A wave of possessiveness overcame me as I took in all the men from the station, as well as my own MC members, staring at the lovely vision before me. I wanted to rip their eyes from their sockets just for staring at my woman, but refrained.
Barely.
And when the hell did she become my woman?
Hell, I didn’t know. What I did know is that I wanted her. And that I wouldn’t be letting her go. Especially since Baylee was all I could think about. I’d catch myself doing that constantly, daydreaming when I should be working.
Shit like that was dangerous. In my line of work it could easily get me killed.
My hand went out to Baylee’s, grabbing it tight as I could, while I helped her up onto the deck, and led the way down the dock towards the gazebo, and the rest of the crew. As we got closer, everyone noted Baylee’s hand grasped possessively in my large one. Eyebrows raised, but no one asked.
They didn’t need to. Baylee was mine, and it was more than obvious.
“Who’s your woman, Su...” Dad asked before I interrupted him with a curt barked retort.
“Don’t you fucking dare.” I snarled, making Baylee jump.
My father’s lips curved into an evil smile. “What’s wrong, Sue? You don’t want your lady friend knowing your name?”
My head fell back, and I contemplated the wooden beams of the gazebo’s roof while I willed my temper to take a back seat.
My father was such a dick. He knew how much I hated that middle name. Hell, every time I even thought about my middle name, I wanted to rage at someone. Sure, it wasn’t that bad. But, when you took into account my father’s obsession with Johnny Cash, and then the name, Sebastian, I never heard the end of it.
I sure felt for the man in Johnny Cash’s song, A Boy Named Sue.
Flipping my head back down and glaring at all the people giggling like little fucking girls I groaned. “Thanks, dad. Really wanted her to know that.”
“Anytime, son. Anytime. Take a seat. How’s your hand, sugar?” My father turned his probing eyes to Baylee.
Baylee smiled at my father and sat down gingerly on the bench that only allowed enough room for the both of us to sit within inches of each other.
She landed with a soft plunk, and I used the closeness of Baylee’s body to throw my arm up over her shoulders to run along her back.
Winter and Shiloh, who were sitting by my father, both with huge smiles on their faces; I glared at them to make sure they kept their shit to themselves.
“It’s okay. I’m a clumsy person. This happens a lot.” She told my nosy father.
Torren, the comedian of all The Dixie Wardens’ brothers, watched the interaction with a smile on his lips. Then, as if on cue, he stood and faced Baylee.
“Baylee, my dear. I’m Torren. It’s very nice to meet you.” He said as he held his hand out for Baylee to shake.
I knew where this was going even before Torren stood up, and couldn’t help the groan that slipped from my lips before Torren’s mouth even started to move.
“Nice to meet you, too.” Baylee said soberly.
“I want to ask you a serious question, and you have to promise to be truthful. This is an ongoing debate at the firehouse,” Torren was interrupted by groans by everyone within hearing distance. We’d all seen and heard this particular argument before. Many times.
He glared, but continued with the question. He asked every single woman that ever gets close to the club or firehouse. Why would Baylee be any different? “...do you watch The Bachelor?”
Baylee stayed silent for a few moments before shaking her head. “No. I think that’s the most ridiculous show on the face of the planet.”
Cheers rose throughout the men, and most of the women groaned. I found myself smiling, despite the ridiculousness of the entire debate.
“Thank you, Jesus!” Torren said, pumping his fist before taking his seat.
“What’s the big deal?” Baylee asked, pulling her feet up onto the bench, effectively getting closer to my own body without realizing it.
My hand came to a rest on her up raised knee, and she instinctively curled into my body, leaning her head on my chest.
I turned my head slightly, letting my chin rub against the top of her head. The smell of her shampoo rose up, and I took a deep breath, smelling the clean smell of her.
“You just screwed us, that’s what.” Shiloh whined.
“How?” She shouted.
My silent laughter shook my body. “The men think that’s the dumbest show on the planet. The women think it’s romantic. It’s just something that’s been a contention around here.”
“I hate that show. I don’t see how twenty women can become friends when they’re all vying for the same freakin’ man. I mean, who in the hell would want to share her man with that many women? Then again, the same goes for The Bachelorette. That shit wouldn’t fly with a man that really wanted you.” Baylee informed the group.
“That’s what the men think. The women disagree.” I agreed.
“You’re supposed to agree with the women, no matter what.” Allison pouted.
Allison was a cute little thing. She was older, as was Dave, her husband. Dave didn’t belong to the MC, but he did come to many of the parties. He and his wife married when they were young, seventeen. From there, he went on to join the fire department, and was the longest standing member. Allison stayed home with the children, and even now, eight years after the children moved out of their house to start lives of their own, she stayed home. They were there even before his own father was. Before the club’s particular chapter was, too.
“I’m sorry, I just can’t. There’s no way I could kiss a man that’d just kissed another woman. Let alone respect him. Seems to me that a man, a real man, wouldn’t want to share his woman. My best friend from college and I came up with an idea to patent a show called ‘The Alphas’ that had a bunch of alpha males on a show vying for a woman’s attention. It’d play out just about how the Bachelorette would play out, only instead of trying to be pansies; they’d just beat the ever-loving shit out of each other. They’d host the show on The Outdoor Channel. Ya know, so real men would actually watch it.” Baylee exclaimed.
Masculine chuckles and feminine peals of laughter filled the air; I even found myself laughing. That would be fun to watch.
“What does the woman do? Does she just sit back and watch the magic happen? Whoever comes out the winner gets the woman? Kind of like a modern day bride competition?” Dave asked.
Baylee’s lips pursed. “Yeah, except instead of doing competitions and placing in an event, like caber tossing or something, they just have bouts. Maybe a sanctioned fight where a referee is there and can stop the person right before he kills the other man. Then, they all fight each other, no weapons or anything, just their bodies, until there’s one winner. In the end, the winner gets the woman, and she doesn’t get to decide if she wants him or not. He does. He can also decide if he doesn’t want anything to do with her, and can give her the boot.”
“But wouldn’t it defeat the purpose if he gave her the old heave ho?” Winter snickered.
Winter was well on her way to drunk. She must’ve been drinking out of Dave’s punch, because that shit was laced with vodka out the ass. Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I texted Jack, and left it open on my thigh waiting for the reply that I knew would come quickly.
The conversation continued around them. Everyone was contemplating the merits of ‘Alphas’ and whether it would sell.
“Why wouldn’t it sell? People pay Pay-Per-View all the freaking time. What makes this any different?” Baylee asked Shiloh, when my sister was adamant about it not selling.
“Well....” Shiloh hiccupped, but couldn’t come up with a good answer. “I guess you’re right. Why do you both have to be so freakin’ smart all the damn time.”
Shiloh was drunk, too. Fuckin’ great. My sister got chatty and argumentative when she was drunk. That was how my girlfriend in high school found out
my name was Sue and told the entire fucking town. I’d gotten in more fights in high school about my goddamn name than I had when I was active in the Marines.
My phone vibrated on my leg.
Jack- Baylee can drive. Or Shiloh. We’ll come for the extra car tomorrow. Business tonight. New bird to pick up.
New bird was code for a woman that was escaping an abusive relationship.
On the side, Free did under cover charity work that removed women from dangerous situations. They used their knowledge and know how to make those women feel safe again. They accomplished it, too. They got them new names, places to live, and erased their old selves.
The Dixie Wardens had even helped a time or two in the past year.
That meant that option was out. They had other things they needed to concentrate on besides their drunk wives.
“I can’t drive her car; it’s too big and new.” Baylee apologized.
I looked down at her to see her staring at the message on his phone, studiously avoiding eye contact.
Confused, I raised my brows at her. “You drive an ambulance for work.” Sebastian stated.
She was shaking her head before I even finished the sentence. “I don’t.” She looked around nervously.
Something told me that there was more to this conversation than what was on the surface; I decided to wait until we weren’t at a party before I brought up the real reason.
“I’ll drive everyone home. This’ll be my last.” I declared before upending the bottle that was still sitting on the back of the bench.
“I can call my brother....” She offered.
I shook my head. I didn’t want her brother knowing where I lived; nor did I want him to know that his sister had been to my place. I didn’t want that big bastard interfering. I knew it wouldn’t last, but I needed to get my foot in the door before I took on Luke.
“It’s not a big deal. She’s my sister. I’ll take you home.” I stated, booking no room for an argument.
She scrunched up her nose at my statement, but surprisingly didn’t argue. “Want to go for a swim?” I asked.
She turned and surveyed the water. “Believe it or not, I don’t know how to swim. But I’ll go up to my chest or so, if you want.”
I stared at her, dumfounded. I didn’t know one single person that didn’t know how to swim. Hell, even my three year old knew how to swim. “You have a pool!”
Yes, that was the one intelligent thing I’d managed to get out.
My exclamation stopped the conversation going on around me, making it to where everyone was now listening to our conversation. Baylee’s face flamed in embarrassment, and I felt like a pile of shit for saying that loud.
Coming to a decision, I stood, pulling Baylee right along with me. “Let’s go get changed. I’ll help you.”
She came with all the enthusiasm of a four-year-old being sent to her room.
I caught the bag Winter threw at me as we passed, wondering what the hell she had in it to make it weigh fifty fucking pounds.
It was when we were in the house and making our way down the hall that I turned and flattened her to the wall with my body. “What’s wrong?”
She turned her face away, letting her hair fall down and cover her eyes. “Nothing.”
“When a girl says ‘nothing’ it means something. I know. I have a sister. Now, tell me what’s up.” I said as I ran my hand down her arm in soothing strokes.
“You’ve just touched on every single one of my sore spots in about an hour’s time. It’s not really that big of a deal, it’s just...sad.” She grudgingly replied.
I watched her face, watched the emotions play over it. “Will you tell me?” I rasped.
Instead of answering, she lifted her hands and placed them on my ribs, right underneath my armpits, and my brain short-circuited. The questions that were on the tip of my tongue were now gone, replaced by a burning need to feel this woman’s skin. Feel her hands running along my skin. My eyes connected with hers, and they stared.
I didn’t know how long we stood like that. Seconds. Minutes. All I knew was that I would absolutely fuck her against the wall if I didn’t get myself under control.
Leaning back reluctantly, I raised the hand that still had a death grip on her bag and placed it against her stomach. Her hands clutched at it desperately, still in the same spell I’d been in moments earlier while looking into her eyes.
I cleared my throat, and took another agonizing step back. I felt like my body was attached to her somehow, and stepping back from her was something that neither my mind, nor my body, wanted to do.
“You can change in that room right there.” I said, indicating with my finger to the room just beside my own.
That wasn’t a room I allowed anyone, except my sister, into. It was my own private room, and it meant a lot to me. So, by me allowing her to change in that room, I was welcoming her into my world.
She turned, opened the door, and closed it softly behind herself. The soft click of the door latch made my feet reluctantly start moving towards my own room.
I made quick work of my clothes, stripping off my boots, jeans, and then underwear, kicking them all into the corner of the room. I walked, naked, to my bathroom where I had my trunks hanging on a peg to dry out from my morning swim.
Still slightly damp, I yanked them up my legs, and tied the string into a knot just below my hips.
I went barefoot, padding back into the hallway and knocking on the door to my office. “You almost done?”
“Yes, I’m done.” She hesitated, and then added, “Can you tie me up?”
My grip on the handle tightened momentarily before I opened it and walked through the door.
I didn’t see her at first, but as soon as I made it all the way inside, I found her nearly behind the door, staring at a picture of me that was taken during my time in the Marines.
I’d been on my second deployment when that certain one had been taken. It was of me and three of my best friends the day before they were killed in a fire that had overtaken seven villages before it’d been contained.
“You all look cute in your bunker gear.” She smiled, looking over her shoulder at me.
Her smile froze on her face as her eyes traveled from my face, to my chest, and down to my lower half. She froze, taking in my swim trunks that hung low on my hips. I had to will my dick to behave, especially when the tiny little strings she was holding slipped loose from her hold, and loosened the tiny triangles that were the only thing covering her breasts.
Clearing my throat, I startled her, causing her to spin around, presenting me with her back. Not before I saw the dark outline of her pretty nipple, though. They weren’t huge, but they weren’t small, either. I wanted to suck them with my mouth and devour them.
Instead, I walked up behind her, lifted my hands, and followed the strings around her neck until it met the triangle of fabric covering her breasts. From there, I ran my fingers along the outside of the fabric, making Baylee shiver in anticipation.
Once my fingers met the strings that were hanging limply in front of her, I pulled until they were wrapped around her back. From there, I tied them in a knot.
“You were supposed to do it in a bow.” She instructed, voice heavy with something I couldn’t identify.
“I don’t do bows. I’ll do a knot though. Sorry.” I rasped before letting my fingers trail from the knot I tied down her back, until it came to a stop just above the curve of her ass. “Let’s go swim.”
Reluctantly, I took two steps away from her, tugged open the door, and stood to the side as she followed me out.
“I really don’t know how to swim. If you’re serious about me going out there, you’ve got to understand that.” She shivered, only this time it was because of fear, not need.
“I can do that. I won’t let you go. Promise.” I said soberly.
She stopped and turned just as we reached the back door.
“Pinky promise?” She asked, holding up her tiny littl
e pinky.
I looked from her uplifted pinky to her face, seeing the seriousness in her eyes, and did what any man would do.
I fucking pinky promised.
Chapter 6
Never do anything you’d be too embarrassed to tell the paramedics
-Life Lesson
Baylee
Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Oh, my God.
I shivered as the cold water went from my knees, to my thighs, to my crotch, and then to my stomach before Sebastian came to a standstill, turning to survey me before going in any further.
His eyes glanced down, and then right back up again.
“Cold?” He smirked.
My body chose that moment to shiver again. “What gave that away?” I asked dryly. “Was it the shivering or the chattering teeth?”
He looked at her closely, weighing something in his mind before he finally said, “Neither.”
My head turned slightly to the side, wondering what else would’ve given it away when he laughed. “Oh, Baylee. Please tell me you’re not as naïve as you seem.”
That, of course, only served to straighten my spine and narrow my eyes at him. Then what he was saying dawned, and my face flamed. Sebastian was laughing and hauling me closer to him before sinking deeper and deeper into the dark murky depths. The further out he got, the more my heart raced.
I also found that my arms were no longer crossed in indignation, but were wound so tight around Sebastian’s neck that I was pretty sure he couldn’t breathe. That didn’t make me let go, however. Instead, I wound my legs around his thick waist, and held on for dear life.
“I won’t let you go, I promise.” He insisted, wrapping an arm around my back tightly, pulling me impossibly closer than I’d been only moments before.
His arm felt like a metal band across my back, ensuring in its strength. My heart rate slowed, and it was only then that I realized how perilous this position could be.
My crotch felt like it was on fire where it was touching him. Could he feel it? The longer it sat against his warm, hard belly, the more and more heat it seemed to emit. Then my heart was pounding for a different reason.
Lights to My Siren Page 6
