Red, the president of the Vegas chapter, and Snake, the prez from San Diego are first to greet Drum, exchanging hugs with the noisy sound of palms hitting leather cuts.
“What the fuck is it with the mother chapter? You need us to protect your scrawny asses again?” But the gleam in Red’s eyes suggests he lives for moments like these.
“Can’t help it if your life’s boring,” Drum replies, good-naturedly, and probably only I can see the relief in his eyes that our brothers from out of state have come to have our backs. He then turns to greet the presidents of the Colorado and Utah chapters, and thanks them for answering his call.
“Sounded fun,” the Colorado prez says. For the fucking life of me, I can’t remember his name.
“We’ll drink and eat,” Drum tells them, “then we’ll meet and I’ll bring everyone up to speed. After that we’ll party!” As he shouts the last word, loud cheers go up. Fuck me, the sweet butts will be busy tonight. Don’t see any women have come with our visitors.
I spare a glance to my saddlebag and what I’d picked up on the way into town. Ella’s my worry. With so many strangers around, I need to make sure everyone knows she’s mine. With that thought in mind, I spot Paladin. Knowing he won’t be far away from Jayden, I go over to him. “Know where Ella is?”
He breaks off his conversation with one of his friends just long enough to say, “Kitchen.”
Pushing through men I regard as brothers, whichever chapter they’re from, I enter the clubroom, pausing just long enough to snag a beer and then continue through to where the women are gathered. The table is strewn with salad bowls, dips, and the like. It looks like they’re preparing to feed an army. And they probably are.
Ella’s looking anxious. When she sees me, her face fills with relief and I can almost hear her exhaled breath from where I stand. Crossing to her quickly, I take her hand and pull her outside. The picnic tables are full, and delicious smells of cooking meat fill the air, making my mouth water.
“Did it go alright?”
She knows nothing except I had a meeting, but I’m pleased her first thought shows she’s concerned for me.
“Fine,” I reply, not able to say more. “How you coping?”
“It’s not easy,” she whispers, her eyes anxiously looking around. “There’s so many men here. I wanted to hide in my room, but there’s so much work to be done. Sam told me to stick by her side.”
I’m proud she’s fought against her fears and has offered her help. She’s gradually improving, baby steps, but each one is in the right direction. I wouldn’t have been surprised to find she’d hidden away.
With my hand on the small of her back, I bring her to a quieter corner. As she looks up at me with her big eyes peering up from under her fringe, I can’t help myself and lean down to brush my lips against hers. To my surprise, her hands come up to hold onto my biceps with only a small second of hesitation, her fingers curling into the bare skin of my arms. For once, it’s her who increases the pressure as our mouths touch. Flicking out my tongue, I lick along the seam where we’re joined. She gives a little moan and opens for me.
Holding myself back, curbing my instinct to take advantage, we kiss properly for the first time. She tastes every bit as good as I’d expected, fresh and sweet with a hint of coffee. My cock twitches and lengthens. We’re standing so close I can’t hide the effect she has on me. But she doesn’t startle or pull away.
I end the kiss first, pulling back until our mouths part, then unable to resist, pass my lips over hers one more time. Bending my six-foot-three frame, I rest my forehead against hers.
I have no words. My first fuck didn’t give me as much satisfaction. If the kiss we just shared was anything to go by, when I finally get inside her, I’ll be lucky if it doesn’t blow my mind. I don’t care how long I’ll have to wait, it’s going to be worth it. This woman is going to be my everything.
Any remaining doubts I’d had about claiming her, whether it was fair on her to insist that she’s mine, disappear in that instance, and now it seems exactly the right time.
“Ella, I’ve got something for you.”
As she releases her hold on me, she opens her eyes. Her pupils are dilated, and her lips curve into a small smile. The fact we’re surrounded by brothers doesn’t seem important, their voices seem to fade. It’s just the two of us here. Just as it should be.
I hand her the wrapped package, she takes it in her hands. A curious glance up then back down at what she’s holding. She pulls the paper apart and peers inside. Understanding dawning as she sees what I’ve brought her.
I’m still not certain she’ll accept it. Worrying if it’s too early to take this next step, I’m clear on what I want, my brothers have known for some time. But when she puts this on, she’ll be making that statement that she too acknowledges it. A public declaration. I hardly dare breathe as I wait for her reaction.
She pulls out the soft-as-butter leather cut in a feminine style and turns it around. Her eyes flick left then right as she takes in the words, ‘Property of Slick’. She’s quiet for a moment, and now I hold air in my lungs. Then, thank fuck, her arms are going through the armholes as she slides it on.
“You’re mine,” I murmur softly, my heart beating so fast it’s threatening to jump out of my chest.
“All yours,” she agrees. And when her eyes meet mine there’s a flicker of a flame burning.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Ella…
It’s been obvious all day that something very unusual is happening, and I’m certain that while I didn’t know any of the details, it’s got something to do with the meeting I knew Slick was going to.
He and his brothers had left the compound this morning without giving a clue as to where they were going. And he’d either forgotten or deliberately omitted to warn me that others were going to arrive. Many others. Since midday, bikes have been pouring in—men from other out-of-state chapters. Sam had obviously not been left in the same ignorance and already tipped off, she got all the old ladies together to get to work on preparing the mountain of food she’d sent Jekyll and Hyde out to pick up.
To begin with, I had no idea why we were cooking in such copious amounts, but as people began to arrive, it started to make sense.
Sam put the sweet butts to work tidying up, helping the prospects get cots set up in the habitable suites at the top of the compound. Showing her aptness to be the president’s wife, she took no shit at all from the whores, who complained loudly that this wasn’t what they were there for. But as the new bikers started to ride in, I could see them eyeing them up, knowing they’d be working hard tonight. That could have been me. The thought gives me chills. How could I have ever thought I could become one of them?
As each new biker gets off his bike, my heart begins to beat faster. My hands so sweaty I drop a plate.
The smashing of porcelain makes Sam look at me sharply, a look of understanding on her face. “Ella, do you want to go back to your suite?”
Shit. I thought I’d hidden my rising panic better. I cast a quick look around. Bikers are already three-deep at the bar ordering drinks, and the air seems full of the that scent which so affects me. Rowdy voices speak loudly, bursts of laughter are roaring out. The combination of sight, sound, and odour making my head spin. Suddenly I feel Sam’s hand on my arm, fingers holding me tight as though stabilising me, anchoring me to the present. This isn’t the Rock Demons’ club.
I eye the food, still only half-prepared. Jayden’s doing her part, she’s laughing at something Carmen has said. I can’t leave them to do this alone. I’ve got to be stronger than this. Before it would never have worried me.
As I give a little shake of my head, Sam increases the pressure in her touch. “Stay close to me, Ella. But there’s no need for worry, they’re all Satan’s Devils. They’re not like those bastards who hurt you.”
Sophie hears and comes over. “These men, Ella, they went out on a limb for me. Gave their backing to the club to protec
t me. As Sam said, they’re not like the Rock Demons. Sure, they’ll fuck the whores, but they will respect the old ladies.”
The words should give me comfort, but I’m not wearing a patch. Only my loose-fitting jeans and baggy top making me stand out from the sweet butts.
“Come, let’s start taking out the salads,” Sam announces, then laughs. “Though I’m not quite sure why we bothered with them. Reckon this lot will be more the carnivore type.”
Going out the back of the clubhouse isn’t much better. Men have spilled out here too and are lounging around. Firepits are burning and grills are heating. Trestle tables have been set up to hold all the food. I stay close to Sam and help her get things ready.
As I carry out the prepared bowls, I feel eyes burning into me, but no one approaches other than to throw us nods of appreciation, which I hope is because we’re carrying food.
The whores are preparing to do work of a different kind. Jill’s already sitting on a stranger’s lap, Paige and Diva have been commandeered by a couple of men, and Allie and Pussy are flirting with a tall man sporting bright ginger hair. When his eyes land on us, he gives a wide grin and begins to saunter across. I start to tremble, but he ignores me entirely, going on past and approaching Sophie, who I hadn’t realised was behind me.
“Hey, Sophie girl. You’re looking fuckin’ great!” To my surprise, he swings her up into his arms.
“Red! Put me down.” She flails her hands and pretends to beat at him as she laughs. Feet back on the ground, she pulls down her top which had ridden up. “It’s good to see you. How are things in Vegas?”
As they wander off chatting, I let out my breath.
“Come on, let’s bring the rest of the stuff out.” Sam encourages me to get going again.
Before I can move, I hear a squeal of childish laughter, and, to my horror, see Amy run straight into the legs of a dour looking man. The beer in his hands sloshes over the top of the bottle. As Jayden runs up to rescue the child, I feel a wave of terror, expecting him to react with violence. I’m too far away but nevertheless force my feet forward, my one desire to protect both young girls.
To my surprise, the man chuckles with laughter, reaches down and puts Amy back on her feet, and then winks at Jayden. Without a word, he turns back and starts talking to his brothers again. Amy flies off in another direction, with my sister tearing after her. She’s looking so young, and the men seem to view them with nothing more threatening than amusement as they pass by.
Remaining concerned for them, I watch as Amy runs toward the swimming pool, and I’m pleased to see Jayden catch up and pick up Heart’s giggling daughter before she gets too close. But that draws eyes to well-muscled men stripping down to their boxers—and oh my God, one’s taken everything off. I turn abruptly away and only hear the splash as he jumps into the water to cool off. But I can’t resist sneaking a peek—he’s not the only one to bare all. By the side of the pool, I see one man removing a false arm, and another a prosthetic leg.
Sam sees where I’m looking. “Enjoying the view?” She nudges me with a laugh. Then she notices where my eyes are focusing. “Many members are vets,” she starts to explain, then gives me a sharp look. “They join the club as it replaces the camaraderie of their units. Some injuries you can see clearly, but others? Not all wounds are visible.”
There’s a lot of truth in her words. Perhaps the men who join the Satan’s Devils are different to those at the club where I was abused.
Even that thought doesn’t stop me worrying. As more and more men pile in, my anxiety deepens. I don’t want to desert the others, but I’m not sure how much longer I can stay. It would just take one to overpower me.
Just when I think I’ve reached breaking point and am standing in the kitchen trying to pluck up enough courage to take the next load of food outside, I see a face which has me exhaling with relief. Slick’s back.
He immediately sees how difficult this is for me and takes me outside, somehow finding a quiet corner away from the rest. Then he kisses me. Properly.
Oh God! He’s claimed me as his old lady, but odd to say we’ve never had even this intimacy before. It’s strange to admit he’s lain beside me for nights but the most we’ve ever done and even then I’d only need the fingers of one hand to count them, is enjoy a brief brush of our lips.
As our mouths caress and at last I get a taste of this man, I wonder why on earth I’ve held out this long. He doesn’t push me, doesn’t trap me. It’s me who’s holding on to him, my fingers digging into his arms. I could pull away at any time. But I don’t want to. It feels no one’s ever kissed me like this before, and when his tongue sweeps inside, tentatively I slide mine around his.
He ends the kiss before I’m ready. I open my eyes as his mouth brushes over mine one last time. As I smile up at him in wonder, he hands me a package. Opening it up, I spy something inside. I can hear him talking, but my heart starts to pound as I hope my suspicions are right. My hands shake as I pull out the contents. It’s a leather vest, tailored for a woman. Impatiently, I turn it over. The patch on the back reads ‘Property of Slick’.
It’s a property patch.
Immediately knowing what it means, wearing this I won’t have to worry. I’ll be protected, everyone will see I belong to him. And while it will prevent strangers propositioning me or muddling me up with the whores, there’s a much deeper reason why I’m so happy to receive it. I understand the immensity of the step that I’m taking, and there’s not one doubt in my mind. I’m committing to him. My head knows it’s time.
Pausing only for a brief second, I slide on the soft leather garment.
I hear his intake of breath, and then he tells me, “You’re mine.”
“And you’re mine,” I reply, knowing this works both ways.
He reaches out his hand and lightly touching my chin, turns my face toward him. After looking into my eyes, he gives a small, knowing nod. The hundreds of bikers around us seem to disappear. All I can hear is the blood rushing around my head, all I can feel is the hard, eager length of him pushing up against me. The only scent I can smell is that of my man. The only sight I want to see is him naked. What?
The thoughts in my head come as a total surprise. That kiss just a taster that’s awoken my dormant appetite, and the cut that he’s given me showing his commitment. Sensations begin, feelings I hadn’t dreamed I’d ever experience again. His touch brands me, goosebumps rise on my skin. I feel alive. My eyes open in amazement, and my cheeks flush.
His hand drops from my face and wraps round my fingers. He gives me a full blast of his beautiful smile, and his blue eyes gaze intently into mine. Something he sees then makes him inhale a deep breath. “Are you ready, Ella?” he asks so softly, so gently.
I have no doubt as to what he’s really asking, and with only a slight hesitation, the answer comes to my lips, surprising even myself. “Yes.”
“Come.” His voice rasps as though it’s an effort to speak.
“What about Jayden?” For a second, I’d forgotten about my sister. How could I do that?
Slick looks around, and then points over to a grill manned by Dart, who’s started serving food. Jayden’s sitting at a picnic table nearby, helping Amy eat her burger.
Dropping my hand momentarily, he cups his palms around his mouth and whistles loudly, then shouts, somehow making himself heard over the voices nearby, “Dart! Keep your eye on the girls.” He indicates my sister and the child, and Dart nods and yells back, “Sure thing, Slick.”
My cheeks redden at his knowing wink.
He doesn’t tug me away, doesn’t act like a caveman dragging me to his home in the rocks. He takes my hand once again and raises it to his lips, the promise in his eyes setting me alight. “Any moment, Ella. Any fuckin’ moment you want to stop, you just say the word. Okay? I’ll be content if we just fuckin’ kiss.”
His promise gives me the confidence to walk with him up through the compound. But my bravado starts to ebb as we reach his suite. What
if he can’t help but be rough? What if he hurts me? What does he expect from me?
Unlocking his door, his hand on my back pushes me gently inside. Then he turns me to face him and again raises my head so I’m forced to look into his eyes. I freeze. I can’t do this.
“Trust me, Ella?” He runs the palm of his hand over my cheek. “I will never hurt you. Never push you further than you want to go. I meant what I said. You can stop this at any time. Right now, if you’ve changed your mind, I’m not gonna force you. We’ll go back, sit with Jayden and the girls.”
I’m standing rigid as a rock; my muscles just won’t relax. But when I don’t tell him I want to stop, he reverently removes my cut, folding it and placing it over a chair. Then he does the same with his.
Reaching back, he grabs hold of the neck of his t-shirt and pulls it off over his head. Widening my eyes, I study him, seeing his naked chest for the first time. With a flick of my eyes toward his face, seeing nothing to threaten me there, tentatively I place my hands on his firm torso, feeling his well-defined muscles rippling under my touch. His sharp intake of breath encourages me on, and he stands unmoving as I find myself tracing tattoos I’ve not been able to examine before. My fingers touch his nipples, and they harden, and my body responds, revelling in the control I have over him.
“My turn?” he asks breathlessly.
It’s phrased as a question, a request for permission, so I jerk my head.
His hands are shaking as they reach down to the hem of my baggy, unattractive top as he slowly bunches the material and gently drags it up. His own uncertainty gives me more confidence, so when it catches on my hair, I give him a little assistance, and then I’m standing there in my plain white functional Walmart bra.
Satan's Devils MC Boxset 1 Page 94
