by Ann Jensen
He placed her down on the cold, wood counter breaking her train of thought. “You deserve so much better, but I can’t wait to get you home. You okay with this? No one will walk in here if they know what’s good for them.” He cupped her face, searching for agreement.
Phoebe hoped he didn’t see the disappointment at not possibly getting caught in her eyes. She tried instead to put all her desire and need into her gaze. “I want you. Anything, anywhere, I need you.”
Heat so intense she imagined she might catch fire, blazed in his eyes. “Oh, darlin’, you aren’t ready for that. You have no idea the dirty things I want. But for you, I can be patient.”
She wanted to protest, tell him all the dark fantasies she had. But his hands were pushing down her top and exposing her breasts. When he pulled away, they were cupped by the material, held up like offerings to a dark god. A moment later, his lips were closing on her nipple and any protest she had was lost to moans of pleasure and frustration.
Sharp’s gentle touch caused tiny, pleasurable waves to ripple across her body like a still pond tapped by a raindrop. But she needed something more to reignite the flame inside her. Teeth, pressure, something.
“More!” Her hands fisted in his hair.
“Fuck, baby. I need to taste you.”
Not what she was thinking but Phoebe wouldn’t complain. Sharp’s tongue was magic. She licked her lips in anticipation. “Yes. Please.”
He chuckled, pulling her swiftly to the edge of the table and flipping up her skirt. He grabbed the material of her panties by the front and pulled up. The action caused the fabric to bunch and pull against her ass and pussy sending a thrill shooting through her core. The cotton rubbed roughly against her clit as he slowly twisted his wrist back and forth, driving her body quickly to the edge of orgasm.
“You’re drenched for me, baby. All that honey soaked right through this little cotton.” She moaned as he pulled a little harder and squirmed trying to push herself closer to coming. “I don’t like that there is something between me and my pussy.”
“They keep me from making a mess whenever you’re around.” Phoebe was barely able to talk when his other hand started gently rolling her nipple between his fingers. She was so close to orgasming, but she couldn’t step off that edge. Her back was still colored by bruises but moving barely caused her more than an ache. If he would pinch hard instead of gently rolling, she would fly apart. A small whimper escaped her throat.
“I like messes. I don’t want you wearing these.” He pulled harder, the sweet ache turning so much sharper. “Understand, Pixie?”
She pressed into his hand, begging for more pressure, anything to let her fly free. Sharp pulled up sharply as he rolled her nipple into a twist.
“Understand?”
Phoebe’s whole body shook as the orgasm swept over her. She screamed her agreement to the ceiling, arching her back to increase the pleasure shattering her body.
“God, you are too fucking tempting.” Her vision cleared just as he unzipped and pulled out his cock. She licked her lips, wanting to fill the aching between her legs. She watched him as he slid on a condom from his back pocket wishing, though it was stupid, she could feel him bare inside her. Sharp pushed her back down so she was flat on the table and thrust deep into her.
“So fucking perfect. You grip my cock so tight.” He thrust and she wrapped her legs around his hips, trying to match his intensity.
“Please, Sharp. Fuck me harder,” she screamed, as he slammed into her almost, but not entirely, bottoming out. She didn’t care who could hear. All she could think about was the wild rhythm he was setting and trying to pull him deeper.
This position wasn’t right for deep penetration, but the force and speed of his hips had the table slamming against the wall. Her orgasm was building hotter, burning her core but frustratingly out of reach.
“Sharp!” She gave a frustrated scream, and her hands came up to her breasts, grabbing and twisting her nipples in desperate need for just a bit more. The pain finally rocketed her over the edge, her growl almost primal in its tone.
The feeling of him slamming into her spasming pussy had lights flickering through her vision. She whimpered in overload, as she felt him thrust one more time into her and then felt his cock jerking from his orgasm inside her.
Sharp got them both cleaned up, marveling at how perfect his little Pixie was. She was still so delicate in so many ways, but when they were alone, she was like a raging bonfire warming the cold parts of his soul. He was pushing her too fast, but he couldn’t help himself. Praying wasn’t his usual choice of action, but he put a call out to the universe that he wouldn’t break that light she held inside with his darker needs.
“With no panties, I am going to make quite a mess of your bike on the way home.”
He loved that she called his place home. His stomach turned a bit when he realized he hadn’t told Pixie she would be alone that night. Conference calls with national leadership took hours and often led to another few hours with Dozer, Hawk, Highdive, Tek and Max. If he bothered to go home, it would be for less than an hour, then he would have to head back to work at his garage.
“I should have told you earlier, darlin’. I’m not going to be at the house tonight.”
“Oh. Okay.” The way her voice grew small when seconds before it had been bright and laughing made him want to strangle the fuckers who made this meeting with National necessary.
“Look at me, Pixie.” Her emerald green eyes shimmered, making him feel like he had kicked a puppy. No matter how much he wanted to, he didn’t have time to comfort her. “You need to trust me to keep you safe. I have Club business tonight. No matter how much I want to be balls deep, making you scream my name, you have to understand the Club comes first.”
He hated having to say it, but it was the reality of his world. Most Brothers didn’t bother with relationships because it took an extraordinary woman to accept that fundamental truth. Instead of arguing or breaking down as Sharp expected, his words seemed to strengthen Pixie’s spine.
“Of course, I know that. It’s a few minutes’ walk to your house. I’ll be okay.”
She amazed him again. Unable to resist, he bent down and kissed her, trying to show her with his actions how much her understanding meant to him. He tweaked her nose. “Dragon will be walking you home and staying on the couch. You don’t go anywhere, even in the compound, without a prospect I pick or a Brother.”
“Dragon?”
“Another prospect, but I’ve known him since my last year in the SEALs. I trust him, or I wouldn’t ask him to watch over you.”
Pixie smiled and the sight had his chest tightening. “I trust you.”
Chapter 15
When polite fails, try a clue by four.
Sharp’s evening was chaotic, but it looked like everyone was slowly working out solid contingencies. It bothered him that no one knew where to find Mitchel Thomas. He was rich, paranoid and, since he sold high-end slaves to the rich and twisted, either none of their contacts knew anything substantial or they were hiding what they knew.
The conference call broke up a little after two in the morning and Hawk had told Sharp and the other officers to give him a half hour. Then they would start making plans for what they could do locally without screwing the deals National had made. Mercenaries coming at them was a distinct possibility with the amount of money Caravaggio and Thomas could access. Hawk wanted to limit the likelihood their Dark Son Brothers could get caught by surprise. Detailed warnings and instructions had to be sent out by morning.
Grabbing a beer from the bar, Sharp noted, for a Thursday night, there were still plenty of Brothers and Club whores partying at such a late hour. Many of his Brothers worked night shifts and used the Clubhouse as a perfect place to wind down. Sharp was tempted to stop over at his house and see if Pixie was awake and find his own stress relief. Unfortunately, that would lead to being late. This was his woman’s mess and as the VP he had to show more respect th
an that.
Sharp took a pull on his drink trying to hide a grimace at the tall, skinny, brunette headed his way. Tina was one of the more popular Club whores because she loved public sex and had a mouth like a vacuum. The woman’s exhibitionist nature was the single reason Sharp had hooked up with her regularly before Pixie. He hated the drama she created and was often disgusted by her attempts to set Brothers against each other.
“Hey, Sharp, want me to help you relax?” Tina ran her hands up and down his chest as she rubbed against him.
Her teased up chestnut hair and oversized fake boobs no longer appealed to him. His dick only wanted the tiny Pixie he had at home and she was nowhere near ready for public games. Not wanting to get into it with her he didn’t even look at her as he said, “Not tonight, Tina. I’ve got Club business.” That phrase should have warned any Club whore or sweetbutt that the discussion was over.
Tina got a pouty look on her overblown lips, then a calculating look narrowed her eyes. “I know you have yourself a cute little house mouse. She doesn’t need to know you’re getting your real needs met by me and a few of my friends. I’ll fuck you right here like we always do, and you’ll be back to Club business in a much better mood.”
The pushy slut wrapped herself around him like they were going to fuck with their clothes on. The smell of Tina’s cloying perfume made Sharp fight back a gag. The crazy bitch laughed as he pushed her off him. The smug look in her eyes challenged him, as if she had a right to step up to a Brother. Her insulting Pixie had his blood running hot and all his patience evaporating.
Stepping forward quickly he wrapped his hand firmly around her throat and pinned her to the bar. “Club business means you back the fuck off, bitch. And even if I wasn’t busy, I don’t want your skanky twat or bullshit drama. That house mouse is my fucking woman, you will keep your tone respectful, and your games far away from her, or I will have you fucking banned from this Clubhouse. Are we clear?”
Instead of looking scared or repentant the insane woman smirked. “We’ll see.”
Infuriated she would outright disrespect him, he tightened his grip until she couldn’t breathe. He tried to be as gentle as one could be while strangling another, but he didn’t care she would have bruises tomorrow. He held still, not moving until the rebellion in her eyes was replaced by fear, and then terror. She started to fight, clawing at his hand and arm, looking around for help. He made sure to show no emotion. All she could see were his dead eyes that had ended more lives than she dreamed in her tiny little world.
“No one will stop me. None of them will save you. So, I’m going to give you one last chance. Am-I-clear?” He loosened his grip enough to let her breathe.
She gasped out sobs that did nothing to soften Sharp’s mood. He shook her, and she shouted in a broken voice, “I understand.”
Sharp let go and pushed away from the bar. His temper on the razor edge, he decided to wait out any additional time by Hawk’s door. If anyone but his closest friends tried to talk to him right now, he wouldn’t be responsible for his actions.
Phoebe weaved her way through the crowded Clubhouse trying her best not to draw attention to herself. Getting away before breaking down was her driving motivation. Why hadn’t she stayed at the house? Why had she insisted on picking up the sexy clothes that Val had given her right now? One hour or more in either direction and her dreams and fantasies of being something special to Sharp would still be intact.
If she had just stayed home, happy with things as they were, she wouldn’t have overheard what she had or seen them start to fuck right at the bar. A part of her had wanted to stay, rip that woman away, and take her place. The overwhelming shame that filled her was embarrassing.
As soon as she was outside she picked up her pace, heading towards the back of the compound and the privacy the trees would give her. She had been told the Dark Sons owned over a hundred acres of land but hadn’t gotten the chance to explore or asked about anything but the main buildings. All that mattered to her now was privacy.
How could she have been so naive? Sharp had made her no promises. To him, what he did with that other woman would have no effect on their relationship, whatever it was. She had been right from the start that there was no way a broken woman like her who enjoyed cooking and cleaning could keep a man like that interested in the long term.
The trees weren’t close enough, and Phoebe needed their solitude. She started running, ignoring that her poorly fitted ballet flats fell off her feet. The grass was cold, and she stretched out her stride. Running had been one of her favorite activities growing up. Since it didn’t require any fancy equipment, none of her foster parents complained when she asked to join track. Luckily, she hadn’t cared about owning the right shoes. The sport had given her freedom, allowing her to leave whatever home she was in for hours and lose herself in the rhythm of her muscles.
But she hadn’t run for years, and she could already feel the burn and pull of her legs as they protested her movement. She didn’t care, her body could hurt all it wanted, and she would revel in the feeling. The trail up ahead disappeared into the trees as she angled for it, anger and embarrassment pushing her into a sprint.
Not tonight, Tina... Cute little house mouse... Real needs... fuck you right here like we always do...
The words looped in her mind like a crappy song. He said not tonight. Which wasn’t yes but it definitely wasn’t a no. Tears were blinding Phoebe, and with the dark nighttime sky she could barely make out basic shapes. Rocks and sticks were cutting into her feet, but she didn’t care. Within the privacy of the trees, she could cry. The pain in her feet, legs and lungs was punishment and reward. Out here alone she would purge her feelings and when she was done, she’d return home and accept her fate with grace.
She would find a way to accept him sleeping with other women. What other choice did she have? He had saved her and was her protector, not her boyfriend. Somehow, she would accept it. Pain shot through her ankle as she stepped into a ditch she couldn’t see. Her whole body flew forward into the unforgiving ground.
Chapter 16
Don’t discount friends in low places, they actually know what you are going through.
Before she landed, a strong arm wrapped around her waist pulling her up. She bounced as a large man jogged to a stop with her tucked under his arm like a football. She screamed, flailing out at the unfamiliar shape, trying to get away. He easily pinned her arms to her side as he set her down on her feet.
“Shh, Pixie. It’s me. It’s Dragon. Come on, Chiquita, I need you to calm down.” The rich voice with the beautiful Spanish accent slowly broke through her panic.
She bent over with her hands on her thighs breathing hard from all the exertion. Only shadows were visible in the minimal evening light that filtered through the trees. “How did you find me?” she gasped, taking in deep breaths, trying to calm her racing heart. “How did you catch me so fast?”
Dragon chuckled, walked back a few feet and picked some things off the ground. At over 6’5” the large man was intimidating even when he was far away. His accent said he had grown up speaking Spanish, but his looks were more native American. He dropped the items he retrieved at Phoebe’s feet, and she recognized them as her shoes.
“I was with you the whole time, carina. I didn’t have trouble catching you. You have tiny legs. Adorable and sexy as they are. It was harder not to pass you then it was to keep up.”
Phoebe wanted to grumble but, resisting huffing, she said, “My name is Phoebe.”
Dragon gave her small smile. “Carina is a term of endearment, like sweetheart.”
She tried to catch her breath. How could she have been so caught up in her thoughts she hadn’t noticed being trailed by this man? She slipped her poor battered feet into the flats. Everyone was taller than she was and sometimes that bothered her. But he wasn’t exaggerating, his stride could probably swallow hers. He stood completely unaffected by the run.
“You aren’t even breathing hard.
” She was pouting, and that wasn’t what she wanted.
He laughed, and it was a gorgeous sound, deep and unreserved. “Oh, mamacita, I have had to run much further with a pack on my back that weighed more than your entire body. I would be a very poor operator if I were winded right now.”
She couldn’t disagree with him, but her body was still pumping adrenaline, leaving her mind fuzzy. “Why did you follow me?”
“I am your bodyguard tonight, Pixie. Did you forget that when you tried to sneak away?”
Guilt gnawed at her. Phoebe had to admit she hadn’t been able to think of much except her jealousy. If she had fallen and gotten hurt or lost, Sharp would have blamed Dragon. The prospect didn’t deserve such thoughtlessness after he had been so accommodating to her tonight.
Phoebe hadn’t been able to sleep and got the crazy idea to pick up the naughty lingerie Val had given her from the room at the Clubhouse so she could surprise Sharp. When she had asked to go, even though he had been settled in for the night, Dragon had gotten up and walked her to the Clubhouse, without a question or complaint.
“I wasn’t sneaking.” It wasn’t a good excuse, but it was the truth.
Her bodyguard was silent for a few moments. “You really weren’t, were you?”
“No.”
“Did something upset you in the Clubhouse?”
“I would rather not talk about it.” It was silly, and the Dark Son prospect would probably tell her what she already knew. Life wasn’t fair, and nothing was free. She would have to accept the situation and find a way to keep her heart to herself or lose the first stable, safe home she had ever had. Was it so awful he wanted other women? Rage and jealousy flared in her stomach, and she had to push her thoughts in another direction.
