Hard Ride

by Opal Carew

She held out her hand and Steele shook it. The feel of his big, powerful hand around hers flustered her. When he released it, she drew it back and sent a quick glance to Shock for reassurance.

  “Liv, you already met Wild Card, Magic, and Dom.”

  She nodded to them and Wild Card smiled. The other two nodded.

  “And this is Rip,” Shock said, gesturing to the fifth man.

  Rip’s hair was dark and wavy and his eyes a deep midnight blue. Dense, coarse whiskers shadowed his face, except where a two-inch scar slashed across his cheek, but his warm smile softened his dangerous good looks.

  He took her hand and shook it. “Nice to meet you, Liv.”

  “And this is Raven and Tempest,” Shock said as the two women stepped toward her.

  Both women had long dark hair, but Raven’s was as black as a raven’s wing, which was undoubtedly how she’d gotten her nickname. Tempest was a little taller, with heart-shaped lips. Both were stunning.

  “I love your jeans,” Raven said. “I’d love to get a pair like that.”

  Rip slid his arm around her waist and drew her tight to his side. “And I would love you to wear a pair like that.” He nuzzled her neck and she laughed.

  Tempest held out her hand. “Nice to meet you.”

  Liv shook her hand and relaxed a little. She didn’t know how to read the men’s attitudes, but the women made her feel that she’d been accepted.

  “Nice place.” Dom glanced around the foyer, which opened onto a large living room with dark honey-colored hardwood floors. “Bedrooms upstairs?”

  “Yeah, there are five.” Shock stepped aside as the newcomers headed upstairs with their bags.

  As the others were walking up the stairs, Shock took her hand and led her down the hall. “They’ll probably be hungry, so I’ll make some sandwiches. You can sit out on the deck if you’d like. Or go for a swim.”

  “No, I’ll help.”

  In the kitchen, he pulled out a couple loaves of bread and cold cuts and veggies from the fridge, and they began putting together a plate of sandwiches.

  “There aren’t enough bedrooms for everyone. Will some of them be sleeping on the couch?”

  “There are enough. Raven’s with Rip, and Tempest’s with Steele.”

  “That leaves one short.”

  He placed some slices of ham on the bread she’d buttered. “Dom and Magic will bunk in together.”

  “Oh.” She cut a tomato into thin slices and arranged them on some of the sandwiches.

  Fifteen minutes later, the others started trailing down the stairs. Shock placed the sandwiches on the table with plates and then grabbed beers for everyone.

  “The backyard looks pretty nice,” Magic said. “I saw a pool out there.”

  “And a hot tub,” Tempest said with a smile. “I’m going for a swim after lunch.”

  “There’s a lake just down the way, too,” Shock said.

  “My kind of place.” Steele smiled.

  As they finished their sandwiches, they cleared their dishes and Shock put them in the dishwasher.

  “Since you have this all handled,” Raven said, “I’m going for a swim.”

  “Me, too.” Tempest followed her to the stairs.

  “Why don’t you go put your swimsuit on?” Shock suggested. “I’m basically done here.”

  “Okay.” Liv glanced up at him. “Are you going, too?”

  The thought of getting into the skimpy bikini Shock had had the personal shopper buy for her and wearing it in front of all these hulking men made her a little nervous. She knew she’d be safe with Shock, but she still wasn’t comfortable with being on display.

  He glanced at her and seemed to read her nervousness. “Yeah, sure. I’ll come up now.”

  Magic and Wild Card, who were still sitting at the table finishing their beers, grinned and glanced at each other as Shock took her hand. They were obviously assuming … but she shouldn’t care. They could assume whatever they wanted. She would do her best not to let it throw her.

  She trotted up the stairs with Shock behind her. Once in the room with the door closed behind her, she walked to the dresser and pulled out the black and white bikini. She tossed it on the bed and pulled off her T-shirt without even thinking. She reached behind her back to unfasten her bra, then remembered that Shock was standing only a few feet away.

  She glanced around. He was staring at her, mesmerized.

  Sure, he’d seen her totally naked, but that didn’t mean she was comfortable just casually changing in front of him. She grabbed the bathing suit and headed to the en suite bathroom, then closed the door behind her. Once she had changed, she grabbed a brush from the vanity counter and brushed her long hair. She opened a small drawer and found some covered elastics, so she pulled her hair into a ponytail and braided it.

  When she returned to the bedroom, Shock stood in royal-blue swim trunks. He whistled, his hot gaze gliding the length of her mostly naked body.

  “Very nice.”

  “I take it you like your own taste in bathing suits.”

  He smiled and stepped toward her. His hands glided down her naked sides and his lips brushed her shoulder. “It’s more that I like my taste in women.” His arm hooked around her waist and he drew her near. As he kissed her skin lightly, shivers danced across her flesh.

  “I think we should go downstairs.”

  Shock nuzzled the base of her neck, making her knees go weak. “I’m sure they won’t miss us for a few minutes.”

  His hand cupped her breast, lifting it slightly, then his thumb found her tightening nipple. When he brushed over it, she had to stop herself from gasping.

  “Please, Shock. No.” When she glanced up at him, he frowned. “I know I said I’d obey you—”

  He shook his head. “I just want to know. Have you changed your mind again?” His hand slid away. “I can take you home right now if you like.”

  “No, I don’t want to go.”

  God, he must think she’d decided not to have sex with him after all.

  “Nothing’s changed except timing.” She drew his hand back to her and tucked it under her breast. “I don’t want our first time to be a few stolen moments.”

  “So you want your first real time to be special. Maybe candlelight and roses?”

  She gazed into his warm brown eyes. “No.” She stroked his whisker-roughened cheek. “I just want you, and enough privacy and time that we don’t feel rushed.”

  She rose on her tiptoes and brushed her lips against his. He drew her tight to his body and deepened the kiss. She felt a growing bulge in his trunks pressing against her.

  “I’m sure that can be arranged.” He nuzzled her ear.

  “Well, from the feel of things, you might not be going downstairs right away.” She was his sexual partner, which meant she had responsibilities. She glided her hand down his stomach, then over his bulge. “Do you want me to do something about this?”

  But he grabbed her hand and drew it away. “Look, baby. I understand if you want to wait, and yes, I’m hard being this close to you, especially in that fine little scrap of cloth you’re wearing, but you don’t have to suck me off because of it. Okay?”

  She bit her lip. “But—”

  “No buts. Let’s go downstairs.”

  She glanced at his erection, clearly visible in his trunks. How could he just walk out there like that? But once they were in the hall, he opened a closet and pulled out a couple of large beach towels and handed one to her, then draped the other over his arm, covering his hard-on.

  She smiled, then followed him down the stairs and into the kitchen. Tempest stood at the counter, tall and sexy in a hot-pink bikini.

  “Hey, you two. Want to help me?” Tempest asked. “I made a pitcher of margaritas. I could use help carrying out the glasses.”

  The three of them walked outside onto the patio with the glasses and a frosty pitcher and set them on the big round teak table. Soon they were all relaxing by the pool, enjoying the afternoon su
n.

  The backyard was huge, with beautiful landscaping that was definitely well maintained. There were lots of plants and brightly colored flowers, different sitting areas, a large in-ground pool, and a lake with a small beach about a hundred yards from the deck. A hot tub was tucked in a corner, kept secluded from the lake by flowering bushes.

  Shock took a sip of the margarita Tempest poured for him, then walked to the pool, dropped the towel, and dove into the water.

  “So you’ve known Shock since college?” Tempest asked as she sat down across from Liv.

  “Yes, we were study partners and friends.”

  “And now you’re more,” Raven said with a smile as she moved from one of the lounge chairs near the table to pour herself a drink.

  Liv wondered how much they knew about her and Shock’s current situation. Did they know that he had a contract for her to be his sexual slave? Her cheeks flushed. Or did they just think she and Shock had started seeing each other? But would she really start riding with them—for a whole month—if they’d only just reconnected, and after being just friends?

  No matter what they knew, they must wonder at how fast things had moved between her and Shock.

  She wanted to explain that things hadn’t worked out in college, but that they’d always been attracted to each other and this was their opportunity. She felt the need to justify why she had jumped into bed with him. But there was no real way to explain it, so better to leave everything unsaid. Anyway, whatever she said probably wouldn’t match what Shock would say. He might want to protect her feelings by not making it seem as if she’d just spread her legs because he loaned her money, and that all he really wanted was a brief physical relationship with her—a month, to be precise.

  Who was she kidding? He had probably told his buddies everything.

  “Liv, are you okay?” Tempest asked, concern in her blue eyes.

  “Oh, yeah, sure.”

  “You seemed to zone out there for a moment.”

  “Sorry, it’s just a bit overwhelming meeting all of you.” She glanced toward the big tattooed bikers hanging around the side of the pool, talking. “And the men are, well, a bit intimidating.”

  “I know what you mean. I thought that at first, too.” Tempest placed her hand on Liv’s. “They may be big and rough-looking, but believe me, there’s nothing to be worried about.”

  “Yeah, Liv.” Raven smiled. “They only bite if invited.”

  “Rave, you’re just going to scare her,” Tempest admonished.

  The two women really got along well together. Liv could see that, and wished that she could be a part of their circle. But she would be here for only a month, so it would be better if she kept her distance. No point making connections she would only lose in the end. That would just make it harder when she left.

  She glanced toward the pool and noticed Magic walking toward them. His gaze dipped to her breasts. The attention made her feel desirable, but also left her nervous, as it always did when men eyed her.

  He smiled at her and poured himself a drink from the frosty pitcher. She noticed the tattoo on his wrist as he lifted his glass. It was a band of thorns that were inked to look as though they pierced his skin, with blood dripping from the punctures. A thorny vine spiraled up his arm, leaving droplets of blood along the way, and words were written in script inside the vine. Her gaze followed it over his shoulder, then down his chest and … oh, my … she realized that the tattoo on his chest depicted the thorns pulling back his skin, exposing his heart beneath. Although it was just an artistic design on his skin, it looked disturbingly real.

  Magic turned toward the pool at the sound of someone diving in, and she read the words on his arm. My secrets are my own.

  Wow, there had to be a lot of meaning there.

  She glanced around at the other men and the tattoos on their naked chests and arms, but she couldn’t make them out from here.

  Shock had gotten out of the pool and walked toward her, then downed his margarita.

  “Babe, I’ve got some stuff to do. Stay out here and socialize. I’ll be back soon.” Then he disappeared through the French doors into the house.

  She stared after him, every part of her wanting to slip inside as well. The contract had only stated that she had to follow his commands in the bedroom, but he wanted her to stay here, so she would.

  It turned out to be a pleasant afternoon. The others joked and chatted, and they made an effort to draw her into their small talk, and she made an effort to be sociable but was a little inept. After working long hours and taking care of her sister and grandma, she found that she had lost the knack for socializing.

  Liv watched as the men casually touched or stroked Tempest and Raven. Mostly it was their own partners—Steele with Tempest and Rip with Raven—but sometimes the other men would pat an arm or brush against a long, feminine leg.

  Not with Liv, though. They didn’t approach her or do anything to intimidate her in any way. In fact, she almost felt as if Steele, whom she knew was the leader, was keeping a watchful eye over her.

  Finally, Shock returned and sat down beside her. She was relieved. As nice as everyone was, she was finding the effort to interact with them all tiring. Maybe now she could make her escape.

  “Having a good time?” he asked.

  She nodded. “But I’ve been out in the sun for quite a while, so I should probably go inside.”

  * * *

  Shock sipped the beer he’d carried out with him. He was pleased that Liv was still outside. He had fully expected that telling her to stay outside would cause her to defiantly go into the house as soon as he left. Ordinarily, she’d defy him to his face, but with all these people she didn’t know, she would have waited. But instead she’d stayed outside and when he’d glanced out periodically while he’d been on the phone, he’d gotten the impression that she’d made a real effort to be sociable.

  “That’s probably a good idea.” He smiled. “I wouldn’t want you to get a sunburn.”

  Her gaze locked on his, then jerked away. He was sure she was thinking, just as he was, about what would happen tonight between them. He was disappointed that she seemed to be back to her skittish self, though. Had her desire to be with him been a short-lived thing, only based on the brief sexual excitement that had blossomed between them this morning?

  Hopefully, what he had planned tonight would reignite their passion.

  She stood up and said good-bye to the others, then walked to the house. He followed quickly, before his arousal at the thought of tonight became too physically obvious.

  “You don’t have to come in with me,” she said at the door.

  “I want to.”

  She glanced up at him as if she expected he would follow her to the room, then ravage her as soon as the door closed. Which was exactly what he would like to do. But wouldn’t.

  He followed her up the stairs, his cock swelling more at the sight of her sexy, swaying ass. Once he followed her into the room and closed the door, he couldn’t help but pull her into his arms and kiss her. She didn’t push him away, and her breathing accelerated, but she was stiff in his arms.

  He glided his tongue into her as he pulled her tighter to him, and she relaxed into his embrace, melting against him.

  She gazed at him with wide blue eyes. He could tell she expected that it was going to happen right now. That he was about to take her in her first real sexual encounter with a man. One in which she had a say, that is. Not that she seemed to think she did.

  He grasped her shoulders. “Liv, we’re not doing anything now. This evening I’m going to take you out for a nice dinner, and—”

  “You don’t have to buy me dinner. I’m a sure thing, remember?”

  He laughed, then gave her a peck on the cheek. “Okay, well, let’s just say that I want to make sure you have a good dinner so you can keep up your strength.”

  * * *

  Liv watched as Shock lay down on the bed and started to read a book.

&nb
sp; Finally, she grabbed her tablet from her purse and sat in the chair by the window, pulled up a book of her own, and started to read. After about an hour, the doorbell rang. Shock got up from the bed and headed to the door, but as soon as he opened it, Wild Card, still in his bathing suit, appeared with a large, flat box in his hand.

  “This just came for you,” he said, handing the box to Shock.

  “Thanks.”

  Shock closed the door and put the box on the bed. He pulled a pocketknife from his pocket and cut the string tied around the box, then lifted off the lid.

  “These things are for you to wear tonight. Why don’t you go in the bathroom and get ready? I’ll meet you downstairs when you’re done.”

  She walked to the bed and lifted a silky black dress from the box. “I take it we’re going out for a fancy dinner.”

  He smiled. “I told you, I just want to make sure you’re well fed to keep up your strength.”

  She picked up the box and carried it into the en suite bathroom, which had a dressing area with a bench and mirrors. She set the box on the marble counter in front of the mirrors and pulled out the items. There was the dress, which was long and slinky, and very low-cut. Then there were some black, lacy items with narrow red ribbon trim. She lifted the bra, which was strapless, and the cups were only half the normal size. The panties were tiny, the back just a narrow string topped with a triangle of lace. Her cheeks flushed at the thought of how much of her would be left exposed in that underwear.

  There was also a matching garter belt and black stockings. Then she found a pair of multicolored sequined shoes with stiletto heels and red soles.

  She put on some makeup and brushed her shoulder-length honey-blonde hair, wondering if she should put it up, but all she had with her were elastics, and a ponytail wasn’t really the look she’d choose for an elegant evening.

  She stripped down and put on the underwear. Oh, God, the bra didn’t even cover her nipples. Unwilling to look at herself in the mirror yet, she sat down and drew on the silky stockings. She’d never worn a garter belt before, so she struggled a bit getting the stockings attached, but finally stood up and glanced at her reflection.

  Her cheeks flushed at the sight of the ultra-sexy woman in the mirror.