Текст книги "Claimed"
Автор книги: Alana Sapphire
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Текущая страница: 9 (всего у книги 18 страниц)
***Raven***
Rock bottom. I’m there. It took me reaching the lowest point in my life—trying to kill myself—to realize how far I’d fallen. It opened my eyes to the miserable existence I’ve been leading and the effect it’s had on the people around me. Especially Gage. It’s been hardest on him because he’s borne the brunt of it. He’s the one who’s been in the trenches with me, the one who’s had my back when it needed protecting the most. But there’s only so much he can do. My life was shattered. I was shattered. Now, it’s time to put the pieces back together. Like they say, when you hit rock bottom, the only place to go is up. It’s time for me to start climbing.
First things first, I need to arm myself with information. After all, that’s what I do – read. While Gage has been pounding on his punching bag, I’ve been on my laptop doing research. There are so many sites dedicated to sexual assault, so many brave women who’ve shared their own experiences. Strong, kick-ass women like Oprah Winfrey, Maya Angelou, Madonna, and Mary J. Blige have all opened up about their abuse. They persevered and went on to do amazing things, so I know there’s life after rape. What happened happened, and there’s nothing I can do to change it. What I can do is accept it and move on. I’ll never be okay with it, but that’s fine. I have people to support me, so I’m luckier than most. I’ve always had all the tools I needed for recovery; I just had to recognize I was the most important one.
Maybe I should find an activity to take my focus off the rape. Drawing isn’t working. I glance at Gage and an idea hits me like one of his punches to the bag. Boxing. Why not? If I’m concentrating on beating someone up, I’m not thinking about the rape, right? With that in mind, I slide off the bed and slink my way over to him. He stops mid-punch and turns to face me.
“What’s up?”
“I was wondering…if you’d teach me.” I nod to the bag.
His brows shoot up in surprise and he drops his arms. “You wanna learn to box?”
“Yeah. Will you teach me?”
“Well, I can show you a few things, but you won’t be able to do much until your shoulder heals.”
Crap. I forgot about that. “I could use my left hand in the meantime.”
I move forward at his insistence and he positions me between him and the bag.
“Okay, doll. First thing, you gotta relax.”
His hands on my shoulders startle me, but I shake it off as he begins rubbing them. I close my eyes, wiggle my fingers, then clench and unclench my hands.
“Now,” he continues. “Spread your legs, just a little wider than your shoulders.” Once I’m in position, he says, “Good. You’re right handed so you’d place your left foot forward. Just a regular step away from the right.”
I step forward and look down at my feet. “Like this?”
He kneels and moves my feet to his liking, gently sliding his fingers along my leg as he stands. I don’t know why, but it makes me uncomfortable. Maybe it’s because my skin didn’t tingle the way it used to, or maybe it’s because I’m afraid it’ll never happen again.
“Gimme a sec.” I head to the chest of drawers and try to find something to wear. I grab a pair of cropped cargo pants and slide them on. They’re tight around the thighs and ass, and barely button. I kick them off and try a pair of shorts, then another. Same thing. What the hell? I look down at my body, wondering just how much weight I’ve put on. I was never skinny to begin with, so my ass must be gigantic right now.
“What’s wrong?” Gage inquires, seeing my frustration.
“My clothes don’t fit.”
“What?”
“I said my clothes don’t fit.”
“So? I’ll buy you new clothes.” He gives me a nonchalant shrug.
“I don’t want to fit into new clothes. I want to fit in my old clothes.”
“I don’t see what the big deal is.”
“The big deal is I’m fat. You won’t want me if I’m fat.”
He walks over casually and cradles my face in both hands, angling it so I’m looking at him.
“Babe...number one, you are not fat. Number two, I like my woman with meat on her bones. Number three, and most important, I’ll want you no matter what size you are. So...I’ll buy you new clothes.”
I open my mouth to speak then promptly close it. What do I say? If I tell him it was a sweet thing he said, he’ll just deny it. But it was. It was unbelievably sweet. In fact, it was perfect.
“You always know exactly what to say.”
“Just telling the truth, doll.”
He kisses my forehead then reaches into his drawer and pulls out some basketball shorts for me. Once I’m dressed, we head back to the bag. I place my feet exactly the way he had them then wait for my next instruction.
“Bend your knees slightly and put the majority of your weight on your back leg. Bring your arms up, but make sure you keep them relaxed.”
I’m actually starting to get excited. I want to kick the shit out of this bag. He places one hand on the top of my head, the other under my chin, and tilts my head down by a small degree.
“Keep your elbows in, hands up. Always protect your face.”
“Elbows in, hands up. Got it.”
“I’ll show you how to throw a punch. Once your shoulder’s better, I’ll take you to the ring and we can work on movement.”
“Okay,” I agree.
He takes hold of my left fist, rotating it as he extends my arm. “This is a left jab. From the chin out. You wanna make sure the punch lands like this.” He points to the way my fist is positioned. “At a straight angle.”
“Got it.”
“Push off your back leg and step into the punch, toward the bag. Try it.”
I recite his instructions in my head and throw a tentative punch.
“Good,” he encourages me. “Again.”
I throw another…and another. This feels better than any therapy session I’ve had so far.
“You’re doing great, baby doll. This will be your go-to punch until we can do more.”
I give him a big smile and turn my attention back to the bag. On its surface, I envision the dark figure at my door. I land my fist right in the middle of the image. It doesn’t disappear, but it flickers.
I’m going to beat you. I’m going to hammer away at you until you’re nothing but a distant memory. You stole my life and I’m taking it back. One punch at a time.
CHAPTER 13
***Raven***
Elbows in, hands up, protect your face. The words are emblazoned on my mind since I’ve been reciting them for three months. Learning to box was the best idea I’ve ever had. It hasn’t magically made my life a fairy tale, but at least I’m living. I no longer just go through the motions of each day. I started out small—spending my days outside of the bedroom—and I got to know the guys better by hanging out with them every day. Ellen came over whenever she could, and I got to play with Mikey. When I was bored, I started doing housework. I cleaned Gage’s bedroom and took over his laundry from Aunt Nita. Then I started helping out in the kitchen. Before long, the Hounds deferred to me and I basically started running it. That pissed Britney off. She doesn’t even come into the kitchen anymore, sticking to the bar.
Gage was happy, and that’s all that mattered. He was able to devote his time back to his businesses, but he came home for dinner every day. Deena’s helped me a lot, too. I really don’t see how she could have been friends with Lonnie. Other than being Hounds, they don’t seem to have anything else in common.
Crow and Motor are the only ones with old ladies, but Marlowe and Renae don’t come to the clubhouse much. On the rare occasions they do, we get along great. They’ve even given me ‘old lady lessons’, which I’m wondering if I’ll ever need. Things with Laurelyn are much better. We’ve been talking almost every day, and I’m supposed to go visit in the summer when Dani is out of school. Overall, things have been going pretty well for me.
As time passed and my shoulder healed, Gage stepped up my lessons. Right now, I have Fort Minor’s “Remember The Name” coming through my earbuds while I spar with Booker. I give him my left jab and he shakes his hand out even though he’s wearing punch mitts. I know I’m stronger in that arm because it’s all I could use until now.
“Damn, girl. Take it easy on me.”
“Man up, pussy.” I grin at him.
I’m ready to go again, but he drops his arms to his sides and nods to something behind me. I pull out my earbuds and turn to see Gage climbing into the ring. He yanks me toward him and crushes my lips beneath his. His hand snakes down my back and he grabs my ass, squeezing the cheek. I moan, throwing my arms around his neck.
We still haven’t had sex. Truth be told, both my mind and body aren’t quite there yet. We’ve kissed. A lot. But we’ve never taken it further and he hasn’t pushed me. The tingles have returned and every time I look at him, I imagine him naked. I’ve thought about it but honestly, I’m worried about pleasing him. What if I’m damaged? I’ve checked – stuck a finger inside myself – and it felt okay, I guess. I even had Dr. E examine me and he said I’m fine, but how will it feel for Gage? What if he doesn’t enjoy it? What if I disappoint him? God, I couldn’t bear it if that happened.
“Hey, babe,” he whispers as he breaks our kiss.
“Hey.”
“Time to go.”
“But I’m not done.”
He moves into his caveman stance, hands crossed on his chest, and frowns at me. “Your time’s up. Let’s go.”
“Ugh! Fine.”
He’s had this silly notion of limiting my time in the gym because he thinks I’ve lost too much weight. I think I look great. After I started working out, I went back to my original weight then lost five more pounds. My body is toned and I have kick-ass abs. He put his foot down when I told him I wanted a six-pack, then he started bringing home all kinds of junk for me to eat, saying he needed to fatten me up. Crazy.
I throw a T-shirt over my sports bra and we leave the gym. On the drive home, I turn to him as I sip my water. “What do you want for your birthday?”
He raises a brow in question. “What do you want to give me?”
“How about a wet, sloppy blow job?”
“Yes, please,” he answers without a hint of humor.
“In your dreams, perv.”
“How do you know about my dreams?”
“Eww.” I punch him on the arm. “Gross!”
“Hey, you offered.”
“You’re getting a party. Deal with it.”
I’ve already gotten his gift, and I can’t wait to give it to him. I’ve been planning this party for weeks, along with Aunt Nita and Ellen. Chrissy and Toni have helped out with ideas, and Toni’s supposed to come in a few days before.
“What do you think about the prospects?”
“They’re cool,” I answer. “Why?”
“We’re voting on their membership tonight. They’ve been pretty good. I’m sure they’ll get in.”
“Yay! We should throw them a party.”
“We always do.”
He makes a turn and I realize we’re heading away from the clubhouse. “Where are we going?”
“I wanna show you something.”
“What?”
“You’ll see.”
***Gage***
I park on the side of the road and hop out of the car. When I open Raven’s door, she climbs out, looking around suspiciously. Taking her hand, I lead her to the empty building and open the door.
“Whose place is this?”
“Mine.”
“You’re opening another business?” she asks wide-eyed.
“I was thinking of turning it into an office for E. He doesn’t know about it, though.”
“Pays having you for a best friend, huh?” She grins.
She walks around the empty space, exploring the rooms. I follow, watching her ass the entire time. I can’t help it. These last few weeks have been especially hard. I feel like I’m in high school again, necking in the back of the car. She always stops me when I try to do more. My hand has become my best fucking friend. Literally.
“Stop staring at my ass.”
I snap out of my thoughts and look up at her. She’s facing me now, arms crossed on her chest. “But it’s such a nice ass.”
She steps forward and slides her hands around my waist. “You’re a good friend, Gage Hunter. I stand behind what I said earlier. You’re a good man.”
“I may do good things every now and again, but I’m not a good man, Raven.”
“You may do bad things every now and again, but you’re not a bad man.”
I wrap my arms around her, expelling a deep sigh. She doesn’t know the extent of the horror show that is my life. Things have been pretty calm since I met her, but it’s not always like this. If she sticks around, she’s sure to see me for the monster I am.
I’m about to release her when she slips her hands under my T-shirt. Her fingers dig into my lower back as she pulls me to her.
“Sometimes, you can be a real dick –”
“I acknowledge and accept that.”
“But,” she continues as if I hadn’t interrupted her. “Sometimes, you can be extremely sweet.”
“I wish you would delete that word from your vocabulary.”
“Will you let me finish? There’s the dick I’m talking about.”
“No.” I take her hand and press it to my crotch. “Here’s the dick.”
She licks her lips and her fingers curl around my already-hardening dick. Her touch is tentative as she trails her fingers down the length. Her other hand glides to the back of my neck, pulling me down to her. Our lips connect, drawing a deep moan from her. My hands automatically reach for her ass, squeezing the cheeks. Her touch grows bolder, gripping my dick as she continues to stroke me. I’m now fully erect, pushing against the material of my jeans. As difficult as it is, I keep our kiss at half-mast. I don’t want her freaking out. She pulls back and stares into my eyes with a faint smile of surprise.
“It’s back,” she whispers.
“What?”
“Everything.”
She yanks my lips back to hers and slips her tongue in my mouth. I pull her closer, loving how perfectly her body lines up with mine. Our tongues tangle before I gently suck on hers. Her hands roam my back, nails dragging over my shirt. Maybe I should do nice things more often if this will be her response.
“What would you do if I told you I also bought the property across the street?”
She gives me a bright smile. “Depends on the reason you bought it.”
“I got it for Ellen,” I explain. “She really enjoyed planning…” I stop myself before I say ‘your birthday party’. I definitely don’t want her thinking about that day.
“Planning what?”
“Parties. She likes planning parties. She’s been taking an event planning course, so I figure I’d surprise her once she’s done.”
Her smile widens then turns into a smirk.
“Then I’d say that birthday BJ offer may be on the table after all.”
Fuck.
I move forward, forcing her to step back until she’s trapped against the wall. She giggles but stops short when I grab her thighs and lift her off the floor. She grinds on my dick as it presses against her. I take her lips, more forceful than before, but still not as hard as I want to. She lets out a soft whimper, gripping me with her thighs. Her fingers weave through my hair as her tongue lashes out, forcing its way between my lips. I can’t help it; I reach under her shirt and palm her breast. Instead of recoiling, her back arches. I don’t know how I’m doing it, but I restrain myself from freeing her breasts from that damn sports bra.
“Gage…” she moans as I kiss down her neck.
I never love my name more than when it’s coming from her lips. “Fuck, Raven. I want you so fucking bad.”
“You do?”
I pull back and stare at her incredulously. “How the fuck is that a question?”
Her gaze drops but I grab her chin, forcing her to look at me. “Do you have any idea how hard it is for me to lie next to you every night and not touch you? To wake up every morning with your ass pressed against my hard dick?”
With a timid shake of her head, she whispers, “No.”
“Hard, Raven. Damn near impossible. There’s nothing I want more than to lose myself in you. To make you mine in every way.”
“Soon, Gage. I promise.”
“I’m not trying to pressure you, doll. I’ll wait. Just know this: I do want you.” I move closer, resting my forehead on hers, keeping our gazes locked. “I’ll always want you.”
***Raven***
“Make sure you grab his balls. Guys like that.”
I roll my eyes even though she can’t see me. “I’ve given a blow job before, Toni.”
“I know that. You haven’t given one to a man, though. Especially a man like Gage.”
“She’s right,” Chrissy chimes in.
I’m really starting to regret this three-way phone call. We’ve been talking for an hour, and most of the time has been spent with them giving me pointers on everything sex-related.
“Bonus if you swallow…or at least let him come in your mouth.”
“You told me it was disgusting,” I fire back at Toni. I teased Gage with it before, but I just wanted to see his reaction. I’ve never actually done it.
“Yeah, but that’s not the point. The point is he’ll like it.”
“Chrissy, have you done it?” I ask.
“Nope. I ain’t putting no man’s dick in my mouth. Uh-unh…sorry.”
“You mean…not even Ron?”
“Nope. Not even him. I don’t know where his dick has been.”
“True,” I reply, thinking about all the women Gage has been with…all the Hounds. I shudder at the thought.
“You could always make him wear a condom. Bubblegum flavor.”
Toni and I both burst out laughing at her statement. That would be cool, though. I just hope I wouldn’t get the inclination to start chewing once I had his dick in my mouth. That would not be funny.
“Ha-ha, very funny, you two.”
“C’mon, Chrissy. It was a little funny.”
“Maybe for you dick-munchers, but not me.”
“All hail the dick-munchers,” I chant. “Making men happy all over the world.”
“Can we change the subject, please?” Chrissy asks through our laughter.
“Fine, fine. I’m gonna tell you something, but you can’t repeat it, okay?” I say.
“Okay,” they both agree.
“They’re voting on the prospects’ membership tonight. By tomorrow, your man will be a Dealer, Chrissy.”
“That’s awesome!” she shrieks. “It’s all he can talk about. I know he’ll be over the moon.”
“Please, don’t say anything to him.”
“I won’t. I promise. Do I have to get him a gift?”
“I don’t know. Gage says they always throw a party for new members.”
“Then I’m definitely getting him a gift. What did you get Gage?”
“It’s a surprise. I can’t wait to see his reaction when I give it to him.”
“You should totally give him a lap dance,” Toni says.
“A lap dance?”
“Yeah. In front of everyone, too.”
“I can’t do that!”
“Of course you can. Kinda like a sexy prelude to his long-time-coming – pun intended – BJ.”
I rattle the idea around in my head for a bit, wondering if he’d like it. I know he’d enjoy a private show, but having me dance provocatively in front of everyone? I don’t know. He’d probably go ballistic.
“Maybe we could make it a group thing,” Chrissy suggests. “Include Ron and Booker.”
“That’s a great idea!” Toni exclaims.
Maybe that would work. I’m hoping he wouldn’t object if I wasn’t alone. “Okay…but we need music and a routine…and outfits.”
“There are tons of sexy songs we can use. We can have Allah put something together for us. The question is, do we go simple sexy or hardcore?”
“Toni’s right,” Chrissy agrees.
“Why not both? We can do a medley. Any ideas?”
We all think for a while then Toni comes up with an idea. “‘Say My Name’.”
I know exactly the song she’s talking about and it. Is. Perfect.
“Destiny’s Child?” Chrissy asks in confusion. “Wouldn’t ‘Cater 2 U’ be better if we’re going with them?”
“Not Destiny’s Child,” I tell her. “Qwote. Q-W-O-T-E, look it up.”
“We could use ‘Cater 2 U’, though,” Toni says pensively.
Another two hours are spent on the phone planning our big lap dance. We decide on a soundtrack – “Cater 2 U”, Ciara’s “Body Party”, Beyoncé’s “Dance For You”, Lady Saw’s “Heels On” and “Backshot” with Spragga Benz, then we’ll end with “Say My Name”. We just need to recruit Allah to make a mix for us. Next, were our outfits. This whole idea is a real toss-up with a man like Gage Hunter. It could either be epic or a complete disaster. I hope to God it’s the former.
Here goes Operation Birthday Lap Dance.
CHAPTER 14
***Gage***
Thirty-three fucking years old. Another year older. Can’t say I’ve had a bad run. My life has been pretty good so far. As I watch Raven with her friends, I can only see it getting better. Chopper’s words resound in my mind – that’s when I knew you were his future. I know she’d be a perfect old lady. She has all the qualities I could ever need in a woman and I’d be lying if I said I’ve never thought about it. I could patch her, have her on my bike and in my bed. I’d take care of her and protect her. That’s what I can offer. All the extra stuff she needs – love, romance, and promises of forever – I can’t offer that to any woman. I don’t know how, and I don’t see her settling for less. So while Chopper is certain, I’m not.
My eyes follow her movements as she walks over to Ellen and whispers in her ear. My sister grins from ear to ear, so I know something’s up. Both of them put this party together for me so when I see them conspiring, I brace myself for what’s to come. Raven disappears to the back with her friends and Ellen sets out three chairs in the middle of the room. She approaches me with the same grin and drags me to one of the chairs, then seats Ron and Booker in the other two. Judging from the expressions on their faces, they don’t know what’s going on, either. She hurries over to the DJ booth and grabs the microphone as Allah stops the music.
“Okay, everybody! I’m going to need you to clear some space.”
People start moving out of the way, leaving the three of us sitting in the center like the main attraction. I don’t know what’s going on, but I already don’t like it.
“We’re all here to celebrate President Reaper’s birthday, but we also have two new brothers – Ron and Booker.” She pauses while everyone cheers. “Raven, Chrissy, and Toni have put together something special for these guys, so let’s hear it for the ladies!”
The crowd cheers again, the brothers hooting and whistling. The girls walk back out wearing short, black trench coats and heels. What the fuck is going on? Raven stands in front, the other two girls behind her, one on either side. She gives me a nervous smile then nods in the direction of the DJ booth.
The music comes on and they begin to move. Raven mimes the lyrics as she performs a sexy-as-hell routine, her body gliding on the beat. I’m not really paying attention to the song, but a few words resonate – ‘I’m yours’ and ‘my man’. Fucking right, she’s mine. If anyone doubted it before, here she is announcing it to the entire room. The song changes and her movements become less sensual and more sexual. My dick immediately stands at attention when she drops to her knees and starts grinding. As she crawls toward me, I grab my crotch and adjust myself. She catches the action and smirks. Seeing her there, kneeling at my feet is doing things to my body I never knew a woman could do. She mouths some more lyrics about dancing for me as she rises to her feet. As she rolls her hips, she starts undoing the belt on her coat. I lick my lips, anticipating what’s underneath.
She flips the sides behind her and then the heel of her shoe is digging into my thigh. I vaguely hear something about fucking with heels on, but I’m focused on her outfit. Leather shorts—if you can call them that—and a matching top that’s pushing her tits together and up. Everything else from her tits down is bare. I seriously feel like I’m going to blow my load just looking at her.
In a flash of movement, she whips off the coat, tosses it aside, and turns her back to me. She drops onto my lap, leans forward, and with her hands on the ground, starts grinding on me. I grab her hips and she sits up, leaning in to me. She turns her face toward me, breathing heavily, her lips an inch from mine. She starts singing again about fucking me, and I drown out everything but her. The rest of the dance goes by in a blur of motion. All I can think about is getting my dick inside her. I only realize their little routine has ended when the noise from the cheers and wolf whistles brings me out of my thoughts. Somehow, she’s now straddling my lap, facing me. I twirl the red ends of her hair around my finger. She said she did it for me because black and red are my favorite colors.
“Happy birthday, Gage.”
I grab her ass and stand in a swift motion, taking her to the bedroom. As soon as I kick the door shut, I have her backed against it.
“Did you like –?”
I cut her off with my lips. I can’t hold back anymore. I need her. I need her now.
“Gage, wait.”
“For what?”
“I want to give you your gift.”
“I want you,” I growl against her lips.
“Please.”
“Fuck!” I release her and watch her ass as she hurries to the chest of drawers. She removes a white envelope and brings it back to me, bouncing up and down in excitement as I open it.
When I pull out the paper inside, she yells, “Happy birthday!”
I quickly scan the words on the paper until I realize what it is – flying lessons. At the end, I’d be able to get a Private Pilot Certificate. I raise my gaze from the paper to her beautiful face in shock. Once. I mentioned to her once that I wanted to be a pilot when I was younger. She not only remembered but now she’s encouraging and enabling me to pursue my dream. Fucking hell. Maybe Chopper was right after all. I drop the paper and yank her to me, forcing her against the wall.
“Do you like it?”
“I love it, baby doll. How did you –?”
“I dipped into my trust fund. I wanted to get you something special.”
“There’s only one thing I want.”
I take her lips in a fierce kiss, grabbing her hands and pinning them above her head. She returns the kiss, writhing against me, making me even harder. But then her breathing grows rapid…ragged, and her writhing feels more like fighting. I relinquish her lips and see fear-stricken eyes boring into me.
“Stop. Let me go. Please!”
She pulls at her hands and I realize what the problem is. I release her immediately. How could I have been so fucking stupid? No doubt me trapping her like that brought back memories of being tied down. Fuck! Have I undone months of progress in a few seconds?
“Raven, I’m sorry. I didn’t –”
“It’s fine.” She shakes her head. “I’ll be okay in a minute.”
I reach for her, but she shrinks from my touch. Fuck, fuck, fuck! Stepping away from her, I head to the bathroom. I need about a dozen cold showers.
