by J. Woods
“Does Roxy know?”
“Yes,” Brie answered before he could. “It is all a bit unconventional really, but when we first got together, we had no idea who each other were.”
“Well isn’t that a story! And now?”
“And now, we’re figuring it out. Together,” he finished. Brie smiled and nodded her head in confirmation. Juliette pounced out of her chair and pulled them both from the couch, wrapping her arms around each of them.
“I’m going to be a grandmother!” she exclaimed, wiping her damp cheeks. She cupped Brie’s belly and in that moment little Blue shared the enthusiasm. Max’s dad pulled him into a hug, murmuring his pride that caused them both to step back and clear their throats.
After an hour, all Max could think about was getting Brie home. He couldn’t stop touching her, even if it was just to hold her hand or wrap is arm around her - he wanted her naked, on a bed, beneath him. Screaming his name. Just thinking about it was causing him to shift in his seat, a movement that didn’t go unnoticed as she turned her head and raised a knowing eyebrow.
“Ready to go?” he asked. He may have cut his mother off from saying something, but he couldn’t think through the haze of hunger that was currently overtaking any rational thought.
“Sure,” she said through her laugh.
Sliding her coat onto her shoulders he managed to lean in and nip the soft skin of her earlobe while they snuck a moment alone. He felt her fingers reach back and wrap around his erection through his jeans and with a playful squeeze he almost exploded behind his zipper, muffling his groan into her hair.
“You drive me crazy,” he murmured quietly, hearing the growl in his voice.
“Good.” He didn’t have to see her grin to hear it.
***
“Where are we going?” she asked, just as his beautiful home came into view. "I thought you didn't get the keys until next week."
"Well, I wasn't supposed to but I pulled a few strings and was able to pick them up early," he told her proudly, wagging his eyebrows. Guiding her inside she could see he had already set up some preliminary furniture. "Come, I want to show you something." She smiled at the excitement in his voice and followed him down the hall. Stopping in front of a closed door, he gestured for her to open it. Doing as she was told she instantly felt breathless as she stared around the most beautiful nursery she had ever seen. He remained standing in the doorway while she stepped further into the room, her fingers trailing over the dark wood of the crib, the soft fur of the Teddy bear that lay waiting patiently, the stocked changing table until she moved to stand in front of the matching rocking chair that looked out onto the ocean below.
"Do you like it?" he asked after long moments of silence.
"Max, it's absolutely perfect," she whispered, not trusting of her emotions.
Wrapping his arms around her his palms cupped her belly as she leaned back against him.
Max knew they had a lot to figure out. He knew Brie still didn’t fully trust him when he promised her exclusivity and running into Alexis today didn’t help. But staring at the woman who he had called numerous times to fill lonely nights stirred nothing within him. She was a fun time while it lasted - until he met Brie. And she changed everything he knew about himself. He never thought he would want forever with a woman. Max loved the nights he spent with women and he loved that he had a choice, a new exploration whenever he wanted. He told himself it was because he liked the variety and every woman he had taken knew the deal from the beginning. Max let his pride lay in that he had never lied to a woman, never led her on. He wasn’t opposed to romancing the women he was with but he ensured they remained at a distance. Not one of them reached his heart or touched his soul. Not until Brie when she snuck her way in past his defences without him knowing. He had never let his guard down or opened up the way he had with Brie that first night. She knew things about him he had never told anyone. She made him want the pillow talk, the openness he never had before. And when she lay in his arms at night, he didn’t think anything had ever felt so right. He wasn’t sure what it was, the clenching vice that was surrounding his heart where she was concerned. All he knew was that she was unlike any other, that without her his life was a less vibrant, a little bit darker. Max hoped that showing her his house, the nursery, that she would see he was making an effort. That he was serious about this baby. About her. He pictured her in this room holding their son or daughter while she rocked the baby to sleep. If he was honest with himself he wanted to share this house with her, his life with her. Hell, he knew Roxy was right - he loved her. He was a greedy man and he wanted all of those moments and more. He wanted the smiles and happiness, he wanted the fights and the make ups and he wanted her. All of her, all to himself. He just had to convince her of that. Max’s dad had always warned them that when Savage men fell, they fell hard and they fell for forever. They loved with not only their hearts but their entire soul. And it was evident in the way his father looked at his mother, in the ways he smiled and touched, so much so that Max knew his father didn’t even realize he was doing it half the time. It was that natural pull, the one that Max surrendered to because he didn’t know what else to do.
"So you're all moved out of your other place then?" Brie asked him a while later as she sat on the couch, throwing her legs over his.
"Not really." She frowned at his vague answer.
"What do you mean? If you already have the keys to this place, why aren’t you moving from your condo?"
"I think I may hang on to it for a bit longer."
"Why?"
"There is something we have to talk about tonight." She raised a questioning, apprehensive eyebrow, waiting for him to continue. He scrubbed a hand over his face, unsure of how to begin. "You know what I do for a living, most times it can be dangerous." She nodded her head in understanding and remained silent. "Well sometimes, most times, we can make some pretty dangerous enemies." He took a deep breath and continued. "On my last mission, I ended up disarming a violent group of individuals, most of which are in jail now."
"And the others?"
"What?"
"You just said most, most of which are in jail now. That means not all. So where are the others?"
"We have one of our men on the inside, undercover, and the boss, Vasquez - he's put a bounty on my head and already sent a handful of his men here to kill me." He listened to her sharp intake and watched as her hand moved to rest protectively over her stomach. "Brie, it's not going to happen."
"Is that how you got that cut on your side?" He nodded his head while he stared at her pale features. "What happened?"
"One of his guys stabbed me."
"What?"
"It’s okay, Stella was there to patch me up." He could see her starting to shake with all he had told her. He didn't know how to reassure her, how to make it better. There was no way to finesse the situation, it was violent and dirty and it was a part of what he did, it was his job and it was dangerous. If she was going to be with him it was something they were going to have to figure out. He wouldn't lie to her, not to make her feel better and not to provide her with a false sense of make believe and security. He needed her aware and he needed her safe. And to keep her safe she needed to know the truth. Gripping her arm he pulled her so she was in his lap. Cupping her face so she was forced to look into his eyes he made her a promise. "Baby, it's not going to happen."
"Max, I need reassurance right now." He appreciated her honesty, it was one of the things he loved most about Brie - she never pulled any punches, all she ever wanted was honesty and he would endeavor to give her just that.
"My brothers and I spent all last night wiring this house and this property with the best security system there is. Cameron tweaked and modified it so it is set up to my phone, the office and my brothers' phones. We are all aware of what is happening. Those guys that I got into a fight with last weekend - they were the last of the Locos, they are all in jail and there are none left."
"Except
for this boss guy."
"Yes, but Ace is there and he reports back to us when something is happening or going to happen. We have confirmed he doesn't know about you or our relationship. We are keeping my other apartment for now as a decoy.
“Baby, this is part of my job. Sometimes it's dirty, most times it's dangerous. I can't make any promises to you other than I will do my damnedest to come back to you, every time." She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his neck. Holding her close he closed his eyes and inhaled the scent of her hair.
"You're going to give me premature grey hair." He chuckled with relief, holding her impossibly tighter. "I hate you," she muttered.
"No.”
“No?”
“You can't." Pulling back he stared into her eyes, knowing what he was about to do.
"I can't?" She asked with a saucy grin. He shook his head no, slowly and with shaky confidence. "And why is that?"
"Because I love you. And you have to love me back." He watched her eyes widen with shock as she processed what he just admitted to before a radiant smile crossed her beautiful mouth.
"I love you back," she whispered.
Chapter Sixteen
Brie was reeling. Max had taken over her morning, waking her up to his distracting kisses and his hard body pressed up against hers. She loved the feeling of his chiselled muscles, the feeling of each hard plain against her skin. After his sensual assault that left her completely exhausted and satiated, he demanded she get up and dressed - he was taking her out.
Driving up to the Barn, Savage Security headquarters, she didn’t know what to expect but the rustic yet modern secured site was not what she was expecting. Guiding her through the door after he passed whatever security measures were in place, she was met with his brothers, Logan, Aiden, Luke and Nate who were there to greet her.
“Congratulations,” she said to Logan. “I’m so sorry I had to leave early from your party.”
“Not a problem, just glad you’re feeling better. And a congratulations to you as well. I hear we are expecting an addition to our family.” His smile was kind and without judgement which she appreciated. Standing in front of them now, she thought of the unfairness and the injustice of it all. Every one of them without awareness, was an assault on any female with hormones. Each of them stood above six feet, with dark features and rakish grins, each one of their bodies honed with necessity from their respective careers. They were a band of pirates and she felt sorry for each woman who dared touch the hearts of these hardened men. And they were hardened, that much she could see. Because those women didn’t stand a chance, including herself.
“I informed Brie of Vasquez last night,” Max told his brothers. With nods of approval and promises that she could contact them anytime, Max had already programmed their numbers in her phone, they quickly dispersed with promises to see her soon. “Ready?” he asked, a boyish excitement lighting his eyes.
“I don’t know, ready for what?”
“I want you to be prepared for anything. That includes getting familiar with a gun.”
“What! I don’t want a gun Max, no.”
“I’m not giving you a gun, Brie. I want you to hold one and know how to fire. Once the baby is born we are going to start on more physical defense. With my line of work, I need to know that you at least have the tools to defend yourself.” She stared at him with wide eyes causing him to step closer, his large palm reaching out to cup her cheek. “It’s just an added safety precaution, baby. We can never have enough. All of my sisters are fully trained in combat and we’ve even put my mom through some training as well.” When she still didn’t answer in her uncertainty, he leaned in and pressed a sweet kiss against her mouth. “Humor me then,” he murmured. Taking a deep breath she nodded her head and at the same time he grabbed her hand and lead her to the back of the building where she was met with an indoor gun range that looked out onto its snow covered, outdoor twin. Opening several cabinets, he pulled out a selection of handguns, placing them on a table. She looked from the weapons and back to Max as he moved with efficiency.
“Max, I don’t think shooting a gun is good for the baby,” she said, voicing her concerns.
“I agree. So we’re not going to be shooting today. I just want you to get used to the feel and know how they work.”
“This is a bit extreme, don’t you think?”
“No.” He paused before placing the last small black handgun beside the others. “I don’t. The people that we deal with Brie, they shoot first and ask questions later. There is no remorse and they will take out anyone in their way to get to their target. I will not take that chance with you or our child. Not now, not ever.”
“Isn’t that what you do? Shoot first and ask questions later,” she asked with genuine curiosity.
“But I’m the good guy,” he told her with a wink.
“Says who,” she muttered, rolling her eyes. He was in front of her before she could blink. In one swift movement he was consuming her lips, his fingers threaded in her hair as he took control, his tongue plunging into her mouth, duelling, daring her to argue.
“Says me,” he murmured against her kiss swollen mouth. “And if I stuck my hand down your pants I bet my wet fingers would find the same answer.”
Arrogant bastard.
She hated that he was right. So instead of daring him to find out, the way she desperately wanted, she felt her pride raise an eyebrow and turn to look at the daunting table. “Guns,” she persisted instead. His knowing chuckle grated on the heat she was urgently tamping down. When he turned around to pick up the first gun, she clamped her thighs together, hoping to ease some of the discomfort and need that was building inside of her.
For the next hour, Brie held countless guns in her hand and as per Max’s orders, became used to how they felt in her palm, the surprisingly light weight of some, the heaviness of others. Finding the one she was most comfortable with, she now knew how to take the deadly thing apart and put it back together. Still uncomfortable with her lesson today, she knew it was a necessity, the relief she felt when Max told her it was time to go home and get ready for the baby shower was clearly apparent.
“You did well today,” he told her with pride. “A natural.”
“I don’t think I want to be a natural, that’s what I have you for.”
“I know. But I appreciate you going along with it. I feel better already.”
“Well good, I’m glad.”
“I don’t know why you insisted on driving yourself,” he told her with exasperation as he opened her car door.
“Because I’m not going to continue to rely on you to be my chauffeur, Max. It’s ridiculous. I have my own car - I’m pregnant, not an invalid,” she told him with mirroring exasperation as she stood and smoothed out her black pencil skirt over her sheer pantyhose. A pair of thigh high pantyhose that almost got ripped off of her once Max saw her in simply the sheer and black lace of her matching underwear.
“You’re not supposed to be driving,” he insisted.
“Says who?”
“Your doctor.”
“No, she said I needed to take it easy. That doesn’t include driving but it does include you being too over protective.” She folded her arms across her chest to both stave off the chill in the air and to hold her stance against his frown. Taking a deep breath she watched the heavy white, surrendering puff escape his lips. Reaching out he unfolded her arms.
“I’ll come back after my meeting and you can follow me to the house.”
“Okay, I’ll need to go to my place to grab some things. I’m running out of things to wear.”
“I don’t see the problem,” he grinned, wagging his eyebrows playfully. Pulling her closer, she groaned when her belly managed to keep them apart.
“I’m going to be so glad when there isn’t a baby bump between us.”
“Hmm, I don’t know. The baby bump on you is so damn sexy.”
“Don’t even think about it, Savage,” she warned
. “We’re just dealing with one for now.” Laughing, he bent down and pressed a soft kiss against her lips. Before he could pull back she gripped his leather jacket and demanded the kiss he was holding back.
“We have an audience, baby.”
“I know. I don’t care.” Brie didn’t have to turn around to know who was staring out the front window of the gorgeous Savage family home.
“Rebel,” he murmured before gripping the strands of her hair and taking control. His lips ignited a hunger that burned deep in her belly. She didn’t want the baby shower. She wanted Max. Pulling away she could see his eyes darkening with lust and it only made her want him more. This gorgeous man with his dark features, his chiselled body and his ice blue eyes wanted her. “I’m about to put on a show for everyone if you don’t get that gorgeous ass inside. Now.”
“I’m fine with that,” she breathed.
“Insatiable.” His warm laugh was like a caress against her skin. She was all sensation, every touch, every word. She knew it wasn’t the pregnancy. It was the man who stood before her. The man who told her he loved her. Who was exclusively hers. “Go inside and get warm.”
“You’re not coming in?” He stared at her as if she had two heads.
“Absolutely not.” Sticking out her bottom lip in an exaggerated pout, Max took it between his teeth.
“I’ll make it up to you. Promise.”
“Yeah, you better,” she muttered, turning away from him and teasingly sashayed to the front door. Before she could get far his hand came down across her ass causing her to squeal his name. The door opened to Roxy’s grin and she was pulled into the group of excited women, the sound of Max’s laughter fading into the distance.
Brie was laughing with Zoe’s friend Rachel, feeling guilty that she had poorly judged her from the start. She had quickly found out her and the gorgeous blonde had a lot in common including their affinity for the Savage family. Rachel had made an off-handed comment that brought tears to Brie’s eyes, she couldn’t remember the last time she had felt the camaraderie she was feeling within this group of women. It was the genuine friendships she knew were instantly formed, that she could call on not just Roxy but any one of them and they would welcome her with open arms, no questions asked. Just as she was catching her breath, her cheeks hurting from laughter, she turned at the sound of the cold, familiar voice. She watched almost in slow motion as Max’s mom greeted her in a warm embrace while her mother remained stiff, unsure how to respond. Juliette pretended she didn’t notice and pulled her into the kitchen for a drink before guiding her into the living room where Brie was sitting. Getting up she pressed a quick kiss to her mother’s cheek in greeting, knowing it was visible to anyone watching the rigidity of each touch. The last thing Brie wanted was for the party to get awkward, and that was exactly what was going to happen if she didn’t figure out something soon. Luckily, Roxy was watching the entire charade from across the room and was quickly by her side.