Malicious: A Nomad Biker Novel (Raiders of Valhalla MC Book 1), Elizabeth Knox [best book series to read TXT] 📗

“Charm, I wouldn’t have asked something like that if I were sleeping in Amanda’s bed,” I say soothingly.

“What do you mean?” she asks, brows furrowing.

“I mean, the boys and I put Amanda’s furniture into storage for when Astrid gets older and can use it. I packed up her clothes and shit to donate, keeping the stuff I knew the kids would want when they were ready,” I state and give her a grin. “I repainted her room, getting rid of the flowery bullshit, and bought and new bedset for me.”

“Oh,” she whispers, drawing it out, her eyes softening. “That was sweet of you to put the furniture in storage for Astrid when she gets older.”

“Yeah?” I grin.

“Yes, but I’m still not staying over there. I mean, what if she or one of the boys were to come in your room and see me there. They’d freak. I know they love me but I’m not their mom,” she whispers, pain filling her tone.

“Know that, baby, but they also know me and they knew their mom. We never had a normal relationship. Guess you can say she was my best friend and I loved her as just that. It hurts she’s gone. I’m gonna miss her, so are our kids but she tried more than once to get me to meet you. If her last wish is to see you and me together, then I’m honoring it,” I declare, realizing exactly what I’m saying and meaning every word of it. For once, my heart, soul, and mind are all in agreement on this.

“Okay, I get that, but I don’t want to go rushing into anything,” she says, closing her eyes.

“Get that too, Charm, so we’ll get to know each other better. And we’ll get to know each other in many ways,” I state, squeezing her hips causing her to giggle.

I pull her down to me and recapture her mouth with mine. I’d never been one for kissing much but I gotta say having her lips against my own is fan-fuckin-tastic. Breaking our kiss before it can go further, I roll us until she’s once again on her back and I reluctantly pull out of her. “I better get over there so you can get some rest, but I want you at the kitchen table bright and early for breakfast. God knows you saved me from having to fuck up some Pippy Longstockings braids for Astrid.”

“I’ll be there,” she says with a bright smile forming on her beautiful face. I’m sure she remembers this morning when she’d come into the house to find Astrid demanding I put her hair in those braids.

“Good and heads up, I’m telling the kids about the two of us,” I announce and hold my hand up to stop her from interrupting as I continue to explain to her. “Not keeping it a secret. You and me, we’re happening and they’re not stupid. They’d figure it out without being told, so it’s best they know up front.”

Charm seems to contemplate my words for a moment while I pull on my shorts. “I . . . I want to argue with you but I think it’s pointless. Just . . . please don’t do the whole PDA thing in front of them. They just lost their mom and she was my friend. I won’t disrespect her like that.”

“I’ll give you that, baby, but there’ll be a time where I do kiss the hell out of you. Now get some rest, I’ll see you in the morning,” I mutter and kneel on the couch to give her another kiss before heading for the door. “I’ll lock the door on my way out.”

“Thank you, Soren.” She yawns sleepily, calling me by my name. I don’t bother correcting her because I like the sound of my name coming from her lips. Next time I’m inside her, I’ll have to have her scream that rather than my road name.

“You’re welcome, Charm.” Walking out of her living room, I head to the kitchen, open the back door, and step through it, making sure to lock it on the way out.

Slowly, I make my way to my house with a smile in place. I tilt my head to the sky and look up at the clear darkness to see the stars bright. A shooting star goes by and I remember something Amanda would always do when she saw one. Closing my eyes, I make a wish upon the star.

Working my way across the yard, I quietly head into the house, seeing my brothers already passed out in the living room. Shaking my head, I go to my room wishing Charm had come over with me.

That’s okay cause come tomorrow, I’ll be sure to have her here. It might be new between us but I’ve never been one for wanting to do the whole slow thing. In my opinion, waiting until tomorrow is taking things slow.

I’ve always lived a fast paced life and always will.

Chapter Seventeen

Charm

I wake to the sound of a fist banging against my front door. Tying my purple satin robe around myself, I rush downstairs. Goodness, who could it be? I worked late at the spa last night after one of my clients had a really rough day. I don’t normally work so late, but it was an emergency appointment so I made sure I was there for her. My clients trust me with so much, so I do my best to ensure I’m available for them, whatever they need, whenever they need it.

Unlocking the deadbolt, I open the door and see my mother. “Mom, what the heck? Are you alright?”

“I need money, and I need it now.” She cuts straight to the point and I’m stuck blinking at her like she’s lost her mind. For a second I think she’s fucking around, but I quickly realize she isn’t.

“Mom, what’s going on?” I’m not giving her money unless she answers me. I don’t