by Chiah Wilder
She smiled as she laid out her cooking utensils on the counter. “Remember how much you ate when I made jambalaya at Isa’s house? Charlie wasn’t too far behind you.”
“It fuckin’ kicked ass. It was better than my mother’s, and that’s sayin’ a fuckin’ lot.” The time they spent in Lafayette was damn good, and the way she’d sway her hips to the music when she cooked turned him way the fuck on. She still has a hold of your cock… and your heart. He had to admit that the white-hot anger he felt toward her after she’d told him about Andrew had subsided a lot, especially since she’d brought his son to see him. She’s trying, and I can tell by the way she looks at me that she’s still in love with me. Bringing Andrew without me asking was huge. Can I let her back into my life? As much as he hated to admit it, he missed the hell out of her. He wanted to bury his dick inside her while she wrapped her long legs around his waist, moaning and writhing underneath him.
“Do you want something to drink? I can get you a beer.” She poured a glass of white wine for herself.
“Nah. I gotta go.” I gotta go before I bend you over the counter and pound the fuck outta you. “See you later.” He strode out of the kitchen, went up to the bar, and hopped on a stool. A bottle of Coors and a shot of Jack were placed in front of him. He threw the shot back, the liquor going down smooth. “Fuck, that tastes good,” he said to Rags and Bones, who were seated at the bar chomping on pretzels and drinking beer.
“Nothing like a good shot of Jack,” Rags said.
“So, are you and Clotille together?” Bones asked.
Rock took a long pull on his beer. “Nah. We’re just hanging out because of Andrew. Why?”
“Clark was asking.”
A hot poker seared up his spine. “Who the fuck is Clark? And why the fuck is he asking?”
“You know him. He owns the gas station and convenience store right outside of town. We all go there. He’s a damn nice guy. He noticed Clotille when she came in with you a few times. He thinks she’s real pretty and asked if she was with you. I said I’d ask. I did, and so I’ll let him know she’s available.” Bones grabbed a handful of nuts and popped a few in his mouth.
Rock glared at Bones, the veins on his neck straining against his skin. “You’ll do no fuckin’ thing. She’s not available.”
“She’s got a dude? All the beautiful women are hooked up,” Rags said, and Bones nodded.
“She’s not fuckin’ hooked up. I’m outta here.” He jumped up so hard he knocked his stool over. He was so pissed off. There’s no fuckin’ way Clotille’s hooking up with any man. And this Clark fuck better back off. No one’s taking her. He stormed out of the great room, Rags and Bones’s guffaws grating on his nerves.
He marched into the kitchen but it was empty, the large pot of gumbo simmering away on one of the burners. Sprinting up the stairs two at a time until he reached his room, he opened his door and Clotille yelped. She stood in the middle of the room in her bra and panties, trying to cover herself with her sweater.
His stare washed over her from head to toe. “Why’re you hiding your body from me?”
Red stained her cheeks. “You startled me.”
“You’re not anymore. Let me see your body. It’s not like I never have.”
She shook her head. “We’re not like that anymore. You can’t just come in here and ask to see me, then walk out and take up with one of the club girls. That isn’t the way it works with me.”
“Who told you I was fucking the club women?”
“I can see what’s going on. You left with Wendy yesterday. I don’t have to have a high IQ to figure it out.”
He walked to her and traced his finger down her jawline. “So you figured out I was screwing Wendy?” She nodded. “There’s no way, chérie. The only one I’ve banged in the last four months is you.”
She rolled her eyes. “You expect me to believe that?”
He shrugged. “You can believe it or not, but I know I haven’t been with anyone since you and I were together in Lafayette. You fuckin’ do something to me that makes me think and want only you. Did you get a mojo bag when we were back home?”
She laughed softly. “I’ve been wondering the same thing about you. You’re all I ever think about. It’s like you’re pulling me to you all the time.”
“Yeah, like a fuckin’ magnet. I feel the same.”
“You do? I thought you hated me,” she whispered.
“Hate? I could never hate mon petit chouchou. Fuckin’ pissed at you… yeah, I was.”
“Was?”
“Not so much anymore. When I thought about it, I knew you did what you thought was best for our son. And you bringing him here just blew my mind.” He stroked her cheek with his finger.
“I wanted you both to get to know each other, but I didn’t realize how hard it would be to see you with other women.”
“You’re the only woman for me, always have been. Life just keeps kicking us in the ass, but I think it’s time we kicked back.” He took her face between his hands and kissed her gently on the lips. The contact with her skin was like touching a live wire, the spark going straight to his dick. He yanked away the sweater she held in front of her and she stood before him in a sheer bra and matching panties. He inhaled sharply, needing to lose himself in her lush body.
She trembled before him, tiny bumps peppering her skin as he glided his hands over her curves and softness. “Rock,” she moaned, then grabbed a handful of his thick hair and pulled his face closer to hers.
He felt his pulse quicken when her lips parted and she closed her eyes, sighing as he whispered her name. He outlined her lips with the tip of his tongue while his hand grazed her neck. A soft moan escaped from her throat, and he felt his cock swell in his jeans. “It’s been too long, chérie.” His lips brushed against hers as he spoke before he sprinkled feathery kisses over her face, her eyelashes fluttering on his cheek. Then his lips caressed hers and she circled her arms around his neck, pulling him closer, returning his kiss with abandonment. Her tongue plunged into his mouth and he had to adjust his jeans to relieve the throbbing ache of his cock as it responded to her scent, her touch, her taste.
“I want you so bad,” she whispered, her breath hot against his ear.
“I’ve been craving you since I saw you standing in the doorway holding Andrew’s hand. Fuck, chouchou, you send all my goddamned senses reeling. I can never have enough of you.”
He dipped his head and she cradled it against her soft breasts, his tongue lapping the thin fabric of her bra. With one fluid movement, he had her bra off and his mouth on her stiffening nipples. Each suck, bite, and pinch brought a melody of moans, whimpers, and cries of pleasure. He lowered her to the bed and hovered over her, his face only a few inches from hers. Tears prickled at the corners of her eyes, but he knew they were tears of desire, happiness, and love. Every time she kissed him, moaned his name, or held him, the steel around his heart melted. She was his and he was hers, and nothing could ever take that away from them.
“You make me so wet, cher. I love the way you feel inside me.”
“I gotta have you now, chérie. We have time for slow lovemaking later, but now I gotta fuck you hard. I wanna hear you screaming as I slam into you. I’m not going to hold out much longer.”
He quickly threw off his boots and clothes, then peeled off her bikini panties. His gaze devoured her ripe nakedness, his dick hard as granite. Her soft hands curled around his cock and he grunted from deep in his throat. “Chérie, I’m not gonna make it if you touch me. I’m so fuckin’ turned on I’m going to blow.” He spread her legs wide and smiled wickedly when he saw her glistening pussy. “I gotta have a taste.” He went between her legs and swiped his tongue over her engorged clit, the tip of his tongue flicking her bud steadily. He pushed a couple fingers up her slit, and his pre-come smeared against her thigh. She’s so hot and sexy. Fuck, I love this woman.
Kneeling, he leaned back and picked up her legs placing them over his shoulders. Grabbin
She went over the edge first and he watched as her whole body tightened and then shook, a feral look in her eyes. A sheen of sweat shone on her upper lip and forehead, and she scratched his chest with her nails. He pumped into her some more before his balls tightened and a rush of release shot through him as he pumped his hot streams inside her. Deep moans ripped from his throat as he thrust one last time, his spent cock warm in her tight pussy.
“Fuck, Clotille. That was fuckin’ awesome.” He kissed her lips, then rolled off her and lay by her side. He tucked her in close to him, her warm arm across his waist making him smile.
They lay sated, her fingertips drawing circles on his skin, his hand smoothing down her hair. “I want you and Andrew to stay. He needs me, and I need both of you.”
“Are you sure about that?” she asked in a low voice. “It’s not the incredible sex that’s talking, is it?”
He squeezed her. “No. The fucking just makes it better. I love you. I always have, and there’s no fuckin’ way I’m letting you and Andrew walk out of my life. I want this to work between us. We gotta at least give it a shot.”
“I’d like that. I love you too. Andrew adores you. We owe it to him to see if we can make it.”
“I want it to work. You’re the only woman for me.”
“And never forget that.”
He chuckled and held her close to him. “There’s no fuckin’ way I will.”
He’d take her with him to look for a house. Andrew had to go to school, so he’d enroll him first thing on Monday. Rock’s heart felt as though it would burst. Clotille had melted away the steel that had encased it, and she’d filled all the cracks in it. She was the reason he was whole again.
The storm had passed for them, and the two of them—once broken—had come out stronger. They were willing to fight for love.
And neither of them was ever going to quit.
Epilogue
Four months later
Andrew and Jack flew through the back door, their cheeks red from the cold. “Mom, you gotta come and see the baddest snowman ever!” Andrew stood next to his mother, his black eyes shining, as he gulped in air. “Come on.”
Clotille laughed. “Okay. Can you give me a minute to put on my coat so I don’t freeze to death?” She went to the mud room and put on her suede and shearling jacket. Opening the back door, she stood aside as the two boys ran out. As she approached one of the biggest snowmen she’d ever seen, Rock waved to her.
“Jack and I named our snowman Frostbite. Dad helped us with it.”
“I figured as much,” she said as she took in the leather jacket, skull bandana, and sunglasses. “All he needs is a motorcycle.”
“That’s for tomorrow.” Rock smiled, his black eyes sparkling.
“That’s gonna be so rad. My dad’s coming over to help,” Jack said as he jumped up and down in place.
“We’ve got all the brothers coming! I can’t wait.” Andrew picked up some snow and ate it.
“Is this an Insurgents’ winter project?” she joked.
“A lot of the brothers are coming over to help make the Harley. I was going to tell you. They’d love a big pot of gumbo after all their hard work.” Rock walked over to her and pulled her close to him, his cold, red nose nuzzling her ear.
“I’m glad you told me now instead of tomorrow morning.” She kissed him on his cheek. “All of you are frozen. Inside for cookies and hot chocolate.” The two boys dashed to the house, laughing and kicking up snow.
Rock turned her face and kissed her deeply. “Fuck the hot chocolate, kissing you is warming me up and then some.” He winked at her, and she pressed closer against him—their breath was vapor.
They kissed until Andrew’s voice broke them apart. “We better get inside. The boys want their cookies.” Cold licked at her face as they walked to the house, the snow crunching beneath their feet.
After peeling off their coats, Clotille put the milk on the stove while Rock built a fire. It had always been her dream to have a large, cozy kitchen complete with fireplace. They’d searched for the perfect house, but never quite found the one that spoke to them. After much discussion, they’d agreed that the only way to get what they wanted was to build it themselves.
Baylee had been the architect on their home, and had understood their dream perfectly. Clotille loved her home; she loved her life with Rock and Andrew. When they’d reconciled that autumn day four months before, she wasn’t sure if she could be part of the biker lifestyle. As time passed, she got to know the old ladies and see the workings of the club, and then she understood what the lure for Rock had been. Every brother was there for each other, the old ladies, the kids, and the club women. She’d been blown away by the loyalty and love the brotherhood shared.
She’d become fast friends with Cara, Addie, and Baylee, and they often got together for lunch. A couple of times a month the women and their men would go out for dinner and dancing. For Clotille, it was a fulfilling experience to go out with other couples. With Frederick she only had a couple of friends, and they were all in the lifestyle so their talk mostly revolved around their masters and the play parties.
She watched Rock as he stoked the fire. He’s just perfect, and he’s all mine. Every day that she spent with him, she loved him more and more. He was the missing piece in her life, and it’d taken her over a decade to figure it out.
“When the boys go upstairs to play video games, we should take advantage of the fire.” He winked at her, melting her insides.
“They’ll be playing for hours.” She held his gaze, desire burning in it. “Are you up for good old-fashioned necking?”
With a seductive grin, he said, “I’m up for anything as long as it includes you and me together, chérie.”
“Is the hot chocolate ready yet, Mom?” Andrew asked as he walked into the kitchen.
“It is. I’m just mixing in the cocoa.” She took off the plastic covering a large plate of freshly baked cookies. “I want you and Jack to have your snack at the kitchen table. After that, you can go upstairs to your room.”
Andrew nodded. “Jack! Cookies.”
Jack’s stockinged feet slid on the hardwood floors in the kitchen as he rushed in. When he saw the stack of chocolate chip cookies, his eyes grew big. He plopped down on the chair next to Andrew, both of them grabbing a cookie. She placed their steaming mugs in front of them, then set a place for her and Rock. As they ate, the boys recounted the building of the snowman. This is just perfect. I couldn’t be happier. She reached out and squeezed Andrew’s and Rock’s hands.
It had been a series of upheavals for them to arrive at this point, but all of the evil things that surrounded them had gone away. Armand had admitted that he had participated in the murder of Rock’s mother. He admitted it was solely for financial gain. He also admitted that he’d killed Madame Vincennes.
As Rock had predicted, both Henri and Armand turned against Frederick and testified at his trial. They had explained to the jury how Frederick had offered them a lot of money to kill Henri’s mother. Henri had held his head down when he testified that in killing his mother, he profited by inheriting her land in addition to the large sum of money Frederick had paid him.
During Henri and Armand’s testimony, Clotille held and stroked Rock’s hand. His body had been so tense as he’d stared at his brother stone-faced. His expression had changed only when the pictures of his mother’s battered, bloody body were shown to the jury; sadness and regret etched all over his face.
Frederick had kept turning around, staring at her and trying to hold her gaze, but she never looked at him directly. Her focus was on Rock—the love of her life. The jury had found Frederick guilty of conspiracy to commit murder on both counts. It had come out through Armand’s testimony that Frederick had paid the cook a large sum of money to poison Rock’s father; Henri didn’t know about it. Frederick and Armand had tried to tie up all the loose ends, and when Rock had found out his father was innocent, the two culprits had planned on getting rid of him too. When the jury foreman had read the verdict, Frederick had seemed shocked. The court sentenced him to life without parole.
Henri and Armand had each received life sentences. At their sentencing, Rock, Isa, and Lille told the judge how empty their lives had been without their mother. Their statements were compelling, and Henri had cried like a baby. He asked his siblings for forgiveness, but Isa and Lille just shook their heads and Rock glared at him.
Clotille still couldn’t believe she’d lived with the man who’d conspired to kill the love of her life’s mother. And Armand… it was still unfathomable to her. She often wondered if her mother knew what Armand had done; she wouldn’t put it past her. She had no idea what her mother was doing; Clotille didn’t want anything to do with her anymore. When she’d turned Clotille over to Frederick, she’d known in that instant that her relationship with her mother was over forever. She hadn’t even attempted to contact her when she and Rock were in Lafayette for Frederick’s trial.
When their house was ready, Clotille promptly brought Stephan to live with her. At first he enjoyed being in her company, but then he began to feel sad about not having his roommate and friends around him. Rock had suggested she place him in a new home that had just been built in the valley. Each resident had a roommate and the facility looked like a large bed and breakfast.
She’d taken Stephan there, telling him that if he didn’t like it he could come home with her, but his face lit up when he saw the cats and dogs the staff brought with them to work. After a couple of weeks he had settled in nicely. At least twice a week, Clotille went to see him and take him out for ice cream, a long walk, or whatever he wanted to do. Every Sunday he spent it over at Clotille and Rock’s house. She was thrilled that Andrew was getting to know his uncle Stephan.
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