Which was pretty damn hard.
The bed frame quaked against the wall and it felt as though the whole room shuddered as he took me.
The most powerful orgasm of my life loomed like a cyclone.
“Give it to me, babe. I need it.” He groaned as his movements became unhinged without losing any of his finesse.
His encouragement was all I needed and I let go, throwing myself willingly into the oncoming storm.
I faintly recognized the cry filling the room as my own as his deep groan followed.
He collapsed carefully on top of me, his face buried in my neck. I stroked his hair, grinning like a fool.
I didn’t think I’d ever been so happy.
His lips took my neck in a tender kiss as he pushed up onto his arms and withdrew from my body.
I gasped when his fingers immediately found my core, pushing his seed back inside me. After a moment those same fingers swept over my belly before finding my breasts as he watched me with a hooded gaze.
He was marking me.
It was the most erotic thing I’d ever experienced.
When he seemed satisfied, he lay beside me and pulled me into his arms, one of his hands clasping my breast possessively.
I’d known it would be good. I couldn’t have ever imagined just how good.
“Glad to hear that,” he rasped squeezing my breast as his thumb swiped over my nipple.
Dammit, I really had to stop sharing my internal dialogue.
“Mason will be up soon,” I murmured, feeling utterly resplendent.
“Hmm-mmm,” he agreed, pressing into me suggestively. “Better make this one quick then.”
“Again?” I squeaked incredulously. Not that I was complaining. Far from it.
“Again,” he murmured.
In the end, it wasn’t quick. It was deliciously drawn-out and just as mind-altering as the first time.
Mason had picked the perfect morning to sleep in.
Chapter 20
“Janelle, it’s Jill. Again.” I sighed as I left my sister another voice mail. “I’m seriously worried. Call me back.” I hung up, hanging my head in defeat. I knew my messages were of no use but I didn’t know what else to do.
“She still not picking up?” Cal’s voice surprised me as he walked into what had become our bedroom. I hadn’t realized he’d overheard.
It had been a week since we’d come together in the most mind-altering sexual experience of my life. And it had continued to be mind-altering. Every night. And occasionally at nap time too.
I turned around to face him from my position seated on the edge of the bed.
“No. I don’t know what to do,” I admitted. “I could fly out to New Mexico, but then what? She’s not at home. I asked one of our old acquaintances to go check. I think she took the kids somewhere—God knows where. Should I call the police?” I asked, desperate for advice. “I’m really worried.”
“Cards on the table, babe. This happened before?” he demanded, his jaw tight. “I know your relationship with her has never been good, but has she up and disappeared like this?”
I nodded, hanging my head in frustration and despair. “Last time this happened, just over two years ago, Jan had fallen off the wagon. Gran took the kids in. I would have in a heartbeat, but things with Tim….” I shook my head, my fingers twisted in my lap. “That was no environment for them.”
Cal came to sit beside me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and pulling me close.
“But... Gran’s gone.” My voice was barely a rasp as I looked over at Cal, my expression desperate and chest tight with worry.
He gave my shoulders a squeeze. “You should have told me it was this bad,” he reprimanded me gently.
I nodded. “I know. I’m sorry. Everything with Tim is still such a mess.” I sighed. “I was reluctant to pull you into another one until I had to,” I admitted, wincing at his reaction.
He growled in frustration, removing his arm from around my shoulders. “Your mess is my mess. And it’s not even that,” he amended. “It’s two innocent kids that could be at risk.” He stood up, looking angry. “You keep holding shit like this back, thinking of it as an obligation to me, we’re gonna have problems,” he warned severely.
He was seriously pissed.
“The second I think we’ve made progress, you just pull us right back to square one. Is that where you want to stay? Is it comfortable there, Jill?” he demanded. “Where no one can fucking get to you? Not even me? Christ.” He shook his head.
I winced as his words hit their mark.
He ran his hands through his hair, his eyes to the ground. “I gotta go blow off some steam.”
I watched him stalk from the room, unsure what to say or do to make him stay. In that moment I wasn’t sure I wanted him to. A second later I heard Mason’s sweet voice from his crib. He was awake from his nap.
No time to ponder how monumentally fucked-up I was. I had a son who needed me. Thank God for that.
****
Cal had left Tag to watch the house. He’d remained out front as the day stretched into night. I was grateful to avoid what would have otherwise made for an awkward evening. Tag was one of the Knights I knew the least, but truth be told, it probably wouldn’t have mattered who it was. I was too out of sorts to make conversation with any of the guys. Plus, even if the mood had struck, chatty wasn’t something in any of their DNA anyway.
I debated calling one of the girls but I didn’t feel like talking it out. Instead I focused on Mason. I made him dinner, unable to eat much myself, and after a bath put him to bed.
I gathered up my things and went back into the guest room, not wanting to take over Cal’s space and needing some space myself.
After an hour, unable to sleep in what had quickly become an unfamiliar bed, I thought better of my decision. Cal wanted me closer in every sense of the word. Even if he was angry with me, I’d give him that.
I wished I could make him understand the level of trust that required.
I padded down the hall back to the master. I slipped between the sheets, immediately comforted by the smell of Cal on them—the smell of us.
When the door clicked open an indeterminate amount of time later, my eyes snapped open, sleep immediately forgotten. I kept my back to him as I listened to the sound of his jeans dropping to the floor, of the soft whoosh of fabric as he pulled off his shirt.
He slid in between the sheets and immediately pulled me close.
My whole body sagged with relief.
His warm, strong body spooned mine and I wiggled to get closer. The silence stretched between us while I worked to organize the thoughts that had been swirling in my head since he’d left.
My throat felt suddenly dry. “I know you’re angry with me and I’m still here,” I murmured. “I’m not afraid of you. I still want to be close to you. I know I have a long way to go, but that’s progress,” I murmured into the dark room. “For me, that’s progress.”
He was quiet, waiting for me to continue, knowing I wasn’t done. He did that a lot and instead of rattling me it soothed me. I knew he’d wait while I formulated my next thought. What I shared was on my terms and in my own time.
“I trust you more than I’ve ever trusted anyone. You have a piece of me no one ever has. It will get bigger and bigger over time. In the meantime, that piece? You helped build it. It’s yours and mine—no one else can ever touch it,” I explained, hoping like hell he understood.
He pulled me closer as his lips found the shell of my ear. “I get that you trust me more than anyone, darlin’. I don’t doubt it. We’ll work on getting you to trust me completely. And… I’ll work on my patience.”
My body quivered as his tongue touched my neck.
His lips remained a breath from my neck as he spoke. “You’re still that puzzle that I can’t wait to put together, but I get it—one piece at a time.”
He understood. My eyes burned with emotion at the realization.
Hi
s hand grasped my hip as he pressed into me from behind. “I wasn’t sure you’d be in our bed. I get that was big for you. Gonna show you my appreciation,” he murmured as his fingers dipped low.
Apparently he was really really grateful, and in the end so was I.
Chapter 21
“You are being insane!” Connie shrieked as she stalked into the club the next day, Wes hot on her heels.
Kat and I shot each other wary looks.
“I’m not being insane,” he growled as he stalked after his wife.
Attitude seemed to be part of the DNA of all the Knights’ women. I realized with a jolt that I fit that mold as well.
“You are!” she exclaimed, her bright blue eyes landing on me. “Jill, please tell my insane husband that it’s okay for me to go surfing! We’re visiting my family in Cali and I’ve missed the ocean like you wouldn’t believe,” she pleaded.
I inwardly winced. I hated not to take my girl’s side, but on this she wouldn’t like my answer.
“Shit!” she groaned when she saw my expression.
“Sorry, Con,” I apologized. “I’d worry too much about you falling the wrong way or having to hold your breath for too long under water. Especially since it’s been a while since you surfed—it’s just really not a good idea.”
Her shoulders drooped but she seemed to calm some. “Fine.”
Wes looked at her with exasperation. “Why the hell do you listen to her and not me?” he demanded.
“Because she’s a nurse and she’s not my crazy, over the top protective husband who worries about me taking a shower!”
He glowered at her. “It was slippery!”
I looked at Kat as we both desperately tried not to laugh. She cocked her head toward the back and I nodded, following her so we could give them some privacy. I was sure they’d be making out somewhere in no time.
A little while later, Kat, Connie, and I sat basking in the sunshine out back. Wes had gone to meet up with the guys who were surveying a potential property the club might purchase. Wren was sleeping, and I’d be headed to pick Bubs up from day care shortly with one of the guys trailing me.
I’d stopped by the club after my morning shift at the hospital, hoping to catch Cal. It was absurd that I missed him after just a few hours, but there you had it.
The sound of a disturbance silenced my conversation with the girls. With a cautious glance shared between us we stood up, moving inside to investigate.
Two bikers I’d never seen before were carrying a third injured man into the club. Despite my reservation at these strangers entering the club, the nurse in me stepped forward to help.
“What happened?” I demanded.
The men looked up at me in surprise. “Where’s Cal?” one of them grunted under the heavy weight of the man they half carried, half dragged further into the room.
“Not here.” I shook my head. “He’ll be back any minute,” I added, in case they meant us harm. “I’m his woman and a nurse. What happened?” I repeated.
The men eyed each other warily and I lost my patience. “I assume you brought him here instead of a hospital since whatever got him injured wasn’t legal. That’s not my business. If you need him cared for, you have to tell me the source of his injuries.”
“Shit, you’d have to be the prez’s old lady with that attitude,” one of them muttered before explaining. “He got shot while we were heading out of a bad situation. He managed to ride until we got to the outskirts of Hawthorne, but lost control and crashed his bike.”
“I’m fine,” the injured man growled.
I ignored his comment and pointed to the pool table. “Lay him there. Con, can you get my bag?” I kept medical supplies at the club. History had taught me that I’d need them.
Connie rushed to do what I asked as Kat held her phone to her ear, undoubtedly calling our men.
“I don’t need to fucking lie down,” the man argued, resisting his brothers as they neared the table.
I slipped on my gloves, eyeing my patient with a nurse’s eye. His complexion was pale, but his eyes were alert with a stubborn flare. “What’s your name?”
“Hunt,” came his terse reply.
“Well, Hunt,” I began, my hands on my hips. “The way you’re favoring that leg, I’d guess you either broke or sprained something.”
I’d been around men in the club long enough to know they hated showing any weakness. I sensed that was the source of his frustration now. Pride could be a real bitch to deal with when trying to treat a patient.
“You can either get up on that table and let me have a look at you, or you can sit here and bleed out like a stubborn ass.”
A shocked chortle sounded from one of the bikers behind me. I turned to glare at them. “Out.”
They gaped at me.
“I mean it. Out,” I ordered, pointing to the back of the club.
I thought I heard one of them mutter something about me being a ballbuster as they hesitantly did as I asked.
I turned back to my patient. “Now, on the table,” I directed.
He did as I asked, glaring at the ceiling the entire time.
He was a handsome man with sandy-brown hair that curled slightly around his ears, and big brown eyes. I guessed him to be around my age, maybe a bit younger. He was in great shape, which would hopefully help his body heal.
“I’m going to cut your shirt, see what’s what. All right?” I asked, my tone gentle as I detected a hint of worry flash in his eyes.
He nodded once and I got to work.
“Grazed,” I murmured with relief as I assessed the wound in his shoulder. “Lucky,” I told him meaningfully. “The bleeding looks to have slowed but you undoubtedly lost a fair amount. How did you crash? Did you lose consciousness?” I asked.
“Think so.” He nodded.
His torso was a canvas of road rash. “I bet that hurts more than the bullet.” I winced in sympathy.
He nodded.
“Geez, do you ever shut up?” I quipped, trying to lighten the tense mood.
I got a small smile at that.
“Let’s get a look at that leg.” I gestured toward his denim-clad leg. “I hope you didn’t wear your favorite outfit today.”
He chuckled. “Left my party dress at home.”
“Good thing.” I smiled, glad to see him loosening up. “Lucky for you, I think there’s a clean set of clothes around here,” I added as I set to work cutting the denim from his ankle to knee and the boot from his foot.
“Ouch.” I winced in sympathy at the obviously broken foot that greeted me. I looked at him, waiting until he looked back. “Hunt, I don’t have the supplies or ability to properly care for this,” I told him regretfully. “You need X-rays and to potentially have the bones reset before being casted. You don’t want to risk this not healing right,” I informed him sternly. “I can brace you up well enough to buy you some time to get to the hospital of your choice, but you need to go to one.”
“Fuck,” he gritted out.
“I can clean up the rest of you before you head to the hospital. I’m sure the bullet hole would lead to questions. But anyone can break a foot.” I shrugged.
A look of surprise at my way of thinking flashed across his face. “True,” he agreed with a grunt.
I raised a brow at him. “Really? You’re surprised? My man is Cal Jackson.”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re right. I shouldn’t be surprised that you’re tough as nails and smart as a whip.”
“You need me to break your other foot, Evans?” Cal’s voice snarled from behind me.
I whirled to face a very pissed-off-looking Cal. He stood flanked by Wes and Sal, who didn’t look any more pleased.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” Cal continued as the two other bikers returned from out back, obviously having heard the commotion.
“Jackson, man, no disrespect,” the largest of the three men broke in. “We got into a situation, knew your club was here, thought you m
ight be willing to help.”
“So you just figured you’d have my woman take care of you assholes?” Cal growled.
“Well, she sort of… took over,” the man admitted.
I didn’t think I’d see the day where a biker would look sheepish. Yet, here it was.
Cal’s questioning gaze swung to mine.
“Babe,” I murmured. “He’s hurt. I’m getting him cleaned up. It’s what I do,” I explained, knowing deep down he’d understand that.
I watched him assess the situation, his jaw clenched. “Does he have to be half fucking naked?” he demanded.
My thoughts flashed to Wes’s behavior not an hour ago. I bit back a smile. Cal might be the Prez and a good deal older, but he wasn’t all that different from his men.
“Yes, he does,” I answered matter-of-factly.
“Tell me what to do and I’ll do it,” he growled.
This was a new level of alpha crazy I had yet to experience. I wanted to tell him he was completely insane, but I knew I couldn’t do that—not now, and especially not in front of another club.
“I’m nearly done,” I assured him instead, as Hunt’s eyes volleyed from me to Cal.
“If he breaks your other foot I’ll do my best to fix it,” I assured him dryly.
Cal grunted.
“I’m in hell,” Hunt groaned, laying his head back on the hard surface of the pool table.
“No. You’re in motherfucking Hawthorne,” Sal growled.
I turned to glare at the room at large. “I don’t know what kind of history you all have. Right now I don’t care,” I snapped. “This man is my patient. I’m going to clean him up and then he’ll be on his way. You’re all distracting me from doing that. I kicked these guys out earlier.” My gaze zeroed in on the unfamiliar bikers before swinging to Cal, Wes, and Sal. “Do I need to do the same with you?”
Wes and Sal suddenly found the floor to be quite interesting as Cal’s eyes shone bright as they met mine. I’d never stood up to him before, not like this. I found myself merely curious as to his response rather than fearful. Another step forward.
Cal (The Ride Series Book 5) Page 12
