Oz

by Savannah Rylan

  “I have to go. I have to get out of this place!” she said, and tried to brush past me. Even though I knew I shouldn’t have, I reached for her and gently brushed my hand against her arm. I expected her to push me away, to yell and shriek at me, but instead, she stopped in her tracks.

  When Kaya turned to me, I could see how hard this was for her. She was doing her best not to cry. It was draining her of all her energy.

  “You have to believe me, Kaya. I’m going to do everything to protect you,” I said again.

  This time, instead of shaking her head, Kaya just looked at me like she was dazed.

  “I can’t believe how foolish I was. I came here for an adventure, but I didn’t think I could get myself threatened or killed. What was I thinking?”

  It was like she was speaking to herself.

  “Kaya…” I said her name softly, snapping her out of her thoughts. Her eyes adjusted to me again, and I stepped closer to her.

  “I know all you want right now is to get away from me. I respect that. But I want to keep you safe. Please, will you let me do that?”

  She searched my eyes. Hers were green and wide. I could see she was afraid.

  “I’m going to leave you alone after this, once all this passes. You won’t ever hear from me again. But, right now, because they’ve threatened you, you are my responsibility. I’m going to keep you safe,” I continued.

  It wasn’t easy saying those words. I felt something for this woman. She was special, different. Telling her I would stay away from her was not a promise I wanted to make. But that was what she needed.

  She didn’t need me in her life.

  “Okay,” Kaya murmured and I felt relieved.

  “Let me ride you back to your place. You shouldn’t go back to the diner today,” I said.

  Kaya gulped again and nodded nervously, keeping her eyes turned from me. It was like she couldn’t bear to look at me again.

  And I deserved that. Even though it hurt like a bitch.

  “Let’s go,” I declared. and I led the way out of Lewis’ office. Kaya followed me in silence. The other guys from the club who were at the bar turned to watch us. They could sense something serious was going on, and it was not the time to ask questions.

  I walked out of the bar, keeping my eyes peeled for any suspicious activity. Kaya followed me out and we headed to my bike together. Her apartment wasn’t very far from here, but I didn’t want her to take any risks by walking to it alone.

  Chapter 22

  Kaya

  The last thing I should have been feeling when I got on Oz’s bike, was turned on. I was afraid just a few minutes ago. I wanted to get out of there. I knew the best thing to do would be to keep my distance from him. Spending time with Oz had put me in enough danger already.

  But now that I was so close to him again, while I had my arms wrapped around him, I couldn’t help but feel that surge of heat rising up in me.

  Oz spoke very little to me since we left that room. I could sense he was pissed off. He’d punched the wall! He’d bruised his knuckles. He was angry…with the Dark Legion? With himself?

  But when he told me he wanted to keep me safe, I believed him.

  What other choice did I have? Never in my life would I have expected to be threatened with a gun pointed at my stomach and told that my life was in danger.

  Even in my wildest dreams—I hadn’t imagined this scenario. Even when Melody warned me about Oz, even when I saw them wielding guns earlier when they entered the bar…I didn’t dream there was ever any actual danger in all this.

  Stuff like this belonged on the TV screen. I couldn’t imagine it happening in real life, and yet, it was happening to me now and I didn’t know what to do. Was I supposed to run? Could I leave town? What if I went home and they followed me there?

  What if I was putting my family in danger? I couldn’t do that. As much as I wished they forgave me for leaving, I couldn’t bring them to danger. No, I would have to remain here in Orlando and face the consequences of my decisions.

  But how was I supposed to do it alone? I didn’t know the first thing about defending myself against a motorcycle club. I felt helpless, completely in the care and mercy of Oz. The man who had put me in this position in the first place.

  So…I should have despised him. I should have been blaming Oz for all the trouble he’d put me in. I should have been mad at him and screaming. But after the first initial moments of yelling, I couldn’t do it anymore.

  Now I was just glad he was here. That he’d offered to give me a ride back home. I didn’t know how I would have done it alone if he hadn’t offered. I felt safe with him, even though I knew I shouldn’t have. I trusted him to protect me, even though I didn’t know him well enough.

  All my instincts were pointing to Oz and I found myself giving in.

  I sat behind him on his bike, astride, with my legs dangling on either side and my front pressed to his back. I had no choice but to wrap my arms around him. I could feel the heat and strength of his body.

  Even just his back was wide and strong. I looked up at the back of his neck. He was riding his bike hard, and my hair came undone from its ponytail and flew everywhere around my face.

  Just staring at his back was enough to make me wet. I could feel a tingling sensation in the pit of my stomach. I wanted him again. Right now. I wasn’t thinking straight. I should have been afraid, worried about my safety…but instead I was thinking about how hot it would be to have my legs wrapped around him, instead of my arms.

  I wondered if he could sense that I was turned on. Did he want me too?

  I shook those thoughts away from my head. How could he possibly want me now?

  I was a liability to him. Did he want to get rid of me? Remove the weak link from his life?

  Contradictory emotions of feeling helpless one moment and then wanting Oz the next filled my head and body. When we arrived at my apartment building, I reluctantly got off the bike. I couldn’t even look at him, in fear that he’d be able to see how much I really wanted him. I was embarrassed and ashamed of myself.

  Oz was watching me closely. I was about to walk away from him without saying anything. Force myself to just go. Get out of there before I said something foolish.

  “Kaya!” His authoritative voice stopped me in my tracks. Oz parked his bike and jumped off, stepping closer to me.

  “I know you want to be alone, and you want to stay away from me—but I think I should stay here tonight. At your apartment. I want to keep an eye on you and make sure you’re safe tonight.”

  His words seemed to take my breath away. It was like he’d read my mind. But being this close to him, spending a night with him in my apartment—would make me miserable. I didn’t know what to do. All I did was just stare at him.

  “You don’t have to tell me. I know you despise me. I got you in this shit. It’s my fault for not warning you. You are right about everything.”

  I gulped. My throat had gone dry.

  “But right now, I need to do everything I can to keep you safe. Tomorrow, I’ll figure out an alternative plan so you don’t have to keep seeing me,” he continued.

  “Fine, okay, you can stay,” I snapped.

  I whipped away from him. I didn’t want him to see the look of excitement in my eyes. I needed to keep my thoughts and feelings private right now.

  Oz followed me up to my apartment, and my heart raced in my chest maniacally.

  I switched all the lights on in my apartment, because for some reason—I didn’t want to remain in the dark with Oz. I was afraid of what I might do.

  He seemed much bigger in my apartment now than he did outside.

  “This is it,” I said, turning to him. He looked around the place and nodded.

  “It’s great,” he replied, and smiled softly. I didn’t have the heart or courage to smile at him. I was anxious about what would happen next. I was angry with the way my body was deceiving my mind. I knew it was dangerous to want anything more with Oz
right now, but my body was reacting differently.

  “I’ll take the couch tonight,” he said and went to sit down on my couch. I knew it was going to be too small for him, but what other option did we have?

  “Okay,” I said, rubbing the back of my neck. Even though it was much earlier than when I usually came home from work, I was exhausted tonight.

  “I don’t want you to worry, Kaya. Nothing is going to happen to you while I’m here. I want you to trust me,” he said and I nodded.

  I turned from him and made myself walk away, but something made me stop and look at him again. Oz was sitting on the couch and watching me.

  “Thank you, I guess. I know you don’t have to do this for me,” I said.

  “You don’t have to thank me, Kaya. I got you in this mess. It’s my responsibility to make sure you’re safe,” he said. I gulped and turned from him again.

  My apartment was too small. The bedroom was just a few feet away and I knew he’d be able to hear me in there. I went in and turned on the lights, shutting the door. In the bathroom, I brushed and washed my face and changed into the silk slip I usually wore in bed. While I changed, I thought about Oz.

  I was thinking about him constantly. He was right there, right outside my bedroom. So close and yet so far away. But I couldn’t do anything about it. We’d come to a decision—he was going to see me safely out of this mess and then whatever we had was over between us.

  Yes, I wanted an adventure when I came here to Orlando, but this was not the kind of thing I had in mind. And yet, despite all that, I wanted him.

  I slipped into bed. How was I supposed to go to sleep?

  It was early for me. I would still be working at the diner at this time on other days. But, with Oz here, I had no other choice but to get into bed.

  I couldn’t help wondering what he was doing outside. Was he going to stay awake the whole night? Should I have offered him something to eat?

  I lay stock-still in bed with the covers off. I felt like I could hear everything, it was so quiet here. I wanted to be close to Oz, as impossible as it seemed right now.

  Chapter 23

  Oz

  Kaya had gone to sleep, and I was sitting on the couch in her apartment, thinking of her. Sweet, beautiful Kaya. I got her in this mess and I hated myself for it.

  The worst had happened. The thing I was trying to avoid. The Dark Legion had found her and threatened her. Those fuckers had pointed a gun at her. What else had they done? Touched her? Forced her to sit with them? Undressed her with their filthy eyes?

  I couldn’t ask her because that would upset her. But I knew enough about those assholes to know what they were capable of. Unlike the Marked Skulls, they had no morals. We wouldn’t hurt an innocent woman, we had a code—they didn’t. They were willing to do anything for revenge, which meant they wouldn’t hesitate in hurting Kaya if they had to.

  I needed to keep her safe.

  Tonight, I would spend the night here, awake and waiting and watching, making sure that Kaya could sleep. But what about tomorrow or the day after? I couldn’t spend all my time here, watching her.

  I needed to be out there, destroying the Dark Legion like I’d helped do the last time. But Kaya needed me too.

  I ran a hand through my hair, trying to listen for any sounds. She must have fallen asleep because I couldn’t hear anything.

  I was in her apartment. She was sleeping in her room, just a few feet away from me. Every nerve in my body was tensed. My cock was throbbing in my pants just with the thought of Kaya lying semi-naked in her bed. I wanted to be close to her again. Feel the sweetness and warmth of her body like I did on my bike. When she was wrapped up around me.

  I had to do everything to stop myself from going into her room and taking her right then. Being inside Kaya…feeling her tightness around my cock. The taste of her nipples in my mouth.

  I would have given anything for that, but her safety was more important. I needed to stay alert.

  More importantly, she didn’t want me anymore. After this was all over, after I’d destroyed the Dark Legion again—I would never see her again. I’d seen it in her eyes. She was afraid of me. She was afraid of what a life with me would look like.

  And a girl like Kaya—well, she deserved better than that. Being with me would mean a constant potential for danger. I couldn’t bear the thought of seeing her hurt.

  The best thing I could do for her would be to leave her alone. That was obviously what she wanted too.

  Muddled thoughts ran through my head while I tried to stay awake and keep watch for the night. Kaya’s safety was more important to me now than anything else.

  ***

  I must have dozed off while I sat there on Kaya’s couch. But I didn’t realize I had because she was still on my mind. Except now, I was dreaming about her. Fantasizing lying beside her on her bed, our limbs entwined, the smell of her hair on my face. How beautiful and soft she felt in my arms.

  And then I heard the sound of a door opening and I jumped up from the couch. My gun was in my hand and I pointed it in front of me as my eyes started to clear of sleep.

  Kaya was standing at the door of her bedroom, and her face was deathly pale. She had an empty glass in her hand, wearing a skimpy baby-pink silk slip.

  “Fuck. I’m sorry,” I growled and shoved the gun back in my belt where it belonged. I could see I’d startled her. Kaya clutched the glass tightly in her hand and opened her mouth to speak.

  “I just came in for a drink of water,” she said, and I rushed towards her.

  “I didn’t mean to scare you. I’d dozed off and heard the door,” I said, reaching for her. She let me touch her, and now that I touched her shoulder, I pulled her close to me.

  Kaya fell into my arms and I hugged her tightly. I buried my nose in her sweet-smelling curls. She was innocent in all this. She didn’t deserve any of the horror she was facing.

  She had her head on my chest, and I knew she could hear my heart quickening.

  “Oz…I’m sorry I spoke to you like that. I shouldn’t have shouted at you,” she said and looked up at me. She was still pale, and her beautiful emerald eyes searched mine.

  “You have nothing to apologize for. I deserved it. I put you in danger. You’re still in danger, Kaya,” I said.

  I couldn’t help myself, even though I knew she didn’t want a future with me—I stroked her hair. I needed her.

  Thankfully, she didn’t pull away from me. Instead, she stood there, looking into my face.

  “What are we going to do, Oz?” she asked and I clenched my jaws.

  “You don’t have to do anything, Kaya. I’m going to take care of this. I told you I will,” I said.

  Her eyes were watering again.

  “I was so afraid, Oz. At first when I saw them, I thought they were your friends. And then they started threatening me…they…”

  She was cracking. I held her even tighter to myself and she buried her head in my chest again. I stroked her back, stroked her hair. I could sense her melting in my arms. I wished I was strong enough to resist her, but I wasn’t. I couldn’t stop my cock from growing in my pants.

  All I needed to do was look at her and I was done.

  “I’m sorry. I should have known better. I didn’t realize I was being watched. I’m going to fix this,” I said to her. Kaya nodded her head and looked up at me.

  “I know you will. I trust you. Thank you,” she said and I watched the way her mouth parted. Her sweet delicious mouth. She was fucking irresistible.

  I leaned in for a kiss and Kaya leaned towards me. It was unbelievable that she wanted it, too. I didn’t think she would ever want to kiss me again. Not after what I’d caused.

  But our lips met. I heard her gasp as I dug my fingers into her hair, clutching her tightly by the back of her head as I devoured her.

  Our kiss deepend and she clawed at my clothes. I kissed her hard, while she stripped my jacket and my shirt. We were moving together, fused together by our mout
hs. I pushed her gently until she fell back on the couch and I joined her.

  She slid down under me, while her hands ran up and down my naked torso. I looked at her body. Her tender curvy body. Her nipples were pebbled hard under that silk dress she was wearing. I could see every shape and curve of her. I kissed her forehead, the tip of her nose and then her chin.

  Kaya giggled while she writhed and slid under me. I had my arms stretched out over her, clutching the arm of the couch. This thing wasn’t going to be big enough for the two of us, but I didn’t care.

  As Kaya moved, her dress slid up her beautiful shapely hips. I reached for the spot between her legs. She was warm and wet, just the way I needed her to be. My cock was tenting my jeans and she reached for it, cupping it tightly with one hand. She could feel it throbbing and growing and she chewed on her lower lip. In that deliciously adorable way of hers.

  I rubbed the soft insides of her thighs, then tugged at her panties, rolling them quickly down her legs. I leaned forward to nuzzle at her breasts. The material of her dress was sexy smooth, and I chewed lightly on her nipples through them.

  Kaya hissed. Her nipples were sensitive and she liked what I was doing to them.

  She moved her legs, up and down my back, down my butt, till I grabbed her ankles roughly.

  I moved so I was wedged between her legs now, my knees firmly planted on her rug. She stretched her legs apart and wrapped them around my waist. I undid my belt and jeans and Kaya’s eyes grew wide as she watched my cock revealing itself to her. She gulped. Had she been thinking about this like I was?

  She looked thirsty for my cock. Like I was hungry for her pussy.

  “Oz…” her voice faded as I pushed up her slip.

  “What do you want, Kaya?” I asked, pulling down her wet silk panties. She tried to stretch her legs even wider, thrust her hips up towards me. I flicked her swollen clit and she moaned.