Creed’s Honor by Simone Nicholls

The drinks didn’t stop. Creed and Kobra were suddenly best mates—even Dad was getting along with Creed. Mum was the only sober one. Oh, and Creed had lost every game of pool to me. To his credit, though, he did get to sink a few balls.

“So,” Dad said loudly, looking at Creed, “you in love with my daughter?”

“Dad!” I yelled at him.

“It’s just a question.” Kobra went to Dad’s defence. What a surprise.

“You all have had too much to drink.” I simply stated a fact and even pushed my shot glass away from me. Not to mention the joints they were smoking.

Kobra’s lips twitched up. Oh no. I knew that look. “Don’t think Creed has it in him.”

“Do not start anything!” I whacked Kobra on the arm. But then I saw Creed’s eyes on me and a smile on his face. “This could be your song!” Kobra kept speaking. “Born to Be My Baby” by Bon Jovi started playing.

“Creed doesn’t dance,” I said quickly, trying to save him from my brother and father forcing him to do something he didn’t want to do.

“A man not man enough to dance with his woman, eh?” Dad said, and my gaze shot to him. Dad’s eyes were on Creed. “Then again, she’s isn’t your woman, now is she?”

“Do not do that reverse psychology on him.” I gave Dad a pointed look, but I then saw Creed throw the drink back.

Please, God, don’t make him.

But Creed was getting up.

“Stop, you don’t have to dance with me. They’re just trying to get under your skin!” I said as Creed stopped at my side.

“Probably right, and they’ll probably hang it over my head for the rest of my life.” Creed extended his hand. “But still, Holly Kincaid, will you dance with me?”

I hesitated, but I knew he was putting himself on the line now, even though he’d had a lot to drink. My heart was racing as his smouldering grey eyes locked on me. That was when I slipped my hand into his, getting up.

“You can thank us for picking your wedding song!” Kobra shouted at us as we moved onto the dance floor.

Creed pulled me into his arms. I felt the safety and security wrapping around me as I was in his arms. I felt nervous, and then I looked up, seeing his eyes on mine, and suddenly, I didn’t feel scared anymore, the safety and security I felt as his hand moved up before he spun me around and then pulled me back in his arms.

“So much for not being a dancer,” I commented as a grin spread across my face.

“Come on, darling. What did you expect? I was a billionaire’s kid.” He then dipped his head, his lips twitching up. “Reckon I’ll get away with kissing ya?”

“Hands higher, boy!” Dad shouted from the sidelines, making Creed and me laugh.

That was when it happened. The walls around my heart dropped, and my love for him outweighed the fear of hiding my love for him. As he gave me his charming grin, I knew I was a goner. In his arms, while dancing in my father’s bar to a song I didn’t know, I knew this would be a day that would haunt me. It was then that I accepted that I, Holly Kincaid, was in love with Creed Winston, my father’s enforcer and a true blood biker. For the first time, I felt like he felt something other than friendship for me…and that was my downfall right there.