by M. N. Forgy
“Lip, put me down!” I shout, but he doesn’t respond.
He struts into our room and slams the door, plopping me down on the bed.
“Take it off, now!” he orders. Looks like I made him jealous.
“Why? Why do you care?” I ask, my fingers digging into the sheets. His face is red, veins popping out on his neck. He looks me over once more then thrusts forward, his hands grabbing the top of the red dress, tearing it right down the center, leaving my bare tits and black thong. He growls in his chest and backs off.
“You’re mine, goddamn it! Mine, whether you wanna be or not!” He shoves his face inches from mine, shouting in my face. I turn my head, looking at the wall. He’s angry—good. Welcome to the club, buddy. He straddles me and pushes his weight onto my torso, pressing me into the mattress firmly. I gasp as his mouth crashes down onto my neck.
“Lip!” I holler, trying to push him off. He sucks hard, causing a sharp pain to rise from my neck. He finally releases his hold on my shoulder, his dark eyes pinning me.
“You pull that shit again, I will throw you over that bar and fuck you in front of every brother in this fucking club,” he threatens. He slowly stands and leaves, slamming the door behind him.
I grit my teeth and scream. Standing from the bed, my tight red dress hangs over me like a robe. I hurry to the bathroom, turn my head to the side and notice the dark hickey on my neck. He claimed me.
I guess that answers that. I wasn’t just a job to him. He does have feelings for me. But can I forgive him for lying? I frown; I lied, too, though. Can we get through our lies?
I change into some ripped jeans and an orange shirt, then set out to tell the girls what just happened. Maybe they can tell me what to do next.
Getting closer to the main area where everyone seems to congregate, I hear yelling and shouting. I follow the noise to outside of the club. The Ghost Riders are here, and are head-to-head with the Devil’s Dust. I cup my mouth, my heart slamming against my chest in fear.
“All I’m saying is he never showed up back at the club, and he was last seen here,” the president, Stunt, points at Bull. Stunt turns his head and lowers it in a menacing way, pinning Lip with a look of death. “And your man here had beef with him for laying hands on his cunt.” I scowl at his insult.
Lip pushes Bobby out of the way and puffs his chest out in that way he does when he’s angry. Stunt’s shoulders rise; they’re nose-to-nose, and my palms are sweating with fear.
“You better watch who the fuck you’re talking to,” Lip threatens. Stunt swiftly darts his hand behind his back and pulls out a black gun. Gasping, I step forward, but Dani quickly grabs me by the shoulder to stop me from going any further.
“I know exactly who the fuck I’m talking to,” Stunt growls, holding the barrel of the gun to Lip’s head.
“Do it. Fucking do it, you pussy,” Lip taunts. A whimper travels up my throat in pure fear. Lip is insane; I’ve never seen him look death in the eye with guns blazing and not give a fuck. He’s always been so careful, and not one to take on a confrontation. But that was before he went away, before the truth that he was just acting like Prince Charming. This is the real Lip. This is who he is. Reckless, no regard to reason. Yet here I am on my tiptoes, ready to run to his defense. I still love him, whether I want to or not.
“Lip!” I cry, trying to get his attention. He slowly turns his head and his hard face softens when he sees me. He looks down, like he’s pained that I’m seeing him like this.
“Look, your man was warned about messing with my property. He hurt her, and I retaliated. I did what I had to, to protect her,” Lip confesses, his attitude of ‘I don’t give a fuck’ gone. My eyes dart toward Stunt, curious if he’ll shoot Lip.
“Come on, Stunt. If anything, this ass-wipe did us a favor,” one of the Ghost Rider members adds.
“Doesn’t matter. He was a brother, have some loyalty,” Stunt snaps.
The guy steps up; he’s shorter and has a big beer gut. “He nearly got me killed after he fucked an ol’ lady from another club, who just happened to be property of a fucking president. He was reckless, he had no loyalty and you know it.” The guy looks at Lip. “Let the boy go and let’s go home.”
Stunt gives Lip a sideways glance as if he’s thinking about it. I survey the Devil’s Dust, noticing Bobby’s hand on his weapon sitting in the back of his jeans, and Bull’s handling his pistol in his holster. They’d go to war with another club to protect Lip. They’re a brotherhood; I envy that about this club. Loyalty is the common DNA that runs in their blood—they all have it.
My hand is grasped by a smaller palm. Looking to my side, Dani gives me a tight-lipped smile and squeezes my hand. She’d have my back no matter what—I know it, and I feel it. I’m family.
“Yeah. Fine, but we ain’t open for business anymore,” Stunt responds, replacing his weapon back in his waistband.
“I think that’s best,” Bull agrees. Everyone seems to relax as the Ghost Riders retreat back to their bikes. Now that the show is over, everyone starts going their separate ways, but I can’t seem to move. My eyes are glued to Lip. He told that guy to kill him, and in doing so, I realized I still care for Lip, that I want to try and work through our lies. But does he? Lip eventually strides toward me, his teeth biting on his lip ring.
He stops in front of me and crosses his arms, his stance cocky. I rear my hand back and slap him in the face hard. His head whips to the side, his arms uncrossing to grab at his face.
“Don’t ever do that again,” I sneer, tears filling my eyes. He removes his hand, revealing a bright red handprint. I huff and return to the room, angry that he makes me care, pissed that I love him, and furious that I ever climbed on the back of his bike.
***
Dinnertime rolls around, which consists of burgers and chips. I grab a tomato from the fridge and start slicing it up for the tray of sides.
“Cherry, I don’t like ‘matoes. They taste weird,” Zane says, lifting on his tiptoes to watch me slice it.
“You think so?” I laugh. He scrunches his nose and nods.
“Yeah, I’m not a big fan of them, either,” I agree.
“My mom says I should eat them ‘cause they’re good for me.” Zane sticks his tongue out, and I giggle.
“Well, mommies know best.” I smile. Zane acts like he’s going to gag and runs off. I shake my head at him and grab an onion to slice next. As soon as the knife cuts through it, I feel the room shift and my back tense. I glance up and find Lip grabbing a plate. Seconds go by, but they feel like minutes. I peer up from under my lashes and find Lip staring at me once more. My breath hitches, and a sharp piercing fills my finger.
“Ouch!” I gasp, shifting my eyes to my finger. Blood gushes out of my finger. Fuck, I’ve cut it.
Warmth presses along my back, and a hand grabs mine.
“Is it bad?” Lip asks, his smell and touch making me shift on my feet. I pull my hand from his and hiss.
“It fucking hurts, I know that,” I state. I look at my finger and notice a small cut.
“First-aid is in the bathroom in the main hall,” Tom Cat tells me, grabbing a tomato.
Lip grabs my wrist and pulls me around the island in the kitchen and out of the double doors. He drags me down the hall and opens the main bathroom door.
“Sit,” he instructs, pointing at the sink.
“I can put a Band-Aid on myself.” I roll my eyes but still sit on the sink’s counter.
He leans down, pulls the kit from under the sink and takes a Band-Aid out. He grabs my wrist and surveys the pad of my finger.
“You nicked it pretty good,” he mutters.
“It’s your fault,” I whisper. His brown eyes flick to mine and I scowl.
“I’m pretty sure you were too busy checking me out and forgot what you were doing.” He smiles wolfishly.
“Yeah, that was it,” sarcasm drips from my voice. “Pretty sure I just suck at cooking.”
Lip’s mouth lifts a
t the corner into a small smile. “Not arguing that.” He winks. My mouth falls open, and I give him a slap to the arm.
“Hey, I’m getting better,” I defend, laughing.
He turns on the faucet and slowly places my finger under it. The cool water splashes into the cut, making it sting. I hiss and yank it from the stream.
“Ouch, that hurts!” I yell. An evil grin fits his face and he pushes my hand back under the water.
“You gotta clean it.” He chuckles. “Stop being a baby.” I furrow my brows and roll my eyes.
He dries my finger off with a clean cloth and gently wraps it with a Band-Aid.
“There, all fixed up.” He smiles, holding my finger up to display a Spongebob Band-Aid.
I laugh. “Thanks.” Spongebob makes me think of Piper, a small sting in my chest resurfacing.
“Shadow will be back tomorrow with details on Eric and everyone involved,” Lip states. It’s crazy how he can still read my mind, even after this many years.
His hands rest on my knees, and the simple touch of his palms sends shivers up my thighs. I slowly shift my gaze from his hands to his face. His eyes are hooded, and his mouth is parted. Silence fills the air, and the tension becomes thick. I bite my bottom lip and hop off the counter. Just as I’m about to walk out, he grabs my arm, stopping me. His forehead wrinkles, and his eyes display a sense of sorrow, like he wants to apologize but doesn’t know how. Almost as soon as they arrived, the wrinkles disappear, and he lets go of me. I bite my cheek, feeling a little defeated, and walk back to the kitchen.
***
I wake from my sleep and feel heaviness on my waist, something rubbing against my clit. I moan and slowly open an eye. The weight across me is Lip’s arm. He’s lying in bed with me. I shift my ass, rubbing my clit along whatever is causing me so much pleasure in my sleepy haze.
A moan escapes Lip’s mouth in my ear. I lower my hand and grab onto whatever is gliding along my panty-clad pussy. The unmistakable barbell in Lip’s dick greets my palm.
“Fuck, I love you, Cherry,” Lip groans into my neck. My eyes widen, my fog of sleep lifting at once. I turn on my side and see Lip waking up at the same time. His hooded eyes find mine and we just stare at each other. He must have slept in the bed beside me, and our bodies found each other in the midst of sleeping. He pulls the sheet up and looks under the blanket, I assume at his dick. He shrugs in an apologetic way and grabs a spare pillow, shoving it between us. I shake my head and laugh, and he laughs with me.
“You’re in my bed,” I mutter, my mind playing back and forth if I really heard him say he loved me or if I dreamed it. Lip tilts his head to the side and a sly smirk crosses his face.
“Technically, you’re in my bed,” he counters.
“Technically, you’re on my side of the bed,” I smart.
He chuckles and pats the pillow. “I’ll stay on my side. Promise.”
Silence falls between us, and he brushes the hair from my face before cupping my cheek.
“Before my mom left, she told Tyler and I that ‘dishonesty condemns you, sinning betrays you’,” I whisper.
Lip shrugs. “What the fuck does that mean?”
“It means dishonesty often looks like the simplest route, getting you out of the path of trouble. However, that simplicity is a façade, ‘cause it eventually comes back to bite you in the ass, making you tell lies to cover yourself. Before you know it, your sins have not only betrayed you but condemned you.” I look at Lip. “I never knew how true those words were ‘til recently.” I think my mother spoke those words from personal experience.
“For what it’s worth, I’m sorry, Cherry. I’m sorry for everything.” His apology strikes me right in the chest. “I coaxed you into caring for me, into loving me. As much as I regret hurting you, I don’t regret having your love. Not one bit.” Emotions spill from the wound, and an uncontrolled sob escapes my lips.
“Come here,” he whispers, pulling me into his arms. I clench my eyes shut, my heart and mind playing a battle of what is right and wrong. I don’t want to be next to him. I don’t want to give into him this easily, but a piece of me is exhausted from being pissed off at him.
Tears stream down my cheeks, but the hurt isn’t nearly as bad as it was yesterday. There’s something about being in his arms that takes the pain away. Even though he caused the pain. The day I stole Lip’s wallet, he stole my heart.
CHAPTER TEN
LIP
My hands choke my coffee cup. Zane and Addie are already up and screaming their fucking heads off. My head feels clouded. Seeing her in that damn dress and the way the guys were eyeballing her, I went mad. The look on Cherry’s face yesterday when I went head-to-head with Stunt fucked with me above all else, seeing her care for me even after everything that’s happened. I know I have some feelings for her; the orders have been lifted and the cloud of what was business and what I honestly feel for her are displayed out before me. Do I tell her how I feel exactly and risk her rejecting us? I close my eyes, fucking confused. I don’t know what I want.
“Give it to me, brat!” Addie screams, running past me. I wince and take a small sip of my coffee. Seconds later, a Barbie flies past me, a small pink shoe falling into my cup.
“Dude, you fucking cheated!” Tom Cat yells at Kane over a game of cards.
I sigh and push up from the stool.
“Fuck. This,” I grit. I’ve been stuck in this fucking club too long. Shadow is taking his fucking time, I tell you. I need out of here. I stomp down the hall and into my room. Cherry is on the bed, her foot tapping as she listens to music. God, she’s beautiful. Her reddish-orange hair is down and fans out along her freckled shoulders. I love it when she wears red; it makes every freckle on her body stand out. Her head slowly trails from the window to me, and my stomach feels like it’s been fucking punched.
“Wanna get out of here?” I ask. She pulls an ear bud from her ear.
“Huh?”
“You wanna get out of here?” I repeat.
Her eyes give this weird look, and her brows furrow.
“Um, I thought we couldn’t leave. We’re on lockdown,” she responds.
“I gotta get out of here, I’m going to go nuts,” I state. She laughs and looks down at the iPod.
“I don’t know,” she mutters.
“Come on, come with me,” I insist.
Her eyes peer up from under her lashes, a small smile curling the corner of her lips.
“Okay, just one ride.”
***
Cherry’s arms are tight around my waist, the smell of her wafting around me is making my dick press against my jeans. I miss the smell of her. I miss everything about her.
I don’t know where the fuck I’m going; I just drive. Sometimes, just driving without a destination is what the soul really needs. No boundaries, no limitations—just freedom.
Clouds pour in overhead, and thunder booms. Cherry’s arms choke my abdomen, so I pull off onto some gravel side road. I haven’t seen a house or store for miles. Driving up the graveled passage, I spot a willow tree at the bottom of a hill.
I pull the bike over and park it.
“What are we doing? It’s about to storm, Lip; we should head back,” she encourages. Rain splashes off her cheeks, making her hair curl at the ends.
“We’d get hammered in the storm if we turned back now.” I point to the tree. “That’s our best option for now.” I press on the small of her back and walk toward a small barb-wire fence.
I push the wire down and she leans on my shoulder as she climbs over.
Lightning strikes with a loud crack, and she squeals. I laugh, grab her hand and sprint toward the tree.
“Oh, my God.” She laughs as we make it out of the rain. She bends over, throwing her hair down in front of her and shaking it loose of rainwater as I lean against the tree and smirk. She’s fucking beautiful. That red top is soaked and her nipples poke through her tiny bra perfectly. Little beads of rain slip down her long legs and my coc
k rises in my pants. I have to look away and adjust myself. Fuck, I miss her.
“Cherry,” I start.
She turns, pinning me with bright gray eyes.
“When I took that job to be your protector, I didn’t know what I was walking into.”
She throws her hand at me, dismissing me. “Lip, I don’t want to talk about it. It’s done.” She purses her lips and crosses her arms. Her stubbornness pisses me off. I grab her by the elbow, turn her and slam her against the tree trunk.
“You are going to fucking hear me out, damn it. You don’t want to be with me, or have anything to do with me afterward, that’s fine. But goddamnit, you will hear my side.” I rest both of my hands on either side of her head. “I thought it would be easy to walk away when I signed up for the job, but that was hardly the case when the only girl I’ve ever cared about walked away from me.” Her mouth snaps shut and her face goes still. I look her in the eye and know I’d better spit out what I gotta say.
“I was still a kid when I agreed to be your babysitter, I was only nineteen. But when I found you, you were hot and feisty and not at all what I expected. I was immediately attracted to you. Looking at you, and comparing you to me, I knew you wouldn’t want to be with me if you knew who I really was. A monster, insane, a fucking devil. Bull knew it, too. So I became that guy, the one my mother raised and my father hated. The one women dream about and guys despise. It wasn’t a front, it wasn’t a lie—it was me. It was a small piece of me, however. A part I never thought I’d see again.”
She turns her head and clenches her eyes shut, like she doesn’t want to hear anymore. But I’m determined to break through that barrier she’s trying to protect herself with, that barrier she made in promise of never forgiving me.
“When I was thrown in prison, I thought you’d leave, that it would be over. I hoped it would, ‘cause my feelings were blurring with what I was told to feel and what I was really feeling. But you didn’t leave, didn’t walk away even though I wished you had. I had to face you, and lie to you, to someone I was truly falling for. You deserved better than that. You deserve better than me. When I was in prison, you’re right, I did change, because you weren’t there to ground that better side of me. That good guy was buried, and that monster I used to be came out tenfold. I’m more devil than saint, and I led you to believe the opposite, Cherry. When I got out, I couldn’t lock that side of me out anymore, and I sure as hell didn’t want to make you believe I was better than I was. I knew you cared about me, loved me even.” I brush my lips against her cheek. “But I wanted you to love who I really was and not who I was told to be.” I cup the back of her head and bring my lips to her ear. “I want to love you, and have your undying love without the club in my ear, without the fear of you running from your crazy ex. Just us, Cherry. ‘Cause goddamn it, you got in under my skin and I can’t get you out. You’re like a fucking poison. I’ve had a taste, and now I’ll never be right again.”