Running Wild (Hell Ryders MC Book 1) (22 page)

He held her gaze. “Yeah, baby, all this time.”

Her eyes softened and drifted from his. She trailed a finger along the scar on the side of his lip, then met his gaze again and smiled. “Me, too.”

Those two simple words made his great night the best one ever. He smiled, kissed her, and then lay down, bringing her with him. She laid her cheek against his chest, her hair spilled around him. She closed her eyes. Before she did, he caught her smiling.

Maybe he was a fucking wuss, but he was also the luckiest trailer trash on earth.

Chapter Twenty-One

“Hey, Allie!” Mia yelled over the loud chaos that consumed the daycare during lunch time.

Allie spotted her and smiled.

Mia called her incessantly Sunday, demanding to know what happened between her and Jace. She hadn’t answered the first five calls because she’d been too busy with Jace. They’d slept in, had a round of insanely hot sex, and she made lunch. They watched a movie and went for round two. Afterward, they fell asleep. When she woke, he lay on his side, his arm and leg thrown over her.

Needing to use the restroom, she wiggled herself away from him, and spotted the large tattoo on his back, the Hell Ryders’ logo, a set of angel wings burning in flames, beautifully intricate, and lifelike. The wings went from his shoulders down to his lower back. In between, he had the skull and under that, near his lower back read, “Hell Ryders.” Curious, she’d shifted, moving to his side to admire the tattoo there. A black portrait of six soldiers inscribed
Army Free: Lives Lost, Never Forgotten
. Waking a short time later, he caught her admiring his tattoos and grinned.

While she made dinner later that night, he left to get a change of clothes and returned half an hour later with a week’s supply. They showered together and had round three. Before bed, round four. He was insatiable, and in regards to him, so was she. She hadn’t been able to stop smiling all day.

In the back of her mind, she couldn’t help but wonder how long it would last. She’d never felt for any one like she did for Jace. It scared her. It was too soon to feel how she felt, feelings that she hated to admit felt like the forever kind. Maybe, it was her inexperience. She’d only had two boyfriends, two lovers, and never slept with either of them in such a short period of time. Maybe it was just a physical thing, and her heart wanted it to be more.

Though she wasn’t sure she believed that, it wasn’t just about the way he looked, it was him, all of him. A tough, rough-around-the-edges biker with a big heart, a man who looked after his sister and his niece, a man her brother trusted, a man who’d defended and protected her. Still, she had to face the facts. She knew very little about him. He hadn’t said much about himself, and she hadn’t asked because he should be the one to share, but quite frankly, it was too soon to start sharing.

What scared her the most was, maybe for him, it was just physical. They’d spent most of the day having sex. They’d talked and laughed, but mostly they fooled around and had sex.

After round three, she finally got around to calling Mia. She’d insisted everything was fine, but Mia wanted to have lunch. She didn’t mind, except Mia knew she omitted something. It could’ve been the way Jace stormed into the bar and carried her out, but she wasn’t so sure. She and Jace agreed to keep quiet until they were ready. Mia told her they should too, but she knew Mia well enough to know Mia wanted details.

Needless to say, she was nervous about lunch with Mia because she wasn’t a good liar. Tyler often read through her lies, and Mia was a bulldog when she wanted dirt.

Still, she waved her over.

Mia neared, scanning her from top to bottom. “Love that blouse.”

“Thanks.”

“You ready?”

She nodded, told Tiffany she was headed for lunch, and then together they headed to a local sub shop. They ordered, paid, and sat to wait for their food.

“So…you going to tell me what happened Saturday?”

She flushed. “Nothing happened. He was angry, but when isn’t he?”

Mia gave her a knowing smile. “That’s it?”

“Yeah, apparently Ty told him to watch me while he’s gone. I guess he was upset I wasn’t at home and out with you guys.”

“And?”

“And you know Jace…He carried me out, then took me home.”

“In his car?”

“No, on his bike.”

Mia’s eyes widened, looking shocked. Odd considering nothing seemed to shock her, ever.

When Mia didn’t respond, she added, “I was wearing a skirt, so he gave me his cut to wrap around my waist, and drove me home.”

Mia’s jaw dropped open. She stayed like that for several seconds, not saying a word. Odder. Mia couldn’t go a minute without talking.

“Um…are you okay?”

Mia leaned into the table. In a quiet voice, she asked, “Allie, do you realize what any of what you told me means?”

Shit. Had she said something she shouldn’t have? Yep. Why else would Mia stare at her dumbstruck and speechless? Her stomach turning, she shook her head.

Mia lowered her voice to a whisper. “Bikers don’t put women on the back of their bikes unless they’re claiming them—”

“W-what do you mean?”

“I mean…unless you’re an old lady or a steady woman in his life who he’s protecting, means the club’s protecting her—”

“I am because of Ty—”

Mia shook her head. “You don’t understand, Allie. Army ever put you on the back of his bike?”

“No, but—”

“Right, you’re his sister. The club protects you as his sister. It also means you’re off limits. After the whole Wyatt situation, the club’s got your back more than ever. They voted to deal with it, and they are. Now, they’re looking out for you. I know this because they vote on everything, not because Stone told me or because I was there.” She shrugged. “You know club rules and all, but Army’s never going to put you on the back of his bike because you aren’t his woman.”

Denial reared its head. “But…the first time I went to the garage Ripper offered me a ride, and Cuss has offered me a ride, too. He said if I cooked for him—”

Mia placed her hand on top of hers. “Heard about the Ripper thing from Stone. Why do you think Army was so angry that day?”

Ripper had been a dick, and her brother had been protecting her or it’s what she thought.

“Ripper tried to claim you. Army wasn’t having it, so he beat his ass to prove a point. You’re off limits. And as for Cuss, I know Cuss. He knew you’d say no. If on the off chance you agreed, he would’ve told you why he couldn’t give you a ride.”

Shit. She had said too much, way too much.

“As for him giving you his cut to wrap around your waist…” She let out a deep sigh. “Bikers don’t give their cuts to anyone. Allie, I mean
no one
, not a steady girl, not an old lady, especially not to wrap around your waist because you’re wearing a short skirt.”

“You’re telling me Stone has never let you wear his cut?”

“Oh, I’ve worn it. In the bedroom with nothing underneath.” She winked. “But never in public and never to sit on, on the back of a bike.”

Oh God. What did it mean? That he really liked her? It happened before their big talk, so it had to mean he
really
liked her. Right? Or, shit. She could barely think. Her thoughts rambled in fragments.

“I know what’s going on,” Mia said.

Luckily, it gave her mind something to focus on besides her chaotic thoughts.

“Even if you hadn’t told me what you did. Lynn, Tiffany, and Cuss know, too. One look at Trig when he saw you with Keith and we knew.”

She folded her trembling hands. “W-what do you mean?”

“I know Trig. I’ve known him for five years. He’s had a rough life. Considering, he’s a good man who takes care of his own. I’ve never seen that look on his face, not when his sister relapsed, not when his mother died—”

Bile rose in the back of her throat, she forced herself to swallow it. “His mother died? His sister relapsed from what? What about his father?”

Mia winced. “I can see I’ve said too much.”

In too much shock to push, Allie didn’t.

“My point is, if you don’t see yourself being able to handle this life, I suggest you end things now. None of us want to see him hurt, and honest to God, I don’t know how much more he can take.”

Mia warned her off? A heaviness settled in the pit of her stomach. She looked away.

“This life isn’t easy. I didn’t come from money like you, and this life was still an adjustment, but I fell in love with Stone. I do it because I love him, and I can’t picture my life without him.”

She couldn’t help but feel betrayed and offended. Maybe Mia was trying to protect her family, the club, it wasn’t what offended her. It was more about what she’d implied. Did she think people with money didn’t suffer? Did money imply you had an easy life? People were more than money and their pasts. She was so much more than designer bags and shoes like Jace was so much more than a biker.

She met Mia’s stare. “And you’re saying this to me because you think I’ll miss the designer bags and shoes, or because you think I can’t deal with this life because I came from money and money somehow implies my life was effortless?”

Looking hurt, Mia leaned back against the booth. “I didn’t mean it like that, Allie.”

“I know you’re trying to protect your family, Mia, but I thought I was part of that family.”

She left Mia speechless again.

Allie took a deep breath, trying to control her anger. “Let me tell you about the life I had with the designer bags and shoes. It was lonely. I wasn’t a person. I was an object, an object my father controlled. He told me what to study, where to work, where to live, what to buy, and then, he told me who to date.

“I fell for the man I was told to date. He asked me to marry him, and I said yes. I wanted a small wedding, but my father insisted on a lavish one. I was planning this ludicrously extravagant wedding when I caught my fiancé cheating.

“I broke it off, and then I stupidly gave him another chance, and guess what? He cheated again with
three
different women. When I told him I was leaving him for good, he
beat
me. I had to wait for the bruises to fade before I flew out here to restart my life because I didn’t want my brother going to jail for killing him. I flew out here because Ty’s the only person who’s ever cared enough about me, because my father wouldn’t protect me.

“He said I deserved what I got because he wanted me to marry a man so his multimillion dollar company could make more money. Then he said all men cheated and admitted he’d had a mistress for thirty years. He said my mother knew. It isn’t far-fetched to assume he beat her too, considering he didn’t care my ex beat his only daughter.

“When I restarted my life here, I couldn’t even get a job because my father forced his employees to badmouth me, which means I have a degree I can’t use unless I want to start from scratch. I suppose it was a blessing in disguise. I’d rather do what I’m doing now, even if I’m not earning a six-figure pay check. Of course, then my ex shows up and slaps me in broad day light.”

She released a loaded breath. “So, no, Mia, money doesn’t necessarily mean my life’s been perfect. It doesn’t mean I can’t handle club life. As a matter of fact, I think I’ve handled it well, considering all the designer handbags and shoes I own.”

With those last words, she picked up her designer bag and left. The food hadn’t arrived yet, but it didn’t matter. She couldn’t eat. If she tried to eat, she’d throw up.

Heading back into the daycare, Allie went on with her day as if nothing happened. Mia called her several times. She ignored the calls. Too angry and too hurt, she wasn’t ready to talk just yet.

****

Something was wrong with Allie. Trig took one look at her Monday night, and he knew.

Shutting the door behind himself, he pulled her into his arms. “What’s wrong?”

She smiled that fake smile. “Nothing. Just wound up. Need to go for a run.”

No kiss, no asking about his day, she simply walked away. It pissed him off. He’d known something was wrong, but it was too soon to push.

Following her into her room, he found her standing in front of her closet in a lacy thong. The sight stirred his cock. It took him a moment to remember what he intended to do. When he did, he strode up behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist, buried his face in her neck, and feathered a kiss under her ear.

“Don’t get a welcome home kiss, baby?”

Allie turned in his arms and gave him a kiss that had him wanting to throw her on the bed and bury himself into her. She pulled away smiling, a teasing glint in her eyes, and whispered, “Good enough?”

Her mood improved, but not by much. She smiled and laughed easily, her eyes less guarded, but something had happened.

They went for a run. He’d run that morning after she left for work, but he went anyway. He didn’t want her running alone. They got back from their run, showered together, and she made him dinner. They ate on the couch watching TV. He did the dishes, and cleaned up the kitchen. Mainly because he wanted to take care of her, kind of like she took care of him by cooking. After, they made love and fell asleep cuddled close.

The next day had been more of the same. She laughed and talked to him easily, but he caught glimpses when she seemed lost in her thoughts, a sadness enveloping her features.

Now, as he pulled up to the compound, he couldn’t help but wonder what it was again. He couldn’t help but wonder if it had anything to do with him, if he’d moved too fast, told her too much too soon, and if it’d given her second thoughts about them. He hated to think so, but he didn’t know what else it might be.

Striding into the garage, he greeted his brothers then headed down the hall and up the stairs to his room. Intent on getting a workout done before noon, he changed into a pair of athletic shorts and wife beater. As he walked out, Mia called his name. He turned.

“Hey.”

Looking uncomfortable, she closed the distance between them. “Hey, can you tell Allie to call me?”

His brows drew together. The request alone intrigued him. Mia and Allie were friends, so why she needed him to tell her, he had no idea.