Revved Up Soul: A MC Romance

by Lorde, Liz K.

  “Why won’t you do it, my heart?” Her voice was thin and tired, the words were hers, the voice a distant memory of light – but it was enough.

  He shut tight his eyes but the stinging would not stop, he squeezed his hands but the fire would not leave, he tried to take the invisible knife from his chest – it only sunk deeper.

  Concentrating all of his will, he placed his hands on either end of the medicine cabinet and grunted as he ripped it from the wall; the fixture passing through the shade of his once wife, crashing against the tile floor and shattering glass bits in every which way. His body felt hot, gloriously hot and a rush of endorphins so thick and full shot straight to his skull just at the sight of it; the hole in the wall so crudely punched out one night so long ago, his gear all still where it was once left.

  The shade of Laura caressed an inky finger against Augustus’ cheek, “Good,” the word echoed like it was far, far away. The finger left a trail of dark grey smoke and her figure moved to his other side. I just want to stop hurting. Augustus swept both hands through his sweat matted hair and pulled tightly, his voice thick with distress. His eyes could not leave the dark allure before him. He sucked in a deep breath, screwing up his weary face.

  “Still a coward I see,” the wraith-like voice chuckled. “You’re a failure.”

  “I’m not a coward!” Augustus turned and snapped, fingers pressing harder against his heart when he realized the shadow that was his wife wouldn’t vanish. “You’re not real,” he shook his head, tears welling in his eyes, “you’re not.”

  “I’d still be here,” she taunted, the smoke that was her neck growing longer and rising, “it’s your fault, you know.”

  “No,” his breath hitched in his tight throat.

  “Oncology? You would have seen it – you should have saved me, Augustus.”

  Augustus whipped his head back to look away from the demon; it felt as though he were watching himself from far away now – not in control of his own body. His arm rose up and slowly worked its way towards the heroin, he heard his name called out but tried to ignore it.

  The wraith snaked its hand in a smoky grip around the length of Augustus’ arm. Emptiness became him as his fingers coiled around the baggie of heroin, trembling ever so slightly.

  A familiar voice came shining through then, from behind, “Augustus!” The dulcet tone scolded.

  He wanted to put it down, but his body would not let him. He weakly grabbed at the plastic tube and needle before a great smack knocked the gear from his hands.

  Jasmine pressed herself between him and his drugs, “Don’t you dare,” she threatened, cold and biting as arctic night.

  “No!” Augustus howled, stumbling and nearly collapsed against the beige wall of his bathroom, fire shooting freely through his veins – he reached out a desperate hand as he watched the woman pick up the baggie. “Jasmine!” He pleaded. God, no! I need it! “Jasmine please,” he begged as he summoned all his will to inch forward, trickles of sweat falling from his face – his muscles burning with a dull ache.

  The woman dropped the bag into the toilet.

  Augustus screamed her name and tried with all his weak, pathetic might to shove her away. But it didn’t matter, it was too little too late. She flushed the baggie and it vanished, just like that he felt the world fall from beneath him. Augustus sunk down to his knees and let his head fall back, warm little drops rolling down his cheeks. “I need it,” he croaked, “I needed it, Jas. I can’t do it without it, I just can’t.”

  She tossed the rest of his gear into the trash and crouched down to face him, putting her hands on his face. “Look at me,” she said softly. “Gus, look at me, you can pull through.”

  He brought his head back down, searching her deep green eyes – trailing down to the long thin strip of wound dressing pressed against her neck. “What happened to you?” He asked concerned.

  Jasmine gave that playful smirk he adored so much, “You should see the other girl,” she replied, “I was hoping to be comforted by you,” Jasmine confessed, batting her long, shadowy lashes, “but it looks like you need it more than me.”

  Things felt easier with her around, but the bones in his body still felt as though they wished to creep outside of his skin. “I’m fine,” he lied, shaking.

  “Sure you are,” she wrapped her arms around the man tightly. It felt wonderful, to be held so tight, and she smelled divine; Augustus never wanted the moment to end. After a while she went back to her feet and helped him up, taking him step by painful step over to the living room, laying him down on the soft black couch.

  The pillow felt cool against his head. Augustus tightened his hand into a fist, tossing and turning for a moment as Jasmine lay beside him, putting a hand to his head. That feels better, he thought, looking up at the vision of beauty. Her sun-burnished skin warm and inviting in the mellow lighting, her eyes glinting with concern and her lips so full and luscious and pink. His heart tapped quicker against his chest, looking from her wound down to her chest; she had ample breasts that practically begged to be touched.

  Augustus licked his cracked lips, “Come here,” he husked, swallowing hard and pulling her against him despite the pain.

  “Gus,” Jasmine yelped, a little fit of laughter escaping her heavenly throat.

  He wanted to say the words, he wanted to make them true – it ached as much as the pain in his bones, but they would not come. Instead Augustus growled and pressed the woman’s lithe, curvaceous body against his own; the feeling of her breasts pushed against his chest was nothing short of divine – it sent a deep, warm throb right to the base of his sex. Augustus pressed his lips firmly against Jasmine’s, loving the taste of her warm and wet lips against his own – he hummed deep from within his chest in approval of her.

  She pulled back, looking down at him, her nose nearly touching his. She blinked and the lines of her face subtly changed.

  Augustus rubbed a hand up the small of her back, and squeezed her tight ass with the other. “You okay?”

  Heartbeats passed. “Yeah,” she said, “fine.” She leaned back into the kiss, more forceful this time.

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  Luke

  Flying dangerously by traffic, only one thought could resonate through his mind: she didn’t pick up. Twin fiery serpents climbed up the base of Luke’s spine, and he had to consciously stop himself from clenching his teeth. Kayla must have overheard me last night, Luke realized. Kayla had said that she went down to St.Augustine to confront Jasmine, that things escalated out of control – that Jasmine attacked her. Yeah and proud men shit gold.

  Swerving to the shoulder of the lane, his black beast of steel and engine roared as he overtook the truck. That doesn’t sound like Jasmine at all, is Kayla seriously lying to me again? Pinpricks of anger danced across the crown of Luke’s skull. He couldn’t believe that he had pushed Jasmine away so easily when his heart swayed like the unstable sea at the thought of her being hurt. I can protect her, he thought; keep her safe – if she still wants me. No, she must, I know what I felt, what I feel: I’ll earn you back … just be okay.

  He knew that Kayla would be pissed as all hell with the fact that he wasn’t going to go and see her first, but he had to check on Jasmine, inside he knew something more had to have gone down. He had already called and checked to see if she was at the hospital, but the receptionist said she’d already left and that they knew nothing about what had happened.

  The last wink of sunlight streamed down the highway, twilight fast approaching.

  He could not shake the dull ache of worry. As the trees at his side blurred passed, he realized finally how badly he needed to cut the girl he once loved from his life. Kayla has to go.

  You know it’s still dangerous for her, Luke thought. You’ll ruin Jasmine’s life for love if you let yourself be honest to her.

  After a while of driving, he finally reached Jasmine’s home and parked on the side of the street, making his way to the door and pounding. “It�
��s Luke,” he yelled, “what happened?” Silence hung for several seconds, he took in a breath and leaned against the pearl white door, waiting and waiting. Nothing. Where was she?

  Luke cursed beneath his breath and in a violent motion removed himself from the door, huffing and cracking his gloved knuckles. Jasmine … please be okay. When his phone went off in his jeans, Luke quickly produced it, checking the caller ID and noting it was Gabriel. He answered.

  “Luke,” Gabriel said, distress dripping from his tone. “Get here. Now. She’s breaking my shit.”

  “Damnit,” Luke breathed, “alright, I’m coming back, j-just calm her down okay?” There was a crash on the other end.

  “No!” Gabe shouted, causing Luke to pull away from the phone, it sounded as though he let go of the phone, “do you even know how expensive that is?!”

  Clicking off the phone, Luke hurried back to his FX-50.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  Jasmine

  Wondrous, his lips were like heaven made real – they were almost as good as Luke’s.

  Almost.

  It felt like the air was punched from her then, and Jasmine pulled away, looking down at the addled Augustus, his grey-green eyes glinting up at her. Jasmine blinked, why did I just think that? Heat rippled through her body like fire made flesh, anger blooming against the crown of her head.

  He doesn’t taste as good as Luke … I-I’m a horrible person, how can I even think—

  “You okay?” Augustus husked. No, no I’m not.

  “Yeah,” Jasmine breathed, “fine.” She leaned back into the man’s lips, kissing them harder and fuller than before – it wasn’t that she felt nothing for the man; her heart felt that familiar finger of happiness press up against it. She still wasn’t sure if she should call the police on that crazy B from earlier, as much as she hated it, she knew that she would have to talk to Luke again. If she did involve the police, it might make things complicated for herself and Luke’s MC – Jasmine decided it probably best to consult the man first.

  It was then that she felt Augustus’ hand crawl around her back, his hands were strong and rough and wonderfully masculine. She let her tongue slip inside of the man’s mouth, just a little bit – feeling his own, which was soft and playful. Dark adrenaline shot through her and she whined against Augustus’ mouth when she felt his hand squeeze tight her ass.

  Oh god that feels so good. She knew that he was sick and hurting; even despite conflicting feelings, she really wanted to jump his bones again and feel his hardness deep inside of her. Her clit throbbed, demanding attention – the lines of her sex started to wet the lining of her cotton panties.

  Jesus, she thought as his hand moved to the other cheek.

  Jasmine moved from the doctor’s lips down his neck, giving him gentle sucks and nibbles as she worked her way to the lobe of his ear – letting her breath seductively tickle it before bringing her mouth to it, sucking it carefully, her teeth grazing against just a bit.

  Augustus let out a rough moan of appreciation, his hand continuing to knead at her ass.

  Giving a little laugh, she worked her lips down from the man’s neck to his chest, kissing against the fabric of his dark brown v-neck shirt. She thought about how it hugged tightly the man’s exquisite body; he had a barrel chest and broad shoulders, and though he wasn’t completely jacked – Jasmine knew that he kept in shape.

  Augustus squirmed against the couch, his muscles seeming to tighten up.

  “Sorry,” Jasmine offered sweetly, she hated seeing him suffer. She peeled off his sweat soaked shirt, revealing his hairy chest – she kissed up it, loving the way he moved with every bite of her teeth against his warm skin. “You don’t have any more … do you?”

  “No,” Augustus breathed, “that was the last of it. I was desperate.”

  Eyebrows rising, “Are you lying to me?”

  “No,” he said, “no, I swear.” She believed him.

  “Good,” Jasmine murmured, a heat pooling at the base of her sex as she slowly licked her way down to the man’s waist; noting the hard mast pushing up against his sweats before peeling them off. “Just relax,” she purred, taking his sword deep within her mouth.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  Luke

  Slamming the door behind him, Luke let out a frustrated breath at the sight of Gabriel’s place being a total mess. One of his plants was knocked over and several plates were broken and strewn all about the carpet. Gabriel and Kayla were sitting on the long green couch, though the man was holding her. They both looked over at Luke.

  Oh shit, Luke’s heart dropped in his chest and he instinctually strode over to Kayla, carefully cupping her bloodied face.

  Gabriel let go of the woman, “You know if you had just waited like I told you to …”

  “Sorry,” Luke replied without actually looking or caring, petting back the strands of her firetruck red hair. “I didn’t think you were serious about her messing up your face,” Luke whispered.

  Kayla moved away from the man’s touch and sniffled. “Asshole,” she spat with venom, “I tell you that whore cut my face up and you’re already hanging up and checking up on her before me?” Her blue eyes were alight with fire, lips pursed tightly together. “She isn’t just some random skank,” Kayla paused, “is she?”

  It was time for the truth.

  Gabriel went to his feet and walked over to his room, “I’ll give you guys some space,” he said quietly, “just … leave my TV alone, that’s all I ask,” he threw up a hand, closing the door.

  “No,” Luke admitted. “She’s not – Kayla I want the truth,” he shook his head, sitting down beside her. Her lips came out in an almost imperceptible pout, eyes welling up with liquid – she downturned her head and looked away from Luke. “What you told me on the phone, doesn’t add up … it doesn’t make sense.”

  Kayla scoffed, “figures you won’t believe me. She’s crazy, Luke. I told her to just stay away from you and she went nuts.” Her icy blues gazed back into Luke’s eyes. You’re such a liar.

  Something inside of him snapped and a burst of adrenaline coursed through his body in that moment; his eyes narrowed and tightness formed in his throat as he leaned forward. “Don’t you fucking lie to me.”

  “I’m not!” She yelled back, getting up in his face.

  “Bullshit,” he called, screwing up his face. His heart was hammering in his chest now; he saw the flash of his brother’s face in his mind’s eye. “You’re always spinning something,” he emphasized with his hands, springing up from the couch and walking a couple of steps away.

  “Name one,” she challenged, rising to her feet. “You’re the one who can’t keep his dick in his pants.”

  “Please,” Luke turned back to face her, staring her down. “Like you don’t know how this shit goes? You’re not my old lady, never have been – you think anyone else isn’t getting something on the side?” The winds of wrath filled his sails as he stepped right up to her face, posturing himself aggressively. “Don’t think I didn’t know how badly you wanted to sleep with Able,” Luke kept pushing her away with his chest.

  Kayla retreated step after step, the look of terror on her face. “I didn’t want to,” Kayla fired back. She pressed her hands against Luke’s hard chest and shoved him a half-step back. “I did.”

  Luke put a hand to his mouth and turned away, shaking his head and looking back at Kayla. The two stood what felt worlds apart, his spine tingling and the soles of his feet dancing with fire. In a white-hot rage, Luke struck his arm against the cluttered mess of magazines, cans and other junk resting on the coffee table; sending them flying across the living room. He exhaled a deep breath and stalked around the couch, distancing himself from her. “You’re an addict,” he said, jabbing a finger in Kayla’s direction, “you’re a liar and daddy’s spoiled you too much you narcissistic bitch.”

  “Fuck you, Luke,” Kayla flipped up her middle finger, water rolling down one cheek. She then slid over to the other end of
the couch, the path between the two becoming clear. “All I’ve ever done I’ve done it for you,” she sobbed, wiping at her eyes and composing herself.

  “You’ve never done a thing for me,” Luke attacked, standing his ground and pushing out his chest. “Everything you’ve ever done has been for you,” he jabbed his finger in Kayla’s direction. She was really starting to piss him off, it was becoming harder and harder to stay in the realm of composure.

  “I’ve done more for you than you’ll ever know,” Kayla hissed.

  “Yeah,” Luke said, “frankly, I’m done giving a shit – I’m done putting up with you. Go find someone else to dig your claws into.” The anger shaking in his hands, Luke spun on his heel and swung open Gabriel’s front door.

  He pressed on into the night, uncaring how she called for him to come back.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  Jasmine

  She had promised Augustus that she would stay the night, the two had talked and cuddled for some time and the night had long since covered the city. Jasmine had made sure that he was as comfortable as could be, before leaving. She wanted to shower, brush her teeth and get a few changes of clothes. When she pulled into her driveway and she saw the ember of the man’s cigarette alit, her heart lurched into her throat. Oh no, I’m not ready for this right now; he was just sitting there on the stoop of Jasmine’s apartment.

  Shit.

  Jasmine’s Rav4 rolled to a stop and she threw it into park, hesitating a moment in the seat of her car. If he knew what she was doing … she bit down on her lip, a sickly warm tightness forming in her core.

  Luke turned his head to face her, taking a drag of his cigarette.

  You’re done with him, she reminded, sucking in a long and deep breath. Just talk to him, get it over with and send him on his way. When she reached for the handle on her door, another wave of heat rolled through her and a niggling sense of doubt skirted across the edge of her mind – it was an eclectic mix of dread and hurt; love and lust. Jasmine shut her car door, pressed the lock on her keypad, and sauntered over to the biker, a fire roaring in her chest.