by Simone Elise
“Yeah well I didn’t want an asshole to have my number.”
“Anyway, the car is back and yours. Or Gabes.” I shoved my hands in my jeans pocket. “I’m sorry for what it is worth. I know what it feels like when she rips through you.”
Ivory kept her words to herself and then finally nodded her head. “Kace?”
“Mmm?” I say back to her about to leave.
“What did you give her for her to give up the car?” She knows Olivia too well.
I smiled dimly. “We no longer have a house in common.” Giving up that place hurt, physically hurt. “Sorry again Ivory.”
And I go to walk away. I said my peace. If she still hates me. I tried.
15
Kace
“Kace?”
I paused, turning back to look at her. She was hanging her helmet on the handle bar. I arched my eyebrows—wondering what she was thinking to stop me.
“You allergic to these apartments?”
I wasn’t sure what she was really asking.
“Cause I know you offered me to stay with you. But you are welcome to stay with me for a bit.” She bit her bottom lip. “I guess I owe you for the car.”
I tilted my head. “You don’t have to put yourself out.” I was planning on crashing at the club. Though the thought of staying with Ivory was more appealing. “What would your brother think?”
“My brother doesn’t seek my approval and I don’t seek his.” She swallowed sharply. “You got me our car back. At the cost of your house. So, it seems only fair. Though my apartment isn’t luxury.”
My lips twitched up. “Doesn’t bother me. I’ve stayed in worse.”
“You haven’t seen it yet.” She smiled, and then gestured with her head for me to follow her.
I followed her, walking up the stairs, and I noticed the curtains from other apartments, be pulled back. Then can’t help but hear the locks on the doors being turned on. Because I had my cut on and they would think I was here to punish them for not paying rent. Most of the renters here didn’t pay. Ivory however always paid.
We came to a run down door, that was painted red. The paint itself stood out. All the other doors were black.
“You paint it yourself?” I asked, and she glanced back at me.
“Um yeah.” She said unlocking it. “After constantly going to the wrong door, for six months. My neighbors were thankful I did it. No longer trying to get into the wrong places.”
She let the door swing open, and she stepped in, holding the door for me.
“Do you have stuff on you?” She asked, and I watch her turn on a fan. “Or is your stuff still with Olivia?”
“Some of it is in the car.” I grab the back of neck, feeling really out of place. I should be offering her somewhere safe to stay. Not her offering me to stay here. Though I could protect her from these shitty neighbors if I was here.
I can’t help but note how much hotter it is in here than outside. She left the door open and the summer breeze was coming through, but it was still warm compared to in here- it was a welcomed breeze.
I watched her unzip her leather jacket. Can’t help but be proud she was safe on the bike, even though she didn’t have to wear leathers.
“God it’s hot.” She muttered and the apartment was open living. Couch to the right, television to the side. Coffee table, then the kitchen to the left, a small table and that was it. Well that was if you didn’t count all the clothes. “I swear I’ve been meaning to clean these up.” She frowns looking at the piles of clothing.
I noticed now that they all have price tags on them.
“I use them as rags most of the time. Beer?”
I frowned but nodded my head and she was handing me a cold beer a second later. I noticed how when our fingers brushed she looks nervous and takes a step away from me. She also has taken the cap off the beer—can’t help but think that’s wife material. She used the bottle opener on her beer.
“You got a spare room?” I asked, just assuming she did.
She grins. “I’ve got a couch.” She takes a sip of her beer. “Still want to rough it?”
To be near her, yes. I shrugged. “Comfy couch?”
She nods her head. “I’m tempted to trade the bed for the couch, that’s how comfy it is.” She reaches for the cigarette packet on the kitchen island, and then goes and sits on the bench before lighting up a cigarette.
Exhaling a mouthful of smoke, she puts her hand out for me to take the cigarette.
“Thanks.” I then inhaled on it. “I’ve been meaning to cut these back.” I looked at the cigarette.
“Why worried it would kill you?” She has this smirk on her face.
“No. More like gone through packs while waiting for you to show up. Fuck else to do while waiting but smoke.” I hand it back to her. “You know how to keep a bloke waiting.”
“You are lucky I crashed here tonight. I’ve been sleeping at the garage. But realized I needed clean clothes and a warm shower. Cold showers at the garage aren’t great no matter how hot it is.”
“Guess I should thank your shower.” I winked at her.
“Speaking of which. I need one.” She threw a mouthful of her beer back and got off the island. “Television remote is on the coffee table.”
I nodded my head and watch her ass sway up the passage and I get caught as she spins around. A smirk on her face because she clearly caught me.
“Was there a point to you ruining my view?” I asked with my own smirk on my face.
“If a bloke comes by named Jeff. Don’t let him in.” she then slowly turns around, and I watch her grip her shirt, ripping it off in front of me and dropping it on the ground. Before stepping into what had to be the bathroom.
Can’t stop myself from walking up the small hallway, seeing the bedroom directly across from the bathroom. The bathroom door was ajar.
“You don’t want a hand in there do you?” I again can’t stop myself. And I take a sip of my beer, before I hear her laugh.
“How did I know you weren’t going to stay away?”
“Cause I’m a male and knowing that this weak door is keeping the view of you naked from me, really hurts.” I say with a smirk on my face, and I hear her laugh again.
I hear the shower turn on and having more respect for her I don’t force the ajar door open. Instead I walk back to the lounge room. Was she worth it, crashing on the couch? I took another sip of my beer. Yeah she was.
Laying on the couch. I hear for the fifth time tonight, gun fire. As well as sirens and a barking dog. I was in hell and it was noisy.
I was laying on the couch, ditching the blanket, as it was still hot as hell in here. Tomorrow I was buying a fucking air conditioner and Prince would be installing it or me, if I had time.
I heard her bed move again and I had a feeling she was sleeping as much as me. I understood now why she had midnight swims. It was bloody boiling in here.
I heard the floor boards move, glanced to my side, seeing Ivory tip toeing to the kitchen.
“I’m not asleep darling.”
And she froze. Slowly glancing at me. “Did I wake you?”
“Can’t sleep in this heat.” I was honest with her, and her face melted in understanding.
“It’s so fricken hot!” she opened the fridge and grabbed a beer, applying it to her cheek. “I swear it’s got hotter and the sun isn’t even out.”
I nodded my head and sat up, watching her eyes dance over me and I smirked while lighting up a cigarette, she was clearly checking me out. And I encouraged it.
“God what I would do to cool down.” She then cracked open the beer, throwing a mouthful back. I can’t help but notice a blush across her cheeks. From being caught.
“Don’t you usually swim?” I butted the cigarette out. Thinking a swim was a great idea right now.
“Yes but I don’t have the energy. I haven’t been swimming as much. I feel like as soon as my body cools down, I’ll fall asleep.”
“Darling
,” and I got up. “I promise not to take my eyes off you and won’t let you drown.”
I watch her debate about it for a few moments before she sighed and nodded her head. But pointed a finger at me. “Promise you won’t let me fall asleep.”
“Promise.”
The cold water was welcoming on my skin, and my eyes were loving the view of Ivory with her blonde hair pinned up, and a small bikini on. Fuck she was gorgeous. I couldn’t keep my hands to myself, touching her as soon as she enters the water.
“God this feels amazing.” She purrs and sinks into the water. Dipping her head under and when she is under for a moment longer than I liked. I wrapped an arm around her and pulled her to the surface. I clearly was panicking for no reason, but having my arm wrapped around her felt right. So I didn’t pull away from her.
I notice how she is letting me hold her up in the water, and she is floating with her legs out, and her head against my chest. A soft sigh escapes her mouth, and she sounds exhausted.
“Darling you still awake?”
She sighed again, and I now know she was serious about falling asleep.
“Come on darling, let’s get you back inside.”
I take her weight fully, as I carry her out of the pool. She yawns but is that exhausted she lets herself curl into me. Can’t help but note that if she was awake she would be pulling away from me.
Walking her up the stairs and heading for her room. I had to admit the trick worked I was cooled down. Might actually sleep myself now. I opened the apartment door, and carry her to her bedroom.
“Kace?” She murmurs, her eyes closed as I lay her down.
I trace the stray wet hair from her cheek. And tuck it behind her ear. “Yeah darling?”
And she weakly keeps a grip on my arm. “Come to bed.”
I smiled a little. “You’ll regret it in the morning.” I whispered down at her. And then can’t stop myself from kissing her forehead. “Night darling.” And I pull away, only to have her keep grip on my arm.
“Kace don’t make me beg.” Her lips pouts but she keeps her eyes closed. “I’m cold come to bed. Keep me warm.”
“I’m just as wet as you darling.”
She pouts and opens her eyes. And I’m dazzled by her vivid blue eyes. “You have no idea how wet I am for you.”
And just like that I’m speechless and my dick moves for her. “You expect me to seriously leave you alone now?”
She pouts. “Please babe come to bed.” Then sighs when I don’t move towards the bed. Her calling me a pet name stunned me.
She finally just rolls to her side and I’m still standing there till I grip the blankets at the end of the bed and pull them over her. I can’t leave the room. I run a hand over my head. I can’t leave her sleeping here, when she wants me in the bed.
So I move to the other side and lay down. It isn’t the first time we shared a bed. But it feels like it. I wrap an arm around her waist and pull her back to my chest.
16
Kace
I wake when I feel Ivory stir in my arms. Opening my eyes, I see her still wearing the bikini and the blankets had been pushed down during the course of the night. Her legs were wrapped around mine, and her ass was pointed straight into my groin. Which meant she was feeling how turned on I was by her. Not being able to stop myself, I run my hand down her back.
Over her ass, and going between her legs.
I slowly move the bikini bottoms to the side, knowing she would stop me if she didn’t want me to, and sink two fingers deep into her. She moans so softly, and I kiss her shoulder, while moving my fingers inside her. I pick a slow rhythm, moving in and out—and I watch her clench the bedsheets.
I still inside her, and kiss her neck. “Darling you going to answer that?”
She frowns, slowly opening her eyes. And she now only hears her phone ringing. She groans, reaching for it.
“Great it’s Links.” She mutters and answers.
While she is on the phone, I keep my fingers stilled in her.
“No Links I’m not at the track.” She sighs and I get ready to take my fingers out and she gives me a look, like don’t I dare.
I smirked and leaned over her, kissing her lips. She looks dazzled as I pull back, and she blinks. “Sorry Links what did you say?” She rolls her eyes. “Yes I am listening.”
She then pushes my fingers out of her and sits up. Looking extremely serious.
“No you don’t have to do that.” She says and I noticed how she suddenly was nervous, and looked upset. “Kace and I came to an agreement so you can stop all these plans.” She says and glances at me. I arched my eyebrows. “Yes that’s exactly what I said.” She snapped. “Do you not understand English Links? I said call it off.” She pauses, and locks eyes with me. “Kace and I have an understanding, like I said. And for you to do that will make things worse.” Her teeth sink into her bottom lip. “No Gabe doesn’t know I’m telling him today.” She sighed. “Links I have this handled. You’ll just have to trust me.” And then she hangs up.
Should I ask her what that was about? Or should I give her an opportunity to explain to me what it was about? I waited a moment and she sighed again.
“My brothers may be on the warpath for you.” She looks down at her phone. Lighting it up, and seeing she wasn’t still on the phone. “Links was having your clubhouse raided, it’s on crown land. If you didn’t know.”
I didn’t say anything.
“On top of that, my father, well he is clean but he controls the docks—owns them in other words. He knows you use them to get drugs in.” She won’t look me in the eye now. “Then Asher found out, you guys are sponsored and owned by a branch of his company. So he was pulling out on that.”
I nodded my head. “Makes sense.”
Her eyes flashed to mine. “It makes sense that my family is trying to ruin your club and your life?” she looked at me like I couldn’t be serious.
“Like I said darling. It makes sense.” After all the boys thought I had ripped their brother off. “They think I have done wrong by your family. Them reacting is a natural reaction.”
She shook her head. “No. Don’t be understanding. I started all this.” She pushed herself away from me. “And now I’m going to fix it.”
“What are you going to say?” I challenged her. “Come on darling. Just let them go, they’ll get bored enough with pay back eventually.”
“Why do you not want me to stand up for you?”
“Cause, if you do. If you even mention that we are… getting along. They will take you from me. So I’ll take blowback from what Olivia did. On the condition you don’t shut me out.” I was deadly serious now. I didn’t want to lose our fragile relationship or friendship. Whatever it was. I didn’t want to lose it—now that I had it.
17
Ivory
I realized I was out of food the moment Kace asked what was for breakfast. Which resulted in us being here at the supermarket. It got worse. A trolley was involved because Kace saw that I didn’t even have the basics. What can I say, I’m no cook.
Kace was all over it, throwing in things I wouldn’t even think of. Like oil to use to cook the bacon and eggs. If I had been in charge, we would have it all stuck to the pan. Yes. I hadn’t even mastered a simple thing like cooking bacon and eggs.
I watched as the trolley overflowed with groceries and was beginning to wonder, if he was going to leave without grabbing one of everything.
“Kace. Can we hurry this.” I groaned. “I’m hungry.” I may have stamp my foot as well. Which scored me a look from Kace.
“Darling, you aren’t two years old. You can wait another hour for me to cook.” He then scorched me with his eyes. Like he was laying down the law.
I groaned and wanted to stamp my foot again but from his reaction before. I don’t.
He then throws in what has to be the last of it. “Alright let’s go.” He muttered and was still shaking his head at me. If he thought I was childish now, give if a few
more moments. “Where are you going?” he asked as I don’t head for the checkouts.
“It’s called junk food Kace and I’m planning on eating it on the way home.” I quickly scurry up the aisle before he launches insults at me. Grabbing two bags of corn chips, and a bag of lollies I spin back around to see him standing there basically glaring at me.
“You act like a child, you know that?”
“What’s that babe, you want a child. Hard pass. I’m not ready for kids.” I smirked at him, and his expression drops. God I was just joking. I rolled my eyes. “Come on Mr Serious.” I say walking past him.
Kace cooked, and hid the corn chips! I was furious. I wanted to murder him. So at this point I’m ready to eat the butter that he was cooking with.
“Come on.” I groaned. “It doesn’t have to be perfect!”
He smirks. “Says the girl who is used to a chef cooking for her.”
“Come off it.” I muttered, all day he had thrown it in my face that I didn’t know how to cook. “So how far away is this masterpiece?” I asked as my phone rings and I see it is a video call from Elle. “My sister is facetiming me.” I then give Kace a look, sighing before accepting it.
“Morning Ivy!” Elle face filled my screen. She frowns. “Where are you?”
“At my apartment.” I thought that was obviously.
“It needs to be renovated.” She states. “I’ll pay?” And she gives me a grin.
“Why did you call Elle?” I guessed it had to be important and yeah I was snappy because I was hungry.
“Someone’s hungry.” She muttered, she knew me too well and then turned the camera. “I need help on an outfit.”
“Red is your trade mark.” I say and am tempted to swipe a bit of bacon from the pan.
“It’s not for me.”
I frowned. “Whose it for then?” I look closer seeing dresses only.