Chapter 13—Bass
L aughter pulls my head in the direction I’m doing a terrible job of not looking at, no matter how many times I tell myself to man the fuck up and ignore it. It’s fucking crazy that I can tell who’s laughing and where they are in a place this crowded. Maybe because it’s a new laughter that’s drawing my ear.
Yeah, and growing a bionic dick along with bionic ears is a thing.
I scowl at my thoughts as I finish my beer. It’s one thing when my brothers call me out on my bullshit, another when I’m calling myself out.
“Come on, baby. It’s been too long. Let me make you feel good.” The whispered breath at my ear, followed by a moan of their own as they paw at me, should get my dick to stand at attention, but it doesn’t. Not like it used to, anyway.
I plaster a smile on my face as Torie gyrates against me. She’s not a bad lay—does a great little twist thing with her hips—but I’m not in the mood for it. Not tonight. Not last night. And not the night before. Got half a mind to think my dick’s broken.
Then why are you walking around home with a permanent semi going?
Fuck. I stand, pushing Torie off me with a small smile and a shake of my head as I head to the bar. Not saying no out loud, just not now. Maybe I can get my dick in order after another beer .
Right, and maybe you’ll suddenly grow a third arm.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. We all saw this coming. If there was a bet going on that I would only get hard for the girl who’s sleeping on my couch, even I would have bet against myself. It’s the classic move that I’ve seen happen to better men than me. Bulldog, Flint—hell, even Chains, to an extent. Even if he and Mama Bear didn’t start connecting on that level for some time, it happened because of the close-proximity bullshit. It’s a legit thing that happens, hence the killing the romance books are making. Yeah, I watch TikTok; I know what’s trending. That and Ghostface. Not sure why having a psycho dude in a mask is hot, but to each their own. Hell, who the fuck knew I would get off being yelled at fifteen hours a day? Only reason it’s not more is because the woman sleeps. Not well, but it happens.
I nod at the prospect behind the bar to get me another beer as I stretch out my neck with a twist. The last few days have been interesting, to say the least. The club is digging, but nothing is coming up. I don’t think she’s lying simply to pull the wool over our eyes and hurt the club. She doesn’t trust us. I get it. I really do. We don’t trust her either, which is why they’re staying with me. I might not agree with how Law is running this, but I’m not going to disagree with him out loud. Watching over her and seeing if she slips up is the better chance of getting something out of her than asking for the truth. She won’t talk—not more than she already has anyway. She gave us just enough that first night to get us interested, but Flint and Gator have done enough checks to know her story doesn’t add up. If it did, there would be a digital fingerprint, something that makes her story true. Well, truer.
We all saw the guy shoot at her. We know that ain’t a lie. I can attest that both she and Ollie react on instinct to protect each other based on how often my kitchen knives go missing. I don’t bring it up—don’t need to. That first day in my garage was the warning it was meant to be. Milly wanted me to see that her kid was packing, that he would always protect himself when alone. But I also noticed that when she was around, she would take away whatever weapon he had after a while and keep it to herself. I appreciate that. Not only does she still try to keep Ollie a kid, removing the need for him to protect himself, but she takes on the role for him every chance she can get. That level of dedication is not something you overlook. It might seem common for a mom to do that, but I’ve been around for a while and have seen some of the worst this world has to offer. The club’s old ladies are the rarities, not the norm. Each one protects with a fierceness that so many want to have and claim they do but rarely show when forced to stand up and prove it.
Another laugh has me looking in the mirror behind the bar and seeing Milly once again. Can’t fault her for having a good time. Hell, I think this is the first time I’ve ever seen her laugh. She’s fucking beautiful. I refuse to touch my dick, even if it’s just to adjust it for comfort, so I shift on my feet instead. The woman is an enigma, and damn if I don’t want to find out all her secrets.
But I don’t. I hold myself back. Fucking a girl at the club is one thing. Fucking one at my house, with her kid there and me being the one to both protect her and find out her secrets, is something else entirely. That’s not something you walk away from, and I don’t know if I’m ready for that kind of complication in my life.
Sure, I’ve seen a few of the other brothers get tangled in their webs, and they seem happy enough. I just never thought I would be one of them, at least not for another twenty years. Not saying I’m falling for the New York girl, just that I don’t like when shit gets complicated. Pussy should be easy, not with strings attached. If there are strings, you can bet your ass I’m out the door before any of them get close to me.
The sound of laughter pulls my head again, but this time to the man sitting two seats down from me as he stares at his phone. I almost choke on my tongue as I see him smiling like a schoolboy seeing his first set of real live tits. The guy is fucking gushing over whatever he’s seeing, and my interest is more than piqued enough to ignore my own issues and mess with him.
The fact that I can come up behind our resident sniper and read over his shoulder doesn’t speak well for the safety of the club. Even worse when we count the number of single brothers, as it looks like Casper is about to go off the market based on what’s on his phone. He’s scrolling through a company Facebook page, reading every single post, which is just memes after memes. Funny-as-hell ones like a squirrel holding a walnut with the caption “Neutering your pets makes them less nuts.” Or that cartoon drug dog we all saw as a kid saying, “If you don’t talk to your cat about catnip, who will?”
“Can’t see you as a cat person.”
Casper jumps and fumbles his phone, sending it flying up a bit before he grabs it and places it on the bar top, screen down. I laugh my ass off. If there was ever a moment to see a kid getting caught watching porn by his mom, this would be it. But more like a retired sniper looking up the veterinary clinic of a certain vet who’s gotten under his skin of late. I might not have been there when they first met, but word travels fast in the club. Especially when a brother is challenged by a female who can hold her own. Man, I wish I’d been placed on that mission when Mad Max and the boys went after his girl, even though she was the enemy at the time.
“So… you getting one?” I ask with a wide smile.
Casper glares at me. “Getting what?”
“A cat. Why else would you be looking at a vet’s Facebook page? I mean, it couldn’t mean anything else, right?” He continues to glare, and I keep smiling. “Maybe you can send me the link, and I can check it out too.”
He huffs at that. “You want a cat now?”
“Maybe. Pretty lonely out at my place. Maybe I can start with the cat and see if that vet who patched up Domino will do a house call on me too.”
I laugh as I get the punch I’m expecting. The boys make it so easy to push their buttons of late. They almost take half the fun out of it. Almost .
“You boys okay?” Atom asks as he comes over to size us up. Not the first time I’ve been punched for what I’ve said, and usually they all ignore it. But since it was Casper, a guy who usually holds in his emotion better than most, it’s no surprise that someone would come up. Makes sense that it’s Atom, as I know he’s wanting the enforcer role once the club holds elections again. Not that we would kick Casper out of the spot, but it’s always good to have a guy willing to step in at a moment’s notice if needed.
“Casper is looking to get a cat,” I say as I straighten to my full height.
“A dog,” he jumps in before Atom can say anything .
“No shit?” I’m surprised at this, and from the look on Atom’s face, I’m not the only one.
Casper just continues to glare at me, which only proves my point that he’s got women trouble.
“Yeah, I was looking at her Facebook page because she was advertising a new section about offering classes to train a protection dog or, for a fee, to get one that’s already trained. Thought it might be good to have a few around the clubhouse, not only to watch over the kids, but we could also post them at the gate at night. Another level of protection for the club that many don’t think to use.” He says it with such a huff that I almost believe he’s doing it for the club.
If it was all club related and he just got caught up in the memes, that’s something. But jumping a few inches off his bar stool and punching me for hinting at trying to get into the girl’s pants is another.
Before I can comment, I feel small arms wrap around me and soft lips nibble on my ear. “You ready, big guy?”
Laughter filters in across the club, and I don’t look up to see who it is. From this distance, it could be anyone. Liar. It was distracting before, checking who it was, but I’m forcing it not to be now. Not because the boys are watching me, but because maybe Casper is on to something. Protecting the club. Torie is the safe choice. She’s a club vamp, knows the rules, and especially knows that I don’t like complications. I would be an asshole to use her to get off while I was thinking about another. But no one ever said I was anything else.
“See you boys later.” They both smirk as I turn and let Torie lead me down the hall toward the club rooms.
While I’ve been known to drop trou and let a woman suck me off in front of others, just like half the club, it’s not my preference. Something about having the full attention of a woman and knowing it’s your moves that get her off and not the eyes, or wandering hands, of another is a bit of a mindfuck that I love to feel. Never needed another to help get a woman to orgasm, and never wanted another to help either. If the chick is going to come on my dick, then I get to enjoy watching her crash over on my own, and everyone else can go fuck themselves.
Halfway to my room, the club’s bathroom door opens, and as if the world is trying to fuck with me on another level, Milly walks out.
We lock eyes for a second before her attention is on Torie, who’s trying to nibble my ear off. Not saying I hate it, but it’s not my favorite thing. If this was any other chick in front of me, or even a brother, I would let Torie know. But because it’s Milly, I don’t know why, but I refuse to show any discomfort. Hell, I lean in and pull Torie closer, earning a giggle from her lips.
A giggle that dies the instant a certain girl from Brooklyn snorts.
“You got something to say?” Torie pops off quick, and any weaker girl might be offended. But Milly is anything but weak, even if I hate to admit it. Life would be easier if she was, but it’s not her style.
“Just a lesson in technique, but you do you, babe. I’m sure he’ll like it… eventually.” A huff of a laugh escapes her as she goes to walk by. Till Torie gets the bright idea to be offended herself and turns her head to watch Milly go. I should keep her moving, distract her in some way, but I don’t. God help me for the reason I don’t.
“Excuse the fuck out of me?”
I close my eyes and groan to myself. Yeah, that’s not going to go over well. The quick fuck my dick was hoping for isn’t going to happen, despite that my heart may be jumping with glee right now. Yeah, that’s right, I have a heart. Sure, I bury the fucker any time he tries to surface, but I’ve still got one. And he’s not on board with using a girl to get off, even if it’s a vamp, when someone else is more our type.
I turn just in time to see Milly doing the same. Guess she also stopped moving the second Torie spoke but took a second to react. Her ability to keep her anger together would impress me if I didn’t already know a storm was brewing. I might not know her well, but I’ve lived with Milly for a few days and been on the receiving end of her anger more than a handful of times. If she ain’t reacting right away, you know shit is about to get vile. Otherwise, the pounce, while affective, is quick, and then she’s out, not caring enough to stay.
Does her staying to say more than two words mean she’s got something in the game on this? And would that something be me? The idea is enough for my dick to jerk in my pants. Great timing, fucker. Where were you five minutes ago? Pretty sure we would be balls deep in pussy if you sprang to attention this quickly for someone else.
“What the fuck did you just say?”
Torie turns completely around. “I said—”
Milly cuts her off with a step toward her. “I heard what you said, but I was being polite and giving you the fucking courtesy to take a step back and readjust that attitude. You don’t need to get all snippy with me. Not when I was the one who was offering you some advice. Instead, you should be grateful. ”
“Grateful? Are you serious? What the hell am I supposed to be grateful for?” Torie crosses her arms over her very-gifted-from-the-doc tits, pulling her top down a bit in the process. A fact that I usually drool over, but not tonight. Not when my eyes are playing badminton between the two.
“It’s obvious that he isn’t into the sloppy-dog routine you’ve got going on. But instead of asking for technique, you’ve got to go thinking you’re all big and bad. And let me tell you, sweetheart, I eat your kind for breakfast. So, before you think you’re bigger than you are, read the fucking room.”
“Are you seriou—”
Again, Milly cuts her off, this time with a palm in the face. “Nah, I’m done. You can go now.”
I keep my shit together to prevent the laugh from bubbling out that threatens when she uses the same hand in the face to shoo Torie away. Something that has Torie gasping in outrage. But before she can even speak, Milly is looking at me.
“Get your girl, fish boy, before I do. Trust me, she isn’t going to look so pretty once she catches these hands.” The hard look in her eyes sobers what little mirth I had at the moment in a second.
I grab Torie by the arm a second before she takes a step in Milly’s direction. She’s no doubt ready to throw down, but she’s the only one who thinks she’ll win. “Don’t.” I give her a hard look, and her eyes fill with shock that I’m not standing up for her. “Go.”
“But, Bass—”
Her words die as I shake my head. I’m not in the mood for this. Chick fights can be hot, but this would be a beatdown and over way too quickly, probably with a quick jab from Milly. I saw her on the speed bag, so I know she can handle herself. And I’ve also seen Torie in a fight. It’s all kitten claws and hair pulling. They’re on two different playing fields.
“I said go.”
She pouts, but at least she does as she’s told. Well, till Milly has to open her mouth to prove a fucking point.
“Aren’t you going to thank him?” Now it’s Milly’s turn to cross her arms and look a little smug. “He’s giving you an out, a chance to walk away. Trust me, that deserves a thank-you. Because if he wasn’t here, things would go differently.” The smile she was sporting disappears as her arms drop to her sides, her hands balling into fists. “And don’t be all into dark corners and revenge shit, ’cause I’ll be waiting.”
I watch in mild fascination as fear crosses over Torie’s eyes a second before she mumbles, “Um… thanks,” and leaves the hallway quickly.
I shake my head as I turn to go to my room. I need more than a second before I head back out to my brothers.
“You’re welcome.”
Her words at my back have me spinning and crossing my arms as I lean on the wall beside her, not even taking two steps away from her. “And why am I thanking you?”
“I saved you from being spit on.” Her shoulder bounce is comical, just like her words.
“You only killed my boner. Don’t think that’s something to be thankful for.” I realize my mistake the second after I speak, as I see her take me in with a roam of her eyes.
“Tut tut, thou shall not tell lies. ”
And of course it’s a lie. I’m hard as steel right now. Her mouth, the way it’s a weapon in its own right, just fucking does it for me.
“Relax, fish boy. I’m sure you’ll find another to slobber on you if that’s what you’re into.” She flips her hair over her shoulder with her hand as she turns, and I snap.
Not sure if it’s the blonde locks in my face that make my body react like a bull seeing red or just her sharp tongue finally pushing me over my limit. But I don’t think, just do. I spin her easily and push her hard against the wall. Anyone else would have cried out from the way her head connected with the wall, not moan.
A moan I silence with my mouth as I take her unintended invite as a request. My lips find hers easily, and with less struggle than I expected, I sink into her body a bit as my tongue explores her mouth.
But a quick knee to my junk has me grunting and her smiling around my kiss. It’s not enough of a jab to my dick to get me to roll over in pain, but enough to prove this girl is anything but weak and is up to a challenge.
And fuck if that doesn’t do it for me.