by Nicole James
“Stay there.”
I feel him move off the bed. When he returns, he reaches around my hips and I feel something cool and smooth across my lower belly.
He grabs each side and lifts my hips and ass up until my knees are off the bed, and I shriek in surprise. I realize it’s his belt. He holds me up like that, positions behind me, and thrusts inside my pussy, impaling me as I hang there at his mercy. My knees clutch against his outer thighs.
Using the belt, he holds me pinned as he pistons in and out of me so rapidly I can barely catch my breath. Oh God, it’s the most erotic thing I’ve ever experienced. And that belt presses against me tight, together with his dick stroking on the inside against my g-spot I feel an orgasm barreling toward me.
“I’m gonna come,” I pant.
“Come for me, Cherry. Come hard all over my dick like my good girl.”
And I do. I come hard all over his dick like his good girl.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Charlotte—
I stand at the deck rail, sipping my delicious coffee and marveling at the amazing view.
Daytona leans against the rail next to me, sipping his own coffee. He lowers his mug and looks over at me, lifting a lock of hair off my brow. “I want you to know, there are things I feel for you, things I could have said last night, but I held them back, because I don’t want you to bolt. But just so we’re clear, those feelings are already there. I don’t need to wait to have them build. You’re it for me.”
I stare over at him. “Tell me something important, something vulnerable and real about you.”
He grins. “Thought I just did.”
“You did. Give me something more.”
“Like what, Cherry?”
“Tell me about the little hand print.”
His smile disappears, and he turns, leaning his forearms on the railing. He stares at the horizon and sips his coffee. Just when I figure I’ve asked for too much, pushed too hard, he begins talking.
“My son, Adam. He passed away when he was six.”
“I’m so sorry.” I close my eyes, feeling like such a shit for having brought up the painful subject. He’s not ready to tell me about him, and now I’ve pushed him where he didn’t want to go.
“No one asks about him anymore. I haven’t talked about him in… hell, it’s been years now. But I think about him every damn day.”
“I notice you press your fingers to your lips then touch that little clay owl on the entry table when you walk in the door.”
“Every damn time.”
“He made it?”
Daytona nods. “Last thing he ever gave me. Father’s Day. Last time I saw him. He died that night.”
I’m crushed by the tragedy of it all. My voice cracks. “How?”
“We were livin’ in California at the time. Melinda and I were divorced by then, but she’d brought him over to see me for Father’s Day. It wasn’t my weekend, so I didn’t get him for overnight. He had swim lessons the next day, so he couldn’t stay. They were both killed by a drunk driver on the way home that night.”
“Oh my God. I’m so sorry.”
“I went into a rage. Cursed God. Drank until my brothers had to intervene and pull me out of it. I had to do something, so I hunted down the man that killed them. He’d survived. It was his sixth DUI. Can you believe it? Sixth, and he was out on bond. I went looking for him. I found him in a bar. Out on bond, and he’s right back out drinking. Handed chance after chance, and still he hadn’t learned a fucking thing.” He shakes his head. “Man like that is never going to learn, so I took care of it myself.”
“How?”
“I put his drunken ass in his car, drove him to a remote area along the Pacific Coast Highway, put him in the driver’s seat and shoved the car over the cliff side. I may have saved someone else’s child from him, but it didn’t take away my pain.”
I stare at his profile, and my eyes fill with tears that spill over the rims and down my face.
“So, I guess I’ve confessed murder to you. How’s that for trust? You got anything painful and vulnerable you want to share, Cherry?” He stares unseeing at the horizon.
I set my mug down and take a shallow breath. He deserves something just as vulnerable from me in return, but I haven’t talked about this to anyone, not once since the day it happened. My words are barely a whisper when I answer him. “I was raped when I was seventeen, and that doesn’t even compare to the hell you’ve lived through.”
He looks at me, freezing in place for several heartbeats.
“I’ve shocked you. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought it up.”
He sets his mug down and pulls me in his arms, his big palm cradling my head. “Jesus Christ, I’m so sorry, baby.”
I clutch him tight, feeling worse for him than myself. I want to absorb the pain from him so he doesn’t have to feel it alone anymore.
He draws back and stares into my eyes, cupping my cheek with one hand. “I didn’t mean to make you bring that up. You don’t have to talk about it.”
“Okay.”
“Unless you want to.”
I shake my head. “I don’t.”
“You sure?”
I nod.
He presses a kiss to my forehead, and I clutch his arms. His forearms are strong and make me feel safe. “I’m sorry I made you talk about your son.”
“Don’t be. It was good to get it out between us. I should talk about him more. Maybe I will.”
“He’ll always be a part of you.”
“He will.”
“How long ago did it happen?”
“The year before I came to Nevada to start this chapter. He would have turned ten last December.”
“And that’s why you left California?”
“Mostly. I needed a change, to put some distance between me and the pain, and all the constant reminders of it all. The place where he played t-ball, the park I used to take him to, the intersection where the accident happened. I couldn’t get away from it. I don’t want to sound like I wanted to wipe him from my memory, I didn’t. But I just needed some distance from the pain.”
“I understand.”
“The move was also an opportunity to move into the president’s chair and hold that gavel. Have a chapter of my own. If I’d stayed in Cali, it would have taken years, if ever, before that happened.”
“I see.”
“I’d trade it all to have Adam back.”
“Of course you would. I wish I’d met him.”
“He would have loved you.”
“I’m sure I would have loved him, too.”
“You ever thought about having kids?”
“I’ve never been in a place in my life…” I trail off, suddenly realizing that those words aren’t true for my sister, Scarlett.
“Not even with Buck?”
I shrug. “We just never got around to it, and then it was too late.”
He nods. “I understand the meaning of wasted time. Maybe that’s why I’ve pushed you on this relationship, rushed it along. I know every day together is precious. Because before you know it, someone you love is taken from you, and then it’s too late. Too late to tell them how much you love them. Too late to give them one more hug and kiss.”
I put my hand on his. “You’re right. It’s a hard lesson to have to learn that way.”
“I learned that lesson well.”
He turns and pulls me into his arms, and I just hold him, until finally he lifts his head and looks into my eyes.
“I have to go out for a while. Lobo’s got a lead we need to check out.”
“You’ll be careful, won’t you?”
A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth, causing a sexy crease to form in his cheek. I run my fingertips along his jawline.
“You already worryin’ about me, babe?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t. I can take care of myself.”
“I just don’t want you to walk into a trap or have no backup.”
“I’ve got a dozen brothers, and they’ve all got my back. You got nothin’ to worry about Cherry.”
“But I still will.”
He kisses my nose. “I’m gonna like knowing you’re here waiting for me, though.”
“Do I have a choice?”
“Nope.” He grins.
“When will you be back?”
“I don’t know. I’ll call you.”
“I have a bar to run.”
“Yeah, about that. I think it would be better if you let me put Trick in charge of the bar until we find this guy.”
“Trick? What does he know about running a bar?”
“Well, he’s a pro at changing out a tap on a keg. He can pour a shot, and he can count money. What else is there?”
I roll my eyes.
“Hopefully this will all be over by tomorrow. How much trouble can he cause in one day?”
I arch a brow. “I don’t know. You tell me?”
He gives a full-bodied laugh at that and then kisses me. I finally push him back, breaking the kiss that’s about to turn into sex against the deck railing.
“You gotta go.”
“Yes, ma’am. I gotta say, though, I like leavin’ with you sitting here on my deck. Be a whole lot better though, if you were waiting in my bed when I got home.”
“Well, I’ll see what I can do about that.”
He winks. “I’ll call you, beautiful.”
I watch his sexy ass as he walks across the deck and disappears inside. A few minutes later I hear his bike rumble to life and roar off, fading into the distance. It’s a lonely, sad sound—that fading engine.
And then I’m alone in his awesome house, so I finish my coffee and go exploring.
When Daytona comes home that night, I’m cooking dinner in the kitchen, stirring a pot of sauce. Making do with what I found in the cabinets. When I hear the motorcycle engine approaching, I put the spaghetti on simmer, slam the lid on and dash to his room, stripping as I go, leaving a trail of discarded clothing leading right to his big bed.
I lie there waiting, listening to the front door open, and him calling my name. I suck my lips in my mouth, keeping quiet.
When he walks in the room, I grin. “I see you followed the trail I left you.”
He holds up my lace panties. “Pretty breadcrumbs.”
I giggle.
He tosses them on the floor and moves to stand at the foot of the bed. Then slowly, his eyes locked with mine, he strips for me. I lie splayed out on the bed, stark naked, reclining against the pillows, enjoying the show as I drag a daisy up and down my stomach. “How was your day, dear?”
“It was a day from hell, angel. But I think I’m in heaven now.” With that he climbs up the bed, takes the flower, and drops his gorgeous tanned, inked body on my fair-skinned one. The heat of his body pressing against mine has me moaning out loud.
He supports his weight on his elbows and gently trails the flower down my nose before tossing it aside to press a soft kiss to my lips. The kiss is tender and sweet and makes me melt. After a moment, he lifts his head to stare in my eyes. “While I was out today, I went to a clinic and got checked out.”
I frown as worry floods through me. “You’re sick?”
“No. What I’m telling you is I’m clean. Got the paperwork in my cut to prove it if you want to look. So, if it’s okay with you, I’d like to dispense with the condoms and take you bare.”
“You… you did that for me?”
“For both of us. I don’t mind wearin’ a condom, and I have with any club chick or easy, quick lay I’ve ever been with. You’re different. What we’re building is something permanent.”
Wow. I’m speechless. That’s a lot of trouble he went to just to make sure I’m comfortable with everything.
“How ‘bout it? You good with that?”
I smile. “More than good, and I want you to know I appreciate you doing what you did.”
He grins. “I aim to please.”
With that, he drops his head and goes about pleasing me. Repeatedly.
It isn’t until we’re finished, and I’m a pile of mush with a blissful smile on my face, that he tells me the promising lead they had led nowhere.
My smile disappears.
“I’m sorry, babe.”
“No, it’s not that. You have nothing to be sorry for. It’s just, I was hoping it was over, and we could put it behind us.”
“Soon.” He takes my hand and lifts it to his mouth, pressing a soft kiss to the back. “I promise you.”
I nod.
“I’ve got everyone out looking, spreading the word, asking if anyone’s seen anything suspicious. We’ll find him.”
I say nothing.
“Hey. Look at me. You believe me?”
I nod again.
“Say it.”
“I believe you.” I put a smile on my face. “I made spaghetti.”
“Ah, is that what smells so good?”
“You hungry?”
“Starved.”
“Come on.” I get out of bed, slip one of his denim shirts on, fasten one snap between my breasts and tug on his arm, but he’s not moving. “I thought you were hungry.”
He stares at me, and I see something in his eyes, something sweet and tender.
“C’mere.” He tugs on my hand.
I fold a knee under me and sit facing him. I tuck a lock of his hair back from his forehead. “What is it?”
“Don’t ever want to let you down, Cherry.”
My eyes glaze. “You won’t.” I shake my head. “I know it in my heart.”
He finally smiles. “Good to know.”
I cup his face and lean in and press my lips gently to his. His hand goes to the nape of my neck, and he gives me another gentle kiss before pulling back an inch to look in my eyes. “Do something for me.”
“Anything. What do you want?”
“You. Just like you are now. No panties. Just you in my shirt with nothing on underneath, sitting across the table from me while we eat dinner.” His eyes crinkle as he presses his forehead to mine. “You gonna give me that?”
Those crinkles get me every damn time. I smile back. “I’ll give you that, baby.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Charlotte—
“You oughta be over here on my lap. Ya think I’m joking, but I’m not.” Daytona pulls me to him until I’m sitting right where he wants me.
“There are too many people around.” I duck my head.
We’re at a table in the corner near the bar of the clubhouse, and Daytona is nuzzling my neck. I know if he continues, his hands will start groping. Not that I’m opposed, but the place is full of his brothers drinking and shooting pool, music blasting from somewhere.
Daytona pulls back to grin at me. “You shy, baby?”
I roll my eyes, but look away, and he chuckles. A second later, he lets out an ear-piercing whistle that gets everyone’s attention. “Everybody out!”
There are grumbles and pool sticks tossed on the green felt with a clatter.
“You owe me five bucks.” Lobo drains his beer and looks at Shine.
“The hell I do. We didn’t finish the game, dipshit.”
“Don’t matter. You got more balls on the table than I do. I win by default.”
“Says who?”
“Says everybody. Pay up.” Lobo holds out his hand.
“Take it outside,” Daytona shouts. “Better yet, take it to Badlands and buy some drinks there. Put some money in Cherry’s pockets.”
The grumbling continues as they head out the door and to their bikes. A dozen engines roar to life and fade into the distance.
Daytona stares at the prospect behind the bar. “You too, kid.”
Soon it’s just Daytona, the music playing, and me.
He looks around. “You know I don’t think I’ve ever been alone in an Evil Dead clubhouse in seventeen years.”
We both chuckle.
He takes out his phone, pulls up
an app and controls the music playlist remotely, putting on an old slow song. “I’ve always loved this one.”
I listen to the first few bars and immediately recognize the song. It’s one of my favorites. “When A Man Loves A Woman” by Percy Sledge.
Daytona pushes me off his lap and stands, tugging me to the center of the room. “Come on, beautiful. Dance with me.”
He pulls me into his arms, and we slow dance, spinning in a circle as his boots shuffle across the dusty plank flooring.
After the song finishes, I stare up at him. “How long are we staying here?”
“I don’t know, baby. I’m having a hard time thinking past right now.” He brushes a strand of hair from my temple and cups my cheek. “You’re the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen. You know that?”
“This isn’t real. We can’t live like this forever.”
“Like what?”
“Playing house or whatever it is we’re doing.”
“We’re enjoying time together. What’s wrong with that? Nothing.” He dips his head and kisses me, then bends, puts his hands under my ass and tosses me up in his arms.
I squeal out a yelp.
He walks me backward and sets me down on the pool table. “Stay right there.”
I do as he orders and watch as he clears the table of the sticks and remaining balls. Then he goes to the bar, picks up a remote control and flips until he finds a smooth jazz station.
“Smooth jazz?” I scoff.
He grins. “It’s sexy if it doesn’t put us to sleep first.”
“Look at you,” I say as he prowls toward me. “Being all romantic and sexy.”
“I’m tryin’, baby doll.”
He strips off his cut and hangs it on a chair. Next he pulls off his shirt and tosses it across the floor. When he reaches me, his hands go to the hem of my shirt and in one whoosh, it’s over my head. He reaches behind me, and with a flick of his fingers, pops the snaps on my bra.
“You’ve had lots of practice at that, haven’t you?”
“Don’t worry, Cherry. I’m all about you now. Haven’t thought of another woman since I walked in your bar.”
“Good to know.”
He yanks my boots off, then my jeans and panties with them, and I’m perched on the end of the pool table, naked, my breasts quivering with anticipation.
