by Chiah Wilder
He looked at the whiny piece of shit in front of him. He questioned his judgment in becoming involved with the weak guy years before. Even back then, his gut had warned him about partnering with the spineless man. Greed pushed back his instincts, however, and he entered into a business arrangement with the man who sat before him, weak as ever. After all these years, and all they had been through, the fucker still hadn’t developed a backbone.
“I told you I’d take care of her. All you have to do is stay the fuck out of it. You brought me the journal. Your part is finished.”
The man slumped further into his chair. “I don’t want to know the particulars.”
His green eyes hardened. “You won’t know anything. I’ll take care of it. Having the goons from the Insurgents MC hanging around has caused a kink in my plan, but I’ll work around it. The good thing is that the members are high in brawn but very short in brains.” His thin lips curled up.
Wiping his forehead again, the man in the chair nodded before his mouth turned downward. “I hate to see this happen to her.” A sheen of sympathy covered his brown eyes as he looked into the clear, glinting ones on the other side of the desk.
“It’s simple. She’s a liability.”
“I don’t really think she is.”
“Do you want to upset your safe, well-orchestrated life?”
Head hung, he whispered, “No.”
“I didn’t think so.” Contempt laced his voice. “You’re out of it. I’ll take care of the rest. You can go now.” He dismissed the gutless man with a wave of his hand.
Sighing deeply, the brown-eyed collaborator rose to his feet, turned around and walked slowly out of the room, his shoulders hunched and his head down.
When he left, the stalker tapped his pen against his desk. He hated not being alone in all this. The more people involved in a killing, the more risk there was in getting caught. Baylee would be the first one to deal with, the lowlife biker next, then he’d eliminate the loose end—his cowardly partner in crime. After doing that, he could finally put the murder of Cassandra Peters behind him.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Four days without Axe seemed like a lifetime. Baylee had become accustomed to seeing Puck during the day and Blade at night. Each morning, when she peeked out the door, Puck’s broad shoulders and colorfully tatted arms greeted her. He never said a word to her, only grunted or shook his head when she’d ask him if he wanted anything. At night, Blade took over, and his muscular build and stern face gave her comfort when she slept. Like Puck, Blade never spoke to her of his own volition, but he’d at least give her an audible answer if she asked him a question.
She’d been excited to share with Banger the news of breaking ground on the strip mall. The following Monday, the foundation would be poured. All the months of hard work had paid off, and her designs would soon be brick and mortar. Logan’s input had been minimal, since most of the ideas and designs he delivered had been slightly altered copies of hers. Gary and Bob had seen right through that, and Baylee was pretty confident she’d be offered the partnership. Besides, she could handle Banger and had no problems meeting him on his turf. When she’d suggested Logan go to the Insurgents’ clubhouse for a meeting, he freaked out.
Thinking of the partnership, nausea overcame her. Before the summer, adrenaline pumped and surged through her core when she visualized securing the brass ring, but since her liaison with Axe, the partnership weighed on her like lead. The day before Axe left on the poker run, Baylee had freaked out about their relationship. Since he’d been gone, however, she realized how much he’d slipped into her life.
Not having him around didn’t seem like an option. She loved Axe. Plain and simple. She’d take a chance on them, but she wondered if they could sustain a relationship from three hours away.
Her phone pinged, and she bit at her lips as her breathing accelerated. Was it the killer? Since her last text from him several days before, he hadn’t contacted her; nevertheless, her stomach churned as she stared at her phone. She picked it up then looked at the Inbox—Axe’s name. Lightheadedness overcame her, making her giddy as she opened the message.
Axe: How r u?
Baylee: Okay. I miss u. Wish we were together right now.
Axe: Doing what?
Baylee: Kissing and…
Axe: U want my big cock fucking u?
Baylee: Yeah!
Axe: Me too. I’m home tomorrow, and ur all mine.
Baylee: Can’t wait. The way u hold and kiss me is hot.
Axe: Fuck. U’ve worked me up now.
Baylee: I’ll take care of u later.
Axe: I know u will. Gotta go, babe.
Baylee: Think of me.
Axe: Always do.
Baylee’s face flushed, and a sweet pull clenched her pussy. Her nipples had hardened while she was texting; she was so damn horny. Axe did something to her. She couldn’t wait to ride him hard. Just thinking about it made her thighs quiver and her core pulse.
Another ping.
Axe: Forgot to tell u. Family picnic tomorrow.
Baylee: With ur mom?
Axe: No. Insurgents. Meet u at Clermont Park at 2. Puck knows to take u there.
Baylee: On his Harley?!
Axe: No. U follow him. U only ride on the back of my bike. Ur mine. Gotta go.
Baylee: :)
She reread the text many times. I’m his. The words bubbled inside her, spreading warmth throughout. Her hazel eyes danced, and she hummed as she sat behind her desk and returned to her work. The next day couldn’t come fast enough.
* * *
The air was warm, the sunbeams glowing on Baylee’s skin as she entered Clermont Park. The green grass tickled her sandaled feet as she approached a large group of men, women, and children. She figured it must’ve been the Insurgents because the men sported leather vests and blue jeans—apparently the uniform for the outlaw group.
Wisps of smoke curled above large grills, and wooden picnic tables with brightly checkered oilcloths shone in the afternoon sun. The painted wings of butterflies shone under the sun’s rays as they flitted, like fairies, from flower to flower in the rectangular flower beds spaced evenly over the expanse of grass. Oak trees provide ample shade throughout the park, and a large, clear lake sparkled under the brightness of day. A playground near the area where the Insurgents converged brimmed with children. Elderly couples sat on concrete benches that dotted the park.
Baylee turned to thank Puck, but he had already joined the group, waiting for orders from the members. As a prospect, he and the others were there to do the bidding of the patched brothers.
When Baylee joined the group, a woman with long, chestnut-colored hair and twinkling green eyes came up to her.
“Hi, you must be Baylee. I’m Cara. Come on over and I’ll introduce you to the other women.”
As Baylee followed, she spotted Axe standing among a group of nice-looking men. Arousal flared within her like a torch when she saw how fine he looked in his tight, sleeveless t-shirt, each muscle outlined underneath. The dark five-o’clock shadow over his chiseled jaw took her breath away, and his snug blue jeans showcased his bulge, making her mouth water.
Their eyes locked, and he flashed her a wicked grin that caused her heart to skip a beat. She fought the urge to run and jump into his arms, wrapping her long legs around him as she peppered kisses on his face and neck. He raised his arm and waved, and Baylee so wanted to lick and squeeze his iron biceps while running her hands over his sexy shoulders.
“Uh, Cara? I see Axe. I’ll be right back, okay?”
“Sure.”
Baylee ambled over to Axe and he stopped mid-sentence, scooped her into an embrace, and kissed her deep and hard. Her cheeks turned crimson as the men in the group stared, smiles and snickers on their lips.
Nuzzling her neck, he whispered, “I’ve missed you, babe.” His breath tickled her skin.
“Me, too,” she said, kneading his solid biceps.
“Missed your sme
ll and your taste.” His deep chuckle reverberated through her, coming to rest between her legs.
“You done with the kissy-face shit? We got some stuff to discuss,” Throttle said.
Baylee’s face burned and she pulled away. “Cara wants me to meet the other women. I should go.”
Axe said in a low voice, “I’ll come get you when we’re done.” He patted her ass, and his touch scorched her. At that moment, she needed him bad.
As she passed three large grills, she waved at Banger who stoked the glowing charcoals. He tilted his chin to her, his blue eyes sparkling.
When she found Cara again, Baylee smiled sheepishly. “I’m sorry about that.”
“No reason to apologize. Let me introduce you to everyone.” Cara pointed to two older women who were setting up the picnic table with condiments, plates, and utensils. “This is Doris and Marlene. Ruben is Doris’s husband, and Billy belongs to Marlene. The women opening the chips are Sofia—she belongs to Tigger—Emma, who is with Danny, and Lacey, whose husband is Bruiser. Finally, you have Addie and Cherri.” Cara walked over to the two women who were seated on the picnic bench. “Chas is Addie’s husband, and Jax is Cherri’s man.”
“I’m sure I’ll have to ask everyone’s name again,” Baylee said, her brow creasing.
“No worries. Ladies, this is Baylee, Axe’s woman.”
The women welcomed Baylee then handed her a beer.
“Can I help with anything?” she asked.
“Not right now. When we’re ready to eat, you can help put the food out on the table,” Cara said.
“Did you make all the food?” Baylee inquired as she popped a tortilla chip in her mouth.
“We all brought something,” Cara answered.
“Cara always brings a taste of Italy,” Addie joked. “Banger is crazy for her sausage and peppers, so we always have that at family gatherings.”
“Banger loves to eat good food, and I keep telling Hawk that the woman who catches him will do it through her cooking,” Cara said.
The women laughed.
“I don’t know if he wants to be caught,” Doris retorted. “He and Grace were tight. I think he still misses her a lot.”
“He’s lonely since Kylie went away to college. Having a nice woman around will do him good.” Cara walked over to where Baylee, Cherri, and Addie sat.
“And what does Hawk have to say about your matchmaking mind?” Addie asked.
“To keep out of it.” Cara looked at the women. “So that makes me want to do it for sure.”
They all busted out laughing.
Comfort enveloped Baylee as she sat among the group of women who made her feel as though she were one of them. She could get used to spending time with them. She could even see herself becoming friends with Cara and Addie.
A cute blonde girl toddled over to Baylee and set a bright purple pony with electric green hair in her lap.
“Oh, how pretty your pony is,” Baylee said as she picked up the toy. “You’re pretty, too. What’s your name?”
“Paisie,” the toddler said then ran back to the white-blonde seated next to Addie. The little girl put her head in the woman’s lap, peeking out to watch Baylee.
“Is she your girl?” Baylee asked.
“Yeah. Her name’s Paisley, but we call her Paisie.” She stroked her daughter’s hair.
“Is this your baby, too?” Baylee pointed to a baby’s carrying case.
“No, she belongs to Addie.”
Addie smiled and pulled the mosquito netting away. The pink-cheeked infant with a patch of red hair looked like an angel.
“She’s beautiful,” Baylee murmured.
“Thanks. This is our special little girl. My miracle. I didn’t think I could have kids, but here she is.” Addie leaned over and grasped her daughter’s tiny hand, kissing her fingers. “Her name is Hope. Even though she has my red hair, she has her daddy’s dark eyes.”
“How’d you ever get Axe to calm the fuck down?” Cherri asked as she watched Paisley play with two other small children.
The question took Baylee back. “I don’t know. Has he slowed down?”
“Yeah,” they all said.
“I love it! Axe was always giving Chas crap about us going out, and now he’s joining the ranks. Too much.” Addie covered her mouth as she laughed heartily.
“I love watching this,” Cherri agreed. “ ‘Bout time he settled down. Jax’s been having so much fun with all this.”
“Chas, too.” Addie and Cherri both chuckled.
Afraid to ask, Baylee said, “How was he before?”
Before anyone could answer, Cara said, “Lost. Now he’s found you. It’s good.”
As Baylee spoke with the women, she was very aware of Axe nearby. Even though he talked with his buddies, drank beer, and played horseshoes, his eyes were on her, building her arousal.
Banger, Ruben, and Bruiser signaled the grills were hot, and they began lining them with burger patties, brats, and steaks.
“Time to set the food on the tables,” Cara said.
Baylee jumped to help. Bending over an ice cooler, she jerked when a hand curled around her bare waist. As she was lifted, the scent of Axe filled her nostrils. He smelled purely male, leather and motor oil and fresh air. A single shiver rode her spine.
He held her back against his chest, his hard length poking at her butt. Feathery kisses around her shoulders brought goosebumps to her skin.
“Come on,” he commanded, taking her wrist and dragging her behind him.
“I have to help the women. Cara asked me to,” she balked.
“Fuck that. Cara knows the score. They all do.”
He took her to the other side of the park in the middle of a cluster of pine trees, their boughs laden with long, thick needles. Pushing the branches aside, they entered a hidden space surrounded by the trees. Inside, it was cool as the branches overlapped, forming a roof, while the sun filtered thinly in.
Before Baylee could take it all in, Axe had her back against a tree trunk, his mouth on hers, his tongue charging in. She welcomed the swirls of his tongue as he consumed her mouth, the flaming touch of his fingers as they slid under her short jean skirt setting her on fire. Her large breasts brushed against him with each breath she took, her nipples hardening at the contact. She’d missed him so much.
She gasped when his hardness jutted against her. He pulled back, their eyes reflecting one another’s desire. Placing her fingers on his crotch, he winked and said huskily, “See what you do to me?”
She held her breath and listened over the pulse booming in her ears. His voice, his touch, his scent—the very feel of him—sent her reeling, and she pressed closer to him, trying to fuse their heat together.
“How do you make me think of you all the time?” he rasped as soft nibbles glided across her shoulder.
She moaned, squirming under his mesmerizing touch, her panties dampening.
His mouth moved from her shoulders upward, capturing her bottom lip with his teeth before kissing her hungrily. Axe slid under her panties, parted her swollen lips, and pushed his finger deep inside her wet slit. Baylee instinctively ground against his hand, gasping from sweet agony.
“Is it good?” His voice was hoarse with unfiltered lust.
“So good,” she panted.
“I love it when you’re wet. It tells me how badly you want me.”
She clenched her fingers in his hair. “I want you bad.”
With his other hand, Axe shoved her tank top up and unclasped the front of her bra, her heavy breasts popping out.
“Beautiful,” he said as he played with her nipple, tweaking then tugging it.
When he took the stiffened bead into his mouth and sucked it, electric shocks coursed from Baylee’s tightened buds straight down to her pulsing sex. Strangled yelps of pleasure passed through her lips, and she dug her fingernails in his back. Urgently, she grabbed at the hem of his t-shirt, pushing it up so she could feel his skin on hers. Pulling back, he w
hipped off his shirt and she leaned forward, licking his tattoos before flicking his nipples with the tip of her tongue. A feral growl broke from him and he spun her around, placing her hands on the tree trunk.
“Bend over,” he ordered.
He pushed her skirt over her hips and moved her red lace panties to the side as he spread her legs wide, exposing her ass and pussy to him.
“Fuck,” he muttered under his breath.
“I want it raw,” she said as she wriggled her ass against his erection. “Are you clean?”
“Yeah,” he panted, and she heard the whir of his zipper as he opened it. “You protected?”
Swallowing, she tried to speak, but her nerves were a thousand circuits of desire zig-zagging through her. She nodded instead.
“I’ve been wanting this for four fuckin’ days, babe. I don’t know what you’ve done to me, but I’m addicted to you—your taste, your scent, your pussy. I need you like an addict needs a fix.” As he spoke, he rubbed her clit, her sweet spot growing rigid with each stroke, slick with need.
The tip of his dick against her heated slit threw her body in a tizzy; her legs stiffened, she held her breath, her nipples ached. Then he pushed inside, and her greedy pussy grabbed hold of him, encasing him inside her heated core.
He spoke low in her ear, cupping her tit and twisting her beaded nipple. “I want you begging for me to slam my hard cock into you.”
Desire seared her every pore; his dirty-talking set her on fire.
“Tell me to fuck you hard. Harder than you’ve ever had it.”
Baylee craned her neck and he looked down at her, black eyes smoldering, his full lips curved in a sensual invitation.
“I want your big dick fucking me. Do it now, please.”
His low growl floated up to her ears.
Axe pulled out of her, and she watched as he looked at his cock glistening with her juices. Then his hungry eyes locked with hers as he slammed into her. His fingers dug into her hips, shoving in and out of her as she braced herself against the tree trunk, her tits bouncing and swaying.