Chapter Four
Charli
The door shut behind Charli, and she took a moment to breathe.
The evening was proving to be overwhelmingly wonderful, turning into a reunion.
She’d felt relieved as well as grateful for Owen’s acceptance of her return.
And Bradley. And Roark. Well, Roark’s was a little stiff, but that’s okay.
He hadn’t cursed her and told her to never step foot near him again.
Not that she thought he’d actually do that. Truthfully, she really hadn’t known what to expect.
Welcome home, baby girl.
Owen’s words warmed her heart and nearly made her cry. Yeah, she thought. She was home.
Charli used the bathroom and washed up, splashing cool water on her heated skin.
She looked at her reflection in the small mirror over the sink, barely recognizing the woman staring back.
She was happy. Smile lines framed her mouth instead of frown lines that usually wrinkled her forehead.
And she was brave. Leaving all she’d known for the past two decades to return to a place she wasn’t sure would accept her again.
She was proud of herself for making this first step, but more work was in store for her.
When Charli came out, she ran into Roark, who steadied her with his hands on her arms.
“Sorry,” he said. “Needed something.” He stared into her eyes while his hands still held firm. “You okay?” He searched her face, lingering a moment on her lips, causing her pulse to speed up.
“Yeah, I’m okay. Better than okay, actually.”
“Good.”
Their gazes held, and she became all too aware of Roark.
Of the fine looking man he’d become. There was both softness yet heat in his brown eyes.
Charli scanned his face, noticing the fine lines at the corners of those eyes.
The neatly groomed beard and mustache that was hella sexy.
The streaks of silver weaving through his dark strands.
And his mouth. Hers watered just thinking about how it’d feel to kiss him. Finally kiss him.
“Charli?”
His voice, even deeper and richer now, broke through her haze.
“Yeah?” She sounded ridiculously breathless.
“I wanna kiss you so fucking bad.”
A whimper escaped, and Roark groaned. “Fucking hell.” In the next instance, his mouth was on hers. He released her arms to thread his fingers in her hair, angling her head and instantly devouring her.
Charli gasped, shocked at the intensity.
But she wasn’t shocked at her body’s response as she turned to putty in his hands because she’d fantasized about this moment for years.
He sucked and licked and thoroughly consumed, and there wasn’t a damn thing she could do about it.
Oh, she could protest, knowing he’d back off, but hell if she was about to do that.
No, she was going to make this count. And before he came to his senses, she’d take her fill as well.
And if he did come to his senses, offering apologies or displaying regret, well, then, she’d deal. It might possibly break her heart, but she’d deal. Just like she always did.
Charli’s hands fisted the front of Roark’s shirt, feeling his heat beneath the material.
She pressed against him and felt the bulge of his cock through his jeans, eliciting a needy moan from her.
Roark growled as he backed her up against the wall, grinding into her as he continued to ravage her mouth.
Heat swirled inside her and that delicious feeling of a pending orgasm began to build.
Her pussy thrummed with excitement and anticipation.
And when Roark pushed his thigh between her legs, applying torturous pressure to her center, she shamelessly rode him.
With his tongue fucking her mouth, and his thigh rubbing between her legs, Charli shattered, succumbing to the best climax she’d had in longer than she cared to remember.
She shook against him as he swallowed her cries of pleasure.
The tremors continued as Roark softened his assault, kissing her tenderly now as his fingers massaged her scalp.
When the euphoria began to clear, Roark trailed his mouth along her jaw, ending at her ear where he nibbled. She sucked in breaths, feeling as if she’d just sprinted around the racetrack. Charli sighed and her body loosened as she relaxed her grip in his shirt.
“Fucking hell, that was beautiful,” he whispered in a raspy voice.
She snorted with laughter as she leaned her head against his chest. “That was a long time coming.” Realizing what she’d said, her head snapped up to meet Roark’s gaze.
His mouth quirked with a grin. “Yeah? Maybe next time we do that with our clothes off.”
Charli felt her eyes widen even as her sex pulsed anew. Her nipples strained against the thin fabric of her bra and t-shirt. And Roark took notice as he glanced down at the pinpoints before staring into her eyes.
“You like the sound of that?” He swept his thumb across her bottom lip, and she chased it with her tongue, moistening her mouth.
“Yeah, you do.” He leaned his forehead against hers.
“Jesus, Charli. How the hell am I supposed to go back out there after this and act like nothing happened? Like my cock isn’t still rock hard, needing your pussy? ”
Charli couldn’t contain the whimper, imagining their naked bodies writhing together. She clung to Roark, searching for words that wouldn’t come. Turns out she didn’t need them as Roark kissed her temple and pulled back, lifting her chin so their eyes would meet.
“I’ll go out first. Take all the time you need.”
He slowly backed away, and Charli couldn’t help but steal a glance where his jeans still strained from his rigid cock.
“Don’t.”
Charli’s gaze snapped to his but could still see him palm his crotch, adjusting himself.
“Unless you want me to strip you down and bury this deep inside you, and fuck how much noise we make or who hears.”
Charli pulled her lower lip between her teeth, causing Roark to groan.
“Dammit, Charli, stop looking so goddamn inviting.”
She laughed. “Ha, well, back atcha.” She smiled when he barked with laughter.
“If I had time for a cold shower, it still wouldn’t be enough.” He started to turn when she called out to him.
“You said you needed something.” His brow rose. “You came in for something.”
“Yeah.” He shook his head and walked past her, grabbing three leather cuts.
How had she forgotten he was now a member of the Sons of Sin? The Sergeant-at-Arms, no less. Three cuts. Owen and Bradley’s as well as Roark’s? Seemed logical.
“Harvey told me you’re the Sergeant-at-Arms, but Bradley doesn’t have a position?”
“Uh, yeah, and no. I mean, I’m the SAA, but Bradley is just a member. He’s in charge of all operations here at the track and handles much of the paperwork for our businesses. Permits, licenses, and so on. You said Harvey caught you up on a lot?”
“Yes. He told me you spent twelve years in the Army, that the Club owns the track along with an excavation company, a gun shop, and a shooting range. And one of the members, Stacks, bought The Grill, which is run by his wife, Marlo. Who is adorable, and I like her a lot.”
“Yeah, she’s a sweet gal. So, you really planning on buying Harvey’s shop?”
“That’s the plan.”
He remained silent, staring intently at her.
“What?” Charli said, almost self-conscious.
“What?”
“Why are you staring at me.”
“Admiring the beautiful artwork, wondering about its meaning. Thinking about getting caught up with you. Finding out what you’ve been doing for the past twenty years. Take your pick.”
Charli dropped her gaze and took a breath before facing Roark again, only shaking her head
He scrunched his brows and stepped closer, grazing his knuckles down Charli’s cheek. “What happened, Charli?”
She shook her head again. “Doesn’t matter. It’s in the past, and I’m here now. Back where I belong. Where I never should have left.”
Roark snaked his hand around the back of her neck. “Hey, you didn’t leave. You were taken away. If it’d been up to any one of us, it never would’ve happened.”
Charli could only nod, still a bit choked up with emotion. Not to mention still worked up over what just took place between them.
“Tell me about your car.”
“My car?” Charli asked in confusion at the abrupt change in topic.
“Yeah, that way I’ve got a reason why we been lingering in here.” He winked.
“And the bulge in your pants won’t give a thing away,” she sassed.
Roark’s eyes narrowed before slamming his mouth to hers once again. It was a demanding, open-mouth, scorching kiss that set her ablaze. All over again. But all too soon, he pulled away, giving her an unreadable stare.
“We aren’t done.”
“No, I don’t suppose we are,” she whispered.
Roark let her go, and Charli held firm instead of leaning toward him like her body wanted.
“I’ll see you out there. Expect the Club to be out there, eager to meet you.”
“Wh-what? Why?”
“Because they usually come out after the kids’ race, do a bit of their own and make a night of it. Dad may be retired from his position, but he’s still a respected member of the Club, and I’ve no doubt he’s already informed the Prez about your presence and what it means to him.”
“And what does it mean to him?” she asked, hating that she sounded so meek.
Roark cocked his head and screwed up his mouth. “Really, Charli? Like you have to ask?”
“I do, Roark. I haven’t been here in twenty years. Hell, my father isn’t even a member anymore, and my presence—”
He was in her face in a flash, causing her to take a step back. He followed, once again pressing her against the wall.
“Your father will always be a member of this Club. And your presence means the world to Dad. To others.”
“To you?”
He remained silent as he scanned her face before meeting her gaze, his eyes softening from their hardened state.
“To me,” he said, voice gruff. He kissed her, only this time it was tender. Reverent. “Fuck, you smell good,” he said softly after his lips left hers. “I could eat you up.” Roark sighed. “But tell me about your car.”