by Lilly Atlas
Without waiting for instruction, she stroked her hand up and down his shaft, dying to discover all there was to learn about his body and what she could do to make him feel as good as she did. He was long, thick, hot, and so hard against her palm. She could do this all day long. Explore him, learn the faces he made, the noises he emitted, the touches that made his body buck. Every grunt that came from him had her smiling and stroking harder, faster.
“Stop,” he ground out after a few short moments. “I gotta get inside you, baby.”
Cassie nodded. She needed that too. Though he’d satisfied her only seconds before, her body was already craving more of the pleasure. Keeping her gaze on his, she guided him to her pussy as she blew out a shaky breath.
Their gazes locked. “Tell me if you need me to stop,” he said in a strained voice as he began to push inside her.
Cassie started to nod, but it turned into a gasp as he breached her. There was an immediate burn and stretch that had her squirming and biting her lower lip.
Viper froze. “Too much?”
“No, no. Please keep going.”
He slowly inched his hips forward, not stopping until he was buried to his balls. Cassie breathed through her mouth, panting as her body adjusted to the foreign sensation of having a man—a large man—inside of her. She was so full. Stretched to the point just before pain. Riding the edge.
Viper held still. He seemed to be waiting on her before he made another move. It only took a minute for her body to soften and relax around him, but the intensity of being impaled by him never waned. Then suddenly, it wasn’t enough. She needed more, needed him to move, to drag his cock through her insides again. Cassie pulled her hips back an inch then tilted her pelvis up, sliding along his length.
“Shit,” he yelled as his hips jerked. The action pushed him even deeper inside her sending the most incredible zing through her entire body.
She half laughed, half moaned and wrapped her legs around his back.
“You trying to tell me something, minx?”
“Think it might be time for you to move.”
“Happy to oblige ma’am.” He drew back at a maddening pace. Her pussy clung to him, pulling and stretching as he dragged himself out of her. It was so incredible, her eyes rolled back in her head.
And then he pushed back in and she couldn’t decide which feeling was better. The push or the pull. Lucky for her, she got to experience both again and again as he took his time gently thrusting in and out of her. After a few moments of lip biting and torturously slow strokes, Viper held himself still with just the tip of his dick inside her.
She stared at him. Closing her eyes wasn’t an option; the man was incredible to look at. Sweat beaded across his forehead. His arms shook with the effort of holding himself in check. Well, it was time to put an end to the restraint. She wanted all of him and would settle for nothing less. “Viper,” she said in her most authoritative voice.
His lips curled, and he raised an eyebrow.
“Fuck me.”
Now, he gave her a full-blown sexy smirk. He powered forward, no longer concerned with going slow or being gentle. Cassie absorbed every thrust, every moan, and every grunt that he poured into her. It went on and on, the pleasure driving higher each time he rammed into her.
Her body coiled tighter and tighter until she teetered on the edge of another explosive release. “Viper,” she said, losing her grip on reality. The sensations were so powerful, they were almost frightening.
“I got you, baby,” he said. “Keep your eyes on me and come again. Come with me.”
She stared into his deep brown eyes, shocked by the depth of emotion shining back at her. There was something there. A connection that went beyond the mind-blowing physical pleasure. Something she hoped to have the opportunity to explore after tonight.
Cassie came for the second time, riding a wave so high, it was nearly impossible to keep her eyes locked with his. But she did it, and it made the orgasm even more significant than the last. Plus, it gave her the opportunity to watch him come as well.
And what a sight it was. He shouted through his release, throwing back his head and thrusting into her with a powerful slam. His body tensed, muscles straining before he went limp, collapsing down onto her.
“Jesus,” he whispered into her neck. “You okay?”
“I’m perfect,” she said, stroking his damp back. “So, so perfect.” Even though he’d softened, she could still feel him in her oversensitive channel.
He grunted then rolled to his side, taking her with him. As they spun, he slipped from her body. The sense of loss startled her, but it didn’t linger. Two strong arms curled around her and snuggled her back against his chest, reestablishing the connection. Even though they were in legitimate danger, she’d never felt safer or more content in her life.
At her back, his heart tapped out a rapid rhythm. As the minutes ticked by, and their bodies relaxed, she found her heart matching the beat of his.
The calm peace of looming sleep began to soak into her exhausted bones. Just as her body was falling into a deep state of relaxation a shocking thought had her eyes flying open.
She could fall for this man. This rough, tough, biker who risked his life to save a woman he’d never met.
What would the morning bring? In a few short hours, the sun would rise and plans would be made. Would they drop her somewhere along their route? Would they leave her there in Oregon? She couldn’t go back to Washington, living every day of her life terrified the Devil’s Tribe would find her and take her again.
Was there a chance he’d allow her to tag along?
She closed her eyes and willed sleep to come. Surprisingly enough she found herself drifting off in a matter of minutes.
The heat and safety of the man coiled around her freed her to allow rest.
Right before fully slipping under, her subconscious issued a firm warning.
Don’t get too comfortable, Cassandra.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
1982 - OREGON
Nothing like waking up to the sound of a door creaking open while lethal men were searching for him. The second the sound registered, Viper jolted up as though he’d been hit with a cattle prod. His gaze immediately sought the door as he moved to cover Cassie without thought. The instinct to protect her with his life came as naturally as breathing.
“Just me,” Sarge whispered as he shut the door behind him.
Fuck me. Viper nearly passed out from the flip-flop of fear to safety.
There was an audible click then the lamp next to the empty bed turned on. It flickered a few times before finally casting a dim glow into the room.
“What time is it?” Viper asked. Now that he knew the club wasn’t busting through the door, he allowed his muscles to relax and lose the attack-ready tension.
“’Bout four-thirty.” Sarge smirked. “Guess you and the used-to-be virgin had a good time, huh?”
Viper grunted. No way was he about to tell Sarge what a wildcat Cassie had been in bed. He wasn’t sure what had happened there at the end, but it wasn’t like anything he’d ever experienced. If it wouldn’t make him sound like such a pussy to voice it out loud, he’d swear their hearts melded into one.
“You still good with the plan?” Sarge asked, sounding vulnerable for the first time since Viper met him. Had it just been last night he’d spoken those same words as they sat outside the shack preparing to liberate Cassie?
He cast his brother a narrow-eyed look. “You know better than to ask me that shit. You think I’m gonna bail now?”
Sarge’s gaze landed on the sleeping Cassie before he shrugged. “Things change.”
Shit. Viper made sure she was fully covered before propping himself against the headboard. “I’m not gonna flake out on you, brother. Staying here would be suicide, and I’m not planning to run off without you either.”
Sarge removed his boots then lined them up at the foot of his bed. He was the neatest fucker Viper had ever met. A left
over from his army days. Apparently, some shit had been drilled so deep into his head; he’d never dropped the habit. Once Sarge was barefooted, he flopped back on the bed, curling an arm under his head. “This more than a fuck?” he asked, his gaze on the cracked ceiling.
Viper glanced down at Cassie. She slept on her stomach, face turned away. He couldn’t resist stroking his hand up and down the gorgeous slope of her back. She didn’t even stir from the noise of their conversation or his touch. A testament to just how exhausted she’d been. If the warmth in his chest was any indication, this was definitely more than a fuck. At the very least, he wasn’t ready to walk away from her. “Not sure. Think it might be.”
“Viper?” Cassie’s sleepy voice had him smiling. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, baby. Sarge just got in. We were talking. That’s all.”
“Oh.” She rolled over, giving him a view of her sleep-softened face. She propped up on one elbow, taking care to keep herself covered with a sheet. “Hey, Sarge.” Between the sex and falling asleep shortly after a shower, her hair stuck out in a wild mess around her shoulders. Instead of looking crazy or scruffy, it was sexy as fuck. Viper shifted his hips to avoid giving Sarge an eyeful of tented sheet.
“Hey, girl. Damn, now I’m kinda wishing I was the one who got to give you a ride out of Washington,” he said with a wink.
Cassie let out a slightly uncomfortable laugh as she scooted back until she sat propped against the headboard. In some kind of acrobatic miracle, the sheet stayed in place and preserved her modesty. Or at least what was left of it after Viper had at her last night. Her face shone with a gentle pink flush, and fuck how he wished they were still alone. He’d climb right back between those creamy thighs for another shot at hearing her shout his name.
Wrapping his arm around her, he tugged her to him and kissed the hell out of her. When he finished, her eyes were glassy and lust-filled.
“Looks like I’ll be drinking at that bar a lot over the next few days,” Sarge said with a roll of his eyes.
Cassie frowned. “The next few days? How long before you go to Tennessee?”
“Not totally sure,” Viper said. “We’re gonna lay low here for a day or two. Just to monitor the situation. Then we’ll head out.”
Come with us.
The words dangled from the tip of his tongue, but what a fucking insane idea. How the hell could he expect this woman to ditch her whole fucking life for a man who’d given her his dick once? She didn’t know shit about him and couldn’t possibly trust him to keep her safe and provided for.
For fuck’s sake, he and Sarge didn’t know if they’d even mesh with this club in Tennessee. Hell, maybe the Hell’s Handlers would prove to be ten times worse than what they’d left behind. What kind of life could he offer her? One where they woke up every morning wondering if that would be the day the Devil’s Tribe found them? Wondering if she’d be shipped off to an insane asshole who’d purchased her and planned to torture her for the rest of her days? At least with a new MC, they’d have the backing of a brotherhood to keep her safe, but if that didn’t work out…fuck, he didn’t want that for her.
If she went with them, she’d never be able to contact her family. The club would surely be monitoring her house for communication from her for a while. And whoever her people were, they had money. Probably contacts. Would they find her before the Tribe did?
A small snore came from Sarge’s bed. Cassie peeked around Viper’s body then laughed softly. “Guess that’s the end of that conversation.” She rested her head on his shoulder. Damn, she felt good there. Better than good. She felt right. Like she belonged in that very spot.
One could dream.
As much as he dreaded the conversation, it had to be initiated. Burying their heads in the sand wasn’t an option. After adjusting so his arm was once again around her, he said, “You can’t go home, Cas. Not yet. Not for a while. Until we are certain the Devil’s Tribe isn’t looking for you.” He ran his hand up and down the bumps of her spine. Her skin was like silk beneath is rough fingertips. He shouldn’t even be allowed to touch something so soft with his beat to hell mitts.
“I know. I don’t want to anyway.” With a heavy sigh, she shook her head. “Things happened…I’m not ready to talk about it yet, but I’m not interested in going back there.”
If her family had abused her…
“Whoa, what just happened there?” Cassie shifted so she could see his face. Her downturned mouth and furrowed forehead shouldn’t have been as adorable as it was.
Adorable? Since when did he call anything fucking adorable? This woman was melting his brain.
“You got seriously tense just now. Did I say something wrong?” She straightened away from him.
“Did they hurt you?”
Her nose scrunched right along with her forehead. “What? Who? My family?”
He nodded, unable to keep from clenching his teeth.
With a shake of her head, she gave him back his ability to breathe. “No. Not physically. It’s just…some stuff happened that I can’t overlook. I can’t be a part of that world any longer. So…”
“Will they be searching for you?”
On an audible exhale, she pursed her lips and shook her head. “I don’t think so. I left on horrible terms, and my father isn’t the emotional type. I’m pretty sure he’ll just assume I skipped town.”
He ran a hand over her hair. “What do you want to do now?”
Cassie played with the sheet, gaze fixed on it as though it was made of diamonds. Now it was her turn to tense up like a board of wood. “Well, I was, um…I was thinking, maybe…well…”
“I’d like you to come with us,” he said, keeping his voice low to avoid waking Sarge. “It’ll be a long trip, and rough at first. We’ll need to lay low, stay off the grid for a while.”
Her gaze met his, eyes hopeful. “Why Tennessee?”
“Sarge knows of a motorcycle club there that’ll supposedly let us prospect. They’re called Hell’s Handlers, and he claims they’re good guys. Not into the shit the Tribe is into. But I gotta be honest. We don’t really know what we’re walking into. This all happened so fast, we didn’t have time to plan shit. We don’t have jobs or a place to fucking live. Got some cash Sarge and I scrounged up, but shit could be fucking rough for a long time. Don’t know how long it’s gonna take to get our feet under us.”
Unspoken was the dramatic difference in lifestyle for her. Fox had said she came from money. For all he knew she’d never worked a day in her life. Had never sweat and lived without the comfort and safety net of a fat-walleted daddy.
She tucked her lower lip between her teeth as though deep in thought. “I’m not worried about having to work hard or live a different type of life than I grew up in. None of that matters. Trust me, money only turns people into selfish assholes. But I don’t know much about motorcycle clubs, and my one experience hasn’t been good.”
His heart sank. She was gonna say no. “It’s in my blood, baby. It’s all I know. All I’ve ever wanted. Club life ain’t glamorous, but I’ll promise you this, I will not get involved with a club that hurts women. I—” He looked away unable to speak around the solid lump lodged in his throat.
Her soft hand landed on his cheek, bringing his attention back to her. A silent encouragement to continue when ready. Christ, she was beautiful. Add it to the genuine caring and compassion in her eyes and he found his vocal cords loosening.
“I was involved with a girl a few years ago who was raped.”
Her eyes widened and she placed a hand on his chest. “Viper,” she whispered.
He nodded, heart threatening to leave his chest. “It fucked her up. Few months later, she killed herself.” Those were all the details he could go into without breaking down or breaking something in the motel room. All thinking of Vanessa did now was remind him his father was no better than the man who raped his girl. Worse even because he continued to harm women despite seeing firsthand the heartbreakin
g destruction it caused in promising lives.
Cassie stroked her hand up and down, soothing as well as arousing. “I’m so sorry, Viper. I can’t even imagine the pain that must have caused you. Then you found out your club…”
“Right. I don’t stand for that shit. Neither does Sarge. I’m sure he has his own reasons. I was lied to my whole life about what the Devil’s Tribe was. I will not be played again. It won’t be an easy life, not like you’re used to, but it’ll be a good life once we get settled.”
“So you’d want me to go with you guys?”
“I want you to come with me. I want you to be with me. To take a chance on me.”
A huge smile lit her face. “Maybe it’s totally crazy, but yes, Viper, I want to go with you. I want to be with you. I—God, this whole thing is crazy, but it’s what I need. A fresh start on my own terms. On our terms. I don’t need an easy, struggle-free life, Viper. I need a real life chosen and lived by me.”
He couldn’t believe the feeling of relief and elation at her declaration. Perhaps the need to have her with him was just a continuation of rescuing her. A way to ensure his father’s club didn’t get their hands on her and ruin her as Vanessa had been destroyed. Or maybe it was something else. A deeper connection. All he knew for sure was her agreement to accompany them eased all the tension inside his body. He bent down. “Christ, baby,” he whispered against her lips. “You’re fucking amazing. Thank you for giving us a chance.”
“Thank you for saving me,” she whispered back before kissing him. Her slender arms wrapped around him, pulling him with her as she guided him down to the bed. Viper groaned into her mouth as her sweetness flooded him.
“You two start fucking, and I ain’t leaving this time. In fact, I’ll probably jerk off to the show,” Sarge called out.
Cassie squeaked. “Oh, my God,” she whispered. “I totally forgot he was there.”
Viper laughed. “Guess that says something about how sexy you find me, huh?”
“Ugh, you gonna let him say that shit to you, Cas?” Sarge said. “Fucking gross.”