by Marie James
I look to her first then at the open door. A tall, muscular man wearing a leather motorcycle vest stands in the doorway. His hair is cut in a close Mohawk, and he’s covered in tattoos, more ink than I’ve ever seen in my life, and that’s saying something because I live in Tampa where people seem to wear more ink than clothes most days.
He’s looking my direction, but I can tell his focus is elsewhere. I cut my eyes to Darby and see her staring at the man with her mouth slightly open.
I feel him approach as I continue to stare at Darby’s reaction to the man.
“Temptress,” I hear his husky voice say as he holds out his heavily tattooed hand out to her.
“Darby,” she corrects in an equally husky tone as she places her hand in his.
“Snatch,” he replies. I watch as his thumb strokes the top of her hand. I glare at him, thinking he’s disgusting until I see the black and white patch on his left chest that says the same word, more than likely his road name.
“I’m sure,” Darby replies, and even as an outsider I can hear the innuendo.
Without pulling her hand from his, she looks back at me. “I think New Mexico is a perfect place to go,” she says.
Chapter 32
BT
I hold Aviana tightly against my chest as she sleeps. I’m thankful the MC has let us tag along with them back to New Mexico, and I’m even more grateful for the private jet we’re in rather than facing an eight-hour drive back to their clubhouse.
I smile when I look across the small aircraft and see Aviana’s friend Darby none the worse for wear as she tips back a martini, never taking her eyes off of Snatch, the biker that assisted with the entry into her room. This woman has sensuality coming off of her in waves. It doesn’t bother me. With Avi in my arms, I seem to be immune to her seductiveness. Snatch, on the other hand, isn’t so lucky. He’s not speaking to her, but I’ve seen him adjust his cock in his pants no less than half a dozen times.
I kiss the top of Avi’s head and feel her shift slightly in my arms. Looking down I see her peering back at me. I sweep a lock of her blonde hair from her face and trail my fingers down her chin and smooth neck.
“Hey, baby.” I kiss her head again.
She blinks up at me, and I can tell by the look in her amazing hazel eyes that I’m exactly what she wants. My chest feels tighter, and my pulse speeds up.
I’ve fallen in love with this beautiful woman. My entire being is full of a love so strong no other person in my life has even come close to gaining.
“I love you,” I whisper to her, unwilling to let a second go by without her knowing it. Never again will I leave things unspoken with her. Begging her to stay was on the tip of my tongue the night she was abducted, and fuck if I don’t regret not saying those words.
I watch a small smile spread across her gorgeous face and a tear rolls out of the corner of her eye. She releases a small, content sigh and snuggles deeper into my embrace. She doesn’t say it back, which honestly is disheartening, but she didn’t jump out of my arms, and for a woman who doesn’t do relationships, that’s a plus.
***
Our arrival at the clubhouse is chaotic and full of more fanfare than I could’ve ever imagined. Some of the guys on the team had been gone as long as I was and clearly, they were missed by the others.
Beer is flowing, bikers are together in small groups, and I’ve never seen so many exposed tits outside of a strip joint in all my life. Topless seems to be the theme of the night, even most of the bikers are without shirts, although they all wear their leather cuts.
“Wow,” Aviana mutters sticking closer to my side as she takes in the scene in front of us.
“It’s not usually like this,” Shadow says handing me a beer.
I feel Aviana lift her head from my shoulder and turn her gaze to him almost in recognition. I watch as he winks at her and walks away.
“What was that about?” I ask her, setting the domestic brew on a nearby table.
“Nothing,” she says with a timid smile.
Before I can grill her further, I see Kincaid walking toward us.
“Aviana this is Kincaid. He’s the club president.” I watch as they shake hands and exchange pleasantries.
“I kept a room available for you guys,” he says holding out a key on a small keychain. “Figured you’d be super tired after your ordeal and would want to turn in early.” He winks at us and walks away. What the hell is up with all the winking?
“You tired?” I ask looking down at the beautiful woman in my arms.
She smiles and nods her head enthusiastically. “Exhausted.”
The gleam in her eyes tells me we won’t be getting much sleep tonight.
The keyring Kincaid has handed me has a very distinct, familiar emblem on it. This belongs to the same room I had before all of the shit went down in Vegas. I escort Aviana down the narrow hallway to the room and lock the door behind us.
She turns in my arms and kisses my clothed chest. I tilt her head back and kiss her chin.
“If you’re tired?” I begin.
She shakes her head back and forth, “I slept most of the way here.”
My hands are trembling. This is the first time since I’ve met her that I’ve walked into a room knowing how things will go. It’s the first time, other than the first night at my house, that we’ve been alone with a slim chance of getting interrupted. We’ve waited so long for our time together; fought tooth and nail to come out on top. I’ve been less than patient, but now I have a desire to take my time and love her like she deserves.
I’m a grown man, an Army veteran. I’ve been chewed up in war and spit out mangled. I’m a survivor. I overcome. Yet, the sight of this woman in my arms holds me captive. My nerves are not about sex or worry over performance issues. My heart thunders in my chest because I know that tonight is the beginning of my future with Aviana Maguire.
She places her hands on my chest, one directly over my pounding heart and the other slides down and rests on my hip. Without a word spoken, I drag my hands down her sides and grasp the hem of her shirt. Torturously slow, I pull it up and over her head. Her hands fall back into position on my body.
Her immaculate breasts are front and center, slightly pushed together from her raised arms. I raise my hands and run my thumbs over hardening nipples. Her head lolls slightly on her shoulders, and I feel the hand on my hip slide from its position. Small fingers dip into the waistband of my jeans, teasing the sensitive flesh of my lower stomach.
I gasp when her soft fingertips brush the tip of my cock which is straining against the zipper of my jeans begging to be released. I pinch her nipples and roll them between my thumb and forefinger, causing her to tug my jeans and pull me flush against her body.
Releasing her breasts, I reach for the hem of my t-shirt and begin to pull it off. Her hands land on mine and I see her shaking her head slightly.
“Please, let me,” she whispers taking over.
I lower my hands to my sides and let my eyes close. The feel of her hands on my skin as she slowly raises my shirt up is a heaven I’ve never felt before. This woman owns me and I never even spent a full night with her.
“Bend down,” she says softly.
I open my eyes to look down at her and realize I’m too tall for her to pull my shirt off completely. I raise my arms over my head and bend at the waist. The action puts my head close enough that I can feel the heat rolling off of her body, more importantly, her amazing breasts. Not one to waste an opportunity, I swipe at one of her nipples with my tongue.
In reaction, she stands taller on the tips of her toes and pushes further against my mouth. Lowering a hand, I palm her neglected breast while I continue to feast at the delicate skin of her left one. Dexterous fingers tangle in my head, my t-shirt completely forgotten.
“Jesus, baby,” I moan when I feel her hand grip me through my jeans.
I kiss up her chest, over her shoulder, and along her jawline. My mind wants slow, sensual lovemaking,
but my body is insisting on throwing her on the bed and going at her like a maniac. The internal war is raging, but my body remains still as she unsnaps the button on my jeans and lowers the zipper.
Leaving my jeans on and around my waist, her hands delve under the waistband of my boxers, one seeking my throbbing cock and the other cupping my balls. I grind my teeth unconsciously at the sensation of her cool hands on my heated flesh.
Just like she did back at the hotel, she edges my jeans and boxers down my legs and hits her knees in front of me. Fuck she’s beautiful, all hazel eyes and honey blonde hair looking up at me. The sight of my cock protruding so dangerously close to her mouth has it twitching in anticipation.
She slips my shoes off and removes my jeans, tossing them carelessly to the side. Her delicate, tender hands stroke all the way up both legs, paying each one equal attention as she stares up at me. She doesn’t waiver in her ministrations when her fingers hit my prosthetic for the very first time, and I’ve never felt more whole in my entire life than I do at this moment.
Her lips glisten as she runs her tongue over them. I see her eyes dart to my cock quickly as if she’s judging distance, but then they return to mine. Feeling overheated, I rip my shirt off and let it flutter to the floor to join my other clothes. Leaning in a few inches to close the distance, her tongue reaches out and with the softest of touches, she licks away the beaded drop from the tip.
My lips part and my eyelids lower. I resist the urge to grab her head and jut my hips forward. The tips of my fingers tingle with the need to touch her. Resting both of her hands on my thighs, she slides her insanely hot mouth over the head and halfway down my shaft. I could stay here forever, nestled in her mouth with the tantalizing feel of her tongue circling my rigid cock.
She releases a slight moan, and the sensation reverberates through me, landing in an echo deep in my gut. I don’t know if I’m going to be able to control myself enough to go slow when I get inside of her, but coming down her throat is not in the cards tonight.
“Come here,” I say reaching down and motioning her to stand. “Fuck,” I mutter as she takes me to the back of her throat one last time before standing.
Mirroring her actions, I tug her sweats down and crouch on the floor. Freeing her feet of shoes and then removing the tangle of her pants, I throw her left leg over my shoulder and lean in close to the apex of her thighs. I run my nose at the juncture of her leg where it meets the rest of her body, relishing the feel of her hands tugging my hair.
She smells amazing. Womanly. Ready.
Her glistening flesh urges me forward and without preamble, I dive in. Her body jolts as if struck by an electrical current when I flatten my tongue and lick her repeatedly.
Her moaning and grinding have me going ape-shit. My body begs for release, just as hers is doing against my mouth. Ladies first, right?
I lap at her as I run both of my hands up her body, spreading her open. Revealing the most sensitive part of her body, I suck her clit into my mouth, softly at first then increasing suction. She’s trembling, begging me for more, and asking me to stop as her body tries to handle all the sensations at once.
I sink two, strong fingers inside of her and nearly come as her body receives the attention and begins convulsing and clenching at me. The pulse against my tongue has my own cock weeping. I’m unable to wait another second even though her orgasm is still in full effect.
I stand abruptly and pull her to her feet.
“Legs around my waist,” I insist as I lift her under my arms.
Like a homing beacon that knows exactly where it’s heading, my cock stands up straight and seeks her heat as I lower her down my shaft.
I growl as her nails bite into the back of my neck, her lips quivering with a soft whimper.
“You okay?” I ask as I lift her slightly then lower her back down.
She nods her head slightly and lowers her mouth to mine. I take her in a heated kiss unlike any other we’ve shared. Needing the leverage, I walk us to the wall and place her gently against it, even though I feel like nothing short of a feral animal at this point.
“Wasn’t planning on fucking you against a wall tonight,” I admit against her neck.
She circles her hips, grinding down harder. “I love it when you’re out of control.”
I nip at her neck in response. Gripping under both ass cheeks, I flex my hips back and slide back in. My rhythm picks up, her moans and whimpers matching the tempo of my thrusting hips. I’d love nothing more than to last all night with this incredible woman, but even sixty more seconds seems like a battle I’m going to lose.
“Rub your clit,” I beg. “I need you to come again.”
She moans loudly in my ear as I feel her hand pull from my neck and slide down between us. I shift her weight and pull my torso back so I can see our joining and her tiny hand toying with her clit.
We lock eyes just before she tugs my head, placing her forehead against mine. Our harsh pants of breath mix, and the tightening of her core gives me permission to let go. Never taking our eyes from one another, I groan as my body gives into hers and my climax meets a spectacular high. I pulse inside of her as she clamps down on me in long grasps.
I continue to slide her up and down me until our pulses begin to slow and our breaths even out.
I kiss her chin softly and carry her to the bathroom for a much-needed shower.
Chapter 33
Aviana
Waking up in the arms of a naked BT could easily become one of my favorite things to do. I snuggle deeper into his embrace and run my fingers over the light smattering of hair on his abdomen. He tightens his arm around my waist, and I smile against his chest.
I’m overcome with emotion. The past few weeks have been hell on both of us. I’m feeling and thinking things I’ve never let my mind wander to in the past. I want a future, I want BT, and for the first time since my dad walked away from me and my mom, I want to share my life with a man.
He told me on the plane yesterday that he loved me and my heart nearly stopped. It’s not the first time I’ve heard the words from a man’s mouth, but it’s most definitely the first time they’ve been spoken, and I could feel the truth in them. I was so wrapped up in him I didn’t say the words back, and by the time I could finally admit to myself I felt the same way, the moment had already passed.
I refuse to let another second go by where he could be wondering where we stand. I don’t know exactly what happens when we get back to Tampa, but he’s promised me there’s an us, so I take the leap, jumping off a cliff I’ve never interacted with before in my life.
“I love you, too,” I say softly against the bare skin of his chest, hoping it was loud enough for him to hear.
His body freezes, but his heart begins to thunder loudly in his chest. I swallow roughly waiting for his reaction.
Slowly he pulls himself out from under me and eases me to my back.
“Avi,” he says reverently against my parted lips.
I close my eyes as his hand reaches up and runs down my cheek and jawline. He shifts his weight between my thighs and I open myself up to him, both physically and figuratively.
“Say it again,” he pleads as I feel him slide against my already wet center.
“I love you,” I say on a moan as he pushes slowly inside of me.
Without another word from our lips, we allow our bodies to speak all of the truths of our hearts.
***
BT’s mood has changed since we made love this morning, and his saddened demeanor has my nerves set on edge. I’m worried after giving my heart away he’s about to crush me.
He’s attentive in the shower, never taking his hands from my body, but he’s not smiled since we got in here. His face is always marked with a smile, and even though it’s only been a few minutes, I’m missing his dimples dearly.
“Baby, we need to talk,” he whispers looking down at me as the water cascades over our bodies. I can see regret in his eyes, and I close my eyes
waiting for the pain.
I nod, knowing his words are going to slay me.
“I told you your dad was at your apartment when I went looking for you.” I look up at him, not expecting things to go this direction.
“He had so many drugs running through his system, half of the things he said made no sense. I got the info I needed and left. At that point, you were my only concern.” He lowers his head and sighs. “The guys from the club went to Tampa looking for more information than I was able to get in the short period of time I had searched for your whereabouts.”
I place a calming hand on his chest, hating his pain even though I know mine is still coming.
“When the guys got to your place, your dad was still there.”
I wait for him to tell me that he’s destroyed all of my belongings or moved a gaggle of homeless people into my apartment.
“Your dad,” he says and pauses shaking his head slightly. “They found your dad deceased on the couch.”
I gasp and take a step back. Tears I never thought would fall again for the man who deserted me years ago begin to fall down my already wet cheeks.
“What happened to him?” I know it was a shitty neighborhood, and every second I was there, I felt like I was in danger.
“He overdosed. Shadow told me they called the police and had the body recovered. I don’t know anything past that.”
My heart is hammering in my ears, and a wave of guilt washes over me when I feel relieved that his sadness has nothing to do with him leaving or not wanting me when we get back to Florida.
Don’t get me wrong; I’m sad about the news of my dad, but I always knew in the back of my mind that this is what would happen to him. Last time I saw him, he looked near death’s door. I begged and pleaded with him to get help, but he insisted he didn’t have a problem, even though the sores on his skin and track marks all over his arms told a different story.
We finish our shower and dress in silence. There are so many things we have to face once we get back home, the idea of it all is exhausting. I’d love to do nothing more than climb in the bed and have him hold me, but that’s not on the agenda today. Today we return to a city that has no meaning to me any longer. The only bright side is BT and the promises he’s made me.