Dear Customers,
After an amazing twenty-three years serving the lovely town of Billings, Marty and I have decided it’s time to close up shop. We love our customers dearly and appreciate you so much for all the commitment you’ve had with us here at Tart. Our last weekend we’ll be open will be March 17th and we’ll be closing at 7 o’clock that evening.
Many thanks,
Marty, Clare, and Candy.
“Damn, this sucks,” Zane mutters, walkin’ into the bakery. “O’ wanted her cake from here too for the baby shower . . .”
I stop right in my tracks, always rememberin’ how Zane wanted to get good cashflow in through to the club. A lightbulb goes off in my head. “Prez, why not reach out to Marty and Clare? See what they want for the business? It would give ‘em a nice retirement cushion, don’t you think?”
Zane looks back at me. “You know, that’s not a bad idea, Axel.”
To our left a massive dude rises from a chair where there’s a coffee and some sort of danish. He walks up and he’s wearin’ a nomad cut that reads ‘Raiders of Valhalla’.
“You must be Razor,” Zane extends a hand, and Razor meets it.
“Yeah, and you’re Zane. Nice to finally meet you, man. Chaz has told me good things.”
“Well, he must’ve been lyin’,” Zane jokes, causin’ the bit of tension and awkwardness of meetin’ someone new to leave the air. “But c’mon, let’s get this meeting started.”
Chapter Eighteen
Something tells me I’m going to love you forever
~ Unknown
Rosa
Intense pressure wraps around my legs, so I turn onto my side just a tad, pulling the covers closer to me. It’s crazy I’m this calm and relaxed in Axel’s bed, but I don’t feel like I need to be worried about a damn thing here. I know I’m safe and no lie, I’m excited to be in bed with him tonight. He wanted to stay downstairs and drink a beer with Hammer and by the time we got back here I was beat. Hell, I wanted to go back to the Vixens’ house and he asked me to stay with him tonight.
I shift my body to the right and my upper back cracks in release. I let out a soft moan when something grazes between my legs. I close my legs together and roll onto my back when a hand presses down onto my stomach. “Relax, Velvet. It’s me.” Axel’s rough voice comes out softer than usual, and his lips come to the back of my neck. He leaves delicate kisses that trail down my shoulder before he bites down. Though it isn’t hard. Instead, it’s like a love bite, just enough pressure but not too much.
His fingers slip further through my legs and he presses against the cotton of my pajama shorts. The only way he was able to convince me into staying was if I could grab some more comfortable clothes from my room at the Vixens’ house.
His finger slides between my folds and then he’s tugging the cotton to the side, plunging his bare finger between me, coating himself in my essence. “Axel,” I groan his name out in pleasure, knowing very well the way this man can make me feel.
“Ssshh, Velvet. Let me take your body.” Axel repositions himself on the bed so he’s hovering over me, and then he’s moving the comforter off me, tugging my cotton shorts down and pulls up my graphic t-shirt. Now my breasts and my bottom area are completely exposed to him, his for the taking.
Hiking a leg up under his arm, he pulls it and opens my legs wider. At this point I feel the head of his swollen cock skirting against my outer lips, coating himself. I arch my hips up so he can get a better angle and he plunges his cock deep inside me, forcing my walls to stretch wide for him.
“Axel,” I moan his name out, pawing for him, I reach out and grab his shoulders, digging my nails into his flesh. He’s not the type who ever takes things slow, so his plunging turns into ramming, and ramming turns into pounding. Yet my body reacts like it never even needed time to adapt to him.
“I love how wet you get for me,” he growls out, biting down on the bottom of my earlobe, he wraps a hand around my throat and then puts the other one there. Axel begins to squeeze me with each thrust, the walls of my pussy tightening around him, begging for his cum.
He releases one hand and slaps my breast, and then hits the other. My already erect nipples get harder for him, loving the attention he’s giving my body. Fuck, this makes me think about the first time we were together, how he toyed with me almost the entire night and gave me better sex than I’ve had in my lifetime.
With the hand he’s been using to slap my tits, he pinches onto one of my nipples and covers the other with his mouth, biting down on the hardened nub.
“F-fuck!” I scream out while he quickens his speed. He releases the hand he has on my breast and grabs my alternate leg, forcing me to wrap myself around his waist. He’s able to force himself inside me even deeper and I’m at a loss for words while the euphoric feeling spreads through me like wildfire.
Each time he moves it sounds like he’s fucking water, the sloshing of his cock against my insides. “Dammit, your pussy’s too fuckin’ tight for me to hold off,” Axel grunts, moving his hands to my hips he holds me in place while going to town on me. I didn’t realize it was possible to prolong an orgasm but fuck if he hasn’t just done it.
I roll my head back and dig my nails further into him. He growls in both pain and pleasure as he unleashes his load inside me and I grind my nails deeper into his skin. “Fuck, you’re gonna be the death of me,” Axel breathlessly pants against my lips before sliding out of me. Though his lips aren’t away from my body long.
He sucks my clit right into his mouth and pummels three fingers inside me. His tongue combined with his fingers bring me right back to the edge and I can’t hold myself back. He knows how to please my body too much, even better than I ever thought he would. Just as I’m about to squirt in his face he moves his mouth over my opening and slurps it up. He slowly leaves kisses against my skin before crushing them back down on my mouth and forcing his tongue in my mouth.
Our tongues collide and I taste his sweetness and my saltiness.
Axel pulls his lips away from mine and if I could see him right now, I’m sure he’d be smirking. God, I hate how dark this shit can be. “I love tasting what we create on your lips, Velvet, and I hope you’re not tired because I’ll be having your juices over my lips all fuckin’ night long.”
Chapter Nineteen
The best relationships that exist are the ones you didn’t know could exist and miraculously they do
~ Ari Eastman
Axel
There aren’t any expectations here and I know it but fuck if I don’t wanna make her day special. I left Rosa back in my bed, got up super early and drove into town to go to Tart and get a birthday cake for her.
I know it’s just opened, so I pull open the door and walk inside. Kelsey, the woman who’s worked here for years, is behind the counter. She’s gotta be maybe twenty now and she’s got one of those real nice smiles that make everyone feel at home. “Tell me you got somethin’ I can buy to give my girl a cake for her birthday.”
“Mmm, one sec, any specific flavor?”
Shit. “I don’t have a clue.” I probably should’ve thought about asking her something like this yesterday, but oh well.
Kelsey smiles lightly. “Don’t worry, I’ll find something yummy.”
Kelsey disappears back behind the glass and scans the lower shelves where the cakes are normally kept. She proceeds to pull out three. One has happy birthday written on it, another has red flowers, and another is a weird brown thing that looks soft and hard at the same time.
“This one right here is a deep chocolate with a coconut buttercream,” Kelsey points to the happy birthday one, and then goes to the red flowers, “this is your typical red velvet and the last one over here is a cronut cake.”
“A what?”
Kelsey laughs lightly. “A croissant donut cake. It’s perfect for a morning or brunch, with hot coffee. Gosh, it’s so freaking good. Is the relationship with the lady new?”
At her question I c
ock a brow. “You askin’ cause you’re interested or . . .” I’m horrible at this shit with the ladies.
Now, I’ve never heard this woman laugh like a fuckin’ hyena but shit if she isn’t doin’ it right now. “Axel, I go down a one-way street and you’re not exactly my type. I was only trying to help you pick the easiest option that wasn’t too difficult. Now, if this is a new relationship I’d say go with the cronut. Yeah, it’s something a bit different but it’s a buttery flaky sort of taste with vanilla. It’s the safest bet, or the red velvet. The chocolate is obviously a bit unique, so it’ll only appeal to certain people.”
Heat flushes over my cheeks, and for the first damn time I embarrassed myself in front of a woman. “Sorry, didn’t mean to uh, you know.”
“No, you’re good. I just didn’t want you thinking I was trying to swoop in or something. But, can I ask you something?” Kelsey leans over the display case a bit.
“Sure, what’s up?”
“Have you heard about Zane buying the bakery? Marty mentioned something to me this morning about it, but the man’s old as hell and I thought he might be going a bit senile. His dementia’s getting a bit worse, so it’s why they’re closing up shop. Clare can’t take care of him and bake everything, and they can’t afford to pay me what it would take for me to run this place by myself . . . but if Zane is really interested in buying this . . . I would be really appreciative if you could let him know I’d like to keep my job here. Tart . . . Tart was the one place where I could come and . . . sorry, I won’t bore you with a stupid story, but I just want you to let him know this place means a lot to me and I’d really appreciate it if he’d let me keep my job here, if he ends up taking over.”
I nod. “I’ll talk to him and if he is, I’ll make sure he knows you’d like to stay on board.”
With a look of thanks, Kelsey smiles widely. “Thank you so freaking much.” She clears her throat before speaking again, “Would you like me to wrap up the cronut cake?”
“Yeah and go ahead and throw in three dozen donuts and some cupcakes. I’ll have the cupcakes as backups.”
“Sure, I’ll get all of that prepped for you. Just give me a few minutes. Do you want any coffees or anything?”
“Shit, yeah, can you do a normal black coffee and a vanilla latte or somethin’ for my lady?”
“Yep, a few minutes and I’ll have everything prepped for you,” Kelsey says before running around to get everything ready.
Just as she said, it only took her a few minutes for her to get everything ready, then I pay, take the boxes and the two to-go cups, and I get back in my truck and head for the club. Things have been so quiet that I know something’s going to happen soon. It’s kinda like the gut feelin’ that settles deep in your bones. Like when you’re seein’ a dark ass sky comin’ through and you know there’s a chance for hell to come with it.
That’s the feelin’ I’m havin’ right now.
It’s not just about Rosa being a Ramirez . . . but things have been too quiet with the Corrupt Kings MC. Cheyenne’s told everyone time and time again how her brother’s out of his damn mind, and I’m thinkin’ the bastard is gonna lose his shit soon. Doesn’t matter when it happens, I suppose, ‘cause we’re gonna make damn sure we annihilate the hell out of him.
I park the truck, grab all the shit, and head inside the clubhouse where I see Zane on my way in. Quickly, I glance around the club and see Rosa isn’t downstairs so hopefully this means she’s still asleep. “Zane, you got a sec?” I call over to my Prez and he comes walkin’ right up to me.
“Yeah, what’s up?”
“Brought these for everyone, but I was speakin’ to Kelsey and she said Marty told her you’re lookin’ at buyin’ Tart?”
Immediately, he nods.
“She said if you do end up buyin’ it, she’d like to stay on board, considerin’ she’s been at the bakery for a while.”
“Cool. It would be good to have someone who’s familiar with everything in there. Speakin’ of the bakery though . . . figuring what you told me about Tara, Gears’ daughter . . . once everything’s official, I’ll promote Kelsey to manager and get her to reach out to Tara. This way the chick is here in Billings and if she is in danger, we’ll be able to catch wind quickly.” Zane isn’t an asshole. If he can keep someone from being hurt, he will. Though, I understand him not wantin’ to involve the club too much. The way he’s doin’ this it keeps us at arm’s length but close enough to the situation.
“Sounds solid, man. I need to get goin’ though. It’s Rosa’s birthday and I have this for her.” I hold up my drink carrier and another bag with the treats from the bakery. He waves me on and I head up the stairs, go into my room, and see Rosa’s sittin’ up against my headboard, scrollin’ on her phone.
“Put that thing away and eat,” I grumble at her, handin’ her a coffee and smilin’ I give her the bag.
She tears it from my hands and opens it up, gaspin’ as soon as she sees everythin’ in the damn bag. “You didn’t get everything in here for me.”
“I did, ‘cause it’s your fuckin’ birthday and you deserve to be the happiest birthday girl ever.”
“Speaking of the birthday girl, I’ve made a pretty big decision . . . I’m not getting married. As much as I still love my father, even in death . . . I won’t have him dictating how my life should be. I don’t need the money. It’s not like I do bad for myself. I make really good money being a Vixen and it’s more than enough to provide for myself . . . so if it means letting my inheritance go to my siblings or throwing it out the door then oh well. Maybe one of them can use it more than me.”
I know what she’s tryin’ to do . . . but she’s forgettin’ one thing. “You know whoever your fiancé is . . . it won’t matter, he’ll come for you.”
“Let him,” Rosa says, so matter-of-factly while opening the box with her cronut cake. She digs her hand right into it and shoves a giant piece in her mouth. “Holy fuck, this is delicious.”
I smile at the latter of what she’s said, but cock a brow. “Let him?”
She nods while chewing. “Mhm, ‘cause you won’t let him near me.”
“You sure you wanna do this?”
Rosa swallows and looks at me right in the eyes. “Yeah, because the last thing I want to do is rush this, Axel. We’re just getting started and I want this to work. I’m not going to beg your ass to marry me so this dude can’t . . . I won’t fuck this up.”
Shit. I don’t think I’ve ever met a more perfect woman than her. It’s like she’s been plucked from my damn dreams.
Epilogue
Falling in love with you is the second best thing in the world. Finding you was the first.
~ Herz-bluten
Rosa
6 Weeks Later . . .
Taking in a deep breath, I try to center myself before walking in with Axel. This should be easy, but I’m still the new person here and god this is so weird. I know it’s only awkward because it’s our first time in a group interaction since I’ve officially been Axel’s ol’ lady, but Zane, Octavia, and Inc are watching Aggie, Danica, and Sorcha.
Axel slips his fingers through mine and walks me into the labor and delivery ward. We’re here to meet his new nephew, Conrad. He was telling me earlier this morning that they named him Conrad because whenever he patches in his road name can be Con. It’s fitting, considering I’m hearing a lot about how being a biker is a family thing.
Axel leads me to the room Natalie’s in and I immediately spot Grim at her bedside, holding a bundle of joy in a blue blanket. “Is this the little dude?” Axel asks, smiling widely as he peers down at the little guy.
“Yep, that’s our little Conrad,” Natalie beams, smiling from ear to ear. The woman is literally glowing. I know they say it about pregnant women, but it must be after they’re pregnant too.
Axel lets go of my hand and wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me closer to him as his eyes stay on Conrad. “Shit, you’re makin’ me want one of these.”
“Don’t go getting any ideas,” I warn Axel with a laugh.
His eyes scan back over to me and he smirks. “At some point this’ll happen, so I hope you’re in it for the long haul.” There’s no doubt about it. Over the last month this man has made me feel things I haven’t thought were ever possible. Not just because we’ve seen it over dramatized in the movies, or in books, but because in a way I never thought I deserved it. My mother did a damn good job at making me feel like I couldn’t ever be loved, and Axel broke every wall down that she built up.
“Give me a few years before you go and start planning our future,” I reply, watching the way he gets that mischievous grin across his face.
“Velvet, I’ve already got some shit planned and you signed up for this ride, so you’d best get ready.”
Natalie laughs. “Stubbornness must run in this family. Grim’s always saying things like that to me too. It’s nice to know I won’t be suffering alone anymore. Maybe we can have a girls’ night once we’re home and settled, drink wine and chat?”
Surprisingly enough, I’m happy Natalie’s opening up the line for communications between us. Since Axel and I have gotten serious I’ve been worried about things being weird, but it’s nice to see things won’t be. Not to mention it being a breath of fresh air.
“That would be nice,” I say.
“Hell, your house might even be done,” Axel says, speaking to Natalie and Grim. About eight weeks ago they started construction on a house for him and the girls to move into.
“I hope it’s done. The trailer’s nice and all but I’d love to bring him home to the house he’s going to grow up in,” Natalie says to the group of us. We can all understand why she wants to be in her house, because it’s her home.
Axel (Reapers MC Book 17) Page 9
