Chapter 2
Winter
As I pull my shirt over my head to strip for the shower, King texts.
Fuck.
It’s been a long day on my bike travelling home from Melbourne and I just want to sort this tile shit out and then get my hands on my woman.
I sure as hell don’t want to do what I know King’s gonna want me to do.
He warned me he might need me over the weekend, but I at least thought I’d have tonight at home.
I shoot him a confirmation text back and then finish removing my clothes. I’m naked and about to step in the shower when Birdie comes into the en suite.
“Winter, can we talk about this now rather than later? Like, just tell me how pissed you are and let’s get this over with. I’m dying over—”
I cover her mouth with mine, cutting off her words and stealing her breath. My hands go to her waist and I pull her hard against me while my tongue tangles with hers. “Fuck,” I growl when I end the kiss. “I’ve missed you.”
She’s missed me, too, and one kiss isn’t enough for her. I’ve barely pulled my lips from hers when she reaches for my face and directs her lips back to mine.
Working away from home is hard on our relationship.
For the past three months, I’ve worked a schedule of two weeks on and then four or so days off at home.
Birdie and I don’t come up for air much over those four days.
If she’s getting started now, while her mother is in the house, I’m going to need to put an end to it, because once I get going, there won’t be any stopping for hours.
“Baby,” I say, pulling away. “My dick is too fucking hard for you for this.”
She blasts me with a sexy smile and pulls her top over her head, giving me an eyeful of her tits. The last fucking thing I need to be looking at when I’m trying like hell not to bend her over and slam inside.
“Fuck, Birdie,” I growl. “Shut the fucking door and get in here. And don’t complain when it’s fast.”
“Mum’s gone.” She undoes her bra and blesses me with a sight I’ve spent too many hours imagining while jerking off late at night.
I grab her around the waist and guide her to the vanity. Moving behind her, I meet her eyes in the mirror. “Those are the best words you’ve said all day.”
She reaches back, wraps her hand around the nape of my neck, and pulls me close so she can kiss me again. I’m a starved man, and the second her lips lock with mine, I yank her skirt up, her panties down, and thrust inside her.
My hands go to her hips and I express my pleasure in a deep growl. Birdie responds, moaning and digging her nails into my skin. Together, we chase the release we’re both desperate for.
It’s over fast, too fucking fast, but we’re only getting warmed up here. Birdie meets my gaze in the mirror, her face flushed with satisfaction. “I’m looking forward to that all weekend.”
I pull out and flick the shower on, not wanting to break my bad news to her, but doing it anyway. “I may have to take care of some club stuff this weekend.”
Disappointment creases her face, but she doesn’t lose her shit. “Well, I mean, I’m going to be busy with tiles anyway.” Joining me in the shower, she presses her body close to mine. “Once you’re finished with club stuff, you’re mine.” Fuck I love my woman.
I run my hand down her ass to her leg, and pull it up and hook it around me. “Angel, you’re not going anywhere near those tiles.”
She slides her hands up my chest to my neck. “You’re shitty about the kitchen, aren’t you?”
Birdie has no idea how far from shitty I am about the kitchen. On her scale of one to ten, I’m at the level of “I don’t give a fuck” because this week has reminded me of how fucking precious life is and that most of the shit we fight about isn’t important in the grand scheme of things.
“Some shit went down this week in Melbourne and two of our members are in hospital,” I say, my throat filling with emotion. “They almost lost their lives. I’ve got a club full of problems to deal with when I go back on Wednesday. Our kitchen feels like a walk in the park compared to that shit.”
The mood shifts and Birdie turns serious. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You’ve got enough going on here; you don’t need extra shit to worry about.”
Her hands come to my face and her eyes flash with determination.
“Winter, I’m your wife. It’s my job to be there when you need me.
When you need someone at the end of the day to unload all your burdens.
” Her grip on my face tightens as she adds, “I need to be in Melbourne now, not in another three months.”
Our plan has always been for Birdie to ease out of her responsibilities in her business and train her replacement over six months.
It’s not fair to Cleo for Birdie to just leave without doing that.
It was hard enough for Birdie to decide to move away from the business she only recently started; I won’t let her rush this.
“No, you need to be here for Cleo and the business like you told her you would. Another three months isn’t going to kill us.”
“Cleo will understand. She’s already told me to go.
You’ve got so much on your shoulders down there getting the club on its feet while dealing with all the Silver Hell bullshit; I’m worried about you and your stress levels.
Not to mention how exhausting it is going back and forth between Melbourne and Sydney. ”
Pushing her against the wall, I cup her breast and rasp, “How about a little less talking and a whole lot more of your lips around my dick?”
I didn’t come home to talk to her about the stuff I’m dealing with in Melbourne.
When I married her, I knew I was bringing her into a dangerous world, but I believed I could always protect her.
That was before Melbourne. Now I’m not sure I ever want to move her down there.
However, stalling my wife is a fool’s errand.
Birdie is stubborn as fuck, so I know we’re going to get into this.
Before we do, though, I intend to fuck the level of exhaustion into her that will give me at least half a chance of winning this fight.