by S. Nelson
Cole’s fingers drifted over my skin, slowing when he reached the scars on my lower back. Burn marks my father had inflicted on me when he thought I’d talked to the cops who had raided our club. Cole’s muscles stiffened as they often did whenever he felt the remnants of my previous life. I didn’t think he’d ever stop becoming angry whenever he was reminded of what had happened to me before he saved me, whether by sight or by touch. I’d let it go, and hopefully one day soon he would as well.
Thankfully we were still chest to chest; otherwise, he’d undoubtedly trace the jagged scars on my lower belly, and the one higher up between my ribs, both courtesy of Vex. The demented man who’d claimed me from my father when I’d stayed at the Reapers’ club. My old home. Although harsh, they were all distant memories, and I refused to linger on them for too long. Besides, every touch from my husband erased the past, for me more so than for him.
Pulling me in for another kiss, he said, “We should probably get dressed now. Otherwise we’re gonna be late, and the last thing I need to deal with is Stone’s mouth.”
“Don’t you mean Adelaide’s mouth?” I stood, and he slipped from my body.
“True enough.” Before I made it to the bathroom, Cole grabbed my waist. “I love you,” he professed, kissing the side of my neck before slapping my ass. I shrieked in surprise, which only made him smile. I loved it when he was happy. There was an air of peace surrounding him when he lived in the moment.
Our bubble of contentment shattered when we heard the doorbell, then directly afterward an incessant pounding rattling the thick wooden door.
“What the hell?” Cole grumbled, that peace disappearing as he threw on a pair of jeans.
Even though the intrusion wasn’t welcome, I couldn’t help but admire my handsome, sexy man. His ass was perfection, even in the baggy jeans hanging off his hips. Intricate designs covered both of his muscled arms, drifting over his shoulders and disappearing behind his strong back, his sun-kissed skin a perfect backdrop for the designs littering his body. His club’s emblem was inked in the center of his chest, the artwork shredded apart from the gunshot wound he’d endured. He had a matching wound puckering the skin on his right shoulder. I knew how lucky he was not to have died that day, and before I drove myself crazy with the what-ifs, I took a breath and pushed all thoughts of that time aside.
When Cole’s piercing blue eyes met mine, he smirked, knowing damn well I’d just been ogling him. Eye-fucking him was probably a better description.
The rapping on the door crushed the moment, and as Kaden’s cries joined the noise, Cole cursed before disappearing from our bedroom.
Tying my robe’s belt tightly around my waist, I entered Kaden’s room, finding him standing in his crib and crying. The noise had obviously startled him, but as soon as he saw me, he seemed to calm down. The tears were still spilling down his little cheeks, but his crying had all but ceased, his chest rapidly expanding to pull in air.
“It’s okay, baby,” I soothed, picking him up and cradling him close. He rested his head on my chest and snuggled into me. I kissed the top of his precious little head, inhaling his scent and wishing he’d stay this small forever. It was hard to believe he was already a year and a half.
“Sully. Come here,” Cole shouted, the tone of his voice urgent.
With Kaden still nuzzled close, I descended the steps and soon came face-to-face with our guest. Tripp stood beside Cole, talking quietly until he saw me. My husband’s eyes raked over my body. I knew he was displeased that another man was seeing me in only a robe, but I also knew Cole wouldn’t say anything. He didn’t have to, though, his annoyance written all over his face. If he could dress me in a potato sack, he would. He’d even admitted as much.
“What’s goin’ on?” The way Tripp’s eyes bounced back and forth between Kaden and me raised an alarm, but I wasn’t gonna freak out until he told me the reason for his visit.
“You guys know I’ve been looking for Rachel ever since she left, right?”
Cole and I both nodded at the same time, neither of us taking our eyes off Tripp. Rachel was Kaden’s mother—well, the woman who gave birth to him. I’d managed to convince my husband to allow us to care for the little one until she could be found.
It appeared the day had unfortunately arrived.
My heart picked up its beat. I tried to prepare myself for Kaden to be ripped from my arms, but no amount of planning would make it any easier. So I remained silent.
“Well, I got word.” Tripp took a few steps toward me, and when he was near he rested his hand on the top of Kaden’s head. I swore I couldn’t breathe, a tear streaking my cheek in preparation. Cole saw me start to unravel and rushed to my side, his arm circling my waist to hold me steady.
“Out with it,” my husband seethed, his patience for the entire situation rapidly unfolding. “Where is she?”
No more hesitation from Tripp. “She’s dead. An apparent overdose. I can’t say I’m shocked.”
“What? Are you sure?” I knew it was wrong to feel elation at such news, but I couldn’t help it. “Does that mean he’s ours?” I looked at Cole, then to Tripp. “Does that mean Kaden is ours?” I repeated.
A slow smile spread across Tripp’s face. “It does. He was your son the first time you held him, Sully. And now it’s final. No one will take him from you.” He glanced at Cole. “Either of you,” he confirmed.
As soon as Cole closed the door behind Tripp, he strode toward our son and me with more purpose than I’d ever seen, a huge smile on his face as he wrapped us both in his embrace.
Pride beamed from him as he affirmed my inner thoughts.
“Finally.”
Tripp
“So, how are they?” Reece asked, greeting me at the door with our son, Luke, on her hip. My boy was the spittin’ image of me, and Reece couldn’t be happier. She said it was like I was always with her, even when I wasn’t.
“Pretty damn happy.” My assessment was surely an understatement.
“I wish I could’ve been there with you when you told them,” she pouted, her attention drawn back to Luke. He was fussy, had been for a few weeks. When we took him to see his pediatrician, she’d informed us that Luke had begun teething a few weeks prior, which was right within the average timeframe for a baby of seven months.
“Where’s his teething ring?”
“I think it’s on the counter,” she answered, trying her best to calm him down. He wasn’t full-on crying—not yet, at least.
Our lives had been flipped upside down the day Luke was born, but I wouldn’t change a thing. The little boy was truly a gift, and I hated to think what my life would’ve been like without the both of them.
Even though I hated the thought of her ex-husband, Rick, and what he’d put her through, if she hadn’t run away from him, I would’ve never met her. Her tragedy brought her into my life, and thankfully she’d been able to open her heart and trust me. She had no reason to at first—I was a stranger, after all—but I’d been able to show her that I could protect her. Love her.
“I’m going to put him in his room while I shower. Unless you want to take him.”
For as much as I loved my son, I wanted to join my woman. Picturing her as she soaped her body was enough to make me explode where I stood, and even though Reece was self-conscious about the faint stretch marks she’d gained during the pregnancy, I saw her as perfect. I told her so all the time.
“I’d rather join you,” I revealed, arching a brow and stalking toward her. She handed me our son, thinking he was gonna save her delectable ass. Once I took him into my arms, she quickly kissed me, then practically ran out of the room.
Taking my time walking up the steps, I talked to Luke as if he understood me. “I’m gonna put you in your room, buddy. Daddy needs to convince Mommy to give him some.” Placing a kiss on his head, I lowered him into his crib and surrounded him with some of his favorite stuffed animals. He seemed content so I hurried toward our bedroom, stripping off my clothe
s and walking into the bathroom. Reece was already finished washing her hair. Fuck, she was fast. When I glanced at the clock by the bed, I understood why. Time was ticking by, and our presence at the clubhouse would be required shortly.
When I opened the door to the shower she turned to face me, flashing me a smile before glancing down at my dick. I took a step toward her, but she shook her head. I thought for a moment she wasn’t gonna let me have her. She hadn’t been in the mood for the past two weeks, between taking care of Luke and her having just gotten over a pretty nasty cold.
What I thought had been a denial turned out to be the opposite. Reece sank to her knees before I could open my mouth to say anything, the sexy gleam in her eye enough to keep me quiet and frozen in place. I slid past her lips and she worked my shaft with the perfect blend of tongue, teeth, and fingers. The closer she brought me, the harder I pumped into her mouth, anchoring her to me with the grip of her hair. She placed a hand on my stomach to steady herself and took me all the way to the back of her throat, which was quite a feat considering my size. But practice made perfect, right?
After she’d sucked every last drop from me, she pulled back, and I slipped from between her lips. “You’re welcome.” She chuckled, reaching out her hand so I could help her stand.
“I’m gonna be sayin’ that to you in a few minutes,” I promised, capturing her mouth and tasting the remnants of my release with the swipe of my tongue.
“I want to talk to you about something,” she said, breaking our kiss and placing her hands on my chest, the pads of her fingers grazing over the scars from my bullet wounds, a sign she was deep in thought.
“Can’t we talk after I make you scream my name?” I reached down and cupped her pussy, my finger slipping between her folds to tease her.
She groaned but stopped me, grabbing my wrist and pulling back.
“No, I need to talk to you now before you make up some excuse as to why you can’t discuss it.”
“This better not be about you going back to work at Indulge, because it ain’t gonna happen.” Reece had finally quit when she was five months along—longer than I’d wanted, her employment there having been a bone of contention between us until she’d finally left. Even though she hadn’t been stripping, instead helping Carla with management duties as well as filling in to bartend, I hated the thought of her being surrounded by all of those drunk and horny men. The club had hired top-of-the-line security, and either I or one of my brothers was always present whenever she was there, but I still hated when she worked a shift.
A rush of air flew past Reece’s lips and she looked angry all of a sudden, telling me Indulge was exactly what she wanted to talk to me about. I narrowed my eyes, the slight tick in my jaw indicating my stubbornness was coming out to say hello. In turn, my woman shut down, clamped her lips shut and tried to shove past me to exit the shower.
I grabbed her arm before she opened the door. “Where do you think you’re goin’?” I pulled her toward me, her back resting against my chest.
“Let go, James.” She always used my real name when she was upset with me. Although I liked my given name just fine, I hated when it came off her tongue in anger.
“No, not until you tell me what’s the matter.” I spun her around, reached down and grabbed her under her ass, lifting her up my body before pinning her against the wet shower wall. “Wrap your legs around me,” I growled.
“No.”
“Yes.”
She pursed her lips and I took the invitation, although I didn’t think she meant it as such. I fucked her mouth with my tongue, our mouths dueling in a heated passion only she could incite from me. Her breathy moans proved she wanted me to continue my assault, so I did.
My dick was so fucking hard, it hurt. I needed relief, and soon, so I lined myself up and gently pushed inside her, making sure to take my time. Even though we’d had sex countless times, I was rather endowed, and it took Reece’s body a bit to accommodate my thickness.
Once I was fully sheathed, I broke away from her mouth. “I love you, baby. But I don’t want you at that place. I’m sorry.” Thrust. “And that’s final.” Thrust. Rotate.
“But I wanna—” Her words were clipped as soon as my thumb pressed against her clit. “Yeah,” she moaned, all thoughts of arguing with me vanishing into thin air. Her fingernails dug into my shoulders as I continued to fuck her. Slow and then fast, rotating speeds until she unraveled and came on my cock.
After I quickly followed and our breathing had regulated, she unhooked her legs and slid down my body. Reece was still upset about my denial.
Several minutes later, after we finished washing up, I shut off the water and handed Reece a towel that was slung over the top of the door. I hated the despondent look on her beautiful face, her blue-gray eyes telling me everything without uttering a single word.
“Reece.” She ignored me and walked out of the shower. “Babe.” Wrapping a towel around my waist, I hurried after her. “Hey,” I called, snagging her hand and stopping her from moving forward. “Don’t be like that. I don’t wanna argue. I’m doing it to keep you safe. Please understand that.”
Her shoulders slumped before she turned around to face me.
“I know,” she acknowledged. “I just need something to do. I love Luke with all my heart, but I need to get out of this house.”
“And there’s nothin’ wrong with that. I have the club, so I get it.”
“I have to get ready,” she said, switching the topic and slowly withdrawing her hand from mine. She chose a light yellow sundress, complete with short sweater and a pair of nude sandals. Placing the items on the bed, she went to work picking out my clothes.
“What are you doing?”
“You’re not wearing jeans to this.” She was completely serious, and I found it adorable that she felt like she had to dress me. In all fairness, jeans had initially been on my list of attire, until I decided I’d dress up a bit for the occasion, wearing black dress pants paired with a crisp white button-down. It was a day to be celebrated, especially seeing as how close to death a few of my brothers had come.
I smiled, waving my hand and giving her a subtle nod to continue.
“I love you, baby.”
“You should,” she replied before flashing me a smile.
“Is that right?”
“Uh-huh.”
Reece moved toward the corner of the room and sat at her vanity. I watched as she flipped her head over and dried her long locks. She’d chosen to wear her hair down and wavy, a simple yet sexy hairstyle on her.
As she was busy getting ready, a sudden thought occurred to me, a suggestion which would turn everything around. I could ensure her safety and make her happy all at the same time. I’d work out the details later with Ryder, but my idea was as good as golden.
“Hey.” I caught her eyes in the reflection of the mirror. “How about this? Braylen is gonna open her own salon soon, compliments of a gift from Ryder. Why don’t you work with her? I’m sure she’s gonna need help setting up, then running the business. You could help manage and take care of the books.”
Reece’s mouth fell open. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah. It could be a little bit before everything is up and runnin’, but it’s definitely a viable option for you. I’m sure Braylen would love your help.” As far as I knew, the two of them got on well, and I was sure it wouldn’t take much at all to convince her she needed my woman’s help in her new endeavor.
“Oh my God. Thank you,” Reece exclaimed, jumping into my arms and kissin’ the hell outta me. I took advantage of her gratitude and ravaged her mouth, my dick at full salute by the time we broke apart.
“I don’t have a problem with you wanting to do something with your time,” I reiterated. “Even though you don’t have to. I just don’t want you in that club.”
“I understand. I do.” Reece was happy, and I’d managed to turn things around and give her what she wanted.
But she’d given me even m
ore.
Reece had given me her heart, a son, and an anchor I’d been missing for so long.
Reece
We were en route to the clubhouse when Tripp blurted, “I want to tell you something.” I turned around to make sure Luke was content before shifting in my seat to face him.
“What’s that?” I slowed my breathing, preparing to hear something I wouldn’t like. I never knew what was gonna come flyin’ out of his mouth, so better to brace myself for impact.
“It not official yet, but—”He glanced at me, then back to the road ahead of him, a smile curving the corners of his full lips.
“You better tell me,” I warned, mirroring his happy expression.
“I’m giving up my nomad patch for a permanent one. I’m staying around for good.” Tripp being a nomad, not belonging to any one charter, had always made me uneasy. Because he had no roots tying him down, he could’ve disappeared at any time, even though he promised he’d never leave me. Then after the birth of our son, he’d look at me as if I had three heads whenever I voiced my fears.
I knew they were ridiculous, but my life hadn’t always gone as planned, so I never fully allowed myself to feel anything except apprehension. It lessened as the time passed, but the feeling still existed.
Until right then.
I was sure I had a ridiculous grin on my face, but I couldn’t help it.
“Are you happy?” he asked, looking my way when I still hadn’t said anything. “You look happy, but you’re quiet.”
“If you weren’t driving, and Luke wasn’t with us, I’d show you just how happy you’ve made me.” Clasping my hands in my lap to keep them to myself, I bit my bottom lip in giddiness.
“Don’t tell me that, woman.” Several seconds passed. “Damnit! Now I’m gonna be sportin’ a hard-on when we pull up.” His faux-annoyed expression didn’t fool me.
“Then slow down. I don’t need any of the other women there staring at what’s clearly mine.”
I wasn’t a jealous woman by nature, but when it came to Tripp, all bets were off. Did it bother me when he had business to take care of at Indulge or Flings, the club’s two strip clubs? Yes. Did I trust my man around those women? Yes. Did I count the minutes until he came back home? Hell yes.