by Lowe, Aden
Kate's heart thundered with hope. She quickly shoved it down, even as his arms relaxed and he shifted to put his leg over her, effectively wrapping himself around her. Maybe he didn't intend to play with her heart, since he was obviously rattled from the head wound, but the fact didn't make it hurt any less. She took a deep breath, gathering her strength and praying she would survive the devastation he would leave in his wake.
He seemed to be okay, at least, so that was a good thing. Now all she had to do was figure out how to get them out of this mess. Sunny might get back to the ranch and alert Ray that she was in trouble, but the horse could just as easily break a leg in the rough terrain. No help to depend on. It was up to her to find a way to save them.
Ajax could probably carry double all the way back home, but they'd have to go slow and take lots of breaks to keep from killing him. Jakob also probably wouldn't be in any kind of shape for a ride they would have to stretch to two days, and in full sun. And of course, hiking was out of the question.
The issue of who had shot Jakob pushed into her thoughts. That one could crop back up at any time. And no doubt would. Whoever did it would eventually decide to double check, and come after them again. The possibilities were endless, and none were appealing. She really should get up and secure the camp a little more. Ambush potentials lay all around them and needed eliminating. It would suck to go take a pee in the middle of the night only to get killed.
Despite her intentions, the sleepless night spent keeping watch over Jakob eventually dragged her into the comforting solace he offered with his body while the hypnotic rhythm of his breathing lulled her to sleep. Those words of his intruded on her thoughts just as the darkness settled in.
Waking up in Jakob's arms felt like some kind of heaven. Kate relished the feel of his solid warmth wrapped around her and deliberately lingered in the half-twilight of not-quite-awake. For just a few moments, she allowed herself to dream of the forever she needed with him.
Something disturbed the peace and sent her hurtling toward full consciousness. A horse whinnied close by, and a reply came immediately, also not far away. Hoofbeats approached at a lope.
Horses slid to a stop on the other side of the dead fire about the time she managed to get her eyes fully opened. Squinting, she recognized her hands, Alan and Brady, and noted the two extra horses accompanying them. The men muttered something and turned squarely away, not looking at her.
For a second, Kate wondered if they'd spotted some danger. Had the shooter found them? Then it dawned on her. She and Jakob lay in a tangle, naked, and she hadn't bothered to pull a blanket over them.
Shit! She grabbed her jeans with as little noise as possible and slipped them on, then looked around for her shirt. Memory of spreading it over a bush by the creek interrupted the search. And Jakob's clothing lay well out of reach. She reached over Jakob to make a grab for the blanket to cover herself and him. No good. The shirt she'd pulled off Jakob while he lay unconscious hung on a bush eight feet away. She made a mad dash for it and yanked it on.
Humiliation set her face afire. "Um, okay, decent now." She bent to rekindle the fire to conceal her burning cheeks. The task needed doing anyway. Twilight had already set in, and Jakob needed to eat to build his strength. "I hope you guys have something other than MREs for supper." Maybe just being matter-of-fact would let them ignore the awkward moment.
Apparently it worked because Alan and Brady dismounted and started unloading their animals. Alan went to stake out the four horses and tend them while Brady pulled supplies from a pack.
He dragged a heavy cast iron frying pan out and set it to heat on the stones arranged for that purpose by the fire. "He going to make it?"
Kate glanced away from the chunk of bacon she was slicing into the skillet. Jakob stirred restlessly, seeming to respond to the activity around him. "A bullet cut a nice notch in his skull, right over his ear. He's pretty addled, but I think the worst of the danger is over." She sent a silent prayer up that she was right.
"A bullet? What the hell?" Concern made Brady stop opening the packet of leftover biscuits. For the first time since the men's arrival, he looked squarely at Kate.
"Yeah, a bullet. I'll tell you when Alan comes in, don't want to go over it twice."
Brady nodded and returned to his task. Kate put water to boil for coffee, then turned to wake Jakob, confident Brady would respect her privacy. Of all the hands on her ranch, he treated her most like a normal woman. The others all made concessions to one degree or another to her deformity. All except Brady.
At Jakob's side, she stroked his jaw testing his beard stubble against the pad of her finger. In a million years, she couldn't get enough of him. Her finger reached the corner of his mouth and she traced his lips, remembering the wicked and delicious things he could do with them.
In a heartbeat, those lips opened and his teeth sank gently into the tip of her finger as his eyes flew open. A mischievous smile curved his mouth even while he held her finger trapped and flicked his tongue across the sensitive flesh.
Heat flashed straight to her core, and as much as they needed help, she almost wished Alan and Brady had taken a little longer to show up. Rather than give in to the desires he sent racing through her, Kate had to force herself to smile.
"Wake up, sleepyhead. Alan and Brady are here."
He teased her fingertip again, then released it. "I know. You were pretty hot running for my shirt." Moving only a bit slower than his normal, he sat up, flashing her in the process even as he kept hold of the blanket to preserve his modesty.
Brady coughed loudly as Alan returned to the fire. "Horses settled okay?"
The derisive glance Alan scanned over Kate and Jakob said he knew very well what Brady intended. "Of course. Why wouldn't they be?"
Jakob interrupted the slight tension. "Kate, I'd like to get dressed. Will you give me a hand? I don't think I can manage alone."
Alarm pounded in her temples. What the hell was he doing? "Um, are you sure you need help? You seem to be doing a lot better." The last thing she needed was for him to deliberately provoke Alan. The assistant trainer worked closely with her, and hadn't bothered to hide his willingness to be more than an employee.
A lopsided grin crossed Jakob's mouth. "My head hurts too much to try and bend over. Please?"
Brady gave a short laugh. "For God's sake, help the guy out, Miss Kate. It ain't nice to make an injured man beg. We'll finish supper up and have it ready when you get back."
Certain of triumph, Jakob made his way to his feet. Oddly enough, he brought his blanket around his waist with a deft movement, even as he appeared to struggle with his balance. "Can we go down to that little pool in the creek? I need to wash up a little, too."
Kate rolled her eyes. "Fine. Come on." How could she refuse without appearing cruel? The men had seen her lying naked with Jakob after all. Not like she could pretend it hadn't happened. She took a moment to grab Jakob's clothing, including one of his spare shirts, then took his free arm to support him.
Jakob came along meekly, struggling to contain the sheepish grin that wanted to show itself.
Kate moved closer and slid her fingers up the inside of his arm. At his bicep, she let her fingertips skim over the sensitive flesh. Jakob's sharp hiss promised retribution and sent the familiar heat singing through her body. She'd have preferred to avoid embarrassment or flaunting her attraction to Jakob, but the idea of sneaking off to make feverish love appealed to her.
The creek curved around a rocky spit of land and into a broad pool about four feet deep. The brush and scrubby trees covering the little protrusion of earth offered perfect concealment from the camp. Suddenly in a hurry for the privacy, she quickened her step, pulling Jakob along and ignoring his soft laughter.
"You're awful, you know that?" The little giggle refused to be held back.
"What?" He chuckled. "I'm desperate. You saw it. I'd never get jeans over it without help. So you'll have to take care of it for me."
They rounded the point, out of view of the camp. "I guess we'll have to deal with it." She pulled the blanket away to reveal his hard-on. "Looks like a big problem."
Jakob laughed and swatted her on the ass. "Yeah it is, and all your fault. I can't get enough of you."
She pulled his shirt off over her head, not bothering to unbutton. "Well then, what are you waiting for?" At the edge of the water, she put down the things she carried, slipped her jeans and boots off, and stood waiting for him.
The green of his eyes turned a few shades darker and his nostrils flared as his hard-on jerked. An odd sense of elation flowed over her with the realization of her effect on him. He wanted her that much.
He reached for her and she went into his arms, grateful for the smooth heat of his skin on hers. A heavy groan rolled through him as he drew her close and bent to claim her mouth. She opened for his exploration without waiting to be asked. He took his time kissing her, even as his hips rolled to stroke his cock against her belly.
Without pause, he guided her to step into the water. At about knee deep, he stopped walking and left her mouth to kiss down her neck. His palms skimmed up her waist and over her ribs to cup her breasts and draw them up and together for his mouth. The skillful torment soon had her gasping her need, and he left her nipples and lowered to his knees in the water.
A gentle but insistent touch separated her thighs and he teased his fingers along her outer lips, making her entire pelvis tighten and pulse with desire. Finally he seemed satisfied and dipped one finger between, separating her and playing along her entrance, spreading her moisture. With deliberate care, he circled her clit until she wanted to collapse with the force of wanting him.
When he brushed his finger over the tip of her clit, her knees gave way under the shockwaves it sent through her body. He moaned and caught her to bring her left thigh over his shoulder and supported her with his body. With another moan he leaned in and swept his tongue over her clit while desperate fingers clutched her ass hard.
Her nails dug into his shoulder as her back arched and she teetered right on the edge. A sharp cry tore free as he pulled back and lowered her thigh. But then he lowered her to sit astride him and replaced his tongue with his cock.
Then he was inside her with a harsh sound of his own. The position refused to allow him full access and he moved forward to lower her ass into the water. Supporting her shoulders with one hand and holding them both up with the other to keep her head out of the water, he drove into her with powerful thrusts that sent her racing back to the edge of paradise.
And suddenly she fell over, tumbling into orgasm like a skydiver freefalling toward earth. Jakob came with her as she wrapped around him, taking him along for the incredible ascent.
And suddenly, she knew she had to say it, right that instant. "I love you, Jakob."
At first she worried the breathless words had gone unheard, but then he bent to kiss her in a confusing blend of tenderness and roughness. "You didn't have to say it, Kate. That isn't why I told you I love you."
"I know. I said it because it's true. I love you." She kissed him back. "And as much as I'd really like to stay here, just us, we'd better get back to camp before Alan comes searching for us."
He laughed and agreed, then helped her to stand. They dressed together, stopping often to steal kisses or touches. Far too soon, they headed back to the camp.
Chapter Ten: Kellen
Kellen didn't bother to conceal his relief when Eric and his men started showing signs of being ready to leave the bar. Despite their claims to the contrary, Kellen didn't see anything special about the place. Warm beer, shitty music, and the same old skanky-ass small town girls that crawled all over every bar in the country like it.
The Hell Raiders had stayed pretty clear and headed for the door en masse when Kellen indicated he was ready. The Demons VP and a pair of riders went along to show them where they'd crash for the night. Kellen preferred to know ahead of time where he would sleep, especially if they were guests of another club. But since they were staying quiet on this trip, no arrangements had been made in advance, leaving it to Eric's discretion. Yet another part he didn't care for. Ideally, he would have at least talked to the President of a local Brothers club and set up something quiet. Unfortunately, there had been no time.
Given Kellen's misgivings, the Raiders were already on full alert and armed up, watchful for any attempt at betrayal. If anything went sideways, Demon blood would flow. They would have a full watch up during the night. No chances.
The Demon VP kept a respectful distance, just close enough to alert Kellen when they neared their turn. They went back a short dirt lane and ended up on the edge of broad field that had recently been mowed. The Raiders set their bikes up where they could roll at a moment's notice, and unpacked.
Within ten minutes, everyone had a spot to sleep chosen and a small fire had been lit. Hack wasted no time setting the watch, two men on at all times. Everything was quiet and settled, just like it should be for this kind of ride.
So then why did he feel like it was just a matter of time before all hell broke loose? The feeling came from more than his suspicions about Eric and the other Demons. The whole thing just felt off. Under normal circumstances, Kellen wouldn't hesitate to call off a job based on his gut, but he was over a barrel with this one.
Then the Demons came roaring up, whooping and hollering, revving their bikes and ripping through the field. When they finally settled down a little and parked, several were already pretty red, and the liquor started flowing freely. Someone broke out bathsalts and several Demons started snorting heavily.
Kellen had decided he and the Raiders should pull up and go somewhere else for the night, when two pickup trucks full of squealing females pulled into the field. The trucks parked to one side of the fire and about a dozen women piled out of each. The drivers left the headlights on, and one left some hokey-ass country music blaring. So much for laying low. The whole damn thing was a disaster waiting to happen, and whenever two MCs mixed, shit was going to happen anyway.
Of course, a couple of the younger Raiders were all up for it. He could order them away from the party, but then they would have a full head of steam, just ripe for a deadly situation. Dangerous. They had to unwind so they could go in steady and ready to stand to when he needed them. Better to let them have at it and deal with whatever came up. He gave Hack a nod, letting him know the Raiders could join in, except for the watch. As for himself, he'd stay to himself and keep an eye out for trouble.
Hack moved around, taking a moment to speak quietly with each Raider, assuring Kellen they knew the deal. Plans adjusted, Kellen strolled past the fire and grabbed a beer from a girl and headed on over to his blankets. He had no intentions of allowing the party to interrupt his plans for the evening. He'd enjoy his beer and read until he was tired enough to sleep.
For maybe the first time since he'd had his first wet dream, he had no desire to indulge in all the free pussy. He must be getting old or something. Or maybe just more selective. The current offering wasn't anything to brag about.
A faint breeze sprang up, carrying the smoke from the fire straight to his bedroll. Fuck that. He moved it a dozen yards away, further from the fire but still within reach of the party. The peace at the far end of the field beckoned, but he couldn't leave his guys with no one to watch their backs.
The new location would do. He dropped to sit on his blankets and cracked open the beer. At least it was cold. Good thing his phone was fully charged. Looked like he had a long night of reading ahead. He pulled up the e-reader app, selected his book, and started reading.
A girl sidled up, humming along with whatever shit was playing over the pickup's cheap system, and stopped right in front of him. If she expected him to invite her to sit, or even acknowledge her, she was in for a shock. Rather than give up and go away as he'd hoped, she started dancing, a sort of slow gyration probably meant to be sexy, but instead ended up looking stupid.
Shit. J
ust his luck. She seemed determined to keep right on air-fucking until he said something. "You need something?" He refrained from looking up at her.
"Your President sent me over, said you might be lonely." The grind continued unabated.
Cold rage flowed through Kellen's veins. He stood, slowly, careful to keep the need for extreme violence under control. "Did he now?"
The chick flipped her bottle blonde hair back to reveal caked on makeup. "He sure did and said I was your type." She wiggled some more.
Disgust curled his belly as he looked the slut up and down. "Girl, I wouldn't touch you if my dick was ten feet long." He tapped his chest where both his Hell Raiders President patch, and his BOS National President patch were on full display. "See these? I'm President. He ain't even dog shit. Now get lost." He waited until she stomped away, clearly pissed.
He dropped back to his seat, ready to get back into his book, but his phone vibrated just as he opened the app. What the fuck now? He tapped the text message icon where a number he didn't recognize scrolled.
Hey, Baby, where R U? I'm sitting on the corner of my bed playing with my pussy.
His cock sprang to immediate attention. Vicky. Visions of her perfect, lush body splayed out for his attention, exactly as he'd imagined it two nights ago during the most incredible phone sex ever shot into his mind. Far more interesting than a book. He should reply.
The phone buzzed again. An image downloaded. A selfie shot in a mirror, legs spread wide over the corner of a big bed, pretty pussy on full display and glistening wet, and those bold eyes staring straight into his. Holy fuck. The Nickelback song Animals ran through his head. You're beside me on the seat, Got your hand between my knees, And you control how fast we go by just how hard you wanna squeeze… Felt like he raced full throttle into an obsession. He replied.
Call me. Now.
He opened his jeans to free his hard-on and lay back on his blanket and let the party raging around him fade into oblivion as the phone vibrated an incoming call. An unfamiliar smile spread across his mouth as his hand slid down to cup his balls.