Torch (Tarnished Souls MC Book 1)

by Dusty Lassetter

  “No you can’t.” He declares, shoulders stiffing again, arms crossing over his massive chest. Looking up at him, I can see why some women would love to be in this predicament. What woman wouldn’t want a strong biker fighting for her attention? Someone that could melt your panties with just a look and set your body on fire with just a kiss. I know all too well about the last one.

  “Excuse me.” I say a little louder than I should. I have enough on my plate, having to worry about getting attached to a man, that will most likely prove to be a douche, is not something I’m willing to add to it. “ N.O…Y.O.U…C.A.N.N.O.T.” He says, pronouncing every letter dramatically. Talking to me as if I can’t speak English.

  “What are you going to do? Beat up every man I come in contact with.” I question, hoping he can hear how ridiculous that sounds.

  “Yes.” He answers, certainty in his voice. Looking into his dark eyes I can see the truth shining through them, and it sends a chill down my spine. My mind is at war right now. Part of me wants to protest, telling him to fuck off, I’m no one’s property. Then there is the other half, the stupid one really, telling me to let Torch own me. Let him mark his territory and enjoy the ride.

  Having lost the ability to speak Torch seizes the moment, taking a step away from the door. Walking me backwards until the back of my knees are hitting the edge of his bed. He leans into my personal space until I have nowhere to go but down. With me now lying on his bed, Torch is looking at me like a starved man who’s been offered a buffet. He spreads my legs wide while taking my wrist in his large hands, pushing me into the mattress with his weight. My body immediately shows its approval, my nipples growing hard with need. Begging for his hot breath to stop tickling my neck and start making its way toward my peeks. “Your body says what your lips won’t.” Torch whispers across my skin, causing goose bumps to rise all over. Each deep breath I take causes my nipples to brush across his chest, giving me some relief. I find myself inhaling more, holding it longer.

  “I bet if I were to rip your jeans off I would find your pussy swollen and wet. Begging me to touch it.” He continues to torture me with his words. His pelvis pressed firmly against mine, I can feel exactly what his body wants too, but he’s not allowing me enough room to tilt my hips up. Right now, I think we would both enjoy that small amount of friction, even if we look ridiculous dry humping like teenagers.

  “Am I right, Mia?” He asks loud enough for my brain to register we’re still having a conversation. I’m supposed to be against his idea of ownership. My only reply is a whimper, because the nerve endings that help with speech are also zeroed in on one thing. The constant throbbing between my legs.

  “All you have to say is your mine, and I will make it impossible for you to feel anything other than pleasure.” He whispers against the shell of my ear before biting down on my neck. It’s not enough pressure to hurt, just enough to send another jolt of pleasure through my body. At this rate, I won’t even need him to touch my pussy to get me off. When I make no move to answer, he leans up enough to look down at me. “I’ll just have to try harder.” He says with a smirk on his face.

  The next moments, however long, are pure torture on me. He takes his time touching every part of my body except the one place I need him to. My nipples have grown even harder from the feeling of his mouth on them. Which says something about his skills because I’m still in my clothes because he hasn’t bothered to trip them off. The feeling of his strong hands gripping my hips and thighs almost has me begging him to make me his, but there is that nagging voice in the back of my head stopping me. This is probably the only man on earth that has the ability to set my body free and allow my soul to fly, but he also holds the power to crush it. I’m not sure I could come back from something like that and I have sisters to think about now. They wouldn’t make it without me.

  “Stop.” I manage to get out, my voice clogged with desire. After hearing the word, Torch immediately removes his weight from me. Gazing into my eyes I’m sure he can see the battle that rages on in my head, but he doesn’t argue with me. “It’s just a matter of time, Mia. You will be mine, but for now I’m willing to keep letting you believe you have a choice.” With that said he gets up from the bed, walks to the door, and exits without a backwards glance. Removing my clothes, part of me hoping he comes back, I start working on releasing some of the tension from my body. My fingers don’t feel as strong or as good as his, but it doesn’t stop me. I close my eyes, picturing a pair of navy blue irises and that sexy smile, dimple and all.

  Chapter 12

  Mia

  My legs are burning, my abdomen hurts, and my entire body is coated with a thin layer of dirt and sweat. I know what you’re thinking, it sounds like the beginning of a dirty sex novel, but sadly it’s not. All the soreness I feel throughout my limbs comes from moving boxes around Torch’s house. While I’ve noticed he never lets me carry any of the heavier ones, still these light ones start to weigh a person down. You would think after three days of doing this there could not possibly be anymore boxes, but Torch is worse than a woman. He has more stuff than I’ve ever dreamt of having. He says most of it was salvaged from his grandfather’s house that caught fire. Considering some of the boxes still have an old smoky smell to them I have no other choice than to believe him. I was giving, Romeo, a hard time until he told me that. Call me a bitch anytime you want, but I would never make fun of anyone for holding onto the memories of someone they loved.

  Just as I’m bending down to grab the last box, to take it up the stairs, Torch nudges me out of the way. “This one is heavy, let me grab it.” He orders. I gave up sometime yesterday arguing with him about what I can and cannot lift. The man is as stubborn as a mule. Just when I’m about to ask if it’s about time to head back to the club house, my stomach lets out a ferocious growl. The sound so loud it’s debatable whether a bear has taken residence inside me. We worked through lunch today, so we wouldn’t have to work tomorrow. Buck finally lifted the lockdown, because there has been no sign of any Blacktop Sinners around for miles, and all the guys are anxious to party. Torch included. Apparently, he’s been missing his little whore, Mandy, more than he wants to admit. I don’t know why the thought of her being near him makes me want to rip both their arms off, but it does. Okay so I’m lying. I know exactly why it makes me want to commit violence but as long as I don’t say it out loud it can’t be true. Right?

  “You should have told me you were hungry.” Torch starts reprimanding me like a child. This is another example of his mule like behavior. I’ve told him countless times I’m a grown woman. I’m more than capable of taking care of myself.

  “I wasn’t until now. You need to take a chill pill, Romeo. This isn’t the first time my stomach has growled and I’m sure it won’t be the last.” Torch places the box, that was in his arms, back on the floor. For once he doesn’t try to overwhelm me with his closeness, he actually keeps his distance. “Not if I can help it.” He states, like he can miraculously appear with a sandwich before my stomach growls, for the rest of my life. The thought alone is enough to make me start giggling. This man really is crazy.

  “Are you laughing at me?” He asks, looking at me as if I had just claimed to be a dancing purple camel. I have seen Torch look angry, smug, self-satisfied, and confident. The look of confusion on his face right now would have to be my all-time favorite.

  “That is exactly what I’m doing, Romeo.” I manage to get out between giggles. His look grows more curious, like he is trying to figure out the world’s toughest puzzle. Feeling a bit of sympathy for the big lug, I finally break down and tell him what I find to be funny. “You can’t honestly believe you would be able to stop my stomach from growling ever again, Torch.”

  “Sure I can. I’ll put you on a schedule. Make sure you eat every hour.” He states, his smug smile coming out to greet me.

  “Then I’ll get fat.” I reply, waiting to hear what he will come up with next. I’m sure it will be something ridiculous.
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  “I’ll feed you carrots and apples.”

  “Oh, so now I’m a horse.”

  “Damn you, woman.” Torch says, frustration finally taking root in his voice. “You know damn well I wasn’t calling you a horse. I don’t know how you do it, but with you I feel like I can never win. You drive me insane.”

  “Awwww. Don’t feel bad, Romeo. I drive everyone crazy. It’s what makes me great.” I reply, taking the few steps needed to be directly in front of him. Wrapping my arms around his waist, I place my head on his hard chest, and enjoy the feeling of his sweaty body against mine.

  “Are you trying to comfort me, Spitfire?” He questions, forcing me further into his arms. Then his hands slowly travel down my lower back, to the curb of my ass, giving it a rough squeeze. Keeping me in place, while grinding into me. That’s when I realize I am, in fact, trying to comfort him. There was no thought behind the action. Other than wanting to help ease his frustration that I had caused. “Don’t get your hopes up, Romeo, I’m not a bitch all the time.” I declare, enjoying the growl that comes from his throat when I wiggle my hips.

  “I better be the only friend you hold like this.” He grunts, causing a smile to come to my lips, but I manage to keep it hidden. If Torch knew that the caveman attitude was starting to turn me on he would never let me live it down.

  “Calm down, Romeo, keep the jealousy dragon in its cage. You are the only one.” I mummer, taking one more deep breath, inhaling his scent, before putting some space between us. Not surprisingly my stomach takes this opportunity to remind me of my starvation. Torch grabs my hand, tucking me into his side. “Let’s go.” He commands, walking me to his truck. We have been driving to the house in this because of the lockdown. Torch thought it would be safer if we’re not on his motorcycle, but a part of me really wants to be on the back of his bike. Holding onto his hard body, feeling his tight muscles beneath my fingers as vibrations travel through me. Maybe I can work my magic and talk him into taking it the next time we come. Torch is about to find out how well I can lay on the charm.

  ##########

  Friday morning comes and goes, then before I know it the club house that was once full of family is now a watering hole for the club sluts. Some of the older men’s wives stayed, the club members that stepped down from their position, and voted these younger men in like Torch, Saint, and Hammer. Rebecca wanted to join in on the festivities tonight, but not alone. Sammy and Scarlett didn’t want to venture out, so they are having a movie night. Torch was nice enough to go to the local movie store. When he returned with four movies, and enough popcorn and candy to last for days I could do nothing but smile. He went out of his way to make sure Scarlett and Sammy would be comfortable. Another brick, from the fortress I’ve built around myself, fell away at the gesture. He is slowly but surely trying to inch his way into my heart, but I can’t figure out why. He’s already admitted I drive him crazy, and I’ve offered him sex with no strings. He has an angle, it’s just a matter of time before he slips and I find out what it is.

  “What can I get you to drink?” Torch asks, walking up behind the stool I’m sitting on. When he throws his arm around me in a possessive way the challenge in his gaze stops me from saying anything. I’m learning that this man is as stubborn as me. Not wanting to ruin anyone’s night, I let the gesture slide.

  “I thought biker parties were supposed to be one of a kind. Are you sure this is a real MC?” I question, enjoying the smirk Torch throws my way. He knows me well enough, by now, to realize I’m just teasing. As he answers, the bartender brings me my drink.

  “Buck told everyone to play in their rooms tonight. He didn’t want to scare you and Rebecca, but if you’re curious we can go watch anyone that left their door open.”

  “So you like to watch?”

  “Sometimes.”

  “What about joining?”

  “Not anymore.”

  Something tells me the reason for his lack of participation has everything to do with me. I decide to push that to the back of my mind, where it belongs for now, because I just want to have fun tonight. I trust these bikers, well the ones I know, to have my back and the backs of my sisters. They really are respectable guys, so tonight I’m going to party.

  “Do you dance, Romeo?”

  “I’d do anything you’d want as long as you keep smiling like that.” He states, sitting his beer down on the bar top. Leading me into the middle of the floor Torch takes control of my body. The music becomes just another back-ground noise as he runs his hands across my body. The way he softly rubs his thumb over my wrist or lightly grazes my stomach with the rough part of his hands. The mixture of want and need racing through my blood stream makes it difficult to concentrate on anything else.

  When he grabs my hair, taking my lips with his, I barely manage to stop my knees from buckling. His kiss is just as amazing as his dancing skills. The way he nips my bottom lip enough to hurt, then eases the pain away with his tongue. The soft and steady pressure of his mouth on mine.

  “I bet you taste better here,” Torch whispers in my ear while grazing his fingers over the denim between my legs. I shamelessly start whimpering in protest when he takes his hand back, causing him to chuckle.

  “Are you ready to be mine?” He questions, looking at me with eyes full of desire. In this moment, I’m so close to screaming yes, but before I can someone, or should I say some whore, cuts me off.

  “I warned you to stay away from him.” Mandy hollers out, before reaching out, grabbing me by the hair. I knew this bitch was trouble. She’s holding onto my black locks like we are on an episode of Jerry Springer. With my head tilted at an awkward angle it makes it hard to see anything going on around me, but I do notice Torch reaching out to grab Mandy’s arm. Not only do I want to be the one to put this bitch in her place, I don’t want Torch to touch her. Before he manages to make contact, I lower myself and run through her like a linebacker. I’ve watched a football game, or two, and I’ve also been in plenty of bar fights. The force of her landing on the ground loosens her hold on my hair enough for me to jerk my head, forcing her to let go. With her now under me I start positioning myself on her stomach. Sitting up she tries to fight me off but my fists hammering on her ugly face seems to be more important. Both her hands start covering the places I’m aiming for, so I have no choice but to find another spot. I manage to get two or three solid punches to her fake titties before I’m pulled off.

  “GET OFF ME!” I scream in a rage. All the anger I’d built up in that basement is pouring out of me, and I’m not the least bit sorry Mandy is now the target. She started this, I just want to finish it.

  “No.” Torch says into my ear, tightening his hold. “She’s had enough.” He finishes, forcing me to acknowledge the two-broken people lying helpless on the floor. Wait, what? My gaze travels from Mandy to the unknown red head lying five feet from her. Looking around the room, I see a pair of familiar eyes staring at me with a mixture of anger and fear. Rebecca is being held back by a pair of strong arms belonging to Hammer.

  “Rebecca.” I mumble, trying to wiggle out of Torch’s hold. She must have been attacked. I need to check on her, but his grip only tightens. “She’s not the one hurt, Spitfire. Rebecca whooped ass when Mandy’s friend tried to jump in. Your girl had your back.” Hearing that she is alright, and confirming it by way of looking I start to relax.

  “Torch.” Mandy calls out, “she busted my lip.”

  “Get your friend and get out of my club, Mandy” Buck commands, walking out from the crowd. “Don’t come back.” He threatens.

  Once Mandy and her friend have been escorted out of the club house, Torch releases me and tells Hammer to do the same with Rebecca. The look of fear has vanished from her pretty face, replaced with worry.

  “I’ve never been in a fight before.” She whispers into my hair, while I hug her. “I just got so angry when I saw her going after you. I couldn’t control it.”

  “Come on, sister.” I declare. Walking
toward the bar and Torch’s waiting arms. “We need a drink.”

  That’s what we did for the remainder of the night. We drank, we laughed, and we teased each other about our stealthy ninja skills. All the members of the club were excited to witness the unleashing of such talent, and reminded us of it time and time again. Torch stayed by my side, and for once I felt comforted knowing he was there. My smile was real, my laughter was contagious, and for one night I was content to just be me.

  Chapter 13

  Torch

  Weeks have gone by since Buck lifted the lock down, and Mia is still working for me. I honestly thought she would’ve quit by now. I guess her need for money is more important than her need to avoid me. Just when I think I’m making progress with her, Mia, senses that her walls are crumbling down, and manages to build them up again. The night her and Rebecca got in their first biker brawl was the one and only time she sought me out. Two months later, I’m standing in my nearly complete house. Wondering what I can fuck up, so she has something to do.

  “We should be done with everything by tomorrow.” Mia says, her voice no longer filled with hatred toward me. I guess that is something I should be happy about. When she talks to me I no longer feel like she would rather be eating nails.

  “I was thinking about painting the bedrooms. You interested in working another week?” I ask, just as surprised as her by my question. The rooms were painted when the barn was restored into a house, not so long ago.

  “Sure… but I have one command.” She states, “you have to take me for a ride on your bike.” Mia has spent countless hours trying to convince me to take her out on the back of my Harley. It’s not that I don’t want her arms wrapped around me or her tight heat pressed against my back, the reality is that her safety could be compromised. Our club may not be under lock down anymore, but Carlos still has friends out there. Including the, Blacktop Sinners, but her pleading look is enough to break me once and for all. “I choose the place.” I declare, waiting for her to agree.