Chapter 17
Shivana
It was already light outside when I tried to sneak out of the clubhouse and back to Mama Hen’s. I nearly made a clean break, until I ran into Mama Hen on the way back.
“Hey hon, sleep well?” she asked as she stopped a few feet from me.
“Yep. Like a rock. I’m just going to shower and check my emails and stuff. I’ll be back in a while for breakfast.”
She gave a knowing look then passed me. I tried to pat my hair down, realizing I hadn’t seen a mirror before I left. I looked around, then high-stepped it to her house. Once on the other side of the door, I blew a breath through puffed cheeks, then closed my eyes, and grinned like an idiot.
“Did you just get in?”
My eyes popped open, and Penny was standing in the doorway to the kitchen.
“Penny. What’s up?”
She shook her head then turned and went back to the kitchen. Sighing, I headed upstairs, grabbed some clothes, and headed to the bathroom to shower.
My entire body was sore, but in a way I appreciated. It was like the time I went on a health kick and decided to do a 5k when I wasn’t really a runner. I was exhausted and every muscle hurt, but I was proud I had gone through with it and could cross it off my bucket list. This was similar.
I honestly hadn’t been saving it for a special someone. And I got close a few times. It wasn’t like I was completely untouched. But I wasn’t overly impressed with the options that presented themselves to me and I wanted to set the bar high. None of them had known how to work the equipment with their hands, so why would I let them try with their dick? Plus, the time I had to mess around was scarce. I had been in school and either working or volunteering since I was a teen. There wasn’t a lot of free time to shop for a good partner. Getting it over with wasn’t high on my priority list until I had a suitable counterpart. But once Lacy picked me up from the airport and I found out I could have my pick of a big burly biker daddy that I may or may not ever see again, it seemed logical that one of them would be able to ensure a fulfilling debut.
And I was correct, as per usual.
After being the sole proprietor of my orgasms for years, I knew a good one when I had it. But there were times last night, and just a few minutes ago, that sent me places I didn’t know existed. Those were not simply orgasms, but trips to other universes. I made an excellent choice.
Wincing as I washed up, I also bit my lip in anticipation for more to come. Surely while I was still here, we could keep up the fun.
He was everything I had hoped for in a lover: attentive, assuring, well-practiced, well-endowed, and well-sculpted. I was no expert, but he seemed to have a good time as well. And I wasn’t opposed to trying things he liked. After all, I had no basis of comparison for what I really liked except what I already had with him, so the only way to rule things out was to try.
The fact that he was in his forties was great because there was no pretense. Now that we finally got his silly hangup out of the way, surely we’d have no issues. I told him casual was great. He didn’t have to pretend for my sake.
And the fact that I wasn’t some schoolgirl losing it to her crush hopefully reassured him that I wouldn’t become a level three cling-on.
After finally managing to get showered and let the hot water beat down on my achy and stretched muscles, I turned off the water and returned to my room.
I pulled out my phone and computer. I hadn’t planned to sleep anywhere else, so the phone was left behind and I hadn’t checked the computer since Friday. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I received a few emails back in regards to interviews, as well as a few replies about looking at rental properties. In the time that I’d been here, I hadn’t seen any printers around. I’d just have to ask someone about the areas or maybe text them links. Surely Lacy or Mama Hen would take me to check them out.
The interviews were all virtual, so I replied to confirm. I drew in a deep breath, grinning at the turn of events. I finally hooked up with a biker daddy, got interviews, and possibly a place to settle, at least for a little while. Until I found the perfect job and the perfect location, I didn’t want to buy a place. The market was shit and if I needed to move, I didn’t want to get stuck with two mortgages. Renting for a while would be perfect.
“Knock, knock!” I heard as footsteps ran up the stairs. My door was open, and Lacy poked her head in. “Hey, you hoe,” she said, walking inside.
“Present!”
She kicked her shoes off and climbed onto the bed. “So, was it everything you hoped for?”
I shut the laptop and crossed my legs, then promptly straightened them back out.
“Wow,” she said. “Did he bend you like a pretzel?”
“ Maybe . And yes, it was everything I hoped for, and more. Very fun times.”
Lacy giggled. “Girl, you look smitten.”
“What?” I asked, confused. “Not smitten, just satisfied. We’re both consenting adults and it was good sex.”
“Well, you certainly have the well-fucked glow.”
“Oh! I have some interviews lined up. And I have a few houses to go look at this week. Can you take me? I promise I will work on getting a car soon, but one thing at a time.”
Lacy’s brow pinched. “I would, but Eagle said I can’t leave this week. Maybe when he gets back he can–”
“What? You can’t leave?”
“He said it’s not safe. So, for now, nope.”
I huffed. “Well, I didn’t tell anyone I wouldn’t leave. I’ll just call a rideshare. I need to get this stuff taken care of so I can get settled in. Hopefully one of these interviews will pan out and I’ll know where to choose a rental.”
Lacy wrapped her blonde ponytail around her hand. “Um, they won’t let you leave, either.”
I stared across at her. “They can’t hold me hostage, Lacy. I’m a free woman. Free as a little bird,” I said with a shake to my head.
“And you think Jackal isn’t going to say anything about that?”
“Why is everyone so confused? It was sex,” I said, throwing my hands up. “That doesn’t make him the boss of me. Nobody can force me to stay here. And the fact you’re okay with that is weird as fuck, Lacy.”
“I tried to explain,” she said matter-of-factly. “These guys have their own rules. But I promise it’s to keep us safe.”
“Lacy, we grew up near Chicago, I interned at a trauma center, and in case you forgot, we thwarted a kidnapping, and I saved the day. You can’t go through life hiding. If it’s your time, it’s your time.”
“You saved the day?” she asked as she twirled her hair.
“You were there. I saved your betrothed. You’re welcome,” I said, dragging out the last word to annoy her.
“You did. You’re the best. But seriously, Eagle kept trying to tell me I wasn’t safe before and I didn’t listen. That’s how we ended up in the back of some rando’s SUV.”
Looking up at the ceiling, maybe for some God to give me strength for this conversation, I said, “No, we ended up in the back of some rando’s SUV because there are bad people who do bad things, and if it wasn’t us, it would’ve been someone else.”
“I’m not sure that’s the case, Shiv. What you’re saying is true, but someone has it out for these guys and since we’re with them, that makes us targets.”
Climbing from the bed, I paced. “Well, it’s a good thing I’m not with them. I’m just hanging here until I can secure a job and a place of my own.”
“Okay,” she said. “If you think so. Anyway, tell me about the job interviews.”
Relieved to have a change of subject, I sat back down and opened my laptop, spewing excitedly about the potential jobs. I couldn’t let some good dick and possible danger get in the way of my goals, so I was going to stay the course and be happy things were starting to come together.