by Katie Ball
Raising the baseball bat over my head, I brought it down on the table next to me. Slamming it over and over again. Creating a loud enough noise to rocket through the room, capturing their attention.
“Enough!” I shouted so damn loud. My throat would be hurting after that. Though, it worked. Everyone stopped what they were doing, looking my way. The whole room went quiet. All of them were panting from the fight. They were all going to be bruised to high heaven. Bloody idiots.
“If you’ve quite finished, how about you put your dicks away. This isn’t a fucking measuring competition.” I spied Talon leaning against the pool table. A massive grin on his face like he was enjoying this.
“Or what? You going to make us darling?” A biker I hadn’t be introduced yet thought he would be the big man, calling my bluff.
Big mistake.
“If anyone even thinks of ignoring me, I will slam this baseball bat so hard into your balls, that they’ll come flying out your mouth.” Locking eyes with him, whoever he was. Daring him to try me. “You are more than welcome to test me if you want. I just hope for your sake that you’re not overly attached to your balls.” I heard Mac laughing then. Gunner whistled through his teeth.
“Fuck me, I think I’m in love.” Talon shot him daggers, like he was thinking about fighting him next.
“Watch yourself brother.” Cole stepped between Gunner and Talon, ready to get in the middle of them. I slammed the baseball bat on the table once more. Gaining their attention. I glared at both of them, Gunner actually gulped with fear.
“Don’t fucking try me.” Gunner raised his hands in surrender, while Talon bit back a smirk. Trying not to laugh.
“I wouldn’t mess with her. She looks like she knows how to handle that bat.” Tank winked at me. He wasn’t wrong, I knew what I was doing. I would cause some bodily damage if they weren’t careful.
“Now if everyone is finished, I need a damn drink.” Hog held out his hand to me, helping me jump down off the seat. Not wanting me to fall and break something. Always looking out for me.
Suddenly everyone cheered and clapped. There was laughter and whistling. Well, I think it was official. I had impressed the Kings of Chaos. Thank fuck for that.
“Come on, let’s get the lady a drink.” Hog guided me through the crowd. Reaching the bar, Davey had a bottle of beer waiting for me.
“There you go sweetie. A woman after my own heart. Nothing better than a woman with fire in her belly. I think you would have made a fine redhead.” I didn’t always have this fire. It was something that came out every now and then.
“Here he comes, the troublemaker.” Davey nodded behind me, turning just in time. Talon hurtled towards me, like a man possessed. Eyes locked on to me. His hands were on me then, crushing me against him. His lips met mine in a fiery kiss. Brutal and savage, just what I needed. Clinging onto him as he devoured my mouth.
“I wasn’t wrong about you. So damn feisty.” He whispered against my lips. Meeting his eyes, I had to hold onto him to keep myself standing, my legs felt like jelly. Like at any moment they would give out, it probably wasn’t helping that he was staring at me with such heat and feral desire.
“I guess you weren’t.” I heard a cough from behind Talon. He didn’t turn around. I guess, he didn’t need to. He knew who it was. Peeking over his shoulder, I found Reaper stood there. He was a mess, beaten black and blue. Talon hadn’t taken it easy on him.
“I’m sorry for the way I spoke about you, Hazel.” That was all he said, hurrying away from us. Probably to get checked over, I think he might need some serious medical care.
“I think you got yourself a damn fine Queen there, Talon.” Tank patted him on the shoulder. Talon kept his attention on me, laying a teasing kiss on my forehead.
“You want to get out here?” Arching an eyebrow at his suggestion.
“I don’t want to go home Talon.” Making it very clear what I wanted. I wanted to be with him tonight, even if all we did was sleep. I just wanted to spend the night beside him.
“You’ll stay with me.” I just wanted to curl up in bed with him. Feel his arms around me. To be able to fall asleep surrounded by him. God, it sounded like heaven.
“I like the sound of that.” Glancing at Hog now.
“Tell Tank and my brother they are on guard duty tomorrow.” Giving him his orders. It was so sexy when he went into commander mode. So, demanding. The thought alone had butterflies dancing in my stomach. My body was pulsing with need, loving the glimpse of his dominance.
“Come on love.” Talon led me out of the clubhouse, leaving the party behind.
I noticed the club girls had made a reappearance; I didn’t even realise they had left to start with. Now they were draping themselves over whoever wanted them. There was already a couple in a corner booth, getting freaky. She was riding him like he was a damn bull, I had to look away.
“Where are we going?” Taking me out of the side door, stepping out into the cool night-time breeze.
“My home.” His home? What would it be like? Did he bring many girls back to his place? I hope not. I wanted it to be something sacred.
A place for just me and him.
No one else.
Chapter Thirteen
Walking along the gravel path, we headed for his house. He was taking me towards the homes I saw earlier on the way in. The cute cookie cutter homes, they really were stunning. White wood panelled, a wraparound porch, big windows letting in lots of light. They looked massive, a lot of room within I imagine. Proper family homes.
Now that I had a clear view, I could see there was four houses back here. Who did they belong to? One was obviously Talon’s but who else lived out here?
There were separated well, giving them some space and privacy. At least, they weren’t on top of each other.
I couldn’t get over how peaceful it was out here. Even with the clubhouse behind us, the noise seemed so distant. Just the gentle hum in the background. It was nice, tranquil.
“You alright there?” Talon was gazing down at me. He had a stunning backdrop behind him. Sparkling stars and a glowing moon. He looked like a fallen god, one that had come to ravish me. Though, I couldn’t help but notice the bruise beginning to form on his cheek. Someone at least got one hit in. He needed ice on that before it darkened too much.
“I’m fine, just enjoying the silence.” All of a sudden, his arms went around my waist, throwing me over his shoulder. I squealed from the shock of it. That earned me a slap on my arse, one that I enjoyed a little bit too much.
“Talon this is not necessary.” I could walk just fine.
“I think you’ll find it is.” Giggling as he carried me up the garden path. I could get used to this, being manhandled by this King.
Moving inside then, the door clicked shut behind us. Only then did he put me down. Letting me slide slowly down his body, which had me gasping for air. My body snapped to attention. Sensitive to his touch. Feeling all of him and I mean all of him.
Our eyes locked as he kept a strong grip on me. Keeping me pressed against him. I was throbbing with need for him. Pulsing in time with my erratic heartbeat.
“Talon.” His eyes were dripping with lust. He was hungry for me. I’m glad I wasn’t the only one swimming in this ocean of desire.
“Hazel, welcome to my home.” He spun me around, switching on the light, illuminating the place in front of me. My jaw dropped.
Holy shit.
It really was a home. Something I never had before. Something I never experienced. You could tell someone lived here and planned on staying. That they had spent time making it more than just a house or a resting point. They had made it a home.
Filled with furniture. Two huge couches that looked comfier than my own bed. The walls weren’t bare here. No, there was photos of Talon and his family covering the walls. They were a mixture of him throughout his childhood and with the people that mattered the most to him. A constant reminder of the love he had been surrounded with
from birth.
I mean, he even had a damn plant on the coffee table. Navy walls with white furniture, it was gorgeous. Whoever had decorated this place had done an amazing job.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a bachelor pad without a ginormous TV on the wall above the fireplace. Yet, this place didn’t have the feel of a bachelor pad. No, it felt more like a home ready for a growing family. A place to settle down...one day.
“This is your place?” He gently whispered in my ear.
“It is…not what you were expecting?” Peering over my shoulder at him. I was so close to his lips. His hand caressed my cheek as I made eye contact.
“I don’t know what I was expecting. It’s just…really nice.” Taking my hand, he led me into the large kitchen. I was in awe. A massive family sized table that could easily sit eight people around it. White marble countertops. The colour theme carried on in here.
“I need a drink.” Heading for the fridge, he grabbed two beers. Handing one to me while he took a sip of his own.
I pointed towards his bruised cheek.
“You need ice for that.” He gestured towards his freezer, letting me fuss over him apparently. Grabbing the bag of ice, I wrapped some of it up in a cloth. It wouldn’t last long but it was better than nothing. “Go sit down.”
He did as he was told, sitting down at the table. I placed the ice against his cheek, and he didn’t even wince. He just watched me the entire time. Fixated on me. I didn’t mind, I loved having his eyes on me.
“What?” A devilish smirk on his face. A twinkle in his eyes. That was the kind of look that would get me into trouble.
“I’ve never had a woman take care of me before.” Frowning at him.
“Really? What about your mum?”
“My mum doesn’t count. It’s what mum’s do.” Was it? That was news to me.
“My mum never did.” He went so still then. Watching me carefully with darkened eyes.
“Shit…sorry Hazel.” Shaking my head at him, not wanting her memory to ruin this.
“It’s ok. I just meant that not all mums take care of their kids.” Taking a long sip of my beer.
“You’ve not really mentioned your mum.” Of course, he had questions. Who wouldn’t? But was I ready to talk to about this? Part of me wanted him to know. I mean, he kind of needed to know my past, as shit as it may have been.
“I don’t have any good memories of her.” He took the ice out of my hand, dumping it on the table. Turning to face me completely now. My hands intertwined in his, letting me know he was right here with me. Ready and willing to listen.
“Talk to me Hazel. I want to know all of you.” Taking a deep breath. If I wanted this to work, then I had to do this. I had to let him in.
“My mum… I don’t think she ever really wanted to be a mum. My dad passed away when I was a newborn, so, I don’t remember him at all. I always assumed it hit my mum hard, that’s why she was the way she was. She often left me on my own. Go out for the day and not come back until it was dark outside.” Pushing back the tears that were already misting up my eyes, not wanting them to fall.
“Most of my childhood I spent it starving and alone. She wouldn’t feed me so most of the time, I would scavenge for food. I was severely neglected and yet no one ever didn’t anything to help get me out of that situation. When I was seven, she started bringing different guys around. I didn’t know why back then. Obviously, I figured it out when I got older. Eventually she met my stepfather.” That was when the real horror begun.
Talon traced comforting circles on the back of my hand. Reassuring me, making sure I knew he was here with me, no matter what.
“You don’t have to carry on if you don’t want to.” I had to though. Now that I started, I needed to say it. I needed him to know what he was dealing with.
“My mum turned to alcohol and when that didn’t do the job, she turned to drugs. It was just weed to start with, then it progressed. Cocaine ended up being her drug of choice. I think the final nail in the coffin was when she realised what kind of man she married. The monster she let into her home. That laid beside at the end of the night. That would creep out of their room when he thought she was asleep. I think she wanted to numb it all out. Not wanting to hear what her new husband was doing to her daughter.” She wanted to escape it. If she acknowledged it then it became real. There would be no hiding from it then.
“She knew what he was doing to you?” I nodded.
“He fooled her to start with. Rooted himself within her life, making it impossible for her to be without him. Then his mask slipped, and she finally saw the man she let in. Though it didn’t change anything, she didn’t put a stop to it. It just made her hate me even more.” I remember the way she looked at me. Like I was a little slut who had offered myself up to him. Like it was my fault, that it was me who had ruined everything for her.
“One night, I remember it so clearly. Him coming into my room, holding me down. I was eleven at the time. At that point, I no longer cried or begged for him to stop. I knew there was no point. I couldn’t stop the tears though, rolling silently down my cheek. But this night…it was different. My mum, she just walked in. For a few seconds I thought that was it. I thought that was the moment I would be saved from him. That she would stop him from hurting me. Even he paused thinking the same thing. All she said was ‘what are you doing?’ His response was…’I’m teaching her how to please a man.’ Even then, she did nothing. She just glared at me like I was the corruption. Hatred in her eyes, like I deserved everything I got. Then just like that, she walked back out and shut the door behind her. Leaving me with him.” Talon reached out for me then. Pulling me onto his lap, holding me against his chest. Cradling me as those silent tears fell once more. Stroking my back as I cried. Comforting me, soothing me, caressing my hair. Letting me know I was safe now. I would always be safe with him.
“I’m so sorry Hazel. You deserved more than her.” I hid my face in the crook of his neck. His anger was suffocating, rolling off of him in violent waves. “What happened with your mum?”
“She died of an overdose when I was twelve. He became my sole legal guardian from that point on.” Thinking about my mum like this made me realise how much hate I was holding on to. She hadn’t protected me the way she should have. She didn’t keep me safe from the monster, no, she just let him do what he wanted. She let him hurt me, over and over again.
“No child should go through what you did. I’m sorry she wasn’t there for you the way she should have been. I want you to know, I’ve got you Hazel. I’m not going to let him hurt you ever again.” Gazing up at him, all I could see was my fierce protector wiping my tears away.
“I just want a home Talon. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.” Lightly caressing my cheek, his emerald eyes stared so deeply into mine.
“You have one here, with me.” I wanted that. I wanted to focus on my future. I wanted to be happy. I wanted a home and I wanted it with Talon. I was done running, I was done living in fear, I was just…done.
“What did Tank mean when he said I was a Queen?” His eyes warming slightly at the mention of it.
“Us Kings, we don’t settle down easily. It takes one hell of a woman to tame us to start with but to also live in this world with us. It’s not an easy life. That one woman will be our wife. Our old lady as a term of endearment. But she’ll also be our Queen.” My heart was beating out of control. Did he mean…was he saying what I think he saying?
“Is that what I am to you?” Holding my breath. I know he wanted me, but did he want me with that kind of devotion?
“That’s what I want you to be.” He really wanted that? Wanted me to be his Queen, his old lady, his wife. He wanted all of me…forever.
“You’re not going to ask me to marry you next week, are you?” He burst out laughing then.
“No…I thought I’d wait till the week after.” Chuckling as he tried to lighten the mood a little. Not wanting to scare me off with all this talk of commitment.
His lips pressed against mine, so sweetly, so gently. Yet it held a promise of much more. Of love, of passion. Pure untethered desire. I was his and he was mine…King and Queen. Why did that sound so damn good?
“You are so beautiful Hazel. I plan to cherish you every single day.” Leaning my forehead against his. Thanking my lucky stars that our paths had crossed. That amongst all the dark in this world, I had found him. A good man who would adore me until the end of time.
Sure, he was badass biker King who would be your worst enemy if you crossed him, but he was exactly what I needed. He had a kind soul and generous heart to those he loved.
“Come on darling, let’s get you to bed. You must be tired.” I nodded, trying to stifle a yawn.
“Bed sounds good right now.” I followed Talon upstairs, eager to curl up in bed with him.
Stepping into the master bedroom, it was gorgeous in here. Light wood furniture with a cream sleigh bed which looked so inviting right now. The walls however were a lighter blue in here, reminding me of the sky.
“Did you want one of my shirts to sleep in?” Was he really asking me that?
“Yes please.” Sorting out a large black shirt from one of his drawers. It would be huge on me, but I didn’t care. Tugging my blouse over my head, Talon just stood there and watched me. I should have felt self-conscious, but I didn’t. Not in front of him.
Before I could remove any more clothing, he was in front of me. Grabbing my hips, our bodies touching so perfectly.
“I can’t resist you, love. You make it so fucking hard.” Biting my lip. Rubbing my thighs together, suddenly needing friction between them. Yearning for my King deep within me.
“Talon, I don’t want you to resist.” That was it, all it took for him to spring into action. Lips crushed against mine, hands on me. There was no more waiting. There was no need to, we both wanted this. Hungered for it like starved beasts. No turning back.
