The expression on Hellfire’s face is comical. His fist comes down hard on the table. “I run a fucking MC,” he shouts. “Not a fuckin’ sex-ed class.”
That Demon mentioned it to lighten things up becomes obvious when his hand goes over his mouth to smother his laugh. Chuckles come from around the table.
Hellfire stands. “Just wanted to let you know Cad’s got his work cut out to get answers. And that’s if we’re even on the right track. If he finds anything he wants investigated, we’ll have to speak to any and all the women he identifies.”
“They’re all women?” Thunder asks.
His question is greeted with wide-eyed stares as brothers look at each other. I notice everyone puffing themselves up and trying to look manly.
Before he moves toward the door, Hellfire looks around evilly. “Mostly,” he replies.
Well, fuck me. Then everyone’s looking around wondering who might like to play for the other team. Lady and Joker were great guys back in Tucson. I’d stand up for any man if that’s his preference. Doesn’t matter none to me.
Prez is making his way past. “Pal, a word.”
Well, he said at the start of the meeting he needed to speak with me. I’ve nothing to hide, nothing to worry about, so I follow him into his office.
I take the seat he waves me to. Before he can speak, I let him know. “Can’t say I’m particularly happy it coming out in front of the brothers, but yeah. I’ve had no woman. Got no one hiding in my closet. And I can’t believe the Herreras are behind this. The trouble we’re having seems almost juvenile to me.”
“Feel you there, Pal. That’s my gut instinct too.”
Okay. So can I go now? But I wait for my official dismissal. It seems Prez hasn’t finished though. “You okay to go to the strip club again tonight? The night shift?”
“Taser going?”
His eyes sharpen. “You got a problem if he is?”
Quickly I shake my head. “Not at all. Just wanting to know I’m not the only fucker being deliberately kept away from his bed.”
He rolls his head around on his neck, lifting a hand and rubbing the back of his skull. “You’re not slow on the uptake, are you, Brother?”
I knew I was right. “Keepin’ me and Jayden apart won’t stop anything happening. In fact, it’s more likely to start if there are obstacles put between us.”
Hellfire stands. “My wife,” he begins, then pauses as though not knowing how to proceed. “Well, Moira’s taken a liking to Jayden. Sees a lot of herself in her. Doesn’t want her to make a mistake.”
“Everyone makes mistakes, Prez. Don’t do it knowingly, but they happen all the same. Jay trusted the wrong person when she’d just turned a teenager, that was her error. And one she’s still fuckin’ payin’ for. Anyone got Jay’s best interest at heart? Well that’s me. Jay knows where she stands. She wants me? She’s got me. She doesn’t? Fuck, that would tear me apart, but I’d stand aside. Here in the clubhouse, where I haven’t got the measure of all the men yet, I want her by my fuckin’ side. I need to be there with her, so I know she’s safe.”
“You’re still protecting her?”
“Fuckin’ right I am. And I always will. Whether we’re together or not.” I try to wipe the glare off my face. “Look, Prez. Demon’s, what, thirty-five? Moira can’t have been far off Jayden’s age when you got together. You telling me you didn’t know what you wanted then? That your relationship’s been wrong all this time?”
“Watch your tone, Brother,” Hell snarls. But he returns to his chair and sits down, putting his elbows on the desk. “I’m not saying that. Best fuckin’ thing that ever happened to me, never wished it any other way. You got the same feelin’s I had for Moira, and your girl feels the same way? Then I hope you’ll be half as happy. And no, it wasn’t a fuckin’ mistake.”
“I know how I feel, Prez. I hope Jay feels the same, but ain’t gonna pressure her. But I need space. Yeah, she’s sharing my room, and I feel better for knowing she’s there. Under my protection. But to do that job properly? I need to be with her. Send someone else tonight, please?”
I watch his face, hoping my pleading tone gets through to him. I don’t want to beg, but I’m getting close to it now. Time seems to pass slowly until he lets out a deep sigh.
“Mo’s gonna kill me,” he mumbles under his breath, then to me, “I trust you, Pal. Just don’t hurt her. You do? I’ll let Mo at you first then finish what’s left of you off.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Jayden
Last night I was disappointed to sleep alone in Paladin’s bed. I’d snuggled under the covers, placing my head on the pillow that smelled of him. Even though he hadn’t been there, I’d felt closer to him than I ever had.
All evening Mo had been saying things that were eating away at me. That a young man like Paladin wouldn’t have waited, suggesting Bitch couldn’t possibly have been the only female to have been in his bed. That nearly three years was too long for a biker like him to be satisfied with his hand, not with all the willing pussy around him.
When Pyro, one of the men left in the club to protect it, had come over and offered to play pool, I’d accepted, if only to get some space to clear my head. Ignoring some of the stains on the pool table, I’d thrashed him three times. I’d then beaten Buzzard. The computer guy, Cad, put up more of a run for his money. By then, time had passed. The club girls had started dancing around the pole, showing off their bodies in ways I’d be ashamed to. The old ladies, what there were of them, were making moves to make themselves scarce. It was my cue to leave this strange party.
That the compound was shot at didn’t particularly upset me, no one had been badly hurt and I was thankful for that. I’m no stranger to this lifestyle. I’d been on the Tucson compound when a bomb had gone off, and Slick had got badly injured. I’d been there when a wildfire was approaching. I know what a biker’s life is like and the risks that they take. That we take, the women who choose to throw their lot in with them.
As I started making my way to the stairs, out of the corner of my eyes I saw Titsy had now got her top off. When she writhed on the pole, interest flared in the men’s eyes. The words Mo had been throwing at me all evening had come back to me. Perhaps she was right. With all this temptation around him, how would Pal be able to resist?
Before I’d settled down to sleep, I’d done something I never thought I would. When I’d gone up to his room, I’d shamelessly searched it, smelling the sheets, seeking anything, a note, letter, something to show he hadn’t been honest. I’d found nothing. No signs the bathroom had been used by anyone else. The only sign a female had been in here, a few stray cat hairs on the bed cover.
It’s was then I knew I was being stupid. Pal would be mine if I reached out to take him.
Mo’s been treating me like a kid who doesn’t know her own mind. Yet she was only a few months older when she met Hell. If it worked out for them, why wouldn’t it for me? They’d even started their family immediately.
Paladin knows my story, he lived part of it. Was there during my recovery, was my rock to lean on when things got hard.
Take my bad memories away I’d begged him, when I was just fourteen. Like the gentleman he is, he wouldn’t. He became my friend, giving me no sign he’d push to be anything else. Until now, when we’ve been given the opportunity.
Do I want him? Or is it just my expectation of the natural progression of what I wanted all those years back.
I fell asleep eventually, thoughts still whirling around my head.
I wake to find I’m sprawled over a body. How Pal’s not fallen off the edge of the bed, I don’t know. I’ve managed to move from the side I’d taken, traversed the middle, and ended up taking over most of the rest. My leg’s over his denim clad thighs, my hand resting on his chest. His breathing alters, he’s awake.
I keep my eyes closed, enjoying the feeling of his beating heart under my hand, feeling it speeding up as I leave it there. A strange emotion comes over
me. A sense of possessiveness. He’s mine. Now I know I hadn’t just been searching for signs to prove him unfaithful and unworthy, I’d been making sure no one else had claimed something that belonged to me.
I don’t want to move, I’m too comfy. I’m also embarrassed. The first time I’m in bed with him and I’m wearing my most comfy pair of pyjamas, with decidedly non-sexy unicorns on them. I should have worn a sexy negligee, but I don’t even own one. Putting off the moment when I have to talk to him, not knowing how to handle this situation, I concentrate on my breathing, gradually feeling him relax again, and then, like him, return to sleep, my lips curling. I like this.
When I wake again, he’s staring at me. “Oh, God, Pal. I’m sorry. I…”
He traps my hand that’s still on his chest under his fingers. “Ain’t got nothing to apologise for, Doll.”
He doesn’t mind me lying on him? “I’m taking up all the bed.”
“I’m comfortable,” Now that must be a lie. “Just don’t move your leg…”
“Oh!” I suppress a self-conscious giggle, and my face burns red. I can feel he’s hard underneath the denim he’s still wearing. Is that down to me? Or is it just the state I’ve heard all men wake up with? I ease my leg down so I can no longer feel it. I’m certainly not going to draw attention to his cock. “I, er, I’ll get up now. You must be tired.”
“Yeah, I’m going to sleep on a while.”
He lets my hand go, I still don’t want to move. Without me ever having admitted it, this is exactly where I want to be. It feels so good, so natural, as though we were made to be together. He doesn’t protest when I leave my hand where it lies, nor when my fingers start moving, exploring his muscular chest. There’s something tantalising about touching his naked skin, though I’d be hard pushed to name it. I don’t want to stop.
“Doll,” he protests after a few minutes.
Whoops. I’m taking liberties. But he’s taken none. Unlike the men who’d taken advantage of me. It makes me want more. There seems to be a disconnect between my mouth and my brain, as suddenly I find myself asking, “Can I kiss you?”
He’s quiet, as if I’ve stunned him. Then, “Sure, have at it, sweetheart.”
I don’t hesitate. Sitting up, leaning over him, placing my hand against his face. If he’d moved, trapped me, I would have been scared, but he does nothing to concern me, leaving me completely in charge. It’s what I want, need. I giggle slightly as I slip my finger into his mouth and he licks it, but my mirth fades fast as I hadn’t counted on nerve endings in my forefinger being able to send tingles down my body. Such a small thing, but how sexy.
I can’t wait any more. I kiss him chastely. It’s not enough. I kiss him again. He opens for me. Our tongues touch. I’ve imagined it, dreamed of it, but never experienced it, that exciting tingling caressing him like this invokes. He must have more experience than me, but he lets me take the lead. I explore his mouth; he returns the action. His hands twitch, he does nothing to take charge.
I need more. I move, throwing my leg over him so I’m sitting across his chest. I kiss him again, using my hands against his bristly cheeks.
“Am I doing it right?” I ask, hesitantly.
“Feels right to me,” he replies softly. “Fuckin’ good, Jay.”
“You want me to stop?”
“No, but you ought to.” His hips move. I feel a hardness against my ass.
Suddenly I remember I’m wearing these decidedly unsexy and childish pjs.
“Pal, I…”
“You go get dressed babe. Breakfast’s probably ready downstairs. I’ll get some more shut-eye.”
Sitting up, I try to inject some normality into the situation, asking him about when the lockdown will end. I’m probably putting the wrong pressure on his stomach or something, but I feel his hips move again. He groans, I don’t think he’s even aware of it.
I better get up. Wishing again I was wearing something sexy, I slide off him, grab some clothes, and as nonchalantly as I can, as though getting out of a man’s bed isn’t something strange, I take my clothing into the bathroom.
Once inside, I shut the door and slide down the wall, sitting on the floor with my back against it. My fingers go to my lips, caressing where our mouths had touched. Right now I’m feeling like a giddy teenager who’s just had her first kiss. Which is exactly what I am. Oh, sure, my abusers had forced their mouths on me, but I’d hated both it and their wandering hands. Paladin, though, kissing him had blown memories of that away. It was… what words can I use to describe it? Incredible.
My fingers cover my mouth as I realise, my breath must smell, I hadn’t brushed my teeth. But I hadn’t minded his, nor his taste. I think it could become addictive.
He needs his sleep. I don’t know what time he came to bed, but it must have been only a few hours ago, as I’d been told he was going to be out all night. Even though I’d like to wake him for more, it wouldn’t be fair.
Lockdown’s not finishing any time soon. Until then, he and I will be together. Time enough to explore. The notion no longer scares me, but instead is exciting.
When I emerge from the bathroom, I’m disappointed he’s lightly snoring and is fast asleep. But I don’t mind going down into the clubroom on my own, I’ve lived among bikers long enough. The men I’ve met seem nice, and the women will all be there.
The smell, and people walking out with loaded plates leads me to the kitchen. Both Jeannie and Mo are at the stove. As I’m walking across to them, Mace gets in front of me, and puts his hand on Mo’s shoulder.
“So, I was expecting to see Hell without his beard this morning.” He glances at her, and I don’t miss his wink.
Moira’s cheeks flame and as I look curiously on, notice she appears mortified as she replies, “He chickened out and decided he’d just make do with a trim.”
“Sure he did,” Mace smirks.
“You going all ol’ lady on him, Mo? Hell wouldn’t be Prez without that thick beard of his.” Pyro calls out.
Mace chortles. “I don’t think it was himself Hell wanted the shaving foam for. He seemed a bit too excited for that.” As Mace doesn’t give up, I see Moira redden even more.
What else could Hell have been shaving? Oh. I put my hand to my mouth and turn away choking back the giggle that’s about to escape. He wouldn’t, would he? Aren’t they too old to get up to stuff like that?
Titsy leans over and helpfully switches a burner off. “Bacon’s burning, Mo.” Then, oh no, she continues, “Prez does like his women bare.”
“You’ve no idea what he likes,” Moira snaps. “Stop lying, you slut.”
Jeannie puts herself in between them, giving Titsy such a look, the club girl makes herself scarce pretty quickly. Then Bomber’s ol’ lady catches my eye. “Jay, want some breakfast?”
I’m not sure I do anymore, but I nod, grab the plate she hands over, and disappear into the clubroom. The choice is sit by myself or at the table with a couple of club girls. I choose my own company. After a while, a slightly calmer Moira comes to join me, relaxing after she scans the room to find Titsy’s not there.
“So,” she sits down beside me, “how did you sleep?”
“Very well,” I reply honestly. Thinking it’s best not to add how I awoke.
“I’m sorry, Jay. Lockdown must seem very restrictive to you.”
“Not at all, Mo. I’ve been on lockdown before. In fact,” I nibble my lip as I think, “I’ve probably been cooped up on a compound longer than I’ve not.” When she throws me a look of sympathy. I shrug it off. “I’ve lived this life for years. Of course it’s different here, it’s not such a family club, but the vibe’s pretty similar. I know the biker types.”
Now she’s shaking her head. “You don’t know about this club.”
Reaching out I pick up a slice of toast. “Bikers are bikers, aren’t they?”
“This club is not the same as what you’re used to. Oh, not so much nowadays, but back then, when we first came to the club, it
was very different.” Jeannie settles a tray of coffee on the table in front of us and sits down. “There are only a few old-timers left.”
“Let me guess. Hell, of course, Bomber and Rusty.”
“Correct.”
“What happened?” Toast consumed, I lean forward to pick up a coffee.
“Ancient history,” Mo tries to dismiss it.
Jeannie hip bumps her. “Less of the ancient, Mo. Makes me feel old.” She turns to me. “Furnace was the VP, when the old Prez, Blackie died, he took over. Eventually made Hellfire his VP, then when Furnace crashed and burned, Hell became Prez. Lost brothers over the years because of the shit we were into. Brothers were a different breed then, harder, they had to be, they lived life on the edge. Wasn’t unusual when they returned from a run without everyone with them. Hell wanted to take the club in a new direction, and when he took over, he seized his chance. He’d met up with Drummer, who’d become Prez of the Tucson chapter when his dad, Bastard had died. They both had ideas about starting a clean MC, so Hellfire brought this club into the Satan’s Devils.”
“Oh?” I had wondered how the two clubs had joined up.
“Best thing Hell ever did,” Mo agrees with a shudder. “Hated those days. Lockdowns were the norm for us then. Brothers getting killed or arrested. Those were dark times.”
“Thank fuck Bomber and Hell survived.”
“I’ll drink to that.” Mo raises her coffee cup. She looks around. “Is it getting hot in here, or is it me?”
“Must be you, I’m cold.” I’m with Jeannie. I’m not that warm myself. “It’s because you’re going through the change, dear,” Jeannie pats her friend’s arm as she continues, then adds with a wink. “Either that, or something got you all heated last night.”
Again Moira goes red. A short time later, Hellfire puts in an appearance. Surprising me when he crosses to the couch, leans over, places his hands either side of Moira’s head, and gives her a kiss worthy of a romance novel. I’ve not seen her stunned into silence before.
“Wow,” Jeannie says when he walks off, watching him enviously. “I could have me some of that.”
Satan's Devils MC Colorado Boxset 1 Books 1 - 3 Page 25
