“I’m not ready. Sorry.” I stood up from the table and disappeared outside back to the summer house, that was my escape place. The club was still in lockdown for me, Anton and his family. But the rest of the club could come and go as they pleased. At least I was now allowed to go outside. I heard the rumble of the bikes as they started up and faded into the distance.
Beauty
I WAS SITTING in the club house bar. I was nursing a glass of water while everyone else was outside enjoying the sunshine.
“Hi, we’re going to have a barbeque. You going to join us?” Heather asked. “The girls are already out there, enjoying the sun.” They had adapted well to the club lifestyle, better than I did. Did that make me a weak person? They had been through so much more than I did.
“Maybe. Do you need some help?”
“Na, I’m going to get the bunnies to do it, so I can enjoy some time with my family. Please come and join us.”
“Maybe in a minute. Is Riz out there?”
“I’m not sure where he is.” She shrugged her shoulders before rushing away.
The club door opened and shut again and this time a large guy with a beard and tattoos came in and headed for the bar. The prospects weren’t serving so he went around and helped himself. I saw out of the corner of my eye that he was looking at me before he came closer and sat down at the table.
“Hey.” He greeted me. “I’m Solar.”
“I’m… I’m not a club bunny.” I told him with a shaky voice.
“That’s good. Cuz I ain’t looking for one.” I just stared at him, wondering what he wanted. “You know Parker Haines?” I froze and my eyes widened as I nodded slowly. “What do you know about him?”
“Not a lot.” I mumbled as I looked down at my hands. Why did everyone want me to talk about him?
“Is he really this great family man?” I shook my head.
“He used to come into the club alot…”
“Club? Here?” He cut me off.
“No, Skins. I used to dance there and waitress. Until one day he demanded that I went into the back room with him. Some of the girls did that for extra money, I never did. I had fallen in love with someone else, but they weren’t interested in a relationship with me.”
“What happened?”
I re-told the story again for what felt like the hundredth time. Solar’s reaction was to swear and I quickly climbed to my feet and hurried out of the room.
I was stopped by a small little voice.
“Miss Belle?” Kelsey smiled at me. Ever since she found out my name was Beauty she called me Belle, I was sure she was convinced I was the real princess from Beauty and the Beast.
“Hi, Kelsey. Where’s your mum?” I looked around and couldn’t see Heather.
“Tegan was crying. She’s tired.” She pointed to the stairs and I assumed that Heather was putting Tegan to bed. A few seconds later Heather appeared at the top of the stairs with a baby monitor in her hand.
“I just hope this thing will still work outside.”
“I’ll go and look after her.” I offered.
“No, you don’t have to do that. Come and join us for the barbeque.”
“Yes, Miss Belle. Come and play with me.” Kelsey slipped her small hand into mine and tried tugging me away from the stairs.
“How can I say no to that.” I smiled at Kelsey as a feeling of unease flitted through my tummy.
“Yay!” She shouted, jumping up and down on the spot.
“Come on then.” Heather ushered us outside and I was glad to see that the guys had all taken up the space on the table and benches, leaving the children’s park free for us to play in. Naomi, Tia, Becky, Sara and Rayna were all laying on the grass soaking up the sun, they looked happy and relaxed.
“There’s my sugar.” Prez smiled as he sauntered towards Heather and started whispering in her ear. She giggled before he placed his lips on hers.
“They always doing that.” Kelsey giggled covering her mouth with her hands.
“That’s because they love each other.” I told her.
“Can you push me on the swings?” I smiled at her and nodded. Once she was sitting and held hold of the chains I pushed her gently. “Do you love Uncle Riz?” I froze in shock, why would she ask this?
“Ummm…”
“I heard mummy tell daddy that he loves you.”
“Did you?” My heart swelled and butterflies took off in my tummy.
“Yep. Push me higher.” She demanded. I did as she asked before looking around for Riz. Crystal was hanging off him again as he talked to his club brothers. He kept pushing her away and he looked like he was getting annoyed. Why wouldn’t she just take the hint?
A loud sob came from the baby monitor that Heather was holding.
“Oh, she’s awake already.” She told Prez.
“I’ll go and see to her.” I offered as Kelsey jumped off the swings and headed to the slide.
“Are you sure?” She asked.
“Yes. Besides it means I don’t have to watch the pathetic and desperate woman clinging all over my…” I hesitated. “Ummm, all over Riz.”
“Thank you.” She passed me the monitor and I hurried into the clubhouse, through the bar and up the long staircase. I inputted the code for the door and ran to the end of the hallway where Tegan’s screams were getting louder.
“Hey, hey. It’s ok.” I scooped her out of her cot and held her against my chest. I rubbed soothing circles over her back and paced in the small space.
“That looks good on you.” I jumped when I heard Riz’s voice.
“What are you talking about?” I screwed my face up in confusion.
“Holding her. Being a mum would suit you.” He smiled at me, reminding me of what I had already lost.
“I won’t ever be a mum.” I stated, turning my back to him and rocking Tegan in my arms.
“Of course you will. One day soon.” He placed his hand on my back and I jumped.
I took a step away from him and shook my head.
“I don’t want to have a baby.”
“And what about what I want?” He folded his arms across his chest.
“If you want kids go ahead and have them. I’m sure Crystal will be willing.”
“Beauty, I don’t want anyone but you. I’m not interested in having a family with anyone but you.”
I turned my back on him and looked out of Tegan’s bedroom window, it overlooked the summer house. I jumped again when his hands clasped held of my hips.
“All I think about and want is you.” He whispered as his lips found my neck and he kissed me softly. My body betrayed me, my heartbeat accelerated, my nipples pebbled and arousal flooded through my entire body.
“Everything ok in here?” A deep voice asked. I spun around to see Prez standing in the doorway smirking.
“Daddy.” Tegan smiled and held her arms out for him. I passed her over and blushed that he caught Riz kissing my neck as I held his daughter.
“Ummm, she was a little upset when I got up here. But she seems ok now. Do you want me to change her?” I offered.
“Na, it’s ok. I’ll do it. Why don’t you two go and grab some food.” Riz grabbed my hand and started pulling me out of the room.
“Prez.” Riz said, nodding his head.
Riz
IT HAD BEEN several weeks since we made a visit to Parker and I was arrested. Things had quietened down, the lockdown had been lifted and ‘Skins’ was re-opened. Beauty had asked me several times if she could go back to work and I told her that she’d never have to go back. She argued with me as she loved to dance and that’s when I came up with a great plan.
“Morning, beautiful.” I whispered in her ear as she stirred and kissed her neck. A smile appeared on her face as her eyelids fluttered open.
“Riz? What are you doing in bed with me?” She held the duvet over her body and sat up in bed.
“I got tired of sleeping on the floor and wanted to be close to you.”
&nbs
p; “You mean you want to fuck me?” She accused. My head fell forwards in defeat. Why couldn’t this woman see how I really felt about her, why did she have to fight me on everything?
“No. Though I’m dying to kiss you. To feel your soft lips against mine.” She offered me her cheek to kiss and I laughed before placing a soft kiss on her. “Now my turn?” I turned my cheek towards her and just as she was about to kiss me I turned my head and captured her lips with mine. She didn’t pull away straight away. When we did seperate I was expecting her to go crazy at me.
“That was cheeky.” She laughed, slapping me on the shoulder.
“Oh yeah?” I started tickling her and she fell onto her back and her hair fanned out around her. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever laid eyes on.
Her laughter was infectious and before long I was laughing along with her until she grabbed the back of my head and pulled me in closer. Her lips found mine first and I didn’t hesitate on kissing her back. I angled her head so I could take the kiss deeper. Our tongues entwined and my cock had woken up with avengence. Her body arched towards mine and I couldn’t stop from pulling her in closer. She was wearing one of my t-shirts and a pair of my boxers but she was still as sexy as hell.
I pulled back and jumped out of the bed.
“Get that sexy arse up, we’re going out.” I padded over to the bathroom, keeping my back to her, I didn’t want her to see my erection and think that’s all I wanted from her.
“Out? What about the lockdown?” I splashed some water over my face and thought about everything under the sun to get my cock to calm down.
“It’s, uh…” I glanced her way to see her throw the duvet back and swing her legs over the side of the bed. Her toned legs were sexy as hell and I desperately wanted them wrapped around me.
“Riz?”
“It’s been lifted for the time being, as it’s been quiet. So, I’m taking you to get your stuff from your place.”
“Can I move back there? I don’t need to be here if we’re no longer in danger?” She jumped out of the bed with a big smile on her face. Wow, she couldn’t wait to get away from me.
“No. Not yet.” Her face fell and I slammed the bathroom door to get some privacy. What did I have to do to show her that I’m serious about her. Was it really such a bad idea to be with someone like me?
I BORROWED Heather’s car to take Beauty back to her place. I didn’t know how much she owned but I was packing it all up today.
“That apartment block there.” Beauty pointed out a run down house that looked like it was turned into apartments. The roof was in bad condition and there was peeling paint on the walls. I parked in the designated space and she hopped out of the car. She ran up the steps and punched in the code for the main door. I followed her down the hall to door number two.
“What?” She sobbed. I glanced over her shoulder to see an eviction notice on the door and several black bin bags in front of it. She bent down and ripped open one of the bags.
“Is that your stuff?” I asked.
“This is all your fault.” She cried. “You kept me locked up, I couldn’t work, so I couldn’t pay my rent and now I have nowhere to live.”
“You were never coming back here anyway.” I shrugged. “You’re living at the clubhouse with me.”
“I don’t want to live at the clubhouse.” She climbed to her feet to face me. “I don’t want to be an Old Lady. I don’t want to be involved with a motorcycle club. I want to work and live in my own place, alone.”
Wow, that was a kick in the teeth. Was being with me and a club who were willing to protect her the worst thing in the world.
“Too bad, princess.” I grabbed a couple of the black bags and headed back to the car. I threw them in the boot and then headed in to get some more.
“I’m not going back there.” She crossed her arms over her chest. I grabbed the last of the bags.
“Get in the car.” I demanded. She shook her head and didn’t move. I threw the rest of the bags in the boot and hoped that nothing was breakable. I slammed the boot down and waited for Beauty to come out. After waiting for five minutes I stormed back in there. She was stubborn as hell.
“Beauty, I won’t ask again.”
“Good, cuz I don’t want you to ask again.”
“Do you really think that you’re safe here? Do you really think that Parker doesn’t know where you live? I can’t protect you here. If I go within a hundred feet of him I’ll be thrown in jail. Is that what you want?”
“No.” She muttered as her head dropped forward.
“I don’t want to scare you.” I stepped closer to her and placed my hands on her waist. “I want to protect you.” I kissed the top of head and her body relaxed. “Will you please come with me?”
“Ok.” She looked up at me and I couldn’t resist placing a quick kiss on her lips, before grabbing her hand and leading her to the car.
“WAIT, where are we going? The club is that way.” Beauty asked.
“There’s something I want to show you.” I waited at the junction for the traffic to pass, before slipping the car into gear and taking off. Beauty angled her body towards mine.
“What do you want to show me?”
“You’ll see soon enough. It’s just up this road. Can you drive?” She shook her head. “Do you want to learn?”
“I’d like to be able to drive. Only a car, bike’s scare me.”
“I’ll have you on the back of my bike soon.” I placed my hand on her leg and smiled at her.
I pulled into a small car park and I watched as Beauty looked out of the window.
“Bluebells dancing school?” She looked confused.
“This is where Kelsey does her ballet and street dance. Heather was telling me that they were looking for volunteers to help out. I gave them a call and they said for you to pop in and meet them.”
“I can’t work here, I’m a stripper.”
“You were a stripper.”
“Besides I need a job that pays money.”
“You don’t need money. I can get you whatever you need. Plus this could lead to a job.”
“You talk like we’re a couple and you’re going to look after me.”
“We are a couple, or we could be if you’d just stop fighting me on it. You’re the one for me Beauty.”
I watched as she looked down at her lap and then back up to the building.
“I can’t go in dressed like this.” She was wearing a pair of baggy jeans and one of my hoodies. “I need something of my own to wear.” She jumped out of the car and opened up the boot. She began rummaging around until she found something she wanted to wear. “This will work.” She went to open up the back passenger door. “Can you keep a watch out for people while I get dressed?”
“Of course, princess.” She jumped in the back of the car and within minutes she was dressed wearing a pair of black three quarter leggings, sandals and a strappy long t-shirt that read ‘Mind, Body, Soul’.
“Will this be ok?” She twirled on the spot.
“You look great. Good luck.” I reached into my leather jacket and pulled out my rizlas and tobacco and began to roll a cigarette.
“You’re not coming in?” She looked back to the building and to me again.
“You’ve got this.”
“You know, that’s bad for you.” She laughed pointing at the rolled cigarette in my hand.
“I know, but if I gave it up my name wouldn’t mean anything.”
“That’s not a reason to keep smoking.” She rose her eyebrow in the air waiting for my response.
“Go and get yourself a job doing what you love most.” She nodded at me, turned on her heel, took a deep breath, held her head up high and headed in the direction of the door.
Beauty
WE PULLED up to the clubhouse after going to the dance studio and I hadn’t been able to stop smiling.
“I’m going to tell Heather and the girls the good news.” I told Riz as we got out of the ca
r.
“Prospect, grab the bags out of the boot and take them to my room.” Riz ordered, throwing the car keys at him.
“Your room?” I asked as we walked into the clubhouse.
“Yes, princess.” He kissed me on the side of the head before heading over to Buzz and Bear who were playing pool.
“Has anyone seen Heather?” I asked Crystal and Dana who were stocking the bar. They both ignored me.
“She’s in the kitchen.” Ice told me as he climbed on a stool in front of the bar.
“Thanks.” I smiled at him and as I began to walk away I heard him having a go at the girls. Telling them that I was above them in this clubhouse and they had to respect me.
I pushed open the kitchen door and Heather was sitting at the small round table with Liam and Tegan in high chairs. They were both eating sandwiches and crisps as Heather ate a bowl of salad.
“Hi, how did it go?” She asked.
“I got the volunteers position. I start next week. Three days a week.”
“That’s great. I’m so happy for you.”
“Thanks. I can’t wait to get started.” I sat down on the opposite side of the table and grabbed an empty glass and the jug of water and poured myself a glass.
“That looks good on you.” I frowned as I didn’t know what she was talking about. “Smiling. A proper happy smile.”
“Thank you. I’ve got a lot to smile about.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah. Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.” She took her last mouthful of salad and pushed the bowl to the side of her.
“What’s it like being an Old Lady? Was it something you wanted?”
“My first husband was in this club. I kept out of it, I never stepped foot in their club. Wanted nothing to do with it. When he died I didn’t get a choice. But I met the most amazing man, fell in love and now we have a great life, amazing family and I’d never give it up for the world.”
“How do you deal with everything that goes on? Other club members? The violence?”
“They all respect me, especially as I’m an Old Lady.”
South Coast Brothers Part 1 Page 68
