The Bravest Hero (A Curvy Girls Club Novel Book 2) Page 13

  “Royal, hold up.” Mack turned and followed her.

  His steps weren’t as steady as they would have been pre-accident. But the fact that he could follow her when she tried to leave, instead of only being able to sit there like a lump on a log and watch her walk away, filled him with renewed optimism.

  “You know I wasn’t trying to hurt you, right?”

  “Yeah, I know. I figured she’d be here…at some point.” Royal rolled her eyes.

  “I just really needed you here today. I’m only here because of you.”

  “Which is why I came without hesitation.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “Hey, uh…I’m having a kind of ‘I can walk again’ party tomorrow night. Just a dinner and some drinks with friends and my House 22 guys. If you wanna come. You can bring your friends. I’d love to meet them.”

  “I don’t know.”

  “It’s nothing fancy. It’ll be at that bar/restaurant called The Department.

  “Oh, the hangout spot for SFFD and SFPD?”

  “That’s the one,” Mack paused. “It just doesn’t feel right not having you at events celebrating my life when you’re the one who saved it.”

  “Alright. I’ll come,” Royal smiled. “But prepare yourself for my friends.”

  “I think I can handle it.”

  “You haven’t met Mia.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  “So, have you seen his firefighter friends yet? Are any of them hot?” Mia asked.

  “Yes, and yes.” Royal answered as Bradyn drove them to the party.

  Royal, Kennedy, and Mia were in the back seat of his SUV while he and Payton were in the front. Bradyn was staying for the party, but he was there DD. He was on some type of juice cleanse that Payton didn’t want to be a part of. So, he couldn’t drink.

  “Perfecto,” Mia grinned.

  “I only met a handful. I’m sure you’ll like them. But…can I ask you to be on your best behavior? Or am I just wasting my breath?” Royal looked across Kennedy to Mia on the other side.

  “Wasting your breath,” Mia, Kennedy, Payton, and even Bradyn said in unison.

  “Hey! Y’all don’t know me!” Mia shouted.

  “Yes, we do.”

  “Harrumph.”

  “I mean, I’m not opposed to getting into some trouble myself,” Kennedy grinned.

  “Kennedy, you’re too dang sweet and want to be swept off your feet to misbehave,” Mia patted her hand.

  “People can change,” Kennedy huffed.

  “Well, if these lads are single, they’d be a horse’s arse not te scoop you lasses up. You all look bonnie tonight.” Bradyn said sweetly.

  They all collectively sighed.

  “Thanks, B.”

  “Thank you!”

  “You’re too sweet.”

  “You’re the best, babe.”

  He was right. They did look gorgeous. Mia was in a formfitting red dress that left little to the imagination with her hair straightened for the occasion. Kennedy wore a romantic bohemian style off-the-shoulder black dress that floated around her ankles and her red curls up in a pineapple. Payton chose to go with black skinny jeans and a shimmery top with her bangs out and the rest in a bun. Bradyn had on jeans and a nice shirt. And Royal chose a black mini sweater dress that hung off one shoulder with black fishnets and black thigh-high lace-up combat boots.

  A few minutes later, when they all walked into The Department. Royal swore with the way everyone turned to look at them as they entered, that it was like they were in one of those ensemble cast movies where the entourage walks in in slow motion.

  McKennon stood at the bar with a couple of other guys Royal remembered from yesterday before. He spotted Royal and his face lit up before he waved for them to come over.

  “Oh, he’s even hotter than when you were on the news,” Kennedy said.

  “But did you see the way his face lit up?” Mia asked. “He’s got it bad.”

  “You guys aren’t helping,” Royal grumbled.

  They started in his direction as McKennon walked towards them with the assistance of a temporary cane. He was to use it until he got used to his leg. He looked good in a pair of nice jeans, brown boots, and a cream cable knit sweater. Other than the cane, no one would ever know something was wrong with him. An idea that had started at the rehab center began to take shape in Royal’s mind.

  They stopped in front of each other and McKennon reached in for a hug.

  “I’m glad you came,” he said.

  “Yeah, so am I.”

  He stepped back and held her at arm’s length. His eyes roamed over her body appreciatively. The sparkle in them told Royal he liked what he saw.

  “You look incredible,” McKennon breathed.

  “Thank you,” Royal said before turning to her friends. “McKennon, I’d like for you to meet my friends. This is Kennedy, Mia, Payton, and Bradyn.”

  McKennon shook each of their hands as she said their names.

  “Guys, this is McKennon.”

  “Royal has told us so much about you. We’re so glad you’re doing so well,” Kennedy said.

  “She’s the reason,” McKennon said.

  “She is pretty incredible,” Mia said in a tone that screamed, ‘You’d be an idiot to let her go.’

  McKennon only smiled and gestured towards the back of the building.

  “We have a private room in the back. I wanted to wait out here to lead you back when you all got here.”

  “Lead the way. I’m ready to meet your co-workers,” Mia said.

  The rest of them could only shake their heads.

  They patiently followed McKennon’s slower gait to the back room. Inside was a large mix of people. Royal recognized McKennon’s fellow firefighters and the friends he’d made while in rehabilitation. But there were several other people she didn’t know. She’d thought it was only going to be an intimate party. But it looked like a full-on celebration.

  Introductions went around the long table where the firefighters and rehab friends were. Mia flirted shamelessly as she shook the firefighters’ hands. Kennedy flirted bashfully.

  Royal noticed that Mia had her eye on someone specific.

  “And who are you?” Mia asked an older gentleman.

  He looked to be in his fifties. His hair was snow white, and cut in an undercut fade. The longer hair on top was combed back with hair wax. He had on charcoal grey slacks and a well-fitting black button up shirt. The sleeves were rolled up around his biceps to show off his tattoos. And he had a thick silver mustache to finish the overall look of silver fox handsomeness.

  “I’m Nick. McKennon’s captain.” He said as he shook Mia’s hand.

  “I’m Mia.” She smirked at him. “Well, aren’t you a handsome little snack.” Mia said as she reached for his other hand to blatantly check for a ring.

  “There’s nothing little about me, Mia.”

  Royal’s eyes widened as she looked at Payton and Bradyn.

  “Oh, shit. She may have met her match.” Royal whispered to them.

  “Is that so?” Mia cocked her head to the side. “So, why is a handsome white wolf like yourself not married?”

  “I’m recently divorced. And what exactly is a white wolf? I’ve heard silver fox, but never white wolf.”

  “A white wolf is a man who’s gone all white and an alpha male. You look the part and if you’re captain, then you’re running shit. White wolf,” Mia shrugged.

  “I like that.”

  “Most white wolves do. So, you giving out rides?” Mia asked.

  “Excuse me? I don’t understand,” Nick frowned.

  “It’s been a while since I’ve had a mustache ride. I was wondering if you’re giving out free rides later?”

  Royal snorted. Payton choked. And Bradyn full out belly laughed. They fell into each other as they hurried up and walked away. They didn’t want to know the captain’s response.

  “What are you guys
laughing at?” McKennon asked.

  “Nothing.” Royal shook her head. “At least nothing you won’t find out about later.”

  The conversation steered to safer subjects thanks to Bradyn. Being into physical training and fitness, the Scotsman engaged McKennon in a discussion about his rehabilitation.

  “So, how long before ye can get back on full duty at yer department?” Bradyn asked McKennon.

  “As soon as I can pass the physical test. In a few weeks, I’ll be training with the guys again to get myself back in firefighter condition,” McKennon said.

  “I’m sure ye’ll have no problems with that. Ye’re already in great physical shape.”

  “He would know,” Royal interjected. “He’s a former MMA fighter and owns a gym.”

  “I thought I recognized you!” McKennon smiled happily. “You’re the one they call the Red Scot.”

  “One and the same.”

  Payton smacked Royal’s arm. Royal looked up at her and Payton jerked her. Royal looked back to where Payton gestured and saw Mia walking out of the men’s bathroom. She tugged at her dress a bit and then smoothed a hand down her stomach and over her hair. A few moments later, a slightly disheveled white wolf emerged behind her. Royal and Payton looked at each other and snorted.

  A commotion at the entrance to the private room drew everyone’s attention. Royal’s laughter died away and her eyes followed the direction of everyone’s gaze. She internally rolled her eyes when she saw Ainsley standing there in some fancy floor length white dress.

  She spread her arms wide, “Thank you everyone for coming. I know this was McKennon’s comeback party, but I figured we might as well make it our bridal shower as well, and kill two birds with one stone.”

  “So that’s her, huh?” Kennedy asked after she walked over to them.

  “Yup,” Royal said.

  “So, this bitch is just gonna hijack her man’s celebration?” Mia hissed as she came up behind them.

  “Sure does look that way,” Royal grumbled.

  No matter what was going on, when there was trouble lurking her girls were always there. A united front.

  Ainsley strutted over to McKennon and kissed him passionlessly on the cheek. The kiss was platonic at best.

  “Ains, these are Royal’s friends. Payton, Bradyn, Kennedy, and Mia.” He pointed to each of them.

  “Everyone, this is my fiancée, Ainsley.”

  The girls all gave varying faces of dislike. Royal felt bad because in reality Ainsley hadn’t done anything wrong. And then she opened her mouth.

  “A pleasure, I’m sure,” she said with a phony smile, and then turned to focus on Royal. “But is this going to be the norm now? Are you really going to be a part of every life event we have? Because I have to say, there’s no more room on our wedding guest list.”

  Royal felt the girls bristle at her side. Mia breathed in deeply. A sign she was taking in enough air to fuel the savagery she was about to deliver. Royal quickly gripped Mia’s arm to stop her. A silent, ‘I got this.’

  “Ainsley! What the hell is wrong with you,” McKennon growled. “You wouldn’t even have a groom if it weren’t for Royal.”

  “You don’t have to worry, sweetie.” Royal said the endearment to Ainsley with sickly sweet condescension. “This will be the last event I attend. I’ve never been a fan of the circus.”

  Ainsley’s mouth flapped opened and closed at the insult. The girls guffawed and snorted. They didn’t even attempt to cover their laughter. Ainsley rolled her eyes and stomped over to where all her friends and family were.

  The fact that McKennon and all the people in his life were celebrating separately from all of Ainsley’s people was a clear indication of a lack of connection between the bride and groom.

  If his fiancée had of been a sweet person, Royal would’ve felt a hell of a lot worse about her feelings for McKennon. But since she had been a raging bitch from jump, Royal could care less.

  “I am so sorry, Royal.” McKennon said.

  “She is certainly something else.” Royal shook her head.

  Someone caught Royal’s eye. It was one of the women that she’d seen at the rehab center. She was in a short skirt and blouse. And she had on fire engine red high heels. What made her stand out was that she had a below the knee prosthetic leg with fire engine red high heels on. And she looked sexy as hell.

  A look crossed Royal’s face like inspiration had struck.

  “I know how you can make it up to me.”

  “How?”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Two weeks later, Royal adjusted and readjusted the studio area in her loft. The space was bathed in the early evening light that streamed through the large windows. The diffused light from the evening sun would be perfect for the shoot she had planned.

  She looked over her table laid out with her equipment. Camera, lens, filters, a light meter, etc. Royal fidgeted with those for a while. Finally, with a huff of frustration at herself, she walked over to her couch and flung herself down. It still didn’t stop her foot from bouncing up and down rapidly.

  “This was a bad idea.”

  The buzz of her intercom made Royal leap off the couch. She ran to the intercom and pressed the button.

  “Come on up. There’s a utility elevator to your left when you walk in.”

  “Alright.”

  She pressed the button to open her door. The whine of her elevator reached her ears a few moments later. Her heart pounded as she watched McKennon appear through the slats of the gate. When the elevator stopped with a loud metallic thud, Royal crouched down and lifted the gate.

  “Hi.”

  “Hey,” McKennon said.

  His eyes took in her black shift dress that hung off one shoulder, knee-high socks with athletic stripes around the calf, and her black combat boots. After several beats, they finally moved past her to her space beyond.

  “This place is amazing, Royal,” McKennon said as he stepped forward.

  He checked the gap between the elevator and the floor to make sure it was level, before stepping out. Royal figured he’d have to be a little more careful of the world around him as he adjusted to his new leg. Until it became second nature.

  As he walked into her loft, his gait was a bit smoother than it had been when he first walked with it.

  “Thank you. How about a beer?” Royal said as she walked past him to the kitchen. “Booze helps to relax you.” And me.

  “Sure.”

  Royal reached into the fridge and grabbed two bottles of beer. She needed to relax just as much as he did. She popped them open with the built-in bottle opener on her counter. The caps clinked into the garbage below. She walked back to him and handed him a bottle.

  McKennon stood before her. In her space. With no one else around. Truly alone for the first time ever. He felt so much larger. His presence. His energy filled her space until she felt wrapped up in it. Overwhelmed by it.

  Royal took a sip of beer. The silence was deafening.

  “It’s so quiet in here. How about some music?”

  “Yeah, that’ll be good.”

  She turned away from him and strode over to her phone. She pulled up her favorite streaming service and tapped her SZA playlist. The soft lilting voice of the R&B singer combined with sensual melodies, filled Royal’s loft from the hidden speakers. It was convenient for photoshoots. Music created the right mood. It got her and her subjects in the right frame of mind.

  Royal had thought the singer’s style would be perfect for what she had in mind today. But as the pulsing beats danced along her nerve-endings, she wasn’t so sure. It was entirely too sexy. But she’d already made the choice. She couldn’t turn back now.

  McKennon cleared his throat before speaking. He was nervous too.

  “So…what did you have in mind? You didn’t give a lot of details.”

  Royal took a deep breath and turned back to him.

  “Okay. I didn’t want to go into a lot of detail at the time. B
ut when I was at the rehab center, an idea struck me and then blossomed at your party.” Royal rubbed her hands together. “I want to do a photo series of amputees. I want to showcase that you all are still strong, capable…sexy. I want the photos to be sensual, gritty, beautiful. And…and I was hoping that you’d ask some of the other amputees that you know if they’d be willing to sit for me.

  “You’d be the perfect person to start the series.” Royal rushed to add. “And they can look at the photos I take of you and decide if they’d like to be one of my subjects as well.”

  “This has the potential to be great, Royal. I’m honored to be your first choice.”

  Royal smiled brightly.

  “I mean…I’m nervous about having my picture taken for the first time since the accident. But it’s worth a shot.”

  “I know you’re used to modeling with a perfect body. But I want you to see that you’re still perfect,” Royal lowered her eyes as she finished. “That’s the point of the shoot. I want you to see it. Other amputees to see it. I want the world to see it. And as a photographer, it’s my job to show the beauty in the unexpected.

  “That’s also why I’ve been working on a photo series called ‘Curvy Love.’ Showing curvy women in solo shots and shots with the men who love them. A very sensual and erotic series.”

  “I’d love to see them.”

  “I have a few approved by my friend and others that you can take a look at.”

  Royal opened her laptop and pulled up the photos she’d taken of Payton and Bradyn, as well as some others she’d taken of couples over the last several months. She began to click through them as McKennon leaned close to her.

  Some of them were black and white. The light and shade playing on bare skin. Others were saturated in warm tones. Blood red lips, a buttery yellow sheet draped over mahogany skin. And a few black and whites with a pop of color. The pale white head of a cock with a sparkling drop of pre-cum against purple painted lips, on smooth black skin.

  Royal had tried to avoid showing him that last photo, but she’d forgotten where she’d placed it in the lineup. Suddenly, McKennon felt right on top of her as he looked over her shoulder. His heat radiated against her back. Warm breath fluttered against her neck. Breath that imperceptibly became harsher as the photos became more erotic.