Chapter Seventeen
Jo
The heavy bass of the music pulsed through my veins as Hatter’s hand wrapped around mine, pulling me away from the chaos of the party. His grip was firm and reassuring, our fingers intertwined like they were meant to be. The smell of sweat and booze hung thick in the air as we wove our way past leather-clad members of the Underland MC, their raucous laughter echoing off the walls.
“Let’s get out of here,” Hatter murmured, his voice low and smooth, barely audible above the din. I nodded, eager for a reprieve from the noise and chaos.
As we moved deeper into the clubhouse, the sounds of the party grew quieter, replaced by the soft creaking of the wooden floor beneath our boots. The dim lighting cast eerie shadows on the walls, creating an intimate atmosphere that sent a shiver down my spine. My heart raced in anticipation, unsure of what awaited us behind the door to Hatter’s room.
We reached the door, slightly ajar, a sliver of light spilling out into the dark hallway. Pushing it open farther, Hatter led me inside, revealing a room that seemed almost out of place amidst the wild debauchery of the clubhouse. The only other times I’d been in here, I hadn’t really paid attention to the decor.
A worn leather armchair sat in the corner, next to a small wooden table covered in dog-eared motorcycle magazines. A king-size bed took up most of the area and was flanked by two nightstands. One had a lamp on top. The other had a candle he must have lit at some point, although I didn’t know when he’d have had the time. A TV hung on the wall opposite the bed. The room had a cozy feel to it.
“Here we are,” Hatter said softly, releasing my hand only to drape his arm around my shoulders, pulling me close. “This is my haven, my escape from the world. And now I want it to be ours.”
I looked up at him, meeting his piercing gaze. The vulnerability in his eyes made my heart ache, but there was also a fierce determination that I couldn’t help but admire. This man had been through hell and back, and yet he still found the strength to love, to trust, and to protect. And clearly, he worried about my answer right now.
“Thank you,” I whispered, my voice choked with emotion. “I don’t know if I deserve this, Hatter, but I promise… I’ll do everything in my power to be worthy of you.”
“You already are. You’re stronger than you know, and I have faith in you. Together, we can face anything that comes our way.”
I leaned up to kiss his cheek. Whoever had placed this man in my path that night, I could never thank them enough. I’d never really believed in God, but I did have to acknowledge a higher power had been at work that night.
“Welcome to my world.” His voice was low and husky.
I glanced around, taking in the worn leather jacket hanging on a hook, and the collection of old photographs pinned to the wall. This room, every inch of it, breathed Hatter’s essence.
“Tell me about this place,” I whispered, eager to learn more about the man who’d become my rock, my protector.
He turned to face me, his eyes showing a mixture of tenderness and desire. “This room is more than just a place to sleep. It’s a symbol of our shared commitment, the beginning of our journey together. Here, we’ll face whatever life throws at us, side by side.”
“I know you explained before that to your club and other people it will be like we’re married. I guess I just…” I still couldn’t believe this badass biker was including me in his future, in his world.
Hatter cupped my cheek in his rough hand. “I told you before, you’re a part of my family now. You’ve earned your place here. But more than that, there’s no one else I want beside me. You’re my woman, Jo. My… everything.”
His words sent chills down my spine, stirring up emotions I thought I’d buried long ago. I had spent so much time struggling to survive, trying to outrun the monsters that haunted my past, and now, here I was… finally finding a home, a sense of belonging. And a man who loved me.
“Thank you, Hatter,” I said, gazing into his intense eyes. “I won’t let you down, I promise.”
“I’m not worried about that.”
And in that moment, standing in the dimly lit room that seemed to hold the very essence of Hatter’s soul, I knew -- deep down -- that I had found something worth fighting for. What we had was still new, but in time, I had no doubt we’d forge an unbreakable bond.
Hatter pulled me closer, his lips claiming mine in a searing kiss that burned away everything but the two of us. We were one, united in love, trust, and determination…
The flickering candlelight danced across Hatter’s face, shadows carving out the sharp lines of his cheeks and jaw. My heart clenched tight, overflowing with feelings I never thought possible.
“Jo,” he whispered, his voice husky, drawing me in like a moth to the flame. “I need you to know how much you mean to me. When I say I love you, I mean it. When I say you’re my one and only, I’m not just tossing words out carelessly.”
His words squeezed my heart even tighter. My throat felt like it was full of gravel as I tried to speak, but I had to let him know. “Hatter,” I croaked, tears prickling at the corners of my eyes, “I trust you… with my life, with my heart. I love you.”
A warm, gentle smile spread across his lips. His hands reached up, cradling my face like it was something precious. I could feel the rough calluses against my skin, telling stories of battles fought and won, and it sent a shiver down my spine.
My world narrowed down to just us as he pressed his mouth against mine once more. The kiss deepened, filled with passion and urgency. He brought us closer together until there was no space left between us. Our hearts beat wildly, pounding out a rhythm that echoed in my ears, drowning out everything else.
The room seemed to hum with energy, the air crackling like a live wire as we stood there, breathing each other in. Our gazes locked, neither one of us willing to break away, as we began fumbling to undress each other like it was the most important thing in the world.
“Jo,” Hatter whispered, his voice a low rumble that vibrated deep in my chest, “I never thought I’d find anyone who could make me feel this way.”
“Me neither,” I breathed, my heart thumping so hard I was sure it’d burst right out of my chest.
As I peeled back the layers of fabric that separated us, revealing the hard planes and muscles that made up his body, I couldn’t help but marvel at how far we’d come. From the broken girl who stumbled into the path of the Underland MC, to standing here now, ready to bare it all for the man who owned my heart.
“Let me worship you, darlin’,” Hatter murmured, his fingers ghosting over my skin, sending shivers down my spine. His touch was gentle, reverent, like he was afraid I’d shatter if he pressed too hard. But I wasn’t glass, and I needed him to know that I trusted him completely.
“Please,” I whispered, my voice ragged and desperate, “Show me how much you love me.”
He moved with renewed purpose, exploring every curve and hollow of my body, his hands leaving trails of fire in their wake. He whispered words of devotion against my skin, promises of forever that I clung to like a lifeline.
“Never going to let you go,” he vowed, his voice thick with emotion. “You’re mine, and I’m yours. Til death do us part.”
Was he making a wedding vow to me? My heart skipped a beat as the weight of his words settled over me.
“Yes, Sebastian. I’m yours, forever.”
I trembled under Hatter’s touch, every nerve alight with desire. His fingers traced patterns on my skin, like he was reading the map of a world he’d discovered for the first time. It felt like I was flying, my senses heightened as pleasure coursed through me.
“God, Jo,” Hatter breathed in my ear, his voice husky and urgent. “You’re so damn beautiful.”
The hunger in his voice sent shivers down my spine. I reached up, tangling my fingers in his hair and pulling him close, our lips crashing together with desperate need. Our connection deepened with each kiss, each caress, until it felt like we were two souls joined as one.
“Show me, Hatter,” I whispered, my voice low and trembling. “Show me what it means to be loved by you.”
“I’ll show you everything.” His gaze burned intensely as he stared down at me.
And then there was no more talking, no more words. There was just us, our bodies moving in perfect harmony as we came together. The world outside ceased to exist, replaced by the sound of our breaths mingling and the beat of our hearts racing.
“Mine,” Hatter said possessively, his hands griping me tightly as if he’d never let go.
“Yours,” I agreed. “Do whatever you want me with me. As long as it’s you, I can handle anything.”
“Let me hear you beg,” he rasped. “Tell me you want it, Jo.”
“Please, Hatter,” I whimpered. “I need it. I want your cock in me. I feel so empty.”
He tumbled us to the bed, and I parted my thighs. He settled between them, his hard cock brushing against me.
“You belong to me,” he said harshly. “This little pussy is mine, and no one else’s.”
All I could do was moan in agreement as I felt him rub his cock against me, teasing me mercilessly. He slipped the head into my pussy, just holding it there as a way to torment me. I arched my back in an unconscious attempt to get him deeper inside me.
“You’re so fucking wet for me,” he murmured, his voice thick with lust. “I’m going to fuck you so good.”
And then he was all the way inside me, filling me up completely. I gasped at the sensation of being so full of him, but it was a good ache, one that told me I was his. He started moving, slowly at first, thrusting in and out of me with a steady rhythm. The friction from the slow drag of his cock sent shockwaves of pleasure through me, and I found myself clinging tightly to him.
“Fuck, you feel so good,” he groaned.
I whimpered in response, meeting his thrusts with my own. We moved together in perfect harmony, our bodies becoming one in our quest for pleasure. As he pounded into me, I felt the familiar stirrings of an orgasm beginning deep within me.
“Hatter,” I cried out his name, my voice hoarse with desire. “I’m going to come.”
He groaned, his voice full of dark pleasure. “Come for me, Jo,” he growled. “Let go.”
And then I did, my body shuddering as wave after wave of orgasmic bliss washed over me. I felt him grow harder inside me, and then he let out a primal groan, filling me with his hot cum.
We collapsed against each other, panting heavily. He leaned down to capture my lips in a deep, passionate kiss, his tongue delving deep into my mouth. As our hearts slowed down and our breathing steadied, I realized that this was what it meant to be loved by Hatter: to be claimed completely, body and soul.
In the aftermath, we lay tangled together, our breaths coming down to a steady rhythm. My heart felt like it was going to burst, so full of love and gratitude for the man holding me close.
“You’re it for me. You’re everything.” He kissed my cheek and hugged me tight.
I couldn’t find the words to respond. His gaze held so much emotion it made my heart swell.
“Be my old lady, Jo,” he continued, his voice barely above a whisper. “I can’t imagine my life without you.”
“Me? Your old lady?” I questioned, my voice quivering with disbelief. But deep down, I knew it was right. Hatter had become my rock, my anchor in this chaotic world. If I hadn’t watched one of those motorcycle club shows a while back, I’d have had no clue what he was talking about. Might have even been offended and thought he was calling me old. But I knew the commitment he was asking of me.
“There’s no one else I’d ever want by my side,” he said, his fingers gently stroking my cheek. “We’ve both been through hell, but together, we can make something beautiful.”
His words echoed in my head, his unwavering belief in us filling my soul with warmth. Despite all the pain and darkness we’d faced, Hatter was right -- we could build a future together, one filled with love and hope.
“All right, Hatter,” I murmured, my eyes brimming with tears as I nodded. “I’ll be your old lady. I’ll stand by you, just like you’ve stood by me.”
He smiled, a genuine, heart-wrenching smile that lit up his entire face. His arms tightened around me, pulling me closer as we lay there, basking in the glow of our love. I wondered if anyone else had ever seen this sweet side of him.
“Thank you,” he whispered, pressing a tender kiss to my forehead. “You’ve made me the happiest man alive.”
It felt as if my soul entwined with Hatter’s, the love between us growing deeper and stronger.
I was surrounded by the warmth of Hatter’s love, and I knew our journey was only just beginning. Together, we’d face whatever life had in store for us, our love an unbreakable bond that would see us through even the worst of times. In his arms, I’d found my home -- a place where I could finally heal and grow, forever safe in the knowledge that I was loved.
“Sleep now. I’ll be right here beside you when you wake up.”
As I closed my eyes, the night’s chill didn’t touch me. Not with Hatter’s warmth seeping into my bones, chasing away the coldness that had lived inside me for so long.
“Night, Hatter,” I murmured, feeling his lips press gently against my shoulder.
“Goodnight, Jo,” he whispered back, holding me tighter as we drifted off. The world outside could wait. Tonight, we belonged to each other, and nothing else mattered.