Chapter Fifteen
“Lex, darlin’, we gotta roll,” hollered Jed from the kitchen.
I didn’t respond, too busy concentrating on my eyeliner.
There was no time to redo it if I messed up, so I wasn’t going to mess up.
A couple minutes later, I had finished applying eyeshadow and was moving on to mascara when I heard his booted feet headed my way.
“Lex—”
“Yes, I know, I’m late. I’m very aware.”
He leaned into the bathroom, and I glanced at the reflection he cast in the mirror.
“Technically, this is your fault.”
“ My fault?” he asked with a raised brow. “If I recall, you’re the one who took my dick out this mornin’.”
“Sure. Yes. But I didn’t think it would last that long,” I countered, twisting my mascara closed.
He grinned, and I tried not to do the same as he replied, “So, you’re blamin’ me for my stamina?”
“Yup, exactly,” I said, finally ready to remove my satin curling rod.
“Hmm,” he hummed with a playful scowl. “I seem to recall you enjoyin’ the ride. Twice.”
I lost the fight to my smile, but I was still trying not to laugh as I ran my fingers through my hair. One glance at the carnage around his double sink—the result of my rushed morning prep—gave me an excuse to change the subject.
“Sorry for the mess. I’ll clean it later. I’m so late.”
“Worth it?”
Satisfied with my efforts, I turned to face him before I replied, “Without a doubt.”
He smirked, plucking his sunglasses from where he’d hooked them over his shirt and said, “I’ll meet you in the driveway.”
I watched him go, in awe that he was mine and this was us . I wondered when it would fade—the feeling that he was too good to be true. We were new, and life was complicated. But rather than fragile, our relationship felt stable, because Jed was steadfast and immoveable. I’d never had a man like him in my life before, and I couldn’t put into words how much I cherished it. I was falling faster and harder than ever, and it was scary—but he was mine and this was us . So, I watched him go, just to remind myself I wasn’t dreaming. I was wide awake.
And late.
Very late.
I slipped my feet into my shoes, grabbed my purse, and hurried for the garage. When I got behind the wheel, I noticed there was a smoothie waiting for me in my cup holder, and I was elated. Jed’s fancy blender wasn’t just for show or margaritas. He didn’t consider himself a talent in the kitchen, but his protein smoothies were amazing.
We’d been under the same roof for three nights, and already we’d managed to build a routine . It was as strange as it was wonderful. I met him less than a month ago, and I was practically living with him. It was temporary, and I knew that, but I was trying to take the good with the bad.
I didn’t love that Jed followed me to work every morning. Or that there was a Stallion who hung outside the building when it was time for me to grab lunch. Or how I couldn’t leave for the day until Jed was there to pick me up. I didn’t love that I knew he should have been at Steel Mustang the night before, but he opted to stay home with me so I wasn’t alone.
And I really hated why he never wanted me to be alone.
Fred Hoffman had gone dark in the days following my kidnapping. While there hadn’t been any trouble with Rocco or the cartel, the guys were still being cautious and vigilant about my safety.
All that was the bad—but the good was hard to ignore.
I enjoyed sitting outside at night, snuggled in Jed’s arms by the fire or on his porch swing. I liked falling asleep with him in his bed, which was way more comfortable than mine. And the morning sex was fun, too.
When Jed and I arrived at the office, I did what was becoming customary. I got out of my car, made my way over to him, and kissed him goodbye.
“Thanks for the smoothie.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll see you later.”
I nodded, kissed him once more, and then headed inside.
A while later, I was slurping down the last of my smoothie when Cora dropped by my office with a case file delivery. Apparently, I was being assigned another divorce settlement.
Cora was as pleasant and friendly as she always was, but I was glad to see her go. It wasn’t that I was mad at her for passing along information about me to Roy; but since I found out she’d done it, I hadn’t really been able to look at her the same. I think what bothered me was that she never told me. As a colleague, it would be understandable. As my friend, not so much.
Both how I felt about Cora and yet another divorce settlement set my mind adrift.
I’d had time to think about it, and I accepted what Jed said about the Stallions job offer. Hoffman’s threat was about Hoffman and the decisions he’d made. He was the one who put himself between the club and the cartel who, as I understood it, were—for all intents and purposes—frienemies. It was a dangerous place to be. But as the Stallions’ general counsel, he shouldn’t have been there in the first place. If I were to take the role, the job itself wouldn’t put me in danger.
I didn’t want to be assigned cases someone else didn’t want to do anymore. I wanted more autonomy and control. I wanted career progression and work that was interesting and pushed me to grow. I wanted what I was ready to take when I wrote the resignation letter I’d yet to print—but it didn’t seem so simple anymore.
I was in that room for the round table. I might not have understood everything the men were saying as it was being said, but I got the gist after my talk with Jed. I peeked behind the curtain, and I saw a glimpse of their world. Roy told me the Wild Stallions made their own laws, and I stood in that room with the club’s governing body. It was intimidating. But in the days that followed, they stood by their word. They weren’t reckless or impulsive. They were businessmen in leather kuttes.
Or maybe I was fooling myself.
It was hard to think objectively knowing Jed was one of them. I couldn’t decide if I was talking myself into accepting the job because I was halfway in love with a Stallion or if I was being legitimately rational.
I needed to talk it out with someone who wasn’t Jed.
Cora, for obvious reasons, was not an option.
Bella wasn’t, either. I hadn’t told her about Jed yet. I hadn’t told her about a lot of things, and it was too much to think about.
Winnie came to mind, as did Jenna and Tess.
Winnie was on the Stallions’ payroll, as the office manager at Stallion Motors. Her perspective would be invaluable, having been around for so long. But Jenna and Tess could be helpful, too. They were both ol’ ladies and engaged to be married to Stallions. They were outsiders looking in, just like I was.
I glanced at my phone. I had all of their numbers. We exchanged them that first night at Steel Mustang. I hadn’t used them since, but now felt as good a time as any. I needed a friend, and three would be even better.
Picking up my device, I unlocked the screen, started a group thread, and shot off a message before I could think twice about it.
Hi, it’s Alexia. I know this is short notice, and I totally understand if you’re busy, but I could really use a girl’s night. Is anyone free tonight?
Immediately after I sent it, I blacked out my screen and set it aside, not expecting to hear from anyone right away.
Thirty seconds later, I got a notification alert.
It was Jenna.
Your timing is impeccable. Save me from this brown-box jungle! I’m in.
I smiled and before I could type out a response, another message came through. This one from Tess.
Girl’s night sounds fun! I’ve got MK, though. Night in at our place?
Winnie was next to chime in.
Wine, anyone?
My day had been made.
If we’re doing wine, I’ll bring the charcuterie , I offered.
OMG, we’re legit! How does seven sound?
It was almost five-thirty when I felt his presence in my doorway. I looked up, caught his blue-green eyes, and smiled. Regardless of the reason, he was still a welcome sight at the end of the day.
“Hey. I was just getting ready to pack up.”
“No rush.”
“Actually, kind of a little rush,” I admitted as I stood, straightening the files on my desk. “I made plans tonight. Also, I need to stop by the store on the way home. And I was thinking, it would be easier for me to make the board at your house and then take it with me to Tess and Mustang’s, but it’s probably easier for you if I make it at their place so I could ride over on your hog, rather than you having to follow me— unless you wouldn’t mind taking me in your car.”
“Darlin’?”
I strapped my purse over my shoulder and looked at him. He quirked an eyebrow at me in confusion.
“What’d I miss?”
“You’ve been stuck babysitting me the last two nights. I made plans with the girls. Tess has Mary-Kate, so we’re going to hang at their house, and you can go to work.”
“Lex, spendin’ time with you is not a hardship.”
“Thanks for saying so,” I said, coming out from behind my desk. “But as much as I’ve enjoyed spending time with you, I know you’re missing out on work because of me. I appreciate everything you’re doing, but I also feel a little bad. Plus, I’m really looking forward to tonight. So—how do you feel about taking your Tahoe out for a spin?”
“It’s called a cage for a reason. It’s the middle of June, gorgeous. Unless I’m cartin’ around two kids, the Tahoe stays in the garage.”
“Fair enough,” I conceded.
“More than happy to drop you off for girl’s night, but you should know I’ve been thinkin’ of cuttin’ back my shifts at the bar anyway. This keeps goin’ how it’s goin’, doesn’t make sense for me to work fifteen-hour days just because.”
“Oh. Okay,” I murmured, our conversation suddenly more serious than I anticipated. “That’s not a small decision. I mean, we can make it work if you need the extra hours.”
“I don’t. Someone suggested I’ve been payin’ too much child support. Pocketing a little more change these days,” he said with a shrug. “Workin’ the bar was mostly just somethin’ to do when I didn’t have the kids. But the bar and the garage aren’t the only ways a Stallion can earn an income. Make more off the books, anyway. I’ll be fine.”
I tilted my head and narrowed my eyes at him. It was the second time he’d mentioned unofficial Stallion business. The other night, he said most of their work was legit—but I was still in the dark about the rest of it. “Do I even want to know what that means?”
“Doubt it,” he replied with a crooked smile.
I reminded myself the Wild Stallions were no longer trafficking drugs or women. For now, I supposed he was right. I didn’t need to know more.
“Right. Okay. We should go.”
I squeezed by him, and he followed after me, chuckling softly under his breath.
Our trip to the grocery store was enough to add shopping with my man to the list of things that weren’t so bad about our current arrangement. And even though it meant I was going to have to build the charcuterie board with an audience, I kind of liked showing up for girl’s night on the back of Jed’s Harley. It made me feel like one of them.
Jed walked me to the door, helping me with my loot. I may have gone a little overboard, but I couldn’t remember how long it had been since I had a real girls’ night, and I wanted to go all out.
“He—oh, wow,” Tess muttered, cutting off her own greeting at the sight of the grocery bags. “So, when you said bring the charcuterie , you meant bring the charcuterie .”
“Yeah. I hope you’re hungry,” teased Jed.
Tess smiled as she placed both hands over her still barely noticeable baby bump. “I’m growing a human. I’m always hungry.” She then stepped out of the doorway and insisted, “Come in, please. The kitchen is yours. Seriously, anything you need, have at it.”
Jed and I made our way inside, headed for the kitchen island. Like Jed’s place, the layout of the house was open—the living room, kitchen, and dining room one big, accessible area. I couldn’t help but notice the view out the sliding glass door that led to the backyard. It was gorgeous, even at a glance.
“Lex?” muttered Jed as soon as our hands were free.
“Hmm?”
He got close, really close, and reached for my chin.
“When you’re ready to ride, just call,” he said softly.
I nodded as much as his hold would allow, but he wasn’t done.
“You let loose and get drunk, all good. I’ll come in the cage.”
He’d come in the cage.
I reached up and pinched the front of his tee between my fingers, pressing onto tiptoe. I was having a tough few days. There was a lot on my mind, and he knew it. It’s why he made sure I came twice that morning. Why he pushed the cart at the grocery store without complaint. And his comment just now was my proof he understood, and that meant a lot to me.
“Thanks, papi,” I murmured.
“Have fun,” he said before touching his lips to mine.
He lingered only long enough to sneak a taste, and then he let me go, headed for the door.
“Bye, Wrangler,” Tess practically sang.
“Later.”
We both watched him go before Tess turned to me with wide eyes and a gaping mouth.
“Okay, I thought you two holding hands was awesome, but that —that was better. I love it when a badass biker goes soft over his woman. He is so into you.”
“I hope so,” I laughed, unpacking the groceries. “Because I’m so into him, too.”
“Knock, knock,” said Jenna, letting herself in. “Winnie’s right behind me. Whoa,” she guffawed as she approached. “Why do I suddenly feel like I’m about to get a master class on how to build charcuterie?”
“Okay, okay—I may have done too much, but—”
“Are you kidding?” Tess interrupted with a wave of her hand. “I’m loving this. Teach us your ways.”
It hadn’t even been five minutes, and I was already having a great time—the pending threat on my life temporarily stowed away in the back of my mind.
As Jenna said, Winnie was right behind her. She came with three different kinds of wine and a bottle of sparkling cider for Tess and Mary-Kate; the latter of whom came out of her room just long enough to decide she wasn’t missing anything before returning to her toys.
We were all a glass down by the time I finished constructing two different boards. We relocated to the dining room table before we settled down to eat.
“They’re so pretty, I almost don’t want to eat them,” said Jenna, topping off our glasses.
“Mmm, wish I could say the same, but that cheese right there looks so good,” replied Tess.
“Please. Eat to your heart’s content, or Jed will make fun of me for insisting I needed all of it.”
“You mentioned earlier you could use a night out,” began Winnie, reaching for a small plate. “I heard you may not be taking the job with the Stallions, after all. Might tonight have anything to do with that?”
“What? What happened?” asked Jenna, sounding genuinely concerned.
“Yeah, actually,” I admitted. “I, um…”
I looked around the table and all eyes were on me. It wasn’t until that moment when I realized they didn’t know about the threat I received from Hoffman. Their men hadn’t told them. And I knew it wasn’t because they didn’t think it was important, it was because it was club business . It wasn’t need-to-know, and I happened to be an inside man, so I knew.
I knew, and I wasn’t sure it was my place to tell them. Not all of it. There was no point in handing out pieces of my fear for them to shoulder. It wouldn’t be fair.
This was a familiar feeling—one I experienced with my own family. The things mami didn’t know about Alejandro were many. She had enough to worry about, and my shoulders were strong. They were conditioned to be.
Maybe that was a sign.
“I got a behind the scenes sneak peek this week,” I told them. “And it was intense. Kind of scary, actually. But for the last couple of days, I keep thinking about how the Wild Stallions are like a family. The way they band together around a problem—I don’t know, it makes me feel like, regardless of the unknown, if I took the job, I would have their backs and they would have mine.”
“Alexia, the Stallions aren’t like family, they are one , ” said Tess. “You’re new, so you’ve only seen a glimpse, but I can assure you, they don’t call each other brother to be cool.”
“You’re right, though,” added Winnie. “If you took the job, they’d have your back so long as you had theirs.”
“But it is a different world,” I pointed out, arguing the flip side. “As much as I was sold on the idea that most of my job would be handling corporate business, and that if the Stallions did what they do without being stupid I wouldn’t have to worry about defending a bunch of outlaws—they still are a bunch of outlaws. I feel a little crazy because I know that, but I want the job anyway. At least I think I do. Or maybe I just don’t want the job I have.” I sighed and reached for a grape. “I guess I’m really on the fence.”
“My take?” asked Jenna cautiously.
I nodded.
“We’re all a little crazy,” she said with a smile and a shrug. “Winnie and Tess were born that way. I, on the other hand, tripped and fell into my own madness when I fell for Kade. But regardless of how we got here, we’re the same in that we know there’s a side of our men we don’t have access to—a darkness they protect us from. Even if they didn’t have their secrets, if they told us everything, they’d still exist in a world different than ours. They’re bred for it in a way we aren’t.
“They’re wild, but they also stand for something bigger than themselves. They live by their code. So, yeah. They’re outlaws. And yes, every once in a while, they’re going to find trouble. But most of the time, the Stallions mind their own business and take care of each other and their families.
“Would accepting the job make you a little crazy? Probably a little. But if you don’t cut loose and take chances every once in a while, what fun is life?”
“I saw you with Wrangler earlier,” commented Tess. “Maybe the nature of the club isn’t as big of a deal as you think. You two seem really happy, and I’m willing to bet it’s because you’ve seen the man beneath the kutte.
“I won’t sit here and claim they’re all alike. Every family has a couple assholes. But while they might be rough around the edges with hard, tatted exteriors, they’re not monsters. If anyone knows that, it’s us.”
“And for the record, they wouldn’t be the only ones to have your back. This table of ol’ ladies are here for you, too,” added Winnie.
“Here, here,” agreed Jenna. “Whether you take the job or not. Cause, girl, this charcuterie is amazing, and we don’t have girls’ night nearly enough.”
“Thank you,” I said on a laugh. “And I really appreciate the advice.”
“Keep us posted?” asked Tess.
“I will,” I promised. Then, ready for a lighter subject, I asked, “Jenna, how’d you and Kade fall in love?”
“Behind her best friend’s back,” teased Tess.
“Yeah, that’s a little true,” Jenna laughed.
She opened up about the origin of her relationship with Kade. Winnie was next, and her story was both tragic and heartwarming, leaving me with a whole newfound respect for Roy. By the time I heard how Mustang and Tess got together, I was sure what it was I wanted. But rather than tell my friends right away, I let it settle within me as we ate, drank, and enjoyed each other’s company.
I couldn’t have imagined a better night.
Tess managed to make it until ten thirty before she started yawning uncontrollably. We helped clean up, Jenna and I calling our rides in the process. Kade and Jed arrived at the same time, and we all said goodbye, with a round of hugs between us girls.
I was tipsy and feeling carefree, so when Jed offered me his hand in order to mount his hog, I took it, but I didn’t climb on right away. Instead, I asked, “Papi? Can we go for a ride?”
“Now?”
I nodded.
“Hell, yeah.”
Grinning, I situated myself at his back and held on tight.
The night was just warm enough to keep me from being too cool, and the feel of Jed’s body ignited a heat within that fought against the wind on the road. I pressed my cheek to his back, closed my eyes, and I felt weightless—gliding through space and time with no worry or doubt. It was a temporary feeling, I knew, but I embraced it. I wanted to get lost in it, even if just for one ride.
I wasn’t sure how long we rode, but I knew when Jed pulled into his garage, I wasn’t ready to let him go. The vibration of his hog between my legs stirred my desire, and there was just enough wine coursing through me to make me bold. I was reminded of all I had in Jed. Sitting around, hearing how the others had fallen in love, it struck me anew that the man in my arms was more than I could have dreamed. We hadn’t known each other long, but he kept showing up for me—and that meant more than he’d ever know.
“Darlin’?” He glanced over his shoulder, resting one of his big hands over mine. “You good?”
Rather than answer him with my words, I slipped my hands free, grabbed hold of his hips, and maneuvered myself onto the ground. I then crooked my finger, beckoning him to me. He smirked before he dismounted, and I unbuttoned my jeans, sliding the zipper open.
He didn’t hesitate to follow my lead when I took his hand and guided his fingers into my panties. As soon as his skin touched mine, he took over. I sighed when he found my wetness, and he swore under his breath as I shuddered at his touch. He swirled his fingers around my clit, and I reached for his shoulders, needing something to keep me upright.
“Our ride get you hot for me, gorgeous?” he asked, reaching to insert two fingers inside of me.
“Yes,” I gasped, rolling my hips.
He flattened his palm against my swollen bundle of nerves, undulating his fingers in my core, making me pant for him.
“You gonna come like this?”
“Yes,” I breathed, my eyes locked with his.
His free hand tight around my waist, he moved his hand faster, and I gasped then held the air in my lungs as it hit me, just that fast.
“Fuck,” Jed muttered as my sex squeezed his fingers. He then brought his lips to mine and muttered, “Breathe.”
I sucked in his exhale and sealed my mouth with his. Circling my arms around his neck, I pressed myself as close as I could get. I lost his fingers from inside of me, but I didn’t mind. That same hand grabbed hold of my backside and hauled me even closer, showcasing his own desire as he kissed me wet and deep.
In spite of my orgasm, I was still teeming with lust, and I wanted more.
I wanted him .
All of him.
“Papi,” I muttered, breaking our kiss.
It’s all I had to say. The next thing I knew, he had my legs around his hips. He carried me only a few steps, and then he put me down, spun me around and bent me over the hood of my car.
“You on the pill, darlin’?”
“Um, yeah,” I stammered, both caught off guard by the question and distracted as he yanked my panties and my jeans down my legs.
“Wanna feel my woman.”
I was still processing what he said as I heard him shove his own clothes out of the way. When he was free, he caught hold of my hips, and I felt his hardened length against my backside as I sought his eyes from over my shoulder.
“Lex—say the word, darlin’.”
It was then I realized he wanted to ride me bare, but he wasn’t going to do it unless I wanted it, too.
In that moment, I wanted nothing more.
I arched my back invitingly and practically moaned, “Yes, papi, yes .”
He took hold of his length, coated the tip in my arousal, and then buried himself until I was full.
Oh, and it was perfect .
The sound of his skin slapping against mine echoed against the walls of the garage, and I moaned in delight. He felt so good, I could hardly stand it. When he grabbed a fistful of my hair and pulled, causing me to arch my body even more, I could scarcely breathe as he invoked pleasure the likes of which I’d never known.
“Jed!” I cried as my second orgasm began to hum deep within me.
I sensed it.
I longed for it.
I was wild for it.
I was going to come, and it was going to be huge .
“Oh, papi—right there, right there,” I panted.
He pumped his hips faster, thrusting harder, making my breath catch.
The hum had transformed into a chorus, the feel of which became all consuming.
“Come for me, Lex,” Jed grunted.
“I’m—I’m so close. I’m—I’m—”
I was coming.
And it was magnificent .
“Hell, yes,” he practically growled as he slapped the side of my bum.
I shivered as passion washed over me, and then I felt it when Jed swelled and stilled within me. He jerked his hips once more, and as the height of our shared climax began to wane, we both collapsed across the hood of my Corolla.
I’d never had sex propped against a car before.
It was pretty hot.
Speaking against my shoulder, Jed mumbled, “If this is what I can expect after girls’ night, I fully support more of ‘em.”
I laughed, and he did too, before pressing a kiss against the back of my head and lifting himself off of me.
“Stay put, darlin’. I’ll grab you somethin’ to clean up.”
My legs still a little useless after what we just did, I didn’t argue.
I felt the evidence of my man as it spilled out of me for the first time, and I got another shiver. He was mine. I was his. And this was us.
It still felt too good to be true, but it was a little more real with each passing day.
Jed cleaned me up, and I got dressed before we headed inside to get ready for bed. After I washed my face, brushed my teeth, and put my hair up, I made sure to tidy around my half of the sink. Jed wasn’t a clean freak, but he wasn’t a slob, either. I may have been the woman in his bed, but I was also a guest in his home, and I aimed to be a good one.
When I was finished in the bathroom, I changed into one of Jed’s tees—as I’d done the previous couple of nights, having forgotten my own sleep clothes. I then listened for him and heard as he did his nightly routine of securing his home. I loved how he did that—the man of the house. It made me feel safe, and that felt like love.
I crawled between the sheets, folding my legs under me as I sat up and waited for him. I didn’t have to wait long, and I admired my mammoth as he entered the room, wearing only his boxer briefs.
Rough around the edges with a hard, tatted exterior—just as Tess had described.
He was the kind of man who’d never existed in my orbit before, and now I wasn’t sure my world would spin without him.
“You good?” he asked, shutting the door.
“Yes. I wanted to tell you something.”
“Alright.”
He still stood by the door, so I extended my hands toward him, signaling I wanted him close. He came to bed, sitting on the edge beside me. His right arm closest to me, I caught sight of his Wild Stallions ink and traced my fingertips over it.
“Darlin’?”
“I’ve come to a decision,” I said, bringing my eyes to meet his. “I want the job. I’ll tell Roy in the morning, and I’ll hand in my notice when I get to the office.”
“What made you change your mind?”
I reached for the side of his face, grazing my thumb over his cheek. “You. The ol’ ladies.” I shrugged, letting my hand fall as I explained, “I got scared. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t still worried about Fred and that whole mess, but I know what’s happening to me doesn’t really have anything to do with the job.
“I understand now that by accepting the offer, I’ll get the chance to be part of something—part of the Wild Stallions family. And I want that. That sense of, I don’t know, loyalty and trust, no matter the circumstances.”
“Lex, this lasts between us, you’ll have that even without the job.”
“I know. But it’s more than that. I’m an associate at the firm. Sure, Jacob trusts me, and I’m one of the few who has the luxury of an office, but I’m still just an associate taking on cases the partners don’t want. I’m better than that. I want more. I won’t let Fred scare me away from the opportunity of a lifetime.”
Jed studied me for a moment, something in his eyes I couldn’t interpret.
When he didn’t say anything, I asked, “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Don’t think I’ve ever been more proud to call a woman mine. You’re unstoppable, darlin’.”
My insides did that thing, and I was floating.
His pride made me want to cry.
It felt that good.
A little embarrassed by my sudden onslaught of emotions, I reached for his face and drew him to me for a kiss. It was the perfect distraction, and it wasn’t long before we both got lost in it. So lost, in fact, we couldn’t find our way out.
We celebrated my decision together, in the best possible way.
I fell asleep naked—my day ending as happily as it began.