Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
STRYKER
The cold wind slices through my heavy leather jacket, mixing with the sharp smell of gasoline and rain-slicked asphalt.
The engine shakes and rattles up into my exhausted shoulders, but I push the bike harder anyway.
I’ve been dealing with a missing shipment and stolen crates all day and all damn night, and now I’m a growly, impatient man who needs to get back to what he started.
I had to leave Soraya immediately after I kissed her yesterday, and the distance is eating me alive.
Cierra teased me before I left to handle the emergency.
She laughed right in my face, cracking jokes about the grumpy, solitary President finally falling for someone.
Everyone thought I would die alone. She’s right, though.
I’m completely possessed, owned by a short, curvy woman with auburn hair and a smile that could melt glaciers.
I pull into the clubhouse lot and dismount almost before the bike fully stops.
Rushing to the back door, I force myself to pause before grabbing the handle.
I have to collect my thoughts and reign in my darker, primal urges to sweep Soraya up, strip her down, and mark her as mine.
But I have to remember that she’s fragile right now.
Her entire life just got flipped upside down. I have to tread carefully.
When I can’t wait a single second longer, I rush inside the back entrance and swing open the door to my apartment. The room is completely silent. Empty. It’s more than dark, it’s devoid of the sunshiney woman who has become my singular obsession.
A sudden spike of cold dread pierces my chest. Did she run? Did she think I used her and just left her behind? Panic tightens my throat, making it hard to breathe.
Then I hear it. A faint, melodic laugh echoes down the clubhouse hall. Soraya. Her light, natural laugh breaks right through my spiraling thoughts and I follow the beautiful sound straight to the kitchen.
Leaning quietly against the doorframe, I take in the sight of Soraya and Cierra talking by the counter. Cierra catches my eye over Soraya's shoulder and gives me a knowing wink. She pats Soraya gently on the arm, and excuses herself to go open the bar.
I step fully into the room, unsure how to approach her. A flicker of hurt and hesitation crosses Soraya’s wide hazel eyes, and I hate myself for making her doubt me. Doubt us. I vow to never let that happen again.
Pulling out a chair, I sit closely beside her, capturing her gaze. I stare into those deep, mesmerizing hazel eyes, wanting to wipe away every uncertainty I see there.
"I’m so sorry," I say, keeping my voice low and steady. "I’m sorry it took me this long to get back to you."
She drops her gaze to the table and traces the worn wood grain with her delicate finger. "Cierra said you had club business."
"I had an emergency," I clarify, needing her to understand. "A shipment went missing, and I had to handle it immediately. But I need you to hear me, Soraya."
I reach out, placing two calloused fingers under her soft chin and gently tip her face up. Her wide eyes meet mine, searching for the truth. Jesus, she’s killing me. Her bottom lip trembles slightly, and I realize she’s in just as deep as I am.
"I did not want to leave you," I swear to her, smoothing my thumb across her jaw. The tension there eases slightly under my touch. "I never meant to kiss and run. That’s not who I am, and that’s definitely not how I want to treat my woman."
“Your woman?” Soraya asks, her voice barely audible.
“That’s right. Does that scare you?”
She blinks up at me, then slowly shakes her head no. “I’m not scared, I’m… I guess I’m not used to… all of this,” she finishes.
“The MC life?” I guess.
“Sure, that, too, but I meant… this,” she replies, motioning between us. “Someone caring about me, worrying about me, and wanting to make sure I’m safe. I have Marlowe, my best friend, but… I think…” Soraya breaks eye contact with me, tilting her head down and staring at her hands in her lap.
“You think?” I ask, encouraging her to continue. I hold my breath, hanging on her every word.
“I think you and I are more than friends. Right? Or… am I reading this all wrong? Sugar sticks,” she mutters under her breath like a swear word. “Sorry, I–”
I cut her off by cupping her cheek and lifting her head so I can kiss her. It’s far too short, but I need her to understand what she means to me.
“Fuckin’ right, we’re more than friends. I have enough friends. What I need is you, my precious girl.”
Her eyebrows lift in surprise as a tiny gasp falls from her lips. “Precious?”
I nod in confirmation. “And mine.”
A smile breaks out across her face, though she’s trying to hide it. Immense relief washes over me, and I take her hand in mine. Feeling her warmth against my palm settles all my worries. Still, I want to erase the last lingering shadow of doubt from her beautiful face.
"Let me make it up to you," I say softly. "Let me take you on an adventure."
Her eyes light up with pure excitement. She agrees instantly, and minutes later, we’re riding down the coastal highway on my bike.
Soraya holds tight to my waist the entire ride, her thighs squeezing my legs as she subtly rocks against me. Fuck, the thought of her getting all hot and bothered while my bike vibrates under her has my dick straining against my jeans.
I take my woman to my private sanctuary, a secluded cliffside overlook framed by ancient trees and mist-covered mountains. The crisp ocean air fills my lungs, and the sound of waves crashing against the jagged rocks below creates a steady, peaceful rhythm.
We climb off my bike, and I guide Soraya to sit down beneath the thick canopy of a massive pine tree. She nestles herself perfectly between my legs, her soft back resting completely against my broad chest. The rustle of pine trees and dried leaves overhead creates a quiet bubble just for us.
She shifts her weight against my chest, and I feel the slight hesitation in her muscles before she finally speaks.
"What kind of business does the club actually do?" she asks softly. Her voice is barely louder than the crashing waves below us.
I wrap my arms tighter around her waist and press a kiss to the top of her head, loving that she smells like my shampoo.
"We control logistics and freight for this section of the West Coast. We run legitimate businesses.
" I pause, choosing my next words with extreme care.
"But we operate outside normal boundaries.
Sometimes people get greedy. They try to take what belongs to us. "
She tilts her head back against my shoulder and looks up into my eyes. "Is that what happened to my store? Why they smashed up the street?"
"Yes." I keep my voice completely steady. "A rival group, we’re not sure who, is trying to disrupt our shipping lines. They started a brawl to send a message."
Her breath hitches slightly. "Are you in danger, Stryker?"
I press a firm, lingering kiss to her temple, deciding how to answer. I don’t want to tell her the brutal, bloody details of the violence I receive and inflict on those who deserve it. I refuse to put that kind of heavy burden on her beautiful soul.
"They can try to bring danger to my door," I rumble against the shell of her ear. I let the absolute certainty of my power bleed into the words. "But I have an entire army at my back. We handle our enemies, Soraya. I will always keep the violence far away from you."
I feel her trust in me growing with every truth I share. My own heavy guard softens completely and I begin stroking her soft shoulders. My calloused thumb glides across her delicate jawline and down to the sensitive skin of her neck.
The heat between us builds fast. She begins squirming and moaning softly as my fingers trace down her collarbone. I let my hand graze the hem of her shirt, and bury my nose in her auburn hair.
“So damn sexy,” I growl as my hands continue to trace the contours of her body.
She shifts her weight, her lush hips rolling back flush against my hard cock. I groan loudly at her boldness. She gasps at the heavy contact, surprised by herself, and then she deliberately does it again.
I’m barely hanging on to control as it is, my lips peppering hot kisses against her neck. Soraya tilts her head to the side, giving me better access. I nip at her sensitive flesh, loving the way she trembles when I cover the sting with a kiss.
Unable to resist her curves a second longer, I reach beneath her shirt and cup her heavy breast, rolling her tight nipple between my fingers. She whimpers so sweetly for me as she arches her back and presses her chest further into my hand.
Soraya is panting and squirming, the built-up tension seeking a release. I slide my hand down her soft stomach and trace the waistband of her leggings. God, I can feel her heat and how desperately she needs to come.
As difficult as it is, I pause, needing her absolute permission. "Can I touch you here?" I ask, my voice rough and strained.
"Please," she begs breathlessly.
I slip my hand into her leggings, my fingers teasing the edge of her panties and then diving inside. Soraya wiggles her hips, trying to get me right where she wants me. I chuckle darkly before dipping my fingers lower, lower, and cupping her bare pussy.
“Mmm…” Her needy moan encourages more of my touch, and I finally indulge in what we both want.
My fingers sink into her hot, wet center, tracing around her throbbing bundle of nerves. I inhale deeply as her scent washes over me, both sugary sweet and tangy. I can fucking smell how turned on she is, how desperate my girl is for her release.
“Stryker, I need–”
Before she can finish her sentence, I stroke her clit, my rough, calloused fingers taking their time to map out every inch of her. Soraya turns her head, burying her face in the side of my neck to muffle her loud cry.
“I’ve got you, beautiful,” I rasp against her damp forehead. Jesus, she’s so worked up already, and I’ve hardly touched her yet.
I continue kneading her breasts and pinching her nipples with one hand, while the other hand explores her most sensitive spots. Gathering up more of her sweet honey, I lavish her clit with attention, blurring my fingers over the little nub, and loving the way she thrusts into my hand.
Soraya grips my bicep, her nails digging into my skin as eager whimpers fall from her lips. I nudge her head up and press my mouth against hers, plunging my tongue inside at the same time my finger thrusts into her tight cunt.
“Oh! Oh, god…”
I growl when I feel a wave of wetness gush from her little hole, coating my fingers as her pussy tries to suck me in further. “That’s it, Soraya. Fuck me, you feel incredible.”
Curling my fingers up, I rub against her G-spot while pressing my thumb against her clit, massaging both oversensitized areas until she’s shuddering in my arms.
“S-St-Stryk-ker,” she stutters out. “It feels… God, it feels…”
“Tell me,” I demand. “Tell me what your sexy fucking body is feeling.”
“Hot,” she breathes out. “And restless. My skin feels… tight, like I need to break free, need to… to release…”
Her breathing grows choppy, her pussy pulsing around my fingers while I wind her up tighter and tighter, circling, circling, circling my fingertips deep inside until Soraya’s muscles lock up. She holds her breath, her entire body a livewire that twitches with every subtle movement.
Soraya rocks her hips up and down, rubbing her ass against my painfully hard dick while chasing her release. I double my efforts, covering her mouth with mine right before she screams out her pleasure.
I lap at her with greedy strokes of my tongue, the kiss messy and perfect. I hold her tight against me as her orgasm shatters through her entire body, feeling her rapid pulse beating against my skin.
The warm afterglow washes over us, and though my cock is aching to get inside Soraya, I’m satisfied that she’s satisfied. She lets out a long breath as she deflates against me. I smirk, knowing I made her come so hard she could barely breathe.
“You’re exquisite,” I tell her, kissing her sweaty temple.
“I think I should be telling you that,” she teases. “Seriously, I… Thank you.”
“Never thank me for giving you pleasure, Soraya. Your surrender was the best gift I could have asked for. And when you’re ready… I have so much more to show you.”
My woman smiles up at me, then tucks her head under my chin, every one of her curves melting into the hard slats of my body as she relaxes completely.
The only sounds are our quiet breathing and the steady, rhythmic sound of the waves below.
The lingering heat between us is a physical entity.
I relish the heavy, grounding weight of Soraya resting against my chest, peppering soft, reverent kisses over her flushed cheeks and swollen lips, utterly mesmerized by her trust in me.
Eventually, the sun starts to dip lower. I help her soraya stand, gently adjusting her clothes and making sure she is perfectly comfortable.
She swings her leg over the seat and wraps her arms securely around my waist while I place my hands over hers for a brief second.
A profound sense of peace washes over me.
It’s a completeness I’ve never felt in my entire life.
I know with absolute certainty that this woman belongs to me.
God knows I already handed her the tattered remains of my heart the first time I saw her in her floral shop.