He sat silently while she talked, occasionally rubbing her back or smoothing her hair. As precious as this woman had become to him, he couldn’t fathom the fact that she had been treated so callously and by a Brother at that. He pulled her closer and placed a kiss on her temple then said, “Cherub, I’m sorry. You shouldn’t have had to go through any of that at all. I’m glad you told me, but like I said, it doesn’t change how I feel about you one bit. Whether you can have a hundred kids or not is irrelevant to me, yeah?”
Hearing the sincerity in his words, she felt herself relax. In every way, he had shown her the depth of his affection. He treated her with respect and as if she mattered, and she felt cherished whenever he was around. Reaching up to run her hand along the side of his jaw, she looked at him and said, “I love you, Zeke. More than words can express. More than I ever thought possible. And I thank God every day for bringing me here.”
Before he claimed her lips with his own, he whispered, “And I love and adore you, my Cherub.”
The movie forgotten, they spent some time “necking” as Zeke called it, until he once again called a halt. She let out a frustrated sigh before asking him, “When, Zeke?”
“Soon, Cherub.”
“Is that your final answer?”
He started chuckling at her use of a catch-phrase from a popular game show. “Yeah, Cherub, at least for right now.” He helped her up and she walked him to the door, where he kissed her again before saying, “I’ll be here in the morning to help you round up the girls and get them fed. Then, you’re riding with me.”
Oh my word she thought. I love when he uses that voice. “Okay, Zeke. It’s been awhile since I’ve been on a bike, though.”
“It’ll come back to you, Cherub. Now be sure to lock up, yeah?”
“Yeah, Zeke, I will.”
“Love you, Cherub. I’ll see you bright and early.”
“Love you too, Zeke.”
Chapter Fifteen
She was running around like a chicken with her head cut off making sure she had everything for the girls, as well as herself, when the doorbell rang. Running to the door, she opened it to a smiling Zeke. “Good morning, Cherub,” he said, coming inside and then giving her a kiss.
“Morning, Zeke. I’m not quite ready yet. We had another breakfast episode which resulted in an unscheduled bath. I’m sorry,” she told him, already heading back down to her room.
He followed her and once inside said, “Cherub? What can I do to help? Thad was following me so I can have him load things up and give you a hand.”
“Uh, well, I have containers with baked goodies in the kitchen, and platters of sandwiches in the fridge. I’ve pulled out drinks for the girls and myself, and I also have my share of the stuff needed for margaritas. It’s all on the kitchen table except the sandwiches. Oh! And since I know he’s got to run, I have Gatorade for Thad, make sure he grabs that and the two cases of water.”
“Just to say, Cherub, there are stores up where we’re going, yeah?”
“I know, but I was out and about and grabbed it so we don’t have to stop having fun.”
He shook his head at her logical thinking-they would have sent a prospect if anything was needed, and most likely would still do so. He asked again, “Cherub? What can I do to help?”
“Well, I have my stuff almost packed, the girls are packed, so not too much other than keep me company?”
“I can do that. Do you have just a minute before you go hunting for more clothes?” he asked her.
She stopped pulling out nightgowns and looked at him. He had a serious look on his face and her insides clenched. Not realizing that she wore her emotions so well, she was somewhat surprised when he reached out and tucked some hair behind her ear before he led her over to her sitting area. As he sat down, he pulled her into his lap. “Cherub? Got an important question to ask, yeah?”
“Um, okay…”
“I want you to be my old lady, especially since you’re riding on the back of my bike for this run.”
“Was that a question or a statement?” she asked him, smiling slightly.
He chuckled before kissing her and said, “Cherub, would you be my old lady?”
“Yes, Zeke, I would be honored to be alongside you as your old lady,” she told him as she reached out to kiss him.
Before things got too heated, again, she thought, he pulled back and helped her back up, patting her lightly as he told her he would be right back. She went back to her dresser and pulled out different nightwear-if she was now his old lady, she didn’t want him seeing her in ratty nightgowns!
He went back out to his truck and grabbed the cut he had for her, taking it into the house. His bike was at the clubhouse, and there was a prospect coming with Thad to load up her stuff. Smiling to himself, he thought of the other things he had in his saddlebags. Months together spent talking, plus the insight that Dex had provided, had him knowing that she wouldn’t expect anything beyond being an old lady. But he wanted more and planned to ask her another important question while they were gone.
Back inside, he saw her dragging her small suitcase down the hall and went to help her, putting it by the front door. He then went into the girls’ room and grabbed their bag and babies, along with their sunglasses and little hats, and put those by the door as well.
Listening, he heard her in the kitchen and he went to find her and had to stop to catch his breath. She was bent over, searching the refrigerator, and he was stunned to find himself reacting. “Cherub, like the picture you’re presenting right now.”
She turned quickly at his words and he was amused to see her flush. “Zeke!” she hissed, “You can’t say that kind of thing where Thad could hear!”
He glanced out the back window and saw Thad and the prospect had arrived and were out with the girls at their playhouse. “Thinking we’re good, Cherub. C’mere.”
She went willingly into his arms, looping her arms around his waist right before he lowered his lips to hers. As all rational thought left her once again, she reveled in how he made her feel. He continued to kiss her, eventually pulling back enough to look at her dazed eyes before he said, “Love you, Cherub. What say we get this show on the road?”
How can he talk much less function after that she thought as she worked to make her limbs move. Going to the back door, she called the kids in and then went to pull the platters of sandwiches out of the fridge. Once the kids came in, she made sure the door was locked and deadbolted then turned to Thad and said, “Your dad said you would load things up for the trip. Most of it is by the front door, but this needs to go too.”
“That’s cool, Angelina. Yeah, I’ve got it,” he replied, grabbing the containers of the baked goodies.
Before long everything was loaded and she was checking to make sure nothing was left behind. Waiting by the door, Zeke finally said, “Cherub, if we forgot something, we’ll send a prospect to get it, okay?”
“Okay. I’m ready to go anyhow and am sure I got all the girls will need,” she replied, walking up to where he was waiting.
“Just one thing, Cherub. You’ll need this,” he said, as he lifted the cut from behind his back to help her put it on. She looked and saw his property patch on the back but on the front, he had put “Zeke’s Cherub” over the left breast pocket and “Angel” was over the right. Once he had it on her, he kissed her nose and putting his hand on her low back, led her out the door and to his truck.
***
Things seemed to happen fast once they got to the clubhouse. Vehicles were loaded, kids were with assigned people who were driving, and the men and women riding bikes were busy getting helmets and gloves on. Zeke walked over to where Angelina was standing with Eva and Marta and motioned for her to turn around. She did so and felt his hands in her hair, braiding it before he tucked it underneath her cut. When he spun her around again, she laughed because he had found her a pink bandana and was busy getting that around her hair before he handed her a helmet.
“Zek
e? You know I’ve ridden before, yeah?” she finally asked him.
“I know, Cherub, but you’re the only old lady I’ve had so humor me, okay? I need to do this to make sure you’re as protected as I can make you.”
Her heart melted hearing him say that-she knew he had been married before, but they had split up before he joined the MC so she had never been his old lady. Knowing that she was going to be his first and only? Priceless. She reached out a hand to stop him, saying, “Zeke, I love you for what you’re doing to take care of me. You show me every day, in some way, that I matter to you, and that means a lot.”
He kissed her nose and led her over to his bike. When he got on and tipped for her to get on behind him, she felt a shiver run up her spine. Sure, they had cuddled and done a lot of kissing, but most of the time, they weren’t as close as they would be while riding.
***
They stopped halfway for lunch at a diner they frequented whenever they did this run. The owner remembered them and always had a word or three to say to the guys and their old ladies. And she spoiled the teens and little ones. When she saw Zeke carrying Melora while guiding Angelina in as she carried Cailyn, she broke out into a wide grin and said, “I have been hoping you’d find your special one, Zeke! How’s Thad? Did he come with you this time around? Who are these two cuties?”
“Gloria, this is Angelina, my old lady and these two are Melora and Cailyn, her little girls. Thad is somewhere with Tally, because she brought her best friend, Amelia, who Thad is seeing.”
“Pleased to meet you, Angelina. Do these little ones like strawberry milk or chocolate milk better?”
Angelina began laughing. Once she calmed, she said, “One of each, please. They may be twins but they definitely have different likes when it comes to the way they like their milk!”
“Get it right away. Zeke? What about y’all?”
“Sweet tea for me and Diet Coke for my Cherub.”
As Gloria turned away, she smiled at his use of cherub. This one is definitely special, Lord. Glad to see he found her.
They didn’t linger long over lunch, wanting to get to the cabins and settled in so they could relax. As they left, Zeke made sure to hand Gloria some extra money beyond what they all tipped, saying, “Take care of those animals I see you’re still feeding, yeah?”
“Thanks, Zeke. Got them all spayed and neutered and up-to-date on their shots, now building a barn so they have somewhere out of the elements. Quite a few of the younger ones have found homes, but the ones left are older and folks don’t always want them, y’know?”
He nodded because he understood. Then he wondered how his Cherub would feel if they got a few on their way back. “Got anything gentle? Would be good with kids?” he asked Gloria.
“I might, yeah.”
“When we stop back, want to take a look, yeah? Thinking two little girls would love to have a kitty or two to spoil and because my Cherub has her office at home, they’ll get plenty of attention.”
“Works for me, Zeke. Y’all enjoy yourselves and keep the wheels straight.”
He reached down and gave the woman a hug. She had been feeding them for years, never looked down on them for being bikers, and even mentioned once that she prayed for their safety when they were out on runs. She was also running a rescue, and he wasn’t sure how she managed to do that plus run a business. He made a mental note to get her information when they came back through so he could have Angelina send her money every month to further her efforts.
***
“Zeke, this place is gorgeous!” Angelina said, wonder in her tone.
“It’s got five master bedrooms and then a room down in the basement set up with bunkbeds. We generally put the kids down there, and Marta and her old man, Pudge, stay in that room to keep an eye and ear out and make sure the teens aren’t up to no good.”
“Wow. Well, she has a way with kids and I know the girls adore her. Plus, her daughters are here and the four of them have become thicker than thieves!”
He grinned at her as he led her to his room. What she didn’t know was the MC owned the property and the cabins, occasionally renting them out to other MCs for retreats and such. Whenever they made the call to come up for a family week, a couple of prospects went up a day or two early and stocked the place and aired it out and made sure it was clean. He stopped in front of his door and unlocked it before he scooped her up, bridal style, and carried her across the threshold.
“Zeke? What are you doing?”
“Hmmm, just showing my old lady what she means to me,” he replied as he carefully set her down. His bags had been brought in already and he went over to the bigger one and pulled out some Epsom salts. “Thought you might want to soak since it’s been a bit since you’ve been on a bike.”
She blushed a little because she was sore, but not in the way she wanted to be. “Thank you, handsome. I think I’ll take advantage of a soak if the kids are okay?”
“Cherub, the teens and prospects have all the kids to give the parents a chance to be alone,” he told her as he put his clothes away.
“Ah, I see,” she replied, her voice muffled as she was searching through her bag for a pair of capris and a tank top.
She didn’t know it but while she soaked, he planned to take a quick shower to wash off the road grime. He grinned to himself as he took his stuff into the bathroom and headed into the shower section. He was impressed with how the builder had designed each bathroom, the shower stall was huge but separate from the bathtub. He was already under the water soaping himself when he heard her go into where the tub was located and his body started to react to the sheer proximity. Knowing she was disrobing and climbing into a tub, he debated the wisdom of taking matters into his own hand. Not happening he thought, pulling on the self-control he was known for as he quickly finished his shower and dressed before he stood outside the bathing chamber and said, “Cherub? I’ll see you when you’re done, yeah? Want anything to drink?”
Laying in a tub filled with hot water that had her skin rosy, she thought about Zeke. She wondered how it would be when they finally had sex-would he be more focused on his needs and wants? Sighing, she sent up a quick prayer that they would be compatible, at least. He was considerate, respectful and loving and treated her in a way that made her feel cherished. If it didn’t extend to physical intimacy, she would be grateful for what she did have with him. Finished with her bath, she got out and dried and grabbed her brush to work out the tangles. Even braided and under her cut, she had managed to end up with quasi-Medusa hair.
Back out in the bedroom, she found Zeke lounging on the bed, remote control in his hand as he channel hopped. Settling on a football game, he motioned for her to join him and she climbed onto the bed next to him. A squeal of surprise escaped her lips when he lifted her to put her between his legs, taking the brush out of her hand. “What are you doing?” she finally asked.
“Gonna brush your hair for you, Cherub,” he said as he worked the brush slowly through the cascading curls.
She let her head fall forward, this was an unexpected treat and he was so gentle as he worked through the tangles the trip and her bath had left behind, occasionally dropping a kiss alongside her neck. Once he was done, his hands returned to her hair and he pulled it together in one hand and laid it so it draped down along the front of her before he began massaging her neck and shoulders. She moaned at how he seemed to instinctively know where to press harder and where to smooth. “Feel good, Cherub?” he asked as he leaned in to nuzzle her neck before he nipped gently.
“Mmhmm,” she replied as he moved down her back easing muscles she didn’t even know were tight. Shit if he kept this up, she was going to be nothing but a puddle of goo she thought. Her body was reacting to his touch and she blushed slightly at where her thoughts were going. It must be the unknown she thought as his hands made their way under her shirt while he continued to caress and massage her.
Silk he thought. Soft, silky skin. He couldn’t wait to taste
her, to make her his, but he could tell she had some hesitancy. Unsure of how to ask her in a way that wouldn’t upset her, he continued what he was doing. He suspected it had to do with her past experiences with Laser and he didn’t want anyone else in their bed. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he drew her back before he lifted a hand and turned her head so he could kiss her. As he nibbled and kissed, he felt her relax slightly and knew that his earlier suspicions had likely been correct. His Brother hadn’t taken care of her, something he planned to do as often as feasibly possible. Turning her in his arms so she was cradled against his shoulder, he continued kissing her even as one of hands began gently stroking along her side. He heard her breath catch when he stroked along her breast and felt her squirm a bit in his lap, something that made him even harder, if that was possible.
“Cherub?” he whispered in her ear before sucking the earlobe into his mouth.
“Hmm?”
“Want you, but only if you’re okay with it, yeah?” It would kill him, but he figured that was one of the reasons God had invented cold water.
She opened her eyes and gazed up at him. Her eyes were at half-mast and he knew she was likely feeling things she hadn’t in a very long time. “Zeke, if you stop, I might go mad,” she told him.
“Well, we can’t have that now, can we?” he asked as he scooted them down onto the bed so that he was half laying over her. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, inhaling her intoxicating scent that was all her, lightly floral. Leaning in again, he cupped her face and forehead to forehead, looked into her eyes and softly said, “Love you Cherub. Love you so much. Want to make this good for you so you be sure and tell me if there’s something I do that you don’t like, yeah?”
Stroking his face, feeling his strong jawline beneath his neatly trimmed beard, she responded, saying, “I will, Zeke, promise.”
Her Kinsman-Redeemer Page 13