by Aden Lowe
The thoughts started getting in the way of my enjoying her kisses, so I pushed them away forcefully, and let my tongue dance across hers. "I'm going to move us up on the bed where we can be more comfortable, and I'm going to keep kissing you." Warning her of my intentions turned out to be wildly erotic. My dick threatened to break through my zipper, and forced me to adjust myself.
"What are you doing?" Alarm tinged her voice.
My pulse jumped into the danger zone. "Let me have your hand. I'll show you." She paused a beat, then let me take her hand. With only a little resistance, she allowed me press her palm to the front of my jeans. I groaned into her mouth. "See? You have my cock so hard, I had to move a little." The sensation of her small hand, even through my jeans, made me twitch.
She started to pull away, as if burned, but I kept her hand in place, rolling my hips a little. I caught her shocked gasp in my mouth. When I released her hand and guided her further onto the bed, she gave no objection.
We settled in the middle of the bed, and I kept her close, making sure she could feel me, while I teased her lips. Eventually, I deepened the kiss again, taking my time to reacquaint myself with her mouth. And the whole time, I stayed still, even though my dick was signing out death warrants on me for not moving things along. I kept one hand on her back, tracing small circles, trying to keep her relaxed.
She brought her fingers to my shoulder, and trailed lightly up to my neck. Waves of need rolled through me, taking my breath and weakening my resolve to give her time. Her participation in her seduction drove my instincts to take her, but I kept reminding myself. Those bastards had been between us long enough. Rushing things would spook her and bring them back.
In the meantime, my balls tightened and tension coiled in my belly. I ran through every boring, non-sexual thing I could think of in an effort to get a little control.
"Fahv-bio!" Tyler's voice outside the door did the trick. "Will you tuck me in?"
"Yeah, li'l man, you get in bed, and I'll be there in just a minute." I leaned my forehead against Justine's and tried to catch my breath. "I won't be long. Wait here?"
She nodded as I pulled back. Fuck, she was beautiful! Eyes dark with want, cheeks flushed, lips swollen from my kiss. I wanted to stay and look more, but the sound of Tyler's running footsteps as he headed for his bed reminded me of other responsibilities. I stood, forced to adjust myself yet again, and left her on the bed.
Crank met me in the hallway, a knowing smirk spread over his face. "Sorry, man."
"Yeah, right. You sent the little squirt." I couldn't help but grin, though. At least there was something going on to interrupt. More progress than I expected, really.
"Yep, sure did. Can't have you getting laid while I'm stuck with a massive case of blue balls."
"Damn, what'd you do, hump some old lady up against the wall at the funeral home?" Figured. If there was a willing female with a mile, Crank would be all over her.
The faint flush that spread over his face told me I hit a mark. "Nah, not some old lady. Sarah Channing."
Surprise dropped my jaw. I knew he wanted her, but she hardly seemed the sort to go for a biker. "Huh. It's the quiet, uptight ones you gotta watch."
Crank nodded agreement. "Now, I just have to convince to have dinner with me again, or something, kid-free. I've been chasing her too damn long, time to seal the deal and get her out of my system." He shook his head and muttered something about stubborn females.
I laughed a little. "Good luck, Brother."
Tyler's room had vehicles everywhere, like some kind of theme. Alexis must have spent a damn fortune. He waited in his bed, sitting up with a book and a dump truck pillow. "Reads me a story?"
It seemed like a reasonable request. Kids like bedtime stories, right? I sat down on the edge of his bed. "Sounds good. What story you got there?"
His smile faded. "Me and Mommy and Daddy maked it." He handed it over.
Poor fucking kid. I flipped the book open to a photo of him standing next to a backhoe, wearing a construction hat. Underneath, Alexis had written a little verse about Tyler and the backhoe. The other pages all held similar images, some with one or both of his parents, and similar verses, each with a different vehicle.
"This is a special book, Tyler. We have to make sure it doesn't get torn."
He nodded, serious. "I gots a box." He pointed, and I spotted the decorated box at the foot of his bed. With great care, he took the book, slipped it into the box, and closed the lid. Leaning down, he slid the box under his bed.
"Want to read something else now?" I didn't like the wistful look on his face. Kids shouldn't hurt like that.
His enthusiastic nod took care of it for the moment, though. He bounded off the bed, grabbed a book from one of his shelves, and bounced back. "This one!"
I took it. Dr. Seuss. I could handle that. "Soon as you're under the covers and tucked in, we'll get started."
He settled in quickly, eager for the story. We ended up reading it twice, but I didn't mind at all. His eyelids drooped when I finished the second time, so I slipped away, turned the light off, and left him to sleep.
After a quick pit stop in the bathroom, I returned to the guest room. Justine lay on the bed, just as I had left her. Her relaxed position and even breathing told me she slept. Despite the temptation, I decided she needed rest, and headed quietly down the stairs.
Nicole sat curled up in a chair, watching TV and talking on the phone, so I bypassed the living room and went searching for Crank. I found him outside on a step ladder, doing something over a window.
"Something wrong?" My words startled a curse from him.
"Nah, figured we could use some electronic security though." He finished up and came down. "Anyone comes near, I want to know who it is. That remark that bastard made about her biker friend set off all kinds of red flags for me. Fucker's been watching her, knew she was with you."
Fuck! "I should have noticed that. So it's just a matter of time before he shows up here."
Crank nodded. "That would be my guess. He's escalated to the point of tearing her panties up and all that fucked up shit, next step is probably direct contact."
Ice ran through my nerve endings, while dread sank my heart into my feet. "I can't let that happen, man. I'm making progress with her, getting her back. I won't let some rapist motherfucker take her from me again."
He gathered up his shit and headed into the garage, motioning me to follow. "Fabio, you know I'm not one to question where you put your dick, but are you sure this is a smart move for you? Chick destroyed you, man."
I leaned against a workbench while he put tools away. "Yeah, I know. No, I'm not sure at all. But I know now why she did it, and I get her reasons." I lifted my hands in a gesture of confusion. "I know I'm still fucking head over heels for her. I don't know, man."
"She could hurt you bad again." He hung the ladder on hooks.
"Yeah, she could. Easily. But I feel like I have to see this through." I took a deep breath, needing some courage. "You probably heard gossip from some of the girls at the clubhouse."
He gave a noncommittal nod.
"I can't bring myself to fuck another chick. Everything else is no problem, but I can't do that."
"Shit, man." He shook his head. "Some of the girls talk a little, but I hadn't heard that. So, you mean to tell me, all these years, you ain't put your dick in any of the girls you've had crawling all over you?"
"No, I haven't. And not for lack of trying. Don't matter if I'm sober as a judge, fucked up, drunk, stoned…Every time I get right there, I fucking go soft." The confession hurt like fuck to make. Bragging about sexual exploits was part of club life. Revealing impotence would bring on all kinds of nasty jokes and remarks.
He looked at me with something between fear and awe. "Dude, you are seriously fucked." He gave his head a quick shake. "She was your first?"
Unable to speak, I just nodded.
"All that adult nonsense about exclusive relationships worked a nu
mber on your head, I guess."
"I don't know what did it. But she's it for me. I need her like I need air." I sighed. "Fuck, that just sounds weak as hell."
He chuckled. "No argument there. Well, I guess we make sure nothing happens to send her running again, then."
"Fuck, I hope we can do that."
"No problem, man. If that fucker shows anywhere near here, I'll blast his ass to kingdom-fucking-come." The resolve radiating from Crank came as no surprise. I knew he would have my back without question.
30
Fabio
The house settled in for the night, and after one last security check, I made my way back to the guest room and Justine. She still slept deeply, and I had the distinct feeling fear had limited her rest for far too long. That she felt safe enough with me to let down her guard, and give in to the exhaustion, swelled my chest with pride. Deep down, she knew I would give my life to keep her safe. I liked her knowing that.
I grabbed an extra blanket rather than disturb her to pull the covers from beneath her. Stripping down to my boxers, I laid down beside her and spread the blanket over both of us. She sighed, and almost immediately, rolled toward me, wedging her body in close to mine. I slipped my arm under her, and she moved to pillow her head on my chest, as if she'd always done it.
Far be it from me to argue. I nestled her closer and drew her arm across my waist. Her even breathing lulled me to a state of relaxation I hadn't seen in a very long time. Too bad the threat against her kept me partially alert, even at a subconscious level. It would have been good to give it all up and truly rest in her arms. Soon, though. As soon as I killed the motherfucker, we could both rest easy.
Lazily, my thoughts wandered to the future. I had some serious decisions to make, relatively soon. With three weeks left in the school year, I needed to accomplish things quickly. Alexis and Simon's estate had to be settled, first and foremost. Hopefully, there was life insurance to give the kids a start when the time came for them go their own way.
In the meantime, I had to break it to them that we were going back to Kentucky. My life, and my club, were there. Not going back was not an option I wanted to consider, though I would, if the kids needed it. How would Justine feel about that? Could I convince her to come with me?
My gut tightened, interrupting the relaxed state. If she refused to come to Kentucky, what would I do? Sure, I could adapt, stay in Oklahoma, with her and the kids. It would be rough, but I could do it, if I had to. But I sure as fuck wouldn't be happy about it.
Would she leave her parents, family, and friends, for me? How would she feel about starting over in a place so different from what she'd always known? My instincts, or maybe that was just hope, told me she would jump at the chance to get away from painful memories. For the moment, that would have to be good enough.
I dozed, resting but alert, so when the quiet rumble of an engine stopped out on the street, I immediately woke. Careful not to wake Justine, I extricated myself and slipped on my jeans and boots, then made my way down the dark stairs. Beside the living room window, I checked the street.
The black extended-cab four-wheel drive pickup idled at the curb, the occupants evidently waiting for something. A cigarette tip glowed above the steering wheel, then my cell phone beeped.
Cherry: Dude, U gonna just stand there watching us? Or let us in?
I chuckled. Leave it to Cherry. She never missed anything.
Me: Pull in the driveway, close to the house. Meet u at the door.
The truck backed up, then pulled into the drive. I headed for the door, 9mm in my hand, just in case. Crank came up from the basement as I reached for the doorknob.
"Ours?" His quiet whisper confirmed he'd heard the truck outside as well.
I nodded. "Cherry texted."
He gave a nod. "Okay, go out and meet them. I'll cover your back." He expressed what I'd been thinking all along. Anyone waiting for a chance to get by our defenses could easily take advantage of the distraction of the new arrivals.
"Thanks, Brother." I slipped out the door without a backward glance. Crank stood between Justine and the kids, and any threat that might come their way, and I knew he took the duty seriously.
I approached the truck, careful and looking for trouble. As soon as I drew near, the driver's door opened, the interior lights long ago disabled, and someone climbed out. The street light momentarily silhouetted Cherry's familiar form against the privacy fence.
"Hell ain't froze over yet, son. Come give me a hug." The line she always used when she sensed one of us holding back brought a smile to my lips.
"Best offer I've had in a long time." I swept her into my arms while the others climbed out of the truck. "Let's head inside. Could be watchful eyes out here."
All quiet, I shepherded them into the house, where Crank stepped back from his guard post. "Any trouble?"
Georgie, Dix's ol' lady shook her head. "This burg roll the fucking streets up at dark? We didn't see a soul after we hit town."
I grinned. "Sure does, at least on work nights. Kinda like back home, just on a larger scale."
She laughed a little. "We attracted a little attention at a rest stop in Missouri, nothing we couldn't handle, though."
Cherry grinned. "Between them, Georgie and Tanya had that ol' boy wishing he never been born."
I thoroughly believed it. Georgie was a genuine badass, and handled security at Rita's Rattlesnake, where she worked. The nearly all-female staff couldn't be safer from errant red-necks with caveman complexes. And Trip's ol' lady, Tanya, had taken self-defense seriously after Trip rescued her from life as a sex slave for the Saxon's MC.
"The boys will be here in a couple hours. They ranged back and forth around us, scouting, and right now, they're just outside town, making sure they don't come in right on our heels and raise suspicion." Georgie's explanation only confirmed my respect for her. The girl didn't miss a trick.
Crank hugged each of them. "It's good to see all of you. Fabio's girl will probably be glad for company, too."
I nodded. "She's sleeping now. We'll have to be careful not to overwhelm her, though. She's been a little, uh…sheltered." The word didn't quite fit, but it served the purpose.
Cherry nodded. "Don't worry. She'll be fine. Won't take her long to realize we don't bite much."
"Sheltered, hmm?" Warmth washed over me at the sound of her voice. "I wouldn't call it that, but okay." Justine came to stand close to me, but not as close as I wanted.
I made the introductions, and the girls all seemed on best behavior. I couldn't ask for more than that. Before I knew it, Justine offered food, and the others took her up on it. The kitchen hummed with quiet activity as they worked together, heating up the last of the casseroles and other funeral food, to make sure the boys had a hot meal when they showed up.
I stepped back out of the way to watch. She fit in with the girls just fine. Relief settled in as a fear I hadn't been aware of was soothed. Some women thought themselves superior to the ol' ladies, and snubbed them. Clearly, Justine wasn't that sort.
"She's going to do okay." Crank's quiet voice at my shoulder startled me a little.
"The fuck? Why you sneaking around?" I pretended I hadn't been worried about exactly that.
He chuckled. "Wasn't sneaking, Brother. Made more noise than a heard of elephants. You were just lost in watching your woman, and didn't notice."
Okay, he had me there. I grinned, and admitted it.
"The others are coming in quiet. They'll roll up in a few minutes and park out of sight, then slip inside."
"Good." I would definitely feel better with the security of my Brothers there. "I have a feeling that motherfucker is going to make a move soon."
"Yeah, me too." Crank's confirmation of my intuition put me more on edge.
We lived by our instincts, picking up on non-verbal cues, and paying attention to our guts. My suspicions were one thing, but for Crank to express the same meant a very high likelihood of something nasty happening s
oon.
A soft sound at the door drew our attention, and within moments, we were joined by Trip, Dix, and Skates. Crank and I greeted them quietly, but enthusiastically. It felt really good to have them there.
Everyone ate while Crank and I moved the pickup into the garage where we could unpack it in privacy. Beyond the normal clothing, and stuff people would bring along for an extended visit, the truck held guns, ammo, other weapons, and cash. Most of the weapons and cash were concealed within carefully designed traps we'd hidden throughout the vehicle.
If the ATF ever got their hands on one of our club vehicles, they would probably die of a massive wet dream. Some of the members' personal vehicles had hiding places, but everything the club owned, from the big SUV to the ATVs, were outfitted to carry a small arsenal entirely out of sight. Of course, they sometimes carried more than weapons and cash, but those were our main interests.
Kellen was a fucking genius at tapping into the interests of his members, and putting them to work for the club. Recently, even a couple of the club girls got in on the act when Kellen acquired a half dozen horses for cheap as part of a rescue. The original intent had been to resell them as soon as they were straightened up enough. But Yolanda and Krissy convinced him the animals could be useful, and offered to train them. So now, the club owned non-mechanical means of transportation, too. Watching Justine with the other women, I couldn't help but wonder what she would bring to the club.
With everyone fed, and the supplies safely stashed in the basement and garage, everyone settled in for the remainder of the night. I showed Trip and Tanya to my sister's room, fully aware of Tanya's need for personal security, even among close friends. After what she survived, it was a fucking miracle she could stand to be near anyone.
In the guest room, Justine waited for me, sitting nervously on the side of the bed. I grinned inwardly. She came without having to be coaxed. A small victory, but it made me feel good anyway.