“So what was up with you last night?” She ignores my stare and carries on like normal.

“What?” I feign ignorance, not in the mood to discuss anything that went down after everyone left.

“Oh, Mr. Take-My-Cock-Not-His.” I spit out my coffee and watch a smirk spread across her face. “I must admit it was kind of hot.”

Sy grunts his displeasure from the kitchen, but Holly doesn’t seem fazed. “What? It was. Just saying.” She shrugs at her man and then turns back to me.

“How about we talk about how you were meant to keep an eye on her, Holly? And not let her hook up with some fucker,” I accuse, unimpressed. Ever since I learnt Bell would be joining us this weekend, I made sure all of them knew they had to keep an eye on her. Not encourage her to fuck off with some pansy-ass fucker. I would have laid it out for Bell myself, but the woman hasn’t been taking my calls.

“Please, I saw all of you when you entered the club. Thinking you’re all inconspicuous.” She rolls her eyes. “I know you all ordered two rounds in the back booth on the left and kept an eye on us first.” I turn to look at Sy and watch him shake his head at his woman. “Am I right?” She laughs when neither of us confirm. “Exactly. So what? I gave her a little push. You sure as shit haven’t done enough to win her back.”

I don’t argue with her because she’s right. Bell’s reluctance threw me off my game. I’ve wanted to step up, push my way back in, but the truth is I knew we needed more time. I’ve been trying to get my shit sorted. And I’m getting there. Part of me knows it’s not an easy fix. The shit I’m dealing with might not ever really go away, but I knew I had to get to a place where Bell would feel safe around me again. I promised her that.

“We’ve both needed the space, but the shit you pulled last night only served to make me push too soon.” I shake my head, knowing it’s not Holly’s fault. I only have myself to blame.

“Well, if you ask me, I say it’s perfect. Now she knows how serious you are, you all can hurry up and get back together. Then we can be one big happy family again.” She levels her stare on me, telling me I better do as she says.

“How do you deal with her bossy ass?” I ignore Holly and ask Sy. First he shrugs then looks down at her before his face breaks out in a grin. Fucker is so fucking whipped. It’s not funny.

“Morning.” Brooks walks out of the second room with Kelly following, stalling our conversation.

“Morning, have a good night?” Holly moves her scowl from me and looks up at Kelly.

“Do you even have to ask?” Kelly laughs, slapping Brooks’ ass.

“Fucking oath.” Brooks rumbles, pulling his wife back in for a kiss.

“Fuck me.” I throw my head back and groan. Every fucker is getting laid but me.

“Don’t mind him, he’s just pissy ‘cause Bell didn’t take him back last night.” Holly winks, waiting for me to bite. I don’t. There’s no point. She’s right though. I am pissed.

“Breakfast will be here soon. I’m showering. Make sure you assholes leave me some.” I stand, snatching my phone up from the table, and begin to stalk back to my room. Checking my screen, I see Bell hasn’t replied. A growl erupts from my throat in frustration.

“You sure you’re okay, Jesse?” Kelly calls out before I can escape.

“Yep. I got this.” I wave her off and continue to my room. I know my family have been worried, but they have nothing to fear. Bell will be mine. She knows it. I know it. The whole fucking club knows it.

I just have to make it happen.

“Housekeeping.” I knock three times and muffle out some lame line to get her to open the door. It’s not like I have any other choice. She stopped replying to my text messages.

“Coming!” she shouts and I force my nerves away. This is the right thing to do. I repeat, giving myself the pep talk I need. Jesus, I’m losing my edge. I scold myself when my hands start to sweat. Before I can rethink my game plan, the door pulls open.

“Jesse?”

“Hey.” I smile, skimming my eyes from her face down the rest of her body. My smile quickly fades when I realize she’s just wearing a fucking towel.

“Where the fuck are your clothes?” I step forward and take her arm, pushing her back into her room. She squeaks out her surprise but doesn’t reply. My rage grows as I kick the door shut, spin her around and guide her until her back is against the door.

“You trying to fucking make me lose my head, Bell?” I step in closer, the soft scent of her shower gel taking me back to the mornings I had her in my bed and could smell her on my pillow.

“Jesse, what? Don’t.” Her breath hitches in her chest, and the light pink flush I’ve missed trails along her exposed pale skin. My rage turns to need the second she whispers my name.

“Don’t what, Bell? Don’t kiss you?” I dip my head and whisper my question an inch from her mouth. Her lips part as my breath skirts along her bottom lip. Her eyes glaze over and she nods her reply.

“Why didn’t you return my text, Bell?” I ask and watch her eyes dart from my lips to my eyes. Yeah, she fucking wants me to kiss her.

“I was in the shower,” she answers, and my dick grows harder in my jeans, picturing her naked body under the water. Jesus fuck.

“You’re making it difficult to not want to kiss you.” I smirk, watching her gaze move back to my lips.