Animal’s Reformation

by Wilder, Chiah

  “Call the paramedics,” the detective said. He looked at Animal. “Do you want to tell me what exactly went on here?”

  “Just doing your job, again,” Animal replied.

  “That’s not good enough,” McCue said, taking out his notepad.

  “That fucker’s the serial killer you’ve been looking for.” The look of shock crossing the cop’s face brought an immense amount of satisfaction to Animal. More than once, the Insurgents had done the work the police should have.

  “You’re jumping to conclusions here.” McCue wiped one of his hands on his pants.

  “He tried to kill me. It’s Dr. Linney—my boss. He meets women online,” Olivia blurted out.

  “I’m going to have to ask you some questions,” McCue said as he walked over to her. “Let’s go into another room so they can process the crime scene.”

  “The copy machine room is where it started,” Olivia said as she pulled away from Animal to stand up, then immediately leaned into him again.

  “Okay.”

  Animal and Olivia followed the detective to the reception area. Animal sank down in one of the chairs and settled his woman on his lap.

  It was going to be a long night.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Three months later

  Tangerine, then amethyst emblazoned a sky broken by long trails of clouds. The sun, now a fiery orange ball, sank low behind the craggy mountain peaks.

  The carnival’s colored lights blinked in the encroaching darkness, and a warm breeze carried the tantalizing scent of freshly spun cotton candy.

  “Can I go on the Ferris wheel with Paisley and Hope?” Lucy asked, pointing at a large wheel studded with yellow, blue, and green lights in the distance.

  “Yeah, but you gotta hold on tight,” Animal said.

  Lucy reached for Olivia’s hand, and a warm glow spread through Olivia as the three of them—Lucy in the middle—walked toward the entrance of the carnival.

  “I used to love the roller coaster when I was a kid,” Olivia said.

  “I want to go on that too, Dad.”

  “Okay, but you gotta ride with us,” Animal replied.

  “I’ve never been to a carnival before,” Lucy said, her eyes widening the closer they got to the flashing neon sign.

  “You’re going to love it,” Olivia said. “I think they’re all about the same.”

  The traveling carnival materialized in the same open field for the same three weeks every summer. During the day, the booths and tents looked a little worn and rusty patches were evident on some of the rides, but at night, everything was magical.

  When they entered under the large archway, Lucy broke away from them and ran over to one of the booths where Paisley and Hope were trying to fish a prize out of a gigantic bowl. Olivia saw Cherri and Addie huddled together, talking while their husbands, Jax and Chas leaned against the counter watching their daughters.

  As they walked toward the group, Animal’s arm settled around her waist, and she moved closer to him until she could feel the heat of his body seeping into hers. When they reached the booth, Animal bumped fists with Jax and Chas, and Olivia crossed over to the two old ladies.

  “Have you been here long?” Olivia asked Addie.

  “Just about an hour.” Addie looked over at the three giggling girls. “Lucy’s come such a long way since she moved in with Animal.”

  Olivia beamed. “Yes, she has.”

  “So has Animal—he doesn’t have that befuddled look on his face all the time,” Cherri said.

  Olivia laughed. “He’s finally gotten comfortable in the daddy role.” She looked over at him and a shiver ran through her. “He’s such a wonderful person.”

  “And he’s totally in love with you. To be honest, Animal was one of the last guys in the MC who I thought would be in a relationship. In the years that I’ve been around the club, I’ve noticed that when one of these guys falls, he goes down big time.” Addie giggled. “I remember how hard Chas fought his attraction to me, and he was downright pissed about it.”

  “Jax was the same, but I have to admit that I wasn’t the easiest one to catch,” Cherri added.

  “And now you’re both happily married with families. When I first met Animal, I fought it and thought he was the last man I wanted to be with, but it turns out he was the one guy I couldn’t live without.” She glanced over at him again and found him watching her with hooded eyes that were alight with desire. Her body hummed as memories of late nights spent tangled up with him flashed through her mind. Reluctantly, she dragged her gaze away from his and back to the old ladies.

  “I got a stuffed animal!” Lucy cried as she clapped her hands.

  “Choose the doggie,” Paisley said.

  As Olivia watched Lucy decide between the small spotted dog or the white one with tiny hearts all over it, Animal came behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. He pulled her back against the hard line of his body.

  “Did I tell you how sexy you look tonight?”

  The warmth of his breath on her skin made the prickle of electricity dance along her spine, sparking low in her belly. “Yeah, but you can tell it to me again.”

  “You look fucking hot, baby.” Animal buried his face against her neck, lips nuzzling slowly … tantalizingly up to her ear.

  Arousal surged through her senses and she wanted to drag him behind one of the outlying tents and throw herself at him. She wriggled closer against him, and a low growl rumbled from his chest.

  “Fuck, baby, you feel good,” Animal said, voice vibrating against her skin.

  Olivia moaned softly and put her hands on top of his. What she wouldn’t do to have those hands all over her, doing wicked things to her body.

  “Look, Dad and Olivia.” Lucy held up the prize she’d won—stuffed brown dog with black spots. “He looks like Patches … sorta.”

  Olivia broke away from Animal and ran her hand over the stuffed animal’s fur. “He’s so soft, and he does look like Patches.”

  Once Lucy had gotten out of school, she’d been relentless about getting a dog and had enlisted Olivia’s help in convincing her dad to get one. Olivia smiled at the remembrance of the three of them at the shelter, checking out the dogs until a mutt with various hues of brown and black spots came up to the cage and nuzzled his wet black nose against Lucy’s hand.

  “You did good, kiddo.” Animal tugged playfully on his daughter’s braids. “You want us to hold him for you so you don’t lose him when you go on the rides?”

  “Yeah.” She handed her prize to her dad. “Can we go on the Ferris wheel now?”

  “Let’s go!” Paisley said, tugging Jax’s hand.

  Jax laughed. “I guess our daughters have spoken.”

  The rest of the night was filled with rides, games, corndogs, cotton candy, and many stolen kisses as they strolled across the carnival grounds. The colored lights piercing the darkness, the melodic music from the carousel mingling with the din of the crowd, and the constant clicking and clacking of the roller coaster cars as they moved along the tracks lent to the wonderment of the evening. The times they spent as a family cemented the deep love they had for each other even more. Olivia couldn’t imagine her life without Animal or his sweet daughter. He was all she ever wanted, and Olivia loved Lucy like she was her own.

  On the drive home, the radio was turned down low, her hand was in his, and a warm breeze blew through the half-opened windows. Lucy slouched in the back seat, dozing, and Olivia’s eyelids drooped as she stared at the passing houses and trees standing in silhouette against the moonlit sky.

  “Lucy had a great time tonight,” Animal said in a low voice.

  “It was precious seeing her so happy.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek then ran her fingers through his hair. “You’re a very good dad,” she whispered. “Lucy’s lucky to have you.”

  He threw her a sideways glance. “I’m lucky to have her … and you.” He brought her hand to his lips. “I fuckin’ love you, babe.”


  “And I’m crazy about you, sweetie.” She tucked his hand under her chin and rested her head on his shoulder.

  “You worried about the upcoming trial?” he asked.

  “Not really … sort of … I don’t know.”

  “The fucker should just plead.” He spoke in a hushed tone.

  “He won’t. Dr. Linney is too egotistical to do that. I still can’t believe how he turned out to be the psycho. I don’t blame Mrs. Linney for taking the boys and moving back to Oregon. They could never live a normal life in Pinewood Springs—Dr. Linney forever tainted that for them.”

  “I still say his old lady must’ve known he was a fuckin’ nutcase. How can you not know something is wrong with a dude you live with all those years?”

  “I agree with you, but Dr. Linney could be a very charming man. I bet she picked up some strange vibes from him and either ignored them or rationalized them away.”

  Animal chuckled. “Your psych classes are paying off, babe.”

  “Dr. Davison still can’t get over that the subject for my research paper turned out to be a serial killer. How’s your mom doing with all this?”

  Animal looked in the rearview mirror at Lucy. “She’s pissed as fuck that she may have to testify.”

  “Is Lucy still sleeping?” Animal nodded. “Has your mom stopped having liaisons with guys online?”

  “That’s what she tells me. This shit scared the hell outta her, and she’s been staying home more.”

  Olivia saw his jaw clench, and she kissed it softly. “I know this is hard for you, but from what you’ve told me, it’s a mutual thing between your parents.”

  He shook his head. “It still sucks. I don’t know … I’ve stopped trying to figure it out. It is what it is.”

  “As long as they’re happy and your mom’s careful, I guess it’s something you and Jada just have to life with.”

  “But not accept.” His jaw hardened again.

  “Dr. Linney was definitely a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. He kept talking about a beast inside him that had to be satisfied. He said that the hunger was overpowering and he couldn’t control it. You’d think he would’ve gotten some help over the years.”

  “Don’t kid yourself, the fucker enjoyed what he was doing. He got off on the fear and the control he had over his victims. He should fry.”

  A comfortable silence stretched between them, punctuated by passing long-haul trucks. Animal veered the car off the highway, and the low hum of the motor soon lulled her to sleep.

  The engine shutting off startled her awake, and Olivia glanced over at him as she stretched, her chest thrusting out. His gaze dropped to her breasts.

  “I dozed off,” she said, bending down to pick up her purse.

  Animal tipped his head in the direction of Lucy. “She’s out like a light. Once I get her settled, you and I can have some fun.”

  Anticipation flushed through her at the husky sound of his voice.

  Olivia slid out of the car and crossed the garage to the back door. Animal cradled a conked out Lucy in his arms as he walked through the door Olivia held open for him. She followed him upstairs and watched as he disappeared down the hall into Lucy’s room.

  Olivia walked into the master bedroom and rushed over to the dresser where she’d been keeping a few personal items. She took out a package she’d stashed there earlier that morning and hurried into the bathroom.

  Olivia slipped on the sexy, black lingerie and padded over to the bed. Sitting on the edge of it, she put on a pair of stilettos, knowing he loved fucking her with her heels digging into his firm ass. She fluffed her hair with her fingers, then got up and switched off the overhead light, leaving only the nightstand lamp on, then sat on the bed and waited. Short, uneven breaths escaped her as the seconds ticked by, wanting, needing him in the worst way.

  A thin, silvery line of moonlight filtered in through the slatted wooden shutters and slowly crept along the floor almost to the door that had just opened. Animal stopped in the doorway, his gaze raking over her. Olivia saw the look in his eyes, and her heart thrilled at its intensity.

  “Fuck, baby,” he rasped.

  Olivia cupped her breasts and squeezed them. “Do you like it?” She teased him.

  “Fuck, yeah,” he replied hoarsely.

  Animal shut the door behind him then pulled his shirt over his head and threw it on the floor. Next came his boots and socks. Mesmerized by the revelation of each inch of his magnificent body, Olivia’s hands dropped to her lap. The sound of him unbuckling his belt sent a shot of hot desire through her.

  “Let me do it,” she whispered.

  Lust sparked in his eyes as he moved closer to the bed. “I’d like nothing better than to have your hot, pretty lips around my cock. Get on your knees, baby.”

  Olivia climbed off the bed and knelt down on the multi-colored rug, licking her lips in anticipation.

  “Your look so fucking sexy. Did you just buy that?”

  “Uh-huh.” She cupped her breasts again and squeezed them. “I bought it just for you.”

  “Fuck, baby.” Animal stood in front of her. “My dick’s aching to get inside your mouth.”

  Olivia captured his gaze as she undid his belt then slowly unzipped his jeans. With both hands on the waistband, she pushed down his pants along with his boxers. His hard rod popped out and swept across her mouth. Animal stepped out of his jeans and kicked them away then he grabbed a handful of her hair and pushed her face toward his shaft.

  “Make me feel real good, babe,” he said in a low, husky voice.

  Holding her gaze with his, Olivia smiled seductively then ran her tongue over the length of him, circling the underside of his head. She licked the bead of pre-come, then swallowed his thick cock while she lightly scratched and played with his balls.

  “That’s it,” he rasped his eyes burning into hers. “You know how to please your man.”

  “I love pleasing my man,” she said then pushed his dick back into her mouth again.

  He held her head in place and thrust his hips in and out of her throat. “So fucking good,” he whispered. “And I love seeing your tits bouncing and your ass wiggling as your hot lips wrap around me. What a fuckin’ beautiful sight. Damn.” He groaned and the small sound sent a shockwave of need down to the very base of her toes.

  He shoved in and out faster and harder as he held her head tight, and the sparks of desire zapping through her were off the damn charts. Moving her hand between her legs, she slipped her finger under the thong and massaged her soaking sex. A sharp pull on her hair made her eyes water and she looked up and saw Animal’s piercing gaze.

  “No touching, baby. That’s all for me. I’m gonna take real good care of you. I can’t wait to peel you outta that fuckin’ hot number you got on.”

  The swollen head of his cock pulsed in her mouth, and the ache between her legs throbbed. She hummed and she felt him jerk in surprise. She’d been wanting to try that tip she’d read about in one of her women’s magazines. By the way his fingers gripped her head, Olivia knew that she was on to something. She grasped the sides of his outer thighs and kept humming a low, wordless tune that made her throat vibrate. Olivia increased the intensity as her tongue laved his hardness, and she took him in even deeper.

  “Fuck, that’s good. Shit … yeah …” His hand yanked her hair.

  Her hand pumped the base of him in rhythm with his thrusting.

  “Damn, woman,” he rasped, easing her back a bit then withdrawing from her mouth. “I’m gonna blow if we keep this up, and I want your hot, sweet pussy wrapped around my cock, darlin’.” He pulled her up and inched her backward toward the bed. When the backs of her knees hit the mattress, she sat down, pulling him with her. He lay on top of her, their lips fused together as his palms skidded down her skin before slipping under her ass and squeezing her cheeks.

  “Oh, Animal,” she murmured as he kissed a trail down to her breasts.

  With his teeth, he untied the satin ribbons cover
ing her tits and flicked her nipples with the tip of his tongue before drawing one into his mouth and pinching the other with his thumb and index finger.

  Olivia moaned and arched her spine, stretching her arms over her head as coils of desire unfurled inside her. She knew she would never get enough of him; he was her lifeline, the blood that pumped through her, the lover she’d always imagined.

  “I love unwrapping you, baby,” he said huskily as his hands skimmed down to the throbbing between her legs. “I bet you’re soaking wet,” he whispered as his finger untied the ribbon covering her sex then encased itself between her swollen folds. His touch was like the spark of a match, igniting all her nerve endings. She groaned and his mouth was back on hers, swallowing all her cries of pleasure.

  “Animal, I need to feel you inside,” she said when he broke away.

  “You will, but first I wanna taste and feel every inch of your beautiful body.” Animal slowly peeled away the lingerie until Olivia had nothing on except for the stilettos. He knelt next to her reclined body, his heated gaze roving over her nakedness. “Fuck, baby … just fuck.”

  She reached up for him but he grabbed her wrists and placed them above her head then bent down and kissed her hard, deep, and raw. Desire coursed through her, lacing around her nipples and sending jolts of pleasure to her throbbing sex. Animal always made her feel so alive, so cherished, so nasty. And at that moment, the only thing she wanted was to feel him inside her, move in rhythm with him, and soar to euphoric bliss with his name on her tongue.

  “You look so fucking tempting,” he rasped as he settled himself between her legs, spread them wide with his hands then lapped her in one long sweep from her puckered hole to the top of her hood.

  “Oh fuck!” she cried out as he continued to lavish deep strokes over her most private part. She sucked in her breath and gripped the sheet, balling it in her hands. Animal looked up and caught her gaze, his lips and chin glistening with her juices.

  “You taste so sweet and awesome, darlin’. I fuckin’ love it,” he said before burying his mouth in her folds and gently sucking her hardened bud. She thrust her hips up and his chuckle created the most intense vibrations against her clit. Then two of his fingers plunged into her and she moved in rhythm with them, trying to build enough friction to reach that place where her body would explode and all tension would melt away.