Chapter 35

Lug Nut

We are halfway through breakfast when Ailee sets her smoothing down. I noticed she likes to sip them instead of chugging like I have seen Callen do. “ Travis, I have something to ask you. You can say no. I promise it won’t hurt my feelings. And I won’t be mad. I understand if it isn’t your kind of thing.” Ailee rambles. She never rambles. I see her twist the bottom of her shirt with her fingers. Whatever Ailee wants to ask me it is making her nervous. I never thought I would see that happen. I set my fork down and grab her hands to keep her from fidgeting. “ Ailee, take a breath. Whatever it is, it can’t be that bad. Just ask.” Ailee squeezes my hand and takes a deep breath. “ There is a charity gala I have attended the past few years. It is in two weeks. I usually just go with Callen and Finn. I was wondering if you would like to escort me this time? As my date.” Ailee asks. I have to fight not to laugh at how nervous she is. My girl just asked me out on a date. It is cute.

“ It is a black tie event. It can be boring as hell. But it is for victims of trafficking. So it is a good cause. If It wasn’t one of mine I probably wouldn’t go myself. A bunch of stuck up big whigs trying to make themselves more important than they really are. The food is pretty good. Dressing up in a suit probably isn’t your idea of fun. So if you don’t want to go, I won’t be upset.” Ailee continues to ramble. I got a flash of the first picture I saw of Ailee. She was dressed in a ball gown. The caption did say she was at a charity event. I remember that picture well. I knew she would be mine the moment I saw it. I move the tray off my lap then grab Aille making her sit on me. “ Ailee, calm down. I would be honored to be your date for the gala. Yes, I have to wear a monkey suit. Got to be honest it isn’t my idea of fun. But for you I will wear it anytime you want.” I told her. Ailee beams lighting up the entire room then proceeds to kiss me until I’m lightheaded. Totally worth having to wear a tux.
2 Weeks Later
Lug Nut

After Ailee asked me to go to the gala I enlisted Anna’s help to find a tux that would be suitable to wear yet have a little of me with it. Ailee liked me as the cowboy/biker. Not some stuck up rich snob. So that is what she is going to get just in a tux. I’m getting ready at the clubhouse so Anna can help me if I need it. Ailee and Finn are picking me up on the way. You might be wondering why I just didn’t get dressed with Ailee. Simple as cheesy as it sounds Ailee said since she asked me out on a date she wanted to pick me up like one. And there is a part of me that wants to surprise Ailee. I even got Finn to tell me what color her dress was so I could get her a necklace to go with it. I’m not super rich like Ailee or Cormac are. Not that you would know it by the way AIlee acts. She doesn’t flash her money around. It is Cormac that insists that AIlee has the best of everything and makes sure she has it. From cars,to her guards, to her medical treatment. Cormac will spare no expense on her. Ailee told me she learned when she was in her teens there was no point in arguing with him. He would always use the granddad prerogative saying it was his money he could spend it on her how he wanted.

I have showered. I have shaved even though Ailee doesn’t mind a little stubble. Anna pressed my pants and shirt for me. I get dressed leaving my jacket for last. There is a knock on my door. Anna opens it and pokes her head in. When she sees me dressed she comes all the way in. “ You clean up, good kid. Ailee is going to have to fight the ladies off you tonight.” Anna says. I shake my head “ No, she won’t. I’m all hers and I will tell anyone who comes near me the same.” Anna comes over and helps me straighten my collar and fix my jade bolo tie. I chose jade to match the arm band all of Ailee’s guards wear. I know it has something to do with Ailee I just haven’t asked yet. “ Good answer Lug. Are you ready? They should be here any minute.”

I pull on my jacket, then grab my hat and Ailee’s gift. “ Ready.” Anna and I walk downstairs to the main room of the clubhouse. I get several joking wolf whistles. I see Ace,Thor. and Viper sitting at the bar having a beer. I sneer at Ace. He knows he is still on everyone’s shit list. I don’t know why he is even here. Everyone knew Ailee was coming so he should have made himself scarce. Viper looks me up and down “ Looking snazzy there Lug.” “ Joke all you want.” I say to him with a smile so he knows I’m just messing with him. I know all the jokes are just in good fun. And no one has ever seen me dressed up like this before. Two skanks come my way. One just looks me up and down and winks but goes on her way. Belle though ran her hand up my arm “ Looking damn handsome, Lug.” she says. I take a step back and I’m about to tell her not to touch me when I hear “ Aye he does. But then again he always does.” I turn to Ailee and my jaw drops.

I can’t say a word. She has left me speechless. That has never happened. Ailee has always been beautiful to me. Since the first time I laid eyes on her in that picture. This version standing before me smiling is absolutely fucking stunning. She should be on billboards across the world instead of standing in the clubhouse. She is wearing a deep blue sequin gown. The painted on top has a V that goes just below her tits. It flared slightly at her hips running all the way down to the floor. As Ailee walked toward me I could see the side slit that went from mid thigh to the floor exposing her silver three inch heels and incredible legs.

Her flaming red hair pulled back on each side of her head and pinned with blue jeweled clips. It falls loosely down her back in spiral curls. Her makeup which she rarely wears looks phenomenal. It isn’t too much just to highlight her natural beauty. All I can think about is that I’m going to have to have fight fuckers off of her all night. And keep my dick down at the same time. Anna walks up to Ailee and hugs her. Holding Ailee at arms length Anna says “Ailee, you look stunning.” “ Thank ye, Anna.” Viper comes over and hugs Ailee as well. “ I second that. And check it out you made Lug speechless. I never thought I would see that happen.” Viper says laughing. “ Oh, I think I can get him to talk.” Ailee says. I’m still standing there with my mouth open. She walks up to me wrapping her arms around my neck “ Haigh (hi in Irish) cowboy.” she says, smiling at me. I know I need to close my mouth and say something. I swallow hard and say “ I’m a lucky son of a bitch.” Ailee laughs “ I was just thinking I’m the lucky one.” She leans in and whispers “ You do look good in that tux but all I can think about is getting you out of it.”

I groan and pull her closer “ Honey, I was thinking the same about that dress. How about we get out of here and get this night over with.” “ I like the way you think.” Ailee smirks. A throat clears and Viper says “ Lug how about you stop groping my cousin and get your asses moving. Finn doesn’t want to stand here all night. Ailee pulls away and looks at Viper pouting “ But he gropes me so well.” she says. The look on Viper’s face has me wanting to double over laughing. I hear a growl and turn to see Ace looking madder than a stirred up hornet's nest. I want to ask him what his problem is but Ailee beats me to it. She turns an icy glare his way “ Problem Mr. Ripley. Last time I checked you lost your right to voice your opinion. And have yet to do anything to earn it back. But I guess you forgot how to use a phone other than for skanks.” Ace deflates right before our eyes. He knows she is right.

Ailee grabs my hand “ Are you ready? I would like to go now.” I pull my hand away and wrap my arm around her waist keeping her close to me. “ Yes, honey. Lead the way.” We bid goodnight to everyone and made our way outside. I see a black stretched limo waiting for us. “ A gift from grandda. Give Finn a break from driving.” Ailee says. This whole night is full of firsts for me and it just got started. I’m curious what the rest of the night will hold. But one thing is for sure. I can’t wait to get Ailee out of that dress. As good as she looks in it I would rather see it on the bedroom floor. And if she wants to see me out of this tux. Well, I can never deny her anything.