Monroe, Marla - The Edge of Night [The Protectors 3](Siren Publishing Classic)

by Marla Monroe

  “Tell me about your friends we are going to be riding with.”

  “Basically, they’re good guys. Some of them are a little rough around the edges, but you’ll get used to them. Just stay close to me. Um, they’re used to sharing,” he explained.

  “Sharing? Like women?” she asked, wide-eyed.

  “Yeah.”

  “Have you shared women with them before?” she asked.

  “Yeah, I have,” he admitted.

  She didn’t say anything for a few seconds, then shook her head. “Well, I’m not going to be shared, so don’t even think about it.”

  “Hell no, you’re not. You keep well away from everyone.” Just the idea of her talking to some of those guys bothered him. Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to ride with them.

  “So, do you trust them?” she asked, oblivious to his second thoughts.

  “Yeah, for the most part. I’ll introduce you as my woman. That will keep them from bothering you.” Now where had that come from? Hell.

  “You think we’ll be safer riding with a group than on our own, don’t you?”

  “Yeah. I don’t think Guy would expect to find you in a biker gang. Just because most of these guys are weekend riders, he wouldn’t know that.”

  “So, when do I get to meet them?” she asked.

  She actually sounded a little excited, he realized. His wife had never wanted to go riding with him when he went on short trips with his friends. Once again he shook off thoughts of her and concentrated instead on the steak the waitress set in front of him. He took a bite and found it was delicious despite being a little more cooked then he liked it. He glanced across the table at Amanda and found her breaking apart a couple of the chicken tenders to let them cool. Then she bit delicately into a French fry and smiled.

  “Good?” he asked with a smile.

  “Hmm, really good.”

  Once her chicken had cooled off some, she dipped a piece in the sauce they’d provided and made short work of about half of the chicken tenders. By the time he’d finished his steak, she was finished and watching him.

  “What is it? Do I have something on my face?” He took his napkin and proceeded to clean his face.

  She laughed a delighted laugh and shook her head. “No, silly. I’m just watching you enjoy that steak. You’d think you hadn’t had one in years.”

  “What can I say? I like to eat.”

  “You didn’t say when I could meet your friends,” she persistently asked.

  “You’ll meet them tomorrow sometime. We should catch up with them around two or three tomorrow afternoon.” He wasn’t as enthusiastic as before.

  “How many other women will there be?”

  “Oh, depends. Sometimes there are only two or three, and sometimes there are as many as six or seven. Why?” he asked, watching her.

  “Well, women know when other women are pregnant, and I’m not sure how well I’ll be able to hide it.”

  Morgan hadn’t thought about that possibility. Did it matter if they knew she was pregnant?

  “Don’t worry about it. You’re my woman, so it’s my baby. No one will care. It might even keep the other men from hitting on you.”

  She stared at him with wide eyes. “You don’t care if they think the baby is yours?”

  “Naw, we know it isn’t. That’s all that matters.”

  She looked down at her plate and the three leftover chicken tenders. “You’re right. That’s all that matters.”

  Chapter Seven

  As soon as they returned to the motel, Amanda climbed off the back of the bike and removed her helmet. She felt confined in it, and even her clothes were bothering her now. She waited impatiently while Morgan locked up the bike then unlocked the door using the key card. She immediately began stripping, and once she was down to her bra and panties, she stopped panting and curled up on the love seat.

  Morgan had enough sense to shut the door, but stood there watching her as if she’d lost her mind, and maybe she had. It was just that all of a sudden everything was closing in around her. She felt like she would suffocate if she didn’t get something off of her.

  “Um, you okay?” he finally asked.

  “Yes. I got hot. Sorry.” She looked down at her lap. She held a pillow to cover as much of her body as possible.

  “No problem.” He walked over to the foot of the bed and sat down, where he took off his boots.

  When he stood up and began undressing, she knew a moment of panic. She quickly swallowed it down. He wouldn’t force her to do anything. He was a man, but he was a gentleman. Well, as much as a biker could be, she guessed.

  “How about watching a movie before we hit the sack? There are a couple on that look like they might be good.” He stood in front of her in nothing but his boxers, but what could she say? She only had on her underwear as well.

  “Sounds good. You pick. I doubt I’ll stay awake through the entire movie anyway.” She waited while he walked over to the bedside table and retrieved the remote.

  When he sat down next to her on the love seat, she nearly squealed. There wasn’t enough room for both of them without touching. The feel of his hot skin next to her own sent chill bumps all along her skin. They touched from shoulder down to thighs. Then he laid his arm along the back of the seat behind her. She had no doubt before it was over with he would have it lying against her skin. She didn’t know if she could handle so much physical touch. Her body already quivered in need.

  What was it with Morgan that she wanted him so badly? She couldn’t even remember wanting Guy like this, and they’d been lovers for months. What did it mean about her? Was she some sort of slut? What do you think? You’re pregnant with one man’s baby and slept with another man you barely know. “Slut” might be a bit mild.

  “What are you frowning about over there?” Morgan asked, his brows furrowed.

  “Nothing, just thinking about what a mess I’ve made of everything.”

  “Stop second-guessing everything you’ve done. You’re on the right track now. We’ll get you and the baby taken care of. So stop worrying about it.”

  Amanda wished she could believe him, but he didn’t have a stake in her problems. She was just some chick he’d picked up hitching and was stuck with for the time being. He would drop her off somewhere at some point, and she’d be on her own again. Well, that was fine. She’d be safe for as long as he kept her around. When he dropped her, then she would worry about what was next.

  The movie proved to be an action thriller that she thoroughly enjoyed, but it wasn’t long before she began nodding off. She planned to get up and get in the bed, but didn’t make it.

  The next thing she knew, she woke up needing to get to the bathroom in a hurry and couldn’t get out from under something holding her down. She struggled and finally yelled, “Get off me!”

  “Hell, what’s wrong?” Morgan rolled over, allowing her to escape.

  “Bathroom. Now!” She rolled out of the bed and raced for the bathroom.

  “Ah, hell.” He followed her inside despite the fact she’d slammed the door shut.

  She retched into the toilet until she felt like her toenails would come up. A cool, wet cloth fell across the back of her neck, and another one appeared in front of her. She grabbed it and wiped her face. Once she was fairly sure she’d stopped being sick, she sat back against the wall and closed her eyes.

  “Better?” he asked.

  “I think.” She let out a shaky breath. “I need to brush my teeth.”

  Morgan helped her to the sink and watched as she brushed her teeth.

  “Let’s get you back in bed. You’ll feel better after you sleep a little longer.” Morgan reached down and picked her up.

  It was then that she realized he was nude except for his boxers, and she no longer had on a bra. When had he taken it off and why?

  “What happened to my bra?”

  “You feel asleep on the love seat before the movie was over with. I put you to bed so you would be more
comfortable. I’ve never known a woman who was comfortable sleeping in a bra, so I took it off. It’s on the love seat if you want it.”

  “Um, no, thanks.” She averted her eyes when he looked down at her.

  Instead of laying her down on the bed, Morgan climbed into bed with her and settled her against him with her head on his chest. Oddly, she felt comfortable there. The beat of his heart settled her. She refused to think about it and drifted off again in no time.

  * * * *

  Morgan couldn’t say why he’d brought her to bed like this. It was what he’d done with his wife when she’d first been pregnant, before he’d gotten shipped out again. He enjoyed holding her against him knowing she felt comfortable enough with him to sleep. She trusted him, and that pleased him immensely. He dozed off and on for another forty-five minutes or so before she woke again. This time she seemed more relaxed. She buried her nose in his shoulder and sighed.

  “You feel good.”

  “I could say the same about you.”

  “I’m sorry I was sick earlier. I wasn’t expecting it.” She talked into his neck.

  “First time?”

  “No. I don’t much like it.”

  “Well, you best get used to it for a few weeks. We’ll get some crackers to put by the bed. If you chew on one as soon as you wake up, it might help stop the throwing up part.”

  Morgan ran a hand through her now shortened hair. It was still just as soft and bouncy in his hands. She nodded against his shoulder, then started to push herself up. He rolled them over instead. He’d startled her. Her eyes had grown large as she looked up into his. Those bright blue orbs did look shocking against the sable brown of her hair.

  “I’m going to kiss you,” he said.

  She could only nod her head before his mouth was there on hers, questing for entrance. She opened to him, and he dove inside. She tasted of the mint-flavored toothpaste she’d used earlier. He ran his tongue alongside hers, then sucked it into his mouth to tease. The more he sucked, the more she moaned. He let go and drew in her lower lip to nip and tease with his teeth and tongue. He couldn’t get enough of her mouth.

  His molded her ass with his hands as he pressed his hard cock against her belly. She had to know how turned on he was. His cock was hot and rock-hard pressed between them. He rocked his pelvis to emphasize his intentions. He definitely intended to fuck her. He didn’t want her to feel it was a surprise. There would be no mistaking what he wanted from her. But he wouldn’t just take. He’d give her the ride of her life. He’d make sure that she couldn’t remember what sex outside of him felt like.

  He moved one hand from her ass to her breast, where he circled her large nipple with one finger, then palmed her entire breast in his hand, with enough breast for another hand as well. Pregnancy had obviously enhanced her size, based on the tight-fitting bra he’d removed from her the night before. Would she be one of those women who lost them after weaning the baby, or would she keep them?

  He pulled back from her delicious mouth and worked his way down her neck to her breasts. He sucked each nipple in turn, nipping and sucking until she squirmed beneath him. He wanted her ready to go before he took her. He wanted to know she was wild with need—need for him. He wanted to hear his name on her lips as she came. Later, when it was all over with, he’d think about that need. Right now, he concentrated on filling it.

  He rained openmouthed kisses down her torso and over her hips until he was near that hot pussy he so dearly wanted inside of. Once he had settled himself between her legs, he licked at her pussy like an ice-cream cone. Then he delved between her wet lips and fucked her with his tongue. She undulated beneath him, trying to get closer to his mouth. He chuckled and held her still with one hand on her abdomen. Morgan pushed a finger inside of her and gently explored until he found her hot spot. He added another finger and tickled that spot until she was pushing her pelvis against his hand.

  Hell, he was hot for her. He wanted to ram his dick all the way into her, but wanted to feel her come on his face first. He latched on to her clit with his lips and sucked while all the time using his fingers on that spot deep inside of her. When she came, he licked and sucked every bit of her sweet honey he could manage. Then he pulled away before she was completely sated and plunged his heavy cock inside of her.

  Morgan captured her scream in his mouth just in time. He felt her pussy walls contract around him and knew she was coming again. He plunged into her over and over again, hard and fast, then soft and shallow, until he felt cum boiling in his balls, ready to explode. When he did, he could have sworn the earth tilted out of sync. His cum filled her, and he held himself there while he caught his breath. Damn, he hadn’t come that hard since…the last time he’d come inside of her.

  He rolled off her and went to the bathroom to clean up. Then he brought back a warm bath cloth to clean her up as well. She didn’t protest since she was still panting and trying to regain her normal breathing pattern as well. Her eyes remained closed, but her lips moved as if she were saying a prayer. He leaned closer and heard what was coming from her mouth.

  She whispered “oh my God, oh my God,” over and over again. He grinned and dropped a kiss on her forehead before returning the cloth to the bathroom.

  “Come on, sleepyhead. Time to get up. We have a long trip ahead of us.” Morgan swatted the side of her ass with a gentle pop.

  “Hey. Don’t do that.” She slowly rolled over to the edge of the bed before pushing herself to a sitting position.

  “It’s nearly eight, and we still have to get something for breakfast before we head out,” Morgan said.

  “Fine. I’ll be ready in a few minutes.” She disappeared into the bathroom for all of five minutes, then returned and began dressing.

  She repacked her clothes in her backpack and sat down on the edge of the bed to put her boots on. Morgan took them away from her and began putting them on for her. He wasn’t sure why he was doing all of this for her, but it felt good. Her murmured “thanks” made him feel even better.

  “What do you feel like for breakfast?” he asked.

  “I’m really not hungry,” she began.

  “Wrong answer. You’ve got to eat, so either pick something or I will.” He used his firmest voice.

  “I could probably manage some toast and jelly.”

  After breakfast, they headed out on the road to meet up with Morgan’s biker friends. He hoped there wouldn’t be any trouble with his bringing her with him. He hoped it would keep her safe, but if they caused a scene or wouldn’t take no for an answer as far as sharing went, then they would be out of there.

  He’d keep her safe on his own if he had to. Of course, he could trust Tyler to help him. Then there was Dodge. He would go to hell and back for you, and had. Dodge had lost part of his leg to shrapnel trying to save a kid. Dodge could be counted on.

  They stopped at a little town in Texas for a sandwich. He had to push Amanda to eat, but she finally ate a little over half of it. Her lack of an appetite worried him. His wife had morning sickness like most pregnant women did, but she never lost her appetite. Morgan really wanted to see about getting her to a doctor as soon as possible. If she didn’t start eating more, she was going to lose weight. That couldn’t be good for the baby or her.

  Around three that afternoon, they reached the outskirts of Riley, New Mexico. It was a little community on the edge of Albuquerque where the rest of the bikers would be waiting. He hadn’t talked to them in several days now. They wouldn’t know about Amanda. He only hoped it wouldn’t be an issue. Morgan pulled off the road at a little gas station to call and find out where they were all meeting.

  “Something wrong?” Amanda asked when he cut the engine.

  “No, going to call Andy and find out where everyone is meeting today.”

  “Oh, um, could I run to the bathroom while you’re calling him?”

  “Yeah, go ahead. Be careful.” He watched over his shoulder as she slid off the back of the bike and dumped the
backpack on the ground next to the motorcycle.

  He pulled out his phone and dialed Andy’s number.

  “Yeah?” Andy’s voice came out muffled over the phone.

  “That you, Andy? It’s Morgan.”

  “Hey, you bastard. Where the hell are you? I expected you two days ago.”

  “Got tied up. Sorry. Has Tyler made it yet?”

  “Yeah, showed up yesterday. Said he left you at a truck stop back in Texas.” Andy’s voice grew stronger with less background noise.

  “Where are you?” Morgan asked.

  “Bar called The Ugly Duck. It’s on the south end of town, about a mile outside of the city limits,” Andy told him.

  “I’m bringing someone with me,” Morgan said. “She’s off-limits. Make sure everyone knows that.”

  “Like that, huh?”

  “She’s off-limits,” he repeated.

  “You know Rock ain’t going to like that.”

  “I’ll deal with Rock, or we’ll leave.”

  “I’ll tell him. You get your crazy ass on over here,” Andy said and hung up.

  Morgan pocketed his cell phone and looked back toward the service station. Amanda hadn’t reappeared yet. That bothered him. What was taking so long?

  She emerged from around the side of the building heading toward him. The bathroom must have been on the outside, he thought. When she grew closer, he noticed she looked as if she’d been crying.

  “Hell,” he said.

  “Did you catch up with your friends?” she asked as she picked up her backpack and put it back on.

  “Yeah, what’s wrong?” he asked.

  “Nothing, why?”

  “You’ve been crying,” he accused.

  “It’s just hormones. I can’t help it. Ignore me.”

  His lips thinned, but he didn’t say anything. He knew from experience if he pushed it she’d start crying again, but he didn’t buy it that she’d been crying for no reason. Something was bothering her, and he wanted to know what it was. He’d give her some time and then press her about it.