Текст книги "Burning Ember"

Автор книги: Darby Briar

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Текущая страница: 21 (всего у книги 33 страниц)

“You hit it off with her then?”

“Yeah. She’s great and the kids are great. I’m going to be watching them a few times a week. She also said, if I wanted to take a couple of shifts at the bar to make some extra money, she’d let me.”

I feel a spark of happiness zip through my chest at the excitement in her voice. But at the same time, I don’t want her working at the bar. And definitely not at the bar at night. I keep my discomfort to myself.

She lifts herself off me and this time I let her pull away. “Are we being rude? Should we get back to the party?” She wraps one of her arms around her chest, all of a sudden embarrassed that she’s naked in front of me.

Sitting up I cup her face and kiss her. “Don’t hide from me. I want to learn about and see every part of you.”

Tentatively, she lets her hand drop.

“God, you’re gorgeous,” I groan and adjust myself in my jeans as I rise out of the bed. “I guess we better go before the situation I’ve got goin’ on gets any worse.” I motion to the front of my jeans and I’ll be damned her mouth doesn’t twitch as she fights a smile.

After pulling her to her feet, I grab her shirt and bra, and standing behind her, I help her put them back on. “I have to stick around for a few hours. There’s something important I need to do. But then I’m takin’ you home with me,” I say with conviction as I kiss her shoulder.

She looks over her shoulder at me and I don’t miss the way her eyes grow heated.

Good. The idea of being in my bed turns her on. It turns me the fuck on too. So much so that I need to think about all the reasons why I can’t pin her to this bed right now and fuck her senseless.

One, she’s not ready. Two, my brothers will never let me hear the end of it. Three, I need to be patient and take this slow. I haven’t proven shit to her yet except that I can work her body over when she needs me to.

As I turn her, she asks, “What is it you have to do?”

“Two things.”

Pulling her flush to me, I brush her hair away from her eyes and kiss her once on the nose. “Give Edge his welcome home present.” Then I place another kiss on her forehead. “And make sure everyone knows who you belong to.”

Turning a friend into an enemy is never an easy thing to do, even when it’s for the right reasons.

MAVERICK

Hand in hand we walk out of the backdoor of the clubhouse. The music’s blaring and my stomach instantly growls as I pull in the scent of barbeque.

I expect a couple of surprised looks. But it’s almost as if the entire party stops to gape at us. Some stand with their mouths open and eyes popping out of their sockets, while others start quickly speaking to each other and throwing curious glances our way.

Under my breath, I mutter, “Well fuck. Guess it’s as good a time as any to get my point across.”

“What?” Ember asks as I tuck her in closer to my side. She looks good there. Fits there. But in order to do this properly, she’s going to have to be on display. So I turn toward her and keep her a foot in front of me. “I’m gonna kiss you.”

Her eyes widen and for a second she quickly scans the yard full of people. “Now?”

I nod. “Yep.

She shifts from one foot to the other, ducking her head a little, she whispers, “In front of everyone?”

God she’s cute. And I love that she doesn’t know how hot she is.

Smirking, I say, “Kinda the point.”

“What point is that?”

“That you’re mine.”

She flinches at my declaration and after learning what I have about her ex, I know controlling her is the last thing she wants me to do. So, I clarify, “It’ll warn every brother out here away from you. Otherwise, they’ll be comin’ on to you all night. Is that what you want? Do you want someone else, Doll?” I already know the answer, but I also know it needs to be her decision. Not me forcing it on her.

“No.”

“Then can I kiss you for everyone here and God to see?”

She bites her lip and mumbles, “I guess.”

“Nah, Doll. It’s your choice. There’s no middle ground though. Either you want me and you want these people to know it, or you don’t.” Maybe I need to push her a little. She’s too fucking timid sometimes and I need her to show me the harder side right now, especially here, in front of these people.

“Yes. I want you to kiss me.”

My cocky smile has her fighting a grin. I yank her to me and slide my hand behind her neck. I smash my lips down on hers and kiss like my life depends on it. Because fuck, maybe it does. I kiss her with all of the pent up lust I’ve had riding me since I left her on Bethany’s doorstep. My lips are insistent.

Wolf whistles, jeers, and taunts break out behind me, but they’re nothing but background noise.

Ember grabs my cut and I don’t know if she means to, but she clings to me and pulls me closer. The way she responds to my kiss and my touch, makes me feel like a fucking titan. Larger than life and more powerful than a mortal man.

When I finally pull away, her cheeks are red as the new ride I bought Edge, and her eyes are glazed and as bright as the sea. Her lips also look swollen and abused.

I relink our hands and turn toward the party.

Griz is the first one to let the jokes fly as he approaches us. “Was wonderin’ when you were gonna man the fuck up and claim that prize.” Smiling, he asks Doll, “You sure you want this ornery bastard?”

I give his laughing ass a little push. “She’s made her choice.”

Griz winks at her. “I guess she has.”

It takes nearly twenty minutes for everyone to get their licks in. But I take it all. I deserve it. And I’ve done what I needed to do. Every fucker out here now knows she’s my girl.

Looking over at Ember, I ask, “You hungry?”

“Starving.”

Pulling her toward the tables lined with food, I say, “Let’s get some of this before it’s gone.”

Side by side, we load up our plates. But before I can follow Doll to a table, I get waylaid by Nick.

“Can I steal him for a sec?” she asks Ember.

“Sure.” Ember’s brows rise slightly.

My instinct is not to leave her alone out here. I’m slightly irritated that is exactly what I’m going to have to do. “Find a seat, and save me a spot. I’ll be right there,” I tell her. My eyes follow her as she walks off and takes a seat beside Lil’ at one of the picnic tables.

Throwing me a smug expression, Nick says, “I see you’re one of the smart one’s after all.”

“Whatcha need, Nick?”

She waves me into the clubhouse. “Let’s talk inside for a minute, and then you can help me bring out the pies your girl made.” I check on Ember and see she’s having a conversation with Lil’ and Taffy. She looks like she’s doing fine and Goose is there at the table, so I trust he’ll watch out for her if need be.

I follow Nick through the backdoor of the clubhouse and into the kitchen. Once she double checks that we’re alone, she says, “I want someone else on watch at the house besides Rigor.”

Eyeing her curiously, I ask, “Why? What happened?”

“Nothin’ yet. But he and Taffy are getting closer than I’d like to see them get. I want you to put a stop to it, pull him from the house, and talk to him. Cap may not pull through, but if he does that boy’ll be nothin’ but soil.”

“I’ll take care of it.”

She pats my arm. “I thought you would. It’s better for everyone this way. Rig’s a good kid.” She pulls two pies from the pantry and hands one to me. Then she pulls out one more and heads out of the kitchen. Through the kitchen window, I find the prospect. Sure enough, he has his eyes on Taffy.

Yep, I need to squash this. Rigor is only about two months away from earning his patch. But if Dozer or Edge catches wind of his interest in Taffy, that’ll never happen. Although he’s mostly a miserable kind of guy, he’s one of the best prospects we’ve ever had.

Exiting the backdoor, I jerk to a halt as I come face to face with Star.

“Hey, Mav.”

“What are you doin’ out here?”

“Grinder told me to bring out another bag of ice.”

Bullshit. Grinder hates this bitch and he’d never ask her for shit. Especially to come outside when the yard is full of old ladies who’d love nothing more than to get their hands on her.

“Get back inside,” I snap. Looking around I see half of the old ladies already watching her and glaring.

Star trails her fingers up my arm and goes up on her tips toes. “Come with me, and I’ll let you bend me over your desk again.”

Snatching my arm away, I grate out, “Let me be crystal fuckin’ clear. The only reason I brought you back here was to make Edge’s night, not mine. There is only one woman I want touchin’ me and in case you haven’t figured it out, it’s not you. If you come within three fuckin’ feet of me again, or say shit like that to me again, you’re done. And this time you won’t be walkin’ the fuck out. You feel me?”

“Yes. S-shit, Mav. I—”

“Get inside. Now.”

She hustles inside and I glower at everyone who looks over at me. Especially Taz, because he’s laughin’ his ass off. He flings his hand up and down and mimics the sound of a whip.

“Fuck off,” I growl at him. He’s now holding his stomach and stumbling as he laughs harder.

Yeah, he has every right to yank my chain. I’ve officially been with Doll for less than an hour and I’m already whipped. Crazy, considering I haven’t even had the pleasure of tasting or feeling her pussy on my tongue or wrapped around my cock yet.

Which is something I plan to rectify as soon as possible.

The sun disappeared two hours ago, and like an unspoken signal, the party begins to change gears. Some old ladies leave, kids are taken home, and clubpieces start parading around the yard. Then the music gets cranked up, the kegs get rolled out, and the prospects start building fires in the fire pits.

In no time, the place is crawling with bodies. Some are members from other chapters, while others are from support clubs who’ve traveled into town to celebrate with us.

They flood into the yard and fill the clubhouse.

The party gets more out of control as time passes and through it all, I study Doll. Pay attention to her physical responses. I feel it every time her body tenses or her pulse quickens. I watch the emotions flickering across her face, amusement, disgust, shock, and even curiosity. Sometimes she shrinks into my side, or squeezes my hand, and other times she simply fixes her gaze in a direction to avoid witnessing sexual activities going on around us.

I escorted Doll inside a bit ago so she could use the bathroom, and we both got an eyeful of Edge being double-teamed by two strippers in the middle of the main room. One was topless, and the other had nothing on but pasties. Both were doing a hell of a lot more than stripping.

Not once does she condemn, judge, or bolt. Which is what I’ve been braced for all night.

At the same time, I need to know if she can handle us at our worst.

It’s a test every old lady has to pass.

The fact she’s passing with flying colors has me pulling her tighter to me.

We’re sitting at the picnic table. One of my arms is wrapped around her waist, and my other hand is lying on the table gripping a beer. She’s leaning back against my chest and her thighs rest against mine as we straddle the bench. I can tell by her relaxed posture, small smile, and steady breaths, she’s at ease with the brothers and their women gathered around us.

Lil’s on Goose’s lap, and she and Taz are warning Bodie to stay away from the slutty brunette currently eye fucking him from across the yard. The girl is wrapped around a Greenback and not just any Greenback, but Deeds who we call Sonny Psycho for a reason. He’s Pappy’s son, and he’s batshit mental. He arrived with Smoke and a few other GBs an hour ago. The chick who won’t stop staring at Bodie is wearing her man’s property patch. In our world that means she’s off limits. Bodie knows this. And he’s usually not one to stir up trouble for the club. But he also loves fucking with Taz, so he keeps looking over at her.

A female shriek rings out across the yard. A chorus of cheers follow. I look over to see Cajun, the El Paso chapter president strolling away with a woman over his shoulder.

As my eyes travel back over the party, my gaze locks with Smoke’s. He’s stayed out of sight most of the night, where the other Greenbacks are partying hard. He’s standing behind a raging fire as shadows and flames dance eerily over the front of his face. His gaze moves from me to Doll, but she’s sitting right in front of Bodie. I realize he’s witnessing the exchange between Bodie and Deed’s old lady.

“Knock it off,” I tell Bodie. “Smoke’s got your number.”

The table turns quiet for a moment. Taz, never one to let opportunity for trouble pass him, turns around and searches the party for the Greenback’s VP.

“Let it go, T.” I shake my head and take a sip of my beer.

“So what do you think of your first HOC party, Pumpkin?” Lil’ questions. “Pretty crazy right? Is it as bad as you thought it’d be?”

Ember looks around. “It’s what I expected, only—”

“With more dicks and naked chicks,” Bodie takes a hit on his joint and wiggles his eyebrows.

She laughs. “Yeah. More of everything. I didn’t know it would be this big. I didn’t know biker gangs hang out together.”

“Club, little stray,” Taz corrects her. “We’re not a street gang of baggy-ass-pants-wearin’-pussies.”

“Oh. Sorry, I—”

While glaring at Taz, I whisper against her temple, “Nothin’ to be sorry about. It’s a different world. Takes some time to get used to.”

I noticed earlier how Ember had taken an interest in the different club colors being represented on the back of biker jackets. The only one I could tell that she didn’t particularly like was the Greenback’s patch. It’s of an evil leprechaun that’s missing all but two of its teeth, standing on a pile of bones and holding a skull in his hand. In fact, when she saw it, her face paled and her gaze darted away.

Looking around at the different colors being sported, I tell her, “These are the clubs we’re friendly with. We support each other and watch each other’s backs.”

“Bikers tend to stick together,” Bodie adds.

Lil’ continues, “We meet up for parties and runs, rallies, and at Sturgis.”

“Because it’s us against the fuckin’ world.” Bodie opens his arms and raises his voice, which has Ember laughing again.

“There are certain clubs and gangs you need to watch out for and stay clear of,” Taz warns.

Glaring up at him, I snarl, “Jesus, what’s with you tonight? Back off.”

Taz shrugs. “What? You gotta warn her about shit.”

“Yeah, but fuck, can we give it to her in small doses, so you don’t scare her the hell away? I’m trying to get her to stick around, not send her runnin’ for the fuckin’ hills.”

Ember turns her head so our eyes meet. “I think you’re forgetting I’ve already been around this for two weeks. And Lily’s already told me some of this. I’m not scared, just curious about what I’m getting into with you.” Her smile is sexy and teasing. Without a second thought as to all the people who are going to see us, I kiss her. For a moment she kisses me back, but when Griz shouts, “Take that shit into the clubhouse,” from behind us, and grumbles, “I don’t need to be seein’ you mackin’ on my girl here,” she breaks away from our kiss.

“She’s my girl,” I growl.

Griz takes a seat on the other side of Ember and gives me a shit-eating grin. After slamming the bottle of tequila on the table, he starts placing shots glasses on the table. Lita has more she’s carried out and does the same.

Edge comes up to stand beside Taz. “This better be important, ol’ man, that bitch was deep throating my shit and takin’ it like a pro.”

He looks like he’s been through hell and heaven and back. His hair is spiked all over and his eyes are barely open. It’s obvious by the way his cut hangs off him, he lost a lot of fuckin’ weight in lock up.

“We’re fuckin’ celebratin’!” Griz hollers. “Edge is finally the fuck home. Mav has pulled the fork out of his ass. And I just got word from Nick that Cap moved his fingers tonight. No goddamn lie. He’s gonna wake the fuck up, you just wait and see if he don’t. I knew the reaper wouldn’t be able to drag him down.”

Pulling out my phone, I see a text from Nick saying exactly what Griz said. I text her back and let her know I’ll come by the hospital tomorrow.

“We’re all doin’ shots,” Griz declares. “Rigor! Get your skinny, miserable ass over here!”

Griz throws his arm over my girl and briefly pulls her away from me. He plants a big kiss on her cheek, and has her laughing. To me he says, “Keep this woman happy, you hear?”

“I plan on it. Now give her the fuck back.”

As Rigor makes his way over, Griz starts pouring shots. He hands them out one by one. We all slam them back. The liquid burns for a heartbeat, but then warms me from my belly to the tips of my fingers. Ember immediately starts choking on hers and the guys raze her, while I rub her back. I almost tell them to knock it off, but when she recovers, she throws their taunts right back at them. Gives as good as she gets it.

Watching them all together like this, and seeing Ember fit in our little group, sends a cool feeling of contentment coursing through me.

This is how it’s supposed to be.

My family, my friends, and my girl.

It’s all I’ve ever wanted. All I’ve ever needed.

Turning my head, I nuzzle my nose behind Doll’s ear. “I can’t wait to get you on the back of my bike.” She leans into me and her scent fills my lungs as I take her in. I nibble on her ear for a second and then whisper, “And I can’t wait to taste you again.”

A shudder rakes down her body and I smile against her cheek.

I’ve discovered over the course of the night that she’s not used to public displays of affection. But the more I touch her, the more she warms to my touch, which works for me, because I can’t go more than a few minutes without touching her or having my lips on her somewhere.

However, my lack of patience and hard-on are growing by the minute, so I’m all too ready to take her home and show her the other ways we’re going to be good together.

Rubbing my hand low over her belly, I slide my fingers under the top of her shorts. The muscles of her stomach contract and her thighs pull away from mine. A small guttural moan that only I can hear vibrates in her throat.

“You want that? My mouth on you down here?” Her breath hitches and her hand on my thigh squeezes my quad. My words and actions are making her hot and I’m tempted to take it further, let my hand glide down and stoke her between her legs.

It’s actually painful not to follow through.

“Looks like I missed the celebration,” Dozer says, dropping his plate on the table in front of me. It’s almost comical watching him try to fit his large body at the table. I do my best to ignore him, knowing he’s probably here to flirt with Ember and fuck with me.

His words from the stairwell come back to me. You and I both know you don’t deserve her. Sooner or later, she’s gonna figure that out and who do you think she’s gonna come to then?

“Whatcha got there, D?” Taz raises his eyebrows.

“Pumpkin’s cherry pie,” Dozer scoops up a bite and moans as he puts it into his mouth. He chews slowly and his glazed eyes lock on me. The tension in our little circle rises. On the next bite, he moans around his fork.

Heat crawls up my neck and my nostrils flare. I attempt to turn to face him fully. But as I try to pull away from Ember, she grabs my hand over her stomach and squeezes it to her, not letting me go.

“Fuck, that’s good,” Dozer groans.

My entire body is strung tight. A knot coils in my stomach. Muscles I didn’t even know I had, strain and I battle the urge to leap over the table to pummel him.

He sweeps a finger through the middle of the pie loaded with whip cream and then sticks it into his mouth. “Finger lickin’ good.”

Letting go of my beer, I rise to stand and Ember spins and grabs my hands. The pleading look in her eyes kills me. “Don’t.” Leaning forward to speak in a low voice so only I hear, she says, “It’s what he wants. And it’s not worth fighting over.”

She is worth fighting over. That’s what this is about. Little does she know we’ve been fighting over her since the day she arrived, and it’s simply time to put an end to it.

My attention is pulled away from her, when Taz being Taz has to comment too. “I like my pie a little more tart. Had a huge slice of lemon or was it banana? What about you, Bodie, what’d you have?” He nudges Bodie.

Bodie, being smart, decides to stay out of it. He glares up at Taz who’s standing at the end of the table spinning a toothpick around in his mouth. “Shut the fuck up.”

“Fuck that. I’m a cherry pie man or I’ll eat Pumpkin too. Either way, I’m all over it.”

Dozer smiles broadly after taking another bite. “Especially if it’s fresh and sweet like this.”

White-hot anger spears through me. I pull my hands from Ember and turning, I reach across the table, grab Dozer’s collar, and lean close into his face. “You just don’t know when to shut the fuck up, do you?”

“What?” He glares back at me. “Did I say somethin’ wrong?” He laughs. “Or is it ‘cause you don’t like where my mouth’s been?” Sneering, and rising from the bench, he says, “It must eat at you that I got a taste of her first.”

I jerk him forward so we’re nose to nose. “She’s made her choice though, hasn’t she? Now you’re stirrin’ up shit, because it wasn’t you.”

“Mav, stop!” Ember begs and I feel a tug on the back of my cut.

But it’s too fuckin’ late. This shit has been building between Dozer and me for a while. It’s about time it comes to a head. Especially now. He started this shit out here in front of everyone and it needs to end here too. Doll doesn’t realize that in my world when someone blatantly disrespects you, you can’t let that shit go unanswered.

His eyes move from me to Ember. “He’s only ever treated you like trash. Can’t you see that?”

I shove him back. Growling, I say, “Don’t fuckin’ talk to her! Don’t even fuckin’ look at her!”

But he keeps going. “If it wasn’t for me, you wouldn’t be here. He thought you were a rat. He fuckin’ called you trash. And he wanted me to kick your ass out on the street. Is this the kind of guy you really want?”

I make rapid strides around the table. I don’t waste time with words. Instead, I launch my fist at him and when it connects, a bone-jarring tremor rattles my arm. A second later, a woman screams and shouts ring out as Dozer launches his massive body at me. His vice-like arms wrap around my waist and we stumble back a few feet, until we fall to the ground. Dozer gets to his knees first and throws his fist forward, slamming it into my cheek. My head snaps to the side as fire barrels into my face. Shaking it off, I roll and get to my feet and barely make it in time to dodge the body shot he throws.

We’re both breathing heavily, glaring at one another, and circling, looking for a weak point, an opening. When I find one, I strike fast and land a solid blow to the softest part of his stomach. He curls over my fist and a gasp of air puffs out of him. I push him back and he staggers off balance.

I vaguely hear someone close holler, “That’s enough! Pull ’em apart!”

My arms are wrenched back as I’m grabbed from behind. The same happens to Dozer. Then Edge is in his face trying to talk him down. But looking around him, Dozer shouts, “You weren’t savin’ her for Edge you self-righteous fucker! You were savin’ her for yourself!”

Trying to push away from the men holding me back, the truth rips out of me. “You’re damn right I was!”

At my admission, Dozer struggles and breaks free. He rushes at me, but he’s stopped short and hauled back. “You piece of shit!”

“Yeah? I’m the piece of shit? I’m the one blowin’ off the club and leavin’ my brothers all fuckin’ hangin’?”

He growls, “Fuck you! You don’t know shit!”

Suddenly Ember’s standing in front of me. She places one hand on my chest. “Mav! Stop this!” It takes me a second to focus on her and shake off the fury riding me.

“Doll, get back.”

“No! This is crazy.”

“Someone get her out of here!”

Griz grabs on to her arm, but she fights him. “No, Mav, I won’t stay here if this is what it’s going to be like. You swore you’d prove it. Is that what this is?”

I sober instantly. My eyes fall from an enraged Dozer to Ember. Her eyes are sad and yet fierce. She’s dead serious. I can see it. She’ll leave before we’ve even really had a chance to make this work. Because of this. Because of Dozer and because I can’t keep my fuckin’ temper under control.

“I’m done!” I shout still staring at her. “It’s okay. Let me go.” Taz and Goose let my arms go and back off.

Dozer’s not done though. “You’re done? Bullshit! We’re just gettin’ started!” His eyes are riddled with jealousy as he watches the two of us.

“We’re done with this,” I tell him. “Fine. You’ve got your reasons for steppin’ down. I won’t bring it up again. But she’s mine. Stay the fuck away from her.”

“Get the fuck off me,” he shouts and shrugs off the arms holding him before stalking off.

“I can’t stay, be here, not like this. I don’t want to come between you,” Ember says. Her brows are pulled tight with tension.

I snake my hand into her hair and pull her closer. “Don’t leave,” I plead with her.

“I don’t want to.”

“Then don’t.”

She steals a glance in the direction Dozer walked off. “I don’t want to come between you two,” she says again.

“You won’t. It’ll just take some time for him to get over the sting of it.”

“I just . . . he’s the only one who looked out for me. I feel like I owe him. He was right, Mav. Where would I be if he didn’t convince you to let me stay?” Her eyes are clouded with pain and it nearly breaks me.

Fuck. She’s right.

If he hadn’t fought for her. God knows where she’d be or what she’d be doing.

I hook my arm around her neck and bring her in close. Then circle my other arm around her waist and hug her to me. “You’re right. I’ll fix it. I’ll talk to him when he cools down. It’ll be okay. I promise.”

She breathes out a relieved sigh and wraps her arms around me. And I know I’ll do any-fucking-thing it takes to keep her by my side. To have her just like this always, wrapped around me, near me, tellin’ me when I’ve done wrong. Making me be the man I should be.

“This is not how I wanted this night to go, Doll.”

“I know. Me neither.”

“I had a different ending in mind.”

She’s silent for a long time and then whispers, “Me too.”

I pull back a little and look down into her face. “Come home with me,” desperation and need thicken my voice. “I need some time alone with you.”

She does her little nod and rests her chin on my chest.

“Will you ride on the back of my bike?”

“Only if you go slow. I’ve never ridden on a bike before.”

Thank Christ.

I don’t think I could bear it if I knew she’d givin’ up that first ride to someone else. I may not have taken her virginity, but I’ll have plenty of firsts and lasts with her and I’m going to cherish every one.

“I told you before, Doll. You control this. If you want slow, we go slow.” I rub her back and place my lips on her forehead. “Now let’s say our goodbyes. I wanna take you home.”