by Ravenna Tate
“Because I didn’t want the usual questions.” She averted her gaze. “Why didn’t you leave? Why this, why that? People who aren’t facing the same situation don’t understand. It’s easy to judge from outside. We truly believe we know what we’d do in any given situation.”
When she cut her gaze toward him once more, the clarity in her beautiful green eyes took his breath away. “But, Phenex, the truth is that none of us really knows what we’d do. How we’d react. What decisions we’d make. Not until we’re face-to-face with it.”
“I believe you may be right about that.” It was difficult not to let his own memories overwhelm him right now. “Is there anything I can do?”
“Yeah. You can keep this between us. Not even Chloe knows.”
“Of course.” It wasn’t vital to the running of the club for anyone else to know, so he’d keep his mouth shut.
“Thanks.”
“Thank you for trusting me.”
The expression on her face was so filled with longing that he almost told her how he felt, right then and there. “I do trust you, Phenex. I always have.”
A flash of sunlight on metal caught his gaze. He turned to watch a caravan of cars, led by a hearse, make their way toward them.
“Let’s get out of here,” she said, standing.
“You want to go get something to eat?” He had no idea why he’d asked. It simply slipped out.
A cute smile graced her face. “You mean like on a date?”
“No, I mean like I’m fucking hungry and I want you to join me.” His heart pounded.
“Been a fucking long time since I’ve been on a date.”
“Same here. And it’s not a date. It’s breakfast.”
“I’ve had breakfast.”
“Me too.”
“And it’s too early for lunch.” He opened his mouth, but she held up a hand. “I swear to God if you say ‘brunch’ I’ll run you over with my bike.”
Phenex laughed until tears ran down his face. He had no fucking clue why that was so funny, but it was. It was also the perfect levity the moment needed.
As the cars stopped on the road in the next section and people began to file out, he forced a serious expression to his face. “Okay. Time to go. We’ll figure it out once we’re on the road.”
“It’s a date.” She winked at him, and he had to work hard not to laugh again as they started their bikes and rode toward the exit.
Chapter Five
“Do you need to talk about it some more?”
Phenex had asked her the same question three times since they’d sat down to eat at Denny’s. “No. Honestly, I don’t.”
After he still didn’t stop staring at her, she asked the question she hoped he’d say “no” to as well. “How about you? Do you want to talk about your mom?”
“No.” His voice was firm and hard. Good. It wasn’t that she didn’t care. She did. Very much. But her emotions were too raw right now to deal with her grief or his. She needed time to sort this out.
“Give me some club gossip instead.” Phenex wasn’t quite as gossipy as Rahab, but since they were out of the building, he might be more willing to spill something. She was desperate to talk about anything other than the awkward scene at the cemetery.
He stuffed a forkful of pancakes into his mouth and narrowed his eyes while he chewed. “All right. Let’s see … Got it. I hear Kayla’s knocked up.”
Meghan nearly choked on the bacon she’d just put into her mouth. “What?”
“I thought maybe you’d heard whether it was true.”
“I haven’t, but that doesn’t mean it’s not true. Who did you hear it from?”
“Pinky. She said Kayla got sick doing laundry the other night.”
“That doesn’t mean she’s pregnant.” Pinky, whose real name was Nancy, was one of the sweetbutts who, along with Kayla, took care of laundry duties for the building. “That weird pasta and seafood side dish Rai made the same night left a lot of us feeling queasy.” Rai was always trying new dishes when it was her turn to cook dinner, but sometimes they didn’t go down well.
“Speaking of knocked up, how is Chloe feeling?” he asked.
Chloe was almost two months pregnant, and had been pretty sick through most of it so far. “About the same.” Chloe hadn’t intended to tell anyone about the pregnancy yet, but the rumor mill had spread it around. Meghan was fairly certain everyone who lived there knew by now.
An uncomfortable expression crossed Phenex’s face. Meghan resisted the urge this time to sigh out loud. “Ask it. Go ahead.”
“Are you a fucking mind reader now?”
“No, but I can read the thoughts on your face.”
“Fuck, Meghan. You’re kind of creepy when you do that.”
She laughed. “I can’t help it if you have an expressive face.”
“I don’t have an expressive face. Everyone always says so.”
“Well, then maybe I am a fucking mind reader? Or, maybe you’re only that transparent to me?”
“I’m a dude. I’m not supposed to be transparent.”
“Oh, Phenex, get over it. Seriously. Your gender has nothing to do with whether you show your feelings or not. Some people do, and some people don’t.”
He stuffed the rest of his pancakes into his mouth and this time didn’t wait to swallow the food before he spoke. That didn’t bother her. She was used to the ways of big, strong biker men. “I was going to ask you if you’d ever think about trying to have a baby again.”
Meghan put down her coffee cup because her hand trembled. She lowered her gaze to the half-eaten food on her plate, and bit her lip. “Legit question, but the answer is full of uncertainties. The right guy, the right circumstances…”
The right amount of trust, the absolute guarantee that he would never slap me, punch me, kick me, or yell at me for sport…
“I didn’t mean to upset you.”
She met his gaze, and had to blink back tears at the tenderness in it. Best to keep that emotion out of the conversation. “You didn’t. Thank you for asking. I know you meant well.”
A flicker of strong emotion filled his eyes. “I would never hurt you, Meghan. Never.”
“I believe you.” Why couldn’t she have met Phenex three years ago instead of Kevin? Why couldn’t she have come to Scotty’s Place instead of working in that two-bit dive bar in Lorain where Kevin hung out? And why couldn’t she have met him before some stupid twit named Margie had broken his heart?
“You all want more coffee?” Their server’s voice and sudden presence next to them broke the spell. They spent the rest of their meal making small talk, avoiding the subjects of babies and Phenex’s mother.
It would have been the perfect time for Meghan to confess her undying love for him, except she was scared shitless, despite her recent talk with Chloe. Even the emotions she’d glimpsed on his face and in his eyes, and the kindness he’d shown her today, weren’t enough to convince her he felt the same way. Because if he did, he’d have said something by now. He was always like this to her because they were good friends and great lovers in bed. That’s all it was.
Phenex might be a tad more sensitive than most of the other men in the MC, but he wasn’t a wuss by any stretch of the imagination. If he wanted a woman for more than sex, he’d tell her so. He’d never told her that, so Meghan had no reason to believe he wanted her in that way. Phenex enjoyed her in bed, and he enjoyed her company out of it, but that’s as far as it went.
The kindest thing she could for herself would be to let this obsession go. In the end, she’d be hurt far less than to let it continue, and be forced to watch when he finally asked some other girl to be his old lady. No way could Meghan deal with that. It was best to continue without the fantasies of belonging to Phenex one day.
When they returned to the club, they entered the property through the back gate again. They’d installed a card reader on this one, so now they each had to carry an electronic key with them. It was a pain in the
ass, but a necessary one these days.
Once they cleared the sight line of the two prospects guarding the back of the property this afternoon, Phenex surprised Meghan by pulling her close for a kiss. A very hot one. She tasted pancakes, bacon, and coffee, but didn’t mind because that’s likely what he tasted, too. He shoved his tongue into her mouth, and of course her pussy grew wet within seconds. This man had an effect on her body that was totally independent of whatever was on her mind.
“Wow. That was nice.”
“Just nice?” He was smiling, but it was clear his ego needed stroking.
“Okay. Fucking fantastic, as always.”
“You make me so fucking horny, Wonder Tongue.” His mouth moved to her neck, where he planted soft bites on her skin. It was nice to have things back to normal. Meghan needed something familiar right now.
“You do the same to me, Phenex.” She reached between their bodies and stroked the bulge in his jeans. “Maybe we should take a short walk along the trails? Doesn’t sound like anyone’s out riding yet.”
“Oh, baby…” There it was. The voice shudder. She smiled and took his hand. “Come on, big boy. I need dessert.” She led him along the trails, far enough away from the building where they wouldn’t be easily spotted. Not that it would matter if anyone saw them, but Meghan wasn’t in the mood for a gang bang right now. She only wanted Phenex.
They rounded a curve in the trail, and she walked into the brush before dropping to her knees. “Meghan, you’re so fucking sexy.” He grabbed her head and held onto it as she freed his dick from his jeans. “Open your mouth. This won’t take long.”
That was the dominant, gruff voice she preferred. The one she was used to. The one that grounded her in this world, and reassured her that she was doing what the MC members expected and craved from her. She was their Wonder Tongue. Their Meghan. Bartender, cook, and sweetbutt. The woman who could always be counted on to give them a satisfying, mind-numbing blowjob, anytime they wanted one.
Phenex grunted and groaned as he thrust his cock in and out of her mouth. It was rough and deep, but she didn’t mind. Her clit throbbed, and her nipples tingled. Sucking dick always made her more fucking horny than anything.
But he was right. It didn’t take long at all. He cried out loudly and pumped faster now. Within seconds, her mouth filled with hot, tasty cum. Meghan swallowed it, and then teased the length of his shaft with her tongue before finally releasing him.
“Damn!” He sat on the ground, breathing heavily, his eyes barely focused as he gazed at her. “There is no one as good at that as you are. You should give the others lessons.”
Even as the image of every sweetbutt lined up, on their knees, in front of the members filled her mind, her laughter covered up the unexpected slice of pain as she also pictured Creamy, Pinky, Phil, Red, Zipper, or any of the other sweetbutts or dancers sucking Phenex’s cock.
How in the fuck was she supposed to get over her wanting him exclusively if she couldn’t even handle images like that? He’d already fucked every available woman in the building. More than once. And longer than she’d been here. He still did it. She knew that. It was their way. It was part of everyday life here. Something she’d accepted once she’d embraced this lifestyle and decided to become part of it.
Chloe had dealt with it before she and Gorgon grew close and fell in love. Rai had dealt with it, although that had been for days only. A few other patched members had old ladies who each had been dancers or sweetbutts here before assuming that role. Meghan wasn’t the only one.
Things weren’t going to change, so she’d best get her shit together or leave. And that wasn’t something she was prepared to do.
“Your turn, Wonder Tongue.” He pushed her onto her back, a sexy grin on his face, and pulled off her jeans and panties before she had time to react. Lifting her hips, he attacked her labia and clit with his tongue and teeth, forcing loud cries of pleasure from Meghan as her inevitable orgasm grew close.
“Fuck! You’re damn good at this yourself, Phenex.”
His only answer was a sexy moan, which sent shivers down her spine. Meghan closed her eyes against the sunlight on her face and gave over to the climax coursing through her. The contractions went on and on. She didn’t open her eyes until the unmistakable sound of a condom wrapper distracted her, and she realized he’d stopped eating her out.
“Only have one, but one’s all we need.”
“Where do you want me?”
“On top.” He donned the condom and laid on his back, while Meghan sat up, pulled off her shirt and bra, and climbed on top of him. “Fuck. Lower that hot, wet pussy over my dick. Now!”
She did as he commanded, crying out again as it filled her to the brim. Phenex grasped her hips and thrust deep inside, grunting with each pass. Meghan didn’t even have to touch her clit to get the orgasm going again. All she had to do was hang onto his arms and enjoy the ride.
He let go of her hips long enough to squeeze her tits together, but she kept up the rhythm, moving up and down until her pussy hurt and she didn’t think she could stand to come any longer. When he moved his hands back down to her hips, his thrusting grew stronger and quicker.
“Here I come again, baby.” And come, he did. Loud and proud. Meghan’s cries joined his as the incredible contractions swept over her once more. Fucking him was always fantastic, but out here, in the grass and sunshine, it was pure bliss.
When they both finally finished, he gently moved her off him, then tore off the condom and tossed it into the grass before pulling her into his arms. Fuck the fact that they were naked, outdoors. She wasn’t leaving. Meghan snuggled against his warm body and closed her eyes, letting her imagination run wild.
The fantasies of being his old lady were as much a part of her reality as everything else. How would she ever let go of them? She wasn’t convinced she could, even if she did understand it was the only way to keep from being hurt.
But here, basking in the afterglow, she allowed them free rein. She had no choice. Because she was head-over-heels crazy about Phenex, and she had no clue how to turn that off.
Chapter Six
Phenex’s plan, after he and Meghan went back inside the building, was to go up to his room and take a nap. But that was shot to hell and back as soon as he heard Donny’s booming voice down the hall, where the offices were located. If he and Meghan had gone around to the front of the property after returning from Denny’s, they’d have realized the Mob boss was here, and they wouldn’t have had sex just now.
Either way, if Donny was here on a Monday afternoon, it couldn’t be good news.
He and Meghan exchanged a glance. “I’ll go and help in the kitchen,” she said. They could already smell pasta sauce cooking, which meant Rai was in there, whipping up something Donny would like. And that meant he was staying for dinner, which really sent Phenex into worry mode. The only time Donny did that was when trouble was brewing.
After giving Meghan a kiss that left his dick hard as a rock, he forced himself to turn and walk away from her. Gorgon had likely been looking for him. A quick glance at his phone, which he’d silenced hours ago, confirmed it.
“Where the fuck you been?” Gorgon didn’t even give Phenex time to take a seat at the table. The other officers were already there, plus Donny.
Phenex nodded in Donny’s direction and ignored Gorgon. He wasn’t about to tell this group he’d gone to the cemetery, spotted Meghan there, spent three hours at Denny’s, and then had a little afternoon delight with her on the trails. It was none of their fucking business. He didn’t want to be here, listening to whatever shit was about to come down on their heads. He wanted to be back outside or upstairs with Meghan, fucking her.
Gorgon was still glaring at him. “My phone was on silent.”
“Don’t fucking do that again.”
“I’m here now, ain’t I?” Christ. Gorgon was their President and Phenex respected that, but he was also a fucking pain in the ass. Phenex thought having an ol
d lady, and a pregnant one at that, would mellow Gorgon. Not a fucking chance. How the hell did Chloe put up with him?
“Donny has news for us.”
Phenex took his seat and watched Donny take a long drink of whatever was in that glass. He didn’t look to be in any hurry, and he certainly didn’t look pissed off that Phenex had kept them all waiting.
He caught Vassago’s eye across the table, where the man was pointing toward his left shoulder. Phenex scowled at him, but Vassago kept pointing. When Phenex glanced toward his own left shoulder, his frown deepened. There was dried mud and grass all over his cut and down his arm on the left side. He brushed it off and refused to look Vassago in the eyes again.
Screw it. He was allowed to fuck a sweetbutt outside if he wanted to.
“The four men who came here two weeks ago were sent to find your weaknesses, but we already knew that,” said Donny. “They’re asking questions among the Outlaw Dogs, as we knew they would. The members of that group who are already acquainted with your MC have assured these newcomers that none of you would hesitate to take out anyone who threatened this MC or your business.”
That was good news. Why had Donny come here and made plans to stay for dinner just to tell them that?
“The reason I know all this is I have a man inside that group now. Not sure how long I can keep him there. They’re a suspicious bunch. Much worse than Howler and the others who didn’t split off from the original group. He also told me they’re thinking of moving their club up to Elyria or even Lorain. Might even go into Cuyahoga County.”
“Send them to fucking Queens!” said Vassago. His comment earned a laugh from everyone except Donny, who frowned deeper.
“Roberto di Stefano is as bad as they come. Mad Dog should have left it alone, but he didn’t.” Donny leaned forward and placed his beefy hands on the table. “I’m here to propose that instead of wondering where this group will go, or how far they go, that all of you consider moving this place as far away from the Last Stop Saloon as possible.”
