I was once again struck with how big of a problem this was.
* * *
Raquel
“I’ve gotta head out,” Orion whispered, kissing me awake.
“What time is it?” I grumbled.
“Six.”
“In the morning?” I squeaked.
He chuckled. “Yeah, Razzle, in the morning.”
“Where are you going?”
“Denver.”
I sighed, pulling the covers tighter over me. “When will you be back?”
“I don’t know, but I’ll text you.”
“Okay.” I yawned and nodded. “Ride safe.”
“I will.”
He kissed me once more, then left me to sleep, but by the time I heard the door close behind him, I was wide awake. I figured I’d get up and try and get some work done, but first, coffee.
I threw on a pair of yoga pants and a T-shirt and headed downstairs as quietly as I could. I knew Sierra had a late shift at the restaurant last night, so she’d be sleeping in today, and I was not going to be the one to wake her. She was hell on wheels when her sleep was interrupted.
I made a pot of coffee and checked my emails while it brewed. I’d missed a few from school notifying me of my grades so far. I was pulling a low B, slipping into a C, in two of my classes, and I needed to get those up, but one was chemistry and I just couldn’t seem to understand it, the other was microbiology. My dad would freak if I didn’t get those two grades up, and since he was paying for my education, I should probably talk to my advisor about tutoring options.
I sighed. I hated asking for help. But mostly I hated feeling stupid and science had always made me feel like an idiot. It just wasn’t in my wheelhouse, but I needed to understand it in order to fully grasp how the pharmacology worked. The problem was, as soon as I felt like I comprehended one piece of it, something new would pop up and it would be Greek to me.
I pulled my phone out and texted my brother. Tristan would probably know the answers to every question in this book, not that he would give them to me, but he might help me understand some of it. He texted back immediately that he was in the middle of something and would call me when he was done. It would appear I was stuck for the moment.
I sighed. There was nothing I could do about it now, so I decided to make a cup of coffee, schmear me up a bagel and work on something a little easier.
Besides, my body was deliciously sore from our activity the night before, so I used that as an excuse not to work too hard.
Orion
DENVER HAD BEEN a total waste of my fucking time. Mostly because the shops ran like a well-oiled machine and my presence was redundant. But Dad was a control-freak, so I’d done my due diligence for show, and missed out on a whole day buried in Raquel’s tight warm cunt.
Fuck me, I was tired. And pissed. And fuckin’ fucked.
I backed my bike into a parking space outside of Raquel’s townhouse and walked to her door. I rang the bell, then popped a piece of gum in my mouth to cover up the coffee I’d downed to stay awake.
Sierra opened the door and cocked her head. “Raquel’s not here.”
“Ah, okay. Do you know when she’ll be back?”
“She’s studying, so no.”
I frowned. “She can’t study here?”
“Well, since Trent’s not here, um no,” she said, her tone one of ‘duh.’
Who the fuck is Trent?
“Okay. I’ll shoot her a text.”
“You couldn’t have done that in the first place?”
“I did. She didn’t respond.” I didn’t know why the fuck I was explaining myself to her, it was none of her business, but I couldn’t seem to help myself.
“Well, maybe you could have used that as a clue,” she retorted.
“If you’re done bustin’ my balls, I’m gonna go ahead and leave now.”
She settled her hands on her hips. “But I was just starting to have fun.”
I couldn’t stop a smile. “See ya later, Sierra.”
“Bye, sexy.”
She closed the door, and I headed to my bike. Before riding out, however, I sent Raquel another text, then made my way to the compound.
“Any issues?” Dad asked as I walked in.
“Are there ever?” I snapped.
He raised an eyebrow. “Somethin’ crawl up your ass, boy?”
I fuckin’ hated it when he called me ‘boy.’ Especially, considering he expected me to take the club over when he retired, but refused to acknowledge I was a grown ass man.
“Maybe the time I just fuckin’ wasted haulin’ my ass to Denver when I didn’t need to.”
Dad dragged his hands down his face and shook his head. “Consider this a teachable moment that you’ll thank me for later.”
“Yeah, whatever,” I said, and walked away. I was too pissed off to get into it right now.
* * *
Raquel
I sat staring at my microbiology book, the words swimming in front of me. My tutor, Trent, was a no-show. His little brother had fallen off his bike and broken his arm, so it was all hands on deck in regards to his family. I got it. Family was everything. But it left me without a snowball’s chance in hell to pass my test tomorrow. Deciding that giving up was a better choice than trying to understand that which could not be understood, I shoved my books back in my bag and made my way out of the library.
I powered up my phone as I climbed into my car and put on my seatbelt. Two texts from Orion and one missed call. My stomach fluttered with horny little butterflies, hoping he was still up as I called him back.
“Hey, Razzle,” he said, answering immediately.
“Hey. Are you back already?”
“Yeah. Are you still studying?”
“How did you know I was studying?” I asked, starting my car.
“Stopped by your place. Sierra filled me in.”
“You stopped by my place?”
“Yeah.”
A pool of molten lava settled in my belly. He’d missed me. “On your way home?”
“Yeah.”
“Adam Graves,” I admonished, biting my lip. “Are you getting attached to me?”
He chuckled. “Kinda dig your pussy, baby, but you already know that.”
“It kinda digs you, too,” I said.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah,” I breathed out.
“Wanna swing by the cabin?” he asked.
“Is that what you call your clubhouse?”
“Yep.”
“Wow, you’re inviting me to the clubhouse?” I mused. “That sounds like some kind of commitment.”
He laughed. “Not at all. You’re at the university library, right?”
“I’m not sure I’m comfortable with you knowing that. It’s kind of stalker level.”
“Are you?”
I sighed. “Yes.”
“Okay, it’s closer to here than your place, and since I’d like to bury myself deep sooner than later, it’ll take less time for you to come here, than for me to go to you.”
He had a point. “Okay.”
“Yeah?”
“Sure. I need a distraction, anyway.”
“We’ll talk about that when you get here. I’ll text you the address.”
“Perfect,” I said.
“Are you okay?”
“Golden.”
“Okay, Razzle, I’ll see you soon.”
We hung up and he texted me immediately. I was surprised to see the cabin was less than five miles from the University, so I followed the GPS and arrived at a large set of gates where I pressed the call button.
“What?” a gruff voice crackled through the speaker.
“Hi, um, this is Raquel. I’m here to see Orion.”
A few seconds later, the gigantic gates inched open and I pulled my car through.
Wow.
Spectacular.
The main clubhouse was a ways down the road, but I could see it lit up surrounded by the mountains and it
was breathtaking.
I have always loved my brother’s club. The giant barn on acres and acres of Georgia land, but this…this was something otherworldly. God, I bet it looked amazing when the snow came. I suddenly hoped I’d be invited back in the winter.
I parked in front and made my way up the porch steps where I was met by Orion in the form of his mouth on mine. I gripped his cut and held on as he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close.
“Hi,” he said, breaking the kiss, but dropping his forehead to mine.
“Hi,” I whispered.
He kissed me once more, then took my hand. “Come on in.”
I let him lead me inside and realized immediately I’d come on a special night.
“Oh, shit, it’s family night,” I breathed out.
“It is.”
I tugged on his hand to make him stop walking.
He faced me with a raised eyebrow. “What, Razz?”
“I think I should leave.”
“Why?”
“Because we’re not at family night level, Ori. It feels wrong.”
He sighed. “You’re family of a sort.”
“But you’re taking me in as your…guest. People could get the wrong idea.”
“They won’t. Come on.”
I stared up at him for several seconds before realizing I wanted this a little more than I was willing to admit.
“Are you sure people won’t think we’re together?” I whispered.
“I’m sure,” he whispered back.
“Okay,” I said.
We headed into the great room and I removed my hand from his, which I could tell he didn’t like, but I refused to be labeled as his woman.
I saw Sundance raise an eyebrow in our direction before planting a smile on his face and making his way to us. “Raquel.”
“Hey, Sundance.”
“Welcome.”
I smiled, sliding my hands into the pockets of my jeans. “Thanks.”
“Who’s this?” a feminine voice asked.
I turned toward the sound, and a drop-dead gorgeous blonde approached, her blue eyes sparkling with mischief.
“Letti, this is Raquel,” Orion said.
“She’s Doc’s sister,” Sundance provided. “Dogs of Fire Prez.”
“Oh, you’re from Savannah,” she said.
“I am. It’s nice to meet you.”
“It’s super nice to meet you, too,” she said in a slightly sing-song voice.
“Ignore my sister,” Orion said.
“Or don’t,” she retorted. “I think you and I might need to get a drink.”
“Violet,” Orion warned.
“I think so, too,” I piped in, and followed her to the bar.
“Jesus Christ,” I heard Orion hiss behind us, and I bit back a smile.
“How long have you known my brother?” she asked as we sidled up to the makeshift bar.
“A couple of weeks.”
“No kidding?”
“I met him at Smiley’s. Come to find out, my brother put out a word to watch over me.”
“Oh, they’re assholes like that, aren’t they?” she complained.
I chuckled. “Very much so.”
“Squeaker, shots, please,” she demanded to the biker behind the bar.
He pulled out the bottle of Don Julio Añejo and two shot glasses, pouring the tequila into each, then setting the bottle on the bar beside them.
Violet lifted hers and directed me to do the same. I did and she said, “To overprotective biker brothers.” Then we clinked glasses and downed the deliciousness that was high quality tequila.
“Who are you calling overprotective?” a deep voice demanded from behind me.
I turned to see yet another illegally gorgeous man, younger than Orion, but not by much I’d guess.
“Drake, meet Raquel.”
He grinned. “You’re Doc’s sister.”
“I am.”
“Nice to meet you,” he said, pulling me in for a bear hug.
“What the fuck are you doing, Drake?” Orion snapped, pulling me behind him.
“It’s fine,” I said, feeling my face heat.
Drake laughed. “I was just making Raquel feel welcomed.”
“Well, you can do that without touching her,” Orion ground out.
I tugged my wrist away from the vice grip of his hand holding it and tried to shrink into the floor. Violet held another shot of tequila out to me and I took it and downed it quickly.
“I’m gonna take Raquel upstairs,” Orion said.
I shook my head. “No, you’re not.”
“Yeah, I am.”
“No, that’s okay,” I countered.
“I think we should talk about this.”
“I think we’re good,” I argued.
“We’ll be right back,” he said, and took my hand again, practically dragging me away from his family and pulling me through a door just off the kitchen. I quickly realized it was a bunkroom of sorts and looked like it was set up for younger kids with the bright bedding and Marvel movie posters.
“What are you doing?” I growled.
“I thought we had a plan,” he said.
“You failed to mention it was family night and that your entire family was here,” I pointed out. “I am not going upstairs with you when you know very well they could report back what we’re doing to my brother. Nope, no way in hell.”
“No one’ll say a goddamn thing.”
“But they’ll know. I was liking this being between you and me,” I said.
“So, you’re not gonna let me bury my dick deep inside of you?” he asked, pushing me against the wall gently and leaning down to get eye level with me.
I shivered. “Not tonight, no.”
“Are you sure?” He ran his tongue over my bottom lip, and I squeezed my eyes shut, taking a deep breath.
“Yes, I’m sure.”
“Liar,” he rasped, covering my mouth with his.
I couldn’t stop myself from looping my arms around his neck and thrusting my tongue between his lips. His hands slid to my ass, squeezing gently, then lifting me so I could wrap my legs around his waist.
I’d never had someone strong enough to haul me around, and Orion did it with ease. Considering I was one hole-punch away from a free Cinnabon, my twelfth in less than a year, this was impressive.
His hands slid under my T-shirt and his nail scraped my nipple, eliciting a moan from me and driving me to distraction.
“Wait,” I panted out. “We can’t.”
“We absolutely can,” he argued, kissing me again.
“Please, Ori,” I begged. “You can come to my place tomorrow night, but I just… can’t do this here. Not tonight.”
“Jesus,” he hissed. “Fine.”
I smiled, the pained expression on his face strangely ego boosting. “I’m sorry.”
He adjusted his rock-hard dick and took a few deep breaths. “Give me a second and we can go back out to the great room.”
I bit my lip as he walked the perimeter of the room, his hands on his head, probably thinking about baseball or something to get his erection under control. I felt for him. I was primed and ready to go myself, but I knew I was doing the right thing. Even if it felt like it was incredibly wrong.
After a few minutes, he faced me again, and leaned down to kiss me quickly. “Tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow,” I promised.
He stroked my cheek, then gave me a quick nod and led me out of the room.
Violet approached, another glass of tequila in her hand and handed it to me. “One more,” she said, sounding extremely cheeky.
“I think you may have had enough.” Orion tried to reach for Violet’s glass, but she licked it, then downed the shot with a grin.
“I licked it, it’s mine,” she retorted.
I took my shot, then grinned. “I should drink some water and eat something.”
“I’ll show you where the food is,” Orion said, after snagging
a bottled water from behind the bar.
“Thanks.”
We walked to the tables filled with food and he handed me a plate. I noticed Violet reach for the donut on Drake’s plate, but he picked it up and licked it before she could grab it.
“What’s with the licking?” I asked.
Orion chuckled. “Letti and Drake started doing it when they were younger. Mostly because Letti was notorious for stealing food off other’s plates. She’d say she wouldn’t want anything, then eat what we got.”
“I hate that,” I admitted.
“We did too. Drake more than me, so he would lick everything on his plate so she wouldn’t steal it. After a while, I started doing it as well, because she started pilfering from me. It’s been an inside joke forever.”
I grinned. “I like it.”
For the rest of the night, I drank, I ate, and I found myself falling in love with another amazing group of people. It could have been the tequila, Violet was very good at making sure I never had an empty glass, but I found myself snuggling close to Orion as the night went on and loved how I fit against him like I was made for him.
“We should get you to bed,” Orion whispered.
I smiled, my eyes closed, and nodded. “’K.”
He stood, pulling me up beside him, and wrapping an arm around my waist. “Come on, Razzle, this way.”
I honestly didn’t register he was taking me up to his room until he settled me on a bed and kissed me. I grabbed his arms, the room spinning a little. “I shouldn’t stay here.”
“You’re drunk, beautiful, so you are staying here.”
“Can you drive me home?”
“I’m also a little drunk,” he said. “Don’t worry. I’ll be a gentleman.”
I nodded, then passed out.
* * *
The sound of birds singing felt more like woodpeckers attacking my skull. Not to mention, the Colorado sunshine beaming in my face. I groaned, rolling over and my face landed on a hard chest. I opened one eye and saw Orion grinning down at me.
I closed my eye again and sighed, snuggling closer to him. “What time is it?”
“Nine.”
I kissed his chest.
“How ya feelin’?”
“Like—wait!” I sat up. “Nine?”
“Yeah.”
“Shit!” I squeaked, throwing the covers off and noticing I was just in my panties and T-shirt. “Where are my clothes?”
Primal Howl (Primal Howlers MC Book 1) Page 3