Starving For Vengeance

by Debra Kayn

  "Great." Jojo squeezed her hand. "Though I'm not the one who is going to ask Kurt's permission. You are."

  "Me?" Shari let go and looked around the table. "Why me?"

  "You're the oldest," Jojo said.

  Shari's mouth fell open and she caught herself. "We're all adults here. That's not a valid argument."

  "You were always helping Risa with the money and our routines. You know all the ins and outs on how to run Silver Girls." Jojo laid both hands on the table and leaned forward. "Shit, girl, you could run the biz single handedly with no problem. The miners respect you—"

  "I'm a Bantorus bitch," she stated.

  Jojo shook her head. "We all know it's different for you. You've taken Sawyer as your personal hobby and Remmy to his room before he found Natalie. The other bikers, well you're affectionate with them, but you've created friendships with them that are different from what they want from us. A good different, and you know it."

  God, she hadn't thought they'd noticed or cared. She looked down at her lap. How could she explain the reasons behind her actions?

  She gave enough to the men that they never questioned her for taking Sawyer to his room. Besides, Sawyer spent time with each one of them and never lacked sex from the others. Her stomach rolled knowing Jojo was right. Remmy...he'd given her something else entirely, and now he was devoted one hundred and ten percent to his old lady.

  The girls were also right about her status within the club.

  If she stayed being a Bantorus bitch, life would become stagnant for her, and she'd end up old, alone, and miserable.

  "I'll do it." She braced for the onslaught of hugs, kisses, and squeals.

  Dizzy with ideas that came swiftly with her compliance, she stood and held on to the back of the chair. The others all went their separate ways. Alana and Jojo left to hunt down Crain and Cutter. Monica walked out the front door to go to the pharmacy to pick up more bandages for the first aid kit that was running low, because two days ago German used half the supplies when he smashed his finger opening up one of the crates in the warehouse.

  Shari tapped down her excitement and forced herself to put her own needs first. Five years of hiding out, and she'd succeeded at making a life for herself. She was a different person than she was before moving to Federal and she made better decisions, even if others could say her behavior was unconventional. She'd grown and thrived, and even though there were times that she worried about whatever Uncle Ted had her hiding from, everything had turned out okay.

  She could have a job, an outlet for her to grow, and an income.

  She loved the idea of doing more and supporting herself. While Bantorus MC never once made her feel used for being a female with a pussy, she missed knowing she was in control of her life, even if her occupation lacked bragging rights in polite society.

  None of that mattered to her, and she held her head up high because Bantorus MC members gave her confidence. They believed what she did was important. She also respected Risa, who'd grown up with a prostitute for a mother who later committed murder and was spending a life sentence in the state prison. Despite Risa's rough start, she'd developed a business that not only gained respect in the community, but also boosted the local economy and brought certain flair to Federal that drew the attention of the tourists that visited every summer. Risa did all that while winning the heart of the president of the club, not an easy feat.

  If she tried hard enough, she could reach the same goals as her friend.

  "I can do this," she whispered to the empty room, feeling charged and excited.

  "Do what?" a rough voice behind her asked.

  She whirled around and gawked in surprise at Lee. Her pulsed raced, and she fingered the hem of her sundress—the sundress that failed to hide her from his gorgeous light brown eyes. He looked inside her, saw too much and today, his gaze even questioned her. She wasn't prepared to answer him.

  Lee widened his stance and cocked his head to the side. The relaxed presence couldn't camouflage the thick thighs, the muscular arms, and solid wall of man standing in the room. Her skin tingled and her nipples peaked. His gaze dropped to her breasts and then returned to her face. She wanted to cross her arms, because he'd noticed. The softening of his mouth and sexy hooded eyes of his would be her undoing.

  The other Bantorus men she knew and could handle. Lee was a wild card that rode into the club and already had the respect of the men. He made her nervous, excited, and confused. All the sensations she remembered from years ago when she was available to flirt, date, and discover the opposite sex on her own terms. But if she allowed herself to let those emotions out, she'd screw up.

  "You're excited about something." He stepped toward her. "Wanna share?"

  She shrugged and met his gaze. "We're ordering pizza tonight. I don't have to cook."

  "That excites you?" His whiskered cheek twitched in contained humor.

  She moved her foot, until her legs crossed. "I'm easy to please, I guess."

  "Magic words for a biker, doll." He fingered the thin strap of her sundress, running the back of his finger against her heated skin.

  She shivered at the intimate touch. "Was there something you wanted?"

  "You walked away from me last night," he whispered.

  "Cramps," she blurted.

  He chuckled. "Really?"

  "Yes." She moistened her lips.

  He leaned in closer, losing his smile. "How are you feeling today?"

  "Much better." She rocked back a step, needing distance, but he used the strap of her dress to bring her back toward him.

  It took everything inside of her not to pull away. Her position in Bantorus MC required her to be here for the men. She took her job seriously and had worked out a way for her to fit into the club, but Lee was new. He didn't know her limits. He only saw her for a bitch. A woman he could use for his own pleasure.

  "You know what I'd like to do right now?" Lee stepped forward and inhaled through his nose.

  He stood so close to her, she couldn't help following his breathing pattern. She exhaled with him before answering. "What?"

  "I want you to sit with me over on the couch." He skimmed his nose against hers and whispered. "Been too fucking long since I had a woman to hold and you're the one I want to keep me company, doll."

  Her eyes closed briefly at the onslaught of desire swarming her body. With any of the other men, she'd spend time with them if they gave her a come-on line like that and end up giving them only what she was comfortable with. But, Lee...how was she going to stop him from going farther than sitting with her on the couch?

  She shook off her worries. "Sure thing, honey."

  His body stilled and went hard. "Don't use that name on me when you've used that on every man here."

  Reprimanded, she studied him. His eyes, hard and shielded, stared down at her. The lines around his mouth deepened, and his touch no longer caressed her. She swallowed against the rejection. His change of attitude reminded her of how lucky she'd been so far since landing in Federal.

  "Okay, I won't do it again," she said, straightening her shoulders and thus, breaking his hold on the strap of her dress.

  "Jesus, don't pull away from me," he muttered, leading her to the couch and giving her no room to change her mind.

  Not that she would. She knew what her job was, and she'd hang with him. To tell Lee no would insult the club, and they'd been too good to her, she wouldn't disappoint them.

  She turned to sit beside him and he grabbed her around her waist and sat her sideways on his lap. Stiff and awkward, she could only lean her shoulder against him. After a few seconds, he clasped his hand around her bare calf, until she had no choice but to lift up and straddle his thighs, one leg on each side of him. Face to face, she couldn't ignore him.

  "Sit right here and relax." He rubbed her bare arms.

  How could she relax? Every time she opened her mouth, she said something wrong. He became irritated over her being a bitch, and yet he still wanted
to have her around. His attitude conflicted with the way he continued to touch and look at her.

  She raised her hands and massaged his shoulders. The other Bantorus members enjoyed their muscles worked after a long ride. He was a nomad, and she assumed he put many more miles than a regular rider did on his motorcycle on a daily basis. "You're tense."

  "Stop doing that too," he said.

  She dropped her hands and clamped her teeth together to keep from telling him to go to hell. He was beyond bossy. He was being an asshole.

  "Then tell me what you want from me," she said, pushing against him to leave his lap.

  He held her hips and refused to let her go. "Be yourself. I don't want what every man here can have. I want more, and I don't care how you have Sawyer wrapped around your slim little finger, or how you warmed Remmy's bed in the past. Don't act like a bitch with me. Massaging my body and calling me honey is what you do with them, not with me. If you don't like sitting on my lap, get the fuck off, and stay out of my way. If you stay, then be real. I don't have time for bullshit in my life."

  Silenced throughout his lecture, she glared. His tone prickled the back of her neck. She pressed her lips together. His harshness set him apart from the bikers and the miners in Federal who spent hours telling her how beautiful she was, because that's what they thought she wanted to hear. The whole time all she wanted was something unique they could give to only her. She wanted the realness Lee talked about for herself, but he could've asked nicely.

  Maybe because he spent his time on the road and away from his club, he enjoyed a closer connection to the people he stopped to meet, like her. Whatever the reason, she stayed on his lap.

  Chapter Three

  Shari, unbending and studying him carefully, sat on Lee's lap and spread her sheer dress over her thighs. Lee's muscles remained coiled in his attempt to give her time to relax. Either she'd leave or she'd take him up on the offer to keep him company. Either way, he wanted her to make the decision on her own.

  He'd seen her with the other guys. She was always smiling and a regular fucking ball of sunshine around everybody else. With him, she kept things toned down and strictly business. He wanted more out of her.

  He'd been around club bitches his whole life and they were always looking for a good time. Shari seemed to treat him as if he was an obligation or a short bleep in her routine, and to do his job of protecting her, he had to find out what she was thinking.

  "We square?" he asked.

  She nodded. "Yeah."

  "Good." He dropped his hands to the couch and leaned his head back on the cushion. "Tell me about yourself?"

  "What do you want to know?" she asked.

  Why had she never tried finding Tango? How could she move in and become Bantorus property? Why would a woman who looked like she stepped out of a Playboy magazine settle for less than a husband, kids, and a house of her own?

  All those questions would have to wait, because if he asked them now, it'd only raise suspicion.

  He scooted his ass to the edge of the couch, bringing her up until she put the warmth of her sex right on the front of his jeans. He hummed on an exhale. Damned if having her sit on him wasn't the best feeling in the world, even with her panties and his jeans separating them.

  "Just want to hear you talk, doll." He hooked his hands behind her knees and circled his thumb against her skin. "Keep talking until I tell you to stop."

  "That's a weird request, but..." She clasped her hands together and let them fall between her legs. "I enjoy cooking, except on hot days, like today, when I'm more than happy to order pizza for everyone."

  "If you couldn't have pizza, what would you order?" he asked.

  "Chinese food, but this town doesn't have a Chinese restaurant." She frowned. "It's been awhile since I've had fried shrimp. That's my favorite thing to eat, but only when served with hot mustard and sesame seeds on the side. There's something about the combination of all three things that I love."

  "That shit goes right up your nose," he said.

  "And every single breath burns like a bitch." She laughed softly.

  He absorbed the humor, and said, "Burgers."

  "Huh?"

  "Give me a huge juicy burger with everything on it, and that's my favorite thing to eat," he said.

  "You should go to Rail Point. It's a bar in town on Bank Street. The hamburgers they serve takes up most of the plate. Even Germ gets full after eating one," she said. "You'd enjoy eating there."

  He moved his hands up to her thighs, taking her dress with him, unable to keep from touching more of her skin. She continued to talk about the menu selection at the bar, but he had a hard time listening.

  She tapped his arm, grabbing his attention. He raised his gaze. "Hm?"

  "The miners. Rail Point's a rough place because they hang out at the bar now that Silver Girls closed, so we only go there when the guys take us." She curled her lips around her teeth and let them go with a soft pop. "Federal's a small town, but you'll probably enjoy it. Remmy likes stopping in at Rail Point...or he did before Natalie."

  He swept his hands to the top of her thighs. The last person he wanted to talk about was Remmy. "You were one of Risa's dancers in town?"

  "Yes." She fiddled with her fingers. "I started about five years ago at the Sterling Building, and quit last year when the fire burnt the place down. Some people—the righteous citizens—looked down on all of us for what we did, but you know, who are they to judge? Everyone had a good time and nobody got hurt. Well, until the fire, and then..."

  "Go on." His hands tensed, and he forced himself to relax and continue rubbing her legs.

  "It's not important." She shrugged. "Tell me about riding nomad. Do you work for the clubs you stay with or do you go out alone?"

  "Both." He didn't want to talk about himself.

  As long as she kept answering his questions, she calmed him. He had a hard enough time keeping himself from thinking too much and if he couldn't distract himself, he'd end up talking. A habit that'd formed out of fear when he was a kid and his real mom dumped him like a half full beer the day after a party.

  "How old are you?" he asked, changing directions.

  "Thirty." Her nose wrinkled and he had a wild urge to kiss her. "Kurt's thirty seven years old, and you're younger..."

  "I'll be thirty four in a couple of months," he said, surprised that he remembered. He couldn't think of a time past the age of twenty-one that he'd announced his age to anyone.

  "Are you sticking around for your birthday?" she asked.

  He grimaced through the tightness in his chest that came every time he thought of staying in Federal. He'd become too comfortable, and then he'd regret too many things until his mind overpowered his common sense. His past and current actions were his own, and he wouldn't bring them down on Bantorus.

  Yet, he couldn't leave Bantorus. Restless, he scraped his boot against the hardwood floor. Tango's direct order forced him here, and he'd have to deal sooner or later with wanting to leave every ten minutes.

  He grasped her waist, lifted her to her feet, and stood. "Thanks for the conversation, doll. I need to leave."

  "You're going?" She frowned, putting her hand on his arm.

  He found her concern cute. "Would you miss me?"

  She pursed her lips in irritation. He half wanted to laugh, because she entertained him. She stood up to him, but he saw right through her. When she forgot she was mad at him, her hands always touched him, her body relaxed, and her eyes lit up. He glimpsed a part of her today while they talked, and he wanted to get to know her better.

  He leaned forward. "How about a kiss for the road?"

  "I thought you were staying..." She shook her head and flashed him a fake smile he wasn't buying. She stretched to her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek. "Ride safe."

  He hooked his arm around her back and pulled her tight against his chest. He warmed at the added softness in his embrace. Every part of her body fit perfectly against him. Her tits to his
chest, her pelvis to his cock, and her thighs to his legs lined up perfectly.

  Her flimsy dress kept nothing from him. He could feel her curves through his clothes, and if he moved his thigh a little, he'd be able to spread her legs faster than she could stop him.

  "Remember, I asked you to keep it real." He hitched her up closer, until he unbalanced her and she had to lean against him to stay upright. "Is that the last kiss you want me to have as I ride out?"

  "I suppose I could give you a better kiss." Her lips quivered in amusement.

  "Right...," he said, bending his knees so she had less distance to reach his mouth.

  She slid her hands over his chest and continued going, until she'd twined her fingers into the back of his too long hair. Instead of coming to him, she tugged on the strands of hair, pulling him toward her. He kept moving closer to her mouth and she pulled sharply on his hair, keeping him an inch from her full lips.

  "Nuh uh," she whispered. "I'm kissing you goodbye."

  "Then get to it," he whispered back.

  Using her firm hold, she moved his head left and right, while rubbing her lips against his. She kept her mouth too far away. He couldn't taste her, but he could feel her. Soft, warm, and pliant.

  "A last kiss should be memorable." She spoke against his lips. "I think I'll make this the best going away kiss you've ever had."

  "Jesus," he mumbled, and she inhaled his word.

  She took her sweet fucking time and drove him to the edge of his patience. His cock pulsed to life, arguing with him. If he had his choice on how she'd kiss him, he'd be damned if he would've thought of asking her to do exactly what she was doing. He'd wait forever for her promised kiss.

  She fucked with his mind, and enjoyed what she was doing to him. It was the biggest turn on he'd ever had.

  "Ready?" she kissed him lightly before he could kiss her back.

  He nodded against the pressure of her hands holding him near. "Come, get some."