by Hart, Rebel
“For this meat, huh?”
She blinked. “No, crazy. For a cheeseburger. Duh.”
I paused. “Seriously?”
She smiled brightly. “Then maybe some dessert. Like a milkshake.”
“Poured over your body, I hope.”
She bopped my nose with her finger. “Be a good boy, and you can cover my body in anything you want.”
“Mmmm, yes ma’am.”
I captured her lips, reveling in how wonderful she tasted. But she was right. If I was hungry, she had to be hungry. The tiny little thing. I slid my fingers through her hair, gripping her tendrils softly. And after pulling her face away from mine, I lost myself in her gorgeous brown eyes.
“Thank you.”
She furrowed her brow. “For what, Max?”
“For saving me. For planning this all out. For working a fucking miracle and somehow saving my guys in the process.”
“Our guys.”
I smirked. “Right. Our guys. Thank you, Dani. For bringing your intelligence into this scenario. Because without it, I don’t know where the hell we’d be.”
She smiled. “Well, now we’re even. You save my life, and I save yours.”
30
Dani
The four-hour drive back to Max’s place tasted like victory and smelled like paradise. The cheeseburgers we picked up along the way filled the cabin of the car as we chowed down and wiped our faces with cheap paper napkins. The minutes ticked by as we sped down the highway with the windows rolled down and the classic rock station blaring. It was the freest I’d felt in a very long time. And seeing Max relaxed for the first time since I’d met him was something I never thought I’d witness.
“I like this side of you, handsome.”
Max snickered. “What side of me?”
“So cool, and calm, and relaxed.”
“What? I’m like that all the time.”
I blew a raspberry. “Yeah, right.”
He took the exit we needed. “I’m always calm. That’s what makes me tick.”
“Calmness makes you tick?”
“Yeah. Why not?”
“I’m pretty sure that phrase doesn’t mean what you think it means.”
He clutched his heart. “Your words. They hurt. Oh. I never thought I’d see the day when you lorded your college degree over my head.”
“Well, newsflash, hot stuff, I don’t have a college degree yet. And I won’t. Ever.”
“Yeah, we still need to talk about that.”
I shrugged. “We can talk. That’s fine. It won’t change my opinion, though.”
His hand fell against my knee. “I’ve got ways of persuading you.”
“Max.”
“Dani.”
“You can’t make me do something I don’t want to do.”
“Then I guess you’ll just have to truly convince me that you really don’t want college in your life. Because I don’t believe that shit for a second.”
I settled my hand on top of his as we finally got back into familiar territory. It was a few minutes past two in the morning, and the grease in my stomach had finally settled. I felt my eyes drooping, a need for sleep overcoming my body. I had finally come down from my adrenaline high, and all I wanted to do was slip off into dreamland for a few hours.
“Holy shit. Rupert!”
The truck slammed into park and my body lurched. I heard a door rip open before heavy footsteps scuttled across the ground. I had to blink the sleepiness away for a while before the dark world came into focus. And when I saw John on the porch with a smile on his face, I quickly found Max. Embracing Rupert.
In front of the truck.
I drew in a deep breath as I unbuckled myself. I heard the sound of motorcycle engines revving in the distance. Dozens of them. As if to say ‘goodbye for now’ one last time. I hopped out of the truck and walked over to Rupert, my arms opened wide for the redheaded, bearded man in the beanie. He patted Max’s back as laughter fell from both of their mouths. I eyed Rupert and he quickly pulled away, then scooped me up into his arms. He twirled me around, making me giggle before he set me back down. And as I rubbed his arms, I let my eyes dance over his body.
“You don’t look hurt. Are you hungry? I think there’s a pizza joint that’s still op--”
“Bambi, look at me.”
My eyes panned up to his face. “It’s really good to see you, Rupert.”
He smiled. “It’s good to see you, too, badass.”
I blinked. “What?”
Max placed his hand on my lower back. “Yeah, Dani. You’re a badass now. Deal with it.”
I shook my head. “I don’t--I don’t know how--”
Rupert released me from his grip. “Don’t go getting all coy on us now. John told me the plan. He told me everything that was supposed to happen, and whose idea it was all along.”
John limped up to us on his cane. “Yep. Oh, and a woman S.W.A.T. captain told us to send her regards to you two. She said ‘Hopefully this proves you can trust her.’”
I drew in a relieved breath. “It sure as hell does. It’s good to see you standing here, Rupert.”
He snickered. “To be honest? Wasn’t sure it would happen. I just knew I was spending the rest of my life in that fucking place.”
I shrugged. “We’re family. It’s what we do.”
Rupert laughed. “You’re a real, tried and true badass, Bambi. We’d be fucked without you.”
I paused. “Come to think of it? Yeah. You probably would be.”
The guys around me laughed before Max guided me into the house. There were beers in the fridge waiting to be popped open and a bottle of wine. Just for me. I smiled and thanked John for his courteousness. Because I knew none of these assholes drank wine. Ever. And while I knew our worries weren’t entirely over--what with the trials coming up now--I still felt a great relief deep in the pit of my heart.
Max lifted his beer. “To the future.”
John lifted his, too. “And to the happiness it brings.”
Rupert raised his glass bottle. “May families stick together for as long as they can.”
They all looked at me to finish, so I raised the entire bottle of wine in the air.
“And may our asses stay out of fucking jail.”
Max snorted. “Hear fucking hear.”
The rest of us exclaimed together, “Hear, hear!”
I screwed the top off the wine and took a few big gulps. I let the alcohol wash away all the what ifs and what happens nows. I let the wine fill my throat as the guys chugged back their beers. And all I let my mind think about was freedom. How we were all free from Ashton’s grasp. How Max was free from his intimidation tactics. How I was free from worrying that disgusting man would come back after me. We were free from him, we were free from Benji, and--for now, at least--we were free from worry.
And we were safe.
“You guys hungry?” Rupert asked. “Or did you eat on the way back from the motel?”
Max finished off his beer. “We picked up cheeseburgers from a drive-in place on the way back. But I wouldn't mind eating again. If you’re hungry.”
John pulled out his phone. “Dani was right, by the way. There’s a pizza place in town that’s open until three. Any specific toppings?”
Rupert piped up. “You know I’m good with anything except anchovies.”
I shook my head. “I still can’t believe people put that nasty shit on their pizza.”
“Right? It’s gross. Fishy tastes don’t belong on pizza.”
“Though I’d eat pickled halibut like it was my day job, if I had some.”
Rupert’s jaw dropped open. “You like that shit, too?”
Max rolled his eyes. “Oh, here we go.”
John butted in. “Three large meat supreme pizzas, one with all the vegetables, one with nothing else, and one with hot sauce. Anything else?”
I licked my lips. “What about something sweet for dessert?”
Max chuckled. �
��I’ve already got dessert right here.”
He pulled me against his side and the guys lifted their beers in the air. As if to cheer the actions they knew would take place after we were done feasting.
I sighed. “Anyway, pickled halibut is awesome. If you’ve got a connection, I expect you to hook me up. You know, for saving your ass and all.”
Rupert chuckled. “We’re family. I’d hook you up anyway. I’ve actually got four jars in my fridge right now. I’ll give you one to hold you over. You put it on crackers?”
“I’d put that shit on anything. You should make a sandwich out of it sometime. A bit of pepperjack, some spicy mustard. Holy hell, that’s eating.”
Max shivered. “You guys are gross.”
I laughed. “More for me, then, I guess. Don’t worry, though. I’ll let you know when I’m munching on it so you don’t accidentally kiss me.”
John chuckled. “There’s no ‘accidentally’ doing anything around pickled halibut. You can smell that shit from a mile away.”
Rupert shook his head. “And it’s the best shit alive.”
Max wrinkled his nose. “Nope. I’m good. Thanks.”
John tucked his phone away. “Got the order placed. It should be here in about thirty-five minutes.”
I leaned my head against Max. “So what do we want to do until the pizza gets here?”
We all looked around at one another before Rupert turned to face the porch.
“Want to sit outside without fear of being picked off?”
And the four of us couldn't dash outside to the porch table quickly enough.
31
Max
I tossed the last of the beer bottles into the trash can as snores came from the living room. I brushed my hands off on my jeans and walked into the room, chuckling at the sight. Granted, it was almost four in the morning. So it didn’t shock me one bit to see everyone passed out. Dani was on the sofa with her legs tucked against her and a blanket pulled up to her chin. Rupert was asleep upright in the recliner with his chin against his chest. I heard John’s honking snores all the way down the damn hallway, pulling in the curtains from the other side of the house. And as I walked over to the recliner, I drew in a deep breath.
For once, I felt at ease.
I put the feet up on the chair and leaned it back, which stopped Rupert’s snoring. I took the blanket off Dani and tossed it over him, knowing damn good and well the man would be passed out until noon at least. Then I walked over and gazed down at my beautiful, wonderful woman.
I smoothed her hair away from her face, dipped down, and scooped my arms underneath her. I lifted her into the air, holding her closely against my chest. I was still wide awake. More so from excitement than anything else. For my entire life, I had walked on eggshells because of my father. I jumped at every little sound because I wondered if he was coming for me. For years, I had kept my guard up, always questioning things and always wondering if people around me were in cahoots with him. And now, for the first time in my life, I had no worries on my shoulders.
It was something I wanted to celebrate.
“Here we go,” I murmured.
I kicked the bedroom door closed behind me and felt Dani stirring against my chest. I walked over to the bed and settled her down just as her eyes fluttered open. She drew in a deep breath, curling deeper into me. And as I pulled the comforter up her body, I kissed her forehead.
“Go back to sleep, gorgeous. You’ll need your strength for the morning.”
Her hand clapped against the back of my neck. “What if I have my strength now?”
Before I could respond, she pulled my lips down to hers. She commanded my presence, taking what she wanted as my cock lurched against my jeans. I leaned into her kiss, feeling our tongues colliding as I willingly granted her entry. Her hands threaded through my hair, clinging to me as she tugged me onto the bed. I climbed on top of her, wanting nothing more than to sink myself into her glorious curves and lose myself in her wetness.
Her nails dragged down my jacket. I sat up and slipped it off, tossing it to the side. I ripped my shirt off and dropped back down, my lips falling to her neck. Our clothes came off in a tired flurry of stunted movements and giggles. We rolled around like virgins, struggling to get the blanket away from our feet as our clothes tripped us up.
“Stupid panties,” she hissed.
I chuckled. “Such a hassle. Might as well not wear them.”
“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”
I let out a soft growl. “If we had our own place, you’d never have clothes on.”
“Mmm, I like the sound of that.”
My body blanketed hers as her legs spread wide for me. My aching cock found her pussy lips, and I felt them wrapping me up. Warming me. Slicking me with her juices as Dani kissed my jawline. I rocked against her, feeling my cock working its way to her entrance. She gasped as my tip caught against her opening. I smoothed her hair away from her forehead as her half-hooded eyes met mine.
“Please, don’t ever leave me,” she whispered.
I shook my head. “You’ll never have to worry about that. I promise.”
I captured her lips as I pushed myself in deep, swallowing back her moans. I pinned her wrists above her head, opening her body as her tits fell against my chest. Our hips bottomed out together. I felt her walls crying out for mercy. My cock thickened, spreading her more as she wiggled and groaned against my lips. I slowly drew back, feeling her arousal leaking down my balls. Oh, so wet for me. A heady sensation sent electricity sizzling up my spine.
“My God, you feel so good,” she moaned.
I kissed her puckered nipple. “Not as good as you feel. Trust me.”
I sucked her pert peak between my lips and licked. She jumped against me, moaning into the room as I slammed my cock back into her body. She groaned as I pulled back out, only to do it again. My tongue taunted her tits. My cock stuffed her full. My hands pinned her down while her walls clamped around my girth.
There was nothing more perfect on the planet than her.
Than the feeling of her.
The taste of her.
The sight of her.
“Dani.”
“Oh, Max.”
“Dani, holy fuck.”
“Faster, Max. Faster. Please. Oh, shit.”
Skin slapping skin filled the room as I kissed my way back up to her lips. I released her wrists, feeling her arms effortlessly fly around my neck. Her nails dug against my skin. Raking, and scratching, and tugging at the beast within. I looked down upon her--upon this woman that gave herself over to me--and my heart swelled with delight. I reached down and hooked my arms beneath her legs. I brought them up, pinning her knees against her body. Her pussy opened up for me as her jaw unhinged, and I felt my cock slip even further into her glorious body.
Then, as I stroked, her eyes bulged.
“Oh--oh my Go--what, what is that? What? What are you--?”
I chuckled as a wide smile worked its way across my face. I planted my knees into the bed and pounded into her as the frame of my bed creaked. Her back arched and her tits jumped for my viewing pleasure. I watched her entire body flush from top to bottom as her toes curled tightly. Her walls massaged my cock, pulling my balls into my body. And as I felt my ending approaching, my hips began to stutter.
“Come with me,” she whimpered.
“I am. I am. Dani. Fuck. I love you. Forever. I love you so much.”
“Max!”
I collapsed against her and bit into her breast, latching myself on to her any way I could. Her body quivered against me as her walls pulsed, milking me for all I had. Arousal shot from the tip of my dick, filling her and coating her walls with my mark. I sucked that patch of skin, sinking my teeth deeper. Listening to her moans and groans splashed with the occasional whimper.
Then our bodies collapsed together.
Spent, tired, and sweating.
“I love you,” she panted.
I kissed the tee
th marks I’d left behind.
“If there were a stronger word than ‘love,’ I’d use it,” I murmured.
I locked myself around Dani and quickly rolled over. She giggled as I pulled her along with me, rolling us out of the mess we’d created together. With her body pressed against mine, she wiggled her way down, slithering her soft skin against my muscles until her ear settled against my heart.
I loved it when she did that.
As my fingers stroked mindlessly through her hair, I stared at the ceiling. I let my body relax against the mattress, and I didn’t once peek out the window. I didn’t home in on the sounds around me. I didn’t keep one ear trained to the hallway. I just lay there, all of my senses tuned into Dani, as her panting turned into even breaths.
Before they quickly devolved into soft snores.
I chucked. “Sleep well, my queen.”
She nuzzled against me as if she’d heard me, and it pulled a smile onto my face.
I didn’t know if I’d sleep at all tonight. I didn’t know if I’d wake up at a decent time, or if I’d crash in the middle of the day. And for once, none of it mattered. Such a freeing feeling, to be honest. I always had my days planned down to a T, for security purposes more than anything else. I knew the safer times to go out during the day because I was aware of my father’s schedule. I knew when he’d be in town doing business, so I always made sure to stay away from the outside world until it was done.
I didn’t have to do that anymore, though.
If he goes to prison, who gets his house?
Or his money?
Or his cars?
I made a mental note to call an estate lawyer in the morning to try and get some of those details. Because if all of that fell to John and me for upkeep while my father rotted in prison, I had plenty of ideas regarding what to do with all of it.
To the benefits of the Red Thorns, of course.
32
Dani
I smiled as I fingered the soft bruise on my breast. The warm water felt amazing against my sore muscles, especially after a long night of rest. I hadn’t even felt Max get up this morning. I didn’t turn over until it was almost lunch time. And the first thing I wanted was a shower.
