Balance (The Chicago Defiance MC Book 6)

by K E Osborn

  I pause just as I’m about to throw my leg over my ride while my cock instantly hardens in my pants. She can’t say shit like that when I can’t do anything about it. My head turns to observe her. She’s got the most devious expression on her face as she winks at me. I know she did that on purpose, so I shake my head and continue to get on the bike all the while she’s giggling to herself.

  Sitting down on my ride, I signal for her to drop on behind me. Neve takes hold of my sides sliding on effortlessly like she’s done this a hundred times before.

  “Have you ever ridden on the back of a bike?” I ask.

  She wraps her arms around my waist. Suddenly, I feel like a fucking king. I get it now, the feeling of what it’s like having your woman at your back. It’s a feeling I could get fucking used to.

  “A little. I had to do a scene for a movie this one time, but it was only small bursts, and we weren’t going very fast.”

  “So you know the basics then. Lean with the bike, hold on tight—”

  “And keep my legs away from the pipes.”

  “Exactly, you got it. One more thing.”

  “What’s that?”

  I start the engine, the vibration rolling between my thighs as it shudders. The thunderous sound echoing off the walls of the concrete parking lot as she grips me tighter. “Don’t forget to scream,” I jest, then hammer down taking off. It’s not as fast as I would like considering it’s a parking lot, and I can’t go full throttle in here, but it’s enough to have her squeezing my stomach as she clenches tightly onto me.

  Smiling, I drive up the ramp and make my way out onto the street, heading for home. Once I get out onto the highway, I let it rip. I pull back, opening her up. Neve lets out a tiny yelp, one I know she didn’t mean to, which only makes me feel more energized as I weave in and out of traffic. I’m not riding dangerously just a little faster than I probably should.

  Her cap shudders on my head with the breeze. I’m a little worried it might fly off, but I did it up fucking tight. It’s almost cutting into my head as the wind hits my face. Neve squeezes tighter, but not in a way that tells me she’s scared, more in a way she’s telling me she’s excited. Her fingers are splayed out on my chest as she holds onto me like she just wants to feel me. Her cheek is pressed against my back.

  It’s fucking nice.

  This shit’s a fantastic feeling.

  She continues to hold me like this the entire way to the clubhouse. As we get closer, I tap her hand. Her head moves from my back like she’s looking up. I want her to take it in as we ride through the gate and into the compound. The gates open, then I pull in driving to my usual spot.

  Excitement flows through me.

  It feels like I’m bringing a girl home to meet the family.

  It’s a strange feeling.

  Torque and Foxy are in the yard waiting for us as we arrive, and they start walking over as I turn off my engine.

  I hear faint giggling coming from behind me, so I turn to see Neve practically glowing as she slides out from behind me. She jumps once as she yanks the helmet off her head. “Holy shit, that was better than sex,” she yells making Torque and Foxy both open their eyes wide and blink.

  I clear my throat. “Then you haven’t had sex with a biker, have you?” I defend. I don’t need my brothers thinking we’ve had sex, and I don’t mount up.

  She waves her hair from side to side like some fucking model, I guess she’s close enough. “You telling me you fuck better than that, Ace?”

  “You’ll find out—”

  Torque clears his throat. “Should we come back when you two are finished?” he asks with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

  I pull off the baseball cap and shove it inside the helmet. I place them on my seat, then grab Neve, bringing her forward. She suddenly seems stiff like she’s remembered she’s at a biker clubhouse.

  “Guys, this is Neve De Villa. Neve, this is my president, Torque, and his Old Lady, Foxy.”

  Neve nervously turns up her perfectly pulled-together lips, then she steps back taking in a lungful of air then bends down into a full-blown, meet the queen, type curtsey.

  She. Actually. Curtseys.

  We all raise our brows at her as she bows her head. “Nice to meet you Mr. President.”

  I can’t hold in my laugh, neither can Foxy. Torque, on the other hand, stands here like he’s unsure of whether she’s being serious or purely mocking the situation.

  “Uhhh… stand the fuck up. We don’t do that shit, and it’s not Mister President, I’m just the president, and you don’t need to call me that. It’s just Torque for you, love.”

  She stands, her eyes glazing over like she’s a little lost. I stop my amusement instantly, linking my hand with hers. “You really have no clue about how this all works, do you?”

  She shrugs. “All I know is you guys respect your ranks, so I figured I should be really respectful as an outsider.”

  Foxy leans forward punching me in the arm making me wince. “You’re a dickhead, Ace. You should have told her what to expect.”

  Neve tries to hide her giggle as I rub the back of my neck. “Yeah, I should have.” I glance at Neve. “My bad.”

  “I kinda looked like a dick just then, didn’t I?” Neve winces.

  Torque purses his lips. “I’ve never been curtseyed to before, so, um… thank you for that. But, just relax, enjoy yourself, and have fun. We’re not royalty, we don’t need special treatment. We’re just normal guys and gals. We’ll treat you like an ordinary person, you treat us the same… deal?”

  It’s not often she goes places and isn’t treated like the celebrity she is. Here, she’ll just be another regular everyday chick. Pretty sure she’ll appreciate that fact.

  “Deal. Sorry for being a complete freak…” She leans in closer to him lowering her voice, “Please don’t tell anyone about that.”

  Foxy gestures as if she zips her lips shut while I wrap my arm around Neve’s waist. “Our lips are sealed. Now how about we go inside and I introduce you to everyone?” Foxy beams.

  Neve exhales like she’s mentally preparing herself. “Okay. Let’s do this.”

  Foxy takes Neve from me looping her arm with Neve’s as they walk ahead of Torque and me, but only a step or two. Neve glances back to make sure I’m coming, and I smile to ease her nerves. I don’t think it works, but she tries to fake one back as they stroll on.

  Torque peers at me sideways while he paces alongside me. “She’s interesting.” His voice lowers so only I can hear.

  “She’s out of her element. She’s used to being the one people fawn over, and here she doesn’t know how we work. All she knows is the stereotype.”

  Torque grunts. “So she’s scared of us?”

  Pursing my lips, I shake my head. “Nah, I don’t think it’s that. I think she just believes we’re worse than we are.” I smack my 1% badge. “This scares the shit outta her thinking we’re the type of bikers that are always in the papers.”

  “I get it. We’re not perfect, we’re certainly not saints, but maybe her being around means she’s willing to try and see us differently.”

  Shrugging as we walk inside the clubhouse, my eyes focus on Neve and the awe striking her face. Foxy leads her over to Ruby and Hayley at the bar. “I don’t know, I just hope by the end of tonight, she has a little more understanding of us… of me.”

  Torque slaps my shoulder gripping it in support. “You like her, that’s clear. Be careful, it’s my only advice. She’s a big deal, and while we’ll all do everything to make her feel welcome, if she doesn’t accept you for who you are, Ace, then maybe she isn’t good enough for you, not the other way around.”

  He dips his head then walks off into the room leaving me with my racing thoughts.

  NEVE

  Holy shit.

  The women here are so damn pretty.

  First Foxy and now Ruby and Hayley.

  Not to mention Cindi.

  The guys here obviously like a gorgeou
s woman or two around them.

  “We lost you, didn’t we?” Ruby asks snapping me from my thoughts as she slides a wine glass across the bar.

  I exhale taking a quick sip thanking her with my eyes. “Sorry, this is just a little overwhelming. I mean, I never in my life thought I would enter a biker clubhouse, and honestly, I never thought it would be so… so—”

  “Clean?” Ruby answers for me.

  I open my eyes wide. “Yes! Exactly. I was picturing naked people everywhere and it being dirty and… shit, I don’t know what I was thinking.”

  Foxy picks up the wine glass in front of her. “I thought the same thing the first time I came here, too. Don’t worry, it’s natural when you’re new to the club.”

  I sigh, glancing over at Ace who seems lost in his own thoughts. “I feel so stupid.”

  Foxy shakes her head placing her hand on my arm in a kind gesture. “Oh stop. Don’t. You didn’t know.”

  Suddenly, another woman with red hair rushes in almost sliding in like Tom Cruise did in Risky Business. “Whassup, bitches?” she calls out as she pulls to a stop wearing mechanic coveralls and a red bandana in her hair.

  She looks like a bunch of fun.

  “Hey, Sass, this is Neve. Ace’s friend,” Foxy says.

  Her eyes widen as she searches the room. “Ace is back? Awesome, I missed the geek. It’s nice to meet you, slick, I’m Ayla, but everyone calls me Sass.”

  She seems full-on but with a heart of gold. I put out my hand for her to shake. “Hi, Sass. So are you an Old Lady, too?”

  “Oh yeah, Sensei’s my man.” She glances around then points to an Asian guy with half a shaved head which is covered in tattoos and the other side with long dreadlocks, who’s playing pool with another man, while a blonde woman watches over them. “Him, the hot one, not the scruffy dude, that’s Chains, and the woman is Chills, Chains’ Old Lady. She’s also the club doctor. Well, the main one besides Foxy here,” Sass informs me quickly.

  I open my eyes wide looking at Foxy as she rolls her eyes. “Chills has taught me well.”

  “There are two doctors in the club?” My voice rises in vocal pitch to match my shock.

  Foxy shakes it off. “I’m not fully qualified just yet, got another couple of years, but anyhoo, there might be three in a few years. One of Sensei’s little sisters is going into medicine as well.”

  “Jesus, you guys breed smart.”

  They all laugh as I watch a man walk in, he’s kind of scruffy looking, but in a ruggedly handsome way, and with him is a stunning blonde beauty. She appears a little different from the other girls here. A little more natural I suppose, but she’s still striking as she walks in spotting Ace. Her face lights up as she rushes over to him, and I tense up watching them embrace. Immediately, the hairs on my arm raise.

  Something hits me.

  I’m jealous.

  There’s a strong connection there as Ace holds her tight.

  My stomach swirls in unease as I watch them pull back, chatting like they have a history. Is she an ex? Ace glances over at me as if to sense my eyes on him. His body softens like he sees no one else in the room, like when his eyes befall my body everything, else falls away, and I’m the only thing in here that makes his face appear the way it is right now—utterly content. It warms my insides as he says something to the woman, then they start walking over toward me.

  Panic sets in as I sit taller running my hand over my hair wondering if I look okay. Wearing black pants and a black sweater doesn’t seem so flattering after all.

  “Neve, I want you to meet my good friend, Sparx,” Ace chimes.

  Good friend.

  That’s better than ex.

  Okay, this is workable.

  She steps forward putting her hand out to shake, her perfect pearly whites light up the room. She’s so freaking pretty.

  Dammit.

  “Hi, Neve.” Even her voice is beautiful. “It’s so good to meet you. I hear you’re keeping Ace in good company?”

  I glance at Ace wondering what he’s told her about us and how far we’ve gone. “What?” I ask hesitantly.

  Her smile falls slightly as she drops her hand. “I-I just meant that Ace likes being around you… sorry, I can say things the wrong way s-sometimes,” she stutters seeming a little frazzled.

  I think I’ve offended her.

  Shit.

  Ace steps forward as an awkwardness flows over us all. “Okay, let’s talk this out. What’s going on right now?” he asks bluntly.

  I glance at Foxy who’s turned away subtly drinking her wine like she wants nothing to do with this as I turn back to Sparx who’s withdrawing in on herself. It seems strange like I’ve really upset her.

  I feel terrible.

  So, I make the first move.

  “I’m sorry.” I exhale. “I saw you two hugging like you were ex-lovers and… it scared me. I got jealous, and…” I let out a long breath, “… I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” I blurt out making Foxy cough and splutter her wine.

  Sass grins from ear to ear like she’s loving this as Ace scrunches up his face like he doesn’t know what the fuck to do. But Sparx, her reaction is the most surprising. She rushes forward taking me into a tight embrace. My eyes bug out of my head as I stand here trying to clear my throat, but then relax as I wrap my arms around her and embrace too. She giggles pulling back while everyone around us chuckles. “Oh my God, I was worried for a moment there. I thought maybe you weren’t the right woman for Ace. He needs someone who will fight for him like he will always do for them.” I glance up at Ace to see his cheekbones raised and prominent. Sparx sighs as she takes my hands in hers. “Ace and I are really great friends, that scruff over there is the father of my twins and my fiancé. You have nothing to worry about. Trust me. Trax would kill Ace, he’s so protective of me.”

  “Yeah, that seems to be a common theme with these men.”

  “I hear ya!” Sass calls out.

  “Amen,” Foxy agrees.

  “I’m sorry, Sparx. I feel like a complete idiot… I seem to be making a fool of myself ever since I got here.”

  Sparx waves her hand through the air, tutting her tongue to the roof of her mouth. “Stop. I’m just glad I got to see this side of you. Now I know how you feel about Ace, and that’s all I need to know about you.”

  I tilt my head. “And what does it say about me?”

  She bumps into Ace’s side making him grin. “That you’re a good person, Neve. Welcome to the club.”

  I bite down on my bottom lip as Foxy hands me my wine clinking hers with my glass. “Cheers, Neve.”

  Giggling, I raise my shoulders in excitement and take a sip. Then a question hits me. “Oh, hey. Question. Why Foxy, Sass, and Sparx? Is that like a Road Name for the women of the club?”

  Ace steps forward wrapping his arm around my shoulders pulling me to him. “They’re Old Lady names. You get one when you’re either really special or you become an Old Lady. Family.”

  Hearing that fills me with warmth. “That’s nice. I think it’s a really cool tradition.”

  He stares into my eyes. “It is, isn’t it… Starlet?”

  My face drops with the realization as I stare into his eyes. My stomach’s doing somersaults as I think about what he’s just said.

  Is Starlet the name he’s given me?

  Am I his someone special?

  I can’t help but notice everyone in the near vicinity watching us like they’re shocked by what he’s just said. So, I have to think that this means what I think it does. I stand, turning to face him, my heart pummeling my chest as I stare into his electric blue eyes.

  “So, does that mean all this time…”

  He brings his hand up to caress my cheek. I lean into his palm as I try my hardest to fight back my tears. I’ve never felt more cared for in my entire life. Sure, it’s not a marriage proposal, nor would I want it to be at this point in time, but it’s his unique way of saying that basically from the first day we met,
he knew I was special. A month later, a few stolen kisses, some intense sexual chemistry, and a heap of indecision has led us to this point—it’s my version of Notting Hill where I’m just an actress, standing in front of a biker, finally not giving a fuck.

  I lean in kissing him in front of his entire brotherhood. A round of cheering and applause echo through the clubhouse as a spark ignites inside of me. Ace is like no one I’ve ever met. He keeps surprising me. Every time I think I know him, he changes pieces of the puzzle.

  Slowly, I pull back as I stare into his eyes. Pride oozes from him as some of his brothers come over slapping him on his back.

  “You finally got a girl, brother,” the guy I think they said was Chains goads him.

  Ace rolls his eyes. “Neve’s not a girl, Chains. She’s all woman.”

  The old ladies and club girls all groan as a few more women and brothers walk over to us. Seems we’ve drawn attention to ourselves.

  “Does she know she has to compete with Iron Man for your affections?” Chains teases.

  “Don’t be a buffoon, you goose,” Chills mocks walking up next to Chains slapping him across the back of the head.

  He peers up at her, so much adoration in his eyes. “Make up your mind, woman, am I a buffoon or a goose?”

  “A dickhead,” she replies making us all laugh.

  Even though she’s abusing him verbally, I can tell it’s all said with humor. These two are oozing love toward each other.

  “Anyone seen Lala?” a guy calls out as he walks in from the back door, along with another man and a young girl with short brown hair. “Shit, what’s happening?” he then asks as they take in the sight of us all.

  “Pyro, Armor, Chloe… this is Neve, the woman I’ve been staying with for the past week. I met her a month ago when I checked in on Cindi,” Ace calls out showing me off.

  I give a small wave as Chloe’s eyes light up, and Pyro and Armor bob their heads in a gesture of hello. “Hey, nice to meet you. Hope you’re taking care of our girl, Cindi. But seriously guys… Lala?” the guy I’m guessing is called Pyro asks.

  “Last I saw, she was still trying to figure out where to get the invitations at the best price online. Try my room, she likes my computer,” Sparx calls out.