Chapter 13
THIRTEEN
AINSLEY
Heat already radiates across the landscape by the time we pull up to the job site on the east side of Jackson.
I'm sitting in the passenger seat of Knox's truck with Owen strapped into his car seat in the back, babbling happily and waving his hands at everything we pass. Jax follows behind us on his bike, the rumble of the engine a constant, comforting presence.
Knox reaches over and squeezes my thigh, his expression shifting to something more serious.
"We want you here. Both of you." He glances back at Owen, then returns his gaze to me.
"Until we find Justin, we need eyes on you at all times.
That means you and Owen come with us when we work. No exceptions."
The words should feel suffocating, but they don't. Instead, they feel like protection. Like he's not willing to take any chances with my safety or Owen's.
"I understand," I say quietly.
"It's not about not trusting you," Jax says, appearing at my window and opening the door. He leans in, his voice low and serious. "It's about making sure nothing happens to either of you while that bastard is still out there. We keep you close, we keep you safe."
Knox nods. "You're ours to protect, Ainsley. Let us do this."
Something shifts in my chest at the certainty in his voice. The possessiveness that once would have terrified me now feels like a promise. "Okay," I whisper.
"You sure you're okay with this?" Knox asks, glancing over at me as he parks near a large oak tree that provides plenty of shade.
I nod. "Yeah. Plus, I want to see what you guys do."
He smirks, that rare flash of amusement crossing his face. "It's not glamorous, baby. Just landscaping."
"I don't care," I say honestly. "I want to see you work."
Something shifts in his expression, pride, maybe, or satisfaction. He leans over and kisses me, slow and possessive, before climbing out of the truck.
Jax pulls up beside us, killing the engine and swinging off his bike in one smooth motion.
He's wearing worn jeans, work boots, and a faded black t-shirt that clings to his chest and arms in ways that make my mouth go dry.
Knox is dressed similarly, his shirt already damp with sweat even though we just got here.
They look good.
Too good.
"Come on," Jax says, opening my door and offering me his hand. "Let's get you and the little man set up."
They've already thought of everything. There's a pop-up shade tent near the tree, a cooler full of water and snacks, a blanket spread out on the grass for Owen to play on. I settle down with Owen on my lap, watching as the brothers move to the back of the truck and start unloading equipment.
The job site is a large residential property, a sprawling lawn, flower beds that need reshaping, a stone pathway that's being installed. The homeowner, an older woman with kind eyes, greets them warmly and walks them through what she wants done.
I watch, fascinated.
This is a side of them I haven't seen before.
At Perdition, they're bikers, dangerous, commanding, protective. Here, they're businessmen. Professionals. They listen carefully to the homeowner's requests, ask clarifying questions, make suggestions that she clearly appreciates. They're respectful, competent, confident.
And they're good at what they do.
Knox takes the lead on the technical side, measuring out the pathway, marking where the stones will go. His movements are precise, methodical, every detail accounted for. Jax handles the client-facing side, charming the homeowner with easy conversation while still getting the work done.
They work in sync, like they've been doing this together for years.
Because they have.
I watch as Knox kneels down to level the ground, his muscles flexing under his shirt. I watch as Jax lifts a heavy stone like it weighs nothing, setting it carefully into place. I watch as they move around each other with practiced ease, communicating with looks and gestures more than words.
They're not just dangerous bikers.
They're skilled craftsmen.
They've built something real here, a legitimate business, a reputation in the community, respect earned through hard work and competence.
And God, it's attractive.
Owen babbles beside me, playing with his toys, oblivious to the way my heart is pounding in my chest.
I'm falling for them.
Not just physically, though that's definitely part of it, but completely . I'm falling for the way they take care of me and Owen. I'm falling for the way they've made me feel safe for the first time in years. I'm falling for the way they look at me like I'm the only woman in the world.
I'm falling, and I don't know how to stop.
By the time we're driving home, the sun is starting to dip lower in the sky, casting everything in golden light.
Owen is asleep in his car seat, exhausted from playing all day.
I'm in the passenger seat of Knox's truck again, but this time, the air feels different.
Charged.
Jax is riding behind us, and I can feel his presence even though I can't see him.
Knox's hand is on my thigh, his fingers tracing lazy circles over my jeans.
"You were so good today," he murmurs, his voice low and rough. "Sitting there, watching us work. Looking so fucking pretty."
I swallow hard. "Knox.”
"Spread your legs," he says, his tone leaving no room for argument.
I hesitate for only a moment before obeying.
His hand slides higher, his fingers pressing against the seam of my jeans, and I gasp.
"That's it," he says, his voice dark with satisfaction. "Good girl."
My phone buzzes in my lap, and I glance down to see a text from Jax.
Jax: Touch yourself.
My breath catches.
Jax: Do it, baby. I want to know you're thinking about us.
Knox glances over at me, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth. "He texting you?"
I nod.
"What's he saying?"
"He wants me to touch myself," I whisper.
Knox's hand tightens on my thigh. "Then do it."
"Knox, I—"
"Do it, Ainsley."
My hands are shaking as I unbutton my jeans and slide my hand inside.
I'm already wet.
God, I'm so wet.
I touch myself slowly, my fingers circling my clit, and I bite my lip to keep from moaning.
"Tell us what you want," Knox says, his voice rough.
"I want you," I gasp. "Both of you."
"You'll get us," he promises. "As soon as we get home."
By the time we pull into the driveway, I'm wound so tight I feel like I might shatter.
Knox parks the truck and turns to look at me, his eyes dark and hungry.
"Inside," he says. "Now."
I climb out of the truck on shaky legs, and Jax is there, his hand on the small of my back, guiding me toward the house.
Owen is still asleep, and Knox carries him inside, settling him gently into his crib.
And then they're on me.
Jax's mouth finds mine, hot and demanding, his hands roaming over my body. Knox presses against my back, his hands sliding under my shirt, his lips on my neck.
"Bedroom," Jax murmurs against my mouth. "Now."
They walk me backward down the hall, their hands never leaving me, until we're in the bedroom and the door is closed behind us.
Jax pulls my shirt over my head, and Knox unhooks my bra, letting it fall to the floor.
"Fuck, you're beautiful," Jax breathes, his hands cupping my breasts, his thumbs brushing over my nipples.
Knox's hands are on my jeans, unbuttoning them, sliding them down my legs along with my panties.
And then I'm naked, standing between them, trembling.
"On the bed," Knox commands.
I obey, climbing onto the bed and lying back against the pillows.
They both strip quickly, and then they're on the bed with me, their hands and mouths everywhere.
Jax kisses me deeply, his tongue sliding against mine, while Knox's mouth moves down my body, kissing and licking and biting.
"You're ours," Jax murmurs against my lips. "Say it."
"I'm yours," I gasp.
"Again," Knox demands, his mouth on my inner thigh.
"I'm yours," I say, louder this time.
Knox's mouth finds my pussy, and I cry out, my back arching off the bed.
He licks me slowly, thoroughly, his tongue circling my clit before dipping inside me.
Jax's mouth is on my breasts, sucking and biting, his hands holding me down.
"You taste so fucking good," Knox groans against me. "Could eat this pussy all day."
I'm already close, my body wound tight from the drive home, from their teasing, from the way they're touching me now.
"Please," I gasp. "Please, I need—"
"What do you need, baby?" Jax asks, his voice rough.
"I need you inside me," I beg. "Both of you. Please."
Knox pulls back, his eyes dark and intense. "You want us to fuck you?"
"Yes," I whimper. "Please."
Jax positions himself between my legs, his cock hard and thick, and he slides inside me in one slow, deep thrust.
I cry out, my hands gripping his shoulders.
"Fuck, you feel so good," he groans, starting to move. "So tight. So perfect."
Knox moves beside me, his hand sliding into my hair, tilting my head back so he can kiss me.
"You're ours," he murmurs against my lips. "Completely ours. No one else gets to touch you. No one else gets to have you."
"No one else," I gasp.
Jax's thrusts are deep and hard, hitting that spot inside me that makes me see stars.
"Gonna fill you up," he groans. "Gonna breed you. Gonna make you ours in every fucking way."
"Yes," I moan. "Yes, please."
Knox's hand slides down my body, his fingers finding my clit, and I shatter.
I come so hard I can't breathe, my body convulsing around Jax's cock.
He follows me over the edge, spilling inside me with a groan.
When he pulls out, Knox takes his place, sliding inside me before I've even caught my breath.
"My turn," he growls, his hands gripping my hips. "Gonna make you come again, baby. Gonna make you scream."
He fucks me hard and fast, his cock driving into me with brutal precision.
Jax's hands are on my breasts, his mouth on my neck, his voice in my ear.
"You're so beautiful like this," he murmurs. "Taking Knox's cock. Taking everything we give you. Such a good girl for us."
Knox's hand slides between us, his fingers circling my clit, and I'm climbing again, impossibly.
"Come for me," Knox commands. "Come on my cock, Ainsley."
I do.