by Jayne Blue
“It works how it works.” She smiled. “Let’s just say nobody was more surprised that I ended up falling for someone like Benz than me. But ... we fit.” She shot me a wink and nodded toward the other woman at the picnic table. “For all their rough edges, these are good men, Ariel.”
I felt like a complete ass. There was a reason why I did better with a sledgehammer and drywall.
“Come on. Let me introduce you to Gina. You’ll like her,” Jenny said, her warm smile putting me back at ease.
Gina, I soon learned, was formerly Gina DiSalvo. The DiSalvo family had deep connections in this town just like the Saints did, not all of it savory. She was now married to someone called Zig, the club’s secretary. After a quick introduction, Gina’s baby gurgled and spit up on her. Quick as a cat, Gina cleaned it up with a cloth rag she seemed to produce out of thin air. My heart warmed as I got a good look at the baby’s face. He snuggled against his mother, tight-fisted. He hiccupped then settled back into a deep sleep against her breast.
“This little man and future heartbreaker is Zachary,” Gina said. She was a beautiful woman with dark hair and luminous eyes ringed with the dark circles of new motherhood. But she glowed. I felt a tiny tugging at my heart at the sight of her.
“Ah, good!” Josie Bullock appeared. She leaned over Gina’s shoulder and smoothed a light hand over baby Zachary’s fluffy head. “You’ve found the grown-ups,” she said to me, winking. “Don’t mind any of them, honey.” She waved her hand toward the groupies draped off some members of the club. Things were getting a little more raucous and a few of the men disappeared into the clubhouse with girls in tow. One of them, I remembered his name was Domino, heaved a busty blonde over his shoulder to her squeal of delight. Jenny whispered that Domino was the biggest kid of all.
Jenny and I went and got plates of food. I looked for Chase. He stood near the bonfire, beer in hand, surrounded by Bear and a few other members of his club. His eyes met mine across the yard and a flare of desire ran through me. There was something about this crowd that seemed to bring out all of my baser instincts. I wanted Chase by my side. He tipped his beer toward me and shot me a wink.
I helped Jenny get a plate for Gina and we joined her and Josie back at the table. Little Zachary seemed content to sleep through all the festivities. Gina had him tucked into a carrier on the picnic table. It took up half the space and when a group of the banger chicks walked over laughing, Gina shot them a cold stare. They took the hint, stopped laughing, and made themselves scarce.
I took a seat across from her while Jenny handed her her plate. Laughter rose from the bonfire. Chase was doubled over with tears streaming down his face. I loved seeing him like that. It was as if the demons he faced earlier today were chased away along with the spiraling embers of the bonfire.
“He’s happy,” Josie said, picking at a rack of ribs. It was a statement, not a question, and she directed it straight at me.
“Yes,” I answered, matching the firmness of her tone. I sensed Josie Bullock was a strong, hard woman whose respect I’d like to have.
“He hasn’t always been,” she said. Gina and Jenny’s expressions grew serious. They picked at their food, content to let Josie steer the conversation.
“He’s had a lot to deal with,” I said. I felt a fierce protectiveness rise up in me. These women had known Chase far longer than I had. And yet, I knew with absolute certainty that they’d never seen his core the way I had today.
“He has,” Josie said. She dusted off her hands then folded them on the table in front of her. “And I’ve seen a change in him over the last few weeks that I think I can credit to you.”
I didn’t know what to say. This woman had mothered him when he had no one else. She’d taken him into her home. He told me the Saints saved him, giving him a family he’d never really had. Now I felt the blistering stare of his adopted mother and knew she was testing me. I only hoped she’d find me worthy. I straightened my back and met her gaze with my own hard eyes. I too had survived hard things and was my father’s daughter. A beat passed, then Josie’s face softened into a smile. If I thought the test was over, Josie’s next question rocked me.
“Do you love him?” she asked just before taking a healthy bite from her rack of ribs. She wiped her hands on her napkin, folded her arms over the table, and stared at me. Jenny and Gina both smiled and tried to hide it by clearing their throats.
“I’m not sure that’s your business yet,” I said, taking a bite of my potato salad.
“Well,” Josie said. “I’ve never been accused of minding my own business so I don’t plan to start now. In any case, these boys most definitely are my business. Like I said, Chase is happy. And yet, he walked into my yard just now with a bloody fist.”
Ice snaked up my spine. Josie Bullock was like a cobra coiled to strike. If she asked me straight out what happened to Chase’s hand, I knew it wasn’t my story to tell.
“Punched a wall,” Gina said, stabbing her fork into her salad.
“They tend to do that,” Jenny added, helpfully.
“Wall repair is one of my specialties,” I said, not missing a beat.
Silence dropped like a boulder. Then Josie reared her head back and laughed. “Good for you, honey. Good for you.”
The voices from the campfire drew closer. Benz had an arm around Chase and whispered something in his ear that made him smile. Chase’s eyes cut across the yard and fixed on mine. My heart flipped. I wanted him. I longed to take him in my arms away from the crowd, the prying eyes, and probing questions. He was mine. Only I knew what haunted his heart today.
A hand on my arm drew my attention away. Josie reached across the table and locked eyes with me again. “He loves you,” she said, a sad smile spreading across her face. “Do you realize that?”
“I. That’s not ... I don’t …” I hated that I couldn’t form a sentence. Josie Bullock had finally caught me off guard. I knew that had been her goal all along.
“He loves you,” she said again, her tone warming. “He might not be ready to tell you that, but I know.”
“So why are you telling me?” I asked. Chase’s laughter rose. He and the others were headed our way. My heart hammered in my chest. It got hard to breathe. He loved me. Chase loved me.
“Because when he tells you,” Josie continued, “you’re going to have to figure out a better answer than you just gave me. Because, you see, I love that boy. And I’ve seen him broken, remade, and broken again.”
“I won’t hurt him,” I said. “I would never hurt him.”
“I know you don’t want to,” Josie said. “I can see something in you too, honey. Something good. But he’s got a special place in my heart.”
“He told me,” I said. “You saved him and took him in when he didn’t have anyone else.”
Josie let go of me. The color drained from her face. I didn’t know her well, but if I had to guess, she was holding back tears.
“Mama,” Gina broke in. “Maybe we should take it easy on her today.”
Josie put a hand up. “I love you too, Gina. You know that. You’re my girls now as much as those boys are mine. We’re family. That’s what I’m trying to tell you. But I haven’t always protected Chase as much as he needed.”
“You have though,” I said. “Josie ... Mrs Bu ... I know what happens to Port Azrael boys from the north side when they don’t have anyone looking out for them. Believe me.”
She gave me a wry smile. “I could have done more sooner. That’s what I’m telling you. Rochelle ... God. His mama was the prettiest girl you’d ever want to meet. Stunning. Like she could have had a career in Hollywood. She wasn’t strong though. Not like Chase is. And Rochelle Raines wasn’t one of my finest moments. I’m not too proud to admit that. I was jealous of her. There. I said it. Bear was worried about her. If it weren’t for me, maybe he would have kept a closer eye on her. Maybe she wouldn’t have got in over her head and got hurt. That’s a burden I’ve had to live with.”
“You can’t blame yourself for what happened to Chase’s mother,” I said.
Josie narrowed her eyes. “Can’t I?”
“No,” I said, leaning forward and dropping my voice to a whisper. Chase had stopped to talk to someone else, but in another few feet, he’d be within earshot.
“Well,” Josie said. She wiped her eyes and straightened. “That’s water under the bridge now, I guess. But Chase isn’t. Forgive me for being direct, but I’m older than you girls. I’ve seen more. And I know my boys. So my advice to you, honey ... if you don’t love Chase ... or if you don’t think this is the life for you, no one will judge you for that. But if you’re with Chase ... make sure you’re all in. Otherwise, do us all a favor and get out now.”
With that, Chase walked up and put his hands on Josie’s shoulders. She patted his hand and beamed up at him. Then she rose and left the table.
Chapter 16
Ariel
I’d spent hours in Chase’s company, laughing, drinking, getting to know his brothers. Because that’s what they were. I felt that fully now. Chase had given me something today and I don’t know if he realized it. He’d shown me his darkest places in the house on Hutchins Street. Then he’d shown me his light. These men were what had sustained him. In some cases, they had provided him literal shelter. Each of them would lay down their lives for him and he for them. It scared me to think how often that became a real threat with their lifestyle.
Now we were alone. I had sat talking to Gina into the wee hours of the night as baby Zachary slept on her shoulder. She’d let me hold him. I became intoxicated by his sweet baby scent. Then Chase slid his arms around my waist and pressed his lips to my ear.
“Come on, baby,” he whispered. “Time to take you home.”
At first, I protested. Chase was in no condition to drive. He held my hand and led me quietly away from the crowd and toward the clubhouse. I realized he didn’t mean my home at all. He meant his. Here.
We snaked our way through the darkened hallways past the bar in the center of the building. In the back, through a labyrinth of corridors, Chase brought me to a six-paneled door. He fumbled with the keys in his pocket then led me inside.
Among other things, the Dark Saints clubhouse served as apartments and crash pads for some of the members. I knew Chase had been staying here for a while. The apartment was clean and simple. A studio with a good-sized kitchen in one corner, a couch and entertainment center in the other, and a king-sized bed in the center. The place was cozy and inviting. I didn’t have much of a chance to look around before Chase had me in his arms, lifting me so high off my feet that I gasped.
Then he lay me on the bed. Chase’s eyes swam above me, hooded, filled with lust. My body responded on cue. Heat unspooled in my core, making me wet for him in the span of a heartbeat. Chase rose above me as I squirmed on the bed, tearing at the fly of my jeans.
I reached back,unknotting my halter top. Chase’s eyes sparkled with desire. “I’ve been wanting to do that all fucking night, baby.”
He reached for me, lightly grasping my nipples between his fingers. He rolled them gently, getting them to peak. I slid my jeans down and wriggled out of my panties. I lay before my man, open, ready, throbbing with lust for him.
Chase stood back. His wicked smile sent me into a frenzy. Moisture pooled between my legs. I spread them wide for him so he could see. Chase tossed his leather cut across the room. He slid his jeans down and his massive cock sprung free. I licked my lips in anticipation.
“Do you know how sexy you are?” he asked.
“Tell me,” I whispered.
“So fucking sexy. It took everything in me not to toss you over my shoulder and carry you back here. Do you know how many times I wanted to? You’re beautiful.”
“So are you.” I bit my lip and reached for him, sitting up. I took Chase in my hand and stroked him. He was rock hard and ready for me. I leaned forward and kissed the tip of his dick, loving how it jerked in response. I couldn’t resist. I took Chase in my mouth, stroking him with my tongue as he threaded his hands through my hair.
“Baby,” he whispered. “Fuck me.”
I redoubled my efforts, loving the way he could lose control with me. I wanted to lose myself in him too. More. Always more. I couldn’t get enough of him. Chase grew harder and thicker in my mouth. I felt his balls seize and I reached for them, kneading them. He let out a hiss and threw his head back.
Oh yes. This. I wanted Chase to lose himself in me. I wanted to take everything he had to give then give it right back to him. He was getting so close. I felt him start to come and I sucked him even harder. But Chase drew me away, pulling himself out of me with a pop.
“Not yet,” he whispered. “I want to be in you. I want to bury myself so deep.”
“Yes,” I gasped. I scrambled backward on the bed, my legs falling open to receive him. Chase came forward, kneeling on the bed. He stroked himself. A little pearl of precum formed and I wickedly reached for it.
Then Chase put each hand on my inner thigh and spread them flat on the bed, exposing me to him. I threw my head back as Chase angled himself to enter me. When he did, I cried out. The walls were thin. I knew if anyone were in the room next to us, they would hear. And I didn’t care one bit.
“Chase!” I cried out. My man was merciless. He’d been holding back for hours. Now he took me with abandon. He pinned my thighs against the bed as he fucked me hard. He was deep and hot. I was wet and ready.
Then Chase spent himself. I shrieked with pleasure as he filled me with heat. I thrust my hips up to receive him. “Baby,” he cried. “Oh baby.”
I reached up, threading my fingers through his hair, I drew him down to me. As he shuddered out the last of his orgasm, I felt my own rising within me. Chase did too. He went up on his elbows, holding himself rod straight inside of me. From there, I started to buck, fucking him back. From this angle, I could set the pace and get the friction I needed. It didn’t take long. I reached for him, taking Chase’s bottom lip between my teeth. He let out a primal growl as I raked my nails across his back. Then I let go. My orgasm thundered through me, splitting me nearly in two. It was so deep, so full, so perfect. Chase laid me bare. He built me up and brought me back down, over and over and over again.
Finally, as the last waves of pleasure began to wane, Chase gathered me in his arms and held me close. Chase had spent himself so completely, that by the time he slid out of me, he was already snoring softly.
Laughing, I settled his head against my chest and kissed his cheek. Drowsy with drink and pleasure, I started to drift away too. Josie Bullock’s words echoed through me as I did.
If you’re with Chase, make sure you’re all in.
I wanted to be. God, I craved it. I just hoped I could be brave enough to tell him.
Chapter 17
Chase
First I’d wanted to keep her to myself. But Ariel rose to the challenge of meeting the entire Dark Saints membership full on. Mama Bear stayed a little cold, but I knew it was only a matter of time before the two of them grew comfortable together. They were two of the strongest women I’d ever known. Hell, they were more alike than they were different. It’s a wonder they didn’t try to scratch each other’s eyes out at first sight.
“What are you worried about?” Ariel said. Sunlight stabbed through the slats of the bedroom window. Rufus barked just outside. We’d spent the last few nights here in the clubhouse. It earned me some raised eyebrows from some of the crew. They all thought Ariel was cool, but she was still an outsider. I think on some level, I was waiting for Ariel to see too much and bail. So far she hadn’t, and I didn’t know what to make of it.
She hadn’t asked me about what had happened at the Hutchins Street house a few days ago. For my part, I wanted to forget it ever happened. It was a side of me she didn’t need to see ever again.
“Worried?” I said, pulling on a boot. The last thing in the world I wanted to do was leave this bedroom. But we had rounds
and collections to make. The Saints provided security to most of the businesses along the dock. A few of them had been short with payments this month. This was Axle’s show, but I rode along to watch his back.
Ariel rolled to her side. Sunlight turned her hair gold. The bedsheet slipped, exposing her naked breasts. “Fuck,” I said, leaning back. I tweaked one nipple then the other, loving how they popped out just for me. “You’re a bad influence, baby.”
“I’m a bad influence?” Laughing, Ariel sat up in bed. The sheet still covered her from the waist down. I wanted to tear it away and spread her wide. I could stay in bed all day with this woman and never get tired of touching her. She reached for me; curving her fingers around my ear, she tucked back a loose strand of my hair. Ariel went up on her knees and the sheet fell away. She wrapped her arms around my shoulders. Groaning, I pressed her to me, loving the contour of her ample tits against my chest.
“Yeah,” I growled, reaching around to smack her taut ass. She let out a little squeal that got me hard all over again. Only the pounding on my door kept me from bending her over my lap.
“Chase!” Axle’s sharp voice filled the room. “We’re late, man. Get a move on.” As angry as he sounded, I knew better. Axle was fucking with me. Yeah, we needed to hit the road, but he knew damn well what I had going on in here.
“Mmm.” Ariel sat back. “Better not keep him waiting. Axle’s fierce. I have a feeling I wouldn’t like him when he’s angry.” She meant it half-jokingly, but I couldn’t help the frown I made. No one liked Axle Hart when he was angry. He could be the scariest son of a bitch you’d ever seen and he was a large part of why the Saints had the respect we did.
“What are you up to today?” I said, quickly changing the subject. “Cuz I wouldn’t mind you just hanging out here. Hell, I wouldn’t mind just tying you up like this and making you wait for me. You know how badly I’d just like to stay in bed with you all day?”