Page 22

As I slowly open my eyes with the sunlight dappling my face, a groan escapes me. Delicious soreness in my muscles reminds me of what happened last night. I bolt upright in bed and look around. Strange room, strange bed. Vegas’s cut hung up neatly over the back of the chair in the corner, and my confusion and anxiety lowers considerably.

The room is decorated in warm browns, gold tones, not a typical masculine room. A huge bed is sitting at one end of the room, with two bedside tables. All the furniture is made from tulip wood. How do I know? Call me a wood fiend. It’s what I would have bought but way out of my price range. Come to think of it, everything here screams class and expensive.

I swing my aching legs out of bed, notice I’m naked, and search for my clothes. Since I can’t find them, I walk over to the dresser, open it, and grab a pair of Vegas’s boxers and one of his T-shirts, which drowns me. I inhale deeply—it smells of Vegas, all male with a sandalwood note. The place is quiet, so I decide to explore. There’s a door on an inside wall opposite the window and I open it to find the most luxurious ensuite bathroom I have ever seen.

A long his and hers sink bench with a full-length mirror sits to one side. A large walk-in, hotel-style rainfall shower with multiple shower heads sits opposite it. At the other end, there’s a large picture window, looking out over trees. Underneath sits a huge claw-foot bathtub with spa functions and integrated LED lighting. My eyes nearly pop out of my head. I can’t help myself and turn on the water. Even the temperature regulation is digital.

A slow smile creeps over my face. I’m excited, like a sixteen-year-old schoolgirl before her first date. As the tub fills, I spot some relaxation bath salts, which I add as I continue to fiddle with the controls and switch on the jets. Stepping into the deep tub, I slowly lower myself and turn off the water when it’s high enough to cover my boobs. I lay back, close my eyes, and relax. A deep chuckle pulls me from my pleasant doze. Vegas is standing by the door, arms crossed over his chest, grinning at me.

“I see you found the bathroom,” he teases me, his gray eyes lit by a smile.

I look into his eyes and my heart pitter patters. He’s a stunning specimen of male, stood there leaning against the door frame, his torso on full show, bicep bulging, every muscle defined, and a happy trail leading down to the delicious V of his body, disappearing inside his jeans with the top button undone. I instinctively lick my lips. Wouldn’t I just love to trace each and every muscle and tattoo with my tongue right about now? He looks delicious.

“Like what you see, princess?” he asks. Like? Not quite. Mesmerized and getting needy for it is more like it.

“I like very much, not that I can see a lot.” I wink at him, watching with heat coursing through me as he moves away from the door and walks over to me, my fire and need reflected in his eyes. His hand goes to unbutton his jeans, and as he removes them, I notice he didn’t bother with boxers this morning, his erection standing tall and proud.

I crook my finger at him, beckoning him closer. He steps toward me. I can’t help myself and raise onto my knees. I lean forward and swipe my tongue over the glistening head of his hard cock. He tastes amazing. I love his salty, musky taste. Grabbing him at the root, I gently start stroking him. He throws his head back and groans. I swirl my tongue around and around his head, let it travel down his shaft, tracing the bulging veins. My other hand wraps around his balls and squeezes gently.

He looks down at me, his eyes are burning darker with need. I wrap my lips around him and slowly take more and more of him into my mouth, laving him on the way down and up again. My tongue plays with his shaft, caressing him, my pace slow, unhurried. After a minute or two, I increase the pressure of my lips and begin sucking harder, while my tongue traces his head, licks pre cum from his slit. I can feel his hands going into my hair and holding my head but am impressed that he’s not started pushing forward. I smile to myself and continue torturing him. Rolling his sensitive balls in my hand, I can feel them starting to tighten. I look up at him and find his eyes fixed on me.

I hold his eyes and increase pressure and speed. A deep growl vibrates through him, and he takes control. He pushes forward, forcing me to take more of him into my mouth. He’s huge and there is no way I can take all of him. One of my hands still gripping him firmly at the root, moving up and down in time with my mouth. I’m so horny right now, I could just jump him, but he’s in control now. He pushes in hard and hits the back of my throat, making me gag a little. I change my angle slightly and at his next push forward I’m ready for him. He reaches the back of my throat, and I push a little more and swallow around him. Feeling him deep in my throat turns me on even more. He growls, and the sound rumbles deep in his chest.

“You’re killing me here, princess.” He groans, and I hum in agreement while he’s deep inside my throat, making him hiss and moan.

“Oh, yeah, just like that, princess.” He moans, head thrown back, sinews and tendons standing out on his neck, lost in pleasure.

I’m squeezing my thighs together to get some friction on my clit, where I need it right about now. This is not for me, though—this is for him. His strokes come faster now and every time he pushes deep, I swallow around him and hum. I can feel his balls drawing up and know he’s close.

“Princess, fair warning, I won’t last much longer, so if you don’t want me filling your mouth, you need to move.” He moans again, and I take that as a challenge and double my efforts. His hands tighten in my hair as every muscle in his body goes solid.

“Fuck yes,” he hisses, and starts filling my mouth with ream after ream of delicious cum. I swallow it all and continue laving him until he starts to soften. Removing my mouth, I give the tip of his cock a kiss and smile brightly at Vegas, who has his head thrown back and his eyes still closed.

He opens his eyes and looks down at me. “Minx,” he teases me, a smile playing around his lips. “Shuffle up,” he says, gesturing at me to move to the middle of the tub. He gets in behind me and pulls me back to his front. The jets still running and the water temperature cozy and warm, I relax against him, my head on his chest, his arms around my middle, his chin on my head. I feel so safe, so sheltered in his arms, I can’t help but snuggle into him. I feel his arms tightening around me.

We sit in silence, just enjoying each other, and the skin-to-skin contact. A deep peace creeps through my bones. This is where I want to be, with this man. My heart beats wildly as the realization hits. I have fallen deep and hard for this biker! Something I never wanted, but it happened anyway. Everything just feels so damn right, so I just soak up his presence and revel in the moment.

After we’re both wrinkly, he empties the tub, lifts me out, wraps me into a huge towel, slings a smaller one around his hips, and carries me back into the bedroom. Not a word is spoken. He dries me and lays me down on the bed. His steel-gray eyes locked onto mine, a serious but soft look crosses his face. He crawls over me and rests himself between my legs, his elbows and arms by my head. Then, he lowers his lips to mine in a searing kiss. The gentleness of it and the emotion it communicates is overwhelming. All I can do is cling to him and return the kiss with equal tenderness and fervor.

All coherent thought leaves me as he makes slow, gentle, tender love to me. It’s intense, and when I finally come, my orgasm brings tears to my eyes. Long, slow intense waves roll over me, and I can feel Vegas deep inside me, feel his orgasm deep in my soul. We haven’t used a condom, but hell, I don’t care right now. I remember my check-up paperwork, which I have in my handbag and was going to give him last night. I know I’m clean.

He rolls to his side, taking me with him, and I snuggle close and enjoy the calm that has settled over me. I must have fallen asleep again, because the next thing I know, I’m being woken with the sun sitting high. A cup of coffee sits on the bedside table while Vegas sits on the edge of the bed, smiling at me. I sit up, grab the coffee, and grin at him.

“Thanks, Vince, I needed that. Sorry I dropped off again,” I apologize.

“You looked so peaceful. I left you for an extra couple of hours. Your clothes are laundered and dry. I figured you might appreciate clean underwear.” He winks at me. How very domesticated.

At the end of the bed, I spot my clothes and boots. I still can’t remember getting back last night, but I do remember him helping me get changed and carrying me out to the taxi. Very dimly, I can recall getting undressed and feeling the soft mattress under me, but that is about it. His gaze on me makes me shiver.

“What time is it?” I ask.

“Almost mid-day, darlin’,” he answers. “You got plans? I need to go to the clubhouse in a bit to pick the bike up and wondered if you’d give me a lift?” he asks, and I nod. It’s the least I can do. “How are you feeling” is his next question, referring to last night.

“I feel great, Vince. Thank you for last night. I really needed you.” He nods in understanding.

“You don’t have to thank me, darlin’, never for that. I’m glad I could help. I’ll always help you, Ashley, no matter what. And not just with taking you out of your head. I’ll always protect you and help you. You’re mine, and I look after what’s mine.”

Wow, that was a statement! I should be angry about being treated as property, but I can’t find it in me. In my mind, I’m his and he’s mine. Hence, I just nod and quietly reply.

“I’m yours,” I nod, “for however long you want me to be.”

“I’m going to claim you, Ashley. As soon as I’m back at church.” It’s not a question but a statement, and his eyes are firmly locked on mine. The gravity of the situation hits me. I never wanted to be an old lady, never wanted a biker or club life. Yet here’s Vegas, making me reconsider my life choices.

“I won’t wear a property patch,” I tell him seriously. He nods, understanding my hesitance. While we’re not going to any functions or meetings outside of our area, it won’t be a problem.

He sighs and says, “There’s a club night out on Saturday at Stormy’s. Since I guess the other old ladies will be there, would you like to come?” He looks at me questioningly.

“Can I bring Sarah?” I ask, smirking, and he groans.

“Only if you keep her off the tequila,” he teases. I take out my phone and text Sarah.

“What time?” I ask.

“About eight-thirty,” he replies. “Tell her to make her own way. You’ll be riding with me,” he orders, which makes me smirk. I’ll let him believe he’s in charge for now.

We get dressed, have some very late breakfast, and take his truck to the clubhouse. Elijah waves at me, driving Vegas’s truck through the gate and throws me a winking smirk. He’s funny and makes me giggle. I hear Vegas growl and I giggle even more. As if I’d even look at Elijah.

“Hey, Vince, I’m off today, so I’ll just take your truck back to your place, pick up my car, and go to the hospital.”

I’m surprised when he replies firmly, “Don’t bother getting your car, just take my truck to the hospital. Spare keys for the house are in the glove box and that button on the dash there,” he points, “is the garage opener. The gate opens automatically.” I send him a questioning look. “Make yourself at home, princess. I’ll be back after work, about seven. I’ll bring dinner,” he states, but I shake my head.

“No way. If I’m at yours, I’ll cook. Dinner will be ready for seven thirty.” I announce. Did I just insist on cooking at his place while waiting for him to come back from work? I must admit, I’m a little shocked at myself. He opens his door and gets out, with me following suit, and as I walk around to the driver side, he catches me, pulls me into his arms, and kisses me soundly. I can hear Eli hollering, and Dougal whistling and clapping. When he lets me go, I turn in their direction and take a bow, much to Vegas’s amusement. I get in the truck and get the hell out of Dodge before more embarrassment comes my way.

???

I’m halfway into town when my phone rings. It’s a number I don’t recognize, so I ignore it. When it starts ringing again, I pull over, turn off the engine, and answer.

“Hello, Ashley speaking.”

“Sorry, Ashley, it’s Chloe. Can you come to the hospital? Carl has taken a turn for the worse. It’s not looking good.” My hearing dims as blood roars through my veins with rising emotions.

“Please, call my brother,” I almost whisper.

“I’ve done that and he’s on his way, but Carl is asking for you.”

I take a deep breath, anxiety restricting my chest.

“I’ll be there in fifteen minutes. I’m already on my way,” I tell her.

“See you when you get here,” she says and ends the phone call. My hands are shaking as I send Vegas a quick text to tell him what’s happening.

Once I get to Carl’s corridor, I go straight to the nurses’ station, where Chloe is waiting for me. She takes me into a small room and sits down with me. I’m vibrating with angst. She takes my hand and squeezes it.

“Ashley, things are not looking good. Carl is in surgery. He was vomiting blood and bleeding from his nose. His blood isn’t clotting at all now, and we had to stop the bleeding. The hematologist said he’ll need a bone marrow transplant.”

“Has he got any close blood relatives? Siblings, parents? They usually have the best chances for a match.” She looks at me, question in her eyes. I shake my head.

“His parents died years ago, and there aren’t any siblings. Just us,” I snivel, tears running down my face. There’s a knock on the door, and they usher Jamie into the room.

He takes one look at me, wraps me in his arms, and holds me tight. “What’s going on?” he asks. I can’t answer for crying, so Chloe repeats everything she just told me. “Is there any way we can help?” he asks her, and she regards him thoughtfully.

“Maybe there is something. Could you arrange for a donor drive in town? We need to get as many people willing to donate bone marrow as possible. Initially, it involves a blood test to look for matches.”

“The hospital is part of the National Marrow Donor Program, and we have a center right here, where you can register.”

Jamie nods at Chloe. “I’ll go register right now and give a blood sample. Club members will arrive soon. Could you direct them straight to the center to register and give samples? I’ll send out a text, telling them what is happening.” Jamie states decisively, and Chloe nods at him.

“I’ve already registered, so have most of the staff on the ward. Carl is very popular with the nurses. We’ll all give blood samples over the next few days. We’ll try our hardest to find a match.” Chloe’s reply is emotional, her eyes full of unshed tears. I admire her. She’s so strong and has so much empathy and patience. She’s a lovely person, and I don’t miss how she measures Jamie when he isn’t looking. If the occasion wasn’t so somber, I’d giggle.

I hear Jamie talking with Chloe, but I don’t take in their conversation. I’m in a daze, not knowing what the hell to do.

As though Chloe can read my mind, she says, “Ashley, he’ll be in surgery for a while, so why don’t you go down to the cafeteria and I’ll phone you as soon as I know something.” I look at Jamie. I know he doesn’t have the answer, but I need his reassurance.

“Come on, sis, let’s go and grab a coffee before the club arrives.” He gently grabs my hand and leads me from the room, nodding gratefully at Chloe.