Ride with Me

by Ryan Michele

  I stand in awe that she would give up her big city dreams in order to start our life together. Right here, right now, I need to get dressed in my suit then wait to see my woman make her way down the aisle to me.

  With help from Sass and Doll, everything is coming together. My nerves are beginning to win over as I wonder if he’s going to go through with this. What if he doesn’t want a wedding here? What if he hates the idea of a suit? I didn’t say he had to wear it, but what if he hates me taking charge like this?

  What have I done?

  “Stop freaking out and have a drink.” Sass shoves a shot in front of me. “Fireball. Cinnamon for luck.”

  I throw it back and allow the burn to go all the way down. Immediately, I think I may puke.

  Doll stands in front of me. “We’ve gotta cover your something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.”

  We all crinkle our noses at the color blue. It’s just not the Hellions.

  She opens her hands, and tears fill my eyes when I see her mother’s sapphire earrings, the very ones Doll, Sass, and both their mothers wore in their weddings. Her mother married Roundman and said she needed sapphires so dark they looked black because she wouldn’t want to really wear something blue.

  “Are you sure?” I ask on a cry-filled croak.

  She smiles with tears in her eyes. “You’ve been as close as a sister to both of us since college. You’re marrying a brother today, and we will share a last name. There isn’t anyone I would want to wear these more other than a daughter of my own one day.” Her hands shake as she hands over the precious jewels.

  Sass clasps her hands together. “That’s borrowed and blue.” She goes over to a table and pulls a box out of a bag. “Remember when we first got to school and you were determined to buy your own high-heels and never be without fancy-ass shoes?”

  I laugh, remembering very well how hard I worked to have this one pair of silver, strappy heels. I wave my hands in front of my face, hoping my makeup doesn’t smear as the tears fall freely when she pulls out that very pair of shoes from the box.

  “We know you have been through a lot the last few years, and you went through hell living with the governor. In the end, though, it all brought you where you were meant to be”—she waves her hands in the air—“with the Hellions. These shoes were your first step into our lives, and today, they will be your first step into your new life as a wife to a biker.”

  With tears already in her eyes, Tessie walks over after Sass and I hug tightly. “I’ve got your something new.” She hands me a small, white box, and now my hands are the ones shaking.

  Slowly, I find a way to lift the lid. Inside is a charm of a mother and child in a circle holding hands.

  “For far too long, I was all alone. For far too long, things were a mess for Rex and me. The best thing to come out of that is our son, Axel. When I think of the future, there isn’t another person in the world better suited to be my son’s other mother than you, Caroline. You are the deluxe model.” She smiles. “Today, you don’t only become Rex’s wife, you carry my son’s last name, and today, you become his other mother.”

  I don’t even try to stop the tears as I hug Tessie tight and shake with all the emotions filling me. It takes a moment, but we finally compose ourselves, and then she proudly hooks the necklace around my neck.

  My girls and I finish getting ready as they don their red sundresses and I slide into my mermaid cut, white, strapless, lace overlay gown.

  There is a knock at the door as we adjust my lace veil with its red and black silk trim. Roundman walks in wearing black pants; a white, button-up shirt; a red tie that’s nowhere near tight; and his Hellions’ cut. His long hair is braided back, and his goatee is trimmed. He looks every bit the badass he is.

  Walking to me, he touches my earlobes and smiles. “I remember these well. You are as beautiful today, Caroline, as ever. Rex is a lucky man.”

  I smile. “You’re always the charmer, Roundman.”

  I look into the eyes of the man who has done more for me than my own father ever has. Then I look around the room at all the people here to share this special day with me. I feel love.

  I twist my fingers nervously. “I may be overstepping here, but do you think you could escort me down the aisle today? I’m not sure I can make it on my own.”

  “Never alone, Caroline,” he promises me. “You haven’t been alone since you came into Doll’s life. I’d be honored to have you on my arm.”

  This is what it’s all about: family riding through every curve of life together.

  Blowing out a breath, I grip Roundman’s arm a little more tightly. Just outside the backdoor of the clubhouse is the makeshift aisle. At the end of that aisle is an arbor decorated in red and black tulle. Kneeling under that arbor is Drexel Devon Crews in a full-on black tuxedo, adjusting the red bow tie on Axel as my bridesmaids—Doll, Sass, and Tessie—watch with tears in their eyes. Standing beside him in black pants, red dress shirts, and their cuts are Rex and Shooter.

  The music cues and Rex stands tall. His eyes meet mine, and time stands still. This is it. My every dream comes true as my dirty talking, badass biker stands under the arbor, dressed in a suit, with his cut as his vest under the coat, a red tie, and his hair down for me to run my fingers through.

  I want to run to him, yet I want to stand here forever to stay in this very moment. Right here, right now, I am giving my life to a man I never would have imagined for my future, but he is the man I damn sure can’t be without. His smile brings me to life, his pain is my pain, his burdens are my burdens, and his secrets are forever safe with me as mine are with him. From this moment on, ride until we die, we will be one.

  A nudge from Roundman has me moving. I blow out a nervous breath as I put one foot in front of the other, walking to my future.

  At the end of the aisle, Roundman stops us and lifts my veil. Leaning in, he whispers, “The road before you has no end. Hold on to your man at every bend. This is it, Lux.” He smirks before he places my hand into Rex’s. “Don’t fuck it up, brother. She’s a deluxe model.”

  We all laugh as I settle in beside my man. Tonka stands in front of us to begin the ceremony. He’s a retired Navy Chaplain who is also a patched Hellion.

  Everything starts in a blur as my eyes fill with tears at the thought that I am, indeed, getting married today.

  I think of how far we have come from two people living separate lives, yet we fit. From the first meeting when he openly checked me out and I shut him down, to learning he was my safety in all the chaos around me, we have become one. This man who holds my hand rock steady was once an annoyance I dealt with for Doll. Now he’s the man of my every dream.

  After the traditional opening, Tonka smiles at me. “Caroline has written her own vows today and would like to share first.” He looks at Rex. “I understand this was sprung on you, brother, so pay attention because you’re up next.”

  Rex looks at me, and my eyes find his ocean blue ones. I get lost for a moment in the depth of emotion I can see in them.

  “Rex,” I say his name breathlessly and have to fight back everything I’m feeling. “Our ride began innocently enough.” I smile at the man in front of me. “You wanted in my panties.” Everyone laughs. I lean up and whisper in his ear so only he can hear me, “That first day, you should know I wasn’t wearing any.”

  He drops my hands and pulls me close, his hands moving to cup my ass in my form-fitting gown. He then drops his head to whisper in my ear, “I sincerely hope you aren’t wearing any now.”

  I wink as I laugh and continue my vows. “I tried to fight the connection we shared, only to find there is no fighting destiny. The ride hasn’t always been smooth, and we have had our share of bumps along the way. In the end, it always comes back to me holding on to you and finding my place.” Reaching up, I run my hand over his long hair. “I know I’ve told you I wanted New York, but I learned while you were away that I don’t need the big city lights. I don
’t need some drawn-out ceremony. What I need, Drexel, is you.

  “I stand here today, in front of our friends and family, and I vow to love you for always. I vow to stand by you through all of life’s curves and changes in direction. I vow to ride with you for the rest of my days, just as you are.

  “You always tell me, if I want something, I just have to ask. Today, Rex, will you vow to ride with me for the rest of your days?”

  He smiles and leans down to kiss me, and Axel quickly chimes in with, “No, you can’t kiss her yet. Geez, you know the drill. We did this with Momma and Shooter. You gotta say I do and shhh … stuff,” he corrects himself before slipping.

  Rex smirks and pulls his head back from mine. “You’re making me hard, Lux.”

  I let out a huff sarcastically. “Everything makes you hard,” I reply, and everyone laughs.

  “I knew the moment I saw you there was something different about you, about us. From the moment you stepped into this very clubhouse at that barbeque, you were the deluxe model woman. Baby, you say we started innocently enough, but there has never been anything innocent about my intentions with you. The ride hasn’t always been smooth, and we’ve had our share of bumps along the way. In the end, there isn’t anyone I want to ride with me but you.

  “Caroline, I stand in front of our friends and family today, and I vow to love you for always. I vow to stand by you through all of life’s curves and changes in direction. I vow to ride with you for the rest of my days, just as you are. Baby, if you want something, anything, I vow to lay my world at your feet.

  “Today, Lux, is the proudest day”—he looks at Axel—“other than the day I found out I was a dad, of my life. Today, Lux, I claim you as my ol’ lady, my lover, my best friend, and my wife. Today, I give you my last name.” He leans in and whispers, “And hopefully my baby in your belly tonight.” I gasp in surprise as he pulls back and continues, “Today, I vow that in sickness, health, richer, poorer, ups, downs, lefts, and rights, I ride with you and you ride with me until the very end of our days.”

  As Tonka declares us husband and wife, Rex doesn’t wait for the command. He immediately tips my head and kisses me. Our tongues dance, our lips pull, and my heart swells as today, I am Caroline “Lux” Crews, wife and ol’ lady to Drexel “Rex” Crews, Catawba Hellions VP.

  The couple we are today is stronger than either of us alone. The couple we are today commits to the ride of life together.

  Ride on, it’s what we do.

  It has been almost a year since I slid the ring on Princess’s finger, and I’m itching to make her my wife. She thinks we have time and isn’t in a hurry, but I fucking am. Married and babies—I really don’t give a shit what order, but I want her mine, tied to me in every way possible.

  This is what I am thinking about when Pops, our president, slams the gavel, and we all come to attention as we take our seats in church.

  “All right. We have a shipment that needs to go in two different directions.”

  The table is surrounded by my brothers. Dagger is leaning back in his seat, his arms crossed, fingers thumbing through his long, gray beard. Becs is watching Pops, already in the know being the VP. Rhys, GT, Buzz, and Tug give their full attention to Pops.

  “I’ve called my connection with the Hellions MC, Roundman. He’s going to have his brothers take half to the west, and we’re going to do the east. It wouldn’t normally be an issue, but the delivery dates are the same day, and we have other shit to do.”

  True, we have a couple of other runs scheduled. Business has picked up.

  “Cruz, GT, Rhys, and Tug, you’ll meet up with Tripp and Rex of the Hellions MC at the warehouse in Custer. Give them the supplies for Consequences, New Mexico. You four are heading to Petersburg, West Virginia. Mack will text you on the way for exact drop-off. Cut it and get your ass back.”

  I look at GT, Tug, and Rhys, all of our heads nodding to one another. Pops gives directions to Dagger and the rest of the guys then slams the gavel, which is good because I have Princess at home while Cooper is at school. I need to be balls deep in her a few times before I leave tomorrow.

  ***

  Princess lies on the bed, her black and red hair cascading across the pillow. She’s on her side, back facing me, knee raised, resting on the mattress. Her head lies on one of her arms while the other is loose on the blanket. The curve of her ass is calling to me.

  Cooper must be at Ma’s because it’s way past time for him to be home from school. Knowing Princess had the night off from X, it’s a bit odd to come home to find her lying on top of the covers yet still sexy as hell. I love fucking a sleepy, warm Princess.

  I strip off my clothes, letting the belt clank to the floor as I kick off my boots. She doesn’t move. She normally wakes at any slight sound, but the slow rise and fall of her chest tells me that she is really out.

  I crawl up the bed, my hands skimming the softness of her legs, making goose bumps rise on her flesh, and she gives me a soft moan. My lips touch her soft skin as I make my way up her body. Her knee twists as I kiss the back of it then give it a slight nip with my teeth.

  Her head lifts, and sleepy eyes look down at me. “Hey, baby.” Her voice is raspy and so fucking hot.

  The bed shakes as she lies back down and tries to move her leg, but I hold it still, continuing to kiss the inside of her knee. I taste the saltiness of her skin, and it only makes me want more.

  “On your back,” I mumble, lifting my head so she doesn’t smack me.

  She complies easily, and I thank fuck for the short-ass shorts she’s wearing; except, they need to be gone. I’m in the mood to play.

  We don’t get much play time with Coop running around, just quickies in the bathroom or even the laundry room while he’s watching TV. This right here, though … I’m prolonging this for as long as I fucking can.

  Princess’ body shivers as my lips and tongue make a trail to her inner thigh. Her hands clench the blanket as she tries to push up her hips. However, I press her back to the bed with my forearm, holding her still.

  “Stay.”

  “What are you doing?”

  “Babe, if you don’t know what I’m doing, we’ve got problems,” I tease, continuing my way up the V of her thighs.

  I can smell her arousal, and it’s the best fucking smell in the world. I know if I pull her shorts down, she would be dripping and ready for my hard cock, but I’m going to make her beg first.

  Her fingers thread through my hair and she pulls hard enough for my eyes to lift and brow to rise.

  “Fuck me already,” she demands, and I chuckle.

  It’s deep. I never laughed so much in my life until Princess and Cooper came into it. I love that.

  “Do that again and I’m tying your hands and feet to the fucking bed,” I threaten.

  She sighs, releasing my hair, knowing I would do it in a heartbeat. Fuck, just the thought of her spread out for me like a feast is enough for my dick to be painfully hard.

  Placing my hands under her knees, I press her to bend them, opening her up wide for me. My nose brushes where her shorts end, and she gasps as her hips start to jolt, but she stops herself, keeping them pressed to the bed. I fucking love that shit, love that she knows what I like and does her best to do it.

  I rest my mouth over her thin, gray shorts, only allowing the hot air of my breath on her pussy. Her hands come to my shoulders and her nails dig in. It’s probably killing her not to move. I inwardly smile.

  I continue to taunt her through the fabric with my teeth and lips, the scent of her arousal deepening by the second. After long moments, my dick aches to be inside my woman, and I will him to hold the fuck on.

  Princess’ breathing turns into pants. “Cruz, please.”

  I nip her pussy lips hard, and she screams.

  I pull back, giving her room. “Clothes off.” I love seeing how fast Princess moves when it’s something she wants. “Slowly,” I call out, and she almost pouts but complies.

  Sh
e slips her hands in the waistband of her shorts and pulls them from her legs along with her thong. Her pussy lips glisten, beckoning me to come and get a taste.

  She raises the hem of her shirt, pulling it over her head, and then slips easily out of her bra.

  Now it’s my turn to start panting. Fuck, she’s gorgeous. Those damn pert tits that I swear have gotten fuller call to me for a good suck.

  “On your back, legs open.”

  Her brow quirks and her hip juts out just a touch. “You think so, big guy?”

  I love it when she gets playful, too. Fuck, there isn’t anything I don’t love about this woman.

  “I fucking know so.” I lunge fast, gripping my arms around her waist and pulling her flush against my body, the heat from her sleepy silkiness warming me.

  I lift one arm between her breasts and wrap my hand around her throat, feeling her pulse beat beneath my fingertips. Her hands come to my thighs as her body quivers.

  With us both up on our knees, my dick presses into her back. I give my hips a jerk, hoping to relieve my dick a bit. It doesn’t work, only adds to my hardness.

  My lips to her ear, I ask, “Do you want me to fuck that wet pussy of yours?” My grip gets tighter, not enough to choke, but enough for her to know I mean business.

  “Yes,” she says hoarsely.

  I nibble on her earlobe, loving the moans she makes as I lick the shell. Her throat cannot be denied. It’s begging for some attention, too.

  “Oh, God,” she calls out as my lips and tongue make love to her neck, not leaving a single space untouched.

  Princess tilts her head, giving me more skin, and I take every bit of it greedily.

  Her hands leave my thighs, and I threaten, “Don’t you fucking dare touch yourself.” I growl with a bite between her neck and shoulder, and her hand freezes. “No getting yourself off. I know you’re close, babe. I can feel it in the way your body quivers, but I’m playin’, and your body is my playground.”

  Princess whimpers, “I’m so wet, Cruz.”