Devil's Angels Boxed Set: Bikers and Alpha Bad Boy Erotic Romance (17 page)

CHAPTER TWO

The bar was loud, hot and packed to the eaves. A haze of smoke that was doubtful to be from cigarettes hung over the dance floor. They’d barely been there an hour and already Ellie was ready to go home. She had chapters due and should have been working instead of drinking. If it wasn’t so crowded she’d be having more fun.

They’d come to dance but so far, they hadn’t even had a chance to get near the dance floor. Honestly, turning twenty-one and becoming legal hadn’t been a huge deal to Ellie. She grew up in a world where drinking, smoking and sex weren’t limited by any age restriction law. Not that she’d been a huge part of it. Her Dad had kept her away from the rougher parts of
that
world as best he could. Still, she wasn’t a novice.

This place was trendy, which was why it was so busy. New clubs always were. She’d wanted to go to a place where they knew more people, could relax a bit but she’d been outvoted by her own crew.

After another half hour they were ready to go someplace else. Ellie tried to bail but her friends were having nothing to do with that. They had their eyes on a bar down the street, a place better suited in her world than their safe suburban one.

There was just as much smoke, and it was as loud as the last place but the crowd was smaller, more diverse and less polite. They walked in on a fist fight and had to quickly move to the side to avoid the fists that were flying and the bouncers that were trying to gain control.

Laughing at their near miss, her friends rushed the bar and began ordering drinks to make up for lost time. Ellie held back, knowing her limits was something she’d learned the hard way.

Settling at a table, the three friends she’d come with immediately began perusing the crowd, checking out the available merchandise. She wasn’t there to hook up. She’d simply wanted a break from all the words in her head.

After guzzling a couple of strong drinks they got up to hit the dance floor. Finally, she could lose herself in the music and shut out everything else. Closing her eyes she let the beat of the hard base notes flow over her.

***

Rex had been stood up. It wasn’t the first time and it wouldn’t be the last but it sure pissed him off when the women he met didn’t have the courage to say no thanks, not interested. Instead they’d rather waste his time and leave him waiting.

He shrugged off the irritation. It didn’t do him any good to be angry. Women loved the idea of a bad boy but when push came to shove, most of them were wary and for good reason. He wasn’t exactly husband material.

Skipping out on the place she’d chosen to meet up, Rex hopped on his bike and headed downtown to a place better suited to his personality. There were several other bikes in the lot. He could feel the base in the pavement under his feet.

Inside it was dark, smoky and smelled of hot bodies and cold beer. Like coming home. He made a beeline for an unoccupied corner of the bar, ordered a beer and sat back to do a little more people watching.

A streak of light swept over the dance floor and his eye caught on a flash of wild tawny hair. Nice. The light moved but he could be patient until it came back. When it did, it highlighted lush hips and long, long legs bared by a short skirt.

His interest piqued, he stood up and moved to the edge of the dance floor to get a better look. With her back to him, he could openly admire the curve of her ass—she was no stick, she had meat in all the right places--and the way she moved to the beat. Very nice.

Until she turned around he’d have no way of knowing if the front was as nice as the back. Unconsciously, he moved a little closer, waiting for her to show him her face. Her arms were up in the air when she did, a wide smile of pure happiness on her full lips. He choked on the sip of beer he’d been taking.
Holy hell
. The lush piece he’d been eyeing was none other than Ellie Thorn, all grown up.

***

Ellie had blocked out the world around her so completely that she never noticed she was being watched. Her friends did though and their sly smiles as they informed her were proof enough that whoever he was, he was hot.

When the beat changed and slowed, her friends deserted her. A large hand fell on her shoulder while a second snaked around her waist. She felt his head coming down and he whispered in her ear, ‘Dance with me?’ as if he wasn’t already claiming her with his hands.

Something about his voice sounded familiar but she couldn’t place it. She tried to turn but his hold was firm as he started them swaying in place, pressing her tight to the front of his body. His hard, well-muscled body.

She allowed it for a moment, lost in the mystery of it. The hand that was resting on the front of her waist was wide and tanned, with long fingers. The way he had them spread had his thumb nearly brushing the bottom of her right breast. The hand led up to an arm that was covered from wrist to forearm with tattoos. Biker symbols. Familiar biker symbols.

This time when she made to turn he allowed her but kept her tight to his body. Her eyes came up clashed with his dark blue gaze. She’d recognize those eyes anywhere. “Rex,” she breathed, eyes wide with shock.

“Hi, Ellie. Long time no see.” He spoke in her ear so she could hear him clearly. A little shiver ran down her back, surprising him.

With his mouth at her ear, hers was close to his. Long jet black hair was pushed behind that ear, making it easy to place her lips close and speak. She tried to keep the tremor out of her voice but she wasn’t sure it would work. “It has been a long time.”

It may have been a long time since he’d seen her but she’d been watching him forever. Even as a kid she’d watched him, seeing something in him that others didn’t. She’d had such a crush on him, until the year he’d dropped out of school. That year he’d gotten mean, pretending he didn’t know her. It had been a hard blow but she’d gotten over it. Sort of.

She’d watched him after that from afar. They lived close by each other but he never noticed her. She was just that chubby little girl he’d used to push on the old tire swing out in front of her house.

He’d starred in more than a few of her adult fantasies. Not that she’d ever tell him that. He was too cocky, so sure of himself all the time. She’d never been that way. Until recently. Words had given her a power that she’d thought was lost to people like her.

They danced quietly for a minute. The feel of his thighs rubbing against hers was nice. He smelled of cologne and the wind. No doubt he’d ridden here on that blood red Harley of his. It was a wild combination that made her heart thump a little hard.

The song was coming to an end and neither one of them had said another word. She was so nervous that her hands were starting to shake. One of his hands came up to brush the hair off her shoulder so he could get close to her ear again. She tried really had not to tremble.

“Come sit with me. I’ll buy you a drink.” The word please was there in his tone.

She pulled back just enough to be able to see into his eyes. They were shiny and full of mischief. Same way they’d been when he was a kid. Always up for some kind of trouble.

She’d never been up for trouble. Not as a kid. She was always worried about what her Dad would do if he found out she’d gone with Rex on some hair-brained scheme. He’d always called her a chicken and run off to go do something stupid and fun. Now, here he was again, his hand out, offering her a chance to do something stupid and fun.

She took his hand and followed him back to the bar.

CHAPTER THREE

They talked for a long while. Caught up on things. She gave him the same lie she gave everyone when they asked what she did for a living. Editor. Really boring. Fixing other people’s mistakes for a living. Glossing over it, she turned the tables on him and really listened as he talked.

His voice was much deeper than she remembered. He bought her a beer, then another but she paced herself when he offered a third, asking for a water instead. He told her about his Dad coming home from prison and how he’d taken over the spot of second when he was eighteen. It was a big deal in their world and she congratulated him.

They talked about the old days from when they were kids and how the only time their old men had gotten along was when it came to the two of them. Ensuring that no one hurt them was important to both men.

She had a throaty, full laugh that went all through him. He found himself trying to find ways to make her laugh. She also had a habit of touching his arm with her smooth hand whenever she did. If she was flirting she wasn’t doing it consciously. It was too genuine and didn’t feel put on. He could tell the moment she realized that it was getting late. Her face sobered and she gave him a sad smile.

“I really should get going. I’m sure my friends are ready to go--” She turned to find them but the table they’d been sitting at was empty.

“Your friends ditched you about a half an hour ago. I was going to tell you but I got distracted.” Of course, he’d seen them getting up to go and had waved them off. They’d been more than happy to leave her with him, shooting naughty little looks at each other, and him.

“Some friends.” She crossed her arms under her ample chest and huffed.

He didn’t want her being upset with her friends. Even though he agreed that they weren’t the greatest to just leave her alone with a man when they’d come together. “I have to confess. I kind of waved them off when they came to get you. I wasn’t ready for you to go yet.”

Her mouth fell open. “Shouldn’t you have asked me if I wanted to stay first?”

“If I had, would you have stayed, or would you have gone home?” He moved closer when he asked, eyes drawn to that full bottom lip she’d started worrying with her teeth. When she didn’t immediately answer, he stood up. “Come on, I’ll give you a ride.”

There he was, once again with his hand out, asking her to do something she never did. They might have grown up together but that was a long time ago. He was virtual stranger. If she were writing this story, she’d take his hand and run off with him into the night. Thing was, she never did the things her characters did. He was waiting patiently while she decided. She stood up and took his hand.

***

It had been a close call. He’d thought for sure that she was going to say no. If she had he’d been prepared to get her a cab to make sure she made it home okay. Then something had changed her mind and a rebellious little smile had crossed her face and she’d taken his hand.

He led her through the crowd and out the door. He didn’t let go of her hand until they got to his bike in the parking lot out back, releasing her to get out his keys and unlock the storage area under the seat. He pulled his helmet out and a spare for her.

It hit him that she might not have been on a bike before. Her Dad had been so strict about not letting her be involved in anything to do with the MC’s. “You’ve ridden before, right?”

She rolled her eyes at him. “I may have been sheltered as a kid but I’ve been on rides. I even own a bike.” His eyes shot up in shock and she laughed.

Gesturing for her to get on, he noticed her hesitation, looking down at the short skirt on her sundress. It wasn’t like he’d be able to see much. She’d just have to tuck the skirt around her thighs after he got on and settled. Otherwise she’d be flashing the town on the way home.

Putting on the helmet, Ellie didn’t bother being lady like. She got on, scooted back and smiled, waiting on him. He shot her a huge grin, impressed that she wasn’t as uptight as he’d thought.

He paused, realizing he had no clue where she lived. For all he knew she still lived at home. That wouldn’t look good, him dropping her off at her Dad’s place considering the history between their parents. “Where to?”

“I’m over on Strickland Place. You know where that is?”

“Yeah, south of the Pike, right? Little bungalows from the forties?” He pulled his hair back with a leather tie and slipped the helmet on when she nodded.

He fired up the bike, as always, taking a moment to appreciate the growl of his engine. From behind him he heard her noise of approval. She placed her hands on his waist just above his hips, hooking her fingers into his belt loops.

Taking a left out of the parking lot, Rex breathed a sigh of relief to be out in the open and feeling the wind in his face. Too long in enclosed places always made him a little anxious. Of course, having a good looking woman behind him didn’t hurt any.

He took the highway going south and relaxed even more as he got up to speed. Behind him, Ellie had let go of his belt loops and was leaning back, letting the wind rush over her, arms out to the sides. He could feel her laughing.

Her hands came back when he took the exit. She moved with him naturally as he navigated the turns and curves leading to her neighborhood. When he got to Strickland Place she pointed directions at him, leading to her house, a Spanish style bungalow with arched windows and door.

She sighed as he got off the bike, sorry the ride was over. “I could have done that for a couple more hours.”

“Me too.” He took the helmet she handed him and watched her gracefully dismount, getting a good look at a long expanse of thigh in the process.

Ellie dug her keys out of her small bag, heading up the walkway to her front door, Rex close on her heels. The overhead light was out again. She’d have to remember to replace the bulb tomorrow. Leaning down, she managed to get the key in the lock and open the door.

She turned to say thank you for the ride home and Rex was standing too close, causing her to bump against his hard chest. Her hands came up to steady herself while his came around her waist to do the same and somehow, before she realized what was about to happen, his lips were on hers.

All her adult life she’d been awkward at these types of things. Saying goodnight after a date ended one of two ways, a polite kiss on the cheek or a handshake. It took at least three dates to get to the kissing on the lips phase. She’d never expected him to want to kiss her, much less kiss her the way he was.

His lips were soft but demanding. While her brain had been working overtime, her body had done what it wanted—arms around his neck, pulling him in closer until her body was plastered to his. His arms were tight around her waist. When his tongue licked at the seam of her lips, her brain caught up and she pulled away, breathing hard.

It was the look in his eyes that did her in. He was in as much shock as she was. Was breathing as hard as she was. Her hands slid down to his chest and his heart was pounding the same rhythm as her own. She’d always played it safe, letting her characters take the risks.

Decision made, she slid her hands back up and untied the leather strip holding his hair back, gripping two handfuls and pulling his mouth back down to hers.

He had her pressed back against the door frame in seconds, sweeping his tongue inside her mouth and absorbing the needy little sound that came from her throat.

Hands still gripping his hair, she lifted one leg and hooked it around his hip, trying to get even closer to him. He took advantage of the position she’d put herself in and ran his hand up her thigh to cup the plump swell of her ass. When he started grinding against her she had to break away to pull in enough air to think straight.

They were still in her doorway, visible to anyone who might be looking out their window. Even with the light out she felt too exposed, too conscious of what was happening. She opened her eyes and looked for his. “Inside,” she managed to whisper. “Now.”

Ellie thought he’d step back, let her lead him into her home but she was wrong. He acknowledged her words by gripping her ass tighter and lifting her until both legs were wrapped around him and carried her inside, kicking the door shut behind him. All she could do was hang on, amazed at how strong he was. She was a big woman, but he handled her like she weighed nothing.

He found the couch even though it was dark in the room, Ellie a little stiff in his arms. He thought she might be having second thoughts and that just wouldn’t do. He sat down on the edge of the couch, letting her magnificent ass rest on the tops of his thighs.

She wasn’t having second thoughts, she just wasn’t good with the whole sex thing. It was easy to weave fantasies but acting them out with a real person was always a bit awkward for her. He took the decision to bail out gracefully away when he tugged on her hair to get her head to fall back so he could get to the sensitive skin on her neck and chest with his lips.

It wasn’t a gentle caress. His teeth nipped at her flesh, marking her. She liked it. Arching her back, she gave him better access to her body. Whatever he wanted, she was willing to give. Wanted him to feast on her until he was as desperate as she was.

She was all rounded softness and smooth skin. The flare of her hips were a perfect fit for his hands. He squeezed hard and she moaned, pulling herself upright and yanking at his shirt. It didn’t budge and he laughed when she blew out a frustrated breath. Releasing her hips, he pulled the shirt up and over his head, tossing it down beside him.

The skin he exposed was heavily tatted. Her fingers traced over the bold lines she could see in the feeble light. The dark hair on his chest was soft, warm from the heat of his body. She couldn’t resist running her palms over the wide expanse of flesh.

Her slow caresses were frustrating and erotic at the same time. He wasn’t usually so worked up over a hookup but with Ellie he was close to losing the little sense he had left. Pulling her close, he wrapped his arms around her waist and turned until she was laying under him on the couch. He settled into the cradle of her hips with a small groan. She was hot against the fly of his jeans and he couldn’t stop the almost spastic thrust of his body into hers.

Rex had her head spinning with his bold moves. She’d been concentrating so hard on the feel of his skin under her hands that his quick change of their positions had shocked her. Not to mention the way he’d ground himself into her, almost as if he’d been unable to control himself. She liked the idea of him being out of control more than was reasonable. Unbound, his long hair was like a curtain around her face, the ends tickling the skin of her collarbones and shoulders. Gooseflesh broke out along her arms and chest.

The elastic top on her dress had shifted down enough to expose a sliver of the dusky pink area that surrounded her nipples. Bracing himself with one arm on the back of the couch, he used the other to slide the material down and under her plump breasts. Her nipples were a much darker pink and sat high on her breasts. While he feasted with his eyes, her nipples got even harder and the dusky areola puckered up tight. When she shifted, the slight jiggle had his mouth watering for a taste.

He stared so long that she felt the urge to cover herself with her hands. She hated that she was suddenly feeling so shy. Her characters would never feel so exposed while half nude or feel the need to cover up with a man like Rex looking at her the way he was right that second. They’d bask in the attention and enjoy the moment. So why was her brain trying to sabotage this opportunity?

The fact that his hands were shaking when he raised them up off the couch was telling. He wanted her as out of control as he was feeling. Going on the attack, he latched on to one hard nipple and sucked it into his mouth, flicking at it with the tip of his tongue. Back and forth he worked those tight buds until she was gasping and raking her nails down his forearms. It was a pain he enjoyed.

Out of her mind, she yanked at the belt at his waist, managing to get it undone in seconds. The buttons of his fly took slightly longer but she was determined to get her hands on him and make him as crazy as she was. Cooperative, he released the nipple he was torturing and moved back enough for her to slide her hand into his jeans and wrap her fingers around his cock.