Page 4 of Rascal

“It’s perfect. How?”

“I lucked out. It’s one of the creamers we keep for the diner. I ran and borrowed some this morning.”

He’d gotten up early, all so she’d have her favorite creamer when she woke up. That didn’t seem like the act of a man who only wanted her for a friend.

She placed the cup on the counter. She stepped closer until her chest was brushing his. She leaned up and pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth, his beard tickling her lips. At least, if he wasn’t attracted to her then she could pretend it was a friend kiss.

“Thank you.”

Rascal leaned closer, tunneling his hand into her hair, tilting her head.

“I was trying to be a good guy and give you time, but you let me have a little taste of your lips. I need more.”

Rascal’s lips touched hers as his arm tugged her close until she could feel every bit of him against her. His beard brushed her face as his lips claimed hers. His tongue tracing the seam of hers until she opened and let him in.

She trembled in his arms. His lips tasted every inch of hers, then coasted over by her ear and nibbled until she moaned. Toothpaste, coffee and man were an addictive combination.

He kissed the shell of her ear, his warm breath sending a shiver down her spine. “I’d like nothing more than to take you in my bedroom and watch you catch fire in my arms, Meggie, but they know we’re coming for breakfast. If we stay here, someone will interrupt us and when I finally get you underneath me, Meggie, I want time to explore every lush inch of you. Now, grab your coffee and go change your clothes before I forget my good intentions.”

Rascal punctuated his words by pressing his hardened length against her. Even through the robe, she knew he was ready to make good on his promise. Margaret stared at him, wondering when she’d become Meggie to him, but she loved the name. Margaret was the college professor who the men thought was unapproachable. Meggie was the woman she was with Rascal.

“Okay. Give me twenty minutes and I’ll be ready to head over to breakfast.”

She leaned up quickly and this time pressed her lips to his, then turned and hurried to the hall bathroom. She closed the door and leaned back against it. Oh man, that man could kiss. Everything he did set her on fire, but she needed to get it under control because she had a speech to give today and a man to get to know better.

Chapter Three

Meg had enjoyed breakfast at the clubhouse and met so many nice people. She’d worried that she’d be the only one in her fifties, but she’d met the matriarch and patriarch of the MC Regina and Baron, who were both in their sixties. Remi and War had joined them. It was wonderful to put a face to Remi since they’d spoken on the phone. Her husband was president of the MC and looked tough, but he’d picked up what she’d call a frou frou type of dog and cuddled it on his lap after breakfast.

She was especially glad the men wore their MC vests because she could look at the front for their names. It had been a lot of people to meet at once. There were numerous kids and animals running loose through the clubhouse. She’d gotten to spend a little time holding the littlest one of Rascal’s grandkids. Joey had been darling even when he’d kept grabbing onto her hair.

She’d really enjoyed helping assemble the items for the festivities. They had a thank you bag for every veteran or active service member who had registered for the event. Regina had an extra twenty bags just in case people dropped by who hadn’t known to register. Remi and Winnie had been in charge of the commemorative items for families who had service members who participated in D-Day. The metal items were miniatures of the monument mounted on a stained wooden base.

Rascal had let her know in numerous small ways he considered her special. When she’d started to get up from the floor where she’d been stuffing bags, he’d held her hand and waist to help her up. When she’d been stretching her shoulders after helping, he’d moved her hair to the side and rubbed her shoulders, then placed a kiss at the base of her neck before tugging her back against him to hold her in his arms. He wasn’t remotely shy about letting everyone in the room know she was special to him. Each time he touched her, she melted a little more.

As each person had come in, he’d made sure he introduced her along with her accomplishments and that she had graciously accepted the invitation to speak at the event. He put value on her as a whole person. He’d introduced her as her full name but then called her Meg. When she’d asked him why the difference between Meggie this morning and Meg around everyone else, he’d growled in her ear that Meggie was when she was catching fire in his arms. It had taken everything in her to not shiver and then have to fan herself.

“Meg, I’m scheduled to go to the park and help set up tables, chairs, and canopies. I know you said you’d need to change before the event. Do you want to come with me or stay here?”

Before she could formulate an answer, Regina and Remi were chiming in. “We want her to stay with us. You’ve monopolized her time, and we want to get to know her a little better. She can ride with us when it’s time to go. Plus, she’s not going to want to get all sweaty before her speech.”

She was torn because she did want to spend time with Rascal but also get to know the women here. She also didn’t want to be all sweaty before she spoke. She still got a little nervous in front of crowds she didn’t know.

Rascal leaned over, brushing her hair back from her cheek and tucking it behind her ear, leaving his hand holding her neck. “It’s okay to want to stay and get to know the women. They’re a good bunch. Do you want to meet me at the park later?”

His eyes staring into hers had her wondering if she could be hypnotized by his eyes. Each time she looked into his eyes, she felt peace and safety come over her. Was this what love felt like?

“I’d like to stay. I’ll see you at the park later.”

He grinned, then leaned closer, placing a kiss against her mouth. “Don’t let them make you late because they decided you all needed some adventure.”

She giggled at Rascal as he caught each woman’s eyes around the room.

“You underestimate us, Rascal. We wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize the commemoration activities but once they’re over... look out,” Beth high-fived Remi at her words.

Meg finished curling her bangs after she’d applied mascara. She wasn’t one to wear a lot of make-up, especially when the heat would most likely have sweat running down her face today. She was in Regina’s house. The women had all decided to get ready there, and she’d been pulled along with them.

“So, tell me more about this jerk who fired you. He didn’t give any warning?” Sarah asked.