by Lilly Atlas
“Don’t get cocky. You ain’t that far behind, brother.” Copper tried to whack Zach’s shoulder as well, but missed the target and knocked his enforcer on the back of the head. “Shit. Sorry. Lost count around eight or so.”
He was feeling pretty relaxed at that moment. The past year had been rough on the club, but in the end, they all came out mostly whole—though a little banged up—and tighter than ever as a club. This night was as much a celebration of the end of the Gray Dragons as it was Copper’s aging another year. The gang had been a burr on the Handlers’ collective ass for far too long, and they’d recently been torn to shreds courtesy of Copper and his men.
The only thing threatening to kill his buzz was the fact that Lefty, leader of the Gray Dragons gang, was still out there somewhere. Sure, he was in hiding, licking his oozing wounds, and no longer running a women-trafficking gang, but the fact of the matter was, the bastard still breathed.
And that was unacceptable in Copper’s eyes.
But it was also a worry for another night.
“Shell outdid herself with this party, man. You seen much of her tonight? She’s looking damn good,” Mav said with a fucking twinkle in his eye.
“Nah, not yet. I’m sure she’s around with the girls somewhere.” His men loved nothing more than busting his balls over Shell. She’d had a thing for him back in the day, and everyone was convinced he felt the same for her.
Which was insane.
She was sixteen fucking years younger than him. And his former president’s daughter. Beyond off limits. Sure, she was hot as fuck, sweet as sugar, and loved by every man in the club, but none of that trumped the fact she was untouchable by him. Besides, ever since she’d returned to Townsend about a year ago, she no longer seemed interested in him in that way. She worked two jobs, raised her daughter, and kept her head down, driving him nuts with her independence and constant refusal of help. She didn’t seem to have a spare second in her life for a man. Especially not an older man with the baggage of running an MC. Not that he was interested in the spot. No, the fact that she seemed to have gotten over her schoolgirl crush on him was for the best.
Exactly how he wanted it.
Exactly how it had to be.
Jesus. “Get me another fucking shot,” he growled at the laughing idiots who claimed to be his loyal brothers. Fuck that, they’d probably pick Shell over him if it came down to it.
Not that he could blame them. She was the perfect combination of sweetness and biker babe all wrapped in one sexy as sin little package.
“Here you go,” LJ, one of the prospects said as he passed out another round of Patrón.
“Listen up, you fuckers!” Maverick shouted from across the room. He gave his woman, Stephanie, a sloppy kiss, then climbed up onto the bar, shot in hand.
“Don’t fall, dickwad!” Zach yelled. “No one here who could cart your scrawny ass to the hospital tonight.”
“S’all good,” Mav slurred, wobbling on the bar.
“Careful, baby,” Stephanie said with a giggle.
Shit, the whole club was a fumbling mess. But it was damn good to see everyone partying and tension-free for the first time in ages.
“Wanna make a toast to the Prez. All you fuckers get those glasses up.”
Cheers and boot stomps rang out across the clubhouse. From the corner of his eye, Copper caught sight of Shell exiting the bathroom. As she made her way back into the main room, one of the prospects handed her a shot. She smiled at him, accepted it, and said something that had him kissing her on the cheek. And that made Copper’s fists clench. Kid’s days were numbered in the single digits.
Damn prospect needed to keep his fucking lips to himself.
He took a step in the prospect’s direction only to be stopped short by the sound of his name. “Copper! Where are you, Prez?” Mav asked.
With no choice but to abandon his plight to kill the Shell-groping prospect, he stepped forward. “Right here.”
The music dropped to a dull roar, and the crowd parted like the Red Sea, putting Copper in the spotlight.
“Everybody having a good night?” Mav asked.
Calls of, “Fuck yeah,” ran through the blitzed crowd. All eyes were on Copper. He was used to his men looking to him for direction and leadership, but not accustomed to being the center of a celebration. Still, it was damn nice to be appreciated.
“All right, raise those glasses,” Mav said, lifting his fully inked arm. “We’ll keep this short and sweet so you can all get back to drinking and fucking. But we do need to take a second to honor the man we’re all here to celebrate. Copper turns forty today, and I think we can all agree he is hands down the best president this club has ever seen.”
Everyone shouted and cheered while Copper waved away their praise. It wasn’t a job or a position to him. Love for the club flowed through his veins right alongside his blood. There’s nothing else he’d rather do than lead these men.
“So let’s all wish a Handlers’ style happy birthday to the big man.”
“Happy birthday, Copper!” everyone yelled.
Mav let out an ear-splitting whistle, and the room grew quiet again. “All right, Copper, here’s to you and here’s to me, and here’s to all the girls that licked us where we pee.”
“Maverick!” Stephanie screeched right before she doubled over with laughter. The rest of the club was split between raunchy comments, groans, and hilarity.
Copper rolled his eyes then glanced to his right. Shell’s sparkling gaze met his, igniting a fire low his gut as she did every damn time he saw her since she’d moved back. Hell, who was he kidding, from the moment she hit eighteen she’d been turning him on and turning him inside out.
She gifted him a small smile that was her unique combo of cute and sexy then lifted her shot glass toward him before knocking it back. Her delicate throat worked as the liquid slid down then she licked her glossy lips, and Copper’s cock defied logic by hardening. Should never have been possible with the volume of liquor in his system, but then his body had never listened to reason when it came to Shell.
She really must have busted her already overworked ass to pull off the party, and the effort was well worth it. Now that Mav’s toast was finished, the music pounded once again, and the partiers were back to doing their thing. Some sucked back liquor at the bar, many danced, and others hooked up in various corners of the clubhouse. Strippers gyrated on tables with crumpled dollar bills dangling from their G-strings. Back in the day, Copper would have been right there with his single brothers gawking and drooling over the writhing bodies, but he’d long since lost his taste for the dancers. However, had Shell not provided them, the boys might have mutinied.
She was no dummy.
Focus still on Shell, Copper found the empty table considered his by the club and plopped into a seat then crooked a finger at her. In response, Shell raised an eyebrow and placed her hands on her hips. Her curvy, leather-clad hips. The action thrust her generous rack forward, only exacerbating Copper’s cock problem. Shit, why couldn’t he tear his gaze away from her? His head buzzed as the latest shot joined the others in making him wasted. Maybe he’d regret it in the morning, but his booze-soaked brain seemed to think Shell was too far away. Copper curled his finger again and laughed when she rolled her eyes but started his way.
Back and forth her hips swayed with each step. How she moved was an effortless call to him that was completely unintentional. Unlike the Honeys, who calculated every glance and every touch to entice and arouse, Shell just breathed, and he wanted her.
Fuck. This was a stupid idea.
The deep purple leather dress she wore clung to her every curve like a second skin. Purple was perfect on her, highlighting the gorgeous Caribbean blue eyes she shared with her four-year-old daughter.
“Feeling good, birthday boy?” she asked with a laugh when she was close enough to touch.
She was the perfect leather-wrapped birthday present and damn if he didn’t want to unwrap her s
lowly. What the fuck, it was his birthday, he deserved a little treat, didn’t he?
“Sure am. C’mere.” He snagged her hand and tugged her closer. The stilts on her feet were no match for his strength, and she toppled toward him, landing in his lap with a squeak.
Just that tiny feel of her ass against him had his cock straining behind the denim.
“Copper! What are you doing?” Shell held herself rigid, perched at the front of his lap.
That just wouldn’t do. Whether it was the fact he was blitzed, the high from being the party’s man of honor, or that fucking purple dress, the reasons he kept Shell at arm’s length for so long evaporated.
“I said c’mere,” he grumbled, banding his forearm around her small waist and yanking her flush against him. For about ten seconds, she remained still and unyielding, but then he whispered, “Relax, doll,” in her ear and the tension slowly seeped from her spine. That left her soft and pliant in his arms, her back molded to his chest.
“W-what are you doing, Copper?” she whispered.
Christ, she smelled good. Sweet, like fucking birthday cake frosting just begging for a lick.
His head was just cloudy enough to think touching Shell was a good idea. If he’d been clear, he’d have realized this was the most physical contact they’d had since her father was killed and he held her sobbing in his arms. Back then, she’d been eleven and a child, so Copper’s thoughts were pure. Now, well now she’d been all woman for quite a few years, and Copper’s thoughts hadn’t been pure in a long time.
In fact, when it came to one Michelle Ward, his thoughts had been downright filthy.
HE’S DRUNK. HE’S drunk. He drunk.
Maybe if Shell repeated it to herself enough times, it’d sink in and tomorrow when he regretted this incident and returned to the unspoken no-touching rule he stuck to when it came to her, she wouldn’t feel the crushing weight of disappointment and heartache.
“Relax, babe, I’m just saying thank you.” The words were spoken directly against her ear. Soft fur from his beard tickled the outer rim of her ear making her shiver as her body went haywire. Hardened nipples, aching pussy, restless yearning, the works. All things she should be accustomed to after years of unrequited lust for the man holding her, but now that their bodies were pressed together, the need grew so much sharper.
“I-I was happy to do this for you. Forty is a big one.” She shrugged. “I’d have done it for any of your brothers.” And that was true, though she always put a little extra care and thought into the things she did for Copper.
She was just that pathetic.
“Know you would have, doll. In fact, I have a suspicion this was as much for all of them as it was for me.” The words were spoken gruffly, and if she didn’t know better, she’d almost say he sounded disgruntled by the idea that she cared for his brothers as much as him. That little lie would stay behind her lips until the day she died. As he spoke, he brushed her hair to the side, exposing her neck. Then he nuzzled his nose right under her ear, and her breath hitched. “You smell good.” The rough pad of his finger scraping along her sensitive neck followed by his tickling beard had her sex clenching almost painfully.
Please end the torture.
Though she should, she’d never possess the strength to end it herself.
“W-what do you mean about this being for all of them?” She focused on her girlfriends dancing in the middle of the room. Each one of them looked smokin’ hot. They all seemed to be having a fabulous time letting loose with their men.
“The club needed this. Needed to have fun, blow off some serious steam. You know I don’t give a shit about strippers. That’s all for them. You knew they needed this and you’re amazing.”
Even drunk as a skunk, the man was no fool. And his compliments were going to ruin her as fast as his touch. “Well, the club’s had a hard time lately. But all that’s over. The family deserves some fun.” She tried to scoot forward, but the effort was fruitless. Copper’s hold was unbreakable.
“That’s exactly what I’m talking about. You notice what we need and make sure we have it. Like I said, you’re amazing. And you look fucking gorgeous tonight.” He pressed a kiss to her neck and her eyes filled with tears. Squeezing them closed, she prayed none would escape. There was one reason and one reason only for his behavior.
Alcohol.
Part of her wanted to say fuck it and soak up every ounce of his affection, but tomorrow, when things returned to normal she’d be crushed. And she’d been crushed too many times in her life to endure another smashing.
“Uh, thanks.”
Again, his lips touched her neck, and this time she couldn’t keep from squirming on his lap as her pussy gushed with wetness. Shit. Could he tell? Feel it? Smell it?
Something was affecting him because a hard ridge rose against her bottom. Somehow, she had to ignore it. Somehow, she had to control her breathing. Somehow, she had to resist the urge to spin on his lap and grind down on his erection until she drove him so crazy he had no choice but to shove her dress up and drive into her.
Ha. Her imagination had always been active.
“So, uh, I know a secret.” Time for a distraction. Something to take his mind off her and get her mind out of the gutter.
Giving her a squeeze, he said, “Oh yeah? What is it?” His huge forearm rested directly under her breasts, with his large palm splayed out along her ribcage. God, he was so strong. She wanted him to use every ounce of that strength on her. How many times had she fantasized about his giant form hovering over her, pounding into her, dominating her, controlling her? She wanted to feel it and wear the marks as evidence of his power and claiming.
Shit, maybe she’d had too much to drink as well.
“Izzy is pregnant,” she blurted out. Normally, she’d die before sharing a sister’s secret, but Copper wouldn’t remember it in the morning, so it was safe to break girl code this one time.
“No shit?” He threw his head back and laughed, removing his arm from her waist.
Mission accomplished.
Shell sprang off his lap so fast she would have fallen on her face if Toni hadn’t wandered up. “Whoa, girl! Where’s the fire?” she asked as she caught Shell by her upper arms.
With a nervous laugh, Shell said, “No fire. Just spiky heels I’m not used to walking in.”
Toni’s smile was full of compassion, and if Shell wasn’t mistaken, maybe a bit of pity. What the hell should she expect? Every damn person associated with the club knew of her feelings for Copper. Didn’t matter that she tried to hide it. Didn’t matter that she denied it in front of the guys and it didn’t matter that nothing would ever come of it. Even if Copper fell to his knee tomorrow and professed his love, nothing would come of it. Secrets and lies ensured that. Choices Shell had made years ago destroyed any chance she’d ever have with Copper. Yet her damn heart and her neglected body wouldn’t seem to get the message.
“You okay?” Toni whispered, still clasping Shell by the arms. “Looked like you needed a rescue over here.”
Shell sighed. “Yeah, thanks for that. He’s just drunk and…I don’t even know,” she whispered back.
“I got your back, girl,” she whispered, then straightened and leaned toward Copper. “Hey, El Presidente, I’m stealing your girl here. She’s needed on the dance floor. Important booty shaking to attend to. Maybe you should go get yourself a cup of coffee or something. You’re starting to look a little rough.” Toni raised an eyebrow and smirked at Copper.
Stepping out of Toni’s hold, Shell gave Copper a good look and chuckled under her breath. Glassy green eyes stared at her as though they couldn’t quite see her. His much-in-need-of-a-trim hair was mussed, and there was some kind of stain on his shirt. The Handler’s control-freak president was a hot mess.
“All right, get the fuck out of here,” he said as he stood then stumbled.
Shell automatically shot forward to help him but was yanked back by Zach. “No way, short stuff,” he said as he
moved to his president. “This guy will flatten you like a pancake. I’ll take care of him.” He winked at Shell then kissed his woman before guiding Copper toward his office.
Shell gnawed on her lower lip, staring after them. Hopefully, Zach wouldn’t let him drink much more, but knowing these guys, that was a wasted wish.
“Come on, girl,” Toni said as she curled an arm around Shell’s shoulders and ushered her to the dance floor. “What do you have, an hour of babysitter time left? Let’s spend it shaking our moneymakers, yeah?”
Tearing her gaze away from the man she couldn’t stop loving, she gave Toni a grin that probably wasn’t as cheerful as she’d been going for. “Yeah, sounds perfect. Lead the way.”
As she followed after her friend, Shell blew out a breath then shoved the events of the party to the back of her mind. Later that night, when she was alone in her bed, she’d indulge in the fantasy. She’d dissect every touch and every word out of Copper’s mouth.
It was a method she’d employed after moving back to Townsend from Syracuse, New York the year before. Whenever Copper did something charming, something that made her fall deeper in love with him, she gave herself one hour to obsess about it at night. She’d use that hour however she liked. Dreaming about the life she wished for with him. Replaying whatever he’d done to make her swoon. Hell, even masturbating to thoughts of him owning every inch of her body.
Just one hour. When it was over, she jumped back into reality. To the world where Copper lived one life, and she lived another. Where they were friends, but could never amount to anything more.
Her choices had made damn sure of that.
CHAPTER TWO
“YOU AND SHELL were looking mighty cozy last night,” Zach said with a shit-eating grin that disappeared behind his giant coffee mug. He sat across the table from Copper and next to Jig. At least five days a week some group of the Handlers ate at the diner. Copper was always among them.
It hadn’t always been that way, though. Up until about a year ago, the diner was owned by the parents of Zach’s ol’ lady. To say they were anti-biker was the understatement of the century. None of the men in his club was allowed to set foot in the diner, let alone sit for a cup of coffee. After they passed, and Toni took ownership, she changed that rule. Shell had been working there since before Toni came along. This was her morning job. At night, she cleaned a large office building in town.