by K E Osborn
“I can’t wait to show you just how much of a man I can be, Heeley.” His voice is low, gruff, seductive, and holds promise and so much lust I want to burst.
Licking my lips, he lunges forward taking me in a deep, frenzied kiss as his fingers thread through my hair pulling on it tight and making me whimper at his force. It’s not painful, it’s erotic, and the dominance he’s showing me is only turning me on, making me even more annoyed I didn’t insist on us taking it further last night. But I understand his thinking, and sometimes waiting makes the gratification all the more electrifying.
A clearing throat forces us to break apart as my coffee and toast are placed on the table next to me. “Sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt. Didn’t know what to put on your toast, so I did the peanut butter thing. Hope that’s okay?” Ruby asks, and I look at her with a smile.
“Perfect. Thank you.”
She smiles and walks away. I glance to Torque who’s grinning from ear to ear.
I pick up a slice of my toast and take a bite as I wonder what the hell I’ve gotten myself into?
All I know for sure is things with Torque are certainly going to be fucking interesting.
CHAPTER TWELVE
TORQUE
Four Days Later
Tensions in the clubhouse have been high. With Alfonso going back to Enzo sans hands, and no repercussions coming back at us so far, we’re a little on edge. But the fact that businesses are still being bought, and Ace can’t seem to lock down the identity of who the fucker is that’s purchasing everything in damn sight, it’s making it hard for us to build a case against Enzo.
We’re at a stalemate for now. So while we wait for something to show up, I’m trying to keep club morale up. The brothers are tense, everyone’s walking on eggshells, and I’m not sure how to keep them under control. Last thing I need is to have them breaking out and taking matters into their own hands. The main culprit being Trax—he’s so close to breaking point.
He needs an outlet.
Something to let off steam.
Also, I want something to bring Heeley in so she can meet everyone officially. Especially, Mom. She said she wanted to meet her, so I think this might be the way to do it.
Over the past few days, I haven’t seen Heeley, but I’ve been keeping in contact with phone calls and texts. Plus, I’ve had the incoming reports from Zane when he’s tailing her letting me know exactly what she’s doing at all times. This helps me relax a little knowing she’s safe. However, the fact she doesn’t know this is happening sits uneasily in my stomach. If she finds out she has to know I’ve done it for her protection. I can only hope she’ll understand if she figures it out.
For now, though, I need to see her, and my guys need to let off steam. I’ve asked Ruby to organize a club barbecue for tonight with all club members attending. Heeley’s coming in as well. We don’t have them too often, but when we do, they’re a lot of fun. The grills are set up out the back. The brothers bring in their families. It’s a big deal. Family is everything, and I want Heeley to know while we might have a darker side to us, we also have good in us too.
Everything’s ready to go. The tables are all set up. The grills are all on. And the families are either arriving or are already here. The echoes of children’s laughter filters through the air as they run around the back of the yard playing chase as we all sit back and watch around a giant bonfire.
Heeley should arrive soon, and I have asked Gatekeeper to inform me when she arrives. And as if on cue, my cell alerts telling me she’s pulled up. Smiling, I walk around the side of the clubhouse to see her Ninja, and I chuckle loving the fact she rides a bike. This woman really is something else. A couple of my brother’s wolf whistle at her as she pulls off her helmet, her blonde hair waving from side to side as she lets her hair out like a fucking supermodel. My cock aches instantly.
Why I haven’t fucked her yet is beyond me.
Walking up to her, I step to her side and smile. “Have I told you how fuckin’ hot it makes me that you ride that thing? Even if it is a crotch rocket?”
Heeley smiles, placing her helmet on her seat and steps up to me. She smells of fruit and leather, and it’s a toxic combination. I want to take her right here and right fucking now, but there are brothers watching us. Not that it’s bothered me too much in the past, but with Heeley it’s different, and I promised myself our first time wouldn’t be here at the clubhouse. No matter how much I might want to go back on that, I’m not shifting my position.
She looks into my eyes while wrapping her arms around my neck and licks her bottom lip. It’s sexy as fucking hell.
“I think I got the memo.” She leans up on her toes and presses her lips to mine as a round of catcalls echo through the compound.
She giggles against my lips, and I pull back looking her over. She’s wearing leather pants, boots, and a leather jacket zipped up at the front. She looks one hundred percent biker chick, right now, and my cock is really fucking appreciating it.
“You look fuckin’ killer.”
She looks at my tatty jeans, black tee and cut, and chuckles. “You look like… well, you.” She leans in and smirks. “Which is hot by the way,” she says while grabbing my hand, and we start to walk. “So what can I expect tonight?”
“I have no idea. I’ve never been to one of these before,” I jest.
She shoves my side. “You’re an idiot. No… really? Are people going to like grill me and do the whole… are you good enough for our Pres spiel?”
Raising my brow, I tilt my head wondering if anyone would actually say that to her. She’s already met Neala, so I’m sure they’ll get along fine. She’s met Surge, too, and he’s given her the nod of approval. Trax thinks she’s a firecracker. So that only leaves Mom. And that could go either way. She could take her under her wing or drill her like a damn drill sergeant.
“You’re taking a little too long to answer.” She grimaces.
I tighten my hand in hers and grin. “No, I think you’ll be fine. I was running through my head all the possibilities and scenarios, and I’m sure no one will harass you tonight. It’ll be fun. I promise.”
We round the corner to see the festivities in full swing, and her eyes light up. I grin as she takes it all in. She moves closer to my side, obviously to feel protected, but she doesn’t need it. Everyone knows she’s here with me. I pull her toward the bonfire and take a seat, yanking her down to sit on my lap. She does so without hesitation, throwing her legs over mine, sitting sideways and wrapping her arm behind my shoulders. She snuggles into me, and I love how natural this feels. Having a woman by my side, one that I care about, feels, well, nice. No, scrap that, it feels fucking incredible. It’s been a long goddamned time, and I had no idea I could feel this contented again. Even in the midst of chaos with the Andrettis, and the unknown that reigns with them, I still find a moment to just be—happy.
Neala bounds up and takes a seat right next to us, making Heeley smile wide. “Hey Neala, it’s great to see you again.”
“Oh, shit! Hey, Heeley… I didn’t know that was you. You look so… so, biker chic. I love it. You’re rockin’ the leather. You’re going to fit in here just fine,” she boasts, and Heeley smiles.
Tremor walks up and takes a seat next to Neala. They look at each other guiltily and quickly look away.
Flaring my nostrils, I shake my head.
“Hi… Tremor, isn’t it?” Heeley asks.
He nods and gives her a curt wave. “Yeah, good to see you again. Sorry for smoking in your store that time, I feel bad about that.”
I raise my brow at him, and he looks away from me quickly back to Heeley like he’s worried I might lose my cool. Which I just fucking-well might.
“It’s all good, Tremor. You’ll know next time.”
“Yep,” he replies lighting up a fucking cigarette.
Heeley sits up a little taller on my lap like she’s curious about something.
Oh, man, this could go either way.
&
nbsp; “Hey, Tremor, I’m curious… I know why Torque got his road name, but why are you called Tremor?”
Everyone around us starts to chuckle, except for Tremor, who rolls his eyes and takes a drag on his cigarette as Neala leans out giving his hand a gentle squeeze of support.
“It’s not a road name, Heeley.”
“It’s not?” Heeley’s eyes open wide.
He shakes his head, and I grin wondering how she’ll take this. “No, prospects like me don’t get road names until we’re officially patched in…” he pauses. “My birth name is Tremor.”
“Oh…” is all she says.
A low chuckle rumbles from my chest. “Tell her why, Trem,” I goad.
He groans. “My father was drunk when they were filling in the birth certificate details. They were supposed to call me Trevor, but he accidentally wrote Tremor instead. So yeah, Tremor it was from then on.”
We all burst out laughing, except for Heeley and Neala, who both frown and slump their bodies.
“Don’t laugh, that’s horrible,” Heeley berates.
We all stop laughing instantly as Tremor looks up at her, with a light in his eyes as Neala smiles at her.
“Thank you, Heeley. I’ve been trying to tell these fuckers that, but they don’t fucking listen.”
Tremor shrugs. “It’s not that bad, I’m used to it now. People laughing, I mean. Hell, I laugh about it now, too.” He takes a drag of his cigarette, the plume of smoke wafting through the air as more of my brothers sit around the bonfire.
“Well, I for one, think you’re brave keeping your name as Tremor. It shows courage. I applaud you, Tremor,” Heeley avows, and Neala smiles wide.
“I agree.” Neala nods.
“Yeah, yeah, don’t give the guy a big head now, ladies,” I tease, and Tremor smirks at me.
“The biggest head you’ve ever seen,” he boasts grabbing his crotch and shaking it a couple of times which makes Heeley and Neala both scoff.
“Aaand he’s back, ladies and gentleman,” Ace says as he relaxes into his deck chair.
As I look up, I watch Mom walking out of the clubhouse and over to the buffet table. I figure this is a perfect opportunity to introduce Heeley, and for Mom to meet her. So, I tap Heeley’s legs in a gesture for her to hop off. She raises her brow but stands up, and I reach out for her hand and start to walk. She looks at me curiously, and I debate telling her but instead opt out of surprising her and figure honesty is the best policy.
“You’re about to meet my mother,” I blurt out.
Her eyes widen as she hesitates, but I drag her with me. “What? Torque, you can’t just dump that on—”
“Oh, boyo, I’ve been wonderin’ when you were gonna bring her to meet me,” Mom calls out in her full-on Irish twang which interrupts Heeley’s little meltdown.
She looks from me to Mom and smiles brightly, shoving her hand out dramatically for Mom to shake. Mom laughs and leans in taking Heeley into an embrace instead. “Don’t be silly, girlie. You’re here with me boyo, and you think I’ll be handshakin’ you?” she asks, pulling back from Heeley and looking her up and down. “Let me get a good look at you.”
Heeley’s stock still, apparently not knowing what the hell to do. I’m a little stunned. This sassy, feisty, strong woman is entirely thrown by meeting my mom. It’s actually kind of cute.
Mom smiles as she looks Heeley over, and she tuts her tongue. “Oh, Lordy, you’re one hell of a looker. Got the body of a muse and the face of a model. You could do far worse, boyo.”
Mom looks to Heeley as she stares at Mom, deer in the headlights, not saying a word like she’s paralyzed. I smirk glancing at her while Mom tilts her head. “Ahh… is she havin’ some sort of an episode, boyo?”
I snort out a laugh and bump Heeley in the shoulder as she clears her throat while shaking her head. “It’s so lovely to meet you, Torque’s mother… mother of Torque… shit! I’m no fucking good at this… I’m ballsing it all up.” She turns to me, her eyes pleading. “Fuck! Can we start this all over again?”
Mom and I burst out laughing as Heeley looks petrified like she’s completely spinning out, but the thing is she’s actually just said the most perfect thing. Mom reaches out grabbing her by the shoulders, and Heeley looks at Mom like a scared little rabbit. “Heeley. Stop. Take a breath, and remember, I’m just a girlie. No one special. Don’t be scared of me because to be sure, I ain’t someone to be scared of. Just ask your man here.”
I chuckle and nod. “It’s true, if there’s anyone you should be scared of, it’s probably Trax, and you’ve already met him. He thinks you’re hilarious, so you’re pretty safe with my family around you, foxy.”
She visibly relaxes and looks back to Mom with a small smile. “Sorry, I’m such a bumbling idiot sometimes. I wanted to really make a good impression and, of course, I’ve completely ballsed that up.”
Mom smiles. “Don’t you worry about a thing. You’ve made a great impression, girlie, you have. Now come to the barbecue with me, I want to show you how us bikers cook you a mean grill,” Mom chirps grabbing her hand and pulling her away from me.
Heeley looks at me smiling wide, seemingly more at ease, and I nod letting her know she’ll be okay with my mom. She heads off with ease, and I take a breath knowing she fits in. So far, so good.
***
The night’s going smoothly. My brothers are relaxing considering the tensions surrounding us at the moment, and Heeley’s getting along with everyone. Although I am keeping her by my side most of the time and introducing her myself. I don’t want her having any unnecessary encounters. Her impression of this place needs to be a good one. I definitely don’t want her thinking my brothers have any negativity toward her. At all. Which none of them seem to at this point. Everyone’s taking her in and treating her as one of their own.
But as the night draws to a close, and Heeley and I are in my room cuddled up in my bed, I can’t help but feel like this all went a little too smoothly. Things are going so right, right now.
There’s no word from the Andrettis with regards to what we did with Enzo, and that little fact alone has me on edge. I know something must be coming. It’s just a matter of when. And honestly, I don’t want Heeley caught up in the crossfire of our bullshit.
The club’s had its downtime to recover and relax. Now we need to regroup and focus on what the hell is happening in our city.
We need to take control back.
I need to focus on my club.
On my brothers.
On my city.
I’ve had my fun, now it’s time to get motherfucking serious.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
HEELEY
Six Days Later
Work was dead again for a Friday night. Coming into the weekend, you’d expect people would be out roaming the streets wanting a sweet treat seeing as it’s the height of spring. But for some reason, the business is floundering. I hate the fact this is happening to Mom and Dad’s baby. They put their life into this shop, and to see it dwindling breaks my heart. I wish there were something I could do, something to bring it back to life, but I have no idea how to help them, other than to keep working as hard as I can.
The last few days have been filled with me going to college during the day, working at night, and trying to keep my mind off that damn sexy biker. But it’s so freaking hard when he texts me constantly. I know he’s checking up on me, and I’m almost certain he has someone watching me. I can never see anyone, but I’m sure I hear a motorcycle every time I go anywhere. And I know that can’t be a coincidence. But, I don’t mind. Knowing those Andretti guys are out there, and they like to target women, has me a little on edge. But knowing Torque has sent someone to watch over me, or at least I think he has, sets me slightly at ease. It means he cares enough about me to have me protected—and I like that fact.
The fact he hasn’t tried to see me in the last six days, though, since the barbecue, that fact I’m trying not to think about too much as I pull my Nin
ja up to my apartment, kick the stand out, and turn off the engine after a long night at work. Pulling off my helmet, I step over to my door. My cell beeps in my pocket, and I pull it out as I slide the key in the door. I click the message to see it’s from the man who’s continually on my mind.
Torque: Hope work was good. I’m coming over. Finally had a break from the shit I’ve been dealing with here. Coffee… stat!
Laughing at the bossy nature of his text, I shake my head with a sigh. I decide not to reply as I figure my text back will probably be more abusive than it probably should be. So, I open my front door and walk in, throwing my backpack and helmet to the side of the small walkway between the living room and my bedroom. Then I make my way to the kitchenette to put on the coffee as Torque so kindly requested.
Anger bubbles away beneath the surface. I haven’t seen him for six long days, and now he’s coming without even asking if it’s okay and bossing me around. Torque’s always had an arrogant way about him, but I thought maybe after the texts he’s been sending over the last few days, that the first time we saw each other again might be on nicer terms.
Well, when he gets here, I'm going to tell him exactly what I think.
Grabbing the stuff I need for coffee, I get to work, huffing and puffing in annoyance. My temper growing with every movement as I think more and more about how angry I feel. I’m not sure if I’m more annoyed at the fact he hasn’t attempted to see me in six days, or the fact that now he has made an effort, he talked to me like that. Or maybe I’m just exhausted, and I’m in a bad mood, which is causing me to overthinking things.
I have no idea.
The coffee is percolating, and I turn resting back on the bench as I hear the unmistakable sound of his Harley approaching. My stomach twists with excitement—damn stomach betraying me. I want to be mad. I want to be angry. Hell, I am, but my body’s letting me know it’s all too happy he’s here finally after so many days apart.
