Axe's Fall: Insurgents Motorcycle Club (Insurgents MC Romance Book 4)

by Chiah Wilder

  “You are mine. Don’t ever forget it.” He slammed back into her. “You belong to me, and I’m never letting you go.”

  Breathlessly, she said, “And you are mine.”

  As he pummeled into her, the burning pleasure from earlier consumed her like a bonfire. Baylee’s body screamed in savage ecstasy, her orgasm washing over her in searing waves of intense pleasure. With ragged cries, she tried to hold her quivering legs up while the burn of his seed filled her, his grunting pants echoing in her ears.

  Axe pulled her torso tight against his, squeezing her as he breathed heatedly in her ear. “I fuckin’ love everything about you, baby.”

  She placed her hands behind her, around his waist. Tilting her head back, she caught his gaze. “I’ve never met a man like you,” she said softly.

  He brushed a gentle kiss across her lips. “I love you. I’m your man, and I’ll take care of you.”

  A warm glow flowed through her as her heart sang in delight. Swinging around, she placed her arms around his neck, her eyes shining. “I love you.”

  Then a kiss as tender and light as a summer breeze sent her soaring, and she relished the sweetness of it.

  When they returned to the picnic, hand-in-hand and her hair mussed with bits of bark stuck in it, some of the brothers hooted and whistled. Axe laughed and Baylee turned several shades of red, but inwardly, she hooted and whistled louder than any of them. Axe loved her, and all was well.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  The next morning, Axe’s angry voice woke Baylee up. He sat on the edge of the bed, speaking with someone on the phone. Short seconds of silence, then his responses held a note of frustration. From where she lay, she noticed his clenched fist on the mattress, his knuckles white from the pressure.

  “I’m done with this. Hangin’ up now.” He ripped out the words in a hoarse voice.

  The discarded phone by his side, he sighed loudly then rubbed his eyes with his fingers.

  “You okay?” Baylee asked softly.

  Turning his head sideways, his gazed lingered on her mouth. “Yeah. Get over here, sexy.” Clutching her wrist, he dragged her to the middle of the bed where he twisted and hovered over her, kissing her deep and wet. “Morning, beautiful.” One lock of hair fell forward onto his forehead.

  A bemused smile whispered across her lips, prompting him to hug her close to him.

  “Who were you talking to? You seemed annoyed.” She swept the lock from his forehead.

  “My mom. She can be a pain in the ass.”

  Giving a small laugh, she asked, “What’s she done this time?”

  “I told you she’s getting married. She’s been bugging me ‘bout going, for some fuckin’ reason. This is hubby number six, so why the hell she cares if I go or not is beyond me.”

  “Who’s she marrying?”

  “Fuck if I know.”

  Baylee’s eyes widened. “You don’t know who your mom’s marrying?”

  Axe shrugged. “I think she told me, but I tune her out most of the time, so there you go. It pisses me off that she wants to play ‘mom’ in front of a bunch of people when she has no clue what it means to be a mom. Fuckin’ irks me.” He punched the mattress to drive the point home.

  Bringing his fist to her mouth, Baylee kissed it. “You should probably go.” She put her finger on his lips. “I know you’re going to argue with me, but hear me out. Even though the two of you don’t get along, she’s still your mom, and you still talk to her, so that means you want some kind of connection with her. Sometimes we do things for people because it makes them happy and, in turn, it makes us feel better. Who knows, maybe this will bring you closer to your mom.” Baylee looked away from Axe and studied the patterned curtains covering the large window.

  Axe tucked a few tendrils of hair behind her ears. “You finished?” he asked softly.

  She dipped her head.

  His dark eyebrows slanted in a frown. “First off, babe, my mom wasn’t a good mom like yours. She was shitty, at best. Secondly, I need a fuckin’ scorecard to keep track of the men she’s had in and out of her life since my dad split. And third, I’ll feel pissed as shit going to her stupid-ass wedding, and her pretending we’re so close and shit like that when it’ll all be lies. I mean, who the fuck even has a wedding the sixth time? What a pathetic, delusional joke.”

  Baylee drew Axe against her and ran her fingers down his back. “I get that. If you don’t want to go, then don’t. It’s hard for me to relate because there have been more times than I can count when I wished I had my mom around for special moments. But I adored my mom, and she was the best. You shouldn’t do what makes you uncomfortable.”

  Axe drew his lips in thoughtfully, then let out a long breath. “I kind of need to talk with my uncle Max. He hasn’t returned my phone calls, and he’s never around when I go to his office. I know he doesn’t expect me to be at the wedding since I’ve only gone to the first one.” He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. “I want you to go with me.”

  Baylee’s face turned white and her insides quivered. How could she go to the wedding and come face-to-face with the man who’d been following her, making her petrified? “Me? I don’t feel comfortable going to your mom’s wedding. I don’t even know her.”

  “You’re going for me, not her. If you’re with me, it’ll make it tolerable. You’re a part of my life. I want you to go.” A big grin spread across his face. “We can find somewhere to fuck and pretend it’s random.” Light twinkled in the depths of his brown eyes.

  She punched him lightly as her cheeks heated. “You’re so bad. It’d be like an anniversary, right?” she joked.

  He winked at her. “Fuck yeah. So, what do you say?”

  She bit her bottom lip. Part of her recoiled at the thought of seeing his uncle, but she would be with Axe and all the other people. Maybe she’d learn why he’d been following her. Another part of her swelled with happiness that Axe wanted to take her to a family function. He wanted to tell his family that she was his, that they were together. The thought of being his made her toes curl.

  “Okay. I’ll go.”

  He squeezed her so hard, she could barely breathe. “Thanks, sweetheart,” he whispered huskily.

  Her insides tightened and a gush of pure joy washed over her. Damn, he’s adorable. I’m so crazy about him. She had to be honest—he’d had her body from the first time they fucked. As hard as she tried to keep it only about pleasure and a summer fling, he’d begun to infiltrate her heart, and they’d officially professed their love for one another. With him in her life, nothing could harm her. Axe would take care of everything, and it would all be good.

  The room phone rang on the nightstand, and she reached over then picked it up.

  Logan’s cheery voice greeted her, telling her that Gary wanted them to meet over at the site. “We can go together,” he added.

  “Since Axe has to report the progress to the club, he should be there, as well.”

  Logan groaned. “I don’t think it’s necessary. I’ll take pictures of the progress, and you can drop them off at the clubhouse. You seem fond of the club.” His tone was cold. “Anyway, I don’t like him, and I know the feeling is mutual. I’m not comfortable around him.”

  “I think Gary would agree that Axe needs to be there.”

  A long pause ensued. Over the phone, she heard Logan clear his throat.

  “Then I’ll meet you there.”

  Click.

  Baylee looked at her phone, shook her head, and muttered, “Men.”

  “Who were you talkin’ to?” Axe asked as he sat up.

  “Logan. We’re meeting at the site.”

  “On a Sunday?”

  “Yep, and you’re coming, too.”

  “Wouldn’t miss it. The club’s been waiting a long time for this. They’ll be stoked when I update them at our next church.”

  “Good. I’ll be done in about fifteen minutes, then it’s all yours. We’ll take my car.” When he opened his mouth, she sa
id sweetly, “No arguments.”

  Then she closed the bathroom door, holding her hand over her mouth to quell the laughter bursting from her lips. Axe’s look of disbelief was priceless.

  She was downright giddy, and it wasn’t all at his expense. She was blissfully happy, fully alive. Axe did something to her no man had ever been able to do—he erased the shadows across her heart.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  The wedding was at the Primrose Hotel in one of the small banquet rooms. The windows faced a medium-sized pond stocked with golden carp, surrounding a fountain, its water spraying up in the dry summer air from the parted lips of two bronzed cherubs.

  Ten round tables covered in alternating tablecloths in orange, green, and pink looked like bowls of sherbet. The head table held a spray of baby’s breath and white and pink roses. Wait staff bustled around, putting the last touches to the place settings. Off to the left, in front of a picture window, the bridal arch bloomed with pink roses, purple hydrangea, passion vines, and olive branches, which lent a sweet aroma to the room.

  Axe and Baylee made a striking couple. He sported black pants, a light gray pinstriped shirt, and his leather cut, while she wore a sleeveless chiffon dress in rose and forget-me-not print with silver, barely there platform sandals.

  When they entered the banquet hall, Axe wrapped his arm around her waist, tugging her close to him as he scanned the room for his mother. Spotting her speaking with the minister, he led Baylee over to the bridal arch.

  Axe’s mother was an attractive woman in her late forties. Her toned body was testament to her diligence in keeping her figure. For her wedding, she wore her shoulder-length dark hair loose, the long layers softly framing her face while her wispy bangs danced over her forehead. Her nutmeg-brown eyes—lighter than Axe’s—were heavily made up with black eyeliner, mascara, and dark purple eyeshadow. Her wedding attire was a simple ivory suit with a lacy, lavender camisole underneath.

  She smiled broadly at her son. Placing her hand on his shoulder, she kissed him firmly on his cheek. “It’s been a while. Let me look at you.” She stood back and ran her eyes over him then leaned in and gave him a quick hug. “You look so handsome, Michael.”

  Axe groaned inwardly as he saw Baylee’s amused eyes sparkle, her sensuous lips curling into a smile. He took a step backward, breaking away from her grip. “The name’s Axe, Mom. It’s been that for eleven years.”

  His mom shook her head. “Not for me. You’re my Michael, my sweet baby boy.” She laughed too loud, and her glassy eyes tried to focus on him.

  He detected gin on her breath, and wished he hadn’t come. She’s probably high on pain meds. He could never trust his mom to act the way a mother should. Fuck.

  She turned her attention on Baylee. “Are you Michael’s girlfriend?”

  Shyly, Baylee nodded.

  “This is Baylee, Mom.”

  His mother opened her mouth just as Axe’s eyes grew dark and threatening. She closed it and extended her hand. “I’m Lorinda.”

  Baylee shook her hand. “Nice meeting you.”

  Lorinda squeezed Axe’s arm. “She’s beautiful.”

  Baylee blushed, and Axe’s eyes locked with hers. “I know,” he said, his voice thick, hunger creeping into his gaze.

  Lorinda grabbed her son’s hand and pulled him behind her as she walked toward the makeshift bar across the room. “I want you to meet Stephen.”

  Axe snatched Baylee’s wrist and tugged her with him as his mother snaked her way around tables, wait staff, and padded chairs.

  A tall, lean man spoke with the bartender. From the back of him, Axe could see his hair was salt and pepper and he wore a very expensive suit. His shoulders were straight, and his voice commanded respect.

  “Stephen.” Lorinda released Axe’s hand as she came behind her soon-to-be husband. She moved her hand up and down his suit jacket. “I want you to meet my son, Michael.”

  Stephen turned slightly. “Please don’t interrupt me when I’m talking with someone. I’ve told you that many times.” He clamped his hand around her upper arm. “Pace your drinking, okay? I told you I didn’t want you getting sloppy drunk at our wedding. Understand?” His voice was hard as steel.

  Axe didn’t like the way he spoke to his mom, and if he cared more for her, he would’ve had this jerk against the wall, knee positioned to slam him in his aged balls. Instead, he just stood there, eyes narrowed, jaw tight.

  Lorinda laughed, but her cheeks turned crimson, and Axe knew she was embarrassed he and Baylee witnessed the exchange between the couple. So much for a long-lasting marriage. Axe gave the whole farce about six months. He knew his mom would tire of the guy’s sharp tongue, and it’d just be a matter of time until she started looking around, getting antsy, wanting male attention from someone other than him. He’d be surprised if it went longer than that.

  His mother looked at Axe, smiling weakly. “He’ll be done in a minute. Then you can meet him.”

  The sonofabitch purposely continued talking, way after he should’ve stopped. Axe read him like a book; the fucker was punishing his mother. He stared at the asshole’s back and did all he could to hold himself back from punching the guy. He was stuck there like a pansy-ass, waiting for his mom to introduce him to a man he didn’t give a shit about. All he wanted was a beer, and Baylee snugly tucked into the crook of his arm.

  Finally, her fiancé turned around, and Lorinda practically squealed. She grabbed Axe’s hand again and said, “Michael, this is Stephen.” She clasped her hand around Stephen’s. “Stephen, this is Michael.”

  Her smiling face slackened as she looked at both men. Axe’s face was dark and brooding, and Stephen’s was tight and stern.

  “This motherfucker is the one you’re marrying?” Axe growled, his eyes never leaving Stephen’s face.

  “Michael, watch your language!” His mother dropped his hand and raised her fingers to her gaping mouth.

  “You outdid yourself this time. This fucker is the worst you could’ve chosen.”

  “Stop it. Right now.” His mother’s eyes flashed and she stood by Stephen, her arm looped around his.

  “Lorinda, this—” Stephen pointed his long finger at Axe “—is your son? How didn’t I know that?”

  “ ‘Cause you’re a dumb fuck,” Axe snarled.

  On the verge of tears, his mother covered her ears with her hands. “No. This can’t be. You’re supposed to like each other. Why’re you saying these things? What is wrong with both of you?”

  Axe snorted. “Fucking reality, that’s what, but you always liked delusions. I’m outta here. You deserve one another.”

  Axe spun around and strode away, dragging a startled Baylee behind him.

  “Wait. Michael, wait!” his mother’s high-pitched voice pierced his ears. “Michael!”

  Baylee, struggling to keep up with Axe in her four-inch heels, stopped in her tracks, making Axe slow down. “Axe, what is going on? You need to talk to your mom.”

  Axe whipped around, a storm brewing in his eyes. “I don’t need to do shit. And where the fuck do you get off telling me what to do? Nobody tells me what to do.”

  When he saw her crestfallen face and glistening eyes, he knew he’d crossed the line, but he didn’t care. He was pissed, and he didn’t need Baylee interfering. She didn’t know shit about what was going on, about his life and how it’d been. She needed to fuckin’ back off. Axe didn’t need her telling him shit. Period.

  Lorinda caught up to the couple, who stood still staring at each other. Fury emanated from Axe, and hurt and disappointment were etched across Baylee’s face.

  “Michael, please don’t ruin my day.”

  His anger moved from Baylee to his mom. “It’s always about you, isn’t it? You don’t give a shit about anything but yourself.”

  “That’s not true. I love you, you just never let me in.”

  Axe threw his head back and gave a dry, bitter laugh. “Do you really believe the shit you say? The only one you ever
loved was Lorinda Tomlinson, or whatever the fuck last name you have now. I’m sure you didn’t give Tomlinson as your name to your fiancé. If you had, he never would’ve considered dating trailer trash.”

  Lorinda wiped a tear rolling down her cheek. “Do you know Stephen from somewhere?”

  Axe shook his head then looked at Baylee. “You see what a great mother I have?” He turned back to his mom. “You were so strung-out on prescription meds and busy screwing any guy who would have you, you didn’t even know how much shit the Rodgers gave me when I was in high school. His piece-of-shit son, Palmer, made it a point to belittle me every chance he got. And his dad? He made sure I didn’t get the scholarship I was vying for. That asshole also made sure that I had constant contact with the fuckin’ badges. And you didn’t do shit. I dealt with that, but you marrying him? No fuckin’ way am I gonna watch that.”

  His mom reached out and ran her hand down Axe’s shirt. He jerked away, like his mother’s touch burned his skin. “Oh, sweetie, I never knew.”

  Axe gave her a hard look. “No, you knew, you just didn’t give a shit.” Turning his back on his mother, he took Baylee by the hand. “Let’s go.” He walked toward the doors.

  “Michael. Wait,” a deep voice said.

  Axe continued walking, but a firm hand grabbed his arm and spun him around. Axe took a swing, but Stephen managed to duck in time.

  “Get your goddamned hands off me,” Axe growled.

  Stephen let go. “Look, I’m just as surprised that you’re Lorinda’s son as you are that I’m going to be her husband, but the shock has passed, and it doesn’t really matter, does it?”

  Axe didn’t answer. He didn’t trust himself right then. He was seething, and he wanted to punch this smug, arrogant sonofabitch right in the mouth. Then he wanted to smash and destroy all the cutesy fucking wedding decorations, starting with that damned bridal arch. The whole thing disgusted him. His mother had gone too far. The fact she looked clueless when he was so pissed told him everything. His family was the Insurgents, always had been from the moment he began prospecting. And he had Baylee. He didn’t need this shit.