Red Rose: Red Thorns Crew Book 2

by Hart, Rebel

  While his tightly-wound curls tickled my clit.

  “Like that. Like that. Like that. Don’t stop. Don’t stop. Max. Holy fuck. What have you done to me?”

  Orgasms poured over me, one after the other, robbing me of my voice and my breath. His teeth sank into my shoulder, sucking and marking. Lapping at me, as if he’d lost full control of his movements. I felt him spilling into me with every pump of his cock.

  And when my body finally collapsed, he came tumbling with me, pinning me beneath his strength and the comforting tiles of the sauna floor.

  My arms fell to the sides. My legs softly slipped from his shoulders. He kissed my neck, my shoulders, my cheeks, until our lips softly came together in a wanton kiss. I lay there beneath him, spread-eagle on the floor, quivering until he finally managed to move. I jumped as his cock fell from between my legs. The gush of fluids signaling our debauchery flowed behind it, wetting the floor beneath me.

  “My God, Dani,” he grunted.

  I giggled. “My sentiments exactly.”

  He snickered as he pulled himself up to the first-level bench. After drawing in a deep breath, he reached down for me. He helped me into his lap and I curled up, my body still shaking after our adventure. His arms were strong. The crook of his neck smelled divine. He wrapped his arms around me and held me close, nuzzling his cheek against my forehead.

  I didn’t want the moment to end.

  I wasn't sure how long we sat there. Eventually, Max moved. He picked me up and helped settle me onto my feet. Then the two of us finally breached the door of the sauna. We shivered as we gathered our clothes. We had a devil of a time getting them on, too. I giggled while he grunted. I cursed softly to myself, making him chuckle. I had to jump to get back into my skinny jeans, and I felt Max’s eyes on me the entire time.

  “Hell of a show,” he said.

  I rolled my eyes. “Such a horndog.”

  “Only for you, gorgeous.”

  How was it possible for him to make me feel so special like that?

  “I’ll walk you back to your dorm.”

  I waved my hand at him. “You don’t have to do that if you don’t want to.”

  He grabbed my wrist. “I said I’ll walk you back to your dorm. I want to make sure you get there safely.”

  I nodded. “Okay. Thank you.”

  “Not a problem. Come on.”

  We started out of the saunas, the cool air conditioning greeting us. But it had nothing on the autumn breeze hanging softly in the air. As we walked back to my dorm, hand in hand, I felt myself drying off. The wind kicked up in the darkness, swirling dead leaves around as we ventured onward. I leaned my head against his arm, trying to cherish the moment as much as I could. Eventually, we got to the front door of my dorm.

  And it was time to part ways.

  “I had a really good time tonight, Max.”

  I looked up at him and saw him grinning.

  “Me, too, Bambi.”

  I snickered. “I’m still getting used to that.”

  He ran his knuckles along my cheek. “Take your time. It’s not going anywhere anytime soon.”

  “Oh. Thanks.”

  He chuckled. “You like it, don’t even try to play like you don’t.”

  I blushed. “Maybe a little bit.”

  “See? There’s my Dani.”

  His Dani. “Are you feeling okay enough to drive home?”

  “I feel better than I have in days, thanks to you.”

  “Good. I’m glad.”

  “Now, if I could just get one more…”

  I smiled as his face gravitated toward mine, his breath pulsing against my lips. I closed my eyes, preparing myself for his warmth. I wanted as much of this kiss as I could get before we had to leave one another’s presence.

  Just before we connected, the dorm door swung open, ruining the moment.

  “Finally ready to come inside?”

  Hannah’s voice grated on my ears and I sighed.

  “Sorry,” I murmured.

  Max kissed my forehead. “Another time.”

  Hannah scoffed. “You can let her go now.”

  I shot her a look before Max backed away from me. I could’ve strangled that girl, if my body had the energy to do much of anything.

  I hid my smile. “I’d better go. Got classes in the morning.”

  Hannah put her hand on her hip. “Among other things.”

  Max nodded. “Have a good sleep. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

  Hannah went to interject, but I put my hand up to silence her.

  “Sounds like a plan. Just let me know when, handsome.”

  He nodded at Hannah. “You sleep well, too.”

  She scowled at him, but didn’t say a word. Thank the Lord. Because I was two seconds away from figuring out what it felt like to smack someone in the face.

  Max winked at me before he walked away and I stood there. Watching him go. And when he finally disappeared off toward the horizon that held the library, I sighed. I pushed past Hannah and made my way for the elevator. I didn’t want to speak with her, I didn’t want to look at her, and I sure as hell didn’t want to talk to her.

  “Hey, aren’t you going to wait for me?”

  Her arm jutted in between the closing elevator doors before she slid in.

  “Damn. All right. I’m ready,” she said.

  I shrugged before I pressed the button for the top floor again.

  “So you want to talk?”

  I didn’t acknowledge the question as the elevator kept pulling us up to the top of the building.

  “Fine. I’ll talk, then. Your relationship with him is unhealthy, at best. He shouldn't be pulling you away from your studies. And he damn sure shouldn’t be seeking you out while you’re on campus. That’s creepy. And weird. And I don't like it.”

  The doors of the elevator opened and I strode out.

  “Dani, are you even listening to me? I’m telling you this for your own good!”

  I didn’t stop moving until I was inside our dorm and standing at the window. Waiting and watching for Max to drive by. I was worried. The last time he dropped me off at my dorm room, he’d almost been killed. I chewed on my nails as I kept my eyes outside, half-listening to Hannah rattle her head off.

  “I mean, look at you. You’re already watching for him at the window. There’s a life outside there, Dani. A life that wants to meet you. Friends that want to meet you on campus. Grades that need to be gotten. And you can’t have any of that if you’re too busy straddling the back of some dude’s bike. He’s going to get you in trouble.”

  Relief flooded my veins as I heard a bike off in the distance. The engine roared louder. And louder. Until finally I saw its headlights. There was Max, rounding the corner, his helmet turned toward my dorm building. I saw him lift his hand and I smiled as I lifted my own. I watched him drive off, no worse for wear, and I felt as if I could finally get a peaceful night’s sleep.

  “Have you heard a word I’ve said?”

  I rolled my eyes. “Yes, Hannah. Unfortunately.”

  She snickered. “Unfortunately?”

  I turned toward her. “Yes. That’s what I said. You don’t even know the man, Hannah. You’re all bent out of shape over literally nothing right now.”

  Her eyes widened. “Really? Because I think I’m the right amount of bent out of shape. He’s bad news. You can practically smell it on him. You just have your blinders on because you think he’s hot.”

  “Uh, when have you ever known me to be reckless? I don’t take risks. I make calculated decisions.”

  “Well, you’re not being calculated about this. And if you’re not careful, he’ll take you down with him, and you’ll have nothing.”

  I watched as she reached for her shower caddy and dug around for a towel. She looked over at me before she snickered and stormed back through the door. I stood there, alone, in the middle of our dorm room, wishing I was anywhere else.

  Preferably with Max.

  I f
elt angry and frustrated. But, more than that, I felt policed. I felt as if I was right back at home, having my every move and my every word questioned. I didn’t come to college for this. I came to college not just to get an education, but to get away from that bullshit. I loved my parents. I loved my childhood. But I was ready to be a bit freer with my life. Not always having to succumb to all these expectations and be someone I wasn’t inside.

  That’s how I felt with Max.

  I felt a little more like myself.

  I turned back toward the window and gazed outside, wondering where Max was. What he was up to. Whether or not he missed me. Because I sure missed him. A lot. Being with him made me feel strong. It didn’t make me feel like this weak-willed little people pleaser I had become. I was stronger at his side. More capable. I felt like I had a voice, and I felt like he listened to that voice.

  I enjoyed who I was around Max. And no one would take that away from me. Not my parents, not my roommate, and certainly not my studies.

  I finally felt as if I was coming into my own. Learning all about who I was and who I wanted to be.

  Thanks to Max.

  10

  Max

  I shifted myself on the stool as I reached for my rag and wiped some wax onto it. I hated buffing. It was the bane of my existence. So much damn work just to get a few scratches and shit out of my bike. But there was no one else around here that took half as much care with my bike as I did. I’d gladly pay someone to do the damn job. But it was always half-assed.

  So I sucked it up and did it myself.

  “Fucking college campus,” I murmured.

  Every time I went to that damn place, I found a new scratch. A new piece of paint chipped off the side. A new dent I had to pop out. College kids were selfish. Brutal. They didn’t appreciate the shit that had been given to them through their tuition. That was another thing I liked about Dani. She wasn’t selfish. She took care of her things. Myself included.

  Huh. Look at you, being someone else’s property.

  I chuckled at the thought.

  “The fuck happened here?”

  Benji’s voice pulled me from my thoughts and I slowly looked over at him. His eyes danced around the garage as he shoved his hands into his pockets, his gaze landing on a hole in the wall. A hole I still hadn’t patched from the goons my father had brought over a while back.

  At least, it felt like a while back.

  “You good?” he asked.

  I clicked my tongue. “I’m great.”

  He pointed to the hole. “What happened there?”

  I shrugged. “Something probably fell through it.”

  “Did you fall through it? Because that’s a pretty big hole.”

  I sighed. “You got a reason for being here, Benj?”

  “Dude, I can’t believe your face is still fucked up like that. Have you seen a doctor?”

  “I asked you a question.”

  “And I asked you one, too. I take it your ribs are better since you’re hunched over that bike.”

  I whipped my eyes over to his. “You know what happened. You were at the meeting. What I want to know is why that meeting was the first time I’d seen you in almost a damn week.”

  He paused. “What?”

  I stood from my stool. “You’ve been M.I.A. for almost six days. You haven’t checked in with any of the guys. You haven’t made your rounds. You sure as hell haven’t been seen around campus lately. Where the hell have you been?”

  He shrugged. “I’ve had shit to do, man. Studying. Library time. College bitches to fuck. You know how that is. Right?”

  He winked at me and I wanted to pull his throat out through his asshole.

  “No. I don’t know how it is.”

  He snickered. “Oh, come on, Max. Don’t tell me she’s made you soft. That nerd? She’s got less going for her than a stripper on a Tuesday afternoon shift, and you--”

  Before I could think, I charged him. No one spoke about Dani that way. Especially not a pea-sized vermin like my cousin. I fisted his shirt and barreled him against the wall. His back slammed with such a fury that his eyes widened. I lifted him off his feet, snarling as his hands wrapped around my wrists.

  “Holy shit, Max. What the--put me down. Dude! It was just a fucking joke!”

  I growled. “Say another fucking word, Benj. I dare you.”

  He glared at me. “Or you’ll what?”

  I pulled him away from the wall and dragged his face up to mine.

  “Or I’ll drown you with your own fucking teeth.”

  He scoffed. “Dude, relax. Seriously. You’re wound way too tight. I’m just pulling your damn leg. Fucking hell, man. You’re a really easy target, you know that?”

  I paused. “What?”

  He shoved my hands away. “I was just messing with you. You really think I’d talk about your girl like that seriously? Shit, I have more sense than that.”

  “Obviously not.”

  “Well, you’ve never fucking come at me for shit like that before. The hell’s gotten into you?”

  I took a step back. “What did you come here for?”

  He sighed. “I’m worried about you, man. I’ve never known you to get so hot over the stupidest shit. Especially some chick. And this on the heels of, well, this?”

  He ran his hand up and down in the air, signaling to my body. My crooked form. The bruises still shining on my face. My lip that still wasn’t quite healed up.

  I reached my hand behind my neck and rubbed at the bruises. They weren’t welted any longer, but they still hurt to the touch.

  “You sure you’re doing okay, Max?”

  I gnawed on the inside of my cheek. “What happened to you that night?”

  He blinked. “What?”

  “The night you called and told me you needed to meet me. To talk with me. What the hell happened to you?”

  “I got a bit… distracted.”

  My face fell. “Let me guess. College bitches?”

  He grinned. “Possibly.”

  “And then you complain to me because you don’t understand why you haven't been initiated yet?”

  He paused. “What?”

  “Seriously, Benj. You crawl up my ass and make yourself a little home every time you want to harp on the fact that it’s prospect season and I won’t let you become one. And then you pull stunts like this and wonder why I don’t induct you? You’re irresponsible at best, unreliable at worst. And if you want to be part of this MC, you have to step up and be consistent.”

  “Wow, you’re really being serious right now.”

  “Of course I’m being serious! Because you know what would’ve happened that night? The night I was jumped? Had it been any other guy holding me up from leaving, he would’ve stayed true to his word. He would’ve gotten his ass down there because he knew not to waste my fucking time, and he would’ve seen what was going on.”

  He blinked. “So, this is you being pissed because I wasn’t there to help you fight off whoever it was that jumped you?”

  “No, this is about you simply not doing what you said you would. And the consequences that stem from that. Had it been Rupert, or John, or anyone else, they would’ve come down, seen what was happening, and jumped in immediately. Because we’re family. All of us are brothers.”

  “Well, I’m your cousin.”

  “I’m not talking about that kind of family, shithead. I’m talking about the kind that stands with one another. That stands by each other, through thick and thin. You want to know what I think?”

  His nose rose higher in the air. “What do you think?”

  “I think you saw what was happening and became chickenshit.”

  He balked. “I--what--the fuck did you just say?”

  I took a step toward him. “You heard me. I think you came downstairs, saw what was happening, and got scared. Poor little Benji, not wanting to get his hands dirty.”

  “I get my hands dirty all the fucking time! Like that bullshit job we never
got paid for.”

  His hands came down against my chest and he shoved me away. Or at least, he tried. I stood there like the rock solid human being I was. And the second he realized what had happened, he took a step back.

  “Max, I’m sorry.”

  I narrowed my eyes. “You’re what now?”

  He held up his hands. “I’m just pissed off that you’d think, even for a second, that actual blood-family would leave you hanging out to dry like that.”

  I shrugged. “My father does it all the time.”

  “Well, I’m not your fucking father.”

  “No. At least my father has a pair of balls.”

  “Are you kidding me right now with this shit? I come over here to see how you’re doing and you attack me like this?”

  I held up my hand. “Save it. I don’t have the energy for it. I’ll only say this. You don’t get to fuck around and go back on your word and only show up when it’s convenient for you, and then get what you want. It’s all or nothing. All of the damn time. You don’t get to slack off because we’re related and then get inducted. That isn’t how shit works around here.”

  He shook his head. “Get the stick out of your ass, Max. You think I want to be part of that hellhole now? I’ve got better things going for me. Like school, for one. Hell, I don’t even want to be part of your little rinky dink operation anymore anyway.”

  Good. “Glad to hear it.”

  He started backing up toward the driveway. “Oh, and another thing. What I’ve got brewing? It’s better than the Red Thorns. Better than what you, or anyone else, could’ve provided for me. You can’t even get us paid for fucking jobs we work. How pathetic is that?”

  I quirked an eyebrow. “Oh? Did a better opportunity fall into your weasely little lap?”

  I felt my anger mounting, but I was proud of how I kept my cool on the outside. I stared Benji down as he kept backing toward the road. His words were music to my ears. My cousin was young and stupid. He had too much going for him in terms of book smarts to be part of some shit like this anyway. This kind of life was for men who had nowhere else to turn. Nothing to give the world, except for their darkness. But as he continued backing toward the driveway, I noticed something.