by Elle Rease
A tense silence followed, which was emphasized by James’ heart monitor’s increased pace. Her father had murder in his gaze and was flexing his hands as if he burned to break Brennan’s jaw. Loraine gave her husband’s hand a squeeze to calm him. Or to remind him of his precarious health situation, most likely.
“You know, I finally understand why she left,” he said evenly. “Yes, I’m not disputing the fact that you were acting within your rights, Brennan, but bear in mind that you’d been in a relationship with my daughter at the time.”
Cinnia beamed at her father. “Thank you!”
“And I’m also a little upset that you’re the reason she left all of us,” James continued. “Sure, half of that’s on her, since she’d made that decision based on petty emotions, but you have to own up to your part of it, too. VP or no, you could’ve handled that entire fiasco much better. I’m disappointed, Brennan.”
“I can accept that,” Brennan said. “I’m trying my best to right this wrong. Like I said, I was young and dumb.”
“Jeez, I wish he’d give in so magnanimously with me,” Cinnia muttered.
“Hey, I let you ride my Harley all the way over here.”
Loraine’s eyes went wide. “Yeah, you kind of have to forgive him, Cin.”
“Oh, I kind of have to, do I?”
“Just let it go, sis, for the love of God!” Teagan rubbed his eyes with a long-suffering groan. “Yes, you both acted rashly that proves—in my eyes, at least—that we’re in for a rough time now that you’re back together, but may I remind you that dad’s in the fucking hospital after having a heart attack? Let’s just focus on what matters.”
They all stared at him, stunned by his outburst.
“What?” he growled.
“I think that’s the most consecutive sentences I’ve heard you string together in one go,” Brennan joked.
Teagan rolled his eyes. He was also cursed with fair skin, though, so his blush was very noticeable. “Fuck off.”
“You’re right, actually,” Cinnia acknowledged. She stared at her father. “Do I even want to know what you were doing at the time of your heart attack?”
Loraine’s face went cherry red, already giving Cinnia her answer. “Your father was—”
“That’s okay, mom.” Cinnia was struggling not to laugh. “Spare me the details.”
“That would be the best way to go, by the way,” James said, smiling broadly.
“Ugh, dad, really?”
“Watch yourself, Cin. I’m not going to allow you to make me feel dirty for still loving your mother.”
Teagan sighed. “That is both the most romantic and disgusting thing I’ve ever heard.”
“Stay tuned,” Loraine giggled, pointing at Brennan and Cinnia. “We still have them to contend with.”
Cinnia felt Brennan’s eyes on her, but couldn’t make herself look. She was too anxious and happy about everything in her life at the moment. She felt miles away—both literally and figuratively—from the Cinnia Sloane who had woken up next to a different man, in another mindset… She was trying to cope with all that’s changed.
It was like emotional jet-lag.
“Bren?”
Cinnia glanced at Jemma, who was hovering in the doorway, and her stomach dropped. She’d forgotten all about the blood tests. For some reason, she was terrified that she’d contracted an STD without knowing about it. What would Brennan think of her?
“What’s up, Jem?”
“I’ve got your results,” Jemma replied, gesturing for them to follow her.
Teagan was sniggering as Cinnia left the room, close on Brennan’s heels. She tried to focus on the sexy thump-clink of his footfalls, and not on the little voice in her head that had her convinced she was going to receive bad news. Why else would Jemma want to see them alone?
Because she’s a professional, she reminded herself.
But what if it’s because Cinnia had herpes, chlamydia or HIV? Shit, what if she was pregnant? Sure, she was on the Pill and sperm freaked her out, so Harold had always used condoms the few times they’d been intimate, but it only took one time…
You’re an idiot. You had your period last week.
Brennan noted that she was being uncharacteristically quiet and draped his arm around her waist. “Breathe, lass,” he urged.
“I’m freaking out.”
“I can see that.”
“Just relax, Cinnia,” Jemma smiled. She pointed them to the two chairs in the same room they’d had their blood drawn. “I’m simply following procedures. I know it’s nerve-wracking, but that can’t be helped. We have to present your results in private.” She raised an eyebrow. “I’m assuming you want them together?”
“Yeah, that’s fine, thanks Jem.”
Jemma reached for a file and extracted two pages. She double-checked a few things before handing it over. “Congratulations, you’re both clean.”
Cinnia breathed out in relief, sagging into the chair as her eyes scanned the few lines on the page. She was surprised to see that Jemma had tested for pregnancy, too. She looked up at the nurse, who shrugged as if it was no big deal.
“I had to cover all the bases, now that you’re back to stay,” Jemma said casually.
“What’s she talking about?” Brennan queried.
“She, ah…” Cinnia exchanged pages with him, curious to see his results for herself. “I’m not pregnant.”
He tensed next to her, effectively rumpling her page. “I would’ve murdered someone if you were, and you probably would’ve been first on my list.”
Jemma burst out laughing. “Scale back the testosterone, caveman.”
“It’s times like these that I have no idea why I agreed to any of this,” Cinnia muttered. “And I must say, a tiny part of me hoped that you’d have some incurable disease. At least if I was carrying another man’s child, you wouldn’t be so interested in banging me.”
Brennan shot to his feet. “We’re leaving,” he declared, striding out.
“Ooh, girl, you’re gonna get it.” Jemma was grinning from ear to ear. “But, as far as I can tell, you’re gonna enjoy every second.”
With a sigh, Cinnia got up. “If I don’t survive this… It was good to see you again, Jem. You look great.”
Jemma’s laughter followed Cinnia into the hallway. Brennan had no doubt stormed off to his bike and, trying to convince herself that she’ll be okay, Cinnia made her way out of the hospital. She had this feeling that Brennan was desperate to make up for lost time, which was terrifying on a hundred levels, given his current mood.
Terrifying and, oddly, arousing.
Chapter Four
She stopped once she got to the parking lot, dread slowly sinking into the pit of her stomach.
Brennan sat astride his motorcycle, engine running, with his one arm extended towards her, clutching her helmet. The look on his face was something she couldn’t find a name for: a mixture between anger, determination and possessiveness.
“So, I guess I’m not riding anymore?” she asked, trying to keep things light while she clicked her helmet into place.
His response wasn’t verbal. No, Brennan revved his engine instead.
Gulping nervously, she got on behind him. He propelled the Harley into motion faster than she would ever be able to, leaving her to hold on for dear life. Her mind was racing as much as her heart, trying to decipher his thoughts. What had pissed him off? The mere possibility of her carrying another man’s child?
Okay, she could see where he was coming from, but he had to calm down.
She turned her attention to their journey, having no idea where they were headed. The last time she’d been in town, he had still been sharing a small house with his best friend. That’s definitely not where he was taking her. This suburb looked more like something out of a catalog than a neighborhood he’d prefer living in.
He pulled over at one of the houses with a bigger yard. He killed the engine and she scurried off before he could blame her
for lingering.
“You live here?” She removed her helmet and gave it to him. He stuffed it into a side pannier, grabbed the Brennan’s Old Lady patch and marched to the front door. She had to widen her steps to keep up with him. “Uh, Brennan?”
He unlocked the door and opened it, moving aside so she could precede him inside.
Death is imminent, she thought sullenly as she crossed the threshold. She flinched at the sound of the door slamming shut. It was getting dark outside, so she had to blink a few times before her eyes adjusted to the gloom in the house.
Brennan flicked a light on, screwing with her system all over again. “Turn around.”
She obeyed, scared shitless. His jaw was clenched. What was his problem?
“What does this say?” he asked, holding her patch up.
Her mouth had gone completely dry. “Brennan’s Old Lady,” she whispered.
“You’re going to have to speak up, lass.” He stepped forward, right into her personal bubble. “What does it say?”
“Brennan’s Old Lady,” she repeated clearly.
He nodded in approval. “And what does that mean?”
God, he was going to drag the most embarrassing confession out of her, wasn’t he? She swallowed down her feminine pride, squared her shoulders and replied: “It means I’m your property.”
“And?”
Now he was just irritating her. “And that no one else is allowed to touch, kiss or fuck me.”
“So, please tell me how your little joke back at the hospital was delivered in good taste,” he snarled.
“You’re kidding me!” She gaped at him. “That’s what this is about?”
“You bet your sweet, round ass it is.”
“Brennan—”
He slammed the patch down on the entryway table. “Oh, I’m sure you meant nothing by it, lass, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t hurt, all the same.” He spread his hand over her stomach and pushed her against a nearby wall. “Mine.”
Why was she getting turned on by this chauvinistic bullshit? “You don’t get to touch me when you’re like this,” she said seriously.
“I’ll touch you whenever I want to, Cinnia.” He clicked his tongue at the indignant facial expression she was wearing. “You’re making up little scenarios in your head again, so I’m going to say this once and once only. Are you paying attention?”
Biting down on the inside of her cheeks, she nodded.
“Good.” He placed his hands on either side of her shoulders, caging her in against the wall. “I will never, and I mean never, raise my hand to you, no matter how much you piss me off. I do not hit women: never have and never will. You are safe with me, no matter what mood I’m in. You don’t have to be afraid of me.” His gaze softened, warming from glaciers to snow. “I don’t want you to be afraid of me, so tell me what’s bothering you.”
Great, now she wanted to cry. She fought the impulse, answering: “You scare me when you get so mad over something I’ve said. You’re bigger than I am, Brennan, so of course I’m going to be frightened when you get like this. I know we have this weird bond that makes us possessive over one another, but you shouldn’t take me so seriously. My sense of humor is dark. You know that about me.”
“There are only a handful of things in this world that I take extremely seriously. One being my family and the MC.” He stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. “The other being you. I’m asking you as politely as I possibly can, Cin: don’t ever joke about you with other men, or their hands on you, or their seed in you. Can you do that?”
“Yes,” she said softly, shivering at his touch. “Can you do the same?”
He gave her a lopsided smile. “Of course, I’m not into men.” He barked a laugh when she landed a punch in his gut. “Jesus, Cinnia!” he gasped, rubbing his abs. “Sorry, now’s not the time to be stupid.”
“Definitely not.”
He cupped her face in his hands and tilted her chin up. Brennan Drummond was the only man that’s ever made her feel like she’s made of china. To everyone else, she usually appeared to be an Amazonian warrior that could take care of herself.
“Cinnia, no one else exists but you,” he murmured, running his thumb over her bottom lip. “I’ve never been in a relationship with another woman. The ones I’ve slept with were only a means to an end; an itch to scratch. You’re the only one I want to share my life with.”
She quivered at his words and close proximity. He was so romantic in his own unique, aggressive way. “Brennan.”
He crushed his lips to hers, knowing exactly what she wanted, what she needed.
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she didn’t argue as he lifted her into his embrace to carry her upstairs. Frankly, she wouldn’t have minded if he’d fucked her right there on the floor. She locked her legs behind his back, rubbing her crotch over his significant hard-on. Was it only that morning that he’d gifted her with an orgasm?
All the while, his tongue caressed hers, stealing her breath away. His piercing added a tantalizing massage to the kiss. The studs in his lips served to ignite her desire even further. She was quickly forgetting about the men she’d kissed before, sharing a first with Brennan for the umpteenth time.
He set her down at the foot of his bed and pushed her vest off her shoulders. His blue eyes were stormy once her shirt dropped to the floor. “This bra,” he groaned, brushing the white lace with his coarse fingertips. “I like the contrast between your outfit and what’s underneath. Always wear things like this, okay?”
“Okay,” she breathed, blushing.
This attracted his hands back to her face. “I love that about you. You always get so red when I say something dirty.”
She was terrified of the gleam in his eyes, but for a whole different reason. “Brennan, don’t tease me.”
“In what way?” he asked, grinning.
“Let’s just get naked already.”
“Lass, there’s nothing I want more, believe me.” He shut his eyes for a moment, breathing steadily. “But this is our first time. I’m not going to rush. I’ve waited too long for this.”
She let out a shaky breath. “Can I undress you, then?”
“You don’t have to ask permission for that.” He dropped his hands and shifted back. “Is this where you want me?”
“For now,” she confirmed, sliding her hands under his vest and tipping it off.
His body art fascinated her to no end. There were so many designs blending into one another: his family’s crest on the right side of his chest, a flaming skull on his bicep, vines of oozing black roses twining around his arm… Driven by her hormones, she leaned forward and traced one of the tattoos on his pectorals with her tongue.
He hissed an obscenity and grabbed the back of her head.
She moved on to his nipple piercing, loving the way cold steel and warm skin felt on her tongue. She pressed her lips around his nipple and sucked, before tugging at the stud with her teeth. “I’ve wanted to do that since I saw you have them,” she let him know.
“Christ, Cinnia.” He pushed her on the bed and removed her boots and socks. He undid the laces of her leather pants and peeled it off.
“I thought I got to undress you,” she complained when he kicked his shoes to the side.
He froze and seemed to count to ten in his head. “You’re right.”
She cocked an eyebrow. “What, am I turning you on that much?”
“You have no idea.” He pointed to his pants. “Come on, then.”
She sat up and shifted to the edge of the bed. He was standing between her legs, her face level to his chest. She noted a blank spot on the left side and ran her finger over it. “Are you going to get something tattooed here, too?”
“Your name,” he confirmed.
Well, if that hadn’t made her cream her panties, she had no idea what would’ve.
Cinnia worked the laces of his pants and tugged them down his slim hips. Her eyes widened at the sight of his long, hard cock.
“No underwear?”
“I don’t have time for that shit.”
The barbell in the tip of his dick had her hypnotized. Absent-mindedly, she shoved his pants down, her eyes never looking away from his manhood. It was nothing at all like what she was used to, that was for damn sure.
Harold’s was what her friends back in the city had referred to as “fun sized”. He had never hurt her, but she had always assumed it was because her fantasies had adequately readied her for him.
Now, she was a bit worried that she’ll be split in two, although that did little to curb her enthusiasm. Her mouth was watering at the mere thought of having him in her. To get a taste, she gripped him at the base and closed her mouth over the head of his cock.
“Oh God,” he moaned, his fingers grabbing hold of her shoulders.
She mewled appreciatively. The stud at the underside of his cock reminded her of his tongue ring. It was like kissing him, all over again, except that she had a bigger obstacle to deal with. She swathed him with her tongue and mouth, doing what she would’ve wanted to be done to her, had she been male.
Apparently, her approach was exactly right.
“Fuck me, Cinnia!” he exclaimed as she applied more pressure and took him further. “Stop, or I’m gonna cum!”
What’s so wrong with that? Cinnia wondered gleefully. She began moving her hands, too: one jerking him off while the other massaged his testicles. He swelled even more; became even harder. Her jaw was starting to ache.
“Woman!” Gently, he shoved her off his cock, grabbing it so hard in one hand she was sure it was going to burst. He breathed deeply and closed his eyes. “Sweet Jesus.”
“Did I hurt you?” she asked, worrying at his pained facial expression.
“Lass, you nearly killed me.” Finally, he let go of his erection. He kicked his pants off and joined her on the bed. “How’d you get so good at that? Wait, don’t answer that, I don’t need the details.” He pushed her back. “Your turn.”
“Brennan—”
“Shh,” he interrupted.
He knelt between her legs and stared at her for a moment. She’s never felt so vulnerable before, but thankfully his body was a good distraction. His powerful muscles flexed with every movement he made, those tattoos rippling on the surface of his skin. His hair was still tied up at the back of his neck: she couldn’t wait to run her fingers through his auburn locks.