by Lindsay Becs
But he surprises me and rolls us again. I’m barely aware of whether I’m on top or bottom when I feel him slam into me. He lifts my hips with his hands and pounds into me. We’re both slick with sweat and moaning. The sounds of our bodies and desire fill the air around us. His thumb finds my love button and sets me off again. He falls over me, grunting into my neck as he tenses. His movements slow as he milks every last spark of our explosive orgasms.
“I love you,” he says into the side of my neck. His lips leave a soft kiss on my sweaty skin.
“I love you, too,” I reply, turning my head and kissing his sweat-covered brow.
Pulling out, he draws me against him and holds me tightly. We’re a mess, but neither of us cares to move or clean up yet.
“Did I hurt you? Was I too rough?” he asks.
I shake my head with a sated smile on my face. “Not even a little bit,” I chuckle. “I missed your dirty mouth.”
“I suppose I’ll have to clean that up, yeah?”
“You better not!”
His chuckle vibrates against me as he pulls me closer to him, kissing my head. We lie there for a few more minutes before we finally move to the shower.
Cleaned up and in our own happy bubble, we come downstairs and are met with Travis. My eyes go wide thinking about how long he might have been home with Penny. I look over to see if Penny is in the room but don’t see her.
“I sent her outside to play since things were X-rated in here,” Travis says with a smirk.
“Does that mean you were listening like a perv?” I shoot at him.
“Don’t!” he says, trying to hold back a laugh. “I will never be able to unhear the things I heard. And I don’t think I’m the perv in this room right now,” he says, looking at Benton.
Benton shrugs and smiles. “I’m not even sorry, mate.”
Travis shakes his head. “I’m sure you are both hungry for food now. What do you want for dinner?”
“I pulled some chicken out this morning to grill. I’ll make dinner. Do you mind grilling?” I ask Travis.
“It is the least you could do since I had to witness all of that today.” He pretends to gag.
“Oh, shut up!” I say, swatting at him with a smile.
“Look at that! At least he got you smiling again.”
I relax a little bit and feel my smile grow as I look over at Benton. “Yeah, he’s the only one who knows how to do that.”
We go about getting dinner ready. Travis grills the chicken while I cook green beans, rice pilaf, and cinnamon apples. Penny comes inside in a tornado of dirt, and after she gets cleaned up, helps set the table with Benton. Both of them are in a fit of giggles, yes Benton is giggling, when I come over with glasses of water.
The four of us go about dinner, and it feels so good to share my family with Benton and him with them. I wish Ollie and Bex were here, but maybe it’s best to ease him into everyone. Penny seems to have already developed inside jokes with Benton, but I wouldn’t expect anything less from her.
“LP, it’s time for bed,” Travis tells Penny after we’ve cleaned up from dinner.
“But, Daddy!” she protests. “We didn’t even get dessert, and you said we’d get ice cream and see Momma today,” she adds standing and stomping her foot.
My face falls at the mention of our mom. Travis closes his eyes to compose himself before answering her.
“You’re right, Penny, I did. Do you want to go in your pajamas or change?”
“We can still go?!”
“Yes, but we can’t stay long.”
“Oh, thank you, Daddy!” she squeals, wrapping her arms around his neck before she takes off to change.
“We shouldn’t be long,” Travis tells Benton and me. His face looks somber now and I hate how much it still hurts him, but he still does it as often as Penny wants, for her.
“Did you want to go?” Benton asks me.
“I’ve never gone with them. It’s their thing,” I tell him, knowing I’ll need to explain more. “Travis and Mom’s spot is at a pond. It’s where they were married. He takes Penny there to feel close to Mom. They take ice cream and dance and talk to her on her bench.”
“You know you’re always welcome to go with us, right, Tate?” Travis asks me.
“Do you want to?” Benton asks again.
I take a deep breath and think about it. Do I?
Slowly, I nod my head. “If Penny doesn’t mind. Maybe?”
“Maybe what, Tate?” Penny asks as she skips back into the kitchen.
“Would it be alright if Benton and I came with you and your dad tonight?”
“Yes! Oh yes! This is the best day ever!” she yells with her hands clasped under her chin.
We drive together, and after getting our ice cream, we make our way to the pond. I show Benton Mom’s bench and where she and Travis were married. He holds my hand and listens to me talk about her. He asks me questions, and I answer each one honestly. I haven’t been here in a really long time, but it feels good to share it with him.
We’re sitting on the bench as Travis dances with Penny. Her legs are wrapped around his waist and he dips her back. Her laughter fills the night air with joy. I smile watching them together. As hard as I know it is on Travis some days, he’s the best dad to that little girl. He was the best husband to my mom and continues to be the best stepdad/brother/friend to me, too.
“It’s hard on him, yeah?” Benton says as we watch them.
“It is. But he’d do anything for her,” I answer while leaning my head on his shoulder. “He was the same with my mom, too.”
“I wish I could have seen that. Met her. Asked her for your hand.”
“There’s always my dad,” I mumble.
“Yes, there is. I suppose I do need to ask him.”
“You can ask Travis if you want. He’s more a dad to me than my actual dad.”
“I’ll do you one better. I’ll ask Travis, Ollie, and your father.”
“Oh, ambitious!” I tease.
“I don’t want anyone standing in my way of having you as mine. Fully, truly, mine.”
“I’m yours. You’re my favorite.”
He kisses me. And when our lips meld together, I feel something cold land on my cheek. I open my eyes to see snow falling around us.
“My mom approves,” I say with a smile.
Chapter 16
Benton
“I think I want my brother there as a buffer,” Tatum tells me.
We’re discussing her dad and how I should meet him and ask for her hand. She doesn’t see the importance, but for me, it’s a tradition I’d still like to abide by.
“If that’s what you want, Sugar.” I kiss the curve of her neck where it meets her shoulder. “You always smell so fucking good,” I murmur, running my nose up the side of her neck.
“It is. I think it’ll make it easier if Ollie is there as a distraction from us. Maybe that way Dad can focus on what he perceives to be Ollie’s failures instead of mine,” she says, ignoring me as I run my hands down her hips.
“Neither of you are failures at anything. That’s shite if he thinks that.”
“You haven’t met Adam Duncan yet,” she grumbles, finally leaning back against me. “I shouldn’t care at this point what he thinks, but I do. It’s so stupid.”
“Hey,” I say as I turn her around to face me. With my finger, I lift her chin so I can look at her eyes. “It’s normal to want your dad to be proud of you. And he has every reason to be. It’s his fault if he can’t see how amazing you are.”
She hugs me, snuggling in close. “Thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me for speaking the truth.”
She lets out a sigh. “I need to call my brother.”
While she calls Ollie, I check my messages. I’ve been ignoring all of them since I got here, especially the ones from my own dad. I’m still pissed about him sending Tatum away and keeping from me the fact that I’m going to be a dad. He can stew now himself ab
out me not answering him. Serves the dick right for what he did.
“You, limp dick wimp! Please come with me,” Tatum says into her phone that’s on speaker.
“My dick is anything but limp! That is offensive!” Ollie yells back. “But fine. When are we going to start World War III in the Duncan house?” He sighs.
“Tomorrow? Meet you there at four.”
“Alright. Is Benton ready for Dad?” Ollie asks.
“I’m ready to take care of my family. Tatum and our baby are my family,” I announce loud enough for him to hear.
“Good man. But bring your body armor just in case, King,” Ollie says with a chuckle before he says bye and hangs up.
“You’re my favorite, Benny,” Tatum says, turning to me.
“You’re only saying that because I’m standing up to your dad.” I smile, “But I love you too, Sugar.”
Tatum and I meet Ollie at their dad’s house the next day. Tension is pumping thick in the air around us. Everything I’ve heard about Adam Duncan is bad, so I’m not going into this feeling warm and fuzzy, but I’m not running away, either.
A tall man who looks a lot like an older version of Ollie answers the door with a sour look on his face. I guess I know where Tatum gets that from. I smirk to myself as we walk inside.
I shake the hand of the man who has brought nothing but turmoil and negativity to his family. I wish I could say I had an ounce of respect for him, but as of now, I have none. The only thing I like about him is that he’s half responsible for making the best woman I’ve ever met.
“Stop being dramatic as usual, Tatum. What’s going on that we need a full family meeting? I’m surprised you didn’t bring Travis to beat me up, too,” Mr. Duncan says as we all stand in the entryway of his house. Way to welcome your family into your home, asshole. Travis isn’t needed. I already want to throat punch him myself.
“Dad…” Ollie warns.
“I already know she got pregnant by not being responsible, like her mother, so what else is there to know?” I don’t miss the dig or the way it makes Tatum flinch next to me. I also don’t miss the way she steels herself quickly to hide how much it hurt.
“Excuse me, Mr. Duncan, but that’s a little uncalled for,” I say, not able to keep quiet.
“Are you taking responsibility for this?” he asks as he glances back at Tatum with almost a look of disgust, and I’m about to lose my fucking mind.
“That’s enough, Dad. Stop being a dick for two seconds. Let’s sit down and have a conversation,” Ollie responds, pushing past his dad to sit down in the living room. I like him a little bit more right now.
Their dad follows him into the room, and Tatum rolls her eyes as she takes my hand and guides me in behind her. We all sit, and the room stays quiet for almost a full five minutes before anyone says anything more.
Finally, I let out a breath. “This is ridiculous,” I start. “Sir, I’d like to marry your daughter. I’m here to ask for your blessing. I love Tatum very much, and I’d be honored to have her as my wife and to raise our child together.”
“Look, Benton is it?” he asks, pausing to make sure he has my name correct. I give him a nod with a raised brow. “I’ve been where you are. I know the guts it takes to do what you’re doing. I had to do it at a much younger age. But you look like you just rode into town with the local Lost Kings MC chapter. How am I supposed to trust you to take care of my daughter when you ride motorcycles for a living?”
“With all due respect, her well-being is always the most important to me. I plan on actually taking care of my girl and treating her the way she’s supposed to be treated. I’m not running. I’m not second-guessing. I’m not just doing what I’m supposed to do; I’m doing what I want to do. And what I want is to wake up every day with this incredible woman. I plan on showing her how much I love her each day so she never questions it. Can you say you did the same?” I challenge him. Maybe it isn’t the best thing to do, but it’s the truth. A truth I say looking him straight in the eye.
I see him work his jaw before saying anything. “Looks like you don’t need my blessing. You already intend to do it your way. I do hope the best for you, Tatum,” he says, looking to his daughter next to me. “You may not believe that I love you and Ollie very much. I may have messed up a lot through the years, but that much is true. But you also chose this life. You chose it when you walked out of my house, dropped out of school, decided modeling was what was best. Now, you’re pregnant. How are you going to model now?” He huffs a laugh at her, and my hands ball into fists at my sides. “Take your biker and go. Don’t come running back to me when things fall apart.”
“You sonofabitch!” Ollie seethes. “Stay away from us. We’re done.” He stands and walks to the door.
I take Tatum’s arm in mine, and we follow behind Ollie. She hasn’t said a word since we’ve been here, and I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing. But then she stops and turns to look at her dad.
“You know, Dad, I thought maybe, just maybe you’d be a little bit excited to be a grandpa. I thought you’d want to walk me down the aisle. I knew you wouldn’t like how all of it played out, but I thought you’d care a little bit,” she says as a tear falls down her cheek. “But don’t worry. I won’t ever come back to you for anything. And you sure as shit better not ever expect to come back to me wanting a relationship with me or my family. Have a great life.” She turns and walks straight to the car. Ollie follows behind her, enveloping her in a hug, and I know she’s crying.
As I turn to join them, I hear Adam call my name. I stop and turn my head slightly to see what in the hell he could possibly have to say.
“Take care of her,” he says and almost looks like someone who cares. A wave a sadness washes over his face before he turns and goes back inside.
Shaking my head at this weird-ass day, I turn and go to my girl. Ollie pulls from her and wraps her around me, patting me on the shoulder as he does. We give each other a nod in understanding. He leaves a kiss on her head and then leaves to head home.
Tatum’s cries have slowed, and my shirt is tear-soaked. “Sugar? You alright? You good to get in the car to go home now?” I ask.
“I’m so sorry, Benton,” she says.
“You have nothing to be sorry about. Well, except the fact that I’m freezing my tits off out here.” I feel her let out a little laugh. “Come on, let’s get warm in the car and head back to Travis’s.”
“We need to find a place of our own,” Tatum says after we’re warmed up and on our way back.
“We do,” I respond, nodding my head. “Where do you want our home base to be? I’ll have to travel regardless. You understand that, yeah?”
“I do. But we can come with you, right?”
“Of course, you can.”
“Would you mind if we made our permanent home here, in Graves?”
“I’d live on the moon if it meant I got to spend my life you, Tatum,” I tell her, kissing her hand.
“Thank you, Benny. You’re my favorite.” She smiles while hugging my arm.
“And you’re mine.”
After the clusterfuck that was the visit to Tatum’s dad, we made quick work to begin looking at places to live. We settled on wanting a condo since I travel so much for work.
Candace, who is a friend of Tatum’s family, called within a week with a few places lined up for us to see. We put an offer down on one soon after.
It’s close enough to Travis’s place and Pretty Girl for Tatum to work there if she wants to. I also like the idea of her being close to them if she needs anything while I’m away.
Since I’ve been here, Travis and I have gotten to know each other fairly well and have a mutual understanding when it comes to taking care of Tatum. She may not think she needs taking care of, but we know she does, in a subtle way.
He’s even let me hang with him at the garage and work a bit when I get antsy sitting still. Which is nearly every day. I like getting dirty in the garage, and the fact that
my girl is a door away adds to the fun.
“I’d like to have Pretty Girl added as one of our sponsors for this coming season,” I tell Travis as I help him change out spark plugs on a minivan.
“You don’t have to do that,” he says with a huff, as if I offended him by saying it.
“I know I don’t have to. I want to. You are awesome at what you do. In fact, if you didn’t have a little girl who needed you here, I’d ask you to join my team as part of the crew.”
“Shut up,” he mumbles, shaking his head.
“Why is that so hard to believe?” I laugh.
“What type of sponsorship do you want?”
“Your name added to my leathers and helmet, on our banners and such.”
“Yeah,” he scoffs. “What’s that gonna cost me?”
“Free oil changes and snow tires?” He throws a rag at me. “What? Is that too much?” I ask with a smile.
Chapter 17
Tatum
Candace worked her magic and got us a fast move-in date. It’s a month before the baby is due, and Benton is supposed to be training this weekend but pushed it back to help with the move. I love that man, but I know Matthew has got to be pissed at him right now for missing training this week.
Benton has been going back to Vegas a few days each week to train. I can tell the traveling back and forth is wearing on him, but he says he’s fine. I hope he really is. I don’t want to hinder his racing, and I certainly want him healthy and ready when this baby gets here.
I’m busy making beds and unpacking clothes while Travis, Ollie, and Benton help bring in all the furniture we just had delivered. Bexley is unpacking the kitchen, and I have Penny stocking up the bathrooms. It’s a team effort, and I’m still exhausted.
I lie down to take a break on the bed I just made when I hear Benton come in to check on me. “Whose idea was it to move while I was eight months pregnant?” I ask.