Chapter 8 Ripper
Ripper
I wake up with her in my arms, her back curved against my stomach.
This is unreal. Instead of wanting to pry body parts off of me, I want to get impossibly closer. I can’t remember the last time I woke with such a lovely view.
My shirt looks so good on her; I can hardly look away, especially when the cool morning air gives me an even better view, with two pretty peaks pressing against the white fabric.
She makes this tired, groaning sound when I pull her closer to my chest, not willing to separate ways just yet. Her legs curl and stretch before a little sigh leaves her lips.
“Are you always worked up?” Tiredly batting my hand away, her words are raspy and soft. Sexy as hell.
She’s referring to my cock and the way it’s wedged up against her. Swollen hard, even I’m surprised.
I may take the world record for having the hardest dick for the longest time.
“Who’s fault do you think it is?” Palming her stomach, I drag my fingers against her body. “Have you taken a look in the mirror?”
I expect her to enjoy my compliment, but she’s stiffening up against my front. Her fingers catch my wrist when I reach the hem of her shirt. Even now, she won’t let me see?
“I’m not looking,” I promise against her hair. “Not with my eyes, I mean. Let me touch you.”
Trying to keep the bite from my words, the hunger is still there, overflowing.
“I have never met such a horny man in my life.” Waking up fully, she lets out an annoyed sigh.
I feel the same annoyance, but for an entirely different reason. I don’t like the mention of men one bit when it comes to her.
“Haven.” Lips brushing her ear, my fingers pinch the hem. “I won’t look. I promise. Please.”
Being reduced to begging a woman to let me touch her is a humbling experience, but with great reward. When she releases my wrist, I feel like a kid in a candy store. My hunger easily devours the eagerness to explore her skin once I’m touching heated skin.
“I’ve never met someone so soft.” Groaning against the crook of her neck, I expect to find an anomaly with the way she hides herself, but everything feels normal. Feels perfect. “I bet you’re pretty under my shirt, too.”
She can’t argue when her bottom lip is caught between her teeth and her body is arching against me.
Squeezing her breast, I try to memorize the fullness. Her nipples are hard against my palms.
“I didn’t use my fingers on you yesterday.” Telling her what she already knows, I draw a gasp out past her lips as I tuck my fingers between her thighs.
She’s already slick.
“What kind of dream did you have?” Circling her clit, I try to seek a little relief with a small shift of my hips. “Was I in it? You were in mine.”
The answer I receive is a moan. Her toes curl and her legs twitch. She’s close.
Sliding my hand from her breast up to her throat, I soak in the racing pulse against my fingertips. Groaning against her, the pleasure I feel from just witnessing hers is unreal.
Feeling her pussy flutter against my fingers, she moans my name before her body turns to jelly, leaving her a puddled mess.
Instead of gloating, a picture forms in my mind. Every morning, waking Haven up this way. With my fingers or my mouth, filling the room with her pleasured sounds. Not just in this room, but my bedroom in my cabin, a place that’s never had a woman inside.
First, I lent her my clothes, and now I’m thinking about taking her home. By now, I’m not even disturbed by the thoughts. My mind wants to accept them. It’s too exhausting fighting them.
I’ve only ever known lust, but this is new. And here I thought love was ridiculous.
Pulling my hands away, I enjoy the shiver that wracks through her. It’s the slow blink of her eyes, like she’s lost in a daze.
“Your body telling you that you want more?” Tilting my head, I take in her flushed thighs, still glistening. Her knees are flushed, spreading down to her ankles. Beneath the pink, faded white scars. Not from small scrapes, but lengthy ones.
Without thinking, I’m touching one. Just as my thumb grazes a staple scar, I’m getting kicked hard enough to make me grunt.
Haven sits up, disheveled. Shoving her fingers through her hair, she grimaces at herself. “My body is telling me that I need a hot shower. I feel gross.”
Humming my disagreement, I cradle her ankle when she tries to keep distance between us. Her toes curl, and I noticed they’re a chipped blue color.
There’s still so much about this woman that I don’t know. Things I haven’t noticed. Things I want to notice, but she won’t let me.
“Want me to lick you clean?”
Her other foot answers my offer with another kick. I’ll take that as a no.
* * *
Getting her something to cover her lower half, and something for the day, I sneak her to the shower so she can clean up.
The room is communal, full of stalls. Two of them are already being used by who knows. Haven’s hesitant.
“I’ll be right next to you.” Absently stroking her back, my mouth curves. “Be more worried about me than them. I’ll be the one fighting a war not to join you.”
Her scoff is cute, but it’s the truth. Just thinking about picking her up and pressing her against the tile wall is enough to make me consider coaxing her into a stall now.
Haven’s got a point. I really am horny. I know I’m not this bad, either. Like I’m in heat, all I can think about is her.
The damage is done, might as well roll with it.
She gives one last worried look toward the steam rolling from the top before moving to a stall. Jerking the curtain shut, it takes her a couple of minutes before she’s finally showering.
I really want to join her.
Running my fingers through my hair, I choose not to push my luck, deciding to keep my word and slip in next to her.
Haven’s doesn’t take long to clean up. She’s too fast, not even giving me time to let my imagination run around. Knowing her, she’s done it on purpose, forcing me to finish early, too.
While she’s towel drying her hair, I’m resting against the sink, drinking her in. She had makeup on before. Now, she’s bare.
“Stop staring at me.” She keeps her eyes forward, keeping her attention on her reflection.
I don’t. I’m too busy staring at the scar on her chin and the one across the bridge of her nose.
She sighs at my defiance. Pausing the motion of her hands, she turns her eyes toward me. “Be honest with me. What’s the chance of Paulie still being alive?”
I don’t want to be honest with her. The truth is just going to make her cry again.
Moving closer to her, I keep my voice low. “Depends on whether the other party can keep their word or not.”
“You seem to know them. Are they trustworthy?”
Not one bit.
“The thing you came after, they seem to want. That would be what’s keeping your brother alive.” Reaching toward her, she brings a chuckle out when she bats me away.
Haven’s starting to let me see other emotions. I think I like it when she’s annoyed. She’s cute.
“We’re going to get him tonight, right?” Resuming the movement, she bites the inside of her cheek.
“You’re going to be our little getaway driver, I think.” That’ll be the safest position for her. I won’t have her near those assholes. “You have a vehicle, don’t you?”
Her mouth pinches, and she nods. “It’s not near here. I parked and walked through the woods.”
I love it when she’s honest with me.
“I’ll give you a ride to pick it up, then. Ever rode a bike?” Lifting a brow, I hope she says no. The first time is always the most amusing. She’d cling against me in and—
“Paulie’s taken me on rides before.” She grimaces. “Before he got mixed up with those guys.”
Damn.
“Finish up, and we can get some food. Do me a favor and act normal. Don’t act like a spy. As far as Judge knows, I let you leave.” My eyes drift away when she frowns. “We made our deal, yeah? I need you here for that to happen.”
Expecting her to put up a fight for being treated like some prisoner, I’m relieved when she nods.
It’ll stress her that we have to avoid suspicions all day, but I’ll keep her entertained for as long as I can.
While I’m at it, I’ll show her all the fun things to do at the clubhouse. If she enjoys herself, she might want to hang around even after she’s got what she’s come for.
Only a fool in my shoes can hope.
* * *
“You can’t be fucking serious.” Warden stares at her van. “You expect us all to fit in this? I want to ride.”
I can’t hide my grimace. “Best way to go under their radar. Our bikes will give us away. This thing’s quiet. I had to double-check she was still behind me.”
Hammer says nothing, shoving weapons into the trunk already full of her stuff. I appreciate his silence.
“She knows the way, so let’s get this over with.” I motion to the van. “Get in.”
Loading up doesn’t take long. She’s tense, knuckles white on the wheel. One deep breath, then she shifts into gear.
It’s almost funny, sitting together like this with the radio playing. Shame I’m the only one smiling.
“You went directly to their clubhouse?” Warden leans forward. “Tell me you’re not taking us there. Three of us isn’t enough.”
She frowns as we hit the highway. “They told me to take her to the docks, so that’s where we’re going. I’ve never been there, personally.”
Warden groans, softly asking Hammer what the hell they’re getting themselves into.
“Thank you both,” she lets out mid-grumble. “Neither of you knows me, but you’re willing to risk your lives. I know it’s not a lot, but I’ll never be able to pay you back for what you’re doing.”
I want to tease her, ask her for some of that appreciation to be pointed in my direction. When I see the worry in her eyes, I bite my tongue.
She’s the kind of person who would blame herself for their death or injury, I bet.
“Who are we looking for?” Hammer finally speaks, clearing his throat. “Your sibling, tell me about them.”
She does, easily. Starting with giving off his appearance, to his tattoos, and the last clothes she remembers seeing him in.
“He’s all I’ve got.” Her lips press together, and her brows furrow. “But if he’s in a state that isn’t… survivable… could you guys—I mean, you know…”
She wants us to put him down. Fucking hell. She’s too innocent to be worrying about such a thing.
“We’ve got a pretty good doc on board, don’t we? We’re not putting anyone out of their misery unless there are no other options.” Looking behind the seat, I smile cheekily at Warden. “You’ve got her on speed dial, so don’t die. Unless Hammer has her number, then you do you.”
Warden rolls his eyes, shaking his head. Just the mention of his precious Leah is enough to silence him.
Thank goodness. I’m able to enjoy the next hour in an almost enjoyable silence.
My phone buzzes, texts from Judge, I assume. Can’t get in trouble for not reading them if I don’t see them to begin with.
I’ll deal with his anger later. Right now, I’m trying to enjoy myself.
We don’t make a plan, but that doesn’t matter. There’s nothing we can really prepare for when we’re going into the dark.
If we had Ghost, he could’ve hacked into their cameras and easily found him. He’d better be enjoying his damn honeymoon. Once all this is done, I want my turn.
While thinking about my cabin, we reach our destination. She parks far enough for a short walk to enjoy the fishy-smelling air.
I’ve been here a few times before when I was younger. Before this life. The memory is a good one, but it feels like it has holes. Like pieces are missing. No parents. Just Sarah and her fun time in the water.
Such a shame some bastards turned a nice place into their playground. Ruined it for everyone.
“Ripper?” Haven looks at me with worry in her eyes. “Are you okay?”
There she goes, caring about me again. I guess I’m not good at keeping my thoughts to myself.
“Just fine. Keep the car running. This won’t take long.” Giving her a wink, I get out and turn toward her. “If someone approaches whom you don’t recognize, don’t hesitate to book it out of here.”
“But—”
“Haven.” My smile drops. “I won’t be able to live with myself if you get caught up in the action.”
She swallows hard but nods, blushing when I call her a good girl. It’s worth smiling again.
Leaving momentarily to help Hammer, I snort at what he’s picked to bring.
“It’s quieter than I was expecting.” He picks up an assault rifle, cradling it. “Are we leaving a message?”
I want to paint a big middle finger in blood for Blaze to see, but Judge would want secrecy. Hell, he wouldn’t want any evidence left over. Without Ghost, that’s impossible.
“We’re just taking her brother back, that’s all. There can’t be more than a few people babysitting him. I think we can leave that behind.” Looking toward the docks, I sigh at the headache that this is going to become.
Hammer nods, opting for a pistol instead. Knowing him, I doubt he’ll even use it. He’s more of a fist kind of guy anyway.
While the two grab enough magazines to take out an army, I’m drifting toward Haven’s side of the van.
“One more kiss.” Leaning against her window, I swoop down. “Just in case.”
“You are insane.” Letting out a sigh, I’m relieved when she doesn’t roll up the window. Instead, she leans in and gives me one of her shy pecks.
I’m starting to really love them.
“Don’t forget your promises.” Whispering the words against my lips, she looks up at me with her wide eyes.
“I’ll get him.” Hoping she’ll feel reassured and release me from her damning stare, she doesn’t. There’s more. She’s referring to those other things I offered.
She wants me to kill the men who hurt him.
Grinning at the memory, I can’t help but swallow her gasp as I kiss her again.
“I’ll take care of everything.” Kissing her cheeks next, I try to enjoy what could possibly be my last kiss. Warden curses under his breath, urging me to hurry up.
Impatient bastard. But he’s got a point.
Just as I move to pull away, her fingers slide against my cheeks.
“Be careful. I need you to come back. Help Paulie. My help hasn’t been enough.” Her eyes shine. “If you do, I’ll give you what you want. So don’t die.”
I smirk. “You know there’s only one thing I want, sweetheart.”
It’s supposed to be a joke, something to dry her tears—but she nods.
She’s offering me her virginity.
“Ripper.” Hammer jerks his chin. “Let’s go.”
Cursing, I nod. “Here I was, ready with a last speech. Guess I’ll save it if I can’t die.”
I won’t die. Not just because I want to take her cherry. No, I’m after something bigger.
I’ll claim her heart instead.