Cocky

by J.C. Valentine

  “Right. I totally believe you,” she replied sarcastically. “So, I guess you’ll be dropping me off at home then…” Please don’t take me home.

  “Why, is that where you want to go?”

  He wouldn’t even look at her. But he was still holding her hand, so maybe there was some hope… “Not really, but—”

  “Then you’ll come home with me tonight.”

  So decisive.

  So commanding.

  She loved it.

  A small, satisfied smile played on her lips that she tried to hide by turning her head away to look out the window. It wasn’t the time to display happiness when he was so pissed off.

  “So what’s the plan then? For the rest of the night?” she asked, genuinely curious. Would he close himself in his office, casting her aside to find something to entertain herself with? That big house was beautiful and awe-inspiring, but it could also be cold and lonely. She’d rather spend her time there with him than alone.

  “First, I’m going to have a drink. Then” –he turned to look at her and squeezed her hand— “I’m going to take you upstairs and fuck you into next week.”

  Gulping, Rena stared into his eyes, more turned on than she’d ever been in her life. “Well, that sounds like a plan. Count me in.”

  He smirked then, and as small as it was, it somehow changed the entire view, allowing Rena to glimpse that man inside of him she was starting to long for in ways that scared the holy shit out of her as much as it excited her.

  And that’s when she knew she was truly, totally, and completely lost for him.

  twenty-one

  Moose was buried to the hilt inside of his woman, soaking up every little sound she made and memorizing every pleasured expression. It was exactly where he wanted to be…and likely the last time he would be there. Once she found out her sister was screwing the devil himself and he hadn’t done anything to stop it, she was going to chop him out of her life with a machete.

  As he pumped into her, staring down into her beautiful face filled with rapture because of what he was doing to her, he couldn’t imagine not being with her like this anymore. Or like anything anymore, because it wasn’t just about the sex. Lord knew when that had happened, but it had. He wanted more than just her pussy on tap and on demand. He enjoyed simply spending time with Angel. She was…well, delightful sounded kinda girly, but she was great. Just…great. He couldn’t even think of the right words to describe how he felt about her, but Angel was definitely the one.

  She was all he thought about lately. She consumed him, was a part of his every waking and nocturnal thought. Jesus H. Christ, he could hardly get any work done because he was always getting distracted by thoughts of her. How many times had he fucked up one of the brother’s bikes because he hadn’t been paying attention to what he was doing? Too many times to count. At least they only busted his balls. All that added time fixing their bikes was a pain in the ass for everyone, but they got it. At least, some of them did.

  Quick, Repo, Taco, even Country, that mouthy bastard, had his back wholly. A couple of times, they even pulled him aside to offer a quick bit of advice that mainly amounted to “Get your dick out of your ass and do everything she says.” A few weeks ago, he would have told them to suck a dick, but now…he had a feeling they were speaking some gospel of the Pussy-Whipped Man, and he was taking some serious notes.

  How the hell had he found himself in this position? He’d always been so damn careful. Now he was in a pickle because he’d finally found the woman of his dreams…and she was probably going to dump his ass.

  I could just not tell her. Play dumb if she finds out. But he knew he couldn’t do that. He could never lie to her, no matter how much the truth might hurt. You don’t lie to the ones you love.

  Angel let out a loud moan, her eyes screwing closed and her lips parting on a gasp as her entire body seized up. God, he loved watching her come. Feeling her pussy clamp down on his dick and the flood of heat that followed always triggered his own release, whether he was ready or not.

  With a grunt and a groan, Moose shot his load deep inside of her, waiting until his dick stopped pulsing before pulling out and dropping down beside her. They were both breathing heavy, their bodies damp with perspiration.

  “You drained me dry, Mouse.”

  The back of her hand slapped his chest. “Better not have. Ten minutes, and we go again.”

  “What?” he almost shouted, his eyes popping open and finding her teasing gaze already on him.

  “It’s okay. You’re getting older. I understand if you’re too tired and can’t keep up with me.”

  Moose scowled and rolled over, covering her body with his again. “You think I can’t keep up with you, baby?”

  “Well,” she said coyly, stroking her fingertips lightly down his sides, “maybe you could…if you really wanted to.”

  “Oh, I want to. Never doubt that,” he said, then nipped her bottom lip. “But give this old man an hour for a quick nap, and then I’ll rock your world again.”

  She laughed as he rolled off her once more and drew the girly purple paisley sheet over them. Turning onto her side, she curled up against him, resting her head on his chest and hooking his leg with hers. Moose closed his eyes, smiling inside because damn, she felt good all snug up against him. Like she was made to fit exactly there. Just more evidence he needed to make her his before she slipped through his fingers and got away.

  He couldn’t have that.

  It would…break his heart.

  Man, he was in a bad way for this woman. She had him all twisted up inside, and she probably didn’t even know it.

  His intention had been to fall asleep and enjoy the quiet with her a little longer, but Moose couldn’t get settled, and as he stared up at the ceiling, he knew he had to bite the bullet. Get this done.

  “Mouse?”

  The heavy, slow breathing that had taken over stopped, and Angel forced out a soft “Hmm?”

  “There’s no easy way to say this, so I’m just gonna put it out there.” He took a deep breath and blurted, “I saw your sister at the bar.”

  There was a pause, and then she said, “That’s not surprising. She’s always liked hanging out at those places.” Then, after another moment in which he could almost hear the wheels in her head turning, she asked, “What did she do?”

  He rubbed her shoulder, trying to sooth away the sudden stiffness in her muscles. Although, he didn’t know why he was bothering since what he was about to say was so much worse than she was imagining, guaranteed.

  “She didn’t do anything…exactly. But I think she’s in trouble.”

  “How?” she asked as she sat up, clutching the sheets to her chest like a defensive shield.

  Moose hated that he’d ruined the moment, but it had to be said. “She’s running with the wrong people. Or person, rather.”

  “Who?”

  “No one you need to know. But he’s not a good person. In fact, he’s pretty much the worst person she could have decided to get into a relationship with.”

  Angel rubbed her eyes, suddenly looking completely wrung out. “She just never stops digging herself a hole. I don’t know what to even do with her anymore.”

  “She’s an adult. It’s not your problem what she does with her life. She makes decisions and has to live with the consequences.”

  Angel shot him an annoyed look. “If one of the guys at the clubhouse were doing the same, you all would jump in with both feet to get him and keep him out of trouble, and you know it.”

  That was true; he had to concede to that. “It’s not the same.” You’re just a woman were the unspoken words that clung to the air between them, and Moose could read the instant hurt and resentment in her eyes. Hell, he was afraid of her leaving him because he delivered bad news? He had just realized that if she were going to leave, it was going to be because of the shit he said, not what her sister was doing. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

  “I don’t care how
you meant it. You meant it.” She climbed out of bed and pulled his oversize T-shirt over her head. Moose breathed a little easier because at least she was still wearing his clothes.

  “Baby, I just meant that you don’t have the same resources we do.”

  “I have you,” she pointed out. “And if I asked for your help, then you’d help right?”

  “Of course,” he said without hesitation.

  “Then there ya go. I have the same resources that you do.”

  Damn. He hated when she was right. How did women do that? Pulling a totally logical point out of thin air. He was at a loss for words.

  “But you’re lucky because I don’t ask for favors like that.”

  “What do you mean? You’re not going to ask for my help?” Moose asked, growing offended. Did he want to help? Kind of, but only for Angel’s sake. Rena was a total screw-up, and he’d meant what he said about her lying in her own bed, but he would step up and step in if asked. Only a douche would say no to his girl.

  “I’ve never expected anyone to clean up my mess or anyone else’s. In my family, we do for ourselves. At least, Rena and I do. And don’t give me that look,” she snapped, and Moose schooled his expression even though he hadn’t realized he’d been giving her a ‘look.’

  “I’ll help if you want me to. This whole thing crosses over into my business anyway.”

  “How?” Angel asked, her hands finding her hips, which meant trouble. He’d seen that look and heard that tone from the women at the clubhouse many, many times, and someone was always in trouble or about to be.

  “Like I said, the guy she’s with isn’t good people. We’ve been trying to deal with him for a while now. And now he’s crossed another line: seeing your sister. We’d have been stepping in anyway, but this just speeds it up.”

  “I don’t know what all you guys get into,” she started, her tone combative, “but I’ve heard the stories, and I know that you all aren’t exactly golden either. I don’t want my sister getting caught in a crossfire if you guys decide to have another standoff like before.”

  “That wouldn’t happen.” He hoped. “I wouldn’t let it.”

  “There are some things even you can’t control, Kade.”

  With that, Angel left the room. He followed. When the bathroom door closed in his face, he opened it and went inside.

  “I’m not done talking to you.”

  “For now, I am,” she replied, cranking the shower on. A cloud of hot steam billowed into the air, quickly filling the small space. “I have to work tonight, and I don’t need any more drama right now.”

  “Are you asking me to leave?”

  “No, but I won’t keep you if you want to go.”

  He hated the cold-shoulder treatment. Rubbed him the wrong way.

  “I guess I’ll take off then,” he muttered, giving her one last chance to show him some kind of sweetness before he left. She didn’t. Just opened the curtains and stepped inside. Moose wasn’t about that bullshit. Taking two large strides, he gripped the curtain before she could draw it closed, catching her by surprise. “I’m not leaving without a kiss.”

  She stared at him in shock. At least she was speechless too. Taking advantage of the moment, Moose grabbed her by the back of the neck and yanked her to him. She yelped, catching her balance with her hands against his chest. Mist coated his face as he crashed his lips into hers and kissed her hard, making sure he left a mark because she damn sure was going to remember who she belonged to while he was away.

  “I’ll check in with you later,” he informed her, allowing the words to carry a slight warning that communicated he wasn’t going fucking anywhere, so if she thought he was, she’d better get that notion out of her head, pronto. “Have a nice shower.”

  Without a backward glance, Moose turned to leave, closing the door behind him. It was a damn good thing Rena hadn’t made it home last night, he thought to himself as he crossed back to the bedroom to gather his clothes. Otherwise, she would have had a dong show. Moose wasn’t shy, so it didn’t bother him none, but he’d bet that she and Angel wouldn’t be too happy to both know how and what he was working with.

  Welcome to the meat factory, toots.

  Although the morning hadn’t gone exactly as planned, and he wasn’t in the best of moods, Moose was fairly confident that he had shit under control. That kiss had done a long way in boosting his morale, and he was choosing to hold onto that little gem until he had his mouse back in his arms again.

  twenty-two

  She didn’t know why she was so upset. Okay, that was a lie. Angel knew exactly why she was upset: her kid sister was, once again, digging herself another hole and climbing right in without thought. Would she ever grow up to become a responsible adult, or was Angel going to end up burying her before her time?

  The idea of her sister in danger was making Angel physically sick. Her stomach had been a mess all morning, the queasy feeling preventing her from eating and following her into work. Every time she even thought about food, she had to swallow hard and talk herself out of running to the bathroom.

  “You okay, hon? You look a little green around the gills,” her manager said as she passed by with a tray filled with drinks.

  Angel merely nodded and managed a small smile. She’d been quiet all evening, keeping to herself and taking care of her tables quickly and efficiently. It was a night she’d rather be home, lying on the couch watching TV and shutting out the world.

  Except she didn’t think that would solve anything, but it was worth a shot, right?

  On her way back to the bar, Angel swung her gaze around the floor, scanning the tables for any sign of Kade. He’d promised to see her later, but later had come and gone with no sign of him. She was concerned. What if she’d driven him away with her behavior earlier?

  The kiss he’d left her with had certainly stuck with her, leaving behind a purple bruise on her upper lip, which he’d probably intended to do. He was so possessive sometimes, and she loved it. It made her feel claimed, wanted…even, dare she think it…loved.

  Touching her fingers to her lips, a feeling of sadness threatened to overcome her. Kade was the closest thing to a real and loving relationship she’d had—ever. The time they’d been spending together was leaving an indelible mark, and when she thought about him going away, a peculiar kind of panic sprung to life that she didn’t like one bit.

  Angel had never been dependent on anyone because no one had ever taken care of her but her. She was the adult, always had been, ever since she was a kid. But lately she’d been letting that steel guard slip without even realizing it, and now she felt the fissures of vulnerability creeping across her skin, little cracks in her façade spider webbing through her insides.

  God, I’ve become dependent on him, she thought miserably. And yet, despite the self-loathing, she couldn’t drum up the desire to erect those walls again. They’d come down for a reason. She just prayed that Kade wouldn’t make her regret it.

  Now, she needed to focus on what she was going to do about Rena. That girl was forever a thorn in her ass. Kade had all but promised he was going to take care of it, but Angel needed a certain amount of control over the situation to be sure it was taken care of. Like she’d told him, he wouldn’t allow a brother to fall victim any more than she would allow her flesh and blood to. So she needed a game plan.

  And the only one she could think of was obvious: She needed to confront the problem at its source.

  The idea of confrontation made her uneasy, and when a waitress with a tray of fresh chicken wings walked by, Angel’s stomach performed another flip. Clutching her stomach, she held her breath like she’d been doing all night, but this time, it didn’t work.

  With a groan, Angel held her tray tighter and sprinted through the dining area to the kitchen, slipping the tray onto a counter and calling “I’ll be right back” to whomever was listening as she raced to the bathroom.

  Punching open the door, she dodged a few surprised patrons and burst
into a stall, barely making it to the toilet before the few liquids she’d managed to consume that day came back up.

  Dammit, this was all Rena’s fault. Angel had moved away because of all of this drama. The stress of it always made her sick, and now here she was again, her world being turned topsy-turvy and it wasn’t even her fault. When would it end? She planned to address that as soon as her shift was over.

  Exiting the stall, Angel’s steps faltered when her eyes met her manager’s.

  “Okay, you’re not fine. And I can’t be having the other girls or myself picking up whatever you got, so I’m sending you home. You have lots of vacation time built up, so you’re gonna use it until you’re well enough to come back, hear?”

  When Wanda used that no-nonsense tone, Angel knew there was no arguing with her. So she shut her mouth and nodded, then headed to the back to get her things.

  Damn, she didn’t like the idea of missing work—for any reason—but it looked like she didn’t have a choice. If she explained to Wanda that she was only sick because she was stressed the fuck out, then she’d open herself up to questions she didn’t want to answer and that were nobody’s business. Telling one person under that roof was the same as telling everyone because everyone talked. There were no secrets in the club.

  It was probably a good idea to take a little time off anyway, just until she got all of this crap sorted out. Once Rena was squared away and safe again, Angel could get back to life as usual. Bonus: now she wouldn’t have to go find and confront this guy she was seeing in the wee hours of the morning when she was tired and aching for her bed. This way, she was fresh-minded and just pissed off enough to wage a good, solid argument and come out on top. Hopefully. If not, then she had her trusty Taser to back her up.

  ***

  Moose walked into the club alongside a few of his brothers with a single-minded focus: find his woman and lay a hard one on her, reinforcing that she was his and only his and he wasn’t about to let other people’s bullshit come between them.