“You’ve bulked up like the fucking Hulk,” Dickie said, “like a lot of the crew who do time.”
Again I nodded. “Had to do something to keep from going insane,” I admitted, grinning. “Thanks for arranging for protection while I was in there.”
“You know we take care of our own.”
I had nothing to say to that. I’d known the club would see to it that no one fucked with me while I was in there. Not that I couldn’t hold my own, but there were a lot of fuckers in there who’d like the bragging rights of taking out a Mad Dog. It wouldn’t have been a fair fight, either.
Penny wasn’t leaving Dickie’s side and I knew he’d want me to watch how much club business we discussed.
“Beer, bro?”
I glanced up to see Odie holding a can out to me. “Thanks.” I popped the top and brought it to my lips. Jesus, it tasted good. I chugged the whole damned thing down and handed the empty can back to him. “Fuck, I missed that while I was in the pen.”
Odie laughed. “Just beer?”
“Beer was just one thing,” I clarified, glancing toward the door again.
“You met Iris yet?” Odie asked, wagging his bushy eyebrows above his lecherous grin. “Real purty little thing.”
“Iris?” So that was her name.
“My sister,” Penny replied. “She just arrived today, too, from Georgia. She went inside for some things for the cookout, but I think she got lost.”
I took the opening. “Then I think I’ll go look for her, introduce myself. Maybe she needs help.” Maybe she needs a man, I thought to myself. Before anyone could say anything, I’d pivoted on my heel and was striding toward the steps.
I opened the door, entered, and stood for a minute looking around. I didn’t see anyone and I didn’t hear anything. My gaze landed on a huge bowl of food on the counter next to the fridge. There was a bag of rolls next to it. Then I heard the muted sounds of someone talking. I followed the noise toward an opened door that I soon discovered was a huge pantry. The mumbling seemed to be coming from somewhere in the back, so I made my way there. Turning a corner, I stopped long enough to admire the scene.
Iris was doing her damndest to reach a stack of paper plates on one of the shelves. She was perched on top of a five gallon bucket of cooking oil. Jesus, who purchased that much oil at once? Anyway, her curvaceous frame was stretched as high as she could go, and I couldn’t help but take in the line of her shapely legs from where she was balanced on the tip of her toes, to the swell—hell yes, swell—of her heart-shaped ass beneath her shorts. The stretch of her arm caused her shirt to rise up, showing off a generous amount of creamy flesh from her waist to just under her big tits.
Too bad all the good parts were hidden.
I grinned, listening to her swear under her breath when the plates remained just out of reach. But when she started to lose her balance it wasn’t so funny anymore, and I moved up behind her quickly. “Let me,” I offered, reaching over her head and easily grabbing the plates.
“Oh!” she gasped, turning slightly to meet my eyes, which were at level with her tits. Her eyes grew big when she saw that it was me. Since her head was bent toward me I could feel the little puffs of her warm breath against my face.
“Didn’t mean to startle you.” I set the plates on a lower shelf, making eye contact with her, and willing my dick to behave. “Seems like we’ve been in this position before.”
“Yes, we have,” she said, wetting her bottom lip. “You’re nice to have around.”
My gaze fell to her mouth. Damn, I wanted to suck that little pink tongue inside my mouth and taste the nectar glistening there. “Need anything else while I’m here?” She shook her head slowly. “Then let me help you down.” I wrapped my arms around her hips before she could stop me, pulled her sharply against the front of me, and lowered her slowly, enjoying the feel of her soft curves running down my hard length. I paused when her lips were even with mine.
I watched her full lips part. She sucked in a tiny breath, making a sound at the back of her throat. Her tits were crushed so tight against my chest that I swear I could feel her nipples. I did feel the rapid beating of her heart. By now I was harder than fucking stone in my pants, and I knew she could feel it pounding against her belly. I wanted her to feel what she was doing to me. It amused me to see the flush of color rise to her cheeks. We weren’t kids, yet she was blushing like a teenage virgin.
Interesting.
I wished I had time to explore her reaction more.
She finally got up the nerve to ask, “Are you going to let me down?”
“I like the feel of you against me,” I said teasingly. “Been a damned long time since I’ve felt anything half as good.”
“I, ah, can tell,” she laughed softly.
She was referring to my throbbing dick. “That bother you when a man shows you that he wants you?”
“Not at all, but it’s been a long time,” she confessed. I had to give her credit for keeping eye contact with me. Not many, even my own brothers, could do it for any length of time. I moved in with every intention of claiming her lips. She leaned back, “Who are you?”
“I’m a Mad Dog.”
“No, I mean your name.”
I grinned at her move and let her slide the rest of the way down to her feet before I fucked her right there against the canned goods. “Everyone calls me VD.”
“VD? Is that your road name or did your parents really name you VD?” she teased, grabbing the plates and walking away from me.
My gaze fell to her ass. “My folks named me Vince.” I was right behind her, admiring the sway of her hips. For a little thing she had curves that didn’t quit, and I wanted to discover every one of them.
“I like Vince,” she admitted, grabbing the bag with the rolls in it. “Can you grab the bowl and napkins?”
Before I knew it we were walking down the steps and heading toward the picnic table that had been set up next to the grill.
“Well, now, we were getting worried about you two,” Dickie joked as we walked past. I made sure that Penny wasn’t looking when I shot him the bird. His hearty laugh pulled her attention back to him.
“VD, brother, nice to see you back!” I turned automatically in the direction the voice had come from. “Congrats on your president patch.”
I shook Beanie’s hand, wondering if he was late getting there because of his bitch of an old lady. I found myself looking for Debbie. I didn’t see her, but I did see her sister, Lana, who caused just as much trouble in the club. My gaze swung back to Beanie’s.
He held up his hands in a helpless gesture. “I know, I know, don’t bust my balls, VD. She was gonna come whether I brought her or not.”
About that time Lana saw me and made a beeline directly for me. I cringed inwardly, because I recognized that look on her face. She couldn’t get it through her head that just because I’d fucked her a few times didn’t mean that we were an item, and it had nothing to do with my being twenty years older than her. She was pretty enough, had a killer body, but I wasn’t interested in the forever-after with her. I hadn’t answered one single letter she’d sent me in prison, hoping she’d eventually get the message and move on.
I glanced down at Iris, who until then had just been standing by quietly watching. She was so fucking pretty. I thought to myself that I should have kissed her in the house earlier when I’d had the chance. She’d acted like she hadn’t wanted it, but I remembered her response at the airport, the woman had acted like she hadn’t been kissed in a damned long time.
“VD!”
I closed my eyes at the sound of Lana’s high-pitched squeal. It literally caused a sharp pain between my eyes. Before I could guess at her intentions, she broke out into a run and the next thing I knew she was in my arms and her legs were wrapped around my waist.
“I missed you, baby!” She gave me a sloppy kiss. “Eighteen months is a long time,” she continued, and then lowered her voice. “You must be horny as hell. Rea
dy for a welcome home fuck?”
It hadn’t been low enough, and she knew it, too. I could tell when she shot Iris a meaningful look that screamed that she would be the one welcoming me home. Fat chance of that, I might have fucked her before I went to prison, but if I fucked her now there’d be no getting rid of her.
“We’re not at the fucking club, Lana. Watch your mouth.”
She giggled. “We’re all adults here, baby.” She started to move her hips against me. My dick was already semi-hard from being close to Iris, so I’m not going to lie, it felt good having a pussy—even a used-up one—rubbing against it. Lana was all too eager to put her mark on me, and it pissed me the fuck off. So why wasn’t I tossing her ass to the ground? She was bringing too much attention to us, and any minute I expected to hear my brothers egging us on. They knew how much I liked pussy, but I didn’t like public displays unless I was the one initiating them.
“Would you two like a room? I’m sure Penny has a spare bedroom you can use.”
Fuck. I hadn’t forgotten about Iris, and looking down at her now, I could see the anger and, something else, hurt, simmering in her pretty browns, and then she was walking away. I felt a moment of regret, and disgust for letting the situation go on for too long. I couldn’t blame Iris for being angry, Christ, I’d hit on her at the airport and in her sister’s pantry. She was the one I wanted to welcome my dick home. I guessed that at that point she thought I was a man whore.
“Enough,” I growled low, hoping that Lana got my message. I pushed her legs down and forced her to her feet. “Go find another brother to bother.” I pivoted to go after Iris.
“What? But−”
I swung back to her with a snarl. “Were you faithful, Lana?” She blanched, and I could already see the guilt filling her eyes. “Were you? Did you keep your pussy for me?” I insisted, all the while knowing how insane it sounded. She wasn’t a club girl, but she’d made it obvious in the past that she wanted a brother, wanted the old lady status. She’d started working on me about a year before I went away.
“I−I−”
I’d never known Lana for a loss of words, but clearly I’d caught her by surprise. We both knew that she was a slut. She liked dick and thought by being free with her pussy it would get her what she wanted. I grinned. “Don’t even bother. We fucked each other a few times, that was all. It didn’t go anywhere outside the bedroom.”
“I thought you liked what I can do for you,” she pouted, recovering quickly.
I gave Beanie a meaningful glare because I was done with this conversation. “Get her away from me.” By the time I turned back around Iris was out of sight. She wasn’t with Dickie or Penny.
I released a loud sound of frustration. What the fuck was I doing? Running after pussy when the club offered a smorgasbord? Eighteen months hadn’t been all that long. I went in at thirty-nine and came out with the mentality and maturity of a much older man that I didn’t recognize. Since when had I matured? I laughed out loud at the realization. I’d better get the old VD back, because I was the president of Mad Dogs now.
Shit.
If I was still in the mood I’d seek out Lana later.
Chapter 4
Iris
A small noise woke me unexpectedly, and I opened my eyes. I just lay there for a second, trying to determine what I’d heard and where it was coming from. When the next sound came I pulled the covers back and jumped to my feet. I was pretty sure that it was coming from the kitchen below, and it sounded like crying. I knew instantly what I’d find when I rushed there, and, just as I suspected, Penny was sitting at the island crying her eyes out.
I rushed to her and folded her into my arms. Without words she turned into me and buried her face against my shoulder, letting the tears flow as sobs wracked her body. My own eyes filled with tears because she was hurting so much and there was nothing I could do. All of our lives Penny had always looked out for me, and the one time that she needed me I was helpless. I hated the feeling, but I would do whatever I could to be there for her, even if it was just providing a shoulder to cry on.
It seemed like hours passed as she sobbed relentlessly against me, until gradually the tremors slowed and silence filled the kitchen. A tiny smile spread across my face when I felt how wet my sleep shirt was where she’d buried her face. The whole time I ran my hand over her hair, held her tight in my arms, and waited patiently for the storm to be over while my heart was breaking inside.
“Coffee?” I asked finally, feeling her body relax slightly.
She shook her head and moved back. “Stronger.” She gave me a trembling smile and pushed her hair back from her face. “There’s wine on top of the fridge.”
The bottle was at least placed close to the front so that I could reach it, and it was already opened, which was good because I’d always had a hard time using a corkscrew. I removed two wine glasses from the cupboard and poured us a generous amount. I had a feeling that we were going to need it.
“Is Dickie . . .” I handed her a glass and sat back down on my stool as the unfinished question lingered in the air between us.
“Sleeping as restfully as he can,” she said, taking a sip. “The morphine helps.” Then she laughed. “Stubborn man, he’ll only take it at night. Doesn’t want the boys to think he’s not tough enough.”
The boys. I couldn’t think of VD as a boy, and then I reminded myself that I didn’t want to think about him at all. I nodded with understanding, though. Dickie had always been a tough-ass. It must have been hard for him to give in to the cancer that was killing him, an invisible enemy that he couldn’t hope to fight.
“Once I’m sure he’s sleeping I come down here and let it all out,” Penny admitted sadly. “Trying to be strong all day takes a toll.”
“Why do you think you need to be strong all day?” I asked.
She shrugged, tears building in her eyes again. “It’s my job, sis. I want Dickie to be proud of me, to know that I can handle the shit life throws at us. The president of an MC needs a strong old lady.” She laughed again, wiping away the tear that managed to break free. “That club means everything to him.”
“You mean more,” I insisted. “Why do you think he’s fought so hard all these years to keep you away from the club? Because of your goodness, sis, and because he loves you. He didn’t want any of the ugliness of that life to touch you.”
She gave me a long, hard look. “It is ugly, Iris. This past year I’ve learned a lot about Mad Dogs and what they do. Not because Dickie has told me, just from overhearing things. Oh, I pretend that I’m not listening, but I can’t help but overhear.”
I didn’t want to ask Penny what she meant by ‘ugly’ because I didn’t want to know. My first contact with the club had been a few days ago when I’d first arrived, and from what I could tell, they were friendly and liked to party. But they seemed harmless enough.
“What am I going to do without him, Iris? What am I going to do?” She drank down the rest of her wine. “He’s my life.”
“I know, honey.” I was at a loss as to what to say. I was just glad that I was there for her to talk to. I got up to get the bottle of wine, knowing that both of us could use a refill. “When is Jay coming home?” Jay was their only child, a man now at nineteen, who was away studying to be a doctor at Yale.
“He’s been home a few times this year, every time he gets a break, actually. Right now he has finals, and he can’t miss those.” As soon as I filled her glass she brought it to her lips. “Did I tell you that he’s met a girl?” She had, but I shook my head anyway, figuring it would give her something to talk about and take her mind off of Dickie. “She’s a nice girl, from what he says. Pretty, too, according to her picture. I think he plans to bring her with him the next time he comes home for an extended holiday.”
“What’s her name?”
She thought for a minute. “Jordan.” She drank her second glass of wine down as if it were water. I smiled inwardly, knowing that when it hit her she’d b
etter be near a bed. She slipped off her stool as if knowing it, too. “I better go check on Dickie.” She stumbled slightly and grabbed the end of the counter to steady herself, laughing. “If I’m not back in five, chances are I’ve passed out next to him.”
“I’ll wait a few minutes,” I said as she walked away. I wanted to finish my wine, but at a slower pace than Penny had hers. Besides, I was wide awake now, and knew that I wouldn’t get back to sleep right away. I glanced at the clock on the oven. It was five. I hoped Penny was able to get back to sleep for a few hours. There was peace in sleep.
I got up and opened the kitchen door that led out to the front porch. I didn’t bother turning on the light, stepping down onto the deck and making my way to one of the chairs. Just as I was about to sink down into one the noise of a motorcycle stopped me, and I glanced up to see a single light heading down the road. Since our house was the only place they could be coming to I went to the top of the steps and waited.
There was a curve in the driveway, and at one point I was in direct line of the motorcycle light. I found myself squinting against the glare and shielded my eyes when the rider came to a stop right in front of me. He turned off his bike but didn’t turn off the light, which annoyed me, because I think it was done on purpose. I moved, so did the light. Really?
“Could you please dim that or turn it off? You’re blinding me.”
I heard a deep chuckle. “I like looking at your pretty legs, darlin’.”
I recognized Vince’s sexy timbre and something came alive inside me. I quickly washed it down with a sip of wine. “They’re just legs.” I knew that my sleep tee covered what it should, but, sensing his stare on me, I checked to make sure. His soft laughter had the same effect of an intimate caress on my skin, giving me goose bumps. “Why are you here so early?”
“Dickie asked me to drop something off.”
“At five o’clock in the morning?” I said with disbelief. He finally turned the blasted light off, and suddenly I was cloaked in semi-darkness. I couldn’t see Vince, but the noise that I heard indicated that he’d dismounted his bike. “I’m not waking either one of them. Penny just went back to bed.” I could tell that he was walking.
Carnal Hunger Page 3
