by Blair Grey
She sighed and gave a slight nod. I knew more than anything she wanted it gone right then, but that just wasn’t possible, and I wasn’t going to tell her we could do it right away, either. We were going to have to see what the artist had to say about it and go from there. As much as she hated waiting, it was just how things had to be.
We headed outside, and I started for the truck.
“Do you think we could take your bike?” Paisley asked suddenly, and I looked at her in surprise.
“Do you want to take the bike?” I asked.
“I mean, we don’t have to if you don’t want to, but I thought it looked like fun,” she said quietly.
“That’s fine with me.” I headed for my bike, and she brightened as she followed. It was encouraging to know she wanted to do something like that. It proved she didn’t want to spend the rest of her life hiding away somewhere and hoping she wasn’t found by this guy.
It wasn’t much, but it was something. And, I knew it was all these little things working together that were going to come together and help her get through this for good one day. But, I didn’t want to make too big of a deal out of it. I wanted her to feel secure and safe on the back of the bike, and if she was embarrassed with the fact I was excited to have her with me, then she might not hang on like she should.
We headed straight for the tattoo parlor, but it seemed to be Paisley grew tenser the closer we got. “Are you okay?” I asked her over my shoulder. She nodded, but bit her lower lip, turning it white.
“You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do in here, okay?” I told her.
She nodded. “Okay.”
“Come on.” I led the way into the shop, and we went straight to the guy who had done the art in the first place.
“How’s it healing?” he asked cheerfully, looking at me in surprise when he recognized Paisley.
“I hate it,” she announced.
“Uh-oh.” He shook his head, but I cut in before she had the chance to explain.
“She didn’t want to get the ink in the first place. It was her ex who made her do it, and I was hoping you might be able to tell me more information about the guy, as well as tell us what our options are to get this thing covered up,” I said.
“Well, for starters, you’re going to want to wait to get it worked on again,” he said.
Paisley groaned, and he gave her an understanding look. “Ink that fresh would be excruciating for you to work on right now, not to mention you would be exposing yourself to all kinds of infections if you tried to mess with it before it was fully healed.”
“I don’t care,” she said defiantly. “We can cut off my arm for all I care. I just want this thing gone!”
“No, we’re not going to do that,” I told her with a comforting squeeze on her shoulder. “We’re going to get it taken care of the right way. Don’t worry, I promise we’re going to get this taken care of, but we aren’t going to make it worse in the process, okay?”
She sighed, but I changed the subject back to the artist. “What can you tell me about the design?"
"Let me see…" He got on the computer and typed a few things in. “I know some about it, but I don’t want to give you misinformation.”
He typed a few more things into the search engine, and I walked around the counter to see what he was looking at. It wasn’t long before he was able to pull up the symbol online and tell me a bit more about the MC we were dealing with.
“I thought you said he wasn’t part of the MC?” I turned to Paisley, and she just shook her head, her face pale.
“I didn’t know he was. He’s never said that he was a member, but I guess if he marked me with the brand, he must be.”
“Either that, or he’s looking to become one,” I muttered. I thanked the artist for his help and took a few photos of the screen before telling Paisley it was time for us to go. I would send the information I found to some of the other guys. I knew with that help they would have what we wanted in no time.
We were hot on the trail, and it was just a matter of time before we were ready to strike.
He might not realize it, but this guy’s time playing a biker gangster was running short, and I looked forward to the moment when I could put him back in his place once and for all.
He had messed with the wrong woman, and now, it was coming to bite him in the ass. I didn’t care what I had to do to make it happen. Paisley deserved justice, and that’s exactly what she was going to get.
And, I was more than happy to be the one delivering the message.
Chapter 18
Paisley
“You don’t need to do that, you’ve already been doing so much for me. I hate to ask for anything else,” I said as I shook my head.
“You didn’t ask. It’s a nice day, and I think it would do you some good to get outside for a while. Don’t you want to be working on a tan or something anyway? Isn’t that what girls like to do?” Harley ran his hand through his beard, and a small laugh escaped my lips.
“That’s not all we like to do!” I said, unable to hide the smile.
“Well, it’s what I hear a lot, so I figured you must like it for some reason,” he shrugged.
I was sitting on the couch in the safe house with a book. I had never been one to watch a lot of TV, so even though there was one on the other side of the room, I would rather read a book and get lost in the pages and my own imagination rather than zone out in front of a screen.
Harley hadn’t spent the night with me the night before. It was the first night after six days of being in the house that he hadn’t, and I had to admit, I missed him. I wasn’t sure what it was about this guy, but I really enjoyed the time we spent together.
He left me with the impression that he wanted to see me. I felt like he wanted me to be around when we were together, and I felt like he actually cared about what I was doing. Of course, he still had his real life to live, and I wasn’t going to get in the way of that.
He had things to do with the MC, and he had a job. I wasn’t sure how busy it was for him to work at the auto shop, but there had to be some hours that he put into the place. I wasn’t going to ask him to spend all his time with me, especially when I insisted I was fine on my own.
And, I was.
I knew this wasn’t meant to be anything more than temporary, and even with how kind Harley was to me, I knew this was going to come to an end.
How did I think we were going to fall in love when we were so different?
I was the one he had all but saved out of the dreadful situation I’d gotten myself trapped in. He wasn’t going to want to be with someone he had to save, would he? I certainly didn’t think someone who had it all like he did would want to be with someone like me, that was for sure.
But, when he showed up at the house and asked if I wanted to go for a ride on the back of his bike with him, it was more than a little tempting. I loved riding on the back of that Harley, and it was hard not to jump up with excitement when he said he wanted to take me out again.
But, I had already taken so much from him. I was living in this house because of him, I was taking up a lot of his time and attention, and I was putting a lot of work on him helping me, too. To ask for this sort of thing almost felt like too much. I didn’t want to ask for too much from him, and I feared I was already on that path.
“Well, it is a nice day,” I agreed as I looked out the window. I’d thought that more than once, and had even considered going for a walk around the neighborhood before he showed up.
I knew I was supposed to stay close to the house, but it was hard for me when I felt trapped. Of course, I wasn’t going to risk getting caught by my ex. Not when I was already being helped so much by the Steel Wings.
No, I had to listen to what Harley had said, and he told me to stay put in the house when he wasn’t around. And, I had done that very thing. Now, however, with the offer to leave the house, it was hard for me to think about anything but the fresh air that would be out the
re, and the feeling of the sun on my skin.
“I wasn’t doing anything this afternoon anyway, and I thought it would be nice to get you out of the house for a bit. Do you want to come or not?” Harley asked.
His voice hinted at his impatience, and that was enough to get me to make up my mind. I appreciated all that he was doing for me, and I couldn’t say no to him offering to take me out on his bike when he wanted to do something nice for me.
I appreciated it more than he knew.
Dropping the book on the couch, I hurried to the bedroom to grab something to throw on before heading outside to meet him at his bike. I was grateful for the clothes the other women had brought, though I was looking forward to having the money to purchase my own clothes once more.
I had my own style, and I was eager to have the freedom to explore that.
It had been so long since I had been allowed to wear what I wanted to wear and do what I wanted to do, it was a new feeling.
With Harley, things were entirely different. Of course, I couldn’t say that we were together, but things with him just felt different. He really did care about me, and he didn’t want to tell me what to do. Hell, even right now, as I climbed onto the back of the bike with him, I knew he wanted to spend the time with me. It was more than just getting me out of the house; I could see in the way that he looked at me that he cared for me.
My heart skipped a beat as we rode off into the afternoon. It was an adrenaline rush, that was for sure, and one that I really enjoyed. I liked the rush of the air as it whipped around me, and the rush of the wind filling my lungs.
He turned onto a back road and started heading out of town, the highway stretching next to us on one side, and the trees on the other. I wasn’t sure where we were going, but I enjoyed the view the entire way. There was a lot of open space spreading before us, filling me with the thrill of possibility.
It was freedom like I hadn’t experienced in as long as I could remember, and that alone was enough to make me start to feel like myself again. As hard as it was for me to admit, I was starting to feel desires for Harley that were unlike anything I ever thought I would.
The more time I spent with him, the more I wanted to get physical with him. The more I wanted to do things with him that I’d been forced to do with Shade. And, when we pulled into the privacy of a little clearing, I knew I wanted to make a move.
Harley got off the bike and turned to me with a flashy grin.
“That was amazing,” I said. “Thank you.”
“You’re amazing,” he replied. He took a step forward and looped his hand around the back of my head. I closed my eyes as he leaned forward, not just expecting to be kissed, but wanting to kiss him in return.
It wasn’t the first time we’d made out, but I didn’t want this to stop at just making out with each other. I knew he would let end there, but I was going to push for more. I wanted more. I wanted to give myself to him, and I wanted him to take me. I wanted to be his even, though I hardly dared admit that to anyone, even myself.
Our clothes stared falling to the ground. I was amazed how comfortable I felt doing this in public. But then, we weren’t really in public. We were in a very secluded area, and though the sun was still able to kiss my skin as my clothes came off, that didn’t mean other people could see me.
I let out a soft gasp when Harley’s fingers accidently brushed my tattoo, and immediately, he apologized. “Are you okay?” he asked.
“It didn’t hurt, much,” I tried to brush it off. “I just hate that it’s there, is all. I hate it so much.”
Harley winced lightly at my words, kissing the tattoo before kissing his way up my body. “I don’t mind it. We’re going to get rid of it, and what really matters to me is you,” he whispered.
Goosebumps covered my body, and I ran my fingers through his hair. “I want you inside me.”
“Are you sure?”
I nodded. “Yes. I’ve wanted you for days now, but I’ve been too afraid to ask. Please.”
Of course, with our clothes on the ground, Harley had to know where this was going, but it only felt right to ask. I wanted to be in control of this, and by asking him to be inside me, I felt I had some of that control.
Harley lifted me, propping me against his bike as he spread my legs. I was already wet, practically dripping with the need to have him inside me. He slid his cock to the head of my pussy, but he hardly had to push at all before he sank inside me. I was so ready for him, so filled with the need to have him, that I took him eagerly.
I let out a soft moan as he pushed his way into me. I held myself up on the bike, using my hands to support myself on his shoulders, letting him thrust in and out of me.
There was something so different about having sex with Harley – it was like an entirely different experience.
He was the sort of lover who gave in the bedroom. He wasn’t taking from me, he was giving me himself, and I wanted more of him. I closed my eyes, letting him thrust in and out, taking me, making me his.
I was more turned on than I could ever remember being in my entire life. I wanted him, I needed him, and here he was, giving himself to me, making me his.
As I rose to climax, it was stronger than any orgasm I’d ever had. The waves rushed through me, reaching the tips of my fingers right down to the tips of my toes.
It was hot, passionate, and intense. It was everything I imagined sex could be. It was perfect.
As he came inside me, giving me his load, filling me with his cum, I knew I had made the right decision. I needed this. I deserved this. I was able to do what I pleased, no one told me what to do. This man didn’t control me, he empowered me, and I wanted to be with him.
I could never say so. I didn’t want him to think that I needed him to keep saving me in life. But, I knew deep down, I’d never forget him or anything that he’d done for me.
Deep down, I hoped there was a chance he could feel the same way. I knew it was a long shot, but I still hoped against hope it was true.
Just maybe, Harley would want me, too.
Chapter 19
Harley
We’d gotten dressed and were enjoying ourselves at the lookout when the call came in.
I’d wanted to take Paisley up to the lookout because I knew it was a safe place for her to be outside and not have to worry about her ex or anyone else coming up on us. Though there were plenty of other MCs in the area, this place was well-known as Steel Wings territory.
Anyone who invaded this place without being part of our MC or approved by our MC was just asking for problems, everyone knew it, and we were more than happy to enforce it any time we wished.
Of course, with such common knowledge, it was rare that anyone would even try to challenge the rule. No one wanted to get in a fight with the top MC in the area, especially when there were so much better things to be investing time and energy into than just a good lookout area that overlooked the town of Fallen Hills.
Still, it was one of the favorite places of the MC, and more than one of us were known to come out here to think and spend some time away from all the hustle and bustle of town.
I knew several of my buddies in the MC had brought their women out here when they were looking for a bit of privacy, and I knew it would be a great way to get Paisley out of the house, but still keep all her attention on me.
I knew she had a lot on her mind with her ex and the other MC. She hated the tattoo on her arm, and she’d made it clear more than once how much she wanted to have it removed. Of course, I was there for her. I wanted to get it covered up just as much as she did, but I wasn’t going to act like I even noticed it when I saw it on her.
I didn’t want to make her feel worse about it than she already did.
It bothered me that it was the mark of another MC, sure, but I knew we could talk about this with them, as well. Once we found out who it was and what was going on with them, then I would be able to work with Jett and Blade to come up with some solution to the problem witho
ut Paisley getting caught in the middle.
I had a feeling her ex was trying to get patched in, and that’s why he was doing all this stuff in advance. If he was had fucked up this early in the game, there was no doubt in my mind he was facing being permanently banished from the club.
Of course, he would try to cover for that by making his girlfriend take the blame for everything, turning on her and making her take the heat for whatever it was that happened. I thought it was low, and even more than that, it was the cowardly thing to do.
This guy was just looking for an easy way out himself, and he was willing to do just about anything he could to get out of this problem. He didn’t care about Paisley – all he cared about was himself. She had been unfortunate enough to be stuck in his web as he got into this, so she was too far in to just get out when it all came to light.
I was pissed off by the entire situation, and I made it clear to Blade and Jett when I saw them that I was going to do something rash when I found this guy. Of course, they were far more sensible about the situation than I was. Jett told me to calm down and figure out just who our enemy was before I got myself into a scrape I couldn’t get myself back out of.
“What do you mean?” I asked him when he said so.
“I mean, is this guy really invested in the MC, or is he going to pull a fast one on them, too? The more we know about how pissed off this MC is, the more we can plan an attack on either just him, or know whether we need to bring in more guys to take care of this. It could be something that we work out with the MC itself and not have to give another thought to the jerk who got us into this in the first place." Jett said.
I knew he had a point. He didn’t want to get into a war with an MC if there wasn’t reason to. Of course, we did what we could to stay on top in the area, but wars were deadly, and there was a chance that a fight with another MC could lead to several deaths in our own.
I might not get the chance to take out my anger on this guy directly, but that didn’t mean it was a lost cause. If the MC was being double crossed by him, then all Jett had to do was negotiate with them to make sure they took out their punishment on the right person.
