by Kasey Krane
He took in a breath.
“In the bathroom. In the glass cabinet.”
“I’ll be back.”
I could feel his eyes on me as I walked into the bedroom and then the bathroom. I found a small first aid kit that had all the essentials.
I stared at myself in the mirror for just a second; my eyes looked wild and so blue, dark circles underneath. My cheeks were pale but the tops were bright red, while my mouth looked colorless. Instinctively, I wanted to look good for Flash, wanted him to want me. But would he want me like this?
The Silver Knights had used me as a pawn against his MC. The only thing I was to him now was a weak link.
We hadn’t really talked about what had happened, but I was afraid of what he was going to say. Maybe that he’d given it some thought and realized there was no place for a woman in his life.
I shook my head, needed to tend to that wound first. He’d looked after me, kept me safe and now it was my turn to do the same—in whatever way I could.
He was right; it was just a bullet graze. There wasn’t actually any deep wound in the flesh, which was good. But I disinfected the spot and bandaged it up, as I had a feeling he would just ignore it if I didn’t do anything about it.
“Try not to use that arm for a few days and give it time to heal,” I said as I put the things back in the first aid kit.
Flash was sitting on the couch and he rubbed his bandage while he stared at me.
“Yeah, sure, thanks.”
We’d spoken a little while I worked on him. He explained to me how he’d got an anonymous phone call when I went missing and that was how he’d found us in the woods.
“So you think it was one of the Silver Knights ratting out his MC?” I asked, wanting to keep the conversation going.
Flash stood up and I watched as he walked over to the big corner bar in the room, fully stocked with pretty much any alcoholic drink anyone could want.
“Yes, I’m pretty sure that’s what happened.”
“Why? Why would someone in their MC rat them out?” I asked.
Flash was pouring wine in two glasses. I’d never pictured him as a wine man, but there were so many things I didn’t know about him.
“Hurting a woman, an innocent woman, is something that goes against the basic ethics and code of conduct of a biker. Women and children. They are out of the circle. Whoever made that call to me was clearly offended by his own MC breaking that code.”
Flash came over to me with those two glasses in his hands. I thought he was going to hand one to me, but instead, he remained standing there.
“Whatever that man’s reasons were for doing what he did. I’m glad he did it. So I could find you and bring you back to safety.”
I looked up into his eyes and still couldn’t decipher what he really wanted. Was this going to be our last night together? Or was this just the beginning?
“Come with me, Allegra, I think I know exactly what we both need,” he said.
He was walking out of the living room now, headed straight for his bedroom. I had no choice but to follow him. I wanted to follow him. He walked past the bed, crossed the room and went into the bathroom.
In silence, I watched as he started drawing a bath in the big tub.
I hadn’t had a bath in over a year. The last time I did, it was in the bathtub Billy had bought for me. The one I now resented.
“Get in,” Flash commanded once the bath was ready. He wanted me to get in the bath and drink the wine.
“What about you?” I asked as I started taking off my clothes.
“I’m not going anywhere, Allegra. You don’t have to worry. You’re not going to be alone tonight,” he said.
This bathtub was big enough for the two of us. The water splashed a little when he got in and slid himself neatly on the other side of the tub. We both had the glasses of wine in our hands.
The truth was, nobody had bothered to treat me like this ever before. No man wanted to spend precious time with me like this. The difference with Flash was that he actually wanted to be there.
The water was warm, the perfect temperature. Soap bubbles surrounded us. We were both naked and my breasts hovered over the level of the water and I saw how his eyes were drawn to them from time to time. Did he still want me?
I sipped on the wine, waiting for some of that liquid courage to kick in. Flash was continuing to stare at me with those big brown eyes of his.
“Thank you for everything you did for me tonight. I honestly don’t know how I will ever repay you,” I said.
“You don’t need to repay me. That is not why I did it.”
I nodded. “I know. You guys have a code of conduct. Protect the women. Protect the children. I was living in your house, in your care, and so you wanted to protect me.”
“That and because I actually give a fuck about you,” he growled.
I stared at him, waiting for him to continue.
Flash ran a damp hand through his hair. He looked away and took a big gulp of his wine.
“I don’t want you to spend the rest of your life looking over your shoulder, running, on the road.”
“But I will never be able to get far away enough from Billy. The problem is, I keep getting away from him. He has his money now, but he will never forgive me. When he finds out I got away, he’s going to come after me again.”
“And what if I told you I will keep you safe? That you will never have to worry about that bastard again?”
I gulped when I heard those words. Words that were like music to my ears. He wanted to keep me safe…he wanted me…
“What are you saying, Flash?”
We were looking deep into each other’s eyes.
“I haven’t changed my mind about you, Allegra. I still want you here with me. I want you to be mine. I want to look after you.”
“But I don’t want to be a liability to you. I know having me around is going to change everything for you. The way you operate. The way you live…”
“And that is what I want! I’m willing to change all those things if that means I get to have you in my bed.”
My heart stirred. That spot between my legs stirred too.
“This is where I want to stay,” I replied. A smile was flickering in the corners of my lips.
“But you have to promise me one thing,” Flash said. My smile dropped. What was I going to have to agree to? I waited for an explanation. “That you will always trust me to do the right thing by you.”
I remembered Sophie’s words. Flash had slept around, fucked a different woman every night. Women threw themselves at him. Sexy women who had nothing to lose.
But once he claimed a woman, there wouldn’t be anyone as loyal as him. That was Sophie’s belief. I had to admit, I was beginning to see that too.
“I trust you, Flash,” I replied to him.
I could see the top half of his torso in the water. The rest of him was submerged underneath. I wanted to slide over to him, feel his cock underneath me.
“Now you’ve seen a slice of my life. You’ve seen what it involves. A lot of the times, it involves a lot worse,” he continued.
I shook my head. “I understand why you’re saying this. It’s because of what I did when I found the shoebox full of drugs in the house. I want you to know I was a different person back then. I was naïve, hadn’t experienced the world. Most of all, I didn’t…I didn’t trust Billy.”
Flash was watching me intently, trying to study my body language. Maybe he was trying to decide if I was being truthful or not.
“I have experienced a lot since then. I’ve seen how the lines of good and bad blur. Nothing is black and white. There are no rules.”
Flash clenched his jaws and nodded his head slightly.
“I just want you to be prepared for everything. There will be a lot of sleepless nights ahead if you decide to be with me.”
“I’ve already decided,” I replied and bit down on my lip. “I spent the last year feeling lost and alone. L
iving out of a car and eating protein bars for breakfast. I think I can manage a few sleepless nights if it means I get to spend them with you.”
Flash was staring at me from under his eyelids. Brown eyes. So strong and intense. Had he not made his decision yet? Maybe it was possible he could still change his mind?
Then he stood up from the tub, splashing water everywhere. I didn’t even know where his glass of wine was anymore.
He got out of the tub and then turned to me. My heart was thudding in my chest, threatening to leap right out of my throat. He reached for me, grabbing me by my arms. I was naked, covered in soapy bubbles, damp and slippery, but he had a strong grip on me.
I couldn’t help but squeal with delight as he threw me over his shoulder and walked out of the bathroom.
In the bedroom, he put me down on the rug in front of the fireplace. I watched as he started lighting the fire. I had never wanted anything more than I wanted him right now.
Flash stood in front of the fireplace without a stitch of clothing on him. The orange glow of the fireplace lit him up. His silhouette was dark and tall. I sat on the floor on the rug, staring up at him while I was on my knees.
Even though I was naked, I wasn’t self-conscious. I sat with my breasts thrust forward in invitation. Looking up at him with my eyes glowing. He had a stony and determined expression.
Neither of us had said a word since he started lighting the fire. He leaned toward me now and grabbed me by the back of my neck. I gasped. My mouth fell open and he kissed me.
I sank into him, feeling his tongue thrust down my throat. His cock was right there between his muscular thighs. I could reach out and grab him, feel it grow and harden in my hand. But I wanted to wait a moment longer. I wanted to make him yearn for me a little more.
I wrapped my arms around his neck instead, tugging him closer to me while we continued to kiss, his tongue in my mouth, my fingers clenched together as I pinned myself to him. He groaned as his hands traveled down my back. Long and slender, he was feeling up my shape.
It was warm there in front of the fire, warm and cozy. I just wanted to soak him all in. Feel every last inch of him.
When he grabbed my butt, I sighed, pulling my mouth away from him finally. I was on my knees. He was on his knees in front of me now, but I had to tilt my head to look up at him.
Nobody had touched me like this before. I hadn’t felt these things with anyone. This was more than just a fuck, but could I find the words to explain the feeling to him?
Flash was searching my eyes.
“I want you to make me yours,” I said in a low breathless voice.
He reached for my breasts, took each of them in each palm and squeezed hard. He tweaked my nipples with his fingers and I threw my head back, arching my body toward him so he could feel me better.
His hands traveled down my breasts, over my stomach, till his hand was exactly where I wanted it. His fingers slipped in and out of my pussy, just a tease and I gasped with joy and pleasure.
I stared at him hungrily, but didn’t want to tell him what to do. He was my commander, my master tonight. I wanted him to claim me and take me however he wanted.
His fingers teased my clit till I was panting with desire and then he grabbed me by my waist and twisted me around.
I was on all fours, facing the burning embers of the fire. It glowed in my eyes as I felt him move behind me. His hands were on my butt, feeling the shape of the small of my back. He was on one knee, his other leg bent by my side like a sturdy tree trunk.
I could feel the presence of his big strong cock. The sound of a condom being slipped on filled my ears. It was going to happen now. Any moment. He was going to be inside me.
I bit down hard on my lip, now afraid that I’d draw blood. I stared at the fire as I felt the jerk with which he positioned me right in front of his cock.
I gasped as he thrust himself in. Smooth and deep. He started pounding. I heard his grunts as he pushed himself into me and then pulled out, deep, quick thrusts that overpowered me. His hands were on my hips, keeping me in place while I jerked and shook with each thrust.
I was so close to the fire that I could feel the heat steaming up my face. My hair was damp out of the tub but was now bone dry. But beads of sweat were beginning to dampen my forehead. He was so big and powerful inside me. Then his hand moved down till he was teasing my pussy again.
“Flash…” I said his name like he’d filled my lungs. His motions picked up speed, his thrusts becoming harder. He was pushing me over the edge. A few more thrusts and I was going to…come.
I cried out with pleasure. My body reverberated with the orgasm. Shoulders shaking, breasts shuddering, my pussy filled with him deep inside me. I said his name, begged him not to stop. I could feel my toes curling. My nails dug into the rug. And then I felt his jerks grow wilder. He grunted and then released.
His cum filled me. I could feel him shaking too while he emptied himself, and we were both gasping for air. It was too hot here in front of the fireplace, but didn’t matter. Nothing mattered right now.
I only cared about being with him tonight.
Exhausted and relieved, I sank down to the rug when Flash pulled himself out of me. I was on my front, filled with a warmth and a glow. I could feel sleep overtaking my senses now.
So much had happened in a matter of one day. My whole world had changed. I’d nearly lost my life, and now I felt…safe. Happy? Soothed.
I could feel Flash standing up over me, watching me, but I curled up on the rug. The fire kept me warm. Kept me comfortable.
My eyelids fluttered closed and I knew I couldn’t fight it. I had to go to sleep, couldn’t stay awake. And I didn’t need to, because Flash was here. He would keep me safe and I wasn’t alone anymore.
19
Flash
Allegra fell asleep soon after we had sex in front of the fireplace. I knew she had been through a lot today and needed the rest.
As much as I wanted her again, I let her sleep. She was curled up on the rug, breathing gently while the fire crackled in front of her, covering her in its warm orange glow.
I pulled a blanket off the bed and placed it on her so she could be more comfortable. After that, I put on my pants and went to the living room to pour myself a stiff drink.
There was a dull ache in my arm that refused to go away. I knew Allegra was right to attend to the wound immediately. She’d probably stopped an infection from spreading, even though I didn’t want to be fussed over.
I drank some whisky, feeling it travel through my system and warm me. I had to do everything in my power to not go back to the bedroom and check on her. If I did, I would end up taking her again, and she needed to rest.
So I was just pacing around in my living room when I heard the knock on the front door.
My first instinct was to pick up the gun I’d stowed away under my jacket on the couch. It was early midnight. Who could possibly be knocking at my door at this time at night?
I inched down the hallway toward the front door, gun pointed out. Maybe the battle wasn’t over yet. I shouldn’t have let my guard down. There was another knock, this time sharper.
“Who the fuck is it?” I growled as I came closer to the door.
“It’s me. Open up,” Drax said from the other side.
I pulled the door open hurriedly. He was standing there looking exhausted and marked with grease and sweat.
“Good. You’re still awake. Put the fuckin’ gun away,” he grunted and rushed into the house.
I had to admit I was a little relieved. I shut the door, locked it and stuffed the gun into my pants. Drax had aimed straight for the bar in my living room.
“How is she?” he asked when I joined him there.
He’d poured himself a whisky too and offered to top up my glass.
“She’s fine, she’s asleep,” I replied.
He drank most of it and then stared me up and down. I was shirtless. My hair was a mess. Maybe I even reeked of se
x. It wasn’t hard to guess what I’d been doing just a short while ago.
A smile erupted on his face.
“You should’ve given her the night off, you dog,” he said with a laugh.
“She’s free to do whatever she wants. She isn’t my slave,” I replied, a little defensively.
Drax nodded.
“No, of course she’s not. I can see that. This chick means something to you.”
I hadn’t admitted it to anyone else. Frankly, I hadn’t exactly admitted it to her either. But now it was plain for Drax to see. I couldn’t hide it. Allegra was more than just a woman I was protecting because I felt sorry for her.
“I think so. Yes. She does.”
He finished the whisky, draining it quickly down his throat.
“Do you know what you’re doing? Is she worth it?” he continued.
“Yes, she is,” I admitted. The more I spoke about her, the more confident I was in my responses. I hadn’t been more sure of anything else in my life. I wanted Allegra to be mine.
“So you’re claiming her?”
“I want the Iron Thunder MC to give her protection, as my ol’ lady,” I said.
Drax’s eyes grew wide. He knew as well as I did that this was a big deal. Claiming Allegra as my old lady meant that she was now officially a part of our MC. Not only would she enjoy the privileges of safety and protection, but she would have duties of loyalty and honor toward us too.
“And does she understand what comes with that tag? Are you sure she’s not too young? You think she’s ready for it?” Drax asked. He was done with the whisky now and he banged the glass down on the bar.
“She’s ready,” I said. “I don’t want her running from her ex all her life. And it’s more than that. I want her.”
Drax nodded.
“No, if she’s going to be your woman, we can’t have some dumbass motherfucker chasing her all her life. She’s under our protection now.”
“We need to take him out,” I said.
He glared at me. He knew exactly what I was asking him to do. He just wanted to be sure that I was sure.