by Jani Kay
But word had gone around that everyone partly blamed Hammer and his new apprentice, Logan, for what happened to Cobra. I didn’t really understand the logic behind their thinking, or to be more accurate, lack of thinking. Even I knew that security systems weren’t fool proof. The attack had happened outside our gates, so I was satisfied that Hammer had indeed done a great job of protecting the grounds of the compound.
Heat raised from my chest to my neck. From the corner of my eye I took in Razor’s furious expression. Taking a step back, I couldn’t help wondering what he was thinking while he glared at his minions.
“Fuck off, all of you.” He rested a hand on Hammer’s shoulder. “Haven’t any of you taken a piss at the same time as this man? Have you seen his cock?” He shook his head. “Unless you have dick envy—that I can understand. Hammer makes my prick look small and I’m proud of what I was born with.”
What? Razor was defending Hammer? I never thought I’d see the day he’d look past his own ego. I’m nearly impressed.
“As for the Aussie kid, Jesus, the man’s a fucking stud. Makes me wish I was five years younger to have the stamina he has. You’re just fucking jealous and it ain’t a good look, boys.” My lips parted and my mouth hung open as I watched him stand up for the guys.
Axel cowered. He always hung on Razor’s lips and I had to wonder if he wasn’t the one with a crush on a man, and his hero was giving him shit. That made me grin.
Sandy leaned forward and freed Razor’s cock from his jeans. The bastard was commando, and not even a bit ashamed when his erection pointed toward the ceiling.
Like a car crash, I couldn’t take my eyes off his cock. Piercings ran across the top and one large stud embellished the tip. The gleaming tip. The asshole was so excited that pre-cum had formed. White and glossy.
Sandy licked her lips. “Ohhh, what have you got for me, babe? You know I love tasting—” Her right hand curled around his tool and she leaned in with a naughty grin as she stared up at Razor from under her dark and very false long lashes.
Bitch.
“Stop!” I closed my eyes and sucked in a sharp breath. “This is childish. I’m not playing anymore.” I flung the cloth I’d been twisting between my fingers on the table and slammed my palm on the counter. “My shift is over and so is this game.”
A loud groan came from behind me. “You can’t do this to us. It was just getting hot.”
I swung around and gave the asshole a dirty look before settling my gaze on Razor. His face was a mix of disappointment and relief. Or was I just imagining it?
He laid his hand on Sandy’s head and held her at a distance. She was holding on to his cock with both hands as if her life depended on it. She opened her mouth to say something, but I shut her down.
My voice thundered. “Let go, Sandy.” She kept staring at me with wide eyes. Was the woman stupid? What part of stop did she not understand? It meant letting go of his dick completely.
I stamped my foot on the concrete floor. “Now!”
She dropped Razor’s tool like hot coals. I’d laugh if I wasn’t that pissed off.
Razor held my gaze. “Are you sure that’s what you want, Lexi? It means you lose, baby. You okay with that?”
For the second time in five minutes he surprised me. I was so sure he was hell bent on winning that he wouldn’t care how it made me feel.
I swallowed hard and nodded. “This is the most fucked up idea you’ve ever had.”
Axel piped up. “No, it was brilliant.”
“I’d shut the fuck up if I were you,” Razor warned, his face cracking up with a grin. “You don’t wanna piss off my little Spitfire.”
My hands rested on my hips as I titled my head. For the second time I was going to agree with Razor and I didn’t like the idea for one second, but he was right.
“Yeah. Keep your opinions to yourself. I don’t wanna hear them.” Just then my brain caught up with the last part of his sentence. I narrowed my eyes at Razor. “What did you just call me? I’m not your anything.”
Razor folded his arms across his chest and looked at me down his nose.
“Well, you’re a pain in my ass, Lexi. And since you just lost the bet, you’re my bitch now. For one whole week you’re all mine, baby, and there ain’t nothing you can do about it.”
Mimicking his stance, I crossed my arms over my chest too. I pulled myself up a few inches taller, but still I only reached as high as his chin.
The admiration I’d felt for him moments ago evaporated. “Just know I’m only doing this because I always keep my side of a bargain. Definitely not because I want too,” I huffed, making my displeasure clear. “If you were a better man, you’d agree it was a stupid bet and just call it off.”
Razor held his stomach as he laughed. Loud and raucous. “You must be fucking kidding me. A bet is a bet. Only a woman would try to weasel her way out of it because she lost. But you’re not that lucky, my little spitfire. I’m going to tame you and you’re going to enjoy it.”
I stamped my foot. “Like fuck I will.”
“Oh, you have no fucking idea how much I’m going to enjoy it,” he crooned. “I’ve been waiting for this forever.”
I turned on my heels to leave. I was packing my shit and getting out of there and nobody was going to stop me.
A steely grip wrapped around my wrist. With a swift jerk, he pulled me toward him. I landed against Razor’s hard chest as his arm tightened around me. His breath was warm in my neck.
“And just where do you think you’re going, Spitfire?”
“I’ve had enough of this stupidity. I’m going to my apartment.” My voice was filled with rage and I pushed against him to free myself.
“You, sweetheart, are coming with me to our room. Where you belong.”
“No—”
Before I could even finish my damn sentence, my body was swept into the air and thrown over his shoulder. His hands rested possessively on my ass.
“Put me the fuck down, you barbarian.” I kicked wildly and hammered my fists against his back with all the force I could muster.
It only made Razor laugh.
“Jesus, Lexi, don’t you know violence turns me on? Give it your best shot, baby, but you’re coming with me.”
He turned and strode from the clubroom, me shouting profanities and banging as hard as I could against the solid muscles of his back.
One of us had to give up first and it wasn’t going to be me.
3 — Lexi
Was the universe playing tricks on me? This man was the last thing I needed. Overbearing, overprotective, possessive as fuck.
He thinks he owns me.
It couldn’t be further from the truth. Nobody owned Alexis Clarke. Nobody ever would. I’d rather eat shit than be owned by any man, and that went double for Razor. I was a free woman. Free to do as I pleased, when I pleased. Most of the time, anyway.
I was still tightly in his grip, my head spinning from all the blood that had run to it while being upside-down over his damn shoulder. I’d given up fighting him, reserving my strength for later when I’d probably need it more.
Yet, I had to give him props for trying. He was the most persistent bastard I’d ever met. Not taking no for an answer wore my nerves down, even though I wouldn’t admit it to anyone, especially Razor fucking Malone.
He opened the door and stepped into his room. Slamming the door shut with one heavy biker boot, he set me down on my feet, but he didn’t let go. His grip tightened around my upper arms as I stared at him with contempt.
Does he really think he’s won? Boy, do I have a surprise for him!
His eyes gleamed and his satisfied smirk reeked of cockiness. He was enjoying this far too much. “You’re my bitch now, Lexi, and you better start acting like it. That smart mouth of yours is going to pay for all the grief you’ve given me over the months.”
With his large body between me and the door, there wasn’t a thing I could do about it at that moment. I’d lost because I d
idn’t have the nerve to push through—a first that shocked even me because I’d never been one to back down on anything.
It wasn’t like me to choke like that. Confused, I started at him for a long moment. Razor wasn’t the man I wanted yet I couldn’t stand the idea of other chicks sucking his dick. The problem with Razor was that he was just crazy enough to actually go through with it just to prove a point.
“I’m sure you have every intention of reminding me. Get over yourself. It’s just a stupid bet.” I poked a finger into his chest, suddenly furious. “One you should never have made in the first place.”
Razor chuckled. I hadn’t seen him in such good spirits for a long time. “Lexi, you know I’ll do anything for you. Even endure other bitches sucking my cock. Anything for you, baby.”
“Ha! That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.” My hands perched on my hips and I puffed out my chest. “You’re so full of shit, Razor Malone. Just know none of this would’ve happened if I hadn’t lost the game of chicken.”
Razor threw back his head and laughed. “I must admit I never pegged you for a chicken. I was fucking convinced I was getting that pretty mouth of yours wrapped around me. I expected you to win, Lexi!”
His revelation startled me. Razor had no problems in the confident-and-cocky department. I’d never known him to admit to defeat in any way.
I narrowed my eyes at him. “Technically that means you didn’t win then.” I’d do anything to get out of the dilemma I’d just created for myself. Grab at straws if it would get me off the hook to the silly agreement.
He cocked his head to the side and slowly a smile spread across his face. “Actually, for once I’m going to admit you’re half right.” He reached up and touched his dark brown locks. “Although, I’d be like Samson from the bible if you made me shave my head.”
My eyes rounded. “You know Bible stories? Holy hell, how did that happen?”
“Chopper used the TV as a babysitter. Whenever he couldn’t cope with all my questions, he parked me in front of the square box and let me watch whatever I liked.”
Sadness flashed through his eyes but seconds later it was gone and I wondered if I’d just imagined it. If there was something Razor and I had in common, it was growing up without a mom. I understood better than anyone how hard that was on a kid and how much it hurt deep inside. Even if we pretended it didn’t, it wasn’t the same watching other kids get love and cuddles from a woman who l presumed loved their kids unconditionally.
He shrugged and laughed out loud, but it sounded hollow. “One of the perks of growing up without a mother.”
I laid a hand on his arm. “I’m sorry,” I said in a soft voice.
Razor took a step backward and speared his fingers through his hair. “Fuck, Lexi. Pity is the last thing I want from you.” The hurt was back in his eyes and this time it wasn’t my imagination.
Who knew Razor had a chink in his heavy armour? Caught off guard, my heart stirred in compassion for the big man. I pressed my palm to my chest, just over my heart. Underneath all those layers was just a boy. He had his vulnerabilities like any other person.
“Hmmm,” I hummed. A small smile twisted my lips. He’s human after all. Even behind all the bullshit and the macho bad-boy image. I wasn’t going to exploit it—well maybe only if I needed to. If I understood what Razor’s kryptonite was, I could use it to my advantage as a bargaining tool.
He turned and locked the door, pulling the key out and slipping it into his pocket.
“Just a precaution,” he mumbled. “I’m going to take a shower. Make yourself at home.” He pointed his chin toward the bed.
“You’ve got high hopes, Biker.”
“Don’t worry, Lexi. I’m not going to attack you. I’ll wait till you beg for my cock, baby. And you will.”
“Ha. That’s what you think.” I eyed him suspiciously. That could be my out. “Promise?”
“Are you fucking testing me, woman?”
“Maybe,” I said tersely.
“I promise, okay?” There was a slight edge of sadness in his voice that I couldn’t fathom. He slung a towel over his shoulder and turned toward the bathroom. “I’m not going to fuck you while you’re pining for another man’s cock. I have some pride. At least give me credit for that.” His tone had changed completely to hard and cold, stinging me with its intensity. “I don’t want to fuck you tonight, you can sleep easy.”
I drew back the covers and slipped between the sheets, fully dressed.
“That’s my side of the bed,” he growled.
“Tough shit. You want me here, it’s my side now.” Yawning, I turned my back to the center of the matrass and curled into a ball while I hugged the pillow.
Seconds later he was gone and the rush of water drowned all other sound out.
Confused as fuck, I hugged the pillow tighter and closed my eyes. Why did that hurt so much? Razor was the one and only man I never expected rejection from and he just told me he didn’t want me.
Did I have it all wrong? In all truthfulness, I thought he’d fling me onto the bed and take what he wanted, enjoying it if I fought him.
Cold hard rejection tasted bitter.
Don’t let him get to you, Lexi. You don’t need any man. Never have, never will.
Not anyone’s cock either.
I could take care of myself. I’d been doing it for twenty-six damn years since my mom died and my father threw himself into his business.
I’d grown up alone. Always an outsider. Always a misfit.
Don’t cry, Lexi. Don’t cry.
Hot tears trickled down my scalp and into my pillow.
It was going to be a long seven days.
4 — Razor
I turned only one faucet on and stood under the steaming hot water, letting it scald my skin until it was blood red. The pain was nothing compared to that in my heavy-as-fuck heart.
Most of my life I’d accepted blunt dismissal from people. Mostly I didn’t care. I never allowed it to affect me, becoming harder and more callous as the years passed. From a young age, I made a place in the world for myself by having a reputation as the one biker nobody who valued their life fucked with. That at least brought me recognition and respect, although it wasn’t necessarily of the honorable kind.
I leaned my forehead against the tiles, letting the water wash over me.
Why did I want the one woman who only had eyes for someone else?
The heart could not be told who to love, even a man like me had learned that lesson the hard fucking way, so I couldn’t blame Lexi for her infatuation with Ryder. With great reluctance, I had to admit that he was a fucking awesome dude, even though I hated him at that moment.
Between my internal struggle with Cobra choosing his VP as his first choice for president over me, his own flesh and fucking blood, and Lexi being smitten by him, I’d gladly have cut Ryder’s fucking throat in his sleep. I hadn’t used my razor blades in a while and I was burning inside with a rage far bigger than myself.
I banged my head against the tiles, wishing for the voices in my head to shut the fuck up. Voices telling me that I wasn’t good enough to be president of the Scorpio Stinger MC, or for Lexi. Voices that wouldn’t stop calling me a loser.
Lexi made me crazy. She was full of shit, and fucking high maintenance. I shouldn’t want her when I had other babes begging to be my bitch. Yet I couldn’t fucking help myself and I hated that she made me feel so out of control.
Why did I promise to leave her alone when all I wanted to do was drive my cock into her? Deep inside I festered with pent up rage and I needed an outlet. Fucking hard always helped me calm down, so why didn’t I just take what I wanted?
I knew the answer deep inside.
I wanted Lexi to want me.
Not because I told her, but because she truly did.
She’d made it fucking clear that wasn’t going to happen. Winning was no better than losing. She was right, it was a stupid and childish thing to do. So much
for being a smart-ass.
After a long while, the water started cooling down and I stepped out from the shower. I wrapped a towel around my waist and cleared the mirror with my forearm. I stared at my reflection in the misty glass for a long moment.
Picking up my electric razor, I placed it against my skull on the right hand side of my face and switched it on. My eyes blazed like coals of fire as I pushed the buzzing machine through my hair without hesitation, dark locks falling to the floor.
I repeated the action until one side of my head was shaved and turned the razor off, throwing the thing down so that it clanged hard against the porcelain basin. Leaning over I picked up a bunch of my hair off the floor and stared at it as if it were alien.
I was Samson and Lexi was my Delilah. Never as a kid, fascinated by the tale, had I dreamed it would become the story of my life.
Meeting my gaze in the mirror, I scrutinized my face. Half fallen man, half beast. I was no fucking hero and I never claimed to be one, but there had to be something redeeming about me. Something that could save me from becoming rotten to the core like my fallen brother, Damian.
Both hands gripped the sides of the basin, and I stared at the bunch of hair lying in the basin while on one side of my face, my long hair fell over my eyes.
Lexi was the only one who could save me. The only one who could give me the self-worth I craved. And she wanted nothing to do with me.
I was screwed. She was in my bed where I wanted her and I couldn’t touch her.
Jesus fucking Christ. I was losing my fucking mind.
Pushing back the strands of hair sticking to the one side of my face, I vowed to be a better man. The kind of man Lexi would admire, and maybe, if Lady Luck pissed on me, the woman of my dreams would fall in love with me and want me as much as I fucking wanted her.
With new resolve pumping through me, I decided to take on the task that would redeem me. I needed to bring the fuckers who had nearly killed my brother to justice and do what the others—Ryder and Harrison’s team—had failed to do.