by Becca Lee
Before I had the chance to ask my brother if he was okay with me and Mace, Diesel started speaking. "Riots having been pulling shit with the Drifters. Planting stuff in their businesses, calling in the law." Mace's hand stilled against my skin, and his muscles became taut. "They've never pulled this shit before, especially getting involved in any way with the police."
"Did you not think I could have helped find shit out for you? Fuck, Diesel—"
"No. I needed you with Lena." He glanced at me.
While there was a heap of club business I had no clue about, Diesel always told me as much as he could. It helped my stress levels to be in the loop and not be taken by surprise.
"But," my brother continued, "I need you to help out now, make a few calls."
"Done," Mace said, his voice hard.
There was something else wrong, something Diesel was building up to. A frown dipped his brow, and his jaw ticked. I knew his tells. And whatever it was, it was clear Mace was at the centre of it and wouldn't like it.
Mace was moving to pull his phone from his pocket when Diesel stopped him. "Just wait, brother. There's more."
I moved my hand and rested it on Mace's thigh. Above the table, he gave no outward sign of my gesture, but his tight muscle relaxed a little.
"Nox is trying to make a deal for early release by giving up some serious intel."
Even though Mace and I had yet to talk about his history with Nox, I knew the name, and I knew the bare-bones story of the tragedy surrounding his fiancée's death. I remained still, trying to stay calm while waiting for the explosion.
"Over my dead body."
Hearing Mace's deadly calm voice speak with such conviction sent a chill through me. He was serious. Closing my eyes, I took the time to count my breaths, having no clue how to process this conversation. Mace shifting and moving away from me snapped my eyes open. He stood abruptly, his face devoid of emotion.
"I have to go." He nodded at the table and walked away without a backward glance.
What the fuck!
My eyes widening in a combination of hurt and disbelief, I clambered off the bench. Diesel reached out and grabbed my arm. "Just leave him to get his shit together, Lena."
I snatched my arm away, my disbelief transferring to my brother. I had to wonder why men thought they could sort shit out on their own, because it never fucking worked. And there was no way Mace was dismissing me like that.
I raced after him and called out when my feet hit the tarmac. He stopped outside his car and angled his head low. He remained in that position, waiting for me.
"Care to tell me why you thought it was okay to leave me like that?"
He turned, surprise etched on his face. While we'd known each other for years, and had had forty-eight hours of “get to know me” time, he'd never seen me pre-attack before. It seemed my inner diva was itching to get out and eager to find her voice.
"Because I have to wonder, Mace, whether I need to call you on your shit and put you in place or kick you in the balls until you start begging for my forgiveness." My voice held a slight waver on the last word, but I was determined to stay strong and hold true.
His eyes flashed with heat, and he took a large stride towards me, putting us almost toe to toe. I angled my head to look at him. Emotions flashed across his face, many I couldn't even begin to decipher. Just as I was about to tell him to choose one, his lips crashed down on mine. He took my lips in a fierce kiss. My mouth opened immediately for him, allowing him to take what he needed. He was in pain. He needed to let go and let me in. Deepening the kiss, he coaxed my tongue with his, allowing a slight caress.
His mouth was perfect. His kiss sinful and delicious.
The pounding of my pulse flooded my ears, almost mimicking the tempo of our lips moving against each other’s. Trailing a hand up my back, he stopped midway and pulled me tighter against him. Repositioning my head, I embraced every stroke, every caress. A wanton groan escaped into his mouth when I settled against his straining cock.
Breathless, I eased the kiss, allowing it to slow, before leaning my head away.
Mace rested his forehead against mine and tugged me into a hug. "I'm sorry. I just reacted, and then thought I was protecting you."
"Don't."
"What, protect you?" he questioned.
I sighed. "You can protect me. That's not the problem. It's the shutting me out that I won't allow." Pressing my face tightly against his shirt, I inhaled his scent, smiling at the mixture of soap and Mace.
A deep sigh escaped him. "I won't. I promise, but I just need time."
"Okay," I agreed. I stepped out of his embrace. "But tomorrow we need to talk about this."
He cupped my cheek. I leaned into his touch and smiled. "Bring a change of clothes to work tomorrow."
I raised my brows in question.
"I want you back in my bed tomorrow. Hell, I want you to come home with me now." I was so tempted to shove him in the car and plant myself down in the passenger seat, but I restrained myself. "I know I won't sleep well tonight, and I have some calls to make. Okay?"
I nodded reluctantly, keeping my smile fixed in place.
"And I promise we'll talk tomorrow." Placing a chaste kiss on my lips, he took my hand in his, led me back to the club entrance, opened the door, and walked me inside. My eyes connected with Diesel's and he threw me a wink. Mace turned me in his arms when we reached Diesel's table and kissed me gently. While it wasn't passionate or hungry, it told me I'd be on his mind. I could live with that.
I reluctantly sat down, my cheeks warm when I glanced around the room to see a whole heap of smirks.
"Lena will come home with me tomorrow, and I may need Kid to stop by for a couple of hours at the office."
"Just let him know what you need." Diesel stood and pulled Mace into a man hug. I noticed the nod Mace gave to something that was whispered in his ear. Diesel sat back down, and Mace threw me a faint smile.
"See you in the morning, Lena. Call me if you need me, okay?"
"Will do." I watched him leave, wishing I could follow. When the door closed behind him, I rested my head against the tabletop. "I'm so screwed."
Diesel laughed. "I think you both are, princess."
#####
It was late by the time we went home. I’d expected Diesel to grill me a little, but he was exhausted. He'd managed to simply grunt at me once he'd locked the front door, set the alarm, and kiss me on the head, before disappearing to his bedroom.
That left me edgy. Pent-up energy travelled through my limbs. The past forty-eight hours had left me tired but crazily wired. From me and Mace forming our relationship—after wild, hot monkey sex—to my meeting some of his family, to then discovering my brother approved, while the ghosts of Mace's past had come knocking on the door, it was no wonder my mind was buzzing.
I didn't really have girlfriends I could text or call to vent to. It was something I missed. My uni friends had moved on, going forward with their own lives after I left. A few had tried to stay in touch, but that first year after the attack was especially hard. I'd been in a dark place, and nobody was really able to reach me. Not even Diesel. It had been hard on him.
Lying in my bed, I thumbed through my Kindle for something easy to read. The knowledge of how badly Diesel had taken my attack always hit me hard when I thought about it. I really did need to take full control of my life, for his sanity as well as my own. I needed to get out from under his feet and out of his house. If he guessed that I was even thinking such a thing, I knew he'd hit the roof. He'd never admit to me how much he hurt, how lost and alone he really was. Sadness hit me, quickly followed by renewed determination.
I would get there. Come hell or high water, we'd both find our happy place.
I picked up my phone, deciding I should really make an effort to get to know some of the women at the club better. I was friendly with a few, Janie included, but we weren't quite at the stage of pick up the phone and talk shit yet. One day, though, it would be
good to make that happen.
Instead, I texted Mace. After the news of Nox, he wouldn't be in a place where he needed to talk. I got that, respected it even. It didn't mean that I couldn't let him know I was thinking about him.
Me: Don't stay up too late. I don't want you falling asleep on me tomorrow. :]
I realised I was waiting, staring at my goddamn phone, waiting for him to text me. After just two days I'd apparently become needy. I snorted in derision, shook my head at myself, and placed my phone and Kindle on my bedside table. I flicked off the light and lay back, pulling the sheet over me.
I’d closed my eyes for barely five seconds before I released an annoyed huff. I turned to my side and stared at my phone, just seeing its outline in the darkness, helped by the light spilling in from the moon. I grabbed the phone and reopened my text.
Me: Miss you.
It was what I'd really wanted to let him know the first time, so why fool myself or attempt to play games? Life was too damn short for bullshit. Satisfied, I placed the phone back and snuggled down.
He didn't need to text me back. My message was enough for both of us.
I yawned, turning over, my bed creaking lightly. I placed my palm on my cheek and forced my breathing to slow. It was amazing that even when truly bolloxed, it could be difficult to fall asleep. It was one of those damn nights. I wasn't quite sure how long I’d been lying in the darkness debating counting sheep when I heard the faint rumble of a motorbike. It moved closer until it suddenly stopped. I held my breath in anticipation. There were occasionally times when someone would come by to speak to Diesel in an emergency if he'd called them over. But I didn't hear any movement coming from the back of the house or the hallway.
I released my breath and breathed shallowly, remaining quiet so I could listen. My breathing and my heartbeat were the only sounds registering. Then crunching gravel. Soft footfalls. I sat up and climbed out of bed, making my way to the window. We lived in a two-storey house, which meant I'd be able to get a good view of the yard and driveway.
The security light flicked on, making me jump, lighting up my room. A quiet curse followed. I nudged the blinds aside to peer through my window, my heart speeding up and my stomach doing backflips when I saw him. Mace.
He stood below my bedroom window, his phone in hand. Pushing the blinds aside fully, I opened the window and leaned out. "Mace?"
Immediately, his head tilted up, his eyes meeting mine, taking my breath away in an instant. A wide, perfect grin spread across his face.
"You okay?" I asked.
He nodded. "I am now."
"Give me a sec." I darted back into my room and made my way quietly into the hallway then headed downstairs. After deactivating the alarm, I unlocked and opened the front door, my fingers clumsy in my eagerness.
Pulling the door open, he was before me in an instant. His lips on mine. Claiming me. Possessing me. I gave him everything I had, everything he needed as I leaned into the kiss, standing on my tiptoes and opening to him.
He spun me around, using the movement to back me up. He closed and locked the door, then pressed me against it. His tongue caressed mine, our lips dancing perfectly. Hands on my arse, he tugged me towards him, his groin pressing against my stomach. Mace groaned and pulled away a fraction, lavishing me with small kisses, working his mouth down my neck.
"I missed you, too, Lena."
I grinned and released a needy sigh as his wet mouth latched on to my nipple through my thin cami. "I sort of figured that out." He bit down lightly, making me gasp.
"I didn't want to sleep without you."
I pushed my chest against him, demanding more as he continued to caress my breasts and nipples, his hand joining his mouth to work both over. "You want to sleep?"
He laughed and leaned away, lowering his eyes to mine. "After, yeah."
Smiling, I tugged him towards me, backing away and heading for the stairs. "Hold on." I paused beside the alarm, resetting it, and then led Mace to my room. My girly bits cheered while my heart beat rapidly. I was so damn excited that he'd come for me.
Once in my room, Mace closed the door and flicked the lock. I grinned before taking him by surprise and launching myself at him. I was impressed with his ability to catch and manoeuvre me. Though, I hadn't really expected anything less from this man.
After stripping each other quickly, we fell onto my mattress, making hasty work of building ourselves into the frenzied state of exhaustion we both craved. Sated, Mace held me in his arms until we both passed out and drifted into oblivion.
#####
I stretched, my hand making contact with hard, delicious flesh. I turned my palm so it touched skin and squeezed, my nails lightly grazing Mace's moulded chest. A tempting groan escaped his lips, and my body reacted, my clit throbbing. I glanced across to see his eyes were closed and then down to see his morning wood standing to attention. A grin spread across my face as I remembered how he'd woken me the previous day with his face between my legs. It seemed too good an opportunity to pass by not returning the favour. Taking the few stealth qualities I possessed, I shimmied down the bed, trying not to wake him. While it wasn't the first time I'd taken him in my mouth, the fact that he slept sent thrills through my body. I wanted him to wake with my hot mouth around him. The anticipation made me eager, and my clit pulsed again. Fuck, I was horny.
Heading towards his groin, I allowed my gaze to soak up his beautiful tattoos. I was tempted to reach out and stroke them, kiss them, but I didn't risk it, not wanting him to wake until my mouth was wrapped around him. When I reached his sexy V, it screamed for me to lick every inch of it. His muscular body was formed to perfection, and I loved that he was mine. My brain virtually shut down as lust took over. I needed to work this man over until he begged me to either stop and ride him, or to continue and finish him. I was up for either of those tasks.
Not wanting to rouse him with my hands, I didn't touch him immediately. Instead, I ran my tongue over his hard length, taking the time to explore the softness of his skin that contrasted perfectly with the hardness of his cock. I traced my tongue around the end, dipping my tongue into the slit lightly, tasting the tang of his precum.
He groaned. I glanced up and watched his stomach muscles become taut, straining. I smiled before I opened wider, took him fully into my mouth, and sucked hard.
"Fuck, Lena." He was finally awake. I sucked even harder, causing a gasp.
I peered up at him; he lifted his head and gazed down at me. Lust-filled eyes stared back at me, and he bit his bottom lip.
"Suck it harder, baby,” he said between moans, his eyes on mine.
I happily obliged, one hand moving to grip the base of his cock to help with the friction. Regulating my breathing, I inhaled through my nose before taking him deep until his cock hit the back of my throat. Lust, power, beautiful shock waves of energy pulsated through me. My body was on fire, needing to pull the same pleasure from him that he did me.
I expected him to drop his head back, but the look in his eyes, the grunts falling from his mouth unbidden, were enough for me to know he was enjoying watching me too much to let that happen.
"Lena, baby, fuck." He jerked his hips, thrusting into my mouth. I readjusted my rhythm to keep tempo. "I need inside you."
I continued sucking, using my tongue as much as I could to caress the underside of him. I was desperate for him too, but too eager trying to unravel him to stop.
He growled, his hips bucking as he fisted my hair. I took it all willingly. Just when I thought I had him, that he was going to explode, he pulled my head back so his cock popped out of my mouth. I gasped as he effortlessly manoeuvred me to straddle him. He quickly reached for a condom, tore it open and rolled it over his cock. Mace then lined himself up against my pussy and tugged me down.
I threw my head back when he filled me completely. I was slick and he was hard, the perfect combination. Returning my gaze to his, I settled my hands on his chest. I looked down at them, splayed across hi
s coloured ink. Always the perfect contrast. I smiled at the sight as I lifted myself up and pushed down, finding a pace that left me chasing my orgasm.
"Oh, God." I groaned when Mace reached out and pressed a digit against my clit. His fingers worked me over, light rubs followed by gentle pinches as I picked up my pace. I needed more. It was too gentle, too soft. "More, Mace," I said with a gasp.
He flipped me over and continued to move inside me. There was no slow and gentle. It was what I craved: rough and hard. Like a piston, he drove into me, his soft moans becoming grunts and heating my skin. His mouth then clashed with mine. He drew my tongue into his mouth and sucked before he pulled his head away and stared fiercely into my eyes as he ploughed into me.
My fingers clutched at his back, my nails digging into his flesh on each in-stroke. All too soon, my inner muscles tightened. My orgasm was about to hit. I bit my bottom lip, mildly aware it was morning, and my brother was a few rooms away. I held back my building scream.
Reading my body, Mace bent low and took my nipple into his mouth, sucking and biting it lightly. A gasp escaped my lips as I hung on for dear life. "Fuck, Mace!" I whispered. "Harder."
He growled, scooped his hands behind my back, and held on to my shoulder for a firm grip. My world exploded as he pounded into me, fierce, possessive, and so hard I tasted the blood from biting down on my lip. "That's it, baby. Come for me."
I jerked and writhed against him, unable to voice my pleasure. Shifting my hands to his arse, I held on tight and pulled him against me, spiralling into oblivion as my orgasm fully burst free. On a guttural groan, Mace buried his face against my neck, thrust once more and released inside me. I contracted around him, causing another groan to escape his lips.
Replete and euphoric, I wrapped my arms around him. "Can we wake up like that every morning?"
He raised his head and leaned on his arms to face me. "As long as we fall asleep like that too, you've got a deal." The playful grin and sincerity in his eyes had me swallowing back my emotion.
