The idea of Roane and I getting together after all these years is an attractive fantasy, but he can’t know that we’d even be compatible or want the same things. Sure, I’d love to move here, but I need time to figure things out, and I can’t just go hopping into a relationship with the first guy I’ve fucked since Sam. I ty to push Sam back out of my head. I do need to move out of our apartment, but I can’t depend on Roane to save me. That’s not fair. The last thing I want is him and his club going after Sam and getting into a world of trouble. I’m not bringing my troubles to their door. I’m a big girl. I’ve gotten this far on my own.
Roane comes out of the bathroom with his toothbrush hanging out of his mouth. “I’ll be ready in a few.”
“Take your time.” Part of me wishes I could pretend the rest of the world doesn’t exist and that I could disappear with Roane. Nothing in my life has ever been easy. I don’t expect it start now. I sit on the edge of the bed and try not to imagine a life with Roane. A life where I’m his woman and I get to see my sister whenever I want to. I gave up on that fantasy years ago. That was child’s play.
“Ready?” He shrugs his leather vest and jacket on.
“Mhmm.” I get to my feet and slide my heels back on. Roane is staring at me like he wants to kiss me, but he doesn’t make a move. Maybe he is finally coming to his senses about this. I follow him downstairs. Remnants of last night’s party are scattered about along with random bodies on couches. Some are even on top of the pool tables and on the floor. We maneuver around them careful not to make too much noise.
When we get outside, he pulls his keys out and hits the unlock button on his truck. Like a gentleman he opens the passenger side door for me. I wait for him to get in the driver’s side feeling like I did when we went on our first date. Nervous but excited. I was fifteen and he had recently gotten his driver’s license. My Mom agreed to let him take me to the movies. It was such a big deal. It was my first time alone with a boy in a car. My first time going to the movies without the supervision of my sister.
Roane drives us to the drive-thru of Suzi’s Hamburgers. I get an order of biscuits and gravy and he orders a BLT sandwich. “Hope you don’t mind if we take breakfast to my place, I need to check on the shop.”
“Shop?”
“Yeah. I have a tattoo place.”
“I had no idea. That’s really cool.” He was always a talented artist so I shouldn’t be surprised he makes a living from it.
“It’s all right. So what do you do in Cleveland?”
“Hair. I’m a color specialist.”
“You enjoy it?”
“It’s a job.”
“That’s a no.”
I shrug. “I don’t know. It’s fun. I hate being on my feet all day.”
“You could come work for me.”
“And what would that entail?”
“Answering the phone, keeping the place clean. Ordering supplies.”
“You’re serious?”
“I need someone.”
I shake my head. “You’re just saying that.”
“Wouldn’t ever lie to you.” He holds my gaze, and something tells me that no he wouldn’t. Roane is a good guy under that tough man exterior. We pull into a parking lot and he shuts the truck off and hurries around to open my door. He’s laying it on thick. Then again Roane was always sweet with me.
We go up a set of stairs connected to the back of a brick building. Roane unlocks the door and invites me inside to his apartment. It’s more like a studio apartment. Entering behind him, he shows me to the kitchen that sits off the left. All nice stainless-steel appliances. The living room takes up the center of the room, housing a black leather sofa, a flat screen Tv, and a black and white portrait of I am assuming his motorcycle. There’s some weights to the right along with two doors I assume lead to the bedroom and bathroom. It’s clean and nice. Not that expected it to be a shithole. I know that some guys tend to be pigs when living on their own.
“Make yourself comfortable. You can eat at the counter or on the couch. I don’t have room for a dining table. I’ve got to run downstairs to the shop. I’ll only be a few minutes.”
“Don’t you want to eat?”
“I’ll take it with me.” He grabs his sandwich and leaves me on my own.
I take my food over to the couch and switch the Tv on. I don’t know how long he’ll be down there. I settle in on the cushions. He said he had been married and that she cheated on him. I can’t imagine anyone doing that to him. She must be an idiot. I crumble my biscuits and pour the white gravy over them and dig in.
I stop flicking through the channels on HGTv. I love watching the flea market swap stuff. I throw my trash away, kick my shoes off, and get comfy on the couch with a pillow and throw that was hanging on the back.
“You like that shit?” Roane questions, startling me. I must’ve dozed off.
I sit up as he rounds the couch and pulls my feet up to slide in under them. Wiping my eyes, I whisper yawn, “Yeah, I do. I don’t know I’ve always wanted to do that.”
“Decorate?”
“Yeah. Refurbish furniture, paint. I don’t know. It seems like it’d be fun to do.”
“You’re hired.”
“For what? Stop trying to make up jobs for me.”
“I need my place fixed up.”
“It’s fine.”
“It’s bare. I don’t know I need some color. The touch of a woman.” His fingers strum my ankle.
“I appreciate what you’re trying to do. I do. I just…Roane, you can’t really expect me to I don’t know hop right into being with you, like there hasn’t been fifteen years between us.”
“I’m not asking. While you were sleeping, I got that name I wanted. As we speak, some brothers from the Cleveland chapter are packing your shit into a moving van and driving it down later today. Your stuff will be here tomorrow.”
My mouth is on the floor. “You did what?”
“You heard me.”
“You mean here as in this city or here as in this spot?”
Roane slides me forward into his lap. “I’m saying, I never much believed in fate until last night. You’re here because it’s where you’ve always belonged. I’m not taking any chances. You’re not slipping through my fingers a second time, baby doll.”
“You’re insane. I can’t just move in with you, Roane.”
“Says who?”
“Me!”
“Take a chance on me, Jules.” His lips claim mine and I melt into him. I don’t know what the hell I’m doing, but Roane was right. I do feel something for him. I always have. He was my first love.
This is it. My chance at a fresh start. It’s completely mad, but life is too short, and I’ve wasted too much time playing it safe. Doing what I thought was right.
Chapter 8
Roane
“You said you were married.”
“Yeah. Leah. Thought I loved her, but I think I was in love with the idea of her. Not who she really was. I should’ve known better. She was a hangaround at the club. Not Old Lady material. I was on the road a lot. She was home alone a lot and bored. Came home early one day and found her fuckin’ the neighbor. I was mad at first, but the past three years have taught me that there was a part of me that was relieved.”
“Sam cheated too,” she confesses.
“He’s a piece of shit.”
“No argument here.”
“I’m damn glad you’re here.”
“You know this is crazy? You’ve what been back around me for like twelve hours and you already want to move me in.”
“Don’t give a damn what anyone thinks. It feels right. I know what I want. What I’ve always wanted.”
Before she can respond a knock sounds at the door.
“You expecting company?
“Something like that.” Jules is going to be pissed but I did what I needed to. I get up and go to the door. As soon as I open it, Pam shoves past me.
“Where is she?”
Jules pop up. “Well hello, sister.”
“I can’t believe you. He fucking beat you and you didn’t tell me shit all about it. I had to hear it secondhand through Roane when he called to ask questions. What. The. Serious. Fuck! I’m going to cut his balls off and feed them to him. No first I’m going to step on them with my stilettos. Then I’m going to start peeling his nails off. I swear. Sam is a dead man. Fucking dead.” She stomps toward her sister. “Lift up your shirt.”
“What? No.” Jules gives me a death glare and I shrug. “Put a leash on her, Link.”
Pam’s head goes back as she cackles. “Real cute. He’s pissed off at you too.”
“Why?”
“For not coming to us. We’re your family, Jules. If you can’t count on us, then who has your back?”
“You’re right. I should have told you. I’m sorry. So that’s why you are going to hear this from me. I’m staying here. Roane has asked me to move in with him and I’ve accepted.”
“You what? I mean damn, Roane. I asked you to look out for her, but don’t you think that’s a little rushed? Shouldn’t you two be getting to know each other again. I mean I had hoped he’d convince you to stay, but this is I don’t even know.”
“It’s what we both want. I fell in love with Jules back in the day and I never stopped caring about her. I love your sister.”
Pam’s lips spread into an evil smirk. “You love her? So my plan worked.”
“Yeah. I do. What plan though?” She rushes me, throwing her arms around me and kissing my cheek.
“Thank you.”
“Um…you’re welcome.” I look to Jules and she shrugs.
“I knew if I got you two back together last night sparks would fly. I didn’t imagine it working so damn fast is all, but I know you’ll treat her right. You always did.”
Link is still being quiet. I know that look. He’s plotting.
“So…,” Pam starts. “How are we going to kill him?”
“No one is killing anyone. It’s done and over. I’m here safe with you guys. I’m not going back.”
“Gonna wrap a chain around his neck and drag him behind my bike,” Link growls.
“Promise me you won’t go after Sam. All of you.”
“I promise you won’t know when or what I do to the fucker but he’s going to pay,” I tell her.
“As much as I’d love to watch him get his, it’s not worth it. He’s not worth it. His father is a police officer. Sam won’t take it lying down. He’d come at the club hard. I’m not dragging ya’ll into my problems.”
“I hear what you’re saying but I’m not afraid of that pussy or his daddy. Learn it now, Jules. There’s gonna be shit I do you don’t like. Gonna be shit you aren’t allowed to question me on. You’re gonna be my Old Lady and that’s simply the way of it. When it’s just you and me, baby doll, you can be as mouthy as you want, but when I’m with my brothers you don’t open your mouth against me, understand.”
“I hear you.”
“I mean it, Jules. Not fuckin’ around with this shit. It’s important.”
“I got it,” she snaps, and I grin. There’s her fire.
**
I didn’t think Pam and Link were ever gonna go home. Love them both, but I just got Jules back, and I want her all to myself. She’s taking a shower and I’m kicked back on the couch smokin’ a bowl. I need it to calm my ass down. All I can think about is that fucker putting his hands on her. I should have sent her home with Pam so I can go kill the sorry sack of shit. This shit has to be done right though, and I gotta talk to Murder. Let him know what’s going down. I acted without running my call to Cleveland by him, but I did what I had to, and I’d do it again. It was my marker to collect. However, there is a protocol and I didn’t follow it. I’ll answer to that tomorrow.
Jules walks out the bathroom with a towel on her head and one around her body. “You mind if I borrow a shirt? My stuff is at Pam’s.”
“What’s mine is yours.” I put my pipe on the coffee table. “That shirt can wait though. C’mere.”
My girl pads softly across the room, stopping in front of me. I run my hands up the backs of her silky thighs. “I’m going to get you all wet,” she protests as I discard the towel separating us.
“Don’t care. I want to look at you.” Moving my fingers over her curves, I inspect her for more bruises in the light. There’s a few places on her thighs and uppers arms. Motherfucker put his hands on the wrong woman. “Gonna put my ink on you. Give you my property patch. Want everyone to know that I’m down for you. You’re my queen. I adore you, Jules. Nobody will ever come before you. I promise you that my love and my word is real.”
“Roane,” my name leaves her parted lips in a sweet whisper that caresses my cock. “I’m scared that this is all too good to be true.”
“I get that, but I promise I’m going to prove it to you.” I pull her down to my lap sealing my vow with a kiss. “Now give me that pussy.” I stand up with her legs around me, arms cradling my neck, and take her to my bed.
Dropping my sexy girl gently on the covers, I drag her to edge, ass hanging off the bed. Down on my knees I pay worship to my queen. Tossing her legs over my shoulders, I cup her thick ass that I love so much, and I eat her good. I eat my woman until the balls of her feet press into my shoulders and her hips lift off the bed. Her sweet juices coat my tongue, her orgasm sending her over the edge. I get to my feet and slide right in that warmth finding paradise between her thighs.
Chapter 9
Julie
“Is it possible to die by way of orgasm?”
Roane’s chest vibrates beneath my head as laughter erupts from deep in his belly. “Maybe we’ll found out one day.” His fingers skim along my arm. “You feeling relaxed and good now, baby doll?”
“Mhmm,” I murmur, rubbing my fingers through his chest hair. I never thought chest hair was sexy, but Roane makes anything hot. I kiss his pec, sucking his nipple between my teeth and nipping him playfully.
“Good. Let’s go downstairs and see about that ink.”
I tense up. “Right now?” I’ve feared needles since I was a kid. I love tattoos and think they are beautiful it’s just the thought of the needle that ruins the whole idea.
“You don’t want my ink on you?” I can hear it in his tone. I’ve wounded his pride.
“It’s not that trust me. I don’t expect you’d remember everything, but needles scare the shit out of me.”
“Well don’t go shitting the bed, sweetheart. I’m not into skat play.”
I punch him in the stomach lightly. “Into what?”
“You don’t want to know.”
“I’ll take your word for it.”
“Come on. I’m taking you to dinner then we’ll talk more about that ink.”
“I don’t have anything to wear.”
“We’ll drop by Pam’s and you can change. We can see if her and Link want to join us.”
My face lights up. “Really?”
“Yeah, I’d do anything to keep that look right there on your face.” My cheeks are pink, colored in happiness. Lips stretched upward, curving into a bright smile. All because of this man. “Happy looks real good on you, Jules.”
“Being here with you…it does make me happy. Getting to be near Pam…it’s all great. I only hope that my situation doesn’t make you feel pressured into something you aren’t ready for. I know I could stay with Pam until I get on my feet.”
“Stop. Don’t look for excuses to discount the way I feel about you. I wouldn’t have called in a favor to get all your shit here so fast if I wasn’t serious about this. About us.”
“I’m trying. Be patient with me.”
“We have forever, baby doll.” His words reassure me, and I slide out of bed and shimmy back into my dirty jeans I borrowed from my sister. Roane gives me one of his long-sleeved Harley tees. It swallows me but it smells like him, making it perfect.
I keep thinking that any minute now I am
going to wake up and this whole weekend will have been nothing but a dream. What are the odds that I’d end up in bed with my high school sweetheart on New Year’s? This sort of thing never happens in real life. It’s the sort of story you read about online or see in a movie, but these types of good lucky things, don’t just happen to me. I’m trying to embrace it and roll with things as they come but there’s this voice nagging in the back of my mind that sounds a lot like Sam telling me that Roane could never love my fat ass and that I don’t deserve to be happy.
He drives us over to Pam and Link’s. This is what I have always wanted. My man and my sister’s man being good friends. Sam wouldn’t be caught dead hanging with the likes of Link based on his appearance alone. He’s rough around the edges.
Roane is out in the garage smoking and having a beer with my brother-in-law while I get changed and my sister talks my ear off.
“I gotta say, Sis. You sure shocked the hell out of me. I thought for sure I’d have to twist your arm to get you to agree to move home, but all I needed was Roane to give you that mega dick.” She howls with laughter.
The woman is a damn cracker jack. “Shut up. I can’t believe it either really. It’s surreal. I feel like an imposter living someone else’s life to be honest.”
“So what kind of tattoo you think he’s going to give you?”
My stomach drops. All color washes from my face.
“Relax. Nothing to fear. Roane does great work. You won’t feel a thing. If you’re scared about hearing the buzzing sound of the gun, we can put you some headphones in and play you relaxing sounds or some shit. Light soothing candles. Whatever you need. Smoke a joint. Just saying.”
“Only you.”
“Let’s go eat. I’m starving after the workout Link gave me last night.”
The Biker's Kiss : A Royal Bastards MC Holiday Novella Page 4
