by Debra Kayn
She inhaled swiftly. “I’m right here.”
“Sorry, babe,” he whispered. “You scared me, running off and not listening.”
“I know.” She nibbled his bottom lip. “Bad habit.”
“We good?”
Her eyes softened. “Yeah.”
He slid her down his body, enjoying the mixed pleasure and pain of her body rubbing against his hard one. He took the end of her shirt and pulled it over her head, sucking in his breath.
The black, lacy bra barely covered the bottom half of her breasts. He trailed his finger over the top of each mound, watching her chest rise as she inhaled swiftly.
“Rain?”
“I’ve got you,” he murmured.
He stripped off his own shirt, and then moved to her jeans. The belt came undone, and he yanked it out of the loops and tossed it across the room. He had her naked underneath him within seconds.
“Rain?”
He tangled his fingers in the hair at the back of her head and brought her face toward him. “What do you need?”
She smiled. “You. Only you.”
He captured her lips.
Nothing else mattered.
He made quick work of removing his boots. The rest of his clothes, his jeans, his boxers, came off next. The whole time, he kept her at his side, until he was through and satisfied that there would be nothing separating them.
“I need to taste you, babe.” He kissed his way down her body, taking his time.
He licked the warm pulse at her neck. Then left kisses along her collarbone.
He lowered his head, took her nipple into his mouth, and sucked. His eyes closed voluntarily. Perfect in every way, he teased her with his tongue eliciting a moan from Tori. With his hand, he cupped the slope of her breasts.
“Rain … ” Tori sank her hands into his hair.
He raised his gaze and moved down her body. Her breasts, her nipples, her stomach, and gazed up at her as he settled between her legs. He lowered his head.
“Oh. My. God.” She moaned.
He smiled against her, showing her exactly what she could expect each and every time with him. He’d do this all day long, and never get tired of tasting, feeling, experiencing her pleasure against his mouth.
Tori writhed underneath him. Her hands clutched his hair, and her upper body came off the bed. He continued. A lick here. A nip there. Until, he gave her what she cried for and zeroed in, taking her all the way.
She moaned his name as her thighs clenched his head, trembling with the power of her orgasm. He slowed, bringing her down softly. Her body jolted with each swipe of his tongue.
She inhaled a shuddering breath and collapsed, arms thrown out to the side. He crawled up on the bed, stretched over her to open the nightstand drawer. She watched him remove a condom and put the protection on before settling back between her legs.
“Open your eyes.” He kissed the curve of her jaw. “I want to watch you as I make you come again.”
“Twice?” Her eyes flashed open. “I can’t … ”
“You can, trust me, huh?” He hardened even more, and his balls grew tight.
She nodded. “Okay,” she whispered.
She ran her hands up his arms, over his shoulders, and something happened in her face he’d never seen before. She softened and focused on him without any doubts. He moved his hips, barely touching his cock to the entrance to her sex when her eyelids fluttered and he felt her tremble.
He groaned and plunged into her wetness. She gasped as he moved excruciatingly slowly in and out. His body tightened in determination and he fought to keep control. His body hardened to a level he’d never experienced when her leg curled around his hip.
“Oh. Oh.” She arched her neck.
He stilled. “Look at me.”
She clawed his shoulders and eased her head back. Eyelashes fluttered. He grinned, waiting. When she connected and melted underneath him, he drove into her.
In. Out. In. Out.
He didn’t miss a stroke. “That’s it, babe.”
She fought to keep her eyes open. His toes curled. God, that was sexy. Having her zoned in to what they were doing. Him being the center of her universe. There was nothing better.
He slipped his hand between her body and his, found her heat, and slowly rubbed. “So beautiful.”
She panted. Jaw tight. Eyes doing their damnedest to close, and her struggling to keep him in focus, was his undoing, taking everything out of his control. His body seized in extreme pleasure, rolling through him from head to toe. He thrust deep and let her orgasm bring him to release.
Spent, he lowered himself to his elbows, cradling her head in his hands. A full body sigh swept through him as he caught his breath. She added her own moan of contentment underneath him, and he chuckled in her ear. “Yeah?”
“Yeah,” she whispered.
He closed his eyes and enjoyed the way she kept rubbing her hands along his sides. Eventually, his arms gave out, and he rolled to his side, taking her with him.
She snuggled against him. “Rain?”
“Hm?”
“Thanks for not letting me run,” she said.
He lifted his head and stared down at her. His chest warmed, and he kissed her forehead. “Someday, you’ll learn you don’t have to run from me to protect yourself.”
She wiggled closer and laid her head on his chest. “I hope so,” she whispered.
He tightened his arms. “Me too,” he whispered back.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Rain pulled into the parking lot of Cactus Cove after rushing home long enough to make love to Tori before bringing her back to the bar. She hopped off the motorcycle. Rain pulled her in front of him.
She balanced her hip on the gas tank and wrapped her arms around his neck. The last thing she wanted to do was separate from him, even for an hour. She definitely didn’t want him going to the Lagsturns’ leader and pushing his weight around.
“Say it again.” His hand cupped her ass, holding her in place.
She wiped the smile from her face and played innocent. “Say what?”
“You’re falling in love with me.”
She sighed and gazed over his shoulder. “I’m falling in love with you.”
“Put your eyes on me, babe,” he said. “I want to see what you’re feeling.”
A flutter went through her. She looked at him. If someone asked her a few days ago if a man’s quiet request would rock her world, she would’ve laughed. Here she sat, not caring who watched, listened, or witnessed their growing relationship. She wanted to shout to the world that she was Rain’s woman.
“Say it … ” he whispered.
She traced the curve of his cheek with her hand, kissed him softly. “I’m falling in love with you, even though you’re stubborn and bossy.”
He returned her kiss, giving her the little moan of satisfaction she was not immune to, and which left her wanting more. “You like me bossing you around.”
She snorted. “I’ll never admit it.”
“You don’t have to. The way your eyes glaze over and you get that tender look to your chin, I know.” He kissed her hard. “I can’t wait until this is over, and I can take you back to bed.”
She threw her arms around his neck and sunk her hands into his hair. “I’m scared. I don’t know about all this biker craziness, and avenging town business. Won’t you take someone with you?”
“No.” He patted her bottom. “Hop off. Let’s get this rolling. The sooner I get rid of Sanchez, the faster I can take you home.”
“How about if you leave your phone on, so I can hear what’s going on when you go to the meeting?” She unzipped her leather coat and shrugged out of it as she walked into the bar with Rain.
“You watch too many movies.” He chuckled.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” She tossed her coat on top of a vacant table and pulled the hem of her tank out from her leather pants. “I’m concerned. This is my first gang war.”
He laughed and threw his arm around her shoulders. “Where do you come up with stuff? This isn’t a gang war. I’m meeting with another leader of a motorcycle club. Gangs are … well, it’s not what we are.”
“Then have Sanchez come here. You can sit down over a beer and talk.”
He stopped at the end of the counter. “Enough, babe. I need to take care of business and get a head count.”
“’Kay.” She stood on tiptoe and put her hand on his chest, kissing him softly. “Be careful, and come right back here the minute your meeting is over.”
“Putting restraints on me already?” He glared, but the muscle in his jaw twitched belying how he felt about her asking him to take care.
“I don’t want what we did earlier to be the last time we make love.” She flipped her hair. “It’s a little addictive. I want more.”
He stared at her and ended up muttering, “Damn me,” as he walked to the middle of the bar and raised his hand to get everyone’s attention.
She slid onto a stool and propped her chin up with the palm of her hand. Tonight would stretch on forever. She hated waiting, and the sooner her life returned to semi-normal, the better.
The crowd simmered down. She gazed around the room. Women she’d never seen before sat with men she’d met briefly.
When Rain ordered every member of Bantorus to the bar, they came. She smiled and waved to Ronny, Taylor, Slade — who seemed content to have Taylor sitting on his lap. Gladys stood beside Rain, wringing the bar towel in her hands. Bruce leaned against the counter, arms folded, not passing out drinks for a change.
The conversations quieted and stressed how desperately everyone needed answers and the Lagsturns to leave their town. She squeezed Torque’s arm, and he winked down at her to reassure her Rain would be okay. A sense of contentment washed over her.
Such a feeling coming from someone else seemed foreign and yet nice. She’d never called a town or city her own, and she realized that, in the short amount of time she’d stayed in Pitnam, she’d made friends. A lot of friends.
They accepted her.
“Listen up.” Rain braced both his hands on the bar and leaned forward. “Most of you will stay here. First riders already have their instructions. No one leaves unless Torque makes the call. Period. Got it?”
Everyone nodded, a few agreed vocally, and Tori raised her arm to get Rain’s attention, not wanting him to go off on his own if he thought the situation was this serious. Torque leaned over. “He’ll be fine. Let him concentrate.”
She lowered her hand. “You don’t know what I was going to say.”
“Yeah, I do.” Torque grinned.
“I think we should call the police. Let them know Rain is meeting with a gang member.”
“Gang? More like a criminal or an asshole.” Torque shook his head, wiping the grin from his face and becoming serious. “Rain can handle him. Trust your man, girly.”
She sniffed, insulted. “I just don’t see why someone, even you, can’t go with him.”
“Because men like Sanchez view a meeting as a threat. If two of us show up, he’ll bring three men. Then we’ll have to call for backup, because if he has three we can see, we know he has five where we can’t see. We gave him our word. It’ll be Rain only.” He shrugged.
“How do you know Sanchez isn’t lying?”
“We don’t.” He looked away.
“Figures.” She stood, needing to try one more time to convince Rain to take someone with him or call the whole thing off.
Rain talked quietly with a man she didn’t recognize, but who had a wicked tattoo of a snake curling around his neck in a noose. She shivered and leaned against Rain’s side, pleased when he put his arm around her and pulled her tight. Even when his attention was focused on others, he seemed aware of where she was every minute.
“Babe, this is Smith. His woman, Shannon, wants to meet you, so give her some time tonight, huh?” Rain kissed the top of her head.
“I’d love to meet her.” She smiled at Smith.
“We’re set, then. Be good while I’m gone,” said Rain.
“What do you think I’m going to do? Start a bar fight?”
He laughed, squeezing her shoulders. “You’re trouble, bozo.”
She turned in his embrace, stopping him from leaving. “Listen to me for a minute.”
“I’m hearing you fine, babe. You’re concerned. I get that. It’s cute.” He smoothed her hair off her cheek. “I’m not going to do anything to jeopardize what we’ve found. I’m coming back. I’m making sure you’re safe. Whatever fascination Sanchez has with you ends tonight. I won’t have anyone putting you in danger or causing you to worry about walking outside by yourself.”
“But — ”
“No more. I need to go.” He kissed her hard. “Tonight when we’re home, I want you in my shirt.”
Her insides curled. “I can do that.”
“You’re good?”
She nodded. “Yeah.”
Everything happened fast. Rain motioned Torque, Slade, and Ronny over to him. Taylor and Gladys flanked Tori, drawing her over to two tables they’d shoved together. She nodded at their questions, smiled at those who stopped by to tell her not to worry, and barely connected her gaze with Rain’s as he walked out the front door.
During those precious seconds, he’d healed her heart. She believed love was in her future and no longer an emotion meant for other people. He made it possible for her to reach out and hold on tight to her dreams. That the excuses her dad had forced her to believe were from a man who spoke through a sickness.
What Rain told her was the truth. She rubbed her arm, chilled in the air-conditioned room. She could risk loving someone, and the blood in her veins had no power to ruin him.
“Honey, you need to eat.” Taylor pushed a plate in front of her.
She glanced down at the burger and fries. “I can’t eat.”
“Don’t give me that.” Taylor motioned behind Tori. “This is your family. We all have each other’s backs. Rain will be fine, and it’s our job to make sure you hold it together.”
She sighed. “I get you, but I can’t stop thinking of him by himself. These … Lagsturns set fire to the cabin. They left a note advising me to break my connection with Rain. What if they go farther?”
“Talk to Pauline.” Taylor snagged a woman with dark complexion and bright red lipstick. “She’s Orca’s woman.”
Pauline sat down across from her and eyed Tori and, with the way her lip curled, Tori wondered if she lacked whatever Pauline was looking for in her. “Orca’s talked about you.”
She folded her hands in her lap. “I’m sorry. I’m not sure who Orca is … ”
“Works at Shift’s Garage.” Pauline snatched a fry off Tori’s plate. “He overheard you giving advice to Pete.”
“Ah. Pete. The manager at Shift’s Garage.” She remembered him, because his wife had left him when he cheated on her, and he’d asked for advice on how to win her back. She picked up a fry and popped it into her mouth.
“That’s him.” Pauline rotated halfway around in the chair and waved at Gladys. “Can I get a knife here?”
She stared in fascination as Pauline proceeded to take the utensil from Gladys, cut the hamburger in half, and help herself to Tori’s food. Shocked speechless, she could only pick up the other half and start eating before Pauline polished the plate clean.
“Got a job prospect for you.” Pauline wiped her mouth with the napkin.
“Excuse me?”
“Are you going to drink that?” P
auline pointed at the glass of water.
She shook her head. “Go ahead.”
“Thanks.” Pauline sipped, sighed, and leaned forward. “I own the Pitman Daily.”
“O … kay.” She chewed the last bite of hamburger and brushed her hands off.
“You want a job — I have one for you. Once a week, you’ll get your own column.” Pauline opened her purse, removed a tube of lipstick, and applied it without using a mirror. A skill that impressed Tori, because she could never apply anything to her mouth without one.
“To advertise the Coffee Shack?”
Pauline laughed. “No, for your love advice. You can take letters from readers and answer them in print. We could call it ‘Tori Talks Tough Love’ or ‘Love Letters from a Lady’ … whatever you want.”
“You’re kidding?”
Pauline paused. “Do I look like I joke around?”
Despite the professional hairstyle, the perfect makeup, and the scarlet blouse hugging her ample curves, Pauline gave her the impression that she could take down half the people in the room without breaking a fingernail. In fact, the woman was downright scary and aggressive.
“I’m not a writer. I talk. A lot.”
Pauline shrugged. “Details. We’ll work them out. How about lunch on Tuesday?”
She glanced at her empty plate, wondering if Pauline had a plan to mooch off her plate again. “Okay, but you’re buying.”
Laughter erupted, transforming Pauline’s stern face. “Oh, this is going to work out great. See you Tuesday. I’ll call with a time.”
Then Tori watched as Pauline left the table and disappeared into the crowd around the pool table. Dazed at the turn of events, she absorbed what the job offer meant to her. It was one thing to run her mobile coffee shack. She could work anywhere she parked with the right permits. No ties, no friendships, no responsibility to others — she only had to keep a roof over her head and food in her stomach.
In the matter of nine days, she’d moved in with Rain, had a thrown-together family watching her back and prepared to keep her safe, and more friends than she’d ever had. Now she had an opportunity to get a real job and set down roots.