Chapter 16
DAISY
I had no idea when Joker insisted on renovating the bathroom and putting in a spa tub how glorious it would feel on my pregnant body. At the time, his concern was having a tub the two of us could fit into.
My man might be a hard-ass outlaw biker, but when it comes to sex, he likes it often and just about anywhere, including the spa tub. Of course, now with my advanced size, being in here by myself is heaven, and I plan on soaking alone for as long as possible.
I rest my head against the bath pillow and close my eyes for not even a minute when I hear the front door open.
Derek already dropped Deana off, and I had her occupied with an activity book showcasing all the Disney princesses.
This should’ve assured me of at least twenty minutes of uninterrupted soaking time.
Derek went back out to his karate class, so that leaves Joker.
I scold myself for mentioning I was taking a bath.
He’s said more than once how the sight of my wet pregnant body turns him on, and now I’ll have to share this fabulous space.
Not that I’m really complaining. Joker’s wet, slick body accentuating every sinew of his muscles isn’t bad either.
“I’m in the bathroom,” I call out, but no one answers.
I wait a few seconds then, “Deana, is Daddy home?”
Again, no answer. I can just wait for him to appear in the bathroom, or—a cold chill covers my warm body. I struggle out of the tub and grab the robe off the back of the door.
“Deana?” I call out again, my heart banging against my chest keeping time with the slapping of my wet feet against the tile floor.
I enter the living room and heave out a sigh of relief. “Deana, why didn't you answer me?”
She turns her dark, innocent eyes on me. “‘Cause I’m matching the princess to her castle and?—”
“Did you hear the front door open?”
“No.”
Of course, she also didn’t hear me yelling for her. I pad into the hallway leading to the front door and freeze. The door is ajar, when I know Derek would’ve closed it on his way out. I grip the knob to close it and see another manila envelope wedged between the door and the frame.
I grab it up and hesitate. It’s smaller than the other one, and after a few seconds of deep breaths, I open it.
My eyes widen at the words scrawled across a white piece of paper:
Don’t tell Joker about the pictures.
I slam the door, lock it and dash to my bedroom. I sit on the bed and read the cryptic warning again, and I’m torn between adding to Joker’s anxiety or keeping it to myself.
JOKER
“Hey, baby girl.” I bend down and give Deana a kiss on her head .
“I’m not a baby, Daddy. I’m five.”
“Okay, but you’ll always be my baby.” I tousle her hair. “Where’s Mom?”
“She’s in the bedroom.”
Nice. With any luck, she’s still in the tub. Win-win.
I push the bedroom door open, and Daisy startles on the edge of the bed.
She brushes a strand of hair behind her ear. “Oh, I didn’t hear you come in.”
I search her face, ‘cause my girl doesn’t frighten easily. I join her on the side of the bed, smooth my hand over her bump and nuzzle her neck, drinking in the scent of rosewater soap, her favorite bath fragrance. “I was kinda hoping you’d still be in the tub.”
“There’s only room enough in there for me these days.” Her lips tilt, but the smile doesn’t reach her eyes.
Just like with Cobra, I could read my girl’s expression and body language without her saying a word. Right now, her stick-straight spine and clenched fists speak volumes.
“You were badass back in the day, but even then I could tell when you were keeping something from me.”
“Well, this time you’re wrong.” She throws back her shoulders. “And who says I’m still not badass?”
I cup her baby bump. “Anybody who can carry around another human being in their body for nine months is badass to me.”
“You forgot about labor.”
“Nah, labor elevates you to super hero.” Joker laughs. “But, seriously, you look like you got something you wanna spill.”
She cups me through my jeans and, of course, all logical thoughts leave my brain. “Isn’t this better than talking?”
“You’re not fooling me, and, yeah, this is hella better than talking, but when we’re done, you’re gonna tell me whatever’s weighing on you. ”
Daisy’s masterful tongue traces along the scar decorating my jawline, and I fuckin’ shiver. This woman knows how to light me up. Shit, she’s been doin’ it since the first time we met.
She stands, positioning herself between my legs, then drags my t-shirt up and over my head. Her soft hands roam over my shoulders, and when she pushes me back against the mattress, I go willingly.
She leans over me, then gazes at the bulge in my jeans. “Looks like somebody’s ready.”
“Ohhh, I’ve been ready since you mentioned taking a bath—kinda disappointed I missed it.”
“We’ll just have to make up for it now, but I’d like to know what that devious grin is about.”
“Just thinking about the first time we got together.” My grin widens.
“You mean when we didn’t even know each other’s names?”
“Yeah, that first time.”
Daisy runs her palms over my abs, and I twitch. “You being all hard-ass biker.”
“And you with that big-time attitude.”
“ And just like then, I can read all your tells.” I undo the front of her robe. “But right now, I want to suck on those beautiful nipples.” Her breasts had ripened like the juiciest fruit.
“If I remember correctly, you were very ready and willing to get with a stranger.” She pushes the robe off her shoulders, and I cup her overflowing breasts with both hands. “But even then, there was something I trusted about you.”
“My biggest decision that night was whether to take you fast, hard, and dirty—or slow, deep, and filthy.” I lean up, capturing one nipple between my lips. I suck her hard, and she throws her head back on a moan.
“It was like something I’d never experienced before and something I wanted to have over and over.” Daisy grinds over me, the impatience shining in her eyes.
“You were like that one last drink you should refuse, the one that guarantees a raging hangover but feels so good going down.” I grip her hips and angle her body over me.
She rocks against my cock a few times until her sweetness swallows me up, making me groan in a desperate attempt to keep it together.
“Right then and there, I knew you’d be untamable.” I rock my hips at a slow, steady pace.
“And you loved my wild side.”
“I still do, babe, I still do.” I increase my speed as I pump into her from below.
“ Oh, fuck. You are gonna kill me, woman.” I drag her to me, anchoring her stiletto-clad feet on my shoulders.
“ Impatient.” She grins up at me. “ I like it.”
I’m torn between wanting to be inside her and enjoying the view. Something in the way she looks at me seems familiar. Like she knew me, understood me, and could see through the tough guy right into my soul.
“ You were and still are, intoxicating.” She braces her hands against my shoulders then rides me hard.
“Fuck babe, ride me harder. Take it all.” Panting out the words, I let go as the glorious sensations of our bodies wash over me. “Drain me fuckin’ dry.”
Daisy cleanses me of all the bullshit from the past week. She collapses to my side, and I stroke her glistening body. We lay breathless and unable to speak, like she needs this as much as me. Maybe more.
“That first night, without knowing it at the time, two lonely, damaged, desperate people became one whole person.” She strokes my face, her words making me realize how far we’ve come and how much we have to lose.
My phone buzzes on the nightstand, and I contemplate not answering it, but that’s not an option for the VP of the Serpents MC, especially with all the shit going on.
I check the caller ID, then swipe at the screen. “Yeah.”
“The Nomads moved the meet up.” Cobra says. “Gold Mine in twenty minutes.”
The phone disconnects, and I jackknife off the bed.
Daisy reaches for me. “You have to go?”
“Yeah, babe. Sorry, but this can’t wait.
” I lean in, covering her lips with mine.
It’s not the first time I’ve left our bed unexpectedly, and it won’t be the last, but this goes way beyond duty to the club.
What happens tonight means the safety of my family, and nothing comes before their well-being.
I make a quick trip to the bathroom, clean up, then tug my t-shirt over my head, pull on my jeans and retrieve my cut off the back of the chair.
Daisy struggles out of the bed, then wraps her arms around me. “Be safe.”
“Always.” Her warm, naked body makes leaving all that much harder.
I head toward the door and turn around. “The minute I get back, you’re gonna tell me what was bothering you before.”
“Don’t worry about me. You just take care of you.”