Rafe

by Jo Raven

  “I hid one under the cushions,” I confess.

  “Why?”

  “What do you mean, why? Because I want to fuck you everywhere, on every surface.” I grab her leg, pull it over mine, opening her up. “Make love to you until you pass out in my arms.” The tip of my erection brushes against her hot, wet opening and we both gasp. “It’s part of the baby-making training.”

  She laughs, then takes the condom from my hand, rips it open and takes my cock in her hand to put it on.

  My hips rock with a will of their own, pushing into her grasp, and her breath catches. She rolls the condom on, smoothing it down, and although I only came a few minutes ago, I’m just about ready to spill here and now.

  Not yet, dammit.

  I guide my cock back to her folds and push inside, inch by inch, until I’m in all the way. We’re chest to chest, her full breasts pressing on my stomach, her nipples diamond-hard. I grab her leg and pull it higher, over my hip, thrusting even deeper.

  My mouth finds hers as I rock into her, ram into her heat again and again. Her tits bounce, nipples dragging on my chest, and she moans against my lips. I thrust my tongue inside, licking her up, silencing her while I worm a hand between us and find her clit. I flick my thumb over the small, sensitive button, then slip my fingers between her folds, where we’re connected, fucking her faster, harder.

  I break the kiss to draw some oxygen, and she cries out, tightening like a vise around me. I stare into her wide, dark eyes as she comes, her pussy rippling down the length of my cock, milking it with every spasm, until I can’t hold back any longer.

  “Meg,” I groan as I come apart, this orgasm somehow more intense and yet sweeter, every pull in my balls and every jerk of my cock so strong I’m shuddering and moaning and not giving a damn. “I must have done something good in a past life,” I pant, “to deserve you.”

  “You’ve done lots of good in this life, too,” she says, keeping me inside her, entwined with her until the pleasure ebbs away, leaving me sated and sleepy. “And I deserve you, too.”

  “You do,” I whisper, not sure how this makes sense, but who am I to question the fact she’s happy to be with me? “You damn well do.”

  ***

  Yesterday I went back to college. I talked to my professors, and decided to take the rest of the semester off. I’m too far behind and too much is going on in my life right now.

  So much is going well, fucking awesome, but I need to sort through a lot, too. Answering the cops’ questions about Nino Gaspari and the events of that night, testifying against Carson, doing the paperwork for Damage, wondering what happened to Colt, whether he left the fight club and went to find the girl he’s been looking for…

  Having Meg move in with me.

  Yeah, this last is amazing. Although I think her cat doesn’t like me. Probably because Meg spends more time petting me than him, and that… That I can understand. I’d be damn jealous, too. My girl is made of awesome.

  Though right now she’s nervous. I can tell from the way her gaze jumps from me to her feet, to the building we’re standing in front of, and then to the street. The window of Asher and Audrey’s apartment is right on top of us.

  “Come on.” I reach for her hand. “You’ll be fine.”

  “You don’t understand.” She takes my hand nevertheless and lets me pull her close. “I have nothing against babies. I love babies. I’m more nervous because now everyone knows my story and they probably think I’m pretty stupid.”

  “Pretty, yes.” I squeeze her hand. “But not stupid. Nothing stupid about trauma. They know this. They’ve all been there. They really like you, girl.” She still looks unsure, so I reel her in for a quick kiss. “Not as much as I like you, of course.”

  She smiles, relaxes a little. Lets me steer her to the building entrance, and then up the stairs. We ring the bell, and I casually put my arm around her shoulders, letting her know I’m right there for her as the door opens.

  “You came!” Tessa grins widely and flings her arms open. “Meg, come here.”

  Heh. Her hair is a bright blue, hanging loose around her face. I open my mouth, close it again, deciding not to say anything about it. Play it safe.

  Meg stiffens and for a moment I think she won’t move from my side, but then she walks into Tessa’s arms and hugs her.

  “Of course I came,” she whispers.

  Tessa drags her farther into the apartment, and I follow behind, listening to her excited chatter about the baby and how cute he is and how he gurgles when he’s happy.

  Chicks and babies. Typical.

  Grinning, I walk into the living room and find the whole gang there. Erin is sitting on the couch, holding her four-year-old, Jax, in her lap, and Audrey is beside her, breastfeeding the baby. The bundle is so small you can hardly make out the baby’s face.

  “Hey, man, you made it,” Asher calls out, coming to clap my back, then thinking better of it and grabbing my arms in a man-greeting instead.

  “Congratulations, buddy.” I return the greeting, genuinely happy for him and Audrey. “Sorry we didn’t come earlier.”

  “You’re fucking kidding me.” He glares at me. “If you had set foot in here in the state you were in last I saw you, I’d have kicked your ass.” He pauses, blinks. “Damn. I’ll have to mind my language from now on, won’t I? Kid will be cussing like a sailor before he says mama.”

  I start to laugh and grab my ribs. “Damn you, Ash. Don’t make me laugh.” I shake my head. “Goddammit, you’re a father. Look at you.”

  “Poor kid,” he says, and starts laughing, too.

  I pat his back. “You’ll be a great dad, man. You guys will be amazing. That kid’s damn lucky.”

  Ash nods, his eyes shiny, and returns to his girl and kid. I tag along, congratulate Audrey, and take a peek at their son’s wrinkly, tiny face. He has Asher’s dark hair and pale gray eyes.

  “What’s this?” I laugh. “You cloning yourself now, Ash? Is there a photocopying machine around here?”

  “His colors may change,” he says, but looks absurdly proud of his kid.

  As he should be.

  “He’s fussy, like his dad,” Audrey says with a wink at Ash.

  “And obsessed with tits,” Ash says, snickering, and wisely steps back as Audrey tries to swat at him. The baby wails, searching for a nipple, and she soothes him, putting him back to her breast.

  “So when are you guys getting married?” I search the room with my eyes for Meg.

  “In the summer. Maybe June.” Ash stands behind the couch and puts his arms around Audrey and the baby. “We’ll let you guys know.”

  “Damn right you will.” I locate Meg on a chair, her eyes wide, her mouth trembling, while Tessa’s talking to her.

  I frown. What the hell? I stride toward her, angry words forming in my mind. What’s Tessa been telling her to make her so upset?

  “Meg.” I scowl at Tessa and pull Meg to her feet, lace my arms around her waist. “What’s the matter? What did Tessa tell you?”

  “I didn’t do anything,” Tessa protests, her blue eyes just as wide as Meg’s. “I swear it.”

  “She didn’t,” Meg says.

  “Then why the sad face?”

  She shrugs, laughs. Her gaze is distant. “The baby. His name’s Scott.”

  I nod. Makes sense. “That’s the name of Audrey’s dad.” He died in an accident when Audrey was fifteen, and she loved him very much.

  “Is it?” Meg draws her lower lip between her teeth. “It’s also the name of the baby my mom lost.”

  Hell. “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be.” She gives me watery smile. “Who knows? I like these people, and we’re all one family. Looks like I’m getting a baby brother after all.”

  I hug her, not caring if the others are staring, wondering what’s going on. I’ll explain it to them, later.

  To my surprise, though, they step closer—Dakota, Zane, Tyler, Dylan, Asher, and Tessa, leaving only Erin and Audrey with
the kids on the sofa. They come to us and put their arms around us, a human circle, a circle of friendship and understanding.

  I let it happen, let them hold us upright, hold us together, accept their affection and support. For now I know I could never have survived, wouldn’t fucking be here without them.

  Or without Meg.

  God, I love this girl. She’s strong and sweet and amazing, and I look forward to meeting our babies, as soon as she’s ready.

  Acknowledgments

  This has been an amazing journey and I have so many people I would like to thank for their help, advice, support and friendship.

  Without the help of my wonderful editor this story wouldn’t be readable. Any remaining errors in the text are my fault as I tend to change things last minute.

  Huge thanks to Nathalie Aynié for the constant help and support, and for the brainstorming sessions. She rocks bears in tutus!

  Also huge thanks to Kia Zi Shiru for her support and help, and to 5 Times Formatting for the great formatting.

  I also want to thank my author friends who have beta read and/or helped me with their suggestions and advice throughout: J.A. Beard and Ashley Paternostro. You have both been wonderful.

  An enormous thank you goes out to my amazing PA, Lucii Grubb, for organizing and running my street team, for being my voice of reason whenever I panicked and for being a wonderful friend.

  Many thanks to my great street team for their enthusiasm and support, and to all the bloggers and reviewers who send me messages asking to feature my books and spread the word. I owe you.

  Finally I want to thank my readers. Your messages, emails and Facebook posts telling me how much you like my stories motivate me, keep me writing and put a smile on my face. You are all amazing and I love you all.

  End of series note

  This is the last book in the Inked Brotherhood Series. It’s the end of a journey which began almost a year ago—in May 2014 with the publication of Asher. I am so happy readers embraced the books and my heroes. It’s the best feeling ever for an author, and thank you for joining me in my world.

  Now, the journey is not really ending here. The Damage Control Series plays in the same world as that of Inked Brotherhood, and we’ll catch glimpses of all the boys and girls throughout. First in the Damage Control Series is Micah, followed by Jesse, Seth, Shane and Ocean.

  And that’s not the end, either. I have a trilogy planned with the guys of the Deathmoth group —the Deathmoth Trilogy—featuring Quinn, Luke and Riley.

  I also have a trilogy planned following Colt’s adventures. And finally I intend to also write up Raylin’s story.

  These are the plans for the near future. Sign up for the newsletter to be kept updated on all new releases.

  Inked Brotherhood Series

  Five boys brought together by fate. Five young men trying to overcome their troubled pasts. Five tattoos marking them as a brotherhood built on tragedy. Will they find understanding and rise above the pain?

  Five girls tied by friendship. Five young women fighting their own demons. Five lives laced with sorrow. Will they be strong enough to save the men they love and make them happy?

  The series composes of five interconnected, stand-alone novels: Asher, Tyler, Zane, Dylan and Rafe.

  The journey starts with:

  ASHER (Inked Brotherhood #1)

  Almost three years ago, a car crash took Audrey’s dad and scarred her for life. Now eighteen, she returns to her hometown for the first time after the accident.

  She’s here to start again. Go to college and have fun. Make new friends. Get over the past.

  But the past won’t let go.

  Asher is here—her first kiss, her first heartbreak. More handsome and distant than ever, he’s still the boy who used to be her best friend. That was before he changed into someone she hardly knows anymore—the boy who started getting into fights and gave her the cold shoulder for years.

  Asher isn’t what she needs. In fact, she hates him and should try her best to keep away from him.

  Yet her body doesn’t seem to care about how she feels, and maybe, just maybe this time her body got it right. Not that she has much of a choice. Asher draws her like a bright flame, and if she isn’t careful, she’ll burn.

  And that may not be such a bad thing after all...

  Curious about the boys working at Damage Control?

  If you haven’t met the Damage Boyz, they are MICAH, JESSE, SETH, SHANE and OCEAN. Look out for their stories, coming out soon!

  Find all links to Jo Raven’s books here

  About the Author

  Jo Raven writes New Adult contemporary romance. She loves sexy bad boys and strong-willed heroines, and divides her time between writing and reading. When not cooking up plots, she putters in her cluttered kitchen and dreams of traveling to India and Japan.

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJoRaven

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorJoRaven

  Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8161577.Jo_Raven

  Website: http://joraven.com/blog/

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  http://bit.ly/1CTNTHM

  Table of Contents

  Front Page

  Part I

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  PART II

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  PART III

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Table of Contents