by LeAnn Ashers
I’m feeling empowered. “I want to do more, if you want to,” I tell him before I chicken out. I want to go the rest of the way. I need to.
He leans over me. “Baby, that was for you. You don’t have to.”
This is why I want to. He is thinking of me and making sure I’m okay. I touch the side of his face. “I want to. Love me, Aiden. Show me.”
He closes his eyes, my words affecting him. I lean forward and kiss the side of his face, wrapping my arms around his neck.
He touches the side of my arm before his hand drifts to the back of my head. “Are you one hundred percent sure, Grace?”
“I’m ready. I want it to be you. I’ve never…” I stop because what am I? What do I call myself?
“You’ve never?”.
“No, you’re the first since…”
He grins so beautifully, stirring a deeper part of my heart. “I’m honored.” He kisses me, oh so sweetly, and I can feel the passion.
“I’m clean and on birth control,” I tell him when he starts to reach into the nightstand drawer.
“I’m clean too.”
He slides off the bed, taking off his clothes. I eye him every moment, enjoying seeing him fully naked for the first time.
Nerves fill my stomach. But this time it’s not the bad kind, but the anticipation of what’s about to happen. Of course it’s going to be uncomfortable, but I also know with Aiden it’s going to be perfect no matter what.
I am doing a three sixty, but just letting go, letting it happen, and letting Aiden pleasure me made me change. I saw it as scary for such a long time. I never really wanted to be intimate with anyone, but with him it’s so different. I want to throw caution to the wind and have that deeper connection with him.
He slides into bed with me, kissing me. He gets between my legs, and I rest my right leg on the back of his thigh. I can feel my heart starting to beat faster as the reality of what’s about to happen kicks in.
His hand snakes between our bodies, and his finger strokes my clit in little circles. I hiss, breaking the kiss, because I’m really sensitive after my orgasm earlier.
He moves down my body, and his tongue runs across my nipple before sucking hard. My back rises from the bed.
“Is my baby ready for me?” he growls, moving to my other breast.
“Yes,” I say, sounding completely out of breath.
“Fucking soaked,” he hisses, dragging his tongue between my breasts. He makes his way up my body until his face is above mine. He cups my pussy. “Who does this belong to?” he asks.
“Me.”
He grins goofily. “That’s fucking right, baby, but it’s mine to worship.” He pulls my legs further apart, and I feel him at my entrance. “Relax.” I relax my muscles, which I didn’t even realize were tensing up.
His thumb strokes my clit, and I grip his shoulder and dig my nails in. “Oh god,” I moan at the feeling of being stretched.
Little by little, he makes his way inside me. He pulls out and moves back in with little strokes, to get me adjusted.
Once he is finally all the way inside me, our eyes connect. “You’re so beautiful, my Gracelyn.” He kisses me, just as he moves slowly inside me. He takes my hands and presses them above my head, our fingers entwined.
With every movement, every single touch, I feel so cherished. He makes sure I’m okay, and this is one of the best moments of my life.
This is a big deal to me.
I wrap my arms around his neck, holding on, as I get closer and closer to the edge, my breathing becoming more rapid.
“Harder,” I plead. I’m right there but I need more.
He moves faster, harder, and with each stroke he grinds against my clit. I bite his shoulder, my whole body shaking, and then I explode.
I go limp as I convulse around him. He continues to move inside me to prolong the orgasm before I feel him explode.
He groans deeply in my ear. I love that I gave him that much pleasure. I run my hands down his back as we both come down from the high.
He slowly slides out of me, and we lie together trying to catch our breaths. I press kisses against his cheek, head, and shoulder, loving every second of this.
“I will be back.”
He walks into the bathroom, and I grin and stare at the ceiling. I’m really happy. I’ve thought so many times that I would never be happy. I felt like I was cursed, but I now know that the perfect man was made for me—he just had to come into my life.
He walks out of the bathroom holding a washcloth. “What are…” I stop as he presses the warm cloth between my legs, cleaning me.
He looks at me. “What?”
I probably have a crazy look on my face; I am trying my best not to cry because that was so sweet.
“You’re just perfect,” I tell him honestly.
He tugs on my toe. “No, that’s you, sweetheart.” He tosses the washcloth into the bathroom and climbs in bed with me. He pulls me against him until my head is resting on his chest. I think I could do this every single night for the rest of my life.
He slowly drags his fingers across my back. “Sleep, baby.”
I close my eyes and I fall asleep in seconds.
Aiden
Today has been a long day, but it ended on the best note it could have. I knew she needed this—and I loved every second of it—but it hurt me knowing that she was so scared. Seeing the fear on her face will forever haunt me.
The second she let that go, she changed right before my eyes. I am so fucking honored that she let me be the one to help her let go.
It fucking kills me knowing her father is out there right now, breathing. He doesn’t deserve a single second after what he did.
I am in awe of how strong she is. She has been so brave and unbelievably strong, doing it all alone.
I hold her a little tighter. I don’t sleep for hours, listening to the sound of her breathing.
9
Grace
Aiden and I walk hand in hand to the back of the clubhouse, where everyone is grilling and hanging out. Aiden is carrying Reid.
I spot Amelia standing next to Lane, helping him with the food. I also see a lot of people I don’t know. They are wearing cuts for a different club: Devil Souls MC.
Travis walks out of the clubhouse with Aiden, and Bailey walks over to me. “Want a drink? We have some daiquiris if you want one.”
I usually don’t drink, but I think one won’t hurt. “Sure.” I slip my hand from Aiden’s. “I will be back.”
Amelia joins us, and a bunch of other girls come from the group of Devils Souls guys. I look back and smile at all of them, and they return it. In the kitchen I lean against the counter looking at the newcomers.
Amelia points to the first girl, who looks a lot like Lane and Smiley. “This is Shaylin. She is Lane’s sister.”
She points to the girl next to her. “This is Kayla. She is the VP’s ole lady.” She is beautiful, and her hair is to die for.
Next to her is a girl who, for some reason, I see a lot of myself in. I can tell, right off the bat, she has fought some demons. “This is Alisha, Techy’s ole lady. She is Adeline’s daughter—Adeline is Smiley’s Ole Lady.”
The next girl appears to be the youngest. “This is Paisley. She is Torch and Kayla’s daughter and Liam’s ole lady.”
“It’s nice to meet all of you.” I smile warmly.
I can tell these ladies are just as nice as the Grim Sinners girls. “I don’t know about you girls, but I think a girls’ night needs to happen,” Kayla tells all of us.
“Yes! I would love that.”
We all make small talk and make plans for the following weekend. When we return to the party, Aiden is sitting in a chair, holding a beer, talking to a few guys I don’t know. I walk over and sit in his lap.
“This is Gracie, this is Torch and Techy. They are members of the Devils.”
“It’s nice to meet you guys. I was just talking to your ladies. We have plans, next weekend, for
a girls’ night.”
Both of them pale and I look at Aiden, who is just grinning. They excuse themselves. “Did I say something wrong?”
“Oh no, the girls tend to get into trouble if they’re all together.”
“Ahh, that makes sense. You don’t care?” I pull his arm into my lap.
“Nah, I trust my girl.” He nips the side of my neck, causing me to laugh. I settle back into his arms, enjoying being around good company and spending time with Aiden. Reid is being passed around to all the ole ladies.
Aiden’s mom walks in at the exact moment Walker steps out of the clubhouse. He looks around and his eyes land on her. He stares at her before a slow grin comes over his face, and he walks over to her.
Uhh oh.
“What the fuck?” Aiden snarls and I try not to laugh. I think Walker would be so good for Laurie. She deserves to be happy.
Walker takes her dish from her, and she laughs at something he says. Together they take the plate to the table.
“What is he doing with my mother?” Aiden looks so traumatized.
“Honey, your mom is gorgeous and Walker is single.”
His eyes widen as the dots connect. “Not my mother.” His voice is higher and I cover my face laughing. It makes me wonder how he would be if he had a daughter and she tried to date. “Baby.” I laugh and hug him; he is being so cute.
Amelia walks over to us with Reid in her arms. “I think someone is missing his parents.”
My heart skips a beat at her calling me his parent. I love the sound of that.
Tiffany sits down in the chair next to me and Aiden. “How are you enjoying your week off from practice?” I ask her. Since we don’t have any games coming up anytime soon, I let them have the time off.
“I love practice, so not so much,” she confesses and I laugh.
“I was the same way when I played.”
She looks off for a second, and I can tell she wants to say something. “Leah came to school today with a bruise on her neck. She could barely talk.”
I close my eyes. “I will do something about it, honey.” I touch her hand and she nods, looking sad.
Leah lives with her mother and stepfather, and I know both of them are on drugs. When I saw the bruises, I asked the person who owns the center if he knew anything about her case. Apparently, social workers had been called in the past, but nothing has happened. It looks like I’m going to be calling the social workers again. My heart hurts for her, and it hits a bit too close to home for me.
Tiffany sits higher in her seat. “Let’s have a softball game, us against the guys.”
“Let’s do it.” I slide out of Aiden’s lap. “Do you have a bat and ball?”
She gives me a look that says duh. “Of course I do.” She runs to her dad, and I know she is telling him her idea.
“You ready to get your butt whooped?” I wink at Aiden.
He smirks. “Baby, the only thing getting whooped is your ass later.”
I feel my face heat, and I peek around to make sure no one heard what he just said. “Your daddy is just crazy.” I rock Reid side to side, enjoying snuggling with him.
A few minutes later Tiffany walks out of the clubhouse carrying a couple of balls and her bat.
“I’m going to take Reid to your mom,” I tell Aiden.
His mother is still talking to Walker. I sneak over. “Do you mind watching him while we play softball?” I ask her.
I caught the tail end of their conversation. Walker was asking about tomorrow night. Do they have a date? Aiden will be pissed, but I am excited for her.
“Sure, honey.” She takes Reid from me, and I leave her to finish their convo.
We all file out into the field behind the clubhouse. Tiffany is already standing on the pitcher’s mound. I take my hair tie off my wrist, put my hair in a bun, and head to first base.
“Have any of you guys played before?” I ask Amelia, Shaylin, Joslyn, Bailey, Paisley, and Alisha.
Shaylin, Amelia, Paisley, and Bailey raise their hands. “Okay you guys, hit the bases.” The others hit the outfields. We all slip on our gloves. Tiffany has a shit ton of gear; she brings extra gear to practice for others who need it.
One by one the guys make their way over to us, with all of their swagger. They think they’ve got it in the bag. Tiffany winks at me, and I hold back my laughter. Don’t underestimate me or Tiffany.
Tiffany’s face lights up when Travis steps up to bat. I know this means a lot to her. This would have been my dream when I was her age.
Travis raises his bat but his form, in holding the bat, is completely off. I know one thing: Tiffany is not going to hold back against Travis the way she usually does when pitching to other girls.
Not my girls though. I’ve trained them hard to be the best, and when they’re older, I want them all to get scholarships so they can be whatever they want to be in life.
Tiffany nods and then throws. Lane is standing behind Travis, being the catcher. I guess he is going to be the umpire.
“Strike.”
Travis looks slightly rattled. I grin. Tiffany pretends not to be affected. She throws again, harder. “Strike!” Lane calls again. Tiffany pushes her ponytail over her shoulder, pulling her cap down over her eyes.
She relaxes her stance, and I know she is going to let him hit the ball. She throws a slower pitch, and he hits it. Amelia picks up the ball and throws it. I run to the right to catch it, because she threw wide.
“Out!”
I throw the ball to Tiffany, and she kicks the dirt as Aiden comes up to bat. He lifts the bat, and I know immediately that he’s played before.
Tiffany looks at me and I nod, letting her know to go full force. She throws and he hits it to the outfield. Joslyn runs and swipes it off the ground; it goes to Paisley and then to me. I jump, catching it in the air, and touch Aiden just as he reaches me.
“Hot fucking damn. I see why she’s Tiffany’s coach,” Travis says from the back of the line.
“Grace, let’s change out,” Tiffany says and I grin. Wilder is up next, and I know he’s played baseball, because Aiden has mentioned it.
I walk over and take Tiffany’s place. I nod and Wilder readies his stance. I throw the ball as you would in baseball. Wilder’s eyes widen as the ball hits Lane’s mitt. “Strike!”
“That’s my girl!” Aiden calls and I shake my head, laughing at his goofiness. Wilder schools his face, and I know he isn’t playing anymore.
I throw and he hits it. It slides right down by my foot, and I kneel to catch it. I throw it to Tiffany, who catches it. I blow on my hand and dust off my shoulders; I may be a bit cocky. I put the ball down, and now it’s our turn to hit.
Tiffany is full-out laughing as she runs to my side. “They never expected that,” she gloats. “We showed them.” I raise my hand and she smacks it.
I am first in line. I take the bat and twirl it around in my hand a second before settling into my stance. The pitcher is Torch from the Devils Souls; Lane is still the catcher. He got the gear from Tiffany.
Torch throws the ball, and I don’t try to hit it the first time. I like to get a feel for their pitches before I swing.
I take a deep breath and let it out slowly, and Torch pitches. Whack! My bat hits the ball, letting it soar to the outfield.
My bat hits the ground, and I take off in a sprint. I make it to second base right before Liam, Paisley’s husband, catches up to me.
Tiffany is up next and I move a bit off base, ready. Torch throws the ball, and Tiffany hits it on the first pitch. I take off running, making it to third, and Tiffany gets to first.
Paisley is up next. She moves into her stance and Torch pitches. She nicks it and I still take off sprinting. I slide into home and Tiffany moves to third as they get Paisley out.
The game continues for a while, and we have four home runs before we call it quits. The guys accept the loss, and Tiffany is eating up the fact she beat all of these bikers.
Aiden makes his w
ay to my side and taps me slightly on the ass. “You’re beautiful.”
I move up on my tippy toes and kiss him. “Thank you, baby.” I run my hands down his arms.
We make our way back to the clubhouse, where the food is ready. I take Reid back from Laurie, and Aiden carries our food to a table. After we sit down, Laurie joins us, with Walker right beside her.
“Bastard,” Aiden grumbles under his breath, and it takes everything in me not to burst out laughing.
“Aiden, can you hand me his blanket? It’s getting kind of chilly.” The sun is starting to go down, and the temperature is dropping. I cover up his little legs and lay my head on Aiden’s shoulder for a second before I go back to eating.
Everything happens in slow motion. I hear the screech of a vehicle, and I look over just as someone rolls down a window. A guy steps out and I scream, wanting everyone to get out of the way. I am picked up off my chair and set on the ground. Aiden tosses the table over, and I lie on the ground, holding Reid under my body.
Aiden puts his body over both of us, and Walker lies on top of Laurie, right beside us, as they open fire.
It feels like it goes on forever. Then it stops and starts up again, but the sound of the gun firing is much closer. I peek over and see Lucas and a few others returning fire.
Then the vehicle zooms away, and Aiden slowly moves aside. I sit up and clutch Reid to my body. I am shaking with terror.
“Baby, get inside. We are going after them,” Aiden tells me. I take Laurie's hand, and the rest of the ladies and kids rush into the clubhouse.
I look at the surveillance screen on the wall. All the guys are leaving and rushing after the shooters.
I settle onto the couch, trying to catch my breath. Some of the other ladies are doing the same thing. I never expected for that to happen.
Aiden covered my body; he would have taken a bullet for me and Reid. Everyone’s first priority was the women and kids.
Amelia sits down beside me, with Tiffany at her feet, and I can tell that she is scared. Hell, we all are. We were eating our food and enjoying ourselves—then bam!
Luckily, no one was hurt. That would have been devastating.