Deny: A Dark, Erotic Motorcycle Club Romance

by Jade Chandler

  “Who the fuck are you and what did you do with my sadistic bitch of a friend?” Gigi gave me the stink-eye. “You don’t need no man’s permission, you are a goddess among men.”

  “Here I’m that. There, I’m an old lady and this old lady is worried about her reception.” I stared down at my fingers.

  “That’s it. Get your juicy, white ass up, go pack your bags and you move yourself into his bed and his life. Doubts like these tear you apart, rip you to shreds, so go face them. You won’t know what’s possible if you don’t fight for it.”

  “Yeah?” I knew how to fight.

  “Hell to the yeah.” She pushed my shoulder. “Go on, scoot out of here and we’ll see you next Friday night, bring your man. We like seeing you two together.”

  “Okay. I’m doing it. I’m going to go home.” Shit, I said home. When had I started thinking of Jericho as home?

  I shut up my dungeon and gave Lash instructions for the apprentices before I hurried to the house to pack a couple bags for a long stay, then pointed my car toward Barden.

  Despite all the hurrying I’d done it was still after seven when I parked in the clubhouse parking lot. I’d decided to surprise Jericho, unable to commit to texting him my new plan. What if he didn’t want me to stay? Viper could be wrong.

  I no longer wanted the distance between us, but we’d never be the hearts and flowers couple Rock and Avery were. I didn’t believe in love, just lovers who held my attention. And right now, Jericho had all of mine.

  I left my bags in the car for later. I swallowed down the lump of fear, refusing to worry about my reception. I closed my eyes and channeled all the confidence I had. Of course he’d want me because I wanted him.

  I strode into the clubhouse and froze. Jericho laughed at a table full of men playing cards and on his lap was that tart—Jayna. She saw me first and her smug smile kick-started adrenaline and fury that sped through my veins.

  Miss me my ass, I flexed my fingers and ate up the distance between me and the bitch who was just about to get a beating of the like she’d never forget.

  Her smile melted into fear and she clutched Jericho tighter. He glanced up, saw me, and the humor left his face. “Marr, this isn’t what—”

  It seems. That’s what he would’ve said if the bitch’s scream hadn’t drowned out his words. I’d snatched her by her bleach-bottle blond hair and drug her off my man’s lap. Dragging her across the floor, she finally got her feet under her and scurried to stay on them. I twisted her arm and marched her to the front door. “You have been kicked the fuck out of this club. You don’t fuck here, you don’t eat here, you don’t step foot in this clubhouse, in our parties. You are done touching my man.”

  Holding the bawling woman with one hand, I wrenched open the door and I pushed her forward. She flailed and fell down on hands and knees among the gravel.

  “You have no right to kick me out. I work for Bear. I belong here.” She wailed at me.

  Oh no she didn’t just sass me. I stalked forward and smacked her across the face. Her head rebounded back and she stared at me disbelief clear on her face. “You may still work for Bear, but you don’t belong, bitch, and you’re out. I will kill you next time I see you.”

  She glanced up at me. Fear dilated her eyes and she looked away.

  “You understand me.”

  She scrambled to her feet. “I’m gone. Crazy bitch.” She pranced away, trying to run in her mile-high stilettos.

  I turned ready to kick some biker ass before I left this piece of shit place behind.

  When I stormed back into the clubhouse only Jericho remained. Head down, he looked contrite, but I didn’t give a single fuck. He’d betrayed me.

  “How dare you sit here with that bitch on your lap while I worry and I debate should I come here, stay here with you.” I fumed as I closed the distance to him. “And while I decide yes I’m staying here with you because I hate the distance between us, you’re fucking around on me.”

  I brought my hand back and smacked his face. He didn’t even try to duck.

  I smacked him again. He took it.

  “You stupid fucking bastard, how many times you fuck that bitch while you were fucking me?”

  Mismatched eyes met mine. Rage banked deep in them. I hauled back to smack him again but he caught my wrist.

  “None.” He growled and drug me to him. “I was wrong to let her on my lap, but I didn’t kiss the bitch, didn’t fuck the bitch, just let the moment go too far. Hell, I was about to boot her when you walked in.”

  I snorted. “Sure, you were. I don’t know how I can believe a goddamn word you say. And here I was pining for you and you had company all damn day.” I pulled my hand from his and turned to leave. I was done with this shit.

  I made it three steps before Jericho grasped me tight, stopping me midstep.

  “Let me go, son of a bitch.” I struggled but it was like trying to move a brick wall.

  “Not a fucking chance.” He flipped me to him. His mouth covering mine in a desperate kiss.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Jericho

  I had claimed her and no way was I letting go. When she’d said she came to stay, I felt light for the first time in weeks. Having her in a separate town sucked. Now I’d battle for her before I lost her. I’d spent days wishing she was in my bed when I woke up and in the club by my side, but I refused to ask.

  Now she was here saying she wanted what I did. No way I was letting that go because I’d been stupid for a few fucking seconds. I let my hands fall from the grip at her waist to caress her round ass as she struggled in my arms.

  Then her kiss went from forced to fiery in a heartbeat. I almost stumbled back from the passion she let loose. Her hands tangled in my hair as she pressed into me. We melded together until I wasn’t sure who the aggressor was, but it didn’t matter. I surrendered to her kiss and let her own me, she swamped me with the intensity of her claim. Regret warred with need and I wished to turn back time.

  Her hand moved down my chest and lower until she cupped my cock. Wild and reckless, she pushed me to follow her, but I held back. We needed to talk this through before I found myself buried deep in her begging for just a bit more. Some part of me recognized it’d be a mistake to let this go another second because she deserved better from me, should expect better from me.

  “Marr, we need to talk.” I leaned away as she tried to claim my lips again. “Now.”

  The moment she remembered Jayna her eyes changed, turning cold and distant. “Nothing to talk about.” She struggled to get out of my grip, but I held firm.

  “Dammit, you need to calm your tits and listen to me.” I made her meet my gaze. “Yes, I’m a stupid fuck. Yes, I let that bitch on my lap, and I’m sorry.”

  She froze in my arms and speared me with her gaze. “And now what?”

  “Ask Dare, ask Zero—she wasn’t here with me. I just raked in a big pot and she hugged me, plopping down on my lap. It wasn’t innocent, but I didn’t do anything else.”

  She rolled her eyes and looked away.

  “I want you here.” I shut my eyes and cursed myself for an idiot. “Please stay.”

  She pulled out of my arm and strode away from me, pacing back and forth. “You’re a shady bastard.”

  “I am.” I agreed, knowing I’d beg if I needed to.

  “How the fuck can I leave now? I don’t fucking trust you or these sheep.” She pointed at me. “And I’m not a liar, I see her again I will kill her.”

  I let out the breath I held. “Deal. You had every right to kick her out and be pissed at me. I could make it up to you.”

  “And how will you do that, boy-o?” Her face softened and for the first time since she’d drug Jayna out by the hair, I relaxed. She wasn’t leaving me.

  “By loving your
cunt better than any man.” I already ached for her and couldn’t get her in bed fast enough. “I’ll start now.”

  “Oh no.” She waved a finger at me. “I need to wash away the taste of bitch with some whiskey, and you can tell me why you wanted me back.”

  I groaned and opened my mouth to bargain, but closed it when I saw the determined set of her jaw.

  * * *

  I woke the next morning before her and had an endless list of shit to do, but I couldn’t tear myself away from her. Her porcelain skin was rosy in sleep. Peaceful, but even in sleep she didn’t look innocent, not Marr. She was an Amazon warrior whose ferocity wasn’t even tamed now. Damn, I was a sop, totally under her spell. What had happened to me? Years of fuck and leave wasted because the first time I let a woman close, I teetered on the edge of the no man’s land I promised to never enter again. Layla had paid with her life, and I wouldn’t repeat my mistake. Even if Marr was strong, no one was strong enough to survive my twisted head. Too much of my father in me, I guess.

  Her eyes blinked open, staring up at me. “You’re not gone.” Her sleepy voice hit me straight in the dick. “You’re always gone.”

  “You distracted me.” I turned to my side.

  She scooted into my chest, so close it was like she was trying to climb inside me. I leaned down for a taste and found myself wanting all of her, but she broke away and stretched.

  “Viper said maybe there was trouble here with the members.”

  I frowned and made a mental note to kick his ass.

  “Can I help with the trouble? I’m an awesome peacekeeper.” Her cold smile made me laugh. I bet she scared people into submission.

  I collapsed onto my back and considered what to share. “We think one of Ren’s group will push for a formal vote, a part of our bylaws that can question the leadership of the president, but I have no idea when.” It pissed me off that Renegade had any traction left in the club, but I had failed in getting rid of him so far. In all my grand planning for after the Old Man fell, I never once considered Renegade stepping up like this. He’d been a shadow for so long, I’d underestimated his power and now that mistake bit me every step I took.

  “Anything that brings solidarity, unites our group, is what I need. My rules to keep the women safe at Bound pissed off a lot of brothers, now I just don’t know how everyone stands.” I hated to admit that, and the fact Romeo’s guys had turned toward Ren instead of me only made the situation worse. “The hard old ladies, like Dogg’s old lady, they don’t like Mama, so I have no sense how their old men feel about shit. You could help there.”

  “I’ve been meaning to visit Misty. And maybe I’ll see more people there too.” She rolled over on top of me. “I need a back washer this morning.” She nuzzled my chest. “Would you be willing to volunteer?”

  “I’m your man.” I rolled out of bed and followed her to the shower where we spent a lot of time on dirty things.

  After our shower, we headed out for breakfast.

  “I’ve decided to never cook here again.” She glanced at me as if worried I’d give a shit.

  “Works for me. You might have to call for pizza some Sundays but no need to cook if it isn’t your thing. I don’t want Mama, you know that, I never wanted an old lady like that.”

  She froze and just stared at me. “That’s what she said.”

  I laughed and shook my head. “You might hear we had a thing, but we did not, even though I pretended we did.”

  “Why would you do that?” She grabbed my hand and started moving again.

  “Dare was being an ass, and I didn’t want to lose her from the club so I came up with the idea...but I ended up with four broken ribs and a trip to the hospital because it all went to hell.”

  “Did Dare express his displeasure with his fists?” She sat down beside me.

  “It’s what brothers do. We get pissed we fight. I didn’t even fight back because I was wrong, but Dare had to get in line because several of the brothers had a word to say about how I handled it.” I glanced at her. “It’s why I let you smack me last night.”

  Her cheeks turned a light pink, the only time I’d seen Marr blush. “I’m sorry about that, I have a wicked temper.”

  “It’s hot as hell when you go wildcat on me.” I kissed her hand. “I can hold my own.”

  Dare sat down with a plate full of bacon and eggs. “You need more damn cooks.”

  “I’m going to check on the kitchen and get some food.” Marr slipped out of her chair and toward the kitchen.

  “You’re a lucky bastard,” Dare growled. “If Marr hadn’t come I was about to kick your ass last night, but you don’t look too bad.” He smirked at me.

  “She got in some damn good licks.” My face still stung where she’d slapped me.

  “Try not to fuck it up again.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Marr

  I swung through the kitchen door to find Avery and Lila piling bacon in a huge silver pan. They glanced at me and both were right at my side.

  “Jericho’s a prick.” Avery frowned. “But I heard you beat the shit out of Jayna.” She giggled.

  “Does everyone know everyone’s business?” I hated that gossip passed faster than the wind through the bikers. “And if so, why don’t I know more good shit.” I fisted hands on my hips. “And we made up.”

  Avery’s jaw dropped and Lila closed it for her. “Want some food? We were getting ready to get our plates.” Lila turned back to the bacon. “There’s eggs in the oven and potatoes too.”

  “I’ll grab something out front, but I do need to know the women who don’t like you. The hard ones, that’s what Jericho called them.”

  “Shirley,” Avery said. “I’ll introduce you. She’s the queen of all things anti-Mama.”

  Lila snorted. “Yeah, lucky you.” But she gave me a nod.

  I’d gotten the seal of approval. Was it because I was here? Made up with Jericho? Or that I was going to befriend the wicked old ladies? Maybe all three.

  I went through the buffet with Avery. “Shirley will want to talk to you after you kicked ass last night, that’s the kind of thing she loves.”

  I piled up some more bacon and grabbed a banana as we walked across the room. Avery stopped and introduced me to a few old ladies along the way, and I tried to remember all the names.

  “Shirley is Maverick’s old lady, and she’s nasty.” Avery wrinkled her nose. “But she likes Rock so she likes me, I guess.”

  “Janie, good to see you here this morning.” Avery stopped at the table but didn’t talk to Shirley. “Is Misty feeling better?”

  “Walking with a cane now, so that’s good.” Janie winked. “She’ll be back at Bound before you know it. Now you, Marr, I hear you kicked some ass last night.”

  And that quick the ladies at the table all turned toward me. Avery made introductions and left me, claiming she needed to get to Rock before he came hunting for her. As possessive as he was, I believed her. The man rarely let her out of his sight, but then he had good reason. She’d been through hell just a couple months ago, and her dad still hadn’t been found so I figured Rock had a right to his worry.

  “Tell me,” Shirley said. “Did you really kick Jayna out of the club?”

  Had I? If Jericho wanted in my pussy anytime soon, he’d better back me. “Kicked her ass and kicked her out. I’ll take a knife to the bitch if she shows her face at the club.” Heat filled me just remembering the way she’d preened on his lap. “And Jericho too for that matter.”

  “I like you, girl.” Shirley laughed that harsh smoker’s laugh and ended up coughing for several minutes before she quieted down.

  I listened to the women gossip about old men and parties, trying to catch Janie’s eye to ask her about Misty and Sherilynn, but she was too engrossed in Shir
ley’s story.

  “But that was in the good old days, now the club is too controlled for my tastes.” She sniffed and glanced at me. “Your old man wants the men to hand him their balls.”

  That was bullshit. I’d bet good money this was about the Council’s policy on violence. “If a biker needs to hit our employees to get off, he don’t need his balls. I’d be happy to cut them off.”

  She bristled and opened her mouth but I beat her to the punch. “How’s Misty, Janie? Dogg like how she was treated? She’s just a woman trying to make a living and now she’s down four months, six months, maybe.”

  “That shit doesn’t fly with my man. I told Shirley that. It’s too expensive to hurt our girls who work at Bound.” Janie frowned at her friend.

  “Not many have any way to protect themselves. I know Ren gave me stitches and a black eye for no damn reason.” I met Shirley’s gaze. “He was kicked out because he hit me.”

  “He used to bring in the girls he was going to mark, but now he’s too lazy for that,” Janie growled.

  “You?” Shirley repeated. “Why did he hit a Domme?”

  “Because I didn’t want to fuck him, I think. He was pissed I went to bed with Jericho.”

  Shirley’s face flushed and she glanced away. Maybe she and Renegade were tight under the covers.

  “Well, seems excessive, all the same,” Shirley mumbled and switched topics. She started in on Lila, bitching about everything the woman did. I listened without comment, not able to agree but not wanting to undo my new bond with her. The wrinkled biddy wasn’t happy if she wasn’t putting someone down.

  Jericho stood from his table and I was drawn to him, followed his movement with my gaze. He caught my gaze with his own and strode toward me. “We gotta jet, places to be.” He nodded to Janie and the others. “I plan to stop by and check on Misty tomorrow. I hope she’s doing better.”

  Janie shot Shirley a dark look before standing up. “She’ll be glad to see you both.”

  I followed Jericho out the front of the club to his bike. “Where are we going?”