The sliding door opened behind us and I craned my neck to watch as Cal emerged onto the patio with Cole and Sal behind him.
“Babe.” He nodded toward me, leaning down to kiss my forehead. They’d been at the club for the morning.
“Hi.” I smiled up at him.
“How were things here?” he asked, his eyes turned toward the kids.
“Good,” I replied. “The kids are getting along great. Max hasn’t said much but he seems to be having fun leading the younger ones around.” I nodded toward Max as he held his sister’s hand.
Cal nodded thoughtfully before heading over to the kids. He kneeled down and said something to Max. After a moment, he scooped up a grinning Emmie and took Max’s hand, headed in our direction.
“Max, Emmie, this is my son, Cole,” he introduced as Emmie wrapped her small arms around his neck and peeked at Cole shyly.
Cole smiled, his blue eyes shining.
“And that other knucklehead is Sal,” Cal continued.
That got a small giggle out of both kids.
Cole kneeled down so he was eye level with Max. “Hey, bud. I’ve heard you were watching out for Gracie today. Thanks for taking care of my best girl.”
Max nodded solemnly, his hand still grasped in Cal’s. I crossed the patio and scooped up Mason, kissing his chubby cheek.
“Who’s staying for dinner? We’ve got steaks to grill and beers in the fridge,” I offered as I rejoined the group.
Scarlet looked up at Cole with a raised brow. “Gracie’s having a ball and Tatum’s inside sleeping. It’d be fun to stay.”
Cole chuckled, reaching down to squeeze her shoulder. “All right, babe.”
“We can stay too.” Kat shrugged.
“At least yours checks with you,” Sal grumbled to Cole before his lips turned upward into a small smile toward his wife.
“We all know Axel doesn’t want me cooking, so we might as well stay too,” Sophie muttered. “I’ll text him.”
“Acceptance is half the battle.” Scarlet grinned at Sophie, a teasing glint in her eyes.
God love her, she’d tried, but Sophie was still a terrible cook.
“Get into our bedroom and strip.”
The rasped order from Cal took me by surprise as I loaded up the dishwasher later that night. Our casual barbeque had turned into a large gathering that most of the club ended up coming to. I’d worried it would be too overwhelming for Max and Emmie, but they’d seemed to have fun.
Now, it was late. The kids had crashed, exhausted from the excitement.
Apparently Cal still had energy to burn.
I turned to face him, my body heating at the look in his eye.
“Not fucking around, Jill,” he growled.
The lust darkening his gaze had heat coiling in my belly. I nodded, eager to obey, and walked on shaking legs to our bedroom. I slipped my shorts down my legs and pulled my tank up and off, standing in my bra and panties as my heart pounded with anticipation.
The quiet click of the bedroom door closing behind him signaled his arrival. “You’re still wearing too many clothes.” He took the two strides needed to be in my space. His fingers found the clasp of my bra and with expert ease unhooked it and slid it down my arms. His thumbs slid into the sides of my panties and with restrained force, he pulled me to his massive chest.
My hands shot out, gripping his shoulders to steady me.
He stooped to press his nose to my neck. “You smell fucking good.” His deep inhale was filled with appreciation. “You always taste as good as you smell.”
His tongue wet his bottom lip as he eyed me hungrily. My core convulsed in response. I wanted to bite that lip. The intent was clear in his gaze as he picked up a pillow and dropped it to the ground. “But first….”
It was my turn to lick my lips. I loved how he took charge in the bedroom. He told me what he wanted and when. It was always what I wanted, too.
I dropped to my knees, looking up at him as I unzipped his fly. He looked down at me with his nostrils flaring. I could tell he was on the razor’s edge of control.
I wanted him to lose it and soon.
I licked him leisurely at first, gratified at the quick inhale of breath I received in response. But I didn’t want to tease him; I wanted to taste him, to take him.
I took him in my mouth, loving his taste and his smell. His groan spurred me on as I used my hand and mouth to take all of him.
His rasped command came all too soon. “Up, baby.” He helped me to my feet, directing me to the bed. I lay back, watching with rapt attention as he stripped.
He was so gorgeous, all tanned skin and ripped muscle. And all mine.
He stalked me like a predator, hitting the bed and looming up over me, his hips pressed between my legs.
His mouth found the shell of my ear first, biting gently before trailing down my neck to my breast. His expert tongue took one nipple and then the other, licking and biting until I was making quiet keening noises I’d only ever made with him.
“Cal… honey—please.” I gasped.
“Hmm….” The deep indecipherable rumble was all I received in response as he continued his journey downward. He lay on his stomach between my legs, looking as though he was getting ready to stay a while. His large hands gripped my inner thighs, pulling them apart further, his eyes focused with lustful intent on my core.
With any other man, the way he stared, the way he smelled me like a bouquet of flowers, might make me self-conscious. With Cal, it made me crazy. I was an entirely different person with him. Or maybe it was who I’d been meant to be all along.
His mouth feasted on me, his tongue licking and teasing until my legs were shaking and I was calling his name.
In one swift move he was inside me. His powerful arms caged me in as he thrust to the hilt.
There was nothing better in the world.
I gripped his biceps, the feel of his firm muscles under my hands making me want him that much more. He rolled to his back, pulling me on top of him. “Ride me,” he commanded.
I threw my head back and did just that. With my palms splayed on his firm chest and his hands gripping my hips, I gave him everything I had.
“Fuck.” His guttural groan encouraged me further. He pulled me down so that we were chest to chest as he took me from below.
I met him thrust for thrust as we found a rhythm that was nearly graceful in its desperation. My mouth found his shoulder, biting down to mask the cry that escaped as I hurtled into release.
His deep groan followed seconds later.
I lay spread out on top of him, giving him all my weight as I listened to the pounding of his heart. He stroked my hair and my back languidly as our breathing slowed.
I lifted my head, looking at him with a coy smile.
He chuckled, reaching up to stroke my hair back from my face. “What’s that look?”
“Probably the ‘my man just rocked my world’ look,” I replied.
He sat up, still inside me, and wrapped his arms around me. “If that’s your look now, I can’t wait to see what you look like after round two.”
“Round two?” I marveled.
“Round two,” he confirmed on a rasp.
After a round two that somehow turned into a round three, I was too exhausted to muster much of an expression, coy or otherwise.
Chapter 26
Cal’s gentle grip on my neck stopped my pacing the next morning. “Calm, baby,” he instructed with a quick squeeze and a kiss to my temple. We were awaiting the visit from CPS and I’d been a bumbling mess since waking before dawn.
Sophie looked at me in sympathy from her place at the kitchen table. She’d come to help with the kids so we could have a few minutes with our case worker.
I blew out a breath, forcing myself to stop my constant movement. “I know. Calm,” I agreed, watching as the kids ate breakfast. I’d made more muffins than we could ever eat but at least they were enjoying them.
When the doorbell ra
ng, my entire body went ramrod straight before I forced myself to relax.
I opened the door to a harried-looking woman likely in her midfifties. She bustled into the room, an overflowing folder in her hand and a purse precariously balanced on her shoulder.
“Can I take your bag?” I asked, catching it just in time as it slipped toward the floor.
“Thank you.” She sighed. “This is my third appointment and it’s barely 10:00 a.m.” She grimaced.
“How about a cup of coffee?” I offered. “And I have some muffins straight out of the oven.” I hoped she didn’t think I was trying to bribe her, but she seriously looked like she needed some caffeine.
“That would be wonderful.” She nodded.
“I’m Jill, by the way,” I added, extending my hand. “This is Cal.”
She shook both our hands and accepted the coffee and muffin I handed her, her eyes sweeping over the kids and our space.
“This is Sophie, our good friend. She came to entertain the kids,” I explained. “And this is my nephew, Max, niece, Emmie, and my son, Mason.”
The woman nodded. “I’m Mrs. Morse, here to visit with you for a little bit,” she explained to the kids, her expression warm.
The kids eyed her a bit warily but went back to their breakfast, which was technically their second breakfast, before Sophie took them outside to play.
“I have the details of the situation with your sister,” Mrs. Morse began. “I’m going to take a look around the home, then we can talk about the next steps,” she explained.
Cal and I watched as she headed off toward the bedrooms. He wrapped an arm around me and his presence calmed some of my frayed nerves. I couldn’t help the fear that she’d find us lacking in some way.
It didn’t take long before she was back. “Everything looks suitable,” she informed us. “Now, you two aren’t married, correct?” she verified.
“No, ma’am.” I shook my head. “I’m separated from my ex-husband. Have been for a while, but he’s not yet signed the papers.”
She nodded. “Had one of those once myself. Pain in the ass.”
I fought to hide my surprise at her candor.
“What is the nature of your relationship?” she asked, her eyes swinging from Cal to me.
“She’d have my last name tomorrow if it was possible,” Cal replied without delay.
The blush that covered my cheeks was impossible to hide.
“Wish I’d had one of those,” she muttered to herself. She turned to me. “I’ve run your background, which checked out. I also have the police records from Albuquerque. It’s enough for my sign-off for now. The children will be placed in your temporary custody. Max needs to be enrolled in school right away—it’s the law. We’ll do some drop-in visits that could be at a moment’s notice,” she continued. “If you want to pursue permanent custody, I recommend you solidify your divorce—it will make for a cleaner case,” she advised.
“Sorry,” I interrupted. “What police records?”
She looked at me in surprise. “I assumed you knew. There were several well checks requested by a Ms. Turner,” she explained, looking at her files.
“Gran,” I murmured to myself as Cal squeezed my hand in support.
“The living situation was never bad enough to remove the children from the home, but the officers on-site were concerned enough to file various reports,” she continued.
“Until now,” Cal broke in. “It’s bad enough now. They’re not going back to her,” he said firmly, squeezing my hand.
She looked at him with a nod. “You have a solid case for custody. Her previous history with substance abuse, the well checks, and now that she’s abandoned them—the state will not place them back in her care. Now, you have to prove they should be placed with you. You seem to have established a safe home for them and seem like good people. My advice? Get them in school, get your personal situation sorted, and get a good lawyer.”
“We will,” Cal replied.
“I’ve got what I need,” she said in closing, rising and picking up her bag. “We’ll be in touch.”
After I shut the door behind her, I leaned my head back against it, listening to the muted sounds of joy filtering in from the backyard where the kids played. Their giggles were a balm to my frazzled nerves.
My eyes met Cal’s as he stood across the room. The energy crackled between us like a live wire as his bright blue eyes bored into me in that way of his—that way that made me feel as though he could see right through to my soul.
“Are we going to do this?” I asked him quietly.
He crossed the room, not stopping until he had me pressed against the door. His lips skimmed mine in a sensual caress. “I knew when I first laid eyes on you that you’d change my life. I knew you’d give me somethin’ beautiful, darlin’,” he murmured. “When Cole was a baby, I had dreams of a house full of kids, of a woman strong enough to stand by my side. A woman that had a heart big enough for our kids and me. Over the years, I let go of all that. Didn’t think it was possible—didn’t think a woman like that existed. Until you.” His deep voice was thick with emotion. “You gave me that, baby, and so much more. Hell, you gave me, my men, and their women in a way I’ve never had.”
I looked up at him in surprise and confusion.
“You think they used to hang around here like they do now? Hell no.” He shook his head. “They respect me, I know they do, but they’ve always given me a wide berth. You’ve been the bridge we needed—the piece that glues us all together. The club is stronger than it’s ever been. A lot of that is thanks to you,” he emphasized. “So hell yes, we’re doing this. Those kids, you—this is my family and I’ll fight with everything I have to keep it. To protect it,” he said with conviction.
I couldn’t speak—words didn’t feel adequate after everything he’d said. Instead, I reached up and yanked the fabric of his tee, pulling his lips to mine. Our tongues clashed, bodies molding as we fought to get closer. His hands went to my backside, lifting me so that my legs wrapped around his waist. My hands found their way underneath his tee, relishing the feel of his muscular back underneath my palms.
“A-hem.” The sound of a throat clearing broke us apart. I peeked over Cal’s shoulder. Sophie stood in the patio doorway, holding Mason with a playful grin on her face.
“What are you doing?” Emmie’s confused voice sounded as she stared at us from beside Sophie.
Cal dropped me gently to the ground, wrapping his arm around my waist. “I’m kissing your aunt, honey,” he explained as I straightened my clothing.
She wrinkled her nose. “Why?”
Max chimed in, looking equally perplexed. “Yeah, why? Kissing is gross.”
He chuckled. “You won’t feel that way when you’re older, bud. And Emmie, I’m kissing her because I love her.”
She seemed to consider that for a moment. “That’s good,” she concluded, marching into the kitchen. “Can I have another muffin?”
I laughed. “Yeah, baby, you can.”
****
My eyes darted to the rearview mirror again, catching glimpses of Max in the backseat as he stared silently out the window. Clearly his first day of school hadn’t gone well. He’d been downright stoic ever since I’d picked him up.
The poor kid had been through so much change.
“Max,” I tried again. “How was school, honey?”
He shrugged and remained silent.
“What do you want to do? Do you want to go get some ice cream?” I asked hopefully. Mason and Emmie were at day care and I’d missed yet another shift at the hospital, wanting to pick him up from school.
Another shrug.
I fired off a text to Cal at a stoplight.
Max had a bad first day, he won’t talk to me!
His response was immediate.
Come to the club
I glanced again at Max. “How about we head to the club for a bit?” I suggested.
His expression lightened for the first ti
me since we’d gotten in the car, and I received a slight nod.
Progress.
We pulled up to the club, where the garage bay was open, revealing Cal amidst the various bikes, tools, and a classic car of Sal’s. “Hey, bud, need your help with somethin’,” Cal said by way of greeting when Max and I walked up.
Leaning against one of the bikes, his legs crossed at the ankle, arms folded over his broad chest, the mere sight of him had my heart fluttering in my chest.
He pushed off from his position, stepping into my space, placing a soft, all-too-quick kiss on my lips before his hand found the top of Max’s head. “You up for it?” he asked.
Max looked up at him and nodded eagerly.
Cal’s eyes found mine. “We’re all right here for a while, baby,” he told me with a wink.
I felt a wave of gratitude and utter adoration sweep through me. I had a man in my life who stepped up when it mattered. Who was a father figure when Max desperately needed it.
I nodded. “I’ll go whip up a snack for you fellas. Any of the girls here?”
“Ettie and Scarlet are in the back.” He nodded.
“All right, have fun,” I replied with a smile before heading inside.
Cal could comfort Max in his own way and I’d make sure their bellies were full while he did it.
I found Cal in the garage on his weight bench later that evening. “They’re in bed,” I announced distractedly, too caught up in the beauty that was Cal Jackson. Dressed only in cutoff sweats that hung low on his hips, I could observe every muscle flex as he hoisted the bar up and down over his powerful chest.
“Good.” He grunted.
He’d been quiet all evening, distracted, and I wanted to know why.
“Were you able to get Max to share anything about school?” I asked as I leaned against the doorway, watching his movements.
He re-racked the bar with a resounding clang and sat up, wiping his brow with a towel. “He didn’t want to talk much. We worked on the bikes with a few of the guys. He seemed to like it.” Pride was clear in his tone before he admitted. “He alluded to the kids teasing him.”
Cal (The Ride Series Book 5) Page 15
