Taste of Wolves

Chapter 24

"How are you feeling? Headache? Nausea? Any other symptom?" Quinn asked.

"My head is starting to hurt." She replied.

"Bad hangover, Lil Bit. You're going to feel like shit. I'll head to the diner for lunch and get some soup for you. Should be easy on your stomach." He told her.

"Thanks." She replied, "Why are you being so nice to me?"

"I told you, Lil Bit. You're my girl and I care for you. I'll help you get your house cleaned up too while you're resting. I know how you like a clean house." He stated as Tig and Chibs entered the living room.

"Thank you. I don't deserve you." She looked down.

"Don't talk like that. You're still dealing with the death of your aunt and these feelings are normal, Lil Bit." Quinn told her.

"Trust me, lass, ya don' wan' t' get stuck in the bottom o' a bottle tryin' t' deal with your grief." Chibs stated, "I've been there and it doesn't work. Just causes more problems."

She sighed as she looked up at the Scotsman, "I know. I've always sort of lashed out when shit like this happens. I didn't do well when my parents or grandparents died."

"You've got us to help you through this, Lil Bit. Don't forget that." Quinn gave her knee a squeeze as he spoke.

"Thank you." She stated.

"Well since it doesn't appear there's nothing going on here that's club business, I guess I'll head back to the clubhouse. Take care of yourself, Wolfie." Tig told the group.

"I'll come with ya, brotha. You need me, you call me, Wolfie. Ok?" Chibs stated.

"Ok." She gave a weak smile.

Once the pair had left the house, Quinn turned his attention back to her.

"Let's get you back in bed. You need some rest after the bender you just went on. Sleep if you need to. I'm not going anywhere." Quinn helped her off the couch.

"Sleep sounds really good right now, actually." She chuckled as she wrapped an arm around his waist to help steady herself as they walked.

He helped get her settled on her bed with the TV on so she could rest. Once she was settled and comfortable, he headed downstairs to try and clean her house. He started with cleaning up from breakfast. Putting all the dishes in the dishwasher, washing the skillet Chibs had made the pancakes in, washing down the stove, counters, and table. He poured out the remainder of the coffee and washed the pot out before putting it back. Then he searched for a trash bag so he could pick up the living room. He poured any bottles that still had liquid in them in the sink before tossing them in the bag. Sighing as he looked at all the bottles that had littered the living room, he continued on with his task. Once all the bottles and fast food containers were thrown away, he decided to vacuum the living room. Having finished with his tasks, he headed upstairs to check on Aria.

She was fast asleep making him smile to himself. He headed back downstairs so she could rest in peace. Turning on the TV, he channel surfed until he found a program that interested him. Around noon, he left the house to head to the diner to grab them some lunch. He ran into Juice who asked how Aria was doing. Quinn told him she was sleeping off her hangover for the time being earning an understanding head nod in response. The bearded biker sat at the counter so he could place his to-go order. The house soup that day, to his relief, was chicken noodle so he ordered her a bowl and then what he wanted. His order was up before Juice's so he bid the IO a good afternoon before taking his food and heading back to Aria's house.

He set up lunch at the dining table before heading upstairs to wake his girl. She groaned when he gently shook her but he was determined she needed more food in her stomach. She complained that food didn't sound appetizing and he promised he'd gotten her a bowl of chicken noodle soup to eat and that it would be gentle on her stomach. She groggily got out of bed and followed him downstairs. Eating slowly, she realized how little energy she had and just how badly she did feel. 'I am never drinking that much again!' she thought as she ate her soup. He made sure she finished the entire bowl citing it would help make her feel better. Once she'd eaten, he helped her back upstairs where she laid down and curled into a ball.

"Text me if you need me. I'll be downstairs." He stated before kissing her forehead.

"Mmkayloveyou." She mumbled before drifting off to sleep.

Her mumbled words took him off guard. Was it too soon for those words? Did she mean them? Did he love her? Sure, he felt like he couldn't see his life without her in it. He didn't want to live his life without her in it. Did that mean he loved her too? Standing there, he felt confused and conflicted. Watching her sleep as he stood there, everything came into focus. He was staying at her house to look after her after she went on a bender as she dealt with the loss of her aunt. He'd cleaned her house, or part of her house, for her while she slept knowing she liked to keep a clean house. He'd never done those types of things for any other woman before. He cared enough about her to stay there at her house in case she needed him. He was looking after her like an 'ol man looked after his 'ol lady. He was already having thoughts of inking her. Perhaps he did love her after all.

He leaned down to kiss her forehead again before heading back downstairs. Stretching out on the couch, his mind went back to her mumbled words. How long has she been feeling this way? Did she really mean what she said? Did she mean to say it out loud? Should he say something to her about it? What would he say if he did bring it up? Running a hand over his face, he sighed heavily and leaned his head back on the couch. How did life get so complicated? He cared about her immensely. He was doing things he'd never done before for any woman. He didn't want to see his life without her in it. 'Why does this woman fuck me up so much?' he sighed.

Quinn sat there daydreaming about the life they'd have together. Even with the danger the club brought to them, he thought they could have a good life. Her staying home doing her streaming and having a hot meal waiting for him when he came home from work. Spending time together after her nightly stream either chatting on the couch or spending some adult time together. Going to bed with her in his arms. Waking up wrapped up in one another. Watching her making breakfast for them before he had to head off to the shop for the day and she got her day started. Coming home for lunch and a quickie. He had to smile as his thoughts raced. Yes. He loved this woman and would one day make her his 'ol lady. The idea of seeing her sporting his ink was almost enough to get him hard.

His mind then went into thinking of what he'd want her tattoo to look like. It would have to be unique and beautiful just like her. A little feminine but not too girly. He'd have to talk to her about it and see what she thought about it. He hoped she'd agree to get his ink especially once he explained the significance of the tattoo. Deciding he wanted to go check on her, he got up and headed upstairs to her room. She was just beginning to stir when he entered. She gave a sleepy smile before asking him if he'd lay with her. He smiled back and quickly agreed. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he slipped his kutte off and laid it on the bedside table then bent down to take off his boots. She waited for him to get comfortable on her bed before she curled up next to him.

"How are you feeling?" He brushed some hair out of her face.

"Tired. Very, very tired." She replied before yawning, "And my head still hurts and I feel a bit nauseas."

He chuckled, "Sounds like a hangover alright. Eating light things will help with everything. And keep drinking liquids. You're probably dehydrated from all the alcohol you've consumed lately."

"Mmmkay. You know best." She retorted.

"Have you ever drank this much before?" He inquired.

"No. And never will again." She stated making him smile.

He began rubbing her back as they laid there watching TV. She rested her head on his shoulder and her hand in the middle of his chest. She felt safe. She felt loved. He didn't have to stay and look after her like this but he was. She certainly didn't deserve such treatment after she had a temper tantrum and went on a bender. Hearing her sigh made him wonder what she was thinking about. Debating on asking, he decided against it hoping she'd bring it up herself. For now, he was just going to lay there holding her in his arms and rub her back like a good 'ol man.

A/N: Please review and vote below!