Josie felt a frown tug at her lips. This didn’t make a lick of sense. Maybe she had finally lost her mind.
“Come on with me honey and let me get you settled it. You look half frozen and we have a ton of food left over from a little party we had, if you’re hungry.”
Josie smiled and was just about to accept when Eddie grabbed her arm. “She stays with me. She’s fine, aren’t you Jo?” He shook her and she closed her eyes as the bite of his grip bruised her arm.
“I’m fine, thank you.” Josie said, but she couldn’t meet the woman’s eyes. She was a shitty liar. She was cold, starving and she was in desperate need of a friend and this woman looked like the sort that would be able to read every bit of that with one look… and she would pity Josie.
Josie squared her shoulders. If there was one thing she would not tolerate that was pity. She sure as shit wouldn’t take that from a single soul on this God forsaken planet.
The woman narrowed her eyes and her lip twitched as if she wanted to smile.
“Well, I’m Mrs. and if you need anything you let me know.” Mrs. slid her fingers under Josie’s chin and lifted it. “Keep that chin up honey.” She whispered just for Josie and she thought she saw something in the woman’s eyes, kinship, understanding… but not one bit of pity.
Josie felt that spark in her chest again, but this time it burned hotter. She could survive this.
“I can take care of my own whore, I don’t need any of you gettin’ in my business.” Eddie spat as he shook Josie’s arm again.
Mrs. raised her brows, but just walked away with a shake of her head instead of lighting into Eddie the way she seemed to want to.
Josie felt cool hands on her arm as Eddie’s grip was removed. She looked up to find those black eyes studying her and she knew she hid nothing from this man. She may have fooled herself into thinking she had fooled Mrs., but this man saw to her soul without uttering a single word.
“She ain’t hurt Shadowman, she needs a firm hand is all. Can’t let a bitch have too much space or they’ll get in trouble. You know how it is…”
“I know.” He said in a toneless voice that held Josie firmly in place.
Josie knew the man wasn’t talking about Eddie’s need to have a firm hand, but he was talking to her. She wasn’t sure what he knew, but he was letting her know that she hid nothing from him. She wasn’t sure how she felt about that.
Josie found herself sitting on Eddie’s lap with his hand up her skirt. He talked to Frog and Poole while their old ladies sat quietly at their feet.
Josie knew the women hated her, but she really didn’t see how their lives were any better or how they thought she was so much lower than them, just because they wore a patch. They were treated just as shitty, maybe worse because she knew Frog and Poole traded them around ever so often. At least she wasn’t sitting on the cold floor, although she might prefer that to Eddie’s lap. She felt a stab of pity for the women kneeling on the cold floor. She knew that Gipsy had a bad knee and the way she sat had to be painful, but the woman didn’t complain. It would do her no good anyway.
This was a hard life, Josie hadn’t realized how hard until she was trapped within it, but it was too hard for most to stand. It aged women fast. She knew the women at her feet were no more than maybe fifteen years her senior, but they looked ancient.
She shivered as the reality of her life hit her. This was her future. Would she be just as broken in a few years with just as much hopelessness?
No.
Something inside of her warmed and bolstered her spirits. This would not be her. This was the last time Eddie would make a fool out of her. It was a long ride back to Texas and even if he did have her watched like he knew she would make a run for it, she was smarter than this lot. How hard could it be to get away?
She knew the hardest part would come after that, but she couldn’t think about that right now. She had lived on the streets before, she could do it again and this time, she was smarter.
Frog broke into her thoughts of freedom with his whiney voice.
“You better watch that one Eddie.” Frog put in. “That bitch is known for meddling and she had her eyes on your piece.”
“I’ll handle my piece.” He said as he shoved his fingers inside her panties. “She knows to keep her mouth shut or she don’t eat. Ain’t that right pussy?”
Yeah she knew. He had starved her once for trying to beg help at a church not far from the clubhouse. She knew. She hated when he called her that. It put her in her place he thought, but it really only made her that much more determined to get the hell away from him. She was smart. He had no idea how smart she really was and it was time to use those smarts to get the hell away from Eddie once and for all.
She nodded.
“My feet sure are sore Jo. Get down there and give them a rub. Suck on my poor old toes. Make sure to get that ass nice and high so these fuckers can see what they can’t have.”
Josie had a thing about feet and damned if Eddie didn’t know it. He wasn’t so bad at home, really. He didn’t hurt her. He fucked her when he felt like it, but he was never forceful and he never made her touch his disgusting feet.
“Do as I say now Jo. Don’t you get mouthy. I want your ass high and your face low, just like it should be. Show off them bright red panties. Let ‘em see how wet they are for your man.” She wanted to vomit. The day she got wet for the likes of Eddie she would slit her own throat.
She jumped to her feet. “No. That’s not our deal. Fuck you for even saying that shit Eddie.” She was furious. He was making fun of her and running her down and she knew he couldn’t hurt her, not here. She was tired of it. “I need some air.”
She knew she would probably get her ass spanked for that and might have to miss a meal or two but she was going to throw up if she didn’t get out of there fast. Just the thought of touching Eddie’s disgusting feet had her stomach churning.
She heard Eddie laugh as she crossed the room and she wanted to punch him. He had been pushing her and that probably meant he’d wanted her to go away. Fine by her. Heaven forbid the sorry no account son of a bitch just ask her or even order her, no, he had to make an ass of himself.
Shocker.
She found the kitchen and threw together a turkey sandwich before stepping outside. She had no idea when she would be able to eat again. The air was frigid, but she’d suffer it to be away from Eddie and his disgusting feet and his disgusting brothers and his disgusting club. She’d suffer it to have a lung full of crisp clean air and a few precious minutes to pretend she was a free woman out on her own in the world with endless possibilities. She would suffer it for a few minutes to let herself be honest about how afraid she was of what she was about to do.
She plopped down in a chair close to the building and let the sun warm her a little. It was colder here than in Texas and Josie didn’t care for it one bit. She wished she had more clothes. She would have to wait until they made it a good ways south before she ditched Eddie, no way could she survive up here. Sure it was winter, but damn, she didn’t realize that West Virginia would be so different. Everything was different though. Not just the trees and the weather, but Josie was different up here too. She didn’t think she could stand to go back to that hell hole she called home. She had allowed her heart to yearn and she knew it would hurt like hell when she had to go back to her life.
No. She sat a little straighter. She would not go back to that life.
“Pretty cold to be out here dressed like that.” Came a deep voice that had Josie quivering in places that had never quivered.
She turned to see what sort of man could hold a voice that size inside of him and had to crane her neck to take him all in.
“Better than in there.” She said around a mouthful of sandwich.
“That bastard your old man then?” The giant leaned against the building and crossed his arms over his chest wearing a disbelieving twist to his lips. Josie figured his arm was about as big around as her thigh or more
and she wasn’t a stick girl.
“Nope. I’m just his little whore.” She huffed. “Have been for four years.”
“You don’t sound too happy about that.” His eyes narrowed and he studied her as if he couldn’t quite figure her out.
She let her eyes wander over him as she chewed and swallowed another bite. His face was oval although his chin was more blunt that pointed. His nose was very straight and his nostrils widened when he took a deep breath. She realized he was waiting for her to answer and felt her cheeks heat.
“Who the hell would be happy about being his whore? He’s a pig.” Josie spat around another mouthful of sandwich. She was afraid someone would take it from her and she planned to eat it as fast as she could. Hunger overruled manners and she hadn’t eaten but a few bites all day.
Eddie liked her hungry. He thought it kept her compliant.
The big man handed her a Styrofoam cup of hot coffee and Josie almost cried in relief as the warmth thawed her fingers.
“I’m Choo-Choo. What’s your name?”
The cup was damp where he’d taken a drink of the warm concoction and Josie felt a thrill rush through her when she pressed her lips over the damp ring his lips had made on the rim of the cup.
“Josie,” she breathed as the burning in her chest blinked to life again as the bitter sweetness of the drink warmed her throat. “Where did you get a name like Choo-Choo?” She grinned as he slid his jacket off and wrapped it around her shoulders before answering.
“I’m a big guy. My uncle used to say I needed a train instead of a Harley if I wanted to get around. He’d say Choo-Choo when he saw me pull up,” he made a motion with his arm as if he were pulling the cord on a train whistle. “My little cousin was a baby so the name sort of stuck after a few of my friends heard it. I’ve heard worse.” He huffed out a breath and grabbed her wrist and she jerked with surprise.
“Would you stop stuffing that sandwich in your mouth like that, you’re going to make yourself sick. You can have all you want. You can have anything you want here.”
Josie liked him. He was sweet and had a vulnerability she hadn’t seen in a man before. She met his eyes sitting under his furrowed brows and it took her a minute to realize one was green and one was blue. She couldn’t decide which one was more beautiful. They were both so clear and shined in the light of the afternoon sun. They turned down just a little on the outside, just enough to make him look unique, if the eye color and his size wasn’t enough. His head was shaved bald as a peeled onion and he had tattoos over his scalp that she couldn’t make out.
“You’re something else Choo-Choo,” she smiled as the warmth in her chest made her feel giddy. “A woman could take a long time to figure out what all there is to offer with you.”
His grin was almost wicked. “How about you? You the curious sort?”
She hadn’t flirted in years and she knew she wasn’t any good at it, but when her cheeks flushed and she looked up at him through her lashes she saw that he studied her with the same heat in his eyes that she felt scorching her.
This might have been a bad idea, but she couldn’t help it. All she wanted to do was escape and this guy looked like he could handle anything Eddie dished out.
Two.
Choo- Choo was going to hell. No doubt. This girl was obviously in trouble and all he wanted to do was play with her like a cat with a mouse, but she looked like she wasn’t a timid little mouse either. Maybe he could offer her something too though. Maybe he should walk away. Maybe he should give her a wad of cash and send her on her way or stick her on his bike and drive her to the bus stop. Maybe he should, but he couldn’t. He opened his mouth to offer when she opened hers and blew his mind
“What do you mean?” She asked carefully. “I am a curious sort if the subject interests me.” She looked down as if she was embarrassed and that was not something he had seen from a woman in a very long time. Her blonde curls fell over her shoulders and she looked just like a damned wet dream. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and felt the cold metal object hidden there. He had followed her out to take a chance, but he wondered if it wasn’t bigger than a little play time. He decided to just go for it.
“Look, I’m going to be honest. The woman who runs our club girls has a thing for me, so…”
“So no pussy for you but hers.” She finished for him with a laugh.
“Bingo. She gave me this the last time and said I had to figure out how to use it before I came back to her bed and how the fuck am I supposed to do that when I can’t get a woman to look at me?”
She was smiling. She didn’t look mad and she wasn’t wearing that calculating look he had seen on so many women. She looked amused.
Choo-Choo waited for that feeling of shame to hit him the way it always did when someone laughed at him. It didn’t come. With an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach he looked back at her when she started to speak again.
“But I’m not one of your club’s girls so I’m fair game?” She should be insulted, but she found him too damned adorable she couldn’t wipe the smile off her face.
He nodded. His mouth was twisted in a half grin.
“What did she give you?” Josie couldn’t help it, she was the curious sort after all and if she could help him out with his little problem she wouldn’t feel so bad for the trouble she was about to cause him.
He pulled a little silver vibrator out of his pocket. It looked tiny in his hand, but was just right for her to close in hers.
“I’m not asking you to fuck me. I know you are with that prick in there, but just, fuck I don’t know…” He ran his hand over his tattooed head and huffed out a breath. Josie thought it was the sexiest thing she’d ever seen.
“You want me to show you what feels good to me. Might not be the same for your girl.”
“She’s not my fucking girl. I just can’t get anything else and hell I may as well learn something.”
Josie nodded and fought a grin. “What do I get in return?”
“What do you want?” He looked completely baffled. She didn’t hide her grin this time. Men were funny sometimes. They assumed that sex was enough to fulfill them both...so wrong as far as Josie knew. Sex was all for the men. If she wanted to feel good she had to do it herself. She had an idea though. If he thought he could learn something, then so could she damn it.
“Time. If I show you how to get me off with this thing… for every orgasm and you can touch me so you can be sure I’m not lying, I want an hour with you. You show me how a man is supposed to treat a woman.” She felt panicked. She wanted to ask for protection, she wanted to beg for sanctuary, but not yet. She needed him to want her first. She needed him to want to help her or none of this would work.
He looked stunned. He shifted from one foot to the other. “Alright. What makes you think I know?
“I don’t know. Just show me how you do it and I’ll compare it to what I know. I doubt you will have the same technique as Eddie.”
“Won’t you be missed?” He looked like he was about to refuse.
She reached out and took the vibrator from his hand and started pulling up her skirt. “Let me worry about that. All you need to do is be a good student.”
“Shit. You don’t have to do it right here.”
“Shhhh. Come here Choo-Choo. Let me teach you what feels good.”
She grabbed his hand and pulled him until he stood between her legs. He looked down to her bright red panties and swallowed hard.
That look fired her up more than all the dirty thoughts she had in her head. It was hungry, but not in the same way that Eddie looked at her. This was different, it wasn’t something she had ever felt before. Her skin flushed even as chills rolled over her skin as she pressed the little silver device against her panties. She watched Choo-Choo clench his jaw as his eyes flared. She had his interest now.
Three
Josie lay in Choo-Choo’s bed and listened to his deep even breaths. She had given him an orgasm out in back of the club
house and he had talked to her for an hour. It was the best day she could remember ever having. Nobody ever talked to her. Plus, he’d actually seemed to enjoy it.
She’d had to go back to Eddie after that since his meeting had ended, but she’d suffered through the evening knowing Eddie would pass out and she’d be able to go back to Choo-Choo. He’d told her which room was his and she had gone to him as soon as Eddie had fallen asleep.
Choo-Choo had undressed her slowly and showered with her. She had complained that he didn’t owe her anything yet and he had shushed her with a kiss and said this was just because he wanted to.
He’d pulled her from the shower and dried her body and hair before he took her in his arms and turned her to the mirror above his sink.
“Look at how beautiful you are.” He’d said. “How did I get so lucky?”
She did. She looked at herself in his arms. She looked so small compared to him and she loved it. She also looked vibrant. She’d never seen herself look so happy and he was a stranger. She’d studied her reflection as her mind began to think of things she could never have.
He leaned down and kissed her neck as he whispered sweet platitudes into her skin. She’d let him kiss her and touch her. He’d never tried to push her to bend over for him, he’d just looked and touched her as if she were precious. She had never felt precious before, but as his whispers grew ragged and his touch more passionate she felt new things in her body. She was growing impossibly wet, so wet that she felt it on her thighs.
She had never wanted anyone this way before. She wanted to please him.
“Let me please you Choo-Choo.”
“You are pleasing me Josie. You’re letting me touch you.”
His words sent a thrill through her body. That couldn’t be enough.
“You can take anything you want from me Choo-Choo.” She whispered breathlessly.
“That’s not how it works sweetheart. Loving is giving, not all taking.”
She turned in his arms. “Then I give myself to you.”
He rumbled out a masculine growl as he took her in his arms.
Choo-Choo Page 2
