by Karen Renee
His tongue plunged inside me, and it felt fantastic. “That’s great honey, but you know that isn’t what I’m talking about.”
No sooner had his hands left my thighs, than I heard his belt buckle clinking. My legs squirmed on the bed; he stood and his cock was heavy against his abdomen.
“Fuck you’re a pretty picture on my bed, naked and horny out of your mind. Lookin’ at me like I’m your last meal or some shit. Probably shouldn’t fuck you on your back, but I’m gonna go gentle, Azalea. You have any pain, you tell me, we’ll get you on top instead,” he said as he guided himself into my core.
The sensation of perfection filled me again with him inside me. Every time we made love, it felt like regaining a missing piece of myself.
His lips came down and kissed me softly with languorous tongue action.
When he lifted away, I said, “I love you so damn much.”
He grinned. “I know. You don’t even have to say it, it’s written all over that beautiful face of yours.”
One of my eyes squinted at him and I pouted playfully.
“That’s good though, baby. Because I love you so damn much...more.”
“WHY ARE WE HEADED BACK here?” Beast asked me from the passenger seat of my new-to-me Infiniti G35 sedan.
Trent sold the BMW for top-dollar, and I bought a used car with thirty-five dollars left over. I would’ve preferred the coupe, but Beast and I were determined to start a family, so practicality won out.
I glanced at Beast before I looked back to the road leading up to the Orange Park Country Club guard shack. “My father lives about two and a half miles from where Trent does.”
“You’re shittin’ me.”
“No.”
Once the guard was done with my license and gave me the paper to display on the dash, I drove into the neighborhood.
If the radio had been on, I wouldn’t have noticed Beast’s low groan.
“What?” I asked.
“He really likes you behind gates.”
I reached over and nudged his thigh. “Stop it. And even if Dad does, he’ll just have to get the hell over it.”
“Easy for you to say. Wait ‘til there’s a bun in your oven.”
“Whatever,” I muttered.
I couldn’t give headspace to a bun that was yet to be in my oven. My mind was filled with how dinner was going to go. Mom was set to leave the next day. It stunned the hell out of me that she had stayed the past four weeks, and that she stayed with my father, at that. A sliver of my mind held hope they would reconcile, but I knew that was the fourteen-year-old deep within me thinking that way. The rest of my mind wondered how healthy it was, or wasn’t, for the two of them to carry on like they were.
“Stop thinkin’ about it, Clums,” Beast muttered.
I knew his game. He was riling me up in order to take my mind off my parents and our dinner with them. Eyes to the road, I declared, “No calling me ‘Clums,’ Beast. Clumsy is one thing, but shortening it to ‘Clums’ is just ludicrous.”
He bit back laughter audibly. “Speaking of Ludacris, he doesn’t mind his name being reduced to Luda. Just saying, get with the times, Clum.”
I groaned. “That’s even worse. It sounds almost like chum, which is disgusting.”
He laughed outright. “You’re right, babe.”
I sighed. “I can’t believe you have to work tonight. Who goes to a strip club on Easter?”
I felt Beast’s stern gaze. “Andi for one. She’s dragging Li out tonight.”
My head swiveled to him and back to the road. “Shut up! You’re joking. She is not.”
He nodded. “She is. Likes to watch the girls use their bodies. Something about acrobatics and muscles, I don’t know. Says it ties to her job.”
I pulled up to the side of the road in front of Dad’s house. “Well, I had no idea that was her plan tonight.”
“What the fuck?” Beast growled, and I pointed my gaze to where his was aimed.
Trent and Terri were walking on the sidewalk toward my Dad’s. Both of them were wearing athletic gear and walking shoes. Their pace told me they were going to pass right by, though.
I put my hand on Beast’s forearm. “Chill. No way they aren’t simply–”
“He know this is your Dad’s place?”
My silence was my answer.
Beast looked to me. “Yeah. So he better not have some agenda to blindside you.”
They were approaching fast, but before Beast go out of the car, I said, “Say what you want, but Trent’s not the threat. It’s Terri you need to be concerned about.”
His cobalt eyes burned at me. “Neither of them’s fuckin’ with you.”
Beast
“Wait for me,” Beast told Janie.
He unfolded from the car, closed the door and rounded the hood to open her door for her. It wasn’t that he didn’t think she could do it for herself, it was that he wanted to be at her back from the moment she exited the vehicle.
The moment Janie stood from the car, he felt Palmer’s eyes on him. Janie’s warning about the woman was spot-on. The bitch’s gaze hit him and he saw the spite in her eyes. He had found it extremely entertaining watching Janie throw down with the woman at a sandwich shop, but hell if he was in the mood for her to do that on Easter Sunday.
As the couple drew even with them, Palmer dipped his chin with a non-verbal greeting, but Terri shot Janie a catty smile.
“Infinitis are nice, but that’s an older model, isn’t it, Jane?”
Janie’s head tilted, and she reached into her handbag, pulling out a small letter-sized envelope. Beast wrapped an arm around her waist, trying to pull her away from them, but Janie resisted.
“You know Trent, someone gave me this on the off-chance things didn’t go smoothly with our divorce. Seeing as you decided to stop resisting, I think it might actually be beneficial for you to understand something about Terri, here. Other than the fact she’s a screaming bitch who only cares about the latest model vehicles.”
Beast’s gut clenched when he saw the photo of Terri kissing Paul Shapiro outside his office. He knew that was the day he and his brothers had waited for Shapiro. He didn’t think Razor would have taken a picture, and if he did, he never would have printed it for Janie. Liar had not pulled his phone out while Beast was still there, but a vague memory of Roman tucking his phone away came to him. Roman would absolutely print and send that photo Janie’s way.
Trent stared at the photo for a moment, not putting the puzzle pieces together. Had Terri been less reactive, he might not have put it together.
“You’re the screaming bitch, Jane!” Terri reached out for the picture, but Trent grabbed it first and shot Terri an irate glare.
“That’s your Lexus in the background. You’re...you were–”
“No, Trent. It isn’t what it seems. I swear–”
“You can explain this,” he asked sarcastically.
“Well...” she drawled.
Beast couldn’t help himself, since this was one instance when a picture didn’t say a thousand words. “Rumor has it she was paid to do something with someone in office, so if he didn’t fall in line with Shapiro’s plans, Shapiro could always lord Terri’s actions over your head.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Terri nearly screeched at Beast.
Trent looked at him, and Beast knew things were starting to fit together for him.
Janie shrugged. “Oh well. Karma’s a bitch, Terri. Maybe Trent won’t forgive you, or maybe he’ll be moved by the Easter spirit and he will forgive. I don’t know, but happy Easter anyway.”
With those words, using his arm at her waist, Beast pulled Janie up the walk to her Dad’s front door.
BEAST WAS COUNTING the drawer for the dayside bartender when Stephanie walked into the office. The look on her face told him she either had a problem with a coworker or she was quitting.
“What’s up, Steph?” He asked.
“I’m giving you my two-weeks notice. I appr
eciate you all giving me the shot to wait tables and see the crowd and such,” she said, holding his gaze.
“It’s not your scene?”
She shrugged. “I didn’t say that. I’ve been dealing cards during the day at the poker room. Moving to nights there will make me more cake without having to come home with smoke all over me.”
Beast could appreciate that. He hated going into Janie’s place after work because the stench was so damn pervasive. While she was still recuperating, he was doing the laundry and he realized the odor was so strong on his clothes, it had made her clothes reek, too.
“You still have the problems that led you here to begin with?”
She shrugged. “Little bit, but —”
“You’d make more money in a town like Biloxi.”
She frowned a little. “Turk said the same thing.”
“You and Turk an item?” he asked, and immediately he wished he could pull it back, because he shouldn’t have asked and it wasn’t his business.
“No. I think he wants to be with my sister. But, that’s not my business.”
“That’s music to the ears of men like me. You sure you don’t need help?”
She shook her head. “I got problems, but I’m dealing with them.”
He lifted his chin. “Get that you’re strong, but it’s stronger to take an assist when you need it.”
“Duly noted, but before you interrupted me, I was going to say, I get good enough dealing here, I may actually hit a town like Biloxi.”
‘You do, call me. I know people there. My dad’s got ten years in with MGM Resorts as a dealer at the Beau Rivage. So seriously. You pull that trigger, call.”
She smiled. “That’s nice of you. I appreciate it, and I’ll definitely do that if the time comes.”
“Good. You’ll get a decent reference from us if you should need it, and if you want to fulfill your two-weeks, I’m not gonna stop you. But if you’d rather get to work at the poker room sooner rather than later, you’re good to do that too. Your call.”
The smile she shot at him this time was the same sweet smile she aimed at Turk the day he met her. “Thanks, Beast. I think tonight will be my last night, then. You’re a really great boss, just so you know.”
She left and Beast wished he’d had the chance to tell her she was a really great employee and it was a shame more of his employees weren’t like her. He finished counting the till and realized, for the first time in a very long time, everything in his life was falling into place. His cell phone rang on his hip, and since he had a couple more minutes of downtime he took the call without checking the display.
“David Huntley? Am I genuinely speaking to my son, David?” his father asked.
He smiled. “Yeah, Dad. It’s me. Sorry I haven’t called lately. Had some–”
“Save it, son. I know what you had. You had Easter dinner with Janie’s parents. I want to know when I get to meet this breath of fresh air who has come into your life.”
He shook his head, but he was still smiling. “You’ve been talking to Andrea. She get her hands on Liar’s phone or something?”
“Nope. I been hanging with your uncle and he called their house. Andi answered, information flowed.”
“Typical,” he muttered.
“It damn well better not become typical. So, when you bringing her out here?”
Beast looked at a laminated calendar hanging on the wall. He was not scheduled the following Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday because he was covering for Yak. “Probably next weekend, we’ll stay through Tuesday. I gotta meet with my lawyer. Tie up a few loose ends on the birth certificate stuff, and I’ve been itching to take Janie out there. That work for you, old man?”
His father chuckled. “Bet your ass it does. And you two are stayin’ with me, so don’t you dare try to book a room somewhere, you hear me?”
“Yes, sir.”
EPILOGUE
Janie
SIX MONTHS LATER...
“Janie! Let’s go,” Andrea called from the other side of the door to Beast’s room at the compound. He and I had just come back from Biketoberfest in Daytona, and I could have made the argument I just took the best shower all year. I was amazed he didn’t insist on showering with me, but he had business regarding Platinum’s to discuss with Volt, Turk, and a prospect named Ted. Actually, that was wrong. Ted had recently earned his Riot MC patch and the brothers had decreed his road name to be Puncture, but they shortened it to ‘Punc.’ I didn’t have all the specifics on how or why they came up with that name, but I was learning when I didn’t need to know something, I was better off.
With a towel wrapped around me, I opened the door an inch. “Andi, I’ll be out there in like ten minutes, tops. I just have to get dressed.”
She smiled. “Well, hustle, lady.”
I shook my head at her as I closed the door because I did not see what the hurry was. My shoulder was finally getting back to normal, and I felt like wearing a layered lace maxi-dress. Nobody would much care what I wore at the compound, but it had been a long time since I’d worn this deep-blush-colored dress. It was fun and flirty, as well as sleeveless and there was no telling how long the warm October temperatures would keep up.
I tugged on my Betsey Johnson rose-patterned stilettos because they seriously made the outfit pop. When I opened the door, Trixie was standing there with her hand raised to knock. She looked at me, her jaw dropped a little, but then she snapped her mouth shut, and if I wasn’t mistaken I heard her teeth clack.
“Jesus. I get it. You’re a high-class kinda girl–”
“Trixie, I am not–” I cut in.
She shook her head and a finger at me. “Do not tell me what you are not. Ain’t a bitch around here wearing a dress–” she stopped, and her head turned down the hall and she frowned. “Fine, I take that back. Besides Frankie, who just got here straight from work, there ain’t a bitch here wearing a dress. And anyway, that’s a fancy damn dress to go with your fancy damn shoes. Now, are you ready to go?”
“It’s a party. What is the hurry, Trix?” I asked, exasperation heavy in my tone.
“Could ask you the opposite, it’s a party. What’s your damn hold-up?”
Rounding the corner, I found Frankie wearing a conservative black dress with a floral pattern on it. She was standing close to a large man with black hair and dark eyes who was dressed in business-casual clothes.
Frankie pulled me physically away from Trixie by my good forearm. “Janie! This is my friend, Reggie. He’s a Realtor in town, and I told him you were looking to buy some property.”
I felt heat at my back and thought it might be Trixie, but the bulky arm which wrapped around my waist told me it was Beast. Before I could reach out to shake Reggie’s hand, Beast rested his chin on my shoulder. “Sorry, man, but we’ve got our eyes on a specific piece of land.”
He focused on Beast with a determined look on his face. “Is it being sold through another firm? Because you will do well to have your own representation in this potential deal. Biker or not, I am a professional, and I always make sure my client comes out the winner, or rather the benefactor of any deal.”
I felt and heard Beast’s low chuckle. “Bet you do. Fine, we’ll get with you later tonight. Or Frankie can get your–”
Reggie reached into his shirt pocket and then held out a card to Beast. “My info. Call me. Anytime. I’m serious.”
Beast took the card, but guided me out of the common room.
I said, “I was unaware that we had our eyes on any land, let alone a specific piece of property.”
He kissed my neck from behind. “Yep. Got our eyes on a very specific piece of land, but that’s for tomorrow. Tonight is about other things.”
We walked out of the open front door and I saw Beast’s father, Delmas, sitting in a chair next to Major and Patch. Liar’s father, Charlie was with them too.
Beast turned to me and I stopped short. “What are your father and uncle doing here?”
A s
ly grin twisted Beast’s lips. “You’ve met me and Liar. You should know we come from a long line of men who don’t need to be asked twice to a party, baby.”
My skepticism took hold, but I could have sworn I saw my mother in the crowd. I wandered away from Beast, and found her with my father.
“What are you two doing here?” I asked, by way of greeting.
“So nice to see you too, dear,” my mother chided.
I heard the distinct sound of Michael Franti’s voice singing “My Favorite Wine is Tequila.” My head swiveled to Beast, because he mentioned this song a while ago. He crooked a finger at me, but continued to saunter toward me. Not too far away, I spied my dad moving toward Andi and Justine, who were standing next to a woman named Cathy. The way they all did it, I realized David had a plan that was playing out at that moment.
Initially, a feeling of unease hit me because it was so untraditional, but then the more I took in the rhythm, melody and Franti singing about ‘letting go,’ I felt like my Gramps was with us. A breeze blew through me with a gentle strength, and that feeling increased ten-fold. I didn’t usually give in to the idea that the wind blowing was a sign of a loved one’s soul being in the vicinity, but the fullness in my chest and general feeling of peace screamed that Gramps would’ve been smiling huge while nodding and bouncing along to the tune.
My mother walked with me toward Beast, who was still coming my way. Before we got to him, she said, “I love it. This man of yours never ceases to please me for you, Honey-bunch. No walking down the aisle, no formalities. Just his love and adoration is what matters.”
“And mine for him,” I muttered to her just as we came even with Beast.
I looked at him through eyes swimming with moisture and tried to smile. The grin he gave me told me he knew my tears were of happiness. God, I loved this man so much. He wrapped his burly arms around me and swayed us both. Even though our bodies were swaying, he managed to guide us both between the crowd of bikers and Old Ladies to stand in front of Cathy, who married us.
Two years later...
Red digits displayed the time as two-fifty-four in the morning. The demanding wails of my son woke me up, and I couldn’t believe it had only been half an hour since I put him down.
