Stroking the slope of her jaw with my thumb, I edge her face up to meet mine and tell her,
“It takes every ounce off self-restraint I have not to kick the shit out of all the men who stare at your gorgeous body while they think about doing things to it they have no right to.”
“Stop it, Cash,” she whispers, again trying to wriggle out of my grasp. But I’m not having it. Pulling her into the shelter of my arms, I walk us behind the elevator bank, out of view of all the people milling around.
I drop my forehead until it’s resting against hers and know I’ve made another mistake. However, this one, I don’t regret. Not even for a second. The scent of her honeysuckle body lotion and the subtle hints of vanilla from her perfume intensifies the seemingly constant ache in my balls.
Kennedy’s eyes drift to my lips as she sucks her lower one into her mouth and bites down on it, and that’s all it takes for the thin thread of control I was hanging onto to snap.
Crushing my mouth to hers, I sweep my tongue over the seam of her lips, demanding entrance. Kennedy surprises the shit out of me by opening to me immediately and darting her soft, pink tongue out to tangle with mine.
As soon as I get my first taste of her, I finally accept what I’ve known from the first second I laid eyes on Kennedy again; I am well and truly fucked when it comes to her because there’s no way I’m letting her go.
I give this kiss everything I have, pouring all of the pent up emotions I’ve been struggling with since she was stabbed into it. My desire for her is incessant, clawing at me to claim her and keep her by my side forever. Wrapping my hands around the backs of her thighs, I lift her up until Kennedy’s legs are secured around my waist, and I’m pushing her back against the wall.
Nibbling my way down her neck, I lash my tongue across her pulse point and bite down earning a sharp inhale from her. The sounds she making – the quiet moans and pants – are driving me fucking crazy. So much so, I’m half tempted to say fuck it, and free my cock so I can plunge into her right here, everyone else be damned.
But it’s the breathy way she sighs my name that has me seeing reason. Sucking her earlobe into my mouth, I growl,
“Marshall. My name is Marshall, baby. You can call me Cash whenever you want, except for when you’re in my arms.”
That seems to snap her out of whatever trance she is in because one second Kennedy’s devouring me like a starving woman and the next, she’s roughly shoving at my chest, demanding that I put her down.
“Oh god, that should never have happened. What is wrong with me?” She hisses, retying her hair in a low ponytail at the base of her neck. “You and all of your friends have been nothing but kind to Talon and me, and here I am climbing you like a tree and taking advantage of you.”
If I weren't so fucking amused by her words, I’d be pissed. The fact that Kennedy believes a tiny thing such as herself would be capable of taking advantage of me is fucking insulting.
Choosing to err on the side of amusement, I chuckle at her as I wind an arm around her waist.
“Nothing happened here that neither you or I didn’t want to, and to save you the trouble, it will happen again. Only the next time I make you moan for me, you’ll be naked and beneath me while I’m plunging into your tight, wet pussy.”
“Jesus,” Kennedy exclaims, slapping her hand against my chest. “Seriously, Cash, you have to stop saying that kind of stuff.”
“Why?” I question.
I love the deep scarlet blush that colors her cheeks, and the way she fidgets with the hem of her shirt when she’s nervous. I love the way her eyes widen almost comically when I say or do something to surprise her. Truthfully, I love everything I’ve learned about this woman so far.
“Why?” She repeats, quirking an eyebrow at me. “Because we barely know each other, that’s why.”
“So, you’re saying that if we knew each other better, I’d be able to tell you how badly I want to bend you over the couch, wrap your hair around my fists, and fuck you from behind so hard you’ll see stars?”
Blinking at the slow smirk spreading across my face, Kennedy trips over her words, but eventually manages to stammer,
“Ah, um, no. I don’t think there will ever be a time we’ll know each other well enough for you to say that kind of stuff to me.”
Most men would have taken her statement as their cue to back down, put some distance between himself and her, but not me because I don’t believe for a minute that she means a word of what just came out of her pretty little mouth.
It isn’t just the crimson blush that’s now spread from her face to the upper swells of her tits, that gives her away either. It’s the pounding beat of her pulse, her shallow, labored breathing, and the lust flaring in her eyes that tells me not to give up.
Now, I might be a stupid man when it comes to being in a relationship with a woman, but that doesn’t mean I can’t read the signs when one is interested in what I have to offer. And in this instance, Kennedy is more than a little intrigued.
“You wouldn’t be lying to me now; would you baby?” I ask, caressing the soft skin at the base of her throat. “Because there’s one thing I’ll always be with you which I’ll expect you to be in return, and that’s honest. You might not like what I have to say, sometimes it may even make you uncomfortable, but I promise you this; I’ll always tell you the truth, no matter what.”
Kennedy gaze falls from mine as she nervously looks around at anything and everything to avoid meeting my eyes.
“We should go,” she finally suggests. “Talon will be home from try-outs soon, and I need to make sure everything is organized for me to start work tomorrow.”
Assuming this will be the last opportunity I have for a while to get her alone, I lean into her and take her mouth again. This kiss isn’t remotely similar to our last one, however. This one is all teeth, tongues, and heat. It doesn’t build slowly and gently, this kiss erupts like wildfire, consuming everything in its wake.
My hand automatically finds its way to her ponytail. Gripping it tightly, I tug on it until her head is tilted in the exact position I want it, allowing me to plunder her mouth and claim every inch of it.
Kennedy is far from unresponsive, though. Her arms wrap around my neck as she strains to get closer to me. Firm, full breasts smash against my chest, and her soft stomach cradles my rock hard cock, reminding me that it’s been weeks since the last time I had sex.
Every time I’ve thought about taking one of the club whores back to my room at the clubhouse, visions of Kennedy lying on the filthy floor of that warehouse, scared, alone, and covered in blood rush to the forefront of my mind, rendering my cock useless.
Even Callie, who used to be my go-to piece of ass – a mutually beneficial arrangement, for the both of us – can’t hold my interest for more than a few minutes, and that includes when she’s sucking my cock like her life depends on it.
However, when it comes to Kennedy, my cock isn’t only ready to come out and play, it all but demands to. I’ve never been harder in my life than when I’m within touching distance of this woman. Fucking never, and that shit pisses me off.
Up until her, I was completely in control of my own body. I chose when to get hard, I decided if and when I fucked someone, and I controlled whether I achieved release or not. But with Kennedy, it’s like my body’s on fucking autopilot, entirely at her command, and I’ll be damned if some sick, twisted part of me doesn’t love that too.
After long minutes, I reluctantly break the seal of our mouths, and rest my forehead against hers, breathing in the fresh, clean scent of a woman who whether or not she knows it, owns me.
“I’ll take you home, baby, but you have to know that whatever this is between us isn’t finished. I’m not going to give you time to retreat into your head and convince yourself of all the reasons this won’t work because you and I both know that’s what you’ll do if I was to let you. So instead, I’m going to spend every day proving to you how good we can be together
.”
Brushing my lips across hers gently, I add,
“Be warned, baby; I won’t give up until I’ve got your right where I want you,” and that’s the god’s honest truth.
Interestingly the reality is, not even I know where that is exactly, but rest assured, I’m going to fucking find out.
CHAPTER FOUR
~ Kennedy ~
“I wish I lived in a world where mosquitoes would suck fat instead of blood.”
– Rotten eCards
“Jump, do me a favor would you?” I huff, exasperated by the huge man who is yet to give me a minute of peace. “Can you please get your ass off the counter, and go and find someone else to harass? Unlike you, I actually have things to do, and entertaining you isn’t one of them.”
I’ve been working at Crest Ridge for four weeks now, and for the most part, I enjoy my job. There are a few things I’d like to change such as the filing system that’s archaic, to say the least, the motels website which is in dire need of updating, and some minor cosmetic improvements to the rooms. I have no doubt if I mentioned any of that to one of the Vengeance men, I would get the go ahead within the hour, but I’ve been so busy sorting out the mess the previous manager left that I haven’t had time yet.
Speaking of time sucking voids, Jump is one of the biggest. He has been my shadow for almost a month, and while in the beginning it was nice to know I had someone looking out for me, making sure I’m safe, now it’s more annoying than anything else.
“No can do, beautiful,” he grins at me unapologetically. “You know the rules, and seeing as I don’t intend on having my ass kicked by big brother before my date tonight, I’m afraid you’re stuck with me.”
Groaning, I drop my head into my hands and moan,
“Why me?”
Jump pats me on the head condescendingly, chuckling,
“Do you want a stupid answer to go along with your stupid question, or can I assume that shit was rhetorical?”
One of the things I love most about Jump is the stress-free friendship we’ve forged. Over the course of a month and a half, he has become the closest thing to a brother I’ve ever had. Not to mention, overprotective, obnoxious, and frustrating as hell, which apparently all go hand in hand with taking on the role of older, wiser sibling according to Jump.
“No, you’re right. Don’t answer that because you’ll probably give me even more reason to want to punch you in the throat,” I snap back.
There are several things I’ve noticed about Jump, and one of them is not that he’s entirely too handsome for his own good.
Jump is a man of many smiles, most of which are forced or fake. I didn’t recognize the difference until I watched him throwing the football with Talon one day in the backyard. His smile was broad and genuine when he was interacting with my son. There were no lingering shadows behind his eyes – no tightening of the skin around his mouth – he was almost relaxed if that’s possible. Nevertheless, now that I have seen the contrast between them, I can’t help but wonder what the usually so carefree biker is trying to hide.
I’ve always sensed since we first met that something was off with Jump. Not necessarily in a bad way or I wouldn’t allow him to spend time with my son, but there is definitely a story there. The question is, will he ever trust me enough to share it with me, and if he does, what will he expect in return? Because if Jump expects payment in secrets, I don’t know if I will ever be able to reciprocate.
I’m not naïve enough not to realize that Cash, Jump and most of their brothers from the MC haven’t put the small pieces I’ve shared about my life together to make a bigger picture. And for the most part, what they have worked out is probably pretty close to what actually happened. There are things they will never know, though. Things they could never begin to guess. Things I will take with me to the grave.
All my life I have lived in fear of humiliation and bore the sting of rejection, which is why I refuse to confide in these people who have albeit graciously accepted me and Talon, but will always be strangers. Not for their lack of trying to get to know me, but because I couldn’t bear to have them look at me differently when they find out the truth.
How Talon was conceived is no secret. A homeless, jobless, fifteen-year-old virgin doesn’t become pregnant by choice when her life is in the gutter just like she is.
My track history when it comes to remaining gainfully employed isn’t something I’ve hidden either. When Jump questioned me about why I left my last job, I told him the truth. But more than that, I may have also admitted – granted I was under the influence of copious shots of vodka – that it wasn’t the first time I had been propositioned in the workplace, and subsequently fired because of my refusal to sleep with my employer. As a matter of fact, the last four jobs I’ve had have all ended for exactly the same reason.
At first, I thought it was me. I thought that maybe I was sending the wrong message, somehow fueling my boss’ advances, but at the end of the day, I know I was grasping at straws. Nothing I had done, or in this case, not done was the cause of my being fired. That was all on the pigs who thought it was their due to fuck their female subordinates.
Noticing the grimace my memories of a time better forgotten evokes, Jump tugs playfully on a loose strand of hair, asking,
“You in there? You kinda spaced out on me for a minute there, If I thought I was boring you, I’d have tried out the new striptease I was thinking of breaking out at the hog roast this weekend. You and T are still coming, right?”
Shit, I forgot all about that. Shaking my head, I confess,
“Talon is excited about it so he’ll be there with bells on, but I won’t be able to make it. Sorry,” I say with a shrug.
Jump narrows his eyes at me which has me fighting a grin of my own. His serious face is about as scary as a baby kittens.
“Why the fuck not? I told you about this last week, and you said you’d show. The women are looking forward to seeing you, and the boys too. You’ve been held up here for weeks, it’s time for you to cut loose for a bit, buttercup.”
“I will be. I have a date, and I can’t reschedule it,” I reply quickly, trying not to flinch at his expression which has turned murderous.
“With who?” He snarls viciously.
Flipping the folder of invoices I was organizing alphabetically closed, I turn to slide it into the bottom drawer of my desk when Jump’s hand reaches out and grabs my wrist.
“I asked you a question, beautiful, and I expect an answer.”
I never doubted he would. Jump wouldn’t be him without wanting to know the ins and outs of business that isn’t his.
“Zander,” I answer simply, praying that he’ll leave it at that.
“Zander fucking Lyons?” He barks. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. That guy is a hundred percent douchebag with a side order of fuckwit. What the fuck are you thinking going out with that asshole?”
Now would probably be the perfect time to tell Jump that it’s not what he thinks, but I won’t because then I would have too much to explain. It’s better this way, at least for now.
I’m under no illusions that if I decide to stay in Furnace permanently, I will eventually have to confide in someone about my past, which recently has begun to resurface. But until there are no other options open to me, and I have an exit strategy in place, I intend to play my cards close to my chest. Nothing good can come of anyone knowing anyway, least of all Talon.
Flipping through the reservations book to see how many bookings are due to arrive tomorrow, I mutter a vague answer that does nothing but piss Jump off more.
“Uh-huh, Zander. He seems like a nice enough guy, and he asked. I don’t see what the problem is.”
“You don’t, you don’t see what the problem is?” He sputters, his face turning an interesting shade of purple. “One word for you, beautiful; Cash.”
“Hardly,” I shrug. “After playing tonsil hockey with me weeks ago and ignoring me ever since, I haven’t seen him wit
hout a skank attached to some part of his anatomy, so I hardly think he’ll be concerned about me going on a date, Jump. Anyway, it’s just dinner. I don’t plan on marrying him.”
“Fuck. Just, fuck, Kenny,” Jump growls, pacing the small lobby simultaneously running his hands through his over-long hair. “Cash is going to flip his fucking lid when he hears about this, and if you think otherwise, then you aren’t as smart as I thought you were.”
In a placating gesture, I place my hand on his forearm and shake my head sadly.
“Then don’t tell him,” I plead. “Let him jump to whatever conclusions he wants. When I don’t show up tomorrow night, he’ll be angry for a little while, but eventually, he’ll get over it or under one of the women vying for his attention and forget all about me.”
“Is that what this is all about?” Jump questions suspiciously. “You’re jealous of the sluts that hang around the clubhouse. Because if that’s it, let me tell you something, buttercup; none of them hold a candle to you. My brother is an idiot for not claiming you already, but give him time because when he finally pulls his head out of his ass, he’ll stop at nothing to make you his. I’ve never known Cash to back down from a challenge, and I can already tell you’re going to be a hell of a challenge, sweetheart.”
Vengeance MC Box Set - Volume 2: Gage ~ Cash ~ Knight (Vengeance MC series Book 8) Page 32
