“Earth to Amber,” he said.
She blinked, finally realizing he’d already laid out their lunch. Burgers and fries from her favorite burger place. She joined him on the sofa.
Over the past week, they had plenty of make-out sessions, nothing more. Iron, she realized, had been waiting for her to be ready. He knew David did a number on her, and that it would take time for her heart to heal. She still hadn’t told him about her loss.
“Sorry. A little distracted today,” she admitted.
“Maybe some food in your belly would make you feel better.” He didn’t prod, didn’t ask her again what was wrong. He knew she’d share whatever was bothering her eventually.
“I need to tell you something,” she told him after they finished all the food.
“Spill,” he said, reaching for her hand.
Wanting to feel safe and comfortable, she slid into his lap. He automatically banded one muscled arm behind her back, preventing her from falling. He expelled a shaky breath. Amber knew being in this position wasn’t easy for him. He held himself in check because he was waiting for her to be in a more comfortable space mentally.
Amber had also been holding back, terrified of taking the plunge, the next step with him, because she feared getting hurt.
“David has been sending me text messages,” she admitted.
“This is the first time I’ve heard about this,” Iron said, furrowing his brow.
Amber got off his lap to retrieve her phone. She unlocked it, returned to her position on his lap, and let him read all of David’s messages. The expression on his face remained unreadable.
“I didn’t mean to hide them from you. I figured he’d move on eventually, but his last message scared me,” she said.
“This bastard wants you back. Badly,” Iron said. “Amber, you never told me how obsessed he is with you.”
“I don’t even understand why. We weren’t good together. Toxic’s the best word to describe us. He was demanding, abusive. He tried to be nice to me after I lost Michael, but eventually, he got sick of pretending,” she whispered.
Iron didn’t interrupt her. She could always count on him to listen.
She continued, “David went back to his old ways soon enough. After he started using his fists on me again, I knew I had to leave. I packed all my belongings and bought a bus ticket to Redemption.”
It was time he knew the truth. He’d been so amazingly patient with her. Amber knew she hardly deserved him. She was a hypocrite for judging his lifestyle at first, and yet here she was, hiding secrets from him
“Who’s Michael?” Iron asked in a quiet voice.
Chapter Seven
Amber couldn’t meet his gaze for a few moments, and he didn’t like that. Iron cupped her cheek and waited until she looked up at him. The pain and loss in her eyes staggered him. He sometimes noticed her looking off into the distance, a distracted look on her face. He had a sneaking suspicion he was finally about to learn the cause.
“Amber?” he prodded, touching her fingers. They were cold to the touch. Iron knew how to warm her up. He closed his hands over hers and bent over for a gentle kiss. She relaxed against him.
“The baby I lost in a miscarriage,” she whispered. “David told me I shouldn’t have named him.”
The more Iron leaned about David, the more he became motivated to hunt down the bastard and teach him a lesson he’d never forget.
“David has no business telling you what to do. He should’ve let you grieved in peace,” Iron said. “Loss isn’t easy. My momma passed away years ago, but I still miss her occasionally.”
She leaned her beautiful head against his chest. Iron ran his fingers down every single knob of her spine. He stroked her back, and she seemed to like that.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before,” she told him.
“That’s fine. Any more secrets?” he asked in a teasing voice, hoping to lighten the mood.
She shook her head.
“You let me worry about David. If he or someone he hires comes here and starts asking questions about you, I’ll be the first to know,” Iron told her in his most reassuring voice.
“Then what?”
Iron kissed her on the mouth, taking his time this time around. “We’ll see when that time comes.”
“Okay.”
Judging by David’s text messages, Iron could tell Amber’s ex was one persistent and pushy bastard. There was only one way to deal with those, but if Iron did end up killing him, would that drive Amber further from him? Over the past week, he’d slowly begun introducing her to some of his MC brothers. She was starting to warm up to them and vice versa.
“Did you manage to get some work done today?” he asked.
“I just read and answered some emails. There’s a ton to go through,” she said with a groan.
“Then I shouldn’t bother you. I got to get back to work as well,” he said.
Members of the Skull Riders MC were riding into town today. After a week of tense negotiations, Skull agreed to come to their turf. Devil and he had also dug up Carl’s body and had the corpse cremated. It had been a busy week for the MC, but what free time Iron had, he spent it with Amber. It was strange. The MC was his entire life, his number-one priority, but he couldn’t wait to finish with MC business to be with her. She was the light at the end of a very dark tunnel.
“Will you come over tonight?” she asked him.
Iron shook his head. “I wish I could, but the MC has guests to entertain. Promise me one thing, Amber.”
“Anything.”
“Stay indoors tonight,” he told her in a serious tone.
She considered him for a few seconds. “Does this have to do with the two bikers we met on the hill?”
Iron nodded. “We’re meeting with their MC President. I’m not sure if Rat and Sting will be there, but I want to know you’re safe.”
Iron knew she sometimes liked to take night walks around town.
Amber relented. “All right, but can I see you tomorrow night?”
“You can see me whenever you want, baby. Just not tonight. I’m yours.”
He slipped his hands under the hem of her dress, groaning as he touched heated and soft flesh. She hooked her arms around his neck and kissed him. Iron thrust his tongue down her throat, loving it when she sucked down hard on it. He pulled away afterward, breathing hard. He could feel his dick pressing up against the zipper of his jeans.
How many times did he imagine throwing her on her bed and finally claiming her for himself? Amber’s still recovering from her last abusive relationship, you need to be patient, Iron reminded himself. Amber also lost her baby. That explained why she’d been a little reluctant and defensive when they first met.
“Don’t stop,” Amber whispered.
“No?” he asked. Iron buried his face into the side of her neck, inhaling her sweet scent. He decided he couldn’t just leave his woman unsatisfied. He wanted her to think of him while he was gone.
“Hold on to me tight,” he told her.
She did as he asked. Iron stood up, carrying his prize in his arms. He lowered Amber down the bed, then took off his jacket and shoes.
“Scoot up,” he ordered. “Lift your dress.”
The sight of her pink underwear near sent him into a crazed frenzy. Iron crawled on top of her. He gave her a kiss on the mouth, then he pushed her dress all the way up to her chest. His mouth watered. Her pink bra matched her underwear.
“Wait,” Amber said. She quickly undid the clasp of her bra and took it off, baring her ample breasts for him. He thumbed her left nipple until the bud hardened. She moaned as he took the bud into his mouth and sucked.
“Iron,” she whispered.
He set a little bit of his teeth and bit down, leaving his mark there before he kissed the spot between her breasts, then made his way down her ribs, stomach, and thighs. Iron didn’t miss the fact that moisture had gathered in her panties. Grinning and feeling full of himself, he hooked his
fingers into the band of her underwear and slipped them down. Iron tossed them aside.
“Look at that pretty pink pussy,” he said.
Amber flushed, her cheeks and neck turning pink.
“All mine. Say it.”
“I’m yours,” she whispered, whimpering when he pushed his tongue between her slick folds.
She clutched at the pillows above her while Iron ate her out. He pushed two fingers inside her pussy, already picturing himself sliding his cock inside her. She gasped, tangling her fingers in his hair. He bet she’d feel perfect and tight. Iron’s pants tented, but today, he would focus on her pleasure. Not his. There would be another time to sate his needs.
Iron dragged his tongue over her clit, then sucked on the sensitive nub of flesh. She cried out above him and came all over his face. He cleaned her up, taking in the sweet taste of her, and licked his lips afterward. She looked right at him, pupils still dilated, lips swollen from their earlier kiss. He wanted to make her come all over again, but he remembered they both had responsibilities.
Being with Amber made him feel young and hopeful again.
“You’re not going to fuck me?” she asked him in a dazed voice.
He kissed her on the mouth, making her taste her own need. Fuck, but his balls felt like they were about to explode.
“Tomorrow night,” he said.
“I’ll hold you to that promise.” Before he could get off her, she reached for the zipper of his jeans. Amber undid his pants and pulled his thickening shaft out. He groaned as she wrapped her slender fingers around his dick. A few strokes and he climaxed. He painted her tits and chest with his jizz. Possessive want surged throughout his entire body. He felt like a predator marking his territory.
Screw club business. Iron wanted to roll in bed with Amber the entire day. The MC could manage on their own without him for a few days. Don’t distract her, he told himself. Amber was still learning to get back on her own two feet. Still recovering from the pain and damage David caused her.
Despite his misgivings, Iron got off her. He took a quick trip to the bathroom and grabbed a towel, then returned to Amber. He cleaned her up, then himself. Iron zipped his jeans as Amber remained on the bed, smiling at him. Sheer temptation.
“Thanks for lunch and for this,” she said.
“Anytime, baby.” Iron kissed her cheek, then left before he changed his mind about giving her space. Come tomorrow night, he’d finally take her in the most intimate way possible. He’d give her a night she’d never forget. He swore he’d help her forget all about David.
Before Iron mounted his bike, he checked his phone. A text from Devil, asking where he was. Iron quickly texted him back and told him he was on his way. He was supposed to be part of the welcoming party. Saint and Devil needed him in situations like these because he was the club’s resident peacemaker. Bear once asked him if there was a trick to it. There wasn’t. Iron was just good at reading people and predicting how they’d react.
He rode to the MC clubhouse, humming under his breath. Even the sight of the unknown bikes in the parking lot didn’t ruin his good mood. He entered the building, nodding to the two prospects guarding the door. Once inside, he noticed a few MC members hanging around at the tables. The mood was tense.
Iron understood why. He noticed Rat and another big, bald, and muscled Skull Rider having beers by the bar. Sting sat on a chair nearby, pressing a damp cloth against his bleeding eye. The club whores usually hung out here day and night, but none of them were in sight. This wasn’t good. Spotting Bear, he walked to his friend.
“What happened?” he asked.
“That prick over there hit on Darci. When she refused him, he gave her a black eye. Chains intervened and told him we didn’t treat our women like that,” Bear explained, scowling at Sting, then at Rat. Rat gave Iron a lazy wave, as if they were old friends. Iron ignored him.
“And Skull?” he pressed.
“In Saint’s office,” Bear said. “Where were you, man? Devil was looking for you.”
“I’m sure they can handle one asshole on their own.” The moment he said those words, a gunshot had all of them standing. Shit. Iron looked at their visitors. Rat smashed the beer bottle he was holding and held the broken glass like a weapon. Rat’s friend cracked his knuckles. Sting wobbled to his feet and inched toward his fellow MC members. The four other Fallen Saints MC members there, excluding Bear and Iron, had pulled out guns and knives.
“Everyone, calm the fuck down,” Iron said, putting himself between the two groups. “We don’t know what happened.”
“Why the hell should we listen to you? Our president might be bleeding to death,” said the bald Skull Rider.
“It might just be a misfire. Let me check. For now, let’s avoid further bloodshed. Before this Carl business, our clubs had been getting along just fine. Am I right?” Iron reasoned.
“Don’t listen to him, Link,” Sting said with a jeer. “He’s just a smooth talker.”
“No, he’s right. Go on and check. If we don’t see our president alive and kicking…” Link trailed off.
“And what? You guys are outnumbered,” said one of Iron’s brothers.
“Brooks, let me handle this,” Iron said in a tight voice. “Everyone, stay where you are.”
He ran right to Saint’s office. Iron tried the door. It was unlocked. He yanked it open, expecting the worst. Brooks was right. Skull and his MC members were outnumbered and outgunned, but had that been part of Skull’s plan? The president of the Skull Riders MC was a crafty son-of-a-bitch. If any of them were harmed during this visit, they’d have reason to pit their entire MC against the Fallen Saints MC. Redemption would become a battleground. Again. Iron refused to have that.
Iron took in the scene. Saint sat behind his desk, his expression unreadable. Iron couldn’t see his hands, but he knew Saint kept a revolver taped under his desk. Skull was on his feet, holding a smoking gun. Devil sat in the chair by the desk, touching his bloody cheek. The gunshot had left a score of blood there, but no real harm. Devil let out a laugh. Skull tucked his gun away.
Where did he hide that little gun? Iron wondered. Visitors were always searched for weapons before they could step foot in the club.
“Any cause for alarm, boss?” he asked Saint. “Because a fight’s about to break out there.”
“Nah, tempers were just running a little high,” Devil said. “We good, Skull?”
“We’re far from that,” Skull said.
“Fine, let’s resume our talk.” Saint gave him a nod. Iron closed the door behind him and returned to everyone to tell them no one was hurt or injured. God. He couldn’t wait for this day to be over so he could be with his woman.
Chapter Eight
Amber ran a comb through her hair. She set it down, then gazed at her reflection in the bathroom mirror. She tugged at the hem of her new summer dress. It had taken ages, but time had finally erased the old bruises on her neck. She felt different. New. She no longer saw a broken woman weighed down by her past but someone struggling to move forward. Amber shouldn’t be nervous about her date with Iron.
They’d moved on from being complete strangers, to friends, and to something more.
Michael would always remain in her thoughts, but David had become a mere footnote in her life. She returned to her room where she’d left her phone on the bed. When it started to ring, she froze up like a rabbit caught in a trap, then silently berated herself. Even if it was David, she’d just block his new number. Maybe she could ask Iron to accompany her to the nearest cell phone provider. It was finally time to take charge of her own life.
Relieved to see Jenny’s name flashing across her screen, she picked up. “Jenny, do you have something for me?” Jenny was a real estate agent she found online yesterday. Amber had contacted her and they clicked.
“I just emailed you images of five apartment listings in the main town area. Check them out and let me know what you think. We can start viewing the properties after,”
Jenny said.
“Great. I’ll do that. Thanks, Jenny.”
“You have a good day, Amber. If you have any additional questions, feel free to contact me.”
Amber started looking through the photos Jenny sent her when she heard a knock on the door. She looked through the peephole before opening it. Once again, Iron presented her with a bouquet of white and red roses.
“They’re beautiful. Thank you,” she said. He gave her a kiss on the cheek. Amber put the new flowers in a vase. She grabbed her purse and accepted his offered hand.
“How did yesterday go?” she asked while they were in the elevator.
“Let’s see. Things were about to get messy. Skull shot Devil but thankfully missed. His MC and ours were about to get into a fight, but we managed to make peace,” Iron said, running a hand through his salt-and-pepper hair.
She winced. “Sounds rough. It’s a good thing you were there.”
Amber knew Iron often broke up fights between his MC brothers. Back when she barely knew him, she thought she couldn’t accept his violent lifestyle. It didn’t take long for her to figure out he was worth sticking around for.
“I couldn’t wait for yesterday and today to be over so I could finally see my woman.”
Her heart skipped a beat when he called her his. They stopped in front of his motorcycle. Before Iron handed her his spare helmet, he faced her, closed his hand on the back of her neck, and kissed her senseless. The traffic, the folks walking on the sidewalk—every noise faded. The world narrowed its scope to just the two of them.
Feeling mischievous, she didn’t part from him just yet even after he released her lips. She rose on tiptoe to whisper in his ear, “I wore something special for you tonight.”
Iron’s gaze burned with ill-contained want. He ran his hands possessively down her sides. If he lifted her dress right here on the street to touch her bare skin, she wouldn’t, couldn’t stop him. Amber had grown addicted to his touches. She longed for him to throw her down on the bed and have his way with her. To see him look at her like she was the only woman in the world who mattered.
Bending Iron (Fallen Saints MC Book 5) Page 5
