I cut the engine, looking over at her sympathetically. “Probably. But that way you won’t feel any pain. This is super routine.”
Her green eyes were wide with worry. “I know. I just… I hate hospitals.”
I wanted to ask her why, but now wasn’t the time. “It’s gonna be fine. Let’s get you inside.”
We’d barely crossed the entrance before a formidable man with a Royal Bloods emblem emblazed on his cut was striding in our direction. “Ava, shit, are you alright?” His striking green eyes were awash with worry.
“I’m fine,” she assured who I assumed was her older brother, Ruston.
“It’s broken?” he questioned, looking down at the swollen wrist she cradled in her other arm.
“It’s broken and needs to be reset,” I put in. “That’s why I wanted to get her here quickly. She should get into surgery as soon as possible.”
His eyes met mine, and I was struck by the intensity of them. I’d never seen eyes as green. “Thank you for taking care of her. Ruston King,” he introduced, holding out a hand. “Your man will be along shortly. He was kind enough to take Ava’s bike over to the compound so I could come straight here.”
His hand dwarfed mine as I put my hand in it, shaking it briefly. “Emmie Jackson,” I replied, a bit awed by him if I was honest.
If my heart wasn’t all wrapped up in Gunner, this man would certainly be stealing it on the spot. He exuded power and confidence, and with his striking eyes, muscular build, blond hair that looked mussed as though he’d just been running his hands through it, and beard that showcased full lips, he was a lot to take in.
“Let’s get you checked in,” he said, turning his attention to his sister.
Ava turned to me, worry clear in her eyes. “Emmie, I know it’s a lot to ask, but….”
“I’ll stay,” I assured the woman I already considered a friend.
The relief on her face was all I needed. “I’ll see you soon.”
She offered a small smile as a nurse appeared with a wheelchair and wheeled her off down the hall, Ruston at her side.
* * *
A gentle squeeze on my shoulder had me startling awake in the cramped hospital waiting room chair.
“All’s good,” Gunner’s gravelly voice soothed, his gaze soft as he crouched down in front of me. “Ava just got out of surgery.”
I sat up straighter, wincing at the crick in my neck. “She’s okay?”
He nodded, and for the first time I noticed the waiting room was full of who I assumed were Royal Bloods and they were all staring at us.
“I’m gonna go check in at home. Be back,” he shared with another gentle squeeze before he rose to his feet and strode across the room.
Before I could reflect too much on what a mess I must look like, a beautiful brunette and blonde were plopping down on either side of me.
“I’m Dallas,” the brunette introduced. “And this is Lanie,” she added, gesturing to the blonde, who smiled shyly. “We really appreciate what you did for Ava.”
“Of course, it was nothing.” I shrugged, embarrassed by the attention. To me, it was what anyone would have done.
“So, you’re from Hawthorne, huh? I’ve heard about the Knights.” Dallas smiled, and it was promptly met with a low growl from a bearded man sitting in a chair nearby. She shot him an eye roll. “I meant I’ve heard that they’re good men, babe. That’s Tank, he’s mine,” she muttered.
“Guessed that,” I stage whispered.
Tank offered an appeased grumble, clearly pleased she’d claimed him.
“And they are—good men, I mean,” I confirmed, my gaze drifting to Gunner, who was talking to Ruston and another man I hadn’t met.
“Club’s having a party tonight. You two have to come,” Dallas exclaimed, clapping her hands.
“Oh?”
“Come on, this is a small town. Meeting women who have a brain in their head that I actually want to hang out with is like Christmas Day,” she pressed.
I arched a brow at Lanie. “She always like this?”
“Always.” Lanie nodded without delay. “And she usually gets her way.”
“I’m getting that,” I replied, thinking of Gracie, who shared a similar quality. “I’ll talk to Gun,” I assured her as the man himself strode in my direction.
“Gonna steal her for a sec,” he informed my new friends, holding out a hand to me.
I followed him a few paces away before he stopped and turned to face me.
“Everything okay at home?” I wanted to know.
He nodded. “Talked to Luis, dogs are fine. No more escape attempts.” I heaved a relieved breath as he changed the subject. “Bloods are gonna put us up on the compound. Sounds like they’re havin' a thing tonight; you good with that?”
I looked up at him. “You gonna be there?”
His gaze warmed as he gripped my hips. “Yeah, baby.”
I shrugged. “Then, sounds okay to me.”
He looked down at me, his dark eyes awash with an emotion I couldn’t place. “You’re getting there, aren’t you?”
“Day by day.” I nodded. Truth be told, it was happening far faster than I’d thought it could. But then again, I’d loved the man for longer than I’d been able to admit.
Chapter 13
EMMIE
“Emmie, over here!” Ava hollered over the noise.
Loud rock music and the deep rumble of conversation and laughter rent the air as I wound my way through the Royal Bloods’ headquarters just outside the small town of Bishop, Colorado.
It was like coming home, with so many similarities between our two clubs—and yet there were many differences too.
The Royal Bloods MC was only a decade old, with Ruston founding it following his tour in the SEALs. Many of its members were former military and had served together overseas. A fact I assumed only deepened the brotherhood of the club.
The compound itself was fittingly a former military base with the main building serving as headquarters. Smaller converted barracks skirted the property, serving as housing for many of the club members. One such building, Ruston had graciously put Gunner and me up in for the night.
Gunner had been pulled into club business the moment we’d arrived, and the girls had been keeping me company ever since.
“Come on, girl, let’s get you a drink,” Dallas hollered over the music, gesturing toward the bar.
I nodded, taking her hand and letting her lead me through the crowd.
We found Lanie and Ava, who was outfitted in her cast and sling, sitting on couches toward the back of the room.
The clear comradery between the women associated with the club had me feeling a pang of homesickness, missing my own loyal tribe.
I was sipping my beer and listening to Dallas talking about her wedding that had taken place a few months ago when the unmistakable boom of gunfire exploded through the air.
I didn’t have a moment to react before I was being pulled off the couch and thrown to the ground, a large, familiar body shielding me from above.
“Stay down,” Gunner ordered in my ear as he covered me, his muscular body on top of mine, his hands covering the top of my head.
A peek to the side showed Tank doing the same with Dallas, and Ava and Lanie huddled close.
Even in my terrified state, I felt a sense of calm wash over me knowing he was there, that somehow no matter what was happening, he’d keep me safe.
It felt like forever but was more likely only a few minutes before Ruston was hollering orders.
“Clear! Cason, Damon, get ready to ride out.”
At his order, Gunner rose, offering a hand to help me stand as Ruston drew close.
“What have we got?” Gunner demanded, keeping me pinned to his side, his arm wrapped around me.
Ruston ’s nostrils flared, his body practically vibrating. “Don’t know yet—we’ve had some trouble with a street bike gang outside of Denver. That’s my best guess. I want a patrol of the area.”
“I can ride out with you.” Gunner spoke up as I fought the urge to protest. “Even if we can’t find those assholes, if I can get any clues, I can track their asses,” he swore with a confidence intrinsic to who he was. And rightfully so. Gunner could find anything or anyone.
“All right,” Ruston agreed, turning eyes to Tank. “You and the brothers lock the women down and make sure headquarters is secure.”
Tank nodded as Ruston clapped him on the shoulder and strode off.
“Baby, I wouldn’t dream of leaving you if I didn’t think I could help.” Gunner turned his attention to me. “I know these men. I trust them to keep you safe. I’ll be back before you know it.”
“But….” A million questions shot through my scattered thoughts at once.
He took my face in his large hands, looking into my wide eyes. “Em, I’ve got this. Stay here and stay safe.” Then he kissed me hard and far too quickly.
I watched in bewilderment as he let me go and strode off toward where Ruston had disappeared.
Ava wrapped her good arm around me as Dallas and Lanie joined us.
“This normal for you guys?” I asked with a raised brow.
“Definitely not,” Ava refuted. “The guys pride themselves on keeping this place more secure than Fort Knox. Especially Ruston. He’s gotta be livid about this.”
“That man needs some way to relieve all that pent-up tension,” Dallas muttered. “He needs a punching bag permanently installed.”
“What he needs is a good woman,” Lanie put in quietly. “Not me,” she added immediately, her cheeks red.
The quiet laughter that resulted made me feel like I was missing something. “We all know you have it bad for Cason,” Dallas assured her with a teasing grin.
“I know how you feel,” I commiserated, thinking back on all the years my friends had believed they’d known something I didn’t when it came to Gunner. And hell, they’d been right.
I awoke to the sound of the door of my room opening. After Tank had given us the all clear, he’d directed me to one of the rooms in the compound. I'd been told that all the women were to stay as secure as possible.
I’d thought sleep would be impossible, but once my head hit the pillow, I’d quickly drifted, exhaustion taking over.
“It’s me,” Gunner’s deep voice assured me as I heard his heavy boots on the floor, a side light flipping on seconds later.
I squinted up at him, still half asleep. “You okay?” I asked quietly.
“Should be askin' you that,” he muttered, taking off his cut and throwing it across the chair in the corner.
“I’m okay,” I replied, sitting up in bed with my hands clasped in my lap.
He whipped a hand over his shaved head in agitation. “Christ, Em. How could you be? Not even a month ago, you were kidnapped—you could have died, and tonight you could have been fucking shot!”
The fury in his voice should have scared me. But there was fear too. Fear for me. And it was that fear that had me standing up, striding the two steps toward to where he stood.
“I’m okay,” I repeated, reaching out to grasp his muscular forearm.
His large hand came over mine, his closeness making me feel both protected and off-kilter. Then he was pulling me into his chest, his strong arms wrapping me up in an embrace. His smell was both calming and intoxicating.
“You’re okay. Nothing’s going to happen to you,” he chanted, as though assuring himself.
I looked up at him, finding his dark eyes staring back at me with a stormy expression. “I am. You know why? Because I know you’d never let anything happen to me.”
“Em, I….” His voice was hoarse as he seemed to struggle for words.
“No, Gun, let me finish,” I demanded gently. “That first crack of gunfire, I panicked, sure. But I also felt this calm wash over me. Before you’d even landed on me, I knew instinctively you’d be there. I grew up in the club. I’ve had my dad, my brothers protecting me since before I can remember. But this is different.” I looked up at him to make sure he was with me. “Earlier you said I was getting there, but I’m telling you now that I’m already there.”
“Christ, Emmie,” he groaned, his hands gripping my hips like a lifeline.
I wrapped my arms around his shoulders. “Take me to bed, Gun, please,” I murmured in his ear.
By way of answer, his hands moved to my ass, lifting me so my legs wrapped around his waist as he strode toward the bed. I fought the urge to wilt in relief. I’d never wanted anything more in my life, and I couldn’t imagine what I’d have done if he’d said no.
He laid me on my back, pressing in between my legs. “I need you to be absolutely sure.” His nostrils flared with restraint and passion. “Because once we do this, far as I’m concerned, you have a ring on your finger. You ready for that?” he demanded.
“I’d prefer a tattoo.” I gasped as he lifted my shirt over my head.
“Tattoos, then,” he agreed as his mouth found my bare breast. He leaned back, sliding my sleep shorts down and off, flinging them across the room. He stared down at my naked form like a man starved. “Fuck, you’re perfect,” he breathed reverently.
“And you’re wearing too many clothes,” I countered.
He pulled his black tee off with one hand in answer, revealing his broad chest and ripped stomach. He leaned in; his muscular arms braced on either side of me as I got to work on his jeans.
“First time’s gonna be fast.” He grunted as I pulled his jeans down to his thighs, revealing his exquisite hardness. “Are you on anything?”
“Yeah.” I gasped desperately as he slid inside me bare, making me gasp as he pushed through my virginity to the hilt.
He reared back to stare down at me, his eyes full of shock and concern. “Fuck, Em, baby, are you...?”
I stared up at him in challenge. “You chased every man off that would have had me, remember?”
His head dropped to my neck as he held himself still inside me. “Fuck, baby. I would have gone slower. I didn’t know.”
“I’m okay,” I assured him. “I need you to move.”
He pulled back and began moving his hips fluidly, gently, giving me a chance to get used to him. It was pain and pleasure, and I wanted more.
I wrapped my hands around his triceps, coaxing him to move faster, harder. He answered my unspoken command by pulling back and sliding in with more urgency, more force. I moaned in response, losing control, no longer caring who heard me.
“You feel fucking amazing,” he groaned as he held me close, his hips thrusting with an increasing intensity. “Never felt anything like it, like you.”
I knew my nails were digging into his back, that my teeth had ravaged his neck, but I couldn’t seem to stop myself.
When I thought he must be close, he pulled out, and before I could utter a grievance, he’d moved down my body and his mouth was wrapped around my clit. My back arched off the bed, my hands gripping his skull.
He brought me to the brink, and when I was seconds from going over, he was back inside me, his thumb replacing where his lips had just been.
“Want you with me,” he murmured by way of explanation, his teeth grazing my neck.
I quivered in response, feeling something completely new well up inside me. “I am,” I assured him on a gasp as his thrusts intensified.
I looked down. The sight of him thrusting into my body was the most erotic thing I’d ever witnessed. It was enough to throw me over, hurtling me into a completely new type of orgasm.
Seconds later, his movements lost any sense of rhythm, the veins in his neck pronounced as he pounded his release into me with a throaty groan so erotic, it nearly sent me over a second time.
He lay down on me, careful to keep some of his body weight off me as he breathed rapidly into my neck. “Holy fuck,” he gasped.
I grinned, my fingers tracing the sweat on his shoulders and back, the proof of his passion only intensifying my lust.
He propp
ed himself on his elbows, staring down at me intently. “Did I hurt you?”
I shook my head.
“Emmie, shit, I had no idea. I know I chased any bastard away who got in sniffing distance, but I didn’t actually think—”
“I wanted to wait.” I silenced him. “It wouldn’t have been right with anyone else.”
His nostrils flared as he dipped his head to scent me, his tongue lapping up any sweat that had collected on my neck. “There will never be anyone else. There’s only you and only me.”
“Yes,” I hissed, ready to go another round.
“Come on, let’s get you to the bathroom,” he surprised me by saying. “I want to clean you up. You’ll be sore, baby; I took you hard for your first time, and I need to take care of you.”
“Okay,” I agreed, taking his hand as he helped me up.
After I used the small and utilitarian en-suite bathroom, Gunner took a warm washcloth, cleaning me with a care and tenderness that, if he maintained even half of, promised years of loving care ahead of me.
When he pulled me into his arms, both of us still naked, he kissed my temple. “Love you, baby. So fucking much.”
I was already half asleep and therefore barely registered his catch of breath when I mumbled a drowsy, “I love you too.”
Chapter 14
GUNNER
Her body shifted in my arms the next morning, her dark lashes fluttering open as she stretched languidly in my arms. Knowing she had to be sore was the only thing keeping me from taking her again.
“Hey,” she murmured with a shy smile.
“Hey.” I grinned, pulling her in for a soft kiss. “Sore?” I inquired.
“A little,” she admitted, and I knew she was lying. I’d taken her hard. The memory of it had my already half-mast cock coming to full attention.
No sexual experience I’d had even came close, and though my mind knew we needed to wait, my body had other ideas.
“You are fucking amazing,” I growled into her neck, pressing my hardness to her thigh. “If you weren’t sore, we’d spend the day in bed.”
“I’m not that sore,” she protested.
“Don’t tempt me,” I groaned. “Now, I don’t have a tub for you to soak in, but I do have the next best thing.”
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