"Night!" I grunted before sleep took hold of me.
"Morning sleepy head." I wiped my eyes slowly and peered at where the noise was coming from.
"Do you have to be so fucking cheery?" I asked grumpily but my harsh statement made me smile thinking of how Keira and I had a similar conversation early one morning.
Millie moved to stand in front of me, "We have to be out of the room by 10.00am which gives you precisely fifteen minutes to get your arse out of bed." Millie smiled as she turned and continued to hum.
I knew that management would get pissy if we weren't out of here in time, I pulled back the covers and slipped from the bed and quickly put on my jeans.
"Are you always so chipper in the mornings?"
"Yes."
"Well stop it." I glanced at Millie and she poked her tongue out at me. What was it with smart mouthed women? I remembered the days when they were seen and not heard.
I laced my boots and put on my jacket and within ten minutes I was ready to take the ride to Kent. I picked up my helmet and noticed that Millie was also holding one. I glanced at her to see a wide smile, "I borrowed it!"
I sniggered, "You can only borrow something that you plan to give back." Millie rolled her eyes and picked up the new rucksack she'd purchased containing Rev's and Bishop's cut and the evidence from my wounds.
"That's just semantics." She huffed.
We left the hotel and walked across the car park feeling a little more comfortable than I did last night. It was funny how refreshed I felt and how clear my head was after a good night's sleep. CJ was right, things do look clearer in the morning.
Two hours later we pulled up at the Kent clubhouse. The two prospects on the gate eyeballed me before the larger of the two came over to us. "What's your business man?"
"Tell Delta that Locke's here." The Prospect continued to eyeball me, "Now, or I'll make sure you never become a patched member." His attitude quickly changed and he scarpered back into the yard and pulled out his phone. I heard him speak briefly before he asked the other prospect to open the gate. I'd met Delta a few times at various parties and runs but as the Sergeant at Arms of the Kent charter he was the most senior member now at the club.
I drove through the gap and into the yard to pull up directly outside the clubhouse, and as I turned off the ignition I heard the metal door open behind me.
"Locke, long time no see." Delta walked towards me with his hand held out, "You should've called ahead Rev and Bishop aren't here."
I dismounted my motorcycle and shook his hand, "That's what I need to speak to you about."
He looked at me confused, "Do you want to come in?"
"Nah, I haven't got long." Millie passed me the rucksack and I unzipped it to remove the two cuts. Millie cleared her throat and stood beside me reminding me of her presence, "Sorry, I forgot to introduce you. This is Millie, Millie this is Delta. She's looking for some work and somewhere to stay."
Delta looked her up and down and scratched his chin, "I'm sure we can work something out."
"I appreciate that," I stated as I handed him the cuts.
Delta's eyes widened as he looked at what I'd just handed him and I saw him swallow hard before he turned his gaze back to me.
"I'm assuming you've heard about the attack last night on Duke, well they're responsible."
Delta stepped back shocked, his surprised expression reassured me that he didn't have anything to do with the incident and I'd filter that information back to Bear at some stage.
"No fucking way!"
"You better believe it, I followed them after the incident and dealt with them."
Delta took the cuts and held them close to his chest. I felt sorry for the bloke, they were most probably friends and I could see that he was clearly upset. "You sure you don't want to come in for a drink?" He asked politely.
"Thanks but I've got a lot going on." I thought he may need some time to himself and he'd have to call Church in order to tell the rest of the club. "I'm sure Diesel or Bear will be in touch." Delta nodded slowly understanding the severity of the situation and how the Kent chapter would now be under scrutiny.
I turned my attention to Millie, "You'll be safe here babe."
Millie placed her hand on my arm, "I just want to say thank you. Maybe I can repay the favour someday."
I smiled and placed a chaste kiss on her cheek before mounting my motorcycle. "Stay safe," I shouted over the engine as I made my way from the yard.
I rode with no destination in mind. It was a great feeling to have closure on at least this situation. I knew Duke wasn't pleased with me but I was hoping I'd made some progress in making amends.
Chapter 15
Keira
"To what do I owe this pleasure?" I asked opening my front door to see Locke standing in the rain.
He shrugged, "I don't know? I drove home and this is where I ended up." He looked more confused than I did as the water streamed down his body.
I stood motionless surprised that he'd come to me, although he'd been suggestive with the gift of the pillows I honestly didn't think I'd see him again.
"Can I come in?" Locke asked bringing me from my thoughts. I slowly moved out of the way giving him the space to enter the porch before he stomped up the stairs to my flat.
I closed the door and secured it by adding the security chain, and made my way up the stairs behind him. I sniggered to myself but Locke stopped forcing my body to bump into the back of his.
"Are you looking at my arse by any chance?" Locke asked with humour in his voice.
"Hell yeah how could I resist." I stated feeling a slight flush come over my body, he smirked and continued up the stairs with me following closely behind.
We entered the living room and that's when I saw his dishevelled appearance. He caught me looking but ignored my concern, "Any chance I can borrow your shower?" Locke asked as he stood dripping water onto the floor.
I nodded and walked towards the bathroom pushing the door open to enter the room. I busied myself turning on the shower first as it took a couple of minutes to warm up properly and took some fresh towels from the airing cupboard. Locke's close proximity was playing havoc with my senses. As I turned I bumped into him, and raised my hand to touch his chest noticing a few bruises and a bandage on his arm as he stood bare chested. Locke quickly pulled away, "Can I have a shower first and then you'll have my undivided attention for the rest of the evening."
I slowly lowered my hand and placed it deep into my pocket to stop myself from trying to touch him again. A small smile crossed Locke's face and he stepped aside giving me the room I needed to leave the bathroom. I pursed my lips annoyed that I'd acted on instinct, maybe he'd come here for another reason other than me. I racked my brains going over our earlier brief conversation but nothing prominent stood out. I nodded my head and walked from the bathroom feeling annoyed with myself as he watched my every move, and closed the door behind me. I quickly removed my phone from my pocket and dialled Dec's number.
"Dec can I take a rain check this evening?" I asked as I held my forehead. I could feel the pressure building and knew that I'd soon get a headache.
"Why are you letting me down, has something better come up?"
It was as if he knew already, Declan had the ability to read me more than any other person. "Erm, Locke's just turned up at the flat."
"Something better has most certainly come up!" Declan cackled.
I shook my head, "You're filthy do you know that?" I stated walking to the kitchen to take an aspirin.
Dec sniggered, "Has he explained where he's been recently?"
"He's literally just got here and he's taking a shower." I leaned my mobile in the crook of my neck as I poured myself a glass of water.
"So why are you on the phone to me when you could be lathering his back?"
"Because he looked like he'd been sleeping rough." I placed the aspirin into the water and swirled it around waiting for the tablet to dissolve.
"Sleeping rough?" he asked surprised.
"Yeah or lack of sleep, I'm not sure but he wasn't his normal self." I downed the cloudy liquid hoping that it would kick in quickly as the pressure mounted.
"Well don't bombard him with questions."
"I wouldn't do that Dec but I'm a very good listener."
Declan sniggered, "When?"
"Well, I don't usually get a word in edge ways with you so I'd consider myself a very good listener."
"I'll give you that babe."
I heard the bathroom door open, "I've gotta go Dec."
"Not a problem, have a lovely evening," he sang.
"Thanks for understanding, I'll speak to you tomorrow."
I hung up and raised my brows as Locke walked through my living room wearing nothing but a small towel that was wrapped around his waist. As he walked further into the room I saw various marks on his chest more prominent now that he'd removed the grime and dirt from his body. He looked as if he'd been involved in some type of altercation but at least his arm had been tended to.
Locke watched as my eyes travel around his body taking everything in, "Hazards of the job babe."
I smiled but it wasn't genuine, I was concerned that he was hurt and whether the person who'd hurt him would be coming after him still.
I pulled my gaze away from him and sat on the sofa, Locke joined me and I instantly moved closer to touch his chest by placing my hand over a graze. Locke covered my hand and smiled, "Do you need anything?" I asked feeling his heart race under my palm.
"Just you!" Locke placed his hands on my upper arms and gently pushed me back onto the sofa.
I moved willingly as Locke positioned himself between my thighs, and smiled as lay on top of me. "I've missed you babe," Locke whispered as he stared at me intently just inches away from my face.
I moved my hand from beneath him to caress his neck, Locke shivered at my touch and his eyes widened with desire before he took my mouth moving his tongue slow and steady.
I'd also missed him more than I wanted to admit, I didn't know what was going to develop between us but Locke was here now wanting to be with me and I was more than ready for him.
Locke moved his hand to the front of my shirt and slowly opened the buttons one by one until my shirt was open revealing my bra. Locke dipped his fingers inside the cup to caress my breast sending my heart racing at the contact. I arched my back pushing my mound into his palm greedily asking him for more, Locke reciprocated by pulling my bra strap from my shoulder and tugging the material from my mound to reveal my full breast. Locke broke the kiss to move his lips across my jaw and down my neck, nipping and licking towards his goal.
"Ahhh!" I screamed in ecstasy as Locke rolled my nipple between his thumb and forefinger, and gently tugged on my tender peak.
"You like that Irish?" he asked before placing his mouth over my nipple continuing the same momentum but now using his tongue and teeth.
I moaned loudly throwing my head back as the sensation intensified and gyrated my hips towards him trying to find the desired pressure between my thighs. Locke dipped his hand inside my waistband, touching me through the silk of my underwear which encouraged me to spread my legs further apart, ready for him to take me right there. One touch from Locke and my body was on fire.
When his fingers parted my slick folds, I bucked with excitement and quivered as desire raced through me.
"So fucking wet for me babe," he groaned as his finger eased inside me.
I gasped at the sensation but it was short lived as Locke removed his hand and sat upright tugging on my joggers and underwear. It wasn't long before Locke's body was on mine again, his arms bracing on either side of my head. Pleasure tingled along my nerve endings as I felt a nudge at my entrance, "Wrap your legs around me Irish."
I did as I was told and wrapped my legs tightly around his body, this movement brought Locke closer and I moaned loudly as he slid into my hole before he moved in and out building a steady rhythm.
My hips rose instinctively to meet his but Locke pulled back on his heels, pushing his hands under my arse and bringing it off the sofa. All reason left me, I was aware only of the needs of my body and the driving force to reach completion with Locke. I tossed and turned as he increased his tempo and felt every inch of his cock as it powered in and out of my pussy. I heard someone moaning loudly and opened my eyes to realise it was me.
I met Locke's eyes and he smirked before moving his expert fingers towards my clit, rubbing it roughly. That's all it took, I shattered again and again as he continued to fuck me gritting his teeth as he found his own release inside me.
The ragged sound of our breathing filled the room as we lay on the sofa. Locke moved from between my thighs so that he was now by my side, I wrapped my body around his holding him tight as I rested my head on his chest. Through the haze of my afterglow, I wondered what would now come of all this. I'd started to develop feelings for him, I couldn't just have sex with someone and not grow attached.
All too soon drowsiness took over, and I found myself dozing, lulled into sleep by the sound of his heartbeat against my ear. "Don't fall asleep here babe, let's get you to bed," were the last words I heard.
I rolled over to see Locke sound asleep looking a little more at peace than he did when he arrived last night. I pulled back the covers and slithered from the bed trying not to wake him. I didn't know what he'd been dealing with lately as he wasn't one to share but I knew that he was shattered and needed to rest.
Tiptoeing from the bedroom I made my way into the kitchen to make myself a hot drink. I had planned to complete some paperwork this afternoon and was going to meet up later with Louise and the twins after her picnic with Spike but I was sure she wouldn't mind if I cancelled. I liked Louise, I'd persevered with getting to know her and we'd grown close speaking to each other most evenings since our chance meeting at the Karaoke evening. She was a very private person like Locke in a way but when I'd scratched under the surface I found her to be a very caring and loyal person, someone that I'd be honoured to have in my life. She'd been through a lot and Spike was helping her deal with her insecurities, he was a good man, a kind man and I was hoping that she may find her happy ever after.
I collected Locke's clothes from the bathroom and took them into the kitchen, laying them on the worktop. I wasn't in the habit of routing around in people's pockets but I needed to before I put his clothes in the wash, they were filthy like he'd been rolling around on the ground so he couldn't possibly wear them again.
I cautiously placed my hand into his jean pocket and pulled out various pieces of paper that looked like receipts. I placed them onto the worktop and put my hand into his other pocket to remove his wallet, as I put it down it opened and I saw an old photograph of a woman that looked to be in her late twenties with a teenage boy and a toddler. The photograph was badly damaged like it had been set alight but what I noticed were the happy faces smiling back at me.
As I looked closer, I gasped aloud quickly placing my hand over my mouth to stifle the noise when I realised that the toddler in the photograph, matched the tattoo that Locke had so prominently on his arm. This must've been his younger brother that he'd mentioned which meant that Locke was the teenager sitting with his mother.
I carefully removed his belt and with it the sheaf that contained his knife. I shook as I touched it and wondered just how many times Locke had actually used it for the purpose of hurting someone. I wasn't stupid, I was well aware what was involved in being in a club like the Aces when I'd conducted my research but it was still hard to swallow, we were definitely worlds apart.
I quickly put the blade onto the worktop and hung his cut on the back of the chair. I knew that his colours were sacred, I didn't want to manhandle them too much from what I read I shouldn't be touching them at all but I wanted to put them somewhere safe.
I placed his dirty clothes into the washing machine and sniggered to myself as I added fabric conditioner, this biker would smell sweet as he ro
de past people in his fresh clothes. I hoped that he hadn't made plans to go out early this morning as he wouldn't have any clothes to wear although that was a great ploy of keeping him here with me for a while longer.
I took my drink into the living room and snuggled on the sofa pulling the throw over my lower body as the central heating hadn't come on yet and picked up my latest book to have a quiet read.
I heard the clicking of the washing machine indicating that the cycle had finished, and placed my book on the coffee table as I stood from the sofa. An hour had passed so quickly with my head stuck in a book and I was surprised that Locke was still asleep. Removing his clothes from the washing machine I placed them into the tumble dryer hoping to get them dry by the time he needed them. I wasn't sure if he was going out, he'd hinted that he was staying here for a couple of days but at this stage I didn't know if he wanted to stay at mine or if he was intending to go home.
"Good morning Irish."
"Fuck!" I jumped back and held my chest to calm my erratic heart. "You scared me." I let out a long sigh as I tried to control my breathing, "I hope you're not planning to go out within the next hour as I've washed your clothes." I tried to hold in my giggles as Locke stood boldly wearing my floral dressing gown, his muscles strained the material and the garment just barely met at the front which gave me a pleasant surprise when he crossed his legs and the dressing gown fell open beneath the waist.
Locke ignored my glances, "Oh honey you do care." Locke said sarcastically throwing back the words I used on the first night we got together. I turned my attention back to his face and narrowed my eyes before I strolled further into the kitchen to turn on the kettle. "If it's okay with you I'd like to stay here for a couple of days. The club doesn't know I'm back and I'd like to keep it that way until I've sorted things out."
"Is that the only reason you want to stay here?" I asked pouting.
Locke stalked towards me with a mischievous smile and grabbed me roughly around the waist, "You know why I really want to stay here." He brought his lips down to mine and I opened freely enjoying the light hearted side of Locke.
Locke (Aces MC Series Book 4) Page 19
