Chapter Twenty-Two
Corey
“What did you say to River to make him okay with everything? He hasn’t made a snide comment all night,” I ask Bella when River gets up to pay the bill.
“I just told him that you’re a grown woman, and he’s holding you back by not letting you experience life. And it might push you away,” she explains, lifting her wineglass to her lips and taking a sip. “He loves you so much, Corey. But he can love you and let you live your life, too. So that’s what he’s doing.”
“I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
She laughs and leans toward me. “You’d probably have died a virgin.”
“You’re right,” I deadpan, a shiver going down my spine at the thought. “And I’d never know what I’d be missing out on. I mean, I’ve given myself orgasms before, but when someone else gives them to you, especially a man you are head over heels crazy about, it’s a completely different experience.”
River returns to the table, and I go silent on that matter. “Thanks for dinner.”
“You’re welcome,” he replies, taking Bella’s hand and kissing it. “It’s been nice to have a few days of no drama.”
“What do you think is going to happen with the Lost Lions MC?” I ask, frowning.
“They’ll strike next. We made them look weak in that bar fight, so they’re bound to retaliate. That’s why it’s important that the women and children are kept safe. You are the first thing they’ll try to use against us.”
“That’s scary. If they did anything to Julian, I would kill them myself with my bare hands.”
Bella’s eyes widen. “Looks like you are a little like your brother after all.”
“Nothing is going to happen to Julian, or to any of you,” River promises us both. “We’ve got our security up, and eyes everywhere. Romeo is thinking they might strike Devil’s Play—that’s why we have Damon and the prospects there now. Blaze is driving around checking the perimeters of the business and the clubhouse.”
I had no idea they were doing any of those things, but because I’m not a member I’m not really privy to those. Which sucks because if anyone should be a member, I should. Just because I don’t have a penis between my legs, I’m not allowed to know. At least I know now how important it is for Damon to be at the club, and he’s not just there for the sake of it. He’s making sure our MC is there in case Gio, Tatum, or any of their MC members show up to cause trouble.
River pauses, muttering a curse as he checks his phone. “Well, Romeo was right. They did show up at Devil’s Play.”
“What?” I whisper-yell. “Is Damon okay? Do we need to go there now?”
“He’s fine, he handled it,” he says, and the pride in his tone surprises me. “There was a bit of a fight, but the men were escorted off the premises.”
Shit.
What if they’d gone to the club last night? If anything had happened to Bella and Julianna, it would have been my fault.
“I’m sorry we just showed up there,” I say, wincing as I realize why they weren’t happy with it. “I dragged them out, so it was on me, and I can see now how irresponsible it was.”
“At least you didn’t go alone,” he replies, tightening his jaw. “And Damon was there. But yes, please call one of us before you plan on doing anything like that, just in case the Lost Lions MC is watching.”
“I will,” I promise. “And there’s something I need to tell you.”
“What?” he asks, sounding less than amused.
“I replied to Tatum. I thought that maybe I could get some intel that you guys could use—”
“You’re trying to put me in a fucking grave this month, aren’t you?” River growls, shaking his head. “Why would you do that?”
“It’s not like I told him anything,” I argue, sliding him my phone. “But I did get him to confirm why he’s here. He wants to find out who killed Robert, and he and his MC were kicked out of their last town by the cops.”
River reads the texts, scowling. “Do not contact him again, do you hear me?” And then he suddenly smiles, which is even scarier than his angry face. “And you know what? You’re Damon’s problem now, so you can tell him about this little situation.”
My jaw drops. “I’m Damon’s problem ? Not his blessing? Or gift? His problem?”
Bella hides her grin with her hand, and River simply shrugs, as if this realization has suddenly set him free.
“You could just admit that my information is useful,” I say, scowling.
He tilts his head to the side. “Okay, yes, it is. But you are still reckless and—”
“And Damon’s problem.”
Asshole.
It’s late when Damon picks me up, but I don’t mind. I bring a bag with everything I need and plan to leave a few things at his, such as a toothbrush, shampoo and conditioner, bodywash, and a change of clothes. It’s quiet when we get to the joint clubhouse, but I see Leif having a smoke outside.
“Hey,” I greet him with a smile. “How are you?”
“Not too bad,” he replies, eyes darting between Damon and me. “Just got in, so about to eat something and head to bed.”
“Me, too,” Damon replies, pulling me inside.
Wait, did Damon mean eat something?
Is he thinking the same thing I am?
I also wonder if Echo is into Vikings. Maybe we could set those two up.
“How was the club?” I ask Damon once we’re inside his bedroom. “I heard the Lost Lions MC showed up.”
“They did. I handled it,” he replies, and I notice his cheek is a little red and swollen, but he otherwise looks unharmed.
“Was Tatum there?”
“Nope.”
I put my bag in the corner of his room and take off my sandals. He stays silent and when I turn back around, he’s watching me like a lion stalking its prey.
“You want something?” I ask, sitting down on the edge of the bed.
I need to tell him about Tatum, but I might wait until he’s had his way with me. I know exactly what he wants, because I want it, too. I slowly lean back and spread my legs, showing off my panties as my linen dress rides up my thighs.
“Fucking hell,” he whispers, a small smile playing on his lips. “How did I get so lucky?”
“You took a chance,” I reply, pulling my dress and bra off, and sitting there in my panties. He strips down and comes over to me, pushing me back and kissing me deeply.
I could get used to this life.
Several orgasms later, I’m lying on his chest and catching my breath. He kisses my fingers, my knuckles, and then the scars on my wrist.
I instantly freeze, feeling extremely vulnerable in this moment. Although I don’t let my scars define me, they show how hurt and in pain I was at one stage in my life.
“You know I’m always here for you, no matter what, right?” he whispers, placing another kiss on the slightly raised skin. “No matter what.”
“I know,” I reply, swallowing hard.
But when he doesn’t say anything further, I relax.
He accepts me, and even my dark past.
And I hope he knows how much that means to me. I know I can be a lot, but he doesn’t make me feel that way. And speaking of.
“By the way, I did something, and River got angry but then told me to tell you because apparently I’m your problem now.”
He stills. “What the hell did you do?”
I tell him.
His fingers twitch on my skin, and he looks at me like he wants to kill me.
I run my hand over his dick, silently reminding him of the great sex we just had.
“Corey, don’t fucking text him again,” he demands in a low tone. “I’m serious.”
I yawn. “I know, I won’t. I found out what I could.” And I proved that I can be useful, and not just some damsel in distress.
“If anything happened to you—”
“It won’t,” I promise.
Closing my eyes, I squeeze him tightly and fall asleep.
Feeling safe.
Julianna is in the kitchen the next morning, and hands me Julian. She’s always moving between both clubhouses, and I don’t know how she manages to stay organized, but she does.
“Did you sleep well?” she asks, trying to keep a straight face.
“I did, yes,” I reply, lip twitching. “Where is everyone?”
“Romeo sent the prospects out to run some errands, and I’m getting someone to come in today and clean the place,” she says, watching me hold her son. “You are so good with him.”
“I adore him.”
“And he, you,” she replies, smiling down at him. “And considering you are here, I’m guessing things are going well with Damon.”
“Yes.” I smile. “But it’s early days, so I don’t want to jinx it.”
She laughs softly. “I don’t think you have to worry about that. It’s easy to see that you’re both crazy about each other. We’ve all seen it ever since that party, when he kissed you and River attacked him for it.”
“Yeah, I try not to remember the second part,” I admit.
“I’ll bet. But look how far you’ve come. You’re spending the night with Damon, and he’s alive. What a miracle.”
“You know what, it really is a miracle,” I agree, waving bye to Julian as I hand him back to her. “Is there anything you need me to do around here? I’ve got nothing going on today, so feel free to put me to work.”
“If you can stay here while the cleaner comes, that would be great. We have a charity run on this weekend too, so if you want to help with the organization that would be ideal. We wanted to cancel with everything going on, but the proceeds are going to the children’s hospital, and it’s going to look bad on us if we suddenly pull out.”
“Do you think the Lost Lions MC will show up?” I ask, frowning. “At a charity event?”
“We wouldn’t put it past them, even if it’s just them trying to intimidate us.”
Damon steps into the kitchen, freshly showered and wearing a pair of light blue jeans and a white T-shirt. He runs his hand through his dark, still-wet hair, and I just want to drag him back into the bedroom, he looks that good. “Good morning, ladies.”
“Good morning,” Julianna says, pulling out her phone from her dress pocket as it starts to ring. “Excuse me, Romeo is calling me.”
She steps outside and Damon comes over to pepper my face with kisses. “I have to go help Romeo with some things, so I can drop you back now.”
“Julianna asked if I can stay while the cleaner is here.”
He stills. “Alone?”
“I guess so.”
He shakes his head. “No, I don’t like that.”
Julianna pokes her head in. “I didn’t think you would. Romeo said you can stay here until the cleaner leaves, then lock the place up and head over to the Devils clubhouse after that. He wants you to go into the custom motorcycle shop with him. He’s getting a new bike.”
“Fuck yes.” Damon grins, obviously more than happy to do that errand. “All right, sounds good.”
She takes her leave, and Damon and I stare at each other. “What time is the cleaner coming?”
“In thirty minutes,” I say, checking my watch. “Why?”
“So we’re alone in the clubhouse for that time? There’s a lot I can do in thirty minutes...”
He comes for me, and I playfully run away, laughing as he stalks me through the clubhouse until we end up in the living room. He spins me around so my back is to his front, and kisses the side of my neck, sending shivers down my whole body.
And then he bends me over the couch and lifts my dress up, pulling down my panties.
And he’s right.
There is a lot he can do in thirty minutes.