by Fox, Regina
“Wanna dance?” Dave asked.
“How drunk are you?”
“C’mon. Let’s dance,” my co-worker grabbed my hand and pulled me up from the stool. “Cam’s lookin’ at us. Let’s give him a show, shall we?” Dave added, pulling me to the area by the juke box.
Before I could contemplate what was happening, Dave wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me roughly to him. As his body moved to the beat of the music, his hands slithered down to my hips, moving me along. I looked up at him, slightly confused.
“Is this necessary?” I asked.
He winked and whirled me around. “Trust me. We’ll get him all worked up.”
Before I knew it, I was twirling around and swaying my ass up and down. My hips shifted while he kept a hold of me and I couldn’t remember a day when I had so much fun since I took in Jack.
I was yanked out of my reverie when I felt a set of hands grab my ass. I yelped in surprise, but before I could scream or smack the asshole, a hand pushed Dave away from me.
“Get your fuckin’ hands off of her, man,” Aiden hollered.
He laughed and winked at me. “Told you it would work.”
My view was blocked by my boss’s chest. I felt his hands on my waist, pushing me toward the dark corner. Dave scampered off.
“What was that about?” I asked through the loud music.
“He fucking touched your ass,” Aiden replied, like it was the most obvious thing on the planet.
“So? Maybe I liked it.”
“I saw your reaction,” Aiden said. “That dick just fuckin’ touched your ass. I don’t like people who are not me touchin’ your ass.”
My brows pulled together. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me. No one’s gonna touch that sweet ass of yours. Except me.”
Before my mouth could part in shock, Aiden closed the distance between us and kissed me. I stepped back in astonishment, but he curled an arm around me, locking me in place.
Aiden licked my lips and coaxed me to open my mouth; his tongue slipped inside and licked the roof of my mouth. He trapped me against the wall, his lips against mine as heat radiated off of his body. I found myself softening as he kissed me passionately. His hands glided down to my butt and cupped my ass cheeks, lifting me up until I had my legs wrapped around his tapered waist.
I couldn’t believe I was plastered all over this man, and that he had his tongue down my throat. I could still hear the loud pounding of the music as I felt Aiden’s hand inch under my shirt to cup my breast. I let out a surprised gasp when he ran his thumb over my erected nipple. I moaned and my arms wrapped around his neck, as he worked the sensitive flesh between his fingers making me and our mouths danced together.
Someone yelling Aiden’s name broke me out of the haze Aiden created. I tore my mouth from his, hearing his disapproving growl before he dipped his head to kiss me again. This time, however, I was prepared and turned my head, his mouth smacked against my neck.
“Look at me,” he ordered, cupping my chin gently, forcing me to look at him.
I shook my head and untangled myself from him, planting my feet against the floor. I couldn’t believe that I let him kiss me in front of his club brothers. In front of the people I worked with every day. Mortified, I bolted to the club’s door.
“B! Where you goin’?” Dave asked as I stormed past him.
I kept my head down and waved at him, never stopping as I made my way out. I fought the urge to fan my heated face as I continued to walk, ignoring the loud thumping of Aiden’s feet behind me. It was only when I stopped at the parking lot that I heard him call out to me.
“Stop right there, Abby.” My boss ordered and so, I did. “What the fuck is that about?”
“What?” I asked, never turning around to face him.
“You runnin’ away like that?” Aiden growled. “Will you look at me, damn it?”
I still kept my eyes on the pavement.
“Babe, look at me.” Aiden commanded, placing a hand on my shoulder, trying to gently force me around.
I sighed, and obliged. His blue eyes searched my face. “So what was your deal back there?”
“I don’t sleep around Aiden,” I said.
He frowned as he continued to regard me. “What the fuck you talkin’ about, girl?”
“I’m not going to have sex with you,” I clarified.
“Maybe not tonight,” Aiden contradicted with a smirk.
I shook my head. “I’m not like that. And I’m not about to spread my legs just because you told me to.”
He stepped closer to me, placing his hands on my hips. His index finger moved in a slow, circular motion on the patch of skin under the hem of my shirt. His blue eyes held my gaze.
“Look, I’m going, okay? I’ve got to pick up Jack from his babysitter, and it’s late.” I said, fishing my keys out of my pocket.
He shook his head and tightened his grip. “You ain’t goin’ nowhere after that kiss baby,” my boss said, trapping me with his body.
“Aiden…” I gulped. “I don’t sleep with people from work.” Well, not after what happened to Vince, anyway.
He shot me a heated look. “Who said anythin’ about sleeping?”
“No one—,” I started, but he cut me off with his mouth.
Aiden used his body to trap me against my car as his hand traveled down to cup my pussy, pressing it against my mound. I moaned in his arms, feeling myself get wet. I was ashamed of myself and of how traitorous my body was for him.
As he kissed me, Aiden fumbled with my jeans. His tongue was deep in my mouth as he found the waistband of my panties. Without warning, he pushed his hand inside, finding the tight bundle of nerves that throbbed and ached to feel his cock inside me.
My eyes rolled back as he touched my clit. He rubbed the little pink nub before gliding his fingers into my wet opening. My back arched, and my mouth parted from the intense pleasure as Aiden sucked on my neck, licking and soothing the sting he created.
“You’re so fucking tight, baby,” he growled in my ear.
“Aiden,” I moaned and moved, riding his finger.
He growled and added another finger, thrusting in and out of my wet hole. My inner muscles clenched around his thick fingers, taking him deeper.
“Yeah, baby. Ride it out,” my boss encouraged, kissing me once more.
Our tongues dueled and clashed as I basked in the afterglow of my orgasm. As every fiber of awareness gripped me, bringing me back to reality, my relaxed body tensed. With a cry, I broke away from him, pushing Aiden away from me. I must have taken him by surprise because he stumbled backward, his eyes widening.
“Babe. What’s wrong?” he asked, blinking down at me while I fumbled with my jeans.
Without a word I zipped my pants and jumped into my car, my fingers shaking as I started the ignition.
“Abby!” Aiden yelled as I drove out of the club’s parking lot, never looking back.
Tears welled up in my eyes and streamed down my cheeks. A sob was ripped out of me as I pulled up in a deserted area.
My forehead hit the steering wheel as tears continued to flow. I didn’t know why I was crying. Working for the bikers was one thing, but sleeping with Aiden, the leader of the most feared gang in Fargo, North Dakota, was another. He dangerous and no one dared to mess with him. I shouldn’t either.
I kept telling myself that as I started the car and drove to Kyla’s house. Aiden was out of the question. I couldn’t let myself get involves with him. Though, it was probably already too late for that.
Once I arrived home and tucked Jack in, I picked up my laptop, a glass of wine and brought them to bed with me. In between sips, I wrote a resignation letter and sent it to Aiden. In it, I told him that I was quitting the job and had already found a replacement. I didn’t mention anything about tonight.
I slept with a heavy heart that night. For the first time in a long time, I dreamt about a man with intense blue eyes instead of my ex, Vince.
As soon as I got home, I wrote a resignation letter and sent it to Aiden. In it, I told him that I was quitting the job and that I had found a replacement. I slept with a heavy heart that night, dreaming about a man with intense blue eyes instead of my ex, Vince.
A couple of months dragged by and I never heard back from Aiden. He must have taken the hint that I didn’t want to work for him anymore— at least not after what we’d done back in the parking lot.
I pushed the thought aside as I reached for Jack, bringing him up to my arms. It was five o’ clock in the afternoon, and I’d just finished my shift at the curtain shop downtown. Since Kyla went back to college, and I couldn’t leave Jack by himself, he spent the day at the daycare center.
I grabbed his bag from the back seat and swung it over my shoulder, keeping hold of him as we sauntered over to the door. A small box was waiting at the doorway. I frowned at it, wondering what it was. Seeing as it was clearly meant for me, I picked it up and examined it, turning it around to see a card attached to the side.
I unlocked the door and strolled inside, placing Jack down so he could run for his toys. As soon as he was settled on the floor with his red toy truck, I walked over to the table and read the card attached to the box.
This is for you because you deserve it…
My brows furrowed as I ran my gaze over the short line again. Wondering who it was from—since neither note nor package had a name attached—I tore the wrappings apart and pulled the box’s lid off. I peeked inside and instantly stepped back in shock. My eyes widened, and my mouth parted letting out an anguished scream that alarmed Jack, making him cry.
I willed my body to move, to go over to my baby and soothe him, but I couldn’t do either. My body stood immobile, my eyes never leaving the dead, bloody snake inside the box. The revolting sight me made me gag, my throat constricting as my belly flipped.
I fell to the floor; my stomach heaving and my body trembling as I tried to inhale. As my lungs expanded the strong smell of dead snake filled my nostrils. I coughed continuously, trying to expel the disgusting scent, as I saw Jack crawling toward me. I dragged my body off of the floor to reach my baby and held him tight, brushing the sudden tears that welled in my eyes.
Still shaking, I looked down to collected myself and saw a short note in bold letters on the lid. I bend over to pick it up and read it.
See this dead snake? This is what’s going to happen to you and your darling baby, bitch. You shouldn’t have ran away from me. I’m getting sick and tired of chasing you. This is a warning, Abby. Come find me, or the next time I go looking for you I’ll make sure to slit that lovely neck of yours.
Until then…
I paled as I read the short message. My eyes immediately darted to the doorway, searching for signs of Vince’s presence. Luckily, there wasn’t any. Still, this small reassurance didn’t calm me.
I bolted for the door and fumbled with the doorknob to get the wooden barrier open. I stepped outside and desperately fished my phone out of my pocket. With shaky fingers, I dialed a familiar number, one that I remembered by heart. As it rang, I pressed it to my ear and hoped he’d pick up.
After two rings, a familiar deep voice—albeit slightly groggy—sounded in my ear. “Hello?”
“Aiden?” I whispered.
***
The loud sound of motors rumbling echoed around the driveway. I looked up from my crouched position and saw the Rough Riders Bikers lurking in the shadows, their intimidating forms bent over their bikes. I scanned them until eyes met a pair of deep blue ones. A shiver ran down my spine, and I tried not to break eye contact as Aiden hopped out of his bike. The intensity of his gaze made me want to run the opposite direction, but I was done running.
I needed his help. Jack needed his help too, and I wouldn’t let my pride get in the way of my baby’s safety.
I stayed rooted to my spot, holding tight to Jack as the other bikers followed their leader towards me. Even if I could move my wobbly legs, the hard look Aiden gave me was enough to make me immobile.
I tried not to tremble when Thick, Aiden, Dave and another mean-looking dude walked over to me and Jack, their eyes assessing me from top to bottom. It was like they were trying to figure out the problem just by staring at me.
Dave was the first of the group to speak. “What happened, B?”
There was a concerned line on his forehead. The sight almost made me weep in relief. Gathering my strength, I opened my mouth and told them what happened. I was careful to leave out the part about Vince being a drug dealer, seeing as the boys didn’t have to know about my ex’s history.
As I told my story, tears welled up in my eyes. I blinked them away quickly, knowing that tears would not solve my problems. These guys could.
Once I was finished with the story, Aiden took immediate action. He ordered Thick and the other guy to search the house as Dave and Aiden stayed with me and Jack. They whispered under their breaths, saying my name every once in a while.
I focused my attention away from their conversation, focusing on the fussy boy in my arms. Trying to remain calm for Jack’s sakes, I lulled him to sleep. His breath had just evened and softened when loud curses came from the house. They found the snake, I thought, closing my eyes.
Thick and the other guy strolled out the door with grim looks on their faces. They walked over to Aiden and, seeing that the baby was sleeping in my arms, explained what they saw inside in hushed tones
Aiden kept staring at me for a few more moments. I tried not to read too much into it, though. I had too much on my mind already.
When they approached me again, they had grim expressions and arms crossed over their massive chests. I tried not to feel intimidated as they focused their attention on me.
“So, the deal is you won’t be able to stay in that house, B. It’s too dangerous. This guy knows where you live. You’ll have to go live with your family or somethin’,” Dave explained.
“I can—” I began, ready to suggest that I could stay at my dad’s house, but I was stopped by a curt “No,” from Aiden.
“What?” I asked, not understanding his answer.
“I said no.”
If I didn’t have Jack in my arms, I would have placed my hands on my hips, and demanded an explanation. Instead, I settled for, “What do you mean, no?”
Aiden stared at me with a hard glint in his blue eyes. “Just that. No. You ain’t about to bother your family with this shit. You’re stayin’ with me, babe.”
Babe.
He called me babe.
Oh, how I’d missed him calling me that.
I forced my treacherous mouth not to smile, but it was damn near impossible. My mind was too wrapped up in that word. In fact, it took a while for the rest of his sentence to sink in. I stared at him in confusion, wondering what had him feeling like Tarzan again.
“I’m sorry?” I asked, raising a brow.
Aiden made an impatient grunt in his throat. “Damn it, babe. How many times do you want me to repeat myself? I ain’t got time for this shit, Abby.” He ran a hand through his hair and stared me deep in the eyes. “You need the club’s help or what?”
I nodded. “Yes.”
“Then you gotta let the boys sort this shit out and come with me. I ain’t takin’ no for an answer. You want protection from this crazy ex-boyfriend of yours, fine. But it’s not for free.”
A chill ran down my spine. “And the cost is?”
“You and the kid are staying with me, at my house.”
“As a houseguest? On the couch?”
He stared deeply into my eyes and pulled me close. “You’ll be sleeping in my bed, Abby.”
He was so comfortable with himself, commanding power, radiating confidence. My jaw dropped. He was a cocky son of a bitch.
“You just expect me to have sex with you?”
He smiled. “Take it or leave it.”
“So this is a proposition with strings attached?”
“Why are you protecting me?”
He cupped my face. “Because I always protect what’s mine.”
“You don’t even know anything about me.”
“You can tell me after we get done fucking.”
“Excuse me?”
His lips hovered over mine. “I want to kiss every inch of your body, slip into your sweet heat, and make you mine.”
“Then I’m yours.”
“Then here’s what’s going to happen, Abby. Go pack your stuff. We’ll go back to my place. And I’m going to make you feel so fucking good.”
“How hard are you going to fuck me?”
“You can’t wait for it, can you?”
“I wanted it since the second I laid eyes on you.”
“So did I.”
We walked back into the living room Jack needed protection from Vince, and so did I. I knew Vince would never stop until he found me. He was crazy and dangerous. And though Aiden and his club could be dangerous themselves, they could also provide protection like no one could.
If moving into Aiden’s house for a couple of days was the best solution to my problem, then I was willing to take that step and go. I knew sex was part of the deal. What was wrong with a few passionate nights?
His lips turned up at my lack of reluctance and he muttered a quick order to Thick and Dave before he turned back to Mick—the new guy.
The men dispersed and Aiden turned toward me. He gestured to his bike. “Let’s go.”
He reached out to me, but I dodged his hand and shook my head. “I need to pack a bag. All of Jack’s necessities are inside the house. Mine too,” I said, as I adjusted my baby in my arms. “Besides, a baby in a bike?”
Aiden scowled down at me. “You haven’t picked up your shit?”
I shook my head.
“Fuck,” he cursed under his breath.
“Please, watch your mouth,” I warned. “I’ve got a two-year-old in my arms, and he might just copy what you say.”
