Biting Back: A Motorcycle Club, Shifter, Romance (Shifting Steel Book 1)

by Stephanie West

  Cain had a twinkle in his slate blue eyes that made Iris shiver. She couldn’t help but smile. Trip also wore a grin as he nodded in agreement.

  Iris looked around the room, several of the men were amused. Iris really hadn’t done much, she just refused to stand down when shit hit the fan. She wasn’t big enough to throw her weight around or force people to do right, but she also wasn’t a coward and she was more than brave enough to put anyone in their place when necessary. No amount of abuse or threats were going to sway her from what she knew was right or just. She didn’t really think the two Reapers meant her harm, they were just being rowdy men. But really!

  It was at that moment Iris felt Cain at her back, his lips so close to that sensitive spot beneath her ear. His breath was warm and he smelled good like the outdoors, heady and wild. A tingle went through her, making her nipples harden.

  “That a girl.” Was all Cain said in a deep husky voice that came out almost as a growl.

  Iris couldn’t tell if he was referring to standing up for herself or in encouragement of the illicit thoughts now crossing her mind.

  “Let’s have a drink.” Penny said as she pulled Iris away from her brother.

  Iris instantly missed the contact. It was probably for the best however.

  Iris drank alcohol, tequila, for the first time in a long while. It calmed her nerves a bit, but only a bit with tall dark and feral Cain lurking around all sexy and brooding. Many of the girls were nice, even the slutty ones. Iris noticed some were regulars, others were just looking to party and get off. Thank god Samantha opted to take the last few nights off. Many of the girls in the clubhouse were in various states of undress, for that matter so we’re the men. Iris just shook her head.

  The guys thankfully kept their hands to themselves with Iris and a few of what she assumed were old ladies like Penny. Every time some drunk biker started to chat her up Cain appeared and lured him away. Did Cain worry that she was afraid of the guys, because of what Hank had done? That was sweet.

  Iris enjoyed herself chatting with Penny. It had been so long since she’d had this kind of interaction. For a while she felt like she’d never have anything normal again, let alone girl time. Penny also made a mean margarita. It was currently making her feel all warm and fuzzy.

  Shaz made herself entirely too at home in the clubhouse. Iris was amazed at how the grown men coddled her. They let her get up on the pool table and lay down right in the middle of a game, till Iris came over and shooed her away.

  “You play?” Cain asked as Iris rolled a ball on the other empty table.

  “Not really” Iris replied.

  “Good, you wanna make a wager?” He then asked sporting a wicked grin.

  “Really?” Her face contorted with sarcasm. Iris wasn’t supposed to be making bets.

  “Yeah” Cain continued. “If I win, you take a ride on my bike and we get lunch tomorrow.”

  “And if I win?” Iris smiled and asked.

  The man ran his large hand through his wavy hair, then rubbed his stubbled chin in mock consideration of the matter. He was sexy and he knew it.

  “Well if you win we should take a ride on my bike, get lunch, and I guess we might squeeze in some shopping.”

  Iris almost rolled her eyes. So Cain thought he was a prize. Not far off the mark actually. The rotten man knew she was into him.

  “Ugh. No more booze.” Iris told herself. The sexy arrogant bastard was wreaking havoc on her senses and he hadn’t even touched her.

  Cain broke the balls with the first stroke. Nothing landed so Iris took her first shot landing a purple striped ball, side pocket.

  “Stripes it is Madame.” Cain announced.

  Iris proceeded to land the next two shots much to his shock. A bit unprecedented for her but Iris teased Cain anyway.

  “I said I didn’t really play, not that I wasn’t any good!” Iris smiled demurely.

  The gorgeous man stood so freaking close, those pale gray eyes looking incredulously at her. Then his expression shifted to amusement.

  “I suppose that’s what I get.” Cain moved in close his arms bracketing Iris as her back hit the edge of the table. “So tell me Iris how’s this game end?” He asked her.

  Cain leaned in so close Iris wondered if he’d kiss her. Then again he might just bite. Iris’ breath picked up in pace as she looked into Cain’s steely eyes. He was serious about his question, but he wasn’t asking about the billiards game. Was he asking about the strange circumstances that had led her to the Reapers? Or the electric sparks that seemed to fly anytime he got close to her?

  Iris lifted her hand hesitantly and placed it on his rock hard chest. Cain’s muscles shifted beneath the black t-shirt, sending heat through her fingertips. Iris pushed him back. Cain resisted for a moment then backed up.

  “I can’t see everything. Sometimes we have to just wait and see how it plays out.”

  Iris made her shot and missed. The man had her completely flustered.

  Cain

  Cain was unsure just how deeply Iris saw into him. The fact that she could potentially read him and the rest of his brother like an open book was disturbing to say the least. It was part of the reason he’d attempted to give her some space while she recovered from her injuries and their crazy ordeal. But regardless of his wiser notion Cain found himself seeking her out.

  Iris was turned on, he could smell it, and yet she was nervous. The beast inside Cain wanted to bend her over the pool table and do wicked things to her lush body, an urge he almost acted on. Except Iris had already been through too much. She didn’t need some bastard mauling her. It was bad enough several of his brothers were nosing around her like fresh meat. A fact that raised his hackles.

  Despite her seductive scent Cain made his beast heel, as they continued their game. He was rather certain she’d make a great pool shark.

  “So what do you do?” Cain asked after taking a shot. They’d talked a bit but he hadn’t asked her about her job yet.

  “I run a cleaning business that specializes in antiques. My grandmother used to own an antique shop when I was young and I found I liked them.” Iris replied as she lined up her next shot. That explained part of why she got disgruntled when the guys broke that table earlier. “Something about all the history wrapped up in those old things calls to me.”

  “Does it have anything to do with your mojo.” Cain asked curiously. Iris was so damn different he wanted to know what made her tick.

  She might have said she didn’t see everything, but Cain could tell she saw something when she looked at him. Was it just lust? God he hoped it was lust. That he could handle.

  Somehow Cain had a feeling that it was more than that, and it unnerved him. She already knew too much about him and his brothers. Yet another reason to keep Iris around till he could tease out just what the deal was with this unusual female.

  “Maybe” Iris considered replied. “But it’s not like I get any strange vibes. Old stuff just feels right I guess.” She took her shot and then it was his turn. “So what do you do?”

  “I run the club and our various businesses.” Cain replied.

  “Vague much?” Iris quirked her brow at him. He could see she was worried about what other nefarious ventures the Reapers were into.

  “We stay on this side of the law for the most part.” Cain reassured her.

  It was true despite what she’d witnessed. Even the guys that died at the fights were the responsibility of their friends to deal with. He wasn’t into dealing with any more bodies than necessary. Beyond that he and his brothers attempted to not attract human attention too much.

  But there were some things that his kind needed freedom to do that most humans wouldn’t understand, like fighting and running wild. The last thing he needed was to have the clubhouse swarmed with angry humans toting torches and pitchforks after discovering just what they were.

  Many of his kind formed motorcycle clubs. The freedom of moving down the road on a bike with the wind in
your hair appealed to their kind. It was a sense of release and freedom you could only find when you let the beast loose to run. Of course he couldn’t tell Iris that. She was looking at him expecting some sort of an answer though.

  “I’m king of the concrete jungle sweetheart.” Cain played it off, not knowing how to explain his world to her without letting the cat out of the bag, literally.

  He was the leader of the Chicago pride. Any feline Shifter in the area, Reaper or not answered to him. He didn’t have to do anything, besides keep his people safe.

  “King of the concrete jungle!” Iris snorted in amusement.

  “What?” Cain said in mock offence. “It’s a very serious job. I’ll have you know that prowling, practicing my roar and keeping my mane tangle free,” Cain shook out his shoulder length hair. “is a very time consuming affair.”

  “Stop!” Iris giggled, tears squeezing from her eyes.

  Cain was glad she’d had a few drinks. It made his silly reply a good enough response to her casual yet probing question, and far more amusing than it probably was.

  The game was tied up, time to sink the eight ball, Iris’ shot. Just as she pulled back her stick Cain couldn’t help but move in close.

  “Don’t miss.” Cain husked into her ear, taking in a deep breath of her sweet musky scent. God he could eat her up. Iris shuddered and missed.

  “Dirty pool, you teasing ass!” Iris groused.

  Cain grinned wagging his brows at her. He could tell Iris wanted to tackle him, but resisted. He’d welcome it, but she was just a bit too tipsy and delicate. She was also still pretty beat up. As much as he’d like to take her here and now, Cain resisted, something he’d never done before. Iris wasn’t some club whore, she was different, very different.

  Iris

  Iris woke up late just a smidgen hungover. Cain had already vacated the chair he usually occupied of a night. She grinned as she recalled the night before. The fact the man thought he stayed on this side of the law was a joke. But the more she thought about it, the more she figured it had to be hard to be something more than human and follow traditional rules.

  Cain was a character to say the least. She wondered if he had any idea she knew how true his offhand comment was about being the king of the jungle. Probably not or he might not have said anything. He knew she could see things, though it was true she couldn’t see everything. For some reason the Reapers unusual nature made them harder to read than normal. Maybe her mind was still getting used to them and trying to reconcile their odd animal side.

  Iris found Cain downstairs after spending way too much time primping in the bathroom mirror. Iris worried if they should be going out but Cain reassured her they’d be safe and she trusted him. He led her out to the garage and helped her onto his bike. He was so damn broad as she placed her arms around him. Iris tried her best to not cop a feel, but it was difficult as she gripped him tight, while they roared down the road. He smelled like leather and musk.

  It felt great to have the wind in her hair, and sun on her face. Iris found herself grateful for something so simple.

  Cain took her to a pizza place with tasty salads and a gooey cheesy pie that was to die for.

  “Oh god.” Iris moaned as she pulled in the long stringy bite of cheese. She missed food the entire time she’d been cooped up in Hank’s basement.

  “Good huh?” Cain asked her, his eyes studying her as she ate.

  Iris wondered if she looked like a heathen shoveling food into her gaping maw.

  “Yes. That bastard didn’t feed me much.” Iris replied though Cain probably knew.

  Cain’s expression darkened. She shouldn’t have reminded him but the comment just kind of came out.

  “Thank you for getting me away from him.” Iris had to say.

  She didn’t know how long Cain planned on keeping her around before he felt it was safe. She felt a bit like a leach lazing around and eating up their food, while Cain slept in an uncomfortable chair every night.

  Iris smiled. A week ago she wouldn’t have believed the giant man in front of her would be her saving grace risking his ass for her.

  “Stop thanking me.” Cain shook his head. “What that asshole did is…” Cain stopped before saying anything more. Violent intent towards Hank swirled in his eyes. “Look Iris, we���re still having a hard time hunting Hank down and I don’t know how long it will take.” Cain said reading her mind.

  “Okay”

  Iris wasn’t sure what that meant for the short or long term. But eventually life moved on, resolved or unresolved, safe or not. That���s just how life goes sometimes.

  “I’m pretty sure you don’t mean me and the club any harm, with your wild mojo and all.” Cain told her seriously and she believed him feeling relieved. “I’m not proud of what you saw but I’d do it again if I had to. I protect the people I care about.”

  The way Cain stared at her as he spoke made her wonder if he included her in that category. The idea no longer frightened her the way it did at first. Despite what she’d witnessed and the whole menacing biker thing he had going on, she was more sure than not that Cain was a decent guy at heart. At least he was to her. Yet still she found she had unanswered questions about Cain and the Reapers.

  “And the fights?” Iris asked nervously, not sure if she wanted to know his reason.

  “We just offer a venue. Nothing more. Me and my guys actually like to spar after everyone else leaves. Years ago my grandfather opened it up to people outside the club. What those idiots do is up to them to deal with.”

  Iris nodded. That seemed to make sense considering what she knew about Cain’s hidden nature.

  “Anyway I know I’ve said that I won’t let any of that shit happen to you ever again.” Cain pinned her with his gaze. “But I haven’t really spelled it out. I’m sorry. I know it sucks but if I send you back to your old life, I have no doubt that fucker will come for you.”

  “I get it.” Iris replied.

  She did understand. It was frustrating that her life had been ripped from her by some evil asshole. But she was starting to believe that if anyone else besides the Reapers had rescued her, Hank would’ve easily gotten his hands on her again. Cain was by far the lesser of the two evils. The fact that he felt the need to protect her made something deep inside Iris stand up and take note. Why did he care what happened to her?

  “You guys are a bit scary, but you’re not an evil fuckwad.” Iris replied, hoping Cain understood that she got just how messed up this whole situation was and that she appreciated his concern. He didn���t have to after all. Cain could just toss her to the wolves.

  “Thank you, I think.” Cain grinned as he took another bite.

  “I feel like a giant mooch.” Iris shook her head.

  “No you hardly eat much.” Cain replied.

  Man he could put it away. He nearly ate the entire pizza.

  “Yeah cause someone else beats me to it.” Iris’ hand snaked out to steal another piece of pizza before it got sucked into hurricane Cain.

  Cain laughed at her mock disgruntled expression. He had to be superhuman. No one could eat like that and not weigh a shit ton.

  When they finished Cain headed to the mall, to a pretty decent clothing store, even though Iris officially lost their game of pool.

  Iris wandered through the racks of clothes not really seeing anything that interested her. Cain must’ve noticed she was at a loss.

  “You don’t like any of this stuff do you?”

  “I’m not a big fashionista.”

  Iris had styles she liked, sure. She just didn’t see anything she couldn’t live without here. Cain was already housing and feeding her. She didn’t need to spend his money on stuff she really didn’t like.

  “Where do you want to go?” He asked.

  “Are you sure?” Iris worried her bottom lip. She wasn’t sure it was wise to go someplace she might get recognized.

  “Of course it’ll be fine.”

  Cain took he
r hand as he led her to his bike. Iris felt the heat of him radiating up from where their fingers entwined. He held her hands against his stomach till they got out onto the road and he needed to steer. She kept her hands on his stomach feeling his muscles bunch and flex. God he felt so good she almost forgot where they were going.

  Iris recovered her wits and directed Cain to a little vintage shop she liked to go to. Iris sometimes shopped there and often referred clients to them with appropriate clothes and jewelry they wanted to sell. Thankfully Aaron the regular guy, wasn’t at the register today.

  “Oh yes.” Iris almost did a little dance while Cain looked on in amusement.

  The 1950’s little black number was still there. She’d visited it before. It was the perfect black dress. It reminded her of something Bettie Page might wear. The halter top with built-in bra showed just enough shoulder and back. The neck was yoked high enough to leave something to the imagination while the back dipped low. The A line skirt flared out to the knee but accentuated the waist. The matching pumps with a bit of a wedged heel and ankle strap sat on the riser nearby. Aaron put the ensemble together specifically to taunt her. More than once she debated buying it, but never had cause to drop so much cash on such a stunning outfit. She never had occasion to wear it, but she coveted it none the less.

  “You want to try it on?” Cain asked a smile playing on his face as he saw how Iris adored the dress.

  “No I know it fits.” Was her reply. Cain’s eyes rose. Iris smiled.

  “How bout you go wait with the bike.” He said as he scooped up the items and headed to the register.

  “Oh no that’s too much.” Iris objected. That was easily a $400 outfit.

  Cain leaned down pulling her in with one strong arm banded around her waist.

  “Do you look hot in it?” Cain demanded his voice deep and seductive.

  Iris nodded a shiver going up her spine. She did, it fit like a dream.

  “Then it’s yours.” With that he released her and headed to the register.