by J. M. Walker
The next thing I knew, I was sitting outside on the picnic bench in front of the clubhouse. How did we get there so fast? With shaky hands, I dropped my head and took deep cleansing breaths. I was losing it. I never lost it. I was always in control of my feelings. I was strong. Jay had taught us to be tough in this male-dominated world. We had nothing to prove, but unfortunately, others didn’t see it that way.
Mumbled voices pulled me from my thoughts.
I looked up and saw my sisters standing around me. Jay spoke in a low voice to Asher, but I couldn’t make out what was being said with his back to me.
Brogan sat beside me, wrapping her arm around my shoulders. “Bad day?”
“You could say that,” I croaked out. Giving myself a shake, I rubbed a hand down my face, massaging some life back into myself. I wouldn’t let Charles get his way over me. But I could still feel his hands on me. His dangerous gaze as it raked over my body. His rough fingers while they pinched my chin. My skin tingled with memories of the touch.
Asher turned to me, his dark eyes narrowing. “You good?”
The question was meant to be caring but it hinted at a coldness that took my breath. I felt sorry for him. God, how could I have been so stupid to admit that?
I didn’t respond and slid off the table before heading into the club. I didn’t check to see if he followed because I knew he would. Although he was pissed at me, he wouldn’t want me to be alone. And knowing him, he would stake his possessive claim over me since another man touched me. My body tingled in all the right places, a flush of heat warming my skin. Asher was difficult but he was mine. He knew it. I knew it.
I went to the bar and grabbed a bottle of water.
“Do you still feel sorry for me?”
I jumped, spinning on my heel at the deep voice coming from behind me.
Asher loomed over the counter before sitting on the barstool, his intense scrutiny piercing into me.
“No,” I mumbled, handing him the bottle.
He chugged back the rest of the cool liquid and threw it in the recycling bin. “Come here.”
That same tingle shot straight to my core and I found my body listening to his command before my brain caught up. I rounded the corner and stepped between his legs before planting my butt on the stool beside him. “I didn’t become friends with you because I felt sorry for you. We were kids.”
“We drifted apart at one point, and then you started talking to me again. Did you feel sorry for me then? I was the loner. The bad boy all the girls wanted to date but were too scared to ask. You had the balls to talk to me. Why, Meeka? What was so special about me?”
I swallowed hard at the badgering of questions he threw at me, but I wouldn’t back down. “We were neighbors. I missed being your friend and hanging out. The guys left me alone when I was friends with you.”
“So it was for selfish reasons.”
“No! God.” I shook my head. “Stop. Fine. Yes, I felt sorry for you. In the beginning. I saw a boy who looked sad every damn day and I found I wanted to make him happy. I was just a little girl so I had no idea how to make that happen. And then puberty hit and you started ignoring me. That’s why we drifted apart.”
He grunted, a small smirk tugging at his lips.
“What?”
“I had the biggest crush on you all through school. That’s why we drifted apart. I couldn’t handle seeing you in those tight little shorts or those jeans that hugged your ass perfectly.”
“Are you—” I couldn’t believe it. “Seriously?”
He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah. That’s why I became distant. Not for any other reason.”
“I thought you hated me. I couldn’t figure out what I had done.” I was still blown away. He had a crush on me?
“God no.” He grabbed my hand, kissing each of my fingers. “Every time I saw you, I wanted to bend you over and drive my body into yours. But you were under eighteen at the time and I had enough shit to deal with. I didn’t need statutory rape added to that pile.”
“Why did you wait so long?”
“Life happens, Hummingbird.” He shrugged.
“And now? Do you still have a crush on me?”
His eyes twinkled. “The need to own you consumes my every waking breath. I can feel you before you walk into the room. My cock hardens at the mere sound of your voice. Does that answer your question?”
“Yes,” I answered, breathless.
He grinned.
I opened my mouth to say something when a loud bass started booming through the speakers.
“I need a fucking drink,” Jay rounded the corner and headed behind the bar. “Hey,” she said to us, grabbing a bottle filled with dark amber liquid.
“Grab a bottle and bring it back to your room,” Angel called out from the hallway.
“Not gonna happen, baby,” she yelled back. “I’m getting drunk with my sisters tonight. You can join me if you wish.”
He appeared from the hallway and heaved out a heavy sigh. “Fine. If I must.”
She laughed. Standing on tiptoes, she gave him a soft kiss on the mouth. “Come.” She grabbed his hand, leading him to one of the larger booths at the front of the room.
“I guess there’s a party tonight?” Asher asked, nodding his head toward the door.
Cars started pulling up outside, followed by the deep rumble of bikes. “Max throws parties when everyone is stressed,” I told him. “It’s her way of cleansing the aura around here.”
He grunted. “I’m not one to drink away my problems. I’d rather fuck them away.” He met my gaze. “You game?”
My cheeks heated. “I haven’t seen my sisters in a while,” I laughed, rising from the stool and stepped between his legs. “But later—” I kissed his mouth “—you can fuck all your problems away with me.”
He grinned, and I swore my heart melted.
***
(Asher)
An hour later, the party was in full swing. It reminded me of the days back in college. People showed up every hour on the hour filling the location to the brim. The club house overflowed with people. Bikers, women dressed in barely-there clothes, and us. Jay had tried to make the party just be Vice-One and King’s Harlots, but after the word got out, everyone and their dog showed up.
Meeka stood off to the side, laughing every so often with Brogan. Although the music was loud and deafening, I could still hear her full-bodied chuckle. It could have just been my imagination, but I liked to think that whatever made her happy at that moment was because of me.
A part of me held a tiny bit of anger that she had felt sorry for me. My confession changed things. I had a crush on her. Who wouldn’t? She was so damn shy and naïve that she never knew just how hot she truly was. I remembered in school the cat calls, the whistles, and even the evil sneers from the popular girls. But Meeka never noticed. Some called her a snob but I knew that she actually didn’t hear them. She never knew they were referring to her.
Meeka met my gaze every so often, her eyes becoming glassier by the minute. She was on her fifth beer, and eventually, I would have to drag her off to bed before she passed out in the middle of the room.
I didn’t know who anyone was besides my brothers and King’s Harlots, but I noticed how the other men watched out for them. Jay had been headstrong in trying to make her club blend in with the other bikers, but it had been hard when they were women. Those men, though, looked at them with a sign of respect. And as much as it grated on my nerves that they knew another side to Meeka that I didn’t, I had to appreciate the protection she had when I wasn’t around.
Meeka’s laugh interrupted my thoughts.
Every possessive bone in my body hardened when I saw a strong hand grip her shoulder. Some asshole had his hands on my girl.
She giggled, shaking her head. It was innocent enough on her end but the dark look of lust in his gaze sent me over the edge.
I rose from where I was perched when a heavy hand cupped my nape.
/> “Think about what you’re going to do before you do it,” Coby said, his voice flat and cold.
“He has his hands on her,” I ground out, a grey cloud shielding my vision.
“He does but she only has eyes for you,” he pointed out, giving my shoulder a light squeeze. “Remember, one word and he’s gone.” And with that, Coby walked away.
My heart jumped.
Coby meant what he said. He may have had the nickname Ghost for most of his career, but I knew that he was more like the executioner. He was also smaller than me but he sent my nerves on edge.
One word.
One command and the fucker who had his hands on my woman would disappear. As much as I was inclined to have Coby follow through with his promise, I wouldn’t do that to Meeka. But I would fuck her until all she thought about was me. All she would feel was me and I wouldn’t regret taking her from the party at all.
***
(Meeka)
Why was I so damn nice? I didn’t know who the guy was that had spent the last hour talking to me. What was he even saying to me? Oh, yeah, he was talking about the club. He kept saying over and over how impressed he was that women ran an MC when I knew he was just trying to get in my pants. Or panties, rather, when I wasn’t wearing any pants. Oh, God. Where are my pants? Oh, yeah. I looked down, noticing the dress that hugged my curves. I needed to stop drinking. I chugged back the rest of the beer and grimaced at the disgusting taste. It was piss warm. How long had I been nursing it? Gross.
“So what do you say?” the guy asked me, raising an eyebrow. His finger traced down the length of my arm.
I followed the movement, wondering what Asher would do if he saw. “About what?”
“I don’t suggest repeating your question,” a deep voice boomed from a foot away.
I guess I would find out sooner rather than later.
“And you are?” The guy stiffened beside me, rising to his full height before he noticed who was talking to him. “Uh … I’m gonna go.” He pushed off the wall, and before I could ask what the hell was going on, he was out of the club in a matter of seconds.
I laughed.
“What’s so damn funny?” Asher bit out, crossing his arms under his broad chest.
“You scared him half to death.” I laughed harder. Maybe it was the alcohol but it was damn funny.
“Woman, he had his hands on you,” he growled, clenching his fists at his sides.
“Yeah, so? He wouldn’t do anything because I wasn’t going to let him.”
“You are too damn nice.” Asher pinched my chin, forcing me to look up at him, and leaned his arm against the wall above my head. “Do you know what it made me want to do when I saw him touching you?”
“No,” I breathed out. “But I can imagine. You go all possessive.” It was hot as hell. All laughter had died then as I stared into the dark heated eyes looking down at me.
“He was touching what belongs to me,” Asher bit out through clenched teeth. “I don’t share well with others.”
“Who says I belong to you?” I threw back at him, the liquid courage giving me some back bone. I never had any problems telling him how I felt but when it came to our relationship, I was confused as hell.
“Don’t test me, Meeka.” Asher stepped in front me, brushing a hand down my side. A shiver traveled along with it, and as much as I hoped he didn’t notice, he did. With a firm grip on my hip, he lifted me until I was straddling his knee. “I own you. Every time you scream my name, I own you. I own every single fucking inch of you. I make you come. I make you scream. And I make you beg for more.”
“What … what if I don’t want more?”
Asher’s eyes darkened, challenging me. “You are very lucky that you’re drunk right now.”
“Or else what?” I asked, my chest rising and falling at being restrained by his hard body.
“I would bend you over my knees and spank your ass for denying what rightfully belongs to me.” He lowered his head, his mouth brushing over the shell of my ear. “You gave me every inch of you. You begged me. Remember?”
I shivered, memories of where he had been clouding my vision. He was right. I had begged. God, had I ever begged. I couldn’t get enough of him.
“Ah, yes. You do remember.” Asher smirked, brushing his mouth along mine. “I also seem to recall that you demanded I fuck you harder.” Something flashed behind his eyes, but it was gone before I could question it.
I knew what it was about, though; he was remembering when he freaked out. Some childhood nightmare had taken him back in time at the sight of the blood. He still hadn’t told me what it was about.
“Don’t,” he demanded, digging his fingers into my hips. “Don’t go back there.”
“We need to talk about it,” I insisted, cupping his thick arms.
“I can’t.”
I searched his face. Well, that just ruined my buzz.
“What was that?” he asked, frowning.
“Nothing.” I patted his chest. “Put me down.”
“I don’t take kindly to demands, little girl.”
And there it was. The Asher I had become accustomed to. The man who had invaded my space for the past week or maybe it was more. Less? I wasn’t even sure anymore. Time seemed to stand still when it came to him. And I couldn’t wait to get lost again. Lost. Yes. That was what I wanted from him.
“Hmm …” He smirked, lifting me until both of my legs were wrapped around his hips. He moved us to a dark corner away from the crowd with the heavy music still buzzing around us. “I can feel your heat, Meeka.”
Oh, God. Tightening my hold around his waist, I hooked my fingers in his belt loops and pulled him closer. So close but not enough. Never enough.
A groan sounded from the back of his throat.
Pulling his head down to meet my mouth, I crashed my lips against his. Forcing my tongue between his lips, I had control. For a moment. And then he took over.
Asher gripped my hips, pushing between my legs until I felt every inch of him. He grew beneath my touch.
All thoughts disappeared as our mouths moved as one. Asher kissed me like he fucked me. Demanding. In control.
I breathed him in, lost in the desire he built in me.
“Get a room, you two.” Dale chuckled, walking past us. “I don’t think anyone here wants to see you two bumping uglies.”
We broke apart, the sudden desire fading to a dull roar.
“Where’s Max?” I asked him, raising an eyebrow.
He frowned, grumbling as he walked away. “Sass. So much fucking sass. Damn women and their sass.”
Asher shook his head and placed a soft kiss on my nose. “You make me want to fuck you in public. I lose all control and I don’t care who’s around.”
“I’m … sorry?”
He laughed, placing me on my feet. “Don’t be. My inner caveman comes out when I’m with you. If it wasn’t frowned upon, I would fuck you in the middle of the room so everyone knew who you belonged to.”
Now that was an interesting image. “Baby, I’m all for public display of affection but that might be a little much.”
He laughed harder, wrapping his arms around my waist, and pulled me back against his chest.
I smiled, pushing my ass into his pelvis.
“Fuck, woman, you’re going to be the death of me.”
And no matter what happened, no matter what life threw at us, I had a feeling our new road together was only just the beginning.
NINETEEN
Meeka
“SO …”
I glanced up at Brogan. “So … What?”
She sat on the stool beside me, leaning against the bar. “How are things with Asher?”
“Fine.” My heart skipped a beat at the mere mention of his name. “Why?”
“Girl,” she huffed. “Do I have to rip it out of you? What’s going on with you two? I’m your best friend and you don’t talk about him.”
“He’s my best friend, too, and I don’
t talk about you with him,” I pointed out. After the most recent kiss, the drunken haze left my body like Asher sucked it out of me. A flush of heat traveled up the back of my neck remembering other parts of my body he had sucked.
“That’s different. We’re women. We’re supposed to talk about the men we’re sleeping with.”
“Are we now?”
“God, Meeka, tell me,” she cried.
I laughed. “What do you want to know?”
“The guy’s huge. Is he … you know …” She waggled her eyebrows. “Well proportioned?”
Oh, God. “Um…”
“I think you should just leave her alone,” Creena said from behind us.
“Why don’t you go back to doing your job, prospect?” Brogan said, her eyes twinkling in the dim lighting of the room.
Creena laughed, shaking her head, and left her spot behind the bar. She continued serving drinks, getting help from frequent regulars every so often. Random women showed up with the other bikers, moving from man to man faster than they changed their panties. Some even propositioned us.
“Earth to Meeka.” Brogan snapped her fingers in front of my face.
Raising an eyebrow, I slowly met her gaze. “I have no idea what’s going on between us. But when I do, you’ll be the first to know.”
“Fine.” She sighed dramatically, jumping off the stool. “Just know that I’m very jealous.”
I laughed. “You don’t need to be. You can get any man here.”
“Yeah.” She frowned, her gaze moving around the room.
“Are you looking for Coby?”
Her eyes snapped to mine, her cheeks reddening. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Yeah,” I scoffed. “Okay.”
“Coby wants nothing to do with me so I’ll just live vicariously through you.” Her mouth set in a firm line. “And I’ll just wait for you to tell me what’s going on between you two.” She winked, blowing me a kiss, and headed to one of the tables. She walked by where Coby was sitting with Dale and Stone and gave him the finger. At first, I didn’t think he noticed, but I then saw the small smile tug at his lips. Huh. Guess the guy wasn’t so emotionless after all.
