17. Ghost
Ghost
I’d finally pulled it off. I’d finally taken Cricket on our first real date. I’d asked Dagger to take Toby for a couple of hours, and I’d taken her out to eat and to a local bar for a drink. I’d tried my damnedest to be on my best behavior while we were out with the guys but having her so close to me without being able to do a damn thing about it had taken its toll.
As soon as we stepped through the front door, I pulled her in for a kiss. I reached for the nape of her neck and took hold of her hair, gently tugging it as I deepened the kiss. A needful moan vibrated through her chest as she inched closer, pressing her hips against mine, and I was happy to see that I wasn’t the only one who was feeling eager for more. I knew we didn’t have much time, so I lifted her up and tossed her over my shoulder. She shrieked, “Whoa! What are you doing?”
“I’ve been tortured long enough. I’m taking you to bed.”
“So, you thought being a caveman was the way to go?”
“That’s right, baby.” I gave her ass a light smack as I told her, “You bring it out in me.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good thing.”
“Oh, it definitely is. You’ll see.”
I carried her to my bedroom and lowered her feet to the floor. I looked down at her and was in complete awe. The terrified woman I’d met months ago had slowly been replaced with a woman with fire in her eyes.
It was this woman who hadn’t let her past define her.
It was this woman who’d had the strength and determination to take control of her own life.
It was this woman who made my cock rise to fucking attention whenever she walked into the room. And right now, she was standing in my room, looking like every man’s wet dream.
A flash of desire crossed Cricket’s face as I lowered her onto the bed and eased down on top of her. I hovered above her for a moment before lowering my mouth to hers. Her mouth was warm and soft, and each swirl of her tongue made the blood rush straight to my cock.
The feel of her body against mine sent me over the edge, and my hands suddenly became rough and impatient. I had to have her—all of her. Her short skirt inched up her thigh, showing off her long, lean legs, and her red sweater showed off her perfect curves, making me want her more than my next breath.
I lowered my mouth to hers, kissing her with heat and angst, and a promise of what was to come. The beat of her heart next to mine calmed me, fueled me, and left me wanting more.
That’s when I knew.
She wasn’t my first, but she would be my last .
I lowered my mouth to her neck and whispered, “I never would’ve thought it”—I ran my lips leisurely from the curve of her jaw down to her shoulder—“you’re everything... no one can get to me like you do.”
“I feel the same way about you,” she rasped as she pulled her sweater over her head and tossed it to the floor. As she unfastened her bra, she whispered, “You’re everything I’ve ever wanted.”
I continued trailing kisses past her collarbone, and her fingers tangled in my hair, pulling me towards her when my mouth reached her breast. Heavy breaths and low moans filled the room as I flicked my tongue against her nipple. Her head fell back, and goosebumps prickled across her skin as my fingers worked their way across her abdomen, through the waistband of her skirt, and further down between her legs.
A small whimper escaped her throat as my fingers grazed across her center, circling her, teasing her. Unable to contain herself, she rocked her hips forward, begging for my touch. Fuck. I could barely contain myself . Seeing her so wound up made my cock grow thick with need. I eased my fingers deep inside her, and I’d just begun to stroke her when she moaned, “Oh God, Sutton … Please, don’t stop.”
The moment I brushed my thumb against her clit, I felt her begin to tremble. Knowing she was close, I increased the pressure as I grazed my fingers over her g-spot. Her breath quickened, and her head dropped forward as her entire body tensed with her release. When I saw her body jolt and writhe beneath me, I was done.
I couldn’t wait a moment longer to have her. I withdrew my fingers and dropped my hands to her skirt. I gave it a tug, removing it and tossing it to the floor. The tip of her tongue slowly dragged across her bottom lip as I stood and lowered my jeans and boxers down my hips.
With her eyes locked on mine, I took my aching cock in my hand and gave it a hard squeeze, trying to relieve some of the throbbing pressure that had been building since the moment we’d first kissed. I could feel my pulse raging against my fingers as I slowly stroked it, groaning out a curse as it continued to harden in my grip.
Cricket sat up on the bed; her eyes focused totally on the motion of my hand as she inched her way over to the edge of the bed. She reached out, replacing my hand with her own as she took hold of my cock. “Can I?”
I felt the warmth of her tongue rake against me right before she took all of me into her mouth. Her caresses were long and firm as she took me deeper, making it damn near impossible not to come right then and there. I wouldn’t let that happen. “Fuck,” I groaned.
After just a few more strokes, I stepped back and demanded, “Lay back.”
A sexy smirk crossed her face as she complied and laid down on the mattress. Her hands dropped to her hips as she quickly lowered her panties, inch by inch, down her long, sexy legs. I held her gaze as she kicked them off the bed. She lay there with her naked body sprawled across the bed as she waited for me to come to her, and I couldn’t imagine a more beautiful sight.
I looked down at her, every fiber of my being aching to touch her, and asked, “Do you have any idea how incredible you are?”
I didn’t wait for her to answer as I lowered myself between her legs. I needed to taste her, to see for myself just how turned on she really was. She started to squirm beneath me as I tormented her with my mouth. The warmth of her naked body enveloped me, and I could feel my need for her building, burning deep inside my gut. Fuck . My hands slid under her ass, pulling her closer to my mouth as the taste of her drove me wild. Her fingers dug into the sheets, and her back arched off the bed as I pressed the flat of my tongue against her sensitive flesh.
She was close to the edge, and I couldn’t wait a minute longer. I had to be inside her, so I reached for my jeans and took a condom out of my wallet. Once I’d slipped it on, I lowered my body between her legs and watched as a small smile of relief spread across her face.
“Yes, Sutton. Yes!” she moaned as I centered myself at her entrance. She wrapped her legs around my waist, pulled me to her, and coiled her arms around my neck. I felt her tremble beneath me as I slid deep inside and paused for several breaths as I relished her warmth.
I started to move, rocking against her until I found the steady, hard pace that would drive her over the edge. I wanted to see her orgasm take hold and watch her body grow rigid as she found her release. I began to drive deeper, harder, and her head reared back as she moaned, “Oh, please … Don’t stop!”
That was it.
That was what I wanted to fucking hear. Her nails dug into my lower back as her hips bucked against mine, meeting my every thrust with more force and more intensity. I could feel the pressure building, forcing a growl from my chest.
“Fuck,” I groaned as she tightened around me. She panted wildly, and her thighs clamped down around my hips when I tried to increase my pace. I knew she was close, unable to stop the inevitable torment of her building orgasm. The muscles in her body grew taut, her chest stilled as she held her breath, and finally, I heard air gushing from her lungs as her body fell limp in my arms.
I continued to drive into her, the sounds of my body pounding against hers and echoing throughout the room until I finally came inside her.
I took a moment to catch my breath, then rolled to my side and pulled her over to me. The room stilled as she nestled up next to me and rested her head on my shoulder. After several moments, our breaths started to slow, and just as the lustful haze started to fade, “Woman, you’re gonna be the death of me.”
“Oh, really?” Looking slightly dazed and completely sated, a sexy smile spread across her gorgeous face. “You complaining?”
“Umm … Hell, no .” I glanced down at her and smiled. “I can’t think of a better way to go.”
She eased up on her elbow, looking me dead in the eye as she whispered, “I love you, Sutton. I love you so much.”
“Love you, too.”
“That’s good. ‘Cause you’re stuck with me.”
She pressed her lips to mine, then settled in the crook of my arm. “I had fun tonight.”
“I bet you did.” I scoffed. “Should be ashamed of yourself for tormenting me like that.”
“Tormenting you?”
“Hell yeah.” I glanced down at her with narrowed eyes. “You knew what you were doing when you put on that skirt.”
“It was just a skirt.”
“It was fucking hot, and you know it.”
“Well, what do you expect? I was out with Mr. Steel and Sex Appeal. I had to dress to impress.”
Before I could respond, my burner started to ring. Knowing the boys wouldn’t call unless there was a problem, I lifted her off me and said, “Sorry, baby. I gotta get that.”
I reached over and grabbed my phone from the side table. “Yeah?”
“Prez has called church.” Goose sounded rattled as he said, “Need to get here.”
“Alright, send Zeke, and I’ll head that way.”
“You got it.”
I ended the call, then got out of bed, and started getting dressed. “I’ve gotta get over to the clubhouse.”
“Okay.” She sat up in the bed. “What about Toby? When’s he supposed to get back?”
“I’m sure Dagger will drop him off on his way. If not, I’ll go by and get him when I can.” I pulled on my boots, then leaned over and gave her a kiss. “Hate to leave like this.”
“I know, but it’s okay. Go do what you need to do and hurry back.”
“You know I will.”
I stood and started for the door, and before I walked out, Cricket added, “And be careful.”
“Always.”
I pulled the door closed behind me and headed outside to my bike. I threw my leg over the seat and started the engine, and I was on my way. It was late, and I was thankful the traffic wasn’t bad. I didn’t want anything keeping me from getting to the club before Prez started that meeting.
I could tell by Goose’s voice that something was wrong. I just didn’t know how wrong until I got to the clubhouse. When I pulled up, most of the guys had already arrived. Their bikes lined the front of the building. I parked next to Goose, and then headed inside.
When I walked into the conference room, every eye turned to me. They were already sitting and watched as I made it over to my seat. The usual hum of the guys talking had been replaced by a heavy silence that settled deep in my gut. I looked around the room, hoping for some sign of what was going on, and that’s when I noticed the box sitting on the table.
It was just a plain, ordinary brown box, but it felt anything but ordinary. Prez scanned the room, and once he saw that everyone was present, he stood and said, “We got a message tonight. It was loud and clear, and I feel it needs to be shared.”
“Who’s it from?”
He glanced over at Memphis as he answered, “You’ll know as soon as you see what’s inside.”
Prez reached over and pulled the box close. His face was void of emotion as he pulled the tape back and eased the flaps back. Once it was completely opened, he stepped back and motioned for us to gather closer and look what was inside. I was hesitant but joined my brothers and stood, leaning forward so I could peek inside.
It took me a moment to register what I was seeing, and bile rose to my throat when it finally hit me—it was a hand. It had been severed at the wrist, and there was a ring on the pinky finger. Memphis stepped back and gasped, “What the fuck!”
“We believe it’s Carmine’s,” Prez replied calmly. “I’m gonna need you to confirm or deny.”
“You can’t be serious.”
“It’s important.”
Memphis let out a frustrated breath, then leaned in for another look. The blood drained from his face as he said, “Yeah, it’s his.”We all stared in horror at the box, unable to fully comprehend what was happening.
“Is this all there was?”
“No.” Prez picked up a piece of paper and offered it to Memphis. “It says, ‘You’re lucky it was just his hand. Cross us again, and it will be your heads.’”
“So, he’s still alive?”
“It’s hard to know for sure,” Prez answered. “But there’s a chance.”
Goose grimaced as he asked, “Anyone else feel like they need to sleep with the light on, ‘cause I certainly do.”
“Yeah, this is pretty fucked up.” I shook my head. “I’m sorry the guy lost his hand and all, but I’ve heard of these guys doing a whole lot worse for a whole lot less.”
“No doubt.”
“What the hell am I supposed to tell Antonia?”
“Nothing,” Prez answered. “We don’t know anything more than we did when you walked in here, so just leave it.”
“The not knowing is killing her.”
“I get that, but this isn’t going to be the thing that sets her mind at ease.”
“So, what happens now?”
“We pray this is the end of it. The last thing we need is a fucking war with these guys, but we need to be prepared in case there’s more to come.” Prez looked out at all the brothers as he ordered, “Stay alert. Stay vigilant. Don’t take any unnecessary risks.”
Prez slammed the gavel on the table and dismissed the meeting. We all dispersed, but the gruesome image of Carmine’s hand would stick with us for days to come.