"You're distracted."

Taz's voice drew Gunner out of his own thoughts. They were sat in his office, reviewing their next steps for the following month. The blonde man grunted while leaning back in his chair.

"Would've thought you'd be on cloud nine after finally getting with Liliana."

"I didn't get with her." Gunner rubbed his brow as he finally looked up at Taz across from him.

The older man's brow lifted. "Didn't get nothin'?"

"Nothing."

"Didn't go inside with her?"

"Walked her to the door and stopped there."

"Well, you kissed her at least?" Taz sounded as if he didn't believe it. It would be the complete opposite of Gunner's usual habits with women.

"Why does everyone have a problem believing I might actually like this girl and don't need to just hook up with her?"

It was eating at Gunner. Was his reputation that bad? Sure, he'd never been serious about any girls but damn. Did that automatically make him a dick? No wonder Liliana was so hesitant to even give him the time of day. His own friends didn't even think he could do it.

But the realization that Lily was his every other thought was swiftly proving any and all doubt wrong. He didn't even know what it was about her. Well, he did. It was everything about her. But he'd met plenty of decent women that never even caught his eye.

But the little waitress couldn't leave his mind. He was properly infatuated.

Taz merely shrugged at the question as if it was an obvious answer and Gunner scowled. "Fuck you, have a little faith in me at least. Now, can we actually do this?"

Mumbling under his breath, Taz held up his papers obnoxiously. "Been tryin', you poor bastard."

"Whatever," Gunner scoffed. "The bar reopening is bringing in more money like we expected. That restaurant at the edge of town, the barber shop, and the auto shop are all bringing in their average revenue." He scratched his head as he reviewed the numbers.

One thing that kept the Mayhem Men's club so successful was its involvement in its community. And by involvement, he meant investment. The club itself was a legit company and that company was partial owner of several businesses around town. When they needed loans, the club dished them out where appropriate.

And who was said CEO of the company? Well, who else but Gunner? The practice had been in place before he took over, but Gunner made it all legal after the cops started poking their noses where they didn't belong.

The club was completely self-sufficient without any of the shady shit they did on the side. And the boys in blue hated it.

"I want Four Eyes in here double checking our numbers as usual, but if everything is right, I want us pouring that extra cash into adding to the armory. More guns for those extra patrols we're doing and I'm meeting up with someone that owes me a favor over the weekend, so I'll have updates for that next church."

At church, all the higher ups would discuss their next moves. Especially with the rally against the department gearing up. At the moment, they'd added more bikers to the patrol groups and expanded on where those patrols protected. Their routes damn near mirrored the cops and then some. But Gunner had something up his sleeve that'd give a clear message for them to fuck off if all went to plan over the weekend.

"Already on it," Taz responded before he squinted. "And you know that man's name isn't Four Eyes, right?"

"Yeah, but doesn't it just make more sense for our accountant to be wearing glasses? He responds to it. I don't see the problem." Gunner smirked before shooting him a cocky wink as Taz made his way out to follow orders.

With a rough sigh, he glanced at the clock as he realized what time it was. He gripped his keys quickly, making his way over to his bike without wasting another minute.

He was intentional when he had chosen this route—the same route that gave him the opportunity to stop at the pub. That way he knew that the area was safe, 100% safe.

His low rev filled the air as the sun was setting. He knew Lily's shift was ending soon. Just as he was contemplating stopping in to see her and test the waters with her after the barbecue a few days ago, he watched the side door swing open. And out swayed Liliana, chucking the trash out.

But almost immediately, her attention flew up at the sound of the familiar engine. Unable to help himself, he found himself parked.

She shot him a grin as he took her in, turning off his bike. He rubbed his hands on his worn jeans, watching the way she fixed one of the two braids in her hair and leaned against the wall nearest to him.

"You gonna sit there?" She cocked an eyebrow at him.

"Just admiring." He gave her a sheepish smile. Finally, he dismounted the bike as a breeze cooled down the warm air.

"I'm surprised I didn't see you earlier," Lily admitted as he closed in on her. His shoulder braced his weight against the wall besides her. He'd called her the day after, checking to make sure she truly hadn't had an awful time and telling her Valentina and Penny both loved her.

But he hadn't popped into the diner like usual. And he hadn't asked her a certain question.

"Wanted to come see ya." Gunner's temple pressed against the brick as his eyes never strayed from her. She mimicked his stance, craning her neck up to him.

"Just... I got nervous s'all," he muttered while rubbing the back of his neck. His neck flushed up to his ears.

"How come?" Lily tilted her chin up towards him. Her eyes flickered down his broad frame, his t-shirt strained against his chest. He shifted, bracing his arm above her head and she watched aptly as his bicep flexed.

Gunner, who normally was hyper aware of her eyes on him and bathed in the attention, couldn't even focus with his nerves crawling back.

"Well, it did take me ages to work up the nerve to ask you out properly. I was hypin' myself up." He shot her a crooked grin.

Liliana nodded slowly. "Esmeralda really cramped your style. huh?"

"Esmeralda was adding suspense. My style is never cramped," Gunner scoffed with fake arrogance.

She hummed in amusement, the two of them fell into a tension filled silence as they stared at one another.

And as the tension built, and built, something in Gunner snapped. With a surge of confidence—of desperation—he moved. Instead of beside her, he shifted in front of her.

Liliana watched him closely. She expected his usual smirk or grin but instead she saw only determination.

"I did some digging," he began as he watched her for her reaction. "The fair that comes to town will be in next week. Figured we could make our way down for a proper date. Can get some cotton candy, check out the music, I could win you a prize or two proving my masculine prowess of course."

"Of course," Liliana echoed with a nod.

"And my ability to provide."

"You're checking all the boxes."

"And finally, I can spend the whole date proving that I'm boyfriend material."

"Ooh, boyfriend. I would think that was a scary word for you, Gunner."

"Scary huh?" Gunner whispered. "Do I look scared?"

Liliana felt her knees weaken and without the support of the wall she'd probably have collapsed. If she didn't keep herself in check she'd end up swooning. Her eyes scanned over his face, following the strong slope of his nose and the pink hue of his lips.

He felt her checking him out and while she did so, he instinctively checked their surroundings. And, as if it was perfect timing scheduled by God himself, he saw a familiar cop car rolling to a stop down the street. Daminger obviously caught sight of his bike and was lingering around.

And now, he had a perfect view of Gunner and Lily. Out in the open where he couldn't do shit to stop them. And it gave Gunner an idea.

And when he finally got his eyes back on Lily, they had gravitated towards each other, until she was nearly flush against his chest.

"I ain't scared." The husk in his voice made her shake before he bent forward. Her eyes met his for a moment as their noses brushed one another. He waited a moment, waiting to see if she told him to fuck off or if any part of her read as uncomfortable.

Keeping her eyes on him, she reached up to grip his shirt in her delicate fist. And the simple move was all it took for Gunner to take the plunge.

His mouth found hers as if he was dying of thirst and she was his water. He felt a jolt deep down to his bones at the simple touch of her lips against his.

Now that'd he'd gotten a taste he wasn't sure he could ever go a day without it. Fuck.

"Fuck," he rasped against her mouth as they both took gasping breaths before surging back together. She mewled at the back of her throat at how he moved against her. Gunner's lips were smooth, they were practiced, and he knew what he was doing. He kissed her like it was an art that he'd mastered, consuming her taste and invading her senses.

A moan bubbled from his chest, pressing her harder into the wall behind them. Gunner's mind was static as his kisses grew deeper.

Just as her lips parted, loud sirens sent Lily into near cardiac arrest. She screeched, biting Gunner's lip accidentally.

But he was unbothered by the copper taste on his tongue, instead sneering at Daminger, who had turned off the sirens as soon as they parted. He drove by slowly, and the two men's eyes connected with their hatred for one another clear.

Sucking on his teeth, he flipped off the officer before turning back to the girl that ran circles in his mind.

Only to see that her eyes were narrowed as she thought. While she did, Gunner admired her kiss swollen lips and how her brown skin was warm to the touch. She pressed her hands to her cheeks as she felt the blood rush to her chest and face.

"You knew he was there," Liliana observed.

Gunner's brow furrowed, wondering why she was even bothering to talk about the cop bastard. But he shrugged either way, answering her, "I've had him followed the past few days. He's always here around the same time."

Lily's jaw crooked a bit. And for the first time, he saw irritation cross her face. "And you knew that when you made your way over here. You weren't here because of me."

"Of course I was here for you-"

"You kissed me because he was there." She swallowed hard. "All this time and you just happen to pick when some asshole is watching? God damnit," she whispered the last part to herself as she slid her fingers over her hair. She tugged on the ends of her braids frustratedly.

Gunner, who'd been riding a high, was now rudely shoved off of it. He was having trouble understanding why she was upset.

"Sweetheart, that asshole is around every corner in town at the worst possible moments. It's just the way of life in town."

"I don't give a shit where he is or what he's doing Gunner. I care about what you're doing and what we're doing. And you-you used me to win some pissing contest!"

"Used you," Gunner balked. "That's a crock of shit and you know it, Liliana. And if I were ya- I'd be real worried about what Daminger was doing cause that prick is circling your house like a fucking vulture. The biker I've got trailin' him said the patrol car was driving by multiple times a day. So yeah, if I have to make a statement I'll make a god damn statement."

"And what statement is that?" she gritted through her teeth while glaring up at the blonde. Her narrowed eyes made his body ache with want despite the argument.

"That you're off limits, sweetheart," Gunner's hand caged her in once again. Except now, the tension between them was a completely different kind.

But before he could open his mouth again to go on this long spiel about how she needed protection—how she needed him—he was cut off.

"The fuck I am," Liliana spat while shoving at his chest. "I don't need to be in the middle of a dick measuring contest. I can't be, Gunner. I can't afford it. Now I'm the stupid one, thinking we could work out when we have completely different lifestyles." Her palm pressed against her eyes as they stung with tears out of nowhere.

Oh my god, she groaned to herself. She could not cry, not right now.

"Woah-woah. Slow down, baby." He slid his hands over her arms gently. "Lifestyles? I mean... Can you talk to me?" His blood ran cold as soon as he'd heard the crackling of her voice. It thickened with emotion as her nose reddened with sniffles.

"I'm frustrated," she huffed. "And I'm mad at you."

"I can tell," he murmured as he brushed her stray curls back. He could feel her winding down. Honestly, he was surprised her burst of emotion only lasted that long.

His poor Lily seemed to tire herself out quickly.

Inhaling deeply, Gunner kept his cool. Losing his temper would get them nowhere, but she did seem to have a knack for riling him up in good and bad ways.

"Lils." He tapped his knuckle up against her chin. Her face tilted up at him as he took a small step closer, sharing her space with her. Her eyes were rimmed red, but she sucked her tears back in. Yet her frustration still radiated off of her.

"I'm sorry, I get why you're upset."

"Why am I upset?" Her dark brow rose up expectantly.

Gunner cleared his throat, scratching the back of his neck as if felt like he was being scolded by a teacher.

"I- uh- I took somethin' that was important to ya. A-And to me," he added. "And I went and fucked it up. Used it to get ahead with somethin' else." The words felt awkward and unnatural falling from his lips, but he did it.

Liliana's glare didn't waver, but she nodded in agreement.

"Okay." She made a move to walk away, and Gunner scrambled after her. "If that's all. I have to go home."

"Wait- Wait." When she grabbed at the side door again, he pushed it back shut. Lily glanced at him over her shoulder with a frown on her face.

"I wanna take ya to the fair. Please, Lils, just let me show ya I can be what you need me to be. I-I'll be outta yer hair if you hate it, but I know you feel somethin' here. I feel it, I see it, I see you. I can't go even a few minutes without wishin' you were next to me."

Liliana's eyes softened, leaning against the door as she thought. With a low sigh, she rubbed her hand over her chest. Her heart was still racing from that kiss. Closing her eyes for a moment, Liliana nodded up at him.

"One night at the fair."

"Yes, fuck yes." He grinned wide as he stood up straighter with excitement. "You won't regret it, sweetheart."

"I better not," she gripped the door again, and this time he didn't stop her. He only leaned down and gently kissed her cheek, besides her mouth. It was torturous for the both of them after the heated session they'd both shared.

But Liliana was too stubborn and skeptical to budge, and Gunner knew that. He assured her he would call her and go over the details, planning everything himself as he made his way to his bike.

"Gunner," Lily called before he turned the key on his bike.

Glancing up, he saw her cock her hip with her arms crossed.

"If that cop comes by my house again, fuck him up. You owe me that."

"I'd fuck someone up for you any day of the week, princess." Gunner grinned lazily. "And by the end of that week, I'll be wearing this new thing called boyfriend material. I think you'll be into it."

He watched Lily stifle down her laugh and only scoff at him, shaking her head before slamming the door of the restaurant behind her.