BENT AT THE ALTAR: Broken Lions MC

by St. Rose, Claire

Gabriel was emptying two takeout boxes onto plates, dividing their contents between the dishes, when he heard the door open. “Perfect timing,” he said as he sat the food on the table.

  “It smells great. I’m starved.”

  “I just got home with it,” he said as he pulled her chair out and she settled.

  “Home?”

  He grinned as he took his own seat. “Slip of the tongue. I should have said I just got here with it.”

  “Uh-huh,” she smiled as she dug into her meal. “I could get used to this, arriving home and having dinner ready.”

  He refused to take the bait. She knew where he stood and he wasn’t going to beat that horse tonight. “Would it be okay if I either stuck around or came back later to say goodnight to Katrina?”

  “She’ll be asleep when she gets here.”

  “I know. It’s not for her, it’s for me. I can leave right after.”

  “Like you did the last time?” she asked, but smiled to soften the words.

  “As I recall, it was you who asked me to stay. I was going to leave.”

  “Okay, you’re right, it was me.” She paused as she stuck another fork of noodles into her mouth and chewed. “Would you like to stay tonight?”

  “Yes.” He thought about giving her an out, but decided she was a big girl and if she didn’t want him to stay, she wouldn’t have asked.

  “I think I would like that, too. Katrina hasn’t seen you since Monday morning and she asked about you yesterday. She wanted to know if you were going to take her to the zoo this weekend.”

  Having his daughter ask about him, even if it was only to take her to the zoo, warmed him in a way the food couldn’t. “Nothing I can do about Tony until I get the phone report on Monday anyway, so sure, I can do that. Would Mommy like to tag along, too, or would she like a break? I can take her Sunday and you can have the day to yourself.”

  As much as she hated to admit it, that sounded wonderful. “Would you mind?”

  “Of course not, if she’ll go without you being there. Now that you’re not having to work two jobs anymore, any chance of getting your hours changed so you can be off Saturday, too?”

  “Not likely. We get a lot of custom baking orders on Saturday. It’s okay. Being off Monday is helpful sometimes. That’s when I can take care of business.”

  Gabriel nodded in understanding. “Maybe have a trial run tomorrow? You can sleep in and I can get up with her? I can fix eggs now.”

  She chased up the last of the noodles on her plate and popped them into her mouth. “Okay. I guess I have to start trusting you sometime, and I’ll be here if you get into trouble.”

  “I think I can handle a three year old little girl.”

  Stella giggled. “I’ll remind you that you said that.” She glanced at the clock on the microwave. “I have to get ready.”

  He made shooing motions with his hands. “I’ve got this.”

  “You’re spoiling me,” she said as she gave him a quick kiss.

  “I’m trying.”

  ***

  “Would you like me to leave while you’re at work?” he asked when she reappeared.

  “No. If you’re staying the night, why leave?”

  “Would you mind if I went home and got a few things to leave here?”

  “What things?”

  It was clear she was thinking he was talking about moving in and grinned at her tone. “A toothbrush and razor. I’m tired of brushing my teeth with my finger. The razor is so I can shave before...you know.”

  She visibly relaxed. “No, that’s fine. I actually like the idea of the razor. You gave me whisker burns down there the last time.”

  He chuckled. “Sorry about that. You seemed to enjoy it, though.”

  “Oh, I did. It was the next morning that was the issue. It was worth it, though.”

  “I’ll bring a change of clothes, too, so I’ll be presentable in the morning.”

  She nodded. “Fine.” She stepped in close and gave him a quick kiss. “I’m sorry if I come off as a bitch. It just feels like everything is moving so fast. First’s it’s a toothbrush, then next it’s your clothes, then your furniture.”

  He chuckled again. “No worries there. I have no furniture.” He looked at her and his grin faded. “I want you, Stella, but I only want you when you’re ready. If you think I’m pushing too hard, tell me, okay? Don’t pull back. This has to work for both of us, for Katrina’s sake.”

  She nodded. “I’ll make you a deal: I’ll be patient with you if you’ll be patient with me.”

  “Deal!” he said instantly. “Go. I’d hate for you to be fired for being late on your last day at work.”

  She giggled. “Me too. And you’re going to let me sleep in the morning?”

  “If Katrina will let me.”

  She grinned at him then pulled his head down to bring her lips close to his ear. “Then you’d better be here when I get home with her. If I don’t have to get up in the morning, I want you to be up tonight.”

  ***

  He felt like a stalker, checking the parking lot every thirty seconds to see if Stella had arrived. She was late arriving home, and he was beginning to worry. She’d managed on her own for four years, and he felt silly worrying about her, but he couldn’t help it. He was peeking out of the blinds when he saw headlights approaching, her blue Civic pulling to a stop in her spot. He relaxed with a sigh and shook his head. She was only fifteen minutes late, but he didn’t like her being out alone so late at night.

  When she started for the building, Katrina in her arms, he turned from the window and opened the door, waited for her to arrive, then shut it behind her.

  “Thanks,” she whispered as she moved down the hall and turned into Katrina’s room, stepping out and closing Katrina’s door a moment later. “Were you watching for me?” she asked when she returned to the family room.

  “Why do you ask?”

  “I was just wondering. You knew when to open the door.”

  He grinned sheepishly. “You caught me. I was starting to worry.”

  She grinned and gave him a light pat on the cheek, noticing the lack of stubble. “That’s sweet. My car needed gas and I had to talk to Grammy a minute.”

  “How was your last night at work?”

  “Busy. Friday nights are always busy.”

  “Well, you won’t have to deal with it anymore, and you can catch up on your sleep in the morning. Do you want anything or are you ready for bed?”

  She grinned at him. “Both.”

  He chuckled as she turned away and sashayed her way down the hall as he watched her ass move, the swing of her hips making him stiffen in anticipation.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX Gabriel pushed the door almost closed as he followed Stella into the bedroom. He’d already brushed and shaved while waiting so he took her by the arm and spun her around to face him. He pulled her in, holding her to him as he watched her eyes. She stood still, meeting his gaze, almost daring him to kiss her. He lowered his lips to her, kissing her slowly, sensuously, savoring her taste as his tongue explored her mouth.

  She sighed and slowly opened her eyes as his lips left hers. “That was nice.”

  “Yes it was,” he breathed.

  His were lips so close she could feel the tickle of his breath when he spoke. She wanted him to kiss her again, but she gently squirmed out of his arms before she lost herself in the moment. “I have to wash my face,” she said softly. “I’ll only be a minute. Turn down the bed and think of all the wonderful things you are going to do to me.”

  He watched her move into the bath with a soft smile. When he heard the water run, he stripped out of his clothes and flipped the linens back on the bed. He crawled in and propped against the wall, facing the bathroom.

  She stepped out, leaving the light on so she could see him clearly. He was already in bed, propped up against the wall with the linens pulled over his legs and hips but leaving his bare torso visible. One leg was hiked up with his arm draped casually o
ver the knee as he watched her step out of bath. It was obviously a calculated pose to show off his chiseled body with devastating effect, while creating a tent that prevented her from seeing if he had an erection. It may be a pose, but it was a good one, and she could feel her moisture flow in anticipation. She paused in the doorway, drinking in the sight of him, the single sexist man she’d ever been with, and he was all hers.

  “Okay, beautiful, are you going to come over here or am I going to have to go over there?” he asked softly, patting the bed beside him. “I’ve thought of so many things to do to you.”

  “You like what you see?” she asked, sliding her hands over her body to entice him further.

  “I hope you brought home oven mitts,” he said with a grin, his smile spreading as her face wrinkled and her head cocked. “You’re so damn hot I’m afraid to touch you.”

  She flipped the light off then swaggered to the bed, giving her hips an exaggerated swing, then holding his eyes as she knee-walked across the bed. She pushed his leg down and swung a leg over and sat astride him. “I guess you are going to have to do something to cool me off, then,” she purred, beginning to enjoy the game.

  “And what might that be?” asked softly as his hands slowly slid up her back.

  She held herself perfectly still and gazed deep into his eyes as a delightful shiver passed through her from his touch. “Surprise me…” she whispered as she leaned in to bring her lips to his. The kiss started out as slow and gentle as the kiss they shared a moment ago but quickly took on a life of its own. With a soft moan she leaned into the kiss, rising up on onto knees and tucking in her chin while pressing her body into his as her desire began to spiral out of control. His gentle and unwavering pressure was beginning to reach her, reminding her of what they had and breaking down her resistance. He was everything she liked about him before, but more. More confidence and patience, more handsome, not to mention more skilled at pleasing a woman. She wanted him as badly as she ever wanted anyone. In her bed. In her life.

  He pushed her away, holding her by the arms as his lips attacked her throat and his breathing became heavy and loaded with desire. She wrapped her hands in his hair and pulled his lips harder into her neck then pushed him down between the swell of her breasts. He allowed her to guide him, her soft gasp as he kissed lower making his blood roar.

  “Fuck,” she gasped, softly pumping her hips as his lips caressed her skin. He turned, dumping her to the bed with a roll of his hips before kicking the linens free and pinning her down with his weight. He stared at her, his hands cradling her face and preventing her from looking away. He was breathing hard, his face a mask of desire as he held her eyes, his own burning with an intensity she’d never seen before. Seeing his face, sensing how badly he wanted her, sent a tingle skittering through her. She smiled and raised her head, encouraging him to kiss her, but he didn’t move, he eyes still holding hers.

  “I love you,” he said softy.

  The urge to respond was strong, the words coming easily to her lips, but she couldn’t bring herself to utter them. She wanted to say them, but was afraid she was confusing what she felt with her heart with what she felt between her legs. She smiled, a gentle smile, and pulled his lips to hers.

  He took her lips, kissing her slowly. He thought she was going to say it. That was twice he was certain she had started to say I love you in return. He was trading on what they once had, and he knew it, but he felt he was slowly winning her, breaking down her resistance to accepting him.

  He moved from her lips, kissing along her jaw and down her throat. She smelled wonderful, better than he believed a woman could smell, her scent of baking and bread, with hint of something floral mixed with desire. He moved lower, breathing deep, burning her smell into his mind. Slowly, delicately, his lips and tongue slathered the skin around the nipple.

  She groaned in desire and anticipation. She took his head into her hands and tried to steer his lips to the most sensitive point of her breast, but he refused to go, refused to be rushed. As his tongue continued to tease her nipples to aching erectness, she gasped as he softly touched her womanhood, his finger slowly sliding along the outer lips, the slow stroke maddening in its promise. She gasped as her hips pushed up of their own accord, encouraging him to continue to touch her. As with her breasts, he refused to be rushed and she reached for his hand.

  “Relax…” he breathed as he moved her hand away before once again brushing his finger lightly across her most intimate area.

  For the next eternity he began to drive her wild, slowly building up her desire while refusing to push her over the edge. He smiled as she whimpered, writhed and pleaded, enjoying her distress as she fought for her release. He held her on the knife edge, briefly letting her fall back before driving her ever nearer to the abyss only to leave her begging him for her orgasm.

  She, again, took his cock in her hand, slick with his desire, and stroked him hard and fast, trying to break his mastery over her. She whimpered as the strokes of his finger and tongue became more forceful, more deliberate, making her gasp in the sweetest of agonies. He moved, pulling his cock from her hand and she gripped his hair with what had to be painful intensity, pressing his mouth harder into her breast. He relented and began to flick the nipple of her breast, lighting her up with pleasure of searing intensity. He scraped the hard point gently over his teeth with this tongue while gently savaging her clit, finally goading her into orgasm. With a hard shuddering groan her orgasm overwhelmed her, and still he tormented her.

  “Stop! Please stop!” she gasped as her body twitched and jerked beyond her control.

  He kissed down her body, intent on devastating her with pleasure, sliding lower before bringing his lips to her pussy. The moment he touched her she bucked hard, her hands coming his to head.

  “No,” she gasped, still reeling from her orgasm. He ignored her plaintive cry and continued to lick and kiss slowly. As his tongue massaged her over stimulate clit, she felt another orgasm bearing down on her with terrifying power. Her voice rose within her, needing to cry her pleasure to the world, but she bit down on the wail and forced it into a soft moan as her hips rose of their own accord, her body no longer hers to control.

  He continued to batter her with his tongue, her soft cry as she thrashed in erotic bliss making him burn for her, his own hips thrusting against the bed as he held her to his face, moving with her as she twisted and bucked.

  Her second orgasm hit with the power of a thunderclap and she began to keen as the climax rolled over her, the sensations of Gabriel’s sliding and probing tongue too intense to bear. “Fuck!” she wailed softly as she slapped and pushed at him, caught in the teeth of the maelstrom, desperate to be free of the most exquisite of tortures.

  He waited, smiling, for her to come down from her orgasm. When she stopped shivering and opened her eyes, he took her lips softy. He felt her smile under his lips before she wrapped her arm around him and pulled him deeper into the kiss. He kissed her slowly, allowing her to drink her fill from his lips, not pulling away until she relaxed her embrace.

  “Surprise,” he whispered with a grin.

  Stella giggled then sighed. “You’re a total fuck, you know that?”

  Gabriel chuckled softly. “And here I thought you were enjoying yourself,” he said, tasting her lips again.

  “I did, but you promised not to make me scream,” she said, her voice petulant but a smile on her lips. “What if I woke Katrina up?”

  He chuckled again. “You weren’t that loud.” She was lethargic, so he pulled her into a snuggle, holding her close as he kissed and stroked, giving her time to recover before they entered into the next sprint. After several minutes of cuddling she reached between them and took his manhood into her hand, slowly stroking him. He tried to pull away but she clamped down on him, holding him firm.

  He tried to escape her grasp, their brief struggle causing him to gasp. “Nuh-uh,” she breathed. “Now it’s your turn.” She pushed him onto this back and dr
aped herself across him, smiling as she remembered how turned on she got the last time she had him in her mouth. She slid him into her mouth, pinching her lips tight and taking him as deep as possible, wanting to please him, wanting to make him gasp in pleasure. She knew she was inexperienced at giving head, but she wanted to learn, wanted to up her game to match his, wanted to please him like no other woman could. Holding her lips tight, she drew back, rising up his shaft then thrashed the head of his cock with her tongue.

  “Easy…” he whispered, every muscle tense. “Don’t make me come too soon.”

  Knowing she could make him come in her mouth again excited her. She pulled back, allowing his turgid member to pop free of her mouth with a wet sounding slurp. “No…” she cooed as she kissed down the outside, “that wouldn’t do at all.”