As he stared down at me with concern in his eyes.
“We need to get out of here,” he said.
I swallowed hard. “You’re—you’re really here?”
He nodded. “I’m really here. But I’m really ready to not be here. What about you?”
“Did—did Hope—”
“We can talk about that later. Right now, though? We have to get you somewhere safe.”
17
Link
I carried Joanna in my arms as I walked her into my childhood home. I had changed some things over the years. Like the hot tub on the back porch. Or the garden I kept at the back corner lot. I ripped up all of the carpeting years ago and laid down nice hardwood, and I also had the kitchen and bathrooms tiled instead of dealing with my parents’ cheap linoleum. Most people walked into my house and rubbernecked, to some extent. And I got it. My house was pretty big for just one person. Four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a sitting room right at the front of the house. A sprawling backyard with twenty acres I owned that stretched out back and across two smaller lakes. It was a lot for one person. But I enjoyed it.
And now, I hope it brought Joanna some peace.
She trembled in my arms as I walked up the stairs. I made my way into the back bedroom, through the double doors that led into my personal space. I took her right into my en suite bathroom because I knew what would help relax her.
A nice hot bath overlooking the backyard I kept painstakingly tailored.
“Here. Let’s get you out of these clothes,” I said.
I set her on the edge of my granite bathroom countertop and her sniffling broke something inside me. I blinked back my own tears as I slid the pathetic excuse for a bikini off her body. She covered herself from me, as if she were ashamed of what she looked like. And just for that action alone, I wanted to slaughter Skeleton and his kind.
“Rose or honey?” I asked.
She sniffled. “What?”
I cupped her cheek. “I’m going to run you a bath, JoJo. Rose bubbles or honey bubbles?”
She paused. “Honey sounds interesting. You have bubbles for a bubble bath?”
“What? A man like me can’t take a bath once in a while?”
“I mean, I guess I just never pictured you in a bath.”
“Well, not all of us gruff biker guys take showers in the mud.”
She giggled, and that was enough for me. I grinned at her before I slipped away and prepared the running water for her. I made sure a towel was within reach. I told her to stay put while I went downstairs to get her a snack. I poured her a glass of wine and got her some juice so she’d have a choice. Then, I filled a bowl with fresh fruit and another bowl with sweet cream.
Then, I ventured back upstairs.
“So, I wasn’t sure what you wanted to drink. But I got you—”
“Wow,” she whispered.
I stood at the doorway of my bathroom with snacks in my hands. And I watched as JoJo sat perched in my tub. With bubbles slowly creeping up her body, she rested her arms on the edge of the claw-footed tub. Gazing out the massive window that lined that particular wall. It was tinted on the outside, of course. But it also provided an unimpeded view of the backyard.
As well as the sprawling acres I owned behind it.
“It’s beautiful,” she said breathlessly.
I walked over and set her snacks down onto a small table I kept at the head of the tub.
“I work hard to keep it that way,” I said.
She peeked over at me. “You do all of that to your backyard?”
I shrugged. “Once every three or so months I have someone come in and professionally manicure it. But I mow it. And water it, when it needs watering.”
“Is that a garden I see back there?”
I nodded. “Yep. That’s mine. I grow a few things here and there. Not during the colder months, though. For obvious reasons.”
“What’s your favorite thing to grow?”
I watched her take the glass of wine as I leaned against the bathroom counter.
“It’s a toss-up between all sorts of beans and carrots. There’s nothing like a fresh bean and carrot soup during the fall months. And I’m a beans and rice kind of boy, anyway.”
“Is this where you tell me you don’t eat meat, either?”
“Oh, no, no, no. Don’t get me wrong at all. I love me some meat. Steak. Chicken. Ribs. Pork. The whole nine. But my mother was also a southern woman, so I have an appreciation for the foods she grew up eating.”
She sipped her wine. “Hence the beans and rice.”
“Mhm.”
She sighed. “What’s going to happen to those girls, Link?”
I knew she’d be concerned about them. “My guys and I have a plan to liberate them.”
“But not tonight?”
“As many as they can grab tonight. And who we can’t get to, we’ll devise a plan to go after at a later date. The main goal was getting you out of there, though.”
I watched her eyes water. “I can’t imagine what my sister went through. I went through it for a few hours, and she went through it for—wait.”
“I know what you’re going to ask, and you don’t have to. I talked with Hope. I told her to stay safe. And once you want some privacy, I’m going to go give her a call and let her know how things went.”
She finally looked over at me. “Thank you. For everything.”
I locked my eyes with hers. “You don’t have to thank me for something like that. I love you. And I’ll always take care of you.”
Her eyes widened, but she didn’t say anything. And when she turned back to look out over my backyard, I made my leave. I backed out of the bathroom and closed the door behind me, leaving it cracked ever so slightly in case she called out for me. I fished my phone out of my pocket and walked back down the hallway. I leaned against the wall, nervous that I hadn’t already heard from one of my men.
But I resolved myself enough to dial Hope’s number.
And it didn’t shock me when it didn’t even ring once.
“Link. Tell me you have her. Please.”
I nodded. “I have her. She’s at my place right now. She wanted a bath and a glass of wine.”
She let out a soft sob. “Oh, thank fuck. Thank you. My God, I don’t even know how I’m going to pay you.”
“Don’t you dare worry about that. Having a solid reason to go after the Golden Jags is enough for us. They’re hated among the other crews around here. No one can stand Skeleton. And now that we have a reason to go after them? I know we won’t be the only crew to rally around that task.”
“Is she… okay?”
I took my time trying to find the right words.
“I think she’s fine physically, yes.”
“What did they do to her, Link?”
I shook my head. “It’s not what they did to her. It’s her realizing what you’ve been through all this time. I think that’s the part that’s really getting to her.”
“When can I see her?”
“As soon as you want. As far as I’m concerned, both you and JoJo are under our strict protection until further notice. And to be honest, it’s going to be easier to take care of you both while the dust settles if the two of you are in relatively the same place.”
“Okay. Well, I don’t know if I’m okay with staying with Jo. I mean, I love her. But we’re kind of two sides of the same coin. We butt heads a lot, and no one needs that drama right now.”
I chuckled. “We’ll figure it out, okay? And in the meantime, if you want somewhere else to bunk? I’m sure one of the guys won’t have an issue with you bunking with them.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. Will you tell Jo that I love her? And that I’m so glad she’s safe.”
“I’ll definitely tell her. You have my word.”
“Thank you, Link. Seriously.”
I smiled. “You’re welcome, Hope.”
I hung up the phone and turned to head back into the room, only to fin
d JoJo standing there. Dripping wet and in a towel, her eyes studied me before she popped a blueberry between her lips.
“How’s my sister?”
I slid my phone into my pocket. “You should still be soaking.”
“I kind of freaked myself out being alone in there. Is she all right?”
I walked over, placing my hands on her wet shoulders. “You’re safe here, JoJo. No one is going to get to you here. They’ll have to go through me first. And that shit isn’t happening.”
“Link.”
I sighed. “Your sister’s fine. Very relieved you’re okay.”
“What do you think would have happened to me had the auction ended before you guys got there?”
“That never would have happened. Ever.”
“But what if it did?”
I squeezed her shoulders. “There’s no sense in playing that game. It didn’t happen, and it never will.”
“It almost did, though.”
“‘Almost’ is the key word there.”
She sighed. “I don’t know what to do now. I don’t know where to go from here, Link.”
“I do. If you’ll hear me out.”
Her eyes widened into puppy dog eyes. “Did you mean what you said in there?”
I knew what she was talking about. “Yes. I did. Which is the solution to all of this. Be my girl and come live here.”
She blinked. “What?”
I cupped her neck with my hands. “Be my girl and come live with me here. Because if you’re my girl, you’re protected by the crew. Hands down, no questions asked. Hope needs somewhere to go, and if you come stay here then she can take your place in the house you’re in now.”
“She doesn’t have the means to pay rent.”
“Did I say anything about her paying something?”
Her eyes watered. “Link, I can’t ask you to—”
“I know you can’t. And I know you won’t. Which is why I’m offering. I told Hope over the phone that one of my men would be more than willing to put her up somewhere if she wanted to stay with someone she knew could keep her safe. But if she wants her own space? That’s the perfect move. You come here, she goes there, my men watch her there while I watch you here. You two are in the same town, merely ten minutes from one another. And she’s welcome over anytime.”
A tear slid down her cheek. “Where the hell did you come from?”
I brushed it away, chuckling. “You just had to move here and have your car break down. That’s all.”
She giggled, and it tugged a smile across my face. Damn it, I loved this woman with more passion than I’d ever loved anything in my entire life. And that included the Dragon Riders. But wariness crept into her face again, which worried me.
“What is it, JoJo?”
She sighed. “You know your lifestyle doesn’t bother me, right?”
Ah. “You’re concerned about what people might think since you’re a lawyer.”
“I mean, wouldn't you be?”
I paused. “I’ll admit, it’s a bit odd. You work strictly in the white and I practically live on the edge of gray and black.”
“It could affect my reputation and seep into my career.”
“I would say I don’t care, but it’s not my reputation on the line. Nor my career. All I know is that I want you safe. That’s all that matters to me.”
Her eyes danced between mine before a small smile slid across her cheeks.
“I can’t have a career if I don’t make it out of this.”
I grinned. “No, you can’t.”
“And my reputation means nothing if I can’t work because some crew has me as a target.”
“That’s a very good point.”
“And it’s not like you guys deal in drugs or guns or any of that stuff. Right…?”
I shook my head. “You have my word that we don’t touch the stuff. Our bars are above board and legal. You don’t have to worry about that.”
She nodded slowly. “So, I guess there’s only a matter of pinning down when I should move in.”
My eyes darkened. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
She smiled up at me. “I guess you’ve got me. Hook, line, and sinker.”
And as my lips claimed hers in a heated kiss, I knew she’d be mine forever.
Because I was never letting this woman go. So long as I lived.
18
Joanna
I stretched my hands over my head as the bacon crackled in the pan. Last night had ended on a very good note, despite the turn it had taken. And waking up to Link had always been the treasure of a lifetime. The idea of always waking up to him made my heart skip a beat. The idea of being able to curl up against him naked every evening made my skin pucker. I looked up and gazed out the kitchen window, catching my soft reflection in the glass.
And the hickeys on my neck made me giggle.
I turned the bacon in the pan as my mind wandered about. I wasn't sure how I’d balance a life in the law as well as a life in a motorcycle crew like this. But I’d fallen for Link. At some point in time, my heart had caved to him. Wholly, and completely. I felt it when we made love last night. I felt it with every kiss he pressed against my skin and every stroke of his fingers against my body. I felt it in the way my heart stopped as I orgasmed around his cock. I felt it in the way he looked down at me, never pulling his eyes from mine. I felt it in the way I held him, and the way he held me in return.
We were hopelessly in love.
And nothing could change that.
“Mmm, I smell bacon.”
I grinned at the sound of his gravelly voice. “Morning, sunshine.”
His arms wrapped around me as he placed a kiss into the crook of my neck. I shivered with delight as I drew a deep breath in through my nose. His fingers played with the hem of my shirt. I smiled as he nibbled along my exposed shoulder. Sleeping in his shirt last night felt fantastic. I woke up smelling like him, and it felt like he had himself wrapped around me all night.
“If you keep wearing my shit, I’m going to throw your clothes out and make it mandatory.”
I snickered. “Good luck. I’ve got some good clothes in my closet that I’m very protective of.”
“And I can’t wait to see them on you.”
Link’s arm reached around before he moved the bacon off the stove. I furrowed my brow as he plucked the tongs from my hand, then his palms fell to my hips. He spun me around and moved me off to the side. He picked me up, settling me against the kitchen counter as I clung to him. I giggled and gasped. He pushed himself between my legs as his hand threaded through my hair.
Then, he pulled my head back softly, opening up my neck.
“I know exactly what I want for breakfast,” he murmured.
I moaned as his lips fell to my neck. His free hand crept up my thigh, forcing goosebumps to trickle along my skin. I sighed with relief as he kissed down my neck. As he pulled the neckline of his shirt off my shoulder just to kiss more of me. I held tightly onto any part of him I could find. His arms. His hair. The muscles of his back. I clung to him as his lips explored me. Kissing, sucking, and marking everything in its path.
I couldn't take it any longer, though.
I had to have him.
“Link,” I whimpered.
He growled. “I know what that means.”
My eyes fell closed as the shuffling of clothes filled my ears. And before I knew it, his hands scooted me to the edge of the counter. He spread my knees open, exposing my naked pussy. And as he slid the head of his cock up and down my slit, I shivered with delight.
“Fill me up. Please,” I whispered.
Then, he sank his girth into me.
“Oh, Link.”
He grunted. “So tight for me. Always. Fuck, I can’t wait to enjoy this every night.”
He scooped me off the kitchen counter with his cock still filling my pussy. He walked us over to the kitchen table, where he laid me down flat on its surface. He shoved my shirt
up, exposing my pert tits. And as he licked his lips, he tweaked my nipples between his fingers.
Forcing my walls to close around him.
“There it is,” he groaned.
I bucked my hips against him, wanting him to move more than ever. I locked my ankles around his body, pulling him deeper as moans fell from my lips. He started a slow and steady pace. Teasing my nipples with his fingertips as my clit hardened for him. Then, his thrusts grew frantic. He pounded against me, wildly tugging at my nipples as my back arched.
The pain and the pleasure were too much. And the words effortlessly fell from my mouth.
“Fucking hell! I love you. I love you. I love you, Link. Oh, fuck. Please. I’m so close I can—I can—I can—”
He growled. “That’s it. Come on my dick. Cover me in you, Joanna. I love you. Holy shit, I love you so much.”
“Link!”
My back bowed and my eyes rolled back as I fell over the edge. He gripped my hips, curling his fingers so hard against my skin I knew he’d leave his fingerprints behind. His cock grew thicker, spreading me apart. My wails turned silent as my pleasure overrode my ability to do anything else. Tears of happiness brewed behind my eyes. I’d never felt so much ecstasy rushing through my veins in all my life.
“Yes. That’s it. I’m coming. I’m coming. JoJo, holy hell. I’m coming.”
I collapsed just as Link exploded inside me. With his hands planted against the table, he rutted against me. Thrusting shallowly into me, like a wild animal. I trembled against the cold, hard surface. I relished how amazing he felt buried inside me. My eyes fell open as I stared at the ceiling, feeling him collapse against me.
Our hearts, beating in time together as his chest sat against my own.
“I love you,” he murmured.
Link (Dragon Riders MC Book 1) Page 13