by Jenika Snow
He thought about Allie, about what his human and bear wanted, and knew that he wouldn’t be able to wait anymore. He’d stayed away for over a week, embarrassed, and still a little unstable at the fact he’d nearly lost it in front of her back at the bar. He’d given a shitty apology, but to his pleasure and utter surprise Allie had made the initiative and came to him. Would she call him? If she was smart then no, because he was a wild, unstable motherfucker that liked being more bear than man. But he wanted to settle down, wanted a family, even at his age. He also knew that he wouldn’t be able to walk away. Not now, and certainly not ever.
He wanted to taste her, feel her under him, submitting and whispering how she was his. That’s what he wanted, total and utter surrender from her. He’d treat her right, show her how a Grizzly male took care of what was his, and she’d know that there wouldn’t be anyone else for her until she took her last breath.
He should go run, or maybe work out and get this arousal, anticipation, and adrenaline out of his system. But he’d try to be calmer, try to keep himself in check, because if things progressed with Allie the way he wanted, envisioned, then he couldn’t be walking around as some uncontrollable Neanderthal. He needed to show her that he’d make a good male, would take care of her and not frighten her. Fuck, he might have his work cut out for him.
Chapter Four
“You’re fucking crazy if you think I’m going to drive your drunk asses around, and go in and pick up your beer,” Gabriel said from behind the wheel, and Marcus clapped him on the shoulder.
“Poor baby has to be the DD tonight, drive all of us around as we get shitfaced, and he doesn’t want to have to buy the beer.”
Jakob and Bodhi started laughing, and Marcus grinned at Gabriel when the other man flipped him off. “I’ll go in and get the shit, crybaby.” He started chuckling when Gabriel punched him in the arm. “You need to do some more lifting, Gabe. That hit was weak, man.” He darted out of the car just as Gabriel tried to get at him again. He walked into the small convenient store, saw a few guys talking to the cashier, being pretty damn nasty in their comments, but ignored that shit and went to the beer aisle.
He stared at the different brands through the double glass doors, found the kind everyone wanted, and took out a few cases. He headed back up to the register, waited behind the two guys that had their pants down below their ass, chains hanging from their pockets, and their hair so spiky it looked almost painful to touch.
“Come on, Corin. You deny us every time,” one of the punks said.
“And yet you still bother me,” she said with an annoyed, bland voice.
“You know you want our big dicks. Hell, you were all but asking for it at Yeager’s party,” the other punk said.
“Either pay or get the hell out of here. Seriously,” the cashier named Corin said.
One of the guys leaned forward, snatched a piece of her long black hair in his fingers, and started tugging on it. “You’re so damn uptight. I bet your pussy would squeeze a dick off.” The guys started laughing when she moved back and smacked at his hand.
“I have a customer. Leave, please.”
When they didn’t move Marcus felt his annoyance increase. He didn’t want to get into someone else’s business, but then again this woman clearly didn’t want these little pricks bothering her.
“I think she said leave.”
The two guys turned around after Marcus spoke. They were pussies for bothering a woman when she clearly didn’t want them around. And the more he thought about it, the more pissed he got. He was not the type of guy that stood for women getting harassed. He might beat a motherfucker until he wasn’t conscious anymore, might get into drunken fights to get rid of the adrenaline and wild energy he housed, but never, never would he bother a woman the way these bastards were.
“What?” one of them said. Both of them were reeking of alcohol, their inhibitions lowered, and their balls growing right in front of him because they were blitzed. If they were smart they’d turn around and walk out. But he knew they might not have any brains in their heads because of the way they acted and treated the cashier.
“I don’t know you, but that leather vest is pretty snazzy. Your horse waiting outside or something? You know, since you’re acting like her White Knight.” The guys started laughing again. Marcus set the beer down, cracked his knuckles, and grinned.
“They aren’t from the area,” the cashier said, clearly knowing who he was associated with. He stared at her, saw that she was twisting her hands together from her nervousness, and Marcus grew even angrier. These assholes made her feel like this, and that was unacceptable.
“Move it the fuck along before my brothers come in here and help me show you assholes some manners.” He nodded toward the SUV full of Brothers of Menace and Grizzly MC members. Not that he needed any help kicking these punks’ asses, but a little threat would go a long way. If he didn’t put the fear into them, which he should, then maybe a vehicle full of over six feet tall, and two hundred pound bikers would do the trick. The guys looked out the window, and when they clearly saw his “brothers” they muttered something under their breath.
“Talk to you later, Corin.” They left, and it took everything in Marcus not to bash their skulls in for annoying him. He stared at the cashier again, saw her grey eyes grow wide, hidden behind her glasses, and the fact she was as plain as they came. But the more he looked at her the more he saw something so much more noticeable in her, something that wasn’t what he was used to going after. She wasn’t gorgeous in the classical, or skanky sense, certainly not like the sweet-butts that hung out at the clubhouse, or the ones he fucked.
He’d stick his dick in women that had big fake tits, tight little bodies, and were so done-up they didn’t even look natural most of the time. But this woman, this young girl that was staring at him like she was slightly afraid, but also mesmerized, had this Plain Jane, no make-up wearing appearance going on. It was one that was hot and frustrating all in the same breath. She had an oversized cardigan on, but he could see her tits were big, huge in fact, and not that fake shit he was used to. Damn, she had some curves on her, lush and full, and again, not like the skinny bitches he fucked. Looking at her actually had his dick stirring, and the more he thought about what she looked like without any clothes on and her hair tangled in his hands, the more he wanted her and wanted his dick buried between her thighs.
Dude, what the fuck’s your problem? You don’t even know her. Are you that hard up that you want a piece of ass from someone you don’t know, and that’s looking at you like she thinks you’re about to attack her?
“Thank you for that,” she said, looked down at the cases of beer he’d set on the ground, and looked up at him again. “You didn’t have to get involved, but you did, and that’s admirable. I’m Corin Harsher, by the way.”
Admirable? Fuck, if she knew anything about him she’d know he was the farthest thing from the meaning of that word. “I’m Marcus, and it wasn’t a problem. Fuckers like that should watch their mouths and respect others.” He needed to just pay for the beer, get out of here, and get shitfaced. He didn’t need to be thinking about taking her in the back of the store, or fucking her until she couldn’t walk and came all over his dick. He grabbed his wallet, tossed a few twenties on the counter, and picked up the cases off the floor.
“Thanks, and keep the change.” He needed to get out of there, find a woman to stick his dick in, and realize that whatever he felt for this woman, this shy, librarian type girl who was kind of geeky in a gorgeous way, was not what he needed in his life.
He left the convenience store, tossed the cases of beer in the back of the SUV, and when he climbed in the passenger seat and glanced at Corin again, he saw her watching him. The guys were bitching about something, but Marcus was still looking at her, still trying to figure out what it was about her that made him feel interested in her like this. It wasn’t love or anything like that, certainly wasn’t lust, but what it was had Marcus so fuc
king interested all of a sudden, so hard and aching, that he felt like he was someone else.
“You want to bang her or somethin’?” Gabe asked.
“Hey, let’s invite her, and see how the nerdy girls really like to party,” Bodhi said, and Marcus turned around, letting out a low sound in his throat.
“Shut the fuck up, man.” He turned back around, cranked the engine, and gestured for Gabe to get a move on. Before he left out of the parking lot he glanced at Corin one more time, and saw she wasn’t looking at him anymore. He’d probably never see her again. He tended to stay in River Run, and only came to Steel Corner to party with the Grizzly crew. If he did come back here and run into her, chances were it was because he sought her out, and that would be crossing the motherfucking line. But there was definitely something about her, something that had him thinking about her more than he should, and he couldn’t ignore it, no matter how smart it would have been to do just that.
****
Allie stared at her phone, saw the time change another minute, and forced herself to calm her nerves. She set the phone down, braced her hands on the steering wheel, and told herself internally that this was the right move. She was making the right step forward, moving on with her life, and trying to be a healthy, functioning adult. She was twenty minutes early for her non-date date with Drevin. After she left the Grizzly clubhouse she’d sat at her kitchen table and stared at the number he’d given her. Truth was she was scared shitless about taking this next step.
When she’d looked at his number, thinking about if this was what she really wanted in her life, she told herself that she’d never know if she was missing out in life unless she tried out every possible outlet. She’d let herself get washed away in the broken, yet saccharine promises Tray had given her, and when she’d realized where her life was headed it was too late. She wanted Drevin like she’d never wanted a man before … not even Tray. She was meeting Drevin at this busy parking lot because he said he wanted to take her on a ride and show her a sight she’d never seen before. Did she trust him? Hell, she didn’t trust herself sometimes and how she felt, but knew enough from Tawny that he was a good, if intense man.
She’d sent a text to Tawny, admitting to the other woman she was actually doing this, going to allow herself to experience something she wanted. Also because she wanted someone to know where she was, just in case. She snorted at that thought, and just as she looked at the clock for the hundredth time she heard a loud rumble of a motorcycle coming. She knew, just knew without even looking out the window, that Drevin had arrived, and her heart raced at that thought and sound.
She glanced out the window, saw a big ass motorcycle pull into the parking place a few spots away from her piece of shit vehicle, and her heart stopped as she stared at Drevin. He looked like a beast on that huge piece of machinery, his jeans molded to his tree trunk sized thighs, his cut making him look like a badass.
He wore sunglasses, and despite the chill in the air, he only wore a long sleeved t-shirt and his leather cut. The Grizzly patch on the back of the vest spoke of his power and strength in this town, and she felt a tingle move through her. She wanted him, wanted him like she’d never wanted a man before, and the strange thing was it felt genuine and real.
For a few minutes she didn’t think he realized she was there, just watching him. She was early, but then again so was he. He removed his sunglasses and put them in the front pocket of his cut. He took off his skullcap helmet, set it on his handlebars, and dismounted from the bike. She wasn’t lost on the realization that several women had stopped what they were doing to stare at Drevin, but he was certainly a sight to see, and clearly she couldn’t fault anyone for taking notice of him. Tightening her hold on the steering wheel, she was vaguely aware of the sound of the leather creaking under her onslaught. She was nervous, excited, and the longer she stared at him, the more she questioned her sanity in wanting a man like Drevin.
Allie turned her focus away from him, closed her eyes, and told herself that this was a day that would make or break her future with him, if she even had one to begin with. Drevin would find out who she had been before she moved to Steel Corner. Would he be disgusted, look at her as nothing more than a former junkie that couldn’t control herself enough to stay clean? She’d kept her body healthy for over a year, felt herself grow stronger each and every day, and she had no intentions of falling back into old habits. She didn’t even want, didn’t feel the temptation to be another slave to the drugs and her need to escape reality.
Tap, tap, tap.
The sound of someone clanking a ring on the glass had her opening her eyes and seeing Drevin standing there. The pinky ring he wore was thick, manly, and looked a little frightening with the skull on it. Grabbing her purse, she headed out of the car and stood in front of him. She was a short, thicker woman, but she loved her body now, even if society didn’t see a size sixteen and up as beautiful on most occasions. To her it meant she was healthy, and that was all that mattered. He looked at her up and down, had her body becoming aware of the fact she was on display, and when he smiled she couldn’t help but return the gesture.
“Ready for a ride?”
Was she? Allie looked at the Harley. “I’ve never ridden a motorcycle before.” She felt kind of stupid for saying that out loud, but when she looked at Drevin again she saw his grin had widened.
“A virgin, huh.” He didn’t state it like a question, but she heard the teasing in his voice.
“You’ll be my first.” She teased back, and the deep chuckle he gave had this warmth moving through her.
He grabbed her hand before she knew what he was doing, and led her over to the bike. It was a gleaming piece of metal, with black and chrome accents, and a skull decal on the side of it, looking fierce, and like it wanted to steal some souls on its way down to hell. Drevin handed her the helmet, and after she looked down at it, she placed it on her head. It was huge, but after Drevin adjusted the straps on it she stared up at him with what she knew was apprehension. She’d worn jeans, like he’d said to do, and the jacket she had on was made of a thicker canvas material. She was ready for this, but scared.
“You don’t have to be afraid with me, Allie.” He fixed the helmet on her with a little adjustment, and then he climbed on the bike. Turning his head and looking at her, he smiled again. “Seriously, you’re safe with me. I’d never let anything happen to you. That’s a fucking guarantee.” The way he said it with so much power behind his words, made her believe him instantly.
She didn’t know what it was about Drevin, but he made her feel safe, made her know that if she was with him nothing would happen because he would not allow it to. It was feeling she liked, one she could get used to, but it was also one she didn’t know if she could fully trust within herself. She had a lot of healing to do first, and getting used to this feeling of genuine protection might not last if Drevin decided she wasn’t what he wanted in his life.
Chapter Five
Drevin watched as she moved closer to his bike. The hesitation was clear on her face. He grabbed her hand, showing her that he was here, and helped her up. When she straddled the Harley he pulled her forward an inch so her chest was pressed to his back. The feeling of her big breasts was evident through his cut and shirt, and his cock stiffened painfully. Fuck, he’d jerked off many times since seeing her that first moment, picturing her all naked and dripping cream for him.
Even before he’d come here today to pick her up he’d rubbed one off. It wasn’t something he was ashamed of, and in fact needed that release or his bear would become frantic and far too wild for him to control. As it was the beast was a bastard, needy and horny for this woman that had her arms wrapped around his waist. Her hands were right on his lower abdomen, so fucking close to his dick that if he lifted his hips up, or she moved her fingers down an inch, she’d definitely feel his erection.
He started the engine, and when he was sure she was on the bike securely, he pulled out of the parking lot and started
heading toward the Rocky Mountains. He could have taken a shortcut and gotten to his destination faster, but the truth was he didn’t want to give up this time with her.
He liked having her on his bike, riding in the back and holding onto him tightly. He felt her increased breathing when he picked up speed. Drevin felt her arms go even tighter around his waist when he took a sharp turn, and his bear and human became one at that moment. He loved that she gave him this trust, that she didn’t hold back and just enjoyed the freedom that was surrounding them right now. She didn’t have to get on his bike and go anywhere with him. She didn’t know him that well, but here she was, holding onto him like a life support, giving him her trust even though she was frightened. It made him proud, and made Drevin want her even more.
The wind was chilly as the sun was lowering behind the horizon. He weaved the bike through the narrow, secluded roads of Steel Corner, climbing higher as the roads ascended. The deeper they went into the woods, the more the temperature dropped and the trees became thicker all around them. He felt Allie rest her cheek against his back, and even though he wore cotton and leather, he could feel the heated puffs of her breath along his body. He wanted her with a ferocity that startled him, and he wasn’t going to just walk away from this, no matter what.