by Sam Crescent
She belonged to him, and had since they were kids.
There was no Prospect waiting around to stop him, so he moved toward the side of the house where her bedroom was. He started the climb, being careful not to bang the side of the house or make too much noise to alert her parents.
“What are you doing?” Tabitha asked.
He was surprised to see her sitting at the window with her legs hanging out. She looked like she didn’t have a single care in the world.
“What are you doing?”
“This is my bedroom.”
“You know you could fall and break your neck.”
“Like you could right now. You’re climbing up the side of my house. What if the window had been locked?” she asked. “You wouldn’t have had anywhere to go.”
“I wanted to see you. Dad’s coming back tomorrow to pick me up, and I’m not ready to say goodbye to you yet. If you want me to go, I can leave.”
“I don’t want you to leave. We haven’t spent a whole lot of time together.”
She smiled, and he saw she was wearing his denim jacket. She climbed back inside her window and held it open, helping him climb through.
“Phew, I didn’t think you were going to help me there.”
“You’ve got to keep your voice down.” She rushed over to her door, and he waited as she closed it gently.
Her light was already turned off.
She wore a pair of pajamas underneath his jacket.
“You’re staying the night?”
“Yeah, Anthony’s covering for me, you know. So I wanted to come and spend some time with you.”
“It’s not like Anthony. He must really want you out of his room.” She moved up to him and hugged him tight. “I feel like I didn’t get to see you much this visit. I’m so pleased you came.”
“You’ve been busy, but all you need to do is ask and I’ll be here, always.” If he hadn’t come to Fort Wills, he’d have ended up staying with Ripper and Judi, and that would not do, not for him.
She pulled away, and he watched as she covered a yawn.
“You want to get into bed?” he asked.
Tabitha nodded.
She pulled up the covers, sliding beneath.
He joined her on top, putting his arm around her. She snuggled against his side and sighed.
“I don’t like those guys being near you.”
“You’ve got nothing to worry about. I know how to take care of myself.”
“I know, but you shouldn’t be fighting them. What if they hurt you?”
“It’ll be fine. You’ve got to stop worrying.” She tilted her head back, and he once again saw the sadness in her eyes.
“I worry a lot about you. You know, with all the changes and stuff. You going to a new school and now those guys are there.”
“I get it. I do. I don’t like it. I know my parents don’t like it either.”
“Do you have classes with them?”
“A couple of them, but for the most part we stay out of each other’s way. It’s easier that way. The first day we all got into a fight. We were all pulled into the principal’s office. They started it. We just finished it.”
He didn’t like that, but knowing she had Miles and Anthony at least, he knew she would be fine.
“You don’t have to worry.”
“It’s going to be okay.”
“I know.”
“I’m not talking about those guys or the school.”
“I know.” She didn’t believe him.
“You know, you could just convince your dad to move to Piston County,” he said.
She chuckled. “Like that is ever going to happen.”
“You know they’re friends now. It could happen.”
“Yeah, I don’t see that happening at all. Could you imagine my dad with a Chaos Bleeds cut?”
“My dad would totally make him earn that patch,” Simon said. “It’ll be fun to watch.”
“What will happen if you find someone else?” she asked, changing conversation. This was one of the reasons why Simon knew he’d never get bored with her. She was always going off on a tangent, and he had to keep up with what she was talking about.
“Someone else?”
“Someone better than me. I’m a Skull, Simon. We’re two different clubs. I know how it works.”
“You mean another girl?” he asked.
“Yes.”
He laughed. There was nothing else he could do. “There won’t ever be anyone better than you.” He took her hand, placing it against his chest. “You own my heart.” Staring at where her hand lay on his chest, he felt himself calm down. She always had this effect on him, even as a kid. “That sounded really cheesy.”
“A little bit but I love cheesy,” she said.
They both started giggling, the noise getting louder with every passing second.
Tabitha grabbed a pillow and pressed it against his face. “Shh, we have to be quiet.” She whispered the word, trying to get him to be silent. The last thing he wanted was to get caught.
“Tabitha, honey, you okay?”
Her door started to open, and Simon dropped from the bed to the floor, rolling beneath it. The space was rather tight and cramped, but he could handle it.
“Mom, what is it? What’s wrong?”
He heard the nerves in Tabitha’s voice. They couldn’t get caught, but he didn’t want to leave her, even though there would be hell to pay if anyone caught them. Their parents tolerated their relationship with each other, but at any point they wished, it could all end in disaster. He couldn’t live without her. Being young was a pain in the ass because most times, they thought it was cute. This wasn’t about being cute.
He loved Tabitha and had for a long time.
Ignoring his thoughts, he listened to Eva. She sat on the edge of the bed, and he hoped she didn’t try to look underneath.
“Nothing’s wrong. I just wanted to come and see you. Miles told us that you saw those boys today. The one whose nose you broke.”
“I told you I’m not going to apologize to him. I don’t care what the principal says. He pinched Daisy’s ass.”
“I know, honey, and watch your language.”
“I’m sorry. You know Daisy doesn’t defend herself. She’s not good at doing stuff like that, and I don’t mind it. She’s my best friend.”
“I know, honey, but you should have reported him to the teacher.”
“They don’t do anything. It’s like it’s one big joke to them.”
“I’m sure it’s not.”
“Whatever,” Tabitha said.
“Anyway, I was thinking we could do a girly weekend this week. Just us girls, what do you think?”
“I’d like that. Can we get some ice cream, invite Daisy over, and make it an all-girls’ night? I’d like that.”
“We can do that. It’s been a long time since we had some fun together.”
Tabitha yawned. “I’m so sorry, Mom, I’m so tired. It’s been a long day.”
“Okay. Get some sleep. I love you, honey.”
“Love you too.”
He stayed beneath the bed, hearing the door close, and only when he heard the sound of footsteps walking away did he move out from under the bed.
“I thought we were totally going to get caught,” Tabitha whispered.
“Does she always come and see you at night?”
“Not until recently with Darcy. I think it has scared her, you know.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“I can’t even begin to think what Darcy must be thinking or feeling. She tries to keep her spirits up when everyone is around, but I overheard Ink talking the other day. She cries herself to sleep when she doesn’t think anyone’s watching.” He saw Tabitha had tears in her eyes. “I wish I could help her.”
“You are helping her. By just being you, you’re helping.”
Silence fell between then, and he stared into her eyes, knowing there’s nowhere else he’d rather be than with
her. She was everything to him.
It always annoyed him when his dad or mom would give him that look as if he didn’t know what love was or even understand it. He understood a whole lot, and he didn’t need them to tell him what he felt. He knew what it was, and he knew what he wanted. He wanted Tabitha to be his wife more than anything.
He saw the way his dad looked at his mom, and he felt that way each time he was with Tabitha. No one could come between that.
“I do feel really tired,” she said, pressing the back of her hand to her mouth, yawning.
“Go to sleep.”
“I don’t want you to leave without saying goodbye.”
“I’ll have to leave in the morning.”
“That’s fine. I’ll be here, and I’ll make sure you wake up in time.”
Tabitha rested against him, and Simon stared up at the ceiling. After a few moments, he fell asleep.
The End
www.samcrescent.com
Other Books by Sam Crescent:
www.evernightpublishing.com/sam-crescent
If you enjoyed this book, you may also like:
Scarred Monster by Winter Sloane
Her Husband’s Army Buddy by Doris O’Connor
Nicky by Lynn Burke
BONUS SAMPLE CHAPTER
GREED
Trojans MC, 9
Sam Crescent
Copyright © 2018
Chapter One
“She’d be amazing,” Lindsey said, bobbing her head to the beat of the music filtering through the bar. They were not at the Trojans clubhouse but had gone into the city to enjoy one of the many dance clubs that they have to offer. A few of the guys had agreed to tag along, not that Pie was interested in what they were doing.
Glancing over at where Lindsey pointed, he saw a brunette, swaying her hips, giving him the eye, and there was no interest there at all, not from him. “Nope.”
“Seriously? Like, what is wrong with her?”
“Too skinny.”
Lindsey burst out laughing. He loved the sound and often tried to make her do so whenever he got the chance. “You’re a hoot, you know that? So funny. You’re probably one of the few men complaining about that.”
“I like a woman with curves.”
She thrust her chest out. “My curves, or bigger?”
“I kind of like yours. They’re okay.”
“Wow, you’re all for the compliments tonight, aren’t you? I feel really special right now.”
“You really should. I don’t compliment just anyone.”
Again, she chuckled, taking a sip of her drink and glancing around the room. “I don’t know.” She wrinkled her nose. “I’m wondering if we need to change countries for you to be the least bit interested in what’s on offer. Sometimes beggars cannot be choosers, just FYI.”
He rolled his eyes, looking out over the dance floor.
Lindsey had made him wear his leather jacket as they came out chick hunting. They’d been doing this for some time now, and she’d even tried to get him to hook up with a chick from another club during the disaster of a picnic the Billionaire Bikers hosted. Pushing those memories to the back of his mind, he tried to find an interest in the women in the club, and nothing.
“You’re starting to scare me, just so you know.”
“Why am I scaring you?”
“It shouldn’t be this hard for you to find someone to fuck.”
“I’m not just looking for someone to fuck, Lindsey.”
“I know. I know. We’re in the market to find our soulmate, but you know, a lot of fucking needs to happen.”
He shook his head.
“Hey, excuse me,” she said, to a couple passing. It was a man and woman who were sending smoldering looks at each other.
Pie didn’t know why Lindsey was so obsessed over this, but he didn’t argue with her. What was the point?
“What’s up?” the guy asked.
“My friend and I are having a little argument. He doesn’t think sex is important when it comes to meeting people. I, on the other hand, do. What are your thoughts?”
Lindsey, even after nearly a year, didn’t have a filter. He’d tried to get her to see sense, but no matter what he did, nothing seemed to stick with her, and it was kind of frustrating. The only problem was he found her kind of frustratingly cute. Like, really fucking cute.
“Sex is a must,” the woman said.
“Yeah, it’s right up there, man. You don’t want to start something that may not last, you know.”
“Thank you,” Lindsey said, cocking her head to the side, looking smug. “I rest my case.”
The two people moved on, and Pie took a sip of his beer. “Two people do not make a good assessment.”
“Give me two people that you know could have made it without sex.”
“Duke and Holly.” He named his Prez and his Prez’s girl.
Lindsey burst out laughing. “You’re joking, right?”
“Nope.”
“They don’t count. They eye-fuck each other just walking in a room.”
“And it was like that from the start, thank you very much.”
“Ugh, I give up.” She dropped down from her stool and grabbed his hand.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m taking you to dance because I’m bored of arguing with you, and I can’t seem to get you interested in any of the women here.”
She led him onto the dance floor and just like in the movies, the song slowed down. Lindsey didn’t have a problem with that, putting his hands on her hips and holding him close. She rested her head against his chest.
In a short time, Lindsey had become his best friend. They were so close, and they had formed a kind of bond, which was strange as he never recalled being this way with anyone, least of all a chick.
They had a deal though.
So far, neither of them had succeeded in finding the one woman or man for them. What he had discovered was Lindsey was very … open. She loved both men and women and didn’t have a problem voicing her approval.
“This is nice,” Lindsey said.
“Yeah, it is.” He rested his cheek against her head, ignoring Dime, Landon, and Floss as they smirked over at him.
The club had their own thoughts when it came to his relationship with Lindsey. He didn’t give a fuck at all what they thought. He liked her, a lot.
“What about the blonde next to us?” Lindsey asked.
“No.” He didn’t even bother looking.
Lindsey had placed her hands beneath his leather jacket and was stroking the base of his back. They were swaying to the music, and it suddenly stopped and something upbeat came along.
He gritted his teeth but played along, dancing with Lindsey as she withdrew from him to suddenly beat her head and body, bouncing up and down so that her tits were all over the place. She had opted for no bra, and it really fucking showed.
Some of the men were looking over at her, but he knew she could more than handle herself. That was what Lindsey did. She looked all sweet, innocent, and at times a little on the dumb side, but she had a sharp mind and wit that always surprised everyone. Also, she knew how to throw a mean fucking punch.
After ten minutes on the dance floor, she gave him a grimace. “Got to pee.”
He walked off the dance floor to find Dime and Landon already waiting for him. Floss was nowhere to be seen.
“Do I even want to know?” he asked.
“Fucking some chick behind the back of the bar. He’ll be back in a minute,” Dime said.
“Good for him.” Pie took a swig of his beer, glancing toward the toilets to make sure Lindsey was okay. The last thing he wanted was for something bad to happen to her. This was supposed to be a night of fun, and he refused to cramp her style.
“Why don’t you just admit that you want her?” Landon asked.
“Oh, fuck, I thought we agreed not to delve into that shit.”
Pie looked from Dime to Landon.
“S
he’s my friend,” he said.
“Bullshit. You and Lindsey have pretty much been glued at the hip for over a year now. You can’t tell me that doesn’t mean something,” Landon said.
He glared at Landon. “You and Zoe were friends.”
“Please, I guarded her for Raoul. She’s a friend. Nothing more.”
“Yet you seem to think you can question my friendship with Lindsey.”
“Landon, don’t,” Dime said.
“No, let him speak. I want to know what the fuck he keeps on saying. What he thinks I want to hear.” He stared at Landon. The man had been part of the Trojans for some time and he’d worked his way from the patch up. He had a lot of respect for him, just like he did for all of his brothers, but right now he was pissed off.
“You want her, Pie. Instead of sitting around pretending, just take her. You know you want to. What are you going to do if she finds what she thinks of as her Mr. Right? You’re just going to accept that?”
Pie didn’t even like the sound of that. Glaring at Landon, he didn’t have anything else to say. He and Lindsey were friends. They got along better than most, and yes, they were on a mission to find each other’s partners, but that didn’t mean shit, at least it didn’t to him.
“All done. Whoa, what is with all the tension? I can feel it coming off you guys. You arguing over something?” Lindsey asked, joining them again.
“Yeah, we’re always arguing over something, baby. Don’t worry your head about a thing. Come on, dance with me,” Landon said.
Pie continued to grit his teeth as he watched Landon take her hand without even waiting for her to answer, leading her onto the dance floor. Lindsey didn’t put up a fight. She laughed at something he said, shaking her head at the same time. He didn’t like that Landon’s hands were on her hips, touching her in any way.
“You know you’re going to break that bottle,” Dime said.
He loosened his grip that he didn’t even realize he had. “Sorry, man.”
“Don’t worry about it with me. Landon is just being a shithead, you know. It’s what he does.”