by Nicole Snow
“Dusty...” She laid a hand on my back when we were both seated, my key in the ignition. “You don't need to impress me anymore. It's not like I'll ever forget you saved my life several times over.”
She leaned in, pressing her lips to my neck. I didn't say anything, just revved my engine and slowly took us down the driveway.
Pretty fuckin' cute, really. She thought I was about to make her heart throb for the millionth time because I had some crazy obligation.
Bullshit. Love ain't work, and it ain't never a chore.
When we got to the clubhouse, she'd see how wrong she was. She'd see the only thing I ever wanted was to light up her face like the moon 'til she begged me to stop.
Sure, I'd saved her life, and put my own ass on the line to do it. Wouldn't stop 'til I went into my grave either, if any wolves were ever dumb enough to come sniffing around her ever again.
Salvation went both ways.
I saved her from psychos with knives and bullets. She saved me from myself. Put my life on the straight and narrow I'd sought for forty years without realizing it 'til I woke up to a woman I wanted in my bed, and a son carrying our blood.
Loving Hannah wasn't a chore, dammit. And if she thought it might be, I'd send those nasty thoughts spinning from her head so fast they went all the way to Jupiter.
Took every muscle I had not to start grinning like a fool when we were halfway to the clubhouse.
My poor, precious, clueless wife didn't have a hint what was about to hit her. If there was one thing I appreciated after surviving several ambushes, it was surprises that put a smile on people's faces.
I parked the bike and put my hand on her back, guiding her round the side of the clubhouse, toward the back patio. Used my own money the last few weeks to have it fixed up, real nice and special for this occasion.
“Why's it so quiet here?” she whispered, flashing a cautious look over her shoulder.
“Darlin', you keep on walking. No questions.”
“No? Not even if I'm going to guess I'm walking into some kind of surprise party? I know you do these kinda hijinks in the spring. Huck told me.”
“Keep. Walking,” I growled, shaking my head, prodding her forward a little more firmly with my hand.
She had the party right, at least.
“Give it a push,” I said, putting my hand over hers when we got to the latch over the new gate. It towered over us, giving the club the privacy we'd always wanted, thick reinforced wooden doors attached to a ring of brick that'd stop anyone from coming in who wasn't supposed to.
Music started blasting the second the gate creaked open. My boys were all standing, and they came to attention the second we walked in, standing by the makeshift altar.
A neat row of fold out chairs formed an aisle. Cora, Meg, Summer, and Ma all smiled in unison, holding a whole new generation of kids born under our patch in their arms.
“Jesus.” Hannah's knees locked up as soon as we stepped through, taking in the scene.
Bingo sat up next to us, and brushed her legs, happily wagging his tail. I reached down and stroked the big wolfhound's head, sharing a look even a dog could understand.
“What'd I tell you, darlin'?” I whispered in her ear. “Just keep walking. We ain't home yet.”
Only had about fifteen steps to go to get to the altar. By then, she was turning red, hot tears raining down her cheeks when she realized the meanest version of Here Comes the Bride anybody ever heard was tearing out those speakers.
“But...we're already married!” she sputtered. Standing across from her, I grabbed both her hands in mine. She looked at the ring on her finger in confusion.
“It's called renewing vows, darlin'. Also gives me a chance to do things right, the way they should've gone down the first time, and have ourselves the reception we missed.”
I let her cry it out, squeezing her sweet fingers in mine, while the music faded behind us. Preacher man stepped up to the podium, looking a lot neater than he had that first night I brought her in to make it all official.
Little Hank cried out in the chairs. His grandma hugged him tight, happier than I ever saw her.
We weren't the only ones up here with plenty of reason to smile. Lord willing, I'd give my Ma a few more grins before the evening was through.
“Let's go,” I told preacher man. “I've got my part ready.”
“Friends, family, and brothers of the Deadly Pistols MC. Today we stand here to honor a husband and wife who hold the meaning of sacrifice heavy on their hearts...”
His spiel went on for a couple minutes. I let his flowery speech wash over me, too busy staring my woman in the face to care about poetry.
Hannah cried softly the whole way through. I held her hand, watching each tear roll down her cheeks, sweeping up my free hand each time to catch them, kiss them away.
Today, I did tender. Tonight, I'd do rough.
I'd do anything and everything that set her heart on fire, and I let the whole damned world know who did the kindling.
“...and if I may, I'd like to invite each person to say a few words. Dust, you have something you'd like to read?” Preacher man looked at me, genuine respect glowing in his eyes.
“It's all up here,” I said, tapping my temple with two fingers. “Been memorizing this all week, so here goes...”
Hannah's fingers tightened on mine. Thought she'd rip my hand off before I finished, so overwhelmed with emotion. Off to the sides, all my brothers were smiling, elbowing each other like they couldn't believe I was pulling out my heart, showing it to everyone.
Wasn't doing this for them, much as I respected their shit-eating grins.
The only one who counted was looking back at me, waiting, and I wasn't holding her up any longer.
“Darlin', you're standing there, beautiful as the day we met, wearing my ring and my ink. Helluva lot happened these past few months. I gave you a second chance at life. You gave me a son. Love that boy with all my heart.” I paused, watching Ma tear up out the corner of my eye, hugging Hank closer to her chest. “It's hard to offer much after we've given each other the moon, so I'm gonna make a pledge. Hannah, I'm not done yet. I'm gonna keep it coming. Gonna keep that smile on your face 'til we're both so old we barely remember what smiling's all about. Gonna keep you in my bed, on my bike, and in my heart. Gonna pull you close, hold you every night, just like I'm about to do now, and wash every tear off your cheek 'til there's nothing but room for that beautiful fuckin' smile.”
I stepped up, bringing her into my arms, tugging her hand close to my heart while I put my lips against her cheeks, and then on her mouth. Pure, hot emotion flooded my tongue. Awesome and irresistible.
When I broke the kiss, I had to hold on tighter because her knees were shaking. Behind us, a couple of the old ladies sniffled, either remembering their own weddings, or wondering when their boys would do something similar for them.
“I ain't much for speeches,” I said, staring deep into her ocean blue eyes. “So I'm gonna keep it brief, with just one more thing everybody standing here with us oughta hear. I love you, darlin'. Simple as that sounds, it ain't even close. It's the biggest, most bewildering, goddamned beautiful statement I've ever made. And I'll keep making it 'til the end of my days. Love you, baby girl, and you'll remember how much every time I move mountains to taste your lips. I've done it before, and I'll do it again. Every day I need to just so you remember – you're mine.”
I wasn't looking for a standing ovation. Got one anyway, a chorus of thundering claps and wild whoops ringing out around us while we locked lips.
Fuck, she tasted sweeter than before. Sweeter than ever.
I'd told preacher man several days ago not to put her on the spot. She wouldn't be saying much after the L-bomb I dropped on her heart, and I didn't want her to be embarrassed.
Still, the formal bastard prodded her. He laid his hands gently on our shoulders, easing our mouths away from each other, gently whispering in her ear.
“Hannah, if there's anything
you'd like to say...”
15
Live Free (Hannah)
No words.
I'd always been good with them, but now I was at a total loss. What can a woman possibly say to a man who'd delivered the heavens, the moon, and the stars in a neat little box?
My knees still hurt a little after the pregnancy and the rough treatment by Dom. I secretly hoped he was watching from hell. Looked up, saw us, and raged because we were alive, in love, and happy.
“Darlin'.” Dusty clenched my hand, stroking my fingers with his thick fingertips. “If it's too much, you don't have to say –“
“I've got it,” I said, standing up straighter in his arms, turning my head. I looked out over all our friends and family, men and women who'd made this crazy thing possible. “This is a huge surprise to me, and I'd like to take a second to thank everybody for coming.”
Near the wall, Bingo let out a single yip, and everybody laughed. Smiling, I was thankful for the interruption, because it gave me just enough time to know exactly what to say. I had the man holding me to thank for it, and also the evil asshole he'd snuffed out forever.
“A minute ago, Dusty stood here talking a lot about love. I want to talk about another word that's close, but just as important.” Everybody leaned in, listening intently in the fat pause while I sucked in a breath, precious air I needed to keep it together without breaking down again. “Live. That's what I willed myself to do when things were at their darkest, when I never thought I'd stand here with you, in my husband's arms, knowing I have a second chance to do better by myself, by him, and by our family. Live free – that's what I'm going to do, and I'll never take it for granted again.”
I reached up, laying my palm flat against his rough cheek. His forehead touched mine when he leaned in, inhaling me while I breathed him in. Divine, dangerous, and masculine as a pagan god.
“Dusty...you're the reason I get to go on living. If I couldn't live, then I couldn't love. I do, with every single shred of my heart. There's no way to say thanks in just a few words. No way to repay you except with all the kisses, laughs, and smiles I know are coming, year after year. Once, I thought I had it all, chasing money and running from my past. You showed me there was more, baby...so much more. If I ever waver, if I forget and make new mistakes, they'll be brief. I know it, because you taught me what it means to live and love. I've never been prouder to be your wife – the best thing I'll ever be as long as I'm alive. I love you, Daniel.”
His name was barely off my lips before he pulled me in, smiling and eager, smothering me in another kiss. Naturally, it caused my entire body to smolder.
Applause exploded around us. Everybody cheered, if they weren't too busy wiping their tears, and preacher man said a few more words to finish the ceremony.
Neither of us heard them, though, because we were completely lost in our love.
I remembered how fast Huck and Cora's wedding reception blurred by, the first night Dust gave me his kiss, and turned me into a total addict.
Now, I wondered where the time went by with my own. We sat at the biggest picnic table I'd ever seen, huge enough to seat everybody with plenty of room to spare, feasting on pulled pork with spicy barbecue, beer, fried okra, mashed potatoes thick as sin, and a dozen other rich sides I barely had room to sample.
Everyone came by to wish us well throughout the evening.
Skin and Meg. Firefly and Cora. Joker and Summer.
Lion, Tinman, Crawl, Sixty. Prospects whose names I'd only started learning. Dancers from the Ruby Heel, several looking like they couldn't wait to give the single guys some late night entertainment, after the families left the party to its dying embers.
Laynie came last, bobbing a very sleepy little boy in her arms. “I should really head out when you guys do. He's had his fill of excitement for one night.”
“If he's tuckered out, he won't fuss later,” Dusty said, laying his hand on my thigh, underneath the table. “You've got the easy job, Ma.”
“And the best! Because now I get to be a grandma with a family who's finally had a proper wedding.” She grinned, her old cheeks wrinkling when she looked down at us, real deep pride lighting up her grey eyes. “Oh, except for the dress. Next time you renew those vows, you let her wear it, boy.”
“Well, if I'd had a little notice...” I elbowed Dusty gently, breaking into a smile. “Next time, I'll be honored, Laynie. I promise.”
“She's got the ring, and it's staying right where it belongs,” Dust said, his fingers digging into my skin deliciously, under the table. “Save the dress, Ma. Sooner or later, you're gonna have a granddaughter joining Hank. She'll need it someday for walking down the aisle.”
Laynie laughed, and then narrowed her eyes, looking right at me. “Watch out for him, honey. He's on fire today.”
“Lucky man. That's just the way I love it.” I looked at my husband, feeding the lust boiling in his eyes with a quick, subtle flick of my tongue across my bottom lip.
His hand moved higher up my thigh, under my skirt, closer to the sopping wet mess in the middle. “Get the kid home and rest up, Ma. We're out soon. I think we've had our fill, as nice as this has all been.”
She didn't need another nudge. Smiling, she stepped away, heading toward the front of the clubhouse. We lasted about another minute, sharing several quick bites off a decadent chocolate cake Cora made, and then we stood. Everybody waved as they saw us off.
It was still too crisp for a long ride into the mountains on his Harley, so we took the truck, strategically parked by a prospect, waiting for us.
“How long does it take to get down there?” I asked, knowing full well he had a little spot in mind, deep in the Smokies, a comfortable distance from the tourist thrills in Gatlinburg for the honeymoon we were due.
“'Bout an hour, maybe a little more going down these curvy mountain roads in the dark.” Dusty's cool grey eyes were fixed on me, sending lightning up my legs. He leaned in, pushing hot breath in my ear. “Let's see if we can make it before I have to pull over, throw the seat down, and fuck you on the side of the road.”
We got about halfway to the cabin before his hand wouldn't be kept off my panties, and I lost my will to fight it.
Thankfully, this section of the mountains had all sorts of little paths leading into the forests. We took the first gravel road we found in his headlights, rumbling into the dense, dark growth about a quarter of a mile before he parked, and killed the engine. Huge piles of leaves swirled around us, the trees above just beginning to bud as winter relented.
Dusty looked at me while I folded my arms, searching for warmth.
“Forget the heat, darlin'. We'll make our own,” he promised, shoving my panties aside with a single flick.
He kissed me while his stiff fingers pushed into me. I moaned against his tongue, giving him mine, opening my lips for the conquest I'd always welcome, my legs instinctively parting for his hand.
Fuck, he felt good.
He brushed my clit with his thumb, taking me to that please, for the love of God, fuck me now stage before drawing his fingers back. They grabbed my panties in the middle, jerked them down, and rolled them off my legs while I shuffled out of my boots.
Dusty reached underneath his seat with his free hand. His seat collapsed, making space for me to climb over him, and find my way onto his lap.
“Get on this dick, darlin'. Now.” Thunder filled his throat, running into my skin when he pulled me onto his lap, pressing his stubble into my neck. “I've been waiting all evening, and I ain't wasting another second.”
“Oh? Is that an order?” I asked, running my hands along his leather clad shoulders, grinding into the bulge in his jeans. I loved the smooth, rough contrast his clothes made with his stubble on my bare skin.
“Like you gotta ask. Fuck, darlin', I haven't had enough of you since I brought you back. Waiting for you to heal up wasn't easy.” He lifted my skirt, holding it up, allowing him to see the PROPERTY OF DUST ink I had tattooed high on my
lower belly a couple weeks ago. “Goddamn, I love seeing my name on you, babe. Never gonna get tired of it. Never gonna stop missing it when you ain't naked in my bed, about to ride this dick for all we're worth. Never, Hannah, you understand me?”
Tell me about it. No sex for several weeks was the worst part about having a baby, and being tortured by those assholes.
Dusty pushed his fingers into my hair, forming a fist, moving my face until it was just where he wanted. Our eyes locked, frantic as jagged breath filled our lungs, the violent want beating in our veins.
“I missed you, too,” I whispered, muscles turning taut when he pulled my nipple. “Jesus, I missed you so bad.”
His free hand went down between us. I heard his belt buckle coming apart, and soon his cock was out, its angry tip rolling against my wet pussy.
“Nothin' like our honeymoon, making up for lost time. No more games, darlin'. I need to be in you, and if you think I'm gonna wait for sweet talk...” Laying his hand on my ass, he pushed me down, engulfing his length in one sweet, raging movement. “Think again.”
“Dusty...”
I murmured his name while we started to fuck, the only thing I could on our second wedding night. Alive, in love, and lucky to enjoy it.
He filled me. So deep, so hot, so fucking good.
Outside, the early springtime mist coalesced around our truck. The Smokies offered us their majesty while we gave into our primal urges, nothing but our hearts and breath beating in our ears. The air was plenty cool, but we started to sweat within a minute, moving against each other faster, harder, needier.
“So fuckin' tight,” he rumbled, quickening his thrusts. “Even after Hank. This pussy's getting another kid sooner than you think, darlin'. Count on it.”
Holy shit. If there was any set of words priming me to come on command, he'd found them.
The craziest things sounded sane, sounded hot, whenever they left his lips. Our bodies thrashed and mingled at a base chemical level, and I'd come for this beautiful bastard whenever he asked.
