by Shyla Colt
“I’ll ask Lark.” Pan jogged into the bathroom and stopped dead in his tracks in the doorway.
Robin’s body contorted as if she were possessed as her body shook. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head. A thin line of blood ran from her nose.
Lark sobbed as she held her down. “P-please turn on the cold water. We need to—shock her system.”
He turned on the faucet.
Robin jerked, but never came to. Her body went limp. Her breathing became shallow.
“Lark. We need to make a decision. You know calling an ambulance down here is out,
right?”
“I—I know.”
“We can try to get her to a hospital somewhere near here—?”
Lark climbed into the tub with what appeared to be a lifeless body and held her close as she rocked back and forth.
The overpowering smell of released bowels hit him. I’m watching this woman die. Hell, if she’s still alive. Pan crept toward the tub and lifted her arm, searching for a pulse in her wrist.
“Jesus Christ.”
“I always knew deep down this day would come,” Lark whispered. She stroked her hair
back from her face. “It was never enough for her. Not the rock bottom moments, the damage she caused my heart, her body and every other relationship she ever had. The universe seemed hell bent on keeping her life revolving around drugs. I tried. I’m so sorry I failed you, Robin.” She trailed kisses across her forehead.
Pan’s mind went to his twin. He was taking his brother for granted. All this time he spent pushing him away, he never stopped to think about how little time together they might have left.
The thought was sobering.
“I don’t want her seen like this.”
He knelt beside the tub. “I understand. What do you want me to do?”
“I’ll clean her up and we-we’ll get her into some clothes and then we’ll take her home.”
“You want to smuggle her back?”
She nodded and gazed down at Robin. “Go to where there is no more pain or struggle
sister.”
He stood and backed out, feeling like an interloper on a very private moment.
The three men looked up as he walked in.
“She’s gone.”
“Shit.”
“Lark wants to clean her up and take her back across the border tonight to avoid the red tape.
We’ll follow her on our bikes. The sooner we leave, the better it’ll be for everyone.”
They all muttered their agreement.
They packed up and he helped Lark with the body. She was still warm to the touch and
pliable.
Pan shuddered to think of what would happen soon. They were on a very short timetable.
The mood was tense once they wrapped her up in blankets and covered her with a few empty suitcases. As they drove out of town, they were all sweating bullets. The crossing went smoothly and they were across the border was over in the blink of an eye. They switched her body to an upright position, seat belted her into the back of the car and the Dueling Devils parted ways. The boys rode home to the clubhouse and he lingered behind with Lark. They pulled into the nearest hospital.
Lark parked in the driveway and ran inside. “Please help me, I—I think my sister
overdosed.”
Men and women in blue scrubs rushed to the car and madness descended.
Chapter Five
Disoriented, lark sat in her chair, watching the world continue to rush by. Nurses rushed to and fro, families talked amongst themselves, all like the world hadn’t just ended. With Robin’s past, no one questioned her about the overdose. She’d been pronounced dead and her body had been taken down to the morgue as they awaited her arrangements.
“Come on, I want to take you out of here,” Pan stated firmly.
“But the burial arrangements—?”
“Can wait.
“I—”
“Give yourself tonight, okay? You’ve been through a lot.”
“I can’t. I can’t slow down, or it’ll be real.” Her heart ached along with her body. She felt beaten with a bat and left to bake out in the sun for a few days. Her throat was scratchy, her lips were chapped from chewing and her spirits were lower than they’d ever been.
“Stop thinking.”
“How?” She gave a half laugh, half sob. Her eyes watered. She blinked furiously. I will not break down here.
“Let me be in control.”
She glanced up at the man who’d stuck beside her when he had no reason to. “Why?”
Pan sighed. “You made me remember the man I once was. The man I want to be again.”
“What does that mean?”
“It’s a long, drawn out story we won’t get into right now.” He grabbed her hand. “Come.”
Emotionally spent, she allowed him to lead.
Pan pulled her close to his body and led her out of the hospital into the night. “No cage tonight. My little bird needs to fly free.”
His little bird. In a world where she felt adrift, his ownership was a welcome thing. It shamed her how quickly she’d succumb to him—her vice. Like an ostrich burying its face in the sand, she placed her head on his shoulder and inhaled the crisp air. They walked up to the bike that could so quickly become her home. He climbed on and she followed behind him, like they’d been doing it for years. The feel of his hard form beneath her hands grounded her. He started the bike and squealed out of the lot. The wind in her hair, the scenery rushing by and the feel of wheels on the pavement lulled her into a cocoon of comfort.
They pulled in front of a modest one-story home. The light yellow painted siding was
welcoming and the lawn well cared for. He parked in the driveway and they moved up the walk to the porch.
“This is nice.”
“It’s a recent purchase. I had to move out of my…old place.” The hesitation in his voice revealed only part of a story.
He unlocked the door and she stepped inside. The beige carpet, leather couches and sparse decoration screamed bachelor. They stepped inside. The smell of fresh linens greeted her.
“What? I’m not a slob,” Pan said.
She arched an eyebrow.
“Maybe I have a cleaning lady too.”
She smirked. I’m smiling, but my sister will never do this again. The joy bled from her body.
Guilt crashed over her like a wave. She swayed.
Pan grabbed her elbow, keeping her upright. “What do you need most right now?”
“To forget. God, please make me forget.”
Their gazes locked. He studied her as the seconds rolled by. “Go down the hall, to the last door on your right, take a shower and wash the day’s events off you. Once you’re ready, come and sit on my bed.”
“Naked?” she whispered.
“Yes. You won’t need clothing for any of the things I plan on doing to you.” He grinned wickedly.
“Oh…” Her stomach fluttered.
His wicked smile grew. “I like it when you look at me like that.”
“Like what?”
He tilted her chin up. “Like I’m about to give you a present you’ve been wanting for a long time.”
Maybe I have been waiting for you all this time.
He pinched her chin. “Go do what I told you to while I get things set up.”
Later strode away in a daze. Who was this man swathed in mystery, oozing sexuality and
completely at odds with his rough exterior. In a handful of days, he’d shown her more concern and care than most people she’d known for years.
Pushing open the door, she gasped as she saw the four poster bed covered in black satin sheets and a red comforter. It was masculine and decadent at the same time. Like the man himself. A dark dresser sat against the wall on the opposite side of the room, along with an oddly shaped black chair. She wanted to investigate further, but the bath was calling her. She longed to feel the hot water on her skin and thro
w her jeans and t-shirt into the garbage. She could never wear those again, without remembering the horrific events of the day.
With one last look at the off-white walls, she padded into the bathroom and halted with gasp. A large garden style tub with a wraparound white shower curtain and a showerhead took up the center of the large bathroom. The beige and white stone all around lent an almost elegant look fit for royalty. The his and her sinks on the vanity added to the opulence. I wonder what other surprises this house holds?
She spotted a fluffy black towel on one of the towel racks neatly folded, along with a
matching washcloth. He wasn’t kidding about the maid. How much does a bike mechanic actually make? She slipped off her clothing, tossed it in the garbage and set on the edge of the tub. It would take a whole lot of scrubbing and soaking in the hot tub to make her feel in any way cleansed. She watched the steamy water fill the tub and grabbed the white soap that smelled of sandalwood. The scent reminded her of Pan. The man was in every other thought and she’d yet to learn his given name. So? You’ll learn. The long-silenced voice inside her wanted out. It wanted freedom and nurturing. It battled the self-degrading voice that told her she should’ve tried harder to save Robin. Turning off the faucet, she stepped down into the tub, closed her eyes and rested her head on the back of the tub.
A half hour later, the cool air pebbled her nipples. Her heart knocked against her ribs and her palms grew slick with sweat as she perched on the edge of the massive bed as Pan requested. She could see items lined up on the top of the dresser. A black blindfold, matching cuffs, a set of black cylinders she didn’t quite recognize and a wand she knew intimately. Heat filled her cheeks. What does he plan on doing with it? He pushed the door open and she sat up straighter.
He dressed in a fresh pair of black jeans and nothing more. She couldn’t help but to stare at his tattoo, memorizing every colorful swirl and line. His wet hair looked almost brown while slicked back.
“I like the sight of you naked on my bed.”
His words are a velvet caress, she wanted to feel again and again.
“Have you noticed the gifts I laid out for you?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know what all of them are?”
She shook her head.
“So quiet now. Do you trust me?”
Suddenly mute, she bobbed her head.
“You remember the magic word that makes me stop?”
“Ice,” she croaked.
“That’s right little bird. Ice to neutralize your fire.” He stepped over to the counter and grabbed the blindfold. “This is going to allow you to simply feel.” He ran the silky, soft, material down along her body.
The feather light touches tickled and she squirmed.
“It’ll heighten everything and give me the chance to surprise your body. Our eyes are such a vital part of our brain’s processing system. When you remove it from the equation, all the other sense are amped up in an attempt to compensate. Are you ready for that?”
“Yes,” she replied, eager to escape the demons nipping at her heels.
Pan covered her eyes and tied the loose ends of the blindfold tight.
The blackout material killed her light and flipped a switch on inside her.
“Welcome to my game.” He trailed his fingertips across her collarbone and brushed his lips across her cheek.
“Game?”
“That’s how I view life. A game we make up our own rules to. Life’s too short not to have fun and live on the edge.”
She hummed her agreement.
“Stand.”
Lark pushed off from the bed, grateful for his hand on her elbow.
“Hold your hands above your head. Good. There’s a secret to my bed.” His voice is further away as he seems to be moving around the room.
The sound of sliding mechanisms made her ears perk up.
“It’s more than a frame. It’s got a bar to play with.” His warm breath blows against her face.
His chest brushed against her nipples. His sprinkling of hair rubbed against her skin.
She moaned.
“Mmmhhh. You’re so vocal and we’re just getting started.”
He clamped the cuffs around her wrists. Their lightweight didn’t weigh her wrists down and the insides are velvet soft. He pulls the chain up and hooks them to something above her head.
“You’re so damn sexy exposed to me as a gift. Let’s start with something I know you’ll enjoy.”
His wet hair tickled her and he sucked a nipple into his mouth.
She hummed.
Pan released it with a pop and did the same to its twin. “Do you remember the black plastic pieces?”
“Yes.”
“I’m going to use them now. They’re suckers and they go right.” He placed them on her stiff peaks. “Here.”
They suctioned to her breasts and he tugged lightly as she whimpered.
“I know you like it when I play with your breasts.” He flicked then.
Overwhelmed, she cried out.
He continued to play with gentle flicks and tugs. Her breasts swelled and her pussy grew wet. “Damn, I can see you glistening. You like this, don’t you?” He pulled them both and she arched her back. “I bet I could make you come, just, like, this.” He timed his words to each pull.
Her core tingled while her legs shook.
He then increased his speed.
A ball of tension formed in her stomach. Her breath came in pants.
“Come now, Lark,” he ordered.
She fell to pieces under his tutelage. Still riding high, she screamed when he thrust two fingers inside her pussy. Somewhere during her trip to space, he’d taken off her panties. “Pan…”
“Hartley. I want to hear you call out my name.” He pumped slowly, circling her walls.
She lifted up to get a better angle.
“So eager, my greedy little bird. They starved you. Don’t worry, I have plenty to go around.
But it’ll be on my terms.” He pushed in as far as he could go and paused.
The feel of his long, thick, calloused fingers made her squirm as she edged up on her tiptoes.
“Be still.”
She placed her feet firmly on the floor and gritted her teeth.
“That’s right little bird. I control the pleasure. You feel what I want you to.” He removed his fingers and slapped her pussy.
“Hartley.”
“Fuck yeah, babe. That’s what I want to hear.” He praised. He ran his fingers through her curls and parted her lips. “Such a pretty, pink, pussy waiting to be filled. But not yet.”
“Hartley, please?”
“Oh, trust me. I’m going to please you.” He moved away.
Her body hummed with energy. Her thighs were slick with her juices and her lips were
swollen. The humming made her stretch her body out a little straighter.
He touched her arm with the vibrating white wand. He trailed it down along her stomach
pausing at her bikini line.
She licked her lips, eager to feel the toy against her clit.
“You ready to come?”
“Yes.”
Pan pressed the round piece to her swollen button and turned it up. “Then come now.”
She called his name and broke. She begged him to either stop or fuck her many more times, as he did it again—and again.
The sunlight flooding through the window painted the woman’s back beside him. By the
time he let her down, her voice was hoarse and her body went limp. He restrained from taking her. Their first time would not be associated with her sister’s death. I’m thinking way too much about this woman. They had a good time and his attraction was off the charts. But he had no clue where they’d go from here. She might not want his life.
So make her like it.
A part of him wanted to keep her, no matter what the cause. With the ordeal behind him, reality was back and as usual, it was a real bitch. He slid
from the bed, careful not to wake her and headed to the shower. Today, he’d have to check in with his club president, Demon. The man would want answers and a plan. He’d need to have them ready for him.
After stepping in under the water flow, the shower curtain pulled back to reveal a teary-eyed Lark. She stepped inside and he waited for her to set the tone. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down to her. Their teeth clashed as they devoured one another.
“Make me forget. Fuck me until I can’t think of anything else and I’m exhausted. No more teasing, I want to feel you inside of me, stretching me and filling me up.” She ran her hand down his stomach and circled his base while she stroked him.
He growled. “You sure you want that, little bird?”
“I need that, Hartley. ”
His given name on her lips melted the remaining bits of glacier around his heart.
“I’m clean.”
“So am I.”
She moved her hand faster, twisting her wrist.
His eyes rolled back in his head and he fucked her fist. His dick turned to stone. “Remember you asked for this,” he warned.
Lark gazed up at him and grinned.
I’m so fucked. He grabbed her hips, pressed her against the wall and drove home. She screamed and he stilled, allowing her to adjust to him as her pussy put him on a time out with its hold. Her fingers bit into his shoulders. The pain went straight to his dick. He clenched his jaw and she dug her heels into his back. “You ready?”
“I was ready days ago,” she rasped.
“Then I’ll make sure it was worth the wait.” He pulled out and slammed back inside her.
“Shit, yes!”
They moved together a frantic tangle of limbs. He captured her lips and took her cry into himself. She met him thrust for thrust, grinding her hips onto him as they worked toward completion. Her body shook and his balls drew up tight. Her body convulsed as she squeezed him tight. He moved to pull out. A fresh round of orgasms vibrated its way down his cock and he exploded inside her. Fuck! He rested his head on her. Going raw was never an option and this was the first time he’d come inside anyone. She had him slipping up, taking risks left and right.
He pulled out. “Are you on at the pill, Lark?”
She gasped as though the thought never occurred to her. “No, but it’s not the right time, so we should be okay.”