by Nicola Jane
“Tell me about Connor’s mum,” she says, changing the subject.
I stand. “I need some air, fancy it?” I ask, hooking out my arm for her to take.
We step outside, and I lean against the wall. “I was part of a scandal,” I say. “It was kept quiet because the council didn’t wanna look bad over a bunch of tearaway kids.”
“You were in care?” she asks, and I nod.
“One of the care workers, she was extra kind to a few of the boys in the home. You can guess the rest. Back then, it wasn’t such a big deal. I don’t see myself as a victim, even though that’s what they called me. I was the cool kid everyone else wanted to be. I didn’t know about Connor.”
“How do you know he’s yours?” she asks.
“I knew it the second I laid eyes on him. He looks just like I did at that age. But I did a test to make sure. He’s a good kid, and I hate that he thinks badly of his mum because no kid should feel like that.” I wince. “Sorry. Anyway, it seems they reopened the case recently, and she took her own life.”
“He came to see me,” she says. “Connor.”
“Why?”
“To fight your corner. He told me Alaric set you up.”
“So, you didn’t remember yourself?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “I don’t remember. But I know you wouldn’t hurt me, and when I confronted Alaric, he didn’t deny it.”
I suddenly feel overwhelmed, and I grab her hand. “Why didn’t we work it out?” I ask. “Why didn’t we give us a chance?”
“I couldn’t trap you. I hated the thought of that,” she answers. “I wanted you to know I didn’t expect anything from you.”
“But you had every right to make demands and expect shit from me. I got you pregnant and I didn’t step up when you needed me to. Be honest, when you told me, did you want us to happen?”
She thinks for a minute, then nods her head, sadness filling her eyes. “I was so fucking scared,” she whispers. “I wanted someone to tell me it was gonna be okay.”
“Fuck, I messed up so bad,” I growl. “I’m so fucking sorry.” Her eyes fill with tears, and that breaks my heart all over again. “Do you think you’ll ever forgive me?”
“I never blamed you, so there’s nothing to forgive. I messed you around just as much. We came so close and it just never happened for us. Maybe we have to face that we weren’t meant to be.”
“When I found out, I was worried I’d mess this kid’s life up. I’ve not exactly had great role models. We could have both done things differently.”
“What’s the point in going over old ground? I just need to concentrate on Leo now. You should do the same.”
“Sara!” We both look towards the gate where Alaric stands, shouting her name.
“I’d better go,” she says.
“To him?” I snap.
“No. But I don’t want him to cause a scene. Riggs’ll get mad.” She steps towards him and away from me, and something inside me takes over.
I wrap my arms around her waist from behind and hold her against me. “I can’t let you go again,” I whisper into her ear. “I’m not standing by while he wins you over. Stay.”
“Lake, I’m not going to him. He can’t talk me around.”
“Stay,” I repeat.
“It’s not that easy,” she argues.
“We’ll take it slow. One day at a time until you forgive me. Stay.”
“There’s nothing to forgive. We’ve just been over this, Lake. We’ve had a drink, we’ve talked a lot, more than we ever have, but you’re making rash decisions because of Alaric. You don’t need to.”
“Stay,” I growl. “Please,” I add more softly.
She turns in my arms and looks up at me. “Why?”
“You don’t remember that night,” I say, running my hand gently over her stomach. “But you begged for me to stay with you. The police came and I had to go, and you begged me with your eyes. I turned up at the office to tell you I wasn’t taking your dad’s money or his bribes. I love you. I told you, right before they took me away. You said it back. I meant it . . . did you?”
She falls silent for what feels like forever before slowly nodding. Relief floods me. “It’s taken us so long to get to this point, there’s no way I’m letting you go again. It won’t be easy, but if we want this, we have to make it work, for Leo.” I take her by the hand and lead her back inside the club, smirking at the sound of Alaric calling her name.
SARA
For the first time in weeks, maybe even months, I feel like a weight has been lifted. I watch Lake undress down to his shorts, his masculine body bunching with each movement. He catches me watching and grins. The second we got to his room, he made it clear he wasn’t trying anything. He even laid out a shirt of his and some shorts, which I had to fold over a few times to make them fit.
“Slow,” he repeats, and we smile at each other like shy teenagers.
“What did you mean yesterday?” he asks. “You said that kind of life wasn’t for you anymore, right after I threatened to lock you in my room. You’re not interested in all that kinky shit?”
I blush. “I was experimenting. That guy who beat me put me off. I tried it again with . . .” I trail off when he narrows his eyes. “But it didn’t feel right.”
“Say his name,” he mutters.
“No, you look mad,” I say.
He leans over, placing a hand either side of my hips, and stares me in the eyes. “Say it,” he whispers. “You tried it again with?”
“Alaric,” I whisper.
His hand wraps in my hair, tugging my head back to look up at him. “Maybe he wasn’t the right fit for you,” he growls. My heart is beating fast and everything tingles. Everything. “You respond to me,” he adds. “Do you want me to kiss you, Sara?” he asks. I nod, my eyes locked on his. “Say it,” he demands.
“Kiss me,” I whisper back.
He moves so close, our lips almost touch. “Slow,” he reminds me right before placing a gentle kiss against my lips, then pulling back. He glances at my erect nipples begging him for more than one kiss and he smirks. “Get some sleep.” He flicks out the light and climbs over me to get onto his side of the bed. I smile to myself as I snuggle down. Lake gets under the covers and wraps his arm around me, tugging me over to his side and placing me against his chest. He then throws a leg over me, holding me tight against him. I feel safe as I drift into a deep sleep.
LAKE
I spend the first two hours of sunrise watching her sleep. She’s beautiful. Peaceful. I could watch her like this all day. My raging hard cock has other ideas, and I take myself off for a cool shower. I need to speak to Riggs about changing bedrooms to a bigger one more suitable for us both and, of course, with an empty room beside us for Leo. I’m so lost in thought, I don’t hear the door open. Sara watches me, leaning against the door frame looking sexy with messed-up hair in my clothes. My cock rises for the occasion again, and she smirks. “Slow,” I remind her for the third time.
“You want me to suck it slow?” she asks, pretending she misheard me.
“You’re a naughty girl,” I say, winking. “Get out.”
“And waste this opportunity to make you sweat?” She grins, pulling herself to sit up on the sink unit.
“We have things to do today, like visiting Leo, moving bedrooms,” I say, grabbing the shampoo and rubbing it into my hair.
“Moving bedrooms?” she repeats, opening her legs slightly. She’s shimmied out of the shorts I gave her and they now lay pooled on the floor.
“We need more room,” I say.
“I have an apartment,” she responds, confused.
“You don’t wanna live with me at the club?” I ask.
She trails her nail along her thigh, and I track the movement with my eyes. “I haven’t thought about it. I thought we agreed to go slow?”
“She says while trying to entice me to fuck,” I say dryly.
I grip my cock and rub it a few times. The aching
is unbearable, and she’s making it impossible to ignore her. I brace myself against the wall with one hand and keep the other wrapped around my cock, all the while staring at Sara. “I want you here with me. I want access to that pussy twenty-four-seven,” I say, grinning.
“It’s right here,” she says, opening her legs wider. I hiss, moving my hand faster. “All you gotta do is come and get it,” she adds.
I shake my head. “Stop,” I mutter, closing my eyes, but my head is so full of her, I still see her.
“Fine, I’ll just brush my teeth and be outta your hair,” she says, sighing. She jumps down from the counter and grabs my brush, loading it with paste. She stuffs it in her mouth and bends over the washbasin, letting the shirt ride up to expose her ass. I take her by surprise, gripping her hips and entering her fast before she’s realised I’m out of the shower. I hold her shoulders tight, slamming into her, and she cries out, pressing her hands against the mirror.
“I got zero control around you,” I hiss, watching my cock disappear inside of her. “Do you like having that much power over me?” I grip her knee and lift it onto the counter, and when I next slam in, I go deeper as she screams with pleasure. “I don’t have a condom on,” I whisper, “and I’m gonna come. You better find me somewhere to put it.” I growl. “Before we make another Leo.”
She drops to her knees and opens her mouth. I groan as she sucks me deep until I touch the back of her throat. I come on a roar, gripping her head and forcing her to take me deeper as I empty everything I have into her mouth. My legs shake and I go light-headed. I always come so hard with her.
SARA
I smile up at him with satisfaction. I love getting my own way, especially with Lake. He hauls me to my feet like I weigh nothing and sits me on the counter. He spreads my legs and buries his face between them, lapping at my pussy like he’s not eaten for days. I have nothing to grip and so I squirm against him, trying to get more friction. He stills me, digging his hands into my thighs and nipping at the sensitive area. I moan somewhere at the back of my throat, and it encourages him to nip harder. I throw my head back and tug handfuls of his hair, rocking against his mouth as an explosion rips through me. Light bursts behind my eyelids and warmth spreads over my body. I’ve missed this . . . so . . . fucking . . . much.
Chapter Twenty
Lake
I dip the brush in the paint and dab it onto the wall. I glance at Sara for approval, and she nods. “You know this really isn’t necessary,” she says. “I have my own apartment. Why don’t you just come and stay with me?”
“I’m part of the MC,” I say, frowning. “I can’t live outta the club.”
“Are there rules for that?” she asks.
“No, but why wouldn’t we wanna be here with everyone?”
“I guess,” she says, shrugging.
Storm’s kid comes running in screaming, causing us both to turn and look at him. He looks terrified, gripping his ears and glancing back over his shoulder. “Jesus, what’s up with him?” I ask.
Sara gets on her knees and smiles kindly at the kid. “Hey, Seb,” she says gently. “It’s okay, you’re safe in here.” She leans past him and pushes the door shut, which instantly relaxes him, but he keeps his ears covered. “I’m Sara.”
“Why’s he like that?” I ask her, confused by his behaviour.
“Taya, Storm’s sister, told us he’s autistic. Which means,” she explains, smiling at the boy, “that Seb here is extremely special and amazing.”
Seb holds out a toy, and Sara looks at it with interest. “You like dinosaurs?” she asks, and he nods shyly. “Me too. My favourite is the T-Rex because he has tiny arms.”
The door opens, and Anna’s kid, Malia, smiles at Seb. “It’s gone now, Seb, you can come back,” she says, holding out her hand. Seb smiles even wider and takes her hand, letting her lead him away.
“Isn’t Malia great with all the kids here?” Sara asks.
I shrug. “I don’t notice the kids,” I admit. “Maybe I have done more since you had Leo.”
“I can’t wait to bring Leo home,” she says softly. I pull her to stand and kiss her gently on the lips.
“Me either. Having you and my boy at the club will be amazing.”
“We’re settled on this place then?” she asks, smirking.
Her mobile buzzes and she pulls it from her pocket, groaning when she sees her dad’s name. She goes to tuck it back, but I stop her. “You can’t avoid him forever. Talk with him, let him know you’re okay.” Fuck knows why I want her speaking to that piece of shit, but part of me wants her to tell him she’s with me now.
She accepts the call, brightly answering, “Dad.” It’s a short conversation.
“What did he want?” I ask.
“Lunch,” she mutters.
“Okay, I’ll get changed,” I say, and she presses her lips together, her expression telling me she doesn’t want me with her. “He needs to know we’re together.”
“And he will, eventually,” she says.
“Jesus, Sara,” I snap. “Your mum’s fucking your ex, your dad’s got his mistress pregnant and—” I stop when I realise what I’ve said. Her eyes widen with shock. “Fuck, sorry,” I mutter.
She gasps. “Aliyah is pregnant?”
“That wasn’t meant to come out,” I say.
“How long have you known?” she yells.
“Not long,” I tell her. “Since when I came over to see him.”
“And you didn’t tell me because?”
“Because I was using the information for the club, and besides, it ain’t my business. I don’t wanna get involved in all that drama.”
“My family drama, you mean!” she snaps. “Well, perhaps it’s right you don’t come to lunch then. Wouldn’t want to involve you in my family drama.”
I let her stomp out the room. She’s mad and needs to cool off.
SARA
Mum sits next to Dad in the French restaurant. I don’t know why I expected him to be alone. He sounded like he needed to talk when he called me.
“How are you?” he asks politely as he stands to greet me. I pull my chair out and sink into it without his kisses. “You look tired,” he adds.
“Why did you want to meet?” I ask.
“It’s not unusual for us to have lunch together,” he says. “Have you seen much of Alaric?”
“No, Dad, we’re not together anymore,” I say coldly, glancing at Mum. Dad looks confused, and I realise Mum probably hasn’t told him we ended it in case it raises too many questions.
“I’m sure it’s only temporary, darling. You know what she’s like,” says Mum, rolling her eyes. “Let’s not worry too much.”
“I have Leo to think of, you know, your grandson.”
“That’s exactly why I thought Alaric was the perfect match,” says Dad. “Reliable, financially and otherwise,” he says. “He’s going far in the company.”
“Did you pay Alaric to date me?” I ask, suddenly realising he’s a little too keen on me being with Alaric.
“Of course, he did,” scoffs Mum. “What man would willingly take on someone else’s child?”
Dad glares at her. “Shut up, Joanne,” he hisses.
“Be honest with the girl. You orchestrate most of her damn life, why would this be any different?”
“Oh my god!” I gasp. “Why would you do that?”
“To help you,” says Dad.
“To keep your precious name clean more like,” I snap.
“I had your best interests at heart,” Dad insists. “Being a parent is a huge responsibility.”
“How would you know?” I ask coldly. “How would either of you know?” I stand. “Since having Leo, I’ve realised a few things. One is that I don’t need you in my life. The other is that I don’t want you around me or Leo.”
“Sara,” scoffs Dad, “sit down.”
I shake my head, gathering my bag and coat. “I love Leo’s dad. He’s made me see what it’s like to have a fami
ly who looks after you. The Kings Reapers might not be blood, but they’ll always look out for me. More than you two ever did.”
It feels great to walk away from them on my terms. I don’t need them, I never did, and I won’t let them mess Leo’s life up.
I go to the office to collect what few possessions I have there. “Sara, what are you doing here? I thought you were on maternity leave?” asks Hayley.
I open my desk drawers and grab some photos and a book. “I am, but I’m leaving. I just came to get some things.”
I feel him before I see him. “Sara.” I turn to Alaric. “In my office.” I follow him because I don’t want a showdown in front of everyone, and I close his office door behind me. “What are you doing?” he asks.
“Leaving,” I say.
“Why?”
“Are you joking me right now?” I ask, laughing coldly. “You were fucking my mother!”
“About that—”
“I don’t wanna hear it. My mother!” I repeat again, in disbelief. “She’s a cold-hearted bitch and she probably only did it to hurt me.”
“Don’t flatter yourself,” he mutters.
“And then I find out my dad is paying you to date me!”
He rubs his face. “Shit’s so messed up,” he says. “I’m in a mess, Sara.”
“Don’t tell me,” I snap. “I don’t wanna know. I just came to get my shit.”
“But if you walk out on me, I—”
“NO!” I yell. “No, I don’t wanna know.” I march back to my desk and throw the rest of my stuff into a box.
I get to the hospital and find Lake talking to the nurse. It pisses me off even more, so I stomp past them and go straight to Leo. There’s a different nurse in his room, and she smiles warmly. “I thought maybe you’d like to hold him today?” she asks.
My bad mood melts slightly and I nod. “I’m having the worst day, so holding Leo would make up for it.”
“Shall I get his dad in here?” she asks.
I scowl. “He’ll come when he’s ready.”