Mace & His American Rose: The Scarlet Runners MC

by Brair Lake

  The makeshift compound yard swiftly filled with Hybrids. The sounds of the bikes, disturbing their morning. It was clear to see Clipper ran a sharp ship. None of his men showed signs of over inebriating the night before. Clipper jogged down the steps, coming to stand in front of Sinbad. Sinbad didn’t wait for Clipper to speak. His fist coming in fast. Clipper didn’t have time to dodge it. It had been hell. It had been the start of a free for all.

  Mace had been watching his President and Clipper. His attention distracted when something heavy landed on his shoulder, forcing him to the ground. It had taken a couple of minutes for him to catch his breath. As he knelt on the ground. A foot made contact with his stomach. He’d wanted to puke. Instead, he wiped the spittle from his mouth. Then with a hard push, he leapt from the ground. His fist coming down hard, connecting with a solid wall. It hadn’t been an easy fight. The heat of the morning sun. The alcohol from the night before dulling his senses. When the fight was over. Mace realized he wasn’t the only one whose senses had been hampered by over indulgence. Shit, with their disadvantage, they still managed to be the victors.

  ‘Downy Lakes, mine Clipper – I’m taking it back.’ Sinbad glanced around the compound before his gaze returned to the other president. His dark eyes sparkled for the first time in a long time. His hand waved as he stepped closer to the Hybrid. ‘This is just a warning – Next time you’ll not be as lucky.’

  ‘Mace.’ He blinked, his gaze focusing on Avery. Her gaze searching his. ‘Are you okay?’

  He wiped his hand through his hair. His smile lazy, as he studied her. ‘Yeah – It’s been a crap weekend.’

  Mace slid his hands over her arms. His smile deepening when his cock twitch. Relief flooding through him. Thank fuck his body is still functioning.

  ‘Want to talk about it.’ He shook his head, wrapping Avery’s hair around his hand, forcing her to lower her head to his. ‘No, I wanna play.’

  This was no gentle kiss. He wanted possession of Avery and her body. His tongue thrust deep into her mouth while he pulled her closer. His other hand sliding over her hips to slip under the vest she wore. Her flesh cool against his touch when he stroked her.

  Avery’s purr has his body responding. He craved for more. He yearned for Avery naked. Beneath him, open, as she accepted him. Eagerly he pushed her to the ground. His body covering hers. His lips refusing to release hers. When her fingers dug into his shoulders, her hips thrust against him, Mace groaned. Quickly he tugged off her top. His hands cupping the covered tits. He wanted them free. He wanted to taste and suckle her. His fingers slid behind her back, searching for the catch.

  One moment he was over Avery, when suddenly he’s lying on his back. Then Avery is grabbing her top. Her cheeks pink. Her tits heaving heavily with each breath she swallowed. ‘You don’t come into my home to fuck me without talking to me.’

  Mace went to raise himself off the ground, rubbing his shoulder as he winced. ‘You want to talk.’

  ‘Yes.’

  He winced again. His cock raging hard for the first time in weeks. He craved to sink into the body before him, and she wanted to talk. With a heavy sigh, he struggled to sit up. ‘About what?’

  ‘How the fuck do I know until we do.’

  ‘Get me a drink.’

  Avery jerked her top on, then frowned at Mace. Her glance going to the empty bottle on the coffee table. ‘What’s wrong with your shoulder?’

  His hand stilled as he returned to the chair, rolling his shoulder in an attempt to ease the ache. ‘I fell off the bike.’

  Avery dropped to her knees. Her hands going to his shoulder. Her gaze searching his face. ‘Are you hurting anywhere else?’

  Mace chuckled, wondering what she would do if he told her just where he hurt the most. ‘No.’

  Chapter 7

  Avery’s fingers burned as she dragged the material of Mace’s dark blue motif tee-shirt away from his shoulder. A shudder racking through her when he winced while peering down at his back. Her hand trembled, curling tightly into the fabric of the neckline. The ugly bruising covered a majority of his right shoulder, hiding the grim reaper tattoo, and as much as she yearned to reach out. To soothe the dark flesh. To kiss his body. Heat rushed through her. She did nothing to ease the ache, her gaze riveted to the marred skin.

  Her teeth pulled on her lower lip, curbing the desire to reach over to lick his flesh. Instead, she allowed her fingers to trace over the damaged skin. His flinch hurt her, and she quickly withdrew her touch. Her blue eyes falling to his brown ones. ‘Have you used a liniment on it?’

  He smiled, her stomach coiled. His eyes drifted down to her lips to watch her tongue dance over the pale silky flesh. ‘It’s fine.’

  Avery tried not to flinch at his dismissive words. ‘If you’re sure.’ After taking one last look at the damaged shoulder, she released the scrunched up fabric from her curled fist. With a click of her tongue, she briskly rose from her knees, breaking eye contact with Mace. Her hands, dusting over her jeans. ‘I’ll go get that beer.’

  Away from the living room, and the way her emotions had twisted in their turmoil. The kitchen turned out to be the safest place for her. Her stomach rested against the porcelain sink. Her gaze sweeping over her yard. Idly, she noted the carrots were in need of weeding.

  Long months of heated fantasies were beginning to come true. Her dream man is in her home, and what the fuck is she doing. She’s hiding in the kitchen. ‘Did you mean it.’

  Through the reflection of the glass, Avery watched Mace as he strolled into the kitchen. At her question, he came to a stop. ‘Mean what?’

  ‘Wanting to paint me.’

  She couldn’t bring herself to face him. His silence deafened her. Her fingers gripped tightly onto the sink. The wait for his answer, filled her stomach with acid.

  ‘Yes.’ Avery’s eyes closed as she breathed in deeply. Then she spun around to face her tormentor. ‘What will you do with it afterwards?’

  Mace is close, his hands are on her arms, stroking the flesh. ‘I don’t know. Probably put it in storage - Or give it to you if you want it.’

  ‘Why do you want to paint me.’

  ‘Why did you take my picture by the lake.’

  Avery smiled weakly as she pushed past the biker, grabbing two beers from the fridge before returning to the living room. What would he say, if he knew the reason behind the pictures? That they were for her personal pleasure. The opportunity had risen, and she’d grabbed it. She wanted Mace and she knew he wanted her. There was nothing but her own cowardliness stopping her. ‘Because I fancy you.’

  She felt the heat in her cheeks rising, wishing she could take the words back. That her tongue hadn’t been so forward. Mace’s chuckle does nothing to ease her nerves as she sipped the beer. He may not be close. She, however, felt the heat of his gaze as he looked her over. Her pussy throbbed, and she wanted to jump him. To strip him. To touch him.

  ‘I fancy you to Avery.’ It happened. Her knees buckled, and she sank onto the sofa. Her cheeks fiery. She’s dated before, but those dates have never gone further than one or two dinners. They were usually dates instigated by her father, and she’s never felt this sexual pull before. If she was having a late rebellion against her father, she didn’t care. All she knew, was she wanted the man standing in front of her.

  Watching him drink from the bottle, his Adam’s apple bobbing, Avery is tempted to drag him into the bedroom and have her dirty way. To live and act out every sexual fantasy she has ever had about him. The image of their naked bodies twined, thrusting, has her glancing to the floor.

  ‘Avery.’ When she glanced up, she discovered Mace kneeling beside her. Her hand in his while he played with her fingers. ‘Yes.’

  ‘It’ll be good.’

  ‘You’re very sure of yourself.’

  ‘I enjoy beautiful women, Avery. And you are beautiful. I’m going to play with your body. Bring you to the brink again and again. And when we’re done, you’ll be begging me for m
ore.’

  As she listens. She believes every word he is whispering. Isn’t the way her pussy is warming, begging for his touch already, testament that maybe he could do just what he was bragging. Her smile is warm as she leans into Mace. Gently, she stroked the black hair away from his face. Her lips just above his. Her tongue snuck out to lick her lips. She could taste him even though their mouths weren’t touching. ‘I believe you could Mace.’

  ‘So you’ll sit for me.’

  ‘When.’

  Avery’s body deflated when Mace let go of her hand or kiss her. Instead, he stood up, his hands patting his jacket down, withdrawing his keys from his pocket. ‘The day after tomorrow.’

  Avery watched in amazement as her best friend demolished her second bowl of lemon gelato. The way Anna is clearing the bowl, she expected her to lick the bowl clean, and smiled.

  ‘So you’ll be godmother to the baby when it’s born.’ Avery’s gaze fell to Anna’s extended belly. Her smile growing. Anna had left Downy Lakes at eighteen to go to college. It was Anna who insisted she take a year out while deciding what to do with her life. Together, they had toured India. While in India Anna met a volunteer for one of the international charities. Then married him within a week, and now she’s seven months pregnant.

  ‘I’m about to have an affair.’ Anna’s pale blue eyes rounded as she dropped her spoon into the bowl. Her teeth flashing in the warmth of her smile.

  ‘Who with. I didn’t know you were seeing anyone. Shit – It’s not one of your father’s men is it.’

  Avery shook her head. Then, with a smile, she turned her gaze to the window. Several bikers have drawn up. As she searched the group avidly, she realizes Mace is not amongst them. ‘With a biker.’

  ‘Avery, be serious.’

  ‘I am.’

  Anna’s gaze followed Avery’s, her smile disappearing. ‘Which one?’

  ‘None of them.’

  ‘So who.’

  ‘Mace.’ You don’t live in Downy Lakes, and not know who The Scarlet Runners are.

  ‘Are you going to ask him out?’

  ‘We’ve already had a couple of dates.’ Avery grimaced. Okay, maybe she’s stretching the truth a little. They may not have gone out on a date as such. However, Mace did attend her exhibition at her request, on his own. Avery smiled. All evening she had panicked, terrified he would bring one of the women from the club to the show. When he arrived on his own. She had hoped that he was there for her. The kiss had been enough to keep her awake all night. Then there had been the bike ride. Surely she could count that as a date. ‘So when were you going to tell me all this.’

  ‘Anna. What do you think I’m doing now?’

  ‘Does your dad know – Fuck, I bet he’s shitting himself a ton of kittens.’

  Avery rolled her shoulders, her coffee hid her smile. As far as she’s concerned, her sex and love life has nothing to do with her father. ‘Do you still want me to be godmother?’

  ‘Shit – You bet I do. My baby’s going to have a biker bitch to look out for him.’

  ‘So it’s a boy?’

  ‘It might be a girl.’

  Avery shook her head; Anna is typical of her birth sign. ‘Why don’t you want to know what sex it is?’

  Anna chuckled, her fingers rested over her stomach. ‘I want it to be surprise – Maybe when we reach baby five or six, I’ll ask.’

  ‘Let’s stick with one for now.’

  Anna’s chuckle stopped as she collected her purse. ‘When do I get to meet this biker.’

  ‘At dad’s party.’

  Chapter 8

  Mace checked his watch once more. Avery was late. She should have been here a half hour ago. His gaze fell to the chair he had placed by the window, and slowly he walked over, picking up the pale blue wrapper as he stared out of the window. His studio and rooms were at the rear of the club, in a separate annex. The yard is secluded, and at the moment it was deserted. The only time they used the yard was if the club were having a cookout. ‘Mace.’

  He dropped the wrap. His gaze falling to the door as he waited for Mississippi to swing in. When he did, he wasn’t alone. Cautiously he watched Avery. She had her hair pulled away from her face, and he frowned. He wanted it loose. To be able to run his fingers through the thick tendrils while kissing her. His body twitched, and he shuffled his legs. His gaze returned to Mississippi, who has placed himself in the only other vacant chair, near one of the closed doors. Mace gave a slight tilt of his head, nudging it towards the front door, which Mississippi ignored with a smirk. ‘You didn’t need to bring Avery over.’

  ‘Sure I did. The little lady was hanging outside the club for a good ten minutes. Wouldn’t have been gentlemanly of me to leave her there.’

  Mace glanced from Mississippi to Avery, who is hanging at the door. Her gaze flickering from one biker to the other. Her hands stuffed in her jean pockets. He wanted her relaxed, not all uptight like she is at the moment. ‘Well, she’s here now. So you can leave.’

  Mississippi ignored him, his smile welcoming while gazing at Avery. ‘You don’t want me to leave do you, Babe?’

  The giggle, Avery let loose when she came further into the room, curled into the pit of Mace’s stomach. When she is close to him, and after dropping the black purse on a table. She accepts the beer he offers her. Mississippi’s chuckle deepened when he pointedly didn’t offer him one. ‘I’m sure you’ll have more fun back at the club.’

  The other biker shook his head woefully at Avery. His eyes sparkling while he tapped his cast. ‘My leg aches. I need to rest up.’

  ‘Miss – Fuck off.’

  ‘You’re hurting my feelings.’

  ‘I don’t give a rat’s ass – Go.’

  The biker fumbled around with his crutches when he retrieved them. His groan extra loud as he rose from the chair. When the others remained unmoved by his antics, He chuckled hard, which could still be heard after he slammed the door. ‘You were mean.’

  Mace shrugged, then he pointed to the chair by the window. ‘Is it mean of me to want you to myself – I can always call him back if you want.’

  Avery lifted the blue wrap from the seat. Her fingers curling tightly into the material. ‘No – It’s okay. How’s the shoulder?’

  With a roll of his shoulder, Mace smiled. ‘Not bad.’

  ‘Good.’

  The slight hesitancy in her voice caught his attention, and he went to crouch in front of her. His hands cupping hers while he searched her face. ‘If you don’t want to do this. We don’t have to.’

  Without answering, Avery leaned forward. Her lips touching his. Mace welcomed the warm touch. When she broke free, she giggled. ‘I’ve spent the last forty-eight hours talking myself into this, Don’t you go talking me out of it.’

  With his own smile in place Mace leapt to his feet. Until Avery had walked through the door. He hadn’t been as confident as he thought he was, that she was going to turn up. ‘You can change behind that screen.’

  Mace pointed to a Chinese latticed screen. ‘Change.’

  ‘Yeah – Put on the blue wrap.’

  While Avery changed, Mace quickly checked the charcoal and brushes were in easy reach. When she reappeared, the temptation to pick her up and carry her to his bed. To hold her, and strip the flimsy material way from her body as he kissed the flesh as he revealed her body to his gaze, is strong. ‘Mace…’

  ‘Sorry I was just thinking’

  ‘About what’

  ‘You.’

  ‘Oh.’ Avery’s soft voice brought him back to reality, and with a shake of his head, and a regretful smile, he guided her back to the chair by the window where he carefully positioned her. When he was done, her legs lay over one arm of the straight back chair. The pale flimsy wrap, gapped open, draping over her bare thighs. He spread the v of the opening a little further, exposing the soft curve of her tit. His hand burning at the touch of her flesh. His fingers itched to stroke her tits. It’s been over a month since he last fuc
ked someone. And as he tweaked at Avery’s body until he was happy, his frustration grew, and his cock throbbed.

  Avery’s deep gaze on him, and the soft breath escaping from her crimson red lips are not helping, and by the time he came to stand by the easel, his hands shook slightly. She isn’t the first female he has painted. She is, however, the first to affect him in this way.

  ‘I thought we were doing this naked.’ Mace dropped the charcoal stick. Avery’s body may be covered, yet the blood still pounded through his body, ringing in his ears. If she was naked, he would have had to fuck her first, and then he may still not manage to start on the painting.

  ‘I thought you’d be happier with the wrap’ Avery’s hand brushed over the gossamer cloth. The beams of the sun danced over the contours of her body. To distract himself, he began to play with the camera, taking the shots he needed.

  ‘Whatever you’re thinking. Keep thinking it.’ She frowned. ‘No Avery, bring me back that smile.’

  Mace lingered over the shots he’s taking. His cock throbbed as he watched Avery’s tits rise and drop with each breath she took. Finally, he dropped the camera on to the work bench.

  ‘That’s it for today – I’ll need you to come back to do a few more sitting.’ Avery plucked at the wrap. Her mouth is dry, and she reached over for the beer, taking a long swig.

  ‘It’s Dill’s birthday this weekend and we’re celebrating – Wanna come.’

  ‘Sure.’

  Mace hid his smile as he continued to watch Avery from under lowered lashes. The sun is streaming through, and for all her covering, she may as well be bare. As she continued to drink her beer. Mace is tempted to leave her sitting where she is. To continue enjoying the view. The only problem was. The view was playing havoc with his body He also had a run to make. ‘I’ll pick you up Friday.’

  ‘There’s no need. I’ll drive over – When do you want me to come back for another sitting.’