Custom Built

by Chantal Fernando

  “This is good,” Crow replies, nodding. “Keep me in the loop, okay? I don’t want you diving in without us at your back.”

  “I know.”

  As I lead him to my bedroom, I realize that tonight everything seems different. He’s stayed here before, but that was when he was looking after me. Now I’m in a completely different headspace, and there’s no way he doesn’t feel the tension between us. It’s like the kiss we had flicked on a switch, and now the heat has turned up between us.

  I haven’t had sex in over a year, and let’s just say I’m all shaved, moisturized and ready to go.

  “What are you reading?” he asks, picking up my historical romance novel, a shirtless highlander in a kilt on the front. He opens to my bookmark and reads a few lines. “This is steamy.”

  I remove my silk robe, letting it fall to the ground. I’m wearing a red lace bra and matching panties.

  When I want something, I go after it.

  Crow’s blue eyes widen, and the novel drops out of his hand. The book lover in me wants to yell at him for that, but the woman in me wants something else more. I’m a little distracted right now.

  “Are you ready for bed?” I ask him boldly.

  He removes his shirt, giving me a closer look at male perfection. His skin is so smooth, his abs so defined, I can’t help but go over to him and run my fingers down them. “I like these.”

  Crow laughs and lifts me up in the air, then throws me down on the bed. He comes over to me, and straddles me with his strong thighs.

  “Do you know how beautiful you are?” he asks, stroking my hair back off my face. “I’m so lucky.”

  “You’re about to be,” I tease, as he lowers his lips to mine, kissing me deeply. The fresh stubble on his cheeks is rough on my skin. My fingers running down his back, I moan at the taste of him. His bare skin on mine feels so good, and I’m so damn excited for what’s to come.

  We kiss for a long time, just enjoying each other, and it’s such an intimate moment. It also means I’m extremely turned on by the time his lips move to my neck, and then lower. He helps me remove my bra, and my eyes flutter shut as he kisses and sucks around my breasts, and then tastes my nipples.

  I hold my breath as he goes farther down, past my navel, stopping where my lace panties start. Placing his lips on the material, he continues to kiss his way down, stopping over my pussy, where he kisses just over my clit. Thankfully my panties come off next, and his mouth is right where it should be.

  “Fuck,” I grit out, teeth clenched as he continues to torture me, the pleasure so immense I can’t stay still. Crow pins me down to the bed and keeps eating me, sucking on my clit in between and having me on the verge of an orgasm.

  When he slides a finger into me the same time he sucks on my clit, he pushes me over the edge and I come with his name on my lips.

  His pants are removed next, and I’m still recovering from the amazing orgasm when he gently slides inside of me.

  “I didn’t even get to have a proper look,” I say, grinning.

  He flashes his teeth at me, and pulls out as I sit up, reaching my hands out for him. I stroke his big length a few times, my eyes widening. “Okay, that’s big.”

  Leaning forward, I take him into my mouth, tasting myself and not caring, and take him in as deep as I can. His moans urge me on, and I keep going until he’s about to come, and then I stop, pull away, and push him back on the bed.

  Straddling him, I slide onto his cock, moaning loudly, and slowly ride him until he comes.

  He’s not done yet, though, because he gets hard again soon after, and makes me come twice more with his cock alone.

  I’m left speechless, satisfied, and extremely fucking happy.

  “We didn’t use any protection,” I point out to him. “I’m on the pill, though, and I’m all clear.”

  “I’m all clear too—I just got tested,” he says, so the two of us look at each other and both shrug.

  “So we’re good then,” I reply, reaching out for him once more.

  He laughs, but doesn’t say no. “Give me a few minutes.”

  I give him two, and then his mouth is back on me and I’m in my new happy place once more.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “So something happened between me and Cam,” Billie says as we sit in our pajamas, feet up on the coffee table with popcorn in our hands. She has colored her hair back to its natural shade, a dark brown just like my own.

  “What?” I ask, my head turning.

  I haven’t seen Billie much since I lost Dad, so I made an effort to invite her over. She knew my dad well, so it’s harder seeing her than those who never even met him. She used to sleep at my house all the time, and Dad would make us bacon pancakes in the morning and then take us wherever we wanted to go. He always had so much time for me, and the memories with him will stay with me forever.

  “We made out,” she says, licking her fingers. “And did...some other stuff.”

  “I have to admit, I’m not that surprised. The two of you hit it off really well.”

  And I knew Cam was bisexual. Billie experimented in her younger days, although she’s only dated men.

  “That’s all you’re going to say?” she deadpans, looking a little confused.

  I don’t know what reaction she expected to get from me, but it’s her life and I’m always going to support her no matter what.

  “What do you want me to say?” I laugh, throwing a piece of popcorn at her. “Cam is stunning, so are you. Is it just hooking up? Like a distraction? Or is it something more?”

  “I don’t know yet, but I think it might be something more,” she admits, picking up the popcorn I threw at her off the couch and eating it. “It’s confusing. Women are confusing.”

  “Don’t you start,” I laugh. We share a grin.

  “So tell me more about your hot sex with Crow.”

  “I told you it happened, and it was amazing, I don’t know what details you’re looking for, but—”

  “Big penis?” she interrupts, getting straight to it.

  I’m not one to talk about penis size and other things because I don’t think it’s really fair to that person. However, in this case I only have good things to say, so I just smile widely.

  She gets the drift. “Damn, you hit the gold mine with that one.”

  “He’s been my knight in shining armor through this whole thing.” I pause. “Get it? Knight?”

  She shakes her head at me, laughing. “Yes, I get it. Very nice, Bronte.”

  Moving closer to her, I rest my shoulder against hers. “Good things are coming for us, Billie.”

  “Or maybe they’re already here.”

  Maybe they are.

  * * *

  “Cross this guy off,” Nadia says to me, pointing to the first name on the list.

  “Why?” I ask.

  “Because he’s dead,” she explains, wincing. “I did a check on all the names, and number one was shot and killed in a drug deal gone wrong a week before your dad died.”

  “Shit,” I whisper.

  “Here’s something else I found: there’s a phone number your dad called a lot. I’m going to track the number, because it’s not you or any other family member.”

  “Maybe it’s one of their work colleagues?” I suggest.

  “Maybe, but it’s worth looking into. He spoke to this number for ten minutes on the day he died,” she says, keeping her eyes on me. “I think it’s the lead we need. We can’t just walk up to all the men on the list and ask them, hey, did you kill Freddy? At least if we find out who he was speaking to so much, it might lead us in the right direction.”

  “You’re right.” I really did have no plan other than just to figure it out on the way, but this at least gives us something to go on.

  When Crow gets home...I mean, to my house, I
tell him about the phone number Nadia is tracking. We both agree that it could lead us somewhere, anywhere, and I’m now feeling a little hopeful.

  “You know you can come to me if you need anything, right? We know how to track down numbers and people, too.”

  “I know,” I reply, grinning. “But this is what Nadia does for a living, and the two of us work well together.”

  “I know that, but we’re here if you need anything done...off the record.”

  “If I need something shady, you’re the first person I’ll come to, don’t worry.”

  He simply grins, flashing his teeth. Sitting on his lap on the couch, I straddle him, my hand on the back of his nape. “So you’re pretty and useful?”

  Crow laughs, eyes gentle on mine. “Something like that. I even know how to cook and clean without supervision, can you imagine?”

  “I thought men like you were extinct,” I tease, kissing the tip of his nose.

  “My mom made sure I was self-sufficient,” he replies, then adds in a dryer tone, “Mostly by going traveling and leaving me home to look after Heidi.”

  In the midst of everything that has happened, I completely forgot about his sister. “When am I going to meet her?” I ask.

  “She’s gone on vacation with her friends this week. But when she gets back I’ll introduce you to her,” he says, kissing underneath my ear, slowly tracing lower to my neck.

  “Hmmm.” All thoughts of his sister and whether she is going to like me disappear right through the window.

  “I missed you today,” he murmurs, nibbling on my earlobe. He wasn’t at the garage because he was helping do something at Kamikaze. Or at least that’s where I think he was. When it comes to anything to do with the club and its business, the men are all very secretive. Crow doesn’t tell me, and I don’t ask. I think that’s how it’s probably always going to be.

  “I missed you too,” I admit, arching my neck for him, giving him more access.

  He moans and stands, carrying me in his arms to my bedroom and laying me down. Lifting up my silk robe, he spreads my thighs and starts kissing the soft skin there. At the same time his fingers work the silk tie, opening the robe and baring me to him.

  Raising his head, he watches me for a moment, flashing me a smile, before kissing my lips and working his way down. He pays attention to my breasts, sucking on my nipples, then goes lower, taking his own cool time. Always in control, my Crow.

  By the time his tongue touches my pussy, I’m so turned on, my back arching, silently begging for more.

  “Fuck,” I whisper as his fingers dig into my thighs and his mouth works his magic.

  My own fingers thread through his hair, pulling, pushing. I just need to come.

  And he gives me that, his name on my lips as I orgasm, wave after wave of pleasure hitting me. He lies next to me, a smug expression on his face while I come back to myself.

  And the second my mind is functioning again, I’m on my knees in front of him, repaying the favor.

  * * *

  “I just realized that I don’t even know your real name,” I say, both of us naked and sweaty, limbs tangled.

  He makes a sound of amusement. “Xeno Crow.”

  “Xeno?” I repeat, eyes going wide. “Okay, I wasn’t expecting that. So they just call you your last name. I thought there was going to be some epic story, like you once saved a crow, or you fought one or something, I don’t know.”

  His laughter makes me jump. “You thought I fought a crow or something?” He pauses, and then says under his breath, “Maybe a raven.”

  “What?”

  “Nothing. You’re cute, you know that? There’s no story behind it—Crow is easier to say than Xeno,” he says simply, kissing my shoulder.

  Bronte Crow.

  Hmm.

  “What were you just thinking? You have a weird look on your face.”

  “Nothing,” I reply, leaning over to turn off the lamp on my side table, and cuddling into him. “You know, when I was drunk I remember telling you all that stuff about me, and how it’s likely I’ll never be able to have kids biologically. You never said anything about it.”

  “I didn’t know if you remembered that or not,” he admits. “But I meant what I said. There are other ways to have children. All that matters to me is that you are happy and healthy. We can worry about the rest later.”

  I’m silent for a few seconds. “I need to brace myself for the possibility of a hysterectomy.”

  “Then that’s what you should do. We’ll get through it together, all right?” he says, taking my hand into his, offering me his support. “I’ll be here if you need me. Always.”

  Telling a man that I potentially can’t give him children has been something that terrifies me, but Crow just makes it seem so easy, like it’s just a hurdle, not a life-altering event. To some men, this would be a deal breaker, and a big one. I’ve never met anyone like him.

  To him there aren’t problems, just solutions.

  He’s incredible.

  “That’s a bold claim.”

  “I don’t do things half assed, Bronte. I like you. I want to be with you. I’m fucking falling for you. I’m not here to play any games, all right?”

  “I’m falling for you too,” I admit, giving his hand a squeeze. “So I’m glad we’re both on the same page.”

  We share a long, deep kiss, and it’s meaningful. It’s an acknowledgment that we’re both in this, together. This isn’t some relationship for convenience, or just for some sex. This isn’t a situationship, because I’ve heard Billie tell me about those before: when you act like you’re in a relationship but you’re not.

  We’re both here because we wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

  And there’s peace in that.

  “Goodnight.”

  “Goodnight, beautiful,” he whispers into my ear.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Nadia calls me the next day with the name of the person my dad spoke to the day he died: Jean Turton.

  I’ve never heard of this woman in my life, but a quick social media search lets me know she’s in her forties and works as a dance teacher, salsa to be precise, along with various other side hustles like selling essential oils and massage.

  Just how does she know my dad? I don’t see any pictures of the two of them, but she could have them on a more private setting. Were they friends? Why did he never mention her? I know all of his friends, male and female, and he never once mentioned a dance teacher by the name of Jean. The whole thing leaves a bad feeling in my stomach. Maybe she was his masseuse, or he was secretly learning how to dance? I can’t picture him having anything to do with essential oils.

  I know exactly what to do next.

  “I’ll handle this,” I tell Nadia. “I’ll go to the studio and check her out.”

  “You sure?”

  I nod, even though she can’t see me. “I’m sure. I’ll let you know how it goes.”

  “Crow?” I call out from my desk as I end the call.

  He turns around from the motorcycle he is working on and stands, giving me his full attention. “Yeah, babe?”

  “How do you feel about salsa dancing tomorrow night?” I ask. I already know he’s a good dancer, so it’s not like I’m dealing with someone with two left feet. I’ve never done salsa before, but this girl knows how to move her hips.

  “Salsa dancing?” he asks, brow furrowing.

  I explain what Nadia just told me, and he nods. “Salsa dancing it is. You ready to see these hips?” he jokes, doing a little dance move, just as Chains steps into the garage.

  “What the fuck,” I hear him mutter, shaking his head and walking into the back.

  Out of all the men, Chains is the hardest to get to know, and he’s barely said two words to me, which sucks because I know Crow is quite close to him. How, I don�
��t know, but I guess Crow can get along with anyone, and that proves it.

  Crow spins me around and dips me back, catching me off guard. “Is it bad I’m actually a little excited for tomorrow night?”

  “No.” I grin, wrapping my arms around his neck. “I am, too. Who knew being undercover and interrogating someone can be fun?”

  “And what are you going to do if she recognizes you on sight? She’d have seen photos of you, surely.”

  He makes a good point. “Well, what is she going to do, run? Then we know she has something to hide.”

  Besides, it’s her work—she can’t just go missing. And frankly, I need the distraction right now, because this week I need to sort through Dad’s house and decide what to do with it and all his belongings. I don’t want to move in there—I think that would be too much—so I might rent it out. I want to keep all of his belongings, or at least most of them, for sentimental reasons, so I thought I’d rent a storage shed for them all.

  “Maybe we should have someone in the parking lot waiting, and they can follow her after the class and see where she goes. We need more information on her.”

  “That sounds like a plan.”

  I’m going to meet this Jean, and I’m going to get some answers from her.

  I’m also going to learn some new dance moves with the sexiest man I’ve ever laid eyes on.

  After my shift comes to an end, Crow comes with me to Dad’s house. My stomach is in knots as I step inside for the first time since I found his body in his bedroom. I don’t think I can go back in there again. Crow has a look around, and stops to pick up a photo of me as a baby. I’m in my mom’s arms, and she’s laughing as she looks down at me.

  “She’s beautiful,” he says, putting the frame back down. “And you are the cutest baby I’ve ever seen.”

  “Thank you,” I say, a deep ache filling me as I look at the photo. “She was amazing. And I think she would have loved you.”