winter threw Viper a dirty look.
“Bring it on, pretty girl,” Viper warned.
Winter’s face went an even darker shade of red.
Evie got up. “Anyone want another beer?”
“I’ll take one,” Viper spoke up.
Lily started fiddling with the rubber band around her wrist.
“Sorry, Lily. The men might refrain from acting inappropriate around you, but there’s no way to keep them from their alcohol.” Winter said.
Lily couldn’t help it; she burst out laughing. “I guess beer outranks sex.”
They laughed in return and Lily began to get as comfortable as she could, which wasn’t much, but it was a start. When none of the men drank excessively or acted out of control, Lily had the feeling they were trying to accumulate her slowly. She didn’t know whether to be charmed or angry at their behavior.
Evie sank back down in her chair, taking a long swallow of her own beer.
“Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.” Lily’s face went pale at Evie’s suggestion of her taking a drink. “I was only joking,” Evie said in apology.
Shade’s hand went to her face. “Stop it, Lily. No one expects you to drink. Okay? Evie was only joking like she would with anyone else.”
Lily nodded her head. Would she never be able to act normal? Lily didn’t feel like she fit in anywhere.
“I think living here for a while might be good for me.” Lily always tried to look on the bright side of things. “I need to get used to being around different people. This will make me quit being sensitive about people drinking around me. I wonder if cowboys drink a lot.” Lily looked at Evie this time, being the one to make a joke.
“Like a fish,” she answered.
Chapter 15
Lily stifled her yawn as she looked at her cards. She and Shade had been playing several games of poker with Winter and Viper.
“It’s time for bed if you’re going to start back at the factory tomorrow,” Shade told Lily when Winter reached forward to claim her winnings, which were mainly IOUs for punishments. Lily had been told they usually played for money, but Winter preferred to play for punishments; that way, when she got in trouble and had to pull a punishment, she would cash in one of her IOUs.
“I haven’t had to do a punishment in six months,” she bragged.
Viper ruffled his wife’s hair. “Unless it was the ones you wanted.”
Winter slapped his hands away. Lily got to her feet, smiling down at the couple. “I’ll probably have to find another way to pay you back for my IOUs. I probably won’t be around long enough to pay all those back.”
Winter looked doubtfully up at Lily, but replied, “I’m sure we’ll work out an arrangement.”
“Goodnight,” Lily said, following Shade to the door that went downstairs. They went down the steps, Lily feeling terrible about taking Shade’s room from him for the next several days.
She went into his room, going to get her pajamas, which were sitting on the chair.
She stiffened when the bedroom door closed and Shade went to one side of the bed, pulling off his t-shirt as he went.
“What are you doing?” Lily asked, shocked.
“Going to bed.”
“Oh, where am I sleeping?”
“In the bed next to me.”
“No, I’m not.” Lily shook her head.
“Yes, you are.”
“No, Shade, I’m not.”
“I don’t sleep on couches.”