The Enemy

by Amelia Shea

  As she approached, she noticed Bailey and a few others circled in front of the house, off to the side in the yard. When Bailey caught sight of her, her face lit up, and she extended her hand for an enthusiastic wave. Phoebe smiled and started toward the group. She’d seen two of the them at the town meeting. The older woman and the one holding the baby she didn’t recognize.

  “I live the closest, and I’m the last one here.” She snickered.

  “I thought maybe you got lost.” Bailey pulled her in for a hug. While she’d had plenty of friends from her old life, some remained, other friendships had run their course. Hers and Bailey’s was special. Mostly because of who Bailey was.

  Phoebe stepped back and waved to the women eyeing her. “Hey there.”

  Bailey grasped her hand, tugging her forward. “Everyone, this is Phoebe.” Bailey pointed and did introductions down the line. “This is Meg, Marissa, and baby Cora. Macy and Cheyenne.”

  Macy stepped forward. “Can I just thank you for your entertaining performance at the town meeting?” She giggled. “I told Rourke I’m only going back if you’re there.” She side-glanced Bailey and smirked. “No offense, Bails.”

  Bailey chuckled. “None taken, I always enjoy them more when Phoebe shows up.”

  Cheyenne smiled and extended her hand. “Ditto to Macy’s sentiment. You should charge admission.” She winked. “I’d pay.”

  Phoebe felt an instant ease and shrugged. “Just doing my part to keep the town amused. Plus, I just can’t seem to help myself with Arnett.”

  Meg stepped closer and eyed Phoebe. “From what I hear, he’s an asshole. I might have to make it to one of these meetings.” She smirked. “It’s all Mace and Chey talk about.”

  The group laughed, and Phoebe let all her tension go as Macy walked them through the set up around the yard. Both she and Cheyenne seemed to have everything set with food, drinks, and decorations. Phoebe hung back, watching Bailey gleam with all the details. She considered Bailey one of her closest friends but loved seeing her with the other women. It seemed every one of them appreciated the true beauty of Bailey.

  They were rounding the back yard near the fire pit when Marissa dropped back, evening her strides with Phoebe. Her baby girl curled into her chest was adorable. She hadn’t spent much time around babies though she’d always loved kids.

  “Bailey said you’re moving here permanently?”

  Phoebe nodded. “Yeah. I’ve had the house for about seven years, using it as a weekend getaway every few months.” She sighed. “Just moved all my stuff a few weeks ago.”

  “I live in Turnersville.” She raised her brows in thought and grinned. “Bailey comes down once a week.” She gestured to her baby. “My husband insists I get some time away. Bailey and I do lunch, some shopping. Come along with her next time.”

  Phoebe smiled. “Absolutely, I’d love that. Caden’s wife, right?” Bailey had mentioned Marissa quite a bit. It seemed they’d become very close. “That makes you Kase’s sister-in-law?”

  She seemed taken aback by the question, almost on edge. It wavered, and Marissa smirked. “He’s not as bad as he seems.”

  It was a funny response. Phoebe pressed her lips together and nodded. “Really?”

  Marissa grinned and then burst out laughing. “Okay, so maybe he is what he seems.” She paused, and her features relaxed into a solemn smile. “He’s an amazing uncle.”

  Phoebe laughed as they continued to follow the women in through the back door. She held the door open for Marissa and followed her inside. Finally, I’m getting a look. She glanced to her right, which was empty, with several closed doors. A look to the left revealed the same, though at the end, double doors were opened, giving her a glimpse of what seemed to be a game room. She caught the edge of a pool table, and from her stance, she saw two dart boards on the wall next to a small bar.

  She started forward, realizing most of the group had continued on while Marissa was standing a few feet ahead waiting on her.

  “Never been here?”

  Phoebe shook her head.

  She pointed to where Phoebe had been looking. “That’s basically a hang-out room with pool tables, pub tables, and a bar.” She arched a brow. “And a stripper pole with a tiny stage.”

  Phoebe laughed. “I’d expect nothing less from an MC.”

  Marissa chuckled and jerked her chin to the room. “Want to have a look?”

  It was a loaded question. How could she say no? She nodded before she could even think, and Marissa was walking her into the open room. There were a few members who stopped what they were doing and glanced up.

  “Hope we’re not bothering you guys,” Marissa said.

  Phoebe peered through the room, noticing a few familiar faces. One in particular. Gage had been a man she’d seen before. Beyond sexy in the bad boy sense and unbelievably flirty. He hopped off his stool and advanced toward them.

  “Hot women are always welcome, you know that, Riss.” He may have been talking to Marissa, but his gaze was zoned in on Phoebe. The man did wonders for her ego. His stare bore through her, making her feel as though she was the only woman in the room. She wasn’t. In fact, there was a topless dancer with fabulous boobs swinging on the pole in the corner of the room.

  Phoebe smiled coyly at Gage and walked around the pub tables lined up against the wall. It was giving her a better view of the gorgeous brunette sliding down the pole. Phoebe stopped a few feet away, and when the dancer glanced over, she smiled.

  “You wanna give it a shot, honey?”

  Marissa slowly angled her head, glancing over her shoulder at Gage, who was standing near the makeshift bar. Yum. Long blond hair tied back at the nape of his neck, striking blue eyes gleaming back at her with a mischievous smirk. Gage was a good time, she guessed. And mine for the taking, if I want.

  Do I want him? She ducked her head, giving her attention to the woman on the pole. Her moves were graceful and seductive, her technique was flawless, but her grip was off. She was obviously not a professional, though she did work the pole as though she’d been trained. Phoebe moved closer.

  “Can I give you a helpful hint? It’ll make your spin smoother and your thighs and ass will thank me for it.”

  She cocked her head in slight confusion. “Okay.”

  “If you hook your ankle on the pole, you’ll glide easier and the flow will be more natural.”

  She wasn’t sure what she had expected. A possible backlash? The woman remained silent for a brief second before stepping back, grasping her hands on the pole above her head, and forming a spin, taking Phoebe’s instructions. The move was effortless as she rounded the metal bar in a sensual dance.

  She stopped once her foot hit the ground and glanced over her shoulder, winking at Phoebe. “Thank you.”

  Phoebe nodded and turned back to the small group. All eyes were on her, including a new pair at the door. It was inevitable she’d see him. It was his house. She had expected his presence, but the intensity in his dark eyes and his harsh features aimed in her direction was unexpected.

  “Well, now, I wouldn’t have pegged you as a stripper.”

  The comment tugged her out of her heated eye fucking with Kase. She turned to face Gage. He was thoroughly amused.

  She licked her lips. “I’m not. I took a few classes, though. It’s an amazing workout.”

  Gage’s gaze travelled down her body, appreciating her hard-earned classes. “I can see that.”

  Phoebe chuckled, glancing over at Kase who was staring back at her. He lacked the carefree desire Gage was sending her. Kase seemed as though he was at a crossroads between wanting to kick her ass out or bending her over and fucking her with reckless abandon. Her stomach flipped and her breathing grew heavy.

  “I should get going,” Marissa said, and Phoebe rushed forward.

  “Me too, let’s walk out together.”

  Marissa nodded, and Phoebe noticed her gaze shift to Kase.

  Phoebe turned and waved to the men and shuffled
through the doorway following Marissa. As she passed Kase, the smoke from his cigarette drifted in front of her. She only got two feet into the hall before Kase stalked forward, advancing in front of her and halting Marissa.

  “I’ll follow you. Gotta pick up Pop,” he said with his gaze stuck on Marissa. “Gimme five, and we’ll head out.”

  She nodded and glanced over her shoulder, smiling. “Phoebe, I’ll get your number from Bailey? Maybe we can all get together soon? You guys can come over to the house.”

  “Yes. I’d love that.” She held up her finger, pointing at Marissa. “But promise me you’ll let me hold that baby.”

  Marissa chuckled. “Absolutely. I’ll even let ya change a diaper.” She winked and headed down the hall. She had just turned the corner when Phoebe moved forward to follow. Kase grasped her forearm. It all happened so fast. One second, she was in the hall and the next she was ushered into a room and the door was slamming behind her. Her back was forced against the wall and Kase loomed over her. He gripped her arms, making it impossible for her to move.

  “What the fuck are you doing?”

  Phoebe tried to yank her arm, but his grip remained tight. “Bailey invited me. You got a problem, take it up with her. Now get your hands off me. Unless you’re looking to be my next assault victim.” She snarled her last sentence.

  She wasn’t even sure where her voice had come from.

  He growled, pulling her closer, and her breasts grazed his chest. This was a far cry from the man who bailed on her when she offered a night in her bed. The heat rose on her cheeks, and she glanced down at his chest. His president patch stared back at her.

  “Don’t got a problem with you in my house,” he growled. “Got a problem with you not saying shit to me while you’re in it.”

  She glanced up through her lashes. “What do you want me to say, Kase?” She raised her brows.

  His dark eyes blackened, and she felt the air between them thicken. She drew in a breath, needing more oxygen. His head curved slightly, and for a brief second, she could envision him leaning closer and kissing her. She licked her lips with anticipation, and his gaze dropped, following her tongue circling over her upper lip.

  He leaned closer. Kiss me. “You’d regret getting in bed with me,” he snarled with an angered tone. She lowered her hand over his chest and felt the spike in his heart under the pads of her fingers.

  “You’ll regret it, Kase. Not me,” she whispered.

  He scoffed, and she expected him to push away. Instead he tugged her closer, and his body slid into hers. He was doing a shit job concealing his attraction to her, and she shifted closer, gripping his shirt. What the hell was she doing?

  His warm breath fanned over her face, and she jutted her chin upward. Kiss me. She was silently begging him. Her hands wandered over his chest feeling the outline of his muscles through the thin cotton.

  “You like it from behind, Phoebe?” His voice rumbled and her panties moistened.

  He jerked her around, pressing her chest into the door as she gasped for a breath. His body flattened against her back, and she was sandwiched between the door and his body. His hands were rough as he draped over her waist and up her chest to cup her breasts into a tight squeeze. Gentle was not what she’d expect from him nor would she get. Fine by me. His fingers sifted over her shirt and bra, pinching her hard nipples through the material. Even with layers between them, she felt the need and desire.

  She rolled her hips, pressing against his cock. The hardened member pushing against her ass. He wanted this as much as she did. They were both crossing enemy lines.

  Her hands gripped the wood beneath her fingertips, and she rocked her backside into his growing cock. His hands gripped her hips in a tight hold, his fingers digging into her flesh through her T-shirt.

  “Don’t be a tease, Kase,” she panted.

  He growled in her ear, sending shivers down her spine and a moisture seeping into her panties. He remained silent, and another snarky retort was on her lips, but his hand flitting around her and dipping into her jeans had her gasping for a breath. Lower, lower, lower. As if he heard her silent command, his hand wedged between the seam of her denim and trailed down her pelvic flesh. She wiggled her hips, making room for his hand. The man needed no help. His finger skimmed over her clit, and she jolted forward.

  It was as if she hadn’t been touched in years. She rested her forehead against the wood door, savoring the feel of the pad of his finger over her clit. His motions were lazy and teasing. She arched her hips for a deeper contact.

  “No,” he snapped in a harsh whisper. He gripped her hair, pulling her head to lay across his shoulder. She moaned in a whisper when she felt the direct contact on her clit. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head from the friction and electric tension. He circled her bundle of nerves, and her breathing labored. It was a delicious warping sensation. It was almost too much to take. Too much feeling; she was a live wire set to burst into flames.

  “Kase.” She hadn’t meant to call for him. She hadn’t meant for any of this. She swiveled her hips wanting more. He took her cue and lowered his finger, slowly dipping between her folds.

  She turned her head, bumping against his chin. He wouldn’t deny her a kiss. Right?

  His mouth descended on hers with a hurried, desperate need, his tongue tangled with hers, and his hot breath filtered past her lips. Yes. Fuck, yes. Her fingernails scraped down the wood.

  The harsh knock from the door set her back against his chest.

  “Kase, prospects are here.”

  His finger stilled inside her, and she clamped her core, tightening her hold and trapping him inside her. She was being greedy and aggressive. I don’t care, I wanna come, dammit.

  “They gotta head out in five, man, if they wanna make the delivery time.” She pried her eyes open, staring back at the wood door. Her heartbeat drummed erratically. His hand slowly pulled from inside her, slipping out of her pants. So much built up sexual tension, it was cruel to end this way. She turned, bumping her arm into his chest. With Kase standing so close, there left little room to maneuver.

  She glanced up through her lashes, settling back against the door.

  “Gimme five.” Kase growled and gripped the hem of her jeans, ripping open the snap and the zipper in a flash. It happened so quick she wasn’t even sure what he was doing until his warm, rough palm slid against her pelvis and deep between her thighs. She gasped at the sudden intrusion. He was knuckles deep, two fingers, straight into her pussy.

  He thrust inside her in deep and long, even strokes. God, yes. Kissing him was off the table. She was panting too hard. She gripped his forearms, pinching her nails through his skin, and arched her hips.

  She knocked her head against the wall, closing her eyes and riding the longest, hottest, toe-curling orgasm of her life. Her legs threatened to give out and began to shake.

  She wasn’t sure if it was the built-up sexual desire for him or just him alone, but she was spent.

  She tried to gain control of her breathing and opened her eyes to find him staring at her. His hard face showed no softness, no crack in his hard exterior. Nothing.

  Well, of course, he didn’t get to come.

  Phoebe glanced down at his jeans, a bulge straining against his zipper. She reached out, but his fingers wrapped around her wrist in a binding hold. She jerked her head and watched as he pulled his hand from her pants and backed up. He let go of her wrist and jerked his chin for her to move.

  It’s over? Surely, he would want to finish what he started. Right? The scene was a first for her. She’d never had a man turn her down. Except Kase. Twice now. His gaze narrowed when she remained blocking his exit.

  “It’s a power thing with you, isn’t it?”

  His brow arched, and a slight twitch in his lip was his answer.

  Asshole.

  She shifted to the side and watched him leave the room, not even sparing her a glance. The door closed behind him, and she balled her fists. />
  She closed her eyes. What the hell was this ridiculous attraction to him? Yeah, looks-wise he was sexy, rugged, dangerous. Everything she was never attracted to. Maybe it was the chase. Whatever it had been, she needed to steer clear of him. Her only interaction might happen when the party happened. Other than that, she was staying as far away from Kase Reilly as humanly possible.

  Asshole.

  ****

  Watching her walk away was harder than he’d thought it would be. He waited a brief moment for the relief to sink in. It didn’t. It was a moment of weakness. Having her in his space, among his club, in her tight, curve hugging jeans. Fuck. He’d shut it down before it could go any further, but he was teetering on the edge. Getting too involved with her was not an option. Yet he couldn’t seem to stay away. She interpreted it as a power thing, and he’d let her think that. The last thing he needed was her knowing she got to him.

  Kase dragged his hand over his face. She was his biggest enemy of all. The more time spent with her and he’d lose himself, and he wasn’t willing to risk it. Thirty-eight years on this earth and he’d never fallen under a woman’s spell. Fuck me. He needed to get laid. He needed a whore to suck his dick, and then fuck her faceless body and find an empty release. It was who he was, what he’d always been. Until a gorgeous blonde-haired, blue-eyed vixen showed up at the town meeting.

  He stalked through the clubhouse and ignored the stares from Gage and Dobbs. It would have been easier if not for Gage’s fucking mouth.

  “Her unclaimed status change yet?”

  Kase gritted his teeth and spun around. The heat rose from his chest. He had no claim over her. If Gage wanted a shot, he could take it. “Fuck off, Gage.” He eyed his men, who seemed caught off guard. Dobbs raised his brows while Gage sported a smirk that Kase wanted to swipe off his mouth with his goddamn fist.

  “I’ll take that as a no.” Gage snickered and glanced over at Dobbs, who seemed as though he wanted no part of this conversation. He was the smarter of the two apparently.