Josie wanted to laugh. The big, intimidating man looked like a sheepish child that had been caught in a lie.
“I don’t think now…”
Granny P’s raised brows silenced him.
“I’m a bounty hunter Granny. I hunt down anybody that needs finding for the right price.”
Shadow’s stare was so dark that Josie wanted to turn on more lights in the room.
“I do side jobs…”
“You’re a mercenary.” She finished for him.
He didn’t answer.
“I said I wouldn’t judge so I’ll keep my opinions to myself, but my advice is, if what you do keeps you from the ones who love you for years without a word and if you can’t hold your head high then you should find something that makes you proud and that let’s your granny see you at least twice a year because she isn’t getting any younger.”
Valentine met Granny P’s eyes and Josie saw the regret written on his face.
“And don’t beat the hell out of your cousin!”
Chuckles broke the somber mood in the room as Choo-Choo raised his glass to second that notion with a grin.
“Now then. Marcus has come to ask Josie a few things and I doubt we all need to hear it so you may use my sitting room to have your talk.”
She stood and started cleaning up the lunch dishes. Josie was stunned to see Choo-Choo and Valentine jump to their feet to help.
These were men who deeply respected the woman who stood at the sink. She had instilled honor in them, but she loved them even if that honor had been tarnished. Josie had never met men like the ones who worked in the kitchen before her.
A cool hand brought her back to her reality.
“Can we talk?”
She nodded and followed Shadow as he led her to the small sitting room where Granny spent much of her time. They seated themselves in Pink floral chairs and Shadow looked so out of place that Josie had to take a second to just look at him.
He offered her a sheepish grin that almost took her breath away. She had wondered what any woman would see in a man like him, but his smile transformed him.
“Lacey would love to see me sitting in this damned chair.” He shook his dark head and focused on Josie as his expression evened out to the emotionless mask he wore so well. “I know you don’t know me and you only met Mrs. once, but I hope you’ll be willing to help me get her back.”
Josie felt real concern snake up her spine as if someone had rubbed an ice cube up her back.
“What happened to her?”
“The Bastards made a deal with another club, a bad one. They snatched Mrs. and beat the hell out of Choo-Choo, probably planned to kill him. He got lucky…” He nodded toward the kitchen where Josie could hear Choo-Choo bantering with Valentine.
“You don’t like him.” There was no question.
“I don’t like his kind, but he saved my brother so I owe him for that. I won’t forget, but you should be cautious. What I need to know is where the Bastards might stash a woman.”
“I’m not sure. They don’t have many places.”
“Can you show me on a map maybe?”
“Yes. They aren’t worried about their borders either from what I saw. I doubt it would be very hard to search the whole place.”
“They know we will try that. I imagine they will up their guard. Did you know that Poole is claiming you as his old lady? He has connections and he’s calling in favors to get you back. Why would he do that?”
“I was hoping you could tell me. Why would he put his club in debt to the Devils just to get you back?”
“I don’t know.”
Shadow ran his hand over his face. “I need you to tell me everything you know about the Bastards.”
“I think it would be best if I just come with you.”
“Choo-Choo won’t stand for that and I don’t blame him. You tell me what I need to know and let me handle it.”
Josie and Shadow spent more than two hours poring over maps and drawings. She had told him every detail she could think of that might help him find the woman the club considered its mother. She had been the one to insist Sniper come find her too. She owed Mrs. her life.
“Josie?”
She met his black eyes. They were filled with concern.
“Will they hurt her?”
She knew hurt could mean many things and it broke her heart to nod. The Bastards would destroy Mrs. if they could. Eddie wouldn’t forget the insult she had given him and Poole wouldn’t let him.
Yes, they would hurt her.
Shadow stood and cursed.
Josie felt tears burn her eyes for the woman she barely knew, but she knew the pain she would endure and it was all because of Josie.
Eleven
Choo-Choo had watched Josie all evening. She was so pretty she made his teeth ache. He kept waiting for her to flirt with Valentine the way all women had his whole life, but she didn’t. She smiled, but she reserved a certain smile just for him. He knew it was way too early to entertain the thoughts that he couldn’t seem to shake, but they were there and he wanted them to stay there. He wanted to pretend he could keep her.
She was way too good for a man like him. He felt someone watching him and turned to meet Granny’s knowing gaze.
“I think it’s time for bed.” She said as she pulled herself to her feet. “I get to have my boys under my roof for the first time in too many years to think about. I’m going to rest easy tonight.” She patted Valentines cheek and hugged Choo-Choo when he stood. “Josie is in your room. I thought that would be alright.”
He smiled down at her. “Yes ma’am. Should I sleep on the couch then?” He raised a brow and she smacked his chest.
“I don’t think I need to tell you where you need to sleep.”
“No ma’am.”
She nodded and patted Josie on the shoulder as she passed.
“Goodnight honey. Rest easy tonight.”
“Thank you.” Her eyes found Choo-Choo and she smiled that smile just for him.
Granny went to her room and closed her door with a decisive clunk. The room suddenly felt too hot and Josie wanted nothing more than to escape. She stood, but before she could speak Valentine spoke up.
“Think I’ll head up to bed too. I don’t lock my door incase you’d like to come in for a visit later Josie.”
He winked and Choo-Choo felt his face heat. He wanted to punch that smarmy grin off Valentine’s face, but Josie stepped closer and laid a hand on his chest, draining all his anger.
“I think I’ll be fine.”
She looked up at him with a look of such happiness that he almost stumbled. He couldn’t find words.
“As smooth as always I see.” Valentine chuckled as he made his way up the stairs to his room.
It was the first time they had been alone since Eddie had taken her from his bed.
It all rushed back to him in that moment and the relief of having her standing in front of him smiling almost toppled him over. He pulled her against his chest and breathed her in.
“Are you alright? Sniper said… shit, I’m so glad you’re safe.”
“Thank you so much for helping me. I was so scared. I had no place to go.” She looked up at him. “I’ll find a way to repay you.”
He shook his head. “No you won’t and don’t try.” He kissed her before she could argue. “Let me share that bed up there with you? Not to repay me, but because you want to.”
She nodded and it was all he needed. He scooped her up into his arms and took the stairs two at a time.
When they reached his room, the room she had been sleeping in, he opened the door and stepped inside with her still in his arms.
“Just us tonight. Nobody else matters. Nothing matters.”
“You’re leaving in the morning?” Her voice was breathless as she kissed him.
“Yeah. Have to get Mrs. back, but you’ll be safe here and I’ll come back for you. I swear I will.”
She leaned back to look into his eyes. She saw it
there. The same burning need that scorched her glowed in his beautiful miss matched eyes.
“I believe you”
That must have settled something because he lost control. Josie was naked before she could take a breath and she bounced on the bed when he tossed her in the center of it so he could rid himself of his own things.
She was breathless. Her heart raced and she struggled to catch her breath. His eyes were drawn to the rapid rise and fall of her breasts and she arched to him like a cat in heat.
He shed his clothes and stepped to the side of the bed. His shaft was rigid as it stood out from his body. Josie had never wanted to taste anything so bad in her life.
He fisted his impressive girth and stroked himself as she watched. It was the single most erotic thing she had ever experienced in her life. She licked her lips as a pearly drop of moisture beaded on the tip and he groaned.
“You’re going to be the death of me.”
He slid into bed with her and took her mouth. He stopped her seeking hand and pressed it above her head as his lips trailed kisses down her neck and over her collar bone.
She moaned as he grew closer to her aching breast and she felt him smile against her skin.
“Patients Goldilocks. You’ve been sleeping in my bed and its time Papa bear taught you a lesson or two.”
“Please,” she begged as the tip of his tongue circled her taught nipple, but he didn’t touch the aching peak.
“Tell me what you want baby.”
“You.” She panted.
“You have me. All of me. All you want. Tell me what you want.”
“Your mouth.”
“You want me to kiss you?”
“Yes.” She panted as he rolled his hips against her leg. The feel of him, so hard and ready was driving her crazy.
“Your lips?”
“No!” She arched her back again as he made another lazy circle around her nipple.
“Suck me please. Suck my nipples Choo-Choo.”
She had barely gotten his name out before he sucked half of her breast into his mouth. The feel of his warm mouth surrounding her breast was enough to send her to the brink of orgasm. She cried out before she could stifle the need and felt him grin against her skin.
He sucked deep on her breast before biting down on her tight peak and moving to the other side.
He released her nipple with a loud smack and kissed her lips again.
“That what you wanted Goldilocks?”
“Yes.” Josie almost lost her mind when his hand caressed her belly. This man was dangerous to her senses. All she could think about was the feel of hi inside her. She wanted him.
His fingers found her bare mound and he caressed her, petted her as if the feel of her skin there was enough for him. He had more control than she did. She shoved at his chest and found him immovable. He looked puzzled for a second and then allowed her to roll him to his back.
“Easy Josie. Slow down baby.” He gripped her hips when she straddled him.
“I don’t want to slow down. I want you. I want to feel you inside me and forget…”
She hadn’t meant to say it. She hadn’t allowed herself to even think it, but she was alright. She was safe with Choo-Choo and she could let herself feel.
He turned to the side and pulled her against his chest.
“Shh.”
She wept like a child into his heated skin until she was empty. She felt like three kinds of a fool too. Here she was in his arms and naked and all she could do was cry.
“Oh no, oh no, oh no.” She shook her head and tried to sit up, but he held firm.
“Hush. You needed that.” He looked down at her and stopped her heart with a smile so tender it looked out of place somehow. She knew without asking that he rarely wore that particular expression.
“Feel better now?”
His deep voice vibrated through her and made her body begin to heat again. She nodded and tried to push him to his back again, but he shook his head.
“I’m going to love you. I’m going to wipe out every memory your body has of another man and then I’m going to keep you so well loved that you never look for anything else.”
He pushed her to her back and kissed her lips before she could say a word or even process what he had said to her. It felt right. She felt whole and he had barely touched her. Her mind blanked as he tasted her lips before moving lower. He was unhurried. She refused to rush him. Even back at his clubhouse she had rushed him. The urgency and risk had added a measure of excitement then, but now there was no rush. No one would interrupt them and take her away from him. She would stay with him as long as he wanted her… and then he would break her when he left.
She pushed the thought away. There was no place for that thought while she lay in his arms, while his lips placed suckling kisses on her belly.
His hands gripped her thighs and she allowed him to open them wide. He blew on her wet folds and she shivered. He closed his eyes and inhaled her musky scent and Josie wanted to push him a way, but he resisted her.
“So good Goldilocks. So good.”
Then he tasted her. Her back arched off the bed. He wasn’t gentle now. He devoured her as if her were a starving man at a banquet. His hands slid to her ass and he lifted her so he could get to her better. Josie could do nothing but grip the blue quilt under her as he sated his hunger between her legs.
Her thoughts swirled in her head. She shouldn’t let him taste her. She was so dirty after…
She stiffened and he growled deep in his chest. He gripped her ass with a grip that made her whimper then he pulled the bud of her clit between his teeth and sucked so hard that she cried out.
“When you’re in my bed, you don’t think.” He lifted his head and looked her in the eye. His lips glistened with her juices and her thighs quivered at the erotic sight of him. His eyes blazed with desire and anger. The heady combination drove her passions higher.
“Yes.”
“Good girl.”
He dropped his mouth to her again and she shattered. She lost count of how many times he’d forced her over the edge of ecstasy before he hovered above her. His eyes heavy lidded as he kissed her lips. She tasted her own satisfaction on his tongue as he slipped inside of her. He swallowed her gasp as he filled her with one thrust.
“I don’t give a shit how crazy this is Josie. You are mine. I’m yours. That’s the only way this works. That’s the only way we can work.”
Did he expect her to make life decisions while he slid slowly in and out of her? He didn’t play fair! She could tease him too.
She concentrated and squeezed her inner muscles tight around his tunneling cock and she was rewarded with his groan of pleasure.
“Fuck.”
“Yes. Do that.”
“I’m not rushing this. We don’t ever have to rush.” He was breathing hard as he rested his forehead against hers.
She sighed and let a contented grin curl her lips. Her hands cupped his face until he looked into her eyes.
“I know what you’re doing. You have already proven yourself to be different from them. It’s ok to let go. I know you want to. Take me baby. I’m yours.”
With a growl that was almost too animalistic to come from a man, he slammed into her. It felt delicious and she wrapped around him as he continued to pound her. The headboard hit the wall and she knew everyone in the house could hear them, but she didn’t care. They belonged to each other and she didn’t care if the whole world heard them consummating that agreement.
He thrust into her again and again as the pressure inside her built. He gritted his teeth and she knew he held back for her.
“Do it baby. Fuck.” He gritted out.
With a moan she let herself go and came around him. She melted to the bed as he stiffened above her and spilled his desires into her body. He fell on her and she sighed as his weight pressed her into the soft mattress.
She was boneless. She lay on the bed like a ragdoll, content for the first time
in her life.
“Stay right there baby. I’ll be right back.” He kissed her face and climbed off the bed. He stood for a moment and took in the sight of her before he headed to the small bathroom. Josie heard water running and knew she should get up and clean up, but before she could force her heavy limbs to move, he was back. He cleaned her with gentle strokes. The warm cloth felt heavenly against her tingly flesh.
“Did I hurt you baby?”
Josie forced her eyes open. He looked so concerned. Had anyone ever worried about her the way he was right now? Not since…”
“No. No, you didn’t hurt me.” She reached up and ran the backs of her fingers down his cheek. “That was magical.”
The look of relief that passed over his face left her speechless. He tossed the soiled cloth to toward the bathroom and pulled back the covers. Before she could say a word she was tucked securely against his chest.
“Sleep Goldilocks. Sleep with me.”
Nothing had ever sounded so heavenly. She fell asleep with a contented sigh, safe and warm. She knew morning would bring back all their troubles, but for one night she would forget.
Twelve
Josie woke to the delicious smell of coffee and bacon.
“Wake up sleepyhead. I’m heading out in a few minutes and you need to tell me goodbye.”
Her heart sank. It could be goodbye and she knew it. If she allowed herself to be drawn back into this life she would wonder every time he left her. She would worry too, because she was falling for him. She wouldn’t just be worried about a roof over her head, she would fear for him in earnest.
“Come on now Goldilocks. I know you’re awake.”
She cracked her eyes open to find his colorfully bruised face hovering above her. She gasped.
“You look terrible.” She clapped a hand over her mouth and one cupped his bruised cheek. “This is all my fault.”
“This is,” he ran his hand through her short curls and raised his brows in question.
Josie blushed. With all the excitement the day before they had hardly talked at all.
“I thought it would be easier to hide.”
“Mmhmmm.” He leaned down and kissed the side of her neck. “I like it.”
Josie sighed as Choo-Choo kissed his way down her neck. She wrapped her arms around him and squeezed.
Choo-Choo Page 6