by Joanna Blake
But they could handle it. He just needed to know that Kaylie was okay. That was what was twisting him up inside.
He didn't even know who had accused him and of what exactly. He had a strong suspicion it was Dani. If they tried to prove that he'd laid a hand on her… they'd have a hard time doing that.
Not only was it not true but any member of the SOS would come forward and take the fall for him. That's if Dani actually had any physical evidence that she’d been attacked, which he highly doubted.
She’d crossed a line though. He didn’t hurt women, but she was banned from the club now. Permanently.
The Spawns had an attorney on retainer. He was coming by later today. He’d sounded almost as pissed off as Devlin was over the phone.
It was pretty clear they were using the trumped up charge against him. They wanted to aggravate him into attacking a police officer. It was entrapment, plain and simple. That was a shady, old school technique.
The local cops were getting desperate. He could tell they were using every trick in the book to drag out his stay. It almost worked too.
He'd come close to taking the bait more than once. Officer Grant had an annoying habit of stopping by the dank cell they were keeping him in and dropping hints about what he'd done, and what he'd like to do, to Kaylie.
Sick, disgusting things. Descriptive things about laying his hands on her smooth skin, and all the things he would do with her when he got the upper hand. Things that made Dev see red.
It almost worked.
Instead Dev had used his famous self control to go deep inside himself. Instead of attacking, he’d imagined the kinds of things he would do to Officer Grant if even one word he'd said was true. And a few things he would do to him just for thinking them.
Officer Grant's life was going to get very difficult from here on out. If he'd laid one finger on his woman though… he was in for the beating of a lifetime.
Devlin had plans for those fingers. Hands were a very good part of the body to use when you were interrogating someone. They were sensitive, and vital for survival.
He was seriously considering cutting a few of Officer Grants fingers off altogether.
Violence was part of the MC life, but there was a time and a place for it. In this case he couldn't very well beat up an officer of the law, unless the officer in question didn't know who was doing it.
A bag over the head after a night out drinking was the easiest way. Hiring out was another. But Devlin wanted to be there. He wanted to hear the crunch when his fist connected with Grant’s big, fat mouth.
Simmering rage didn't come close to what he was feeling. The pot had long since boiled over and now he was just hot metal bouncing around on the stove.
Ready to burn someone.
Chapter 27
Kaylie
She looked left and right, bouncing a little on her heels.
Kaylie was waiting outside her house for her ride. Donnie had called her and said he was coming to pick her up, that Devlin was getting out. He was okay. They hadn’t charged him formally.
Dev was not going to jail.
She felt elated momentarily before the worries started to set back in. She'd had a lot of time to think the past few days. She was starting to wonder if she’d let her heart get her into a situation couldn’t control.
A situation she'd regret.
She wasn't sure she was cut out to belong to a biker, let alone the President of the most notorious MC in Northern California. The thought of not being with him hurt her deep inside. But the thought of being dragged through the mud over and over again was unappealing.
Even her mother was concerned, and she'd been firmly on Devlin's side since the beginning.
Donnie drove up in a shiny charcoal gray SUV. She hadn't been expecting that. But it made sense. There was no way Dev would be okay with her on the back of someone else’s ride.
She climbed in and sat there nervously as Donnie turned off the radio and waited for her to put on her seatbelt. She'd dressed conservatively for the occasion in a simple navy skirt with a pink cardigan and kitten heeled pumps. She felt nervous.
Almost like it was a job interview.
Her hair was down and she wore sunglasses. She told herself it was because she didn’t want to be recognized by anyone standing outside the courthouse. But the truth was worse.
She didn't want Devlin to see the doubt in her eyes.
Kaylie was afraid and she didn’t know how she felt. She didn’t want him to know her concerns. Not until she’d made up her mind to be with him or not.
She knew the charges against him were false. Not just because she had been with him either. Devlin would never hurt a woman and he certainly wouldn't force himself on one.
Why would he when every woman he came into contact with melted like butter? Including her.
Especially her.
The drive to the courthouse in the center of town seemed to last forever. And yet she was so nervous that she wished it took longer. Hours, not minutes. Days.
What would he say when he saw her?
And more importantly, what would she feel?
Chapter 28
Devlin
Freedom.
Devlin inhaled deeply as the doors swung shut behind him. Now he just had to get to Kaylie, make sure she was alright. Then he would begin to make his plans for revenge.
Plans to keep her safe in the future.
He stepped out into the sunlight. He'd been released on bail, paid by the club. His lawyer was still inside threatening to sue the department for harassment if they didn't drop the charges. He assured Dev it was only matter of time until this whole incident was a distant memory.
Of course, that didn’t mean that Devlin would forget.
He shielded his eyes against the glare. The bright light hurt after three days stuck in the dark cell. He was pretty sure they'd chosen the crappiest cell in the place. The worst of the worst.
It sure didn't smell good.
He stood perfectly still when he saw the SUV across the street. Kaylie climbed out. She turned toward the courthouse steps and saw him. They both froze, staring at each other from twenty yards away.
He took one step, and then another. She walked towards him steadily. He exhaled in relief as she came closer. She was here. She had come to see him.
She didn’t hate him after all.
He swept her up into his arms, burying his face in her silky hair.
She felt incredible. She smelled incredible. She was there for him, even after what she’d been through. He had been sure she would want out after everything that happened.
He lifted his head to kiss her and tasted salt on her lips.
She was crying.
"Oh sweetheart, don't cry. Please?"
She didn't say anything. She just nodded her beautiful head and continued the water works. Devlin put his arm around her shoulders and walked across the street to the SUV. He clapped Donnie on the back and climbed into the drivers seat.
Kaylie put on her seatbelt and looked at him. She’d stopped crying, but she still looked somber. She was quiet, even for her.
"Where are we going?"
"They wouldn't drop the charges even though they're bullshit.” He took her hand and squeezed it. “You know that right?"
“I know. I told them you were with me."
"You didn't have to do that. But for now, I'm out on bail and I have to wear a monitor. They're coming to the club later to fit me with one."
She didn't say anything but Donnie leaned forward.
"It will be good to have you around all the time, Dev. We missed you."
"Fill me in on what I missed when we get back to the club. First thing I need is a shower."
"What's the second thing?"
Dev just grinned and glanced at Kaylie, leaving no doubt of what he meant. He wanted her.
"Okay man, what about the third?"
"Food. And a plan. We need to nip this shit in the bud."
"I hear that."
They pulled into the parking lot and people poured out to greet him. It took him a while to pull Kaylie to the door. He had things to deal with before he talked to the guys.
He had to talk to Kaylie.
And there were things to do after they talked. He needed her in his arms. He needed her to show him she still wanted him.
He wanted to bury himself inside her and never come out again.
Chapter 29
Kaylie
"You don't mind if we stay here for a while, do you babe?"
Kaylie was enveloped in Dev's arms. They were finally alone in the small apartment above the club he stayed in sometimes. It was just a bedroom and a small bathroom but it was clean and had a bed.
There were other bedrooms for rest of the Spawn throughout the clubhouse but this one was the most private and reserved for the MC President alone.
"Damn, you smell so good and I'm filthy. I shouldn't be touching you."
"I don't mind."
She hadn't answered his first question about staying in the clubhouse. He didn't press her, thank goodness. It was true that she didn't mind that he was dirty. It just felt so good to be in his arms again.
Everything else was confusing though. She wasn’t sure how she felt about any of it.
"Hmmmfff… oh God. Let me get washed up. I want to hold you."
She nodded and watched him strip down. A thrill went through her as he exposed his body to her. He was pushing his jeans down over his washboard abs when he looked up and caught her staring. He grinned and stood proudly in front of her, his arousal already evident.
"Unless you want to join me?"
Kaylie shook her head breathlessly. She was already feeling overwhelmed and needed the time to get herself together. He sniffed himself and cringed.
"Yeah, I don't blame you. I'll be out in a flash."
Kaylie smiled as he disappeared into the bathroom. She looked around the room. He didn't keep much there. A few magazines and books. Clothes. A mini fridge.
And of course, the bed… which she would be laying down on shortly. She felt butterflies fill her stomach as she looked at the tousled sheets. Would it be different this time? Now that she knew what to expect?
There was a mirror over a dresser. She walked over to it, shaking out her hair. She pulled off her sunglasses and put them aside. She stared into her eyes and tried to figure out what she was going to do… she knew what she wanted but she didn't know what she could handle… not yet.
There was only one way to find out.
Pictures were taped to the edges of the mirror. Johnny with a young Devlin and a pretty woman who must have been their mom. She traced the picture with her finger. He looked so young.
But he already stood with bravado, clearly aware of his position as the man of the house. He couldn't have been older than sixteen and yet he looked utterly confident in every way.
So young, but already a man. Already a protector.
It must have killed him that he couldn't save them.
She felt him behind her then. She closed her eyes as he pressed his body against her back, wrapping his damp arms around her waist. As confused as she was, she wanted this. She felt herself instantly surrender.
He kissed the crook of her neck as her head fell back onto his shoulder. Hot spirals of desire shot through her body. She knew that whatever her decision was, she would never have anything like this with anyone else.
The connection they had was special. Intense. Once in a lifetime.
She opened her eyes and saw him staring at her in the reflection of the mirror. He was looking at her with a fierce look in his gaze. Affection, tenderness, possessiveness and something else...
Pure heat.
Her mouth opened in response to the dark look in his eyes. His hand slid up her body to cup her breast as he held her facing the mirror. He played with her nipples through her silky shirt before letting his hand drop to the hem of her skirt.
She started panting as he slid his hand up under her skirt to find her panties. Without breaking eye contact, he started to tease her, stroking the line of her cleft.
She should have been shy or embarrassed but she wasn’t. She could not have pulled her eyes from his no matter how hard she tried. So she didn’t bother.
She gave into the delicious feelings he was creating in her as he toyed with her body. He was clearly not in a hurry, despite everything he'd said before. Finally he pulled her panties down and started to explore her body in earnest. He released her waist and she leaned forward slightly, gripping the edge of the dresser for support.
She moaned as she felt him lift her skirt from behind and hold the tip of his cock at her entrance. He was staring down at the place where their bodies met with heavy lids. He glanced up at her just before he pushed forward. He was making sure she was ready, that she wanted him. He was asking permission.
Whatever he saw on her face was more than enough.
He grunted as the tip of his shaft slid inside her. He held her hips with both hands as he pressed forward. Watching him in the mirror was intoxicating. Everything about him was.
He changed her. His touch had branded her. Broken the hard shell she kept around herself for all these years. When she looked over at herself she didn't even recognize the wanton woman in the mirror.
The woman being fiercely taken from behind.
And loving it.
As soon as he was fully inside her everything changed. He dipped his hips and circled them, changing the pressure and angle without withdrawing. She would have fallen over at the sensation if he hadn't gripped her shoulder with one hand. His other hand slipped down and under her skirt again, toying with her clit.
"Ohhhhh…"
He grinned at her reflection in the mirror as he worked her body with incredible skill, taking what he wanted but giving so much more. His finger picked up speed as he ground himself deep inside her, making her clench down on him without thought.
"Unfff… oh Kaylie… yes, babe… that’s it…”
She was whimpering like an animal as he brought her closer and closer until she finally tipped over the edge. Her body shook convulsively as he pumped himself into her with greater force now, rising out her orgasm.
She was gripping him unconsciously when she started to come again a few minutes later. She felt his shaft jerk inside her. Then he leaned forward over her, thrusting wildly as he unleashed himself inside her.
He didn't stop moving until they were both spent. Then he held himself deep inside her, as her body tugged at his shaft, wanting each and every drop.
He kissed her neck tenderly before pulling himself from her body. He bent down and slowly pulled her panties back up from her ankles, smiling wickedly at her in the mirror. She closed her eyes as he adjusted her clothing back to normal.
She opened her eyes and looked at herself. You would never know the proper young woman standing there had just screwed like an animal and loved every second of it.
Dev was pulling clean clothes on. She noticed he didn't bother with undershorts again. The man obviously preferred going commando. He grinned at her and sat on the bed, patting the spot beside him. She walked over and sat down.
"Are you hungry?"
"Not really."
He put his hand on hers and she got a terrible feeling that he was about to say something she didn't want to hear.
"Kaylie…"
"Yes?"
"Did Officer Grant mess with you- or touch you in any way?"
She looked at him, surprised by the question.
"What do you mean?"
"I won't be angry with you, sweetheart. You can tell me. Did he make you do anything?"
"No."
She looked away and crossed her arms over her chest, suddenly feeling ashamed. She'd done her best to put the whole thing out of her mind, and now he wanted her to revisit it? He put his hand on her back and stroked her soothingly.
"Kaylie? You can tell me. I gotta know sweet
heart."
She took a deep breath.
"He didn't touch me. He just- looked at me."
She felt Devlin tense up beside her.
"What do you mean? Tell me exactly what happened, Kaylie."
"He drove me home and he kept saying things about you- about how people call you ‘sloppy seconds’ sometimes and he wanted to know if I knew what that meant."
Devlin cursed under his breath.
"Kaylie-"
Once the words started she couldn't stop them from pouring out.
"He told me what it meant. He said you had a different girl every night and the rest of the club took them when you got bored with them. He said he'd wait in line for sloppy seconds like me. He told me that I was damaged goods around here now that I'd been with you but that he wouldn't mind."
Devlin's hand stopped stroking her back as she felt him clench his hand into a fist.
"Kaylie I swear to you that this is not like that. You are not like that. Not to me, or any-"
"And then- when we finally got back to town- to my street- he pulled over and he wouldn't- he wouldn't-"
His hand was back, holding her tightly around the waist, his head leaning into hers, resting it on hers, as if he was trying to absorb her pain.
"He wouldn't unlock the door. He just- looked at me. You know. At my chest. And- lower… He just sat there licking his lips and staring at me."
Devlin cursed and stood up.
"He's a dead man."
She swallowed back tears. She hadn't told her mother or anyone what Grant had done. What he had implied that he could and would do. Soon.
"I'm so sorry, baby. I promise you that will never happen again. He's gonna pay for that. In spades."
"No- please- I don't want you to get into more trouble. I want you to be safe. Please don’t break the law for me, Devlin!"
She stepped into his arms and stared up at him. He was furious. His jaw was locked and the look in his eyes would have been terrifying if it hadn't been anger on her behalf. It was still beyond intimidating.