Hard Ride, Part 2 by Opal Carew Page B

hair, but Raven’s was as black as a raven’s wing, which is undoubtedly how she’d gotten her nickname. Tempest was a little taller, with heart-shaped lips. Both were stunning.
    â€œI love your jeans,” Raven said. “I’d love to get a pair like that.”
    Rip slid his arm around her waist and drew her tight to his side. “And I would love you to wear a pair like that.” He nuzzled her neck and she laughed.
    Tempest held out her hand. “Nice to meet you.”
    Liv shook her hand and relaxed a little. She didn’t know how to read the men’s attitudes, but the women made her feel that she’d been accepted.
    â€œNice place.” Dom glanced around the foyer, which opened onto a large living room with dark honey-colored hardwood floors. “Bedrooms upstairs?”
    â€œYeah, there are five.” Shock stepped aside as the newcomers headed upstairs with their bags.
    As the others were walking up the stairs, Shock took her hand and led her down the hall. “They’ll probably be hungry, so I’ll make some sandwiches. You can sit out on the deck if you’d like. Or go for a swim.”
    â€œNo, I’ll help.”
    In the kitchen, he pulled out a couple loaves of bread and cold cuts and veggies from the fridge, and they began putting together a plate of sandwiches.
    â€œThere aren’t enough bedrooms for everyone. Will some of them be sleeping on the couch?”
    â€œThere are enough. Raven’s with Rip, and Tempest’s with Steele.”
    â€œThat leaves one short.”
    He placed some slices of ham on the bread she’d buttered. “Dom and Magic will bunk in together.”
    â€œOh.” She cut a tomato into thin slices and arranged them on some of the sandwiches.
    Fifteen minutes later the others started trailing down the stairs. Shock placed the sandwiches on the table with plates and then grabbed beers for everyone.
    â€œThe backyard looks pretty nice,” Magic said. “I saw a pool out there.”
    â€œAnd a hot tub,” Tempest said with a smile. “I’m going for a swim after lunch.”
    â€œThere’s a lake just down the way, too,” Shock said.
    â€œMy kind of place.” Steele smiled.
    As they finished their sandwiches, they cleared their dishes and Shock put them in the dishwasher.
    â€œSince you have this all handled,” Raven said, “I’m going for a swim.”
    â€œMe, too.” Tempest followed her to the stairs.
    â€œWhy don’t you go put your swimsuit on,” Shock suggested. “I’m basically done here.”
    â€œOkay.” She glanced up at him. “Are you going, too?”
    The thought of getting into the skimpy bikini Shock had the personal shopper buy for her and wearing it in front of all these hulking men made her a little nervous. She knew she’d be safe with Shock, but she still wasn’t comfortable with being on display.
    He glanced at her and seemed to read her nervousness. “Yeah, sure. I’ll come up now.”
    Magic and Wild Card, who were still sitting at the table finishing their beers, grinned and glanced at each other as Shock took her hand. They were obviously assuming … but she shouldn’t care. They could assume whatever they wanted. She would do her best not to let it throw her.
    She trotted up the stairs with Shock behind her. Once in the room with the door closed behind her, she walked to the dresser and pulled out the black and white bikini. She tossed it on the bed and pulled off her T-shirt without even thinking. She reached behind her back to unfasten her bra, then remembered that Shock was standing only a few feet away.
    She glanced around. He was staring at her, mesmerized.
    Sure, he’d seen her totally naked, but that didn’t mean she was comfortable just casually changing in front of him. She grabbed the bathing suit and headed to the en suite bathroom, then closed the door