by Mara McBain
Club Scars
Mara McBain
Wynwidyn Press, LLC (2013)
* * *
Tags: Literature & Fiction, Drama, Romance, Romantic Suspense, Arts & Photography, Theater, Drama & Plays, Mystery & Suspense, Suspense
Book 3 in The Trinity Falls Series!
For years, Kat and Crux have found solace in each other. Neither had a happy childhood, and the scars from those experiences continue to haunt them. When their son, Cam, is born, their family is finally complete and they are determined to give their little boy the best life possible. This should be the happiest time of their lives and a fresh start for their Lords family. There is just one problem: In Trinity Falls, the past never stays buried long…
The bogeyman is real. It's been fifteen years since Kat fled her golden cage but John Merrick has decided it’s time she come back to heel. He’s determined to erase the shame Katrina has caused his prestigious family. Maybe even more than that, he wants an heir and sees that chance in Cam. Merrick is a man with wealth, power, and connections in high places, as well as ones filled with unspeakable nightmares and terror. He will stop at nothing to get what he wants.
Not all scars can be seen. The monster’s return casts Kat back into the nightmares of her past and threatens a sometimes fragile hold on sanity. Can her man and the unwavering love of her club sisters help her hold it together?
Another day, another skeleton. Welcome to life in Trinity Falls…
CLUB SCARS
MARA MCBAIN
Club Scars – Book 3 in The Trinity Falls Series
Copyright © 2013 Mara McBain
All rights reserved by author.
Contact Author at MaraMcBain.Com
Published by Wynwidyn Press, LLC
No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form by any means
electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without written permission of the publisher. For information regarding permission, write to:
Wynwidyn Press, LLC
Attention: Permissions Department
1360 E. M-36, Suite C, Pinckney, Michigan, 48169
Cover Art By: Darren Wheeling
Layout Design By: Bob Houston eBook Formatting
~ Dedication ~
This book is dedicated to my inner circle, my girlfriends that I can always count on to be there whether I need to vent, laugh or cry. To Adri, Cass, Karna, Sammy, & Shari thank you for putting up with my quirks & craziness, for your love & support, and for all the laughter. Like Kat & Gin, it’s good to know that I’ll never have to bury the bodies alone. ♥
Love ~ Mara
Books by Mara McBain
The Trinity Falls Series
Club Justice
Club Ties
Club Scars
Other Books
McCade’s Way
Southern Eden
One
Moonlight slipped between the slatted blinds, playing off the thick weals of scar tissue crisscrossing his rugged face. She twisted under him and his steel grip tightened on her wrists. His eyes glittered in the dim light and gooseflesh prickled over her body. Arching her back, she bucked up against him in vain. She held her breath as his gaze dropped. Looking down to follow his eyes, the soft cotton of her nightshirt molded to her distended abdomen, her belly button sticking up like a turkey timer. He trailed his free hand over the hard swell. A smile turned the corners of his lips as she whimpered.
Fingers curling in the hem, he slid the nightgown up under her chin, baring her body to his hard gaze. The callous of his work-roughened hand rasped over soft skin leaving more goose bumps in its wake. He cupped a breast, squeezing the swollen mound until she writhed under him, teeth sinking into her bottom lip to silence another whimper. Shifting his straddle lower over her thighs, he bent his dark head to suckle a nipple as ardently as the child she carried soon would. His tongue flickered over the nub and the scrape of his teeth on the over sensitized flesh ripped a cry from her throat.
His chuckle was low and sinister in the dark, the sound vibrated through her body and shot straight to the core. Stubble scraped tender flesh making her nipples tighten to aching peaks. She squirmed at the searing press of his erection against her thigh.
“Pleas—” Her voice cracked on the plea but he didn’t make her beg again.
Crux released her wrists. Moving between her legs he knelt and pulled her toward him, draping her legs up over his hard thighs and opening her to him. He impaled her slowly, eyes locked with hers. She caught her breath at the amazing fullness. His hips rocked forward and she let out a breathy moan. Thumbs hooked over her hipbones, his fingers bit into the swell of her ass, moving her on him. Plowing her fingers through the crisp hair on his muscled forearms, Kat urged him on.
Kneeling up on the bed, he wrenched her body to a sharper angle, burying his cock deep. Her heavy breasts swayed with each plunge and she covered them with her hands to still their movement. Breath coming in labored pants, she closed her eyes and focused on the sensations rolling through her body. At this angle she was stuffed full and could feel every ridge. It felt fan-fucking-tastic. The baby kicked and her eyes flew open. A wolfish grin flashed across her husband’s face as the little one made his displeasure known, a tiny foot stretching the taut skin of her belly. Crux dropped his head to kiss the spot with a boyish wink.
Tears filled her eyes, leaking from the corners as Crux continued to glide in and out of her. She loved her crazy old man beyond all reason. Her eyes clamped shut as he drove her body to the very brink time and again. A pleading litany fell from her lips. She was so damn close. The harsh pant of his breath and the slap of flesh filled her ears, drowning out the nonsensical words. Her lungs protested as they struggled to pull in enough oxygen. Prying a hand from her aching breast she reached awkwardly between her legs. One flick of her nail across her clit sent her screaming into orgasm.
A snarl cut the air and Crux’s lunges came harder as wave after wave of pleasure wracked her slick body. He tensed over her, every muscle in his wiry frame straining in a primal release. A guttural roar tore from his throat. She gave a breathless laugh as he slid free, tossing her aside to drop to the mattress beside her. Her body hummed as she lay in a boneless sprawl listening to the harsh rasp of his breathing.
“You cheated. Greedy bitch,” he growled.
A yawn ruined Kat’s smug smile. “Your stamina was too much for the little one and I tonight.”
“Go ahead and stroke my ego.”
“Uh huh. You want me to stroke your ego after all that? Who’s the greedy one?” she panted, trying to slow her heart rate and draw air into her aching lungs.
Crux chuckled and rolled up on his elbow to look down at her. She flinched as his hand slipped between her thighs, fingers teasing.
“I should get you all worked up again, steal your batteries, and roll over and go to sleep,” he whispered.
Kat shivered at the hoarse rasp of his voice and the dance of his fingers. Leaning up she kissed him slowly, gliding her tongue over his lips until they parted. Her hand cupped his nape, deepening the kiss as their tongues dueled. She sighed as their lips parted and whispered, “Now why would you do something so cruel?”
“What is it I always tell you, baby? If you start it…”
“You’ll finish it,” she gasped.
He nodded but ceased his torturous teasing. Sliding his hand up over her belly, he dropped another kiss on it. “Was I too rough?” he asked seriously, his gaze rolling up to hers.
She shook her head, reaching up to play with a tuft of his tousled salt and pepper hair. “No. I was just having trouble catching my breath. I think the girls are too heavy,” she said, cupping her swollen breasts with a rueful grin. “I know you like them, but damn I ho
pe these melons don’t stay.”
“Mmm. Maybe just a little,” Crux said with a hum of pleasure. Rolling over, he stretched and grabbed the lotion.
“I think you enjoy this part,” Kat said with a breathless giggle as he started to smooth the cool cream into her breasts.
“I try to be a good husband and help prevent stretch marks and you brand me a pervert. I just can’t win,” he said with a long suffering look.
“You’ve always been a pervert. Why would that change now?”
“Too true,” he admitted, helping her sit up and smooth her nightshirt back down.
Another yawn made her jaw creak as she fell back and lifted her butt to tug the gown into place. She stuffed a pillow between her knees as Crux yanked up the covers and nudged her onto her side. She sighed as he wrapped around her. The strength of his arms and the warm huff of his breath on the back of her neck lulled her to sleep.
Pulling his beanie cap firmly down over his ears, Crux squinted out the bay doors. What had started as a few fat flakes of snow around lunchtime was now coming down in sheets. Several of his co-workers and club brothers had offered him a ride home. Cold was bad enough, but snow was dangerous. He sighed. As much as he loved the feeling of freedom the bike gave him, maybe it was time to be a little smarter. He had more than himself to think about. The thought was humbling as well as frightening. Grumbling under his breath, he flexed his hands to stretch his leather gloves and fired the Harley. Maybe the ride home would give his temper a chance to cool.
He didn’t care how much schooling the new pissant had. The punk could shove his college degree up his well-educated ass, for all Crux cared. Where he came from, a certificate from the school of Hard Knocks was the only thing that mattered. No one could fill Reaper’s shoes. The guy was one hell of a welder, and a brother to boot.
With Reaper out recovering from the gunshot and collapsed lung, they’d needed an extra pair of hands in the shop and the weld booth. Crux wasn’t denying that, but the little fuck had been told upfront it was a temporary position. Overhearing him boasting to Mox that Bowie was going to have to find a new job for Reaper, hadn’t set well at all. Reaper had taken two bullets for a brother. Crux would put one right between the college boy’s eyes before he’d see his brother screwed over.
He cursed as a car backed out in front of him. The big bike slid on the snow covered asphalt. He shifted his weight to control the slide, his heart pounding. Feathering the throttle, he steered between the front of the car and the curb. The dumb fuck in the driver’s seat stared at him with big eyes. Crux bit back the impulse to offer a one fingered salute. He was relieved when his own driveway came up.
Stowing the bike in the detached garage, he let himself in the back door of the brick bungalow to the sound of sirens in the distance. Kat met him at the door, worry evident on her beautiful face. Unmindful of the cold, she pushed into his arms. Hugging her tight, he kissed the top of her head.
“Everything is fine, baby,” he murmured, rocking her lightly. Nudging her back, he leaned down to plant a kiss on her rounded belly. “Hey ya, rug rat.”
“You didn’t wake me up this morning,” she said, tugging off his hat and running her fingers through his hair before he straightened.
“You were dead to the world. You didn’t even flinch when the alarm went off. I figured you needed the sleep.”
“Someone must’ve worn me out last night. How’re the roads? Do you want to stay in and just order out for date night? Maybe watch a movie?” she asked, helping him out of his leathers.
“Nah. I heard they’re having all-you-can-eat surf and turf over at Hillside tonight. The restaurant changed hands and the food is supposed to be pretty good. I thought maybe we’d head out there for dinner, music and a little pool.”
“Oh. Well, I won’t argue with that,” Kat said, glancing around him at the snow. “Do you want me to call Gin and see if she and Zeke want to come along or maybe Reap and Lee?”
Crux leaned in to give her a long, slow kiss. “Nope, I want you all to myself tonight.”
Her belly full and feet aching, Kat hitched her butt up on a vacated barstool while she watched her old man shoot pool. Dinner had been fantastic and she’d over indulged on the succulent lobster. Everything was better with butter. Looking at the crowd, it was obvious word of new management had spread. The dining area and bar were packed. Though Hillside was a forty minute drive from Trinity Falls, she’d have to mention the possible competition to Ginny. Chewing on the inside of her cheek she looked for anything the place might be doing that was different than The Lantern.
She sighed and flexed her swollen feet and ankles, regretting wearing her heeled boots. Her black riding boots would have worked just as well with the leggings and low cut tunic, but Crux had chosen her attire. What was with men’s fascination with high heels?
“That’s a nice necklace.”
Glancing at the smooth stone resting between her breasts, Kat raised an eyebrow at the young man standing beside her. He looked vaguely familiar. Obviously taking her silence as an invitation to continue he said,
“It’s Tiger’s Eye or Cat’s Eye.”
She nodded, wondering where the kid was going with the conversation.
“I bet you’re a Gemini.”
“Yeah. It was a gift from my best friend. She thought it was appropriate because my name is Kat.”
“Great choice. A lot of people don’t know that it is the Planetary Birthstone for Gemini’s. Beautiful.”
The back of his hand brushed across the top of her breasts as he pulled the stone from its resting spot.
“Excuse me?” Kat said, snatching the necklace from his hand and sliding awkwardly off the bar stool. She glanced toward the pool tables in search of her husband, but needn’t have worried.
Crux’s scarred visage was dark with rage as he shoved his way through the crowd.
“What in the fuck do you think you’re doing?” he roared, staggering the younger man with a double-handed shot to the chest.
“I’m just talking to the lady about her necklace.”
“Is that what you call it? It looked to me like you were feeling up my old lady’s tits.”
“Hey, Crux, I-I- didn’t know she was your old…your wife,” the kid stammered.
“Croston,” the bartender said in warning. “Take the shit outside.”
Crux nodded, his green eyes narrowing on his co-worker.
“That’s a good idea. Let’s take it outside, kid.”
“Are you serious?” the young man asked with a nervous laugh. “Who the hell does that anymore? I don’t want to fight you.”
“I think you should’ve thought about that before you mauled my old lady’s tits.”
“Look. This is a misunderstanding. I didn’t know she was married. She’s not wearing a diamond.”
Kat’s mouth dropped open at the accusatory look the pup had the audacity to throw her way.
“My hands are swollen, genius, and I AM wearing a wedding band.”
“You want to blame her for this shit?” Crux growled.
“No. I mean…I didn’t see a ring and she’s got them pushed up there for the whole world to see.”
“I’m nine months pregnant, numb nuts!” Kat snapped, her eyes flaring in indignant disbelief.
“Oh,” he said, eyes dropping to her rounded belly as if just noticing it.
She blinked in disbelief and looked to her husband. “You know this dumb ass?”
Crux shoved the younger man toward the door. “This college chump used to be one of my co-workers.”
“Us-used to be?” the poor kid stammered.
“I’m pretty damn sure only one of us is going into work on Monday. You’ll be lucky if you’re still breathing.”
The kid hit the snow as Crux shoved him out the back door. Scrambling to his feet, he threw an awkward haymaker. Crux’s fist caught him square in the jaw, lifting him clear of his feet to land flat on his back and skid across the parking lo
t. He groaned, rolling to his stomach. A vicious kick to the ribs sent him tumbling across the asphalt. His cowboy boots scrabbled ineffectively on the frozen ground as he tried to get up. Crux kicked him in the ass, flattening him back to the pavement.
“Do you want to walk away from this?” he asked softly.
“Please, Crux. I’m sorry. I didn’t know she was your wife. I swear. I’ll do anything,” the kid babbled.
“Apologize to my wife, dumb fuck.”
“I’m so sorry, Mrs. Croston. I didn’t know you were married. Tha-that was inappropriate and uncalled for, and I swear it will never happen again.”
“Are you satisfied with that, Mrs. Croston?” Crux asked.
Kat nodded, unsure what game her husband was playing here.
“Say the word, baby, and I’ll tune his ass up.”
“No. We’re good.”
“Lucky for you, pregnancy has made her soft hearted,” Crux said, circling the sprawled punk. “Pick your tools up from Handlebars and Hotrods tomorrow. You’re done. Don’t make me tell you again.”
Wrapping both arms around her husband’s hard bicep, Kat let him lead her into the house. He was even sweet enough to boost her onto the dryer and tug her boots off for her.
“So was the college chump the target, or were you just spoiling for a fight tonight?”
“What’re you talking about?”
“I’m talking about you choosing a blouse that showed off the girls and then getting all shades of growly when someone noticed.”
“The little fucker didn’t notice, he touched. Only I get to touch.”
“You didn’t answer my question. Is he the new co-worker; the guy they hired to fill in for Reaper?”
