by Jamie Begley
The other soldiers knew that when Gavin was on a mission, he didn’t go into it to fail. He wouldn’t let any of the other men risk their safety without putting his own on the line first. Safeguarding others was such an intrinsic part of him, and the one that’d helped him survive his captivity.
Shade slid into the cab of the truck that Gavin borrowed to drive him back to the club. Neither of them spoke on the short ride. It was only when he was getting out that Gavin broke the silence.
“When does she leave?”
“Ginny?”
“Which of the men is their turn to watch her?”
“Rider at lead and Nickel.”
Shade studied the brother. He had asked Gavin numerous times to take turns with various members who volunteered to guard Ginny. That the job was taking much longer than they had expected to find her stalker had built his own concern that the fucker was laying low, waiting for them to relax their guard. Viper felt the same way, which was why either he or Rider were sent.
“When does she go?”
This was the most words said in the last two months. Gavin never initiated conversations, and when he did talk, it was usually curt yeses or noes, if not outright ignoring a question posed to him.
“She and the band will be flying out at the end of the week.”
When Gavin opened the truck door and got out, Shade did the same, walking toward the pathway to his house while Gavin headed in the direction of Viper’s. But then Shade blocked his way.
“Rider could use a break.”
“Then give him one. I don’t give a fuck what you do.”
Gritting his teeth, Shade stepped aside, letting Gavin go on his way, just like all the brothers did, not wanting to upset him whenever the subject was broached about him taking a turn.
Ginny was the first woman who had arisen interest in Gavin since he had come back to the clubhouse. Shade wished he had introduced the two of them.
Several years ago, Ginny worked for The Last Riders for a while. During that time, Shade picked up on several facets of her personality. She pretty much gave respect to those who deserved it while ignoring those who didn’t. She had faced down more than one person who thought her polite personality would allow them to be disrespectful to her. She wasn’t confrontational, but she didn’t back down either.
It would have been interesting to witness Gavin’s reaction if they had been introduced. He was also curious as to how she would have reacted to Gavin.
Going up the steps to his front door, he swung it open, expecting to see Lily. However, the empty living room had him going through the house in search of her.
Becoming concerned, he went back downstairs. Taking out his phone, he texted Lily.
Where are you?
I’m at Rosie’s Bar.
What are you doing there?
Waiting for you.
CHAPTER 7
Lily wrung her hands as she stared out the window toward the parking lot, watching for Shade. The music Mick had turned on for her before leaving was playing, heightening the anticipation she was feeling.
She flushed, remembering the amused expression on Mick’s face when she had shown up after calling him to ask if she could rent his bar out for the next two hours. Gratefully, he hadn’t asked why when she arrived, just told her where the door key was for when they finished.
Running to the door now, her fingers fumbled with the lock before she quickly took off Shade’s large raincoat that she had worn to cover what she was wearing. Placing it on one of the tables, she then rushed to the middle of the dance floor, pretending nonchalance as her husband strode into the bar.
Hiding her trepidation as she heard the sound of the lock kicking back in place, she frantically started focusing on the beat of the music as she twirled on the pole in the middle of the dance floor.
When he stopped at the edge of the dance floor, she seductively leaned back against the pole. “Have a seat.”
Anger had been radiating from him when he entered, but she’d been married to Shade long enough to see he desired to watch her more than give in to his desire to spank her for stranding him at T.A.’s house.
As Shade picked up a chair, carrying it to the dance floor, she expertly hooked her arm around the pole. Twirling, she used a firm grasp to hold on while leaning her upper body away from the pole. With her free hand, she touched the floor as she made circles.
“What are you doing?”
Lily spun to a stop, leaning back against the pole once again. “Giving you your present. Do you like it?”
She saw her answer before he spoke.
“Yes. How did you get Mick to close up?”
“I rented it for two hours.”
“For how much?”
“Does it matter?”
“No. I just want to know so I can tip him.”
“You already did. I used your credit card.”
She twined her long leg around the pole as she leaned backward, reaching out for the floor again as she watched his reaction upside down.
His eyes shifted to her breasts that were barely managing to stay confined inside the red bra that was under the mid-length, flimsy red nightie.
“Did you give him a generous tip?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
Lily used her stomach muscles to raise herself, turning to give him her back. As the seductive music flowed faster, she then twisted her hips, scooching down until her butt rested on the heels of her feet before slowly rising.
“Come here.”
Turning to face him again, she gave him a stern look. “No.”
Baiting her husband, she scooched back down to the floor, trying desperately not to flush when his eyes went to the display visible between her thighs.
“You left me without a ride at the reception.” His eyes flickered over to the thin coat that was laying on the table. “I expected you home when I got there.”
Her confidence began to build at the low timbre of his voice.
“Are you mad at me?”
“I’m not pleased.”
She provocatively walked toward his chair. “Good.”
It was hard to keep appearing unaffected. The glittering desire she could see in Shade’s hooded eyes had her nipples tautening. He was sprawled out comfortably on his chair. The thick bulge at the crotch of his jeans had her biting back a whimper. She wanted to sink to her knees and beg him to let her touch him.
She loved being submissive to Shade, being excited by the games they played. Putting aside her own preferences, though, Lily was determined to make it a day just for him.
Placing a high-heeled foot on the chair between his legs, she bent over, displaying her breasts only a couple of inches away from his mouth.
Shade reached out, brushing a knuckle across her peaked nipples.
“Uh-uh.” She quickly struck her hand out, smacking his away. “There are three rules. Rule one: don’t touch.” She turned and sat on a hard thigh to twine her arms around his neck. “Rule two: no talking.” Kissing the corner of his mouth, she let the tip of her tongue flick out before rising. Provocatively, she then slowly removed her nightie until she was standing in front of him in only her shoes, panties, and bra. “Rule three”—her lips curled in a sinful smile when the next song, “Kiss it Better” began playing—“you have to do everything I say, and I might, just might, give you a present.”
“Which is?”
Tsk-tsking him that he had already broken rule number two, she started dancing farther away from him, returning to the pole. Looping her leg around it, she started climbing. Reaching the top, she stared at him mischievously as she slowly made her way back down the pole while the sexual lyrics played. Shade’s face was etched in stone as he watched.
Reaching the bottom, she swayed back toward him. Licking her bottom lip, she saw his bulge grow under his jeans. Satisfied, Lily abruptly turned to stretch her left foot. Bending down, she gracefully touched her toe, listening to the beat of the mus
ic. She then stretched and extended her right foot, bending to repeat the same maneuver.
Gliding around, she caught his eyes as she clasped both her hands together behind her head, the action thrusting her breasts out. Dropping into a squat, she lowered her hands, planting them on top of his thighs. She used the momentum to raise herself before jauntily moving to his side. Raising her leg, she placed her heel back on the chair.
“Do you miss coming here to watch strippers before you married me?”
His eyes narrowed up at her.
“Good boy,” she crooned, caressing his jaw when he didn’t answer.
Lifting her foot, she swung her legs over his until she was standing over him. Bouncing on the balls of her feet, she rose up and down, rubbing her crotch over his dick in quick, teasing movements. Her long black hair tumbled over her face, thankfully hiding her expression. She could feel her center becoming slick and needy. Her movements were teasing her as much as Shade.
Rolling her hips, she gave a ragged sigh, forcing herself to get her own desire in check the way Shade was doing.
Sinking down on him with a last roll of her hips, she tightened her thighs around him as she reached for the floor. Situating her hands so they could bear her weight, she loosened her legs, flipping her lower body over.
On her hands, she tossed her hair back, glancing up at Shade. He was staring fixated on her bottom.
“Don’t you want to spank me?” she goaded him, wanting to break his silence.
His lips went into a thin line. Despite her taunt, he stayed still.
“You’re being so good.”
Taking a deep breath, she bravely slid her hand intimately between her thighs to her crotch, running her hand over her panties twice before turning over and sitting on the floor. She then brought her hands to her hips, teasingly sliding her panties downward while jutting her hips upward so she could remove them. Lily was proud of her dexterity as she maneuvered the panties over one heel and then the other, flashing her crotch each time.
Gripping the panties in the hook of her finger, she fluidly rose to stand, taking the step necessary to bring her closer to Shade.
Hooking another finger inside the other leg hole, she slung the panties around his head to rest at his neck. Tightening her fingers, she pulled herself even closer to Shade’s mouth, placing a lingering kiss on the sensuous curve.
“How am I doing? Am I being naughty enough for you?” she breathed the question against his lips. Then, draping herself over his body, she ground her pussy down onto his rock-hard bulge. “Or do you want more?”
His jaw tensed.
Giving him another kiss at his restraint, she left the panties hanging off his neck as she moved both her hands behind her back to unfasten her bra. Letting it fall to the floor, she slid down his body until she was back on her knees between his legs.
Carefully unbuttoning his jeans, she lowered the straining zipper. Parting the material of his jeans, she flicked her tongue over the head of his cock. Without giving him any warning, she then sucked the head inside her mouth as she stroked his thighs.
Through her lashes, she saw him grip the sides of his chair.
Parting his jeans wider, she gave swirls across the head of his cock before she slipped it out of her mouth then kissed the tattoo on his pelvis.
“Did I do as good as Chasity?”
She smiled against his skin at his frustrated groan at not being able to talk.
“You didn’t think I found out about her, did you? I’ve even seen her shopping in town a few times.” Gliding her mouth to Shade’s other hip, she pressed another kiss on the tattoo that had been inked into his flesh there. “She’s even the reason you had the stripper pole installed in the clubhouse before you met me.
“Is it a sin I’m jealous of her?” Lily rested her cheek on the skin she had just kissed. “Because I am. I’m jealous of every woman you’ve ever made love with, because I’m waiting for the day that I wake up and find that our life and everything in it was just a beautiful dream. A dream that every day I wake up afraid to find out never existed.” Raising her cheek, she skimmed over his skin back to his penis. “Then I touch you, and I’m given another day of my madness.”
She lovingly slid her mouth down the length of his cock. “I’d rather be insane”—she gave a self-mocking laugh—“in a padded room than living without you.”
As she took his cock into her mouth, she felt the coiled tension in his body, his muscles in his thighs bunching under her hands as if he were restraining himself from reaching for her.
He wasn’t the only one affected as she tantalized him with the slow stroke of her tongue, sucking him farther into her mouth.
Scooching closer to him on her knees, she rubbed the tips of her breasts on his thighs as she tried to drive Shade as crazy as she believed herself to be.
She looked up at him through her lashes. His expression rose alarm bells in her head as she sucked on his cock.
Shade was a master of control. Several times in their marriage, she had come close to breaking his control… or just as much he would let her. This time, however, she somehow managed to bypass the control he exerted on himself.
Desire blazed down at her from his blue eyes, promising retaliation when her domination of him ended.
Deliberately, she let his cock slip out of her mouth. “Daddy looks mad at me.”
His face went harsh. “I’m not your fucking daddy.”
Giving a plaintive sigh, she stood up fluidly, stepping away from him.
“You talked, and I was having so much fun.” Pretending to complain, she put a firm hand on his shoulder as she walked around him, her fingers going to the panties that were draped around his neck. Pulling them taut, she lowered her head to whisper in his ear, “Feel free to use my safe word if you want to. No? I thought Dom’s liked to be called daddy? I know you’re not my daddy. You’re my husband. Or are you? I could be dreaming all of this. Am I?”
When he remained silent this time, she bit down on his earlobe.
“You’re being a good husband.”
Releasing the panties, she crouched down at his feet again. Curling her hand around his hard shaft, she took him in her mouth again. This time, she didn’t tease and torment him.
Tightening her hand as she sucked on him, she quit playing, giving him the friction and suction he needed. He was gripping his chair so hard she was afraid he was going to break it into pieces.
“I love your taste.”
Shade thrust his cock upward, telling her to stop talking the only way he could.
Going farther down on him, she adjusted to his thrusts, aware that he was holding back, not wanting to overwhelm her.
Loosening her grip on his cock, she moved her hand to his sack, giving a gentle pinch while at the same time grazing her teeth over him. He almost came off the chair.
Going faster, she started caressing his sack, taking him as deeply as she could. Squeezing him with her throat muscles, she felt him swell even thicker as he thrust harder into her mouth.
Glancing upward, she saw the unmistakable love staring back at her as he climaxed, his body convulsing underneath her touch.
Lily gave a satisfied smile as she got to her feet. “Are you ready for your present?”
Seeing the puzzled frown on his forehead, she laughed.
“The lap dance and blowjob weren’t your presents. This is.” Naked, she took a couple of steps backward then lowered herself back to her knees. “I love you, and there isn’t another man on God’s green earth I would do this for… other than you.”
Dropping her head, she was about to place her forehead on the floor when she felt herself jerked upward into Shade’s arms. Automatically, she circled her legs around his waist as he kissed her with unrestrained passion.
Gasping, she tore her mouth free. She had never seen Shade so visibly shaken.
“You had to go in my private chest to get those panties.”
“Yes, I did,” she admitte
d, knowing exactly what kind of trouble she was going to be in with her husband. That was why she had done it. “What are you going to do about it?”
CHAPTER 8
Shade wanted to laugh at Lily’s deliberate attempt to get herself a spanking. Any other time, he would have taken her up on the present she was trying to gift him, but the fear she had expressed about being insane had shaken him to his core.
He had overheard her once before talking to Jo.
“You’re very happy, aren’t you?”
Lily stopped jiggling a playful elephant at the wistfulness in Jo’s voice that she hadn’t been able to hide. Her violet eyes raised to hers. “So much that I get afraid sometimes.”
“Why?”
Lily gave a graceful shrug. “That Shade will wake up one day and realize he doesn’t love me, that another woman can give him what I can’t.” As she talked, she looked down and ran a hand over the delicate tattoo of forget-me-nots that was on the underside of her forearm. “It’s kind of surreal how happy I am. It can’t last forever, can it?”
Lily still didn’t believe what they had would last. Couples that had been raised in loving families had the same fears about their relationships, but Lily’s traumatic childhood magnified hers.
He hadn’t been a boy scout either in his past. She witnessed what life he had lived, despite his attempts to shield her. Regrettably, it was inevitable that she still heard and was hurt by stories that were circulated around town.
Carrying her across the dance floor, he sat her ass down on the bar, using his boot to shove the barstools out of the way. Putting a hand on each side of her, he concluded he was never going to be able to convince his wife with words that what they had was going to last. He had to convince her another way, one she would know deep down in her soul that was real despite her anxiety telling her it wasn’t.
Grazing her lips with his, he forced himself to step away from her.
“If you’re in a padded cell, sweetheart, you’re not there alone. I’m right there with you.”