by Jani Kay
I combed my fingers through the long strands, right to the ends, and let them drop back to his shoulders.
“It’s kinda sexy.” My breath hitched. “Why did you do it? Tell me the truth.”
He hesitated for a long beat. “I don’t really know.” He held my gaze captive. “I felt like I’d lost the bet, too. That you deserved a part of winning.”
He grabbed my hand and this time he placed it on his chest. “Feel how fast my heart is beating? That only happens when I’m around you. Do you have any idea how fucking crazy you make me, baby?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Your heart’s beating that fast because you came storming down the hallway. Physical activity will do that to you every time.”
“One day I’m going to shut that smart little mouth of yours. You won’t know what to say . . . not a single smartass remark.”
I sniggered. “You’ll be waiting a long fucking time for that to happen, Razor Malone. I’m not running out of ways to insult you any time soon.”
He just laughed.
Laughed as if it were the funniest thing he’d ever heard.
It completely unnerved me when he did that. Cocky bastard.
Just as suddenly he turned serious again. “What did the fucking kid want? Did he come on to you?”
“What kind of out-of-the-blue question is that?” I smirked, evading his gaze by stepping passed his huge frame in the direction of the kitchen. I still hadn’t had my caffeine injection and my whole body trembled from the lack of the stimulant.
A hand came around my waist and stopped me. He pulled be back so I landed hard against his chest. His voice was low and its warmth rumbled over my skin as he spoke near my ear.
“Remember who you belong to, Lexi. You’re mine, baby. Only mine.”
Three. Two. One.
“If I see Logan anywhere near you in the next six days, I’m going to cut his little prick off and feed it to him. Understand?”
And Razor asshole Malone was back.
7 — Lexi
Ryder walked into the club room, dark circles under his eyes. My insides did a flip. Even when he looked like shit he looked good. What was it about the man that pulled me like a fucking magnet in spite of myself? He was off limits. Fuck, he’d just become a father less than a month ago and he was back with Jade, my cousin. We were family for fuck sake.
On top of everything, I was going to be a bridesmaid at their wedding. If ever there was a buzzkill that was it.
Jade had always been one of the few people on the planet who actually put up with my quirky ways and loved me just the same. She’d told me I was weird more than once, but it wasn’t in a way to offend or hurt me, she simply stated a fact that was true, because Jade and I were polar opposites. That’s why it was even more of a shock when I learned that the bad boy she’d fallen for was the same man I’d had my eye on before she even met him.
Yet from the beginning Ryder only had eyes for Jade. I’d never pegged her for his type, the typical good girl, which just went to show that when it came to love, we were all screwed. The heart had a fucking mind of its own and wouldn’t be told who to love, and if any couple I’d known had endured more shit to be together than them, I’d be astounded.
As much as I wanted for them to be happy, a part of me mourned that I never had a chance to win Ryder’s heart. I was so much better suited to him, but he chose her and there wasn’t a fucking thing I could really do about it.
“Hey, brother, you look like fucking shit. Those babies giving you hell?” Ox asked, one eyebrow raised.
“Yeah.” Ryder pushed the hair off his face and pulled it together into a messy man bun behind his head. Fuck if that wasn’t sexy as hell. “Did you know sleep depravation is a form of torture?” His voice had an edge of amusement in it. “Damn, I’d never have believed it if I wasn’t experiencing it myself. It’s as if those babies don’t ever sleep or stop crying.”
The guys surrounding Ryder laughed out loud. Hammer slapped him on his back, the way men do when they sympathize with one another.
A grin split Ryder’s face. “Just wait till it happens to you, fuckers. You won’t be laughing, that I promise.”
I chuckled softly as my gaze traveled over the biker. He was a sight for sore eyes. I’d never seen Ryder look so dishevelled . . . yet so totally fuckable. My hormones were going wild and I suppressed the urge to take a step closer to him just to feel the animal magnetism radiate off him. Jade was a lucky fucking bitch. I hoped she appreciated what she had.
His gaze met mine for a split second, and although his eyes were warm, there was nothing more than friendliness in them. He simply didn’t see me the way I saw him.
My heart sank into my shoes.
I’ve got to accept that Ryder will never be mine. Why is it so fucking hard to do?
I could literally have my pick of men, but no, I wanted the one man I couldn’t have. How fucked up was that?
“What are you doing here?” Razor barked as he entered the room from the kitchen.
When I’d woken in his bed, he’d left already. Nothing surprised me more than Razor actually keeping to his promise and not making sexual moves on me. Knowing full well that he could have demanded more from me, it kinda unsettled me.
Had Razor lost interest in me?
He’d acted like an asshole all through day, not saying much to me, yet his gaze constantly burned into me. Every time I looked up from where I was working at the bar, he’d be watching me with a strange expression I couldn’t fathom on his face.
Now he wore a deep frown and his trademark smirk. I wanted nothing more than to walk over and slap it right off his ruggedly handsome face. Instead I tucked my hands into my jean short pockets and copied his frown.
He didn’t seem to be pleased to see his brother and that irked me. I jerked my head toward him, taking in the snarl on his face. He’d become so damn aggressive toward Ryder lately and I could sense that he wasn’t going to stop fighting the club’s VP to take over as president, even if it was against his brother’s wishes.
“I’ve been to see Cobra. He’s so much better and he told me to come kick some ass. Seems like he was right, look at you fuckers all just hanging around all day playing pool.”
“Jealous, bro?” Axel piped up. Ryder just glared at him without an answer.
“We have no fucking choice, remember? We’re technically still in fucking lockdown, without a prez and without our VP. So we’re just kinda drifting along till we know what the fuck’s going on.”
Ryder cleared his throat. He pulled at the collar of his shirt and pressed his lips together into a thin line.
“That’s what I’ve come to tell you. Cobra asked me to step in for a while and get this place into shape before he gets back.” He turned to Razor. “It’s just temporary but I’ll be acting president for the next few weeks. We gotta work some shit out since the cops haven’t nailed our enemies yet.” He gestured in a circular motion around the room. “This can’t go on for fucking ever. We need to resolve the crap and start living normal lives again. There’s work to be done, and I’m here to assign it.”
“Like hell. You’ve just told us you’re fucking sleep deprived. That means it also affects your judgement and decision making abilities. I’m no fucking genius, but I know a human can’t function properly without the basics.”
Ryder sucked in a breath and held up both hands. “Let’s not start this shit again. It’s what Cobra wants.”
“You know what? I’m not letting you or Cobra dictate to us any longer. I’m sick of this state of limbo we’ve been living in.” He closed his fist, then slowly opened it, stretching his fingers wide.
“Calm the fuck down,” Ryder barked.
“I think everybody is sick of living all cooped up. Cobra’s in hospital, you’re back in LA.” Razor took a step toward Ryder, their faces just inches apart. “Yet it’s the two of you who don’t live here that wanna make the fucking rules? I don’t think so.”
I held
my breath for a beat. For once I agreed with Razor. It took me completely by surprise, but Razor was right. This wasn’t a fucking zoo, and we weren’t caged animals, although it sometimes felt like it.
At night I dreamed of being free. I didn’t do rules and regulations well.
Never have. Never will.
I hated being confined in any way and this whole experience tested my patience and I wasn’t winning. The longer we had to stay there, the more I itched to make a runner. I didn’t mind coming to the MC compound when I had to work at the bar or when it was my choice to be there, but there was just something about being forced into a situation that made my skin crawl.
“Don’t make this more fucking difficult than it has to be. Cobra should be back on his feet in a few days. He wants to be home for Bella’s birthday. Let’s just do this until we have a new plan.”
Razor puffed out his chest “No fucking way. I’ve had enough.” He jerked his head toward me and the boys. “I think I speak for everyone when I say it ends here. Since I’m the Malone that’s here every day, I’ll be the one running the fucking club.”
Ryder’s eyes flashed and his jaw tightened. “I’m doing this to help Cobra—”
Razor’s lip curled into a snarl. “Yeah, we’ve all heard that before,” he growled. “It’s over a month since the shooting and still we aren’t closer to a solution. Those motherfuckers need to be found and dealt with. Ever since you got mixed up with your bitch and her brother, you want to change the way things have always been done around here. We stood back and watched, waiting for the fucking cops to do their job. But those fuckers are still out there and I don’t know how you sleep at night, but I don’t. I care about everyone at the club, too . . . this is my fucking family, and I’m going to do what you pussies have not been able to do. I’m gonna find the motherfuckers who threaten us and put an end to this. I have a fucking life to get on with. I’m not growing old living like this.”
My eyes rounded as I stared at Razor. His face flushed, eyes narrowed, and arms folded across his chest. Was it my imagination or had he just grown a few inches taller, too?
Ryder took a step back, rubbing the back of his neck. “So you’re going against Cobra? You sure that’s what you wanna do?”
My heartbeat picked up its pace as I waited for Razor’s reply.
Without hesitation, he said, “If that’s what it comes to, yeah.” Slowly he looked around the room, from one person to the next, until his gaze rested on me. “I speak for everyone when I say enough is enough.”
“Fuck. You’re not making it easy.”
“Since when has anything to do with Scorpio Stingers been easy? It’s the life we chose or were born into, each of us with our own reasons. We’re not just gonna stand and watch any longer, waiting for something to happen either way.”
“Razor, this is crazy talk,” Ryder spat out, glaring at Razor.
I took a step toward Razor. “He’s right. I’m sick of being stuck here. Who knows what those fuckers have planned and when they’ll hit again. Hammer and Logan have done as much as they can with security, but we’re kinda sitting ducks.” I placed my hand on Razor’s arm, shocked by the bolt of electric current that ran through me.
“Out of respect for our pres we’ve waited, but it’s getting to me now. My fucking nerves are frazzled,” Ox said with a groan.
“Yeah, every time I hear a strange noise I kinda shit my pants. You’re not the only one not sleeping well at night,” Logan said in his heavy Australian accent.
8 – Razor
I was sick of being so close to Lexi, only holding her when she fell asleep so that she wasn’t aware I was reneging on my word. It was the third night already and my time with her was running out a lot faster than what I would’ve liked.
She wiggled her ass, spooning right against my crotch. I groaned and shifted away a few inches, but her ass followed. I let out a deep sigh and removed my arm from around her. I turned around. I’d be safer sleeping with my back to her. My fucking dick couldn’t handle it any more.
On my side, facing the wall away from Lexi, I took a few deep breaths and tried to relax enough so that I’d fall asleep. As a kid I’d heard that counting sheep helped, but that was total bullshit, so I just lay there and listened to Lexi’s soft breathing and occasional snort.
What would she say if I told her she snored? It would spark an argument, for sure.
My whole body stiffened as she mumbled something and turned, her arm flung over my torso. I was still getting used to her tits pressing against me, when her leg entwined with mine. I couldn’t stop the smile spreading across my face. I laced my fingers through hers and pressed her palm against my skin, just over my heart.
But then she moaned in her sleep and the name she called softly caused my heart to freeze.
Ryder.
Yeah, she was dreaming of him. Fuck me if I didn’t want to shake her till her teeth rattled. And Ryder? I’d happily wring his neck.
How the fuck could she do that to me? She was asleep, but still it didn’t stop rage coursing through my body as if a thunderbolt had struck. Was she having sexy dreams of another man in my bed?
My heart ached like when I was a kid and longed to have a mother. A need inside me to belong to someone overtook me. All through my life I’d buried it deep inside me, pretending I didn’t need anyone, especially not a female. I’d belonged to the Scorpio Stingers MC and up till a year ago when Lexi walked into my life, it had been enough.
Lexi had awakened something I didn’t know was in me. I hated that it made me want her. Need her. If I could cut my fucking heart out, I would. I’d rather bleed to death than feel this gnawing ache inside me.
9 — Razor
“For once in your damn life just shut the fuck up and trust me, okay?” My gaze bored into Lexi’s orbs, searching for her submission. I sighed heavily. She hadn’t stopped talking since I asked her to come outside with me five minutes ago, asking questions I wasn’t ready to answer yet. I grabbed her hand and pulled her along, nearly running in case she changed her mind and turned back, my eyes adjusting to the darkness as I lead her up the stairs at the side of the building.
We were on the far side of the compound, the part of the club that very few people ever came to. The moon hung low and eerie in the night sky. A warm breeze surrounded us, picking up a plastic bag and swirling it in the air, then blowing it against the fence where it joined the graveyard of garbage.
Except for our footfall and heavy breathing, the only sound was of traffic and a dog barking in the distance.
“Where are you taking me?” she huffed. “Isn’t this part of the building off limits?”
“Wait and see.”
Like a stubborn mule she hit the brakes, coming to a sudden stop. “Lexi, come on, babe. I’ve got something special I wanna show you and it’s only a few more steps.”
Her eyes lit up but she didn’t move. She licked over her lips so that they gleamed in the moonlight. I just wanted to kiss the fuck out of them, but first I had to get her to our destination.
“Fuck, do you really want me to throw you over my shoulder again?” I growled. Why was everything with Lexi a fucking mission?
The way her eyes widened when she realized I’d make good on my word was fucking adorable. I kinda wished she’d give me a reason to follow through, but she blinked a few times, swallowed hard, then smiled sweetly up at me.
Too easy.
“Lead the way,” she cooed, “you know I like surprises. Most surprises anyway.” She wrinkled her nose. “I bet this is a good one.”
I lifted a brow and chuckled, low and soft. “I thought you’d know by now that betting against me is dangerous.”
The goofy grin she gave me stole my breath away. Without another word, she placed her hand against my palm and my fingers folded over hers automatically. I loved the way her hand fit perfectly into mine.
The heaviness that had been weighing down my heart, lifted. “Come this way,” I said, exc
ited to see her face when she saw what I’d been hiding.
Seventeen more steps and we reached the rooftop. I let go of her hand and pulled a key from my pocket to unlock the rusty gate. Creaking as I pushed it open, I glanced at Lexi’s face. She was entranced, twisting a lock of hair between her fingers as her gaze darted around us but she wouldn’t be able to see much until I turned on the light.
I moved a brick I’d left against the wall with my foot to keep the gate open, then ushered her inside. She took three steps forward, then stopped, her hand back in mine.
“Where are we? What is this place?” Her voice pitched high and had an edge of nervous excitement to it.
“Close your eyes,” I commanded as I reached out to turn on the light.
“Razor,” she drawled, impatient. “That’s just silly.”
“Do you want to see where we are or not?”
“How can I see with my eyes shut?”
Goddamn, she was hard work. “When are you going to learn to obey me?”
“Don’t start—”
My mouth came down hard on hers. It was the only way to shut her up. With my lips and tongue I achieved what I couldn’t with words. Her eyes closed as she kissed me back and I couldn’t help the small triumph that warmed my heart.
Keeping my lips locked with Lexi’s, I flipped the switch to my right, letting the lights flicker into existence.
I could’ve kept kissing her for hours, but I was far too curious to see her reaction to my surprise. Holding her at a distance with my hands on her shoulders, I slowly let go of her lips and waited for her to open her eyes.
She stood dead still for a few moments, a small frown between her brows and a faint smile on her lips. Electricity crackled in the air and we were the only two people in the universe.
Her lids fluttered open as if in slow motion and I watched her expression as she took in the scene around her, her lips parted and swollen from my kiss.
She sucked in a breath as she pulled away from me, twirling around to take it all in.