Chapter 19 #2
Killian made a sound from behind me, but I ignored him.
This feeling in my gut, this exhilaration, it was the best feeling I’d ever had.
It was as though those moments growing up in my parent’s circles, with the vicious debutantes and upper class who always gossiped and made me feel less than, was all being covered in one proverbial bandage.
One made of leather, denim and loyalty. This was where I fit.
Where I wanted to fit. For the first time since arriving, I didn’t feel like I was riding on Callie’s coattails, or just existing in the background.
I felt seen. More than that, I felt wanted.
“Thank you,” I whispered back, hoping each girl understood how much their gratitude meant to me, “I’ll always have your backs too.”
Pulling away, I saw them each smiling at me and then waving. “We gotta go get some rest before our shifts tonight, but we’ll see you later.”
I knew they all worked as dancers in the neighboring town, Pyle. I hated that Strings, the closest strip club, was so far away, and from what I understood, it was in Raider territory, which made it especially dangerous for them, knowing they chose to spend their time here with Stone Riders.
A warm hand suddenly found mine, fingers lacing through mine. Killian was gently tugging me behind him.
I tried to ignore how good his hand felt and how safe it made me feel with his imposing stature in front of me, and his broad back shielding me. He was a force of nature, and I was merely a dandelion, at risk of losing myself to him.
We exited the club, veering for the apartment.
The early dawn stretched across the sky with streaks of gold and a lingering layer of fog.
It was beautiful and made my breath hitch.
I was curious about which members were already up, wanting to talk to Killian.
I had yet to see anyone aside from Giles, the kitchen crew and Sweetbutts.
“Where is everyone?” I decided to ask out loud.
Killian grunted, then peered over his shoulder without letting me go, “Probably in the garage, there’s a bunk house in there for the Riders from out of town. They’re usually the ones who are thirsty for a fight, more so than the locals.”
“Aren’t you worried they’ll go off on their own while you’re talking to me?”
His eyes found mine again as we approached the steps to the apartment.
“If they do then they don’t belong in this club. Silas will take care of them, and it will be one less job for me.”
Damn that seemed cold. But I was starting to understand the dynamics of how this club and others worked.
Killian unlocked the door, and we moved inside, letting the quiet wash over us.
The apartment was exactly how I left it last night. Still fully furnished with Killian’s things, and fresh with the feeling of betrayal.
“Okay we’re here,” I said with a loud, exaggerated sigh.
Killian ignored me and made his way upstairs, still carrying my duffel.
Frustrated, I followed him, unsure of what he was going to do with my stuff.
Once I cleared the top of the stairs and made my way into his room, I saw that he was in the closet.
I caught sight of him opening a drawer then letting it slide shut.
“Are you…” I began but paused at the sight of him emptying my bag. “I appreciate what you’re doing, but I’m actually just going to have to pack it right back up. So, feel free to toss it on my suitcases.”
He paused mid movement, then slowly turned toward me.
“Why are you going to have to pack it right back up?”
The wild expression on his face told me he already knew, but he was going to make me say it regardless.
Lifting my shoulder the slightest bit, I assessed the massive closet instead of his demanding stare. “Found a place in town. Guy said I can move in today.”
His face dipped as a sardonic laugh left him. The duffel dropped to the ground, and then he faced me.
“Fuck it. This has gone far enough.”
My brows crowded my forehead as I tried to work out his words. What had gone far enough?
His body shifted suddenly, prowling toward me like a predator.
“You aren’t leaving. If you try, I’ll just bring you back here, every fucking night if I have to.
If you want to try sleeping downstairs again, I’ll just show up and crawl into bed with you.
And if I find out you ever tried to sleep in another member’s room, I’ll kill him then burn his bed for good measure. ”
I backed up, too confused to even realize I was retreating toward the bed.
“But…you took Natty—”
Killian tossed his jacket on the floor, then gripped the hem of his shirt and pulled it over his head, which made my brain short circuit.
I’d had this man inside me, and while I knew Killian had copious amounts of ink on his body, highlighting his washboard abs and broad chest, what drew me up short was the odd tattoo over his heart.
How had I missed that the other night?
“I took Natty because the leader of a rival club needed to speak to her. It couldn’t be done at the club, and it had to be where I could watch their conversation from afar.
I offered her my jacket, so she’d feel safe, considering she hadn’t been on the back of a bike in several years.
Her situation is unique and required a different set of rules.
Natty has been in this club for years, and we’ve never had anything more than a platonic—almost sibling—like relationship.
Me extending my jacket was similar to me offering it to my sister to make sure she felt secure.
And as you saw, she’s pretty much been claimed by Silas in some fucked-up way. ”
My breathing came in tiny sporadic spurts as understanding began to settle in my heart like a warm blanket.
Killian stepped closer, flicking the button of his jeans, which made them rest low on his hips. I could see the band of his black boxers, and the delicious muscles contracting as he walked.
I retreated a step until the backs of my legs hit the bed.
My eyes went to that strange tattoo over his heart.
I’d never been close enough to him on lake days, or anytime I saw him without his shirt to make out what this tattoo was.
I tried to rack my brain for the last time I saw him shirtless, and whether or not he had it.
“I told you already…there wasn’t anyone but you, Daisy. I meant it. I fucked you, thought maybe that would have cleared things up for you, but I guess not.”
He was furious. I nearly winced at the way his voice shuddered and the hurt that leaked into his tone.
My gaze dipped again, my fingers aching to trace the figure on this chest.
Killian’s eyes dipped to his chest. “What?”
“Is that a…flower?” I pointed at the tattoo.
It looked like…I didn’t want to assume but it looked like a daisy.
Killian’s face flushed, and I could see him hesitate. His heel retracted the smallest bit and his brows cinched in tight, as if he were reconsidering whatever he was about to do.
Panicked, I reached out and grabbed his wrist, eager to have him look at me again.
As soon as those green eyes landed on me, it was like something had fractured between us.
I was desperate for him in a way that I hadn’t ever been.
It was as though I was seeing behind the ink and muscle, the bones and blood that made him up, down to the piece of his soul that was surprisingly good and whole.
Not wanting to talk myself out of it, I lifted on my toes and pressed my lips to his.
I chose to believe him, and more so…trust him.
He responded immediately, bringing his hand to the front of my neck and loosely gripping me while his mouth moved savagely over mine.
My arms were up, wrapping around his neck, my fingers burrowing into his hair and his free hand moved down to my jeans, pulling the button free.
Then his mouth was gone, his chest heaving as he gripped the edge of my sweater and pulled it up over my head.
My bra was unclasped and tossed to the ground as his mouth returned to my neck, where he’d been holding me.
Sloppy, desperate kisses landed against my throat, and moved down my body until his eyes were tipped up, watching me as his tongue slowly traced my nipple.
I moaned, pushing my fingers through his dark hair as he continued to watch me through his half-lidded gaze.
He sucked my nipple, lapping at it slowly as though it was a meal he’d been desperate for.
Then with a growl, his hands came to my ribs, and he picked me up and tossed me onto his bed.
“Fuck. The way I’ve needed you—” He broke off in a rasp before bringing his strong fingers to my jeans and pulling them down my legs. They were tossed behind him, then he was staring down at the lace covering my bare mound.
Our eyes met, and his mouth slowly came down on mine again as he pulled the fabric at my hips until it was ripping. I was insatiable for him, and the way he’d said he needed me kindled a fire inside, forcing it to burst. I moved, getting to my knees and cradling his jaw as we began kissing again.
His hands roamed over my skin, moving down to my ass where he cupped my cheeks, pulling me impossibly closer to him. I wanted him out of his clothes, like he’d done to me, so I pushed his jeans down, and then he fell back onto the bed and I moved down his long, lean body.
“Fuck, Daisy.” He breathed, watching as I pulled on the band of his boxers and pulled his erection free. He was long, thick and gloriously veined.
I smiled, while gripping the base of him, then very slowly pulled the tip of his cock into my mouth, swirling my tongue over the tip of him.
He moaned above me, his hand was digging into my hair, pulling as I took more of him into my mouth. His hips began to thrust, which forced more of his throbbing length down my throat.
I heard him hiss as he pushed my head down, fucking my mouth in steady thrusts.
“Look at how you choke on my cock, Daisy.”