don’t know how it all happened so fast, but, Harper, I’m so happy. I thought he was going to be too rough for me, or his lifestyle would be like the guys my mom goes out with. But he’s not like that at all.” She saw Justin staring at her with that look in his eyes that turned her insides to mush. “He’s pretty wonderful, and I’m kind of bummed that I wasted all that time trying to fight my feelings for him when we could have been together all along.”
“I’m so happy for you,” Harper said as Justin headed their way. “Things happen for a reason. Maybe you guys needed that time to be sure you were right for each other. Remember, there was a whole year between when I first met Gavin and when I saw him again. And look at us.”
Justin reached for Chloe’s hand and said, “You girls look like trouble waiting to happen.”
“We’re the best kind of trouble,” Harper said. “You left my hubby alone with records? We’ll be in this store forever. I swear he loves shopping even more than I do.”
“We’re not in a rush.” Justin pulled Chloe closer and said, “They have a display by the register of those decorations you put in your albums—stickers, charms, that kind of thing. Want to check them out?”
There was no hiding her joy over his thinking of her scrapbooking.
“Oh boy, Justin. You are a goner, aren’t you?” As Harper walked away, she looked over her shoulder and mouthed, He’s so cute!
Forty minutes later, after buying charms and stickers and checking out a few more shops, they stowed their purchases on Justin’s bike and made their way down the pier to the Taproom. It was a balmy afternoon, but the breeze coming off the water kept them cool. Justin’s cousins and brothers were sitting at tables with a bunch of other guys wearing leather vests with Dark Knights’ patches. Chloe had never seen so many bikers in one place. There were other people there, too, couples and families seated around their own tables. A young, lanky guy with pitch-black hair was playing guitar and eyeing Chloe as she followed Justin toward a table where Baz and Tank were sitting with a few men she didn’t recognize.
Suddenly Justin stopped walking and put a hand on Chloe’s back, setting a dark stare on the guitar player as he said, “Brandon, get your eyes off my woman.”
Brandon stopped strumming and a devious grin lit up his face. “Dude, I don’t want to cause any trouble. You know I’ll gladly do both of you.” He waggled his brows and grabbed his crotch.
A rumble of chuckles rose around them.
“Keep yourself in check, Owens,” Justin warned. He moved behind Chloe, keeping a hand on her as they made their way toward his cousins.
As Harper and Gavin sat down at the table with Tank and Baz, Chloe pulled Justin aside. She poked him in the chest, speaking in a hushed voice. “You do not need to mark your territory on my behalf.”
“I didn’t like my buddy Brandon checking you out.”
“Well, get over it,” she snapped. “That was embarrassing. Open your eyes, Justin. Practically every woman we’ve seen today has checked you out, and you didn’t see me getting green with jealousy.”
Justin put his arms around her and said playfully, “I don’t mind if you get jealous, baby. I want you to claim me.”
How could a man be so cute and so irritating at the same time? “I don’t need to prove my feelings through being a jerk to other women. You know how I feel about you—”
“How do you feel about me?” he asked with a knowing smile.
That lopsided grin did her in every time. “I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t crazy about you.”
“Damn, babe, I love hearing that.”
He pulled her closer, the emotions in his eyes softening her resolve.
“I’m crazy about you, Justin. How can I not be? You’re charming and funny, and you know you’re hot. But more importantly, it wouldn’t matter how many women checked you out or how beautiful they were, because I know that I’m the one you want. Can’t you give me the same respect?”
His expression turned serious. “It is respectful to keep guys from ogling you.”
“No, it’s kind of cavemanish. We’re a couple, which means we’re a team on all fronts. I’m proud of being a strong woman who can take care of myself, and that’s not going to change. Can’t you meet me halfway