by Hart, Rebel
I sighed. “Dani, I appreciate all this. But it’s reckless. It’s-”
“Dangerous?”
I nodded. “Yes.”
“Impulsive?”
“Very.”
She smiled. “Good.”
I blinked. “What?”
She snickered. “Max, you know as well as I do that we’ll be harder to break if we stand together. And your father needs to know that he’s messing with the Red Thorns, not just Max Ryddle. Not just his son. As soon as he finds out you were released he’s going to take action. And we’re going to be there when that happens.”
I paused. “We?”
She nodded. “We’re in this together now. Whether you like that or not.”
She was remarkable. The most amazing woman I had ever come across in my life. And as I slipped my arm around her, I pulled her in for a kiss. I slid my tongue along the roof of her mouth and heard her helmet clatter to the cement. I nuzzled my nose against hers as one of my guys scooped it up, handing it back to me.
Then I gazed around at my guys and smiled.
“So, I’m going to need all of you to wait outside here. I need to use my house. Privately.”
Dani blushed as the guys revved their engines and pumped their fists in the air.
“Did you really have to announce it?” she said through her giggles.
I grinned. “Would you really have it any other way?”
She shook her head as I pulled her off my bike, helping to steady her on her feet. I hung my helmet on the handlebar of my bike, and together, we started into the house. I held her hand tightly as we walked inside. I wasted no time in leading her down the hallway. Into my bedroom we went, bypassing everything to get to the shower. I needed a fucking shower. As hot as I could stand it. I needed to feel clean again. I needed to wash that damn holding cell and all of the interrogations from my body. I needed to scrub until the memories were gone.
While holding Dani closely against me.
20
Dani
The steam of the shower filled the bathroom as I closed the door behind me. Max had been eager to run himself a hot one and get in. He moved like lightning. Hard to catch, hard to see. But the glimpses I caught were powerful and beautiful. I saw his shadowed form moving behind the curtain, and I drew in a deep breath as the sounds of the bikes on the front lawn quickly faded away. I kicked off my shoes and slipped out of my jacket. I heard him groaning with relief as I eased my shirt over my head. I smiled at how happy he sounded. How he hummed to himself and filled the bathroom with a smell I had quickly attributed to him.
Mint and oak.
“You coming, or what?”
I giggled. “You gonna be patient, or what?”
His head peeked out from beyond the curtain. “Get in here before I punish you for that sass.”
I winked. “And if I don’t?”
He growled playfully and I quickly shed the rest of my clothes. I hopped in with him, practically launching myself into his arms. The heat of the water battered against my back and I hissed. But I didn’t let it bother me. The only important thing was that I had him back. Max was back in my arms, and in this house, against my body. He was okay. He wasn’t hurt. He hadn’t been injured while in that holding cell.
That was all that mattered to me.
“I’m so happy you’re okay,” I whispered.
I looked up at him and found him staring at me.
“We’re not out of the woods yet. If anything, we’re standing at the edge of the forest now.”
I nodded. “I know. I know. I just…”
I ran my hands down his chiseled chest before I leaned my forehead against it. He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close as my ear settled against his heartbeat. Well, near his heartbeat. Damn it, I was so much shorter than him. Still, though, I could hear it. Feel it. And the sound brought tears to my eyes.
“I’m so glad you’re alive,” I whispered.
He reached for something behind me. “Come on. It’s time we get you cleaned up, too.”
I wanted to protest, but I decided to go along with it. I felt his washcloth caress my skin as bubbles popped and tickled me. I melted against him as he swirled them along my body, sliding the washcloth up and down my spine. His hands landed on my ass, and the bubbles made me giggle.
“Gotta hold still if I’m going to wash every crevice, gorgeous.”
I sighed. “My God, I missed you calling me that.”
He kissed the shell of my ear before he backed me into the hot streams of water. I felt the soap washing away from my body before he turned me around. He wrapped one arm around my shoulders, and I felt him kissing my neck. My cheek. Even the top of my head. His other hand slid around my body, coating me in cleansing bubbles.
“Gotta get up under here, too,” he murmured.
I gasped as he swiped the washcloth beneath my breasts.
“Mmm, gotta make sure these hip bones are clean, too.”
I moaned. “Max.”
He nipped at my neck. “Patience, gorgeous. Patience will do you well right now.”
His hands meandered, making my muscles jump. His lips kissed me softly, bleeding warmth through my veins. I felt him traveling farther downward. Sliding that washcloth over my thighs. Between my legs. Sliding over my lower lips with a featherlike softness.
“Max,” I groaned.
He chuckled. “Patience.”
I scoffed. “I’ve had enough patience. Eighty-eight hours’ worth of patience.”
He paused. “You were counting?”
I turned to face him. “Of course I was counting. And every minute without you was agonizing.”
His eyes darkened as the washcloth fell from his hand. I knew that look. I’d seen it before. I’d dreamt about that look the entire time he’d been locked away. His hands reached for me, gripping my waist tightly. Pulling me into him as my desire for him rose. I watched his pupils blow wide with lust. His hand slid through my soaked hair, fisting it as his eyes held mine captive.
“You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. And whatever I have to do to get you out of this, I will.”
His lips fell against my own and I lost myself in him. In the fierceness of his kiss and the tight grip he had on my hair. I groaned at the feel of his stiffened girth pressing against my stomach. Eager for me. Waiting for me to spread myself so he could devour me whole. I raked my hands along his skin, relishing his growl. I grabbed at every part of him I could find before my hands settled against his ass cheeks. The thick, taut muscle rolled against my palms. I felt my pussy wetting itself as water bashed against us. Max’s tongue invaded me. Marked me. Pushed me to heights that made my ears ring.
Then his lips fell to my neck.
“Max. I have to feel you. Please, I can’t take it anymore.”
He bit into my shoulder. “Let me taste you first.”
“Max.”
“You heard me.”
I whispered, “I’m begging you, just this once.”
His head lifted and my eyes fluttered open. My half-hooded stare met his dancing gaze, his eyes bouncing between mine. I felt tears rush my eyes. Tears I had held back for what seemed like weeks. And as he picked me up against him, relief flooded my veins.
“Thank you. Thank you so much.”
He pinned me against the wall. “I’ll give you what you want if you answer one thing for me.”
“Anything. Anything to feel you.”
His cock teased my entrance. “Are you scared, Dani?”
I froze. “What?”
“You heard me. Are you scared?”
“Of what?”
“Of this. Of everything. Of what we’re about to do.”
The weight of his question fell heavily against my shoulders. But it didn’t stop me from answering him honestly.
“More than I could ever imagine. But it’s easier when I’m with you,” I said.
His lips captured mine as he eased himself inside me. And
the electricity that flooded my brain sparked colors behind my eyelids. I wrapped my arms around him as I felt his pelvis sink against my own. And as his hands planted into the tile wall, he slowly pulled back.
“I missed you so much,” he murmured.
He slammed into me and a moan of ecstasy bubbled up the back of my throat.
“I couldn't stop thinking about you,” he grunted.
He pulled himself back before plunging into my depths, pulling groans from the tip of my tongue.
“Max, oh fuck.”
He growled. “And holy hell, did I miss you saying my name like that.”
He peeled my hands from around the back of his head before pinning them against the wall. My head fell back, opening my neck to him as his tongue lapped up my pulse point. I shivered against him. I felt my walls clamping around his cock. And as he slowly stroked me, the torture was more than I could stand.
“I need to come. Max. I need to--I need--”
“Patience,” he whispered. “Let me relish you for a second.”
I sighed with anticipation as my forehead fell against his. He held me up, stroking me softly before swiveling his hips. I felt his tightly-wound curls raking against my clit. Against that swollen nub between my legs that made me jump. I squealed, making him chuckle. He swiveled his hips again and my pussy held him tight within its vice grip. He grunted as he pulled back. He eased himself back home before swiveling those hips of his.
And the combination made me yearn for him.
“Max. I can’t take it. It’s so--you’re so--”
He kissed my cheek. “When I’ve had my fill of you, you’ll come. And not a second more. Understood?”
I nodded quickly. “You can have all of me, Max.”
Time melded together as hot water flooded our bodies. I felt his muscles rumbling beneath my fingertips as he released my wrists, allowing me to explore him. His movements were slow. Strong. Filled with intent and purpose. I clung to him, burying my face into the crook of his neck. And as he washed over me, the words fell from my mouth in an effortless chant.
“I love you. I love you. I love you so much.”
I felt myself spiraling. I felt his body pressing deeper into mine. As the water slowly faded from hot to lukewarm, he snapped his hips against my own. The sounds of skin slapping skin filled my ears. I clung to him, digging my nails into his taut muscles. He growled and groaned. He chanted my name and pressed his lips against my ear. Goosebumps ran along my skin, puckering my nipples and making my clit ache for more attention.
Then I heard Max’s voice in my ear. “You’re perfect for me. For my life. For my future. And I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”
Tears rushed my eyes. “I love you.”
“My God, woman, I love you, too.”
His words threw me over the edge. I felt my entire body lock up as I threw my head back. Max pulled me away from the wall, catching my head on the palm of his hand. And as he continued to buck his hips, I felt myself bouncing on his cock while he held me against his gorgeous form.
“Max, Max, Max. Yes. I’m coming. Max. Don’t stop!”
“Here. I. Come.”
With one last grunt, my back crashed against the wall. His lips found mine as he swallowed my moans and my groans. I felt my walls massaging him as his dick pulsed deep inside me. He swiveled his hips, stroking my clit as my toes curled and my legs jumped.
Then everything spiraled into darkness.
“Dani, can you hear me?”
My eyes fluttered open and I found myself looking up at the ceiling.
Huh?
“Gorgeous, I need you to look at me. Can you turn your head?”
I lobbed my head to the side. “Max?”
He sighed. “Thank fuck. You scared me for a second.”
I furrowed my brow. “What--?”
He cupped my cheek. “You passed out on me. I thought maybe your head bashed against the wall or something.”
“No. I don’t--I mean, my head doesn’t hurt. My body does, though.”
He chuckled. “Sounds like I did my job right, then.”
I blinked. “Did I pass out during…?”
“I won’t tell anyone if you won’t.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Why do I get the feeling you’re going to tell someone anyway?”
“And wear that shit like a badge of honor? Hell yeah, I am.”
I snickered. “You’re crazy, you know that?”
He kissed my forehead. “And you’re everything to me, you know that?”
My heart warmed with pride. “I know. I hope you know the sentiment is mutual.”
He nodded. “I do, yes. But seriously. You okay?”
I giggled. “I mean, I can’t really move right now. I feel like I’m being weighed down by cement. But I also haven’t slept well these past couple of nights, so that might be contributing to it.”
“Well, let’s get you tucked in then. I’m starving, and it sounds like you need sleep.”
“What if I’m starving too?”
He grinned. “Then I’ll heat you something up when you wake up. That’s what.”
My eyes fell closed as he pulled a warm, soft blanket over my naked body. And as I turned onto my side, I felt Max bend over me. His lips kissed the shell of my ear one more time, then he whispered those magical words that lulled me right to sleep.
“I’ll be here when you wake up, gorgeous.”
And for the first time since Saturday night, I fell asleep without my worry of Max looming over my head.
21
Max
I watched her lying there, spreadeagle on my bed. The second I moved away from her grip, she slid along the sheets. Inching closer. Pressing her hand against my back. Sliding it up and down my leg. Enticing me, in her sleep, to try and come back to bed.
I couldn't, though.
The second I stood up, she made her home against my mattress. With her head burrowed into my pillow, her arms spread out and her legs straightened. She had my comforter entangled between thighs I wanted to kiss. She had her hands twisted into sheets when I wanted them twisted into my hair. But I couldn't sleep in with her this morning. I couldn't stay.
I had things I needed to do.
She needed the rest. And I wanted her to sleep. I had a feeling she hadn’t gotten a good night’s rest in days, and that was important for anyone. Much less a woman like herself who had a lot of decisions to make. Like with her parents. And her education. And what to do if things went south with her family. I kept bouncing back and forth between what was right and what was selfish. I knew the right thing to do was break up with her. Leave her. Let her progress through the rest of her life and make something of herself.
Then again, I’d tried doing that with Benji.
Look what that got me.
I rifled through my dresser and pulled out some clean clothes. I pulled the jeans up my legs gingerly and muffled my grunts as I tugged my black shirt over my head. Fucking hell, I’d hurt for weeks. That much was certain. But I wouldn’t take the pain medication they’d given me.
I couldn't let anything alter my focus.
There were things that needed to be done and issues that needed to be addressed. I needed to figure out where the fuck Rupert was, for starters. He hadn’t been with the crew when they rolled up yesterday. Which meant he was still in custody somewhere.
Or worse.
I also needed to figure out what the fuck my father’s plan was. Because if he really wasn’t dead, we had much bigger problems than where Rupert was located. My greatest fear was that my father had Rupert. The thought made me shiver to my core. As I turned around, gazing at myself in the mirror above my dresser, I took in my bruises. The stitches along my left cheekbone. The ligature marks around my neck and the bloodied scabs on my knuckles.
I look like shit.
A light flashed in the mirror and I slowly turned around. Dani’s phone had been silently going off at all hours of the night. As I walk
ed around to her bedside table, I peeked down just before the light dimmed. A rock settled into my gut. I tapped her screen, just to make sure I’d read it right. And I had.
She had eight missed calls from her father.
Not just from her father, though. She had even more missed calls from Hannah. And her mother. Twenty-three in all, and not one of them had been answered. I frowned as another call silently rolled in from Hannah. I watched the screen light up and dim. Light up and dim. Should I pick it up? Answer for her? Let her roommate know that Dani was simply sleeping, and I’d make sure she called back once she woke up?
You know damn good and well you can’t make Dani do shit anymore.
I grinned at the thought. She really was coming into her own. Commanding my men and owning her sexuality and bringing me to my knees with just one kiss. She was more in control than she thought. And the only upper hand I had in all of it was playing on that part of her that didn’t know just yet.
God help me when she figures it out, though.
I smiled at the thought as I gazed down at my sleeping woman, her shoulders rising and falling with her steady breaths. I wanted to wake her up with my cock. I wanted to make love to her before I went anywhere. But things were weighing on my mind and I needed to talk to John.
I bent down and pressed a soft kiss to the back of Dani’s head. She shifted around and yawned before spreading her arms out even further. Still seeking me, even though she was dead asleep. Every step away from her side felt agonizing. It was torture to my heart and my soul. But my mind was more focused than ever before. There was one end goal. One thing I wanted to accomplish once we got through this bullshit.
I want my father gone.
I slipped out of the bedroom and closed the door behind me. And as I made my way to the kitchen, the sounds of several footsteps at once caught my ear. I froze, clenching my fists as my heart leapt into my throat. I paused my movements and stilled my frenzied mind, watching as multiple looming shadows appeared against the kitchen floor.
