Burner sat down and began pouring her a glass of wine, handing it to her before pouring one for himself. She took it, drinking a small sip before reaching out to grab a piece of bread only to get her hand smacked gently.
“I’ll do that,” Burner told her when she glared at him in question. Then he dipped the bread into the cheese before lifting it to her mouth. She frowned at him for a moment before she allowed him to feed her the bite. She sighed in blissful contentment when the flavor of the cheese hit her tongue and she realized it was her favorite pepper jack.
Kelsey was surprised at how intimate it felt to allow him to feed her while she alternated giving him bits of meat and bread between bites. He fed her a chocolate-covered strawberry after the first few bites and she sighed blissfully, enjoying the romantic picnic and wondering how a night could be more perfect.
Chapter Twenty-six
After they were both full, Burner stood, taking the dishes back into the kitchen while she leaned back into the little mound of blankets, her wine glass poised near her mouth, taking small sips as she let out a happy little sigh. Although he insisted he wasn’t good enough for her, she didn’t feel that way. He was protective and considerate and the only complaint she had was that he hadn’t given her his patch yet.
Sarah had explained to her what a patch was a week ago when she’d been invited out with Sammy, Roz, Candy, Laci and her to a little luncheon the ladies in the club had every week. Sarah said that it was like being married or seriously committed in the eyes of the club and that when a man patched a woman he was basically asking her to be his wife.
Kelsey wasn’t sure Burner was truly over his reservations about their relationship and she likely wouldn’t be until he offered her his patch. The little things he did for her like this picnic always gave her hope that he would eventually get there. He had told her more than once that he loved her so she knew she was important to him but there was that little niggling voice that kept questioning how committed he was to making this work because he hadn’t given her his patch yet. She closed her eyes, feeling a little sleepy because she hadn’t slept for more than three hours a night since he left.
“Babe,” Burner whispered a little while later and she started because she must have fallen asleep.
“Hmm,” she whispered, opening her eyes to see him hovering over her, a tender smile on his face as he stared down at her. He held a little brown package out to her and she found herself taking it, wondering what it was. She untied the string and opened the paper and her heart started pounding in her ears as the vest slid out into her hands. She felt tears sting her eyes because this wasn’t something she had expected, despite this impromptu picnic he’d set up.
“Burner,” she breathed, opening the vest to see it had Property of Blue Bandits MC with Burner’s name on it through her tears. She held it to her chest, joy flooding her, making the tears of happiness flow freely down her cheeks.
“Don’t cry, babe. I’m sorry it took so long but the first vote didn’t go well. Second one was the charm though.” His eyes gleamed in a way that made a watery smile break out on her face.
“I’m guessing that’s why you came home with busted knuckles and a swollen jaw last week then?” She had asked him about it the night he had arrived with the injuries but he’d just shrugged and told her it was club business.
Burner grinned. “Maybe,” he said, a sheepish look on his face as he leaned over and kissed her cheeks, then her eyelids and lastly her mouth, his tongue teasing hers into a gentle game of give and take. She grabbed for his neck when he lifted her in his arms. He reached out, catching the patch and setting it on the coffee table that was pushed against the couch.
“Time for bed, baby. I know you’re tired but I need to make love to you if that’s all right,” he said as he carried her towards their room.
“When is that ever not all right, Burner?” she asked as he laid her out on the bed.
“True,” he muttered, before he made slow gentle love to her twice before they both fell into an exhausted sleep.
Three weeks later, she was doing inventory at the bar wearing her new patch, feeling happy with the way things were shaping up with her and Burner, when Greta and Hanna came down the stairs into the basement with identical looks of grim determination. Uh-oh, she was in for a lecture, she could see it on her sisters’ faces.
Damn.
She let out a sigh and wondered what they were so bent out of shape over. Her relationship with Burner was on track and the two of them were even searching for a house. They’d already looked at one near Sarah and Reaper the other day; it was two brownstone’s down from theirs and up for sale. Burner hadn’t said anything but when she’d gushed over the fireplaces in the living room and the master bedroom, she was pretty sure he’d made an offer on the house.
Her sisters should be happy for her, not spoiling to give her a lecture. She let out a little sigh, setting down the handheld computer she’d been doing inventory on and watching them warily. Hanna sat down on a crate and Greta wrung her hands as she began to pace in front of Kelsey.
“Oh for goodness sakes, spit it out,” Kelsey demanded, unable to stand Greta’s fretting.
Greta stopped pacing and bit her lip as she glanced at Hanna, who shook her head.
“Uh-uh, you said I should let you do the talking, so talk,” Hanna muttered.
“Fine. Fine,” Greta said, turning back to Kelsey, who stood with her hands on her hips watching her. “We thin–”
“No, we don’t, you do. I think she shouldn’t be dating him at all.”
“Hush, Hanna. We think that you should wait till things are more serious before you give up your apartment. I know you two are living together but–– well, you’re not married and it would be better if you waited–” Greta was saying, her voice hesitant.
Kelsey interrupted her with a slice of her hand in the air and a curt, “Stop. We are serious, first of all.”
“I just don’t want you to give up your place and then things not work. I know that right now things are going well but have you thought about the fact that he already hurt you once and he hasn’t even made a solid–” Greta was rushing to say but she cut across her words again.
“Stop talking and listen. He patched me,” Kelsey said.
“So what?” Hanna asked, rolling her eyes.
“It’s like marriage to the club so we are kind of married.”
Hanna let out a derisive snort and Greta stared at her wide-eyed.
“What?”
“That’s why the club that came in the other night that normally causes issues didn’t this time. You know that one, Licker or whatever the hell his name is, usually grabs my ass ten times when I bring them drinks but you even commented on how well behaved they were, remember?” Kelsey reminded them seeing the questioning look on both their faces, although Hanna’s held a heavy dose of doubt.
“I don’t see what that has to do with you and Burner, Kells.” Greta tilted her head, her brow furrowed.
“Everything, Greta. The reason they didn’t cause trouble and Licker was on his best behavior is because now that Burner patched me, if they mess with me or by proxy you, they will be in a world of hurt because I’m property.”
“The fuck you say. You are not a piece of land, Kelsey!” Hanna cried, her eyes narrowed as she jumped up from the crate.
“No, I’m not but I am claimed by Burner and that means he and the club will kick the shit out of anyone who messes with me or my family. Burner giving me this patch was like him putting a ring on my finger,” Kelsey explained, seeing the dawning light in Greta’s eyes and the shock in Hanna’s.
“Wait, so he basically married you by giving you a piece of leather that says he owns you?” Hanna asked frowning.
“Yep.”
“That’s barbaric,” Hanna bitched.
“No, it’s the way it works for them and if I’m okay with it, you will have to be because it’s my relationship, not yours,” Kelsey told them, u
nwilling to give up Burner just because they didn’t understand.
“You really shouldn’t be. What if he changes his mind and decides he wants it back?” Hanna asked. Kelsey shook her head, stepping forward to glare at Hanna and meeting her angry gaze.
“He won’t. But if he did, it would be no different than a married couple splitting up because it didn’t work out, Hanna,” Kelsey defended.
“Yeah, except if you’re married you have a right to tell him not to screw around on you,” she muttered.
“I have that right wearing his patch too, Hanna. I’m not turning into a doormat because he gave me his version of a wedding ring. He knows if I ever discover he has cheated he will be out on his ass faster than he can say boo,” Kelsey told her, rolling her eyes at her sister’s ridiculous statement.
“I see, so my little sister’s married and she didn’t even tell me?” Greta said, her eyes filled with a hurt that made Kelsey feel a little guilty that she hadn’t explained sooner about the patch.
“I just didn’t really think about it, Greta. I’m sorry.” She stepped closer, hugging her tightly. Greta hugged her back, making Kelsey really feel like shit when she sniffled and Kelsey realized she was crying. Damn, she hadn’t meant to hurt her sister, she really just hadn’t thought about it.
Pulling back, she gave Kelsey a pained smile before she whispered, “I’m really happy for you, Kells.”
“Thanks.” She glanced over at Hanna when she stepped back away from Greta, her gaze weary as she took in her sister’s stiff posture.
“He’s not good enough for you, you know,” Hanna grunted, stepping closer.
“Is any man?” Kelsey asked, a little laugh escaping her when a smile tugged at her sister’s lips.
“No,” Hanna said, taking another step towards her. “I guess this means I have to stop giving him a hard time then, huh?” she asked.
“Nah, it’s good for him.” Kelsey laughed as Hanna hugged her tightly.
“Kells, sometimes I really love you, kid,” she whispered against Kelsey’s head.
“Yeah, sometimes I love you bitches too,” Kelsey laughingly retorted.
Epilogue
Death Rider drank another swig from his beer while watching the door. He’d been here for over three hours and Blade was supposed to be here an hour ago. Showing up early had been his way of being sure it wasn’t a trap and assuring himself that he had a good escape route before the meet.
Reaper had called him several weeks ago with Blade’s request and he’d agreed to meet the man alone but told him he would decide when and where. Blade had quickly agreed. After Reaper’s second call to him about Reaper’s gut telling him it was possibly a trap, he’d chosen to set the meet here because there were three exits and one window he could fit through if shit hit the fan. Death trusted Reaper’s feelings and maybe he’d been right because Blade hadn’t showed.
Rubbing the back of his neck hoping to release the tension there, he leaned back on the bar still watching the door. It was about time for him to get out of here; he had waited long enough for Blade to show. Death drank the last of his beer and set the bottle back on the bar.
Digging in his pocket for some credits, he heard the door open and glanced towards it. He saw a pretty brunette in a green dress that fell to her mid thighs step into the bar. The dress was cut low in a deep fitted V that showed off her moderately large cleavage; the skirt was flared and when she moved it swayed back and forth across her sleek thighs. Her waist wasn’t skinny but she wasn’t heavy either, just womanly. Something about her drew his attention strongly and unexpectedly he was transfixed, his gaze following her as she shifted slightly.
At first he thought that she was the type of woman you would see in a place like this but as he watched her, his assessment changed. He thought that she was the type of woman who knew the score and didn’t mind a good hard fuck, but the way she held her body seemed off. He noted how she seemed to look around as if searching for someone but by the way her fingers worried the hem of her dress, he could tell she wasn’t used to wearing revealing clothing. Death tilted his head watching her, trying to put his finger on why he seemed fixated on her.
She stiffened her shoulders, her eyes moving over to the bar before she moved in his direction. When she neared, he thought she would sit down on the stool next to him but she kept going past him, sitting three stools down. Death sat back down on his own stool now with one eye trained on her. She wiggled a little and raised her hand for the barkeep, who moved towards her.
“What’ll you have?” the bartender, a husky man in his early forties with a thick beard and a bald head, asked her.
“A whiskey please,” she replied and Death felt her husky, almost shaky voice send a hard rush of desire to his cock. He knew what it was about her that drew him then. It was her lack of carnal knowledge. No woman who spoke like that and worried the hem on her garment was experienced enough to handle a place like this and men like him.
A man was already advancing on her but he caught his attention and tapped his gun, shaking his head. The man stared at him for a long moment before nodding and moving away. The woman was still shifting awkwardly on the stool and didn’t notice the man or his warning him away, which let him know he was right about her being inexperienced. Death observed her lift the drink the bartender had set in front of her and take a large gulp, her cheeks pinking a little as she set it back on the bar. It was obvious that she didn’t drink much when she coughed a little and Death tapped the bar, letting the bartender know that he wanted another beer.
He waited to see what she would do next, his whole focus on her now. He would bet that she was the straight-laced type who wanted a bit of a walk on the wild side. She likely didn’t know the dangers of what she was doing in coming here tonight but he did. If she chickened out at some point most of the men who frequented this place wouldn’t be allowing her to just walk away, which was why he would have to be the man she left with, Death decided.
Death told himself as he gazed at her, his hand lifting the beer he’d just ordered to his lips and taking a long swig before setting it back down, that it had nothing to do with his hardened cock or the desire that now thrummed through him. She leaned back, her eyes casting around the room and landing on several men before coming back to him. She smiled tentatively at him then turned back to her whiskey.
Death stood and she glanced at him, her face falling slightly when he tossed credits on the bar for his drinks. He saw her finger sliding around the top of her glass and thought perhaps she was worried he would leave and she’d be stuck with the other offerings in the bar for bed partners. He wasn’t conceited, he just knew that the men who were here tonight weren’t very good looking and many of them didn’t bath frequently. An inexperienced woman like her wouldn’t want to be with those types of men.
He moved towards her to stand close behind her, watching as she pulled a tube of lip gloss from her bag and began applying it to her lips. It made them glisten when she turned to look at him behind her when his hand landed on the bar near her.
“You want to go home with me?” Death asked softly. His mind was made up and if she was here for the reasons he suspected, it would be easer for her to just get the show on the road so to speak rather than make her wade through awkward conversation that might make her more nervous than she already was. Her eyes widened and she looked him up and down, her cheeks suddenly pink, and she glanced around before she nodded hesitantly. She slid off the stool to stand next to him.
“You don’t want to finish your drink?” he asked, thinking she might need the liquid courage it would give her to walk out of here with him. She glanced at the drink as she shoved the lip gloss back into her purse and shook her head. Death nodded; if she was ready then they were out of here. He took her arm guiding her towards the door with his hand cupping her elbow. She seemed a little scared and her arm trembled where he held it, making him grin.
Once they were outside he tugged her towards his bike bu
t she hesitated, pulling at her arm, and he released it to turn and face her. She was nervously running her fingers along the hem of her dress again, her hand clutching her purse.
“You change your mind, sugar?” he asked, hoping that she hadn’t because his cock was throbbing with his need to take her now that he was almost to his goal.
“No,” she huskily replied and he felt the word in his groin. Fuck, her voice was sexy.
Death waited to see what else she would say or do. They were standing near the alley and she glanced into it as if afraid someone was going to jump out at them. Death watched her as she stepped toward him, her hands on his upper arms as she moved closer. Death realized she wanted to kiss him when she stood on her tiptoes, her body pressing against his.
Leaning forward, he pulled her closer, his hands on her waist, ready to give her exactly what she wanted. He pressed his mouth to hers, his tongue having to run over her lips, but she didn’t open hers for him. Death pulled back, looking down at her wondering suddenly if she was completely innocent, like as in a virgin, because that kiss was not one even an inexperienced woman would have given unless she’d never been kissed before. Death felt a little disoriented suddenly as he stared at her and his hands caught her arms as she frowned at him.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered and Death wondered why she was apologizing to him. He didn’t care if she was a virgin, if she was willing he would fuck her. His head felt heavy and his arms seemed to be becoming limp and kind of unresponsive. His knees gave out and he was suddenly kneeling on the pavement, her arms still clutched in his hands as he stared at her in shock. His hands fell away from her arms as they stopped working completely.
Burning Desires (Blue Bandits MC Book 4) Page 25
