After Burn

by Autumn Jones Lake

  “It’s like having children who never grow up and leave,” he says. He’s smiling, though.

  I lean against him and pat his chest. “You’re a proud papa watching over all his cubs, aren’t you?”

  He snorts. “Want to go for a swim?”

  I peer up at him. “Honestly, all I can think about is how many kids have probably peed in that pool already today.”

  He rumbles with laughter. “Me too.”

  In a lower voice, I add, “I will happily climb in our little Jacuzzi tub with you later, though.”

  “It’s a date.”

  A few minutes later, Rock’s giving me a what-did-you-get-us-into look when Murphy drops a dripping wet Alexa in his lap.

  “I’ll send Carter down to grab her,” Murphy promises.

  “We’re fine,” I answer, waving him away. Rock glances at me as if he had another answer in mind.

  “I feel bad Carter has to be the babysitter for the whole trip.”

  “I think he knew what he was signing up for,” Rock says.

  Later in the evening, it’s a few degrees cooler, but the thick humidity continues to cling to the air.

  “The hotel has an adult pool. Want to check that out?” Rock asks.

  We were in such a hurry to make it to dinner, I left my swimsuit on under my dress. “Sure.”

  I follow him to a secluded pool in the shadows of the maze-like hotel. Lush bushes with large pink blooms surround the wrought iron fence. The gate whines when Rock pushes it open.

  Small solar lights illuminate the stones around the pool, throwing off enough of a glow to see what we’re doing. Rock strips off his shirt and wades into the pool. Turning, he holds out his hand.

  “Is it cold?”

  He snorts. “Compared to out of the pool, yeah.” He curls his fingers, beckoning me closer. “Come on. I’ll warm you up.”

  He watches with a hungry gleam in his eyes while I slip my light, cotton dress over my head and toss it on the chair with his shirt.

  “Can you check and make sure my room key’s in my wallet?” Rock asks.

  I turn and bend over, searching for his wallet.

  “Very nice.” His intimate tone suggests this was a set-up.

  “You just wanted to stare at my ass,” I accuse, turning and glaring at him. Too bad I can’t stop laughing.

  “Hurry up,” he urges, holding out his hands again.

  I gingerly dip in a toe, then my whole foot, then the other.

  “Dive in, it’ll be easier,” Rock says. An amused smile plays over his lips as he swims closer.

  The water’s kissing my calves when he hooks his arms around me and drags me all the way into the water, spinning us around.

  “It’s cold! You lied.”

  “It’ll feel good in a minute.” His lips curl into a sexy smirk. “If not, I’ll warm you up.”

  Breaking free of his hold, I glide into the pool, swimming for the deep end.

  “You trying to outswim me, baby doll?” Rock’s low, rumbling voice drifts over the water.

  I turn, floating on my back, gently moving my arms back and forth. “Couldn’t if I wanted to.”

  “That’s right.” He captures my ankle and drags me through the water until my legs circle his waist. “We should’ve put in a pool at our house.” He eases me up out of the water and I wrap my arms around his neck, holding on tight.

  “Trinity and I were talking about joining the Y to take water aerobics. It’d be fun to have a pool so we didn’t have to leave the property.”

  “What about water-fucking?”

  “I don’t think Trinity’s into that—”

  “Sass-mouth.” He spins us in the water faster and I tilt my head back to look at the stars.

  “Uh-oh, are we interrupting?” Someone calls out above us.

  Rock groans and stops our movement. The tension in his body returning automatically.

  The possessive, protective way he wraps his arms around me sends a shiver through my body.

  “Not at all,” Rock answers in a neutral tone. I squeeze my legs around him, but he doesn’t so much as move a muscle. I turn to see who’s joined us and smile at Priest and Valentina.

  “Hi, Valentina. Good to see you again.” I hope it’s dark enough to hide the disappointment on my face.

  But I knew this was more of a working vacation, so I smile and relinquish my husband’s attention for a few more hours.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  For the last night of the get-together, everyone’s invited to a big cookout.

  “Should I dress up more?” I ask Rock.

  He tilts his head as if it’s an absurd question.

  “Some of these women don’t mess around.” I toss clothes out of my suitcase, searching for the right thing.

  I finally settle on a short, black flippy skirt that falls just above my knees, a silky royal blue sleeveless blouse with ruffles down the front, black high-heeled sandals and my property patch.

  Rock stares at me for a second before commenting. “We should just order room service.”

  “This sounded like a mandatory event.”

  He comes closer and leans down for a gentle kiss in contrast to the coarse words that come out of his mouth. “It’s mandatory that I fuck my wife.”

  Laughter spills from my lips and I take his hand, dragging him to the door. “We’ll have plenty of time for that later. I don’t want you to get in trouble. Priest seems kind of scary.”

  “Now you want to be on time,” he grumbles. He tips his head down and frowns at me. “You think I’m worried about Priest?”

  “No, but I think you respect your national president too much to miss this dinner.”

  He groans as if he doesn’t want to admit I’m right.

  Downstairs, I spot Trinity and Wrath. Without waiting for Rock, I run over and grab her for a crazy hug. “I feel like I haven’t seen you all weekend.”

  “I know,” she says, hugging me back. “You’ve been very popular.”

  I duck and shake my head, embarrassed.

  “We’ll have plenty to talk about when we get to Florida,” she assures me.

  Wrath’s lips curl into a sinful smirk. “There won’t be a lot of talking going on.”

  He lifts his chin at Rock. They do their usual silent-president-enforcer-communication thing before ushering us outside.

  There’s a long buffet set up outside. Four huge grills are being manned by two nervous-looking prospects under Priest’s watchful eye.

  After scarfing down large quantities of fried crab claws, Cajun fried chicken, pulled pork, and cornbread, I’m ready to burst.

  “I’m going to explode.” I rub my stomach.

  “Told you we take our food seriously,” Valentina says.

  “Totally worth the hours on the treadmill I have waiting for me when we get home.”

  She laughs and moves on, checking on every member and their significant other with an easy, welcoming manner.

  Rock takes my hand and tugs me toward the grass.

  “My hands still have barbeque sauce on them,” I warn.

  He answers by licking my fingers.

  “Stop, stop! That tickles!” Anywhere else I might feel silly. But there’s a playful, festive atmosphere surrounding us tonight. The Lost Kings must have concluded all their serious business and now they’re ready to party.

  We cross the yard and find Sparky sprawled out on a blanket, under a tree where the party seems to end and the woods begin. “What are you doing all the way out here?” I ask.

  He peels one eye open and gives me a serene smile. “Listening to the trees. I need to get in touch with nature occasionally.” He squints and lifts his arm, lazily pointing up at me. “Your panties match your shirt. That’s cute.”

  “Asshole,” Rock grumbles, kicking Sparky’s thigh.

  “Ow!” He rolls over and hugs his legs to his chest.

  “I meant it as a compliment, boss.”

  “Stop looking up my woman’s
skirt.”

  “Well, all right, then,” I say, holding my skirt tight to my legs and backing away. “Thank you, Sparky.”

  He seems to forget about his injured leg and flashes another blissful smile. “You have nice legs, First Lady.”

  “I like you better when you’re in the basement.” Rock snarls and leads me away. When we’re alone he leans over and whispers against my ear, “Why are you wearing panties at all?”

  “Uh, in case one of your brothers decides to look up my skirt?”

  He rears back and laughs. “Good point.” His laughter abruptly stops, and he pins me with a simmering stare. “But don’t get used to them.”

  “Stop that. We still have a long night ahead of us.”

  “Fireworks!” One of the guys shouts. People start moving toward the empty field to set up with blankets and drinks to watch the show.

  I clap my hands and bounce up and down. “Oh! I love fireworks. I can’t remember the last time I saw them.”

  Z stops next to us and hands Rock a blanket. He leans in and says something to Rock that I can’t hear over all the noise around us. A few seconds later Z’s headed toward the hotel.

  “He’s not staying?” I ask.

  “I think he plans to watch from somewhere else.”

  “With someone else?”

  “I didn’t ask.”

  I spot Wrath and Trinity up ahead, but Rock drags me over to a more secluded grove of trees and spreads the blanket out at the base of a thick maple.

  He drops down to the blanket, leaning against the tree and holds up his hand to me.

  “Hmmm… this is suspiciously familiar,” I say as I settle between his knees with my back to him.

  He traces up my legs and kisses my cheek. “One of my best days in the woods.”

  I shiver and wrap his arms around me, savoring his warmth.

  “Cold?”

  “Not anymore.”

  The first firework screeches into the sky and explodes overhead sending a shower of sparks raining down. A hush falls over the crowd.

  One by one the rockets burst into the air. The shoot into the sky at a faster and faster rate and a dizzying array of colors. Gasps, oohs, and ahhhs from people carry over to our secret spot.

  Rock’s hand travels over my rib cage, stopping below my breast.

  “Rock?” I whisper.

  Ignoring me, he works one of my buttons loose and teases his finger over my bare skin.

  I glance around. People are everywhere. Not near us, but we’re not exactly invisible.

  Two can play this game.

  I reach back and stroke my hand over the hardness pressed against my back and he groans.

  “What’re you doing, baby doll?” he rasps against my ear.

  He’s not going to make this easy. Without taking my eyes off the fireworks display above, I reach behind me with both hands—thank you for the yoga classes Swan—and work his jeans loose enough to free his cock. Hot, hard, and smooth against my fingers.

  I shift, gripping him with my right hand and slowly slide it up and down his length.

  He groans and stretches his legs out. “Fuck, Hope. You better plan to finish this.”

  Instead of answering, I move my hand a touch faster.

  Fireworks burst into the sky at a frenzied pace, meaning we probably don’t have much time left. Rock growls and pries my hand off his cock. Holding my arm, he presses my shoulder back until I turn to face him.

  His hands slide up under my skirt. “Been waitin’ to do this all night. Fuck, you feel good. Come take care of me.”

  I bat my eyelashes at him. “How?”

  He wraps his hand around his cock and strokes a few times. His free hand squeezes between my thighs and he presses two fingers against my damp panties. I gasp at the sensation as his fingers glide over my slit.

  “Wrap this wet pussy around my cock,” he invites. He hooks a finger into the material and drags it down my legs. “You won’t be needing these.” I step out of them and he tucks the material inside his pocket.

  With his hands on my hips, he guides me down until I’m straddling his lap. “There you go. Nice and slow.”

  The sizzle and pop of the fireworks above us are nothing but background noise compared to our breathing and the racing of my heart. Heat sears my skin where we’re connected. I take my time, enjoying the feel of the being stretched and filled by him.

  “Teasing me all night,” he whispers, gathering my hair in one hand to tilt my head back so he can lick and kiss my neck. “Such a bad girl. You’re lucky I didn’t bend you over, flip up this skirt, and take you right in front of everyone earlier.” He continues whispering a steady stream of filthy, possessive words in my ear that take me higher and higher.

  I tip my head forward, pressing my forehead against his so I can stare into his eyes and moan his name.

  “What, baby doll?” He captures my hands and holds them behind my back while yanking my top down with his other hand.

  “Rock! People around!”

  “It’s dark. Everyone’s watching the fireworks.”

  He reaches down and pinches my ass. “Stop sassing me and ride my dick.”

  I growl my annoyance at the bossy command at the same time fire shoots through me.

  His jaw tightens and his gray eyes peer straight into my soul. He lifts one hand and cups my cheek. “I fucking love you so much.”

  It’s not an elegant declaration, but it’s real and raw, laced with emotion and honesty.

  Everything I need.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  You think I’d be used to the way my heart stops when I look at my wife. But something about her grabs hold of me every damn time.

  She’s dead to the world. Head on my chest, arm slung over my stomach and leg thrown over mine. It didn’t take her long to pass out after I brought her upstairs when the fireworks display ended.

  I should be exhausted. Instead, my mind’s racing. Today we head to Florida for the weeklong biker rally.

  Priest will definitely expect a sit-down before everyone rolls out. I already have his okay to meet up with a few members of the Iron Bulls MC and I send a text to their president to confirm the time and location.

  “How are you already awake and productive?” Hope groans and throws her arm over her eyes, blocking out the sun.

  “You get me all fired up.” I pounce on her, peppering her face, shoulders, and chest with kisses until she’s wide-awake. “Another long day ahead of us. You up for it?”

  Excitement brightens her green eyes as she flips the covers back. “Can’t wait.”

  I pat her ass as she walks by and she yelps, hurrying into the bathroom.

  While she’s busy, I stuff my remaining gear into my bag and shake my head at how much packing Hope has left to do.

  My phone buzzes, and I pick it up off the nightstand.

  Z: Priest wants us downstairs in 10.

  “Hope, I gotta run downstairs for a quick meeting.”

  “Okay,” she calls out. “I’ll finish packing and be ready when you get back.”

  I’ll believe it when I see it.

  Wrath and Z are waiting by the elevator for me. “Where’s Teller and Murphy?”

  “Rest of the guys are waiting downstairs,” Z says.

  “Well, shit.”

  “Ready to blow this place?” Z asks.

  “Fuck yeah.”

  Wrath glances up and down the hall before speaking. “Hoping we don’t have any followers to our meet with the Iron Bulls.”

  “Maybe half of us should stay with the pack and half of us take off for the meet?” I suggest.

  Z raises his hand. “I’ll go with you to meet them. Last time I was there, hooked up with this chick—”

  “Would you stop thinking with your dick for five seconds and be serious?” I bite out.

  “That’s all I’ve been doing all weekend.” He moves in closer. “I haven’t gotten laid in days. I’m genuinely concerned about my health here.”


  “For fuck’s sake,” Wrath growls.

  “You two get pussy whenever you want. The rest of us have to work for it.”

  Shaking my head, I count to ten before speaking again. “You, Wrath, Murphy, and Sparky will come with me to meet up with Romeo’s crew.”

  “Yes!” Z does some absurd fist pump and I roll my eyes.

  “It’s not an invitation to hit on their women,” I remind him.

  “Yeah, yeah. I’ll behave.”

  “Why am I not reassured?”

  Downstairs, Priest’s in a foul mood.

  “Everyone settle the fuck down!” He yells, banging his gavel against the table to get our attention.

  No one’s sitting for this meeting. We’re all too eager to get on the road.

  Once everyone simmers down, Priest lets us know why we were invited to this meeting. “Everyone knows we ain’t friends with the Warthogs MC. They run the area right outside where the rally’s being held. We got permission to be at the rally, wearing our colors—”

  “Fuck those fat assholes!” someone shouts.

  “That’s exactly the kind of bullshit I don’t want to hear,” Priest snaps back. “I gave their president my word we were only there for the rally. I will put a fuckin’ bullet in you myself if any one of you steps out of line and makes me look like a fucking liar. Are we fucking clear?”

  The obvious answer is yes. A few guys are a little too slow responding for Priest’s taste.

  “This ain’t a fuckin’ joke. Law enforcement will be crawling all over this rally just waitin’ for rival clubs to get into it and we’re not giving them the satisfaction. They got pigs from every agency all over the country with eyes on this. Let’s make it a wasted trip for them.”

  “So you want us to act like fuckin’ pussies?” Shadow says.

  Sway elbows his VP a little too late.

  Priest sweeps his blazing stare over the crowd, finally landing on Shadow. “Someone steps to you first, handle it. I’m not saying otherwise. But use your fucking common sense. We’re there to have a good time and conduct some business. We’re not there to whip out our dicks and piss on another club’s territory.” He sneers at Shadow. “You understand the difference, son?”