by K E Osborn
I fold my arms over my chest. “You’re constantly underestimating me. I might be small, but I can handle a lot more than you think.”
Void narrows his eyes in on me. “Are we still talking about the bikes here?”
“I’m just saying, give me a chance. I might surprise you.”
Void goes to say something, but a store employee steps over. “Anything I can help you with today?”
I look at his name tag. “Greg, I want to buy a bike.”
Void groans. “No. She doesn’t. I’d like to buy one. I called earlier, said I’d be in to check out the bikes on the floor.”
Greg hesitantly smiles, obviously unsure how to take the tension between Void and me. Still, without question, he swings his arm through the air gesturing to a different section. “Yes, Cade, wasn’t it?”
I jerk my head back in disbelief, knowing I’ve never asked Void about his real name. I guess I’ve just been so entrenched in the biker lifestyle, I took the guys’ road names as their actual names.
Void side-eyes me but then nods. “Yes, that’s me.”
“Right, come this way.” Greg starts to walk, but I reach out for Void’s arm.
He peers at me when I lean in whispering, “Cade?”
He exhales. “Yeah?”
A slow smile creeps over my face. “What’s your last name?”
Void’s eyes soften as he tightens his hold on me. “Cade Nixon.”
Warmth floods through me when he tells me his name. It’s smooth like honey, but also like bathing in a sea of whiskey—soothing, calming, overwhelmingly sweet to the ear. I have no idea what’s happening to my insides, but they’re like freaking mush.
“Cade Nixon,” I whisper.
Void brings his hand up, brushing a stray strand of hair away from my face. “Ivy Pérez…” His voice is low and husky like he’s in the moment with me. Like he knows he’s just shared something special with me. I lean up on my toes, pressing my lips to his in the middle of the showroom. My hand caresses the back of his head as his slides around my waist, pulling my body in alignment with his.
Our tongues dance together, my body tingling and sparking with such a rush I’ve become lightheaded.
“Ahem.”
Pulling back from Void, I turn, and Greg’s looking at us knowingly.
Void clears his throat, letting me go. “Sorry, man, you know how it is?”
Greg chuckles. “Young love? Yeah, I get it. Been married for twenty-eight years. Me and Glenda, we’re like you guys are when we first started dating. Now, it’s spending time with our kids and grandkids, just being a family… family’s all that matters.”
Void exhales. “Yeah, man, blood or the family you choose.”
“Exactly… anyway, I have a few ladies for you to check over. You ready?”
“Yes! So much, yes!” I bounce on my toes.
Void takes my hand as we walk through to the adjoining showroom. Bikes sit on the display room floor all shiny and new, pristine and perfect.
I want to test every single one.
But that would be stupid.
“Let me know if there’s one that catches your eye or any type, in particular, you’re after?” Greg asks.
Void and I both notice at the same time, one right in the corner. It’s designed sleek, black with industrial gray finishes. It’s shiny without being in your face. Just like Void, who’s a complex character, it doesn’t scream over the top. It’s appealing, rugged but smooth at the same time, and completely addictive like Void.
As I walk to it, my senses heighten. I run my hand over the gray gas tank, the cold metal beneath my fingers sends an electrifying chill down my spine.
Void stands back, watching me look over the bike. “You look fucking good next to that bike, sweet thing.”
“I bet you’d look even better on it.” I tilt my head toward the seat. “See how she feels.”
Void inhales sharply as he moves toward me, throwing his leg over, then takes a seat. Oh my God, hot doesn’t cover it. His strong hands grip the handlebars, his vast shoulders look even more imposing as he takes up his rightful position.
Excitement stirs as I picture him bending me over the seat, ramming into me from behind. I gnaw on my bottom lip, trying to keep my thoughts in check with Greg watching on.
“Softail Breakout, 1868cc engine, 155Nm torque, a custom slasher exhaust. She’s custom-made, a job that fell through last minute, so ape hangers were added. It’s why she’s on the floor for immediate sale. She’s a real beauty. Only one like her.”
Void raises his chin to Greg. “Bitch seat can be installed?”
“Definitely. I have one in stock. It can be added before you leave.”
Void turns back to me. “Wanna take her for a test drive?”
Jumping on my toes, I let out a small squeal. “Can we?”
“Of course. Let me get the bike set for you with the bitch seat, then you can take her for a test around the block,” Greg states.
Void jumps off the bike, letting Greg do his thing. He kicks out the stand, then wheels it away.
I’m giddy like a freaking schoolgirl as I grab both of Void’s hands. “I had no idea buying a bike could be this exciting.”
Void leans his forehead against mine. “Normally, it isn’t. But with you here, it’s all kinds of thrilling. Like I’m making plans… never thought I’d be that kind of guy.”
I lean up on my tiptoes kissing him again, but it’s only a brief peck. Poor Greg doesn’t need to witness us making out any more than he already has had to put up with. Void and I slowly walk around the other bikes, casually strolling, but nothing takes our fancy like the Breakout. I hope it rides well for Void.
Eventually, Greg looks around the corner motioning for us to follow, and we know the bike’s ready to take for a spin. We head out the back—it looks even better with the bitch seat attached. Greg hands the keys to Void, who moves over to the ride. He slides over the seat again, looking so fucking good on it, then he opens his palm out for me. “Sweet thing...”
I slide into position.
Greg hands us helmets.
Void mumbles under his breath, but he places the helmet over his head anyway. I pull mine on as he starts the engine. It roars to life, sending a thrill straight through me. Vibrating even more than his old bike, instantly has my panties wetter than I was anticipating. I cling to Void, my thighs clenching onto his as he duckwalks the bike backward. “Hold on, sweet thing.”
I grin so fucking wide as he pulls back on the throttle, and we’re off. The wind whips at my hair, the sun shining down on us only makes this even more fucking amazing. Void’s handling the bike perfectly. It’s like we’re both in sync with this new machine, and I love every damn second of the ride. I just wish I could have a shot behind those glorious handlebars.
At the corner, we turn. I catch a flash of a person in white watching us, but then Void takes my attention as he suddenly swerves as if he’s pulling over. I crease my brows as he comes to a halt down an abandoned road. Void cuts power to the engine, tapping my leg for me to get off. I have no idea what he wants, so I do as he says and jump off, then stand on the sidewalk as he slides off too.
“Is everything okay?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “I’ve been making a fucking hell of a lot of bad decisions lately.”
I relax my tense muscles, reaching out to grab his arm. “Hey, don’t be too hard on your—”
“No, what I’m saying is… I’m about to make another really fucking stupid decision.”
I drop my hand, fear creeping through me. “Void?”
He clenches his eyes shut like he’s debating something in his mind, then he nods his head toward the bike. “Get on.”
“You have to first?”
He exhales. “Not if you’re riding, I don’t.”
I gasp, my hands fly out in surprise like some mad woman. “You’re gonna let me ride?” I’ve ridden a bike before, but it was a much smaller one back in Cuba that
belonged to a friend. So, I know a little something about riding, but not much, and certainly not on a powerful bike like this. Void knows I can ride, so he’s putting faith in me.
“There are conditions…” I nod frantically, “… you let me keep my hand on top of yours on the throttle at all times. You don’t go too fucking fast. And if you get scared, or if you think you can’t handle it, you tell me, and we pull over.”
I rush forward, wrapping my arms around his waist so fucking tight. “I don’t know why you’re doing this, but I really, really, really want to show my appreciation to you.”
Void chuckles, pulling me off him. “I don’t need you talking about sex right now, Ivy. I’m gonna need to concentrate real fucking hard, so we don’t crash a bike I haven’t even bought yet.”
I run my fingers up his chest while gnawing on my bottom lip. “You’re badass, you know that?”
Rearranging his crotch, he groans loudly. “Okay, stop it! Or I’ll fucking change my mind.” I laugh, turning to move to the bike. “When you get to the end of this road, I’m gonna need you to pull over so we can swap back, okay? And we’re gonna do this slow!”
“Okay.” I slide into position. Void makes it look easy to reach the handlebars, but it’s a stretch for me, but somehow, I manage. There’s something so fucking powerful when you sit behind the handlebars on a ride like this.
Void moves in behind me, then presses up against me completely. I feel everything, including his huge erection poking me in the back. His hands sit on top of mine, his mouth lining up with my ear as he leans right into me and says in a low sexy voice, “Okay, sweet thing, start her up. Nice and slow in your movements.”
His heart hammers against my back, or maybe it’s my heart pounding so freaking much I feel it all the way through my body.
The bike revs, and I close my eyes, letting the horsepower flow through me. “Okay, we’re good to go. Slowly ease into the throttle,” Void yells into my ear.
Opening my eyes, I take in a long, deep breath, then pull back on the throttle. The bike lurches, and I widen my eyes as we take off. We wobble a little, but soon we move together to correct it. I hold my breath as I pull back a little more, coasting off down the street. I know Void’s doing a lot of the work, flicking gears and shit, even controlling the speed, but I’m fucking riding a powerful bike.
Adrenaline’s coursing through my veins like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.
I get it now.
The high.
The flood of emotion.
The connection to the open road.
I definitely want my own bike, but in the meantime, Void can teach me to ride this one.
“Change gears,” Void yells in my ear.
I beam wide, doing as he says, after watching him do the first couple. The transition’s smooth as we start to move faster down the long stretch of road. A wave of excitement bubbles away inside of me. “Wooo hooo!” I call out, making Void chuckle behind me.
I open the throttle, going probably about a quarter of the speed Void normally reaches on the road, but to me, I’m fucking loving this. I can’t believe he’s let me ride his bike. Or maybe she is our bike after this. Perhaps that’s why he brought me because this bike is going to be a part of us both?
Once I near the end of the road, I drop the gears without Void even having to tell me. He chuckles as I edge the bike over to the side of the road, pulling her to a stop then turning off the engine. Void slides off, and I follow, yanking off my helmet as I throw myself at him.
My lips crash to his before he can even say anything, our tongues collide in a flurry of passion. His hands drop to my ass as he hoists me up, my legs wrapping around his waist while he walks me back over to the bike, sitting me on it. The erection in his jeans presses against my pussy under my leggings, and I let out a whimper into his mouth. My hands run up and under his shirt, then my nails dig into his warm skin. He groans, pressing his cock into me harder.
My pussy tingles with need, with desire.
Fuck, I wish he would take me right here, right now.
My hands slide down between us to his belt as I kiss him with everything I have. I start undoing it, but he pulls back, breaking our kiss.
Void shakes his head, letting out a gravelly groan. “Fucking hell, Ivy, you’re gonna be the death of me.” He lets out a long exhale taking my hands in his, moving them to his mouth and gently kissing my fingers. Then he lets them go, taking a step back to buckle his belt.
I try to calm my breathing as I sit on the edge of the bike, desperately needing him to touch me. “Void, please…” I beg.
His face droops as he moves in, lifting me from the bike then placing my feet firmly back on solid ground. “We can’t, Ivy. Not here. Not now.”
I’ll plead if I have to.
“Why?”
“I’m not taking your virginity on the side of the road where anyone can watch us. You’re worth more than that.”
Okay, I guess that’s a good answer.
“Fine, but this isn’t the last time we discuss this.”
“I’m sure it isn’t… but, let’s talk about your riding. You did amazing, I’m so fucking proud of you.”
“I get it now… the rush, the freedom. You have to teach me properly. This bike, Void, she’s perfect.”
“She is. Now she needs a name.”
She’s sparkling in the sun. She made me brighten like I’ve never felt before when I was in charge of her. She’s a star, a goddess even. “Reva.”
Void tilts his head like he’s pondering. “Reva… yeah, I like it.”
“She’s definitely the one,” I gush.
Void looks at me, his eyes meeting mine.
A pulse, a wave of something, flows right through me.
I’m not sure what it is, but I am sure Void feels it too because his eyes become more intense as he stares at me.
“Yeah… she definitely is.”
Chapter Twelve
IVY
The ride home on our new bike was exhilarating. Of course, Void bought Reva, how could he not? We both love the way she felt beneath us, but more importantly, he loved the way she handled. It’s something I didn’t think I would ever experience in my lifetime, the feel of a powerful bike between my legs and me in command, but I have a feeling with Void as a part of my life, I’m going to experience many firsts with him.
When we arrived back at the clubhouse, all the brothers are eager to check out the new bike, even Eva’s excited about it. So, we show Reva off for a while before finally grabbing a moment to slip away.
Finding quiet in the Brick Cell, it’s nice to be alone with Void and not have to worry about anyone else. We shared something together today while buying Reva, and it felt awesome.
We’ve come a long way from the first night we spent together after Eva and I were taken from the boat. Void would hardly talk to me. Actually, I did all the talking. He truly lived up to his name. It took every ounce of cheerfulness in me to break down his walls. Once I finally got there, it only took a minute, a split-second decision for him to brick that tough exterior back up. I still don’t know much about him, about his past, or where he comes from. All I know is he doesn’t like talking about it, and that’s when he shuts down.
I get it, my past is screwed too. My parents dying when I was young. Eva having to take care of us both. Then we were stolen to be sold. Tony DeLuca, the man who purchased Eva and me is actually a half-decent guy. He just goes about things in the wrong way, but it’s for the love of his family, and I get that now. Back when Andrés was threatening to hurt Eva, I would have done anything to protect her if Nycto hadn’t have stepped in. When Eva was shot, it killed me inside watching her bleeding out like that. That precise moment I realized that family is everything. For the people we love, the people who mean everything, I would do anything to keep them safe.
That’s why when I figured out the walls down here held people behind them, bad people, I knew we were going to be okay here.
When I first arrived—when I was free to roam the Bricking Room, the man I heard moaning in the walls and I had a chat. Sure, he was delirious, but he told me what he’d done to the club. He told me why he was bricked up behind the wall and why they were torturing him in that way.
Instantly, something inside of me clicked.
I felt darkness take hold because this man was bad.
Did he deserve to starve or suffocate to death for his sins? Maybe not, but I sure as hell wanted to be there to hear it happen.
I think I knew then, something inside me was fractured, broken, dark. I might come across as bright and bubbly on the surface, but something is lurking, something that needs to be tamed.
I got another taste of it when I rode Reva—a hint of the woman I’m supposed to be.
I got my first taste of it when I slammed that brick into Andrés’ face. Watching his skin rip at my hand made me feel mighty powerful and strong like I could do anything. Bricking him behind that wall made me feel unbreakable.
Having Void there observing me only made me want him more. The fact Void accepts I can be sweet Ivy and poisonous Ivy all at the same time means more to me than I can even comprehend.
I wish he would open up to me about his past.
We’ve established we have a safe space when we’re together, even if sometimes we fuck it up. I want to understand more about him. Void means the world to me. He’s been my rock since I arrived, and I wish he would lean on me as I do him.
“You’re deep in thought?” Void sighs, looking across at me as we sit on the sofa watching West World.
Inhaling, I blink a few times. “Am I?” My voice goes higher in the end.
Real convincing there, Ivy.
“You’ve been quiet since we got back.”
I sit up taller. “Just reliving riding your bike for the first time.”
“You sure that’s all? ‘Cause I thought it would make you happy, but you look… pensive?”
“Pensive, hey? Didn’t think you’d know how to use a big word like that.” I try to hold in my laugh.
He scowls and hits me with the soft plush of a cushion. I giggle, deflecting it, then lay my head on his lap. “I’m good, just thinking about things.”