Lucas (A Billionaire Bad Boy Novel)

by Adriana Jones

  He shifted closer, bearing down on me with his bright smile, another contradiction—that man was full of them. “Where are you from? I don't want to say it, but it doesn't look like you're from around here.”

  “Maryland.” There was enough made-up backstory to feed him, but I didn't want to lie to him at the moment. I decided to keep it short and to the point.

  “Maryland,” he said, stewing it over. “Why come here?”

  “I wanted something different.”

  “Guess you got it,” he said, his eyes tracing my curves. My body panged. I pressed my knees together, felt the friction of my thighs together, and decided I needed to stop all movement.

  “I need to be honest with you, Red.”

  No, not that honest. I wasn't going to tell him I was FBI, but I was going to lay my thoughts on the table. Could it be possible to cut some of that tension, or would I make it worse?

  “Don't tell me you're wearing a wire.” I waited for his next move. If he didn’t look away and chuckle, I would’ve been sweating and looking for my exit.

  “It's a joke. Relax.”

  “I know you're kidding.”

  “You were about to be honest with me,” he said.

  “Oh, right. Yeah,” I started, fumbling at the beginning, since I didn't rehearse this, so whatever was going to be said flew out without any thought. It was all emotion. And potentially a very bad idea.

  “Am I the type of girl you’re looking for? I'm not going to be one of the whores that get passed around the club. I'm not going to be a side thing, either. I don't think I fall into any of your categories that you guys have created. I'm sorry.”

  It came out a lot harsher than I expected. It sounded like I was breaking up with him, which was funny, since we weren't together. He stole a kiss from me. That was it.

  He didn't look wounded. He looked interested. “You're funny. You think that's what this is? Ash, I can't tell you where I'm going with this, because I honestly don't know. If I told you I did, I'd be lying to you. I don't want to lie, so I'll tell you one thing. I want you, and I’d never let another man lay a finger on you. Isn't that enough?”

  Wasn't it? I wanted to say “I want you too,” but my lips didn't move. They froze, pursed together. In this desert heat, they were still plump and juicy. I must’ve been getting them wet with my tongue without noticing.

  His eyes darted to my lips shining in the glow of the setting sun on top of that desert mountain, and he was trapped. I knew what was supposed to come next, but I didn't move, didn't say a word. I wasn't ready to make a move, but when he came into my lips to part them, I wasn't going to stop him, either.

  He kissed me, igniting all that pent-up passion. I swerved my tongue with his, our tips touching every so often and freeing a whirlwind of bliss. He had his answer, and I didn't need to say a thing.

  His giant, rough palm caressed the small of my back, bringing me closer to that sun-soaked leather. I was already burning up. When I touched it, I was on fire. When he got to my neck, kissing me tenderly, tenderer than I expected from a Blessed Bastard, a supposed brute, my strength gave out and I fell back onto the bed of wild grass.

  My thighs clamped together, fighting to open and close, not sure which they wanted to do. My mind told them to close, my body told them to open wider, to invite him deeper. Red would do what he wanted. Red didn’t need permission. He pinned my wrists down, caressed my neck with kisses, and traveled down to my cleavage, dragging a trail of fire to my breasts. My thighs spread wide, letting his dick press me down.

  A moan slipped as he got to my breasts. As he grabbed a handful and marveled, I became aware of where we were. We might be alone for now, but for how long?

  “Wait,” I said.

  His hand came higher. Fingers curled around my shirt, ready to pull it up. When he noticed my hesitation, he stopped.

  Once again, he had given me enough time to throw in the towel. I wanted desperately for him to continue, to take me, to use me until I was melting in his arms, all worries washed away from a brilliant orgasm, but it wasn’t right. It wasn’t right at all.

  “I can’t. I’m sorry, Red. This is as far as we go.”

  He pulled off me. His eyes scanned my own, wondering if I truly meant it. He got his answer when I dragged myself out from under his weight. I needed to stop him before it was too late, before I lost control of everything.

  My body ached for him. It might suck not having him at that perfectly romantic moment, on top of the desert mountain with the sun setting, casting a glow on our lovemaking as we did it recklessly, but I would still have my job. I would still have my mission. I could be relieved in that.

  Pain I saw in his eyes from my dismissal broke me. Kissing him had been a mistake. If his disappointment didn’t turn to frustration so quickly, I might’ve continued to be sorry.

  “You want me to stop?” he asked, like I was crazy. Probably to him, it seemed like I was. I could understand that.

  “For now. I think we’ve gone far enough. Not being a prude or anything.” Yes, I definitely was in his eyes. How was I not a prude?

  “I don’t understand,” he said.

  “We can’t, Red. Not now. Trust me, it’s for the best.”

  Shaking his head, running his fingers through his mane, then grabbing a handful in rage, he stared off into the distance. He wouldn’t look me in the eyes. I didn’t blame him.

  I felt like I fucked up.

  Maybe I did.

  I wasn’t so sure.

  I was really confused...that was for sure.

  Red

  Ash infuriated me.

  I was a Blessed Bastard. I could take what I wanted. Even her. None of this made any sense, only if this girl was stringing me along. I usually didn’t put up with crap like that. I’m not sure why I was putting up with it in her case.

  I figured I should give her a pass. She did have a rough night. The kiss she gave me, and the feel I got from her sweet body, got me madly hard.

  This was a girl I needed to claim. Fast.

  I’m not sure if she understood the full extent of how sexy she was, which made her even more alluring, and even more aggravating. Couldn’t she see what she was doing to me? It took all the effort I had not to push myself on her too hard in the beginning. I needed to cage that wild animal, and I thought I did an alright job at it. Apparently not.

  Once we got to the overlook, it all came spilling out. I told her everything, things I never told some of my closest friends. What was the deal with that? I needed to be more careful. I just met this girl. Incredibly hot or not, and me wanting to fuck her constantly, I needed to get my head in the game.

  Calm her with your dick, not a bad move, usually works. You did fine, Red. Actually…always works. Why not this time?

  Watching as she tried to remain in control, straightening her hair and trying to look distracted by the scene—not that hard, considering where we were—I could see her wearing the colors. I could see her having a patch that said “Red’s Property.” Would she ever go for it? Could I convince her to be an old lady? I would have to try either way.

  Should she be an old lady?

  I would convince her to see it my way. We needed to fuck right away. I couldn’t go another night with this pent-up want inside me. I needed to let loose. All over that hot ass of hers. Pronto.

  “Can’t believe you don’t want more,” I grumbled. Of course she did. Then why stop?

  “Not right now. It’s been a rough day.”

  “All right,” I said, regarding her with caution.

  She needed to see the crew, needed to go to the clubhouse and see how things were run. Ash probably wouldn’t like it, but it was necessary.

  I adjusted my colors. They got a little messy in our scuffle on the ground. Throwing my colors on always gave me a sense of pride, made me keep my back straight and my head held high. Taking her hand, I led her away, back over the desert bridge.

  “What’s this place called?”

/>   “Devil’s Peak. This is Devil’s Bridge.”

  “Why did they name it that? This place is too nice.”

  “They probably saw something like this a long time ago and thought it was the devil’s work.”

  “It’s almost too perfect for nature, they’re right, but to think that it’s made by the devil? Why do we have to assume because life gives us something different that it’s necessarily bad?”

  “It’s easier once you’ve had enough bad things happen to you. You tend to see the next thing that comes along as a potential threat.”

  Going down with her was much easier, but I held her hand just in case. A cool breeze brushed her wild, frizzy hair.

  “What are you? How’d you get hair like that?”

  She laughed. That was a good sign. “What am I? I’m part American Indian. You probably would never guess except for the hair.”

  “You’re right.”

  “If you see the bunny again, let me know.”

  “Not focused on that right now. Sorry.”

  “You should be.”

  We walked down the rest of the dirt path. I kept my eyes open for any creatures, not a bunny, but anything that might pop out and be dangerous. I wondered if Ash had the same love for snakes as she did for bunnies. It wouldn’t surprise me if she wanted to shelter the entire animal kingdom in her tiny apartment.

  Getting to my bike, I hopped on. Ash got the drill. She was learning. I liked to see that. It got me thinking about other things I wanted to teach her.

  “I hope you’re not too tired after our hike.”

  “There’s more?”

  “Yeah, there's more. You're going to the club house with me.”

  “Right now?” She slipped her hands off me and pushed back on the seat.

  “Yes, right now. You're not going back to the apartment. I need you to make an appearance.”

  “You need me to make an appearance?” She grimaced at the words.

  “Yeah, I do.”

  She threw her leg off the bike. Making a stand, she turned away from me and crossed her arms on her lap. What was the problem now? There always seemed to be problem with this girl.

  “Why do you need me to go?”

  “Because I made it look like you were my property back on the side of the road. The guys, especially Lee, are wondering when I'm going to show up with you. You need to be seen.”

  I saw the red bubbling underneath her cheeks, saw the creases starting in her forehead and lips, and knew whatever tranquility I gave her on top of that mountain ended.

  “You need to show me around. I see how it is. Is that what this was all about? I'm your property now?”

  I wanted to say “Yes, you are,” because I was used to doing that. Whatever I wanted, I claimed. If I saw something, I took it. I was used to that, but I knew Ash wasn't. This was a different type of girl, and I needed to take this carefully. Too bad my frustration blocked all of my rational thought. I put my foot down to try to squash this squabble before it got the chance to manifest.

  Taking her by the chin, pressing her softness between my firm fingers, showing her my strength, but not enough where I delivered any pain to that tender beauty, I told her, “Yes, you're mine. If you're rolling with me, you've got to learn the rules. Consider yourself my property.”

  “Fuck off,” she blurted as she shoved me off, swinging her head away with more fierceness than I expected. She got off the bike like she was prepared to run.

  I stood next to the bike, waiting for her to get back on. When she didn't, I told her, “Get on the bike.”

  “No,” she replied.

  “Where do you plan on going?”

  “Let's get one thing straight, I'm not your property.” She tossed her wild hair and balled her fists. “I should've known this would be a mistake.”

  “Get back on my bike. We're leaving. Or I could leave you here. Those are your choices.”

  “Is this all about making your buddies happy? Because that's what you're telling me right now. If you wanted to make me happy you'd let me do what I want.”

  I took a step toward her. She flinched. Her eyes darted to the brush and the rocks above. Where was she going to run? Either path would be a long walk.

  “What exactly do you want to do?”

  “Take me back to my apartment. I'm done.”

  “You're not going back there. I'm not letting you.”

  She tossed her arms up in the air, letting them fall as she hung her head in defeat. “Fine, do whatever you want. I see I have no choice. Don't expect me to be happy at your club house.”

  “I don't care if you’re happy there, but you'll come with me. I'm not letting you stay in your apartment. It's not safe. You'll stay in one of the rooms in the compound. Tomorrow, you're free to do whatever you want, but tonight, we're not done. Got it?”

  “I don't have a choice in the matter,” she muttered. She flung her legs over the bike and waited for me to sit down. When I didn’t, she pointed angrily at the seat.

  “Keep pushing me. You're turning me on.”

  She said nothing. She wouldn't look at me.

  “Don't do anything stupid once you get to the club. If you do, you’ll be punished. I don't care if you hate me or whatever, but don't do anything you'll regret.”

  I leaned down to her level so she would need to look into my eyes.

  “You hear me? I'm going to need to hear something. If I don't hear anything, I'll at least need a nod.”

  She nodded.

  That worked.

  I got on the bike and drove. Wind whipping as we raced into the night, my anger subsided, my resolve strengthened. I kept thinking about our time on top of the mountain until my cock strained against my jeans. It was a straight shot on the highway, so I could get as hard and horny as I wanted.

  Ash had potential to be an old lady, but unless she learned to follow my rules, there was no chance for her. Riding with The Blessed Bastards, even being one of their ladies, took a special type of person.

  She was too unruly. She would have to come under my rule.

  IBWTO (Chapter 4)

  Ash

  Plenty of exits blew past us. We were heading far out of town. Once again, we took a back road, but this one was paved. Up ahead, I could see what looked like a prison compound with high walls and spotlights.

  It would probably be prison for me. Once I went in, would I ever come out?

  Red slowed as he approached. My hands and thighs were numb. I looked forward to stretching out. At least I was getting better at withstanding the ride.

  Two Blessed Bastards guarded the gate. High-powered lights shone down on us. Two guards at the front wore no patches. They were prospects.

  They rolled us in. As the gate opened, we passed by their rifles stacked in a neat case on the side of the barricade. Through the walls, and into the main road of the compound, it looked like their own lawless Western town.

  Guns, booze, and a primitive alpha code ruled the streets. Despite having streetlights shining on the main road, there was no one out as we coasted by the nondescript buildings.

  Some looked like condos, others were built like tall warehouses, probably where they stored all their illegal guns, maybe even cooked up some drugs. At some point, I would need to search them. I was hoping that Red would simply lead me in at some point.

  Busting him now felt bittersweet. I wanted to one-up him, show him that I wasn’t anyone’s property, and he couldn’t just fuck me and use me for show and tell...but I also didn’t want to destroy him completely by busting him.

  It was the job I was sent there to do. At some point, I would need to do it.

  We stopped at the end of the street. A tall cement wall blocked off the exit. There was only one way in and out. It was remarkable that they weren’t raided by ATF agents already. Red must’ve been telling the truth when he said they had everyone on their payroll.

  Fear unfurled, threatening to pull me back down to that shell I was used to hiding
in. The harsh desert cold swept in from the mountains. Forced to get closer to Red, I really didn’t want to, but I didn’t want to arrive shivering. I wasn’t sure if I was shivering because of stress or because of the cold at that point. I was only in a thin t-shirt, so I picked temperature. Best not to let Red mind fuck me even more.

  The last stop until the wall, there was a row of bikes with more prospects hanging outside what looked like a bar with swinging saloon doors. On top, in big, crimson text, they wrote “Bastards’ Back Yard.” All of the noise must’ve been confined to the bar, because as soon as we pulled up to the line of bikes, I could finally hear music and chatter.

  How many were inside? I didn’t feel like I was in the best position to make an appearance. My hair was naturally wild and long, but I liked to keep it somewhat manageable. Not even time for a spot check. Red would pay for this.

  The prospects walked over to Red, gave him a nod and said, “Welcome back,” and then they watched quietly over his bike.

  Red snatched my hand. I was swept toward him and onward to the saloon doors whether I liked it or not. This was it. Whatever waited for me behind those doors, I didn’t expect it was good. I expected a moment when we walked through the doors, it all went silent, and they all stared at me, gawking at me like some kind of extinct species.

  Once inside, it took me a long time to get accustomed to my surroundings. It looked much bigger than it did from the outside. There was a huge amount of space, most of it reserved for a dance floor in the right corner, situated on higher ground than the rest of the bar.

  Not as trashy as I expected. Some of the people, however, were a different story. There was a long bar, stretching the whole length of the building to the left. Swarming over it was what looked like strippers, a bunch of girls dressed in skimpy outfits, mostly bikinis but some wearing t-shirts with no bras and some frayed, extra short jean shorts.

  Red led me toward the bar. I dug my heels in, but he yanked, and I followed.

  Anywhere but the bar, I thought. Put me in the corner and let me observe. I don’t want to be swarmed with those skanks. Drunker than the bikers, they buzzed about the room.