My Monster

by Ellie Jean

  Restricted in our suits, my arms were itching to rip out of the stitching watching the club men devour Crystal with their eyes. Slate stood proudly next to Caden as did Ocean and me, but the fierce glare coming from Slate reflected mine. He wasn’t happy about the heated stares either. We would be keeping our women close by tonight.

  “You may kiss the bride.” The minister announces it, but Lace and Caden are already attached to each other’s mouths, practically eating each other alive. A huge applause rings through the darkening night air and my girl lights up watching her friend find happiness with her guy. Will that be us one day?

  Fuck, where did that come from? Thinking about one woman, one pussy and what that means. Shit, there’s a first time for everything, even for vicious bastards like me.

  Minutes later, friends and family are gathered around the chairs and tables, drinking alcohol and eating finger food. The Alpha Devils MC, who Lace’s father is the president of, and her three brothers were members of, were large in numbers. A handful of others, including Emerald’s twin brother, Kyle, Ocean’s sister, Melody, Lace’s girlfriends, and Caden’s mom sat watching, talking or were up dancing with the bride and groom. A band that Lace and Emerald had found were playing in a corner providing an electric atmosphere for the reception. Their cover of Guns and Roses “Sweet Child o’ Mine” was gearing the night up to be a big one. The club members knew how to have a good time, as did we. Caden and Lace decided that it would be a party as in a no sit-down meal, no speeches, instead, only dancing and drinking.

  “Exquisite.” Holding Crystal in my arms, dancing with her body pulled into mine is fucking amazing. Nothing comes close to the light feeling my chest is experiencing. Except when my cum flows into her tight pussy. I’d tossed the black jacket as soon as I walked Crystal back down the aisle to the garden and bar. My sleeves are rolled up, allowing the air to cool my heated skin.

  “Lace does look freakin’ beautiful.” Turning her head, she rests her ear on my shoulder, watching Caden and Lace dance. There’s no way in hell Caden will be leaving Lace’s side tonight and I plan to do the same with Crystal.

  “I’m not talking about Lace. You look fucking ravishing, edible and stunning.” Squeezing her ass, I nip at her neck, reminding her how I make her body squirm under my touch. A flush of red spreads, covering her face.

  “You looked darn fine in that jacket earlier, which by the way, why have you taken it off? I was so looking forward to peeling it off you.” She licks her pink lips and looks up at me with innocent eyes. “Looks like I had better go find another who still has their jacket on.”

  My blood boils instantly, I grip tighter on her ass. Her relaxed arms stay snaked around my neck.

  “I’d like to see you try, Tiger.” Rumbling in her ear, I continue swinging her hips close to mine on the dance floor. No one would try to get close to her with the fierce vibes I have been sending off the entire day.

  “It might be fun?” A giggle escapes.

  “Only if you want a red ass sooner rather than later tonight.” Bending down so my lips caress her ear with my promise, I take the opportunity to remind her that I don’t like playing games. “And to be kidnapped by me, never to leave my apartment. Making your classy, well-dressed body crave to my demands. Where your money and clothes will have no meaning ‘cause you will be naked. Where your only job will be to satisfy me and yourself too. Where you will be too exhausted, mentally and physically because I am a greedy fucking monster and I promise I won’t hesitate to take everything from you.” My dick hardens in my trousers as Crystal’s tits pebble underneath her red material and her body shudders at my words. Her untroubled face darkens, listening to my promise.

  “It’s now time for the bride and groom to have their dance together,” the guy from the band announces over the microphone and everyone dancing moves out of their way so they can dance together to Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud.”

  My hand doesn’t leave Crystal’s waist. Her breathing is spiked, and her eyes still glisten under the now night sky, but there’s a wariness to them. And she would be wise to be cautious around me. I’d taken hostages for less.

  If I want, I take. And with every minute it’s becoming clearer. Crystal is taking me hostage and there’s not a fucking thing I can do about it.

  “I love this song. Lace must have chosen it. I can’t see Caden choosing this fluffy song.” We stare at our best friends who are consuming one another with their eyes.

  “You’d be surprised what us men would do for the right woman, Crystal.”

  She flips her face to me. I can see when she realizes the truth behind the words I just spoke. A twinge of worry creeps over her face before it’s replaced with a smile when she looks at Lace again.

  “Howdy, you two,” a male voice interrupts our inner thoughts.

  “Hey Kyle.” Crystal wriggles out of my clasp and hugs Emerald’s brother. “Wasn’t it a beautiful wedding? Your sister scrubs up fine in a dress.” She laughs and I glare.

  “Now we have to get her in one more often.” Kyle drinks from his beer.

  “I’d say Slate would have something to say about that, man.” Reaching out my hand, I offer to shake his, even though he’s touched my woman and there’s fucking history between him and Crystal. I’m not sure what, but I know he was fucking her at some point.

  “Yeah, you’re right. He’s so intense with her.” Kyle looks across to his sister and Slate who is strolling our way.

  “It’s not only with her, but it’s also how it has to be in our line of work.” I take Crystal’s hand and squeeze it.

  “You, my darling Crystal, are looking mighty fine too. The red certainly suits you.”

  Clenching my teeth, my right hand fists. He doesn’t have any idea how much I want to punch his face right this instant because he is too fucking busy eyeing my woman.

  My tense body must give away to Crystal that I’m pissed because she tries to subdue the tension brewing in me with her smile that would melt a rock before she speaks. “You’re always so good at flattery, Kyle. That’s why you have so many women always hanging off you. You know how to charm the ladies.”

  “Drink anyone?” Slate interjects as he gets to us. Emerald hugs her brother and Crystal hugs them both.

  “Let’s go. I need a double.” Snarling at Slate, I cast a warning look at Crystal and go in search of some alcohol before I fucking slam Kyle.

  “Remember he is going to be my brother-in-law one day.” Slate grabs the bartender’s attention. “Double scotch on ice.”

  Staring at Crystal, Kyle’s arm stays on her waist after their group hug. His fingers tap her slim waist while they all talk animatedly together. Downing the liquor in one gulp, I point for another.

  “How could I ever fucking forget?”

  Up until yesterday, I thought I had the situation under control.

  Boom…

  I clearly don’t…

  He is Tanner Grayson.

  Foreboding and intimidating. One of The Savage Shadows. Ares…God of War describes him perfectly. I took what I could from him knowing that he took from me as well when he needed a quick fix. A war ravaged in my heart when I was with him and then again when I was away from him. I’d decided a few months back, that I would take what I needed on my terms. Casual steamy, electrifying sex, since a commitment wasn’t going to be in the picture with this player.

  I turn away from the guy who seriously makes me wonder what the heck I am doing. Tanner’s brooding is setting alarms off. Rigid and metal like, his body stands next to Slate’s where he continues to throw molten laser beams in my direction. Unaware of any issue that could be sending Tanner’s protective streak into overdrive, I didn’t hesitate when Emerald grabbed us both, leading us to the middle of the dance floor to dance. Kyle is Emerald’s brother for pity’s sake. He surely couldn’t be pissed at that. I’d known him since we were ten years old. Growing up with him and comforting him when he needed it, especially when his father died. He
looked after me when I asked. We could never be more than a casual hook-up; it would be too freaking weird. There is so much at stake if things go sour seeing that my best friend is his sister; I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize my girl and me.

  Beth, our new girlfriend who is with the MC club, joins us swinging her hips, as do Raff and Kai, Lace’s brothers. Grinding next to the girls only, I didn’t want there to be a scene tonight, but I lose myself in the music, trying to forget about Tanner and his broodiness.

  “So Beth…what’s new with you?” Leaning into her body, I yell in her ear.

  “Same old crap, just happening on different days.” She rolls her eyes. There’s a story to be told by this one, but none of us have had time to sit down and find out.

  “Mav made his move on you yet?” Emerald joins the conversation. “He has it fucking bad for you.”

  “You couldn’t be further from the truth. He treats me like a piece of shit. Ordering me around, letting no one near me. Having me sleep in his bedroom each night, in his fucking bed but doesn’t have the decency to even say a fucking goodnight to me when he finally comes in each night. Always partying downstairs with his club girls. No fucking way is there anything there.”

  “Oh girl, I’ll tell you now, you’re already his.” Emerald winks and continues dancing. “Wait and see. There’s no way he would let any other guy get close to you. I bet my next race winnings on it.”

  I agree with my friend on this one. Maverick, Lace’s brother, sent vibes of pure destruction to everyone when Beth was around when we met them a few months back. How can she be so oblivious?

  “Emerald’s right, Beth.” She rolls her eyes and continues dancing. Mav has watched each move she has made. Yet, she has no fucking clue.

  Heat wraps itself around my midriff and the overwhelming intoxicating smell of Tanner annihilates me. “Miss me?”

  “Ummm…let me think about it…” Closing my eyes, pretending to contemplate his question, I lean back into his hard body.

  “Admit it.”

  “Admit what? That you stormed off like a jealous school kid? Or that I noticed you were scared you’d lose the pissing contest with Kyle?” My temper was ramping up. “Should I admit, that the scowl you have been casting at me doesn’t frighten me at all?”

  Something changes in his eyes as I turn to look at him. A feral, dark rage overtakes the brownness of his eyes.

  “Crystal.” A warning is clear in his tone.

  Now I’m pissed. “How dare you fist your hands and go on like a protective caveman when I talk to Kyle. Heck, with any man for that matter. I’m not yours. We may fuck occasionally, but that’s it.” I growl low so the venom I am pouring into his ear hits home.

  “Hotcakes, you are so fucking wrong.” Squeezing me into his body, I am restricted by his muscles. “I warned you.”

  “You didn’t warn me that you were a lunatic.” His cock prods into me and wetness pools between my legs. It’s a shame it’s going to be missing out tonight. The scotch on his breath wafts past me.

  “I’m so much more than that. I’m your worst nightmare. One that will be on fucking repeat if you don’t start heeding my words.”

  I snigger in his face. “As if…you have no time for me. You only come to me when your cock needs a release. I’m your toy.”

  Everyone dances around us leaving us to our own bubble which is bound to burst, spewing out boiling hot lava. My mind snaps and my body jolts. The words I direct at Tanner, hit home.

  The truth…

  I’m his fuck toy…

  I want more than that, but he’s never given me any clear indication, other than a few words that he wants more too.

  “Fucking watch your words, Crystal.”

  “Or what?” I search his black eyes and his fierce face. A look of uncertainty crosses it fleetingly and is replaced with his impassive glare.

  “I’m gonna take you and fuck you hard. You in that dress has been fucking with my mind all afternoon.”

  “We can’t. I won’t.”

  “Then you shouldn’t have been tempting me. I’ve nearly had all I can take of your smart mouth today.”

  Hands grip my ass, pulling me even closer to his throbbing cock.

  “Is that right? Well, I’ve had enough of you.” My body rears back and my shoulders are steel like. “Go back to your Playboy house, Tanner. I’m sure one of your many bunnies can take my place.”

  My chest restricts at my words. I’m being a complete bitch, but this relationship, no it’s a hook-up, that’s all I am to him, has to end.

  I hardly notice the hurt that reflects in his eyes before I grab Kyle’s hand and march us in the opposite direction of where Tanner is.

  A roar of anger penetrates through the music. I glance back and spot Slate holding onto Tanner’s shoulder with a menacing look.

  What did I do?

  “Do you mind telling me what happened back there?” Kyle asks beside me, holding my hand while we sit on an old wooden bench that is on the complete opposite side to where the wedding guests are. I need space.

  My heart had been pounding when I fled from his glare. Now, it was thudding at half the initial speed within ten minutes of sitting. The sweat on my face had been wiped by Kyle and my shoulders sagged. “Something that should have happened a long time ago.”

  Kyle’s large hand holds tight on mine. “I thought you two had worked things out.”

  “If you mean, me resolving to taking what Tanner would give me, then, yes, I guess it was worked out.” Staring into the night sky, I wonder at the billions of stars in the sky. Just like the millions of humans on the planet. No wonder it’s so rare to find the one true person you are meant to share your life with. It’s a miracle if you do.

  “I thought he made you happy. I know you both are hot-headed and take no shit from each other, but I thought he was what you wanted.”

  I notice Kyle searching my face for answers, but I don’t directly look at him.

  “I do want him…did, not do. He won’t ever settle down. He’s not a one-woman guy. And I refuse to share his cock and him.”

  “As much as I hate to tell you this.”

  I look across to Kyle and he gulps a breath.

  “What?”

  “I think that tattooed jerk in there actually likes you, Crystal. You’ve gotten under his skin.”

  I cut him off. “Don’t be so ridiculous. The only thing I’ve gotten under is his ripped body. It was enjoyable. Fudge, who am I kidding? It was fucking earth-shattering, but I want more. I deserve more.”

  Shrugging his shoulders, he wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me close to him. I relax into him.

  “Yeah, you do. You are entitled to the man of your dreams and if Tanner isn’t it, then you shouldn’t settle.”

  “Thanks Kyle.” My breath comes out calm and the effects of the excitement of the huge day is taking a toll on my body. I’m wiped out. “I think it’s time I go home.”

  “Come on. I’ll take you.” He stands up and my body goes with his.

  “No kinky stuff tonight though.” I smile a tired grin at Kyle. We haven’t been together in that way in over a year. Since Emerald and Slate got together.

  “I wouldn’t dream of taking advantage of my girl.”

  Walking arm in arm, we look like we could be the perfect couple, but we will ever only be best friends. He lightly sweeps a kiss on my head and we continue toward the cars. Thank the Lord Kyle drove here tonight. I thought I’d be heading to a different address tonight, but it’s for the best.

  A rustle in the bushes to the side of us catches my attention.

  “Did you hear that?”

  Kyle directs us toward the side of the house where he parked his car. “It’s just some wild animal, no doubt. We are in the wild out here.” He laughs, and I relax again. The only wild animal I can’t tame is Tanner, so we should be alright. My eyes land on the thick bushes ahead and a large shadow lurks near the walkway.

  “Crap Tan
ner, just leave us alone.” I’ve had all the BS I can stand tonight.

  There’s no response and Kyle pulls me closer to him. “I’m taking Crystal home. Let her leave quietly with me so we have no more problems tonight. Lace and Caden’s wedding isn’t the place for this.”

  The figure stays still then turns away from us going back into the darkness of the bushes.

  Strange…

  Tanner would have put up a bit of a fight.

  “I knew he was scared of me,” Kyle jokes and I laugh.

  Tanner’s afraid of nothing. Listening in to the snippets of stories amongst the guys after jobs, I know he is a beast. Emerald has told me bits and pieces where she can and eavesdropping has filled the other blanks to who Tanner is.

  A deadly fighter, a son to a man who has a girlfriend who is nearly the same age as us. He seeks revenge if he or a loved one is wronged. Tanner is persistent and unmerciful in his quest to get what he wants. He is a killer, a villain, callous and heartless.

  A monster.

  Leaning into Kyle as we walk past where Tanner receded into the night, an iced shiver shoots up my spine; the hairs on my neck stand rigid.

  A crunch on the ground of a twig makes me snap out of Kyle’s arms to face where we came from. Two large men in dark clothes lunge for us. My eyes widen in fear. This isn’t Tanner. Kyle tries to pull me back with him, but it’s too late. Opening my mouth to scream, a calloused hand clamps over it.

  I bite down hard. He yanks it out. “You bitch.” A fist connects with my face and I fall into the bushes. Trying to get my footing, the scratches and burn from the weeds I landed in doesn’t deter me. I look to Kyle and his body is being dragged by a long-haired thug. I try and run toward him, ready to pounce. No one takes my friend without a fight, but my attacker connects his fist this time in my stomach, winding me.

  “Motherfucker.”

  Kyle’s fighting the other guy.

  Fuck…

  “Have you misplaced your punching bag?” I stretch out from the crippling blow and try again to get to Kyle. Albeit slowly. His frame stretches over me from behind this time and a sharp sting stabs my neck.