Maddox

by O'Brien, Megan

  “I like a challenge,” he growled, his teeth grazing my neck.

  I gasped, my skin on fire as I reached an edge I only knew was there from my other experience with Maddox. He began to guide me again when my movements faltered, unsure how to get myself there. He pressed me harder, faster, and before I knew it I was calling his name, lost to a tidal wave of feeling.

  I collapsed on his chest, his strong arms enveloping me. “That was fucking hot.” He growled in appreciation.

  “I just came by rubbing against you,” I breathed in horror. Now that my lust-filled brain was clear, I was mortified.

  He ran his hand over my hair. “Yeah, you did. Which shows me how responsive you are. I’m still hard as steel thinking about how you’ll go off for me once I get inside you. Plus, anything with you is hot,” he assured me.

  A knock sounded loudly on his front door, making me jump.

  “Sshh, baby. It’s fine.”

  “Who is that?” I demanded, pulling back to look at him, knowing my eyes were wide.

  “I forgot Cash was going to come by this morning,” he explained.

  “Cash?” I asked in confusion. I felt like I’d heard the name, but couldn’t place it.

  “One of the Knights brothers, a close friend,” he assured me. “And he just so happens to live in the building.”

  “Aw, that’s kind of cute.” I grinned as we both rose from the bed.

  He looked at me in consternation. “It’s not fucking cute, babe. We’re men.”

  “And practically roomies.” I laughed, enjoying teasing him. I hadn’t felt lighthearted in so long.

  He swatted my backside. “You’ll pay for that later.”

  I blushed, sliding my glasses on before throwing on one of Maddox’s hoodies and some sweats. Maddox didn’t bother to cover up as much, sliding on some jeans and nothing else.

  When Maddox opened the door a few moments later, I was struck momentarily speechless. The man on the other side was like an avenging Viking, if avenging Vikings were painfully gorgeous. I remembered him from my first trip to Hawthorne, but everything had been a blur then. With his blond hair hanging past his ears—looking like it may need a wash but that somehow working for him—striking blue eyes, and imposing form, Cash was a lot to take in.

  “Walker.” Maddox addressed him by what I assumed was his last name. “This is Francesca.”

  “Frannie,” I corrected, holding out my hand. I was still deciding if I liked Maddox’s use of my formal name.

  “Frannie,” Cash greeted, his full lips tilting around the toothpick between them. “Nice to finally meet you.”

  I wrinkled my brow in confusion. “Finally?”

  Cash’s gaze swept to Mad and back to me. “This one’s been wanting to keep you to himself,” he stage-whispered with a twinkle in his eye.

  I instantly relaxed a little at his teasing. “Ah well, looks like that ship has sailed.”

  Maddox snorted, pulling me into his side. “Hardly. Cash is here to install additional security. Can’t be too careful.”

  My spine stiffened at the reminder and I nodded. “Okay, well then, um, thank you. I’ll make some coffee.” I pulled away from the two of them and went to busy myself in the kitchen.

  Cash made his way back to the bedroom carrying equipment I hadn’t noticed until now.

  I felt Mad’s heat at my back as he caged me in against the counter. “Baby, nothin’s gonna happen to you,” he promised. “But I’m gonna take every precaution. I don’t want that to make you feel scared, I want you to feel safe.”

  I relaxed at his words, melting just a little at his tender tone. “I do feel safe with you,” I murmured, turning in his arms. “I just also forget with you—for the first time I can—and then it all comes rearing up again and catches me off guard,” I admitted, my gaze shifting to the side.

  His hand cupped my cheek, coaxing me to look at him. “I’m glad you can forget with me. And someday soon this will all be part of our past. But for now, my first priority is to protect you. So, Cash is gonna install some added security,” he repeated. “He’s also another set of eyes to watch the building. And if for any reason I can’t be with you here, he will be.”

  “Okay,” I agreed quietly. I wasn’t going to argue, not when he was going to so much trouble. And plus, he was right. The threat of my uncle and Bruno was all too real. “I’ll make you two breakfast,” I offered, my hand pressing against his muscular chest, really just because I could. I didn’t think I’d ever tire of touching him.

  He grinned. “I’m sure Cash will appreciate it.”

  “Appreciate it” didn’t seem to cover it. Once I slid a freshly baked cream cheese cinnamon roll in front of him, I didn’t know if we’d ever get rid of the man.

  “Fuck, that’s good.” Cash groaned around a mouthful of his second helping.

  “So you said,” Maddox grunted irritably, shoveling in the eggs and bacon I’d made him. “Can you not cook for him ever again?” he demanded of me.

  I bit back a laugh. Truth be told, it was a recipe I’d been working on for a while, so seeing someone enjoy it meant I was at least close to perfecting it. Plus, seeing Maddox get so irritated was kind of amusing.

  “Fuck you,” Cash replied easily. “You’re the freak with no sweet tooth,” he accused. “At least I can be a willing test subject.”

  He sort of had a point.

  “Are you done?” Maddox demanded.

  “I’ll give you some to take with you.” I laughed at their banter. Clearly, the two were close—they fought as I’d imagine blood brothers would.

  Cash stood, his blue eyes serious as he turned them to Maddox. “You’re all set up. You know how to use it, just make sure you do. If it gives you any trouble, holler.”

  “I will, thanks, man,” Maddox replied as they clapped each other loudly on the back in parting.

  “Thanks, Cash,” I added.

  “Darlin’, you keep cookin’ like that, you don’t have to thank me for a damn thing, ever,” he replied bluntly before throwing up a two-finger salute, opening the door, and letting himself out.

  “He’s… something,” I commented.

  Maddox grunted. “He can be a cocky ass but he’s loyal.”

  I nodded, accepting that without comment. “What do you want to do today?”

  He eyed me for a moment. “I’d prefer to stay close to home, and you’re still healing up. How’s a lazy day sound to you?”

  Truth be told, it sounded like heaven, and I told him as much.

  ****

  “What were you like in high school?” I asked curiously as I lay facing him on his couch. We’d just finished watching the movie Heathers, a cult classic that had made me think of that period of my life. The pizza we’d been sharing lay out on the coffee table. A few movies, a nap, and gorging on junk food had made it close to a perfect day.

  He cocked his head, his gaze warm and curious. “The movie make you think of that? Christ, well my experience was a hell of a lot less dramatic and violent.” He chuckled.

  I shrugged, looked off to the side. “I was just curious.”

  He seemed to consider my question, realizing I was serious about it. “I’ve never really given it much thought. I don’t think I was much different than I am now, just less experienced.”

  “So you were always confident and hot as hell,” I surmised.

  He chuckled. “Glad you think so highly of me. What were you like?” he asked.

  Why hadn’t I realized the question would come back to me?

  “Shy, withdrawn,” I answered quietly. “I wasn’t always like that. In grade school, before my parents died, I had way more of a normal life. But I think it was part of my grief. I kind of naturally withdrew, and as kids got older and learned more about my family, they gave me a wide berth anyway. I guess I kind of forgot how to be….” I struggled to explain it. “I think I’m still learning,” I admitted.

  He squeezed my thigh. “I should rephrase my answer. I
was fucking lucky in high school. I had friends, parents who rode my ass if I fucked up, and a hell of a lot of support. I’ve never thought about it that way,” he confessed ruefully. “But you—you went through hell in more ways than one and still managed to turn into a successful, amazing woman. Impressed isn’t a strong enough word for it, babe.”

  I blushed at his praise. “Thanks. My grandparents helped.” It was important to me that he knew that. “They loved me. But it wasn’t easy for them. They were far from ready to raise another kid. They had a full-time, demanding business to run and they never got over losing my dad. They tried their best.”

  “I’m sure they did,” he replied quietly. “But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t hard for you. That it isn’t now.”

  The fact he got that, that he took the time to understand it, spoke volumes.

  “Did you feel like you had to join the Knights?” I asked. It was a question I’d been wanting to ask since I’d met him. After seeing the intimidation and fear tactics the mob used to recruit, I knew the members of the Knights MC were different, but I was still curious.

  “Not at all.” His answer was resolute. “The MC was part of my life since I could remember, but my pop never made it some inevitable expectation that I’d join. He never made it seem like some family legacy that I had to keep alive. In fact,” he continued, “Mason, my childhood best friend, son of our former prez, Cal, didn’t end up joining at all. He went the college route and now plays football professionally. Cal couldn’t be prouder of his son and makes that shit known. That was the standard that was set and is still set today.” He scratched at his day-old whiskers as I wondered absently how they’d feel against my skin. “I joined because I couldn’t not. It’s in my blood, I guess.” He shrugged. “As soon as I understood the concept, it was what I wanted. Nothing would get in my way.”

  “What was it you wanted so badly about it?” I asked curiously.

  “Brotherhood, loyalty, the drive to be part of something bigger than me.”

  “You didn’t have to think about that response long,” I observed.

  He eyed me steadily. “Nope.”

  “If I’d had something like that, I would have wanted it too,” I admitted quietly.

  He grasped my calf, squeezing gently. “Well, now you do.”

  I wasn’t sure I believed that, not yet, but it sure was a nice fantasy.

  I was about to say more, but a car alarm blared in the distance. Without delay, Maddox was on alert, rising from the couch. A moment later he reappeared from the bedroom brandishing a gun.

  “Is that really necessary?” I squeaked in alarm as he peered out the window.

  “Not taking any chances, sweets.” His response was firm, just as his phone rang. “Yeah?” he demanded, his jaw clenched as I heard a deep male voice respond on the line. “Good. Thanks, man. Yeah, later.” He was visibly less tense as he let the curtain drop and placed his gun and phone on the side table. “It’s all good,” he assured me, coming to my side and gently helping me up. “Let’s get you to bed.”

  “B-but…,” I protested. “Do you have someone watching the street?”

  He looked at me like I was crazy. “’Course I do. Every night.”

  “Oh.” I couldn’t think of a more articulate response. I was too overwhelmed by the lengths he was going to in order to keep me safe. “Thank you.”

  His nostrils flared. “You never have to thank me. Club may be in my blood, baby, but you’re in my heart. Let’s go to bed.”

  Well, damn. Now I was downright speechless. I took his hand and followed him dutifully to bed, where for the first time in as long as I could remember, I slept soundly.

  Chapter 16

  FRANCESCA

  When we walked into the club Saturday night, I felt like a new woman. Though still visible, the bruising on my face had lessened significantly. With some concealer and foundation, I was almost able to hide it—almost. Recognizing myself in the mirror went a long way to helping me feel some renewed confidence. As for my other wounds, they were getting better by the day.

  The past few days with Maddox, holed up in his apartment as though we were the only two people in the world, had been some of the best days of my life. We’d spent hours cuddled on his couch watching movies and making out like teenagers. I was surprised that I was the one to want to go further, but he seemed concerned about my wounds and kept insisting he wanted to take things slow. We’d gorged on takeout and the desserts I couldn’t help but bake. And we’d talked about nothing too terribly deep, but despite that, I felt closer to him in a few days than I’d felt to anyone. Every night I’d fallen asleep with his arms around me. I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to sleep alone again; wasn’t sure I’d want to.

  “All right, baby?” he asked, his arm wrapped around my shoulders as he led me inside.

  “I’m good,” I assured him, and I meant it. I’d loved the world we’d sequestered ourselves in, but the club was a huge part of his life and the more I’d gotten to know Maddox, the more I wanted to be part of that life.

  So, here I was.

  We’d arrived on the back of his Harley, a first for me and I hoped not the last. Pressed against his muscular body, the motor revving under me, I’d loved every moment. Plus, Maddox in his leather cut, blue jeans, and boots, topped off with hair attractively mussed from his helmet was an added bonus. The man was delicious.

  When we walked inside I lost a bit of confidence. The main room was packed with bikers, and compared to the women I could see, clad in crop tops or skintight shorts, I was downright dowdy.

  Olivia had been kind enough to drop off another outfit for me, and now that she’d met me, it was much closer to my actual size. I’d thought I looked cute in the jeans, black tank that flattered my figure, and the boots she’d lent me. I thought I’d fit in and be welcome. Now, I wasn’t so sure. I looked down, avoiding the stares—curious from the men and downright hostile from the women. One in particular looked like she wanted to murder me on the spot.

  Attuned to me as usual, Maddox sensed my hesitation. He gripped my hand, his eyes scanning the room searching for a source of my anxiety. When he spotted the group of women, the blonde still sending me death glares, he let out of a rumble of anger. At his glare, the blonde immediately looked away.

  He looked down at me, his fierce gaze softening into a hint of worry I couldn’t place. “Girls are probably out back,” he muttered, taking my hand and guiding me in that direction.

  We walked out onto a large patio, backed by the desert landscape. The delicious scent of meat from the barbeque filled the air as I scanned the space, landing on the group of four women seated around the firepit.

  “Frannie!” Olivia waved, her smile open and friendly as she gestured me over. “Come sit, we’ve been saving you a spot.”

  “You want me to hang here with you for a bit?” Maddox asked.

  Olivia rolled her eyes. “You’ve kept her all hidden away all week. Time to share, Mad.”

  I bit back a smile, looking up into his concerned gray eyes. “I’m okay.”

  He studied my face for a moment before swooping down for a quick kiss. “All right, baby. I’m gonna go take care of some shit and then I’ll be back to check on you.”

  I licked my lips, savoring the taste of him as he pulled away.

  “Damn, Mad has it bad.” A beautiful redhead noted as I took the empty seat next to Olivia. “I’m Grace,” she introduced.

  I waved in greeting, accepting the beer the brunette with streaks of pink in her hair handed over. “And I’m Ginnie. I wasn’t born into the club like most of these ladies—”

  “But you’re family,” the dark-haired woman across from me asserted before turning kind eyes to me. “I’m Emmie.”

  “Nice to meet all of you,” I replied sincerely. “Maddox has talked a lot about you all so I think I have this straight, but you’re Cole and Scarlet’s daughter, right?” I verified, looking at Grace. At her nod I continued. “Your mom was
so kind to me when I was hurt. Is she here so I can thank her?”

  Grace smiled. “Not tonight, but she also mentioned wanting to see you.”

  “Hopefully soon.” I nodded. “And you’re Cal’s daughter?” I asked Emmie. I knew Cal was the former prez of the club, before his son, Cole, took the reins.

  She nodded. “Yep. Max is my brother. He just married Wren. And we have another brother, Mason, who’s away at school.”

  “It’s a lot to keep straight,” I murmured.

  She laughed. “It is. And we’re getting bigger by the day.” She winked at me meaningfully.

  “How are you feeling?” Olivia asked with concern. “Your face is so much better. And you’re so cute in glasses.” She grinned.

  I touched my cheek gingerly. “Thanks. I still have stitches for a few more days, but I’m feeling much better. Thank you all for the clothes, by the way,” I added, turning eyes to the group. “I don’t know who gave me what, but everything was great and it was so generous of you.”

  “All the good stuff came from me,” Ginnie put in with a grin.

  Grace rolled her eyes. “Right, Gin.” She looked to me. “I gave you most of the makeup. That and hair are sort of my thing. If you need anything else just let me know.”

  “Sort of your thing?” Emmie snorted. “This one won’t let you go another week without forcing a haircut on you,” she warned me, with a grin toward Grace.

  “There are worse things.” I smiled at their banter. And the truth of it was, I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had a haircut.

  “Yay!” Grace clapped excitedly just as Max stepped outside with a gorgeous brunette under his arm.

  She looked at me, her blue eyes filling with tears.

  Wren.

  I stood up on instinct, wanting to reassure her. She walked over to me and we put our arms around each other as though we’d known each other our whole lives.

  “Thank you,” she rasped, pulling back to look at me with tears in her eyes. “Without your help, I don’t know if Max could have found me. You saved me.”

  I swallowed back my own emotion. “I’m glad I could help.”