Explosive (A Bleeding Scars MC)

by McCarthy, Abby

  "I can feel your thoughts," Ace said in a hushed tone.

  I cracked an eye open, peeking out at him. How could he read me so easily?

  "Come here. Lean on me."

  He pulled me close to him and away from the window. My head was tucked into his side, and his arm wrapped around me. I felt the smallest brush of his fingertips against my arm.

  "It's all going to be okay; you'll see."

  My mind felt at ease, and I could feel the tension quickly ebbing away as my eyes drifted shut for real this time.

  THE SKY WAS GRAY AS the small plane descended into the Ohio sky. Ace had woken me up a few minutes prior. Butterflies danced in my stomach. I was excited to meet my brother, but afraid of seeing Hades again. I didn't want to be used against Gunner. I didn't want to be a pawn any longer. What choice did I have, though? I needed freedom. I had felt life's suffocating burden on me. It weighed me down, day in and day out, making it hard to breathe.

  I also had mixed emotions about how I felt about Ace. He held me at arm's length most times, but he also held me while I slept. He made me think, feel, and have all of these emotions I was unaccustomed to. It confused me. I looked for an ulterior motive when there wasn't any that I could see.

  The small plane shook as it touched down. We weren't in a traditional airport, more like a strip on a field. The pilot landed, then opened the small door. Cold air assaulted me.

  Ace must've noticed my goosebumps, "I have a leather on the bike. We can go to my place so you can rest or we can go straight to your brother's. Your choice."

  I thought about it. I wanted to see my brother, but I wanted to calm down and let the reality that we were relatively safe comfort me. I wanted to shower and sleep in a bed. I needed a night. So much had happened in such a short time. My life had been in jeopardy more times than I cared to count.

  "Let's meet him tomorrow, if that's all right," I answered, taking in my surroundings. The sky was a dismal white. The grass looked like it had been trampled and was barely hanging on. Other than that, there was a small airplane hangar and not much else. I couldn't see any buildings in sight.

  Ace moved to the hanger and retrieved his bike. He pulled out a white envelope from his saddlebag and handed the lingering pilot a stack of cash, which made me realize how expensive this rescue must've been. I wondered briefly how much money they had, and if I should be handing over the jewels that I'd brought with me.

  "We're all set. Are you ready for this?" He handed me a leather jacket, and I couldn't help but bring it to my nose to smell it. The aged leather felt soft in my hands. The plane was already taxiing down the tarmac, ready to take flight again.

  "Si," I said in Spanish, slipping into my native language again.

  Ace smirked at me. The way his lips tilted up just the right amount, and the slight crinkle at the corner of his eyes made my heart melt a little.

  "You like it when I speak Spanish." It was a statement, not a question.

  His face changed, growing more intense, "Fuck, Princess. I don't just like it."

  I taunted realizing how much I affected him, "Si. Te gustará más cuando lo esté gritando mientras estás dentro de mi."

  Ace caged me in against his bike, surprising me. I'd become accustomed to the nearness of his body, but this felt different. He seemed bigger, more consuming. I didn't just affect him, I affected him. "Don't play with me, Princess. You're not ready for me to be inside of you. While you're screaming my name," he said, throwing my words back at me. "and you will Alex, you'll scream my name so hard and long your voice will be hoarse. I'll touch you like no man has before. I'll be your first in so many ways, and you coming for me again and again will just be one of those ways."

  He was turning me on, and I suddenly felt irrationally angry. I mean, I was the one playing with fire by taunting him. "There's nothing you can do to me that hasn't been done." My words were a whip brought out by the power switch. I watched his eyes grow dark. All too observantly, he read me. I didn't like it.

  "Bullshit. Everything I do to you will be a first. And do you know why, Alex? Because you'll want it. You'll be begging for it. And when you're ready, every time you want it, I'll give it to you, and I promise you, it'll never be anything like what you've had before me. Nothing between us will ever be like anything you've ever had before. Do you get that?" He bit out.

  If my words were a whip, his were the lashes. The ride to his house was longer than I expected, and the entire trip, his words rang through my head.

  Everything I do will be a first.

  Nothing between us will be like anything you've had before.

  HIS HOUSE WAS A SMALL white ranch, set back from the road, at the end of a cul-de-sac. I never pictured Ace living somewhere so residential. Not that I'd given it much thought, but if I had, I wouldn't have envisioned this.

  There wasn't much to his landscape. A large tree was in the middle of the yard, and other than that, there was nothing special. For some reason, I noticed how the grass butted right up to the house and that it would look so much nicer with flower beds. Which was odd since I'd never really seen domestic flower gardens. All of the houses I'd been to were exuberant in wealth, and the landscaping had been meticulous and extreme in its ornateness.

  As we coasted down the driveway, sensor lights lit up, and the garage door opened. The garage appeared to be nearly as big as the house. Once inside the garage, the door came down automatically. The garage was illuminated, and I looked upon the plethora of man toys in fascination. There was a black truck with wheels so high they seemed to come up past my waist. There was also a four-wheeler with a plow on the front of it. A sleek, black Camaro was on the far side of the garage, and a smaller bike than the one we were on was next to that. There were various tools laid out on a workbench. The walls had old pictures of motorcycles and a couple of pinup girls leaning against various trucks and bikes. They weren't trashy photos, more like cool vintage black and whites. The garage seemed much larger inside than what it appeared from the outside.

  Once inside, there was an open floor plan, with the living room and kitchen opening up to each other. The kitchen wasn't the newest. It was clean, but looked like it could use an update or two. Even so, it was nice. There were barstools on one side of the counter that opened to the living room. The walls were white, and no real decor was up. The living room was cozy. A large, dark gray, lounger type chair with a footrest that looked like it could fit two people was facing a giant flat-screen TV. Against the window was a dark gray couch with big, deep-set cushions that looked comfortable. A small table sat next to the sofa and stacks of what looked like tech, and weapon magazines laid on top of that. It was what I'd imagined a man's house to look like.

  Sure, I'd been in men's homes before but, they were always wealthy and flaunted their wealth with cold, gaudy pieces of furniture. Ostentatious gold framed uncomfortable couches, meant to scream money, were the types of couches I'd seen in a man's home.

  "It's just two bedrooms. It was three, but the last bedroom I converted into my office. Follow me."

  I was silent as I followed Ace down the hall. I took it all in as I watched his broad shoulders seem to take up the entire hallway. He opened a door on the left, and there was a twin-size bed. The dark navy bedding was neatly tucked at the corners into the sides of the bed. There was a bedside table, and a TV mounted to the wall.

  "There isn't much, but this will be your room. The bathroom's across the hall. Next to that is my office and the door after your room is mine. There are clean towels in the bathroom if you want to take a shower. I don't think I have anything fancy for your hair. I'm sure we can both use a shower."

  An image, out of nowhere, of Ace in the shower passed through my mind of Ace in the shower. I was surprised that my mind went there. This wasn't normal for me to freely have thoughts about a man. I ignored my racing heart and answered, "A shower sounds good. Thanks."

  He left me in my room, and I quickly scanned the items in my bag. The jewelry,
worth a small fortune, was all still there. The clothes that I had packed seemed dirty like the dust from the road had seeped into everything. At the very bottom of the bag, I felt that stupid phone. I'd have to make contact sooner rather than later.

  Chapter Ten

  Alex

  "Do you have a shirt I can borrow?" I was standing in the hallway wearing nothing but a towel wrapped around me. I didn't want to put my dirty clothes back on. Ace sat at the island doing something on his laptop; his fingers hurried over the keyboard. He looked up and pierced me with his gaze. Those dark eyes were steely shards cutting into me. It unnerved me.

  "Yes. Let me get it for you."

  He stood and walked past me. I could feel the pull between us as the smallest piece of fabric from his shirt brushed my arm.

  The quick way he moved made me wonder if he was as affected as I was. He returned, handing me a folded shirt. I grabbed it from his hands, and his fingers intentionally brushed mine.

  "You're a dream standing in my hallway in nothing but a towel."

  I stared mutely, not sure what to say. He turned and walked back to the island as if he didn't just say something that left my heart pounding. It was the oddest feeling. This entire time with Ace was at odds with what my life had been like. I'd never had a man speak to me with genuine affection the way Ace had.

  I went to my room and changed into the T-shirt. I threw my clothes in the wash and watched as Ace moved to the bathroom to take his own shower, barely glancing my way.

  Dread filled my stomach. He was in the shower. I knew what I needed to do. Closing my bedroom door behind me, I fished out the phone from the bottom of my bag and typed out a message.

  Me: We made it stateside. I should meet Gunner tomorrow.

  The return text came a second later: It's about fucking time. I'll be in touch.

  I hid the phone in the bag, as guilt coursed through me. I didn't want to do this. I didn't want to be Hades' insider, but what choice did I have?

  Grabbing a pillow to my chest, I laid in bed and tried to rationalize my decision to do what Hades asked. I kept thinking about the potential freedom I might have, but wasn't that what I had right now? Wasn't Hades the only one keeping me a prisoner? Then again, my grandfather would eventually find me here. I needed a way out of all of this. I needed to disappear. My problem was, every day I spent with Ace made me feel more and more conflicted. I wasn't even sure how I would feel after meeting my brother.

  Thoughts ran rampant in my mind until my eyes grew heavy. I faintly remember hearing the water shut off and the soft click of the door, before my eyes drifted closed, and I fell asleep.

  "You will do as he says. Do you understand me? You argue—you fight—you do anything other than be the subservient puta that you are, then you will not like what happens to you."

  Enrico stared at me in the mirror. My back was to him while Sasha did my make-up. It wasn't dark or overdone like it usually was. This time it was soft as if she wanted me to be younger. My hair was braided in pigtails. Today's associate of Enrico's wanted a schoolgirl. My white pressed shirt buttoned all the way up. It was maybe a size too small because it hugged my breasts and pulled in the middle but only slightly. The top button felt constrictive, making me dread what was to come even more.

  I restrained myself from glaring at Enrico. I wanted to. I wanted to watch him take his last dying breath. I hated the whore he made me, and I hated this life.

  "Answer me, Alejandra."

  "I understand, Enrico."

  "Good. You're done, Sasha."

  She was dismissed and almost ran from the room. I didn't blame her because I'd run too if I could.

  I stood looking down at my black shiny Mary Janes, and followed Enrico down the hall to an elevator and waited as it descended. I didn't know where we were, only that it was in Europe. I wasn't allowed to ask questions. I wasn't allowed to speak unless spoken to, especially now when my task was important. I knew that I was part of a business agreement. I didn't know what part that was, I just knew there was one. It most likely was a bonus on a gun trade or a drug trade. It wasn't for me to know, but I kept my ears open even when my eyes were down.

  We passed men with large guns who spoke to Enrico in Italian. I'd picked up enough to understand them. They said something about staying right outside the door, and then they patted us down for weapons, leaving their hands on my body for a few seconds too long.

  Enrico didn't stop them. I didn't even expect him to.

  Inside, a man older than my grandfather, and much larger was sitting on a blue velvet couch with brass legs. In one hand, he held a glass of amber liquor that, if I had to guess, was scotch. In his other hand, he had a cigar. I detested the way cigar smoke smelled.

  "Come," he spoke to Enrico as I was led by my arm.

  Enrico placed me in front of the man. "Remember, you can do as you please. But do not leave a mark. She's not to be damaged. If you damage the goods, the deal is off."

  "Surely, bruises won't matter. I won't cut. I won't break, but I make no promises about bruises."

  My stomach dropped. Only one other time had a meeting began this way.

  Enrico nodded in agreement. "You have three hours until I have to leave for my flight. Use them wisely."

  The man lifted his glass as a salute to Enrico right before Enrico turned to leave.

  I wasn't expected to do anything until he told me to. It didn't take him long to begin his games. "Crawl." I moved to my knees; my white knee socks weren't nearly thick enough to cushion me. I began to crawl towards him. "Not to me. Not yet. Crawl around the room. I want you to address me as Sir, but say it in a child's voice."

  God, I wanted to vomit, but I did as I was told, and in the sweetest voice I could muster, I said, "Yes, Sir."

  I moved around the room, almost making it two laps before he told me to crawl to him. I was close to him, but not yet there when his hand shot out and fisted my pigtail. He pulled it, yanking me closer to him where he took his other hand and moved my face along the crotch of his expensive pants. I couldn't feel his dick, so either he was impotent or small. Either would be a small win.

  "Tell me you've been a bad girl."

  "I've been a bad girl, Sir." the words tasted vile as I spoke them. I did it anyway.

  He released my hair. "Turn around and lift your skirt."

  "Yes, Sir."

  I turned around and lifted my skirt. I felt a tug on my panties and then smelled smoke as he used his cigar to melt the material. He trailed the end of his cigar along my ass. "Now, you're going to learn what it takes to make me hard." My asshole was prodded. I mentally screamed no, but kept quiet as I learned my assumptions were wrong.

  "No, no, no."

  "Alex, wake up. You're dreaming."

  I thrashed coming to. I wanted to fight, and I wanted to run. I wanted to be anywhere else than where my dreams led me.

  "Alex, it's me. Ace."

  Strong arms encompassed me, cradling me like a baby. Ace lifted me from the bed. I stopped thrashing, coming to the realization that I was here with Ace and not with the Cigar Man from my nightmare. I hadn't dreamed about him for so long.

  He carried me whispering, "I got you. It's okay. Everything's going to be okay. You're safe."

  Safe.

  Those words and the embarrassing reality of what a mess I was made the burn in the back of my throat feel consuming. I wouldn't cry. I wouldn't break.

  No.

  I needed to be strong. I needed to slip on my mask that I got so good at wearing. I needed that shield. I could do this. I slipped it on more times than I could count, but for some reason, when Ace laid me down next to him in his bed, and I was surrounded by his scent, cradled in his arms, I couldn't do it. He caressed my face and kissed my forehead, reassuring me that I was going to be all right. I wanted to believe him. I wanted his safety. I wanted anything and everything that he could give me.

  With my body pressed close to his and wearing only Ace's T-shirt, I pleaded, "Mak
e me forget Ace. Give me your touch."

  I felt Ace's body lock up as if he was contemplating his next move. Swiftly, Ace lifted the oversized shirt over my head then kissed me. It was tender in an almost loving way. That thought made the burn in the back of my throat grow stronger, and a tear threatened to fall. I pushed my naked body into his and grabbed at his dick. He shoved my hand away, murmuring, "This is for you." A tear leaked out and then another as his hands roamed over my body. Every caress felt intentional. It was soft, yet purposeful. His hands roamed over my arms, my sides, my back, my thighs, and my ass. I felt like he was wiping away any other touch that haunted my skin. Then, the kisses started. He retraced his touches with kisses placed all over my flesh.

  It was too much, yet it wasn't enough. I wanted him. I wanted him inside of me, reminding me of what I was. I wasn't this woman he was cherishing. I was a whore.

  "Ace, I want you inside of me."

  "One day, I'll be inside of you. Not tonight. Not after whatever nightmare haunts you. Tonight, I'll show you something different. I'll show you what it means to be kissed by a man who wants you because of who you are, not what you can do."

  I was speechless. Most women, after the dream I'd just had, wouldn't want sex, but it was all I'd ever known. Sex was just a place in my mind I went to escape. It meant nothing, and I shouldn't be crying. I shouldn't feel anything, because I'd shut those thoughts out long ago. Ace was not going to tell me no.

  I didn't tell him this. Instead, I dipped my head to his and kissed him hard. Maybe this was another power struggle. I was trying to prove something. I wanted to show him that I was in control. That I had this. But I feared my lips gave something else away. Perhaps, they weren't shouting I had this. Maybe they told him how used I really was.

  He released my lips, not giving in to my needs, instead he pressed his lips against mine, and this time kissed me softly. He began placing light kisses all over my body. His hands roamed, grabbing me in gentle ways, which seemed almost impossible considering his size. His head moved lower, kissing my navel, and then finally, he got to my center. I could feel his hot breath on my clit right before his tongue pressed against my core.