by Jamie Begley
“Give it to me … Steel.”
She had to hurriedly encompass his cock as it throbbed and jerked in release while his eyes practically rolled back in his head. When it quit moving, she slowly dragged her mouth off him, seeing lust flaring in his eyes as she licked her bottom lip.
Pulling her hand out of his jeans, she gently patted his thigh before regaining the other computer chair.
“Are you forgetting something?” Rider’s eyes went to monitors as he shoved his cock back in his jeans, then pushed his chair back under the desk.
“I don’t think so—”
“Stand up and come here.”
His stern voice had her reluctantly standing, moving to the side of his chair. His eyes caught hers as he unbuttoned her jeans.
“I’m not wet.”
“Excuse me if I don’t take your word for it.” He moved his hand inside her panties. It didn’t take him a second to find the creamy warmth she hadn’t been able to control. Fastening her jeans back up, he gave her a gloating look.
“It’s fine where you’re standing.” Ignoring her standing by his side, he went back to scanning the screens.
When he reached for her popcorn, she took a small step forward.
“Uh-uh … you’re not allowed to move. Back up to where you were.”
Backing into the position he had put her in, she stood still as he started eating her popcorn.
“You know I’m going to pay you back for this, right?”
“Uh-huh. But not before I finish this popcorn, that box of cereal, and before you fuck me.”
Shifting her weight from one foot to the other, Jo watched as Shade approached the outer garage. She gave a silent prayer of gratitude that she had asked Rider to use the restroom, thankful she had straightened her hair.
His eyes flickered over her then to Rider, who was watching the screens, as he strode into the security room.
“Jo, how are you doing tonight?”
“Fine.”
“I was going to ask Rider if he needs anything, but I see he’s been taken care of.”
Flushing, it took her a second to realize he had been talking about the snacks Rider was happily munching on.
“Thanks anyway,” Rider said, not turning around. “Have a seat. If you have time, I want to make sure these sensors are back in line.”
Shade walked to the other computer chair. “You sure you don’t want to sit down? I can stand.”
She felt her cheeks redden under Shade’s scrutiny.
“No thanks. I’m tired of sitting. I’m just trying to stretch my legs.”
“You sure?”
“Positive.” Her fingers curled over the back of Rider’s chair, tempted to upend his ass in front of Shade.
She listened as they ran a series of tests before both were satisfied the sensors were working.
“You want some popcorn? I have plenty.”
Shade shook his head. “I just ate.”
The men turned to look at the camera pointing at the parking lot. A car that Jo easily recognized came speeding in, then braked sharply. Lucky got out of his car and, with furious strides, made his way toward the garage. When the door didn’t open, he pressed a button, and then Lucky’s angry voice filled the security room.
“Let me in, Rider.”
Rider pushed the button he had shown her last night that delayed entry.
“So, you came by to see if I needed anything, huh?” Rider gave Shade a skeptical look. “Why’s Lucky so mad?”
“You don’t know?” Shade’s voice turned silky.
“That was two days ago. He’s still mad?”
“He’s outside, isn’t he?”
Rider released the button, letting Lucky come in.
Jo had never seen her pastor so angry, the metal door clanging as it hit the wall when he slung it open. Her eyes went round at Lucky’s fury.
When she moved protectively closer to Rider, Lucky stilled.
“Jo.”
“Pastor.”
At a sound Shade made, she gave him a censoring look before staring Lucky down again.
“You’re up late tonight with church being so early in the morning,” Jo commented.
“I was about to go to bed when I couldn’t find something Rider promised to return to me when I talked to him yesterday.”
“I forgot.”
Jo wanted to hit him on the back of his head for pricking Lucky’s temper even further.
“You didn’t forget; you just don’t want me to have them.”
“Those pants cost me four hundred dollars. Buy your own.”
“I had my own pair until you accidentally washed them. You shouldn’t have been washing my clothes anyway.”
“I was trying to help Willa out.”
“You were trying to get her to make you some candy!” Lucky’s voice rose to a shout.
“Those pants were too small for your fat ass anyway. Buy another pair.”
The angrier Lucky got, the more amused Rider became. She didn’t know a lot about men, but she knew enough to know that Rider was walking on thin ice.
“Motherfucker, you told me you would give me yours or buy me another pair!”
“I changed my mind.”
Jo screamed when Lucky jerked Rider out of his chair, sending the wheels rolling. Shade’s arm came out of nowhere, moving her out of the way.
“Stop!” Screaming, she tried to break them apart, but Shade held her back, not bothering to get out of his chair.
Lucky threw Rider against the metal door that had swung closed after Lucky’s furious entrance, sending the monitors shaking on the desk.
“Watch it! Any of the computers get broken, you’re paying for them!” Shade snapped.
Lucky held Rider pinned to the door with one hand and turned the knob with the other, sending Rider flying backward out of her sight.
Jo tried to catch a glimpse of Rider to see how he was doing, but she couldn’t because Lucky blocked her view as he went out the door after him. She could hear a heated struggle as the door slammed shut after them.
“Aren’t you going to stop them?” she screeched out, yanking her arm out of his grasp. She opened the door to look out, seeing Lucky and Rider rolling around on the floor, pummeling each other.
“No. They’ll stop when they’re tired.”
His calm voice had Jo starting to go out the door to do it herself.
“You better not break any of those glass tanks out there, or Cash will kill you both!” Shade shouted, keeping his eyes on the different screens.
Her mouth dropped open when Shade dug into the popcorn, taking a handful. Placing a few in his mouth, he chewed thoughtfully as the fight between Rider and Lucky raged on.
Halfway out of the door, Shade’s comment of “Damn, that’s pretty good” had her turning around.
“They’re killing each other, and you’re just going to sit there and eat popcorn?”
“It’s Rider’s turn,” he said, taking another handful of popcorn.
“What!”
“Every few weeks, the brothers let Lucky blow off some steam.”
“Let?”
“Okay, we help Lucky blow off some steam. It’s Rider’s turn. Son of a bitch nearly broke Moon’s jaw last month. It was my turn this month, but Rider owed me a favor.”
“You’re not serious? Rider could get hurt!”
“You see any blood?”
Jo turned back to the fight. “No.”
“Then he’s good. Have a seat. They’ll stop when they’re tired.”
Jo looked closer at the two men. Lucky was pounding Rider’s stomach and shoulder like a punching bag, fierce concentration on his features that she had never seen on her pastor’s face before. Rider was laughing up at Lucky.
“Is that all you got, motherfucker? Willa hits harder than you.” Pushing Lucky off him, he then threw himself on top of him, pounding him back.
After watching the crazy interaction between the two men, she went bac
k to the spot she had been standing in before Shade’s arrival, looking at the time on the clock.
Shade took his eyes off the screens to raise a brow when she didn’t sit.
“I’m not tired.” Blushing, she winced when she heard cursing come from the other room. “How long do the fights usually last?”
“Depends on what the brother did to piss Lucky off. Rider ruined Lucky’s leather pants, so it could take a while.” Shade picked up the bag of popcorn, holding it out to his side. “Want some?”
“Thanks.” She took a handful, and they watched the monitors until Rider returned to the security room.
Taking his chair, he soothed a hand over his jaw, wiggling it back and forth experimentally.
“Are you okay?” she asked in concern over his battered face.
Rider gave her a reassuring smile, then gave Shade an accusatory glance. “The fucker’s been working out.”
“Has he? I didn’t know.”
“Bullshit, you know every stink set off in the clubhouse.”
“Not everyone.” He cast Jo a glance as she remained standing next to Rider’s chair. “I better go. Lily will be wondering what’s taking me so long.”
“Good.” Rider grimaced as he ran his hand over his ribs.
“Night, Jo.”
“Good night, Shade.”
Shade went out the door, but before it could close, he poked his head back inside. “Rider, I forgot to mention, she moved to the door for three minutes. Later.”
Blushing furiously, she glared at the closed door. “Prick.” She was so mad she could spit. Lily had her sympathy.
“Welcome to my world.”
36
Jo sat cross-legged on the floor as she watched Clint play. Lily’s baby was adorable, wiggling on his back with drool escaping out of the side of his mouth as he swatted with his baby arms at the miniature gym that had little stuffed animals and rings.
“Can I take him home with me?” Fascinated at the little creature, Jo only half joked with Lily as she walked around the living room, making sure Jo would have everything she needed to care for Clint while she and Shade went out for Valentine’s Day.
“Shade might have something to say about that.”
“I thought I’d try. Lily, he’s adorable.”
Lily proudly beamed down at her child. “He is beautiful, isn’t he?”
“Yes.” Jo leaned forward, using a burp cloth to wipe the drool away. “I see a lot of Shade in him, but he has your eyes. He’s gorgeous.”
Lily’s face glowed with health and the joy of parenthood. “I’m truly blessed with my children, and with Shade, too.”
“Yes, you are.” Jo looked away from the baby to her as Lily took a seat on the couch, waiting for Shade to come downstairs.
“You’re very happy, aren’t you?”
Lily stopped jiggling a playful elephant at the wistfulness in Jo’s voice that she hadn’t been able to hide. Her violet eyes rose to hers. “So much that I get afraid sometimes.”
“Why?”
Lily gave a graceful shrug. “That Shade will wake up one day and realize he doesn’t love me, that another woman can give him what I can’t.” As she talked, she looked down and ran a hand over the delicate tattoo of forget-me-nots that was on the underside of her forearm. “It’s kind of surreal how happy I am. It can’t last forever, can it?”
Jo didn’t think that Lily was talking to her anymore, but to herself.
Shade came into the room, breaking the moment. Carrying Lily’s coat, he held it open for his wife.
Shrugging into it, Lily gazed up at her husband lovingly.
“We can go somewhere else if you prefer. Maybe we should eat somewhere closer?”
“I’m craving Cracker Barrel. Jo has this, and Rider is coming over when he gets off work.”
Leaving Lily to button her coat, Shade went to John, who was putting a puzzle together at the table, easily lifting the boy to kiss his son’s cheek.
“Dad, I’m too old for that.”
“I’ll have to remember that. You look out for your baby brother until we get back. Can you do that, little man?”
“Yes, sir!”
Shade set John back in his chair as Lily went to kiss him next. Squatting down, he carefully moved the gym to the side to lift the baby into his arms. “Since John doesn’t want my kisses anymore, that means more for you.” Kissing both cheeks, the baby squealed in delight at his father’s appearance.
John jumped off his chair, running to Shade to pat his father on his back to get his attention. “I didn’t mean it, Daddy. You can kiss me.”
Shade cradled Clint in one arm and gathered John in his other, alternating kissing each of his sons before handing Clint to Lily. When the boys were settled, Shade opened the door for Lily.
“We won’t be late,” Lily assured Jo.
“Take your time. I’m glad to help out.” Jo stared at the couple, seeing the closeness apparent between them. “Lily, I didn’t have a chance to answer your question. I don’t think you have a darn thing to worry about. And yes, I do. I can’t think of another person who deserves it more.”
Lily gave her a tearful nod before leaving. Shade gave her a discerning look that had her unable to look away.
“Thank you, Jo.”
There was no doubt in her mind that Shade wasn’t thanking her for babysitting, but for what she had said to Lily.
After he left, she played with Clint until he grew tired and cranky. Laying him in the bassinet, she made Clint a bottle from the breast milk that had been left in the refrigerator. Then she helped John find a missing puzzle piece.
She was giving the baby his bottle when Rider came in the door.
“Yo, John, what’s up?” Rider tousled the boy’s hair.
“Uncle Rider, can we go for a ride on your bike?”
“Your father wouldn’t like it without him here. I’ll ride you around the parking lot tomorrow.”
“Can you help me finish my puzzle?”
“Sure thing.” Winking at Jo, he sat down at the table.
Jo cradled Clint, smoothing his black hair down that was so fine it stood on end, springing back up when she moved her fingers away.
She could understand Lily’s fear of her happiness being taken away. She felt the same fear in her heart every time she looked at Rider. His good looks would always garner feminine attention. His facial structure and features would allow him to age gracefully. His body would fuel any woman’s fantasies, and she’d had sex enough times to speak from experience that he gave as much as he received.
He filled the lonely life she had lived with humor and a playfulness of a much younger man, while also showing an insight into her emotional needs. It was how he had gotten past the barriers she had used to keep men out for years.
She had been waiting for a special man and hadn’t even known it, believing she would die alone and unloved. She had been roaming endlessly in a dark labyrinth until Rider had strode into the maze of her own making and guided her out, only to find that the impossible had happened and she had fallen in love with him.
Clint’s sucking stopped, and he was sleeping, slack-jawed, with milky drool coming out of the corner of his mouth. She tenderly burped him, waiting until she heard the unmistakable sound she was waiting for, before placing him in his bassinet.
Sitting at the table next to Rider, she watched as he and John worked on the puzzle. Scooting her chair closer to his, she laid her hand affectionally on his thigh.
Rider let John slide the last piece in place. Finished, the little boy looked for something else to do.
“Can I go play with Noah and Chance?”
Rider reached for his cell phone “Let me ask Razer.”
He twined his fingers through hers as he talked to Razer. Hanging up, he gave John the go-ahead. Jo made sure John was bundled up in his coat and hat before Rider watched him from the porch until Razer waved that he had him.
“The boys are close, aren’t they?
”
“In their minds, they’re already brothers.” Rider took her hand to pull her close after shutting the door. As he gave her the kiss she had been waiting for since he had gotten there, she ran her hands over his chest to his shoulders as he parted her lips in a demanding kiss that had her nails digging into the back of his shirt. Gasping, she twisted her lips away, trying to calm the rioting desire that had her wishing they were at home in her bed.
“Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“You told me that this morning before I left, and when you brought me lunch at the factory before coming here to babysit.”
“Just making sure.” She resumed kissing him when a small sound from the bassinet had them breaking apart.
Rider went to the bassinet before she could get her brain functioning again. Jo’s heart skipped a beat when he lifted the baby to cradle him in his arm.
Rocking him from side to side, Rider crooned to him, letting the baby wake slowly. Grabbing the blanket in the bassinet, he went to the chair, dexterously draping the blanket over his lap to lay the wiggling baby down.
“You’re very good with babies.”
“I’ve had my fair share of practice babysitting. It was a nightmare when Noah and Chance were born. They were born troublemakers. They never woke up at the same time, and one would wake the other up. I don’t think Beth or Razer slept until they were four. I’m glad Lily asked you to babysit first. Sasha is watching them tonight. Those two hellions are going to drive her crazy.”
“They’re little angels in church.” Jo denied his assertion about how bad they were.
“That’s because Razer has raised them to respect the holy hand that spanks their ass if they misbehave.”
“He believes in corporal punishment? Poor boys!” When she had children, she was never going to spank them or let their father.
“Poor boys? I give you five minutes with those boys, and you’ll be tied to a chair or locked in a closet.”
“I’ll take your word for it.”
Rider stared at her pityingly. “You’re going to be suckered into babysitting for them sooner or later. May the force be with you.”
Jo gurgled with laughter. “You’re exaggerating.”
