Okay, pumped this one out not as quick as I would have liked but I'm trying! To those of you who followed and favorited, thank you thank you thank you! And a giant thank you to those that reviewed. Seriously, every word encourages me! Please let me know what you think of the story, if you have suggestions or requests, or just want to say hi! Enjoy my lovelies!

Startled, they both looked up to see Chibs standing over them, clearly pissed. Rolling her eyes, she tried to get comfortable against Juice again. "It's called sleeping," she told him, hoping he would go away.

Juice had immediately let go of her and was now holding his arms out to the side awkwardly, praying she would just get off him. He knew Chibs would kill him for this and he wasn't looking forward to it. But currently the older Scotsman's rage was focused on his sister.

She hadn't been back 24 hours and was already doing what was in her power to try to give him a heart attack. He didn't move from his spot and Ellie could feel the heat of his glare on the back of her neck. Juice had tensed the moment her brother had opened his mouth and he wasn't as comfortable now because of it. She knew he was probably freaking out. Sighing she pushed off of him and turned a harsh look on Chibs. "You're a right arse, you know that?" she huffed.

The men watched as she got off the couch and started lazily walking back toward the dorms, Juice trying his hardest not to watch the sway of her ass. "Where the hell do you think you're going?" he asked her.

"To bed," she hissed, not turning around. "We didn't get much sleep last night."

Juice had just risen from the couch as she disappeared from sight, and her last comment made his stomach drop. Ah shit. Chibs rounded on the younger member before grabbing him by the kutte and slamming him up against the wall. Juice had his hands up in surrender, eyes wide. "I didn't touch her man, I swear!" Though, God, he had wanted to.

"That not what it just looked like, Juicey boy," he growled dangerously.

"We couldn't sleep, so we just talked. That's how we fell asleep," he defended, praying Chibs wouldn't hit him – it was too early for that shit.

After a moment, Chibs released his kutte to give Juice a few hard pats on the cheek. "Keep it that way," he warned, before walking behind the bar for some coffee.

Jax had walked out in time to see the rough exchange and couldn't help but shake his head, chuckling. Walking over to his friend, he clapped him on the shoulder. "You fuck Ellie?"

"Jesus, no!" he replied, glancing over to where Chibs stood, nervously. "She's uh… she's not really my type anyway," he lied.

Jax barked out a laugh. "You're a fucking liar, El is everyone's type. Not to mention you were undressing her with your eyes all night." When Jax saw his friend start to fidget at being caught, he decided to cut him some slack. "Don't worry man, she was doing the same to you."

Juice chewed on that bit of information as they parted ways and he headed towards his room. She was sexy and funny and bold and a force he had never dealt with in a woman before. This girl was going to get him in trouble, he could feel it.

XXX

Ellie was hunched over the little desk in the little office, hair tossed up and pen in mouth. Gemma had asked her to look over some of their old bills to make sure they had been paid off by their customers. So far everything seemed to be in place, but she noticed their organization system could be improved. She took the pen out of her mouth and jotted a note down before getting up and opening one of their filing cabinets. She was in the middle of searching for a particular bill that was related to another she had just been looking at when the door from the garage opened up. Startled, she turned to see Juice standing there.

"Uh, sorry," he mumbled, looking around the office.

She cocked her head to the side. "For what?" she asked amusedly.

He shifted uncomfortably. "I don't… Uhm, is Gemma around?"

Shaking her head, Ellie plucked the paper out of the cabinet she had been looking for and walked back to the desk. "She left a moment ago, I'm not sure to where or when she will be back."

"Oh, ok." He continued to shift, rubbing the back of his head with his greasy hands. "Uh, thanks."

"Anything I can help with?" she offered, smiling sweetly at him. After getting a couple more hours of sleep this morning, Ellie had been put to work by Gemma and she hadn't seen much of her cuddle buddy since. Studying him now, she liked the look he was sporting; grungy in his mechanic's jumpsuit and covered in car fluids. Sexy, dirty, and manly… Easy, tiger.Keep it in your pants.

He clenched his fist as he watched her bite her lip as she stared at him. He could think of several things she could help him with… "Nah, it's cool."

She shrugged and hunched back over her work when he turned to head back into the garage. Then she stopped him. "Juice?" When he faced her again, she smirked. "I'm glad my brother didn't hurt your face." He scowled at her and her smirk deepened. "I quite like your face."

Juice scoffed, but it was half-hearted. "Yeah, no thanks to you."

"I knew you'd be alright," she responded, propping her hip on the corner of the desk. Ellie was suddenly very glad she decided on shorts again that morning as his eyes flicked down to her exposed leg. "Besides, I'm sure it wasn't the first time one of them would have taken a swing at you."

At that he barked out a laugh and rolled his eyes. She wasn't wrong. "Yeah, well, I'll see ya."

"Mhmm, see ya," Ellie murmured, tilting her head as she watched his ass as he walked out the door.

Gemma opened the main door as the garage entrance shut, just in time to catch the gleam in the blonde's eyes before she hopped off the desk and cleared her throat. Glancing through the office window, she could see the Puerto Rican's tattooed head retreating. Raising a brow she turned a knowing look on Ellie.

El tried to be convincing with her paperwork – like she was actually doing something. But she knew the Queen had caught her gawking. "Oh, uh, Juice was just looking for you, love."

"Uh huh," Gemma responded sarcastically. She set down a stack of papers on one of the filing cabinets before heading for the garage. "Want me to pass a note to your crush for you?"

Ellie couldn't stop the laugh from bubbling out of her at Gemma's teasing, but flipped her the bird anyway before she headed out. Once the door was closed, Ellie plopped down in the chair and snagged her bottle of water. Looking around the small office, she couldn't help but smile at how happy her heart felt. She was finally home, with her family, and things seemed right. It wasn't forced here. There was no pretending. School was great, but the people she had met and spent her time with while away had just been so painfully ordinary. And Ellie Tellford was anything but ordinary. The club and all of its members had their problems, that was for damn sure. But what was life without a little spice? She knew she was exactly where she was meant to be.

Taking a swig of water, she went back to the boring paper work happily

It had been a week since Ellie's return home, and it had been more or less uneventful. Busy, but uneventful. She had spent a good portion of the week organizing the shop's bills and records, cleaning the office, tiding up the bar, and being shown the ropes on how to fix simple things on cars by some of the guys in the garage. Gemma had given her the day off, saying Half-Sac could handle the phones if anything came up. After sleeping in she took advantage of her day off, walking into town to enjoy the nice day. She had purchased a book at the small little book store, had taken note of a few apartments up for rent in the area, and was now on her way to meet Chibs for dinner.

She enjoyed the breeze as it blew through her hair. The ridiculous heat wave had finally passed and it was now comfortably cool out, the warm sun beating against her sunglasses. While she didn't mind shorts and tank tops, she felt more comfortable in boots and jeans.

The door to the diner chimed as she opened it and perched her sunglasses on the top of her head, smiling at the hostess. After being seated at a booth, she threw her bagged book next to her and flipped open her phone.

Leaving now, be there soon, was the text from her brother. Typical man, always late. Tucking her phone away, she picked up the menu to gawk over the selection. She hadn't eaten since her bagel this morning and she was starving.

Suddenly there was a presence next to her, and she looked up at the young waiter who immediately changed his demeanor upon seeing her and smirked cockily.

"Hi there," she cooed, propping her face on her palm. This should be fun, she thought.

"Hi yourself," he responded, leaning against the booth. "Can I get you something to drink?"

"I'll stick with water, please."

"Sure." He remained where he was and Ellie's lips twitched with amusement at his boldness. She quirked a brow at him. "Are you dining alone? A pretty thing like you?"

The door to the diner chimed and she glanced behind the waiter to see Chibs striding over. Focusing her attention back on the kid, she grinned. "No, actually, I'm not."

"I'll have a coffee, laddie," the Scotsman said, clapping the waiter on the shoulder before sliding into the booth.

Ellie watched entertained as the kid realized who she was with, recognizing her brother's kutte, and he swallowed thickly, all flirtation gone and now replaced by a healthy dose of intimidation. Nodding, he dashed off to get their drinks.

"You're a cockblock," she teased her big brother, chuckling.

"Right, because you would have fucked that little shite," Chibs replied doubtfully, rolling his eyes.

Glancing up from the menu she jutted her chin out. "I'll fuck whomever I please, thank you very much."

When he looked up to meet her defiant gaze, she half expected him to mention something about Juice - who had been avoiding her like the bloody plague all week. He wisely kept his mouth shut before looking back down at his meu. Ellie smirked in victory.

The boy soon returned and took their orders – for Chibs a bacon cheeseburger, and for Ellie a club sandwich.

"So. Happy to be back, love?" Chibs asked her, smiling affectionately.

"Chibs, you have no idea," she beamed. She looked outside the diner window, a smile on her face. "I love this town. But to be back with you and the club? I feel whole again." She chuckled to herself before looking back at him. "I know, it's silly, really. I know I'm not a part of the club technically. But I would do anything for them. More importantly, I'd do anything for you. I missed you so much while I was away."

He looked down and rubbed his hands together. "I'm sorry I couldn't make it to your graduation, Ellie. I just-"

She scoffed and waved away his concerns. "Don't you dare. I know you couldn't. It's not exactly close and I know you were needed here. You supported me the whole time I was away and that means more to me than you watching me walk across some silly stage." She reached across the table and placed a hand over his, giving him a loving smile. "You're the reason I went, and for that I thank you. Don't beat yourself up over it. I know you would have been there if you could have been."

Returning her smile, he grasped her hand. "You're a gem, you know that? And I'm so proud of you."

"I know," she responded, winking at him. When he chuckled, she was glad to have eased his mind. "So, tell me big brother. How have things been while I've been away? Really."

Shrugging, he draped an arm over the back of the booth. "For the most part? Good. We've got a good thing going with the 9'ers right now."

Ellie studied him. To anyone else he would appear nonchalant, but she could see there was unease behind his gaze. "But…?"

He sighed. "It's been going too smoothly. We're overdue for some shite and I can feel it coming, El."

She pursed her lips. "Which is why you've been worried I'm back. You're afraid for me?"

"Of course I'm bloody worried about me baby sister. I know you El, you'll put your nose right in it."

"And you wouldn't?" she returned. "Look, I'm not home to get involved. But if I'm needed, I'll do what I have to." The nervous waiter returned with their food and made a hasty escape. A beat passed between the siblings as they prepared to eat, taking the moment to collect themselves. "Phillip, I know how to take care of myself," she assured calmly.

"I know that," he sighed. "But I'm allowed to worry."

He watched as a kind and loving smile lit up her beautiful face. "As am I. And I do it far more frequently seeing as you're the one actually putting himself in danger all the bloody time." She pointed her knife at him before cutting her sandwich. "So shut it."

He winked in response. "Yes, ma'am."

They enjoyed each other's company and the food for the remained of their dinner, both glad for the time to spend together. While she had been back a week now, they hadn't had much time to catch up. Conversation and laughs flowed easily and by the end, her cheeks hurt and her stomach was full. She was contemplating ordering a piece of pie and asking him to split it with her when his phone suddenly went off. While he answered it she picked at the remaining fries on her plate until he was done. Chibs hung up with a sigh.

"I've gotta head back to the shop, they need me," he told her regretfully.

Nodding, she told him to go. "I've got it, brother. Go to work."

Sliding his sunglasses back on his face, he hauled himself out of the booth before leaning down and giving her a kiss and a sweet pat on the cheek. "Love you."

"Love you, too." She watched him leave and start up his bike before pulling away. Deciding against taking the pie on solo, she asked for the bill and paid. As she went to leave, she caught the young waiter watching her and she winked at him before walking out.

The sweet and peaceful town of Charming, CA was winding down for the evening. She chuckled to herself at the thought. Glancing around the downtown area as she exited the diner, she knew you couldn't always judge a book by its cover. On the surface kids played in the park, old timers got their hair trimmed at Floyd's, and families ate at family diners. How quaint. But beneath all of that was the MC; protecting, dealing, breaking the law and causing trouble. Everyone in town knew it, but everyone in town didn't question it. She thought back to the waiter's reaction to seeing Chibs and smirked. The Sons were outlaws, sure, but they weren't cruel. Not to their town. So, the town dutifully looked away. It had been that way since she left, and she was happy to know it remained the same.

As she walked down the street back towards Teller-Morrow, she caught site of a familiar bike parked outside of the local head shop. She deliberated a moment before crossing the street, looking around for its rider but seeing him nowhere in sight. Chewing her lip, she studied the bike and let her hand run over her smooth black curves. You should go, he doesn't want to be bothered by you, she scolded herself.

She wasn't quite sure who to be more pissed at about the fact that a certain member of the club had annoyingly avoided her all week; her brother for being so overbearing, the man in question for being such a pussy about it, or herself for giving a shit. And she did give a shit. Not only did it hurt to know a member of the club wanted nothing to do with her, but she had decided that first night that she liked Juice. And there was certainly no questioning the chemistry that had brewed between the two of them that first night, either. Said chemistry had been there all week, too, just beneath the surface. No matter how much he tried to avoid it. His lingering looks at her exposed cleavage, her subtle touches against his arm…

Chastising herself, she was about to turn away when the ding from the shop door behind her chimed. Stiffening she turned around and smiled sheepishly at the man that had just been occupying her thoughts. "Hey, sorry, I just wanted to look at her. Haven't really had the chance at the shop and, well, I saw her from across the street and thought I'd run over and…" Cringing, she shut up. She wasn't a rambler and she didn't get nervous. But when she wanted someone to like her that so clearly didn't want anything to do with her, this is what happened. When she glanced up to peer at him she was a little surprised to see him smirking at her.

The cocksure beautiful woman was a surprise when he had walked out. He had been purposely and successfully avoiding her all week and he knew she was aware of it. It made him feel guilty, but the constant glares from Chibs and his own mental warnings had kept him at bay – no matter how much he really didn't want to. But when confident Ellie of all people begin to chatter nervously at seeing him, he couldn't help but smile at her. "You nervous, Princess?" he teased.

Fuck. She pleaded silently with the gods that he never ever call her that again, feeling goosebumps prickle her skin. Her self-control around this man was already strained. Chuckling in attempt to brush it off, she shook her head. "No, you just took me by surprise is all." Juice walked to his bike and began putting his purchase in his saddle bags. "Well, I'll catch you later then," she said after a couple beats of silence.

"Where you headed?" he asked when she turned to leave, swinging a leg over his bike.

"Home."

Without thinking he jerked his head, knowing full well her car was still at the shop. "Hop on, I'll give you a lift." The sun was beginning to set and he sure as shit was going to let her walk home. It had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that he had been wanting to feel her with him on his bike since that first night. He was being a gentleman. That's all…

"Oh, no, that's alright. Don't want to be a burden," she stated, only slightly letting her voice betray her hurt at being ignored all week.

Not missing her meaning, he decided to turn his charm up. Time to schmooze, he thought, giving her his megawatt smile. He patted the seat behind him and held the helmet out to her. "You're not. Now come on."

Ellie gripped her book tighter as she hesitated. On the one hand, she wanted to be stubborn and insist she walk home. On the other… After looking into those beaming brown eyes, she caved. With a smile of her own she snatched the helmet from him before stuffing her book into his saddle bag. Juice watched as she strapped the helmet on, proud that his eyes darted to her chest only once. She swung her leg over and got comfortable, and couldn't stop the excited laughter from bubbling out of her when he started the bike.

"I haven't been on a bike in years!" she explained enthusiastically at his amused glance back at her.

He chuckled. "We'll take the long way back then," he told her with a wink.

Biting her lip, she nodded and placed her hands on his waist tentatively. He was getting in her head and she wasn't sure how to respond yet. Distant all week, now sexy and flirty. This man was going to give her whiplash.

Juice carefully pulled out and slowly navigated his way through the downtown area, hyper aware of her delicate fingers resting at his sides. As they left the small town, he smiled before gunning it and speeding down the long strip of road. Her reaction was as he hoped. With a breathless laugh, she gripped him tighter, moving her hands to his stomach.

God, she had missed this. It had been far too long and she let herself indulge in the simple pleasure of riding free. The wind rushed through her hair and she breathed it in. Closing her eyes, she let her arms hang out to the side as Juice expertly drove them along the California road, the sun hanging low in the sky. There was something magical about riding on a bike – especially with someone who made her insides flutter the way Juice did. After a moment, she returned her arms to wrap around him tighter than they had before, enjoying the warmth of his solid body. Then a wicked idea popped in her head.

Juice had been enjoying the ride as her presence behind him had been a welcome one, even after she had let go. He couldn't remember the last time he asked a girl to ride with him, couldn't remember the last time he had wanted to share that with a girl. Ellie was different. She was a part of this life and it was a joy he knew she would appreciate. When her arms came to wrap around him once again, he found himself comfortable with it – like it was something they had done many times before. Until her hands slowly started to trail down his legs and she pressed her full chest up against his back.

Biting her lip in pure female satisfaction, she relished in his immediate tensing. Payback for ignoring me, love, she thought diabolically. She let her painted nails scrape over the denim he wore as she moved them back towards his abdomen. Slowly, she let her fingers dance over his shirt before letting them dip under it to graze over the toned flesh. A shiver ran down her spine at feeling how muscled he was and how said muscles twitched under her touch. She was sure she heard him groan, but it was hard to tell over the purr of his Dyna.

Suddenly the bike began to slow and she let her hands fall back to his sides innocently. Juice pulled over to the side of the road where the bright yellow sun could clearly be seen surrounded by the dark orange sky above the valley. The colors were beautiful, and she couldn't help but stare as he flipped his bike off.

He had planned to stop here on their way back anyway in hopes of catching the sun set, but now he was more than thankful for the break as he adjusted himself in the seat discreetly. Any more of her ministrations and he wasn't sure what he would have done.

"Sometimes I come up here to clear my head. It helps with my focus," he told her, watching as the sun dipped lower and lower.

She knew he was referring to his ADD, something she could relate to entirely too well with her anxiety. Her heart fluttered at his willingness to open up to her like this after having been so distant the past week, and she knew it was his way of saying sorry.

"It's gorgeous," she replied softly. She rested her chin on his shoulder as they sat in a comfortable silence and let the beauty of nature wash over them. When the sun finally fell and the sky began to darken, they decided to head back. "Thank you for sharing that with me."

He turned his head to smile at her and give her some kind of witty reply, but stopped short when he saw how close their faces were.

His eyes darted to her lips, so full and pink. His gut clenched as he imagined how she tasted, and almost leaned in to find out. But when he saw her eyes flutter closed, he pulled himself away to start the bike. Chibs would kill him, he kept reminding himself. He had realized ignoring her had been a wrong move. One he wasn't happy he had made for so long. Throughout the week she had been chatty and friendly with everyone else – why couldn'tthey be friends? That's why he had brought her here, as an olive branch in hoping they could start over. But he had to keep himself in check. Couldn't be friends if he crossed that line.

The start of the engine had her jolting, but she refused to be discouraged. She knew he felt it, it was too… electrifying. She'd just make it her duty to test his resilience to not giving in to whatever it was that was between them. She was patient.

They headed back towards the club, both enjoying the ride in the night until suddenly they rounded a turn and saw a giant fire in the distance. Juice came to quick stop as they watched it burn.

"What the hell is that?" she questioned.

Suddenly the fire grew and they heard the sound of an explosion.

"Son of a bitch!"

Then it hit her. "Is that the fucking warehouse?!" The gun storage would make sense; all of that gun powder would certainly cause such an explosion. Juice looked at her in shock, and for some reason it offended her. "Of course I know about the bloody guns, Juice," she snapped.

Turning back to the roaring fire in the distance, he couldn't help the bad feeling growing in his gut. If it was the warehouse, then the club was going to have some serious shit to deal with. "We gotta get back."

He sped back to the club with Ellie holding tight, knowing he would probably be needed. She couldn't help but think back to Chibs' words, about knowing something bad was coming. She hoped it wasn't anything too big. The club had run into obstacles before and they always came out on top.

They soon pulled into the lot of the club and Juice parked in the row. She knew she needed to retire to her room and stay out of their way as they figured everything out, and she could sense the tension rolling off of Juice. Hoping to distract him, if even for a moment, she slipped the helmet off before leaning into him and placing it in his hands. Tilting her head, she let her lips ghost over his cheek. "Next time you feel like avoiding me," she whispered, letting her teeth nip his ear. "Don't."

Ellie hopped off his bike, letting her fingers graze over his with one last mischievous smirk over her shoulder before she headed inside to turn in for the night. She smiled to herself, feeling the heat pool in her belly at the look of pure desire on his face. Regardless of whatever might come for the club, she decided she was going to have him.

Please review and leave me all of your wonderful thoughts! Peace, darlings!