by Anna Lewis
Ajax also refused to let her come with him when there was a threat of danger. He would glare at her and say, “You have no place there. I don’t need to be watching some chick and making sure she’s not getting herself killed.”
Then he would jump on his bike and tear out, and Janice would be left with the conflicting feelings of anger and warmth. Anger that he was leaving her behind, warmth that he was doing it for her safety and her safety alone. Janice didn’t want him to care…she didn’t…and yet she could not deny the warmth that she felt.
Despite the fact that she never saw these battles, she could tell that most of the Black Dragons were coming back. Winning, just like he had promised they would. The battles must have been fierce, because at meetings afterwards, many of the men looked worse for wear, long scratches and burn marks on their skin that Janice didn’t understand.
It sent shivers through her, the hint that truly dangerous things were taking place, things that Janice probably couldn’t comprehend, from her suburban world. She wondered if Charlie would have any ideas.
When she brought it up with her, Charlie had shrugged, averted her eyes and muttered something about going to bed. The thought kept nagging at Janice, making her wonder, making her contemplate the situation as she sat awake at night, considering what she should do.
But her resolve was set. She wasn’t about to stop, wasn’t about to give up and let the bar go, wasn’t about to let Ajax go back on his word. She wasn’t going to stop watching. Janice told herself that the tingles and flutters she felt in her chest, whenever Ajax was around, was the feeling of being alert, the feeling of danger.
She ignored the heat that flushed between her legs. There was no future between them and she wouldn’t even entertain the idea.
She had a job to do and she was focused on that, no matter what the cost, personal or otherwise.
***
“So, what will you do when you win?” Janice was sitting on Ajax’s bike, perched on it while it rested on its kickstand. Ajax was standing, a cigarette in hand. It was late, and they were headed home. The stars twinkled above their heads and Janice was struck by how beautiful it all was. She tilted her head and stared into the heavens, at the velvet black sky and the diamonds that were scattered through it.
The night was warm and Ajax took a long drag of the cigarette and shrugged. “It’ll be good for the club.”
Janice nodded. “Yeah, but what about you?”
“What’s good for the club is good for me.”
Janice sighed at the answer, looking back up into the night. The highway was abandoned, only a few cars daring to drive through it at this hour. “I know that.”
“Then why ask?” He looked at her.
“Because there is more to you than the Black Dragons,” she blurted out, surprising herself at the brashness of her words, not expecting to say it aloud.
Ajax was obviously not expecting it either, an expression of surprise crossing his face before he shrugged, a chuckle in his throat. “Sure.”
Janice felt the familiar frustration in her chest. He was absolutely infuriating her at every opportunity and she just wanted to strangle him. “Can’t you just give me a straight answer for once?” She found her voice rising.
He looked over at her. “Without the Black Dragons, I’m pretty much nobody,” he sneered, and the look was darker than before.
Janice swallowed and shook her head. “Not true and you know it. Why are you being like this?”
“Like what?” he shot back. “Like who I am?” he sneered and shook his head. “If you don’t like the answer, sweetheart, then don’t ask the question.” He stared her down. “It’s not my job to make sure your life is all sunshine and roses. If you want that, don’t ask about mine.” There was an edge to his voice and Janice frowned.
“Well then what is your job, hmm?”
“Beating the Reds and stopping your shitty little bar from going under. That’s it.” He stared her down, their eyes flashing. Janice felt electricity crackle around them, between them, and she shuddered.
The urge to grab his jacket and make him see sense burned through her, making her feel dizzy. She gritted her teeth. “That’s it? So there’s nothing more to you than your job, huh?” She tried not to sneer. “Why am I not surprised?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” She had touched a nerve and she could tell it. Janice stared him down and pressed her advantage.
“No girlfriend, no friends outside of the club, no interests aside from your bike.”
“Yeah? Well you’re in the same damn boat.” They were close now, and Janice could smell his aftershave, the scent of him, smoky and warm.
Without knowing why she was doing it, Janice surged forward, grabbing his jacket in her hands and pressing her mouth to his. She kissed him hard, feeling his lips beneath hers. They were hot, burning with a sweet and salty taste that made Janice’s head spin. She felt his breath shift as she kissed him, but she was in too deep to pull away now.
Instead, she gripped his jacket harder, twisting the leather in her hands, feeling the anger course through her, something else flashing through her body in time. A moment later, Ajax’s hands came around her waist, circling her and pulling her against him.
His kiss grew possessive and hot and she parted her lips into his and kissed in return. Their tongues met, tangling and caressing and Janice felt a deep shiver run through her. She groaned, a soft sound and before she knew it, Ajax’s hand was tangling in her hair and pulling her in closer. There was no space between them. Janice’s arms went around him, their clothing the only thing keeping them apart.
Ajax seemed to have the same idea, because his hands moved to her pants, stroking her through her jeans. Before she knew it, her jeans were undone and Janice was shimmying out of then. She tugged at his jacket, sighing in satisfaction as he shrugged it off and it fell to the cold dirt behind them.
She felt goosebumps through his shirt and gasped softly as she stepped out of her jeans, leaving her clad in little more than a pair of heels, her underwear and a shirt.
Then Ajax’s lips were on her neck and she was gasping. He sucked and licked her skin and Janice found herself moaning softly with desire, which surged deeply within her. She wanted him. She wanted him and she didn’t care that they were on the side of the road.
She didn’t care that she was supposed to hate him—she didn’t. She loved him, and she could feel the thrum of lust burning between them both, connecting them in the most delicious way. She shivered and bit her lip, her hands stroking his skin, finding their way beneath his shirt and running across his tight, defined muscles. She sighed softly as he pulled her shirt off her body, leaving her in nothing but high heels and lacy underwear.
Janice moaned softly, shivering as a blush made its way across her cheeks. She was almost naked, in the middle of the highway at night. And it was thrilling her in a way that she never could have thought possible before this. It was everything she could never dare to dream about. It was everything that she wanted and so much more.
Janice gasped as she felt Ajax’s body press against her own. She shivered deeply at the feel of him, strong and defined, muscles tight against her curves. His hands stroked her skin, running down each curve and making her gasp with pleasure and desire. He felt so good. Her mind was spinning with the sweetness of the pleasure that coursed through her veins and she moaned softly as Ajax’s hands came around her back.
They brushed along the clasp of her bra and she moaned deeply. He felt incredible. He was everything that she wanted, even if she couldn’t admit it. Wild and strong and confident to a fault. He licked down her collarbone and Janice bit her lip, leaning against the bike.
Then his hands undid the clasp of her bra and Janice blushed as her breasts spilled free. Ajax kissed her, surging and deep as his hands explored her body without restraint, stroking and cupping her breasts, running his thumb across her nipple and sending sparks shooting through her. She groaned and he tweaked h
er nipples in response. Janice could feel the heat pooling between her thighs, and she moaned with pleasure.
The need for him burned through her and Janice held onto him tightly. Her breasts brushed against his shirt and the feel of the fabric sent sparks shuddering through her. It was mind-blowing and she never wanted it to stop.
“More…” She found herself gasping with shivering desire. Ajax chuckled, a deep, soft sound pulsing through her body. She held onto him tighter and he slid his hands down to her panties. He teased them with a light touch, before hooking his fingers through them and tugging the skimpy lace off her skin completely. It fell to the ground and she stepped out of them without question.
Janice felt arousal and a blush race through her as she realized she was completely naked, save for her heels, at the side of the road. Ajax smirked and met her eyes and she felt desire shoot through her. He turned her around and Janice gasped as she was bent over his bike, her breasts bouncing in the warm air. She held on tightly, gripping whatever she could as Ajax’s fingers brushed the warmth between her legs. She gasped as she felt his fingers enter her, pushing slowly into her warmth.
Janice moaned and squirmed, starting to breathe heavy and quick as arousal burst through her and she bit her lip, wanting more, wanting his hands all over her skin. This wasn’t like her, but with Ajax, she just didn’t care. He thrust his fingers within her and she gasped, trying not to cry out.
Anyone could see them, see her naked and bent over his bike, Ajax stroking her skin and playing her body like an instrument. The thought sent pleasure shooting through Janice despite herself and she gasped.
She heard Ajax groan softly and before she could shift, his fingers were slipping out of her, the length and girth of him pressed against the warmth between her thighs.
Janice bit her lip at the feel. He was so big, she could feel it. Hot and big and his hands tugged gently at her hair. He slowly pushed within her and Janice gasped, feeling her head start to spin. She felt dizzy and lightheaded as he pushed all the way within her, beginning to move in strong thrusts. Janice moaned and squirmed, feeling the sweet pleasure overwhelm her and leave her feeling almost giddy.
His hands tugged her hair, slipping around to grab her breasts, tease her skin, and make her groan. The friction pressed against her hips, the leather seat pressed beneath her and Ajax thrust strongly again.
It made Janice’s head spin. It was perfect, it was dizzying and the friction was sending sparks shooting through her vision. Perfect.
Janice moaned and she could hear Ajax’s groans as the pleasure threatened to overwhelm them both. The sensations overwhelmed Janice and when she climaxed, she climaxed hard. She gasped and moaned into the night as he thrusted into her, hitting every sensitive spot. Waves and waves of pleasure crashed over her, threatening to drown her. She gasped, she squirmed.
She moved as he thrusted into her and left them both trembling with pleasure. Ajax climaxed soon after with a loud groan, holding onto her tightly as he thrusted within her and held her tight, shudders running through them both.
Janice sagged against the bike, leaning on it for support and she felt Ajax’s arms brace on either side of her as he too, tried to keep himself upright. A part of Janice couldn’t help but thrill deeply at the fact that she had made him feel so good, made him take her at the side of the road like this.
Naughty, thrilling and so very, very sexy. Janice felt herself shiver at the idea, even now and she wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. They stayed like that for a while, both of them trying to catch their breath and settle before trying to move.
When Ajax eventually did, Janice couldn’t help but sigh. Ajax did up his pants and helped her up. Janice blushed as a sudden worry surged through her, concern about her state if undress. In an unusual show of being a gentleman, Ajax helped her to get dressed and Janice soon slipped into her underwear and bra, her shirt and jeans. She neatened her hair and Ajax grabbed his jacket, throwing it on.
He smirked at her and grabbed another cigarette. “So…” he said, and Janice realized that they hadn’t exchanged words since they’d both finished. “I take it you don’t hate me anymore?” He sounded smug and Janice felt a flush rise to her cheeks.
“Don’t flatter yourself.”
Ajax just laughed. He knew she was bluffing and Janice found that she didn’t really mind. In fact, she didn’t mind at all.
***
The ride home was intoxicating. It took Janice back to the first time that she had ridden on Ajax’s bike. The wind whipped around them both and the elation in her chest made her feel like she might burst. The thrill shuddered through her and made her feel like she was flying.
The intimate moments of before kept flashing in front of Janice’s eyes, sending sparks through her body and her mind. She never imagined that she and Ajax would end up together like that. She had hated him and she was sure the feeling had been mutual. But working with him was proving more and more helpful for them both. Over the weeks, things had been going smoother than ever for the Black Dragons and part of that was due to Janice’s background in psychology. It was easy enough to help them out with their strategies, and even easier to help them pinpoint the flaws in their own designs.
Through talking to Ajax, working with them, and his promise to keep her sister and the bar safe, Janice was starting to feel more and more comfortable. This evening had just brought everything to a head and Janice couldn’t be happier. She realized, with a jolt, that not only did she find him attractive, but she was falling for him, hook, line, and sinker.
This man, dangerous, unusual and with a size that didn’t seem human, this man was making her fall for him, bit by bit by bit. It was frightening, it was thrilling, and Janice could feel something changing inside her. At first, this had only been about the bar and her sister. While her sister was still her priority, Janice could feel the shift working in favor of Ajax as well and the thought sent tingles down her spine.
She held onto his jacket tightly and rested her head against the leather, feeling the comfort and warmth that radiated from him. Danger, comfort, love, hate…everything seemed to exist within this man and Janice was excited to find out more, excited to learn even more about him.
The rest of the ride home passed in relative silence and peace and Janice felt soothed, lulled by the roar of the engine. When she stepped off the bike, she turned to look at Ajax. He had taken off his helmet and his eyes seemed to flash beneath the night sky. It was late. The bar was already closed and her sister was probably asleep at this point.
A slow smile crept over her face. “Coffee?”
“Huh?” He looked surprised and Janice had to smile, unused to seeing him caught off guard.
She laughed softly and shook her head, “Want to come in for coffee?”
A smirk grew on his face. “Didn’t we just do that?”
It took Janice a second to realize what he meant and she blushed. “Ajax, I just mean coffee. Actual coffee.”
He chuckled and looked her up and down. “Yeah, I guess.”
Janice smiled and led him into her apartment above the bar. There were two little apartments above the bar. They were joined, mostly because Charlie and her ex-husband had treated the apartments as one. But they could be easily converted into two that joined together by a central door, which is what Charlie and Janice had chosen to do. Mindful not to wake her sister in the apartment next door, Janice unlocked her door, flicked on the lights and led Ajax inside.
It was a modest little apartment with nothing special to its name. Still, Janice was proud of it. It was neat and tidy, mostly because she spent most of her time sleeping or working. It was nicely set up with dim lights and comfortable seating and Janice smiled. “Take a seat, I’ll grab the coffee.”
She sauntered into the kitchen, feeling lighter hearted than she had in a long time. “Sugar or cream?”
“No, just black, thanks,” came his reply. Janice had to smile—she had guessed correctly, and you c
ould tell a lot about a man by how he drank his coffee. She went about boiling the kettle, unimpressed at the state of the coffee maker, which left her to make instant instead of the good stuff.
Still, it was the company that was important and Janice felt herself inexplicably drawn to the company in the apartment right now. A man who she thought she hated, and now found herself falling deeper for each day, even when he made her mad.
Besides, he was protecting her sister and the bar and that was important to Janice—too important to give up. She brought the coffee back, passing a cup to Ajax and sitting down on the couch near to him.
Janice smiled, but Ajax’s mood seemed to have changed in the time she was making coffee. There was a dark frown on his face and he stared over his coffee, moody and thoughtful. Janice felt nerves trembling in her stomach. “Is something wrong?” she ventured.
Ajax sighed, a low sound, and shook his head. “I don’t suppose so.” He glanced at her and took a long, slow sip of his coffee. “But tonight was a mistake.”
His words hit Janice like a bucket of ice water and her eyes widened in shock and in surprise. “What?” She could barely get her words out. She couldn’t believe he was saying this and her mind was struggling to process it. Tonight was a mistake? So, she was a mistake too, to him?
He looked over at her seriously. “I’m not the guy you want.”
Janice felt hurt and indignation flare in her chest. “How do you know?” she found herself shooting back, a harsh tone in her words. “How the hell do you know?!”
“Because I’m not all that you hope I am.” His voice was calm and he seemed unconcerned by her anger.
Janice snorted. “You’re a jerk. I’ve figured that out, but it’s not for you to decide whether or not you’re for me.”
Janice wanted to throw something, or to burst into tears, all at once. “You get to decide whether you want me…not the other way around.”