by Bijou Hunter
“It needs to be micromanaged. The dealers need to be vetted. They either do their jobs or are replaced. Same with the pimps. The sheriff needs to know his place too. That’s a lot of work, and I assume your expansion plans don’t involve going south.”
“Why not?”
“It puts you on a path toward the Brotherhood, and your backers in Memphis don’t want a war. They’ll let you fight over Common Bend but never Nashville.”
Cooper rubs the back of his neck and stands up. “I hear you’re staying at the Holiday Inn.”
“Yes,” I say, standing slowly.
“Are you in town alone?”
Many times, I’ve considered how to answer if asked this question and I always figure an honest answer works best.
“I brought my woman and kid.”
Cooper’s gaze softens a little. “Look, you came here with an offer I hadn’t even considered. I can’t sign off on anything without thinking shit out and running the numbers. Why don’t you come out to my parents’ house tomorrow for lunch? We’re grilling, and there’ll be kids for yours to play with. Your woman can gossip with our women, and you and I can talk about what I’ve decided.”
Agreeing, I’m already sweating Ruby’s reaction. She’s wary enough about my meeting the Reapers. No way will she want Chevelle anywhere around them. Her idea of a perfect weekend is spending the entire time at the hotel. It’s mine too, but I need to see this thing through to the end even if I’m forced to drag Ruby along for the ride.
Thirty - Ruby
Elle could spend the entire day in the pool, stopping only to eat and use the bathroom. I watch her play with a couple of kids while their mom talks on the phone. My daughter’s normally shy, but the two boys are younger so she isn’t intimidated.
Restless, I dial Harmony’s number and hope we can gossip.
“Well?” Harmony asks rather than saying hello. “Sex is fun, huh?”
“Yes, very much so.”
“Can you talk?”
“Yes.”
“Can you get disgustingly graphic?”
“Nope. I’m at the pool with Elle.”
“Did you do it once or many, many times?”
“More like several times in the bathroom last night.”
“So, you couldn’t scream for joy then. Too bad.”
“I really needed it. Today, though, I’m thinking about consequences.”
“Of course, you are, old lady. It’s your way to crap things up with your rational thinking. Damn, I’m glad I don’t live in your head.”
“Hey,” I grumble.
“Sorry. Keanu threw up last night, and I’m cranky. Also, I’m jealous I haven’t enjoyed a porking in a while.”
“Is he okay?”
“Sure. He puked, watched TV, puked more, and fell asleep. I was the one who cleaned things up and worried all night. Kids have it so easy. I miss being three and carefree.”
“You are tired.”
“Yeah, but I’m joyfully happy for you. Bonn too. I’m sure his penis is the most joyfully happy of us all.”
“Oh, I’m sure it threw a party with his balls after we were done. Lots of high-fiving and reminiscing.”
“Now what?”
“I have no clue. More tonight and then we drive back, and the real world steals the fun stuff.”
“Oh, please stop with your optimism. It’s nauseating.”
Grinning, I wave at Elle, who shows me another trick. “Have you heard from Daisy?”
“Of course. She calls me every day to say how great marriage is and how Camden’s giant penis hasn’t killed her yet.”
“Did you tell her anything?”
“I told her I was happy she survived another night with the giant penis.”
Snorting, I roll my eyes. “No, I meant about me.”
“I said I would keep your secret, so stop your nagging.”
“What I’m about to say comes from love, okay? After we hang up, Harmony, you need to take a nap before you piss off someone standing close enough to slap you.”
“Okay, Mom. While I nap, you make sure to save your energy for tonight’s debauchery.”
“Will do.”
Harmony yawns, making me need to do the same. Once we finish, she sighs.
“I want the best for you, Ruby,” Harmony says in a sleepy voice. “Try to have fun and leave the serious stuff for later.”
“I will, sis. I miss you.”
“Miss you too. We’ll share all the dirty details when you get back.”
Hanging up, I try to get comfortable in the uncomfortable lawn chair. Soon, my mind shifts to Bonn and his meeting. I don’t know how worried I should be. I grew up knowing about the Serrated Brotherhood Motorcycle Club. They scare me because they could kill me without losing a night’s sleep. Of course, I also know they won’t because I’m not a threat to them.
The Brotherhood are a scary, familiar threat, but the Reapers are just scary. What if Johansson decides to hurt or kill Bonn to make a point? No one would stop him, and I can’t imagine even the Rutgers twins going to war over one death.
For the powers running the criminal trifecta of Common Bend, Hickory Creek Township, and White Horse, Bonn is replaceable. For Elle, he’s the person who helps her dream. I’m her rock, but Bonn makes her feel like a princess in a world of trailer parks and low-rent jobs.
I’m not sure what Bonn represents for me. Is he the past I can’t let go of or the present I hope to build on? Can I ever look at him without seeing Kim Crawley?
When he appears at the pool door, a few of my questions are answered immediately. He looks healthy, with not a hair out of place. I also don’t even remember Kim exists as I sigh with relief and join him at the door.
“How did it go?” I ask, unsure if I should hug him.
A grinning Bonn takes my outreached hand and shakes it. “Nice to meet you.”
Rolling my eyes, I yank my hand free. “I’m nervous.”
Bonn glances at the kids in the pool and smiles for Elle. She waves at him before bouncing in the water.
“How did it go?”
“Okay, but I don’t have an answer yet.”
“Did he seem interested?”
“I couldn’t tell. He mostly seemed surprised by the issues I mentioned in Common Bend. They really don’t keep a good eye on the town.”
I finally get up the courage to rest my hand on his chest. Bonn glances down at where I lightly touch him. His gaze finds my face, and he lifts an eyebrow.
“Oh, stop,” I mutter, removing my hand. “Not everything has to mean something.”
“Sometimes, everything does mean something,” he says, seizing my hand before I can flee. Bonn kisses the palm before pinning it to his chest. “Whenever I got nervous, I thought of you to relax.”
Bonn’s deep tone makes me think of our time together in the bathroom. Every time he said my name last night, his voice rumbled with need. Now he’s doing the same thing, but we’re in no position to act on our desires.
“I’ll meet you later in our rendezvous spot,” I say, stepping back and reclaiming my hand. “You know the one.”
“Yes, it has the best view.”
“Funny.”
Before I return to my seat, Bonn wraps his arms around me and holds me from behind.
“I agreed to something you won’t like.”
My entire body tenses, and I’m ready to slap him without even knowing why.
“Do they want you to strip for them?” I growl, wondering if he plans to party with the bikers and their club hoes.
Bonn leans down and nips my lobe. “You’re so temperamental. Is that something new you came up with in the last nine years?”
“I’m going to hurt you,” I hiss, trying to pull free.
“Johansson invited us to his family’s house tomorrow. They’ll grill, and you’ll gossip, and Chevelle will play with other kids, and I’ll do manly things like make business deals and chop wood.”
Turning around in
his arms, I study his relaxed face. “Is that it?”
“Yes.”
“Oh.”
“You’re giving in that easily?”
“Do you want me to fight you?”
“No. I want you to give me everything my heart desires, but we both know that’s not how this works.”
“No, it’s not, but if Johansson has his family around, then he probably won’t whack you.”
“I don’t see why he would want to do that anyway. I’m no threat to him, and I don’t sense he kills for the fun of it.”
I glance back at Elle. “As long as she doesn’t know what kind of people they are, I think it’ll be okay. She thinks the twins are funny and nice, and we both know that’s not true.”
“Oh, I don’t know. They’re pretty funny when they want to be.”
“I meant the nice thing.”
“They’re nice to her, and that’s all that matters to a child. I’m sure Johansson only invited me because he needs more time to figure out his decision. This way, he can act like a good host while also talking things out with his dad.”
I study Bonn’s expression, finding him relaxed in a way he shouldn’t be after a tension-filled meeting.
“Do you feel you can make this thing work alone? Johansson has his father and club. Hayes has his wife and whoever he pays to beat up his enemies. The twins have the club and the Hallsteads. You’re doing this all alone with no backup.”
“Down the road when the twins run the Brotherhood, we’ll work well together. I think Hayes can be trusted as long as he gets what he wants.”
“What about right now?”
“I have you.”
“I can’t do anything to help you,” I say, sounding scared.
“You gave me the pep talk this morning.”
“That’s not much.”
“It’s more than I have alone.”
“It’s not enough.”
“It’s worth more than you can know, Ruby.”
“I wasn’t enough to make you strong when you were scared to be a father. How can I be enough when you’re facing men like Johansson and Hayes? Or when you’re making an enemy of your father?”
Bonn frowns before shaking his head. “It was never that you weren’t enough. I was afraid to show you my fear. I didn’t think you’d want me if you saw how small I felt. That was my failure, not yours. Now I realize you’ve seen me at my worst and still find value in me. You can’t know how powerful that is.”
I’m not sure what he sees in my eyes, but I pray I can live up to what he needs. Putting aside my anger and resentment, if this second chance goes down in flames, I refuse for the failure to be on me.
Thirty One - Bonn
After a day of swimming, Chevelle crashes by nine. I sit in the hotel chair and study her face illuminated by only the TV’s light. Nearby, Ruby stares at the flashing screen, but I suspect she isn’t watching the show.
Not long after Chevelle begins quietly snoring, Ruby and I find ourselves standing in the bathroom. She looks tiny in her oversized flannel nightgown. Without thinking, I reach out to fix the inside-out collar. Ruby flinches at the feel of my fingers against her bare neck.
Her gaze scans the bathroom before finding me. I’m startled by the sadness in her eyes.
“I guess my lust last night blinded me to how the bathroom isn’t very romantic.”
“It’s true that I never imagined we’d rekindle things this way.”
Ruby sighs. “I don’t know what I want.”
Stepping closer, I cup her jaw. “I think you do, but what you want is scary.”
“I haven’t been reckless since Elle was born, and trusting you feels reckless to me.”
“Nothing I say will make you feel any different. Only my actions can change your mind about trusting me.”
Ruby leans into my hand still caressing her face. “I’m so tired tonight.”
“Do you want me to let you sleep?”
“No. I need to be close,” she says and then whispers, “Even if it’s a lie.”
I lift her onto the sink and press her against my chest. Wrapped in my arms, Ruby relaxes.
“In one night, I destroyed everything we had. I’ll need more than one night to fix it. If you can give me the time to prove to you that I’m the man you need, I promise we can be happy again.”
Ruby lifts her head from my chest and studies me. “You can kiss me now.”
“There’s no hurry. I should probably hold you for a while longer.”
“Are you screwing with me?”
“Don’t you like sitting bare-assed on the cold countertop?” I ask, smirking.
“What makes you think it’s cold?” she asks, mimicking my smile. “I’ve been thinking about you fucking me since we got back to the room. That’s a lot of heat built up between my legs. Hell, I’m surprised the countertop isn’t sizzling.”
“Are you begging to be fucked?” I whisper while yanking off my plain white T-shirt. “Is that what you need from me?”
“I won’t beg.”
“You’re begging a little.”
Ruby scoots back and lifts her legs until her feet rest on the countertop. Now I have a wonderful view of how much she’s been thinking about me.
“I’ll never beg,” she murmurs as her fingers open her soft folds to reveal wet flesh. “I’ll never ask for anything. I’m too self-sufficient.”
Ruby proves how capable she is when her index finger teases her swollen clit. Closing her eyes, she makes me feel like a third wheel. I struggle against the terrible urge to leave her alone to satisfy herself. How long before she stormed after me and demanded to be serviced? I’d give her about ten minutes before she’d decide I needed to pick up the slack.
As much as I would like to force a little begging from Ruby, I can’t leave this room. My gaze locks on her pussy. I haven’t tasted it in so long, and I’m a starving man. Last night, we couldn’t stop fucking long enough for me to eat her out. Seeing my opportunity, I yank my cock out of my boxers and kneel in front of her.
Never so thankful to be tall, I inhale the scent of her pussy only inches from my licking lips. Ruby opens her eyes a crack and smiles down at me. She pulls back her nightgown to show me her nipple that she squeezes into a hard knot.
“I want you to beg,” Ruby purrs before closing her legs when I lean forward. “Look at how you’re already on your knees.”
“Please, baby,” I murmur. “Let me taste your pussy. Please, let me suck on your clit and fuck you with my tongue. I’m so hungry, and I know you’ll taste so fucking good.”
Ruby’s finger on her clit moves faster, and I swear she’s about to come from hearing my words.
My hands slide down her legs and press open her thighs so I can see her pussy convulse. Wrapping my arms around her waist, I tug her forward so I can lick the slick flesh. Ruby moans as my tongue and her finger work together to break down her worries until only pleasure remains.
Thirty Two - Ruby
An orgasm is magic, washing away the pain and fear of my sane mind.
Even with the hard countertop under me, and the awkwardness of having Elle in the next room, I find myself in a state of uncontrollable heat. How did I survive for so long without this kind of pleasure?
As he devours my flesh, I replay his words. The way his voice rumbled when he begged to taste my most private spot. I remember what our first time at oral sex was like, but those days are a million years ago. Even yesterday feels a millennium ago. Everything before the point where he laps up my juices is a quaint memory from a different lifetime.
Bonn makes my body hum before his tongue even fucks me. Pressing deeper, he isn’t satisfied and tugs me closer, wanting more. My hips gyrate frantically against his lips. So close to another orgasm, I’m lost in anticipation. Wiggling wildly, I finally give Bonn want he craves.
“Please,” I beg while he pumps his tongue into my body. “Please, Bonn.”
His lips latch onto my painfully tender
clit and suck, making me come so hard that I nearly jump off the countertop. The pleasure and pain of his merciless sucking leave me out of breath and unsure if I alerted the entire hotel about my orgasm.
“I’m fucking you,” he growls, grabbing me by the throat and pulling me closer for a wet kiss.
Tasting my pleasure on his tongue, I scoot forward and seek out his cock. I hear him fisting it. The sound of his flesh slapping together elicits a moan from me. I want what his hand now enjoys. I need him to stretch me open for his length and make me beg again.
“Bonn,” I groan when he flicks my clit with the head of his cock. “Please.”
“Beg more,” he demands, using my inflamed clit to tease the slit of his cock. “Tell me you belong to me.”
“I’m yours.”
“Only mine.”
“No one else.”
“You wanted to fuck that guy from the restaurant.”
“No.”
“You smiled at him.”
“I was faking,” I whimper as the pressure on my clit brings me closer to another orgasm. “He wasn’t you. I only want you.”
Bonn forces me to look in his eyes. “No one else will ever know your body.”
“No one else.”
Shoving his cock into me with one violent thrust, Bonn claims my body, and I’m lost in the pleasure of another orgasm. I grip his shoulders and rock my hips violently with the waves of pleasure.
“My heart was yours the moment we met,” he gasps, fucking me so hard he needs to hold my hips still to keep me from sliding off the countertop. “How could I touch anyone else?”
Beneath my animalistic hunger, I hear his voice cracking. I might feel tears against my cheek as he empties himself inside me. Bonn broke his heart years ago too, and he’s desperate to heal.
Wrapping him in my arms, I want to forgive him. If only so I can find more pleasure at his touch. Every nerve in my body is focused on coming again. I don’t care about anything beyond keeping him with me for another hour or two.
Tomorrow, I might be black and blue from fucking so hard in a room not meant for fucking. I’ll worry about consequences then. For right now, we are two bodies reaching for redemption with every thrust.