by E. C. Land
I’m speechless as Rage releases me, taking a step back. Taking a deep breath to clear my head, I finally manage to find my voice. “Don’t you dare try pulling some he-man, alpha card with me. I can work in the yard, same as you.”
“I know you can but doesn’t mean I’m not gonna help you.” Rage grabs one of my hands. “As for the he-man, alpha card bullshit, this isn’t me doing none of that shit. If I were, you’d know in a heartbeat. What I’m saying is I don’t want these smooth hands calloused by working with a bunch of tools. You can work on the flowerbeds, pull the fuckin’ weeds out, do whatever you want but when it comes to doing anything else, babe, I’ll handle that shit. Now, stop fussing with me over this otherwise we won’t be doing fuck at all outside and I’ll take you to bed and turn your ass red.”
“Fine, I’ll let you handle whatever just stay out of my way,” I throw over my shoulder gaining his laughter in the process.
I need to get my head on straight. My body is practically shaking with need for him, but can I have him without being reminded of what Jake did to me. I want to, God knows I do, maybe I should take the plunge and go for it.
15
Rage
“Lave, you can’t use those that fuckin’ way, you’ll end up chopping your damn toes off. Hell, you shouldn’t even be out here working on the yard barefoot as it is,” I growl pulling the shears out of Cleo’s hands. While I was cutting the grass, I’d looked up to find her taking my hedge trimmers to one of the bushes. Getting off the mower, I rushed over to keep her from doing any more damage, the bush was already in shambles from her attempting to shape it.
“Stop exaggerating, I wasn’t going to cut my toes off,” she gripes wiping sweat off her forehead.
“You were close enough, babe. Fuck, what are you doing with these anyway? I told you already, don’t touch the tools, I’ll handle that part,” I ask, irritated she didn’t listen to me.
“I needed these bushes trimmed up in order to get around them.”
“Trimmed up, really, babe? You realize this isn’t trimmed. You mutilated this bush,” grumbling I point to the bush.
“Maybe I was trying to take it down so I can put some flowers here. There are too many bushes as it is.”
“Lave, I love you, however, if you touch another one of my tools, I won’t stop myself from taking you over my knee. You hear me?” I bark pissed she doesn’t get the fact she could’ve hurt herself.
Doesn’t help my dick is hard as a rock and has been since I saw her watching me jerk off this morning. I’d woken up to her rubbing her ass against my dick in her sleep, but knowing she’s not ready for me to take her yet, I’d gotten out of bed. I’d gone to the guest room to take care of myself. I’d heard her out in the hall as I been getting close. When I’d seen her out of the corner of my eye, I couldn’t stop myself from coming if I’d wanted to. Her eyes had filled with lust as she kept her eyes on my dick.
Shaking my head, I turn, leaving her standing there without another word and taking the trimmers with me. I need to get away from her before I do what I want and take her right here in the yard. Not saying I’d force her even if I know her body wants mine as much as mine wants hers. When I have her again, I’m gonna hear the words.
After putting the trimmers down next to the mower, I get back to cutting the grass. Glancing over to Cleo, I groan at the fact she’s now kneeling in the damn flower bed pulling weeds. Her back on display in that damn tank top showing off part of the tattoo Burner finished up for her. It turned out perfect, with a woman surround by spiritual animals, but what gets me every time I get a glance of it are the woman’s eyes. I don’t know how else to explain it other than they’re something majestic about them.
Fuck, my dick is gonna break off before all is said and done with if I continue on like this.
By the time we finish working on the yard, it is close to dinner time. Neither of us spoke after our spout earlier. Before, whenever Cleo would piss me off, I’d take her to bed, fuck her until she realized the error of her ways. Now though, I’m not sure of how to handle it.
“I’m gonna shower and fix dinner. Would you grill the steaks for me if I do the rest?” Cleo asks as we both walk inside.
“Yeah,” I grunt in response, heading to the refrigerator and grabbing a beer. My answer must’ve worked for her since she doesn’t respond but heads to the bedroom. Fuck, I want to be able to join her in there. Maybe I need to head over to the club for a few hours, cool down some before I rush her into something she’s not ready for.
Deciding that’s a good idea, I go grab my clothes out of the room, hurrying as to not be tempted to join her. Jumping in the guest shower, I make it fast in order to get out of here before she’s done with her own. I’ll leave a note saying I got called out for club business. I hate lying to her but if I don’t leave and cool down some, I’m afraid I’ll end up doing something stupid.
Turning off the shower, I listen out for Cleo while putting my clothes on. I can hear the shower in our bathroom still on. Going into the kitchen, I write her a note letting her know I’d gone to the clubhouse and if she needs me to call. With that done, I head to my bike. Turning the key, the roar she gives me sends a relief down my spine. My bike has always been like an extension of me, giving me the freedom I need with riding.
Turning out of the driveway, I hope by leaving for a little while, I’ve made the right decision. Either way, I’ll find out later when I get back home.
Pulling up to the clubhouse, I park my biker next to Thorn’s, surprised he’s here on a Saturday night. Usually, he’s at home with his ol’ lady and kids. Walking inside, I find him sitting at the bar holding a picture in his hand while drinking his beer.
Furrowing my brow, I take a seat next to him. “What’s going on with you, brother?” I ask nodding to Ace to give me a beer.
“Trying to figure out something that’s been bugging the shit out of me for a while now,” he mutters putting the picture down on the bar.
“Wanna talk about it?”
“After the shit went down with Lynsdey and Cleo, Bishop’s dad gave Lyns this album of old photos. I took a picture of it when I first saw it and sent it to Gadget. One of the couples is Lyns parents. What gets me is the other couple, I recognized them but couldn’t put my finger on it at first. Now, I know who it is and I’m not sure how to approach it. I don’t even think Bishop knows this.”
“What’s that?”
“Hades is Lyns’s family,” Thorn says loud enough for only my ears, showing me the picture. I stare at it, dumbfounded. Holy shit, the man Thorn is referring to is Hades’ dad. The one that had been killed.
“How are they related? I don’t get it. Bishop’s dad is Lynsdey’s uncle?” This shit is confusing as fuck.
“My guess is Hades’ mom is related to Lynsdey’s mom and crazy aunt.”
“It makes sense, the aunt was a part of that cult. You need to show this to Hades, man. There’s no way around it. They all have a right to know,” I say placing a hand on his shoulder.
“Your right, man I’ll bring it up at church tomorrow.”
“Good idea, Thorn, least he will have his brothers to lean on when he finds out he’s got family here,” I say in agreement.
“Anyways, what are you doing here? Figured you’d be at home with Cleo.”
“Needed some time to myself,” I mutter, not wanting to get into the fact I’m sexually frustrated. The last thing I need is to have my brothers making jokes about my dick. Knowing them, they’d say some shit about me meeting Pamela and her five friends or some shit like that.
“You sure, man?”
“What the fuck you two fuckers doing here looking like bitches sulking?” Horse asks from behind me. Fuck, I didn’t hear him walk up to us.
“I should ask you the same thing, VP.” I smirk at him. He’s the same as Thorn and usually at home with Kenny and JC.
“Shit, Kenny’s in one of her moods. I swear she was never this cranky when she was carrying J
C,” Horse grumbles sitting down on my other side. “What’s that?” he asks, pointing at the picture still in my hand as he grabs the beer placed in front of him.
“Nothing important right now. I just know I’ll be bringing something to the clubs attention tomorrow, and it might be a hard pill to swallow when I saw what I gotta say,” Thorn says, taking the picture from my hand.
“This got anything to do with the shit your women went through?” Horse calmly asks without pushing for more.
“Something like that,” Thorn mutters, finishing off his beer before standing up. “I need to head home to my woman and the kids. See you assholes tomorrow,” he says dryly.
Turning my back to the bar, I look around the club. Saturday is usually a wild night and as my brothers continue to drink, they won’t care what the fuck they do in front of each other.
“Wanna shoot a game of pool?” Horse asks breaking the silence between us.
“Yeah, sounds good. Want to see if Gadget and Dragon want to play teams?” I smirk, eyeing the twins over at the pool table getting ready to start again.
“Fuck yeah, put a hundred on if I tell them Dr. Connors’ is helping the girls, they start fucking up their game.”
“You’re on.” Laughing, we make our way to our brothers, ready to fuck with them. This is what I need to get my mind off the tension at home. Spending time with my brothers.
Two games in and I’m handing Horse a hundred-dollar bill, shaking my head. Gadget and Dragon are fucked when it comes to the pretty little doctor. I don’t know what the story is with the three of them, but I know from the expressions they both have whenever her name is mentioned, they’re head over heels for her. We all know when it comes down to them settling down, it won’t be with separate women but one special one. They deserve it. Same as all my brothers. I hope one day, they all find the woman they deserve.
Pulling out my phone to check the time, I realize I’ve missed a call from Cleo. Fuck. Hitting the call back button, it rings until going to voicemail. Figuring she’s gone to sleep, I agree to play one more game of pool then head home.
Hopefully, she won’t be completely pissed with me.
16
Cleo
I shouldn’t have been surprised when I got out of the shower to find Rage gone. His note really shouldn’t have pissed me off, but it did. I was wound up fuckin’ tight after watching him all day while we worked on the yard. When he fussed at me earlier, I’d been working on trimming the bushes. I knew what I was doing, I’m not a dumbass who doesn’t know how to work with tools. However, he’d distracted me by coming around the side of the house shirtless on the mower. All I could think about was seeing him earlier in the morning taking care of himself and I hacked the bush to pieces coming close to my feet as I put the trimmers into the dirt.
After he walked away, taking the trimmers from me, he didn’t say another word to me throughout the rest of the day. Hell, he barely answered me when I asked if he’d grill the steaks for me.
Right now, I don’t know how to handle him leaving the way he did without saying anything. His note said “club business” which I’m pretty sure is a load of horseshit. I’d planned for us to have a nice dinner together, but you know what, fuck it. If he can go out to the clubhouse, then I can go out all the same.
I message the girls really quick to see if any of them are busy tonight. Kenny and Lynsdey both been home alone as well with their kids, but Izzy agreed to meet me at Outlaw Racks. This will be the first time I step foot in there since being back. Going up to our room, I quickly change into a pair of jeans and tank top and throw my hair up into a messy bun.
Making my way to the door, I grab the keys to Rage’s truck along with my purse, locking the house behind me. I’ve never driven his truck; it’s one of his babies along with his bike. However, I don’t have a car yet, so he’ll have to get over it when he finds out. When I get enough money saved, I’ll get my own ride, maybe a cherry red Dodge Ram. I’ve always thought they were hot.
Cranking up the radio, Bulletproof by Godsmack blaring, I make my way to the bar, pulling up at the same time as Izzy, not missing the fact Twister is with her. Of course, he wouldn’t let her out without him. Not with it being a Saturday at Outlaws. It’s always packed with a live band, usually Demons Among Us.
“Where’s Rage?” Izzy asks as I climb out of the truck.
“According to his note, he was needed at the clubhouse for club business. Which I figured was bullshit before, but now I know for sure he lied seeing Twister here,” I say sarcastically, looking in Twister’s direction.
“What the hell? Why the hell did he do that shit?” Izzy asks as we walk inside.
“I don’t know, maybe it’s because I caught him this morning jerking off or the fact I didn’t listen to him when he told me not to touch the yard tools. All I know is he lied, and I can’t help wondering if he’s gone to the club to let someone else take care of him.”
“You really think that?” Izzy’s brows furrow in concern.
“Maybe, I don’t know. I mean, it’s not like we do anything intimate.” Shrugging my shoulders, I look away from her, taking the bar in as we make our way to a table. I smile at the fact that nothing's changed. Why I thought it would, I’m not sure, but I’m glad it hasn’t.
“Cleo, there’s no way that man would ever look in another woman’s direction, not with the way he feels about you. You weren’t there to see how messed up he was after the shit fest you and Lynsdey went through. He was a mess, it fucked with his head. I may not have known what was going through his head, but I can tell you from the look in his eyes, he wasn’t in a good place. If he didn’t love you, he could’ve been with anyone, but still he didn’t, he never once strayed from you while you two were separated. He may have fucked up back then by not staying by your side, but his head and heart were at war with each other. Just think of that. If he couldn’t stray from you then, why would he go look for someone now that he has you at home,” Izzy says, keeping her eyes on mine.
We sit there listening to the band play for a few minutes as I take in what she’s told me. Am I simply being insecure due to everything? Looking around the bar, I spot Cristy working. Catching her eye, she gives me a knowing smirk at the fact Rage isn’t with me.
“I thought Cristy wasn’t working here anymore,” I ask, looking back at Izzy, who then looks toward her man, who was sitting at another table with Hades and Burner, all three of them looking our way. Turning back to Izzy, I wait for an answer. I end up having to clear my throat to gain her attention.
“Sorry.” Izzy turns her attention back to me, laughing. “Everyone wanted to tell her to kick rocks. Unfortunately, we can’t due to employee regulations. Kenny’s chomping at the bit to fire her for the shit she said to you, but since it didn’t happen here, she can’t, otherwise it could be a lawsuit against the bar.”
“Oh, well, that sucks. I mean, I don’t want her to lose her job over something like her and I getting into it. No one should lose their income over something so petty,” I mutter, waving over our waitress and finally ordering a drink, sticking to soda since I’m driving.
“I get what you mean, still, Cristy was supposed to be our friend and for her to say what she did was beyond fucked up,” Izzy says, narrowing her eyes toward the bar.
“Do you think she still has a thing for Rage?” I ask more to myself than anything.
“I honestly don’t know. I mean, she never said anything about being interested in him, and I didn’t even know about her having a thing for him ‘til Lyns threw it out there.”
“Neither did I really. Cristy never said anything to me when we hung out nor did she act strange when the guys were around us. I don’t know, I’m so confused about everything. I want to make amends with her even if she’s done with me,” I say, looking down at the table, unsure of the mess going around in my head. Even weeks later, I can still hear Cristy’s words about Rage running around in my head and him leaving the house the way he did
doesn’t help.
“You know we have your back if you want to try to work things out with her, but if I were you, I’d wait for her to come to you. She’s the one that fucked up, not you. Now, back to what we originally came here for, you and Rage are sexually frustrated and need to just get it out of the way,” Izzy smirks at me.
“I want to, God knows I do, I’m just scared,” I whisper.
“What’s there to be scared about, Cleo?” Izzy asks, lifting a brow at my statement.
“Everything,” I say, looking away, ashamed.
“Cleo, listen to me. When it comes to that man, as I said earlier, you have nothing to worry about as far as him wanting you. It’s all in your head. Let your body and heart take the wheel for a while,” Izzy murmurs, pointing from my head to my heart. “Who knows, you might find you like it way better than being stuck in your head all the time.”
Sitting forward, balancing my chin on my hands, I take in Izzy’s advice. Do I say screw it and let my heart and body have control or stay in my head? I want nothing more than to move forward with my life, including being with Rage— in every way possible.
“You’re right. I need to get out of my head. At least somewhat,” I breathe out.
“More than somewhat,” Izzy says, squinting her eyes at me. “Don’t pressure yourself, Cleo. Simply be you and let things happen. Don’t force them to happen before they’re supposed to.”
“Okay,” I say in agreement. “How about we dance, have some fun while we’re here.” Standing up, I make my way to the dance floor.
