Jax's Dilemma:Insurgents Motorcycle Club (Insurgents MC Romance Book 2)

by Wilder, Chiah

  Jax took her in: the red streaks across her cheeks, her full lips, and her sad eyes. She’d lost some weight since Gunner’s funeral and appeared too thin and frail. She rubbed her arms and looked everywhere but at him. Something was up with her, and he had a sneaking feeling this wasn’t all about Gunner.

  “You okay?” he said in a low, caressing voice.

  She glanced at him for a second then down again. Exhaling, she said, “Yeah. Just gotta go. Bye.”

  He lifted her chin up, making her look into his eyes, their gazes locking together before she moved to pass him. As Cherri walked away, he snagged her by the waist and crushed her into him, kissing her fiercely. Balking, she twisted and pushed as she tried to break free of his arms. Holding her tighter, he rubbed his hands up and down her back in an attempt to calm her. When she stopped twisting, he seized her lips again, and that time, she gave in to his kiss. Their tongues intertwined as she moaned into his mouth and arched her back. In his hands, her hair was like cashmere, and her lavender-vanilla scent was intoxicating. Jax pushed in deeper with his tongue, yearning for more of her sweet minty taste, her warm mouth, and her soft lips. His desire for her was so extreme, he wanted to crawl inside of her to have his fill.

  Pressing closer to her, he knew she felt his cock against her—nice and firm, the way she liked it. As one hand cupped her breast over her t-shirt, the other gripped her pert, denim-clad ass. Sliding his hand over her butt, he kneaded and pinched her cheeks. She stiffened, and he knew their shared moment was lost.

  When she shoved him back, it caught him off-guard, making him stumble. Before he could recover, she dashed out the door and said, “Gotta go. Later.”

  Then she was gone.

  His instincts told him she was hiding something, and he’d be damned if he’d let another man have her. Not for one minute did he buy her “doing errands” bullshit. His face grew hot as he imagined her running off to meet a secret lover. He hoped it wasn’t that because he didn’t want to kill a man in front of her. Fuck, she’s complicated.

  After the low lights in Dream House, the brightness of the day pierced Jax’s eyes. He squinted and blocked the sun with his hand as he perused the street and spied Cherri waiting at the bus stop. When it came, she went inside as Jax jumped on his bike, switching on the ignition when the bus doors closed. Keeping his distance, he followed the bus as it snaked its way around Pinewood Springs.

  After two stops along Main Street and County Line Road, the bus squeaked past emerald-green forests, fields of kaleidoscopic wildflowers, and the glittering waters of Grizzly Creek. Jax, eyes fixed on the bus, curved around the road carved out of the Rocky Mountains which rose high above, punching the sky. After thirty minutes of climbing, the road began its descent, and a grassy valley blanketed with brick and wood houses emerged. As the bus entered Dexter, Jax hung back.

  Turning down what appeared to be the main street in the small town, the bus stopped. Several passengers alighted, Cherri among them. Jax parked his Harley on the street in front of the diner then followed an unaware Cherri at a safe distance. She walked with purpose past a mom-and-pop grocery store, a bakery, and several clothing and notion stores until she turned down a small street lined with birch trees and well-kept brick houses. The whir of lawnmowers punctuated the neighborhood while rainbows danced among the sprinklers of several front yards.

  At the end of the street, Cherri turned left, where most of the neighborhood houses had fenced yards and metals swings on the large front porches. Stopping in front of a modest, two-story wood-framed house, she opened the gate and went up the front porch’s wooden steps. From her pocket, she took out a key, turned the lock, and let herself in.

  What the fuck is she doing here? And she has a key? What the fuck? Knowing her family lived in Denver, Jax’s pulse raced. Hell, people didn’t have keys to houses unless there was some relationship to whoever lived there. Fuck, she better not be with a man. With a clenched jaw, he ran up the steps two at a time, the wood creaking under his weight. He knocked on the front door.

  No answer.

  He knocked harder.

  No answer.

  A cold sweat crept up the back of his neck to his forehead. He wiped his brow, pursed his lips, and banged on the door.

  No answer.

  “Fuck this,” he said under his breath. “Cherri, I know you’re in there.”

  Still no answer.

  “Open the door, Cherri. Now. If you don’t, I’m comin’ in. I’m not even fuckin’ kidding.”

  Nothing.

  The doorknob was cool in his hot palm as he turned it, opening the door. A small foyer greeted him, and a few pictures hung on the wall in front of him, like the photos people had on their wall calendars—these were scenes from different islands. He walked forward. His breath was shallow, and his eyes darted around; he was on high-alert. Putting his hand inside his cut, his fingers landed on his 9mm revolver.

  He turned to the left and entered a living room decorated like something out of a 1970s catalog: orange couches with a bold brown and yellow geometric pattern, lacquered coffee table and end tables, brown shag-pile carpet, and pine wood-paneled walls. In the middle of the room, Cherri sat looking at him, her eyes misty. She was on the carpet, cross-legged, with a girl of about eight months on her lap, holding the child close to her. The little girl had on a yellow onesie with a pink gingham giraffe on the front. The girl’s white-blonde hair and blue eyes were miniatures of Cherri’s. A medium-sized yellow gingham bow covered half of the baby’s hair.

  Jax glanced around the room as if looking for answers to his unasked questions. He blew out his cheeks then released them. Squeezing the baby closer to her, Cherri stared at Jax. Breaking the silence, she said, “This is my baby, and no one’s gonna take her away from me.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Jax opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He just stood there, staring at her as she held the little one. Cherri brushed her lips against her daughter’s hair and turned away.

  Exhaling, Jax said, “This is your baby? Why didn’t you tell me?”

  Cherri’s chin quivered. “I don’t want anyone to take her from me. I don’t care what happens to me, but I want her to be safe and loved.”

  “Why would I take her away from you? What’s going on, sweetness?”

  “I come here about five or six times a week to see her. I pay Sarah to take care of her until I can get a place of my own and afford daycare. She’s all mine, and I love her.” Her voice broke and her eyes glistened as a lone tear glided down her face.

  In a flash, Jax knelt beside her and circled his arm around her trembling shoulders. He nestled her close to him, kissing her forehead. With a calloused finger, he wiped away her tear then softly caressed her baby’s hair.

  “What’s her name?” he said in a low voice.

  “Paisley. Paisley Benoit.”

  “She has your last name?”

  “Yes.” Defiance shone in her eyes.

  “Nice to meet you, Paisley.” Jax took the baby’s soft, chubby hand and shook it.

  Paisley gurgled and grasped his finger. He smiled then looked at Cherri who also had a smile playing around her lips. He tilted her head toward him and kissed her warmly on her lips. “She looks like her mama.”

  Cherri stifled a sob as she wrapped an arm around Jax’s neck, drawing his face closer to hers. She covered his mouth with hers, and they sat on the floor kissing; Cherri had one arm around her daughter, and Jax had both of his around mother and daughter.

  Pulling away, Jax said, “Why are you afraid someone will take Paisley?”

  Cherri brought her fingers to her mouth and chewed her nails. She sighed. “Her father is a rich and powerful man. He was so angry when I got pregnant, and he told me I had to get rid of Paisley. He gave me money, set up an appointment with a doctor, and, well… he ordered me to get an abortion. I didn’t want to do it. I couldn’t. I wanted my baby so bad. I lied to him and said I’d do it, but I didn’t. He wanted me to
get rid of her because he thought I’d use her to blackmail him. I didn’t give a shit about his money—I just wanted to have my baby. I wanted something of my own to love.”

  Cherri ripped the nail on her index finger and winced when it drew blood. She put her finger in her mouth and sucked it to stop the blood. After a few minutes, she said, “I love Paisley more than anything and she loves me. She loves me unconditionally, and she doesn’t care that I’m bad and dirty.” She buried her face in Paisley’s downy hair.

  Jax stroked Cherri’s back, wishing he could alleviate her pain. “Sweet one, you’re not bad or dirty. Why do you say those things about yourself? You’re so precious, and what you did to keep your daughter, that’s good, not bad.”

  “I took the bastard’s money, then I split.”

  “You needed the money to help you through your pregnancy. That’s not so bad.”

  Tugging at the shag carpet, she said, “You don’t know me. You don’t know my whole story.”

  Jax scooted closer to her and stroked her forearm. “Then let me in so I can know you better. I want to. You have to trust me.”

  She blew out a breath. “All I know is I want to keep my daughter safe. I want her to have a better life than I did. I love her, and all I want is for her to be happy and safe. I miss her when I’m not with her, and my heart just aches when I have to leave her.”

  Jax placed her head on his shoulder. “Let me take care of you, sweetness. I’ll make everything right for you.”

  “If only you could,” she said in a half-whisper.

  “Who’s the father?”

  She stiffened. “Please don’t ask me. I can’t tell you. Please respect that and don’t ask me anymore.”

  “Does anyone know about Paisley at Dream House?”

  “You’re the only one who knows.”

  “Gunner didn’t know?”

  “No, I never told him anything about my life. I didn’t have that kind of relationship with him.” She held his gaze. “You’re the only one who knows. I’m glad to share her with you.”

  He kissed her and his teeth grazed over her lower lip as her lavender scent, mixed with the freshness of baby powder, wafted around him. His heart surged as he hugged her. Paisley’s wet hands tapped against his tanned forearm, and her bright blue eyes sparkled. He laughed.

  “What’s so funny?” Cherri said.

  “Your daughter’s just like you—a real cutie.” He pinched the tip of her nose as he kissed her head. “Let’s take Paisley and go for a walk. I bet she’d like some ice cream.”

  Cherri smiled widely at him. “She’d love some ice cream, and I would, too.”

  Less than ten minutes later, they strolled down the main street in Dexter. The downtown area consisted of two blocks on each side of the street. They spied a homemade ice cream parlor, ordered their treats, and took off for the nearby park, which was replete with playground equipment, gazebo, and paved trails which circled around lush shrubbery and colorful flowers.

  As they walked around the park, Paisley in her stroller and white bonnet and Cherri licking her chocolate chip ice cream cone, the heaviness Jax felt in his body earlier in the day dissipated. The only tightness he felt was in his dick. For reasons he couldn’t explain, Cherri being a mother turned him on. The way she loved her daughter and made so many sacrifices for her caused a funny sensation in the pit of his stomach and in his cock. What the fuck was up with that? Brushing against her as they walked made his skin tingle and his pulse surge. It was like he was a young boy on a first date with his crush, but the urges in his dick were all grown-up. If he could get away with it, he’d have her bent over the jungle gym, banging the hell out of her silky pussy. He readjusted his jeans as they continued on their stroll.

  A couple of hours later, Cherri kissed her daughter goodbye while Jax stood in the doorway of the living room and Sarah, the woman who took care of Paisley, sat on the couch.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow, angel. I love you.” Cherri kissed Paisley’s chubby red cheeks. “Thanks, Sarah. Do you need anything more?” Cherri asked as she handed a wad of bills to Paisley’s caregiver.

  “No, that should be okay. I’ll see ya tomorrow. You going back with him?” She jerked her head toward Jax.

  “Yeah. I’ve known him for a while.” She whispered in Sarah’s ear, “He’s a good one. A keeper.”

  Warmth surrounded Jax’s heart when he overheard what Cherri said to Sarah. Maybe she’d ease up and let him in her life.

  Sarah pointed at Jax. “You take care of her. She’s been through enough bullshit with men. Don’t you act like no jerk with her. Got it?”

  His eyes twinkling, Jax smiled. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Cherri laughed and they walked out, heading to where Jax parked his bike.

  “She doesn’t take any bullshit, does she?” Jax said as they walked out of Sarah’s earshot.

  “Nope. She’s been through two husbands and raised five kids. She’s a tough cookie with a soft center. I lucked out; she loves Paisley and treats her like one of her own.”

  “I’m glad to hear it, sweetie.” Holding her hand, he brought it to his lips and kissed it tenderly.

  Smiling, Cherrie leaned against him.

  A few minutes later, they glided down the road. The western sky housed pink and gold hues as the sun began to nestle behind the mountain peaks. The eastern sky darkened, allowing a few shimmering lights to come out to play. Jax, with Cherri flattened against his back, decided this was one of the best days he’d had in a long time. He loved the feel of Cherri’s arms around him, her head on his shoulder, and her tits on his back. He never thought spending the afternoon with Cherri clothed and maternal would touch him the way it did. He was hooked, no doubt about that. The guys at the club would have his balls if he told them he had a great time with a woman and they didn’t even fuck, didn’t get anywhere near fucking her.

  Yeah… he was hooked.

  Chapter Seventeen

  The next night, Jax was seated at his usual table near the stage, ignoring the dancer gyrating on the stage and focusing his full attention on Cherri as she bustled around the bar area, making sure the crowded room was well taken care of. He couldn’t keep his eyes off her, loving the way her ass moved in her black spandex skirt and how her snug crop-top clung to her tits, exposing a strip of creamy skin. Jax breathed in sharply; a peek of her skin teased the fuck out of him. And her legs looked beyond sexy in her four-inch heels.

  As she sashayed from table to table, wiping down the bar stools where too many drunks spilled their drinks, she exuded sex, and he had to keep shifting in his chair to accommodate his raging hard-on. He knew she saw him because he caught her darting side glances at him every now and then, checking him out. He noticed the way her eyes lingered on his bulging biceps and his corded chest muscles, which were defined through his black, skin-tight t-shirt. Each time she feasted her eyes on his chest, she licked her lips. Oh, yeah, she probably didn’t have a clue she was doing that, but fuck, he could think of a hundred places her pink tongue could lick on him. She drove him wild.

  Ever since he spent the day with her and Paisley, he couldn’t get her out of his mind. Not. At. All. The previous night, during church, images of Cherri played out in his mind’s theater. He couldn’t even remember a damn thing the members talked about at the meeting. He knew that wasn’t a good sign since he was the club’s enforcer, and his job was to make sure no one messed with the club or any of its members or loved ones. Being distracted could mean his cut, or worse, a brother’s life. He had to stop this pussy-ass daydreaming and claim Cherri. It was time. From her warm gazes, he sensed she cared about him and wanted it, too.

  Cherri came up to his table. “Hi, Jax. Do you want another beer?” She smiled affectionately at him.

  His cock twitched. “Sure. How’re you tonight?”

  “Busy. I’ve been running like this since about six o’clock this evening. Good for business, but bad for my feet.” She shifted her weight on one foot whil
e she relieved some pressure off the other by suspending it in the air for a few seconds.

  “Take a break and have a beer with me.” He grasped her wrist and pulled her between his legs, his dick pressing against her thighs.

  Their eyes connecting, Cherri bent down and whispered in his ear, “I’d love to do that, but it’s so noisy. Maybe we can take a break in my dressing room.” Her breath stroked his earlobe.

  He clasped her nearer to his crotch, his hands resting on her pert ass cheeks. “That sounds real good, sweetness. Lead the way.”

  Hands on his shoulders, she said, “Let me go first, then you come on back in about five minutes, okay?”

  Jax nodded as she eased herself away from him. Gulping down his beer, he watched her swaying hips disappear behind the curtain.

  There was no way he could wait five minutes; he could barely wait five seconds. He stood up, wiped his hands on his jeans, and glanced at the stage. Peaches threw him a kiss as she shimmed out of her boy shorts. Turning away, he headed to Cherri’s dressing room.

  When he opened the door, Cherri sat on her vanity chair with her shoes off, rubbing the balls of her feet. He laughed.

  “Don’t laugh unless you’ve spent five hours in four-inch heels. I couldn’t wait to get my shoes off. Man, rubbing my feet like this feels way better than sex.”

  Jax lifted up an eyebrow. “Really? Sounds like you’ve been dry too long, sugar. I’ll rub you all over so your whole body will feel real good, not just your feet.” He came up to her, moved her hands away, and began massaging her feet.

  She threw her head back and groaned. “Shit, it feels so good. You’ve got quite the touch.”

  He bent down and kissed the top of her feet lightly—her red-polished toes drove him crazy. He lightly kissed each toe while he massaged her sore feet, her “ahs” and “ohs” telling him he was giving her what she needed. He moved his hands up her calves and then toward her thighs. As he kneaded her skin, he followed it with a trail of kisses and soft bites. When he reached her thighs, she parted her legs as she grabbed his hair. She threaded her fingers through it while she threw her head back, the veins in her throat quivering under the vibrations of her groans. He parted her legs more and revealed a tiny metallic thong. The shiny patch barely covered her smooth pussy lips. He licked his lips as he ran his finger over her glistening slit.