Baylee was the one who answered.
“The Club has different ‘chapters,’” she said, forming her fingers into air quotes. “They’re all members of the same club, the Dixie Wardens, just based in different states. All the chapters have the same name, though. They all come around once or twice a year for the big parties. This year it’s our turn to host, too. Last year, it was the Alabama chapter’s turn, so we all went down there for a week.”
I nodded in understanding. “That’s cool. Kinda like one big extended family.”
They all nodded their heads in agreement. “Yeah, those parties get pretty wild just because of the sheer number of people here.”
“That,” Viddy said, “And the fact that they don’t have the same limits that our guys do. Our chapter is made up of men who are all public servants of some kind, which means they don’t generally do anything obviously illegal, unless things get really out of hand and it’s unavoidable. Most of the time, though, Silas is pretty good at keeping all our boys under control.”
My brows rose. “Silas doesn’t ever get out of control.”
Every single one of them laughed.
“I don’t think any of us has ever seen him have more than two beers at most. He doesn’t yell. Curse. Fight. Posture. He’s an all-around good man who just wants his club to have fun, while keeping their shit together as they do it,” Baylee admitted. “And he’s so set in his ways. I’ve never once seen him in anything but jeans, a t-shirt, boots and his cut. When there’s a pool party at one of our houses, he’s always there, wearing the same thing. Sometimes I wonder if he even sleeps in those clothes.”
It was my turn to laugh.
I’d seen the man naked.
And I knew he wore jeans only when he was at home relaxing.
Although I did notice when people came over, he always slipped on his boots and a t-shirt.
I’d never seen him drunk, but I’d seen him close.
And he laughed all the time with me.
Was it me who did that for him?
Because, if so, I kind of liked that. I liked the thought that I did the same for him as he did for me.
I was one very happy woman, and I wanted him to be happy, too.
“So he’s not so uptight around you?” Viddy asked hopefully before bringing her margarita up to her lips.
I nodded. “No. Actually he’s pretty laid back.”
“Glad to hear you think so, darlin’,” Silas’ voice said with amusement from behind me.
I turned my head upside down so I could look at him standing over the back of my chair.
He had both of his strong hands resting on either side of my shoulders, and he was looking down at me with a smile on his face.
“I was only telling the truth,” I informed him.
He winked and leaned down until his mouth touched my own.
“The boys want to go for a ride. You up for it?” He asked.
“That’s not fair!” Rue yelled. “I can’t ride!”
It was then she stood up and gestured to her belly, and I was surprised to see she’d been hiding a pretty sizable baby bump underneath the table.
I would’ve never even realized it had she not stood up.
“Cleo went to get the truck,” he answered her. “Apparently you’re going to the doctor early tomorrow anyway. And he said he had to be at work at five in the morning.”
Rue pursed her lips. “He’s such a liar. He just wants to get me home. Do you realize how hard it was to get him to let me come out here?” She grumbled, annoyance clear in her voice.
I snorted and stood. “I’m just going to use the bathroom,” I whispered to him. “And then, yes,” I said, pressing my lips against his, “I’d love to go for a ride with you.”
He caught the back of my head and forced my mouth down on his once more. “Good.”
***
I closed my eyes and let my mind wander.
My face was pressed against the leather of Silas’ cut.
My hands were gently tracing the waistband of his jeans where it met the skin of his taught belly.
My inner thighs and crotch were pressed snugly to his backside.
The rumble of the engine was soothing, even though it was loud.
My ears had gotten used to the sound of the bike, it’s growling repetition lulling me into a peaceful and happy place.
Silas leaned into a bend in the road, and my body leaned with his. I was amazed at how close to the road we tilted on the bike as he maneuvered us through the turn.
Silas handled his machine expertly.
It was powerful and beautiful all at the same time.
I loved the way the tension seemed to leach out of him the longer we were on the bike.
The more we rode, the more relaxed I became because he became more relaxed.
His friends rode around us, one on each side, two in front and two in back.
The women were much the same as I was, although they were probably more used to the way their ass went to sleep after a while than I was.
In fact, I was so relaxed as we drove down yet another back road that I almost missed it.