by C. M. Steele
"I'm actually a professional blacksmith. Beast is a lawyer. Law is the sheriff. And, well, Cowboy owns his own ranch. We may be rowdy from time to time, but we're all hardworking bastards.”
“Great. Now I’m more of an outsider. I’m just a college dropout with nothing to do but wait on Joe.”
“It’s weird when someone calls him Joe, but I’m going to give you a bit of advice. Don’t think of yourself like that. Joe has worked his ass off to get a life many can only dream about, and he wants you to fill in the missing pieces. You know, I hate when society tells women to compete with men instead of completing them. We’re all the yin and the yang, two halves that need to be united. The right woman can only make a man complete. You don’t need to do what he can. You need to do what he can’t. The same goes for him, but he knows that. Do you have dreams or aspirations?”
“Only to be with him…to have a family…with him.”
“Well, then, who gives two shits about anything else. There ain’t nothing wrong with a woman who wants to be the kept wife and mother. Doc would do whatever you asked, right?” I nod. “That’s why he left you there to be safe. He’s called nearly a hundred times, but he knew the second he heard your voice, he’d come running. The man is a little nuts over you.”
“Thanks, Blade.”
“Anytime. Now relax and have a beer. Wait—on second thought, don’t have a beer. Doc will kill me if I give you alcohol.”
“Whatever. I’ll get a soda.”
Joe comes out of nowhere, sliding his hands around my waist and pulling me against his hard cock. I bite back a moan. "Blade, is there a reason you're talking up my woman?" Joe growls. Wow, that's a new side to him.
"Yep. She's had this strange urge to run and join a circus. Something about being around all us clowns. I told her the lion-taming gig was the way to go. It's right up her alley."
"Fuck off," Joe chuckles.
"Fine. Next time don't leave your girl unattended. I'm the good guy in this place." The bar we are at isn't just for bikers, but for everyone who lives in town or passes on through. Tonight there's a different biker crew in here.
"There's not going to be a fight in here, is there?" I ask Joe, wondering if that's what is going on.
"No, not at all. Remember I mentioned that issue I had that made me rush to you? Those people were some of the people in the place when it happened."
"Doc," a beautiful woman cheers, approaching with a beefed-up man in tow. She hugs him and the guy pulls her off Joe quickly so I don't have to break her fingers.
"Oh sorry. It's the first time I've seen you since that day. I can't thank you enough."
Sensing the tension rolling off my body, Joe squeezes my hand and says, "Sophia, this is Tank and Tara."
"I owe this man my life," Tank says, shaking Joe's hand. "He protected my wife and got her to safety."
I smile up at him. He's used to saving lives, but this wasn't at the hospital. I look at her slightly rounded belly and Tank's hands securely wrapped around her, and I know what Joe saw that day: a man grateful for his family-to-be despite the chaos that nearly took it away.
"That's why I love this man. He's everything that is amazing."
"Enough, enough. I did what anyone would do."
"Still, it's not everyone who did it for us. Thanks, brother." Tank pulls Joe into a one-armed hug. "If you need me, I'm a call away."
"Thanks." They both head back to the other bikers in that crew.
"Sorry you had to see that."
"Sorry that I had to see gratitude? You're a wonderful man. I don't even deserve to be around you. That circus is sounding better and better."
"Hey, the only circus you're going to is the one we take our brood to."
"A brood?"
"I'm hoping for a half dozen kids. Mostly boys, but I want a princess or two to spoil rotten."
"Only a half dozen? Why not a whole?" I ask, rolling my eyes at him.
"I didn't want you to run away."
"Oh. Okay, six kids," I scoff. "Six kids, my ass."
“Talking about your ass doesn’t help the situation. I love to see your ass bounce as I fuck you.”
“I bet you would.”
“Come with me.”
“Are you serious? This is a bar. We can’t here.”
“Relax. I’m not going to let anyone get a chance to see you naked or hear the way you scream my name as you come. I need to talk to you.” I follow him to the back office, and he leads me inside. It’s empty, so he locks the door so we can be alone.
“You know we shouldn’t be in here.”
“Boss won’t mind. Now, tell me what you and Blade were talking about. I could see a serious look on his face and a frown on yours. Do I need to beat his ass or spank yours?” I spin around and show him my backside, but he’s not having that. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know. I feel like I don’t belong here.”
“Why? You have me, your sister, Sammie, and Boomer all here.”
“It’s not that. I’m just feeling uncomfortable with who I am. I’m not really a biker chick.”
“Good, because you’re my chick. I’m not expecting you to give up being the little bookworm who stays home or shops at bookstores. Unless that fuck is going to be there. I want you to be at my side, but if you don’t want to ride, that’s fine. Something else is bothering you, isn’t it?”
“Well, it’s pretty stupid, but I had a bad experience about a year ago.”
“What happened?” he growls.
“I was parking my car one day in a spot and just as I did, a biker pulled into the no parking space next to me. I opened my door and bumped his bike, sending it to the ground. The man hollered at me and called me a hundred different names along with threatening to violate me for payment. My dad nearly killed the man, but his bike was repaired when he got out of the hospital. My sister was in college at the time, so she doesn’t know the details or how scared I was to go to that mall again.” His face changes as I speak, getting angrier and angrier.
“You don’t have to worry about that fuck. And I don’t give two fucks if you accidentally knock down all the bikes in the lot. Hopefully no one is on them, but not a soul here would act that way to you unless they wanted a bullet in the head. Please relax. The Steele Riders are the best of men and I want you to feel comfortable. If you don’t, just let me know and we’ll leave.”
“I think I just need to socialize a little more and get to know more of them.”
“Wait…I just had a great idea.”
“What?”
“Why don’t we open up a bookstore for you?”
“A bookstore for me? I don’t need a bookstore to be happy.”
“Liar. We have a lot of readers. It doesn’t have to be the size of a Barnes and Noble, but something like that. Besides, it’s a lot of fun. Morgan has her coffee shop. Like who doesn’t want to get coffee and a book.”
"Are you serious? I'm not qualified to run a business."
"Sweetheart, it's going to be a great thing. Trust me. You can hire a staff to help you fill it. It doesn't have to be a large place or even open every day. It can be whatever you want."
"You are too sweet. I love you, Joe."
"I love you too. I'll talk to Boomer and see what space is available for purchase, and we can go from there."
"I can't believe you really think I can handle something that massive. It could flop."
"And it could be a great venture. You know how many people are starting families. A lot of them will need books for their kids. Several guys pick up thrillers and shit like that."
"Are you feeling less intimidated?"
"Not at all, but if you kiss me, I'm sure that'll help relax me." Joe slides his hand up my arm and into my hair, pulling my face to his. Our lips meet in a tender kiss that instantly turns me into mush. The doc certainly has a fabulous bedside manner.
A knock at the door interrupts us.
"Who locked my door?"
"
Sorry, Boss." He stands up and sets me on my feet and then opens the door.
"Hey, everything okay in here?"
"Sure. We just needed to have a private talk."
"Great. I need to get some receipt paper." He opens a metal cabinet and pulls out a couple of rolls.
"We'll get out of your way. We've had enough socializing for the night. My woman needs her rest."
"Yes, she does. You are one hell of a badass, I hear."
"She sure is." I smile at his pride as if somehow it makes a difference that I beat someone up.
"Good. I know Boomer wants the women to always be ready to protect themselves. Well, if you'll excuse me, I have to get back out there before some of them get wild."
We leave with him and head back into the crowd. Several people greet us, but Joe looks for Boomer and says, “We’re going home.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Doc
Today’s my first day back at the clinic. I’m open late on Christmas Eve because I’ve been out of town for so long. Even so, I still only have about a half-dozen patients. The rest will be walk-ins. Then I open back on the twenty-sixth. Sophia’s family will be here in a few hours. Luckily they’ve avoided most of the snow. The guys are driving a truck with her belongings while her parents drive in their car. Sophia’s running around the house trying to make sure the decorations are perfect. I’m not a big holiday guy, but Sammie loves it so we did Christmas every year and now with Sophia a part of my life, I can’t wait to wake up Christmas morning to my family.
“Hello, Dr. Simmons,” Tina says, greeting me, and I’m surprised that she’s here.
“Good morning, Tina. What are you doing here so early?”
“Well, I figured that the schedule would be crazy, so I’m here to make sure we stay on top of it.”
“Has it been wild since my absence?” I ask her, wondering how much damage will be done today.
“No, which means they will all be rushing in tonight. I already had three voicemails, hoping to get an appointment.”
“Thanks. Are the rooms set up for today?”
“Each one was cleaned before I left yesterday.”
“Great, Tina. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome, sir.” She smiles up at me, and I worry that she’s going to be a problem.
“Let me know when my first patient arrives.”
For the next hour, I look over the results and paperwork for the first three patients. The bell rings and I think it’s the first patient, but then I hear my wife. I walk out front. “Sophia, what’s wrong? What brings you in here?”
“Joe, I cut myself with one of the glass ornaments.”
“Shit, baby. Come here. Let me look at it. Tina, which room has the suture kit?”
“Room three.”
“I’ll be in there, and when Mrs. Meadow arrives, please put her in room two.”
“Do you need help, Dr. Simmons?”
“I don’t believe so, but I’ll call you if I do.”
“Shit, Sophia, you’re bleeding.”
“Don’t tell me you’re squeamish, Joe. You’re a doctor.”
“And you’re my wife.” I scoop her up in my arms and carry her to the room.
“Wait. How did you get here?”
“I asked Sammie.”
“Okay. Let me take a look.” I open up her palm, and there’s a nice gash in the middle of her hand. “Shit, baby. I know you missed me, but I didn’t think you’d find a way to see me. You don’t have to hurt yourself to do it.”
“It’s not funny, Doc.”
“Hey, hey, hey.”
“It’s not funny, Joe.”
“That’s much better.” I clean it up and put in two stitches. “I’m so sorry, baby.” I kiss her bandage-covered palm.
A knock on the door stops me from pulling her in for a kiss. “Dr. Simmons, Mrs. Meadows is in room two.”
“Thank you.” I direct my attention back to Sophia. “I’ve got to get this day started. Where’s Sammie?”
“She left for work. I don’t have a ride back.”
“Then spend the day here. I can call someone if you want to leave early to see your parents, but I’m going to be working until seven tonight.”
“I’ll have Crystal pick me up.”
“I doubt Boomer is going to like that.”
“Well, he’s home too.”
“Okay. I’ll call them.”
“No, you have a patient waiting. I love you, but I’ve kept you long enough.”
“Being with you is never long enough.” I kiss her lips and then walk out of the door and into the next room.
The rest of the day goes by in a blur. Tina and I are in the middle of finishing up the daily tasks so we can go home when in walks Sophia’s brother. His eyes widen when he sees my assistant, and he says, “Hello. Who are you?”
“I’m Tina. I work here. How can I help you?”
“You can give me your number.”
“Sorry. Don’t have one. Is there some medical reason for you to be here?”
“Ah, I’m looking for my brother-in-law.” He tips his chin my way, but he refuses to take his eyes off of her.
“What’s up? Besides the fact that you are hitting on my assistant, Mike?”
He doesn’t even bother to spare me a glance. “I came to talk to you before we go to the house, but it can wait. Tina, what are you doing tonight?”
“I’m not interested.” She stands up and walks away from the front desk. He looks at me like I’ve done something.
“Why? Do you have a thing for my brother-in-law?”
“No, but you are famous. I don’t date famous guys.”
“Mike, come on back. I’d like to hurry and get back to Sophia.”
We go in the back and before I know it, he’s pinned me to the wall, slamming hard as fuck before letting me go. “Don’t fucking lie to me. You put your hands on my sister.” His voice is calm and steady, belying the stone cold look in his eyes.
“What the fuck? Have you lost your fucking mind? Where the hell did you get that idea from?”
“She said…”
“She said I did something to her?”
“No, she made up this crazy story about getting into a random-ass fight with some broad and that she cut her hand with an ornament.”
“Maybe you need to have more faith in your sister. She’s telling you the fucking truth, you fucking dumbass,” I bark out.
Tina appears at the door with her cell phone in hand. He nudges me out of the way to get closer to her. “Do you need me to call the cops?” She waves her phone in his face.
“No, Tina. Let me ask you something, though. When I came into work, who came in a little while after I got here?”
“Your wife. She sliced her hand and begged to see you right away. Some woman dropped her off.”
“Thanks. That’s all. Have a good night. I’ll lock up.”
“Okay. Do you want me to call the cops on this asshole?”
“No, he’s my shithead brother-in-law. He’s fine.”
“So as for the shit with the nurse from the hospital, I have proof of that bullshit too.”
“Then why didn’t anyone tell us?”
“Because it just fucking happened, and she said it wasn’t any of your business.”
“What? It’s not our business? You’ve had my sister a week and you can’t seem to protect her for shit.”
“And you wonder why I waited three months to go after her. I had no idea some dumb bitch at the hospital would go fucking nuts especially since I didn’t have more than a conversation with the broad about anything other than work.”
“Where is she?”
“There’s someone on her, monitoring her movements. She’s not in Dallas. She’s in Houston and so far is going about her own business now.”
“Good. I want to strangle the bitch.”
“Sophia did a great job on beating her ass.”
“That’s fucking awesome.”
�
�Now, can we get the fuck out of here so I can see my wife?”
“Sure. Can I have Tina’s number?”
“No. It would be an ethics violation. I do a lot of shit, but I won’t mess with my license.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Sophia
“Merry Christmas, Joe,” I whisper, trailing my tongue down his bare chest, scraping my teeth just above his pelvis. “I’m ready to unwrap one of my presents.”
“It was easy to wrap.”
I lift the material over his shaft, freeing it from its confines, causing it to slap against his abs. I attempt to slide them down his legs, but my one bandaged hand can barely bend, so he kicks them the rest of the way off his feet. I move to straddle his thighs and lower my head over his shaft. My good hand encircles the tip, rubbing my thumb over the bulbous head, spreading the pre-come around and teasing my husband.
“Don’t play with your food, little girl,” he scolds, followed with a grunt.
“I’ll stop playing.” I let go of his cock and move to get up, but my husband growls and flips me over onto my back.
“You’re trouble, woman. How are you feeling this morning? How’s your hand?”
“I’m feeling pretty wonderful, but you took away my toy,” I pout.
“Let me give it back to you,” he says, kissing me until I’m breathless, and then he thrusts his cock deep inside me.
“Oh, heavens. Joe, I love you,” I cry out, squeezing my walls around him. We only need a couple of strokes before we’re both coming hard. I milk every drop of his come, hoping to have his baby.
He pulls out of me and stands up, his wet cock still semi-hard.
“Come on. Let’s shower. Your parents will be here soon, and I’m sure that they want to see you refreshed and happy.”
“Seriously, I could kill my brother for coming to your work like that.”
“As wrong as it was, I’d damn near put a bullet in a fucker’s head if Sammie’s man laid a hand on her. I get it, but they should know better than that. It’s not who any of us is. The Riders always protect our women and hopefully children.” He slides his hand around my waist, caressing my belly.