by Lilly Atlas
It didn’t make a difference what Zach looked like, or how hot a night or two he was offering. Toni was looking for substance. Meaning. Connection beyond physical. She’d missed the boat with Chris, but at least that was an honest try. Getting tangled with Zach would be a backslide.
A delicious and mind-blowing backslide, but a regression, nonetheless.
“Thanks for the concern, but I’m good. Got all I need waiting for me in my nightstand.”
A shocked gasp burst from Chris, but Zach’s lips twitched in amusement. It would take a lot more than the threat of passing him over for a vibrator to get under his skin.
“I’m all for adding some battery-operated devices to the mix,” Zach said.
“If you’re done making vulgar propositions to my girlfriend, you can just scurry on home to your bike and your little leather orgy. I can take care of her myself.” Leave it to Chris to be all mouthy with a closed door and a woman standing between him and Zach.
She clenched her teeth. How dare Chris talk about her like she wasn’t standing right there. She didn’t need Zach to help her in any way. Time to shut this shit down herself.
Giving Zach her back, she faced Chris. “Take care of me? Please. You take care of no one but yourself. I went through a pack of batteries a week with you. Get. Out. Now.” She stepped to the side.
“Let me get the door for you, buddy,” Zach said as he opened the screen and stepped to the side.
Chris stalked forward and stopped in front of her. Leaning forward he spoke next to her ear with a promise only for her. “This isn’t over. Think about what I said.”
“I don’t need to think about anything, Chris. It’s beyond over.” She jerked her head back, very aware of Zach observing the entire exchange.
Chris righted and gave up whispering. “We can do things the easy way or the hard way, Toni. Your choice.” He walked through the open door, knocking into Zach’s shoulder in the process. If she wasn’t so fed up with men at the moment, she’d have laughed. The shove didn’t even budge Zach, but Chris bounced back as though he’d run into a rubber statue.
When she heard the screen door close, Toni dropped her head and massaged her temples.
“What the hell did he mean by that easy way or hard way shit?” Zach asked.
Without opening her eyes, she asked, “What are you still doing here, Zach?”
“Told you. You weren’t on the porch. I saw that asshat through the window. Thought you could use some backup.” She heard the heavy tread of his boots approaching, then he gripped her wrists and pulled her hands from her aching head. “Let me do that.” Strong fingers replaced hers, rubbing gentle circles on the sides of her head.
Tension relief was immediate. As was arousal. Warmth spread from his talented fingers down her shoulders and to her nipples, drawing them tight. Her sex heated too. Anticipation. Desire.
Damn him.
“As you can see, I’m fine. Annoyed, but fine. You can go.”
“Come with me.” His magic hands moved to her neck where he dug those long fingers into the tense muscles. Toni bit back a groan. Letting him know how unbelievably wonderful his touch felt would only grow his already too-healthy ego.
“Where? To your bedroom for fifteen minutes of fun before you move on to some biker bunny who’ll hop along after you with her tits and ass hanging out?” Her fear of being intimate with Zach had way more to do with herself than her worry about other women. But that was a personal tidbit she didn’t share with anyone.
His hands fell away and her eyes popped open just in time to witness him throw his head back and burst out laughing.
Even his throat is sexy.
“First of all, babe,” he said, after the hilarity ended. “Fifteen minutes? No wonder you’re taking out stock in batteries. It would take all night just to scratch the surface of what I want to do to you.”
She swallowed. Hard. All night? She hadn’t had all night in a very, very long time. Before it all went bad.
“But I’ll settle for a bonfire and some light flirting.”
“Huh?” She blinked.
He smiled. Throwing her off her game seemed to amuse him to no end. “Our VP’s ol’ lady’s birthday is tonight. Club is throwing her a party complete with a bonfire. I want you to come with me.”
“Ol’ lady, huh?”
“That’s what we call—”
She waved him away and took a step back. The closeness, the manly smell of sweat and nature was weakening her resistance. “Yeah, yeah, I know. I’ve seen Sons of Anarchy.”
Zach snorted and rolled his eyes. “I’m no Jax Teller, sweetheart.”
“Never said you were.” They stared at each other for a few heartbeats. If things were different. If she didn’t already know how choosing the wrong man, letting hormones and pheromones overrule her brain could destroy her life, she’d jump him right then and there.
“Come with me.” He stepped closer to her.
“A wild biker party, huh?”
He smirked. “Not too wild. Ol’ ladies will be there. Viper’s ol’ lady is pretty…well, let’s just say she’s pretty uninhibited, so it’s probably middle of the road as far as our parties can get. Probably a step above family barbeque and a step below naked frat party.”
That got her laughing. Going would be such a mistake. But it would also distract her from her annoyance at Chris. And she’d meet some new people. Have some fun. Maybe Shell would even be there.
“Come with me,” he said, running his hands up her arms until he cupped her shoulders.
She couldn’t help it, she shivered and her gaze cut to those tanned hands where they rested against her lighter skin. They were strong, roughened, and felt heavenly coasting over her. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“No funny business, I promise.”
She tilted her head. “Just some light flirting, huh?”
The playful grin was back. “That’s right. Scout’s honor.”
Toni snorted. “Right.” Say no. Say no. “Okay.”
Now his grin was one of victory. “You ever been on a bike?”
She shook her head and bit her bottom lip to keep from telling him how much the thought of it excited her.
“You’ll love it. Not that I want anything to cover those sexy stems of yours, ever, but you’d better throw on some jeans. Riding in shorts isn’t fun, especially the first time.”
“Okay.”
“And make ’em tight. If we’re gonna have a look-but-don’t-touch rule for that ass, I want to at least have the best visual possible.”
Toni chuckled and rolled her eyes as she turned toward her room. The crack of Zach’s palm across her ass made her yelp and glare at him, mostly to hide the hot flare of desire that rose from her core.
Being the scoundrel that he was, he raised his hands in a pose of surrender and laughed. “Just the one, promise.”
Light flirting, yeah right. Maybe by his definition. But by anyone else’s, it was bound to be a night of extreme temptation.
Toni was strong. She’d been resisting temptation for years.
But temptation in the form of motorcycle-riding, tattoo-sporting, muscle-wielding Zach was a whole new level of torture.
She had a feeling his light flirting only offer was just the spider luring the fly to its web. It had been exactly one week since he issued his decree after all.
He was coming for her.
Chapter Eleven
“Thumbs up or thumbs down?” Zach asked Toni as she struggled her way off the bike. For the first time since he patched in, Zach was tempted to blow off a Handler’s function for a woman. Dangerous thoughts. Women never, never, came before the club. At least not for him. But the feel of her feminine softness cushioned against him as they cruised through the back roads of Tennessee was enough to make the most pious of saints sin without regret.
She took two stumbling steps, then faced him. Still astride the bike, Zach grinned. There was no doubt in his mind she’d enjoyed her first motorcycl
e ride.
And that she was aroused.
Her skin had a rosy glow that was more than just wind burn and her eyes shone glassy and bright. She tucked her lower lip between her teeth in a manner so seductive Zach nearly went back on his word. It wouldn’t take much. He could grab her and lift her over him until she was straddling both him and the bike. She’d love it, and he’d have her out of her mind and begging for his cock in seconds.
Surprisingly enough, he’d never fucked on his bike. Something to keep in the forefront of his mind once he and Toni started up. And they would start up. It was just a matter of time. And that certainty was the only thing keeping him in check.
“It was fun,” she said, a little breathless.
“Just fun?” He cocked an eyebrow.
“Okay, it was amazing. I could get addicted to the feeling of freedom. And I’ve never enjoyed the scenery nearly as much from a car. I hope you’ll take me for another ride soon. Better?”
Much better. But she failed to mention the way her heated pussy rested against his ass. No man gave a shit about scenery when he had two full tits hugged up tight against his back. “Sweetheart, I’ll give you a ride any damn time you want.”
The air between and around them felt thick and charged with the promise of sex. The kind of sex men lost their minds over. They stared at each other for a beat before Toni turned and broke the connection.
Always fighting what she felt. Always denying herself the pleasure he offered. Someday soon, he’d smash down those walls.
“So,” she said after clearing her throat. “Anything I need to know before we go in there?”
“Well…” Zach hefted a leg over his bike then steered Toni toward the Double H bar, which was closed to all but invited guests for the evening. The club did that every now and again when they wanted the freedom to let the members act a fool without outsiders being privy to it.
“The virgin sacrifices are usually first—that’s why we have the bonfire. Then they are followed by the live sex show, and if you’re lucky, you might get picked to participate.” He waggled his eyebrows and laughed as she slapped his arm.
“Oh, you’re hilarious. But I’m serious. I’ve never been to a biker bar. I have no idea what to expect.”
He slung an arm across her bare shoulders and propelled her past the long row of bikes in the parking lot outside the bar. “It will be loud, rowdy, smoky. I was fucking with you about the live sex show, but you’ll probably see a thing or two that makes your beautiful face blush.”
“Sounds like a grown-up frat party.”
Zach laughed. “Maybe. In a way. But much more badass.”
“Gotcha.”
As they approached the door, Zach couldn’t help but lean in and inhale her fresh scent. Citrus again. Bright, refreshing, a shining spot in his dark world.
He brushed his nose just under her right ear. Toni stiffened, but not before a tiny tremor coursed through her. “W-what are you doing?”
“You smell fucking fantastic,” he murmured against her ear. “Has my dick hard as steel.” They’d stopped moving and stood about fifteen feet away from the entrance.
“Zach,” she whispered. “You promised.”
“I know. Just light flirting.” He drew back. Damn, she looked so good he couldn’t think of anything besides getting her naked. “Did I mention how hot you look? What is this thing?” He fingered the strap of her top, unable to resist the allure of her silken skin.
“It’s called a cold shoulder top.”
It was white and flowy with large cutouts that left her shoulders uncovered. Zach liked it. Most women they would encounter throughout the night flaunted significantly more skin. Left very little to the imagination. The thing Toni wore dipped low in the front and back, showing some skin, but it didn’t cling to her body. It left a man dying to get a peek at what lay beneath the fabric.
Shit, there wouldn’t be a soft cock in the house once his brothers got a look at her in that shirt and the tight black jeans with heeled black boots. Funny thing was, she probably wore the blouse thinking it wouldn’t be overtly sexy.
She was dead wrong.
“And are your shoulders cold?” he asked, stroking the soft skin one last time.
“No,” she whispered. “Nothing is cold right now.” She held herself stiff, but her eyes showed the internal struggle. The strong desire to let herself take what Zach offered fighting against whatever demons held her back.
Suddenly, Zach had the intense need to know what those demons were. To not just get past her defenses, but to learn why they were in place. What had happened to make her hold back sexually? Why did she settle for a relationship with a man who didn’t spend all his time rocking her world? And why did she fight so damn hard against a man who was more than capable of making her every fantasy come to life?
Never before had he given a shit what made a woman tick. It didn’t matter when sex was all he wanted from them. But he and Toni had struck up some kind of friendship along with the attraction and that had him wanting to discover all her secrets. It was unnerving, but he supposed he could deal with it, being friends with someone he fucked. But it couldn’t go any further than that. He didn’t need or want the distraction and responsibility of a committed relationship.
“If it isn’t my favorite diner lady and some asshole.” Maverick’s voice cut through the spell that seemed to have woven itself around Zach and Toni.
She jumped and stepped back, making Zach’s hand fall to his side. “Fuck off.” He slapped Mav on the back in greeting.
“Hey, beautiful.” Mav made like he was going to kiss Toni, and this time Zach was ready for him. He grabbed the collar of his friend’s cut and yanked him back. Mav’s mouth on Toni was something that was never going to happen again.
“Lips to yourself, dickwad.”
Both Maverick and Toni laughed while Mav held his hands up in surrender. “I was just gonna peck her cheek, man. I know when I’m beat.”
The girl standing next to Mav frowned and stared at the ground. Poor thing probably thought she was working toward something with him. Little did she know she was just another set of tits in a long, long line.
Toni cleared her throat. “Hi, I’m Toni.” She held a hand out to Mav’s date and shot a shitty look at Mav. Zach swallowed his laughter. He definitely needed to bring her around more often. She’d knock Mav off his pedestal and it would be wonderful to witness.
“Missy,” Mav’s date said.
“Sorry, doll,” Mav broke in, circling his arm around her waist. “That’s Toni and this is Zach. My best friend and enforcer for the club. And he’s an asshole.”
The flare of Toni’s eyes at the word enforcer wasn’t lost on Zach. He’d failed to mention that tidbit. Hopefully it wouldn’t scare her off. He wasn’t violent by nature and would die before laying his hands on a woman in anger, but that didn’t matter to some. Just the thought of being with a man who beat others for a living turned some women off. Turned some others way the fuck on, but Toni probably wasn’t one of those women.
“Well, are you gentlemen gonna take us in and show us a good time or what?” Toni asked. She linked her arm with Zach’s and started to tug him toward the door. It was the first time she’d initiated any contact, and while Zach knew it was more for Missy’s benefit than some overwhelming desire to get her hands on him, he’d take it.
“Yes, ma’am,” he said, pulling her close and dropping a kiss on her shoulder.
She shot him an evil glare. “Behave.”
He laughed and held the door for her. “Ladies first.” Joking around and teasing a woman was a new experience for him. And one he found himself trying to replicate often. Making Toni laugh was quickly becoming a highlight of his day.
After letting both woman pass, Zach slipped through the door, cutting off Maverick.
“Asshole,” Mav muttered wrapping an arm around Zach’s neck in a chokehold. “Now that I know you’re such a jealous beast, I may just put my lips on
your woman every chance I get. It’s fun to watch you lose your shit.”
With practiced ease, Zach broke the hold and turned the tables on Mav, wrenching his arm behind his back and crowding him against the wall.
“Okay, uncle, uncle,” Mav yelled around his laughter.
Zach released him and slapped him on the side of his head. “It will serve you well to remember how easily I can kick your ass, brother.” He walked to where Toni was waiting next to Missy, shaking her head with a smile on her face.
“Sorry ’bout that, sweetheart. Had some business to take care of.”
“Boys will be boys, huh, Missy?” Toni asked, but Missy was no longer paying attention. Instead, she was fawning over Mav, who had the slightest red mark on his cheek from where he’d been held against the wall.
Never one to pass up the opportunity to have a woman’s hands all over him, Mav ate that shit up. He winced when Missy pressed her very long neon blue nails to his face.
“He’s really something, isn’t he?” Toni asked.
“Sure is. Come on. I need a drink.” He linked their fingers and pulled her toward the crowded bar. The place wasn’t anything fancy. A large wooden bar spanned the entire length of the back wall and there was a dance floor and a number of tables and chairs throughout the room. Aside from some Harley memorabilia adorning the walls, the décor wasn’t anything to write home about.
People didn’t come there for the atmosphere. They came for the good booze and to find someone to fuck.
“What’s your poison?” he asked Toni when they drew up to the bar.
“Does that happen all the time?”
“What?”
“There were tons of people here and they all scattered to make room for you at the bar.”
She’d taken her hair down before they left and he brushed the strands off her shoulder. For some reason, he really liked seeing those shoulders bare. That little hint of skin. A sample. A tease.
“It’s a sign of respect. As enforcer, I’m on the club’s executive board.” The club worked because of the importance of respect and loyalty. Otherwise, a group of twenty or so dominant, slightly violent men used to getting their way would implode. Respect, loyalty, and the fact that they had a strong leader kept them together.
