by Opal Carew
“Good morning.”
But he just nodded, then gestured to the couch.
“Laurie, sit down. We need to talk.”
Uh-oh.
She settled beside him. “Sounds serious,” she said, trying to keep her tone light.
He glanced at her, then stared at his coffee.
“Look, who are we kidding? You and I are never going to work.”
Shock vaulted through her and her heart compressed. “I don’t understand. Why do you say that?”
He shrugged. “Look around. You have a home here. It reflects who you are and what you want. Stability. Security. You aren’t going to get any of that with me.”
“Steele, I want to be with you.”
Irritation flared in his eyes. “You might think you want me, but I don’t believe you’ll be happy if you leave your normal life to ride with me, and I can’t see myself giving up the open road to live in one place.”
She sat there, numb. The thought of leaving her home behind was unsettling, but now that she’d come to terms with her feelings for Steele, she was sure they could work something out. Love could find a way.
She didn’t want it to end between them, and she couldn’t believe Steele was willing to throw away what they had.
Maybe she should be practical, but her heart didn’t care about practicalities. Her heart wanted Steele.
She wanted Steele.
“And even if that weren’t true,” he continued at her silence, “you need to figure out how to be who you are. You got way in over your head with your relationship with you ex. You figured out it wasn’t right and tried to leave, but then you wound up with me. Another Dominant wanting to control you.”
She wanted to reach out to him. To stroke her hand over his whisker-roughened cheek. But instead, her hands clenched into fists in her lap.
“But I like being dominated by you,” she said. “With you, it’s totally different than what he did. You treat me with respect and”— she gazed at him—“love.”
His lips compressed. “Look, you were in my care and I protected you. You’re right that, fool that I was, I convinced myself I was in love with you. But we were both caught up in high emotional stakes and what I thought was love was just a strong protective instinct.”
She shook her head. “I don’t believe that. What I saw in your eyes … what I feel when you kiss me … That’s real.”
He frowned. “That’s passion, not love. You and I have great chemistry together. And what you said last night …” His hands clasped between his knees. “You only think you love me.” He gritted his teeth. “And when you say you like being dominated by me, you don’t really get it. You were in my care. You’d been traumatized.” He leaned in close, his eyes blazing. “I held back.”
“I can handle it.”
He stared at her, assessing. “Are you sure about that?”
Her heart pumped faster as he leaned a little closer, his powerful aura filling the room. She wanted him to touch her. To tear the clothes from her. But panic welled in her. And fear. She leaned away a little.
He grabbed her wrists and pushed her down on the couch, trapping her hands beside her head. He captured her mouth, driving his tongue inside. Claiming her.
She could hardly breathe. She was excited, her body trembling with need. Aroused and … anxious. Her insides heated as he plundered her mouth, longing for him to take her. He released one of her wrists and slid his hand over her breast, stroking it until her nipple swelled to a tight bud.
“Fuck, I want you.” His lips found hers again and he slid his hand under her top, then cupped her breast. His fingers teased her nipple, then he squeezed it between his thumb and finger, leaving her breathless.
His nostrils flared. “Do you still think you can handle it?”
She stared at him wide-eyed, but nodded, then gasped as he grabbed the neckline of her shirt and tore it open, then his mouth found her nipple and he sucked.
He sat up and unzipped his jeans and pulled out his cock. It was hard with wanting her.
He wrapped his fingers around it, the tip jutting from his hand. “Suck me,” he ordered.
As soon as she sat up, he pushed her head to his thick cockhead, then filled her mouth with the plum-sized head. He pushed deep, driving into her throat. She gagged but he pulled back, then cupped her head, his fingers forking through her long hair. He glided her head forward and back, his cock sliding in and out of her mouth, more gentle now, but still pushing her to her limit with the thick shaft filling her again and again.
His hand squeezed her head. “Suck me hard.”
She gagged again as he drove too deep.
He pulled from her mouth. “I need to be inside you.”
He grabbed her jeans and ripped open the tab, then tugged them from her hips, and off. He climbed over her, a look of need on his face.
He tore the crotch of her panties and pressed his cockhead to her damp slit.
She wanted this, oh, so desperately, but a whimper erupted from her throat. It was happening so fast. He was being so demanding.
“No,” she cried involuntarily.
He stopped instantly, then drew back. He drew in a breath as he pushed his cock back into his jeans and zipped up.
“That’s what I thought.”
As she lay there catching her breath, Steele stood up and left the room.
Ten minutes later, he reappeared with his packed bag in his hand.
Her heart clenched at the sight. “You’re leaving?”
She wanted desperately for him to deny it. Because she was truly and heart-shatteringly in love with Steele.
“That’s right.”
“But … we just have a few issues to work out,” she said desperately. “We just have to—”
“Laurie, no.” His granite eyes were steely and distant. “Look, I don’t want to hurt you. That’s why it’s important we recognize this for what it is. If we stay together, either I’ll have to hold back, denying who I really am, or I’ll wind up hurting you.”
She stared at him, still trying to grasp that this was really happening. She didn’t believe what he said, but it was clear he had made up his mind and would not be swayed. She drew in a deep breath, then released it. “So this is it?”
His lips compressed. “I’m afraid so. The guys and I will be heading out this afternoon.”
Her gaze flicked to his. “So soon?”
“There’s no reason to stay any longer.”
Ice water trickled through her veins and she trembled. “Of course.” Her jaw clenched and she hardened herself against the pain. “Thank you for all you’ve done for me.”
He nodded, then walked to the entrance.
“Take care of yourself,” he said with a last glance her way, then disappeared out the door.
As it closed behind him, her heart contracted.
Then the tears flowed.
*
Steele sped along the highway, his gut aching. He didn’t know if he believed what he’d told Laurie or not. His heart insisted he loved her. And maybe she really did love him, too. But he couldn’t stay. All the issues he’d brought up were true. They were a long way from making a relationship work. And it would kill him to know he’d hurt her
Better to just let the whole thing go before they got even more involved. So she could find someone who could give her a better life. Someone more stable.
He never wanted to hurt Laurie. If he dominated her in the bedroom, she wouldn’t be happy. Especially not after what she’d gone through with Donovan.
He pulled up to the cabin and went inside. The crew were packing up the place.
“Where’s Laurie?” Rip asked. “She joining us later?”
“Why did you think I’d be bringing Laurie?”
“Fuck, you kidding man? The two of you are crazy in love. Anyone can see that.”
Steele’s jaw clenched. “You’re wrong.” Then he turned and strode off.
*
A week h
ad passed and Steele couldn’t stop thinking about Laurie. He knew he’d done what he had to do, but that didn’t make it hurt any less.
They were staying for a couple of weeks at a cottage owned by a friend of Magic’s, and Steele had hoped he’d be able to kick back, enjoy the sun and water, and take the time he needed to get over her.
If only it worked that way.
As the sun set, he and the crew rode into town. They were meeting Wild Card at a bar in the small town nearby. They rode along the main street, then pulled up and parked in front of the place, then stepped inside. There was quite a crowd in the place.
“There’s Wild Card.” Magic grinned. “Hey, it looks like he’s getting lucky tonight.”
They walked toward the bar where Wild Card stood, a woman facing him, his arm around her waist holding her close to him. He leaned in and murmured something against the woman’s ear.
Steele couldn’t see her face, but everything about her reminded him of Laurie. Her long, dark hair, waves cascading around her shoulders. Her slender but shapely frame. Even the way she would dress if she weren’t wearing Raven’s clothes. Lean jeans that accentuated her tight, round ass. A lacy camisole leaving her shoulders bare.
She laughed at whatever Wild Card had said to her and he would have sworn that was Laurie’s laugh.
Fuck, he had it bad.
Wild Card’s gaze lifted from the woman he seemed intent on charming to them.
“Steele, hey, look who I ran into.”
The woman turned around and … fuck, it was like a slam to the chest. It was Laurie.
“What the hell are you doing here?”
At his sharp words, the soft, enchanting smile that had spread across her face at seeing him faded.
“I wanted to see you again.”
“Laurie, you and I are done. There’s no reason for you to be here, so why don’t you just go back to your cozy little town house and—”
“I’m selling it.”
“What?”
“And I’ve quit my job.”
“Why the fuck did you do that?”
She shook her head. “Donovan got me that job. It was with one of his companies. And he got me a good price on the town house because his business had dealings with the builder.” She shrugged. “I wouldn’t have been able to afford it without the job anyway.” She stared into Steele’s eyes. “Everything there reminded me of Donovan. How I’d allowed myself to be convinced he was good for me. That he cared for me. Then later, how I allowed him to control me.” She sipped her drink. “So I walked away.”
“I’m sorry. I got the impression you loved that place.”
She nodded. “I did.” And she locked gazes with him. “But I’ll love again.”
His chest tightened, but he took a deep drag of his beer. “So what are you going to do now?”
“I was hoping that …” She pursed her lips. “Well, that I could ride with you.”
He shook his head. “I already told you. You and I can’t be together.”
“I know,” she said hesitantly, “but I really think riding with you, all of you, would clear my head and help me figure out what to do next. Wild Card said I could ride with him.”
Steele glared at Wild Card, who simply sipped his beer innocently.
“I think we should let Laurie ride with us.” Dom’s eyes glinted as he stared at Steele, his lips turning up in a grin.
“It’s not your call,” Steele said, his fists clenching at his sides.
“Now, wait,” Rip said. “As much as you’re the leader, Steele, and we all respect that, what the rest of us want should count for something.”
Steele’s gaze shot to Rip. What the hell was he saying?
Rip rested his hand on Steele’s shoulder and guided him a few steps away.
“Look, you say you aren’t in love with her, and you ended things on good terms. If that’s all true, then you shouldn’t have any problem with her riding with us.”
Blinding anger flared through Steele, but he knew he wouldn’t win this. The men were clearly hatching a scheme to get him and Laurie together again.
“Fuck, do whatever the hell you want.” He turned on his heel and stormed toward the door.
He just hoped the guys wouldn’t be flung off his fists before this whole thing was over.
*
As Steele sped along the highway, he was totally aware of Laurie only yards away. She was riding with Wild Card, her arms around his waist, her body tight against him. He remembered how that felt, and longed to feel her soft warm body against him again. And not just on the back of his bike. His cock twitched.
When they got back to the cottage where they were staying, at a friend of Magic’s this time, Steele went straight up to bed.
He could hear the others laughing and drinking. At one point, he heard splashing in the lake, which was right near the cottage and he itched to look out the window and see if Laurie was skinny-dipping with Wild Card. But she was just riding with Wild Card. They weren’t together.
But that didn’t mean she wouldn’t fuck him. She wasn’t still with Steele. She could fuck anyone she wanted. Maybe she was out there fucking all of them.
His gut clenched. He knew his imagination was just going wild. Because he missed her. Because he wanted her to be his.
He tried to ignore his raging emotions and closed his eyes.
For a while he dozed off, but he awoke to the sound of soft moans. His eyelids snapped opened. It was in the room next to his.
Fuck, that was Wild Card’s room. He was in there with Laurie.
His cock was gliding into her. He was making her come.
Before he knew what had happened, Steele was on his feet and out the door. He tried the doorknob to Wild Card’s room, but it was locked, so he stepped back and, using a powerful side kick, slammed his heel into the door. The wood of the frame splintered and the door swung open. He stormed inside, seeing the couple in the shadowy room and he grabbed Wild Card’s arm and yanked him off of Laurie.
Except the man was Rip, not Wild Card.
His gaze shot to the naked woman lying on the bed, her long dark hair spread across the white pillow case.
Raven grinned at him. “Steele, I know you’re feeling lonely, but just wait until we’re finished, okay?”
“I thought …”
Rip took his arm and guided him to a nearby chair. “We know what you thought, but we switched rooms with Wild Card yesterday, remember?”
“So where’s Laurie?” Steele demanded.
“She’s bunking in with Wild Card.”
He glared at Rip.
Rip’s eyebrow arched. “So are you going to go break into his room now?”
“Yeah, don’t do that, Steele,” Raven said.
“Sorry, Raven,” Steele bit out, anger and adrenaline causing his heart to beat out of control. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
He stood up and headed to the door, his pulse slowing as he collected himself. The frame was broken, but Rip pushed the door into place and it sounded like he dragged a chair against it to prop it closed. Steele didn’t want to go back to his room and hear them fucking again, so he headed downstairs to get a drink.
He walked through the dark living room, lit only by the moonlight glowing in the window. As he walked into the hallway leading to the kitchen, he bumped into a shadowy figure walking toward him.
From the softness and height, he already knew this was Laurie, but the warmth of her body against his, and the scent of her hair, knocked his senses into turmoil. From the shimmering moonlight, he could see she wore just an oversized T-shirt, and he could imagine the outline of her nipples showing through the fabric.
The hallway was narrow and he pressed her to the wall, breathing in her intoxicating scent.
“Laurie.”
“Steele.” Her hands were flat against his chest as she gazed up at him. He couldn’t see her features, but he could see the glitter of her eyes in the scant moonlight.
&nb
sp; He couldn’t help himself. He lowered his face to hers and captured her lips. Then he moaned at the sweetness of her soft, yielding mouth. His tongue glided inside her and he thought he’d die of pleasure.
He cupped her round ass, which was naked under the thin cloth of her nightshirt, and pulled her tight to his groin. She moaned as his hard cock pressed against her.
The way she looked at him … the way her soft body felt against him … He wanted to brush her hair from her face. To kiss her with sweet, tender passion.
Fuck, who was he kidding? He wanted to shove her up against the wall and drive into her, deep and hard. To fuck her so hard, she’d have no doubt she was his, and his alone.
Which is exactly why he had to let go of her. Right now.
He stepped back.
“Fuck, why did you come back?” he muttered, trying to control his raging emotions.
An awkward silence hung between them.
“Steele—”
At the sound of footsteps on the stairs, then a giggle, she glanced around, smoothing down her nightshirt.
Steele turned and headed to the hallway, Laurie trailing behind him. As they entered the hall, Raven headed toward them, Rip in tow.
“We’re hungry. Just coming to make a sandwich,” Raven said cheerfully.
Rip just nodded in greeting.
Steele returned the nod and passed them silently. Laurie followed him up the stairs and when they reached his door, they stopped.
He wanted to drag her into his room, and his bed. To ravage her all night long.
Fool that he was.
*
Laurie gazed at him. She wanted him to ask her into his room. Into his bed.
She longed to sleep curled up in his arms.
When she’d come here, she knew it would take time to convince him. But now … having to walk away from him in this dark hallway … almost broke her heart.
“Steele, I want to be honest with you.”
He frowned. “I’m listening.”
“The reason I came here is because …” She gazed up at him, willing him to believe in them. “I want a chance to convince you that we can work. I don’t want you to hold back. I mean, maybe be a bit patient with me, but I want you to dominate me. What Donovan did, that was abuse. What you do … it’s exciting and sexy.” She took his hand and held it within her own. “And I know you would never hurt me.”
