“Ready?” she asked. “If you need to stay, I can go back by myself.”
“I’m finished,” Shade replied, going to the door, turning off the lights on the way.
They walked back to the house, and instead of going through the kitchen, he led her through the door, which led directly downstairs.
Lily went to Shade’s room, getting a fresh pair of flannel pajamas before she went into the bathroom to get changed. She was tired. Tonight she wanted to sleep in the bed, yet she knew she was incapable of climbing into the bed with Shade.
Lily opened the door to see Shade was taking off his shoes. He had already removed his t-shirt and his jeans were unsnapped.
He got up from the side of the bed and then went inside the bathroom, closing the door.
Lily stood in the middle of the floor for several seconds. She couldn’t do it, going instead for the corner.
When Shade came out of the bathroom, she thought she saw a flash of disappointment before his face became impassive. He got into the bed, turning out the lamp.
Lily stood there several moments before she sat down on the floor. Her mind was thinking she was already stiff from working out and sleeping on the floor was going to hurt her even more. She had to find another place to stay.
As she sat there thinking, several things occurred to her. She had walked across the floor barefoot, and while the carpeting was thick throughout, where she was sitting was extremely padded. She put her hand down and noticed it was thicker. There was extra padding underneath the carpet where she was sitting. The room itself was very warm, which she liked; she wasn’t cold and didn’t need a blanket to keep warm.
She was staring at him sleeping on the bed when it dawned on her that she could see him clearly. Her head then turned in the direction of the bathroom. He had left the door open and the light on.
Chapter 16
Lily filled the last order of the day, aware of Georgia’s eyes on her. Lily wanted to turn around and stick her tongue out at her. Feeling childish, she packed the items back to the table and began sorting them.
Jewell was on her way out, finished with her last box, when she stopped by Lily’s table. “That woman is Jonesing for you.”
“She doesn’t like me,” Lily agreed.
“No shit,” Jewell mocked, throwing a glare at Georgia.
Lily almost laughed but didn’t think it would help the situation, and it would increase Georgia’s hostility toward her.
“I must rub her the wrong way. I don’t think I’ve done anything to make her dislike me.”
“I’ll tell you why she doesn’t like you in one word. Jealousy.”
“Georgia is not jealous of me,” Lily said wryly.
“Oh, yes she is. She’s hung up on Shade. She made friends with me just to get closer to him.” Jewell shrugged. “I’m a sucker for a pretty face and a rocking body.”
Lily studied the sultry body that always had one of The Last Riders close.
“I assumed—I mean… never mind,” Lily trailed off, embarrassed.
“That I’m into dudes? I’m into anyone who makes me feel good,” Jewell replied, not in the least bit embarrassed. “I like sex. I really like sex.”
Lily couldn’t help but like the woman who had showed her where everything was when she had first started working at the factory.
“I keep hoping she’ll ease up,” Lily admitted.
“Georgia isn’t going to take a personality pill one day and become a nice person. You have to stand your ground. She can’t fire you, so tell her to fuck off.”
“I can’t be disrespectful. She’s everyone’s supervisor.”
“She’s a worker. Whichever of the club’s members is over the factory is the boss. That’s what counts. You have to learn to take up for yourself, Lily. That’s why none of us has said anything to her. This is your first real job, and everyone wants you to learn to handle this situation without one of us stepping in and fixing it for you. You have to stop being such a sweet person all the time. A little bit of being a bitch wouldn’t hurt.” Jewell advised.
Lily had mixed emotions. She understood what Jewell was saying. She was trying to tell her to stop being a wimp. She didn’t want to get in Georgia’s face, though. She always avoided confrontations. She hated confrontations.
She didn’t like that part of herself. She had to get past that fear or she was never going to stop the panic attacks that had plagued her throughout her life.
“I’ll try.”
“Cool. If you need any help, let me know. I always enjoy a good fight.”
“All right,” Lily said, getting back to work.
“Finished?” Raci asked Jewell.
“Almost. I just need to give this paperwork to Shade.” Jewell left, taking the paperwork to Shade’s office, leaving the door open.