As he entered the clubhouse area and saw everyone eating the dinner Piper had prepared, his gaze clashed with Wick’s. The other man scowled at him, anger evident in the way his mouth tightened and a frown covered his face. Kix just took a deep breath then went to get his own bowl of chili. He wasn’t hungry, at least not for food, but he had to do something with his hands. He grabbed a beer and took his bowl to a table, where he sat next to Slade.
“Where’ve you been?” Slade asked.
“None of your business,” Kix muttered.
“You gonna blow this deal before it’s cemented?”
“No.” Kix knew he walked a thin line, and he knew Wick didn’t like his interest in his sister. Hell, had the positions been reversed he’d be out for blood, so he understood where the other man was coming from. And had someone told him he’d be acting like a damn obsessed Neanderthal at the first glance of a woman who was a little too young for him, he’d have laughed himself silly before punching the guy out. Yet it was like he was outside himself, watching himself do and say things that were out of the norm. A small part of him cringed, but a bigger part liked what he was feeling.
Slade snorted and dove back into his chili. Kix ignored him. Being president of an outlaw motorcycle club meant he often relied on his gut instinct to keep his men out of trouble. Sometimes it was the difference between life and death. Kix figured this was just the same, only no gun was pointing at his forehead.
At least, not yet. Before it was all said and done, Wick just might have reason to pull the trigger. Yet he wanted Piper with a fierce longing that defied all logistics, and damned if he wouldn’t explore it till it either consumed him whole––or left him broken.
Chapter Six
It took a long time to for her libido to calm down. Once it did, Piper hurried to the bathroom to splash water on her face. A shell-shocked young woman stared back at her in the mirror, with wide brown eyes and a slight flush tinting her cheeks. She looked…turned on. Which she was, and Piper wasn’t sure if she liked the feeling or not. After all, the last time she’d had an infatuation, it had ended with disastrous results. It wasn’t a question whether she could risk it again, because she was smart enough to understand not all men were like Tyler. Most people didn’t have violent tendencies when a relationship ended.
But it was the fact that her family was dead because of her decisions that threw a bucket of cold water on the fire in her blood. Her little brother would never grow up, never fall in love. Hold hands with a girl. Her mother and stepdad would never grow old together. Three lives had been cut down because of her, and because of that, she knew she didn’t deserve happiness. The day Tyler had pulled the trigger was the day she had forfeited any chance for a future filled with love.
The rapturous glow Kix had inspired inside her fizzled out. She wiped her hands dry on a towel and then turned away from the mirror. Disgust was her constant companion, the specter that kept her warm at night. Her shadow held the souls of her family and haunted her each and every day. People had murmured their sorrow about the fate she’d been dealt but no one understood the grief and burden that hung around her neck, weighing her down. Choking her. Sometimes she often wondered what it would feel like to succumb to the peace that oblivion promised.
As she reentered the bar, Piper was pleased to see everyone eating her chili. The idea of food churned her stomach so she grabbed some empty bowls and began cleaning the dirty dishes away. She briefly met Kix’s gaze, but turned away before he could read anything in her own troubled expression. When she moved past Wick he tapped her hand and she looked at him. Questions lit up his dark gaze but she only shrugged, not wanting to go there either. He sighed and nodded, before giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze. The soothing gesture brought tears to her eyes. He had never condemned her, and she knew he never would. He didn’t blame her for the death of their family and had always let her know that if she needed him, he would be there for her.
Once again, gratitude slammed into her, and she gave him a trembling thumbs-up. Although she’d never gone to a licensed counselor, no one could’ve helped her more than the Forgotten Rebels members. He nodded and walked away, heading back to his office. What would she have done had Wick not allowed her into the club? The thought left her cold.
As the night progressed on, the Brothers moved the party to different locations in the compound. Some stayed inside. Some went outside. The club girls certainly seemed to be having fun, as they became the center of attention. The Forgotten Rebels were a small bunch, so five girls were plenty enough pussy to keep the men entertained, but with the added number The White Death provided, they were being run a little ragged. From her position in the kitchen on cleanup duty, Piper watched as Parky and Cherry gyrated to the music, dancing from guy to guy. They each wore short shorts, and their tits swung free, only adding to the sensuality of their dance moves.
“Pass me a beer, Sissy,” Heart called out.
Piper wiped her hands dry and walked over to the cooler to pull a beer free. She expertly flipped off the cap and slid it down the bar. But before it reached his waiting hand, Kix walked up and grabbed it. He brought the bottle to his lips and took a long drink before holding it out to Heart.
“No thanks,” Heart growled.
Kix shrugged and took another long drink, winked at her, and headed out of the clubhouse. Piper watched him: specifically, she studied his ass flex in the tight denims as he walked away. The thought of how they would clench as he thrust into her body brought a warm flush over her skin and her libido surged, roaring back to life. Her pussy clenched involuntarily, causing the lips to rub achingly against the seam of her jeans. The tease only brought forth more moisture, flooding her panties.
“I don’t like that man,” Heart grumbled.
Piper contained her grin and reached for another beer. This time she opened it and sat it down in front of him.
“Why?” she asked.
Heart frowned. “Cocky. Arrogant. Thinks he’s God’s gift to women.”
“Are you sure you’re not talking about yourself?”
He blinked and then flipped her off. Piper chuckled as she moved back to the kitchen to finish the dishes.
****
Both Parky and Kix had insisted she attend the party, and Piper made sure to show her face. She stayed at the bar, serving drinks and talking with some of the Brothers. Sometime just before midnight, Kix came back into the clubhouse and sat down in a leather recliner that faced where she worked. Even though she didn’t want her gaze straying to where he sat, that’s exactly the spot she kept looking at. And each time he’d meet her gaze with a lustful smirk that not only irritated the hell out of her, but also zapped her nerve endings like a live wire.
She didn’t want to want him, but she couldn’t seem to stop the need that coursed through her body.
From experience, she knew the party would probably continue until late the next day, when the last person standing finally collapsed from either drunken intoxication or sheer exhaustion. Then it would start back up once everyone had gotten a second wind. She had no plans to indulge, so when the clock crept close to two, she decided she’d had enough of the free-love revelry going on around her. Parky came up and bumped her hip with her own.
“You fixin’ to retire?” Parky asked.
“Yeah,” Piper replied, stifling a yawn. “I’m getting too old to stay up until dawn.”
“Oh, hush,” her friend admonished. “I’m a year older than you.”
“You are eternally young at heart,” Piper said, grinning.
“By the way,” Parky said smoothly, nodding her head toward Kix. “What ‘cha going to do about him?”
Piper flicked a quick gaze over to the man who would not leave her thoughts. He’d been nursing the same beer for the better part of an hour. “What about him?”
“The man wants you in his bed.”
Piper nodded. “I know. But you know it’s not that easy for me.”
“Yeah,” Pa
rky said solemnly. “But Sissy, whatever penance you think you need to give, you deserve a bit of happiness.”
Piper cocked her head. “And you think Kix can give me happiness? I don’t know. He doesn’t seem like a forever type of man.”
“Perfect!” Parky said brightly. “He’s here for a couple more days. Wham, bam, thank you ma’am, now get the hell out of Dodge. What more could a girl ask for?”
“I don’t know,” Piper said dryly. “STD-free?”
Parky laughed. “Just wrap it up and you’re good to go. Don’t let uncertainty get the better of you, okay? You’re not the same girl who came running here in fear.”
Piper had told herself that same thing many times. Each time she thought she believed it, she would plan to leave The Forgotten Rebels, and the memory of Tyler’s satisfied demeanor would have her quaking in her boots. She had thought many times about leaving, starting a new life, but somehow the timing never seemed right.
Piper gave Parky a wan smile and hugged her before heading off to her bedroom. She felt Kix’s stare following her, but she didn’t turn around. Didn’t want to acknowledge the thrill deep in her belly, or how her heart thudded with anticipation. Would he follow her? She had to admit that part of her wanted him to do just that. But she entered her bedroom and locked the door behind her. Useless tempting fate, even though a part of her really wanted to invite it inside.
Chapter Seven
Wick sat at his desk, fingers tented in front of him, while he waited for the little IM box to pop up. He heard the party going on outside his office door, but had no desire to join his Brothers. The compulsion to drink and smoke weed had diminished over the past few years, and lately all he wanted to do was wait for a slip of a girl to return his message. He’d sent her a picture of a dozen roses. He felt like a fool, and yet, he was unable to do anything else but wait for her to answer.
“Oh, thank you so much! Best present ever.”
He read her reply and giddiness filled him. He didn’t want to ponder too deep over the smile that graced his face.
He typed, “Damn, you’re a cheap date.”
“How many times have I told you, I’m a simple girl?”
“Okay, you say so,” he replied.
“You don’t believe me?”
“Show me!”
“Hmm. How?”
“I don’t know. Lol. Why don’t you come here and we’ll figure it out.” Wick’s heart thundered in anticipation as he awaited her reply.
“You know I would if I could.”
She said that every time. She would if she could. So what was preventing her from coming?
“Why can’t you? A job?”
“I just don’t have the extra money.”
Frustration sliced through him. “Where are you? Tell me, and I’ll come visit you.”
She didn’t answer right away. He waited.
And waited some more. Frustration turned to worry. "Abbott? Are you still there?”
“I’m here.”
He relaxed and typed, “Don’t disappear.”
“I’m sorry. I wish I could tell you where I am, but I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“You say that every damn time, Abbott. Why would I get hurt?”
“A country boy like you in the city? I don’t think so! LOL!”
He figured the ambiguous response was meant to distract from what she’d said, but all it did was make him want to punch the wall. Wick had no idea what his high school sweetheart, Abbott Carney, was living through––but he wanted very much to run to her rescue. He’d tried looking her up, but the only information he could find was on the social media site, Chitchat. They’d been IM-ing each other ever since he’d found her there a few months ago.
“How is your sister?”
He let out a rush of air from his lungs and slumped back in his chair. She had changed the subject. Again. He knew from past experience if he tried pushing for more, she’d just sign off.
“She’s fine. We have visitors from The White Death MC and there’s a party going on right now.”
“Why aren’t you out there with them?”
“Because I’d rather chat with you.”
“That made me all warm and gooey inside.”
“I want to make you all warm and gooey everywhere.”
“That made me blush, although I’m glad you can’t see me right now. I have two mosquito bites on my cheek. I’m slightly ugly.”
“You can never be ugly. Abbott, are you sure they’re mosquito bites?”
“Yes. Why?”
“No one is hitting you, are they?”
“No, Chadwick. I’m fine.”
“If you were fine, you’d let me come to you. You wouldn’t say you want me to be safe.”
“My right cheek is puffy. That’s all, Chadwick. I simply slept with the window open.”
Wick ran a hand through his hair. They played this game with each other, pleasantries only––back and forth, nonsensical stuff that was better suited over a cup of coffee. She was much too vague for his liking.
“I was watching a porno last night and a big old handprint was on the girl's ass cheek. It was hot.”
And there went his dick, hardening painfully in his jeans. He reached down and adjusted himself, imagining Abbott bent over his knee while he made her ass nice and red with his handprint.
“I’d like to have my handprint on both your ass cheeks.”
“And then fuck me hard?”
“That goes without saying.”
“Glad you don’t mind that I watch porn.”
Was she kidding? “Nope. Wish I was there to watch it with you.”
“We could reenact some of it.”
“Shit, make our own and send it in for pointers that they fucked up.”
“Lol.”
Abbott had been his first love, although he’d not realized it at the time. Back when she’d been in his life, he’d been dealing with the teenage angst of living with a drugged-out mother and a father who couldn’t cope. He’d dropped out of high school and moved in with the Forgotten Rebels soon after.
“Are we ever going to meet up, Abbott?”
There was a long pause and then, “One day, Chadwick. Although, you might meet someone else––I know there are always girls at your club.”
“Um, no.”
“Someone you really like, and you’re compatible with?”
“You’re the only woman I can talk to like this. Well, that I really like.”
“Maybe because you can’t see me?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Well, if we meet and hit it off, then we'll be one step closer to knowing. If we don't hit it off, then we'll be honest with one another. I may not be what you want.”
“On the same note, you might not find me to be what you want in person either. One thing I do like is how we’re open with each other.”
“Yes. Me too. But like I said, it may be because we can't see each other.”
“You’re the closest thing I ever had to a first love, and you always will be.”
“I had one too.”
That shocked him. He didn’t like the jealousy that surged through him.
“You did?”
“Yes. You.”
“Oh. I didn’t know.”
“I made a lot of mistakes after you left, Chadwick.”
“I did too. One of mine was leaving you.”
“One of mine was not chasing after you.”
He loved this, loved this closeness that happened between them whenever they talked online.
“Sorry! I have to go.”
And just that abruptly, she was gone. The Chitchat box closed down and once more he was left staring at the computer screen, feeling very empty. Abbott filled him with smiles and sunshine every night, and he was fast losing his patience, being away from her like this. He remembered a girl with long brown hair, big brown eyes, and a smile that could light up the room. Why the hell he’d walked away from her,
he’d never figure out––but he wanted her back.
One day, he would have her. Very soon.
Chapter Eight
Piper yawned as she left her bedroom and made her way through the dark clubhouse. She had to step over sprawled bodies––some clothed and some not––but living here, she had gotten used to seeing people in all their embarrassing states of undress. She entered the kitchen and headed directly to the coffee pot, intending to brew some, but stopped when she realized the carafe was full.
“Help yourself.”
Piper jumped and swung around, slapping her hand over her heart in fright. “You scared me!”
“Sorry,” Kix said, although he didn’t sound sorry at all. Amusement caused his green eyes to twinkle. He held up a mug. “I have to have my morning caffeine.”
“Me too,” she said. She walked over to the cabinet and got herself a cup. A moment later, she closed her eyes in delight. “So good.”
“No sugar or cream?”
She shook her head and then sat down across from him at the table. “I like it strong. Why are you up so early? I wasn’t expecting you to be up and about before noon.”
“I never sleep in,” he said.
“Insomnia?” she asked. “I’ve suffered from that myself. Quite a bit, in fact.”
She took a long drink of her coffee, well aware of his steady gaze upon her. The butterflies in her belly danced wildly, and she couldn’t help but glance up at him. There was something…potent about him, which proved lethal to her equilibrium. She felt off-kilter around him, and restless. Unable to sit, she stood up and moved to lean against the sink. Piper clutched her coffee cup like it was a lifeline on a sinking ship.
Unbroken (Forgotten Rebels MC #1) Page 4
