Chapter Twenty
Cleo stared down into the refrigerator. It was completely stocked to the point of no more room. She made a few containers for Grizz, but she had no place to store them until tomorrow.
Cleo packed up her small cooler and walked across the yard with her flashlight to guide her.
There hadn’t been too many bear sightings, but it was mating season for the coyotes.
She quickened her steps, her eyes darting all around her.
She rushed toward the porch. It was after midnight, and the house was drowned in darkness.
She placed the cooler by the rocking chair and started back to her little house.
Cleo was halfway there when she noticed a single headlight illuminate the road, then turn into her driveway. As she got closer, she noticed the familiar bike. What is he doing here? They’d texted throughout his run, but he’d never mentioned coming back early.
The excitement bubbled in her chest, and Cleo lengthened her stride, veering toward the front of the house.
She reached her driveway just as Wraith shut down his bike and got off.
He hadn’t seen her and stopped, staring up at her house.
He’d seen it a dozen times, which made this all the more strange.
What was he looking at? She glanced over and immediately smiled.
It may not have been much to most people, but for Cleo, it was everything. And mine.
She met him at his bike. “Is everything okay?”
Wraith jerked his head. “What are you doing out here by yourself?”
Cleo resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Wraith was overprotective, and that would never change. And I’m okay with that.
She hooked her thumb over her shoulder. “I was dropping off food for Grizz. What are you doing here?”
“Got back early from the run.”
She figured. “You must be tired, huh?”
Wraith rolled his shoulders, and she noticed the tension over his features. The runs schedule could be grueling, putting the members on ten-hour rides. Cleo loved the motorcycle, but couldn’t fathom a long ride like that. My ass aches just thinking about it.
“Yeah,” Wraith said, and she could hear the exhaustion in his tone.
“Then why’d you come over here?”
She noticed the bags under his eyes. He was in desperate need of sleep.
“Came to see your place.”
She widened her eyes. It was a losing battle against her smile.
This was probably the sweetest gesture. Cleo wouldn’t make a big deal out of no one but Ghost coming by.
The club had their priorities, and she wasn’t one of them.
And that was okay. She didn’t hold it against anyone, but deep down inside, it stung a bit. This made up for it.
“But you’ve already seen it.”
“Show me again.” His gruff tone sent a tremble over her skin.
Cleo led him to the door and stood off to the side as he entered. When she closed the door and turned, Wraith was standing inches away.
“What do you want to see first?”
He gripped her waist, lifting her to straddle him. “Your bedroom.”
Wraith kissed her, carrying her to her room. She wrapped her arms over his shoulders, feeling a wave of heat shoot straight to her core. He knew the layout, so there was no need for directions.
Cleo knew the second they breached her door when she smelled the candle burning.
She should’ve remembered to blow it out when she’d headed to Grizz’s house.
But since she hadn’t burned the house down, she was thankful she’d left it.
It made for the perfect scene of their first night together in her place.
Wraith had been over plenty of times but never stayed.
Little did he know, like it or not, she wasn’t letting him leave.
For as much as she enjoyed her own space and freedom, she wanted him there. Not just for a few hours or a night. Cleo wanted forever. She’d planned on talking to him about it.
He licked her neck, dropping her onto the bed and stripping off his shirt.
We’ll talk later.
Cleo watched him undress, first his boots, then his jeans.
She’d never considered herself a voyeur but she couldn’t take her eyes off him.
When he rested his knee on the bed, she ducked under his arm, scooted off the bed, and stood a few feet away.
His gaze darkened, and she read his confusion and possible frustration.
“Where the fuck are you going?”
“I want to show you something.”
She slowly lifted her dress off, and it fell to the ground. Cleo had never been one to spend money on fancy underwear and bra sets. What was the point? No one saw them except for her. Until now.
His gaze heated as he flashed over her breasts and down to the V between her legs.
She slid her hands over her bare stomach. “Do you like it?”
“Get your ass over here.” He growled.
I’ll take that as a yes. She hooked her thumbs between the string on her thong and a deep rumble echoed off the walls.
“Leave it on.”
Cleo sauntered over, and he leaned forward, gripping her thighs and pulling her over his lap. They’d been in the same position at the motel. And I like it.
Cleo wiggled her ass and inched closer. There was a patch of silk separating them.
He should’ve let her take them off first. It was on the tip of her tongue to say as much, but she stilled, and her heart rate spiked when Wraith skimmed his finger over the thin material.
It was the ultimate tease. His mouth spread over her neck, and he ordered, “Put your hands on my knees.”
She reached behind her, bracing and balancing herself while arching her back. His hands dropped to her waist, and he lifted her hips slightly, then slid her panties to the side.
Ohhh.
His cock slid inside of her, and she sucked in a deep breath, digging the pads of her fingers into his knees.
She realized quickly that in her position, she controlled the tempo of fucking.
As fast or as slow as she wanted it. Though, Wraith was a little demanding.
He gripped her ass, urging her forward to take all of him. And she did.
She slowly rocked over his cock, feeling every inch of him stretch her in the most pleasurable way.
Cleo dropped her head back when he clasped one hand over her throat and dragged his other hand down past her breasts to her stomach.
She expected him to do the same move again, but Wraith lowered his hand between her legs and slid the pad of his finger over her clit.
Cleo jerked at the sensitive spike in sensation.
She gasped and swiveled her hips faster, and Wraith in turn met her movements, teasing her with his finger.
It was almost too much to take. She pushed forward, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and slid up and down over his cock, essentially riding him.
She was sure this time would be different, and they’d both last a little longer.
Apparently not.
Cleo was hit with her orgasm like a freight train at maximum speed. She tightened her grip, hoping she wasn’t suffocating him, at the same time she was chasing her peak.
“Don’t stop.”
I’m so damn close.
Wraith grabbed her ass, quickening his pace, and within seconds he was sending her over the edge, screaming his name.
“Wraith!”
It seemed to have been a trigger for him, because he followed quickly after pounding inside her and groaning in her ear, digging his fingers in her ass as his body jerked harder.
Fucking amazing!
****
Wraith rolled onto his back, throwing his arm over his eyes.
The sunlight coming through the curtains was blinding.
In his room at the clubhouse, he had one window facing the woods and used black-out shades.
Cleo had her blinds open with a flowy white curtain only magnifying the light.
He dropped his arm behind his head and braced for the brightness.
When he looked over to the other side of the bed, it was empty.
Where the fuck did she go?
He put on his jeans and walked out to the living room.
There was soft music playing in the background when he turned the corner.
Cleo was standing at the counter in front of the coffee machine swaying her hips.
The corner of his mouth curled. This was a view he could get used to.
Her in the kitchen after waking up beside him after a long night of fucking.
Wraith hadn’t planned on taking her to bed last night. Hell, he didn’t even think he’d stay over. His only reason for stopping by was to check on her. And of course, he had his own selfish reasons. His obsession with Cleo was long standing, but it had only grown stronger since claiming her.
She turned to the fridge and froze when she met his stare.
“Hi.”
He lifted his chin. “Hey.”
“Did you sleep okay?”
“Would’ve been better if you’d kept your ass in that bed this morning.”
Her soft chuckle echoed through the room, and her cheeks pinkened. “I wanted to wake up early so I could make you breakfast before you leave.”
I ain’t going anywhere.
Wraith cocked his brow. “Kicking me out?”
“No, I just figured you’d have stuff to do.”
He dropped his gaze over her body. Little did she know Cleo was his only plan for the day. And night.
“I’ll check in with the club, but I got no plans on going anywhere.”
Her smile brightened, and she rushed toward the stove. “Can I make you breakfast?”
Never in his life had he imagined he’d be the type of man to settle down, wake up with the same woman every day and share breakfast together. But here he was. And I like it.
“Yeah.”
Wraith checked in with Ace. They’d be making a drive up to Blacksburg, but Ace didn’t ask him to go.
It worked out perfect since he had no plans on leaving Cleo anytime soon.
He’d have a formal talk with Ace and Cross, but he wanted to be taken off the immediate schedule for the next couple of weeks.
If a problem arose and the club needed him, Wraith would always show up.
But Cleo was taking precedence in his immediate future.
Wraith grabbed some coffee and settled in at her small kitchen table, watching her.
Cleo was in her element and completely relaxed.
It was rare to see her like this, but Wraith liked it.
She made eggs, bacon, and toast, presenting it as if it was a gourmet meal.
Pride. I fucking love this woman. He hadn’t actually said the words, but he felt it to his core.
“This is kind of cool us eating together. I mean, just us.”
It was, and it would continue to be that way. This may have been his first night sleeping at her house, but it wouldn’t be his last. If Wraith had it his way, he’d be moving in. But only when she was ready.
“Don’t miss the clubhouse?”
“Um…” Her hesitation was answer enough.
“I like my freedom.”
He glanced up, eyeing her.
“I mean, living at home, they kind of knew my every move. Then Knox moved me to Killcreek, and I was always checking in with him and the club.” She shrugged. “I guess I like the idea of not having to account for my whereabouts all the time like I’m living under someone else’s thumb.”
The club had kept her under protection for her own safety, but he now recognized the damage they’d done.
Cleo had essentially traded one prison for another, just like Cross had said.
If this was going to work, he’d have to take Inez’s suggestion and loosen the reins he had on Cleo.
They’d upped their security measures in Killcreek. They wouldn’t be ambushed again.
“You do what you want. Just be safe.”
“Really? You mean that?”
No. But Wraith nodded anyway.
She smiled and continued to eat. “We should do this again.”
We will. Tomorrow morning.