by Joy Blood
“Always. You too. Call me later if you need anything.” She winks and scampers off toward Sam’s truck as he follows behind.
“Thanks for the movie, Sam. See you Monday?”
“For sure, Keems. Nice meeting you, man. Take care of her. She’s a good one,” he says to Jake, earning a curt nod and slight scowl in response. Sam lets out a chuckle as he takes off to beat Ari to his truck and open the door for her. I smile and look over at Jake’s bike.
“Shall we?” I ask, grabbing my helmet from his saddle bag. He straddles the bike and starts it before I even get the latch together. Throwing my leg over, I slide up his small seat, settle into the heat emanating from his body, and wrap my arms tightly around his middle. Unable to help myself, I run my fingers up and down his stomach. He tenses under my touch as a soft groan leaves his lips. Before he backs out of the spot he is parked in, he reaches down to give my hands a squeeze, then drives off.
We ride for only a few minutes before coming to an area filled with apartment complexes and duplexes, and slow as the garage to a duplex opens. We pull up inside and he cuts the bike’s engine, leaning forward to let me dismount. I don’t, though. Instead, I look around the empty garage containing only us and a door presumably leading inside. “What is this? Is this your place?” I ask, still not moving from the bike. Hopping off, he’s careful not to bump me, and doesn’t say a word as he unclasps my helmet, takes it from my head, and places it into the saddle bag. Then…he grabs me, right off the bike, and puts my feet firmly on the cement floor.
“Seriously, Jake. Is this your place?” I ask again, getting only a nod before he walks to the door and presses a button on the wall next to it before going in.
Twelve
Jake
It takes her a minute, but she follows me into my rented apartment. I decided I was staying here on the weekends and on days the club didn't need me around. I wanted to be close in case those fuckers tried anything. That’s what I told myself, trying to justify my new rental. The place was partially furnished. Meaning it had kitchen appliances. So I had one essential thing delivered right after I signed the lease three days ago. A bed. King size. Large enough so I could sleep in the same bed and still keep my distance. Yep, that was the reason. Not that I wanted to take her body repeatedly and needed space to properly do it. The look on her face right now tells me she probably wouldn't mind where my thoughts have gone. I shake it off and go to the bathroom to piss and gather my wits. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea, bringing her here, but shit, when I saw her wiping her tears away from some damn cartoon, all I wanted to do was hold her all night long. And that is what I intend to do.
After doing my thing, I splash cool water on my face in an attempt to calm my thoughts, and walk back out to see she has taken off her shoes and gotten a glass of water. Well, a plastic cup of water. My fine china consisted of solo cups and paper plates complete with white plastic forks—only because the place I ordered from last night didn't have utensils in the takeout bag.
“So…have you lived here long?” Kimi asks, chuckling. It makes me smile. The girl is cracking jokes now. I shake my head and risk a couple steps toward her. “Am I staying the night?” I nod, and as if she has me under some sort of spell, I take another couple steps forward. “I should send Ari a text…tell her I'm not coming home tonight,” she says, reaching into her pocket for her phone. I watch as she types out something to her friend, then gently take the phone from her hand and place it on the countertop, getting even closer to her. Just to keep an eye on her. I mentally scold myself and close my eyes to get a grip.
“Jake,” she says in a small whisper full of need. That breaks me. In a quick move, I pull her the rest of the way to me and grip her face in my hands, bringing her lips directly to mine and searing her in a claiming kiss. First, she is hesitant, then she relaxes into me as she opens her mouth, inviting my tongue in to explore. The taste of the buttery popcorn and her sweet, soft lips on mine feels so fucking perfect. I run my hands down her backside and grip her in my hands, pressing myself into her.
“Jake,” she gasps between kisses. “Please, Jake. I…uh…it…please.” Her voice, that sultry accent of hers she can’t seem to completely get rid of no matter how hard she tries, the lustful gasp in her tone—fuck.
Hauling her small body up into my arms, I carry her to the only bedroom in the apartment, lay her down, and back away for a moment to look at her beautiful face. Her high cheeks are slightly pink and tendrils of hair are coming out of her perfect braid, flowing around her soft face. She is so damn beautiful. I take her in for a moment more, then start kissing a slow path down her writhing body. She arches into me each time I press my lips to her cotton-covered skin. I keep her t-shirt down until I reach the hem and the top of her jeans. Looking up at her, I ask for permission to continue. She bites her lip and pushes up on her elbows looking down at me. “Please don’t stop,” she pleads. I answer by pulling her shirt up just enough to kiss her belly above the line of her jeans before flicking the button open. She gasps at the contact, and I revel in the sound. All her sounds. I want to take each one and make a soundtrack so I can listen to it on repeat. Shit, I would never get anything done.
The zipper on her jeans comes down easily and it’s my turn to groan when I see what she has on underneath. White cotton fucking panties. Jesus fuck. I'm about to bust a damn nut and both of us still have our clothes on. Leaning down, I grip the elastic of the panties in my mouth, pull them back, and let them snap on her soft skin. She lets out a panting breath, then I'm on the move, dragging her jeans down her slender hips and off her legs. I stand up as I toss the jeans aside and gaze down at her squirming body.
“Beautiful, Key,” I rasp out as I take her feet in each hand and slowly work my way down her smooth legs to the juncture of her thighs. I start by kissing her inner thighs, then move over her still covered mound when I feel her start to go off. Shit, she’s so responsive. Her body tenses as her back arches off the bed, her cotton-covered pussy pressing against my mouth as I work her through the fabric until she is lax on the mattress. I give her a moment to recover before I start to peel the panties from her legs.
Not saying the orgasm she just had didn't count, but I want her to experience the full effect, and I want her pussy pressed against my face when that happens. I can’t even remember the last time I went down on a woman. But when my tongue tastes her sweetness, I know for damn sure it will be my new favorite pastime. I take my time with this one, licking and sucking until her body starts to quake and her fingers are nearly ripping the hair from my head. I end her suffering by pressing two fingers into her heat and hooking them upward, immediately setting her off. I stroke her slowly, bringing her down before she pushes at me to stop.
“That was…I have never felt that—oh god, Jake,” she pants, unable to finish her sentence, but I heard enough to understand what she meant. She hasn't had an orgasm before?
“What?” I back up off the bed, scrubbing at the back of my neck, probably looking like an asshat with my questioning stare.
“That was something I haven't…experienced before.” She tips her chin to her chest. “Sorry,” she says in a hushed whisper, and I break. Shaking my head, I grip her to me and place my mouth close to her ear, making sure she can hear all of what I'm about to say.
“Fucking amazing, Key.” I swallow. “Glad, was me.” I pull back to look at her face. Tears well in her eyes as she stares right back into mine.
“I'm not a…virgin. But that—what you did—I have never felt that before. Thank you for that. It’s something that’s never been given to me.” The tears spill down her cheeks. “I wasn't…I tried so hard, but…” She cries harder this time, and my heart slams in my chest at her admission.
“Who, Key?” I ask, not wanting to, but finding myself needing to hear more, to get more information so I can kill the fucking asshole who did this to her.
She looks at my face again and shakes her head. First, I don’t think she’s going to give anything
away, but then she says something that almost pushes me over the edge.
“Who didn't? There were so many, I don’t even know. I was my uncle’s problem. Then, soon after, I became his form of payment for his meth habit and debts.” She keeps her focus on the bed, tightening the gray comforter around her naked waist. I see what she is trying to do, and mentally kick myself for being an ass and stripping her most vulnerable parts bare. I climb off the bed and go for my bag on the floor, grabbing a pair of shorts and pulling them up her legs. They don’t fit by a damn sight, but I pull the strings tight enough to keep them on, then nod for her to continue as I wrap her in my arms so she is facing away from me. I know it will be easier for her to do this if I'm not staring directly at her.
“Thank you. It lasted for about four years until he got in too deep with some gang. Then I became a regular payment for them until I was sold to Avil.” I almost jump off the bed when I do the math. She was a fucking child, fucking ten when this shit started. Fucking ten! She must be able to feel the anger rolling off me because she tightens her grip on me, making me pull her tighter. “It’s over now. It is behind me. Ellie helped me through my issues. I don't even have nightmares anymore. She helped me so much, you have no idea.” No idea because I left her for two fucking years.
“Key,” I whisper into her ear and lift her off the bed, only to pull the covers to the side and slide her back into place. I step away from the bed to shed my boots, jeans, cut, and tee, thinking now I'm an even bigger asshole for not even bothering to take my fucking boots off before I licked her pussy. I kneel on the bed to shift and get comfortable behind her. Right now, I'm holding this beautifully mended girl in my arms all night long because it’s about time she had at least that in her life.
Thirteen
Kimi
The morning sun pulls me from sleep, and I wake to find Jake still in bed with me, his naked chest now serving as my pillow. I can’t help myself, I drag my hand along the thin smattering of hair on his chest, over the tattoo that says, “Finn.” His brother. I remember Ellie telling me he had died just shortly after she met the two of them. Jake and Finn. The next thing that catches my eye is the ink covering his shoulder and down the length of his arm. I have to move myself up to my elbows to get a better look. That is when I see him looking at me.
“Hey,” I say with a smile. “I was just trying to look at your tattoo.” He regards me for a moment, then pulls himself up to a sitting position, bringing me along with him. Shifting me so I’m on the side of the tattoo, I look it over. I can’t believe how beautiful it is. It’s a woman with long black hair that fans out around her face and slowly tapers off to ravens flying down his arm.
“It’s beautiful. Who is it?” I ask, hoping it isn’t someone from his past.
“Look closer,” his sleep-ridden voice scratches out. I do as he says and look closer, realizing the resemblance.
“Jake.” I’m almost speechless. I know who the woman is.
“Needed you with me all the time.” He clears his throat. “Only way I knew how.”
“I thought—”
“Know what you thought.” He gets up out of bed, goes for his jeans on the floor and pulls them on. “Key…” he starts, but I beat him to it.
“I know, Jake.” My voice gives away the hurt. Needing to be away from the situation, I get out of the bed and take off to the bathroom, quickly closing the door behind me. Taking a look around, I find a small toiletry bag sitting on the vanity and rummage around for toothpaste. I finger brush the morning breath from my mouth before finger combing through my hair to braid it once again. Now that I have wasted enough time in here, I decide to go back out and face him. Taking a deep breath, I ready myself and walk out the door, only to find the bedroom now empty.
Noise coming from the kitchen pulls my attention and I go out there to find him getting water from the tap. “Need to go to the store,” he says, turning to look at me. “This place is pretty bare.” His voice sounds less strained, but he’s still quiet.
“All right. I’ll get dressed.” I tell him walking back to the room leaving the door open. “Do you want to maybe stop by my dorm and grab my car so you don’t have to try to figure out how to strap a coffee maker onto your bike?” I call back to him pulling my clothes from yesterday back into place.
“Coffee maker?” he asks with a smile, now standing at the door, watching me with a smirk on his face.
“Well, yeah. You drink coffee, don’t you?” At his nod, I start toward the garage, now dressed and ready. “Good. Let’s go then.”
An hour later, we are in my car parked outside the local Walmart. “What all do you need?” I ask as we step out into the parking lot.
“Stuff,” he says with a shrug and grabs ahold of a cart as we make our way into the store. Not having been here before, I look around at the signs hanging from the ceiling to find out where the small appliances are. When I spot the big sign hanging from the ceiling, telling me where to go, I start walking in that direction only to be stopped when I notice Jake is walking a different way. Typical man.
“You need a TV?” I ask, catching up to him in electronics. “I thought you were here for things like a microwave. Maybe a toaster.”
“Need a phone charger.” He holds up his phone, and I have to inwardly giggle at the man. This big biker pushing a cart around the store looking for a phone charger.
“What kind of phone do you have?” I ask, taking the phone from his grasp before it’s offered. “All right…” I drift off in search of the preferred charger. It takes a minute, but I find one, toss it into the cart, then look up at him to find out what is next on the agenda.
“You need anything for school?” he asks, gazing over the shelf containing demo laptops and tablets.
“Nope. Vin and Ellie pretty much bought me everything I need and then some. I’m good. Besides, we are here for you.”
“What ‘bout them things you read on?”
“A Kindle?” I ask.
“Yeah. Always reading on your phone,” he says, continuing along the line of technology. “Here,” he says, pointing to a Kindle Fire.
“Jake, I don—” I start, but a salesperson interrupts me, asking if we need help with anything. Jake points to the Kindle, and the sales person promptly supplies his keys to get out the chosen box.
“I will run it up to check out thirteen. You can get it there when you are done,” he informs us with a smile and scampers off.
“Jake, I don’t need that.”
“Don’t care, Key,” he says, walking back the way we came before detouring off to the small appliance section.
* * *
The trunk filled to capacity with every kitchen tool known to man, we make our way back to his duplex. Jake backs into the garage, parking between his bike, which we brought back before going to the store, and the door. Popping the trunk, he then hits the visor to close the garage and hops out. One by one, we bring his purchases inside and deposit them onto the kitchen island. “I think you might need to invest in a table,” I say. “And maybe a couch,” I add, looking over to his empty living room space. He only grunts in response. “I know of a website that delivers and has decent prices.” I start opening bags and pulling things out. “Is there any particular place you want things?” Still only a grunt in return. I look over to see him preoccupied with his phone.
“Jake!” I say, and his head snaps in my direction. “What’s wrong?”
“Gotta head back to the club,” he says, and my heart drops.
“Oh. Okay.” My voice wavers.
“Key, look at me,” he demands, walking over to peer down at my face. “Got club shit to deal with. Can stay here.”
“No. I wouldn’t want to be here without you. Besides, Ari might send out a search party if I don’t get back soon,” I tell him with a smile, trying to go back to unpacking the items, but he doesn’t let me.
“Key, always wanted you.” He stops to clear his throat and swallow. “Just didn’t want to
bring you into a world of shit after having just got out of one.” He clears his throat again, looking like he might continue, but I don’t let him.
“I understand. I was a kid and had been through something you didn’t think you could deal with. It’s fine.” I try to brush it off, but he holds me steady.
“Damn it,” a low rumble starts in his chest making me tremble. “No dealin’ involved.” He plants his mouth firmly over mine before snaking his tongue into my own. I groan at the contact as mine meets his, brushing along each other in an erotic dance.
“Jake,” I whisper when he pulls back, only to brush his wet lips along my heated skin. The chime of his phone douses the moment, bringing us into the here and now.
“Shit,” he grumbles, pulling out his phone. “I gotta get goin’,” he says, regret filling his voice.
“It’s fine. I’ll finish this up and have it ready for when you come back,” I tell him with a proud smile.
“‘Kay.” He leans down to give me one more kiss before walking into the room and emerging with his cut proudly over his chest. Then, with one last look, he is out the door, driving off on his bike seconds later.
“Bye, Jake,” I say to the now empty apartment and continue unpacking.
Fourteen
Jake
When I walk through the door to the shop, I find the room full of my brothers in a heated debate. Over Gin.
“He’s a loose cannon, Pres. Damn near got my ass shot. If you hadn’t shown up when you did, that bar owner would have put a slug in us.” Brand, a member who came with us from Rhino, complains.
“VP, nice of you to join us,” Rock growls out when he sees me walk in. I give a shrug of apology and continue my path toward him and the others, minus the man in question.