Rough Love

by Laura Morgan

  “The way he looks at you is intense, have you noticed?” Letitia, Thomas’s fiancée, asked and I nodded. “So hot, like he wants to jump your bones then and there. I bet you two were barely dressed this week?” she asked and I buried my face in my hands, laughing uncontrollably at her too open question.

  “Okay, okay. I think that’s enough. Dahlia is not ready to talk about this stuff and we shouldn’t push her. Let’s just talk about something else,” Jodie chimed in and I was glad. Following her lead, the others soon began talking about their own sex-lives instead and while I was grossed out to hear about what they were getting up to with my brothers and close friends in the club, I was glad that the limelight was off me.

  After a little while, I excused myself and headed to the bathroom, ready for a breather from all the girly nonsense. On my way, I heard wolf whistles coming from the bar. I couldn’t resist a peek at the performance and I gasped when I slipped my head around the doorway. The stripper was truly putting on a good show, her long black hair swung in a ponytail to her waist and her clothes were now long gone. She was bent over in front of Thomas with what I could only assume was a banana inside her lady-parts. All of the guys were egging him on to take a bite and, through the sea of leather-clad burly men, I saw my brother bend down and take not one bite, but three, finishing off the entire thing while the woman wriggled herself in front of him.

  She was brazen, confident, and beautiful. When she moved it was elegant, like a dancer, and she had every guy in the room eating out of the palm of her hand. Even I had to admit she was hot and seemed to be in the right profession.

  I slunk away after that, not needing to see any more, but as I did I caught Tobin’s eyes on me. No one else seemed to have noticed my tiny presence, but he had and he gave me one of those sexy as hell winks of his before turning back to the show.

  Chapter Seven

  I climbed the stairs, feeling hot. I wanted to take off my sweater but wasn’t ready to wander the busy house in just a camisole so headed back to my room to dig out a shirt to wear instead. As I passed Dita’s old room, I noticed that the door was ajar and I poked my head inside. Nothing had been touched since before she had died and I wondered when my father might get around to going through her things, or whether it would be left for me to eventually take care of it all.

  It was odd. As if she were due back any moment. Not gone forever like I had to keep reminding myself. The smell of her perfume still lingered, and her dirty clothes were still in the hamper as though they might be washed and worn again, when I knew that they would probably just get thrown away. I ran my hands over her dresser that was covered in various makeup items, along with hooks that had jewellery hanging from them and the lotions and potions she’d used daily to keep her skin soft and youthful looking. I had hardly ever been in her room before. We were never really close and I had always put it down to our age gap, but thinking about it we just never really connected. It was such a damn shame we hadn’t had the time to try and change things between us.

  I took one of her bracelets and put it on, deciding that I would keep it in her memory and in my moment of sorrow I decided to grab a few small bits and pieces to hold on to as well. I took her small bottle of expensive perfume, a scarf that she had worn when we had all gone out on my twentieth birthday earlier that year, and a small trinket box that held my mum’s wedding ring inside. I hadn’t even known she had it, and as I climbed up and turned to leave I thought about our mother. I wondered what it would’ve been like to grow up with her around and I missed the idea of who I thought she would have been to me. The lessons I might’ve learned for having had her around. The woman I might have become thanks to her example.

  I sat on Dita’s bed, sniffing the scarf like some lunatic, and I felt something hard resist the pressure from beneath the sheets. Lifting back the duvet, I found Dita’s laptop just sitting there. It matched my own but I had hardly ever seen her use it. The standby light was on though and I wondered how long it could have been there, waiting for her to return and use it again. The battery had lasted well, but it wouldn’t have carried on for more than a couple of weeks and so I grabbed that too, interested to see what might be on it, perhaps some photos or her favourite music.

  Back in my room, I deposited the bits I had taken in my bedside drawer and slid the laptop under my bed, needing to wait for the right time and some privacy before I could even think about taking a look inside. Shaking off my sadness, I then grabbed a shirt, slipped it on, and climbed back downstairs just as the stripper was being seen out of the back by Thomas, their lips locked and their hips gyrating against one another’s open fly’s in motions Tobin had recently taught me. While I was annoyed at him for straying while his fiancée was just a few feet away, I said nothing, as always, and didn’t bother to stop them.

  “Did you like the banana trick?” Tobin’s voice then whispered in my ear from out of nowhere and in a sudden move, I was yanked into a dark corner and pinned to the wall from behind. His hard length pressed into my back and I pushed against it, making my man groan with satisfaction.

  “Very imaginative, but I doubt I’ll be trying it anytime soon though,” I whispered, spinning myself around to face him and Tobin took the opportunity to kiss me deeply. I could tell that the stunning stripper had worked her magic on him too; he was on fire and clearly needed to release some of that tension soon. So I dropped to my knees and unzipped his fly, looking around to make sure that no one would catch us before I sucked that tension right out of him with a satisfied smirk.

  Before too long, everyone was gathered together, having sung Thomas a happy birthday song. We then began tucking into the cake and other tasty treats and I enjoyed the fun atmosphere. Tobin kept me close the entire time, his arm either around my waist or shoulders and I noticed when we moved into the bar that many of the regular girls who came to have fun with the single guys at the club were giving me evils. They were dressed in skimpy skirts and tops that barely covered their arse or cleavage, all just there for fun and fucking. Many had seemingly had their sights set on my new beau for a while so were disappointed to see that Tobin had moved on from Dita without their help.

  “Sweet and innocent my arse. I bet she’s had her eye on him for years,” one girl, Hadley, said to her friend as I passed on my way back from the bar. I knew that she was just jealous, but still, she was in my house and if she thought she could get away with that she sure had another thing coming. I’d never liked that girl. She was one of the easy lays the guys allowed back time and time again because she was so starved for attention she welcomed any she could get. Everything about her offended me and I remembered how she and Dita had some run-ins over the years too. And now she dared to start on me? With two bottles of beer in one hand I wandered straight up to her and put my face right in hers.

  “What did you say?” I demanded and Hadley’s mouth dropped open in shock that I had dared confront her.

  “Nothing,” she stuttered.

  “Damn fucking right, I catch you saying ‘nothing’ about me again and I’ll make sure you’re never invited back here again. Got it?” She nodded and tried to look away but I caught her chin in my free hand, leaning in closer. “Don’t you ever talk about me or my family, Hadley. I would hate to have to show you just what I’m capable of,” I added, not even sure what I was threatening her with, but it seemed to work and both she and her friend stood in silent shock as I barged past them. Without so much as a backwards glance, I sauntered away and sat down on Tobin’s lap, handing him his beer while I took a long swig of mine and he gave me a wink.

  In front of everyone I then let him stroke those gorgeous hands of his over my legs, arse, and back. I let him stake his claim on me and actually enjoyed it. I felt powerful and more in control thanks to his touch and craved more of the confidence he was giving me.

  “How soon can we get outta here?” he asked, kissing my neck gently and I giggled. So he wanted more too.

  I looked up and caught my brother
Brad watching us with an odd expression, almost as if he was angered by our public display of affection. There was none of his usual soft, playful look there and it suddenly made me feel uncomfortable. As if I was playing it up too much. Like I was embarrassing him, and myself, by allowing Tobin to paw over me.

  As I stood and straightened my clothes, feeling a little flustered, I caught my dad watching Brad. He was nestled within the usual crowd of his loyal men who were chatting to him but he was seemingly ignoring them, choosing instead to watch my brother as he watched me.

  “I’ll be back in a minute,” I told Tobin, who clearly wanted to ask me what was up, sensing my sudden iciness. I was glad when he thought better of it and let me go, watching my every step until I was out of sight and in the hall.

  I used the bathroom, taking my time while I tried to shake off the image of Brad’s face from my mind. Part of me didn’t want to go back to the bar, feeling awkward and uncomfortable that he seemed so disgusted with mine and Tobin’s affection for one another. I knew I had to though. I couldn’t just up and leave anymore.

  My dad was waiting for me out in the hall and his scowl was gone as he took me in and smiled.

  “Got a minute?” he asked and I nodded. I followed him into his office, taking a seat opposite him at the huge desk. He poured himself a glass of whiskey but didn’t offer me one. I guessed I was still that little girl in his eyes regardless of him having passed the proverbial torch to his VP. “Your brother doesn’t agree with you and Tobin being together. I can see it on his face. I think that perhaps you draping yourself all over him should be kept for private times,” he said, taking a long swig of his drink. I wanted to scream at him and argue that this was what their collective vote had pushed on me, but once again I stayed quiet, nodding like the doting daughter I knew I was expected to be. “Oh, and if anyone tries to challenge you again like that slut out there, you take her outside and beat the shit out of her. Don’t let anyone belittle you, Dahlia, especially not the likes of her. Teach those wannabe’s a lesson. Use the next one who talks to you that way to set an example to the others that you aren’t to be fucked with.”

  “Shit, Dad, that’s not who I am. I crapped myself just getting in her face like that. You know I’m not one for fighting or even having a row,” I replied, a smile on my lips, but I understood what he was saying and promised myself that next time I would do exactly what he had told me to.

  “I know, but if you’re going to be the queen of this castle you need to demand the other’s respect. You know me and the guys all love you, but the women only know you as the quiet girl you once were so they probably think you’re weak. Together we are going to change that perception though and before long everyone will know you are number one around here,” he replied, twisting the half full glass in his fingers. “Part of that responsibility is taking charge when I need you to, but also not asking questions or getting too involved in club business if I make it clear you’re to back off. You’re going to be more than the namesake of the new clubhouse or just the VP’s girl. Things are kicking off and I want you to take the women and kids to Dahlia’s and keep them there until I give the all clear. The guys and me need to go on a run and we’ll be back in a few days, maybe a week. Some of them will stay with you though, and your brothers will stay here to hold down the fort.” He said nothing more and I knew not to question him any further. I’d been issued my orders and knew my dad expected me to follow them to the letter. It felt odd to be leading the women away to the safety of another house for a while, just like I had needed to do so many times before, and yet I would have to be the one to take charge. I knew from the recent talks that there was a problem with the Reapers, but it seemed odd that the majority of club members would be heading off on a run in one go if that were what was kicking off. I never knew what that term really meant, just that a few guys would go away to conduct business and it was only ever discussed at their closed-door club meetings. Still, I agreed to do as he had asked, unsure how to take care of mums, children, or even myself away from his house, but I was sure going to give it my best shot.

  Tobin was waiting for me outside Dad’s office and together we headed straight upstairs to my room. I flopped down on the bed, suddenly exhausted, but as he began peeling away my clothes I squirmed in excitement. It didn’t matter that we had already had our fun earlier that afternoon, I was ready for him again and Tobin knew it.

  He pinned me to the bed from behind and grabbed my hands. He slid his fingers between mine so that we were locked, entwined and so very much one as his hard length found my slick opening. Tobin pushed my thighs open using his knees, stretching my own knees up and wide as he pressed inside and began pounding me hard. I groaned and buried my face in the duvet as I screamed his name, unable to control my uncharacteristically loud moment and Tobin let go of my hand so that he could grab my chin and turn my head to the side.

  “Don’t you dare hold back. I don’t care if everyone in this entire house has to hear you scream my name,” he whispered in my ear, moaning as I clenched around him uncontrollably and I nodded, letting him elicit another scream from me.

  ***

  The next day, we got everybody ready and I started packing some things to take with me to Dahlia’s. As I was slipping my laptop into my backpack I quickly grabbed Dita’s one out from under the bed and put that inside too, figuring I might try and boot it back up while I had some time alone at the new clubhouse. I then donned my jeans and leather jacket and pulled my bag onto both shoulders, before enjoying the show as Tobin then wandered in from the en-suite. He began drying himself and then dressing in front of me. I watched his slim body move with power that had nothing to do with muscles. His ink, as well as that dark olive skin and short dark-blond hair was mesmerising, but when he shot me a look with those pale blues, I could’ve melted on the spot.

  “You’re riding with me by the way,” he told me and I shot him a cute smile.

  “Where else would I be than with you, baby?” I replied, taking his offered hand when he was ready before following him down to the bikes. Brad was at the foot of the stairs, his expression much the same as the night before and I immediately let go of Tobin’s hand. I still couldn’t get over the weird vibe he was giving off and was finding it a little upsetting. He and I had always gotten on well and I just had to hope that he was doing it either out of his care for me, or his loyalty to Dad. There was no confronting him, I wasn’t that girl, but I hoped to God that by the time we returned from Dahlia’s he had sorted whatever problem he had out.

  We arrived at the new clubhouse way ahead of all the others thanks to Tobin’s speed. We’d also travelled by bike, rather than us going with the convoy of cars driving up with the families of the club members all piled inside.

  Tobin unlocked the door and together we quickly set about opening the curtains and cracking the windows open a little to air the house out. Luckily everything was still spotless from when we had left it and so we had nothing to do as we waited for the rest of the club but wrap our arms around one another and hold on tight.

  “I’m going to miss you, Dahlia,” he whispered into my hair, smoothing it gently down around my face and shoulders.

  “Me too,” I replied, holding him tighter. “I can’t believe it’s been such a short amount of time, but I can’t bear the thought of being without you,” I added, surprising even myself.

  “I want you to know that there’s only you for me now, no one else,” Tobin said, making my heart leap in my chest. I knew he was talking about the times he had cheated on Dita and had to admit, I was relieved to hear it. The sheer thought of him in someone else’s bed made me want to cry.

  “Same here. I’ll never be with anyone else as long as I live,” I replied, staring up at him with wide eyes. “And I think I’d kill any other woman who so much as even tries it on with you, Tobin.” We both laughed, knowing that it was an empty threat coming from his timid girl but I really hoped he understood what I had meant by it. That he me
ant that much to me.

  “My heart stays here with you, Dahl, don’t even worry,” he replied. The sound of my shortened name came out like he was also calling me ‘darl’ and I liked it. My sister had called me her little darling when I was younger. I hadn’t been called that in a long time, but it reminded me of her once loving way with me and I liked that Tobin was giving me an affectionate nickname too.

  The others soon arrived and we set about showing them to their rooms and settling everybody in. After a short while, my father ushered me to one side and I then followed him into Tobin’s office towards the back of the bar. Inside were filing cabinets and a huge desk in the centre with a PC on it, and I noticed right away how there were no windows for prying eyes. Once we were both inside and the door had closed behind us, Dad lifted a duffle bag up from the floor and put it on the desk, opening the zip to reveal stacks of cash inside. There must have been thirty thousand pounds in there and I guess my face said it all, because he then started to laugh at me.

  “There’s a safe behind that painting,” he said, pointing to the wall behind me. I turned and grabbed the bottom of the frame, pulling it towards me, and what do you know, there it was. The small alcove was currently unlocked and a modern locking mechanism sat on the front while a huge metal lever opened its airtight void.

  Dad started handing me piles of the cash and I knew to place them inside. When he reached the bottom of the bag, he pulled out a wallet and handed it to me and I cocked one eyebrow. “Legal documents. The deeds to this place. Important stuff that I’m entrusting to you to keep safe. A copy of my will is in there, plus the details of the bank accounts for the club and my personal ones. You and Tobin are in charge if the worst ever happens to me,” he said, reaching down again into the duffle. While he remained focussed on the task at hand, I shrunk. The very idea of potentially having to get his affairs in order someday made the colour drain from my face. I wasn’t prepared to lose another member of my family.