Devil in Black_A Motorcycle Club Romance_The Horsemen MC

by April Lust

  And Meg isn't sure whether to feel proud of herself for giving Victoria that moment or to feel pity over for the princess that has never done anything more wonderful than getting frozen yogurt out in town.

  Chapter 46

  The first two thrift stores are a flop. Meg doesn't even let Victoria look around. She takes a few looks through the front shelves, then takes her by the arm and leads her right back out.

  It's the third thrift store that does it. There are rows and rows of dresses hanging on the back wall, hangers with sundresses and formal gowns a like hanging off of it. Meg points at them and says, “There we go, honey. This is the place. You go look through those dresses and see what you want to wear to your wedding.”

  Victoria gives a giddy laugh. “I've never picked out my own clothes before!”

  “Really?”

  “Heavens, no! Mother had someone do that for us. I wasn't allowed to make that many choices at all, really.”

  “Well, you had to have thought about it. What sort of dress do you see yourself wearing?”

  Victoria laughs. “I had dreams. I had drawings.”

  Meg leads the young former princess over to the wall of dresses. She looks intrigued, even as she starts rooting through the dresses. “Drawings?”

  “I like to design clothing,” admits Victoria. “It's not something I've ever really had a chance to do before. That's just not how this sort of thing is done. It's just…princesses don't get to make decisions about their own lives, and we don't get to make choices about things like this.”

  “But you've dreamt?”

  “I always dream.”

  Meg pulls a flowing white and silver dress off the rack. It's a swoop neck, with flowing sleeves. “Something like this?”

  Victoria shakes her head. “It sounds silly, but I want to get married in anything but a white dress. That's what my mother got married in, and I don't want this wedding to be anything like that.”

  “That doesn't sound silly,” says Meg. “I can promise you, this won't be anything like their wedding, Tori. Is that…can I call you Tori?”

  “I'd like it if you would,” answers Victoria with a smile of her own. She pulls a pale green dress off the rack. It's cut longer in the back than it is up at the front. There's lace hooked to the bodice of it but not the skirt. “What do you think about this?”

  “I like that color,” says Meg. “But maybe lose the lace. Hey, I've got an idea.”

  “Yeah?”

  “What about getting hitched at my bar?”

  Victoria pauses in her search for a wedding dress. “What? Can people…can you do that?”

  “In these days, yeah. You can get married anywhere,” says Meg, “as long as you hire a justice of the peace to come put on the ceremony. And those guys are a dime a dozen right now. You can take courses for it online, so basically anyone could marry you.”

  Victoria stares at Meg, star-struck. “But you would seriously let us get married at your bar?”

  “Not let you,” says Meg with a blazing grin of her own, “I'd be honored. I've known Matt since we were just kids. It would be awesome to have you guys get hitched at my place. Keeps me involved in his life, you know?”

  Victoria doesn't know but she's quick to agree all the same. For the next three hours, the girls continue to prattle on about everything and nothing, talking and laughing as they search for dresses. Victoria has never had so many choices before in her life, and she's never had to try on and put back so much clothing. The baby bump makes things a touch more difficult. Only certain cut dresses will work, and only certain colors don't turn her into a glorified hippo.

  Meg keeps telling her the price doesn't matter much, but Victoria can’t help but be mindful of the cost. In the end, between the dress, shoes, makeup, jewelry, perfume, and the nail polish, they only spend around forty dollars.

  Victoria is so astonished by the low cost of such a beautiful outfit! She's never worn anything but name brand clothing before, never had anything on her skin that wasn't made just for her.

  And this, this will be the most beautiful thing that she's ever worn.

  When they finally step out of the thrift store, Victoria turns and takes Meg by the hand. As serious as she can be, Victoria asks, “Can I give you a hug?”

  Meg smiles at her. “Honey, I would be offended if you didn't. Trust me when I say that you never have to ask about giving me a hug. I'm a touchy kind of girl and am always up for a bit of affection on the side.”

  Victoria isn't quite sure what that means. All the same, she shoves her bundle of upcycled bags onto one arm and wraps up the bartender in a tight embrace. “Thank you,” mutters Victoria. “Thank you for everything.”

  # # #

  Meg insists on taking the purchased items back to her house. She gives Victoria a kiss on either side of the cheek and leaves the young princess to walk up the moth-filled stairwell on her own. The air is thick, wet, and cold, even though the heat can be heard humming in the main lobby.

  It's almost the end of winter. They plan is for them to be married in the spring. Even thinking about it makes Victoria feel giddy! She's never been so excited over anything before!

  She knocks on the door. From inside, Matt shouts, “Let yourself in! I left the door unlocked for you, sweet cheeks, until we can get you an actual key.”

  Victoria lets herself in. The television is playing some action movie she's never heard of. Matt is puttering around in the kitchen. It looks like he's trying to clean up the place. “I'm going to get a key?”

  “Of course you're going to get a key.”

  “What are you over there doing?”

  “Trying to pick up so we don't have to eat out every day.”

  Victoria smiles. “You know how to cook?”

  “I know how to throw a box mix on the stove,” says Matt cheerfully. “Did you have fun on your girls’ day?”

  “I did,” says Victoria. “I really, really did.”

  Chapter 47

  Over the next week and a half, Matt and Victoria work very hard at cleaning up the apartment. There are some things that just can't be fixed, like the leaking corner in the bathroom or most of the kitchen cabinets that are rotting out.

  Matt insists the place looked like this when he moved in, but Victoria tends to think he's just not much of a housekeeper. Granted, she isn't either. She's never had to do much cleaning.

  There's always been someone around to do this for her. And yet, it's not frustrating. It's actually refreshing, being able to do something like this all for herself. They scrub floors, bag up trash, and do laundry. They watch the television and curl up on the couch.

  And then, one day, Matt picks Victoria up off the floor and looks her straight in the eye. “I should have done this sooner, and I'm sorry that I haven't yet. Victoria, I have something that I wanted to ask you. I mean, I've already asked you this, but I wanted to ask you this again, properly this time.”

  Victoria laughs. “What are you going on about, Matt?”

  He presses a kiss to her cheek, then he sinks down onto one knee. “Just give me a minute. I'm not good at this sort of thing.” Matt's palms are sweaty. He wipes them off on the front of his slacks and slips a hand in his pocket. Fingers curl around the small, dark red box. “Do you remember the day we first met?”

  “You mean when I came storming into that bar? I sure do. I wanted to piss off my mother, and I wanted a chance at freedom. And then you came over to my table and swept me right off my feet.”

  “Right. I thought you were the prettiest girl I'd ever seen. I still do. Every time I look at you, it's like that first meeting all over again. You make me feel more than alive, like there's nothing in this world that could ever slow me down.” Matt keeps his fingers resting on the box, even as he looks up at Victoria with the most serious sort of smile on his face.

  He takes hold of one of her hands. “You make me so happy. I feel like anything can happen when we're together, like everything can happen. This
isn't...this might not be the proposal that you were expecting, but I hope like hell you don't hate what I'm about to ask.”

  “Holy shit,” breathes Victoria, her free hand flying up to cover her mouth. There are tears forming in her wide, wet eyes. “Matt?”

  “Victoria, your parents are missing out on so much. You are my love, my princess, and my queen. Will you do me the honor of being one more thing?” Matt lets go of Victoria's hand in favor of pulling the box out. He holds it up so she can see it, then pops off the top.

  The ring isn't the most expensive thing. It's nothing compared to the diamond on Gabriella's hand or the precious gems that litter all of Victoria's grandmother's fingers. Still, it's undeniably beautiful. Small lines have been etched into the body of the ring, and a small, pale pink stone rests on either side of the center diamond.

  Matt feels like he's about to choke on his own words. His heart tries to escape from his chest, pounding like the drums of war. He's faced down countless perils as the leader of a motorcycle club, but this feels like one of the most difficult challenges that he's ever faced. “Will you marry me?”

  The silence that stretches out in the following moments is crushing. Matt can almost feel the seconds ticking past. He stays there, silent, waiting, and then Victoria all but throws herself onto the ground, wraps her arms around Matt's neck and sobs out, “Yes!”

  Matt laughs. “I was hoping you would say that! I know this might have seemed a little bit strange, but I wanted to make sure I asked you properly. A girl like you deserves for everything to be done properly.”

  “A girl like me,” laughs Victoria. She buries her face against the side of Matt's neck. Her fingers curl in his t-shirt. It's stained and dirty, but she loves it all the same. He smells like leather and cheap, dollar store cologne. “You make me feel so special!”

  “You are special!”

  “Princesses are a dime a dozen.”

  “You aren't like those other girls,” insists Matt. “You aren't like anyone else in the world. Victoria, I'm so glad you came back here with me. I'm so glad you want to marry me.”

  And then he stands up, picks her up, and presses her against the wall. Victoria drops her ring. It clatters onto the floor. The ring vanishes from sight when Matt captures her mouth in a breathless sort of kiss, one that's all teeth and tongue. Matt laps at the roof of her mouth, the sides of her cheeks, sucks on her lower lip, and kisses her until they're both gasping for breath.

  “I love you,” he says between gasps for air. “I love you so damn much.”

  “Show me?” Victoria wraps her arms around Matt's neck.

  Matt laughs. “Right now? With this baby so far along, I don't know if that's the best idea.”

  Victoria tries hard not to wilt. “Can't we do something?”

  “Fuck, you can be so slutty. Yeah, sweet cheeks, we can do something. I mean, you can do something.” Matt is grinning when he sets Victoria back down. “If you know what I mean?”

  Victoria laughs. Her cheeks are flushed. She most certainly does know what he means.

  Chapter 48

  There was a time, not too long ago, when Victoria had no idea what she was supposed to do when it came to things of an intimate nature. However, Matt is a very good teacher, and Victoria is very quick at learning.

  She lets him lead her through the apartment to the bedroom. It's hardly the first time they've messed around. But this—this seems more intimate. The ring is still laying in the middle of the living area floor, and Victoria can't wait to put it on.

  Right now, though, Victoria has a better task in mind.

  Matt sits down at the edge of the bed. He makes short work of his boxers and his jeans. Then he spreads his legs, putting his full-fledged erection on display.

  To Victoria, it's an amazing thing. Just being able to get so close to Matt, being able to touch him like this enthralls her. She settles down onto her knees between his legs, hands resting lightly on his thighs. They ghost over his skin, these soft and tender things.

  “Don't bother with that,” says Matt. “You know there's no point in it. We're here for something else, sweet cheeks.”

  Victoria gives a laugh, one that's high and floating. She asks him, “Oh, are we?”

  “Don't keep me waiting.” Matt punctuates his words by tugging on Victoria's soft, golden hair. “You brought this up, girl. Now I'm waiting.”

  “I don't want to keep you waiting,” she says lightly. She takes Matt's cock in hand, giving it a few slow, dry pumps.

  He warns, “Tori, knock it off. Don't make me…”

  “Make you what?” There's a challenging glint in Victoria's eyes. “Don't make you what?”

  “Don't make me do this,” says Matt, right before he takes hold of Victoria's soft hair and pushes her head between his legs. She opens her mouth willingly, letting him use her as he pleases. It's not gentle—they've done that before, the soft and slow thing, the tender and mild touches.

  But this, this is different. This is something else entirely, and it's something Victoria completely loves. She gives herself over to him, body mind and soul, and she thinks about the silver anklet that still clings to her ankle.

  His.

  Chapter 49

  Two months later, when Victoria steps into the bar, she's met with the trills of an overwrought wedding march. Matt has a very large family, even though none of them are related by blood, and it seems as though they’ve all arrived for this special day.

  Most of them are members of the Horsemen. A few are simply long-time friends. They stand up when Victoria steps inside wearing her pale green dress and dark green heels. The way they look at her makes her heart flutter, like she's some sort of prize or like she's something worth protecting.

  Meg walks down the makeshift aisle in front of her wearing a gown of the palest blue. She tosses handfuls of rose petals onto the floor, smiling like this is her wedding day. Meg finishes her walk and takes her place by the chaplain.

  There are no parents here, no photographers, just a bunch of bikers and bar patrons. One of the cruder members of the Horsemen pinches Victoria's rear when she walks past him. “You be good to that boy, you hear me? He deserves a nice, wet girl tonight. Best be ready to open those legs up good and wide for him, Princess.”

  Victoria blushes, hard. Even though she's pregnant, they've agreed to have one last tryst. The lewd comments have been coming all night, though this is the first time anyone has said them to her directly.

  It's not something meant to be mean or spiteful. That's just how the bikers are. It's how they say good luck and best of wishes.

  Matt had been right; they're good people, but they aren't anything like what she's used to.

  Speaking of Matt, he's standing up at the front of the bar next to the chaplain. Mano is standing at his side. They've both pulled out ill-fitting suits for the occasion.

  In no time at all, she finds herself at the altar. In a low drone, the clergyman begins his part. “Do you, Matt, take this woman…”

  The rest of his words fade out into a buzz. Victoria can’t stop herself from staring at Matt, who’s leaned forward slightly, hardly able to wait to avow that, yes, he will take her.

  His vows are short and sweet and everyone claps.

  Meg wrote Victoria's vows. The young princess and soon-to-be mother stumbles over the words, promising to love and obey him. They make her skin crawl in all the best ways; they make her shudder with anticipation.

  “I now pronounce you husband and wife,” says the clergyman, taking a single step backwards. “You may now kiss the bride.”

  And Matt is upon her then, resting one hand on the small of Victoria's back and curling the other around her shoulders. His lips are firm, and the kiss is demanding, nothing like the sweet nothings they’ve shared in the past. This one is meant to be a promise.

  # # #

  The wedding party only cements Victoria's love for everyone in the Horsemen. Oh, there's no end to the crude comments.
r />   “Look at those breasts. Hardly worth the time he spent on her.”

  “She’s a princess, isn’t she? I hear they’re supposed to be good bed partners. Real open, if you know what I mean. Real eager, too. My cousin had one of them once. Oh boy, let me tell you. Said he slipped right in without any slick at all.”

  “A pretty face like that, you can’t tell me she isn't going to drop Matt when something better comes along.”

  “Can’t believe he’s waited this long for it. Old Matt's really going soft. Why, I remember going out to the pub with him not that long ago and hearing all about how he ravished this pretty little thing from upstate.”