Hammer (Heartlands Motorcycle Club #9) - Dani Wyatt Page 0,22
you smiling,” Uncle Terry says, and Emily laughs.
“And daydreaming about that hunk of burning love boyfriend of yours.” She grins, but it’s not at my expense, or Rob’s, not really.
Boyfriend.
That word still feels strange at the moment. I’m not entirely sure I like it. My life was all planned out until a week ago. I knew where I was going, I knew what I was doing. I had things in hand and I had the drive to make those things happen. Now?
I let out a sigh, imagining the possibilities. Maybe he’ll get bored of me? My heart almost breaks even at the thought. So maybe I’ll stay here with him? And miss out on the things I wanted to do with my life.
“When’s he supposed to be here?” Emily asks, heading for the coffee machine. “Time for a cup?”
I shake my head. “Hammer will be here any moment.” I look at the clock. It’s around two o’clock but the party starts early.
“And it’s some sort of biker party?”
Uncle Terry frowns. “I’ve heard stories about those things.”
I wave him off. “Hammer will take care of me. I’ll be fine.”
“Hmmm. You know when he came in here he told me his name was Hammerstein?”
I laugh at that, even though he’s already told me the story. “Just a joke, Terry.”
“Yes, but what is his real name?”
Just at that moment, Rob comes through the door at the front of the office, and my hand is already reaching for my bag. “I’ll see you both tomorrow.”
They laugh as I head out of the door, and I know what they’re thinking: like a lovesick teenager. I wish they were wrong.
I feel like the odd man out,” I whisper to Rob as we go in through the doors of the club. He took me home to change before we came here, and of course I put on what I thought I should wear to a party. Jeans, a sort of lacey sleeveless shirt, black high heels, a gold bracelet my mom gave me when I graduated law school, makeup—not too much, just enough to look my best—a little black jacket thought made me look at least a little tough.
Well, at least the high heels don’t stand out, although boots would have been more appropriate.
“You look beautiful,” he says, leaning in to give me a peck on the cheek, and I can’t help the smile that spreads over my face. He can be so sweet. So unlike what most would expect.
“I don’t know. I think I’m the only one not in leather.”
“Don’t worry about it, you look beautiful. And I have a surprise for you later.” He winks and I feel a flutter down in my stomach that crashes in a wave between my legs.
The things he does to me are crazy, and it makes me think again about where this is going. Hammer hasn’t given up many details about his past, but there have been hints. I know what the biker lifestyle is like, and besides the many women I’d have expected—which he’s assured me isn’t the case—there’s also the criminal aspect. I don’t know if the Heartlands MC is a criminal gang, but that doesn’t mean it won’t come back to bite me later on.
“Hey! You must be Robin!” A pretty girl with chocolate brown hair and eyes rushes up to me. “I’m Meadow, Chain’s old lady.” She frowns. “Ugh, I hate that word. I’m not old.”
I can’t help laughing at that. “I always wondered about the way that phrase works.”
“I know, right?” She laughs. “Come over and meet everyone. I’m sure Hammer can be without you for a minute or two.”
I follow her to the table, where there are several faces I don’t recognize and one I do. Chain’s mom is kind of the den mother around here, and though she seems lovely, I give her a nod of respect. I don’t think I’d want to cross her.
After I’ve been introduced, the evening seems to just fly by and I almost forget that I’m the outsider here. Despite appearances, this seems to be a friendly, tight-knit group, and it seems like they’re almost ready to accept me as one of them. Do I want that? I’m not sure at this point, but I’ll take friendliness over hostility any day of the week.
The party isn’t exactly sedate, but it’s not as rowdy as you might expect of a biker gang.
Sure, the guys get a little drunk. Some of the girls end up dancing on the bar.