Page 13

Eleven

Expansion

Blade

T he Pride leaves late, and by that time, Emryn is so tired that I find her asleep before she manages to get changed into her pajamas.

I had every intention of going back to my own room at the compound, but when I knock on her bedroom door, I see that she’s flopped back on the bed asleep.

I decide to stay for one more night. I remove her sneakers, shirt, and pants, and tuck her into her bed, then slide in beside her.

In her sleep, Emryn snuggles closer to me and murmurs my name before settling with a little sigh into the crook of my arm, with her arm across my belly.

This feels so right, and yet, I can’t forget Guard’s words. His omen that something’s coming makes me nervous. I look down on Emryn’s soft, dreamy expression as she sleeps. I refuse to let anything touch her. She’s mine, and I protect what’s mine.

T he next morning…

There’s nothing more erotic than hearing Emryn’s moans of pleasure as I run my fingers through her slit and watch her writhe beneath my body. Her soft panting breath, begging me for more, almost makes me come without being inside her. That hasn’t happened to me since I was a teenager.

This woman is a drug I can’t resist.

It starts with an innocent kiss on her shoulder as she sleeps.

Her creamy skin beckons for my touch, then my hand roams her body.

The sheet is wrapped around her waist, but her breasts are exposed, except for the pale pink bra, which moves easily to the underswell of her breasts so I can play with her nipple.

In her dazed state, Emmy lifts her hands over her head, stretching out but giving me full access to suck gently, while teasing the other nipple with my fingers. She arches and lifts her hips, and the sheet is pushed lower, revealing her panties.

I can’t resist the temptation and inch the panties down and off before nudging her thighs open.

Her wet, glistening pussy is waiting for me.

One taste isn’t enough, and suddenly, I’m starved for her.

I eat her slowly at first, but when Emmy begs prettily for me to let her come, I’m voracious.

I can feel the passion growing; her leg muscles tense, her belly clenches, and her climax is imminent.

Her fingers dig in my scalp, and she bucks under me, begging for my cock. Her other hand grasps the sheets.

“Baby,” she utters with a gasp.

“What do you need?” I ask, enjoying the show.

“You.”

“You got me,” I tease, giving her pussy another lick, then inserting two fingers inside her, pumping them in and out in a steady rhythm.

“Your cock. I need you inside me.” Emryn pants out the words, her breasts heaving, her skin dewy and glowing.

“Your wish is my command,” I groan at her ear, and with a hard thrust, I impale my thick cock in her pussy. Crying out, she grips my shoulders and wraps her legs around my waist.

“Don’t stop,” she whispers. There’s no way I can stop, she feels so fucking good wrapped around my dick. Her hot, wet, sleek pussy is gripping me like a vise.

“Not stopping, baby,” I say, and I thrust inside her over and over.

I find her hands and lace my fingers through hers, holding them on either side of her head.

She soars to her climax, her back arched, her hair strewn across the pillow, her mouth quivering as she mewls her release.

It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

I’m right with her and can’t hold off any longer. I sink balls-deep inside her once more and let loose a lion’s roar. Emmy holds me tighter, her lips peppering my neck and shoulder with kisses. I’m careful not to crush her, rolling us both, so that she is lying atop me.

Daylight peeks in through the window. The sunlight hits Emryn just right, showing her toffee-colored hair in shiny disarray, the perfect image of a well-fucked woman.

Her lips are rosy pink and swollen from our kisses, and her skin is soft and supple under my touch as I run my hands down her back, cupping her nicely rounded ass.

“You make it hard to get out of bed,” I tell her, kissing her forehead.

“You make waking up fun,” she counters with a giggle.

“What’s your plan for the day?”

“Now that I have an office, I’m going to work on my website.”

“That’s a good plan. If you need any help?—”

Emryn doesn’t let me finish. “I have to do this myself.” She stiffens in my arms, and I can see there’s more to this.

I consider pushing for more information but decide it’s too soon.

Despite what I feel for Emryn, we’re new.

Very, very new, and I have to remember that not everyone moves at the same speed.

But it stings that Emryn’s not ready to share.

“Okay, baby.” I sigh. “Just promise that if you need a hand, you’ll ask.” I put it out there, and now it’s up to Emryn to reach out. Emryn bites her lower lip, and I can see that she’s contemplating the idea of asking for help. “For my peace of mind?” I add.

“I would appreciate someone to talk with, but I have to do things my way,” she says quietly.

I’ll take what she gives, for the moment. It dawns on me that Emryn never pushed for more information on what transpired between Dan and me to get him to move her furniture as promised. It’s because Emryn doesn’t want to admit she needed help.

L ater that morning…

War, Guard, and Ghost arrive at the shop as I finish up the radiator problem of Ms. Benson’s car.

She’s a sweet older woman who tends to ignore the speed limit.

I think she dreamt of becoming a NASCAR driver when she was younger.

Ms. Benson brings cookies every time she has her car in the shop and treats us all like her kids, even Guard.

And we let her. She’s never been married or had kids of her own, but has traveled the world, choosing to settle in our town.

Unfortunately, Ms. Benson seems to have a ton of car trouble.

War insists on charging her for the parts only.

He has a soft spot for her, only slightly more than the rest of us.

“Grandma’s car again,” Ghost says, shaking his head and grinning. “What is it this time?” Ghost started calling her Grandma a while back, and it stuck. Ms. Benson huffs when we call her that, but it’s all an act and she secretly loves it. She tries to hide the smile, but never manages to succeed.

“Radiator hose. Nothing big,” I answer. “She’ll be by later to pick it up. Probably after her skydiving lesson.” The guys chuckle, and Guard steps forward, putting a hand on my shoulder.

“If you got the time, we want to show you something,” Guard says.

“Yeah, sure. Where to?”

“Out to the barn,” War replies. That’s what War calls the garage, where Guard has the old car we’re fixing up for Ava.

It’s tucked in on a street behind Hanna’s Bakery.

Guard had it kitted out with all you’d need, just like the main garage, but since we’ve only worked on Ava’s car there, it’s a much smaller space.

As we walk over, the smell from Hanna’s Bakery makes me hungry for her chocolate croissants.

When War beelines for Hanna’s shop, I know I’m not the only one who has a hankering for Hanna’s eats.

We take half a dozen croissants and half a dozen apple Danishes, each of us gnawing on one as we walk to our destination.

War flips on the light as we move inside. The size of the space is a little smaller than our current space, but racked up against the wall are several mobile tool benches. The garage has also been kitted out with the latest hoists. It’s basically a smaller version of the original garage.

“Place looks great,” I murmur, taking in all the cool gadgets they’ve added.

“Good to hear, since we want to make you the manager of this garage,” Guard states, watching my stunned expression. “We’ve talked about this,” he reminds me.

“Yeah, but I don’t have my part to pitch in to be an owner yet,” I tell him.

Guard and Satan’s Pride have always wanted to expand their empire.

They already have trucking depots for the auto and motorcycle parts of the business.

The Pride is part owner in Risk’s construction company and in Saint’s medical clinic.

Guard and the club have invested well, and the club is doing really well for itself financially.

In turn, the members of the club get a piece of the pie, and we all benefit. Since I haven’t been a full member until a short while ago, I haven’t profited the same as the others yet. They pay all the mechanics really well, but not enough to front a business at this point. Hence, my comment.

“We’ve worked it out. Sofia has drawn up a contract for you to review.

Take it where you like, read it through, make sure this is what you want.

Our vision is to make this site one for elite customers and a restoration site for vintage cars and bikes, and we think you’re the guy to run it,” War says, handing me a contract.

“But—”

“Hear us out,” Ghost butts in. “We know you don’t have the cash upfront. We’ve got a way for you to become a part owner, but we also want to retain part ownership of the place. It’s a win-win for everyone. It’s all there.” He points to the papers in my hand.

“Take your time, go see a lawyer of your choosing, then come back to us. Either way, you’re a brother and nothing changes between us,” Guard finishes.

“I trust you,” I tell Guard, then look at War and Ghost. “I know this is solid.”

“Thanks, brother. Appreciate it. But you have a dad, and you should seek guidance. We know we’re being more than fair, but never sign anything in haste.

It’s not smart and not good business. There’s a clause in there that says War continues to be the financial officer for both locations, and a stipulation that you’ll work together for you to learn about money matters.

Later down the road, if War gets too busy, it’ll be good for you to know the ropes and be able to handle it,” Guard insists.

“I’m going to Sofia and Demon,” I tell them.

“Your choice, but keep in mind, Sofia’s on Satan’s Pride’s retainer,” War says.

“Then I’ll go see my father,” I add with a grin.

“Smart choice,” Ghost says with a laugh.

I look around at the garage I’ve been dreaming of for so long, and my heart swells with excitement. They believe in me; this is proof of how much.

“This is smart business, Blade,” Guard says.

“You’ve earned it, not only because of your sense of loyalty and dedication, but because you’re talented.

You make those tools sing. Demon will be a big part of this because his auto body skills are unprecedented, and no one comes close to his work.

He’s the one who thought it was time to expand. We all agree.”

War says, “Let’s get out of here. Blade’s got some thinking to do.”

“Do you mind if I take the afternoon to go see my dad today?” I ask.

“Go for it,” War answers. “Tell him we’re looking forward to having him at the next barbecue.”

Fuck! Is this really happening? I’ve been dreaming of operating my own shop for years. The guys leave me alone to wander around my new space. I would have signed on the dotted line right then and there, but the guys are right in having me think this through. Am I ready for this?