by Carol Lynne
He opened his eyes and stared into twin kaleidoscopes. “I’m gonna kill him.”
She rolled her eyes. “If you started killing everyone who treated me like shit, this place would turn into a ghost town, and you’d be sitting on death row.”
Lowering himself, he sank his cock into her heated depths. Shame filled him, once again. “And I’d be at the top of the list, wouldn’t I?”
Santana broke eye contact, giving him his answer. “You never treated me like shit because you forgot I was alive.”
He’d give anything to go back and change the past. “I’m here now, and I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you.” He took her mouth in a deep kiss as he began to rock in and out of her pussy.
A moan escaped her as she wrapped her legs higher around his back.
“You feel so good,” he whispered against her lips as his hips snapped, creating a staccato beat as their flesh slapped together. “I want you on the pill so I can fuck you whenever and wherever I want.”
“You can already do that,” she panted in his ear.
He gave her a quick kiss. “Not yet, but soon.” He reached down and centered her clit between his thumb and forefinger. Pinching the sensitive nub, he nearly lost it when she bucked under him. “Yeah, move for me,” he urged.
With a soft groan, she locked her legs around him and started to move under him, meeting each of his thrusts. Fuck, it was a beautiful feeling to be with someone who actually meant something to him. His mouth sought hers in another dance of tongues. Christ, had he ever enjoyed kissing so much? Usually fucking was a way to relieve stress and the bullshit of the day, but everything felt different with Santana. He’d worried that his attraction had more to do with her need for protection, but as he buried his cock time after time, he realized protection had nothing to do with the way she made him feel.
“Stake!” she cried while her body shook with the force of her climax.
“So fucking beautiful,” he groaned as he pumped inside her twice more before burying himself deep. He shot into the condom, wishing again that the fucking thing wasn’t between them. Soon, he told himself as he collapsed on top of her.
He rolled to her side and removed the condom. “I need to talk to the club, and I’m gonna need you to come with me.”
She shook her head. “I can’t go there.”
“Yes, you can.” As much as he wanted to make love to her all night long, there were things that needed doing. With Gordon free, it was only a matter of time before the sonofabitch tried to get at her again. “I need to meet with my brothers because it’s important they agree that you’re under the club’s protection from now on.”
He didn’t want to worry her, but he needed to be honest. “Gordon’s days are numbered, and I need them to accept that.”
She snuggled against him and rested her cheek on his chest. “You have a great body.” She traced the words tattooed sideways up his torso. “The road is eternal, the wind constant,” she read. “That’s beautiful. Did you come up with that?”
Stake shook his head. “I read it somewhere, but it always stuck with me. “It’s the reason I ride. It’s a feeling of freedom that I can’t explain to people who don’t own a bike.”
He cupped her left breast. “But, enough of my body. I’m torn between wanting to never see you wear a bra again and asking you to put one on to hide these gorgeous tits from the brothers at the club.”
“I don’t want anyone but you,” she said. “But I’ve seen your collection of magazines, so I know you’re rather fond of tits.”
Fuck, and didn’t that make him feel like the luckiest man on earth. “Most of ‘em in those magazines are fake. I hate fake tits.” He rolled to his side and scooted down to suck one of her nipples into his mouth. “Yours are fuckin’ perfect.”
“No bra it is then,” she replied with a giggle.
The sound was so unexpected it caught him off guard. He released her nipple. “That’s the first time I think I’ve heard you laugh since…” his voice trailed off.
She shrugged. “I feel good.”
“I hope to make you feel really good later after we get back from the club.” He gave her a quick kiss. “Making you feel good has become my new favorite pastime.”
Chapter Five
Wearing her favorite pair of denim shorts and a tight red tank top, Santana climbed onto the back of Stake’s Harley. It would be the first time since her dad was sent to prison that she’d been on a bike, and knowing she was on Stake’s bike made it so much better. She settled as close as she could get and rested her hands on his muscular abdomen.
He shook his head and moved her hands to rest on his cock. “This is where I want your hands whenever you’re with me,” he said over his shoulder before starting the bike.
She pressed her cheek against the soft leather of his cut and held onto his groin as he rode out of the driveway. She’d remembered to pile her hair on top of her head before putting on the half-helmet and as the wind whipped across her face, she was grateful for it.
Freedom. She recalled Stake using that word earlier when he’d talked about riding. He was so right. As they wound their way over the ribbon of county roads in the darkness, she felt like a different person. All the worry of being left behind by him vanished, replaced by the kind of hope she’d never allowed herself. One thing she was sure of, she would take care of Gordon herself. Stake had already given her more than anyone ever had, and she refused to use that connection to rid the world of an asshole like the sheriff. If she screwed up and went to prison, at least she’d known what kindness really felt like.
* * * *
Stake parked in his usual spot and helped Santana off the bike. Before releasing her, he unbuttoned her shorts and shoved his hand down the front to her pussy. He slid his fingers up and down the wet slit. “You’re so fucking wet. I knew you were my kind of woman.” He sank two fingers inside her pussy and gathered some of her cream before removing them. Holding her gaze, he tasted her sweet juices and shook his head. “I’m a lucky bastard.”
She lowered her chin, breaking eye contact. “I’m the lucky one,” she whispered.
The club door opened and light spilled out into the parking lot. He buttoned her shorts before wrapping an arm around her waist. “You ready for this?”
She shrugged.
“Stay close until I have to speak with Cecil. When that happens, I’ll find someone I trust to keep an eye on you, and whatever you do, don’t take shit from any of the club bitches,” he warned.
“Have you slept with a lot of them?” she asked.
He stopped walking and turned her to face him. “What I have or haven’t done with any cunt in that building has nothing to do with you. Got it?” He started to leave it at that, but decided to go a step further. “I told you, you’re mine, and I’m yours. That’s something no one else can ever claim.”
She licked her lips. “I’m nervous.”
“That’s good, because some of my brothers don’t know fuck all about how to treat a lady. That’s why you need to stick close until I have time to school the bastards.” He pressed his lips against hers and thrust his tongue inside before pulling back. He grinned and shook his head. He didn’t have a clue as to how one little thing could bring him so easily to his knees.
He opened the door of the club and ushered her inside, keeping a tight hold on her hand. He nodded to his brothers as he wove through the tables to the bar. “Beer?” he asked her.
He could tell that by the way she contemplated the question that the offer worried her. He leaned down and whispered in her ear. “It’s a beer. Don’t worry, I won’t let you drink too much.”
“I don’t ever want to be like my momma.”
“I know,” he soothed, kissing her temple. “Two beers,” he told Mad Dog.
Mad Dog’s gaze landed on Santana. “Fuck, Stake, who’s this?”
“Mine,” Stake answered, pulling Santana against him. “And you’d better watch yourself
, or I’ll tell Corrine.”
Santana glanced up at the skinny man. “Santana Rogers,” she said, introducing herself.
Mad Dog glanced at Stake.
“Yeah, this is Smash’s daughter.” If he was going to have trouble with anyone because of Ellie’s relationship to Santana, he needed to put an end to it fast.
Mad Dog smiled. “Nice to meet you. I didn’t know your dad, but everyone speaks highly of him.”
It was Santana’s turn to give Stake a questioning glance. He gave her a reassuring squeeze. “I told you, bug, it was Ellie, not Smash.”
She nodded and accepted the bottle of beer. “Thank you,” she told Mad Dog.
Mad Dog winked. “Anytime, sweetie.”
Stake leaned across the bar. “To you, her name’s Santana, not sweetie, babe, or hon. Got that?”
Mad Dog nodded but had enough sense not to answer.
Satisfied that Mad Dog would treat Santana with the respect she deserved, Stake studied the room, looking for a place to sit. That goddamned Iggy was getting a blowjob right next to the chair Stake usually sat in and he wouldn’t subject Santana to that. Iggy was a fucking pig, and his lack of discretion was really getting on Stake’s nerves. He pointed to a couch in the sitting area of the club. There were several brothers with bitches on their laps, but they appeared to be behaving themselves for the time being. “Let’s sit over there.”
Santana grabbed his arm. “Oh my god, is that Tiny?”
He nodded, knowing the two of them went to school together. “You used to be friends, right?”
Her expression fell. “Used to be.” She pointed to a table in front of the door. “What’s wrong with that one?”
“It’s not safe to sit in front of the door. Too easy for someone to walk through and level their gun on the first person they see,” he replied.
“It’s safer for me because it would put me closer to an escape,” she mumbled.
Laughing, Tiny met Stake’s gaze. He glanced at Santana and the blood seemed to drain from his face as he got to his feet. “Too late, Tiny’s spotted you.”
“I need to go to the bathroom.” Santana started to pull away, but Stake kept his arm firmly around her.
“No, you need to stand up for yourself. Whatever happened between the two of you, you need to understand that it wasn’t his fault.”
Tears sprang to her eyes as she stared up at Stake. “I can’t.”
“Santana,” Tiny said, approaching them.
Santana refused to look at the burly young biker. “Hi, Tiny,” she replied, her face pressed against Stake’s chest.
“Ummm, I was sorry to hear about what happened,” Tiny said, obviously as uncomfortable as Santana.
Part of Stake wanted to shake her for the way she was acting, but a bigger part understood. She’d been alone for years, and although he was grateful she’d accepted him so easily back into her life, he couldn’t fault her for being wary of everyone else who’d hurt her. “Give us a minute,” he told Tiny before leading Santana to the opposite side of the room. He guided her down a hallway to the back door of the club.
Once in the warm night air, he led her to a grouping of picnic tables they used for family cookouts. He sat on one of the benches and pulled her between his thighs, pressing his cheek against her tits.
“I’m sorry,” she said, running her fingers through his hair.
“You need to understand that no one here wanted to turn their backs on you. The club was put in a no-win situation by Ellie, and we did what we had to do. I know you’ve been hurt, and I wish like hell I could take it away, but I can’t, and unless you learn to forgive these people, you’ll never fit in.” He nuzzled his face against her breasts. “I need you to fit in, because I don’t plan on ever giving you up, and these people are my family.”
Santana put her hands on his cheeks and tilted his head back to look up at her. “I’ll try to be nice, but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to trust that they won’t leave me alone again.”
“Do you feel that way about me, too?” he asked.
She nodded. “There’s no one I want to be with more, but I know it could all end tomorrow. You’re a biker, and I know how easy it is for you to get women. You’re with me because I’m different, but that won’t last long. Someday, you’ll see me just as you see the others.”
Stake removed her hands from his face and brought them to his mouth. He reverently kissed each finger, trying like hell to convey his promise. She was it for him, and he knew that in his soul, but he doubted she would believe him because why should she? He didn’t have the best track record where Santana was concerned. “Guess I’ll just have to prove you wrong about that.”
* * * *
“I need to talk to Cecil,” Stake said, finishing his beer. “It might be a good time for you to talk to Tiny.”
Santana took a sip of her beer. The last thing she wanted was to go back into the clubhouse, but Stake was right. She needed to get the talk with Tiny over with. “Can you send him out here? I’d feel better without people watching us.”
Stake pushed his hand under her shirt and caressed her pebbled nipple as he stared up at her. “I can’t leave you out here by yourself.”
“Despite everything he’s done, I know Tiny won’t hurt me.” Although Tiny hadn’t spoken to her, she had a feeling he was the one who’d given Robby Langers the black eye and split lip after Robby started bragging about popping her cherry.
Stake pulled his phone out and punched in some numbers before putting it to his ear. “Hey, grab Santana a fresh beer, and come out to the picnic tables.” He nodded. “Yeah,” he said before hanging up. “He’s gonna hit the head first.”
She couldn’t help but laugh. “Do you have any idea how many times I’ve seen that boy pee against the side of a tree?”
Stake pinched her nipple. “He’s smarter than that now. He knows I’d cut his fucking dick off if he whipped it out in front of you again.”
Each time he showed his alpha streak, it made her pussy clench. “Yes, sir.” She moved to sit on his lap. Resting her head on his shoulder, she buried her face in his neck. “Call Tiny back and tell him we’re going to fuck before you talk to Cecil.”
He squeezed her ass. “I won’t disrespect you like that. You deserve more than to be fucked a few steps away from a bunch of drunk bikers.”
Even though she wasn’t going to get what she craved, her heart warmed at his answer. “Okay,” she whispered as she heard the door shut. She leaned in and gave him a deep kiss. “Please don’t be gone long.”
“Just long enough. Promise.” He stood with her still in his arms and set her on top of the picnic table. “Watch her,” he told Tiny. “Anyone tries to mess with her, shoot ‘em.”
Tiny chuckled and handed Santana a beer. “Will do.”
Stake smiled at her once more before turning to head inside.
“Mind if I sit?” Tiny asked.
She gestured to the other end of the table. “Help yourself.” She took a sip of her fresh, cold beer and sighed. She really did enjoy the taste, even if she was afraid to like it too much.
“I’m sorry I hurt you,” Tiny said. For a man of six-seven that had to weigh at least two-hundred and fifty pounds, all of it solid muscle, he sounded like the little boy she’d first met when she was five-years old. “I’ll make it up to you.”
She fought hard to remember the position her mom had put everyone in. Stake was right, it wasn’t Tiny’s fault, but that didn’t erase the years of pain and loneliness. “I don’t know what to say.”
Tiny tugged on his beard. “You don’t have to say anything. I’m the one who fucked up. I should’ve been strong enough to go against my dad and the club.”
“No.” She scooted over enough to reach Tiny’s big hand. “I don’t think I’ll ever be the girl I used to be, but now I know it was my mom’s fault. Doesn’t make it any easier to stomach, and I’ll probably never feel comfortable around the club, but that doesn’t mean I don
’t understand why it happened.”
Tiny sandwiched her hand between both of his. “Will you tell me what’s going on with Stake? I take it the two of you are finally together.”
She took a deep breath. God, she needed someone to talk to other than Stake, but trusting Tiny after everything that had happened scared her. “I’ve always loved Stake, you know that.”
Tiny smiled. “I think everyone knew that except Stake.”
“Gordon’s going to get away with what he did,” she announced. “Stake’s talking to Cecil about it.”
“Stake’ll kill Gordon,” Tiny realized.
“Yeah, but I can’t let him to that.” She squeezed Tiny’s arm with her free hand. “I can’t let him go to prison because of me.”
Tiny shook his head. “He won’t let it go. That isn’t who he is.”
She wanted to tell Tiny that she planned to deal with Gordon on her own, but she wouldn’t make Tiny an accessory. She decided to change the subject. “Do you still talk to Jaycee and Gill?”
He released her hand and reached back for his beer. “They got married if you can believe that shit.”
Stunned, she reached for her own beer. She suddenly felt like she was back in high school. “Oh my God, how’d that happen?”
“Wouldn’t I like to know.” He slapped his knee. “I never told Gill this, but I always thought he was gay. He never dated. All he wanted to do was hang out with me and Jaycee.” He started to laugh, the sound so deep Santana felt it in her chest. “I’m happy for them, ya know, but now they’re living in Oregon, and I’m here.”
Santana finally felt comfortable enough to reach out and tug on Tiny’s long beard. “If you’d shave this, I bet you’d find someone special.”
“Are you kidding? This thing’s a pussy magnet.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’ll have to take your word for it.”
* * * *
Stake knocked on Cecil’s door. “Got a minute?”
“Come in.” Cecil was sitting at his desk, talking to Magic and Hog. “Good. We were just talking about you.”
Stake tried to figure out why the fuck they’d been discussing him. He doubted Cecil knew about Gordon unless the sheriff had already called. “What’s up?”
