Rock Me Deeper (Licks of Leather #5) - Jenna Jacob Page 0,57

share, too.”

My heart swelled. I’d barely met these people, yet they accepted me without question and were bending over backward to help. Sofia didn’t seem bothered by the fact that I was only a temporary family member. Of course, she didn’t know Syd and I could never stay together. None of them did. They didn’t know if we were sceen together outside the safety of the lodge, their entire worlds could be changed forever. I doubt they’d be as willing to welcome me into their fold if they did.

I feel like a big, fat fraud.

“I should be fine until I can get a few things ordered.”

“A few things?” Sofia scoffed. “Honey, when Syd hands you his credit card you better buy more than a few things, or he’ll order them for you. You’ve never seen what his signature ranch wear looks like, but it’s not pretty.”

“Ranch wear?”

“I’m sure he packed it. Just be prepared when his luggage arrives.” Sofia giggled as the smell of food punched my senses and made my stomach gurgle.

Seconds later we entered the huge dining room. Tony and Al, the bodyguards who’d stopped us at the driveway with guns drawn, were sitting at the table, quickly shoveling down breakfast. No longer dressed in dark suits, the men wore jeans, button-down shirts, and weapons prominently displayed on their hips.

Quinn and Ava sat at the other end of the table, next to Ross and Harmony. Beside them, Dustin sat perched on Darren’s lap, holding a fork in his tiny hand as he tore into a small plate of pancakes. Beside them, Tori kept a watchful eye on the little boy’s progress. On the other side of Tori sat the two fathers, Edward and Walter, separated by two empty chairs, most likely saved for Gail and Susan. Duke and Mick, Mia’s backup musicians, sat across from the older pair; the four were talking and chuckling.

Along the wall was a long, polished wooden buffet table loaded with platters of pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage links, ham, hash browns, biscuits, and sweet rolls. At the opposite end was a large coffee carafe and mugs, along with cream and sugar. Beside them were several pitchers of juices and a stack of glasses.

“Morning, everybody,” Sofia called with a wave. As the others acknowledged us, I smiled and followed her to the buffet table.

“Where’s Syd?” Burk asked with a mischievous smile.

“Probably in a sex-induced coma,” Ozzy quipped as he and Mia entered the room.

“No, he’s getting dressed,” I lied.

Or eventually, he will be once he’s done stroking his glorious fat cock. Stroking it fast and hard, like I could be doing now if I weren’t so scared to let my damn walls down.

“I’m surprised you aren’t up there helping him.” Susan flashed a knowing smirk as she replenished the platter of scrambled eggs on the buffet.

“I’m sure he has everything well in hand.” Ozzy barked out a laugh.

“Don’t take offense at the stuff we say, Caris.” Burk grinned. “It’s just, Syd has busted our—”

“Bass drums,” Mia blurted, sliding a pointed stare at Dustin.

“Yeah, our bass drums for years. Now that you’re here, we get to return the favor.”

“Endlessly and ruthlessly.” An evil grin stretched Ross’s mouth.

“Just keep Caris out of the crossfire.” Mia scowled at the guys before sending me a soft smile. “She’s been through enough.”

“Don’t worry about me. I’m sure he’s earned it. Besides, I learned how to spar with him years ago.” I smiled and took a seat opposite Ross and Harmony.

“So, he’s always been a smart…aleck?” Darren stammered.

“For as long as I can remember.”

“How did you meet Syd?” Quinn asked. “Did you two go to school together?”

We would have in the fall after social services placed him in the Andersons’ foster care. But he’d found me that hot summer night, curled up on the loading dock. The next day, we’d decided to run off and live in the woods. I could feel every eye in the room boring into me as I tried to formulate an answer that wouldn’t expose too many secrets.

“Diamond City is a small town. Everybody knows each other and every detail of their lives.”

Except me. I still didn’t know what had landed Syd in foster care. No one talked about it when he’d moved to town, not even the busiest gossip mongers like Betty Warner. Syd definitely never talked about it. The one time I’d asked if his parents were still alive, he’d bit my head off and stormed away. He hadn’t come back again for