by Debra Kayn
It scared her to death.
It also excited her.
Staying around meant more time with Rain, and she wanted a future with him. She checked her phone. Rain had said he wouldn’t call, but she wanted to make sure. She couldn’t wait to tell him about Pauline.
A love advice column? Her? She smiled as she slipped the phone into her pocket. She could help a lot of people find love in their life, including herself.
A loud whistle filled the bar. She jerked, searching for where the noise came from. Everyone seemed to freeze at the same time.
Torque was the first one to move. “Let’s ride out.”
Something had gone wrong. Deep down in her soul, she knew Rain needed help. Her heart raced. She jumped out of her chair. Rain had said for everyone to stay inside the bar.
The men rushed to the door. She stepped forward to follow them, and Taylor grabbed her arm.
“Not you.” Taylor gave her a shake. “Stay here, and we’ll wait to hear what’s going on together.”
“But something happened.” She slapped at Taylor’s hands. “Rain needs help.”
“The guys can handle it.” Taylor motioned for Gladys. “Get some tequila.”
“I don’t want to drink.” She reluctantly followed Taylor back to the table. “We need to call the police.”
“We do things differently here.” Gladys plunked a bottle down on the table. “You’ll wait just the way Rain told you to. That’s an order.”
Oh, my God. She couldn’t handle this kind of life. Gang wars, threats, ordering her around. She needed to know if Rain was all right.
Chapter Twenty-Four
The hotel room vibrated with pent-up emotions. Anger rolled over Rain, and he suspected overconfidence flowed out of Sanchez’s pores, stinking the area. Rain stood with his arms to his sides, his fingers relaxed, prepared at any moment to lose the non-threatening stance and pounce.
“I’ll only ask once.” He lowered his voice. “Stand down or leave town.”
The Lagsturns leader’s position, sitting in the lounge chair beside the window in the single hotel room, had remained the same since Rain entered the room. Sanchez sat with his elbows out, his fingers twined and relaxed on his stomach, and his ankle thrown over the opposite leg’s knee. As much as he hated waiting, Rain stood patiently.
“Amigo, the Lagsturns have stayed cool and enjoyed your small town.” Sanchez’ smile relaxed, but his eyes remained cold and hard. “We’re not ready to move on. I’m sure you understand.”
“No, I don’t.” Rain stepped closer, and continued. “I won’t have you harassing my woman. I would’ve thought you’d learned after siccing Crystal on me.”
Sanchez waved him off. “The bitch is gone. A mistake on my part, and I grew tired of her. It’s time for someone new to ride on the back of my bike.”
Tightness grabbed at his chest. “So you’ve set your eye on my woman?”
“Tori?” Sanchez’s brows rose. “She’s a beautiful woman. I imagine she’s caught everyone’s eye.”
He glared, itching to punch the asshole in the face. “Stay. Away.”
It wasn’t a surprise that Sanchez knew Tori’s name. She’d made a splash in town when she parked her shack in his lot, but hearing Sanchez speak her name filled him with disgust. He wasn’t good enough to mention Tori, much less sully her life.
Sanchez slowly pushed himself to his feet. “Once again, I respect your boundaries. As you can see, we’re guests in your territory. We’ll follow your laws.”
“The way you did when you set the cabin on fire? When you threatened my woman?” He widened his stance.
Sanchez approached him, close enough to touch. “You’re looking in the wrong direction. That wasn’t the Lagsturns. I’d advise you to take better care of her. Or you might find that you lose her in the end.”
“Is that a threat?”
Sanchez shrugged, his upper lip curled, and he sighed. “Of course not, amigo.”
“One step over the line, and we’ll escort you across the Columbia River,” Rain said.
Sanchez nodded. “Fair enough.”
There were no polite handshakes exchanged between them, only a stare-down until Rain determined he’d had enough. He walked to the door.
“You might want to inform Tori you’ve claimed her, amigo. If my woman talked to other men with such a soft tongue as she does, I’d keep a tighter hold on her. She has that adorable innocence that makes men like me want to protect her. Not to mention she’s not hard to listen to … ”
Rage had Rain storming out the door, down the stairway, and out the hotel. Slade met him in the parking lot. No questions asked, no answers given. He’d postpone informing his men until he went back to Cactus Cove and made sure Tori remained safe.
Shit. Sanchez had already had contact with Tori. His skin crawled. A drop of doubt came with Sanchez’s warning. Could Tori be setting Rain up the same way Crystal had played him for a fool?
He trusted Sanchez about as much as he would a cougar in the area. Sneaky bastard would lie to his face and piss on him if he thought he could get away with it. Done fooling around after his mistake with Crystal, he wouldn’t let Sanchez get that close to Tori.
First, he wanted to find out if Tori was telling the truth. She’d arrived in town the same day as the Lagsturns. Either she was a good actress, or he was letting Sanchez rattle his chain.
He hit the throttle and sprayed gravel as he rode through town. The blood in his fingers ceased to flow. He’d let himself fall for her.
While he’d thought happily ever after, he should’ve had his guard up. He flew into the parking lot. He hoped with everything he possessed she’d stayed clear of Sanchez, and what they had was pure. It’d hurt more than he was willing to admit how much she’d come to mean to him.
The thought of Sanchez listening to the words coming from Tori’s mouth, soaking up every beautiful thought that came out of her head, cut deep. She’s mine.
Aware of Torque following him through the front door, he scanned the room, spotted Tori, and pointed to the hallway. “Office. Now.”
Her boots were the only sound filling the room as she quickly obeyed him. She stared at him, her eyes big and her body stiff. She jumped and hurried after him to the office. He shoved open the door, entered before her, waited until she was inside, and shut them both in.
“Talk.” He loomed over her.
“Are you okay?” She went to him and put her hands on his chest. “What happened?”
He steeled himself. “Why’d you come to Pitnam?”
“Wh-what?”
“Answer,” he said, hoping he could believe whatever she told him.
“’Cause I needed to put gas in the truck, and the exit was close.” She clutched his vest. “What does this have to do with your meeting with Sanchez?”
He studied her. She remained holding onto him and kept eye contact. He played her answer over in his mind, looking for any clue she was lying. Yet her blue eyes stared up into his, concern and impatience written on her face.
“Rain … you’re scaring me,” she whispered.
Then she laid her cheek against his chest, and he was damned if he could hold her away. He held her head against his heart and closed his eyes, letting the fear that she was a member of the Lagsturns leach out of his body. He’d seen the fear in her face the first day he found her surrounded by other bikers, trying to talk her way out, and he’d held her the night the Lagsturns brought out the gun and scared her to death.
“Babe.” He kissed the top of her head. “Tell me you don’t have any connection with Sanchez.”
“Wh-what?” She frowned. “I don’t even know who he is, or understand why he bothers you, except that your ex-girlfriend is connected to him.”
He swallowed. “Good
.”
“Are you okay? Your heart’s racing.”
“Yeah.” He stepped back and ran his hands over his face. “I’m fine. Although nothing was resolved at the meeting, dammit. I don’t trust Sanchez, and I don’t want you to go anywhere alone. Hear?”
“It’s not over?”
He shook his head. “Not until they’re out of town. It’ll never be over.”
“You should go to the police, Rain. I know you don’t want to, and you’re used to dealing with them by yourself, but this is harassment. You shouldn’t have to live like this.”
“I’ll handle it.” He hooked his hand around her neck and pulled her forward, kissing her softly. “Don’t worry. It’ll be over soon, and we’ll keep watching. I won’t let him get to you.”
“I don’t understand why he’s picking on me.” She pursed her lips.
“I know.” But, he knew exactly why Sanchez noticed Tori. For the same reason he did. She had no idea how appealing she was, or how men wanted to be the one to protect her. She had a way of making him want to provide for and shelter her. He leaned down. “Trust me, babe.”
“I do,” she whispered.
“Good.” He gave her one more kiss and straightened. “I need to go fill in the others. They’ll be waiting.”
When they returned to the bar, everyone was standing around, looking to him for answers. He raised his hand. Proud of his biker family, he needed to let them know how much he appreciated their support and the way they’d handled tonight’s activities.
Slade acted fast the second they’d pulled into Cozy Inn and found at least twenty bikes lining the curb. Sanchez met Rain alone, but he could feel eyes on him the whole time. Slade, going by instincts, called for backup, and his men surrounded the block, prepared to shut it down.
“I met with Sanchez. Told him to stand down. He’s given me his word, which I expect is full of shit, so we’ll continue to stay on guard,” he announced.
“What about the fire?” Ronny’s mouth hardened. “We can’t let him get away with that.”
“They won’t. But, we have to stay smart.” Rain had to keep the upper hand. “If we catch them even looking in this direction, we’ll take them down. Otherwise, we stay alert and keep each other covered.”
His men throbbed with a need to fight. They took any threat against the family seriously, as did he. He held up his hand again, asking for quiet. “Same rules. Tori and the women are our main concern. We don’t react until they make us move. Understand?”
He marched toward Tori. “Get your coat, babe. We’re out of here.”
“Let me say goodbye to Taylor and the others. I’ll be quick.” She grabbed her jacket and hurried over to the group of women at the far table.
Despite the security of believing Tori had told him the truth and she’d hit town on her own, he couldn’t ignore the niggling suspicion something wasn’t right. He glanced around, found Bruce, and motioned him over to the side of the room. He took his job as leader seriously, and he’d feel better once he checked everything out.
Bruce turned his back to the room and faced him. “Boss?”
“Contact Jim. Have him run a check on Tori … Baldwin.” He met Bruce’s gaze. “Keep it quiet. I don’t want anyone knowing, and let Jim know to cover his tracks.”
Jim, another rider who was absent for today’s shutdown because he ran a private investigating firm over in Kalama, would drop everything to help the brotherhood. He schooled his features. If it were only himself he had to worry about, he’d take the chance he was wrong about his woman. But he wouldn’t put his family on the line.
“Damn … ” Bruce scowled. “You sure?”
He nodded. “Yeah.”
Bruce quickly hid his disappointment. “I’ll call him now.”
“Thanks.” He turned and stopped. “And, Bruce? Not a word.”
“Got it, boss.”
Tori looked up from the table, caught his eye, and smiled. He winked, letting today’s news slip away. He trusted Bruce and Jim to keep this job a secret, and he had a warm woman who was going to get on the back of his bike. Until he knew differently, he’d assume his instincts about Tori were right.
He met Tori at the door, zipped up the front of her jacket, and studied her. “Ready?”
“Yeah.”
He led her outside, scanned the area, and prepped to ride home. She climbed up behind him, slipped her arms around his middle, and the tension eased from him. His bike, his woman, and the wind blowing over him were all he needed. He had a lot to be thankful for tonight.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Tori stood in front of the bed. Rain’s black T-shirt hit her mid-thigh. She yawned, covering her mouth. The idea to make tacos for Rain after coming home had been a good one, but she shouldn’t have let him talk her into eating another one. With her stomach full and content, she could hardly keep her eyes open.
Rain sat up on the bed, held his hand out to her. She climbed onto the mattress, walking on her knees until she reached him.
“Tired?” He pulled her down and turned onto his side, propping his head in his hand.
“A little.” She ran her hand over his head, loving the feel of his hair against her palm. “It was a big day.”
“That it was … ” He gazed down at her stomach where his hand lifted her shirt as he caressed her bare skin. “We should sleep.”
“Right now?” She stretched, relaxing under his touch.
He chuckled. “No. I need you first.”
“Good.” She squirmed, pleased they were on the same wavelength.
He trailed his fingertips around her hip. Her body warmed, seeming to liquefy with each stroke. She used his shoulders and lifted her head to kiss him.
Greedy and wanting, she whined as he took his mouth away. Before she could protest, he’d pulled her shirt above her breasts and latched on to her nipple. She sucked in her breath. The deep pull spiraled down into her core and helped soothe the need she had growing for him.
What he did was brilliant, but at the same time tormenting. She gathered his hair in her hand and held on.
Without letting go of her, he moved above her, bracing himself on his hands and knees. She widened her legs, arching toward him with each pull of his mouth. “Yes.”
His fingers found her moistness, stroking, rubbing, preparing her. His fingers rough but gentle. The right mix for her. She moaned in a reflexive answer to what he created with a simple touch.
“Rain,” she whispered, needing him inside her.
Her hands moved through his hair, sliding down his shoulders, his ribs, memorizing every contour. He was too far away. She wanted him closer. Inside her.
He kissed his way up her chest, her neck, and took her mouth in a demanding kiss. She reached between them, found his hardness, and wrapped her fingers around the heat. So hot — incredibly warm against her palm.
That part of him throbbed, and she marveled at the way she could feel his desire for her beating in her hand. She stroked his length.
“Babe.” He groaned. “Need to be inside.”
He didn’t hesitate, but pushed her hand aside and scooped a condom off the bed. She took it from him, and with only her fingers managed to roll the protection on him while her tongue distracted him.
“Damn me, babe, but you have a soft touch.” He groaned.
She lifted her hips, guided him to her, and moaned loud. He plunged into her, filling her inch by inch in slow, delicious agony. She stopped breathing and panted, taking in his size.
Her nails dug into his back; her hips moved, helping him. She hooked her calf around his waist, digging her heels into his ass to meet each thrust. “Oh, God … ”
“Yeah.” He grunted.
“Harder.”
The rhythm he set grew faster. She
gasped, wanting him never to stop, knowing if he continued she’d splinter into a million pieces in total bliss. There was no way he could make her body more alive.
It built fast, and she felt it coming and reached for it. She clung to him, holding on and letting him take control. “More.”
His mouth came down on hers, his breath harsh and ragged. “Right.”
“Yes!”
He kissed her deeper, plunged harder. The comforter beneath her bunched under her hips as he danced them both farther along the surface of the bed.
Her muscles clenched. It was happening. She could feel her orgasm right on the edge, teasing her. She tore her mouth from his, arched her neck, and screamed his name.
Her climax came out of nowhere and possessed her. Her body shook, tightening around him, pulling him even closer.
He thrust as he came. Suspended in the magnificent moment they created, she cried out as her core trembled and pleasure curled throughout her middle. She came down from her high when his movements became more powerful. He gripped her hip and groaned. Once, twice, three times, and he planted himself to the root and stopped.
“Honey,” she murmured against his neck, bearing his heavy weight, feeling full of him and immune to everything but him.
There was nothing in her life that even matched making love to Rain. Not the open road on the back of a bike, the security of owning her own business, or knowing she had enough clothes in Rain’s closet to last for years. She’d give all of them up to keep Rain with her.
“I love you,” she whispered.
He stiffened. Instantly, she realized she’d spoken her thoughts. She squeezed her eyes closed. It was too soon. An I love you was the final destination, and different from admitting she was falling in love. Falling in love gave her an out, gave him an out. It was like confessing that she found everything about him endearing, and she wanted to spend all her time with him.
I love you was totally different.
She wasn’t even sure she understood what love was, but if she did have a clue, it would be what she was feeling at this moment.
