Zach (Hell's Handlers MC Book 1)

by Lilly Atlas

  Straightening her spine, she did her best to pretend she wasn’t more turned on in that moment than she’d ever been with Chris or even her boyfriend before him. She lifted one of Zach’s ragged hands and inspected it from all angles. Geez, it was a mess. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  He shrugged. “It’s inevitable. And it needs to be cleaned. Don’t worry about it.”

  She turned the hand over until the palm was facing up and began to scrub the dried blood off the intact skin. With just a few swipes, the wash cloth was red and needing to be rinsed. She submerged it and couldn’t help but shudder as the water in the basin grew pink.

  Despite the mangled knuckles, his hands felt as strong as they ever did. Once his palm was clean, Toni had the insane urge to lift the hand and hold his palm to her aching breast. Instead, she bent forward and pressed a kiss to the clean skin.

  Zach’s sharp inhale had her lifting her head until their gazes me. They stared at each other, the connection so strong she couldn’t break it.

  Finally, Zach cleared his throat, popping the bubble of intimacy. “Thanks for this,” he said.

  “It’s nothing.” She blinked, then resumed her task. When all of the unmarred skin on both hands was free of dried blood, she had no choice but to move to the wounds.

  As gently as she possibly could, she pressed the wet cloth to the torn knuckles. A sharp hiss shot out of Zach’s mouth and made her jump. “I’m sorry,” she said pulling back. The thought of causing him further pain made her want to weep.

  “It’s fine. Just finish it.” No longer detached, his voice held the pain he couldn’t mask.

  She got back to work and washed the cuts quickly. When she was satisfied both hands were clean, she dabbed on the antibiotic cream then wrapped the bandages around his battered knuckles. Thankfully, it was just the knuckles, the rest of his hands and fingers were intact.

  “There,” she said tossing an extra bandage in the sink. “I think that will hold.”

  “Thanks.”

  That would have been the perfect time to step back. To put some space between them and remind herself of the reasons she didn’t jump into bed with bad boy bikers. Instead, she said, “If you want to talk abo—”

  He gripped her hips in each of his wrapped hands, hauling her even closer as he dropped his head to her stomach.

  For about thirty seconds, she stood statue still, frozen with shock. Toni’s mouth opened and closed as she fought for words and her arms hovered in the air. Slowly, she lowered her arms until one hand was on Zach’s head and the other dangled limply at her side. The golden strands of his hair were so soft, she couldn’t help but sift her fingers through them.

  He groaned and slid his hands from her hips, around back until he gripped her upper thighs. Or really, the lower curve of her ass. Under her shorts. Skin on skin.

  And even though the bulky bandages prevented her from feeling the full effect of his hands on her, it was no less potent. No less stimulating.

  Heat shot to her core, dampening her panties and making her knees wobble.

  This was not good. Well it felt really good. But it was bad. So, so bad. Because she was about five seconds away from begging him to rip off her shorts and put an end to years of unsatisfying sex.

  Then, it happened again. The flash of remembrance. Humiliation, loss of control, panic. All because she fell for the wrong man. Just as she was coming to her senses and was about to step out of his hold, Zach spoke.

  “Maverick is missing.”

  It was as though someone slammed on the brake while going eighty miles an hour. The screech of skidding tires sounded in her brain, bringing all other thoughts to a halt. “Missing? What do you mean, missing?”

  “They took him.” His voice was tortured.

  “Who took him?” Who in the world would be stupid enough to take an outlaw biker? How was that even possible? It wasn’t like they could lure Maverick into the back of a van with the promise of candy.

  Zach shook his head, rocking it back and forth across her stomach. He tightened his grip on her ass as though afraid she’d leave. While she waited for him to continue, she stroked through his hair, hopefully bringing some sort of comfort with her touch.

  “An evil motherfucker. Beat the fuck out of one of our prospects and had a couple guys snatch Mav. We have no clue where he is.” Zach choked on what sounded like a sob. “It’s my job to protect the club and my brothers from outside threats. I fucking failed Mav.”

  “No.” She tugged on his head until he lifted it and met her gaze. “No, baby, you did not fail him.” Shit. Why did she call him that? His vulnerability was going to be her greatest downfall. “I’m guessing you spent the entire day working your ass off trying to find him?”

  He nodded.

  “That right there proves you didn’t fail him. We may not have known each other long, but I know you well enough to know you’ll do everything in your power to find him and bring him home. And you will find him. I have complete faith in you.”

  “But what will they do to him before I get there?”

  The anguish in his voice nearly knocked her to her knees. If she could take it away, bandage it as she’d done his hands, she would in a heartbeat. A man as powerful and strong as Zach should never feel such anguish. But this was an internal wound, so there was nothing she could do.

  Except…

  As his gaze bore into hers, the temperature in the bathroom seemed to rise and the air thickened. He flexed his fingers against the backs of her thighs and she whimpered. Those hands would be her undoing. Strong, rough, capable; they could bring both pleasure and pain in equal measures.

  “Zach,” she whispered as he nuzzled the side of her cloth covered breast with his nose. “This is a b-bad idea.”

  He pressed an open-mouthed kiss to the valley between her breasts. The wet warmth of his mouth had her imagining how amazing it would feel just a couple of inches to the left. Or right.

  She needed to stop him. Fist his hair harder and pull his mouth off her.

  “Probably,” he whispered, sliding one hand up to the back of her neck. “But I don’t give a fuck.” He applied pressure until she bent her head forward. Their mouths were a mere breath apart when he whispered, “I need you tonight, Toni.”

  I need you tonight.

  Had there ever been a woman alive able to resist that plea? Need implied so much more than want. It told her that she was vital to him. That he couldn’t make it through the night without her.

  And so, as she stared into the depths of his ocean blue eyes, she had a choice to make. Take the safe road she’d been traveling on for years or jump into the abyss that promised pleasure but also had the ability to crush her into dust.

  She inhaled, ignored the warning voice in her head, and…jumped.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “Fucking finally,” Zach whispered, seconds before Toni’s mouth met his. He wasn’t kidding when he said he needed her. Needed to lose himself in something good to erase the filth of the day.

  Maybe it was wrong to use her for his selfish needs, but he’d been dreaming about the feel and taste of her pussy for weeks. And she was finally offering herself up on a silver platter. No matter the fallout, he wasn’t stupid enough to turn her away.

  He dove right into the kiss, stroking his tongue into her mouth and giving her his best. She moaned and swayed so he yanked her down into his right leg. With her hand still gripping his hair, she shifted around as best as possible and awkwardly straddled him. When her sex landed against his iron-hard cock, they both groaned.

  Even through her shorts, she was so hot she nearly burned him. He hooked an arm around her lower back and held her snug against him as he ground his erection into her. In response, she deepened the kiss and tightened her hold on his hair to the point of painful.

  He knew it. She would be wild and wanton in bed. Maybe not at first. He might need to lure it out of her, but an uninhibited sexual woman was there just waiting to burst free. A
nd he was more than man enough to turn her into a sex junkie. His sex junkie.

  “More, baby?” he asked. If she said no now, he’d be in for a hell of a shitty night. And that was the last thing he wanted following the shitty day. No, he wanted to forget for a few hours. Until the morning when he had to descend right back into hell.

  “More, yes. Everything,” she said, flexing her hips over his length.

  That was all he needed to hear. Zach stood, chuckling when Toni yelped and wrapped her legs around his waist, clinging for dear life. Like he would ever let her fall.

  “I got you, baby,” he said as he backed her against the wall. He kissed her again, until the need for more of her grew painful. If he didn’t free his erection in the next ten seconds he’d be in danger of permanent damage. Though he hated to, he pulled his mouth away. “Slide down.”

  Toni uncurled her legs and let them drop to the floor. Zach’s hands immediately went to the button on her denim shorts. “Fuck,” he grumbled as the bandages got in the way of a quick clothing removal.

  Even though it was at his expense, Toni’s giggle was music to his ears. His head was so fucked, he was afraid he’d be too rough, or not be as attentive to her needs as he otherwise would be. Ladies first. Always his policy. Hearing her laugh let him know she was enjoying herself.

  “Stop, stop, stop,” she said, swatting his fumbling hands away. “I got this.” With a smirk that could only be described as sinful, she popped the button on her shorts open. Then, she lowered the zipper, one torturous tooth at a time.

  “Toni,” Zach growled. “Playin’ with fire, babe.”

  “Then burn me, Zach,” she said as she reached the end of the zipper and shimmied the shorts down her smooth, tanned legs.

  Zach groaned at the sight of her lower half clad in nothing but a lacy blue thong. His balls ached with the need for release. “Get my pants off.”

  She complied without hesitation, scrambling to get his jeans and boxer briefs off without any teasing this time. “Damnit,” she muttered when his belt wouldn’t cooperate.

  “Aww, what’s wrong? Thought you were all about going slow.” Teasing her could easily become one of his favorite pastimes.

  She stuck her tongue out, drawing a deep laugh from him. He snapped forward, catching her tongue between his teeth and making her squeak and giggle all at the same time.

  Christ, this woman made him feel good constantly. Just moments ago, he couldn’t have imagined even cracking a smile, now he was laughing. Something about her soothed all his ails. The moment her hands had entered his hair, he’d wanted to purr like a cat.

  And now that she had his pants at his ankles and her soft hand around his cock, he couldn’t play games any longer. His head dropped back, and he let out a long, low groan.

  “Shit. As good as that little hand feels, babe, this show will be over before it gets started if you keep that up.”

  With a smile, she gave him a squeeze then let go, moving her hands to the string of her panties to remove the last barrier between them.

  “Don’t.” He nudged her hand out of the way. “Leave them.” He wanted them wet. Soaked through with the scent of her arousal. Those panties would be going home with him.

  He glided one finger over the damp lace between her legs. Her intake of breath made him smile. “I’m dying to sink my fingers deep into this pussy and feel how wet you are. Feel you clench around them. I’ve jacked off a hundred times thinking of this pussy.” He shook his head in disgust. “Fucking bandages.”

  “Next time.” Her voice was breathless with need. “Right now, I just want you to fuck me. I don’t need anything else.”

  “You just need my dick, huh?”

  “God, yes. Give it to me, Zach.”

  Shit, her words were as hot as her pussy. He stared into her eyes, gauging her honesty. All he saw back was need. “Condom?”

  “Drawer behind you.”

  He hated to take his attention off her even for a second, but he turned and rummaged through the drawer until he found a small box of condoms. “You’re gonna have to do it.”

  “Aww gee, what a hardship,” she said as she grabbed the foil packet from him. Placing it between her perfectly straight teeth, she ripped it open and had it over the head of his dick in seconds.

  “Jesus fuck.” he said as her nimble fingers rolled the latex down his length. How mortifying would it be to shoot into the condom before she even had it fully on him? The very second she had the rubber in place, he knocked her hands out of the way, hooked his arms under her thighs, and hoisted her up the wall.

  He palmed her ass with his left hand and used the right to grab the string of her thong and yank it to the side. Then, with a grunt, he snapped his hips forward and entered in one harsh thrust.

  “Oh,” she cried out, clutching his shoulders, at the same time Zach whispered, “Fuck.”

  She was hot, she was tight, and she was so wet he pulled back with ease.

  “Now, Zach, please don’t wait. Fuck me.”

  He drove back into her over and over until she was gasping and moaning with every thrust. Her pussy was so tight, he wasn’t going to last two minutes. It was so fucking selfish, especially considering how amazing she’d been to him since he arrived, but he couldn’t stop himself from fucking her like it was his last fuck on earth.

  All of the fear, frustration, and anger from the day faded away, replaced by the pleasure of possessing Toni’s body. It went beyond the physical. She was like some kind of sexual witch, wrapping herself around his soul as well as his dick. He wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to get enough of her.

  After only a few short minutes, Zach’s balls drew up tight and his gut tensed. He fused his mouth to hers, drinking her in as he pounded into her. Anything that wasn’t Toni’s pussy on his cock disappeared. He had no idea if she was close and would owe her a million times over if she wasn’t, because he could no sooner stop himself from coming than he could stop his heart from beating.

  With one last push, he settled deep inside her and let the climax claim him. As his body shook he was distantly aware of Toni crying out, then sagging against him.

  “God damn,” he said, some amount of time later when he could breathe again.

  “Well said,” Toni mumbled into his neck.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “What for?” She sounded genuinely confused.

  “That was all about me. I attacked you like some kind of beast.”

  She chuckled. “Seriously? Well, then, I’m not sure I’d survive it if it was about me, because that was one good orgasm. I think I like your beast.”

  Zach quirked an eyebrow. “Was it now?”

  A red flush stole across her face as though she hadn’t meant to be so forward and she shrugged.

  He slowly pulled out of her, let her down to the ground and righted her panties. They were so wet they might as well have just come out of the washer.

  Perfect.

  “Come on,” he said. “Let’s sleep for a few hours. Then I’ll treat you to what I should have done this first time.”

  She hesitated. Just a fraction of a second, but Zach noticed it. Had she been expecting a one off? He almost snorted out loud. If that was the case, little Miss Toni had another thing coming to her.

  Because now that he’d had a taste of her, she wasn’t getting away from him anytime soon. If that meant he had to keep her too fuck-drunk to think, then that’s exactly what he’d do.

  And he’d love every damn second of it.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Toni’s eyes fluttered open, then dropped closed again as sunshine flooded her room. She must have forgotten to close the blinds before turning in for the night.

  With a sigh she burrowed deeper into the warm cocoon of blankets and body heat. The soft cotton of her favorite sheets against her naked body was soothing and pulled her back toward sleep.

  Wait. Naked?

  Her eyes popped open as an intense barrage of erotic memories ca
me at her from all angles.

  Oh shit.

  Just hours ago, Zach had fucked her against her bathroom wall like he’d die if he didn’t have her. She wasn’t deluded enough to say she’d slept with Zach or even that they’d had sex. No. He’d fucked her, plain and simple.

  And she’d loved it more than she’d loved anything in a very long time.

  It was quick, dirty, raw, and gave her an orgasm that topped the charts.

  Just how she liked it.

  Argh, just thinking about it made her want to spread her legs and invite him back in.

  But that wasn’t possible for two reasons. One, because she refused to allow it again. She’d broken her rule and acted on lust instead of sticking to her search for a good partner. She hadn’t been fucked like that in a long time. Since before it all went bad.

  And now, she had the perfect example of why she didn’t allow herself to indulge in those desires. There she was, lying in the bed bright and early, wet with desire from nothing but some memories. She’d enjoyed it too much. Too much to think rationally and choose a man that would participate in a healthy relationship. So she stayed away from the sexy, alpha, bad boys. No matter how good they gave it.

  There was a second reason she wouldn’t be hopping on Zach for a morning repeat ride. And that was because the side of the bed he’d slept on was empty.

  He’d left.

  And she told herself in her sternest inner voice that she wasn’t remotely disappointed.

  Liar, liar.

  The sound of the toilet flushing came from Toni’s master bathroom and every muscle in her body tensed. Holding her breath, she rolled over and peered at the strip of light under the bathroom door.

  He was in there. Zach hadn’t left.

  Was it possible to feel both elation and dread at the exact same time?

  Yes. It was.

  The water turned on and Toni turned on her back then squeezed her eyes shut. It was simple. She’d pretend to be asleep. Zach was probably banking on her still being in dreamland anyway. This way he could grab his clothes and leave without any morning after awkwardness. Hell, he’d probably be grateful for the reprieve.