Elemental Hope
Page 20
“Must have been.” Shelton rolled his eyes. “They’ve been gone over a week. I’m glad they’re back. This place is weird without them. Not that I don’t enjoy spending time with you.”
“And did you miss one big bad biker more than the rest?” Orlando gave him a knowing smirk.
“Of course not!” Shelton protested even though it wasn’t true. He knew it. Orlando knew it. He pushed his glasses up his nose. “Well, maybe just a bit.”
“When are you and Crow gonna start bumping uglies? He’s been eyeing you like a juicy steak after a famine for months.” As if the comment had sparked his appetite, Orlando grabbed a Twinkie then shoved it into his mouth.
Shelton admired Orlando’s confidence. He wasn’t nearly as assertive. Crow gave him the shivers—in a good way—but the big man was fierce and intimidating. He wanted him badly but was afraid to show it in case he was rejected.
“He looks out for you. He touches you all the time and gets right in the face of anyone who upsets you.” Orlando waved the end of his Twinkie in the air. “I’ve even seen you in his lap.”
“I don’t know. I’m not interested in being a notch on his bedpost. He’s never tried to take things any further. I think I’m just too geeky for him.” Shelton took a swig of his soda. “And besides, he’s a Dom. He’s a member at The Scourge. He’ll be on the lookout for a sub.”
“Mmm. All that yummy hotness and he’s kinky too. What’s not to like?”
“I’m not… I mean, I don’t want to suggest there’s anything wrong with it, but I’m not like you, Orlando.”
“True. You’re not nearly as cute. I’ve never seen you in a pair of leather pants and you’re far too nice to the bunch of louts who bunk down here.”
Shelton sighed. “You forget, I’m a Wyvern too.”
Orlando gave him a speculative look. “I think of you as a Wyvern-lite. Less attitude, less oil under your fingernails and less likely to find rusty bike parts a source of fascination.”
“I think I should be insulted, but I’m not. That isn’t what I meant though, and you know it. I’m not a…submissive.” Shelton whispered the last word in case saying it louder might make it a lie. He hoped he hadn’t upset his friend.
“Shelton, Shelton…what am I going to do with you? For someone who spends so much time on the wonderweb, I’d have thought you would have at least done some research. There’s no one-size-fits-all in the world of Domination and submission.”
“But Rogue…”
“Is a pain in my ass.” Orlando threw a piece of popcorn into the air and caught it in his mouth. “Literally.”
“You love him even though he beats you and ties you up?”
“He doesn’t do anything I don’t allow. It’s called power exchange, Shelton. You like it when Crow looks out for you, don’t you?”
Shelton shrugged. He didn’t want to admit to anything that might make him seem weak. He was already bottom of the club’s ladder when it came to attitude. Even Orlando was a couple of rungs higher.
“I see the way you stare at him when you think he’s not watching. I think you’d enjoy being over his knee.”
“Orlando!” Shelton wasn’t amused that his cock seemed to like the idea of a spanking. He stabbed at his keyboard, trying to focus on maps of the border and some research he was doing for Hatchet.
“What?”
Orlando had perfected an innocent expression but Shelton wasn’t fooled.
“Why are you one of The Wyverns, Shelton? I know none of you like to talk about the past, but what hold does Horatio Trap have over you? You don’t seem like an insubordinate hell-raiser like the rest of the guys. Though appearances can be deceptive.” He grinned.
“I hacked the Federal Reserve. Stole some money.” Shelton frowned. “I put it straight back but the authorities objected.”
Orlando’s eyes widened. “How much?”
“Twenty-five million dollars.”
“Holy crap! How are you not serving twenty years as the love slave of some gorilla-shaped con at the federal pen?”
Shelton’s ass clenched instinctively. “The FBI offered me a job, which came with a whole load of conditions I didn’t warm to. Trap got in touch with an alternative. He would give me a joining fee and a new identity if I helped out with The Wyverns instead. It was a no-brainer.”
“So your name’s not really Shelton?”
“Sure it is. I just changed my surname.”
“Rogue doesn’t tell me much about the kind of stuff you all get up to. He just muttered something about a problem in New Mexico before the gang headed out last week and told me to behave myself.”
“He’s just trying to protect you, Orlando. Sometimes I wish I knew a lot less myself.”
“I want to help more.”
“You help plenty by keeping everyone fed and watered and by looking after this place. It’s a big job, Orlando. Don’t underestimate the value the guys place on you—even if they don’t show it.” Shelton hoped they were as appreciative of his own skills with a computer. Coding didn’t fill their bellies and The Wyverns weren’t the kind of men to be effusive in their praise.
“Orlando.” Rogue’s gruff tones sounded from behind them. Shelton swiveled around to peer over the back of the couch. Rogue lounged in the doorway leading to the bedroom wing. He was shirtless and barefoot, wearing just a pair of tight leather pants. His dirty blond hair was damp from the shower. “Get your ass over here. I owe you a week’s worth of spankings and my balls are bluer than a fence lizard’s. Hey, Shelton.”
“Hey.” Shelton waved. “Welcome back.”
“Such a charmer,” Orlando drawled.
“Don’t make me come over there and fetch you, brat.” Despite his words, Rogue didn’t budge.
“Coming, Sir. At least I hope I will be.” Orlando winked at Shelton then clambered over the back of the couch. He ran across the room then threw himself into Rogue’s arms. Rogue tossed him over a shoulder and carried him away, planting a firm smack on his ass as he went.
Shelton experienced a small pang of jealousy. He wished he had someone who doted on him as much as Rogue did on Orlando. The leader of The Wyverns might come across as cruel and fierce until it came to Orlando, then Rogue was utterly committed and as soft as a toasted marshmallow. Shelton was well used to taking care of himself, but for once it would be nice to have someone looking out for him, out of love rather than obligation. He sighed and got back to work.
Around an hour later, Shelton checked the time. It was almost midday and he decided to start preparing lunch in case his fellow club members began to surface. He pushed through the swing door into the kitchen to discover that Orlando had already prepped chicken fillets for the grill. The meat and bowls of salad were waiting in the refrigerator. He’d also baked a huge chocolate cake and smothered it with frosting. Shelton snorted when he saw it sitting on a pantry shelf, pink sugar roses decorating the top. Orlando sure did love to yank their collective chain. It wouldn’t stop The Wyverns scarfing down every crumb.
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About the Author
Lucinda lives in a small village in the English countryside, surrounded by rolling hills, cows and sheep. She started writing to fill time between jobs and is now firmly and unashamedly addicted.
She loves the English weather, especially the rain, and adores a thunderstorm. She loves good food, warm company and a crackling fire. She's fascinated by the psychology of relationships, especially between men, and her stories contain some subtle (and some not so subtle) leanings towards BDSM.
Email: lmsomerton@aol.com
L.M. loves to hear from readers. You can find her contact information, website and author biography at http://www.pride-publishing.com.
Also by L.M. Somerton
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The Portrait
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Tales from The Edge: Reaching the Edge
Tales from The Edge: Living on the Edge
Tales from The Edge: Dancing on the Edge
Tales from The Edge: A Double-Edged Sword
Tales from The Edge: Rough Around the Edges
Tales from The Edge: Scorched Edges
Tales from The Edge: Driven to the Edge
Tales from The Edge: Binding the Edges
Investigating Love: Rasputin’s Kiss
Investigating Love: Evil’s Embrace
Investigating Love: Tarot’s Love
Warlocks: Elemental Love
Racing Hearts: Keeping the Luck
His Rules: Tagging Mackenzie
What’s his Passion?: Testing Lysander
What’s his Passion?: Picturing Lysander