Chapter Seven
Elise ~ The Next Day
John took my hand, giving my fingers a nervous squeeze as we watched Stevie turn the key in the large metal padlock that secured the vast area we were about to view.
“The owner reduced the price by another three thousand,” Stevie informed us as he pushed open the wrought iron gates with a flourish. “The recession has wiped him out, so he wants a quick sale to help his cashflow problems.” He gestured for us to follow as he walked into the vast parking lot. “You get the two warehouses and the outbuildings, which he uses for storage.” He pointed out the huge structures as he spoke. “You also get the woods on that incline and two acres to the west, including the land the creek sits on.”
John glanced at me and whispered, “I’ll build you a house there, Leesy. Right by the place I made you mine.”
My heart fluttered, and I beamed up at him. “Can I have a big kitchen and a porch out back where we can go and watch the sunset together?”
He turned his head to kiss my temple. “You can have anythin’ you want, baby.”
I smiled even bigger.
Steve led us toward the main warehouse. “This would be a cool clubhouse, Stone. It”s got a second floor, and it”s as big as an aircraft hangar. The main room takes up a third of the space. There’s a large area leading off it, with access to the outside; it would work well as a kitchen, and you’ll still have half the square footage left to play with. If you put up drywall, you’d get around seventy bedrooms in. There’s scope to build more, too.” He unlocked the main doors leading into the building and stepped back, waiting for us to walk inside. “This room would be an epic bar and communal space.”
Stevie followed us into the vast room, reaching up to the wall and flicking a switch. The strips attached to the ceiling buzzed as electricity soared through them, and a swathe of bright light flooded the room.
“Jesus,” John breathed, his voice echoing in the cavernous space.
My eyes widened as I took in the sheer size of the room. It would’ve easily housed a jumbo jet. The walls seemed solid, and the floor was in good shape. Stevie was right; with a bit of work, it would make a fantastic bar. If the upstairs were as big, John would easily be able to offer accommodation to the brothers who needed it.
“The structure’s sound,” Steve assured us. “The current owner maintained it well and damp-proofed the place. You could come in and immediately get started on the changes you want to make. Your dad’s tight with the mayor, so he can get all your permits agreed upon by the town council. You’d need a ton of drywall, but it’s cheap enough.” He nodded toward the far wall. “You could build a bar over there. Bring in some seating and a couple of pool tables, and you’ll be good to go.”
John brought a hand up to rub at his stubble thoughtfully as he looked around. “It’s not somethin’ I’d need to rush. Dad’s set in his ways, and he doesn’t wanna move the club yet. I’d have years to make it into the new Speed Demons compound.”
“It’d take some scratch,” Steve warned him. “But if you’ve got time to build a nest egg, you’d be fine.”
“Most of the brothers know their way around a building site and can use a paintbrush too,” John added. “So, I’d save on labor.” His eyes met mine. “What do you think, baby?”
I looked around, thinking about everything he could do with it.
I’d always known and accepted that I shared John’s heart and soul with the Speed Demons, and I wasn’t mad about it. All I wanted was for my man to do what was right for him. “I think you should do whatever makes you happy, John. I’ll stand by you, whatever you decide.”
He stepped forward and took my hand in his. “If I go ahead, I’ll have to sink every cent I have into the place. It may all go to damned hell, Leesy. I could lose everything.”
“I don’t believe that,” I replied confidently. “I know you, John Stone. You’ll work your fingers to the bone to make this a success. I believe in you.”
John scraped his fingers through his beard as he contemplated my words. I could almost see his brain ticking over as he weighed up the pros and cons. “I’ll be dirt poor for a few years, baby. Are you sure you”re ready for what that entails? We’ll have to live with my folks when we first get married. I won’t be able to build your dream house for at least a few years.”
Reaching up, I cupped his cheek, forcing him to look deep into my eyes. I needed to show him I meant every word I was about to say. “I don’t care. I’d live in a cardboard box as long as you lived in it with me.”
John’s eyebrows drew together, his soulful golden gaze boring into mine. He conveyed everything in one look: love and respect for me, but above all else, determination.
Instantly, I knew what his decision would be.
“Steve,” he called out, his eyes never leaving mine. “Offer two thousand below the new asking price, all cash, with a quick close, no negotiation. If he accepts, the full amount will be in his account by the end of the month.”
“On it,” Steve told him, turning and making his way toward the door. “I’ll go back to the office and see how the land lies. Will you two be okay here for thirty minutes? You can look around the rest of the place while I’m gone.”
“Make the call,” John told him. “Come back with a yes.”
Stevie nodded and disappeared through the door.
My eyes flicked over John’s stony expression, and my forehead creased questioningly. “Are you okay? Did I say something wrong—”
John’s fingers went to my lips. “Shut up, Leesy.”
My eyes narrowed. “Don’t you speak to me like that, John Stone—” I squeaked as he tagged my waist, jerking me against him. His hand went into the back of my hair, and with a growl, he crushed his mouth to mine.
John had kissed me many times, but never like he was starved for me. Usually, his contact was soft and gentle, as if I was fragile porcelain he didn’t want to break. So, when his tongue clashed with mine, and he moaned desperately into my mouth, I was a little taken aback.
He tugged me into him, and I felt his cock thicken. A rush of heat spread through my core, my nipples hardening to points as he held my ass and ground his denim-covered cock against me.
His fingertips danced over my jaw, making my knees almost buckle. He must’ve known what his kiss was doing to my senses because the hand holding my ass steadied me.
My hand slid over his hip, partly to keep myself upright but mostly because I just needed to touch him. I sighed as he pulled back and sucked gently on my bottom lip before lifting his head.
“Never loved you more than when you just said that shit to me,” he rasped, our eyes locking. “Made me realize what I’ve got in you, Leesy. Made me see how blessed I am to have you by my side. You’re everythin’ I ever wanted, my dream ol’ lady. I’ve hit the fuckin’ jackpot with you.” He pulled back, his fingers going to touch his heart. “What you just said hit me right here. Can’t love you more than I do at this moment. You’re part of me, baby. Always will be.”
John’s words washed over me, taking my breath away.
I’d never been anyone’s dream before, and the knowledge of him thinking those things gave me such a sense of pride that I found myself tilting my chin up. I’d earned my place in his heart, but it hadn’t been contrived or something I’d planned. It was just us, me and him, two people made for each other. I was as natural as it was simple.
“I love you, John,” I whispered, still trying to steady my breathing. “We’re perfect for each other.”
“We are,” he agreed, his eyes burning with adoration. “But it’s crazy ‘cause I wasn’t looking for perfect. I only ever wanted a woman who could deal with my lifestyle and love me the way I knew I’d love her. Can’t believe I got all that, and perfect, too.” He nuzzled my cheek. “Baby, I gotta talk about the hard stuff. We’ve only got today and tomorrow before I leave. Are you prepared?”
Blinking back the tears springing to my eyes, I cleared my heated throat. I didn’t want John to see me cry. He needed to leave with the knowledge I was okay. Constance was right when she told me he had enough to worry about with boot camp and everything else on his plate.
“As much as I can be,” I assured him. “I think the first few weeks will be the worst, but I’m gonna work at the store to keep busy. Once I start college and get into a new routine, things will be better.” I reached up to cup his jaw, stroking his stubbled skin with my thumb. “Don’t worry about me. I’ve got my family and our friends. Your mom and Iris, too. I’ll be fine.”
Relief flashed behind his eyes. It was fleeting, but it showed me that John had needed the reassurance. Maybe he’d been as worried about leaving me as I’d been about him going. Did it make me feel better about what was to come? Not necessarily. But for the first time, I understood it was hard for him, too. Suddenly, it felt like we were in it together.
I looked around the vast room, mentally planning all the things we could do to improve it. “This place is special, John. We have to stay focused. Okay, so we’ll be separated for a while, but it has to happen if we’re going to achieve everything we want. Buying this building is a step forward. It’ll be the making of you and the club. I feel it in my blood.”
A broad smile spread across his face, his eyes following mine as he stared at the room, which would one day be the Demon’s bar. “It’s a step in the right direction, but you’re wrong about one thing.”
My gaze locked with his.
“It’s not the place that’s special, Duchess,” John pointed out. “It’s knowing you believe in what I’m doin’ that gives me the determination to succeed. It’s not tied to a building, baby. It’s all tied up in you.”
My heart bloomed as his words sunk in.
“Don’t make plans tonight or tomorrow,” he continued. “The only time I won’t be by your side is when you’re asleep, and believe me, if I thought I’d get away with it, I’d be sneaking through your bedroom window tonight.”
I couldn’t help giggling. “Believe me, Stone. If I thought I’d get away with it, I’d be throwing down a rope ladder.”
John’s lips twitched. “Later, we’re going to my house for lunch. Tonight, we’re goin’ out for a fancy dinner with Steve and Kelly. Tomorrow, we’re spending the day at Rock Springs. Two days left, Leesy, and we’re gonna make the most of every second.”
My heart clenched painfully.
I’d been avoiding thoughts of John leaving for months. It was easy to tell myself it was a step toward our future. I owed it to him to be supportive, but that knowledge didn’t stop the tightening of my throat or the sick feeling spreading through my insides every time it hit me that he was going.
Burying my head in the sand wasn’t going to cut it anymore. John was about to leave, and there wasn’t a damned thing I could do about it.
Our time was almost up.
“That’s it, baby. Nice and slow.” John threw his head back and groaned, his fingers digging into my hips.
I pushed my hand against the window of his truck, trying to get some purchase as I sank onto him. Flexing my thigh muscles, I lifted again before lowering myself down until he filled me so completely it felt as if he’d impaled me.
It was our third time having sex, and the initial pain I’d experienced had been replaced by so much pleasure that my head almost spun with it. I never knew it could be this way, never understood how staring into John’s eyes while he moved inside me could breed so much intimacy that I could’ve cried from all the love swirling inside my heart.
A week ago, if somebody had told me I’d be naked as the day I was born, in John’s truck, riding him without a care in the world, I’d have blushed and stammered that there was no way. It was a testament to how he made me feel as if I could do anything if he stood by my side. John Stone gave me all the confidence in the world because he believed I was worth loving.
“Jesus, Leesy,” John groaned, lifting his head and leaning forward. “You feel so fuckin’ good.”
I whimpered as his hands gripped me hard, and he held me still while he thrust upward into me.
“So fuckin’ beautiful,” he rasped, circling his hips while his fingers trailed to my pussy, and pressed on my clit. “You’re so fuckin’ mine, Leesy.
It was my turn to throw my head back. The pleasure was so intense that I felt the heat build in my stomach, and I groaned, “Don’t stop, Johnny.”
“Baby,” he muttered in reply. “I can feel you gripping my cock. You’re so fuckin’ tight. Jesus, Leesy, I’m so close.” His hips gave an involuntary jerk, and he cursed under his breath as he began to come.
It was like an electric jolt to my body. The heat building within spread outward until every nerve ending tingled with pleasure. Goose bumps erupted over my skin, and I let out a cry as my orgasm hit me like a freight train. The pleasure intensified as John’s thrusts turned rougher and deeper, my thighs shaking with the force of my orgasm.
My eyes rolled into the back of my head. “Don’t stop. Please don’t stop.”
“Fuck, yeah,” John rasped, rutting into me as deep as he could go while simultaneously pressing down hard on my clit with his thumb.
With a scream, I went off like a firework, literally, because lights flashed behind my eyes. My head writhed from side to side, my blood singing. I whimpered with pleasure as I circled my hips, trying to wring out every second of pleasure I could.
“Jesus, Leesy.” John framed my face with his hands, staring at me as he emptied the last of his cum into the condom. Leaning forward, he pressed a kiss to my lips before collapsing back onto the seat.
Our bare chests heaved, skin to skin, as we both fought to catch our breath. His golden eyes bored into my green, conveying all the love in his heart.
It was always that way between us. We never needed words to tell each other how we felt.
“Are you cold?” he asked softly, his large hands resting on my waist.
“Never when I’m with you,” I replied, leaning forward to snuggle into his chest and inhaling his scent.
His fingertips trailed up and down my spine. “Can’t believe I’m goin’ tomorrow. It’s come around fast.”
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak for fear my voice would catch. John was right about how quickly the days had passed. It seemed like only yesterday that we rode up to Rock Springs on his birthday so he could enlist. We’d only gotten closer since then, and the ache of letting him go had only gotten more acute.
“Leesy,” he said gently.
I squeezed my eyes shut, not wanting my tears to escape.
“Elise,” he prompted again.
“I can’t, John,” I whispered. “If I look at you, I’ll beg you to stay. I’m trying to make it easy for you, so let me be, just for a minute.”
He chuckled softly. “My girl, always putting me first.”
And I nodded because he was right; I’d always put his feelings before mine.
Recently, I’d read something in one of my novels that resonated with me. If you loved someone, set them free. If it was meant to be, they’d come back; if it wasn’t, they were never supposed to be yours in the first place.
Time was up, and now I’d have no choice but to test that theory.
The morning sun beamed down warm and cheerful. It was crazy how the day could be so bright when, inside, my blood had turned to ice.
My brow furrowed as I watched John’s dad shake his hand and clap him hard on the shoulder. “You’ve got a few days to get where you need to be,” Bandit mused. “You sure you don’t want me to send a few of the boys with ya?” he waggled his eyebrows suggestively. “They’d love a stopover in Vegas. Take in a strip show.”
I threw Bandit a glare.
Constance dug her husband in the ribs with her elbow. “Don. Shut up!”
Bandit held his hands up defensively. “The boy’s gonna be treated no better than a dog for the next couple of months. Let him have his fun.”
My lip curled slightly as my mind fantasized about wiping the knowing smirk of Don Stone’s craggy face.
John’s gaze slid toward me before swinging back to his pop. “Nope. Gonna take a steady ride so I get there in plenty of time before I report for duty. Wanna take some time to look around San Diego and get my bearings. Need to find a nice hotel for Leesy to stay at when she comes to visit.”
“Gonna be weeks before you get a weekend outta the base,” Bandit argued. “I’m sure your girl can go a couple of months without you.”
I tilted my chin up proudly. “John knows I’ll support him whatever happens. If it’s difficult for him, I won’t visit. We’ll see how things stand when he gets there.”
Bandit nodded approvingly. “Good. It”s best not to put the boy under any more pressure. He’s got enough to deal with, and boot camp’s gonna keep him busy.” He clasped John’s shoulder again. “Proud’a ya, Son. The Marines will be the making of the man.”
John held his dad’s stare. “Thanks, Pop.”
Bandit grinned. “Call the house phone when you get there and let us know you’re okay.” His hand squeezed John’s shoulder hard before Bandit turned toward the house. “Remember what I told ya,” he called over his shoulder. “Listen to your superiors and look out for your brethren. Keep your head down and follow orders. You’re a Stone. Never forget what’s expected.”
John nodded, watching solemnly as his dad disappeared inside the house. “Believe it or not, I’m gonna miss the crazy old bastard.”
Constance laughed gently. “You know what your dad’s like, but he loves you in his own way.”
John smiled down at his mom. “I know.” He slid his arm around her and pulled her in for a hug. “Remember what I said?”
Connie glanced at me. “I’ll look after her. Don’t worry.” She pulled back slightly and cupped her son’s jaw. “Take care of yourself. Call me, let me know how you get on, and don’t worry about anything here.”
John leaned down and kissed his mother’s cheek. “Love you, Mom.”
Moisture filled her eyes, but she beamed through them and croaked, “Love you too, Son,” before turning and walking back to the house.
Slowly, John turned to me and held his hand out, waiting for me to take it before pulling me into his arms. “I’ll call you tonight, baby,” he murmured, his hands going to my face to frame it.
I nodded, unable to speak through the tears clogging my throat.
“Thirteen weeks,” he said. “And I’ll be back on boot leave for ten days. We’ve just gotta get through until then. And if I get a weekend before that, you can visit.” He fished inside his jeans pocket and brought out the keys to his truck. “Want you to drive Bessie while I’m gone.”
My eyes widened. I couldn’t take his truck. It was his dad’s. John had rebuilt it from the engine up; it had taken him years. What if something happened?
“No, John,” I protested. “She’s your pride and joy.”
A wide grin spread across his face. “No, Duchess. You’re my pride and joy. I’d feel better knowin’ you had decent wheels. Bessie’s reliable; she’ll get you to college and home again every day. If there are any problems, Dad already knows to get one of the boys to look at her.” He grabbed my hand, put the keys into my palm, and closed my fingers gently around them. “Please, Leesy. It’ll put my mind at rest.”
“Okay.” My voice croaked with emotion.
“That’s my girl.” His head lowered until our lips met in a tender kiss. My heart shattered there and then, because all I could taste was goodbye, and it was bitter on my tongue.
John broke the kiss, lifted his head, and smiled. “I’ll call and write every chance I get.” He brought my hand up, still holding the keys, and kissed my knuckles before turning for his bike.
Swallowing down the tang of nausea rising through my chest, I pulled in a hard breath as I watched him throw his leg over the saddle and put his helmet on. I just had to keep it together for another minute. Once he rode away, I could break.
“Ride steady, John,” I shouted over the pop, pop, popping of the Harley’s engine. “Call me when you can.”
Gold met green as his eyes held mine, conveying everything inside his heart. Then, he lifted his hand in a loose salute and slowly pulled away toward the road.
My sob was drowned out by the roar of the motorcycle fading into the distance. I brought a hand up, pressing against my chest, trying to ease the ache gripping my heart.
My eyes followed John until he was just a dot in the distance. Heavy silence suffocated me until my lungs felt like they’d burst. I stood rooted to the spot, clutching the keys to Bessie in my trembling hand with my heart bleeding out on the ground.
John was gone, and I knew I couldn’t breathe easily again until he was back in my arms.