by Loren, Celia
It'll be tough to explain club life to Jo, but I think she'll understand if I ease her into it. What's really troubling me is that I just outright lied to my club president, something I never thought I would do. Jo said she heard a clicking sound, one that I recognized immediately as being Fish's throat tic, though it's not like there could ever be a lineup with that to go on. Gentleman, please step forward one by one and make a weird swallowing-type noise with your Adam's Apple. Jo will never be able to ID Fish. Even if she heard the noise again, who knows if she's actually recognize it?
Even if she could, I'm not telling Bark or anyone else about it. They could overreact and want to get rid of her, and I can't let that happen. Protecting Jo seems more like fate than a choice. From deep within me, I can feel it. It's just something I have to do.
Chapter Fifteen
Jo
I nervously run my fingers over my t-shirt, feeling the lace of my new lingerie beneath it. It's not really the type of stuff made for everyday wear, and doesn't sit quite right under normal clothes, but I want it to be a surprise for Holt. It's been hours, not days, since I last saw him, and I'm already craving my next fix.
And it's not just my new purchase that's giving me butterflies in my stomach. I think Holt might actually be considering taking me on to his landscaping company, and then I could quit working at Billy's. Not that that's the only reason I want to work with him—to leave here. I've found I love doing that work, using my body, and having my mind go a little quieter for a while. I love learning about all the plant species, and thinking about what I'd put where. Not that it's all just physical labor, either. Holt thinks about the pH levels in the soil, sustainability, price.
A small smile comes to my lips. Three weeks ago I felt like my world was caving in on me, and now I have a new man in my life, and maybe a new career.
My buzzer sounds, surprising me, and Holt's voice crackles over the speaker. I push the button to let him in and pace around my living room until I hear his knock at my door. I bite my lip as I open the door. He's freshly showered, his still-damp hair tumbling just over his shoulders, and his black t-shirt stretched over his giant chest. I want to throw myself on him immediately, but I notice he's standing a bit awkwardly with his hands behind his back.
"I have something for you," he murmurs seriously, and brings his arms in front of him. I grin as I see what he's holding. Women's gardening gloves. I take them from his hands, touching the green and white stitching.
"Does this mean what I think it means?"
"Jo, will you…come and work for me?"
I laugh. "I thought you'd never ask!" I pull on the gloves. They're a perfect fit, unlike the men's gloves he has that swim on my hands. I frown slightly even as I admire them. "Are you sure this isn't too much too soon? I mean, we're already spending a lot of time together, and even couples that have been together for years don't necessarily want to work together. And there are other landscaping jobs I could look for."
"Fuck, jumping to my competition already."
"You know what I mean."
He closes the door behind him and steers me over to the couch. "Look, this kind of work isn't like an office job anyway. We work when we get the jobs, so we won't always be on top of each other. Though with what you've been dealing with, I don't know if that would be such a bad thing. Besides, I can always fire you."
"Gee, thanks. OK, just one more concern."
"Lay it on me," he says, sinking onto the nearest seat and tucking his arm along the back of the couch.
"Am I actually a good worker? I mean, you're not just hiring me because I'm your girlfriend, right? I've been doing pushups to increase my upper body strength, and I promise I'll keep doing those."
He begins to laugh quietly, rubbing his eyes with his thumb and pointer finger. "You're a good worker. Even Dale said so. Any more concerns?"
"No, that’s it. Thank you!" I fling my arms around his neck, my nose brushing against the scruff on his neck. "I'll give my two weeks' notice at Billy's tomorrow."
"And that's when I can beat up Carl?"
Holt now harbors a deep dislike of my manager, ever since I told him how he hits on me.
"No, no beating up Carl. Even after I quit."
"Mm, we'll see," he says, his arm dropping casually onto my back. "There's actually something I wanted to talk to you about, too…" he trails off as his fingers begin to inch around, exploring. "What exactly am I feeling here? What do you have on under this?" he asks, attempting to peer down the front of my shirt.
"A surprise," I admit, blushing, now suddenly shy.
"A surprise?" he echoes, his eyes lighting up. "Lemme see," he says, reaching for the bottom hem of my shirt.
"Wait, wait," I giggle. "OK, just promise you won't laugh. I've never worn anything like this before and I'm worried I'm going to look…silly."
"If it's what I think it is, you're not going to look silly," he replies slowly, his eyes practically glowing.
I giggle again. God, I don't know what's wrong with me. It's not like Holt and I haven't had sex before, but something about this is making me all nervous again. "Alright, you go wait in the bedroom. I'll be right in."
He smiles in a way that makes me shiver and obediently heads into the bedroom. I stand and follow him, breaking off into the bathroom to finish my look. I pull the stockings out from under the sink where I stashed them and remove my shirt and jeans. The garters had been uncomfortable tucked into my pants, and I rub the little pink indentations they left in my skin. I sit on the edge of the tub as I carefully unroll the stockings up my legs, clipping them onto the garter.
After I finish, I stand up and study myself in the mirror, fluffing my hair up with my fingers. I got the black and white lace corset with its attached garter belt and matching panties at the mall earlier today. It was actually tough to get on, with all the snaps going up the back. It's strapless, and even I have to admit that my breasts are sitting high and firm in this thing.
I fan my red cheeks with my hands as I step into my black pumps, tucked on the tile floor next to the toilet. OK, time for the big reveal.
I step toward my bedroom, poking my head around the doorframe. Holt's sitting on the bed, his elbows resting on his legs, his fingers interlaced between him. He's still fully clothed, with just his shoes and socks placed by the foot. He looks so…contemplative.
His head jerks up as a floorboard creaks underneath me. I smile, and slowly walk into the middle of the room. I look at him expectantly.
"…You're not saying anything," I murmur worriedly after a long silence, feeling foolish. He shakes his head slightly.
"There are no words," he says, standing up as he exhales a low breath. "Just…just stay there for a minute." He lets his eyes travel down and then back up my body. "Now turn around." I obey, spinning in a slow circle in front of him. He walks toward me, and my stomach flips over at the depth of the desire in his eyes. His hands slide around my corseted waist, then down over my ass as he fingers the straps of my garter.
When he leans down and kisses me, it's like every cell in my body suddenly jumps to attention. His tongue slides in my mouth and I melt under his touch. I wrap my arms around his neck, a slightly easier feat for me in heels, and allow myself to go a little slack in his embrace. His hands travel all over my body, running down the boning of the corset and across the tops of my stockings. He grabs my ass and presses himself into me, and I feel his erection jutting against my stomach. He pulls his mouth away and I try to catch my breath, gulping in air through my mouth.
"I think we gotta do something special tonight," he murmurs. My whole body tingles.
"What did you have in mind?" I whisper, gazing up into his eyes.
"Hmm." He releases me and walks over to my bedside table. What's he doing? He reaches for the top drawer.
"No, no wait!" I cry, hurrying over. He grins at me and then looks back down at the contents. "Oh my god, this is so embarrassing."
"Women always keep the most
fun things in this drawer," he observes smugly, sorting through it. He holds up my Rabbit.
"Oh? So you've done…whatever this is before?"
He looks up at me seriously. "I've done most everything before. But it's different with you, I promise you that."
"I don't want you to feel bored with me. I know you have a lot more experience." I chew the inside of my cheek anxiously.
"I am never bored with you. No matter what we're doing. But we don't have to do this kind of stuff…I don't want you to do it if you're just doing it to make me happy."
"No, no, I like it. I love it, actually," I reply, glancing down at my interlaced hands. "I just want to make sure that I'm…that it's enough for you."
"You're enough for me," he says seriously. I glance up to see the concern in his eyes. Shoot, I didn't mean to suck all the fun out of this moment.
"What are you going to do with that?" I ask, nodding at my favorite pink vibrator.
"I think we should save this one for another time," he says, replacing it in the drawer. He picks up a slim silver one—a joke gift from my bachelorette party years ago.
"I'm not sure that even works anymore."
He moves his thumb over the switch at the base and, miraculously, it buzzes to life. He grins wolfishly at me.
"What are you going to do with that?" I ask, eyeing him nervously.
"Trust me?"
"Yes," I respond immediately.
"Take off your underwear. Nothing else." I begin to tremble with anticipation as he watches me unhook the stockings from the garter and slip off my panties. I pause, then decide to hook them back on. He licks his lips. "Perfect. Now sit down on the bed." I obey, walking over and taking a seat on the nearest side of the bed. He unbuckles his belt and slides his pants to the ground, leaving his boxers on, then walks over to me and stands between my legs. He dangles his hands on my knees and runs them up my thighs, then up the corset and over my breasts, finally tilting my chin up toward him. "Lie back," he commands.
I let myself sink back against the comforter as he watches me. He holds the vibrator in his right hand and bends over me, pressing my legs farther apart with his own. He leans down and gently kisses me, then moves down onto my neck, flicking his tongue across the sensitive spot just over my clavicle. I begin to squirm as he moves down onto my breasts, pillowing over the corset. He runs one finger over the right cup and pulls it down, exposing my nipple. He takes it into his mouth and sucks on it, then bites down softly and circles his tongue. The air feels cold against my damp skin as he moves over to my other breast, pulling it out of my corset and giving it the same treatment. He grips my waist and blows against my waist so that I can feel his hot breath moving down, down, until he hits bare skin above my crotch.
He lets his tongue flick gently on my skin, just touching me. He moves tantalizingly slowly, barely making contact, just enough to tease me, as he nears my wetness. He licks softly across my clit and I cry out, my hands fisting next to me on the comforter. He kisses down my slit and sticks his tongue inside me, then moves back up to my clit, circling it slowly and firmly. I moan as I feel pleasure building inside me. Suddenly, there's a buzzing noise, and my eyes fly open.
"Relax," he murmurs, picking his head up. "You can tell me to stop at any time."
I nod, and take a deep breath, concentrating on the feeling of his tongue working me over. I gasp as I feel the cold vibrator just pressing against my slit. Oh my. His tongue is still going, but now the tip of the vibrator is also slipping inside me. I groan, and he moves it back out and then up to my clit. I jump. For some reason the vibrator in his hands feels much more intense than when I've used one on myself. He lets it slide around my clit, then back toward my slick opening. He pushes it in further now, until I can feel his fingers holding it at the base. He circles his wrist and the vibrator buzzes against my g-spot. I feel his mouth back on my clit, and now he flicks his tongue across me aggressively. My hips buck as he thrusts the vibrator back and forth inside me.
I feel him grip one of my thighs with his hand and pull me a couple inches further toward him. He takes the vibrator out of me completely and I feel him pull his head back. I bite my lip, expecting to feel his dick pushing inside me, but the buzzing sound continues. My mouth falls open as I feel the vibrator press open my butt cheeks and poke into my ass. I know his fingers have felt good there, but this vibrator is bigger. He brings his tongue back to my clit and I relax again. The vibrator is already slick from being inside me and I feel it slide further inside. An intense pressure builds up until I think I can't take it anymore, and then he stops. I moan as pleasure builds up, but I still want to feel him inside me.
As if he's reading my mind, he pulls himself up and bends over me, whispering in my ear, "This is going to be intense, but it's gonna feel so good." A second later, I feel his dick pushing at my opening. "Wrap your legs around my back," he instructs me. I obey, and feel him thrust further inside me. My eyes roll in my head at the overwhelming sensation of fullness: the vibrator buzzing inside my ass and his huge cock filling me up. I bury my nose in his neck as he slowly drives all the way in.
"Oh, god, Holt…" I breathe, feeling completely vulnerable, completely in his power. He covers my mouth with his and I can taste myself on his tongue as his cock pulls out and then thrusts slowly back in. I groan as he thrusts again, the pleasure so acute that it's bordering on pain. He keeps the vibrator steady inside me as he begins to pick up the pace. Tears spring to my eyes as the pleasure and the loss of control overwhelms me. I hear a voice crying out and realize that it's my own. My whole body hums as waves of bliss course through me. I'm vaguely aware of Holt groaning on top of me as he comes, but I feel like I'm watching him from far away.
I don't know if I fall asleep, but then I realize Holt is turning me on my side and gently pulling my corset off me.
"Thank you," I murmur drowsily. I feel him adjust the comforter over me and then he slips in next to me, draping his arm over my side.
The next time I open my eyes, the sun is streaming through my windows. I blink in confusion. Wow, I must have really passed out. I feel Holt next to me, and turn slowly to see him fast asleep, still in his shirt. He's so funny about that. A strange thought strikes me: have I ever actually seen his back? It's not one of those things you normally think about, but he just has this funny habit of keeping his shirt on. I know his chest is gorgeous…maybe he just has a birthmark or mole he's embarrassed about. I'll ask him later. Not now. He looks so cute when he's sleeping.
I roll out from under his arm and swing my feet onto the floor. He snorts a little but doesn't wake up. I glance at the clock. It's still early, but I have to work a lunch shift today and get there in time to prep.
And I get to quit today! Carl's gonna be so pissed, I realize gleefully.
Chapter Sixteen
Holt
I smile as the breeze hits my face. Jo didn't wake me before she left for work this morning, so I got more sleep than usual, and it feels good on me. I think her shift is ending soon, and I'm going to meet her there. I want to tell her as soon as possible about being in an MC. I have to get it off my chest.
I feel a deep conviction that I can make things work out with her, despite the way our relationship started. She's the first woman I've ever thought about giving my cut to, and I'm not going to let her slip away. I'll just have to ease her into the idea of being an old lady and be careful about the way I tell her about life with the Hell Hounds.
I was going to tell her last night, but then she had that getup on….fuck, she looked sexy. I shift a little on my seat thinking about it. Life will never be dull with her. And she's definitely the only woman I'd consider letting on my landscaping crew. It's not just that she's a good worker, I noticed that the guys actually stepped up their work when she was around. It's the same effect she has on me: I want to be a better version of myself when I'm with her.
I turn into the Billy's parking lot and check the time on my cell phone as I pull up near t
he entrance. Shit. I'm a little later than I wanted to be. I kill my engine and look around—there's her car. Maybe her shift is running long, or she's stopping by now to give her notice. I jerk my head as I hear yelling at the back of the building. That voice sounded familiar…
I hop off my bike and hurry around to the delivery entrance. I almost trip over my own feet in shock at what I see there: Fish holding up a stranger by the neck against the wall, and Jo standing with her hands over her mouth in shock.
"Fish!" I yell, picking up speed. "What the fuck are you doing?"
Jo steps in front of me as I rush toward them. "No, no, it's OK. That guy was helping me."
"Fish was?" I ask, frowning between them. What the fuck's going on?
"Happened to be driving by, and I saw this fucker harassing her," Fish says, still pinning the stranger to the brick wall. "Grabbing at her and shit."
"That true?" I ask, glaring at the man. First thing's first.
"It's Carl, my manager," Jo murmurs to me, as I wrap my arm protectively around her shoulders.
"Oh, yeah, I heard about you," I grunt through gritted teeth.
"I just was trying to talk to her!" Carl cries out. Fish slams his fist into his stomach.
"Try again," Fish hisses.
"OK, alright, I was, you know, just trying to kiss her and stuff. She's been leading me on! How was I supposed to know she didn't want it?" he wheezes.
"What!? That's—" Jo begins.
"You don't have to explain. I don't believe a fucking word he says," I interrupt, eyeing Carl's greasy red face. I turn to her. "Why don't you go wait by your car? Give us a minute." She glances between me and Fish. "I'll explain everything." She nods uncertainly, but walks away into the parking lot, glancing once over her shoulder.
As soon as she's a safe distance away, I walk over to Carl and grab his wrist, twisting it back in the wrong direction as Fish backs off a bit. He yelps in pain.
