“Which one?” I asked, playing dumb.
She stood and began to roll her mat up. “The biker.”
“Oh my god, that was over before it began,” I lied.
“Are you sure about that? Because he’s right outside.”
I sat up and glanced out the window and saw Sundance leaning against his bike, obviously waiting for me.
“Jesus,” I hissed, gingerly standing. Of course he’d come running down here to ‘save’ me from Sonja. Now I needed a way to extricate myself from this awkward situation. “He’s been trying to get me to go out with him again. He won’t leave me alone and now I’m going to add stalking to his list of annoyances.”
“Do you know who he is?”
I frowned. “I know his name, is that what you mean?”
“He’s a criminal, Wyatt.”
I decided to continue playing dumb. “He is?”
She pulled out her phone and shoved it in my face. An image of a man’s marred back turned my stomach and I pushed her phone away. I was never good with the sight of blood, even on television, refer back to my epic crying jags at all things, so this was truly shocking. His back had been reduced to hamburger meat and I wasn’t even sure if the man I was looking at was alive or dead.
“What the hell is that?” I growled.
“It’s what Sundance did to my friend after a disagreement between them.”
I closed my eyes and swallowed the bile threatening to spill.
“He’s threatened me, too,” she said, “and I’m terrified I’ll end up like poor Snowcone.”
God, that was Snowcone? It took everything in me not to react.
“He’s not a good man, Wyatt, and I thought you should see what he’s capable of doing to people close to him,” Sonja said, and slid her phone in her back pocket. “You need to keep that in mind.”
“I will,” I whispered.
“Stay away from him and his club. I’m just looking out for you.”
“Right,” I said, and she walked away.
I gathered my things and headed outside, my stomach still roiling as I approached Sundance.
“You okay?” he asked.
“No, but we can’t talk here,” I whispered. “I’m going to scowl now and pretend you’re annoying me, which isn’t far off, considering you’re here when I so obviously didn’t need you to come down and rescue me.”
He frowned.
“That’s good,” I said. “Keep looking at me like that. I’ll meet you at my place in twenty.”
I turned in a huff and walked to my car, heading to my condo, making sure I wasn’t followed, then letting myself inside.
I refused to melt down. Not yet, anyway. I had to give Sundance a chance to explain, but I wasn’t sure how to process what Sonja had shown me.
I heard the quiet knock at my door and rushed to answer it, pulling it open and wrapping my arms around Sundance as he walked inside. “Jesus, fuck, baby, what happened?”
“She showed me Snowcone’s back,” I whispered. “Did you do it?”
“Christ,” he hissed, kicking my door closed.
“Say you didn’t do it.”
He frowned.
I pushed away. “Why aren’t you denying it? You need to deny it!”
“Baby, I need you not to spiral.”
“Too late,” I said, throwing my hands in the air and stalking toward my kitchen.
He followed and watched me closely…warily.
“I need you to deny it,” I whispered, forcing back tears.
“I can’t and I won’t, baby, but I will explain if you’ll let me.”
I opened my pantry and pulled out a bag of Wavy Lay’s. “Be quick.”
“Snowcone was patched out on Wednesday. In that process, all Howlers’ ink was removed from his body.”
“Is he dead?”
“No.” He raised his hands as he said, “Swear to Christ he’s not.”
“Why was he… patched out?”
Sundance crossed his arms. “He was acting as a mole for a rival club and beat the shit out of Ruby when he suspected she might talk to Wrath.”
“Snowcone beat up Ruby? The same Ruby who was with us at Nocturn?”
He nodded. “Threatened to kill her if she talked.”
“Who is she to the club?”
“She was with Rocky for a few years. It didn’t work out, but she’s still protected by us, and I, personally, consider her a friend.”
“Is she okay?” I asked.
“Ruby’s been around the life since the day she was born. She’s tough.”
“That doesn’t mean she’s okay,” I pointed out, grabbing another chip.
“She’s got a black eye and some cracked ribs, probably a few other bruises, but other than that, I think she’s okay.”
“Oh my god, that must have been really frightening.”
“Yeah, she was freaked, but I’ve got a couple guys watchin’ her back, so it’s not gonna happen again.”
“You have guys guarding her?”
He frowned. “You gonna lecture me about that?”
“No,” I rushed to say. “It’s sweet.”
“Really need to get my arms around you, Dimples, so let’s get this settled.”
I grabbed another chip. “Why would Snowcone act as a mole?”
“The Apex Predators want our grow business.”
I shoved the chip in my mouth and crunched down on my favorite stress reliever as I pondered all of this. “He’s not dead?”
“No. We monitored his vitals and Needles checked him over before we dumped him at the hospital.”
“Who the hell is Needles?” I demanded, then popped another chip in my mouth.
“He’s part of our club. He’s a doctor who left to practice acupuncture after nine-eleven. He still keeps up on his medical license, and he made sure Snowcone’s wounds were tended to. After the fact. He takes the Hippocratic oath seriously, so we kept him out of the process until the end.”
“Wasn’t Snowcone one of the kids Moses took under his wing?” I asked, waving a chip toward him before eating it.
Sundance had told me about Moses’ work with at-risk youth, helping kids who aged out of foster care. I liked him the more I learned about him, but this stuff with Snowcone was troubling.
“Yeah,” Sundance said.
“So, Snowcone basically shit where he slept, then went ahead and shit in Moses’s bed, too?”
“Yeah, Dimples, that’s exactly what he did.”
I frowned. “Is Moses okay?”
“Jesus Christ, that’s what you’re worried about?”
“Is that wrong?”
“No, baby,” he said, chuckling. “Just all this worrying about everyone reminded me why I love you.”
“Did you forget?” I asked, popping another chip into my mouth.
“I wasn’t sure where we’d stand after this,” he admitted.
I rolled my eyes. “I told you I was in this. I’m glad he isn’t dead, and although I’m not happy that you cut him up, I know that Sonja showed me that picture because she’s up to something. I wouldn’t be surprised if she photoshopped it so it looked way worse than it actually was.”
Sundance bristled and I let out a squeak of frustration.
“Tell me she photoshopped it so I don’t spiral!” I demanded.
His mouth twitched as he slid his phone out of his pocket and stared at the screen.
“Who are you calling?” I snapped.
“No one, baby.”
“Then what are you doing?”
“I have my stock trading app open.”
“Why?” I demanded.
“Before I say anything more, I need to buy some stock in Frito-Lay.”
I grabbed the bag of chips and chucked them at him, potato goodness flying across my kitchen. Sundance laughed, stepping over the mess to get to me and wrapping his arms around me. “We’re done talkin’ about things that make you sad. Time to replace those thoughts with other things
.”
He lifted me over the salty carnage and headed for my room.
I looped my hands around his neck as he walked. “I need to clean—”
“You need to get naked. The chips’ll still be there after you’ve come a few times.”
“That’s a waste of really good chips, honey.”
“Were you gonna eat them off the floor?”
I sighed. “I don’t think I’m going to answer that.”
He chuckled and dropped me on the bed, leaning down to kiss me, then meeting my eyes. “You okay?”
“I’m getting there.” I stroked his beard. “Your life is still really scary to me, but I love you and I trust you, so I’m trying.”
“Baby, this isn’t my life. You’re my life. My kids are my life. The club is, too, but the violent side of it is rare, and I plan to make it so it’s done once and for all.”
“It helps that you’re willing to answer my questions, so thank you.”
“You’re gonna come no less than sixty-two times,” he avowed, pushing my T-shirt up and kissing my belly.
I chuckled, sliding my fingers into his hair. “Do we have time for that many?”
“We’re gonna make time.” He tugged at the waistband of my yoga pants. “Lift.”
I lifted and he quickly divested me of all my clothes, then took care of his own.
* * *
Sundance
I buried my face between Wyatt’s legs and lapped at her sweet cunt. Jesus, the way her body responded was like catnip to me.
Her quiet mews spurred me on, and I ran my tongue over her soaked folds before sliding my tongue inside her. She hooked one of her long legs over my shoulder and dug her heel into my back as she arched into my mouth and I couldn’t keep my promise to make things last. I had to bury myself deep.
With one last suck on her clit, I kissed my way up her belly, drawing a nipple into my mouth and biting down gently as I slid my dick into her. Her walls contracted and I grunted as I moved my mouth to her neck.
“Too much?” she asked.
“Jesus, you did that?”
She grinned. “Have you never heard of Kegel exercises?”
“Heard of ’em, baby, just never had anyone demonstrate how well they work.”
“I have to say, it helps that you’re big. Plus, lately, everything feels extra.”
“Extra?”
“More sensitive,” she said.
Her pussy squeezed my dick again and I nearly came. “You need to quit doin’ that, Dimples, or I’m gonna come like a teenager.”
She cupped my cheek. “I like that I have that power over you.”
“Yeah, I know,” I growled, burying myself deeper.
She squeezed again and I decided to turn the tables on her, slamming into her harder and faster until she completely let go, crying out as she came. Her pussy flooded my dick as I met her in a mind-blowing climax, then I rolled her, so we were on our sides facing each other.
“Dimples,” I warned as her pussy clamped down on me again.
She grinned. “Yes, honey?”
I slid out of her with a chuckle. “Minx.”
Leaving her in bed, I headed to her bathroom and cleaned up, returning with a washcloth and setting it between her legs.
“That’s one,” I said, kissing her gently.
She smiled. “Sixty-one to go.”
“You okay?”
She knew what I was asking, and I couldn’t stop myself from holding my breath while I waited for her answer.
“I’m good, Sunny. I’m sure I’ll have moments of doubt, but I’m okay.” She stroked my cheek and I leaned into her touch. “I love you and I trust you.”
“That’s all I’ll ever ask, baby,” I said. “You wanna stay this weekend? Bring Teddy.”
“At the club?”
“Yeah, baby,” I said, kissing her. “Saturday’s family night.”
“That’d be fun.”
“Right answer,” I said, and kissed her again, rolling her on her back and beginning my edict to give her sixty-two orgasms. She tapped out at number twelve, falling asleep in my arms and I held her until we woke early the next morning.
* * *
My phone buzzed on the nightstand and I reached for it, seeing Moses’ name pop up on the screen. “Hey, brother. You good?”
“Yeah. Uh, Hatch is here.”
“No shit?”
“Just walked in the door with Maisie.”
I glanced at Wyatt who was still snoring quietly, curled up against me, and smiled. “I’ll be there in twenty.”
“He said he was gonna show Maisie more of Monument, so they’re leavin’ here soon, but they’ll be back in time for family night.”
“Even better. Wyatt and Maisie can keep each other company while Hatch and I talk.”
“That’s what I figured.”
“Okay, brother, thanks for the heads up. We’ll see you tonight.”
“See ya.”
Moses hung up and Wyatt stirred. “Who was that?”
“Moses. A buddy from Portland and his woman flew in, so he was letting me know.”
She yawned, snuggling closer. “Do you need to go?”
“No. They’re heading out for a few hours, so you’ll meet them later.”
She frowned. “Maybe we should wait for Teddy to come.”
“Nope. Once you meet Maisie, you’ll see how off base that comment is.”
Pushing off me, she sat up and crossed her arms, now fully awake. “Off base?” she hissed.
“Yeah, Dimples. Totally off base. Maisie’s as high-class as you are.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Meaning, you’re both beautiful and you’ve both got money. Basically, you’re both high-class pussy who fell for bikers.”
“God! Why do you have to be so vulgar?”
I cocked my head. “Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed?”
“Yes. Yours,” she snapped, and scrambled off the mattress.
I dragged my hands down my face and followed her into the bathroom, finding her leaning against the sink, crying. “Dimples, what’s goin’ on?”
“I don’t know,” she whispered. “I’m sorry. I just can’t seem to regulate my emotions right now.”
“Come here, baby.” I pulled her against my chest. “I think you need to take a test.”
“What kind of test?”
“The kind where you pee on a stick.”
She gasped. “You think I’m pregnant?”
I shrugged. “Been through it three times, Dimples.”
“I’m on the pill.”
“Because women have never gotten pregnant on the pill before?”
“I’m not pregnant,” she insisted, pushing away from me. “I’m just tired.”
“Okay, baby. I’ll make coffee.”
I left her to calm down and made my way to her kitchen.
Wyatt
SUNDANCE HAD TO leave after his coffee, but insisted on retrieving Teddy with me, so he was back a couple of hours later.
Because my brother called ‘shotgun,’ I ended up having to let Teddy ride in the front seat of Sundance’s truck, so I was stuck with my thoughts while we drove to the compound. And let’s be real. Wyatt Bates stuck with her thoughts alone wasn’t always a good thing.
By the time Sundance pulled up to the cabin, I was kind of a mess. I was nervous about meeting Hatch and Maisie and the potential implications of them not liking me. Stuff I didn’t typically care about, but the stakes seemed higher now.
Sundance wrapped his arm around me and walked me inside, Teddy was already ahead of us and made a beeline for the pinball machines, and I stuck close to Sundance as we walked into a party in full swing.
“Teddy!” Orion called, and my brother waved as he rushed over to him.
Aero walked toward us and handed me a glass of whisky. “Hey, Wyatt.”
“Is this how you’re going to greet me every time you see me?” I asked.
“Ah, duh,” I sassed, and Aero laughed.
“Okay, man, I’ll take care of my woman’s alcohol going forward,” Sundance growled.
I smiled at Aero, ignoring Sundance’s edict. “Thanks, buddy.”
Aero gave me a chin lift and walked away, as Sundance guided me toward the pool tables. A tall, drop-dead gorgeous man who resembled Rollo from Vikings (before he cut his hair) stood with his arm around an equally beautiful blonde woman, and she was speaking, keeping everyone enraptured by whatever she was saying.
“Oh my god, is that Maisie?” I asked.
“How’d you guess?” Sundance asked.
“Her Birkin.”
“Are you goin’ blind?” he asked. “The woman’s not wearin’ a burqa.”
“Not a burqa, honey.” I chuckled. “A Birkin.”
“No idea what a Birkin is, baby.”
I smiled up at him. “It’s a forty-thousand-dollar handbag.”
“Fuck me, seriously? That’s the price of a car.”
“I know.” I sighed. “I have never been able to justify paying that for a handbag. But it sure is pretty.”
He took my hand and led me over to the couple as he mumbled something about bitches and their handbags, so I decided not to inform him I was currently holding a Louis Vuitton. At just over five-thousand dollars, it was a steal in comparison, but I had a feeling he wouldn’t understand.
“Sundance!” Hatch said, wrapping his arms around my man. “How the fuck are ya, brother?”
Sundance laughed, hugging him back. “Fuckin’ glad to see you.”
“We need to talk later, I take it.”
“Yeah, that’d be good. This is Wyatt.” Sundance guided me forward. “Baby, meet Hatch and his woman, Maisie.”
I shook his hand just as Maisie reached over to hug me. “It’s so lovely to meet you. I adore your bag.”
I chuckled. Of course she was British. Gorgeous and foreign, a deadly combination.
“I was just coveting yours,” I admitted.
“Exorbitant,” she whispered. “And the most ridiculous thing Hatch has ever bought me.”
“He bought you this?”
“Yes, when I sold my company. I made him promise never to do it again, but I do sometimes stroke it as I walk by.”
I laughed. “Oh my god, I would too.”
“I have always been a Louis Vuitton girl as well, but the Birkin was the one I’d stare at online, wishing, you know?”
Primal Need (Primal Howlers MC Book 2) Page 15
