by Opal Carew
Steele’s gaze shot to Rip. What the hell was he saying?
Rip rested his hand on Steele’s shoulder and guided him a few steps away.
“Look, you say you aren’t in love with her, and you ended things on good terms. If that’s all true, then you shouldn’t have any problem with her riding with us.”
Blinding anger flared through Steele, but he knew he wouldn’t win this. The men were clearly hatching a scheme to get him and Laurie together again.
“Fuck, do whatever the hell you want.” He turned on his heel and stormed toward the door.
He just hoped the guys wouldn’t be flung off his fists before this whole thing was over.
* * *
As Steele sped along the highway, he was totally aware of Laurie only yards away. She was riding with Wild Card, her arms around his waist, her body tight against him. He remembered how that felt, and longed to feel her soft, warm body against him again. And not just on the back of his bike. His cock twitched.
When they got back to the cottage where they were staying, Steele went straight up to bed.
He could hear the others laughing and drinking. At one point, he heard splashing in the lake, which was right near the cottage, and he itched to look out the window and see if Laurie was skinny-dipping with Wild Card. But she was just riding with Wild Card. They weren’t together.
But that didn’t mean she wouldn’t fuck him. She wasn’t with Steele anymore. She could fuck anyone she wanted. Maybe she was out there fucking all of them.
His gut clenched. He knew his imagination was just going wild. Because he missed her. Because he wanted her to be his.
He tried to ignore his raging emotions and closed his eyes.
For a while he dozed off, but he awoke to the sound of soft moans. His eyelids snapped open. It was in the room next to his.
Fuck, that was Wild Card’s room. He was in there with Laurie.
His cock was gliding into her. He was making her come.
Before he knew what had happened, Steele was on his feet and out the door. He tried the doorknob to Wild Card’s room, but it was locked, so he stepped back and, using a powerful side kick, slammed his heel into the door. The wood of the frame splintered and the door swung open. He stormed inside, seeing the couple in the shadowy room, and he grabbed Wild Card’s arm and yanked him off of Laurie.
Except the man was Rip, not Wild Card.
His gaze shot to the naked woman lying on the bed, her long, dark hair spread across the white pillowcase.
Raven grinned at him. “Steele, I know you’re feeling lonely, but just wait until we’re finished, okay?”
“I thought…”
Rip took his arm and guided him to a nearby chair. “We know what you thought, but we switched rooms with Wild Card yesterday, remember?”
“So where’s Laurie?” Steele demanded.
“She’s bunking in with Wild Card.”
He glared at Rip.
Rip’s eyebrow arched. “So are you going to go break into his room now?”
“Yeah, don’t do that, Steele,” Raven said.
“Sorry, Raven,” Steele bit out, anger and adrenaline causing his heart to beat out of control. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
He stood up and headed to the door, his pulse slowing as he collected himself. The frame was broken, but Rip pushed the door into place and it sounded like he dragged a chair against it to prop it closed. Steele didn’t want to go back to his room and hear them fucking again, so he headed downstairs to get a drink.
He walked through the dark living room, lit only by the moonlight glowing in the window. As he walked into the hallway leading to the kitchen, he bumped into a shadowy figure walking toward him.
From the softness and height, he already knew this was Laurie, but the warmth of her body against his, and the scent of her hair, knocked his senses into turmoil. From the shimmering moonlight, he could see she wore just an oversized T-shirt, and he could imagine the outline of her nipples showing through the fabric.
The hallway was narrow and he pressed her to the wall, breathing in her intoxicating scent.
“Laurie.”
“Steele.” Her hands were flat against his chest as she gazed up at him. He couldn’t see her features, but he could see the glitter of her eyes in the scant moonlight.
He couldn’t help himself. He lowered his face to hers and captured her lips. Then he moaned at the sweetness of her soft, yielding mouth. His tongue glided inside her and he thought he’d die of pleasure.
He cupped her round ass, which was naked under the thin cloth of her nightshirt, and pulled her tight to his groin. She moaned as his hard cock pressed against her.
The way she looked at him … the way her soft body felt against him … He wanted to brush her hair from her face. To kiss her with sweet, tender passion.
Fuck, who was he kidding? He wanted to shove her up against the wall and drive into her, deep and hard. To fuck her so hard, she’d have no doubt she was his, and his alone.
Which is exactly why he had to let go of her. Right now.
He stepped back.
“Fuck, why did you come back?” he muttered, trying to control his raging emotions.
An awkward silence hung between them.
“Steele—”
At the sound of footsteps on the stairs, then a giggle, she glanced around, smoothing down her nightshirt.
Steele turned and headed to the hallway, Laurie trailing behind him. As they entered the hall, Raven headed toward them, Rip in tow.
“We’re hungry. Just coming to make a sandwich,” Raven said cheerfully.
Rip just nodded in greeting.
Steele returned the nod and passed them silently. Laurie followed him up the stairs and when they reached his door, they stopped.
He wanted to drag her into his room, and his bed. To ravage her all night long.
Fool that he was.
* * *
Laurie gazed at him. She wanted him to ask her into his room. Into his bed.
She longed to sleep curled up in his arms.
When she’d come here, she’d known it would take time to convince him. But now … having to walk away from him in this dark hallway … almost broke her heart.
“Steele, I want to be honest with you.”
He frowned. “I’m listening.”
“The reason I came here is because…” She gazed up at him, willing him to believe in them. “I want a chance to convince you that we can work. I don’t want you to hold back. I mean, maybe be a bit patient with me, but I want you to dominate me. What Donovan did, that was abuse. What you do … it’s exciting and sexy.” She took his hand and held it within her own. “And I know you would never hurt me.”
His face was grim and he drew his hand from her grip. “I already proved to you that it won’t work.”
“But that’s not fair. You were trying to push me too hard.”
He leaned close, his intimidating presence backing her against the wall. “Who said I was fair? When I dominate a woman, she does exactly what I tell her to do, when I tell her to do it. And she likes it. No questions. No whining. Just blind submission.” He glared at her. “If you can’t do that, then it won’t work.”
He was still trying to scare her, to push her away. She knew that. But unfortunately, he was succeeding.
Had it been a mistake coming here?
Her stomach twisted and she turned away, then headed for the door to the room she shared with Wild Card.
* * *
Steele watched Laurie walk down the dark hall and open the bedroom door, then slip inside. His gut clenched at the thought that she’d be climbing into bed with another man.
He went into his room and closed the door, then slumped onto the bed. With his hands behind his head, he stared at the white ceiling above, visible in the soft glow of moonlight. Laurie was probably snuggling up beside Wild Card right now, her soft body close to his.
Fuck! He rolled over, glowering in th
e darkness.
It’s not like she and Wild Card were together. But, damn it, the man wasn’t made of stone. With Laurie close and soft in his bed, why wouldn’t he make love to her? He’d already fucked her before when they’d been sharing.
It would be meaningless, just physical intimacy. But it wasn’t meaningless to Steele. The thought of Wild Card touching her drove him insane with jealousy.
God damn it, Steele loved her. He’d known it all along. But he couldn’t be with her. He couldn’t take a chance on hurting her.
But his heart ached with need. If only she would come over here right now. Slide into his bed and tell him again that they could work things out. Right now, maybe he’d actually believe her. Because he wanted it so badly.
With her help … maybe they could make it work.
A knock sounded at the door and his heart stopped.
“Come in.” He sat up and turned on the light on the bedside table as the door opened. Was it Laurie?
“Hey, there,” Raven said, peering in at him. “May I come in?”
“Yeah, of course.”
Raven closed the door and walked to the bed, then sat on the edge.
“I thought you might want to talk,” she said.
He shrugged. “About what?”
She rolled her eyes. “You are such a guy. About Laurie, of course.”
Raven leaned toward him. “Why don’t you try telling her how you feel?”
He raised an eyebrow. “And how do I feel?”
“You’re crazy about her. And either you’re denying that to yourself, or you’ve found some reason why you think it won’t work.”
“Rave, leave it alone.”
She pursed her lips. “If I actually thought you meant that, I would. But you have that lost little-boy look and I know you just need to be pushed in the right direction.” She leaned in close. “Why don’t you tell me why you’re fighting this?”
He stared into her stubborn face and knew he wouldn’t get away with shrugging this off.
“You know what she’s been through. The last thing she needs is a domineering jerk like me controlling her in the bedroom.”
Raven laughed. “Oh, is that all? I thought this was something serious.”
“Raven.”
“No, you listen to me. You are big, intimidating, and possessive.”
“You’re not making things better.”
“And you are protective, loving, and caring. She couldn’t hope for a better man. She knows … we all know … that you will take care of her. And protect her.” She jabbed him in the chest with a fingertip. “Even from you.”
He didn’t share her confidence.
“If I start to dominate her—”
“What, you’ll scare her? That girl doesn’t scare easily.”
“But what if I go too far? What if I hurt her?”
Her face softened with a smile. “You would never do that. You’ve been dominating women for a long time. You can sense what they want and what they don’t want.” Her eyebrow quirked up. “And she can speak up, you know. She’s not just going to lie there and let you hurt her. If you get out of line, I’m sure she’ll call you on it.” She tipped her head. “Have you ever gone too far with a woman?”
“Of course not.”
“Okay.”
“But she was abused.”
“And so she’s definitely going to push back. I’ve gotten to know Laurie and she’s not going to let anyone treat her the way that rat-bastard did again.”
She patted his hand. “Well, think about it.”
Then she stood up and strolled to the door. She opened it and glanced over her shoulder. “Have a good night.”
Steele turned out the light and lay in the darkness thinking about what Raven had said. Could he make this thing work between him and Laurie?
Fuck, he wanted to so badly he could taste it.
* * *
Laurie lay in the bed beside Wild Card. When he’d volunteered to help her with this plan to win Steele back, he’d offered to give her the bed while he slept on a sleeping bag on the floor, but she’d insisted he share the bed with her.
In his sleep, Wild Card had rolled over and slid his arm around her, then drew her close. Now she was tight against his hot, hard body and she could feel his cock swelling against her thigh.
Clearly, she hadn’t really thought it through.
He murmured softly then nuzzled her ear. His hand started to wander from her waist upward.
“Wild Card,” she whispered.
“Mmm. Yeah, baby.” His hand cupped her breast. She knew he wasn’t really awake and was just responding to a woman in his bed.
The feel of his big, warm hand on her was comforting … and stimulating.
But all she could think of was Steele.
He stroked her breast, then slid to the other, his lips caressing her neck now.
She turned her head to face him. “Wild Card?”
His eyelids opened, and he blinked. Then he slid his hand away. “Aw, sorry, Laurie. I didn’t mean to—”
“I know.”
Wild Card started to turn away, but she grasped his muscular bicep.
“Don’t go.” She gazed at him with wide eyes, not quite sure what she was asking for. She just knew she wanted him close. She needed to feel wanted right now.
He slid his arm around her waist again. “Whatever you want, you’ve got it.” He smiled. “You’re just a little confused right now, but don’t worry. I’m sure Steele will come around.”
She gazed into his hazel eyes, so filled with warmth and understanding. She rested her hand on his raspy cheek, then stroked it. “Thank you.”
She felt so close to him right now. She cupped his face between her hands, insecurity and need building in her. She leaned toward him and brushed her lips against his, then deepened the kiss.
She could almost imagine he was Steele. Even though she knew it was wrong, she wanted … no, needed … this closeness. She slid her tongue into his mouth and sighed softly.
Wild Card drew back and gazed into her eyes. “I know you think you want this right now, but we both know that you’re Steele’s woman.”
“You’re fucking right about that.”
Laurie’s gaze darted to where Steele stood staring at them from the open doorway.
“Laurie, are you my woman or not?” Steele demanded.
Her eyes widened and she sat up in bed. “I … uh…”
“Yes or no?”
“Yes!” She gazed at Wild Card in apology, but he just grinned.
“Then get into my room and into bed.” Steele’s glittering granite gaze brooked no argument.
She pushed back the covers and scurried across the room, joy bursting through her, then ducked under Steele’s arm that gripped the door, and down the hall.
* * *
Steele glanced toward Wild Card and nodded. “Thanks.”
Wild Card chuckled. “Anytime. Now go take care of your woman.”
Steele turned and strode to his room. Laurie was sitting in bed, the covers around her, staring at him with her big blue eyes. He shoved the door closed behind him.
“That was a dangerous game you were playing. Didn’t you care that I might beat the living daylights out of Wild Card?”
She shook her head. “I knew you wouldn’t do that.”
“Why?” he demanded.
“Because you know I’m not in any danger from Wild Card. And you respect him, and all your men, too much.”
He walked toward her, keeping his expression stern. “You think you know me better than I know myself?”
Her eyes widened as he approached, but she didn’t cringe as he strode closer. “I know that you’re a good man, and I know that you would never hurt me, or any of your crew.”
He sat down on the bed beside her, then curled his fingers around her cheek and grasped her face. “You got that right.”
Then he captured her lips, delving his tongue inside. Claiming her.
Deeply and thoroughly. When he released her lips, she sucked in a breath.
He smiled. He loved leaving her breathless.
“So you’re going to ride with us?”
She nodded.
“And have sex with every one of my crew?” he said with a teasing grin.
Laurie laughed at the gleam in his granite eyes. “Depends on whether or not I’m in the mood. And right now? I’m definitely in the mood. Should I go back and do that for Wild Card right now?”
He laughed and rolled her onto her back, then prowled over her.
“Fuck, no. Right now I want you right here.”
She felt his big heavy cock glide across her belly, then he ripped off her panties and dipped his finger into her folds. He pressed his cockhead against her slit and slowly pushed inside, his gaze locked on hers the whole time he filled her with his considerable length.
The welcome feel of being stretched by his generous girth sent her heart pumping faster.
Once he was fully immersed in her, he lay still, watching her.
Finally, she groaned. “Please, for God’s sake, fuck me.”
He laughed, then pulled back and glided deep again. She squeezed around him.
He nipped her ear. “Tell me you want me.”
She smiled. “I want you.”
He drew back and glided forward again, sending tremors through her.
“Tell me how much.”
Her smile softened and she stroked his cheek. “You are my world. I want you so much it’s indescribable.” She kissed his raspy chin. “I love you, and I’d do anything to be with you.”
His eyes gleamed and he leaned in and kissed her.
“Oh, God, baby. I love you, too.”
Then he thrust deeply again, making her gasp.
She clutched his shoulders and arched her hips against him. He was deep inside her, but it wasn’t deep enough. She wanted him to consume her. She wanted to be one with him.
He thrust, and thrust again.
“Oh, God, Steele.” Tears welled from her eyes.
He kept thrusting. Filling her with his massive cock. Pleasure swelled and she clung to him, riding the waves of bliss.
“Fuck, baby, I’m so close.”
“Come for me, Steele. Fill me.”
He groaned, then she felt hot semen erupt inside her. She gasped, and catapulted to heaven, moaning his name.