by Emily Minton
He hesitates for a second before he starts to pound into me, harder and harder. “That’s not fuckin’ true. It never has been.”
I lift my ass from the bed, taking him deeper. “Yes, it is, but I don’t care because right now, it is all I want from you.”
Those words cause his thrusts to become violent, nearly painful. “Shut the fuck up, Daisy. I’ve missed my pussy, and right now, all I want is to enjoy it, not deal with your shit.”
I’m just about to respond when he rolls his hips, sending a shockwave of ecstasy through my body. Seconds later, my muscles start to contract around him, and I moan into the side of his neck. “Yes!”
He follows close behind, planting himself deep inside me and throwing his head back. “Mine, all fuckin’ mine.”
Still gasping for breath, I shove him off of me and turn to my side. I’m ashamed that I have so little control when it comes to him. I know that all he has to do is touch me again, and I’ll be in his arms, begging him to stay.
I look over my shoulder and see him lying on my bed, eyes hooded and watching me. “You got what you want, now go.”
He remains still for a second before climbing from the bed. As soon as his feet hit the floor, he grabs his jeans. “Get dressed. We’re going to the clubhouse.”
I shake my head, mad as hell, but also completely sated. “I’m not going anywhere, not with you at least.”
His face grows hard before he turns toward my bedroom door and purposefully strides away from the bed. He’s leaving, actually leaving. I know I told him to go, but I can’t believe he’s giving up so easily. Guess that proves my words true. He got what he wanted, and now he’ll walk out, just like he’s done every other time.
My heart aches a little with each step he takes, but nearly stops when he grabs my robe off the back of the door and turns back to me. When he reaches the bed, he tosses the robe at me. “Put it on, or I’ll carry your ass out of here as naked as the day you were born.”
No way. No damn way. “You have got to be kidding me.”
He gives me a look that tells me in no uncertain terms that he is not joking. I take a second to think about my options, then grab the robe and climb from the bed. By the time I’ve got it on, he’s throwing a pair of flip flops at my feet. “Get em’ on. I don’t want you hurting your feet when we walk to my bike.”
“Can’t you give me just a second to get dressed?”
He shakes his head. “I gave you that option. You didn’t take it.”
I can’t believe this is happening. “I’m not going out in the street with only my robe on.”
“Yes, you are. The only choice you got is whether you walk out there on your own, or I carry you.”
I slide my shoes on, and then look up at him. “Why do you need me to go to the clubhouse?”
He doesn’t answer, just grabs my hand and walks us out of my apartment.
Chapter Twenty-Four
DAISY
My body aches, a good ache, as the last remnants of sleep disappear from my mind. I slowly open my eyes and turn my head toward the warm body beside me. Preach is still asleep, his naked body curled protectively around mine. I have to fight the urge to place my lips on his, but then again, I did enough of that last night.
As soon as we got to the clubhouse yesterday, he marched me straight to his room. Everyone watched as I struggled to get away from him, but no one said a word. A few of the brothers had the audacity to laugh. Yes, the dickheads actually laughed at me, instead of answering my pleas and getting me the hell out of the clubhouse. Needless to say, I was beyond pissed.
When we finally stepped into his room, Preach slammed the door behind me and tore my robe off. My anger over the situation transformed into something more feral and wanton. Standing in front of him completely exposed sent fire through my veins as I attacked him with my mouth, and he carried me to the disheveled bed. We spent the rest of the day and night having sex—hot messy sex. There was nothing sweet or soft about it. We didn’t make love. We fucked. It was ugly and raw. The bruises scattered across our bodies are proof of that.
I lay there for a while longer, just staring at his handsome face. The early morning sunlight is peeking through the curtains, bathing his face with its glow. I swear it’s the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. I know what I have to do, but I would rather spend the rest of my life right here in this moment. That’s not possible though. He’s gonna wake up, and then the true Preach will come out, the one that always leaves me.
As gently as possible, I pull out of his arms and climb from the bed. I silently grab my discarded robe from the floor and slide it over my body, before shoving my feet into my worn flip flops and heading toward the door. Just before stepping out of the room, I look back at the man I love, sleeping so peacefully, and wish I had the balls to stay. I don’t. I can’t, so instead, I turn and head down the deserted hallway.
I’m just about to the door when a sleepy Ice stumbles from her and Kidds’ room. “Where the hell are you going?”
I look around for an escape, but see nothing. “I’m going home.”
She shakes her head. “You know he’s just going to come and get you again. He’s claimed you, girl.”
“No, he won’t. He had his piece of pussy last night, which means he’ll not come around again for a few more weeks.”
She looks at me with pity shining in her eyes; more damn pity. That’s the last thing I need. “He’s changed.”
Not wanting to argue with her, I shrug her comment off. “We’ll see.” With that, I pull open the door and step back.
PREACH
I wake up feeling cold, colder than I have ever felt in my life. As soon as I open my eyes, I know she’s gone. “Fuck!”
Jumping from the bed, I grab my jeans from the floor and pull them on as I rush out the door. When I hit the common room, I see Chipper already nursing a beer. “Have you seen Daisy?”
He shakes his head. “Lost your woman already?”
I don’t have time for this shit, so I turn around and start to walk back to the hallway. I stop when he calls my name. “Preach.”
I look back and lift my chin. “What, brother?”
“I haven’t seen her or anyone else for that matter, but I did hear someone heading out the backdoor a few minutes ago.”
Not wasting time with a response, I rush down the hall and out the backdoor. The gravel digs into my bare feet as I rush across the parking lot. I’m just reaching the gate when I see her walking down the side of the road with nothing but her fuckin’ robe on. “What the fuck are you doing?”
I transition into a full on run to catch up with her and have her in my arms in less than a minute. “What the hell were you thinking? You’re damn near naked. Any crazy fucker could have picked you up, and there ain’t no telling what in the hell he would’ve done to you.”
She pulls away, damn near jerking my arm off in the process. “I already know all about the dangers waiting for me out in the world, especially since a crazy fucker brought me here in nothing but my robe.”
“Damn it, Daisy,” I growl out as I reach for her arm.
She steps even farther away from my reach and places her hands on her hips. “I’m not going back in there with you. You had your fun, so now I’m going home.”
“You’re not going anywhere but back to my room.”
She stares at me for a second before her face goes hard. “Why the hell would you want that? You’re a one trick pony, Preach. You’ve never once come back for a second helping. It’s a wham, bam, thank you ma’am, see you next month, so I can fuck your world up all over again. I’ve accepted it for what it is. A great lay with a good dose of heartache.”
Her words cut through me like a knife. “That’s not true.”
“It's not? Well then, Preach, tell me. When have you ever wanted me the day after?”
Not giving me time to reply, she forges on. “Exactly, you can’t.”
Oh, shit. She’s right. I’ve always
treated her like a fuckin’ whore. I’ve always taken what I wanted from her before turning on my heel and walking right back out of her life. It doesn’t matter that I thought I had a good reason for doing it. I hate that I’ve put my girl through all of that bullshit, but I can’t change it now. It is what it is.
“I’ve told you I love you. Honest to God, Daisy, I’m sorry. I’m sorry that I’ve been such a bastard to you, but I love you, and I want to make it up to you. You just got to fuckin’ let me try.”
The words mean so little right now, but they’re all I’ve got. Fuck!
“You love me,” she growls out through clenched teeth. “I hear that a lot from you, but let me give you a heads up. You don’t treat someone you love like shit all the damn time. You wouldn’t fuck someone you love and then fuck the bitch that was supposed to be her friend the next damn day.”
“I’m sorry,” I again mutter more words that mean nothing; words that have to be proven through my actions.
Her face distorts in with rage as she moves toward me and places her hands on my chest. I vaguely wonder if she can feel my heart trying to fight its way out from behind my ribs. “You’re sorry? Well, so am I. I’m sorry I ever fell in love with such a bastard!” she shouts as she shoves me back.
I barely catch myself before falling on my ass. “I told you, I fucked up, but I ain’t gonna do that shit no more.”
As soon as the words leave my mouth, her hand comes flying at my face. I dodge the slap by a hair and grab her wrist. My temper finally snaps. “Stop this shit right fuckin’ now, or I’ll put your ass over my knee.”
She ignores my threat and swings her free hand into my stomach. Instinctively, I drop her arm and step back. Daisy may be small, but she packs one hell of a punch. “Damn it! I said stop.”
Instead of listening, she goes on full attack. Her nails go for my face as her knee connects with my cock. My world goes hazy with pain. “Fuck!”
Trying to ignore the deep throbbing in my balls, I wrap my arms around her and growl into her ear. “Stop this shit before you hurt our baby.”
Her body goes instantly slack. She leans her face into my chest and mumbles, “I hate you.”
“That’s okay, Little Flower. I love you enough for both of us.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
PREACH
Sitting at the bar and staring into the glass of Jack in front of me, I’m debating on giving in and just chugging this fucker back. I’ve locked Daisy in my room. It was my only choice. If I don’t, she runs every time I don’t have my eyes on her.
Last night, I waited until she fell asleep to take a shower. I rushed as fast I fuckin’ could, but not fast enough. By the time I was dressed, she was gone. When I finally found her, she had already made it off the compound. Luckily, I got her back before she made it to town. My brothers, even Ice and Mary, wouldn’t hide her from me, as far as they’re concerned she’s mine, but that fuckin’ cop would.
He’s blown up her damn phone since I brought her here. Of course, I haven’t let her see the damn thing. I’ve done everything I had to do to keep them apart, and I plan to keep doing it. She’s nothing but a memory for him, even if she doesn’t realize it.
The fact that he didn’t come after us, that day at the diner, proves he’s a piece of shit. If some motherfucker tried to take Daisy from me, I’d kill him. No questions asked the bastard would be dead. That dick didn’t even mutter a word. Right now, Daisy’s not thinking about that. All she’s got on her mind is getting away, and she thinks he’s the only one that can help her. Sooner or later, she’ll realize what a douche he is. I just hope it’s sooner rather than later.
The first night she was here was fuckin’ amazing. I spent the entire night buried deep inside her, and it was pure heaven. When we woke up the next morning, everything changed. Since then, it has been pure hell. Every time I go in to try and talk with her, she just throws shit at me. I can’t even walk in my own damn room without dodging a flying shoe or empty pop can.
The only person able to calm her crazy ass down is Ice. Then again, I don’t know if she calms Daisy, or if she is just smart enough not to fuck with Ice. Friend or not, that woman ain’t gonna put up with Daisy’s shit. With her being pregnant, she wouldn’t physically hurt Daisy, but she would find some way to make her pay.
At first, her grandparents and Holt could talk to her, but once she realized they were on my side, she shut them out too. The fact that Mary agrees with me pisses Daisy way the fuck off. I think she feels like her Grams betrayed her, but she didn’t. Mary loves Daisy, and she knows I’ve changed. Now, all I got to do is prove to it Daisy.
Every time I try to show her, I end up getting bloody or bruised, and of course, everyone fuckin’ laughs at me when I come out of the room. How the hell am I supposed to explain that a hundred pound woman gave me a black eye without getting shit? I can’t.
“Don’t do it, boy,” I hear Wayne say as he sits down beside me.
“I won’t, but it’s really fuckin’ tempting,” I tell him.
“I know it is, but you gotta remember that you and your drinking is what caused a lot of the damn problems to begin with. You even have a sip of that, and it’ll send you further away from Daisy,” he says, taking the glass from me. “How’s that going anyway? She still ain’t talking to you?”
I let out a laugh, and not a happy one. “Nope, just lots of screaming and throwing shit. Not sure what else to do with her. I want to just go the hell in there, Duct Tape her mouth, tie her down, then fuck her until she gives in.”
“That’s not a picture I want my head. It’s bad enough knowing you got her pregnant and how you went about doing that. I don’t need to know anything else.”
My lips curve up in the first smile I’ve worn in days. “Sorry, brother.”
“Why don’t you just marry her?” Holt asks, coming up on the other side of me.
“Yeah, right. She would tear my damn head off if I even asked. No way, not with how pissed she is at me.”
The men go quiet until Holt suddenly grins. “I’ll make it happen. Just trust me. See you in a few hours.”
With that, they both get up and walk out of the clubhouse. I watch them until the door shuts. The only thought in my mind is, ‘What the fuck just happened?’
DAISY
Preach left the room hours ago, which is kind of shocking. He hasn’t left me alone for more than a few hours since the night he brought me here. Maybe he got sick of me throwing things at him. Maybe I’m taking this all too far. I love him, and I’m starting to believe he loves me, but I got this little voice in my head that keeps screaming at me, telling me that the minute I give in, he’ll break my heart again.
Lounging across his bed, I pull out my kindle and decide it’s a good time to re-read one of my favorites: At Peace by Kristen Ashley. There’s nothing better when you’re longing for your man than a little Cal. That man is every girl’s dream. I’m just getting to the cherry scene when the door flies open.
I look toward it, expecting to see Preach. Instead, my Gramps comes walking into the room.
“Daisy, girl, need you to sign some papers. Your dad changed some shit around. He doesn’t want your mama having access to his crap. He needs you to sign this, giving you power of attorney in case something happens,” he says putting papers in front of my face.
More than likely, Mom has been looting the bank account again, or picking his pain pills up from the pharmacy. Instead of dealing with her, Dad thinks it’s easier to let me handle it all myself.
Just as I go to take the papers, Preach and Kevin walk in. I can instantly tell that something is going on, but I don’t have the foggiest idea what it is. “Why are they here?”
Kevin is a friend of the club, but not an actual member. He isn’t around a lot, but enough for me to know who he is. I don’t know much about him other than he works down at the courthouse, but I’m not sure what he does there.
My eyes move from Gramps to Preach, and I see th
e sheen of sweat glistening on his forehead. Oh yeah, something is going on. I give him a dirty look, and then turn back to Gramps. “Well?”
“Kevin’s here to notarize the papers.”
“That doesn’t explain why the hell he’s here?” I say, pointing to Preach.
“Preach is escorting Kevin back to the office, in case your mama finds this shit out and tries to get to him. You know how Lula is. She’ll do whatever she can to get what she wants.”
“He can wait for Kevin in the common room.”
Preach takes a step closer and growls out, “It’s my fuckin’ room.”
“Just shut the fuck up, both of you. Daisy girl, you need to sign the papers now,” Gramps says, holding on to his temper by a string.
I finally sign the papers without even looking at them, then hand them back to Gramps. For some reason, a bad feeling comes over me when everyone in the room suddenly has huge grins. I narrow my eyes and look at everyone. “What?”
“Nothing, Little Flower. Nothing at all,” Preach says and snatches the papers from Gramps and hands them to Kevin. He pulls out a little stamp and does his thing, then walks out of the room. Gramps and Preach follow closely behind him, leaving the door open. I smile when I realize their mistake.
I quickly slide on my shoes and start to make my way down the hall. I know I won’t get far, don’t even really want too, but I got to try or Preach will think I’m giving in. I’ve just about made it to the backdoor when I hear a few brothers come into the club shouting. Some are even clapping. Curiosity gets the best of me, and I turn around and make my way toward the sounds. As soon as I step into the common room, I see guys surrounding Preach. For some reason, everyone is acting like he just won the lottery.
I stand there for a second before an arm wraps around my waist. “Congrats, Little Flower.”
I look up and see Timber smiling down at me. “What are you talking about?”
Timber’s smile grows as he shakes. “I’d just about given up on Preach, but this shit right here proves he’s the man for you. Gotta have some big balls to pull something this big.”