Paladin's Hell

by Manda Mellett

  Hell’s looking at me strangely, heat in his eyes.

  “What?” I take a step backward.

  “Come here, old lady.”

  I take another step back.

  “Woman.” He snarls warningly.

  I step away again.

  Suddenly he launches himself on me, pulls me up in his strong arms into a fireman’s lift over his shoulder, slaps my ass and turns in the direction of his, our, bedroom.

  “You might have to give me a moment for the blue pill to work, but the way I’m feelin’, woman, that shouldn’t take too long.”

  “Perhaps, old man,” I giggle into his ear, “there’s things you could be doing while we’re waiting.”

  Chapter 32

  Jayden

  I slept held safe and secure in Paladin’s arms, a deep dreamless sleep. When I woke, I felt his hardness against me. As memories of the previous evening come back to me, I know I’m feeling happier than I ever have before. What had happened between us was so right, so easy. No awkwardness, no embarrassment, no bad memories returning to haunt me. Any doubts I’d had that he was the one for me had been swept away.

  Learning Pal was a virgin had made me brave. The knowledge I didn’t have to compete with anyone, that we were doing things our own way, learning together. I wasn’t an inactive participant; I didn’t let things just happen to me. Sex had been fun, something I hadn’t been expecting.

  This morning, I want to surprise him. While leaving him sleeping, I slide down under the covers, taking his cock first in my hands, then daring to place my mouth on it. I explore with my fingers while my tongue swirls around his uncircumcised head, finding the slit and licking up the drop of pre-cum that’s escaping.

  It tastes salty and not too bad. One hand cups his ball sac, covered in hair. I’m thoroughly enjoying myself exploring his body when the covers are thrown off and I hear a loud groan, then a hand lightly covers my head.

  “Fuckin’ good way to wake up, Doll.”

  “Good morning,” I murmur around his cock, the vibration of my voice and my hot breath causing it to jerk.

  Using my hands to hold the length I can’t get into my mouth; I pick up the rhythm he’d shown me the night before. I try to get more of him inside, I gag, and pull back.

  “You okay?” he gasps.

  To answer, I just go back to what I was doing.

  His sounds of appreciation, his grip on my hair, give me a powerful feeling. This man, right now, is completely under my control. It doesn’t take long before I feel him swelling.

  “Fuck, Jay, I’m gonna come.” The words are staccato, his voice strained.

  Remembering how horrible his cum tasted, I pull back, continuing to jerk him off in my hands. Once again his stomach is covered. I’m fascinated by the white strands, cupping it in my hand to stop it running onto the bed sheet.

  “Babe, that was fuckin’ amazin’.” Leaning over, he picks up the tee he discarded last night, and wipes himself clean.

  I look at him apologetically. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t…”

  “Fuck, Doll. That doesn’t matter. Wow. What a way to wake up. You wanna do that every morning? Ain’t gonna stop you.”

  I giggle. Suddenly I’m thrown on my back. I’m the recipient of a lewd leer, then he slides down my body, pausing only to play with my nipples before he’s between my legs, parting my thighs, and putting his mouth there. My head rolls back on the pillows, my fingers grasp the sheets. I’m already turned on and wet from administering the blow job.

  He licks, his fingers are inside me, it makes me want more. Today he’s buying condoms, I think quickly, wondering how what he’s doing to me could get any better. That place he’s found inside me… As soon as he touches it, I lose all control. I wail, try to breathe, I can’t. My muscles clench, the tingling builds, I need, I need… Christ, I see stars as I cry out loudly.

  “Pal, God, Pal.”

  “Just me, babe,” he raises his head just at the point when I can’t take anymore. “Just me here.”

  “You are a god, Pal,” I assure him. “I’m sure I had a religious experience just then.”

  He rests his chin on my mound, his fingers toying with my trimmed pubic hair. “You know, first times aren’t supposed to be amazing, it takes time to know one another. It should only get better from here.”

  “Don’t think I’m going to survive, Pal. Anything more would kill me.”

  He chuckles, I can feel the vibration. It’s arousing me all over again. He slides up the bed and holds me, my clit is throbbing now, feeling neglected. Shyly, I can’t find the words to ask him, but take hold of his hand, and try to move it downwards. He picks up on my unspoken message, moving his fingers to the spot where I need them.

  It doesn’t take long before I’m pulsating and crying out all over again.

  “Hmm, like that I can give you multiple orgasms. You got any more in there?”

  I place my hand over his fingers to still them, I’m too sensitive now, but it’s not long before the tingling restarts. The next orgasm takes less time, and isn’t as powerful.

  “Fuck, I can’t wait to be inside you.”

  Neither can I. But there’s something to be said for learning each other’s bodies before going all the way. I feel so much more comfortable with him.

  He pulls his hand away and sits up unashamedly naked. His cock is again erect, but he ignores it. “You know what the best thing is? We’ve got a whole fuckin’ lifetime to explore and get to know each other.” Tapping his head, he continues, “Got lots of ideas in here.”

  I grin cheekily. “From the porn you’ve been watching?”

  He places a gentle tap on my ass. “Am I going to regret tellin’ you that?”

  Not if it means he knows what he’s doing. For an answer, I smirk.

  Reaching over me, he picks up his phone and checks the time, he sighs. “Better get showered and dressed, Doll. Rather stay here, but I’ve things I need to do.”

  I sit up, going to pull the sheet around me, then realising I’ve no reason to hide from him now, leave my breasts on display. I’m rewarded by a hungry stare. “Doll, it’s fuckin’ hard to leave you.”

  “Do you have to, Pal?”

  He looks reluctant. “Unfortunately, yeah.”

  Tilting my head, I query. “What types of things do you do, Pal?” I’ve never asked him before, but now we’ve been so intimate, surely there’s no need for secrets between us?

  Rolling his head on his shoulders, he looks uncomfortable at my question. “I can’t tell you club business, Jay.”

  “Why not?”

  “If you don’t know anything, you can’t tell anyone what you don’t know.” He purses his lips, thinking. “If the police ever questioned you, all you need to say is the truth.”

  My brow creases at him mentioning the cops. “Are you doing things that are illegal?”

  “Don’t intend to,” he replies, looking serious. “Normally most things we do fall on the right side of the law. But this situation we’ve got now. We find the man who shot up the club? Won’t be handing him to the cops. And,” he taps my forehead, “that’s the most I’m going to say about that.”

  “Will you be finding out why we’re on lockdown and putting an end to it?”

  “Hopin’ to, Doll.”

  I watch the myriad of expressions crossing his face, trying to read them. Last night seems to have changed me, I no longer feel just the girl who needs protecting, I’m also a woman who needs to look after her man. And not just sexually. It’s like a dam has burst inside me; I’ve grown up overnight. My newfound awareness tells me he’s uneasy.

  As he walks around naked collecting fresh clothes, for a moment I’m distracted by the way the muscles in his ass flex. As for the Satan’s Devils tat on his back… The only way I can continue this conversation is to force my eyes to focus on something else.

  “Pal,” I start, staring at my fingernails. “I’m not asking for details, but something’s bothering you.”


  Out of the corner of my eye, I see him straighten. “You’re not wrong there, babe. Can’t tell you what they are, but I’ve got suspicions. Can’t put my finger on them, but something doesn’t seem right.”

  “Talk to Hellfire?”

  “Yeah. In Tucson, I would have gone to Wraith or Drummer. Problem is, here I’m the new boy. What I’m picking up might be wrong. Don’t want to make waves when I’ve only been here such a short time. And especially if I’m not even clear myself whether personal feelings might be influencing me.” He’s chosen a fresh tee and jeans, and is carrying them over his arm. “I don’t know the brothers in the way the rest of them do.”

  “You’re suspicious about a particular person?”

  “Yeah. But the reason I don’t trust him, could be the wrong one.”

  I can only think of one man. “Runt was just playing you last night, Pal. He was pressing your buttons and it worked.”

  “I didn’t say it was Runt, did I?” He swings around fast.

  I shrug, he didn’t have to. I want to help. “Is there anything Mouse could do? Look into him for you?”

  “Mouse? Jeez, Jay. You don’t understand this shit. I’ve transferred to another chapter. I can’t go running back to the Tucson brothers for help. It would be a betrayal.”

  I don’t get annoyed or angry, he’s clearly walking a tightrope. Instead, I explain my thoughts. “You said yourself you don’t know the brothers here.” Ignoring the fact I’m still naked, I pull myself onto my knees. “Look, the shit that’s happening is serious. Runt could have been killed. Anyone could have been in that shooting if we hadn’t all been around the back of the club at the barbeque. I don’t know what else has been happening, but lockdown means there’s danger out there. If you’ve got an idea, I say you run with it. Explain the situation to Mouse. If he turns up something of interest, then you can speak to the brothers here and get them to follow it up. If he clears the person you’re fingering, no one need to ever know.”

  He’s over beside me in a second, his lips smash down on mine. When our kiss finishes, my mouth feels bruised. I look at him in wonder, a cheeky grin on my face. “What on earth did I do to deserve that?”

  “You’re a fuckin’ little genius, that’s what.”

  My grin widens. “So I’m not just a pretty face?”

  Seriously, he replies. “No, you’re definitely not.” He caresses my cheek. “But now, Doll, I’ve got to head for that shower else I’m never going to get out of here.”

  I chuckle as he goes to the bathroom, understanding exactly what he means. Sex, it seems, is addictive.

  While he’s gone, I take the opportunity to grab some clothes from the bag the prospect had brought from the house. I’m going to run out of clean things soon. But I’ve one more clean tee I can use, and my jeans will do for another day. When Pal comes out, I take my turn in the bathroom, which unfortunately means, washing away the scent of him from my skin.

  He’s waiting for me when I come out, tapping his phone against his chin. I nod at it. “You ring Mouse?”

  He stares at me for a second, then his mouth widens. “Club business, babe.”

  I dry my hair quickly, tying it back into a ponytail to keep it out of my face. When I finish, he’s standing behind me.

  “You alright, Jay?”

  “I’m worried about facing Moira,” I admit. “She really went off on one last night.” I’m certain she’ll be able to read that we’ve taken the step she’d warned me against taking. I’m sure it will be written all over my face. Our new easiness together, our new relationship, is going to be difficult to hide.

  “She says anything to you? Leave her to me,” he replies, gritting his teeth. “Not lettin’ anyone spoil this for us, babe.”

  I am feeling nervous as we descend the stairs. It doesn’t help when Mace shouts out. “Hey, the lovebirds have decided to put in an appearance. Heard you had a good night.” He waggles his eyebrows and I know my face has gone bright red.

  Pal shows him his middle finger, then with his hand on the small of my back, encourages me into the kitchen. When I smell bacon, I realise how hungry I am. Hmm, guess I worked up an appetite. My face flushes again as I remember just how, and that from the enforcer’s comment, probably everyone else knows as well.

  The kitchen is normally a hubbub of conversation, but today, while it’s still crowded, the atmosphere is subdued. Hellfire’s sitting at the big table, Moira by his side. Both seem to have finished eating, just have coffees in front of them now. Hell’s hand is on the table, covering that of his wife. At least there appears to be no awkwardness between them.

  As soon as I walk in, Mo catches my eye. She leans over and says something to Hellfire and then stands. Hellfire gets to his feet alongside her. I’m hoping they’ll just walk past us, but they don’t.

  “Jay, Pal, can I have a word?” I’ve never known Moira to sound so timid.

  Pal looks at me, concern in his eyes. He’s leaving it up to me to decide whether we’ll hear her out or not. “Sure.” I reply for the both of us.

  “Hey, take these with you.” Jeannie has hastily assembled a couple of plates. I can’t refuse, but right now, my appetite has left me. I walk out into the clubroom with my plate and utensils in hand and then follow the prez and his old lady into his office.

  Uncomfortably, Pal and I place our plates on the worn wood of his desk.

  “Eat, before it gets cold,” Moira suggests. “I’ll do the talking.”

  Pal’s not so affected as me, and he’s soon taking a loaded fork to his mouth.

  Moira nods in satisfaction. “I have to apologise for last night. I was out of order.” She glances at Hell who nods encouragingly. “Haven’t got an excuse, except, there are things that happened to me in my past that’s been affecting how I look at things. Jay, I only wanted to stop you from making a mistake.”

  Pal chews, swallows, then looks her in the eye. “We’re not making a mistake, Moira. And you didn’t stop anything.”

  For the third time this morning, I blush.

  Moira resumes. “I don’t regret having my first son, but I do regret having him so young. I saw myself in you, Jayden, and wanted you to have the life I couldn’t.”

  Pal swallows again, then lays down his fork. “Jay can have any life she wants, Moira. Just I’ll be there to support her. Agree with you, kids are a long way in our future. We’ll be taking care they don’t come along before time,” he breaks off to wink at me, a reference to our lack of condoms. “Whatever Jay wants, she’ll have.”

  “I spoke out of turn,” she repeats. “I’m sorry.”

  “Moira, I’m just happy you care.” My eyes soften as I smile at her. Her reasons might be fucked up, her way of going about it wrong, but she is someone in my corner. I reckon I can live with that.

  Hellfire? Well he just looks relieved as I pick up my fork and proceed to demonstrate that my appetite has returned.

  Chapter 33

  Paladin

  I don’t like doing this. The feeling that I’m going behind my new brothers’ backs is an uncomfortable one, but the Jay had made a good suggestion. I’m certain there’s something I’m missing, worried I’m letting personal feelings influence my suspicions. But Jay was right. This lockdown is serious, if the actions against the club escalate, then someone could be killed. When it could be a matter of life or death, if there are actions I can take which might potentially help, I’ve got to do what I can.

  I’m in on all the church meetings, but no one else has hinted that they are thinking along anything close to the same line as myself. I’ve considered discussing my thoughts with Prez or the VP, but they might dismiss them out of hand. I may well be looking in completely the wrong direction, but owe it to everyone here to check things out.

  While Jay was showering, I had indeed placed a call to Mouse.

  “Mouse, it’s Paladin.”

  “Well I didn’t expect to hear from you so soon. Missing us already? How’s it go
ing in Colorado?”

  “Good, Brother. Mainly good. I need to talk to you in confidence, Mouse. I might be completely wrong here, would rather it was kept away from Drummer’s ears for now as technically I’m going behind Hellfire’s back. But it could be important.”

  There’s a sound which suggests Mouse is lighting a joint. “Depends what you want. I don’t like keeping Prez out of the loop. But talk to me and I’ll hear you out.”

  That’s rich from him, considering how long he kept the club in the dark about Mariana, but I let it pass. I suppose his was a personal matter, what I’m asking could set chapters against each other. “There’s trouble here. Someone gunnin’ for the club. I’ve got an idea where fingers should be pointing, but because I’m new here…”

  “You don’t know who to trust.” Mouse isn’t slow on the uptake.

  “Got it in one. Need to delve into someone’s background.” I break off, wondering how to put this delicately. “I’ve not taken to him, Mouse. That could be influencin’ me.”

  “Paladin, always thought you had a good head on your shoulders. Trust your gut. Give me the name and I’ll look into it for you. I turn anything up? Just promise you’ll take it to Hellfire and take any flack for keeping him in the dark.”

  “That’s what I intend to do, Brother.” Christ, I miss him and my other brothers so much. I give him the name; he promises to get onto it. “Any news on the Herreras, and how are Mariana and Drew?”

  “Heard nothing new from the Herreras. Mariana’s recovering slowly, but getting there. Drew’s missing Jayden.”

  After last night, I recognise Drew was never any competition. He might have had a teenage crush, what’s between Jay and me is the real thing.

  Before I end the call, I again stress the need for confidentiality.

  “Never spoke to you, Brother. Now go do your shit. I’ll start lookin’ into it for you.”

  I’ve just finished the call when Jay comes out of the bathroom. She looks so fucking beautiful. I’m damn proud to be her man.

  Sitting through Mo’s apology was awkward, but at least it seems to have cleared the air. Jay’s not one to bear a grudge against anyone, and if she can let it drop, I’m happy to take my cue from her. It also means, when the VP crooks his finger and beckons me over, I can leave the clubhouse without worrying.