9. Poppy
CHAPTER 9
POPPY
His cock was so thick it grazed my clit as he filled me. I didn’t want to move, just wanted to hold still and feel all of him buried deep inside me. The connection we had went beyond physical. I couldn’t explain it, but I’d never felt anything like the way I did with him. As he lifted his dark blue eyes to meet mine, it was like we merged into one. Our heartbeats synced, and we moved in rhythm together.
“You’re so damn beautiful, baby.” His beard brushed my cheek, and he mumbled sweet words in my ear as I lifted my hips. “You make me feel like the luckiest man alive.”
I soaked it all in, wishing I could live in the moment forever, safe from my past and protected from the present. But the momentum we’d created together was too strong. A deep pulse started in my core, then spread through every single one of my cells. My nerves were on fire in the most delicious way. A fire that consumed every last part of me. Unable to hold back anymore, I clenched the walls of my pussy around Crank, urging him toward release.
His hands tightened on my waist, and he increased the pace. I couldn’t hear anything above the roar of blood rushing through my ears. My entire body hurtled toward something bigger and stronger than I’d ever experienced before. The sheer intensity might have scared me if I hadn’t felt so secure in his arms.
“That’s it, Poppy, my beautiful girl. Come for me, angel.” Crank thrust into me hard, but I wanted even more.
I slammed my hips down on his lap, taking him deeper than I ever thought possible.
Then I exploded around him. Up became down, left became right. I gave into the tidal wave of pleasure crashing over me until I couldn’t feel anything at all.
“Fuck, yeah, baby.” Crank cradled my cheeks in his hands. “I knew it would be that good between us.”
“So good.” I nodded, still riding the aftershocks that pulsed through me.
Crank laid back and pulled me with him. I rested my cheek on his chest, comforted by the thump-thump-thump of his heartbeat. Just like every good thing in my life, I knew it wouldn’t last, but that didn’t stop me from wanting it.
“I didn’t hurt you, did I?” Crank asked, his fingertips brushing over the bruise on my forehead. “I should have been more gentle, but I had a hard time holding back.”
“No, you didn’t hurt me at all.” And he never would. My gut had been right about him. It told me I’d be safe with him, but I hadn’t listened.
“Where did you get these scars, angel?” His fingers brushed over the series of raised ridges on my arm. For a few minutes, I’d forgotten all about the reminders of my past. I tried to pull the comforter over my shoulder to hide them, but he stopped me. “Did someone hurt you?”
I shook my head, not wanting to expose him to the dark secrets I kept hidden away. “They’re nothing.”
“You sure about that?” He flipped on the bedside lamp. “It looks like something cut you. Or maybe someone?”
Black spots dotted the edges of my vision. “No. I was just a clumsy kid.”
He held my gaze for several uncomfortable long beats. “I love you, Poppy. All I want is for you to be my woman and for you to take me as your man. If this is going to work, we’re going to have to be honest with each other.”
He was right. I did want this to last. I’d tried putting up a front and telling myself I didn’t need anyone in my life, but I’d been wrong. I hung my head, not wanting him to see the weakness in my eyes. “I’m scared.”
“Scared of what, baby?” He nudged my chin up, gently forcing me to meet his eyes. “I won’t let anyone hurt you ever again.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.” The weight on my chest eased with the admission, but a new worry festered deep in my soul. “I don’t want you to get hurt because of me.”
One side of his mouth ticked up in a grin. “That’s not going to happen. I’ve got a whole clubhouse of brothers who’ve got my back. Now tell me, who did this to you?”
Memories of the past flooded through my head. I’d tried to hold them at bay for so long. Maybe it was time to let someone else in—someone who could help me do away with my fear for good.
“Before I moved to Mustang Mountain, I was involved with a guy in the Hellfire’s Reapers MC.” I glanced at Crank to gauge his reaction.
“I’ve heard of them. They’re a one-percent club.” His eyebrow raised and he squeezed my hand. “Go on.”
“I didn’t know he was in a club at first. He stopped in at the restaurant all the time where I was waiting tables while I put myself through college. We started going out and things got a little rough.”
Crank’s jaw tightened. “What do you mean by rough?”
I shook my head, embarrassed to admit how bad I’d let it get. “He moved me in with him and started limiting where I could go and what I could do. Cut me off from the few friends I had and eventually told me I had to stop going to school and work. I knew I needed to get out of there, but I didn’t have anywhere to go.”
“Come here.” Crank gathered me into his arms and ran his hands up and down my back. “You’re safe now, angel.”
“That’s just it. I think he knows where I am now. One of the other women helped me leave while the guys were on a three-day ride. She smuggled me out of town in the back of her truck and gave me a couple hundred dollars to get started somewhere new.” I bit down on my lip to try to keep the tears from falling.
“Why do you think he knows where you are?” Crank asked.
“Ruby said someone called the Merc looking for me. Then there was a story about the woman who helped me on the news the other day. Her body had been found. They killed her, and I know they’re coming after me next. No one gets out of the Hellfire’s Reapers.” Admitting it out loud to someone else unlocked the terror I’d tried to keep chained up inside. Tears streamed down my cheeks, soaking Crank’s chest.
“I’ve got you, Poppy. You don’t need to keep running. No one can get to you here, and I’ll kill anyone who tries.” He pressed soft kisses to my temple, settling my nerves.
“I don’t want anything to happen to you or the guys in the club because of me. You’ve got enough going on. I found a place in Oklahoma City where I can start over and?—”
“No.” Crank shook his head. “You’re done running. I’ve known people who’ve spent their whole lives looking over their shoulder, always waiting for their past to catch up to them. I won’t make you stay with me against your will, but I am going to end the man that has you so afraid. Is that clear?”
“I can’t ask you to do that.” Fear lodged in my throat, making it almost impossible to suck in a breath.
“You’re not asking, baby. Just give me a name.” His hands softly brushed over my skin, but his tone was hard. “Who hurt you, Poppy?”
“He’ll kill you.” A new wave of tears streamed down my cheeks. I refused to be responsible for putting Crank in harm’s way.
“He’ll never see me coming. A name, angel.”
“I can’t…”
His thumb swept over my cheek, and he cupped my chin in his palm. “I don’t think you understand how far I’ll go to protect you. You either give me one name, or I’ll take out the whole fucking club. I would burn the world to the ground just to keep you safe. Do you believe me?”
I’d dreamed of a man willing to do whatever it would take to fight for our love. And here he was, right in front of me. “I believe you.”
“You’ve already been so strong. Let me take it from here, my sweet girl.”
I swallowed hard, forcing the fear back. “I’ll give you a name, but I’m coming with you. I can’t stay back while you go fight my battles for me.”
Crank nodded. “You can come as long as you swear you’ll do exactly what I tell you to.”
“Okay. His name is Beast, and he operates out of southern California. At least that’s where he was when I was with him.”
“Everything’s going to be okay. I’ll talk to the guys in the morning, and I’ll figure out how to handle this. You did the right thing, baby.”
Despite his reassurance, it didn’t feel like the right thing. I had no doubt that Crank would go after my ex with everything he had. Beast wouldn’t be expecting him, so Crank would benefit from the element of surprise. Would that be enough?
“Can you do something for me?” I whispered.
“Anything, angel.”
“Make love to me again.” I craved the connection between us, of knowing I was his and he was mine, at least as long as it would last.
“With pleasure.” His lips spread into a wicked smile, and he eased me down to lie on my back. “But this time I’m going to take it slow.”
I’d take it however he wanted to give it to me. He’d proven himself, and I swore I’d never doubt him again.