by Shyla Colt
Released from his self-imposed bondage he thrust up, fingers digging into her soft flesh as he bounced her on top of him. Leaning back, she took him deeper. Despite the fury of their passion, her eyes were soft and full of love. The thought had his balls heavy and his dick quivering.
He reached between them to circle her swollen clit and she locked him in a vise-like grip as she came, dragging him over the edge with her. Swimming in the afterglow with his woman, warm and satiated in his arms, he knew love for the first time.
Chapter Twelve
Slightly hungover, Juliette gratefully took the ibuprofen Shooter offered and washed them down with a sip of coffee from the mug he’d brought her.
“You’re amazing.”
“I know.”
Rolling her eyes, she shook her head. Today would be low-key. They were getting together for a family-style BBQ and she’d invited the girls. As much as she loved spending time with Shooter one-on-one it was time to start bringing in the besties. In order for things to be more permanent they couldn’t continue to live almost completely separate lives.
“What time are the girls getting here?”
“About three o’clock.” Her jaw dropped. It was nearly one thirty. “I don’t think I’ve slept this late since college.”
“When you party hard, you have to give your body recovery time.”
“Partying hard wasn’t the only thing that kept me up late.” She glared at him and he laughed.
“What can I say? You’re irresistible, baby.” He winked.
“Flatterer.”
“Truth teller.”
Unable to hold her mock glare, she leaned in and kissed him. “I need to get dressed and rally the troops.”
“Um…are they ride chasers?”
“No.” Juliette paused. “Well…one is a bit overenthusiastic about seeing the lifestyle firsthand.”
He raised a brow.
“She’s cool.”
“Okay. Long as she doesn’t piss off anyone’s old lady.”
“No, she’d never do anything like that.” Juliette shook her head.
“Then we’re good. Should I be strong-arming my boys away from them?”
She wanted to say yes and protect her girls, but she knew it wouldn’t be fair. The Lords would never take it further then the girls allowed, and who was she to choose for them?
“No, they’re big girls. Just remind them my friends are classy.”
Shooter chuckled. “Don’t worry, one look at them will tell them that.”
“Are you talking trash about our style?”
“No, just saying y’all are non-whoreish.”
Coffee sprayed out of her mouth in a brown stream and she spluttered when the liquid slid down the wrong tubes. He patted her back as she coughed. Gasping, she straightened.
“Give a girl some warning before you decide to be funny, will you?”
His brows drew together. “I was just being honest.” She took another swig of caffeine-laden goodness and walked over to the dresser to figure out what she was going to wear. Sifting through the drawer, she decided on a pair of skinny jeans and a low-cut tank top.
Finishing off her coffee, she set it on the dresser and donned her clothing.
Dressed, she sat back and watched Shooter pull a black t-shirt over his head. Licking her lips, she watched his muscles move beneath his tanned skin as the cloth curtain came down, obscuring his ink. Truly, the man was a work of art. The word Mayhem had been scribed across his back in a font that she swore begged to be licked. Peering up as if he felt her eyes on him, he smirked.
“Keep looking at me like that and we won’t be going anywhere.”
“Looking at you like what?” she asked coyly.
Stalking over, he wedged his body between her legs, gently pushing her back onto the bed. He covered her body with his own and ground into her center. “Like you want me to fuck you.”
Her breasts grew heavy and she lifted her hips up to increase the friction.
“I don’t know where you’d get that idea.”
His dark laughter vibrated through her body and moisture pooled in her panties. “I think I’ve corrupted you.”
“I get the feeling you’re not done yet.”
A wicked smile curved the corners of his lips up. “Not by a long shot.” Their lips met, crashing together like lightning. Hot licks of desire washed over her. Tunnel vision set in and only this moment mattered. It was Shooter’s special power, making her forget everything but him.
Her path with him had been born of emotion and instinct and continued in the same manner. Scary and exhilarated, she was in a free fall down the largest roller-coaster track she’d ever been on. Straightening, they fell on each other, unbuckling, unzipping and tugging until his pants were to his ankles and they were joined.
She gripped his shoulders, digging her fingers into shirt. Lifting her hips, she cried out as the new angle sent him deeper. The bed tapped a rapid beat against the wall as he bottomed out inside her.
Tittering on the edge, she flexed her muscles and he grunted in response. His eyes were electric, lighter than she’d ever seen them, and full of an emotion she felt in her heart. The realization sucked her into la petite mort.
Her body vibrated as a mini-earthquake shook her entire being into the best orgasm she’d ever experienced. She came apart beneath him and he followed, never breaking the stare. Resting his face against her neck, he mouthed the words against her skin that tilted the world on its axis. I love you.
Unsure if he meant for her to hear it, she held her tongue, following his example when he kissed her lips and eased out, a lazy, pleased expression on his face.
“Stay here. I’ll bring you a hot towel.” Sliding out, he stood and walked to the bathroom. Only he could manage to not resemble a penguin with his pants around his ankles. Narrowing her eyes, she wondered if he’d said the L word on purpose.
Goldfish swam in her belly. Love had been insinuated, but a girl wanted to hear the words. Shooter walked out with a hot towel, and she forced herself to act normal.
* * * * *
A few hours later she all but jumped for joy when the girls appeared on the horizon. The Lords had rented out the park for the day. Cornhole, horseshoes and a few other games were set up for the kids. A group of picnic tables had been covered with red-and-white-checkered tablecloths and piled high with condiments, garnishes and dessert items. Large ice-packed coolers sat on the ground nearby. The smell of barbequed meat permeated the air. When the Lords threw a family day, they did it up right.
“I’ll go greet them,” she whispered to Shooter before pulling away.
Walking over to her friends, she could barely contain her giggles.
“I’m so glad you guys are here.” Juliette pulled Hil into a hug, speaking in a hushed tone.
“Why? What happened?” Evonne asked.
“Shooter used the L word.”
Evonne stiffened in mid-hug. “What?” three voices cried.
“I know.” Juliette shook her head as she moved to embrace Joey.
“What did you say back?” Joey asked.
“Nothing. I’m not sure he was even aware he said it.”
The girls frowned.
“He whispered it in the heat of the moment.”
Evonne held up her hand. “Say no more.”
“No, please say more,” Joey countered. Juliette laughed.
“How did he act when you kept quiet?” Hil whispered.
“Like it’d never happened, which is why I’m so confused.” Juliette ran a hand through her windblown hair and growled.
“Maybe he’s waiting on a cue from you,” Hil said.
“And maybe he isn’t. I don’t want to put myself out there and end up looking like a jackass. Lord knows we have enough shit on our plate to deal with as it is.”
“You feel the same way about him, don’t you?” Evonne whispered knowingly.
“Damn it, yes. Can you blame me?” Juliette sighed.
“The man stole my heart the first night. It just took me a long time to realize it. No one could ever make me feel the way he does. So safe, loved, heard.” She looked at the puppy-dog eyes her friends were giving her and cleared her throat. “I could go on with this, but I’m going to stop because you’re all looking at me like I started a monologue from a romance movie.”
“No.” Joey rested a hand on her arm. “It’s really sweet.”
“Not to cut this short but your man is giving us the evil eye, and I don’t want to be on the end of that wrath,” Joey whispered.
“Wrath? He’s harmless.”
“Uh huh,” Hil said skeptically.
“Well to you guys,” Juliette amended. “Come on.” She hooked her arm in Joey’s and propelled them forward. “I really want y’all to be comfortable around him and the guys. They’ll be on their best behavior. It’s a family day.”
“If you say so,” Evonne said, sounding skeptical.
Laughing, Juliette met Shooter’s inquisitive gaze and playfully rolled her eyes, mouthing nerves. He nodded and smacked Moose’s shoulder. This would be the first time their families met.
“Hey, ladies, it’s good to see you again,” Shooter said. “This is my friend, Moose. If you need anything you can ask one of us.”
“Umm, yeah.” Moose nodded, adorable and clueless. The guy was a teddy bear underneath all the layers of giant badass.
“Moose, this is Hil, Evonne and Joey. Guys, this is Moose and you remember Shooter?”
The girls’ chorus of hellos blended together. A stare-down between Moose and Joey filled the air with electricity. If the air between them intensified any more, sparks would fly. Juliette and Shooter exchanged a knowing look. That attraction would lead to a connection eventually.
“Drinks?” Juliette asked.
“Yes.” The unanimous response made them all laugh. Cracking the ice that had begged to be broken.
“The coolers are over here.” Moose turned to lead the way with Shooter at his side.
Yummy, Joey mouthed, making her laugh.
“Just wait. The day’s young,” Juliette whispered. When they reached the coolers beside the old ladies, Juliette made more introductions. Boston went a long way toward loosening her girls up. In a lot of ways the men of Mayhem were like any other group of guys. It looked like her friends were beginning to see that firsthand the more they moved around, mingled and talked. Stuck in a conversation way over her head between Specs, Gadget and Hilary, Juliette couldn’t help but be amused. Leave it to Hil to collect data for her books.
Juliette’s phone vibrated in her back pocket and she frowned. Probably her mother trying to get her to commit to a time and place to meet Shooter. Normally she’d ignore her but she hadn’t talked to her in about a week. She dug out the phone and frowned at the unfamiliar number. Putting it up to her ear, she answered. “Hello?”
“May I speak to Ms. Juliette Moore?”
“This is she.” She held her breath frightened of what the man would say next.
“This is Paul with Randolph Security. We regret to inform you there’s been a break-in at your house. The police are currently on the scene and waiting for your arrival.”
“What?” The air left her lungs in a rush. Anger, fear and anxiety mixed together forming a potent cocktail. Feeling inebriated, her head grew light.
“I know this is sudden, but these things do happen, and I’m here to walk you through it.” His steady voice brought her back down, anchoring her.
“How bad was it?” she whispered, closing her eyes as a feeling of violation hit. Someone had been in her space, touching her things, damaging items she could never replace and tainting their memories. Peter did this. I know he did. Fury swept to the forefront and she latched onto drawing strength from her outrage. How dare he?
“I’m not sure, ma’am. The police are assessing the damage now.”
“I-I’ll be there as soon as I can.” She felt the weight of four sets of eyes on her.
“What’s wrong, Jul?” Evonne touched her arm gently.
“That was Randolph’s Security Company. Someone broke into my house.”
“Shooter!” Specs’ voice carried across the lawn to the horseshoe pit where Shooter stood with a few others. He took one look at her, and his expression grew dark. Tossing the piece of metal onto the ground, he stalked over. So much for one day of peace and relaxation.
Chapter Thirteen
On the outside of her home everything appeared fine. She walked behind Shooter, not ready to see the damage done to her sanctuary. They stepped inside and he shut the door. Her mouth fell open, and her soul wept. The photos that lined the wall of her entry way had been thrown onto the ground. Glass crunched under the heels of her boots. She avoided the biggest pieces, struggling to take everything in at once as they moved farther inside. It was like being trapped on the movie set of a post-apocalyptic film. Destruction met her gaze everywhere she looked. Tables were overturned, chairs had been slashed. Her chest ached with every breath she took. Her safe place had been taken away from her. She stumbled forward into the kitchen and clutched the counter.
The angel figurine her mother had purchased to watch over her home when she first moved in rested a few inches away from her on the counter, broken in three places. Its wings had been removed along with his head, all were laid out neatly in a line. He’d hit below the belt. Tears obscured her vision. How much longer will I have to deal with this? What if he never stops? The weight of uncertainty fell onto her shoulders.
“Hey, you okay?”
“No, I’m really not,” she whispered.
“Come on, let’s take a breather.” He wrapped his arm around her waist and helped her stand upright.
“Where? Everywhere I look I see utter chaos.” Manic laughter bubbled up in her throat. “I thought I got away, but it was nothing more than an illusion. He’s still calling all the shots.”
“No he’s not. Look at me.”
She shook her head. Shooter’s comfort meant nothing when her life was littered, shattered and scattered into tiny pieces on the ground. He grabbed a hank of her hair and tugged it tight. She looked up to relieve the pressure.
“I have you. You’re not alone and you’re not powerless. We’re working on this together. Understand?”
“Yes.” She gave him the response he wanted, but he narrowed his eyes. The man saw through bullshit.
“Do you want to leave?”
“No. I want to see what he did.” She licked her lips, gathering what was left of her backbone.
“All right. You lead I’ll follow.”
An hour of sifting through the rubble confirmed what they all ready knew, nothing was taken, just destroyed. Police wanted to blame it on teenage vandals, but she knew better.
It was Stant.
Not that they’d find his fingerprints anywhere. No, he was too smart for that. He’d hire someone who couldn’t be traced or located. What they referred to as an outside man.
Deflated and fragile, Juliette sat in the middle of the wreckage of her room. Her eyes were glossy and distant and her hands shook as she picked up the contents of her jewelry box and placed the items back inside the cheerywood square one by one. The police had come and gone, leaving her free to try to piece her place back together
“Baby?”
She glanced up at Shooter.
“We’ve been here long enough, it’s time to go. Being out in the open like this with no one to watch our backs makes me uneasy as fuck.”
“Go? This is my home.” She shut the lid on the case and ignored him. The numbness and shock had faded. Now she was angry and ready to dig her heels in and rebuild from the ground up.
“You’ll be staying with me until this shit is taken care of, one way or another.”
“You don’t get to just boss me around—”
“No, what I’m going to do is keeping you safe. Now go do what I said.”
He’d cut her off and she saw red. There’s no
way I’m giving away any more today. Haven’t I had enough taken by force?
“You’re an asshole!”
Gritting his teeth, he balled his hands into fists. “Not the first time I heard it and it won’t be the last. I get you’re mad, but don’t go off the deep end on me for something I didn’t do.”
“I don’t really want to go anywhere with you right now.” She crossed her arms beneath her chest.
“You don’t have a choice.”
The words hit her like a slap to the face. Her jaw dropped and her hackles rose. The tight rope she’d been walking snapped.
“What did you just say to me?” She dropped her voice an octave and stared him down.
“This is about keeping you safe. If you want to hate me for that, go right ahead. At least you’ll be alive and whole.”
“Fuck you, Shooter.” Her scream echoed through the room as she scrambled to her feet.
“Calm your shit down. You’re overreacting.”
“I just had my house torn apart, I’m trying to pick up the pieces and you’re bulldozing me. I’m not overacting.”
“Aren’t you? In all the time I’ve known you, you’ve never raised your voice to me.”
“You never acted like a heavy-handed Neanderthal.” She threw her hands up in the air.
“Yes, I have, because it’s who I am. I know it and so do you. Hell, I gave you the disclaimer before we got involved.” It was true, but she’d be damned if she’d admit it in the middle of a fight.
“So that’s an excuse?” She placed her hands on her hips.
“No, sweetheart, it’s a fact.” He smirked and she wanted to claw his eyes out.
“I think we could both use some space.”
“Not going to happen.” He shook his head.
“You don’t dictate what I can or can’t do.”
“I do when you’re being completely irrational and showing a total disregard for your own welfare. I bet Stant’s somewhere waiting for this to happen, rubbing his lily-white hands together in glee at the thought of having me out of the way. Fuck that.”
“So what now? I’m trapped in a new arrangement?” she scoffed.