Page 7

Emma

“There’s only one bed in here.” Emma looked around the room.

“It’s big. I’m sure we can share it. We’re both adults. “

“That’s what’s worrying me.”

That hurt. “You think I’m going to force myself on you?”

She shook her head, slanting me a sideways look. “Just about the opposite.”

“You’re worried I might not force myself on you?” I frowned, confused.

She chuckled. “I thought you were smarter than that. I’m worried I might not be able to keep my hands to myself if we’re both in that bed together. You know I’ve always had a bit of a thing for you.”

News to me. “You have? I’m too old for you.”

“You can’t seriously believe that.” She looked askance at me. “You’re what, ten years older than me, maybe twelve?”

“Exactly. Too old and too fucking experienced.”

She smiled, sidling toward me. “I’m not sure there is such a thing as too experienced.”

Before I knew what was happening, she reached up to pull my head down and locked her lips on mine. Melting into me, she opened her mouth to let my tongue explore at will.

Well fuck that. I’m not a saint. When I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close, she let out a startled whimper. Damn. Her side. I felt like the world’s biggest asshole. If I’d done any damage, Joker would kill me.

Emma’s one hand went to the bandage on her ribs. “I’m sorry. For a moment there I forgot about the damn bullet hole in my side. We just have to be a bit more careful.”

I stared at her in disbelief. “You’re sorry?

Are you kidding? I know better, not to mention the fact that I called church in less than…

” I glanced at my watch. “Less than thirty minutes. If I ever make love to you, it is not going to be a quickie before I leave for some damn meeting.” My eyes raked her from head to toe, my cock as hard as cement.

“Make that when . When I make love to you, because we both know it’s going to happen. And soon.”

I separated myself from her as gently as possible, but I couldn’t resist placing one last kiss on those tempting lips, now slightly parted and glistening with moisture.

I strode over to the door. With one hand on the knob, I turned back to her. “Stay here until I come back to get you. Right here. Unless the damn place is on fire, do not leave this room.”

* * *

I watched Ace leave the room. Damn, the man looked good from the back side.

Or the front. Or any side really. The soft click of the door closing behind him sent a pang of regret streaming through me.

I’d blown my chance, at least for now. If it weren’t for the damn bullet wound in my side, I could be writhing beneath that gorgeous hunk of man muscle.

I traced the outline of the wound with my finger.

The pain was mostly masked by whatever pills Joker had given me, but only if there was no pressure on it.

At least it hadn’t started bleeding again, so it must be healing.

How long did it take for a bullet wound to heal?

Ace had said at minimum a couple of weeks, but he didn’t sound too sure about that.

Joker would know, and he’d be here to check it out sometime today. I’d ask him then.

A soft knock at the door jerked my attention. “Hello?”

“Can I come in?” A woman’s voice.

“Umm. Sure.”

The woman Ace had addressed as Mom closed the door behind her. I knew she wasn’t Ace’s real mom. I’d never seen this woman in the old ‘hood. She must have read my mind, because she explained that right up front.

“I’m Alessandra, but most of the boys call me Mom.

Easier to pronounce, plus I’m old enough to be their mother.

I do the cooking and cleaning, and generally help Jake out with things.

We’re kind of a couple, without all the legal tags that go with it.

Was married once. Not a fun time. I’d rather not repeat it. ”

“Hi.” I took in her appearance. Plump, with soft blue eyes, and a cloud of gray hair, she looked like everyone’s idea of the perfect grandmother. It was hard to tell how old she might be. Fifty? Sixty? She had one of those ageless countenances that made it hard to guess. “What should I call you?”

She tilted her head. “Might as well call me Mom. By the way Ace looks at you, I imagine you’re going to be a permanent fixture around here.”

“No.” I shook my head. “We barely know each other. Hadn’t seen each other for years, until last night.”

“Oh, honey, time has nothing to do with it.” Mom smiled softly. “These boys, they find their one and they know.”

“I used to date his little brother back in high school.” Now why had I blurted that out?

“But you didn’t love him. I’m betting you never even slept with him, did you?”

Damn, she was good. And right. “No. We were really more good friends than anything.”

“And back then you had a crush on Ace, but he didn’t even know you existed. Or he pretended he didn’t.”

I raised one brow. “You some kind of mind reader?”

Mom laughed. “No. I just have a bit of traveler blood in me, and I know the boys real good. And the way Ace looks at you, that ain’t no two-day crush.” She eyed me up shrewdly. “I bet he thinks he’s too old for you.”

I dipped my head. “He does. Keeps saying I deserve better too.”

“Hang in there. He’ll come around. But you better be serious because once he claims you, there ain’t no going back.”

“Claims me?” This wasn’t the eighteenth century. Men didn’t claim women. It’s not like I was a stray dog or something.

“Yup. Once you and he do the horizontal naked dance, you’re as good as hitched. He ain’t never going to let you go. Of course, he’s going to announce it to all the brothers, and get you a cut with ‘Property of Ace’ on it but that’s just a formality.”

“What’s a cut?” I wanted to protest the property of Ace thing, but I’d take that up with him.

“A jacket with the sleeves cut off, hence the name cut. Although it’s usually just a vest. But it will have the club logo on it, and all. It tells the world they’d better be nice, or they’ll have to deal with Ace and the entire club.”

“Oh.” My side was starting to throb, and I realized it was time for more painkillers. Reaching for my purse, I pulled out the bottle of pills.

“Need some water?” Mom bustled into the ensuite and came back with a glass of ice water.

“Hope it’s not too bad. Ace said someone grazed you with a bullet.

Joker will get you fixed up though. He could have been top doctor at that trauma clinic up North, but he’s not so good at the bedside politics thing.

Speaks his mind and all. Tends to piss off the suits. ”

I just about choked on a mouthful of water as I pictured Joker telling a bunch of snotty doctors what he thought of their politics. I managed to swallow. “He fixed it up last night, but he said he’d come check me out today. Something about bullet wounds being prone to infections.”

“Well, he’d know. He’s seen enough of them.”

That didn’t sound comforting. “The bikers get shot a lot?”

“No, in the SEALs.” She shook her head. “He was a medic, active duty. Didn’t Ace tell you that?”

I shook my head. “No. I knew Ace went into the Navy, but he never talked about it. That’s actually why I ran to him when I got shot. I figured anyone who’d been deployed a few times would be able to protect me. But like I said, it’s been a long time since we’d seen each other.”

“PTSD. Joker has it, sometimes bad.” She looked thoughtful.

“Not sure if I should be telling you all this. The brothers, Riptide, they’re all ex-SEALs.

By invitation only. Came back from the service and knew too much, seen too much to fit back into the cookie cutter world back home here.

So, they joined Riptide. One by one. Here with their brothers, they can be themselves.

No one freaks out if they have an episode.

No one questions their sanity because we all understand. ”

“Oh.” I’d had no idea. “No, he didn’t tell me.”

“Well, now you know. These are good men. Honorable men. They served their country, and they still do.”

I frowned. “They’re still in the service?”

She shook her head. “No. But I’ve said enough. Ace can explain the rest to you when he’s ready. Club business and all.” A faint smile crossed her face. “You’ll get used to that term. Club business. It’s what the guys say when they don’t want to tell you something.”

The sound of doors opening downstairs interrupted my reply.

Mom got up and glided over to the door. “Church is over, so I imagine Ace will be up here any minute. He’s one of the good ones. You’re a lucky woman.”

Ace appeared behind her. “Not so sure about that, Mom. But she’s stuck with me.”

* * *

Ace

I hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but I heard the last part of Mom’s conversation with Emma. At least I wouldn’t have to explain club business to her.

Well, maybe a little. Like the part about it being for her own protection.

If she were ever questioned by the police, what she didn’t know she couldn’t tell them.

Once I put a ring on her finger and signed all that legal shit, it would be even less of an issue.

A wife can’t be forced to testify against her husband.

Yeah, I’d jumped all the way from too old for her, to wedding bells. No one ever accused me of letting the grass grow under my feet.

“The bikers in Riptide were all Navy SEALs at some point?”

I narrowed my eyes. “I see Mom’s been spilling the beans.”

“She seems to think it’s okay because she’s under the impression that I’m going to be one of the gang.” Emma tilted her head. “Now why would she think that?”

I crossed the room in three long strides and captured her mouth with mine.

The kiss was long and deep, our tongues tangling with each other in an erotic dance that had my cock swelling in anticipation.

When we finally surfaced for air, I had to remind myself she’d been shot yesterday.

It was a bit early for a wild naked playtime.

And frankly, I didn’t trust myself not to go wild.

“She thinks that because she saw the way we look at each other.” I ordered my cock to stand down. It didn’t take the hint. “You want me. You just haven’t admitted it yet.”

“I see ego isn’t one of your issues.”

I chuckled. “It’s not ego if it’s true. I didn’t hear any objections when I kissed you.”

“I was in shock. I expected an answer, not to be attacked by your lips.”

“You could have said no,” I pointed out. “I’ve never taken a woman by force.”

“I was in shock.” She tried to look stern, but didn’t quite pull it off.

“Because my kissing skills are so awesome?”

“They’re not bad, but I would hardly call them awesome.” She wrinkled her nose.

Yeah, she wanted me.

“Care for another round? Just so you can judge my awesomeness?” Without waiting for an answer, I seared another kiss across her lips. When she opened her mouth to protest, I took advantage, my tongue swooping in to conquer.

She tasted like sunshine on a Georgia summer’s day. Sweet, bright and welcoming. Almost more tempting than a bike ride, along the coastal highway. Almost.

I let my hands slide down her back, careful to avoid the bullet wound. Cupping her perfectly rounded ass, I let out a low groan.

Fuck, I wanted to bury my cock, balls deep inside her and never let her go. Never. If my cock got any harder, it was going to explode.

Emma pulled her head away from me. “Ace?”

“Yeah?” I gazed into those beautiful eyes.

“You really do kiss remarkably well.”

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

I couldn’t believe she just said that. Especially while I was already hard as a rock, and unable to do anything about it.

A loud knock on the door forestalled any reply I might have been able to come up with.

“You all decent in there?”

Joker. Come to check on Emma. I hastily let her go and tugged my shirt straight. Glancing over at her, I saw the glazed look on her face.

“Saved by the medic,” she whispered.

I wasn’t sure if she meant her or me.

“Hello?” Joker knocked again. “You better not be doing anything to rip that wound open.”

“Fuck,” I muttered under my breath.

Three strides took me to the door where I jerked it open. “She’s all yours.”

Without waiting for a reply, I headed for the stairs.

* * *

“You’re looking awful grouchy for a guy who just installed his old lady in his bedroom.” Mom gave me one of those looks. The kind that lets you know your private life is about as private as the town square on the Fourth of July.

“Joker is checking out Emma’s side.”

“And he interrupted you making a move on her?” The laughter in her voice told me she didn’t have any sympathy for my predicament.

“She got fucking shot yesterday. Can’t make a move until she’s healed up some.” I knew I sounded like a bear with a sore ass, and I didn’t care.

“You could if you took it really easy.”

“Not sure that’s possible.” I glared at Mom, which seemed to amuse her.

“Then I guess you’re just going to have to wait.” She pivoted toward the stove. “Care for some grub? Most of the guys ate when they came in from church, but there’s still a helping or two left.”

“Please.” I sighed. “Sorry for being so grouchy.”

Mom dished up a plate of bacon, eggs and grits and plunked it down on the table. “Eat up. Some food in your gut will help settle you down a bit.”

I doubted that, but I sat my ass down at the table and started shoveling the food in.

“You want me to order a cut for her?” Jake peeked over the top of his newspaper.

Glasses askew as usual, he looked like a harmless old coot.

I knew better. Before the accident that crippled him up, Jake had been President of Riptide.

He might not be able to ride anymore, but that didn’t make him any less dangerous.

“Naw. Don’t want to jinx it.” I took another mouthful of perfectly cooked eggs. “But thanks for the thought.”

“Whatever.” Jake disappeared back behind his newspaper.

I heard the sound of footsteps descending the stairs just before Joker appeared in the kitchen. Helping himself to a cup of coffee, he leaned against the counter and took a big gulp.

“Well?” Patience was not my strong point.

“No infection, and the wound is starting to heal. These kinds take time though, jagged edges and all.” He took another sip.

“I gave her some more painkillers, and rebandaged it. As long as she doesn’t do anything stupid, it should be fine.

It’s going to scar, but there’s not much I can do about that. ”

“What do you mean by anything stupid?”

A huge, cheeky grin lit Joker’s face. “You can have your way with her, but be gentle. Maybe let her set the pace.”

Mom snorted. “Have his way with her? What are we, a bunch of high society snobs?”

“Okay, he can fuck her brains out, but he has to do it gently.” Joker drained the coffee mug. “I have shit to do. See you guys later.”

I got to my feet. “You heard the man. She’s good to go. Now I just need to convince her.”