Lily looked away from him, turning to look out the window. She had jumped into the backseat with her sister when Beth had angrily climbed back there, but she had been the only one to agree when Cash had asked them to go.
It had surprised Shade, but when he had asked her why she had avoided the question, leaving the room. She was doing a lot of that lately. Shade’s lips tightened. Lily still remained an enigma to him in some ways.
Shade parked the truck beside the motorcycles, jumping out to help Lily before she could open her door. She hesitated before placing her hands on his shoulders as he lifted her down to the ground. Shade closed the truck door and was about to move away when he looked down to see tears in her anxious eyes.
“I’m sorry I’ve been such a brat.”
Shade motioned for Razer and Beth to go on without them as he pressed Lily back against the side of the truck. His hand cupped her check, rubbing his thumb against the soft flesh.
“Angel, I love you.”
“I love you, too. I just want to make you as happy as I am. Instead, I created a rift between us.”
“No, there isn’t. I’m not going to let anything come between us. I understand it’s your first relationship, Lily. I rushed you into marriage then into having my child.”
“Shade, you didn’t rush me—”
“I could have waited until you had dated a few more men, lived a little more on your own, but I didn’t. I couldn’t watch you dealing with your past anymore. Truthfully, it wouldn’t have made a difference, anyway. I couldn’t live without you in my life anymore, and I wouldn’t have been able to watch you become involved with another man when I knew I was the one for you.”
Lily gave a low laugh. “You’re very confident of yourself.”
Shade shook his head. “I’ve never been overly confident of you, Lily.” Shade let her see his vulnerability for a brief second before closing down again and stepping back to hold out his hand.
“You ready to welcome Rachel into the club?”
“Let’s do this.” Lily grinned, taking his hand.
They walked to the group sitting near the lake where the men had laid down blankets. Shade was holding onto Lily as she sat down on one when they heard the approach of a motorcycle.
Cash pulled in and parked with Rachel on the back of his bike. They got off, immediately coming toward where they were sitting. As they neared, Shade could see Rachel was nervous being there with so many of The Last Riders.
“Hi, Rachel.” Lily’s soft voice had Rachel’s tense expression relaxing as she saw Lily sitting next to him. Then her eyes traveled to Beth who was sitting on the other side of her, next to Razer.
“Hi.” Rachel walked closer to the blanket they were sitting on.
Lily scooted closer to him, giving Rachel enough room to sit down next to her. Beth then edged closer to Razer on the opposite side, giving enough room for Cash to sit down next to Rachel.
“It’s beautiful out here at night, isn’t it?” Lily smiled, handing her a soda out of the cooler. “Rider came out earlier to set out the torches.”#p#分页标题#e#
“It’s nice here. Holly and I bring Logan.” Rachel looked at Beth cuddled up into her husband’s side. Razer and Beth must have had their own talk because Beth no longer was acting angry with Razer.
“Who’s keeping the babies for you?” Rachel asked Beth.
“Evie and King. I think she would actually keep them if we let her,” Beth said wryly.
Winter came out of the water with Viper’s arm wrapped around her waist. Winter sank down on the blanket across from Rachel while Viper reached into the cooler, pulling out two beers and giving one to his wife.
“I’m surprised you’re out on a school night, Winter,” Rachel teased.
“I usually don’t. I hate being tired first thing in the morning, but we all punish ourselves sometimes for a good cause.” Winter threw Viper a sidelong glance which he ignored, lifting the beer to his lips.
A sudden squeal filled the night air as Rider threw Bliss into the water, going in after her and pulling her into a passionate kiss, gradually edging her over to the darker side of the water. As Rachel lowered her gaze, embarrassed, Razer cut into the sudden silence.
“Let’s go for a swim,” he said, helping Beth to her feet.
All the couples stood except Lily, Shade, Viper, Winter, Rachel, and Cash. The air rang out with splashing and laughter.
“I’ll open the store tomorrow. I need to organize a few things for Willa,” Lily said. “Lewis’s younger children need a few things, and I thought I would make a couple of bags for them and deliver them when you come in.”