by KB Winters
“Believe me, it is a pleasure to watch you eat.” She rolled her eyes and shifted her gaze toward the water, smiling contentedly at the slight wake the boat made as we floated over the surface and the birds flying along the tide. Eventually I added two more bass to the bounty while Rocky chatted about nothing and fed me.
“I don’t want to ruin this wonderful day but, we need to talk.”
“Words no man, or husband, ever wants to hear.”
She smacked my arm. “Quiet, buster. Seriously though, it sounds like your boss isn’t in the mood to help, which means we need to be creative. When I was still in San Diego and they were trying to do things the nice way, Big Boy told me that a couple of their stash houses were hit. That’s where Genesis keeps most of his money.”
“I thought you weren’t all that involved in his business?” I hadn’t meant to sound so accusatory, but it came out that way.
“I wasn’t but I would be in the car when he made a stop to all these random houses in sketchy neighborhoods. I’m not stupid, Lasso.” She rolled her eyes and wrapped her arms around her body protectively.
“Look, if you don’t trust me just say so now and you can drop me off at the nearest city and I’ll be fine. On my own.”
“It was just a fucking question. And stop. We’re in this together.”
She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths but when Rocky opened her eyes they weren’t on me, they were on the water.
“We need to make him crazy so he makes a mistake, that’s where we find our advantage. Hit more of his stash houses until he’s desperate for cash, for firepower. For control.”
“You propose we carpool to LA to steal from your ex? That’s your plan?”
“No, my plan is for us to sell this information to people who wouldn’t mind seeing Genesis taken down. They’ll happily knock over a stash house and they’ll get plenty of joy from it if it’s a rival and they get to keep the stash.”
It wasn’t a bad plan, actually. “He won’t realize it’s us, though.”
“So? Are you so macho that he needs to? The point isn’t that he knows it’s us, the point is to fuck him. Hit him where it hurts, steadily and consistently until he’s cut off at the knees.” She still wouldn’t look at me and even though I deserved it, I hated it.
“Well?” She asked me, impatiently.
“How pissed are you right now? You know what, it doesn’t matter.” I grabbed her by the waist and pulled her onto my lap, kissing her before she had a chance to react. She tasted like grapes and pineapple and I couldn’t get enough of those plump lips and that succulent tongue. The way she squirmed and tried to get closer, spearing her hands through my hair, had my cock standing up tall and ready to invade.
Rocky pulled back first wearing a mile wide grin. “Just because you kiss like that doesn’t mean you’re not still an asshole.”
“I know. But I was hoping the kiss would remind you of all my good qualities.”
She sighed and moved away. “I know you’re a good man.”
“But?” Because I could hear the ‘but’ coming a mile away.
“But none of this is real and I don’t want to fight with you like a couple, because we’re not a real couple. You married me for the baby just like you’re keeping me safe for the baby. I appreciate it, but I can’t pretend. We can have sex and talk and all that, but let’s not do the rest of that, okay?”
Well, shit. That didn’t end the way I thought it would.
Fuck.
Chapter 17
Rocky
Fishing had been both a pleasure and a pain in my ass because it highlighted what I already knew. Lasso didn’t trust me. Still. Not that he should, but he shouldn’t mistrust me so much. But there was nothing I could do about it, so as soon as we made it back to the cabin I ran a bath to help me relax.
I probably shouldn’t have unloaded on Lasso the way I did. He didn’t deserve it when he was only being honest. I overreacted because this little peanut inside of me wreaked havoc on my hormones. There was no way in hell I would apologize, though. I was the one coming up with plans while he begged his so called “brothers and friends” for help they weren’t inclined to give.
Ugh, whatever! This wasn’t what I came into the bathroom to think about, so I stepped into the hot water and leaned back with my eyes closed, letting the water carry away my stress and worries. At least temporarily.
I had to focus on one problem at a time. And despite my good intentions, a list began to form in my head of people who’d love to have a hand in taking down Genesis. I needed to reach out to them as soon as I could. Then I had to figure out my next move.
A knock sounded and then Lasso popped his head into the room. “Hey. Need a hand?”
The man didn’t give up. Not yet, anyway but I knew there would come a time. Probably sooner rather than later. “I’m good Lasso, thanks.”
“Come on Rocky, I’m trying to apologize. I was being an asshole earlier.” He shoved both hands through his hair and blew out a breath. “This is hard for me too.”
I knew that. His friends were his family and they all doubted me, it was only natural those doubts would surface in him. “I know and that’s why I think we should keep things separate, the sex and the rest of it.”
“We’re married Rocky, there is no rest of it, just us and our lives.”
I shook my head, unable to accept that answer. “We’re married for the baby, Lasso. Not because you love me and want to spend the rest of your life with me, but because someone will likely kill me before this is all over. This doesn’t make you a bad guy. It just is what it is.”
He was about to argue, I could see it in those big blue eyes but then all the tension left his body. And a sultry smile crossed his face. “Fine. Then I’m apologizing for being a prick earlier and I want to make it up to you. By helping with your bath.”
“Not necessary.”
“Maybe,” he said and pushed off the wall to come closer and sit beside the tub, draping one arm over the side so his fingertips brushed the sudsy water. “Or maybe it’s very necessary.” His hand scraped along the water and then over my knee, up my thigh coming so fucking close to my pussy only to cross over and drag down the opposite leg. “So I’m going to wash you, Rocky, all of you. And then I’m going to do things.”
“Things?” I arched my brow, intrigued
“Things Rocky. Things with my mouth.”
I loved those things. I should have just opened my mouth and told him no, smacked his hand away and kicked him out. But I couldn’t. I didn’t because I was putty in his very capable hands. “How could I resist that?”
“I’m glad you can’t.” He wore a confident smile as he lathered his hands up with my body wash. “I’ll never think of anything but you anytime I smell this combination of flowers and sex.”
“Sex? It’s sandalwood and wild flowers.”
“Whatever it is, I love it.” He washed my legs, my arms and my back in slow, drugging circles. He took his sweet time when it came to washing my tits, stroking and cupping them until I moaned, tweaking my nipples until I was gasping in pleasure.
“Not as much as those sounds though.” His fingers slid between my legs and rubbed back and forth.
“Oh, fuck!” Two fingers slid deep, curving to hit me in the spot that made my whole body light up. My chest heaved, and my breaths came out in sharp pants as he thrust deep and rubbed my clit until my body jerked with an orgasm. “Lasso!”
“Yes, wife?”
I laughed and leaned my head back, enjoying the way his fingertips grazed along my sensitized skin. “That feels good.”
And just when I thought things couldn’t get better, he tilted my head back and washed my hair. He washed my hair! My mom was the last person to wash my hair who wasn’t me and that was the night before she split for good. It was nice even if it conjured up a few memories I thought I’d cleared away years ago.
He soaped it up into a good lather, his fingertips working my
scalp until I let out a loud, erotic moan. “God that feels so good.”
He chuckled and rinsed my hair, lifting me out of the tub and I felt like I was floating on a cloud. “You’ll be saying that a lot tonight.”
“Promises, promises.”
“Guaranteed, honey. Satisfaction guaranteed.”
Lasso dried me off and I never felt so pampered in all my life. “Now let’s talk about these mouth things.”
“Let’s not,” he said and took one step back. Then another, and another as he slowly undressed, seducing me with his big blue eyes. He dropped one knee on the bed and then the other, lying right down the middle. “Let’s just do it. Come here Rocky, come show me what you want me to do to you with my mouth.”
Who in the hell was I to pass up an offer like that? I’d been dreaming of riding his face like I had that first night in San Diego ever since I crossed the Nevada border. Sooner, if I’m being totally honest. And when I climbed on the bed and saw that sexy, knowing smirk and the way he licked his lips, I straddled his chest. “Anything?”
“I’m adventurous. Just try not to suffocate me.”
I was too hot and wet and horny to wonder if it was because I was fat. “Fine, no air restricting sex gymnastics. Got it. Anything else?”
He nodded. “Make it dirty?”
“I can do that.” And I did, holding on to the headboard with a firm grip, I rode and ground against his tongue that moved like it was battery operated. This position was hotter than I remembered and the sounds he made, so wet and so … slurpy. So damn hot I thought I might come before this party even got started properly. It felt so good. Too good.
“Lasso,” I moaned and sat back so I could look at him. I looked down at those blue eyes and rode his mouth and tongue and chin and nose like it was my only job in this word, using Lasso’s face to get off.
And I did get off.
Hard.
And when I felt one long finger, wet with my juices slip between my ass cheeks, I pushed back into it, grinding in both directions until my body was just one big vessel of sensations and feelings. The vibrating started at my toes and moved its way up, slow and sizzling. My hips rocked faster, harder as he thrust in and out with a slow, practiced ease that left me feeling full and turned on to the point of discomfort.
“Oh fuck! Lasso!”
He sucked my clit and my hips bucked up into him. The moan he let out rocked through me and yanked the orgasm from my body on a loud, pulsating roar.
And then I rolled off him and collapsed. “Damn that mouth!”
“Thanks, sugar, but I gotta say, the pleasure was all mine.”
I doubted that because I was riding on a wave of pleasure and satisfaction and boneless bliss that I had never felt before. Ever. “Not possible, baby daddy.”
He laughed. “That’s husband baby daddy to you.”
There was that word again. Husband. I had just used my husband like a scratching post and I had no regrets. “Fine. But now it’s your turn. Husband.”
He smacked my ass and growled. “I love it when you talk dirty to me.”
It took a while, but I managed. I’d finally found something dirty enough to make my hardened, biker baby daddy blush.
~~~
“Do you have some place set for us to stay when we get back? Because your house is not an option at the moment.”
Lasso hadn’t told me everything about his conversation with Cross but since he didn’t argue, it was safe to assume they’d been there. Again.
Lasso looked out at the lake beyond, his tall form casting long shadows across the placid body of water and splashing it in the color of the setting sun. His body appeared relaxed, but I could see the tension gathered at the corners of his mouth and eyes, the white-knuckle grip he had on his water bottle.
“The club is our best option because we can control all entry points and there are rooms and three little apartments above the hangar.”
I didn’t relish the idea of staying with a bunch of people who would just sit around and watch once the shit hit the fan but Lasso was right, it was the best option.
“You wouldn’t happen to have blueprints, would you?” It was a completely ridiculous question considering we were sitting out on the back deck, eating bass with fries and vegetables, not to mention the fact that we’d left Mayhem in a hurry with less than the essentials.
“You know, Rocky, I left them in my other jeans.”
“Smart ass,” I grumbled and stole a piece of broccoli from his plate.
“Are you still hungry?” He was up on his feet before I could answer, scooping more fish and vegetables onto my plate. “Eat up.”
“Bossy too,” I said but I gobbled up the flaky fish and the vegetables because with every day that passed my hunger only grew.
“I know, right? Too bad you’re stuck with me.” He grinned and shoved a fry in my mouth when I opened it to curse at him. “No Rocky, I don’t have any blueprints or floor plans, but we’ll be there in a few hours and I promise to give you a full tour, okay?”
It wasn’t okay because it meant I’d be planning in a hurry and I didn’t like that, but he didn’t have what I needed so I nodded. “Fine.” My plate was clean and there was just a sliver of sun left before we were covered in darkness. “Thank you for this, Lasso. For these few days of no stress, good food and really good sex. It was a nice little bubble.”
“It was and if you give me some bullshit ‘save yourself’ speech, you and me are gonna have problems. Got it?”
“Why haven’t you considered it, Lasso? Really?” He was stubborn as hell and while I appreciated it, it baffled me.
“Because you came to me for help, Rocky. You showed up on my doorstep in need of help and I don’t care about anything else but being worthy of the trust you put in me. Okay?”
His words shocked the hell out of me. All this time I thought he was some sort of control freak, eager to keep me under his thumb. I felt like an asshole because he was just an honorable guy.
Who happened to be in a biker gang. I mean motorcycle club.
“Yeah, okay Lasso. So, I’ll do the kitchen and you do the heavy lifting?” We needed to pack and get on the road and I would use cleaning to steel my nerves and clear my head for whatever came next.
“Maybe you ought to stay off your feet. I don’t want you getting tired and worn out when we already have so much to worry about.”
I rolled my eyes and resisted the urge to smile at his bossy worrying. “I’m perfectly capable of handling washing a few dishes and scrubbing a few counters, Lasso. If you get all delicate on me now, we’re in trouble.”
He stood in front of me, hands gripping the arms of my chair so I was trapped between him and my seat. It wasn’t a bad place to be.
“It’s not delicate to be concerned, Rocky. And since I know you won’t tell me how you’re feeling, I’m going to ask.”
Before I could respond, his lips brushed against mine, gently at first and then more insistent. He swallowed my moan and pulled back.
“And I’m going to keep asking until I’m sure you’re okay. Deal with it.”
His lips pressed against mine again, harder this time until I opened up and he slipped his sweet tongue in, tasting of barbecue sauce and root beer.
It was the kind of kiss that would have led to a lot of dirty things if we had the time. Which we didn’t. Dammit.
“Go. We have to deal with this.”
Lasso pressed his forehead to mine and groaned. “I know. I wish I could keep you up here until this was over.”
“And I wish I’d never brought this to your door.” If he ended up hurt because of me, how could I forgive myself? How would our child forgive me?
“I wish you never knew guys like Genesis existed.” It was sincere and heartfelt, proving once again that Lasso really was one of the good ones.
“I’m glad you showed me there are a few good ones still out there.”
His grin turned playful. “And lucky you, all this i
s yours.”
For now. “Make it snappy and maybe I’ll give you road head.”
“Damn wife, you should have led with that,” he smirked, whistling cheerfully as he carried the dishes into the kitchen. I sat there for a minute, just watching him move. Lasso was a real man, not just big and strong but capable and kind. He would make a good husband and dad. For some other woman.
I would do everything I could to get us out of this.
That meant I needed to get off my pregnant ass and get my shit together. I had things to order, phone calls to make and a very nice gourmet kitchen to clean.
Seventy minutes later we were on the road, driving through rural Idaho, which was basically all of Idaho, literally under the cover of darkness.
“What are you doing over there?” he asked after we had a bunch of miles behind us.
“I’m sketching out a map of LA by territory. It would be reckless to have gangs going into other gang territory to raid a stash house when they likely have one in their own territory.”
He snickered. “Looking out for the gangbangers of greater Los Angeles?”
“No, the innocent people those assholes are likely to shoot because they don’t practice.”
Things couldn’t have changed that much but doing this on the fly meant they were all best guesses.
“Now, keep quiet while I make some calls.”
It took longer than I thought, which was a miscalculation on my part. Convincing my contacts I wasn’t running a scam had taken some time. But they were all intrigued and I could hear the glee they couldn’t hide, and that’s how I knew this plan would work.
“That was some skilled negotiations.”
Lasso sounded impressed and I was pretty sure there was pride shining in his eyes when he smiled over at me.
“Do you think they bought it?”
“Not fully, but they’ll send some guys low on the totem pole to scope it out and then they’ll strike. If what your friend Cross says is true, that he’s sending guys in waves, the houses will be unprotected or at least with a smaller crew.”
I hated that I still knew this shit but being zoned out on pills and pot hadn’t diminished my ability to absorb info.
