by K E Osborn
Adrenaline courses through me.
I don’t know why we’ve been fighting this.
It feels so fucking right.
My clit throbs as his hard cock presses against me. The need in him is evident as he grinds against me. His hand on my hip slides down to my thigh, hoisting my leg up around him, pulling me closer.
Wraith needs me just as I need him.
I let out a small moan into his mouth. The tension building inside me is so fucking unbearable, while lust overloads my senses. All I can think about is how everything has led us back to this point. Back to us, unable to keep our hands off each other.
He’s my addiction.
That much I’m sure of.
And as I kiss him, I know I want so much more.
His hand moves from my hair, sliding down to my neck, but he doesn’t squeeze like last time, he just rests it there as he slowly pulls his lips from mine, panting for much-needed breaths. I can’t slow my breathing as Wraith’s eyes lock onto mine, and they’re brimming with lust so intensely I feel the burn from here.
His whiskey-colored eyes bore into me, his forehead pressed tenderly against mine as we pant trying to come down from an insatiable high. We’ve never kissed like that before, and fucking hell if I don’t want to kiss him like that every single damn day for the rest of my life.
His fingers come up gently, caressing the side of my cheek. A hesitation crosses his features. “You should go to bed.”
“Are you coming with me?” My breathy voice is full of wanton need.
Wraith groans, pushes back from me completely, parting our insatiable bodies.
A wave washes over me like someone’s thrown a bucket of ice water over my body, dousing the flames he’s lit inside me.
“I can’t, Prinie.”
The realization hits me head-on—he’s closing off again.
Wraith turns and walks outside with Mack waddling alongside as they head for the fire pit.
Standing here alone and bereft, I straighten myself out. Taking a few inhales to stop the tears from falling, I glance around, making sure no one was watching, then somehow, I head for the stairs.
I could cry myself to sleep, but instead, I’ll have a damn cold shower.
If I don’t wash Wraith off me, the fire he ignited that lingers on my lips might burn me alive.
He sets me on fire, and he doesn’t even realize it. Or maybe doesn’t care?
Asshole.
WRAITH
After last night’s kiss, it’s safe to say I’m now running on two nights with barely any sleep. I have to do better. I need to be better. Prinie caught me off-fucking-guard. When her lips touched mine, I couldn’t pull away, not at the start, she’s too fucking tempting. Kissing Prinie is the best damn feeling in the world, until my urges kick in. The urge wasn’t as strong as when we fucked over a year ago, so when my hand came close to her neck, again I was able to stop myself. The need to take control of her body didn’t break me like it did the first time, but it was still niggling in the back recesses of my mind.
The thing is though, after the moment where I had to call on Prinie to show me something blue, I knew I needed to start recalling my training. It’s been a while since I’ve had to put it into practice like that, but honestly, Prinie is bringing out the best and most definitely the worst in me. When she showed me her turquoise bra, everything came flooding back…
Zero and I walked out of the therapist’s office, and I let out a loud huff.
“I know you believe it was all bullshit, Wraith, but I think you need to take some of it in,” Zero stated.
I let out a groan. “I don’t know, man, you really think this is a thing? Breathplay?”
Zero shrugged. “From what I can tell, brother, this is definitely YOUR thing. You like to choke women during sex, right? We’ve worked on your needs in the Chamber, but if you can’t control the urge when you’re doing the deed, then you’re gonna need to stop fucking altogether.”
I curled up my nose, letting out a scoff. “A biker who doesn’t fuck… yeah, right, good one.”
Zero slapped my back. “Look over the notes, take in what she said. Mental gymnastics, remember? Focus on something else to stop the urge while you’re pounding it out. Find something in the room that’s blue or some shit. Focus on that, and let your mind only concentrate on whatever’s blue, and not the urge to choke the living shit out of the woman you’re banging.”
I glance down at the copious pages of notes the club-approved therapist provided me with. “Yeah, okay, maybe you’re right. I’ll book another appointment.”
Zero grinned. “Good! Let’s go, fucker.”
All that work I did with the therapist, the months of hard work, I thought I had it all under control. I was sure until the first night I lost control with Prinie. All it took was for one moment, a loss of concentration, to fuck up years of therapy. I lost my focus, I forgot everything I was trained to do.
I forgot about my something blue, and I fucking choked her during sex. The problem is, every time I’m with her, I have to fight to remember my training. She makes me lose focus, and that’s why she fucking scares me.
I didn’t want to test the theory on whether that version of Wraith was going to make an appearance with Prinie again.
But then I did, and he did.
I won’t risk that again, she deserves better.
Someone who can make love to her. Someone who can be the man she needs them to be. Not a man who only knows how to fuck and with that insatiable need in me to put my hands around her neck.
The memory of our kiss plays over and over on repeat in my brain, distracting me from the task at hand. All I want is to find Prinie and to kiss the fuck out of her again, but that accomplishes nothing. Plus, with me bailing on her like that last night, she’s going to be pissed as all hell at me. Again.
We were making progress, and I went and screwed that all up.
I should have pulled away.
I should have never let her near me.
Who am I kidding? Seeing her coming at me like that, I had no damn choice but to react.
She’s my fucking kryptonite.
“Pres?”
I don’t know what the fuck I ever did to make that beautiful woman want me.
“Wraith?”
My head snaps up as I take in the room of ‘very green’ bikers all staring back at me. “What?”
“You’re acting more hungover than us,” Chains jabs.
“Fuck!” I scrub at my face trying to pull myself back into the world, and not off in some fairy tale land where I know the ending is not a happily-ever-after. “Didn’t sleep much last night—”
“You okay?” Neon asks, concern crossing his features.
“I’m fine. Talk to me.”
Neon slumps back in his chair. “I just finished telling you everything, Wraith. You sure you’re okay?”
“Quit your bitchin’ and tell me again.”
Neon glances at Fox, then back to me. Something unspoken passes between them, and I don’t even have to guess what it is—I’ll be getting a visit from Fox later.
Neon’s eyes focus back on me, he swipes his device, then holds it up for me to see. “As I was saying… I’ve been following the trackers. They’ve been traveling in downtown Houston. Well, three of them are still pinging. One, however, is not.” I furrow my brows at this information. “I’m not sure if it’s a technical glitch or if it’s been separated from the pack and has been found. Either way, the three remaining are heading for Militia territory.”
Scratching my temple, I narrow my eyes. “First, you thought this was the Baron stealing the packages, but now you’re telling me this might be the Militia?”
Neon grimaces. “Could it be both?”
I sit forward pulling my hands together into tight fists. “You’re telling me that even after the Militia came to our aid to help Cherry out of the shit that went down with the Baron, they may have been working with him the entire time
, so they can steal from us?”
“I wouldn’t put anything past them. Hell, we played them when Zero offered a cut of the Snow White tablets. They assumed they’re getting a fair cut of what we’re supposedly producing, but we’re making double that, and getting a fuckload more than they know about. So, we can’t judge them for double-crossing us when we’re already doing exactly that to them,” Neon reminds me.
“True. But I need to be sure before we act. The Baron, the Militia, either, both, whatever the outcome, we have to make sure before we go starting something we can’t fucking finish.”
“What’s your plan?” Kevlar asks, sitting forward.
“We have to wait to see where the trackers stall. But we can’t all go, that’s asking for trouble.”
Fox lifts his chin. “So, we send someone… someone inconspicuous to investigate.”
“Blake should go. He’s been here the shortest amount of time. Not many know he’s associated with the club. Might give him a chance to prove himself,” I put it out there.
The table all nods their agreement.
Neon starts pressing buttons on his device. “I’ll set the prospect up with a body cam, so we can see what’s going on.”
“Good idea. Okay, let’s get him prepped. We will reconvene in fifteen when he’s on his way.” I bang the gavel on the table, and everyone stands. I stride over to Neon, patting him on the back as he gathers up his shit. “Good work, brother.”
He dips his head, then scurries off to grab the shit he needs for Blake.
As I turn—it’s just Fox and I left in the room—I exhale knowing this is coming. I lean my ass back against the table, crossing my arms over my chest and my feet over each other. “Okay, brother, hit me with it.”
Fox exhales, moving to close the door. Whatever he has to say must be serious. The muted thud of the door jamb clicks into place as he spins around. “Wraith, I know you stepping into this role is a-fucking-lot—”
“You can say that again.”
“I want you to know… you’re exceeding expectations.”
My eyes widen at his words. I was not expecting that.
The corner of his white-bearded lips turns up. “You’re doin’ good. We all know how fucking hard this must be for you. It’s an unenviable task for anyone.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it, Fox.”
“There is a but.”
I purse my lips and nod. “Of course, there is.”
“You’re pushing yourself, too fucking hard. To be the best, to walk in shoes that can’t be filled, don’t try and be Zero, Wraith. You need to be you. Stop comparing yourself to him and lead the way you want to.”
“Fucking hell, I don’t want to lead at all, Fox.”
He grips my shoulder with a warm expression. “The best leaders never do.”
“It’s hard to know when I’m doing the right thing. Making the right calls.”
“Trust yourself. Trust your gut instinct. You’ve been at this club long enough to know how things work. If not, you have a band of brothers willing to work through it all with you. You’re not alone in this, pres.”
“They can’t help me with a fiery princess, though, can they?”
Fox chuckles. “I saw you two sitting by the fire last night before I went up to bed. You seemed to be getting along.”
“We were… until we weren’t.”
Fox folds his arms across his chest. “You have an argument?”
I turn away from him knowing walking away from Prinie would have hurt her, but acting on our feelings, especially while Zero is locked up doesn’t sit right with me.
“No. You had a moment?” Fox offers instead.
I turn back to him, dipping my head once in confirmation. He pulls his lips together, letting out a small laugh. “So that’s why you’re not sleeping. Not because of the presidential duties, but because of Prinie.”
“Maybe. Actually, maybe it’s both—”
“No, it’s Prinie. Zero told you in no uncertain terms to stay away. You’re having trouble doing that, and when you can’t, you feel guilty.”
“You a psychic or something?”
He moves in to stand beside me and exhales. “There’s a reason a brother is tasked with being the Wise One. Not because he’s fucking old like me, kid, it’s because we see shit for how it is after being at the club for so fucking long.”
“Well, then, oh Wise One, what the fuck do I do about Prinie?”
“You’re loyal to Zero.”
“Is that a question or a statement?”
“More an observation. The thing is though, Wraith, when you fall hard for someone, love doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t care who their family is or what their social standing is. When you fall, you fall.”
“I’m not following.” Rubbing the back of my neck, I sigh.
“If you’ve fallen for Prinie, your heart is never going to be whole until it has it’s other half.”
“You saying Prinie is my other half?”
“Only you know the answer to that. But if she is, then that, kid, that is worth fighting for. No matter the obstacles others or you have put in the way. You just have to figure out if she is worth the risk.”
I hear what he’s saying, but falling for Prinie? I don’t know if I’m there.
Am I?
Fuck, maybe I am.
Kissing her is like nothing I’ve ever felt before with any woman. All I want out of my life is to protect her. I worship the ground she walks on even if she doesn’t know it.
Maybe I am falling for her.
Maybe I’ve already fallen.
Maybe that’s why this is so fucking hard all the time.
“Your mind is racing, pres. I wouldn’t go making any rash decisions right away. Just mull it over for a while. Truly let all that sink in and remember how life was without her. Was it better? Worse? Were you okay without her? Would you ever want to have a life where she wasn’t in it? Think it through, the answer will come to you. Probably when you least expect it.”
“You’ve definitely given me something to ponder.”
“That’s my job. Now you better see your prospect off. Give him a good pep talk. From you, not how Zero would do it.”
I thought I needed to do this job like Zero would. I never gave much thought about the fact I could do it my own way. I stand taller, feeling more capable somehow.
“Let’s go.” Stepping away from the church table, I stride toward the chapel door with a purpose in my step. Fox follows closely behind. We go in search of Neon and Blake, and I find them by the bar getting suited up. Blake’s cut is off—the less conspicuous the better. Neon attaches a button-size camera to one of the buttons on his shirt.
“This will relay back to us everything you see. Don’t get too close or give yourself away. If you’re caught, we will come get you. But for fuck’s sake… don’t get caught,” Neon instructs.
I narrow my eyes on Blake. “You good?”
“Yeah, I’m good.” He bobs his head a little too fucking enthusiastically.
“‘Cause if you fuck it up, and they figure out who you are or where you’re from, you know it could start a war?”
No sugarcoating—that’s not what I’m about.
Blake stands taller. “I won’t get caught, pres.”
“Good, because if you do, after we rescue your ass, I’ll add another six months to your prospect patch.”
Yeah, I’m not Zero.
Blake sturdies his shoulders. “I hear you. I got this. I’m ready.”
“You better be. Is he good to go?”
Neon presses a couple of buttons on his device. “Yeah, all good.”
“Then get on your bike and bring us the intel we need, Blake. We’re counting on you.”
He gives me a two-fingered salute, then takes off out of the clubroom to his bike.
“Starting to show your authority.” Neon chuckles. “Nice move, pres.”
I side-eye him as I turn sending a whistle through the roo
m. “Brothers, in the chapel, we have work to do.”
Everyone moves quickly as Prinie’s figure catches my attention on the staircase. She’s stunning, wearing black leggings, a loose-fitting tank top where the arm holes drop down to her mid torso, and a sports bra. She’s obviously going to work out with her hair pulled back in a high ponytail, she’s fucking gorgeous. I dip my chin at her as I pass. She scoffs, turning up her nose and walking in the opposite direction. Her stubbornness makes my cock ache for her even more.
Yeah, she’s got me more than falling, and there’s not a damn thing I can do about it.
Neon slaps my shoulder as he passes. “You coming, pres? Blake just rode out.”
My eyes land on Prinie’s ass as she saunters off, swaying her hips to and fro like she knows I’m watching. She makes her way outside.
Neon follows my line of sight. “Dude, you need to either go after that and Old Lady her, or stop ogling her the way you just did before Zero gets back because if he saw the look on your face just now…”
Turning to Neon, I scowl. “Shut the fuck up. We have work to do.”
He grins as we walk toward the chapel.
Upon entering, our other brothers are already taking their seats. Neon walks to his position, then opens his laptop getting everything ready.
“How long till Blake intercepts?” I ask.
Neon checks something on-screen as he pushes the laptop back from him. “Y’all should come around to see it up close. He’s on his way… following the tracker location now. At his current riding speed, if he’s not picked up by the heat, he should be there in five.”
I stand along with my brothers, and we all move around to view the footage of Blake riding like a bat out of hell.
“Can he hear us?” I ask.
“No, it’s just visual,” Neon relays.
“Good, ‘cause the kid rides like a fucking maniac,” I jest.
My brothers all laugh as he weaves in and out of traffic like a lunatic.
“Dickhead will get himself some road rash if he’s not careful.” Kevlar chuckles.
“You can be too trigger happy to impress the club when you’re a prospect. Let’s just hope he doesn’t fuck this shit up.”
