Speed King (Men of Action)

by Ahren Sanders

  “Crap!” I turn to see the three men with bills in their hands and scramble to them.

  “Sorry,” I tell Steve, who’s been a regular since Jewls and I started. “You want the usual?”

  “Sure.”

  “What can I get you two?”

  The other guys order beer and I pop the caps off, handing them over.

  “Is that your mom?” Steve asks.

  “It is.”

  “She’s as beautiful as you.” He’s always been flirtatious.

  “I’ll tell her you said that.” I pour his usual, and when I hand it to him, his eyes are wide and geared over my shoulder.

  Without looking, I know who he’s staring at.

  “You guys staying a while?”

  Steve nods, pulling his attention to me.

  “I’ll start a tab.”

  I step into a wall of steel, losing my balance. Arms wrap around me to keep me upright. “Careful.”

  The warmth of his breath sends a shiver down my spine, and I link our fingers, dragging him to the end of the bar where Tom is smirking.

  “You have ten minutes.” He tosses his hand dismissively.

  “Ten minutes for what?”

  “Ten-minute break.”

  “You never give breaks.”

  “Your boyfriend seems to think you need one. And since you saved my ass with that large party, I agree. Jewls and I can handle this for a few minutes.”

  “Are you feeling alright?” I reach to his forehead.

  “Don’t be a pain in the ass.” He swats the air.

  “Babe, you hungry?” Achilles squeezes lightly.

  “Kinda, I usually scarf down something when things slow.”

  “I ordered you something.”

  “What did you order?”

  “Grilled cheese.”

  I burst into giggles. Last night, I attempted to make grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner, which ended up charred. It was his fault for distracting me.

  “Sounds great.”

  We walk to the crowd, and Jewls pushes a plate my way. “Where’s the other half?”

  “I was starving.” She licks her lips.

  “You want more, I’ll order it.” Achilles settles his arms around my hips and props his chin on my shoulder.

  “This will be fine.” I offer him a bite and he nibbles a corner.

  “Is it better than last night’s version?”

  “Nothing is better than last night, except for maybe the shower.”

  Heat creeps up my cheeks, remembering the endless hours we spent making out yesterday. We also talked—about everything. Once Achilles unloaded his reasoning for his distant attitude, a new man took his place. He shared stories from his time in the Marines, places he’d traveled, different missions and assignments they all had. I realized early that he’d given me only tidbits all those years in order to keep me from worrying. For hours, we reacquainted on anything and everything about each other.

  Mistakenly, I let it slip about the only guy I dated seriously in college. Well, as serious as it could be with only one party in the relationship that was faithful. Achilles’ eyes went scary dark, his jaw ticking as he held me tighter. Possessive vibes radiated from him. I changed the subject quickly to lighter stories from over the years.

  It was one of the best days of my life. But the shower will always be a fond memory. That first look at Achilles naked is forever seared into my brain. So strong, so built, so incredibly sexy. And discovering he had a penis piercing… my insides heat thinking about the desire and hunger in his eyes as I backed out of the room.

  The noise grows quiet, and I look to find everyone watching us. My mom is beaming so brightly I wonder if she’s about to burst into song and dance. I glance at my dad, who’s also smiling approvingly. My bit of erotic bliss shatters when I remember his part in Achilles’ ruse all that time.

  “You and I are having a talk.” I point to him.

  His grin grows wider, and he tips his beer. “I expect we are.”

  “Wait a minute… is little Harley the…?” Hal trails off, staring at us.

  “She sure is. You can’t miss the twinkle,” Talon chimes in, holding out his hand in waiting.

  Ace grumbles low at the same time I ask, “Twinkle?”

  “Shit, I totally see it now,” Ford adds, digging out his wallet and handing Talon a twenty-dollar bill.

  “Fuck, me too.” Major does the same.

  “Do I want to know what they’re betting on and why Hal is looking at me funny?” I semi-whisper.

  “Got that one, too.”

  I glance at Talon, whose phone is geared in my direction, and Ford is grinning at the screen.

  “Did you take a picture of us?” Achilles’ voice is low and angry.

  “Yes, the guys in MARSOC are loving this. I tried to get a few last time, but there was too much happening. They turned out blurry.”

  “Are you fucking kidding me?”

  “What’s MARSOC?” I break in to help ease the irritation coming off of Achilles.

  “Acronym for Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command. We have some buddies invested in this.”

  “Invested in what?”

  “Ace isn’t exactly known for his softer side. The romance between Ace and Jay is spreading like wildfire and the guys want proof.”

  “Does this have anything to do with the twinkle comment?”

  “Yep.” He perks up proudly.

  “Bunch of grown fucking men acting like teenage girls,” Ace utters. “I told you they’re jackasses. Ignore them, that’s what I do.”

  I shrug, taking a bite of my sandwich and leaning into him.

  “I spoke to Tom, and whenever he thinks the crowd has thinned enough, Ford and Major plan to help him move those tables and chairs back to the corner.”

  “That’s unnecessary. Everyone will pitch in. It’s our job.”

  “It’s not up for discussion, and they don’t mind helping.”

  He leaves no room to argue, and their help will make it much easier. After a night like tonight, closing will be a pain in the ass. “Okay.”

  “I’ll pick you up at seven-thirty, and I’ll bring breakfast.”

  “Once again, unnecessary. You’ll be exhausted.”

  “Seven-thirty,” he states plainly. “And at the risk of seriously pissing you off, it would make me really fucking happy if you could let Steve know his flattery is useless.”

  There’s a bite to his request, and I swallow down my laughter. “Considering I’ve met his girlfriend several times and he openly dotes on her, that is unnecessary. He’s harmless.”

  He grunts, kissing the side of my neck and twirling me to face him. “I have to get to the station. But text me when you get home and let me know you’re safe.”

  “I will.”

  “You think you can pack a bag and spend the weekend at my place?”

  “Wouldn’t my place be more private?”

  “Your place is great, but I’m scared I’ll crush your bed.”

  The image of his huge frame in my bed pops into my head, and I let out a small laugh. “A sleepover at the Club? All weekend?”

  His eyes begin to shine that lightened hue, and I understand exactly what Talon was referring to.

  “Yeah, a sleepover at the Club, with me, all weekend. I don’t work again until Sunday night.”

  “I think I can handle that.” I slip my arms around his stomach.

  “Ten minutes is up!” Tom yells from somewhere close, and I sigh, dropping my head to his chest.

  “Baby, I know you’re itching to lay into your dad, but he’s here tonight for a reason.”

  “What’s the reason?”

  “To see for himself that I’m done fucking things up.”

  God, I love you… I bite my lip to keep from blurting it out loud. Instead, I say softly, “You better go before I tackle you.”

  His eyes flare, and he tips his head to kiss me quickly. “Save the tackles for this weekend.�
��

  “Go.” I pinch his side and step away, heading back to work. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  11

  Ace

  “Oh my God, is this all yours?”

  “Yep.” I toss her bag onto the bed.

  “Achilles, this is enormous. It’s three times the size of the bedroom I showered in last weekend.” She walks to the French doors leading to the terrace that overlooks the pool and yard. “Are the other rooms like this?”

  “Just Ford’s.”

  “How’d you get so fortunate?”

  “I won a bet.”

  She chuckles and spins, her eyes flinging around rapidly. I prop my hip on my dresser and watch her as she explores my space, disappearing down the hallway and coming back a few minutes later with a look of wonder. “This suite is possibly larger than my apartment. Your bathroom is the size of my bedroom.”

  She’s right. “When Ford’s parents built this house and staged it, they set this room up like a studio apartment, with a full sitting area in front of the fireplace and an office section in one corner. The only thing missing is a kitchenette. When we moved in, the Whitmans offered the furniture but we furnished our own way.”

  Her eyes go to my bed, which is the key piece of furniture. “You were correct in your bed being larger than mine. I’m not sure if that would even fit in my room.”

  “It wouldn’t. I measured this morning when you were finishing your hair.”

  “It’s massive, but then again, you’re kinda a massive guy.”

  “Come here.” I hold out my arms, and she doesn’t hesitate to walk into them, her hands going around my neck.

  “I like your room.”

  “But…”

  “No buts, it’s very nice.”

  “My room is a room. I spend little time in here. The bed is for sleeping, the dresser holds my shit, and I bought the nightstands because they came in the furniture package.”

  “Don’t forget about the gigantic television.”

  “A man’s got to have his TV.”

  “Utilitarian.”

  “Utilitarian?”

  “Basic, bland, no-frills.”

  “Baby, I know what it means. But what do I do about that?”

  She pulls her bottom lip through her teeth and glances around thoughtfully. “We could start with your own set of purple towels.”

  “These walls may crumble if you add purple anything.”

  “Hmmm, you’re probably right. There are some beautiful shades of grey that may be a better choice until I ease you into the color wheel.”

  “Sounds like I’m getting a woman’s touch?”

  “Only if you want it.”

  “We’ll find time this weekend to hit a store.”

  She jerks, her eyes lighting up. “You’ll go shopping?”

  “I’ve shopped before, but bet going with you will be more fun.”

  “I’ll make it fun, promise.”

  My hands settle on the small of her back, my palms cupping her ass and closing the few inches between us. “Whatever makes you more comfortable when you’re here.”

  The light in her eyes fades, and she tightens the hold on my neck. “I don’t need anything but you.”

  The raw honesty in her voice hits me deep, and my forehead falls to hers, searching to find the right words. “Harley,” her name comes out strained and she nuzzles closer.

  “We’re new and things have been shaky. Maybe it’s too soon to say that, but I haven’t exactly hidden my feelings.”

  “We covered this ground. Never keep things from me.”

  “It feels surreal, standing here in your arms like this.” She tilts her neck, sweeping her lips across mine tenderly. “I really, really like it.”

  We stay this way for a few minutes, kissing gently. A slow burn builds inside, racing through my veins. Her tongue slips through my lips, curling around mine at the same time she arches her back and presses deep into me. My hands slide down, bunching the material of her skirt until my fingertips glide over her silky smooth skin.

  “Baby, where is the rest of your underwear?”

  “I don’t like panty lines.” She smiles against my lips.

  A new hunger builds inside, and I growl down her throat, gripping her ass cheeks firmly. She shifts her hips, purposely rubbing against the bulge in my shorts, and I rip my mouth from hers, dropping my face to the column of her throat. My tongue darts out to lick the vein racing against my lips. “We need to leave this room.” The statement comes out more as a warning.

  “Why?”

  “You know why.”

  She sighs. “One of these days, I’m breaking through that impenetrable self-restraint.”

  I bend my knees, lowering my hands to her thighs, and hoist her up, twisting to sit her on my dresser. She lets out a small yelp, locking her ankles around my hips, and when I pull back, her eyes are glittering wildly.

  “My self-restraint is non-existent with you.”

  The argument forms on her face, telling me what she’s thinking. Before she can speak, I continue. “Forget about the years we were apart, because that wasn’t as much restraint as it was determination.”

  “What about now?”

  “Now it’s about much more. I’m not sure I can explain it.”

  “Try.”

  I slide one hand from under her thigh, along her back, until my fingers thread in her hair. “I’ve waited a long time for you to be mine, Harley. And I’m never taking that for granted. Fucking you against a shower wall or dresser for our first time isn’t the way I want this to happen.”

  She tries to bow her head, but I hold her in place. “Let me do this my way.”

  “I don’t have a choice.” Her voice is small, and a tinge of pink splotches her cheeks.

  “You deserve to be cherished and devoured by a man who knows how lucky he is to have you. Fortunately, that man is me. Wipe any doubts from your mind and trust me.”

  “I’ve always trusted you.”

  A new high rushes through my system. This is an honor that I’ve felt only a few times in my life. But unlike those times that were wrapped in tactical and power accomplishments, this is much more. “How about dinner?”

  “I am hungry. I skipped lunch today to run a few errands.”

  “What errands? I had the day off, you could have asked me.”

  A coy smile tugs at her lips. “The kind of errands a woman does to surprise her boyfriend.”

  The possibilities of her ‘surprises’ set my mind spinning. We have to get out of this room before I break every one of my rules. “Let’s go.”

  “Are we going out or staying here?”

  “Staying here.”

  “Then do you mind if I change?”

  “No.” I set her down and smooth her skirt. “I’ll wait.”

  She throws a wicked glance my way and reaches behind her to unzip the skirt while walking to her bag. Once there, she slides the skirt off. I plant my feet and cross my arms, watching her every move. She unbuttons the four buttons on the front of her blouse and slips it over her head, leaving her in nothing but the deep purple matching bra and skimpy panty set, and strappy silver heels. As hard as I try to keep my eyes straight, I can’t stop them from roaming over her.

  She bends over her bag, taking her time digging through, and turns slightly to give me a view of her ass. The same perfect fucking view she teased me with in the shower.

  I lock my knees to keep from storming to her.

  “I can’t seem to find the shirt I’m looking for.” Her eyes are dancing with delight as she raises them.

  “Take your time. I’m enjoying the show. The heels are a nice touch.”

  She blows out a frustrated breath and tosses clothes on the bed. I press my lips together to keep from laughing as she jerks a tight tee over her head and slips on cut-off shorts, throwing the shoes in her bag. “I’m ready.”

  I make it to her in three strides, yanking her back in my arms. “I amend my sta
tement earlier. Purple is quickly becoming my new favorite color. And at some point, I plan to take my time undressing you and getting an up close and personal view. If that was a preview of your surprises, I can’t wait.”

  “I’m thinking you have a will of steel.”

  “I’m trained in patience and discipline. But even the strongest man can break. I said I wasn’t fucking you for the first time against a shower or on top of my dresser. I didn’t make many more promises.”

  Her breath hitches, and she glides her hands under my shirt, sliding them up my back. “I’m not hungry anymore.”

  In a quick move, I have her over my shoulder. “Put me down.” She wriggles to get free, and when we get to the kitchen, I plop her on the center island.

  “There you go.” I kiss her nose.

  “You don’t play fair.”

  “I can say the same thing about you.”

  “Fine! I’ll behave.”

  “Who’s behaving?” Talon strolls in, fresh from a run, wearing nothing but shorts and dripping sweat. Ford is behind him in the same state.

  I open the wine and pour her a glass, throwing them each a bottle of water and grabbing a beer for myself. When I hand her the wine, I notice her eyes glued to their chests.

  “Babe, it’s not a good idea to ogle other men in front of me.” My attempt to tilt her chin fails.

  “Doesn’t bother me.” Ford flexes for effect.

  “Yeah, let her look.” Talon smirks.

  I follow the path of her eyes and the hair on the back of my neck prickles when I realize what she’s seeing. “Baby, look at me.”

  She snaps out of her daze. “Sorry, I zoned out.” She tries to cover, but one glance at Talon and Ford and they know she’s put it together.

  Our identical tattoos.

  “I’ll explain later,” I mumble softly.

  She nods, taking her wine and flashing them a smile. “I’m thinking I could sell tickets to the Casanova Club if this is the way each Friday night kicks off. Achilles serving wine, half-naked men prancing around the kitchen. A girl can get used to this.”

  “I don’t know, I miss the sex kitten sprockets wrestling in the bushes from last week,” Talon teases.

  Her cheeks flame. “We weren’t—“ She stops herself and drops her head. “Yes, we were totally dressed like sprockets, but the wrestling was a fluke. You scared the shit out of us.”