Chapter Twenty-Nine

Stacey’s heart was still in her throat, but with Troy by her side, she knew she was safe. And yet, her mind was a maze of questions. How could she have a relationship with him if his go-to reaction when they had a disagreement was to strong-arm her?

He unzipped the pocket of his jacket and threw a packet of condoms on the bed.

She sat on the bed and looked up at him, determined not to let him faze her. “We need to talk.”

“Suit yourself.” He stripped off his jacket, T-shirt, jeans, and boots, his hard-on standing proud.

She swore the man was always hard around her. Physically perfect in every detail. He had a good, thick erection with a large knob on the end. A fantastic tool. She grabbed her bedside glass of water, drank deep, then walked over to her chest of drawers to retrieve her nightie.

He pulled the coverlet back and lay on his back, watching her with his dark eyes gleaming, the packet of condoms held loosely in his hand. “I like your new look.”

“What look?” Was this his attempt at communication? The night was still steamy, so she pulled out a flimsy nightie, wishing she had something longer because from the way he was looking at her, she could tell he was already undressing her in his mind.

She took off her T-shirt and slid the nightie over the top, his scrutiny making her shiver.

“You’re not wearing a bra.”

“I’m not wearing underwear, either,” she said.

“Take the jeans off slowly, and bend over the dresser.”

“No. I’m tired. And I hurt all over.” Sex wasn’t going to solve her problems.

She turned her back on him and slithered out of her jeans so they pooled at her feet. She stepped out of them, stooped and picked them up, and flung them over the bedroom chair.

When she climbed into bed, he spooned her, reaching up to massage her from her shoulders down the length of her spine, his thumb getting between each vertebra. She had to admit, it felt good. So good, her body melted into his.

His skin was warm, his torso rock-hard, and she could feel his crisp arm and leg hairs tickling her body. How was it they could meld so well in bed but be at war in life?

“Stacey?” His hand slipped around her front, and he stroked her hair away from her face, his thumb gently pressing into her temples to ease the tension there.

“Hmm?”

“You okay?”

“I’m glad you’re here. I was horrible earlier. I said things I shouldn’t have.” A twist of guilt showed its sharp blade. “I’m sorry.”

“That’s okay.” He kissed the back of her neck with tender, warm lips and her toes curled.

“I miss Dad and Brian. I wouldn’t be having these problems with the business if Dad were still alive.” Tears welled up. She hadn’t grieved for her father. Hadn’t had time. She’d been too busy looking after Brian, who’d been going off the rails when she arrived.

“You’re not alone,” Troy said softly.

“But I am.” Her worries burst out of her. “There’s stock missing at work. Money going out that I can’t account for.”

“I’m here now, and I’ve been thinking about your business problems. Why don’t we go over it all on Sunday while the store is closed? Meanwhile, I’ll get some feelers out and see if I can find where that stock is going.”

She smiled into the pillow. “That’s a new solution for you. It doesn’t involve beating up Bill.”

“I’m more than just brawn,” Troy said, feigning affront, then his voice deepened and went all melty. “I have many skills. Let me show you.” His hand moved down her body between her legs.

She rolled around to face him before he could reach where he was seeking. There was a stream of light coming from the neighbor’s, and she could make out his face in the dark.

“But that’s just it,” she said. “I can’t afford to get used to you helping me solve my problems. You’re not the sort of guy who will stay in one place. You’ve never done it before. Why would you start now?”

“I never had a woman I wanted to stay for before now,” he said simply.

“What are you saying?” She reached up and touched his cheek, her thumb moving over it, feeling the prickly stubble as she followed the line of his face. It was oddly comforting.

“I’m not going to re-up. I’ve made up my mind. You need me here.”

She couldn’t believe what she was hearing, and her heart leaped. “Really?”

“I know you don’t want to accept the Slayers, but I promise, we’ll work something out.” His hand moved to cup her breast, but she put her own hand over his and stopped him.

“I can’t accept criminals, Troy. I know what that one-percenter badge means.”

“Yeah? And what’s that?”

“It means the guy has killed someone.”

“A lot of men who’ve been in the military have killed people.”

“That’s different. That’s serving their country, under orders. It’s not going out and murdering someone so you can wear a badge. How can anyone be proud of murdering someone?”

“You’re spending too much time believing stupid TV shows and what’s written online. A lot of motorcycle club members are like me. Men who don’t fit into the mainstream. Loners. Tough guys who have served. We’re all loyal to our club, and we all love to ride.”

“If only it were that simple. But it’s the whole culture. Just look at how you treat women!”

He grimaced. “Okay. I’ll give you that. Though, in the club’s defense, no one is forcing them to be there. They’ve chosen that life themselves.”

She blew out a breath. “One could argue that point.” She removed the hand that was on her breast and put it around her back, instead. “But if you want any chance of me choosing to be with you, I need you to listen to me when I tell you something, and to consult me on decisions that affect me. I’m not in the army, and I won’t be ordered around.”

“I assume you’re speaking of the engagement party.”

“Among other things.”

“The engagement party wasn’t my idea,” he said, actually looking slightly annoyed at having to go along with it. “And I’ll admit, I didn’t broach the subject very tactfully. But ultimately, it’s all about your safety.”

“Gosh, did I hear an apology somewhere in there?”

A corner of his mouth lifted. “Maybe.”

“In that case, accepted.” She snuggled in closer. “I’m glad you came home.”

“There wasn’t anywhere else I wanted to go.”

Having him so sweet with her was special. She wanted to take advantage and talk. “So…does this mean we’re really engaged?”

He pulled her in tight, his cock pressing between her thighs. “The ring’s real, isn’t it?”

Another non-answer. It was so damn hard to work out if he really cared.

“Your mother called me to see if I was okay. Pa must have told her we’d had a fight.”

Troy groaned. “There’s no privacy at the club.”

It had been an awkward conversation. Stacey had still been steaming mad but hadn’t wanted to be the one to break his mother’s heart by saying it was over.

“I told her I didn’t want to go to the meet.”

He winced. “What was her reaction?” He started stroking her bottom.

“She said she hoped I’d accept the brothers, but it was always up to me. Then she asked when the wedding date was.”

His hand stopped moving. “Uh-oh. What did you say?”

“I told her we hadn’t set a date yet. She assumed it was because we have to find a venue first.”

He grimaced. “And you let her believe that?”

“I didn’t know what else to say. What do bikers do for a wedding, anyway?”

“The bride goes naked, wearing just a veil.” He leaned forward and started kissing the side of her neck.

She gasped.

He chuckled.

“You made that up,” she said, shoving at his shoulder. “Troy, I can only put your mother off for so long. She’s going to start getting suspicious.”

“So, plan a wedding,” he said, an indecipherable look on his face.

She sat up and faced him. “That’s not helpful. It would mean lying to your mother. Hurting your mother terribly when she finds out the truth. Think this through. Are you okay with that?”

“Just make it months away. By that time, I’ll get Lizzie back, and she can take the heat off me.”

Okay. There was no ambiguity about those feelings. His intent was clear as crystal.

A flat, dull sensation settled around Stacey’s heart. “Very romantic, Troy.”

“What? You want me to say we’re madly in love and getting married next week?”

“No one would believe you.” Least of all, her.

“Then stick with that we need to find a venue, and nothing’s available for a year’s time. That’s the best I can think of.” He sighed. “You’re too uptight, baby. You need an orgasm to relax.”

Obviously, he hadn’t learned the lesson yet about sex not solving every problem. But biting his lip again probably wouldn’t help.

She sighed. “I wondered how long you’d be able to talk to me without mentioning sex.”

“I think this is a record.” He seemed surprised himself.

“Just remember, lies have a habit of becoming exposed.”

“I’ll deal with exposed. Actually, I like the sound of that. Let’s get you exposed.” He slithered down her body before she could reply.

The first tickle of his tongue on her inner lips made her roll her hips. This big hunk of a man had attuned himself to her body. He played with her for a while, teasing her with gentle licks until he slowly built up a rhythm. She closed her eyes and widened her legs, welcoming him. With this, she trusted him.

He licked around her entrance and shoved in his tongue as if he couldn’t get enough of her. She clenched him tightly, wanted to take his tongue deep inside her, imagining it was his cock. Moaning, she reached down and twined her fingers in his hair. By the time the tip of his tongue licked over her clit, she was ready to explode.

Little tremors built in the base of her spine and she groaned, deep and loud. He laved the whole of her sex with long strokes from base to tip, the pressure of his tongue hot and sure. Reaching up with one hand, he squeezed her breast, his thumb rolling over her nipple.

Her whole body tensed, waiting for the next long stroke of his tongue, but he surprised her by sucking on her clit instead, licking hard over the tip, the suction and his teeth holding it in place. Her back lifted off the mattress, and she dragged in a deep breath as the orgasm exploded over her, racing up her body, sending fireworks through her, until finally, she slumped, panting, unable to speak.

“And that’s just for starters,” he said, moving up the bed, looking pleased with himself.

She couldn’t have answered if she’d wanted to. She had such a voracious need for him, she wanted to beg him just to take her.

He climbed off the bed, grabbed a condom and rolled it on, then picked her up like she was a doll.

“What are you doing?” she gasped.

“Taking you the way I wanted to when I saw you undressing, trying to hide your body from me. I didn’t like that. You are mine,” he growled.

He bent her over the dresser so her torso was flat on the top of it. He twisted her arms behind her back and pinioned her with one hand, holding her in place. The sexual control he had over her was electric.

Cheek flat on the cool wood, she turned so she could see him. He was standing directly behind her, looking down at her sex with his big cock in his hand, positioning it. He drove into her fast. He waited until she adjusted to his size and started to thrust.

“You’re perfect for me, baby.”

For once, she had nothing to say. She just wanted to fuck. The man was hot and hard, and that’s the way he took her. He withdrew until she could feel his cock about to leave her, then shoved himself back in deep. She closed her eyes and gave in to the pleasure, tilting her hips up so the head of his cock stroked her inner walls, right where she needed him.

He was right. The orgasms were just starting. The second was already building, and it didn’t take long before she came with a rush. She cried out, her fingers curling around the hand that imprisoned hers. Her whole sex vibrated around his cock until she felt like she was levitating.

Also caught up in the thrall, he moaned deep, pouring everything he had inside her. Finally, he released her hands and pulled out. She slumped forward, then eased off the dresser, stumbling to the bed and falling onto it. She was floating in the warm afterglow of lovemaking.

He followed and spooned up next to her. “I want you to come to the meet. Just for a short time. I want to introduce you to my friend, Axel. He served with me. There are a few of the guys who mean a lot to me, and I want them to meet you, too. These are the brothers who have my back. I have theirs, and I want them to have yours. They aren’t criminals, I promise. They’re my friends.”

“Are you asking me or ordering me?”

“Asking. Politely. Look, we’re bikers. I know we’re not sweet. Many of the brothers don’t have criminal records. Some do. But like I said, Pa cleaned up the club a lot when he became president. We don’t sanction wild-ass behavior. It brings in the cops.”

She took in a deep breath, considering it. She didn’t like the idea. Not remotely. But he had backed off the orders and asked her sweetly. And what he’d said during their fight earlier, that she’d judged and condemned them all without even meeting them…well, it had struck home. She had done that. And as difficult as it was to imagine she might be wrong, it was only fair to give his friends a chance to prove themselves. And after the attempted break-in and the terrifying face in her window tonight, she realized she was a fool for turning away his offer of protection. She really was vulnerable here all alone.

“Fine,” she said. “I’ll go because you asked me nicely. And I’ll be polite to everyone. But you need to understand, this isn’t my world.”

He took her hands and kissed them. “Thank you. I know this is hard for you.”

The man had a unique sense of timing for getting what he wanted, and it rankled, but she could see she’d made him happy. He’d lost the wary look in his eyes. Instead, his whole body was relaxed and fluid as he held her, so gently.

So different from when she’d first met him.

And, if going along with his lie kept the creeps away from her windows, she was willing to make nice at his obnoxious club for one stupid party. This could work.

Just as long as their lie held up. She wasn’t oblivious to the risk. She didn’t like what they were doing.

It wasn’t smart trying to fool dangerous men.