by Kay Maree
Chuckling at her indignation, Dray shakes his head. “And that, darlin’ is where you’re wrong,” he states, taking the words right out of my mouth. “Might not be affiliated with a club myself, but a good friend of mine’s man is an honorary member of the very MC you’re sayin’ you don’t belong to. And from what I know, when a man the likes of the one holdin’ you says you’re his and his parents all but adopt you and the little one you’re so hell-bent on keepin’ this job for, that means you’re Vengeance’s and I’m not comin’ between you and them. God’s honest truth, darlin’, if you’re bein’ offered the chance of a family like theirs, grab on with both hands and revel in it. They’ll protect you and your sister. They’ll make sure the path you walk from here on out is paved with love and kindness, and they won’t ever turn their backs on you like your deadbeat mother. That shit’s for life, darlin’, and I for one want that beauty and so much more for you.”
Soft sniffling as Sophie buries her head in my chest is the only indication that she’s absorbed Dray’s words and could possibly have taken some of them to heart. As if he knows we need space, Dray turns and walks in the opposite direction toward his office while I kiss the top of Sophie’s head and breathe in her warm vanilla and honey scent, allowing myself to soak in everything I’ve been missing.
“He’s right you know,” I mutter quietly. “I get everything’s fucked up right now and you’re pissed, rightfully so, but I need you to hear me when I tell you that I’m sorting shit out. But none of that, no matter how complicated and painful it is for both of us changes a damn thing when it comes to how I feel about you Sophie Bell.”
This is it.
This is the defining moment in my life where my past collides it’s my future. This is when I grow some balls and finally tell the woman I love more than life itself just how gone I am for her.
Or so I thought...
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Pyro
With a surprising amount of force for such a tiny little thing, Sophie twists in my arms and lunges forward, crushing her lips to mine. The feel of her plush, warm mouth and the sweet touch of her tongue on mine is more than enough to have my brain short-circuiting and my cock throbbing long and hard in my jeans.
Not one to waste such an enticing and long-awaited invitation, it takes me less than a heartbeat to spin her and press her back against the exposed brick wall. Wrapping her legs tightly around my waist, Sophie climbs me like a tree, hanging on for dear life as I wrap her hair around my fist, tilt her head to the side so that I can ravage her mouth like a man starved.
And in truth, I am.
I’m starved for the innate sweetness and innocence of the woman in my arms. My heart craves her admission, even if it is soundless of the connection I’ve always known we share. And my body, well that bastard is just reveling in the fact that the only woman capable of coaxing such an intense reaction out the poor, pathetic fool is finally giving him the time of day.
In the back of my mind there’s the lingering awareness of where we are and the knowledge that at any given time someone could walk past and see what isn’t theirs to see. Man, woman, or child, I don’t give a fuck. Sophie is mine and mine alone, and the last thing I’m willing to sacrifice is someone seeing what my girl looks like when I make her cum for the first time. Or any time for that matter.
“Babe, you’re gonna have to do me a solid and climb down.” As I see the realization of her loss of control dawn on her, I make quick work of shutting down any other bullshit notions she may have floating around that beautiful head of hers. “We’re not stopping, sweetheart; I’m just pushing the pause button until I can get you somewhere that I can take my time with you.”
Looking up at me with those soul-destroying green eyes of hers, Sophie murmurs, “This doesn’t change anything, though, Dex. You want me and I want you. That’s it. Just sex.”
She has got to be out of her fucking mind if she believes that’s all this is, but for the sake of keeping her pliant, at least until I can get her home where I’ll spend endless hours worshipping her body while outlying just how fucking deluded she is, I’ll agree.
For now.
“Sure, babe. Whatever you want. Now, you wanna do me a favor and cover that sexy body of yours up so I can get you on my bike and the fuck out of here, or do you wanna stand around chatting while my cock does its best impression of a flagpole?” I ask, hoping that by keeping it real Sophie senses my urgency and moves her fine ass.
“Two minutes and I’ll meet you by your bike,” she replies without hesitation. Over her shoulder she calls out, “You’ll have to bring me back to get my car, though. And it will have to be early because I work at the diner tomorrow,” she reminds me unnecessarily as she disappears into the girls dressing room.
I’ve never been more thankful to my Mom for finding my house for me than I am at this moment. Only twenty-five minutes at a cruise or fifteen in the state I’m in from Tainted later, and we’re pulling into the driveway of my three-bed craftsman. Sophie’s been here numerous times before, so there’s no need for the nickel tour as I pull her behind me, unlocking the front door then kicking it shut behind me.
With her back pressed to the door and her eyes locked on mine, I attempt to silently communicate the gravity of what her being here with me means. To both of us. I don’t bring women here. Other than Sophie and Lila, the only other women who have set a foot over the threshold have been the women in my family. No club whores. No hang arounds. No hook-ups. Not even one of the two girlfriends I’ve been in short-term relationships with has ever had my address, let alone been invited into my house.
This place is mine. My sanctuary. My place to relax when the noise of the club and my brother’s shit is too much to bear. But like with everything else, there’s always an exception to every rule and mine is, Sophie. Her presence alone makes it feel like a home. Her purse in my entryway, her shoes dropped haphazardly on the floor makes me see exactly what this place has been missing from the day I moved in.
Her.
It was always her.
Lila too.
“You’ve got a choice, babe, but you’re gonna have to make it quick or your chance will be gone,” I state harsher than I intend. But considering my lack of control, I’m just glad it’s audible. “I’ve got no problem with taking you against my front door. Fuck, I’d take you on the floor if it were my only shot at getting inside your sweet body, but it’s your call. I can either fuck you hard right here, right now, then carry your ass to my bed where I’ll make you scream my name over and over again until you pass out, or we can skip the first part and move straight to the main course?”
Smirking at me from under her lashes, Sophie commands, “Bed.”
And any man who's worth his salt knows, what the lady wants, the lady gets.
In a dozen long strides with Sophie’s legs wrapped around my waist and my hands cupping her perfect ass, I’m pushing my bedroom door open with the toe of my boot, not bothering to close it behind us. After all, at this point, any unnecessary step between getting us naked and Sophie underneath me is one too many in my book.
Without taking her eyes off me for a second, Sophie takes off her boots and socks before stripping out of her skin-tight sexy as fuck jeans and pulls her sweater over her head. Standing before me in what equates to a few well-placed scraps of lace, I drink in the sight of my every teenage and adult fantasy come to life. As desperate as I am for her even I can take a second to admit, not one my extremely vivid, filthy fantasies did the woman in front of me any justice.
Every curve is like a roadmap to my own personal wonderland. Sophie’s full tits, tucked in waist, peach-shaped ass, and lean, toned legs make her look like a walking advertisement for sex incarnate. And thank fuck I’m the lucky bastard who gets to indulge.
Unzipping my jeans, I take my aching cock in hand and give it a rough tug squeeze, attempting unsuccessfully to relieve the need to blow my load just by looking at her.
My pulse thunders in my ears as I stroke my shaft up and down all the while watching and cataloging Sophie’s reactions carefully.
Her pulse speeds up, beating out a rapid tempo at the base of her neck. Her breathing comes out in short, sharp pants as I rub my thumb over the head of my cock, collecting the beads of moisture to ease my strokes. A beautiful pink flush takes up residence on her face, spreading to her chest when I cup my balls with my free hand a tug lightly, causing my dick to jerk involuntarily. But it isn’t until Sophie’s gorgeous thighs start to quiver as she rubs them together trying to ease the growing ache that I act.
Slipping my kutte off my shoulders, I place it on the dresser. Next goes my shirt, followed by my jeans which fly across the room as I hastily discard them. A growled curse slips past my lips when I see Sophie’s bra hit the floor, her panties following closely behind. “Tell me you want this, Soph. Tell me you want me,” I demand, stalking toward her.
Her voice comes out no louder than a whisper as she admits, “I want you.” But I can’t help but recognize the hesitation in her gaze as she takes me in from head to toe and the quiver in her voice.
That should make me nervous but it doesn’t. All it tells me is that I’ve got my work cut out for me in proving that I desire her above all others. Above everything.
“We do this, it makes you mine, Sophie Bell,” I warn her with all the seriousness I can muster. “No matter what happens afterwards, what life throws at us, whoever tries to come between us, it’ll be you and me. I won’t let you go. I won’t give you up. And I sure as fuck won’t let you push me away when you start freaking the fuck out and try to convince yourself this was a one-time thing.”
The conviction in my tone brokers no room for argument. No room for negotiation whatsoever. Sophie knows it too. She can see the truth reflected back at her, and now it’s up to her to make the next move. I need her to come to me, and she needs to let herself. Her acceptance of what we are, what we will be along with the walls she’s built to keep me out of her heart are the only two things left standing between the beautiful life we could have together and one filled with pain and regret.
Staying strong, not moving a muscle, my body twitches in preparation to go to her, to force her hand into giving in to what we both know we so desperately desire and deserve. But this is her choice and I won’t have it thrown back in my face later that I forced her hand.
So I wait. And fuck me if it isn’t the most painful thing I’ve ever had to do.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Sophie
Dex’s anxiety is like a living, breathing organism as it expands, sucking all of the available air out of the room. Tension rolls off his shoulders as he waits for my answer. One which I’m finding as the minutes' tick by increasingly difficult to give him.
If I had more time, I would write a list of pros and cons. I would weigh my choices carefully. I would think, then rethink, followed by overthinking every possible outcome of my saying yes or no. But time isn’t something I have, not to mention, if I’m completely transparent with myself, I’ve already done all of the above and then some.
As if I knew this day would come, I spent long hours agonizing over this crossroad. On one hand, letting Dex love me and loving him in return would be as easy as breathing. We may have started out as friends but we have always shared a deep connection, a shared love of our family, and the undeniable need to protect the people who matter to us. Dex encouraged me to pursue my dreams, to go to college even though I could see it broke his heart to let me go. He was there when Lila was born, offering more than just monetary assistance but to be there every step of the way while I struggled my way through raising her. Dex enlisted the clubs’ help too. Prospects mow my lawn twice a month and fit my storm doors and windows before winter sets in. He makes sure someone escorts me to my car every night after I finish at Rough Shod, going as far as to have whoever my shadow is for the night follow me home to make sure I get there safely.
But then there’s the other hand. The evil, vindictive, insecure hand that is constantly voicing its doubts about how long this will last, warning me of what will happen to my fragile heart once Dex realizes I’m not good enough for him. Not to mention, the evil extremity’s current and constant reminders of what impact Clarissa and their maybe-baby will have on any relationship Dex and I may have.
And that right there is the crux of my indecision.
I have one question to answer, just one. If Clarissa is indeed pregnant with Dex’s baby, can I love and support him, without judgement or admonishment as well as accepting the child they made together?
Interestingly, in this precise moment, seeing Dex stripped bare of not only his clothes but his emotions too, the answer is immediate. There is no doubt in my mind. No insecurities battering at me like a storm does the coastline. There is nothing but hope and understanding. And, of course, love. Pure, unadulterated, unconditional love.
Firm in my decision and my refusal to waste another second, I advance on Dex quickly, dropping to my knees at his feet. His sharply inhaled gasp is all I need to hear to know Dex understands what I’m conveying to him by giving him this gift, and what it will do to me if he doesn’t stand behind his earlier words.
Easing his hand off his shaft, I replace it with my lips, licking around the engorged crown before descending further to take as much of him into my mouth as I can. His deep groan spurs me on. My fingers taking on a life of their own and finding their way to the base of his cock to stroke in sync with my ministrations. Dex’s thighs flex as I speed up the movement of my mouth, stopping only to lave the head of his cock with my tongue at every pass.
“Jesus, fuck,” he growls, his hips thrusting in time with the bob of my head. “I’m not gonna last if you keep that shit up, babe, and I don’t want to cum down your throat. Not this time.”
Unwilling to give up the overwhelming feeling of power it gives me to see and feel a man such as Dex lose control, I ignore his protests and continue, doubling my efforts in the hopes that he lets go for once.
The taste of him bursts on my tongue without warning. Pre-cum coats the back of my throat as his whole body tightens in preparation of his impending orgasm. But like all good things, it comes to an end. Abruptly at that.
“Enough,” Dex barks, hauling me to my feet before picking me up and depositing me on his huge bed. “As much as I love your mouth wrapped around my cock, babe, I know both of us are gonna like this a whole lot more.”
Looking at Dex’s huge frame looming over my much smaller one, I can’t help but feel a shiver of fear creep past my resolve. Not only is he so much bigger than me, but the only time I made a fumbling attempt at having sex with my boyfriend of four months in college, it was uncomfortable for both of us. For me because I had no clue what I was supposed to do, and for him, because he had no idea how to make things good for a virgin. And all that of is before you take into account, Dex’s cock is at least twice the length and double the girth.
Smiling down at me as he swipes his fingers through my wetness, Dex grins wickedly. “It’ll fit, baby,” he reassures me, voicing my inner concern. “You were made for me, just as I was for you. I’ll go slow, though, sweetheart. If it hurts, you tell me and I’ll stop. You want time to adjust to me, you just say the word and I’ll give you all the time you need.”
With my nod of assent, Dex lines himself up with my entrance and eases just the head inside of me. “Yeah, we’ll fit,” he murmurs at my breathy moan.
Angling his hips, Dex thrusts then retreats in slow, steady increments, giving me an inch more at a time. My wetness combined with his controlled, rhythmic strokes has me locking my ankles around the small of his back, and my hands finding purchase on his biceps.
Once he’s fully seated, so deep inside of me that I can feel him prodding at the opening to my womb, Dex uses one of his hands to brush the hair out of my face and the other to grab hold of my ass, fusing us together. “This is us, Sophie Bell. And we a
re fucking beautiful together,” he states emphatically before bringing his mouth to mine, stealing my breath and the last piece of my heart.
“Can you feel it, baby?” He asks, breaking away from my lips, staring into my tear-filled eyes.
“Yes,” I have no recourse but to reply.
With the sweetest expression I’ve ever seen grace his face, he smiles. “That makes me happy, baby. Happier than I’ve ever been.”
And God, but I want that for him.
I want nothing more than to offer him a safe place to land after a hard day at work. I want to welcome him into my arms and hold him when the weight of club business threatens to drag him down. I want, no, I need to feel this connection, to feel Dex’s body taking from mine yet giving so much more in return. Moreover, I want to show him how much he means to me. But most of all, I want to give him the words I can see he so desperately needs.
“I love you, Dexter Amos Scott. I have loved you from a distance for years, but at this moment I know exactly what it feels like to be loved in return for the first time in my life.”
Dex’s gaze doesn’t waver from mine, not even for an instant. Not when his cock pistons deeper, harder. Not as our bodies begin to shake with our inevitable crash over the edge into ecstasy. Nor does he blink as the first tear falls from his eye at my heart-felt admission.
Instead, with a strength I didn’t know a man could possess, Dex rolls us, not severing our connection and pulls us up to sitting with his back resting against the headboard and me tucked tightly to his chest as he says, “In all my life I didn’t think I’d ever be good enough to earn a reward as amazing as you. Because that’s what you are, Sophie Bell; you’re my reward.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Pyro
The ringing of my cell is the sole indication that Sophie and I had finally fallen asleep at some point during the night. After being inside her sweet, tight body and hearing her say the words I’d never in my wildest dreams imagined slipping past her perfect lips, I worshipped her body over and over again until she passed out in my arms, my cock still hard inside of her.