“You want me to come around to help deal with him?” I may have an ulterior motive. That would give us more time together.
But she shoots me down. “I can’t impose on you to do that. As long as I’m with Mom, he should behave.”
“You call me,” I tell her. “I’m just a couple of key presses away.” Then a thought occurs to me, Keep your friends close, your enemies closer. “Ever considered giving him a place to stay could mean you find out what he’s doing?”
“Mom and I have talked about it, of course. But she’s worried he might bring people back who we wouldn’t want to stay. Or, he might want a place to store stolen goods. Maybe Phil’s a fence, I don’t know.”
“You and your mom don’t think much of your brother, do you?”
She sits up fast. “I love my brother,” she says forcefully looking down at me. “It’s Phil I don’t trust. Connor’s a good man deep down inside, and if we’ve got a chance to bring that side of him back out, Mom and I will do everything we can to achieve that.”
“But you won’t let him stay in your house.”
“No. Not unless he breaks it off with Phil. That’s the bargain. We’ll let him back into our lives when he’s not in Phil’s clutches anymore.”
Will they be able to extract Connor from his life of crime? Pulling her back down, I let her head rest on my chest, while thinking I’m not sure. Easy money is hard to give up and exchange for a nine-to-five.
“If he gives you any trouble, you use my number. I mean it Beth. Hell, tell me if he turns up. I’ll come around anyway. I don’t like the idea of him losing his temper again.” I didn’t take to Connor, didn’t take to him one bit.
“You mean it, don’t you?”
“I couldn’t mean it more.” I nuzzle the top of her head as she yawns, then give her as much as I feel I can. “I care for you, babe. Don’t want you hurt.”
“You’ve worn me out Ink.”
“Go to sleep, babe.”
As she turns her back toward me, I pull her against my chest. Gradually her body goes limp, but I lie awake in a quandary, uncertain of what to do. Every time I see her, I just want her more. I already know it’s going to be hard to let her go in the morning, and not just because that asshole of a brother may turn up, but because I’m starting to think of giving her a place in my world.
What would it be like to have a woman of my own? Could I commit to just one pussy for the rest of my life? How did my brothers know when it was right to put their patch on a woman? Hmm, my patch. Seeing my name tattooed on her? Fucking amazing.
What the hell am I thinking? I’m Ink, I’m a confirmed bachelor. Surely, I couldn’t see myself with a woman and kids in tow? That isn’t me. Is it?
I think of Mel, and how she looked before she lost her kid, that baby bump beginning to show. What would Beth look like? Would I find the same look of amazement and joy on my face that I’d witnessed on Pyro’s when Mel had announced she was pregnant again?
Does Beth even want kids?
As I lie here, each breath I breathe in carrying her scent, I realise why I’ve never wanted to spend the night with a woman before, it’s because they weren’t right, they weren’t Beth. I know right now I’d be happy to have her in my bed every night.
Tomorrow, we’ll have a talk. I need to find out where her head’s at, and whether she’s thinking along the same lines.
With thoughts I never expected in my head but also a feeling of contentment, my own eyes close and I follow her into sleep.
“Hey.” Feeling movement as she gets off of the bed, I stretch out my hand and pick up my phone, then glare. “It’s six am, babe.”
“Gym, I told you.”
Can’t deny she had. But at the ass crack of dawn?
“You want to do something later?” I try to sound nonchalant, but inside I’m crossing my fingers, hoping she’ll say yes. Now’s not the right time, but later I’ll broach with her, some of the thoughts I had last night. See if we can move this on, admit it’s not just sex.
“Tonight?”
I shrug. “Why not? Unless you’ve got to be home in case Connor turns up.”
She considers for a moment. “I can’t spend all my time sitting around waiting. If he doesn’t turn up, I could come back later on. If that’s what you’re asking.”
“You up for another party?” I wink at her.
She raises a brow. “Like I saw much of last night’s, you didn’t give me much of a chance before you dragged me back to your cave.”
“We could have stayed.” My eyebrows waggle suggestively.
“I don’t see myself taking part in a live porn show, Ink.”
“Never say never, doll.” I don’t mind a bit of exhibitionism myself. Hmm. The idea of thrusting into Beth while my brothers watched, all knowing she was mine and while they could look, they couldn’t touch, makes my cock hard. I palm it.
She ignores what I’m doing. “Right. I’m off. Er, thanks for last night, Ink.”
“Come here, doll.” I pull her to me and, ignoring the fact I haven’t yet brushed my teeth, meld my lips to hers and make sure she says goodbye properly. I place her hand on my cock, but she’s having no mercy.
“Save it for later,” she whispers with a wink.
And then, she’s gone.
I’m totally fucked. As soon as the door closes behind her, I realise I miss her.
I take care of my throbbing cock myself then wipe my chest clean with last night’s discarded tee, after which I go back to sleep. At a decent time, I awake and shower, regretting I’m washing away her unique perfume. Then at last I’m ready to face the day.
I see him as soon as I descend the metal stairs to the clubroom. “Cad!”
His pale as death face stares up at me, reminding me why we call him Cadaver. “What can I do for you?”
“Phil Foster. He lives in Denver. Dabbles in illegal shit. Can you try and dig up some info on him? See if you can find out exactly what he’s into?”
Cad bows his head for a moment and rubs red eyes which look sore from staring too long at a screen. “I can try if you don’t mind it going into the queue. Got some other shit I need to do first. It would be good to have a few more details.”
I can appreciate that. I nod. “I can probably get you more to work on. All I’ve got now is he was married to Beth’s mom, Patsy, until about eighteen years ago. His son, Connor, now lives with him. Before he moved to Denver, he lived here in Pueblo.”
“Okay. When I’ve got a moment, I’ll see what I can dig up. Presumably you don’t know if he’s a Philip, and whether that has one or two Ls?”
I shrug which gives him the answer. But Cad’s found people on less, so I’ve no doubt about his abilities. If he’s there to be found, Cad will discover him.
“I’ve got to get through last night’s footage from all the cameras before I can start taking a look.”
Demon would have my hide if I took Cad away from his club work for no reason. “No hurry.” I don’t miss Cad’s thankful look as I leave him.
The rest of the day passes like any other Saturday when I’m not needed at the shop. I eat, watch some TV, then looking out at the weather regret it’s not a day to go for a ride on my bike. It’s a fucking shame I had to postpone teaching Beth to ride. I’m actually looking forward to seeing whether she can handle a bike.
Maybe it’s because I’m anticipating seeing Beth later that time seems to pass slowly. It’s only mid-afternoon when I see Wills and Sparky with their heads together. As I walk past heading for the kitchen to top up my caffeine levels, Sparky catches my eye.
“Wills had trouble at Tits Up last night. More of the same. Cad’s been staring at the screen all day, but the new cameras haven’t picked shit up. Think we need to widen where we’re looking.”
“Didn’t we have a team there?”
“Yeah, but only Judge and Bomber out front and out back. Obviously not in the right place, ‘cause shit was brought into the club.”
&n
bsp; Mentally I go over the location of the strip club. There are alleys either side, and a dimly lit parking lot discreetly placed at the back. Another alley runs behind that. But I thought we had security shit set up so we could see all over. It would appear not.
“What’s behind it?” I ask to refresh my memory.
“The Jade Lion. The Chinese place. Cad’s asked for permission to set cameras up there, but they weren’t particularly cooperative.”
Hmm. Wonder what they get up to at night? Wouldn’t bother me what, if it wasn’t affecting us keeping our own businesses secure. “When does the Jade Lion shut?”
“Midnight.”
“Could be whoever it is has figured that out, and that’s where the dealing’s taking place.”
“That’s what I was thinking.” Sparky, our road captain who loves diagrams and maps, produces one now. He’s marked a number of crosses on it. He kicks out a chair and I sit my ass down, leaning in for a closer look. Tapping on the paper in front of him, he informs Wills and myself, “These are the locations we’ve not got eyes on right now. Close enough to be associated with the strip club, but not near enough to be in camera range.”
“Or,” Wills sits back with a frown, “they could be dealing inside.”
“Nah. Cad’s said cameras show nothing in the gents or the ladies come to that.”
I raise my eyebrow. “And just who’s checking that feed?”
“Pal and Cad.”
Pal’s got a woman, but it doesn’t mean he doesn’t have hormones. I chuckle, but Sparky says, “Cameras don’t cover the stalls.”
“Yeah, but it still gets interesting at times.” Wills winks. “Bitches adjusting their underwear. Or so Cad says.” He adds the latter fast, but I’ve got a sneaking suspicion he’s had himself a look.
Sparky’s letting me in on all this for a reason. “We’ve got to get those blind spots checked.”
“Yeah, most of us are going out later rather than just two or three. That way we can make sure everywhere is fuckin’ covered this time. You in?”
Seems like my plans for another fuck-session with Beth have just been put on hold as well as that conversation I was planning on having. Suppressing my personal regrets, I say without hesitation, “I’m in.” I’m sure she’ll understand. She’ll have to, if she wants to be an old lady.
Beth? An old lady? If she’s going to be anyone’s, it would have to be mine. Is that really the direction my thoughts are heading? I suppose that’s the logical conclusion of what I’ve been thinking.
Beth. My old lady. Well I’ll be damned if that doesn’t sit easy in my mind.
Perhaps I did get that bump on the head that Mace had suggested. Am I really thinking I’d be happy being tied down? No doubting how much my dick likes that woman in my bed, but take it to the next level?
But fuck it. I can’t get her out of my mind.
Should I ask Beef or Pyro? Is this how it started with them? Is this how they knew they’d found their one? Hell. Thing is, I know the answer without asking.
When you’ve tried fucking a woman out of your head and that didn’t work… When you wanted to wake up with her, not just today, but every day of your life... When she brings out every protective instinct you possess… When you fucked up and knew you’d never again make that mistake if you could only have another chance with her… If you were told you could only have one cunt to sink your cock into for the rest of your life and you would be quite happy as long as it was hers…. When you enjoy spending time with her talking, and her texts brighten your day… That’s when you know she’s going to be your old lady.
Me with an old lady?
What the devil’s gotten into me?
Thank fuck I’m out on a job tonight. Clearly we need time apart. I try to convince myself I don’t mind not seeing her.
I’m lying.
Beth’s like a devil who’s gotten under my skin, tempting me to sin. For the first time since I was patched in, I resent having to do my duty for my club. When we’re called in for a meeting to discuss tonight’s plans, I’m so annoyed I kick my chair over.
“What the fuck’s up with you, Leatherneck?”
“Fuck all,” I snarl at my brother and friend. “Leave it.”
Chapter Fifteen
Beth
“Is it serious between you and Ink then, if you’re going back tonight?”
When I left the gym, I didn’t bother to change thinking I’d sort myself out when I got home, so I’m still in my running gear and in desperate need of a shower. The fact Mom has hardly let me in through the door before starting her inquisition shows her eagerness to hear my response.
“It’s not serious, Mom,” I reassure her. “Despite Mel finding her happy-ever-after with Ro, bikers are men you use for fun.”
I’m lying.
Last night had been different, and while I was on the treadmill, I’d let my mind drift, trying to sort out how. I still couldn’t put my finger on it.
It had started off badly, but Ink had listened and had got my point when I’d come so close to walking out. I’d let him off with a pass this time, and something tells me he won’t behave like that again. He is trying, but whatever’s between us is new to him.
We’d had the same type of sex as we’d done before, Ink being his usual dominant self and me unable to resist him, but at times it had felt more like we’d been making love. There was never any question right from the start that I would spend the night, and for a long while after we’d used the last condom, he had just held me, and we’d talked. He’d even offered to spend the day here with me and Mom in case Connor put in an appearance.
Coupled with the texts we’d been exchanging all week, that doesn’t sound like the behaviour of a man who just wanted me for sex.
Would he run a mile if I told him I’d like us to date? To have a relationship, not just in bed, but out of it.
But what if he’s not in the same place? I’m already in deeper than I’d ever intended, and it won’t be easy to casually wave goodbye when Ink gets bored with our arrangement. Unless… it’s no longer a cold arrangement for him either.
Love?
Not sure I’m there yet, but the involvement of my heart is certainly not far over the horizon.
“I’ll be seeing him again, but don’t read much into it,” I warn her.
Mom opens her mouth to say more. Not wanting to hear parental words of wisdom for now, I pull my exercise tank top away from my armpit, sniff and wrinkle my nose, then seeing she’s got the message, run upstairs to jump into the shower.
As I stand under the hot water, my hands smooth over my breasts. They might not be huge, but Ink seems to like them. He seems to find me as perfect for him, as he is for me.
Maybe I’ve just chosen wrongly before, but my experience with men who are shorter hasn’t been good. They’ve felt the need to prove themselves, the worst one I’d left when he’d used his fists on me to make a point that despite my height he’d been physically stronger. Then there were a couple more who saw me as someone to support them, that my broad shoulders could take the weight of their worries. If I wanted a pet to take care of, I’d have gotten a dog or a cat.
Ink offers himself for me to lean on, and he’s definitely a take-charge man in bed which I’ve found I enjoy immensely. Even if my ass is still a little sore, I grin, as I reach around and massage my buttocks. He wouldn’t want me to sort his problems, instead, he’d take on mine as well as his.
He makes me feel cherished and cared for. That’s why I need to shield my heart. Ink made it clear this is only a temporary arrangement, and nothing he’s said has hinted otherwise. If I read too much into his actions when he’s made no other promises, I’ll end up getting hurt. Which would be my fault for overstepping the boundaries.
I rinse my hair, thinking how hard it is for me to put myself out there. I’ve had enough hurt and disappointment to be wary, and my natural inclination is to hide in my shell. The only men I meet are friends of friends or p
eople I meet through work. I could never use an app like Tinder. My shyness at odds with my looks, it isn’t what most people expect.
Mel knows me though, that’s why she was surprised I went after Ink. Sure, I’d been bolstered by alcohol, but when I’d seen him that day it was as if I’d been possessed by a devil telling me I couldn’t let this one escape, not without at least making an attempt to get him to notice me. Just for sex? Well, that would be worth something on its own. Something more?
Ink had immediately knocked that idea on its head, but I found I was happy to stay for scraps, even if the full meal was beyond my reach. But now, it would seem, I’m developing a hunger for more. But I worry the cost of that dinner is way out of pocket.
As I dry myself off after the shower, I muse what would have happened if Ink had turned me down. Could I have actually gone with another biker?
No, I hadn’t been that desperate. I’d taken a calculated risk coming on to Mace. If it hadn’t had gotten Ink riled, I’d have backed out soon as I could. Luckily, my gamble had worked.
Though, I grin, as my mind circles back to the behaviour of the town girls last night, I doubt any of the bikers would have been a disappointment in the sack. Something about these rough tough men keeps the girls coming around. Coming, obviously, I give a childish giggle to myself at the double entendre as I sort out some fresh clothes.
“Bethany? Want some lunch?” a voice floats up the stairs.
“Sure, Mom,” I call back.
I go down, help her make some sandwiches. Give her a side-eye look when she tries to bring Ink into the conversation again, which gets her changing the subject.
“I’ve come up with some new designs I’d like you to look at.”
“Yeah?”
“I’d like a picture of you wearing those pants and shirt I did last week. Would you mind modelling again?”
The business mom is just starting up is designing clothes for taller teenagers and women, ones which actually fit. She’s had a lot of interest on her Instagram page.
“No, of course not.” As long as I can turn my head, or the picture just shows me from the neck down. I hate having my face on photos.
Ink's Devil: Satan's Devils MC Colorado Chapter #5 Page 14