by Debra Kayn
Chapter Sixteen
The heavy meal Gia consumed sat at the top of her stomach. She couldn't look at Swiss. Not after feeling foolish over Raelyn's comradery with Swiss and finding out that their history went back years and involved a woman losing her husband while pregnant. The truth wiped out any uncomfortable jealousy she'd felt. Jealousy she had no right to feel.
She'd become flustered and blurted out about the woman's shelter. Now Swiss would believe she'd kept more information from him.
Swiss leaned back from the table having finished his meal and hers. Gia took a chance and glanced at him, amazed that through coming to the bar to try and bring the men after her out in the open, he remained calm and unworried.
"What?" she said, paranoid he could see what she was thinking about him.
Swiss wiped his hand across his mouth. "Just when I think I've figured out women, one of you comes along and kicks my ass."
"What do you mean?"
"Raelyn thought you were upset when I talked to her the other day out at the clubhouse," he said.
"Me?" She gulped and looked away again.
Upset wasn't the right word for the mix of emotions she'd gone through having Swiss talk to another woman he was more familiar with than her. Disappointed, maybe. Envious, definitely.
She had no right to be physically attracted to him. Even his personality pulled her toward him, and she found it almost impossible to push herself away when she wanted the security he gave her.
"I can see you thinking," he said, tilting his head to the side. "Whatever it is, you're probably wrong, and I swear to fuck, sweet, you better not try apologizing for how you feel."
She shook her head. "I wasn't going to."
"Good," he muttered.
She opened her mouth to reiterate and stopped herself. He'd think she was crazy. She'd lied to him already, and he'd voluntarily signed up to protect her. What kind of man does such a thing?
She was on the verge of losing all her composure. He turned her on. Plain and simple. What kind of woman fantasized about a man when the only thing she could think about was staying alive when killers were near enough to hurt her? She had no time for a personal life. The only thing she could do was let Swiss and Ronacks help her and try with all her power not to fall for Swiss.
At least the club members believed she was in danger, which was more than the police. All law enforcement could do was send a patrol car to circle the block or arrive after she needed help. The killers were smarter. The men never approached her with a cop around, and they never warned her before they showed up.
But, would they hesitate with Swiss nearby to protect her? Could she trust that Swiss could take care of himself? That nothing bad would happen to him?
She swallowed over the panic rising in her throat. She had no choice. Swiss was the only one who offered her help. Yes, she showed up with the intention of using him, but at a distance. She never expected him to set up, attack, and get rid of the men coming after her.
Raelyn showed up at the table. Gia wiped the worry off her face and smiled politely. The dynamics of the Ronacks Motorcycle club escaped her. Whether Raelyn and Swiss were together or friends or lovers, she had no idea, but what she knew was the woman was a single parent who had lived through heartbreak, and no matter how much she hoped Swiss was not involved with the bar manager, she had empathy for Raelyn.
"Ready for dessert?" Raelyn looked at Gia.
Surprised to find the focus on her, she blew out her cheeks. "I don't think I could eat anything more. Dinner was fabulous."
Raelyn leaned over and planted her hands on the table. "Whether you can or can't eat it, you need to take a bite. Whatever is left, the big guy across from you will eat the rest."
Gia laughed softly, knowing Swiss's appetite exceeded the normal limits.
"We have apple pie with vanilla ice cream and brownie delight," said Raelyn.
"Pie, please." Gia looked to Swiss when he nodded his approval. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." Raelynn reached out and squeezed her shoulder.
Stunned at the easiness of getting along with those involved with Ronacks Motorcycle Club when she opened her mind and pushed the doubt away, she gawked at Swiss. She'd assumed a lot from one private conversation and had jumped to conclusions to keep herself from getting hurt. A hurt she couldn't even validate, because she had no freedom to feel anything but grateful toward Swiss.
The seriousness etched around Swiss's eyes and his intense, predatory gaze watching her brought everything to the forefront. The truth had been in front of her the whole time. It was her imagination that had created a history between Swiss and Raelyn.
"You've never been involved with Raelyn," she said.
Swiss held her gaze, refusing to give an inch.
Her confidence in her ability to read other people beaten until she'd fabricated a history of Swiss's past in her mind that she could understand and grasp; she'd held him accountable for her feelings. Feelings he wasn't even aware she had for him.
She blew out her breath. "I'm sor—"
"Don't say it," he murmured, running his finger along the butter knife on the table. "We're not only here to make sure you eat and to draw whoever is after you out into the open."
"We're not?" She raised her gaze from his broad, rough hand to his face.
She was getting used to the way he squinted. No longer the scary expression she'd first thought, he studied her with warmth in his gaze and humor in his voice. The combination threw her off. He wasn't cold or unapproachable once she looked past his exterior.
He leaned forward and her heart almost skipped a beat at the sudden change he brought out in her. "You look damn good in that dress, sweet."
"Thank you," she whispered.
He continued gazing at her, and after a few seconds when she honestly thought she'd crumble in her chair at the hypnotic pull from across the table, he said, "You and your dress, and the way you're blushing right this second, has me thinking I'm going to kiss you."
She caught herself panting and closed her mouth.
"Not here." He straightened and looked around the room and mumbled, "Later."
"Later?" She ducked her chin. Oh God, she'd said that out loud.
He chuckled low. "Do you need a specific time?"
She looked through lowered lashes. "That might help because I can't even think right now with you saying everything you're saying and looking at me that way, and me being scared and not knowing what is going on with everything...and you. You scare me, Swiss."
He ran his thumb and index finger down the outside lines of his goatee. "All you have to do is tell me no."
"No," she blurted. "I mean yes. I want you to kiss me."
There.
She'd said it.
Her confession tumbled out of her mouth, and the relief at having it out in the open felt fantastic. She might not have known she wanted his kiss, but the curiosity was there from the first night she'd met him. Always hovering in their conversations and even when he was near and not saying a word, she wondered what he'd taste like and how he'd kiss.
The corner of his mouth lifted. She sighed in impatience over how relaxed and easy-going he could state he wanted to kiss her, and she was everything but calm.
"I don't know what I'm doing. You're like nobody I've ever known." She glanced around making sure they hadn't grabbed anyone else's attention. "I'm also feeling guilty."
"About?"
She sagged in her chair. "I came here with the intent to use you for protection like some big warning sign to keep the bad men away and instead..."
"Instead, you want me," he said, shrugging. "It is what it is, sweet."
She burst out laughing and shut off her nervous amusement instantly, mortified that she'd forget about everyone else in the bar and nodded. "Yes, I guess that's what I'm saying."
"Hold that thought," he said, looking away from the table.
She followed his gaze and found Raelyn approaching the tabl
e with their desserts. Grabbing the distraction, she pressed her hand to her fluttering stomach. Swiss's blunt way of talking and only saying what he wanted her to hear set her on fire. She rolled her shoulders to ease the crawling sensation in her spine. No stranger to flirting, she was out of her element with Swiss putting his cards on the table and telling her what will happen.
At least she understood where he stood and she hadn't imagined him looking longer, touching more, or standing closer lately.
Raelynn set the dishes on the table and plopped a can of whipped cream down in front of Swiss. Gia bit her lower lip, her thoughts going to what Swiss could do with the canister if they weren't sitting in a full bar in front of twenty-some strangers and a handful of Ronacks members.
"If you need anything else, let me know." Raelyn hurried away.
Swiss wrapped his hand around the can of whipped cream and rocked the container back and forth against the table. Gia raised her gaze, flushing at the arousal in Swiss's gaze directed at her.
"You have an easy face to read." He popped the top off and sprayed the whipped cream on his three-tiered brownie.
Gia picked up her fork and hovered over her piece of apple pie. "Maybe about certain things."
Swiss grunted in approval, making her stomach flutter even more, and dug into his dessert. Without anything else to take her mind off the man across from her at the table and her out of control libido, she lifted a piece of the pie to her mouth and practically moaned at the sweetness and cinnamon hitting her tongue.
Swiss's fist hit the table, rattling her pleasure. She caught movement in front of her and lifted her head, letting out a gasp at finding the bulk of Swiss's body leaning over the small table. Her surprise swallowed by Swiss's mouth capturing hers. Held captive by his large hand cupping the back of her head, she could do nothing but let him assault her senses.
Scrumptiously.
Dangerously.
His tongue contradicted the urgency behind him not waiting until later to kiss her. She lavished attention back on him, meeting him stroke for warm stroke.
Her back arched in the chair as she let him hold her head. Her taste buds stimulated, she hungered for more.
A lull in the music brought her back to reality. Swiss sensed her distraction and eased away without letting her go.
"Let's call it a night," he said against her lips.
She nodded, unable to speak.
Then, he pulled her from the chair, forgetting their desserts, and escorted her to the bar. He transferred her to his left side, and she grabbed his hand, aware of the others in the room staring at them.
Raelyn hurried over. "Rod is at the back door when you're ready."
"Thanks for dinner, Raelyn," said Swiss, leading Gia to the kitchen without stopping.
Before she could think about what waited for them outside, she was hustled into the Mercedes and surrounded in warmth from the heater and Swiss's hand on her thigh as he took her back to the duplex. Like someone starving for normal, she greedily concentrated on Swiss knowing the moment they stepped into the safety of the duplex, she'd be having sex with him.
Chapter Seventeen
Lost in the noise and general chaos of Ronacks members escorting her and Swiss into his side of the duplex to safety, Gia clung to Swiss's hand, though his possessive hold on her never wavered. He had held no fear going out with her, and she tried desperately to hold on to her sanity.
Swiss spoke with Rod and LeWorth, who followed them inside to the living room. She couldn't tell you what they spoke about. Her pulse drummed in her head, muffling their words, and her focus went to Swiss's rock hard body next to her.
His size never stopped intimidating her.
For how much he fascinated her when he moved with confidence and power, and the security he provided when he was near, it was his strength that made her nervous. Was it possible to fantasize and fear something at the same time?
The other two Ronacks members left, and the door closed. She gazed up at Swiss as he turned and put his hand on the back of her head, bringing her closer. Suddenly self-conscious, she wondered how she'd measure up. He had women all around him at the clubhouse. While she wasn't inexperienced in the sex department, the men in her life had always been nice. Too nice. They firmly believed vanilla sex was the only way.
Swiss had her thinking of all flavors.
His thumb rode her neck and tangled in her hair. "I want to feel what it's like to bury myself in your body."
Her heart beat erratically leaving her off-balance. She wanted what he wanted more than anything. To stay connected with him and forget what brought them together.
"Swiss...we need to be safe."
He tightened his hold on her. "I'm not going to let anyone hurt you or get to you when you're with me."
She placed her hands under his leather vest and sprawled her fingers over his chest. "No, I mean, you need to wear a condom. We don't know anything about each other's past and the women at the club..."
"I'll cover my dick." He bent his knees, holding her gaze. "No worries there. Not with me."
"Okay. You don't have to worry about me, either." She curled her fingers into his shirt and tugged him forward. "Thank you."
Swiss lowered his hand and fiddled with the material of her dress at her hip and walked her backward toward his room. "I can go slowly if that's what you want."
He swatted the wall, turning on the light outside the bedroom, and walked her inside. She hummed in thought, not sure slow was what she wanted.
In answer, she pushed his vest off his shoulders and took it from him. Then, she folded it in half down the back and laid it on the dresser in his room. When she turned back toward him, he'd removed his shirt, and his hands were working on his belt. Anxious to have his body against hers, she wiggled out of her dress.
Swiss halted with his jeans open and loose on his hips. Conscious of him wanting to watch her, she slipped off her heels, wishing she had sexy lingerie to wear for her first time with him. Instead, she went braless and wore a pair of black panties that were neither sexy or small, but perfect to wear under a tight black dress. The sooner she removed everything, the faster she could forget about not being prepared for a night of sex with the most perfect man she'd ever met.
His boot hit the floor, followed by the other one, and he straightened, pushing his jeans down his legs. She blew out her breath, getting his attention.
"Commando?" Her lower stomach warmed in appreciation.
He glanced down and returned his gaze to her. "Hate anything tight."
Any kind of underwear would be tight on him in his current condition. She swallowed hard and whispered, "I can imagine."
"Fuck, sweet," he said, running his hand over his hard stomach. "Keep looking at me all hot and bothered, and I'll make sure my boxers never come out of my dresser while you're staying with me."
She moistened her lips. "I think I like that idea."
He growled stalking toward her. She met him halfway and pulled him down on the bed. Her lips parted, and he captured her mouth.
Swiss groaned, landing with his pelvis between her legs and his arms bracing his weight. Her pulse pounded. She could only imagine what would happen when he slid his cock inside of her, and she would get to experience the complete bulk of him.
Wet mouths, nips of teeth, and the sweet hint of hardness hitting the inside of her thigh had her pussy throbbing to match her heartbeat. Lost in the overwhelming rush, she moaned.
Swiss eased away with short, soft kisses. She gazed up at him wide-eyed waiting impatiently. He traced his finger along her lower lip. "Slow isn't going to work, sweet. "
"I don't want slow. Not now. Not tonight." She caught her lip between her teeth.
He stared into her eyes. "Last chance, Gia. I can walk out of the room and sleep on the couch, and you can have my room. "
"That's not what I want." She planted her hand on his broad chest, caressing the light strip of hair down the center. "I like it fast...hard.
"
He covered her hand. "But, you haven't had fast and hard with me. It's going to be different with me."
Her mouth dry, she swallowed. Her pussy spasmed as he let her continue touching him and put his hand between her breasts. All she could manage to do was focus on the way his finger followed the line of her collarbone to the hollow of her throat.
"I need different," she whispered. "I need you, please?"
He dipped his chin in acknowledgment, moved his hand, and swept his thumb over the fullness of her breast. Her nipple constricted even more as if pointing toward his touch.
Unable to lie there and let him explore her body without having her hands on him in return was too much, and she pushed against him until he rolled to his hip and onto his back. She lifted her knee and moved over him to straddle his waist. "Different is good."
He slid his hands over her hips, her stomach, and cupped her breasts. She let her head fall back, all her strength leaving her body and a tremendous craving hit her. She squirmed on top of him. Swiss invaded all her senses, from the sweet taste of him, the rugged leather scent that clung to him after he stripped, to the gentle manipulation of his hands making her body sway and gyrate atop him.
His constant attention never wavered.
Even underneath her, he seemed to fill the room. She lowered her gaze. His ball sack sat high and tight, her fingers itched to cup the taunt skin and weigh its heaviness.
Swiss reached out with his right hand and opened the nightstand, removing a condom. She licked her lips as he rolled the protection over his hardness. Later, hopefully, she'd get a chance to taste him and run her tongue over every inch of his body. Not now, but soon when she had all the time in the world to show him how much he turned her on.
Swiss's gaze intensified. "Get on your back."
Something in his eyes warned her not to argue. Swiss was a man who led, never followed. Whether right or wrong, he stood behind his reasons.
And, that was good enough for her.
