by Karen Renee
His eyes held mine. “You find the right man, life should be easy.”
My eyes slid to the side and back to him. “Not so sure about that either, but if you say so.”
“You tired yet, baby?”
I smiled. “Yeah. But I could rally for a fifth if you’re determined.”
He laughed. “Maybe in the morning.”
Chapter Nine
Claimed... Him
Brute
Brute woke with what felt like a jolt, but must have only been a start. He glanced around the room and remembered the night before. Then again, it would be hard not to remember last night with this warm woman curled around his side. Her legs hugged his thigh, her hand laid on his shoulder, her tit resting on his ribs. The contact went beyond how most women snuggled in their sleep or after sex. She’d claimed him in her sleep, koala-style. Claimed... him.
He hadn’t had that before. His dick was on board for it, but how much the rest of him liked it bothered him because that was dangerous. Come to think about it, everything about this was dangerous.
He didn’t typically spend the night, but here he was.
She had a kid, which normally made him drop a woman like a hot potato. Yet, here he was.
She wasn’t accustomed to his way of life.
Something told him her ex-husband was a prick of the worst caliber. And here he was... in her bed.
He closed his eyes as those thoughts went through his mind, and being so deep in thought he nearly missed her soft, tentative movements. After a moment, she left the bed and went into the bathroom.
Time to hit the road and get out of here, he thought.
But he couldn’t do it.
Maybe it was the conversation they had last night. He’d never had a conversation with a woman where he had to remind her that in the big scheme of things life wasn’t hard. That look in her eyes at his words. He would never forget it because no woman had ever looked at him that way. Like he’d shined a light on the knowledge of life, though he had no doubt she knew life wasn’t hard. Hell, she immediately pointed out it was the weighty shit in life that was hard. Business, motherhood, anything where someone else’s health and happiness sat on the line.
She returned in less than ten minutes. Since his eyes were still closed, she must have assumed he was sleeping based on her slow, methodical movements getting back into bed.
Had this been his bed at the clubhouse, he’d have pounced on her for a quick fuck before sending her on her way. He didn’t know how he should play this, and that hadn’t happened since before he joined the Riot. Of course, he’d been on the cusp of nineteen back then, so he hadn’t known shit about women or how to deal with them.
Along his ribcage, he felt her soft exhale through her nose. It was part sigh and maybe part yawn.
He cracked an eye open and found her eyes staring up at him. “Morning,” he muttered, his voice rough.
“Hi,” she whispered.
“You want me to go?” he whispered.
Her face fell. “No. I mean, not unless you need to go. I just... it’s been a damn long time... nevermind. I shouldn’t share that and hadn’t meant to say it. I’ll go make coffee.”
He slid is arm around her shoulders to pull her on top of him. “No, Kenzie. Never feel like you shouldn’t say something to me. Coffee’s good and all, but fucking first thing in the morning will wake you up better than caffeine.”
She threw her head back to laugh and he caught a whiff of strong mouthwash. His dick had softened in her absence, but that wouldn’t last long with her laying on him.
He kissed her temple. “Let me use the bathroom, and I’ll prove it to you. Don’t move. Or you’ll pay the price, Kenz.”
As he rounded her bed toward the bathroom, she murmured, “Is that so?”
While he closed the bathroom door, he gave her a wry look.
A few minutes later, he left the bathroom with clean hands and a rinsed his mouth. He felt her eyes on his body and his dick rose for her approval. Rather than round the bed, he crawled over the covers to her.
“Your eyes say you see something you like, Kenzie.”
“Here I thought your cock preceded you, but it’s really your arrogance.”
His eyes narrowed at her.
“I’m kidding,” she cried. “But seriously, you’re the first man who speaks to me like that.” She trailed off, then, “Though you’re also the first to walk around naked in front of me in the daytime.”
He fell to his side, but not before wrapping an arm around her to take her with him. “Don’t know why I’d cover up since you saw me up close and personal earlier this morning.”
Her lips twisted with a smirk and a pretty blush crept up her cheeks. “I could do that again, if you—”
“Woman, I caught a whiff of your mouthwash earlier, so I took the hint and did the same. Kiss me so I can wake you up.”
She lined up her lips with his. Whether it was because she wasn’t fully awake or if she was feeling shy in the daytime, the kiss was tentative. He didn’t like that; he rolled them, and her legs wrapped around his hips. His cock dragged along her pussy and he wanted to push inside but he remembered he had no more condoms.
“Fuck,” he whispered against her lips.
“What?” she whispered back.
“Out of condoms, baby.”
Her eyes caught his. “I have a couple, but I’m also on the pill just so—”
“Not until I’m tested, baby.” He rolled them so he was on his back. “Grab one, gorgeous.”
She reached for her nightstand drawer while giving him a reproachful look. When she shoved the drawer closed, he smacked her ass playfully. She yelped.
“What was that for?”
He grinned. “Your look at me for calling you ‘gorgeous.’ Told you not to give me any lip, and yesterday we established that extends to you giving me looks about it, too.”
Her hair glinted like spun gold as she tore the condom open. “Would you like me to do the honors?”
“I ever discourage you from touching my cock, call an ambulance. ’Cause it’s a sure sign I’ve got amnesia or something’s taken over my brain.”
Her chuckle made him grin. “Duly noted,” she muttered as she rolled the condom down his length.
She slid her hands up his torso, her tongue sticking out slightly from her lips. He nipped that plump bottom lip and kissed her hard. She moaned into his mouth and thoughts of her riding him flew from his mind. He had to be on top, had to dominate her, claim her pussy the way she claimed him in her sleep.
As he rolled her, his cock slid inside her and it felt like homecoming. Where such a flowery idea came from he’d never know, but it was the truth. Being joined with her felt different from any other woman he’d fucked.
And there had been many.
She twisted her face away. “I thought I was going to be on top.”
He grabbed her legs behind her knees and yanked them up so her calves rested on his shoulders. “Can’t help it. I lose control around you, Kenzie. It’s fucking crazy... no, you make me crazy.”
A shy smile curved her lips. “Well, you’re gonna make me crazy you don’t get busy.”
“Can’t have that,” he said, thrusting his hips hard and fast.
Her head tilted back, her eyes closed, and a long sigh escaped her lips. She couldn’t be more sexy if she tried.
He reached down and rolled a nipple between his fingers. “Eyes on me, Kenzie.”
She looked to him. The heat in her blue eyes went straight to his cock. It took all his control to keep from coming.
“You are trouble,” she breathed.
He winked. “Don’t you forget it.”
His fingers left her breast to work her clit. He was close, but he wanted to get her there first. Nothing felt better than her pussy clenching tight to his dick as he came.
Except, he was wrong. Her back arched, her pussy spasmed, and just as he was ready to blow, she dragged her nails down his shoulde
rs and that felt better than anything else.
HE STOOD IN HER KITCHEN wearing his boxer briefs and a grin. She wore her black lace panties and a pale pink tank top, pouring two cups of coffee. “Cream or sugar?”
He shook his head. “Nope. You?”
Her lips pressed together, and she nodded. “Both.”
“I’ll grab the milk from your fridge—”
“There’s a bottle of flavored creamer, but I can get it.”
He shook his head. “Least I can do. Besides, I don’t know where you keep the sugar.”
She hustled to the pantry. As he turned away from the fridge holding her creamer, he noticed she’d pulled out a small box. He couldn’t help but laugh.
“Don’t laugh at me, Brute.”
“You going to drink with your pinkie sticking out too?”
She folded an arm under her breasts. “Listen, a little girl wants a tea party because she was too sick to go to her best friend’s birthday, a momma does what she has to for that to happen. But this is the South and I have to use up the sugar cubes before they draw bugs.”
He held his hands up in surrender. “Gotcha. Maybe I’ll try one of those in my brew.”
Her eyebrow jumped. “I wouldn’t want your morning to start off badly.”
“Kenzie. My morning started thirty minutes ago, and a sugar cube can’t ruin that.”
She pulled two spoons out, putting one near his cup. “Well, there you go. Have at it, big guy.”
A moment later, she wandered to an old-fashioned-looking bread box, and withdrew a bag of blueberry bagels. She waved the bag at him.
He debated for a moment. “Split one with you, cool?”
“Sure,” she murmured.
She’d gone shy again. He hoisted his ass onto the kitchen island. After she put the bagel in the toaster, he said, “C’mere.”
Her eyes widened seeing him on the island, but the quirking of her lips said she liked it. She wandered toward him. He pulled her between his legs and locked his hands behind her neck. “You’re gettin’ shy again, baby. Which tells me you’re nervous. How come?”
She sipped her coffee. He gently took it from her and set it aside. “It’s just been a long time since I had a man spend the night. I’m not nervous, but... I suppose I’m second-guessing myself.”
He unlaced his hands to rub her neck. “Stop that shit, babe. We’re gonna split that bagel, finish our coffee, and then we’re taking a shower together.”
She shook her head as if his words surprised her. The bagel popped up and he let her go.
A few minutes later, she stood in between his legs and swallowed the last bite of her bagel. She peeked up at him. “You know, you were wrong. Sex wasn’t that sticky last night.”
He fought laughing. “Then I’ll have to show you how sticky it can get while we’re in the shower.”
Her chin tipped up defiantly. “Good luck with that.”
His brow arched. “Don’t need luck if I got skill, baby.”
She chuckled. “So cocky.”
IN HER BEDROOM, HE pulled on his pants and saw the time. “Shit!”
He had planned to hit his apartment to change into jeans and a t-shirt before going to the clubhouse for church. He’d told himself to make their shower quick, but Kenzie proved to have more tricks up her sleeve compared to last night. She’d given him a helluva good blowjob to help him rally at two-thirty that morning, but in the shower, she deep-throated him. That had turned him on so much he lost his mind, which meant their short shower went much longer.
“What’s wrong?” Kenzie asked from the door of the bathroom.
He shook his head and buttoned his shirt. “Nothin’, darlin’. Lost track of time. I gotta be somewhere in twenty minutes and had planned to dress down. It’s all good though.”
She nodded, putting on a bra. “Well, I’ll walk you out.”
While he tied his dress shoes, he watched her drag on a pair of shorts with a wide draw-string waistband, shrug on an over-sized sweatshirt, and shove her feet into a pair of flip-flops. Women and their fashion choices would never make sense to him. Yet, she looked incredibly sexy in the haphazard outfit. He grabbed his tie from the floor and tucked it in his pants pocket.
He followed her out of the bedroom and had a new appreciation for the skimpy shorts. Her ass looked phenomenal in that heather-gray cotton. She held the door open for him and he fought shaking his head at her.
To his surprise, her pinkie finger snagged his, and he grabbed her whole hand so their fingers could entwine. He glanced down at her to see her smirking. A strange feeling crept into his chest and he knew he’d entered uncharted territory.
And it was treacherous.
They stopped at his truck and she smiled up at him. “Thanks for a great date. And, um, an even better night, Sam.”
His finger traced along her jaw line before his fingers slid into the hair at the side of her head. “Now, I’m Sam, eh? You’re more than welcome for the date, Zee. And as for the better night, that works both ways, so thank you. And thanks for the sugar cube, gorgeous.”
When she finished chuckling, he planted his lips on hers for a short kiss, but she took it deeper and he couldn’t help but enjoy it. What should have been short turned into a full-on make-out session. He felt her leg hitch up alongside his, and he gently slid it down to the ground as he remembered someone took pictures of them kissing. For all he knew, they were still lurking.
“Sorry,” she muttered, hanging her head when he stopped kissing her.
He lifted her chin so he could look in her eyes. “That’s nothing to be sorry about. It’s a good sign in my book, just not out in the wide open, yeah?”
“Yeah. Well, have a good day. Sorry to make you run late.”
He laughed. “Don’t you dare apologize for that. Not running that late, but just to say, showering with you is well worth a fine for being late. I’ll call you, babe.”
He didn’t back out of her drive until he saw her standing in her doorway. She waved the whole time, and he smiled the entire way to the clubhouse.
Kenzie
IF THERE WAS A WAY for me to be a bigger dork, I didn’t know about it, and I was grateful I didn’t! Because I had made a dork of myself in every way possible since I woke up. With a heavy sigh, I closed and locked the door. I went back to my bedroom with every intention to gather a load of laundry, but the sight of my rumpled bed and the memories of everything we did there beckoned to me.
I sprawled out on my bed and closed my eyes. “You’ve done it now,” I said to myself.
And I had.
With Caleb and every man before him, it took a minimum of six dates to get me in the sack. One full date, or two semi-dates and a full with Brute, and I spread my legs like melting butter. I threw an arm over my eyes, but the ache in my center reminded me just how good spreading my legs had been.
No. How good Brute had been.
His words hit me like a gong. ‘Been a long time since I had shy. Forgot how fun it is.’
His experience came through loud and clear. But his last statement told me I had bit off more than I could handle. He would have his fun with my brand of shy and that would be that. I just hoped I’d be okay when all of that happened.
It was always strange not having Aubrey in the house. I did my best not to waste any of my ‘alone’ time, so I rolled off the bed and grabbed my phone. Caleb hadn’t called or texted since last night. If I didn’t find out, all day I’d worry sick about my girl.
Everything okay this morning? Is she running a fever? Keeping her food down?
No jumping dots, and I had no way of knowing if he’d read the text yet, either.
I changed from the sweatshirt into a Mississippi State t-shirt since the day had already warmed up and would only get warmer. For being early November, you’d never know it. Wearing my favorite team’s shirt reminded me to check if there was a game on today. The doorbell rang just as I found the game would be at three-thirty.
Th
rough the peephole I saw a man wearing khaki pants, a dress shirt, and a sports coat. I debated waiting him out and acting like I wasn’t home, but the way he was examining my driveway and the surrounding homes told me he wouldn’t leave easily.
I engaged the security chain, opened the door, and he immediately smiled.
“Hello,” he said, his voice slicker than I expected. Maybe he was a salesperson. Then he slid his blazer to the side and I caught the gleam of a badge. Hooking a badge to one’s belt wasn’t that hard, though, so until I saw ID I didn’t trust him.
“Hi. Is there a problem?”
His smile brightened a touch. “I’m detective Raul Tovar with Biloxi PD. Can I come in?”
I returned his smile. “I’m sorry, but may I see your ID? For all I know that badge is fake, and... well, a woman can never be too careful.”
As he reached into his back pocket, his lips pulled down, but it was just shy of being a frown. “That’s pretty smart for a woman associating with a one-percenter.”
“I’m sorry, a what?”
I’d heard of the one-percent, but I wasn’t aware that had morphed into an adjective for individuals who were part of the elite, wealthy group. Plus, I didn’t know anybody rich like that.
His head dipped toward his shoulder and he grinned, but it was full of self-satisfaction. “I almost believe you don’t know what I’m talking about.”
He handed me his ID, and it listed his name as he had stated it and that he was a homicide detective. While it was good to know he was who he claimed, I still didn’t trust him.
I handed the identification back to him. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Best case, I’ve met someone who’s part of the one-percent while at my job, but otherwise, I don’t know any ‘one-percenter’ as you put it.”
He closed his eyes and inhaled loudly through his nose. When he opened his eyes, he had schooled his expression. “Been a while since I saw one of the Riot MC boys, but I’m pretty sure they all have the one-percent patch on their vests.” He sighed. “Miss Whitehall, if I could come inside.”
