by Shyla Colt
The bruises on Wanderer’s neck were fading from black and blue to yellow and green. The black eye had faded. It wasn’t the norm to get hit in the face when you were spilling blood. Someone must’ve been really pissed off on Joey’s mother’s behalf. “I wondered if you were going to show up,” Wanderer greeted him.
“It was a lot to take in.”
“I can see how that’d be true.” Wanderer nodded. “Close the door and have a seat.” He gestured toward the chair across from his desk.
Moose complied, sinking down into the black-leather seat. He placed his hands on the armrest. I’ll let Wanderer take the lead. I’m a guest in his house.
“What are your intentions with my daughter?”
“To be happy with her.”
“Nothing else?” Wanderer frowned.
“It hasn’t even been six months. I like her, I respect her and we have an understanding. It’s enough for us. I don’t know if you realize but growing up with just her mother did a number on her. I’m not sure she even wants what you’re trying to impose.”
“So you’re saying she wants to be some fly-by-night with no claim?”
“She has plenty of claim,” Moose defended. He tightened his hands on the arms of the chair, careful to keep his voice even and his tone low.
“Really? Because we both know it doesn’t mean shit unless she’s an old lady.”
“Sweetheart’s a respectable title we’re both happy with.”
“For how long? And then what will she have once you use her all up?”
Moose bit his tongue and clenched his jaw as he mentally counted to ten. “Well, I’m not a fortuneteller, so I can’t give you an exact time frame.”
“Watch your mouth,” Wanderer sneered.
“You think she’d appreciate the way you’re grilling me right now?” Moose asked.
Wanderer looked away. “I’m doing my job as a father.”
Moose smirked. Finally. “I’m not sure she’d see it that way. Look, at this point, I know Joey better than you do. She handles herself well and doesn’t like outside interference. She’s important to me. I’ll fight for her, take care of her and provide what she needs. Anything else, I think is between your daughter and me. Had this gone a different way, I would’ve come to you first for permission. But that wasn’t possible, so we both have our hands tied by what’s going on.” Moose shrugged.
“I want you to come correct or not at all.”
“Which means what?” Moose asked.
“Make her more permanent.”
He heard an ultimatum in the tone. “Or?” Moose said.
“Or let her go.”
Moose leaned forward in his chair. “Let me get this straight. You expect me to walk out of here, find her and pitch old lady status?”
“Not right away, but in the near future.”
“And if I don’t?”
“Then, we’re going to have a problem.” Wanderer smirked.
Unsure what to say, Moose remained silent.
“You understand me?”
“Yeah, I heard you.” He didn’t like one-sided stipulations.
Chapter Eleven
Hearing the knock, Joey pushed away from her computer desk and smiled. One of the girls must be by to check on her. They’d been amazing over the past week, cheering her up and getting her out of the house.
It stung that Moose hadn’t called. She had no clue where they stood or how he felt about the situation. Her father said he’d spoken to Moose but he wouldn’t reveal any of the details, claiming it was a man thing. The president made her want to smack him more times than not. She and Wanderer were too alike and she’d been own her on for too long to sit back and be taken care of. It made them butt heads like two rams battling for power.
Shaking her head, she walked to the door, looked through the peephole and froze. Moose.
His face gave away nothing. He stood on the porch with his hands shoved in his pockets. The wraparound sunglasses hid his eyes, leaving her to guess. His body language didn’t scream upset, but you could never tell with him. He held his emotions in.
Her hand shook as she opened the door. “Hi,” she said, so low she barely even heard it.
“Hey, Jo-Jo.”
She smiled, opening the door and stepping back.
He moved inside and the familiar scent of leather, maleness and the hint of body wash drifted up to her nose. She closed the door and leaned against its cool surface to hide her shaky legs. What he said next could make or break them…permanently.
“I did what you asked, took some time and went to see your old man.”
“And?” Nerves struck. It felt like tiny elves were using zip lines in her stomach.
“We reached an understanding.” He shrugged. “He wanted to know what my intentions were and made it very clear what he expected.”
“Which was?” She arched an eyebrow.
He shook his head. “Nothing I’m worried about. He knows I’m not screwing you.”
Joey snickered.
Moose rolled his eyes. “Over…he knows we’re legit.”
“And you. What did you learn?” She pushed away from the door, sliding the lock home. After his abrupt departure, she couldn’t let him off the hook totally. He’d made her sweat it out for over a week.
He walked over to the door and placed both his arms on opposite sides of her head. “That I don’t want to be without you.”
The frank honesty made her gasp.
“We could shoot the shit all day, go back and forth, pussyfoot around it. Truth is, we’re both in way deeper than we intended and now we have to deal with the aftermath of that.”
She licked her lips. “You make it sound like the apocalypse.”
“Maybe it is.” He smirked.
Muscles tightened in her lower belly, and her nipples hardened. The man must emit pheromones made just for her. “You think it’ll be that easy? That you can just walk back in here—”
He pressed his lips against hers, seeking entrance with his tongue.
Her head spun. The passion always present between them came to life like a roaring fire. She brought her hands up to grip his shirt and opened her mouth. His taste exploded onto her tongue and she allowed herself to indulge, sampling his flavor like a once-in-a-lifetime bottle of the finest whiskey. Intoxicated, she tilted her head, deepening the kiss like an addict on a binge. She rose on her tiptoes, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Moose buried his fingers in her hair and pressed her body the length of his.
A puddle formed in her panties. They pulled apart for air and she shook her head, clearing the sensual haze that settled. “Wait, we can’t just glaze over this.” She shook her head.
Moose groaned. “What more is there to say? Neither of us is going anywhere. Mayhem is cool with it and your dad is taken care of for now. Don’t borrow trouble. Because trust me, it’s always waiting around the corner.”
Joey rested her head on his shoulder, chewing on his words. “I know you’re right. But I don’t want this to be a habit. We have a problem…you leave and come back…later.”
“Hey. Give me some credit; this was an insane curve in the road.”
“I know, I know, but—childhood scars and such.”
“Hey.” He pulled away and grasped her chin, forcing her gaze up to his. “We’re all fucked up by something.”
“Yeah.”
“I’m not the type to walk away. Why do you think I never let anything get started? Our policy has always been to be upfront and honest about our relationship. That hasn’t changed.”
“Wow, relationship.”
He snickered. “I got so much shit about it, I figure it’s time for labels.”
She glanced away to hide her grin.
“Don’t act like that shit doesn’t make you happy.”
“I said nothing.”
“You didn’t have to.” He ran his fingers through her hair. “Are we cool?”
“Yeah, I think we are.�
�
“Thank God. ’Cause I missed my pussy.”
Her jaw dropped and her breasts grew heavy, as if on command.
“Are you wet for me, Jo-Jo? Because I’m hard for you. Have been from the minute I walked inside.” He tugged at her hair and she moaned. “That’s my girl. You’re ready for it fast and dirty, aren’t you?” He nipped her earlobe. “You’re even wearing a skirt.”
Chill bumps broke out over her arms and collarbone. His voice felt like sumptuous velvet. It glided over her and inflamed her senses.
“Show me how much you missed me, Jo-Jo. Pull up your skirt and stroke that pretty pussy.”
“Moose.”
“You get shy on me while I was away?” He smirked. “Guess I better make sure and fix that.”
His voice rumbled in her ear, starting fireworks in her belly. She held her breath in anticipation of his next movement.
“Did you forget the rules?” He pulled her hair tighter. “I ask and you do.”
“Yes, sir.” Her hands shook as she reached down and began to bunch up her floor-length, gray terrycloth skirt.
“Much better.” He grunted.
Cool air assaulted the slick heat of her core through the boy-cut teal panties.
“I like this shade of blue on you.” The rip of cloth and the snap of elastic against her skin made her gasp. “I like it better off. Brace yourself. I can smell you from here and I’m starving.” He sank to his knees, parted her wet folds and flicked her clit with his tongue.
A ragged moan escaped her lips as she bent slightly to keep from toppling over.
He explored every inch of her, pausing to suck and flick her sensitive bundle of nerves.
Her breath caught in her lungs and her legs shook as she approached the start of a massive release. “I-I’m going to come.”
“Not yet, Jo-Jo.”
He eased two fingers inside, and she sobbed. “Please.”
“You’re so pretty when you beg me.” He hooked his fingers and she rocked her hips. “Open your eyes and I’ll give you what you want.”
She struggled against the rapture weighing down her lids and met his brilliant blue gaze.
“That’s my good girl.” He pulled out and drove home over and over again.
His fingers sent her over the edge in a wicked tailspin. Her body shuddered and she cried his name, gripping his shoulders for dear life as the world went fuzzy. When she came back down, his fingers were still moving inside her, manipulating the swollen flesh.
“I hope you know we’re nowhere near done.” He pushed to his feet, gripped her thighs and lifted her as if she weighed nothing. He slammed her body up against the door.
Joey eagerly wrapped her legs around his waist.
“I’m going to fuck you now, Jo-Jo. Make sure you remember you belong to me.”
She purred from low in her throat, reaching up to grip a hank of his hair and tug, hard. “And you belong to me.”
“Fuck, you’re so hot when you get possessive.” He quickly undid his pants, shoved the denim down his legs and thrust home.
“Oh God!” His thick girth pushed her to the border of pain. A slight sting reminded her what a week without a good dick-down could do. She dug her fingers into his back, enjoying the way his muscles flexed as he pounded into her.
“So tight, wet.”
The back of her head knocked against the door. “Shit, shit, shit.” Her brain shut down, and she became a mindless receptacle for pleasure. Her walls flexed and she leaned forward and sank her teeth into the flesh of his shoulders.
He roared, pumping and grunting like a wild animal as he strained inside her. “Gonna come,” he whispered.
“Yes, yes.” Her body trembled and he gripped her hips tightly as his heat flooded her channel. The warmth sent her over the edge into a soul-shattering completion that was more than physical. He slumped onto her and she held on for dear life as her throat went dry and she decided to be brave as the words fell out of her trembling mouth, “I’m falling in love with you.”
His body went stiff. “What did you say?” He pulled back and tilted his head down.
“I said, I’m falling in love with you.” Her voice wavered. Was it too much? Too soon? After everything, she couldn’t keep it inside.
He graced her with a wide teeth-baring smile she’d never seen before. It took years off his age and for a moment in time, turned him into a completely different person. His eyes were bluer than a clear sky and the happiness radiating from him blinded her like the sun. “I’m right there with you, Jo-Jo. You pulled off the impossible, touched a place I thought I’d buried long ago.” He shook his head. “These waters we’re swimming in are deep.”
“Are you okay with that?” she asked with a shaky voice.
“I don’t think it matters now that we’re in them.” His eyes twinkled.
Joey laughed. “Yeah, I guess not.”
“For the record? I am all right with it.” He pulled out before she could respond. “Let’s take a shower so I can get you dirty again.”
The swift change of topic wasn’t lost on her. She’d learned to let him lead when it came to emotionally charged situations. “How about you stop teasing me and show me.”
A roguish grin spread his lips and he nodded. “Hope you’re ready.” He scooped her up into his arms and she squealed as he strode away from the door toward her bedroom.
* * * * *
Moose knocked on Joey’s mom’s door and shoved his hands into his pockets as he waited for someone to answer the door. I can’t believe I’m doing this shit. It’s domestic as hell, but I know Joey needs me right now, and I’m not about to let her down, or piss off Daddy dearest. He and Wanderer had a very tenuous peace treaty he couldn’t afford to break. Not when the Eights and Mayhem were both on edge, waiting for Peter’s men to strike. For some reason, Wanderer seemed to think he, Joey, and her mother needed to make up for all the time they had missed. It was making his girl’s skin crawl. Moose didn’t like that, but he was stuck between a rock and a hard place, so he had kept his mouth shut for once. The door opened, and he smiled down at a flustered-looking Joey.
“Thank God, you got here. If I had to spend one more minute in the room with them by myself, I might hurl,” she whispered.
“Why?” he asked, lowering his voice.
“Let’s just say the tension between them is intense and disgusting.”
He laughed. “You trying to tell me the old man still wants to get down with your mom?”
“It’s not funny,” she said. Her dark brows dipped down, and her lips were pulled into a straight line. Oh, she looked pissed.
“I don’t know what having me here will do, but you got me, babe.” He wrapped an arm around her waist. “Now show me where you grew up.” He leaned down and whispered into her ear, “If I’m a good boy, can we sneak away later to your room and christen it?”
She laughed. “Such a pervert.”
“And yet you love me.”
“I know. I’ve always been a dirty girl like that.”
Her voice took on a husky quality that made his cock twitch.
“Tease.” He nipped her ear, squeezed her side, and guided her in the house, kicking the door closed behind them.
“I have to apologize in advance for my mom. I haven’t brought a boy home since high school,” she said.
“I think I can handle her,” he said.
“Hmmm.”
“Something you want to tell me?” He quirked an eyebrow.
“No, I’d rather watch you find out on your own,” she said. Her eyes sparkled with mischief, and the corners of her mouth turned up. It was a look that had been rare with the stress of helping Juliette plan for the wedding, dealing with Wanderer and getting back on track after their derailment. The sound of heels on hard wood brought his gaze up. His jaw dropped, and his brain seized. Her mother was nothing like he’d imagined. Dressed in a pair of low-rise jeans and a tight-fitting white tank top that showed off her full s
leeves, she didn’t look much older than Joey. Her dark hair flowed around her shoulders, and bangs fell over her forehead. She had a heart-shaped face and full pink lips.
“Moose, I’m so excited to meet you finally.” She opened her arms, and he stood frozen as she pulled him into a hug. Her floral scent enveloped him, and he couldn’t help but relish the feel of a mother’s hug. There was nothing quite like it.
“It’s good to meet you, Ellen.”
“I know we just met, but I feel like I already know you.” She stepped back. “We don’t have friends; we have family.” She flashed him an easy smile, and his lips twitched up in response. She was good people. Somehow it made Wanderer an even bigger asshole. Heavy footfalls sounded on the wood. Speak of the devil.
“Moose.” The broad-shouldered man nodded and stared him down like a bull who’d caught a glimpse of something red.
“Wanderer,” he said, returning the gesture.
“How about we all head outside and get the grill going?” Wanderer asked.
“Sounds good,” Moose said, recognizing the request to speak privately for what it was.
“We’ll just prep things in here then,” Ellen said.
Joey frowned. She narrowed her eyes, opened her mouth and then shut it. Pride swelled in his chest. She was learning. It wasn’t in her nature to back down, but she got that this was business. She nodded, and he and Wanderer walked through the house to the back patio. He took in the surroundings during the short journey. Ellen’s home was neat, girly and a little rock and roll at the same time. She’d fit in with the old ladies he knew. It was easy to understand how Joey became so damn cool. It went a long way toward easing the part of him that thought she’d show her true self one day. It was a strange feeling finding someone who felt so damn right you couldn’t deny if you wanted to, and damn had he wanted to. This wasn’t what he’d been looking for. Joey was supposed to be a good time with a sexy, laidback woman who knew the rules he lived by. Instead, she’d turned into a life-altering event.
“Close the screen door,” Wanderer said.
