by M J Marino
“Now, this is what I’m fucking talking about,” he says appreciatively of the spa. “How many shower heads are in this thing?”
I turn the shower on to blast hot water. “One rain shower head and eight body spray jets. I couldn’t afford much when I moved here because I was investing everything into my business. Hence, I’m in this tiny condo. But the one thing I insisted on was an updated kitchen and bathroom. I gutted, framed, dry walled, and installed everything myself. Anything to save a couple bucks without compromising on luxury.”
Maceo smiles as he pulls me into the shower. “I love it when you talk shop.”
We make quick work of getting clean, but as I get out to towel off, Maceo remains under the water, soaking in as much pleasure as he can.
“I can always update the presidential suite to something like this if you want. I can help you install everything if you don’t want to invest any more money,” I offer.
Maceo smiles to himself while still in the shower. “‘Presidential suite.’” He chuckles.
“Let’s stop by the build site after we’re done here. I need to walk you through everything and see if it meets your standards. Punk has been very useful while you were away, calling the shots when I needed a decision to be made, but you should go over it yourself. The further we get in the build, the harder and more expensive it gets when you choose to make changes. I also need to grab my purse and car anyway,” I suggest. “Oh, and no more spanking me in front of my crew. It was humiliating.”
Maceo looks over at me, amused. “Did you enjoy it, Pixie?”
I blush. “That’s beside the point. I don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable on the job.”
Maceo’s eyes darken. “What? You mean make them jealous of what I have and they don’t?”
I point a finger at him. “Now you’re being possessive again. You need to cut it out. And no, I don’t mean ‘make them jealous.’ I don’t want anyone to feel like our displays of affection are offensive.”
He gives me a deadpan look. “Baby, if I act possessive it’s because I feel like another dude is challenging me.”
“No one is challenging you, Maceo. It’s in your head.”
He snorts. “Clearly, you can’t see how every male looks at you. But I will do my best to refrain from paddling your glorious globe while you’re at work. I’m gonna be honest though, you may need to remind me not to slap your ass in public. When it’s there in front of me, my hand just wants to reach out and grab it or spank it. And I’m sorry for embarrassing you. I don’t want you to think I don’t respect you when I do. Clearly, I was out of line.”
Good. I’m glad he’s at least acknowledging he was wrong and apologizing.
Maceo’s eyes roam over my body. “But back to my original question, did you enjoy me spanking you?”
“Yes. No. I mean, yes, but not in front of others.” Are we actually talking about this?
Maceo grins mischievously. “Would you let me do it again?”
Embarrassed, I cross my arms to fold in on myself. “Is spanking a fetish of yours?”
Maceo’s response is a wink.
Oh boy. I think back to how if felt when his hand slapped my ass. It hurt a little, but it did turn me on. “Fine, yes, I would let you do it again, but I’m not into S&M. I’ll let you get a little rough, but I draw the line at welts.”
Maceo turns off the shower and steps toward me in all his naked wet glory. Shakily, I hand him a towel, which he takes and starts drying off. “Hmm. I think our safe word should be ‘ice cream.’”
I snort. “Seriously? ‘Ice cream’ is my safe word? Why don’t we use the word ‘stop?’ It’s pretty clear what I want when using it.”
He shrugs. “It’s both of ours’, by the way. There may be things I don’t want you to do to me. And what’s wrong with ‘ice cream?’”
I put my hands up in surrender. “‘Ice cream’ it is then.” I really could care less. I’m just happy we have a safe word established.
Maceo finishes drying off. “I’ll go along with you to the MC clubhouse and have the tour if you promise to take the weekend off. I know you’ve been working your crew ‘round the clock and you’ll be with them if they’re on-site. I’ve been away from you for far too long, and I want some time alone.”
I lean back on the counter and admire the giant raven wings tattooed on his back. “Yeah, I heard Jared working his magic on you. It’s a deal, as long as I get to pick where we eat lunch.”
“As long as it’s not Brazilian, Colombian, or anything from South America.” He cringes. “I can’t stomach any more of it.”
“Good ‘ole American then, burger food truck by the university perhaps?” I suggest with hope.
Maceo smiles and bright white teeth take over his handsome face. “Perfect.”
Thirty minutes later we’re back on the build site with me towing Maceo by the hand, showing off everything we’ve completed. I’m not oblivious to the smiles and sniggers of my crew members behind my back as we pass. They’re not very discreet with the winks and appreciative nods they give Maceo. A couple of them fist bump him as we walk by. I’d glare at all of them if I wasn’t beyond blissed right now.
Jared is practically jumping when I give the all clear for the weekend off. He gets out the megaphone to inform everyone, and the relief is evident from the crew as they erupt in cheers.
Maceo’s pleased with everything completed so far, and he’s on board with what’s in the works. We go into the trailer where I add the upgrades he wants done in his bathroom, as well as a security gate he wants installed at the approach where you enter into the grounds. Once it’s done, I take a final walk around the site to check on everyone and answer questions for my team.
Saying goodbye for the day, I grab my bag, get in my car, and follow Maceo toward Colorado State University where a variety of food trucks are parked and feeding patrons. I pick my favorite burger truck and we both order the same mushroom and swiss Angus burger, with a side of fries for one and onion rings for the other.
I slap his hand away when he tries to pull out his wallet. As soon as my palm cracks against his hand, his pupils blow out with lust.
“Mmm. Again,” he purrs at me with a devious smile.
Whoa! I choke down a laugh. “Maybe later. But seriously put your wallet away. This is my treat.”
We find a shaded spot under some Gambel oaks and dive in to our flattop grilled burgers.
“So goooooood,” Maceo says around his food.
I laugh as I snag another onion ring from him. “It’s all the grease.”
Maceo nods through a mouthful of food. “I definitely needed this. I know it was only three weeks, but I missed American food. We were limited in what we could eat on the mission. It’s not like a group of foreigners can just walk into a restaurant without raising some red flags. We ate what we could get from the local food vendors, meaning a lot of local cuisine. It’s great for a week, but you grow tired of it and lose your appetite. I probably lost ten pounds.”
“Well, maybe after this we should get frozen custard. I ran ten miles this morning. I could use the extra calories, too.”
Maceo’s eyes grow bright as he looks at me. “I fucking love you,” he mumbles around his food.
After, lunch we walk around downtown chatting, that’s it. Getting to know each other like any normal couple would, the only difference between us and the general population is we do everything backward. First, we fuck. Second, we confess our love for each other. And third, we get to know each other. It’s not for everybody and I definitely wouldn’t recommend it to anyone else, but for us it worked out that way.
Toward afternoon, we finally grab the frozen custard I promised him. We find a park bench along the river and enjoy our desserts.
“Will you stay with me tonight?” I ask as I finish my cone.
Maceo grins. “I was planning on it,” he admits with a wink. “But I need to stop by the MC rental and get some clothes. Gauge brought my bag back f
rom the mission. I have nothing on me but the clothes on my back.”
“I can go with you,” I offer, smiling up at him from where I’m leaning on his shoulder. “That way if you wanted to pack a bigger bag, you could throw it in my car.”
The grin on Maceo’s face grows wider. “Oh, I would like that very much. I definitely need the alone time with you. I’d offer for you to stay at the rental but you would need to sleep on top of me in the twin bed, and we would have three other roommates, not to mention the potential of them bringing a bunny into the room.”
“A bunny?” I question. “No offense, but you don’t come across as a group of guys who would keep rodents as pets.”
Maceo throws his head back and laughs. “A bunny is what we call the girls at the MC. They aren’t members, they only comfort the guys.”
I pull away with revulsion. “Seriously, Maceo? You better not have anything to do with those women or, God help me, you’ll be stuck in your twin bed without me.”
Maceo’s body quakes with laughter. “God, I love how you take no shit.”
I respond by punching him in the arm making him full-on belly laugh. “Okay, okay, I’m sorry. You have nothing to worry about with the MC bunnies. I’ve never been involved with any of them in any sexual way whatsoever. Those women can be pretty clingy, and I was a content bachelor till you ran into my life. They think because one of the guys had a night with them, suddenly he belongs to her and she can still hop around from member to member. It’s fucked up. So, thanks, but no thanks. I got the best woman right here, chewing out my ass for shit I haven’t even done.”
I huff, eager to believe him, but refusing to give him an easy win.
Maceo wraps his arm around me and pulls me into his lap, rubbing his angular nose against mine. “I love seeing you get all jealous and territorial. My little kitten with her claws out. It’s hot as fuck.”
I warm a little, but I’m still not satisfied. There are eager-to-please women living in the house with him. “I’m not happy about this, Maceo. How would you feel if I were living with several horny men?”
Maceo scowls then sighs. “I get it, but Pixie, you have nothing to worry about. I’m not going anywhere. And the bunnies aren’t bad people—okay most of them aren’t bad people.”
I roll my eyes, but he continues.
“Like Opal, she’s probably the sweetest girl out of the bunnies. She takes care of the guys when they’re sick, makes birthday cakes for us, washes laundry for the guys as she has time—she’s a really nice person. She’s sweet on Gauge and is exclusive with him, although he doesn’t return the favor. Not everyone in life gets a fair shot. Opal ran away from home as a teenager because her mom’s boyfriend kept sneaking into her room at night.
“We found her stripping in a club and could tell she was miserable. We asked if she wanted to come back to the club ‘till she got on her feet. No one asked her to have sex for room and board and no one was allowed to touch her until she consented. As far as I know she’s only been with Gauge,” he says.
I stop and mull it over. It isn’t fair of me to judge any of these women until I meet them. And I’m confident Maceo wouldn’t lie to me. If they’re nice people, who am I to look down my nose at them, or on how many people they sleep with?
“Come on. Follow me home.” He helps me to my feet, and off we go.
The Mercy Ravens MC rental is small. Understatement! It is micro, making my tiny condo look like The Buckingham Palace. How the hell a dozen men and, ahem, a handful of bunnies live in this place has me scratching my head.
As we pull up to the ranch, I can see the detached two-car garage, open and overflowing with Maceo’s crew. A fire pit has been set up in the driveway and is blazing away.
Men are laughing loudly, and several meagerly clothed women are hanging all over them. I’m barely out of the car before a beer is placed in my hand and I’m being pulled into the middle of a group of men. I have only seen them a handful of times dropping by the build site. Maceo is off to the side talking with two other men, but his eyes are focused on me as he listens and nods to his crew members.
“Ravens!” Maceo shouts at his brothers as he approaches me. “Behave yourselves around my pixie or I’ll have your balls.”
Most of the men nod or say “yes, sir,” but not Punk. He comes up and throws his long-tatted arm around my shoulder haphazardly, with a cocky grin planted on his young but handsome face. “Ha! I knew it! I knew you always wanted my balls,” he jokes.
Maceo shakes with laugher before slapping Punk’s face playfully. “Sorry, but I can’t take them if you don’t have them,” he jokes back, making everyone laugh, including Punk. “Watch my woman for me while I debrief with Chase and Gauge about the mission.”
Punk nods, and Maceo gives me a wink before walking into the garage with Chase and Gauge.
Encircled by the MC, I decide to take in my surroundings while nursing my beer. Punk stays right by my side, similar to how he is on the build site, as the other members come over to our group to say hello. I suspect they’re only being friendly to check out their president’s woman.
Other than feeling multiple sets of eyes running up and down my body, making me lean into Punk for security, they all seem decent. Two of the guys are cracking me up as they debate over the official version of the poem There Once Was a Man from Nantucket. My vote is for the inappropriate version.
Everything seems fine until a pack of women saunters into the circle. A dark-haired vixen with russet skin loops her arm through two of the guys in the group. A tall redhead walks up to one of the burlier looking dudes, and he immediately puts his arm around her while she whispers in his ear. The redhead walks by, winking at me as she pulls along the MC member by his cut and into the house.
I try to act as nonchalant as I can, but I’m incredibly uneasy. It escalates when I see a pink-haired statuesque woman with boobs that defy gravity staring me down with cold brown eyes. I look away from her, and a blonde bombshell with rainbow streaks in her hair comes right up to me.
“Hi, you must be Jo. I’m Opal,” she says sweetly, and holds out her hand to me.
Oh, she’s cute! I smile at her and shake her hand. “Nice to meet you, Opal. Maceo told me you’re the nurse around here.”
Opal smiles brightly. “Well, someone has to take care of them. You know, man-flu is no joke,” she giggles.
“It’s a legit cold, Opal!” one of the members argues, which makes us both laugh.
Opal looks at the beer in my hand. “Ugh, gross!” She pulls the bottle from me and pushes it onto Punk. “Let’s get you a real drink.” She grabs my hand and pulls me toward the house.
In the small yellow kitchen, Opal makes us Moscow Mules. It’s a giant leap up from the crap beer. She hands me my drink and raises hers to clink with mine. “Cheers.”
“Mmm. I’ve always liked these,” I say, and take another sip.
“Me too!” she says with a laugh.
I look at her curiously. She’s gorgeous, but young. I have a sudden urge to protect her. “Are you sure you’re old enough to serve me?”
Opal gives me a sheepish grin. “I realize I don’t look as old as I am, but I’m twenty-two. Legal enough to serve alcohol, and legal enough to be here.”
I raise an eyebrow. “You sure you want to be here?”
“The club took me in and protects me. I can’t imagine being anywhere else,” she admits.
My heart goes out to her. “Don’t settle. You owe it to yourself to reach for the stars.” She smiles brightly and I smile back at her.
“So how are things going with you and Atlas? I mean, you’re here, so I’m assuming things are better than when he and the guys were on mission. It was not fun around here by the end of that first week. I thought Punk was going to have a stroke. He was totally worried he messed things up between you with his big mouth. And Chase wasn’t much better—trying to do God knows what with his computers to help Atlas out. The whole club was on edge.”
&nb
sp; I nod, remembering that night all too well. “Things are good between us. We needed to have an honest conversation with each other about what we expect going forward.”
Opal’s pretty face lights up. “I’m relieved to hear it. Honestly, all the members seemed happy to see you show up with Atlas tonight. No offense, but he’s kind of an asshole when he’s not having sex regularly.”
I burst out laughing because I can totally see it. The two of us are in stitches when the pink-haired girl and the dark-haired vixen walk into the kitchen.
“What’s so funny?” the pink-haired woman asks in a snide tone, twirling a lock of hair between her manicured fingers.
“Nothing,” Opal says quickly with a smile over the brim of her cup, looking at me. “Jo, this is Candy and Ebony. Red is the other girl here, but she’s, ya know, busy.”
Yeah, I know what ‘busy’ means. I look over at the other two girls.
“Hi.” It’s all I say because I can’t help but feel hostility rolling off of Candy. Ebony seems playful, she sings along to the music blaring outside. I look between all three. “So, your club names are in reference to your hair color?” I guess.
“Yes,” Opal says excitedly. “Well, sort of. Red was actually nicknamed Big Red, but she didn’t really like it. Anyone who refers to her as Big Red ends up getting the tip of their dick flicked, and not in a pleasant way either.”
I laugh again. Ebony walks over to me, looking in my cup. “What are you guys drinking?”
“Moscow Mules,” Opal chirps. “You want one?”
Ebony’s face lights up. “Hell yeah!”
“Have the rest of mine. I have to drive back home,” I say placing the cup in her hand.
“Sweet,” Ebony says, before throwing back the last half of my drink.
“Oh, you’re not staying?” Candy asks sweetly, hiding a sneer.
Obviously, this woman doesn’t like me or my presence here. Maceo told me I have nothing to worry about when it comes to the MC bunnies, but I get the sense Candy feels some sort of ownership over the men. Does her ownership extend to Maceo himself?
