Nomad's Bride

by Rachel Cade

  He’d seen all of her, once, and it would never leave his head. But the leather…

  He was grateful for the bass in the music to cover the sound he made.

  She was holding the drink in her hand. When she didn’t answer him and lifted the glass to her mouth, he watched her drink. Vicky Lotus could have twisted upside down on the drummer and he wouldn’t have taken his eyes off Lyndie. The last place he thought he’d see his little dimpled delight was Jonas’s. She’d probably hate that nickname too.

  “It’s smooth. The aftertaste is sweet though.”

  “I know.”

  “Thank you… for the necklace. I like it.” She was looking in his direction, but not right at him. He gently took the drink from her and set it on the bar.

  “Let me take you to the V.I.P., birthday girl.”

  “V.I.P.?”

  He chuckled, grabbing her fries. “Yes.”

  Noa lead her up wooden steps that ended up in a balcony booth on the second floor of the bar, gesturing for her to sit.

  “We can watch the debauchery from here.”

  Bleed was smoking a cigar and glanced over in surprise at the sight of Lyndie.

  “And who’s this?”

  “Mrs. Callas.” Noa sat, pulling her into the booth with him.

  “Ho!”

  Lyndie was stiff next to Noa, staring sharply at him.

  “They knew I had to get married.”

  Her look didn’t change.

  “Mrs. Callas. Holy shit.”

  “Lyndie this is Bleed. Bleed, this is Lyndie, my sweet bride.”

  She was so close, their legs were pressed together on the seat and she could smell the leather on him.

  Sweet bride.

  She started to grimace.

  Lyndie wasn’t drunk. This man, Bleed. His eyes were red, like blood. And so were the tattoos on his massive arms. His dark hair was cut low on his head, but the smoke from his cigar hazed over some of his other features. Noa asked something about “Chaos” and the huge man shrugged.

  “It’s nice to meet you.” His voice was deep, and he was wearing a vest similar to Noa’s.

  “Thanks,” was all she could say as Noa snatched another fry.

  “Don’t touch the wings,” she snapped.

  “I can’t have one?”

  He had no problem telling a club member who she was, yet she couldn’t know anything about what they were doing here? As the seconds ticked on, she was getting more pissed off. Noa was in full Skorpio mode and she wasn’t interested.

  “What’s up?” Noa asked. “You feel tense.”

  Lyndie tried to watch the rest of Vicky’s performance.

  “I’m fine.”

  A thick arm lowered behind her back and lifted her onto his lap.

  “Don’t lie, babygirl. What’s wrong? You still pissed at me from the other day? Tell me.”

  God, what the hell was he doing? Short shorts and Noa’s thighs didn’t mix. Her back tightened from the new position, among other things.

  He didn’t seem bothered talking about it in front of Bleed.

  Bleed.

  That was his actual name.

  “The gift doesn’t change the fact that you lied to me. You probably want me to forget it, but I can’t. You put me in a bad place.”

  He quietly listened to her.

  “You know there’s going to be a town meeting tomorrow about you guys? Will’s hosting it.”

  Noa snickered. “Oh yeah?”

  “Yes. And it’s not funny.”

  “Can I come?”

  “Noa-”

  His chuckle was rich as his chest shook. Bleed made a low sound that might have been laughter.

  Lyndie turned on his lap to eat a wing. She had to do something to distract herself.

  As she was eating, she noticed something to her right. Crawling from under the table came a brown-haired girl on her hands and knees. She stood to blow a kiss at Bleed and wink at Noa before bouncing down the stairs in an outfit that made Lyndie’s look like a nun’s habit.

  Food should have dropped out of her mouth.

  “Really?” she barely heard Noa say.

  There was only one thing she could have been doing under that table.

  This was it; this was the real situation. None of the romanticized bad boy stuff.

  Suddenly, the wings didn’t taste so great.

  The sigh she let out quickly turned into a hiss. She was really done with the bullshit and turned around to face him.

  “Do you have a girlfriend?”

  Bleed scooted from the other side of the booth. “I’ll give the Mr. and Mrs. some privacy.”

  Noa wound his jaw, letting his head press against the high red seat cushion.

  “I know that looked bad, but-”

  “Yes or no.”

  They stared at each other, and Lyndie didn’t back down.

  “What happened to ‘there is no us, just a deal I made?’”

  “Yes or no?” she demanded again.

  His blink was slow and so were his movements as his large arm reached forward to take a beer off the table.

  Before he could get it to his lips, she wrapped her hands over the bottle neck, pulling it back.

  “I want an answer from Noa, not Skorpio. I’ve had enough of him.”

  “You haven’t had any of him.” The bottle hit the table hard with both their hands on it.

  He shifted in the chair, watching her, probably rolling his answer over in his head.

  Lyndie pretended not to feel his leg muscle shifting under her ass.

  Noa’s teeth flashed and he bit his bottom lip. “The truth is I’m single as a dollar bill.”

  His eyes met hers again, but she gave him no outward reaction.

  What was she doing? They had a deal. If he had a girlfriend or just some scattered harem, what the hell was she going to do about it? He wasn’t obligated to her. And her head completely understood that…

  “We’re buying the warehouse.” Lyndie openly stared at him as he settled back into the seat. “We talked to Langley, got the okay.”

  “When did all of this happen?” The words rushed out of her mouth.

  “A few days ago, after I saw you.”

  “No one’s said anything about it in town.”

  “That’s because no one knows about it, except you.”

  This time when he looked at her, there wasn’t a challenge in his eyes like the stare down. Lyndie realized that was where his feelings lived. Just one look and she could see if he was open or closed. In that moment, he was open.

  Did he trust her a little?

  “What does that mean?” Still surprised he shared anything her, Lyndie’s breath was shallow as she spoke again. “Are you… going to be staying in Amber Falls?”

  Her eyes dipped as she waited for an answer.

  She could be pretty direct when she got ready.

  Noa didn’t have a problem with that or a clue how to answer. He already told her he was a Nomad; he didn’t really stay in one place for long. This was just a temporary job.

  He opened his mouth, but whatever he intended to say stalled when a bang hit the table.

  Chaos was back and out of breath. “Cops are comin’.”

  Noa leaned forward. “What?”

  Chaos grimaced.

  Noa grabbed Lyndie tighter as she tensed again, speaking through his teeth. “What the fuck did you do?”

  “It was a small rocket, I swear.”

  “Oh f-”

  The front doors burst open.

  “Nobody move!” an officer shouted.

  A regular crowd might have listened, but this was Jonas’ so a good eighty percent had warrants.

  A mad scramble for the back and side exits started.

  Noa rushed out of the booth, grabbing Lyndie’s hand tight as he followed Chaos down the steps.

  “No, Vicky!” She could barely hear her own voice over the yelling and thudding footsteps.

  She tried to p
ull back from Noa, but his grip was too tight.

  Lyndie swept the crowd for her and saw her on the opposite end of the bar by the stage. She was with the someone from the band, trying to get out.

  “I’m okay!” Vic threw her hand. “Go!” A man snatched her up and they ran to the back.

  Lyndie looked back to see police coming through the door by the dozen. A few guys were being tossed on the ground and arrested.

  Her feet moved faster to keep up with Noa as he wove them through a crowd of people.

  The rush of steps sounded like thunder.

  Night air hit them as they crushed through the crowd out of the back exit. The breeze was crisp and humid at the same time.

  People were bumping her left and right.

  Noa glanced back at her before running up the side of the building where his bike was as cars and other motorcycles started taking off into the night.

  “Are they going to try to arrest everybody?” she asked as people dashed around her.

  “Prob’ly. It’s a biker bar. I’m not interested in seeing the inside of a Nevada jail.” Noa jumped on the bike and cranked it up. Lyndie asked no questions as she hopped on the back behind him. She wasn’t either.

  She just held tight to him as he took off toward the road, headed far away from Jonas’s.

  *

  Noa pulled over on the empty stretch of road.

  Dusk highlighted the mountains on the right.

  Lyndie didn’t realize they were both a little sweaty until she pulled her arms away.

  “You okay?”

  “Yeah, I guess, considering we weren’t wearing helmets.”

  “Sorry to involve you in my recklessness.”

  “Should we have stopped?”

  Noa tapped her leg.

  “What?”

  “Get off for a second.”

  After a moment, she did.

  Noa hooked his arm around her to bring her close and said, “Lift your leg again.”

  Holding his shoulders, she brought her leg over the bike so she was face to face with him on the motorcycle.

  “The cops don’t know who did it. They got their quota with whoever they arrested.”

  “I hope Vicky’s alright.”

  “Vicky’s with Pyro. He’ll take care of her. She didn’t tell you?”

  “I haven’t seen her in years.” The conversation topic didn’t distract from their body positions. “She wanted to take me out for my birthday.”

  “I’m glad she did.” His fingertip slid over where her chin and jaw met. “I owe you a birthday kiss.”

  His mouth hit hers, and Lyndie inhaled deeply the same time she took his tongue. His hands settled into the small of her back, pulling her forward. Her legs tightened on the sides of the bike. The way his mouth tugged at hers with each motion of his head had her hands clinging to his shoulders. It was the gentle roughness she’d come to crave.

  Noa’s teeth grazed her bottom lip and she thought he was pulling away only to feel him pepper kisses under her jaw. Lyndie gave him total access, leaning her head back as far as she could. Above the swell of her breast, she felt his mouth. His finger hooked her t-shirt, pulling it down so he could trace the lace of her bra with his tongue. Each raise and curve of the fabric was followed with a slow persistence that caused her nipple to pierce the lace.

  “Okay,” his voice was low, right before his nose grazed her skin, “before this continues.” When he spoke this time, his chin hair caressed her nipple. The tease almost made her swear. “I need you to know I have my limits. And you’ve pretty much reached it tonight. So, if you want, I can take you home.” A long breath slid through his teeth as he straightened, adding, “No hard feelings.”

  “Are you sure?” she asked.

  He nodded.

  Lyndie held a hand over the bulge in his jeans. “But this is a hard feeling.”

  His head followed her touch. And she smoothed her hand over it.

  With a low chuckle, he lifted his head. “Listen…”

  But instead of saying anything, his hands caught the back of her thighs. He yanked her down the leather seat toward that bulge and kissed her hard until she fell back against the handlebars. His arms kept her secure, but she had no idea how they were keeping balance.

  Then the stiff jean-covered erection pressed down between her legs and the thoughts were done.

  “You’re coming back to the motel with me?” The clothing barrier was the only thing that stopped him from penetrating her. The methodical back and forth he was doing with his hips set her teeth.

  Lyndie felt like he was going to crunch her like an accordion on the bike. The last thrust was hard enough to shift her up the seat.

  She grasped the bike handle despite him holding her.

  “Yes.”

  “Fuck.” Noa held her hips for a minute and was quiet.

  The heat scalding between her legs would have put any flame to shame.

  Noa’s small breaths kissed her face as he reached for the handlebars.

  Taking her hand from it, she skimmed his forearm and bicep.

  “Get on the back of the bike, Lyndie.” He leaned back, not looking at her. “I’ll get us there.”

  Chapter Fifteen:

  When We

  The sight of Lil’ Apple was like the sun shining through the darkness as they approached Amber Falls. Before they got too close, Noa turned his bike off and rolled it in.

  “I don’t know if we should have come back here.”

  “I don’t want to keep you too far out of town, so you can get back to Max. It’ll be okay. The cops think we’re long gone.”

  The process was torturous, but when he got it to the back of the building, he grabbed Lyndie’s hand and rushed for the front door.

  He got the key in the lock, then pulled her inside.

  The bed was right there, but Noa grabbed her waist and pressed her hard against the door.

  Filling both his hands with her ass cheeks, he lifted her off the ground and her legs wrapped around his waist. Her eyes were level with his, and Noa searched them for any fear or anxiety she might have been scared to voice.

  There was none; instead, her gaze slid to his mouth. He could taste her lips without them touching, and Noa sucked on his bottom lip before capturing hers again.

  Every curve. He needed to feel every curve she had. He wanted his hands to commit them to memory.

  “I forgot,” he nipped her mouth, “to carry you over the threshold.”

  Lyndie’s touch was soft on the back of his neck. He’d have to let her know that was one of his spots.

  When she tried to answer, he pressed forward, stealing her breath as his erection buried itself snugly between her open legs. Noa’s heart pumped faster just seeing her face twist with pleasure.

  “You’re carrying me now.” The breathlessness in her voice set his teeth. “Technically we’re still at the door.”

  Noa’s gaze drifted from the necklace to the cleavage below it. Her nipples were visible against the fabric.

  “Once we get to the bed, that’s it,” he answered. Which was a fact. “I just figured you needed a minute. Shit, I probably need a minute.” His lower body knew exactly what was near and what it wanted to do.

  “I’m ready.” Her smile was small. And Noa was quick to realize she was grinding against him.

  It was a reflex for him to push forward, a challenge as he studied her reaction again. This time, her body wrapped tighter around him.

  Her heavy breaths filled the silence in the room and her hips continued to move. Noa’s level of comfort was dropping fast as he spoke. “You’re close, aren’t you?”

  Raising her against him and lowering her back down brought a shudder from her. It was a sweet torture that had him pressing his boot heels into the dark carpet.

  A slight growl mixed with Noa’s sigh. “I’m not even in yet.”

  “Change that.” Her eyes were closed, so she couldn’t see his grin.

  He spun
her from the door and a few steps later, they collapsed on the bed.

  Propping himself up on his elbow, he peered down at her. “I know you said it’s been a while for you,” he spoke while unbuttoning her jeans. “I’ll be as gentle as I can.”

  It took two good yanks before the tight shorts made it down her hips, but it was worth the effort. White lace panties greeted his eyes, the thin straps resting against her skin like an elegant gate to heaven.

  “You’re going to try to be nice for me?” she teased.

  Noa finished pulling the jeans off, caressing the skin from the sides of her thighs down to her ankles.

  He didn’t answer her; with his knees pressing down into the bed, he leaned forward to strip off her shirt and tossed it. Then he simultaneously undid his jeans and pulled his wallet out of his back pocket.

  The condom was in his hands a moment later. Then his wallet hit the floor.

  Lyndie just lay on the bed quietly. Waiting.

  If she had known how many times he’d laid in this same bed thinking of her. He stripped off his vest barely hearing it hit the floor.

  Face flushed, feeling like a brand was pressed against his leg, Noa laid down next to her. Plopped on his back would have been more accurate. His movement shook the bed. While he held the condom between his fingers, he started pushing his pants down.

  Lyndie was on her side now, watching the show with interest.

  Noa’s dick was hard and thick, jutting out and moving as he lifted his pelvis to push his jeans down. They had some stretch, but right now, they were suctioned to his fucking legs.

  “Get your laugh in now,” Noa began when he saw her mouth twist. “You’re gonna be on top of me in a minute.”

  Her eyes widened. “What?”

  His left toe got the last of the jeans off his right foot, and the condom wrapper was in his mouth as he ripped it open. After three quick strokes, it was on. She watched him the entire time, while the lamp bathed her body in a dull light. Maybe another time he would make it more of a show for her.

  “Up.” Taking her hands, he pulled her up on her knees, but the motion wasn’t that gentle, and he had to catch himself. His eyes settled between her legs. “Take the bra off.”

  Lyndie reached up and unsnapped it from the front. In the blink of an eye, two beautiful weighty brown breasts were revealed to him.