Chapter 18
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Xanthe
M y heart is beating rapidly as I help Fury up the stairs to his room. When I finally look at him, he’s smiling. “I always was good at getting us out of trouble,” I say with a wink. “Now, let’s get you out of these clothes.”
I begin to undress him without thinking. He’s capable of doing it himself, but he doesn’t stop me, and as I shove his blood-soaked jeans down his thighs, his erection flops out proudly. I snigger, unable to hide my embarrassment. As a nurse, I’ve come face-to-face with my fair share of semis, and my professional side forces me to continue undressing him like it’s no big deal. As I lift his shirt, he puts his arms up, and I remove it, leaving him completely naked. My cheeks are burning red because every part of me aches to touch him, but until he remembers us, I can’t. It would feel too much like I was taking advantage.
“Shower,” I prompt, stepping back.
“Help?” he asks.
I grin. “You just killed two men, so you can shower.”
He hisses, holding his head, and I narrow my eyes, wondering if he’s playing on it, but when he begins to bend at the waist, I hook an arm in his. “Fine. I’ll stay in there with you.” It’s not like I haven’t seen him naked. It’s no big deal.
I turn the shower on, and we wait a few seconds until the steam billows out. Fury steps under the spray, and my eyes drift down to his now half-semi-erect cock. At least it’s deflating . He grips the wall like he’s struggling to stand, and I almost laugh at his poor attempt at acting. “I’m not helping you wash,” I tell him firmly. “You’re perfectly capable.”
I take the shower gel from the shelf and hold it out to him. “And you’re a terrible actor.” He smirks, but instead of taking the gel, he grabs my wrist and tugs me to him. I crash against his wet chest and gasp as the water soaks my shirt.
“Help,” he whispers, his lips a breath away from mine. We’re locked in a stare as the water pours over us, and I feel his erection now pressing against my stomach. I swallow the huge lump of nerves in my throat.
“Fury,” I whisper in a breathy tone.
“Mine,” he replies, rubbing his thumb over my tattoo. “My Xanthe May.” His lips gently brush over mine, and his hand travels up to cup my cheek as he tilts my head back slightly and deepens the kiss. It’s slow, and he takes his time to slide his tongue against mine, occasionally nipping my lip the way he used to. I sigh happily that he’s finally making a move.
When he pulls back, he rests his forehead against mine. “Help me . . . remember us.”
His hands trail to my shoulders, and he begins to slide my top off. I release the buttons with shaking fingers, my mind racing. He lowers to his knees, wincing slightly before hooking his hands into my leggings and tugging them down my legs, taking my underwear with them. He throws my clothes out onto the tiled floor then takes both my hands and tugs me down onto his lap. He guides my legs to wrap around his waist, and his cock presses against me, standing proudly between us as he scoops his hands into my wet hair and pulls me in for another kiss.
His mouth travels down my chest and to my breast, taking my nipple into his mouth. I rest my hands behind me, closing my eyes as his tongue circles the bud. Pressing myself against his cock, I slowly drag my hips upwards before sliding back down. He groans, looking down between us and watching as I rub myself against him. Precum drips from him, and I gather it on my thumb, popping the digit in my mouth and sucking it clean. He watches through hooded eyes. “Condom,” he mutters, glancing towards the draw under the sink.
I falter, his words hitting me like ice. Before the accident, he was all for unprotected sex, and now, he’s insisting on protection. Instead, I slide my legs from around him and kneel before him, lowering my lips to his cock and taking him in my mouth. He needs a release, and I’m his old lady, whether he remembers or not. I’ve heard stories of the men turning to the club girls, and I won’t let that happen.
I suck his cock like my life depends on it, wrapping my hands around the base and working him fast. It’s minutes before he’s growling his way through an intense orgasm. I pull back as streams of cum shoot out, covering my hand and dripping onto my leg.
I push to stand on shaky legs, wondering why the hell I feel like crying. I get out the shower and wash my hands in the sink, keeping my back to him while I compose myself. I’m not expecting his arms to wrap around my waist, and I jump with fright. He nuzzles his mouth against the crook of my neck, and I have the urge to shove him away. His hand travels down my stomach, but before it reaches its intended destination, I grab a towel and turn in his arms, forcing a smile. “Let’s get you dried and back to bed.”
His eyes narrow in confusion. “But . . . you,” he says.
“I’m good,” I say brightly.
I spend an hour watching Fury sleep. He’s peaceful for the first time since he came home. Usually, he fidgets and grumbles to himself, but tonight, he’s sleeping like a baby. Maybe ending those fuckers has helped him.
I remove the shirt he gave me to wear once we got out the bathroom and head to my room, dressing in jeans and a shirt. And then I head downstairs, needing a drink.
Lexi is with Gemma, and when I approach, they make room at the bar, sliding along the seats and freeing the end one up for me. “We heard you yelled at Axel,” whispers Gemma, smirking.
I scoff. “I didn’t raise my voice once.”
“True old lady style,” says Lexi with a look of admiration.
“I doubt that,” I mutter.
“Oh god, what’s he done this time?” asks Gemma.
Fury
I’ve been awake for over an hour and there’s no sign of Xanthe. I throw my legs over the side of the bed and wait. It’s like she has a sixth sense and usually comes running in at this point, but when the conjoining door doesn’t open, I frown.
I go to the bathroom and stare at myself in the mirror. My bruises are a faded yellow now, almost fully healed, and yet here I am, still struggling to fucking talk. “Pussy,” I say out loud, glaring at my reflection angrily. Maybe this is what Xanthe sees when she looks at me, cos she sure as hell doesn’t see me as a man. She wouldn’t even let me touch her earlier. It’s like this wall came down between us.
My stomach growls with hunger, and I glance at my watch. It’s almost seven, and Xanthe is never late with my food. She always brings me something at six.
I hear the bedroom door open and smile to myself. “Late,” I call out, heading back into the room. I stop dead in my tracks at the blonde holding a tray of food. Disappointment fills me. Where is she?
“I’m Jennie,” she says with a smirk. I glance down at my naked body and quickly grab a towel, holding it over my cock. She laughs. “Don’t worry, big guy, I’ve seen it all before, even if you don’t remember.” She places the tray on the bed. “I can remind you, if you’d like,” she adds, pouting slightly. “You said I had the best tits,” she adds, lifting her shirt to show me her perky breasts. I glance away, my words clogging my throat. She seems to enjoy my discomfort and scoops some of the creamy dessert from my bowl, smearing it over her breast. “You enjoyed eating from them.”
“What the fuck are you doing?” bellows Grizz, and I almost collapse in relief.
“Helping him remember the good times, VP,” she says with a wink.
“Get the fuck out or I’ll tell his old lady you were in here trying it on with her old man, and trust me, you don’t want to get on Xanthe’s wrong side.”
Jennie rolls her eyes. “She’s downstairs drinking the bar dry instead of taking care of her old man. I was just trying to help out.”
“You’re banned from coming in here again,” he snaps, shoving her from the room as she wipes the cream with her finger and pops it in her mouth while laughing.
Grizz slams the door. “You can’t be doing that shit now you got an old lady, brother. Axel don’t allow that behaviour.”
I shake my head. “I . . . didn’t.”
“I just came up to tell you he’s dead. Ripper took his last breath five minutes ago.”
“Good.” I take a breath. “Where’s Xanthe?” The words flow better than they have so far, and I relax a little. Maybe the harder I try, the worse it gets.
“She’s downstairs, brother. Did you two argue or something? She’s knocking shots back like water.”
I shrug. “Take me to her,” I force out.
He arches a brow. “If you’re sure, but don’t expect me to defend you. She’s wild.”
Xanthe and Lexi are singing badly through the karaoke machine, and I wince as the sound pierces my ears painfully. Grizz laughs, slapping me on the back. “Told yah.”
“If you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it,” Xanthe yells into the microphone. “Don’t be mad once you see that he want it.”
“Is this a veiled message?” asks Coop, pointing to the nearest barstool. I shrug, taking a seat. My legs are shaking, and my head is throbbing. The last place I want to be is in here with all my brothers shooting me pitying looks.
“If you don’t, you’ll be alone, and like a ghost, I’ll be gone,” sings Xanthe.
“I’d say that was a woman’s way of warning you, brother. What the hell did you do?” Coop continues.
“Nothing,” I mutter.
“Drink?” asks the prospect from behind the bar. I catch the way Coop shakes his head, and I roll my eyes, turning back to watch Xanthe. She looks mad and, so far, hasn’t seen me. Did she feel pressured earlier? Fuck. Did I force her? I give my head a shake to clear the image of her sucking my cock.
She jumps off the table and places the microphone down . Thank fuck . She takes a bottle of vodka from Luna and sips from it. I see the moment she spots me because she stills then almost chokes on her mouthful of vodka, spluttering violently before handing the bottle back to Luna.
Axel joins me. “Good to see you up and about, Fury.”
“Is it?” I ask.
He follows my line of sight. “They’re hard work,” he says with a smirk, “but worth it.”
“She’s pissed,” I mutter.
“Do you know why?” I shake my head, and he grins. “Yeah, that’ll happen a lot.”
“I need to . . . see . . .” I take a breath as Axel waits patiently. “Jo.”
“Not a good idea. She goes to France tomorrow.” I stare wide-eyed, and he shrugs. “I offered her a ticket to anywhere, and she chose France.”
“He . . . Ripper . . . I remember things.”
“About the fight?”
“Some . . . and when he . . . found out.”
“Okay. So, why do you need to see her?”
“To say . . . sorry.”
“Man, she doesn’t need your apologies. She caused a whole lot of shit.”
I shake my head. He wouldn’t understand it, but she suffered badly while I just left. She deserves my apology. “Please.”
He groans. “Fine. I’ll have her here tomorrow before her train to France.”
I push to stand. “I’m tired.”
“You want me to get Xanthe?” he offers.
I glance to where she’s chatting with Nyx and the other women. I don’t like the way she leans in close to him, or how she occasionally glances my way to see if I’ve noticed. I shake my head. “No.” I slowly head for the stairs then turn back to Axel. “If she wants . . .” I look over to her and Nyx again. “With Nyx.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” asks Axel.
“It’s fine,” I mutter, even though my heart aches. Of course, she’s hot for a guy like Nyx. He can give her way more than I can. Besides, she can’t stand to look at me, let alone have me touch her. “I’m good with it,” I force out then leave.
Xanthe
Axel grabs the top of my arm, and I wince. “Hey,” I cry as he takes the bottle from my hand.
“Axel,” snaps Lexi, pushing to her feet.
“Your man is waiting for you,” he spits angrily, guiding me towards the stairs.
I laugh, stumbling over my own feet. “My man,” I repeat, laughing harder. He can’t even stand me. “All I am is his nurse,” I point out.
“Bullshit,” he growls, grabbing my other arm and holding my wrist at eye-level. “Fury’s property,” he reads, shoving my arm away again like it offends him. He pushes me into his office, and I fall onto the couch. He grabs a bottle of water from the fridge and hands it to me. “You’re a part of my club,” he says firmly as I sit up, “and you’re Fury’s old lady. Behave like it.”
My eyes widen. “Are you shitting me?” I snap. “I’ve been here the whole time,” I scream. “Waiting for him to remember me like some sad little puppy dog waiting for any scraps he might throw my way.” I burst into hot, angry tears, and Axel’s scowl softens.
“I know this has been hard on you.”
I bury my face in my hands, wiping my tears. “Every time we take a step forward, we take two back.”
“That’s normal in most relationships.”
“It’s just a lot,” I whisper sadly.
“Yah know what he just said?” I shake my head. “He practically gave Nyx permission.”
My heart aches. “So, what does that tell you, Axel? He’s not interested in me.”
“Nah, there was a look in his eye, Xanth, like he doesn’t think he’s good enough.”
I roll my eyes and head for the door. “Goodnight.”