Chapter 13 Bonnie
BONNIE
Ash’s hand stays warm in mine as we make our way through the clubhouse.
Brothers call out congratulations as we pass. Someone shouts something crude about wedding nights that makes my face burn. Titan’s laugh echoes from somewhere near the bonfire.
We’re almost to the stairs when a voice stops us.
“Well, isn’t this sweet?”
I turn to find Mona leaning against the hallway wall, arms crossed, expression dripping with false sweetness. She’s dressed in barely there shorts and a top that shows more than it covers—her usual uniform for clubhouse parties.
I’ve known Mona for years. She showed up when I was fourteen, drawn to the club like so many women are. Pretty enough, willing enough, and hungry for the attention of dangerous men. She’s slept with most of the brothers at some point, including Ash, Ghost, and Titan.
The thought makes my stomach twist, even though I have no right to be jealous of things that happened before me.
“Mona,” Ash says. His voice carries a warning.
“What?” She pushes off the wall. “Can’t I congratulate the happy couple?”
“You can move,” I say. “We’d like to get past.”
Her smile sharpens. “I bet you would. Must be nice getting exactly what you want just by causing enough chaos.”
“Excuse me?”
“Oh, come on, Bonnie. You ran from one wedding and somehow ended up with an even better deal.” She looks at Ash. “The president himself, forced to marry a stupid child just to clean up her mess. How romantic.”
Ash’s hand tightens on mine. “Watch yourself,” he says quietly.
“Why? It’s true.” Mona’s eyes stay on me. “Everyone knows this marriage is just damage control. Poor Ash, stuck with a spoiled little girl who threw a tantrum instead of doing her duty.”
Rage burns through me. Two weeks of fear and pain and running for my life, reduced to a tantrum. Like I chose any of this or wanted to be traded like livestock to a psychopath.
“Get out of my way,” I tell her.
“Or what? You’ll run away again?” She laughs. “That’s all you’re good at, right? Running and hiding while real women handle—”
“Mona.” Ash’s voice drops to something dangerous. “Leave. Now.”
She opens her mouth to argue, sees his expression, and thinks better of it. With one last nasty look at me, she saunters past us back toward the party.
I stand frozen in the hallway, her words echoing in my head. Stupid child. Forced to marry. Damage control.
“Ignore her,” Ash says beside me.
“I’m trying.”
“She’s jealous—”
“I know what she is.” I turn to face him. “Doesn’t make it hurt less.”
He studies my face, then takes my hand. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”
I follow him through the clubhouse, up the stairs, down the hall to his room. Our room now, I suppose. The thought feels surreal.
Inside, he closes the door and leans against it. “Talk to me.”
“About what?”
“About what Mona said. About whatever’s going on in your head right now.”
I cross to his window and look out at the compound below. Brothers are still celebrating, completely unaware of the spiral happening in my brain.
“What if she’s right?” I ask quietly.
“She’s not.”
“But what if I am just a mess you had to clean up? What if this marriage crashes after a few months? What if my father gets released and decides he doesn’t want me for you?”
“Stop.” He crosses to me, turns me to face him. “You want to know the honest reason I married you?”
“Strategy. Protection. We’ve been over this—”
“Because I wanted to.” His hands frame my face. “The thought of you with anyone else makes me want to burn the world down. Because I’ve been half in love with you since you were seventeen and too young for me to do anything about it.”
My breath catches. “Ash—”
“So no. You’re not a mess I had to clean up. You’re the woman I chose. The only woman I want.” His thumb traces my lower lip. “Now stop letting Mona’s poison get in your head and kiss your husband.”
The command in his voice sends heat straight through me.
“You can’t just order me around,” I say, even as I lean into him.
“I’m your husband. I can do whatever I want.”
“That’s not how this works—”
He kisses me, cutting off my protest. Deep and demanding, stealing every argument from my lips. When he pulls back, I’m breathless and flushed and completely his.
“Any other objections?” he asks.
“Yes,” I say, stepping back from his touch. “What, you think marriage means you’re the boss now, Mr. President?”
He grins, slow and dangerous, eyes glinting like he’s already won. “Oh, sweetheart, I’m gonna show you exactly who’s in charge.” His voice is low, teasing, dripping with promise, and fuck if it doesn’t send a spark straight to my core.
I scoff, crossing my arms over my wedding dress, the lace itching against my skin. “Big talk for a guy who’s still got his boots on. What, you gonna fuck me with your cut still on too?” I tilt my head, smirking, my mood getting lighter.
He laughs, a deep rumble that makes my stomach flip, and stalks closer, crowding me against the bedroom door. “Keep sassing me, Bonnie,” he murmurs, lips brushing my ear, “and I’ll have you begging before I even get you naked.”
His hands grip my hips, and he kisses me again. His tongue sweeps into my mouth like he’s claiming every inch of me.
I melt for a second, kissing him back, my fingers tangling in his hair, tasting the beer and heat of him. But I’m not giving in that fast.
I pull back, breathless, shoving at his chest. “Not so quick, cowboy,” I say, dodging to the side, my grin wicked. “You don’t get just to dive in ’cause we said some vows.”
Ash’s eyes narrow, playful but intense, and he grabs my wrist, tugging me back. “Oh, you’re gonna play like that?” He spins me, pinning me to the wall, his body pressed against mine, his cock already hard through his jeans. “My wife wants to be a brat, I’ll treat her like one.”
I laugh, squirming against him, half to tease, half because his heat’s making me wet already. “Brat? Please, I’m just keeping you on your toes.” I try to slip under his arm, but he’s faster, scooping me up and tossing me onto the bed, the sheets soft under my back.
“On your knees, sweetheart,” he says, voice rough, unbuttoning his shirt slow enough to make me squirm. “Time to learn what happens when you mouth off.”
I roll my eyes but flip over, kneeling on the bed, my dress hiked up to my thighs. “You gonna lecture me all night or actually do something?” I taunt, wiggling my ass just to fuck with him.
He chuckles, and his hand cracks against my ass, a sharp, playful spank that makes me yelp, then giggle.
“Fuck, you’re trouble,” he growls, spanking me again, lighter but firm, his other hand sliding up my thigh, teasing the edge of my panties. “Look at you, sassing me and getting wet for it.”
I glance over my shoulder, smirking. “You think a little spanking’s gonna make me behave? You’re dreaming, Ash.” But my voice shakes, pleasure tingling from where his hand stung my skin, and I’m already aching for more.
He leans over me, his chest brushing my back, his lips grazing my neck as he spanks me once more, harder, making me moan.
“Oh, Bonnie,” he murmurs, voice thick with want, “I’m gonna make you scream my name before I’m done.
” His fingers slip under my panties, brushing my clit, and I gasp, pushing back against him, my laughter mixing with a moan as he kisses my shoulder, his dominance wrapping around me like a warm, filthy promise.
I’m wet, aching, but I’m not ready to hand him the win. “You think you’re so slick,” I say, twisting out of his grip, my knees still on the bed. “Gonna have to work harder than that to make me scream.”
His eyes flash, playful but dark, and he grabs my hips, flipping me onto my back with a grin. He yanks my panties down, tossing them aside, and kicking at him halfheartedly to keep up the game.
“Bossy much?” I taunt, propping myself on my elbows, but my breath hitches as he kneels between my thighs, his hands spreading me open.
“You gonna beg for it first?”
“Beg?” I laugh, tossing my hair back. “In your dreams, husband.” But my voice shakes, my pussy already aching as he stares, hungry, his hands gripping my thighs tighter.
“Watch me,” he murmurs, his fingers trailing inward, slow and teasing, until they reach my pussy lips. He spreads them gently, his thumbs parting me, exposing my clit, my wetness glistening under his gaze. “Fuck, look at that.” His voice is low, almost reverent. “So wet for me, Bonnie.”
I squirm, my body buzzing. “You’re such a show-off,” I say, trying to keep it light, but my breath catches as he strokes my lips, his fingers slick with my arousal, playing with me, teasing without entering.
“Show-off?” He grins, dipping one finger inside me, slow and shallow, making me moan. “I’m just getting started, sweetheart.” He pumps his finger deeper, curling it, then pulls it out, glistening with my wetness. He brings it to his mouth, licking it clean, his eyes locked on mine.
“You taste so good, wifey,” he growls, and my pussy clenches, a fresh wave of wetness soaking me at the sight.
“Fuck, Ash,” I gasp, my hips bucking, desperate for more. “You’re killing me.”
“Good,” he says, his voice rough. “Gonna worship this pussy till you’re begging me to stop.” He dips his head, his tongue flicking my clit, while his fingers spread me wider, keeping me open.
He licks deeper, sucking gently, his groan vibrating against me, and I moan, my head falling back, pleasure spiking through every nerve.
I squirm, half resisting, trying to close my thighs just to mess with him, but he holds me firm, his mouth relentless, tongue circling my clit until I’m trembling. “Ash,” I gasp, my fingers tangling in his hair, pulling him closer despite myself. “You’re such a fucking tease.”
He pulls back, smirking, his lips glistening. “Tease? Let’s see how you do, then.” He stands, unbuckling his jeans, his cock springing free, thick and hard. “Your turn, wife. Show me what that smart mouth can do.”