I’ll blow my load if she keeps this up. I grit my teeth and haul her to her feet, and the knowing smile on her face tips me right over the edge.
“Get this fucking thing off.” I grab her belt and pull at the robe. All I can think about is bending her over the couch and screwing her until she can’t walk straight.
She rolls her shoulders, and the robe drops to the floor. She’s not naked, but the sexy green top and thong more than make up for it.
“You like?” She plants her hands on her hips and gives a little wiggle. My gaze fastens on the way her nipples poke against the lace, begging to be sucked.
“Yeah.” My voice is hoarse. “You should wear this all the time.” I grasp her wrist and turn her around. Christ. My mouth dries. The lace hugs her waist and shapes the small of her back, giving me a perfect view of her naked ass.
I trace the narrow band of the thong that dips between her butt cheeks, and she shivers and looks over her shoulder at me. “Maybe I will.”
The image of her wearing this for some other guy blazes through me, and I don’t fucking like it. I twist a length of her hair around my fist and graze my jaw against her face. A crazy demand thumps inside my head. I’m the only one who gets to see you like this.
Until Friday.
Five more nights. Then it won’t matter, and I won’t care, but right now that doesn’t cool the possessive rage scorching my reason.
I nibble kisses along her jaw and throat, tasting her flesh, and her breathy sighs are all I can hear. She melts into me, her skin warm and soft against my burning cock, and I suck hard, marking her. Mine.
“God, Ty.” Her voice is slurred. “Really…?” It’s a question but she doesn’t expect an answer. So what if I haven’t given hickeys for years. Never wanted to after she left.
I lift her hair higher, exposing the back of her neck, and trail more kisses down her nape and across her shoulders. She shivers and moans, wriggling her ass, and digs her nails into my thighs. I wrap my other arm around her and glide my hand over her hip and waist. Her warm curves blow my mind, but the silk and lace take it to a whole new level. I cup her tit, loving the way she fills my palm, and my thumb plays with her erect nipple. Her head falls back against my shoulder, and her gaze locks with mine.
Her eyes are dark with lust, but I want more. I release her hair and slide my fingers between her thighs and tug her thong aside, teasing her wet pussy and swollen clit until she can’t keep still.
“You want something?” My voice is hoarse, and I dip a finger inside her wet slit. I sure as hell know what I want.
“Yes. You.” She presses her palm against my cock. “Always you…”
There’re so many smart answers to that. I can’t think of one. Don’t want to. All I need is right here. I bend her over the arm of the couch, and her lacy lingerie frames her cute ass as though she’s a sweet candy just for me.
I want to sink into her tight little pussy and bang her until she screams my name. For Christ’s sake. I don’t need her to scream anything, but still the image burns into my mind, shredding my control. Somehow, I drag on protection—not screwing up again—grasp her hips and thrust inside.
Her fingers clutch a cushion, and her hair is a tangled mess spread over her face and down her back. Her cheeks are flushed, her mouth open, and her harsh gasps fill my head.
Need to slow down. But she’s so fucking hot, pinned to the couch. A raw groan sears my throat, and it’s impossible to hold back any longer.
I push my hand under her and find her slick clit. She bucks into me, her back arching, and as she convulses around me, I give her it all.
“Jas.”
Chapter Eight
Jasmine
“You want to grab some early lunch?”
I lean against the kitchen sink and pretend to think about his offer, even though I’m going to accept. After the breakfast interlude, we shared a leisurely shower until the water ran cold. I can’t believe it’s almost eleven already, but that’s not the main thing on my mind. Stop thinking about how he roared your name when he came… “Sure, why not?”
His smile turns my stomach into a kaleidoscope of butterflies. I’m so screwed. We should’ve finished this on Saturday morning. What was I thinking to suggest we drag it out for the whole week? My heart’s never going to recover a second time.
It never recovered the first time.
“Guess I’d better get dressed.” He saunters out of the kitchen wearing only his jeans, and for the first time I get a good look at his back.
I let out a measured breath. The Bastards’ colors are engraved in my psyche, and while I despise everything they stand for, there’s no denying how good the ink looks on Ty.
His MC is his family, stronger than any blood ties. I’ve always known it. It doesn’t stop the ache deep in my chest, though.
Enough. I don’t need to agonize over any of it the way I used to when we were together. This is just one nostalgic week where I can finally lay all the ghosts to rest.
Most of them, anyway. The ones that count.
Ty’s the only one that matters. And Viper’s dead.
I guess that’s justice of a kind. More than I could’ve ever expected. I’ll take it.
A strange sense of peace flutters through me, gone in an instant, but it’s enough.
Yeah, it’s enough.
…
We leave the building, and I take a deep breath. The air isn’t exactly fresh out here, but it’s better than the dirty stairwell we just left. “Where’re we going?” I glance up at Ty as he strolls by my side, looking as though he owns the world.
He used to own my world…once upon a time.
“If there’s nowhere local, I’ll take you for a ride.” He grins at me and comes to a halt by a gleaming Harley. God, that’s tempting. I used to love riding with him, but his bike back then was nothing like this beauty.
It’s a bad idea. It’ll bring back way too many bittersweet memories. “Hmm, I’m not really dressed for it.” I could always run back inside and change into my jeans.
“Got a better idea?”
I’m surprised he doesn’t try and persuade me, but that’s nothing to the shock when he casually threads his fingers through mine and tugs me close.
Anyone could see us. Of course, the chances of anyone who Ty knows seeing us isn’t high, but even so, it’s a huge thing. A Bastard doesn’t go around holding hands with a piece of ass in public.
Not like before, when we dated, when I was someone who mattered. We held hands all the time, and none of his friends saw anything strange about it. I glowed with pride that Ty Jenson was with me, and girls who’d snubbed me in the past because of my mom’s associations now envied me for mine.
What does he really think of me now?
Stop analyzing, Jas. Just enjoy it.
“I found a diner a couple of blocks from here the other day.” It didn’t look newly opened, but it wasn’t around when I used to live here. I squeeze his fingers and lean closer so our arms touch. “Mama Coco’s.”
An odd expression flickers over his face, gone so fast I half wonder if I imagined it. “Okay. Why not?”
I’m not sure he’s really asking me that question, since it doesn’t make any sense. My head’s telling me to leave it, but I can’t help myself. “Have you been there before?”
He shrugs like it’s unimportant. “Nah.”
That’s it, and I don’t know why something’s gnawing at me. Why would he lie about it? It’s only a diner.
This is a tough neighborhood, but we still get plenty of sideway glances. Guess they’re not used to seeing a Bastard swaggering along the sidewalk. I used to love how safe he made me feel when we were together, how no one would ever cross him because of how badass he was—and because of his connections.
I guess I still feel safe when we’re together. But strangers don’t know anything. Ty wears the colors, but at his core, he’s nothing like the stereotype.
Stop right there. He’s
a brother, and the club will always have his loyalty.
It doesn’t take long to reach the diner, and I toss him a grin at the pained expression on his face as he peers through the window. “You might want to reel in the testosterone before we go inside.”
“In your dreams,” he growls. “The things I do for you.”
“It was your idea to go out, remember? I had bread and cheese back at the apartment.”
He shoots me a look of mock disgust. “You coming or not?” He pushes open the door, and it seems every head in the place swivels to stare before hastily pretending to ignore us. For the first time, I have second thoughts about my suggestion. A diner catering to families with small kids is probably not the right place to take Ty.
Too late now. He saunters toward a table at the far end, which means I have to suffer surreptitious glances all the way across the room until we sit and are less conspicuous. I let out a relieved breath and pick up the menu.
He leans across the table and uses one finger to lower the menu. “See?” There’s an irresistible smile on his face. “I can behave when I need to.”
“I know that.” My back is to the room, but I can feel the hostility aimed our way. Truth is, I can’t blame them for thinking Ty’s bad news, but it’s still irritating me far more than it should. “I didn’t realize this place was so family oriented. It was half empty when I came in here before.”
His gaze shifts to look over my shoulder, and he gives one of his sexy half smiles. Who the hell is he looking at? Before I can stop myself, I glance over my shoulder and see a young waitress making her way toward us, an answering smile on her face.
So much for Ty never having been here before. I squash the flare of hurt that’s attempting to take over my chest and fix a bland smile on my own face. It doesn’t matter that he lied to me.
Yes, it fucking does.
“Hey, Amelia,” he says, like he’s greeting his younger sister, Savannah.
“Wow.” Amelia folds her arms and looks as though she’s trying not to laugh. She has such pretty hair, a kind of coppery gold, and freckles spill across her nose and cheeks. It doesn’t take much imagination to guess she’s one of Ty’s recent conquests, and I try not to care, the way I tried not to care when I was a teen and girls threw themselves at him. They’re nothing to me, he’d laugh, pulling me close, and I believed him. I so wanted to believe him. But a tiny part of me couldn’t accept I was ever enough for him.
“Never thought I’d see you in here,” Amelia continues. “Is the world ending?”
I blink, secretly staggered by the way she’s talking to him. It’s like they’re good friends…but unless he’s drastically changed, Ty doesn’t do friendship with girls. Especially not with girls as pretty as Amelia.
And he really hasn’t been in here before? The tightness in my chest eases.
“Might be.” Ty answers Amelia and throws me a glance I can’t quite figure out. “Hey, babe. You remember Zach’s kid brother, Gage?”
Of all the things I thought he might’ve said to me, this definitely wasn’t it. For a second I just stare at him, bemused.
“Gage?” Ty and Zach were best buddies. We’d sometimes hang out at Zach’s, and his brother was often around. “Uh, sure.”
“Amelia’s his old lady.”
Whoa. It’s crazy, but in my head Gage is still a cocky fifteen-year-old boy. It’s hard to imagine he’s grown up enough to have an old lady. I smile at Amelia, not sure what I’m expected to say. It’s not like I even know her.
“That’s great. Congratulations. To Gage, too.”
She gives a funny little smile as though she’s embarrassed. “Thanks. So, um, you know Gage, huh?”
Before I can figure out how much to tell her without it sounding like a Norse saga, Ty takes my hand, and that renders me speechless, anyway. “This is Jas. We go way back.”
Amelia looks at our joined hands as though she’s never seen anything like it in her life. Then she gives us both a bright, over-the-top smile, and it’s like I can see the cogs in her brain working overtime. Must call Gage.
I bite my lip, not sure if I want to laugh or groan.
“So, what can I get you?” She whips out her pad, all business, obviously dying to escape so she can get the gossip from Gage.
After she leaves, I lean across the table. “You should’ve said Gage’s old lady worked here. We could’ve gone somewhere else.”
“I don’t care if anyone sees us together.”
What does he mean by that? He doesn’t mean anything. But I can’t help asking, “Why not?”
He shrugs like it’s no big deal. “No one else’s business what I do.”
That’s true, except when it comes to the club. Everything is their business.
“Did Gage join the Bastards?” Zach was a prospect, same as Ty, so I’m guessing he’s a member now. But I can’t remember if his brother wanted to follow in the family tradition.
“Yep. And Hawk. You remember him?”
I frown. The name’s familiar. “Was that Gage’s best friend? The quiet one?”
Ty grins as though I’ve said something funny. “He’s our enforcer now.”
“Hawk’s your enforcer?” I didn’t know him that well, but he sure never struck me as the kind of cold-hearted douche that position requires. “Wow. I didn’t see that one coming.”
“He’s one tough motherfucker.”
He’d have to be. Talk about appearances being deceptive. Then again, it’s been a long time since I saw him.
“I guess your dad’s still the president?” He was usually okay with me. Tended to look through me more than anything, and that was because, when it came to domestic crap, he always took his cue from Angie.
“Yeah.” There’s an oddly calculating look on Ty’s face, almost as though this conversation is pushing boundaries. Regret stabs through me. He used to tell me anything and everything. “And guess who the VP is now?”
I force a smile, since that’s expected, but inside, another little part of my heart dies. “It’s what you always wanted. Congratulations.”
He shrugs and doesn’t look as pleased with himself as he should. “It was one of the things I always wanted.”
The words hang between us, loaded with meaning. Or is it all in my mind? Before I can figure out whether his brooding expression has anything to do with the broken dreams we once shared, Amelia returns with our order.
“There you go.” She places our food on the table along with our coffee, and then darts a glance between us. “So, are you back for good, Jas?”
I catch Ty’s eye and try not to smile.
“Subtle as a brick,” he says. “What else did Gage say when you called him just now?”
She doesn’t even try to deny it. Instead, she looks enthralled. “Nothing. Well, except that you”—she gives me an apologetic smile—“left years ago, and no one had seen you since. I just love second-chance romances.”
Who says that to someone they’ve just met? I’m not sure if she’s poking fun at me or not, although she sounds genuine.
“Ignore her.” Ty sounds amused, as though he’s used to her hyperbole. “She writes smut, so she thinks everything’s full of romantic shit.”
I open my mouth then close it again, since I’ve no idea whether he’s joking or not.
“It’s not smut.” She glares at him for a second but doesn’t sound offended. “I just think this is nice, that’s all.”
Ty smirks as though her linking him with something nice cracks him up.
And I’ve had enough of him being a dick. He’s acting like there’s a chance of us getting back together, when we both know different.
“I came back to sort out my late mother’s affairs.” God, I sound snotty, and wish I’d kept my mouth shut when Amelia turns to me, a horrified expression on her face. I can’t stop now, though. “Ty and I met up by pure accident. That’s all.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry about your mom.” Amelia sounds mortified, and I sit t
here with my polite mask in place as Ty releases my fingers and picks up his coffee. “I didn’t mean to, um…” Her voice trails away, and she shoots Ty a desperate glance, but he doesn’t come to her rescue.
“It’s fine.” I give her a tight smile, hating myself for spoiling the moment. Except, what was I supposed to do? “You weren’t to know. Ty and I are”—playing with fire—“friends, that’s all.”
Beneath the cover of the table, he slides his boot along my calf, belying my words, but he doesn’t say anything.
“Sure.” Amelia nods more forcefully than necessary. “Anyway, I’m really sorry for, um, everything.”
After she disappears behind the counter, I frown at Ty, who’s digging into his burger like there’s nothing wrong. “Well?” I demand, when it becomes clear he’s not going to respond to my silent message. “What was I supposed to tell her?”
He shrugs, unconcerned. “Whatever, babe.”
What the hell does that mean? “Would you rather let her think we were seeing each other?”
“Jas, I don’t give a fuck what she thinks.”
I seethe for a few seconds, not entirely sure why I’m getting so worked up. “You don’t care if it gets back to your family?” To your mom?
“Who the hell’s going to tell my family?” For the first time, there’s a hint of irritation in his voice.
With dignified restraint, I pick up my fork. For all I know he holds hands and eats out with every girl he hooks up with, and this is nothing special at all.
I know what this is.
My head does, at least. It’s my heart that’s having a hard time reconciling it all. If I didn’t still care so much, I wouldn’t have minded what Amelia thought was going on between us. Ty wasn’t being a jerk. I was being oversensitive.
I shove a forkful of omelet into my mouth, but even when I was a timid mouse, I never liked humble pie, and it’s hard swallowing something that tastes like ashes.
I take a sip of coffee and glance at him. It’s crazy to spoil the few days we have together because of a couple of wounded feelings.
“Amelia seems nice.” I use the word deliberately and give him a faint smile when he looks at me.
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