Prizefight: The Hell Raiders MC Goes MMA (16 page)

Right now, I hated Kellen. When we got to Royse's building, the fucker went all cloak and dagger on me, and sent Dix and me to cool our fucking heels in an empty stairwell. Supposedly, someone would bring Elena to me there, but they were late. I was so amped, I could punch a truck-sized hole in a brick wall, but Dix kept trying to talk me down.

I'd had enough. "Fuck this. I ain't standing here waiting while Elena could be any damn where in this hell hole."

Another small sound caught my attention, this time loud enough that I caught the direction. Someone was below us, on the next level of the stairs. I held up a finger to let Dix know, and he nodded. He'd heard it, too.

Guns drawn, we spread out and crept around the railing.

I caught the faint gleam of light on red hair. "Elena!" I leaped down the stairs to clutch her to me. "Are you okay?"

She nodded a little. "I am now."

"Let's get you out of here." I swung her up into my arms and took the stairs two at a time. Ahead of me, Dix watched to clear the way, then held the outer door open for me. Outside, I ran with her to Stella's damned old car, praying the heap would get us at least far enough to keep her safe.

I climbed in the back with Elena still in my arms while Dix took the driver's seat. The car gave a sluggish groan, but finally the engine turned over. I held my breath until Royse's building was out of sight.

"Where we going, Ryker?" Dix's words brought my mind back into the game.

"My place." I gave directions. Now that I could breathe again, I took a moment to put a soft kiss on Elena's lips. She gasped a little, and I looked at her more closely. Her face was battered and swollen. "What the hell did that bastard do to you?" Rage surged through me.

"I-I'm okay. It looks worse than it is." She lowered her gaze, nervously tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "It doesn't matter now."

I studied each mark on her beautiful skin. "Yeah, it matters. The fucker put his hands on you."

She put one hand against my cheek, and I leaned into it like a puppy looking for pats. Fucking pathetic, but I didn't care. "No, Ryker, all that matters is I'm with you now. Nothing else." Her words reached into my chest and grabbed my heart.

I smiled a little. "You're right. Nothing else matters." I let my lips ease along hers, careful not to hurt her. "I've got you, baby girl." I pulled her into my lap, vowing nothing would take her from my arms ever again.

When we reached my building, I sent Dix back to the others with my bike, and helped Elena into the Chevelle. I agreed wholeheartedly with this part of the plan. Elena stayed quiet as we drove out of town, and I didn't push for conversation. I needed to concentrate on making sure we weren't followed, and I couldn't very well do that if I was all absorbed in her.

Once we crossed the bridge, I put the miles behind us in a hurry. "Are you doing okay?" I needed to know more than I could have imagined.

She took a shaky breath. "I am now."

"Good." I drove on in silence for a bit. Then I asked for, and she gave, details about what went on while she was with Royse.

"He was insane. I hope your friends killed him." I sensed her shudder on the other side of the seat.

Time to change the subject. "Elena? I know you left to try and help your mom, and to keep me safe. Thank you." Even if her plan didn't work, I owed her gratitude.

A bitter little laugh filled the car. "I didn't do such a great job at either, and just made more trouble for you."

I thought about her words for a moment. "Partly. But you also made me think. A lot." I took a deep breath, trying to get my nerve up. "At first, I was pissed and ready to just walk away. But then I realized I didn't want to do that. In fact, I figured out I wanted to keep you around for a long time."

"You did?" Her voice sounded small and fragile.

"I did." I reached for her hand and drew it to my lips to kiss her knuckles. "Try to rest a little. We'll be there soon and things will be busy for a while." Her hand felt so small and fragile in mine, and I cradled it carefully and didn't let go.

When we arrived at the clubhouse, Georgie, Dix's ol' lady, and Tonya, Trip's ol' lady, were waiting for us. They whisked Elena away, and made clear I wasn't welcome, sending me to hang out with Badger until the others came back.

I grabbed a beer from the fridge and joined the old codger in front of the TV, where the local news showed headlines from local sports. "Hey, old man."

"Hey yourself, kid. So you finally got your head out of your ass and took your woman back, huh?" Leave it to Badger to put things clearly.

"Yeah, guess so." Where the hell did he hear that?

"Bout damn time. Never seen such a hard-headed bunch as you young'uns. In my day, if we seen a woman we wanted, we didn't waste no time." He drained his beer and immediately grabbed another from a small cooler beside his chair.

I chose to ignore him, and drank some more of my own beer. By the time I took the last swallow, the roar of bikes coming up the lane brought me to my feet. Kellen and several other Raiders came in, looking dog tired. I stood and waited to hear what had gone on at Royse's building.

"You got her home okay, brother?"

"I did. She's with Georgie and Tonya now. They wouldn't let me tag along." I realized I sounded more than a little whiny, and didn't even give a fuck.

Kellen laughed. "Probably for the best, man." He slapped me on the shoulder and went to grab beer from the fridge, passing them around to the others. Everyone dropped into chairs, clearly glad for the beer.

"Thanks, boys. To another successful operation." Kellen raised his bottle to the room in general. "We shut down the interference, added some inventory, and helped Ryker get his woman back."

"Thanks, brothers, I appreciate you all sticking your necks out to help me get Elena safe. And her mom, too." I lifted my fresh beer to them.

Elena came in with Georgie and Tonya, and a couple of the club girls. I froze, staring at her. She still bore the bruises and cuts of her last encounter with Royse. And despite all that, she was still the most beautiful woman in the whole fucking world.

Breathless, I stood and waited as she wove her way through the chairs, not looking in either direction. Finally, she came within reach. I stretched my arms out and pulled her to me, wanting nothing more than to hold her forever. Instead, I leaned in to kiss her like a man starving for a mere taste.

All around, my Brothers whooped and clapped.

I drew back a little, smiling against Elena's mouth. "Ready to get out of here?"

She nodded shyly, allowing me to tuck her against my side.

"Night, brothers, and thank you again." I led her toward the hall and my room amid more whoops and cheers. Elena flushed, and I flipped them off over my shoulder. I dug my keys out and opened the door to my room, flipping the light on. "Welcome to my home away from home."

She paused just inside the door, looking shy and unsure of herself.

A sudden thought hit me. "If you'd rather, I can find you another room. I don't want you to feel pressured, or anything."

To my surprise, she looked up at me with wide, dark eyes, and her lower lip trembled a little. "Is that what you want?"

I ran my hands over my head. "Baby girl, I want you in my arms. It doesn't have to go further than that. I just want to be near you."

Horrified, I watched as two big tears rolled over her lashes. Suddenly, she threw herself into my arms, wound her own around my neck, and pulled me down to her level. The kiss she gave me said so much more than words could manage.

She told me everything I needed to know as her lips clung to mine, and her tongue danced with mine. Every bit of fear came through, along with her desire and need to be close to me. Hopes for a future she never dreamed about followed. I gave it all back to her, hoping she understood.

My lungs threatened to implode with the need for air before I drew back. "Are you okay?" I needed to know for sure, before I asked her to go further.

"I need you, Ryker. Make love to me." She stepped back a little and stripped off her hoodie, revealing naked tits that my hands ached for.

Hungry to have her skin on mine, I ditched my shirt as fast as I could peel it off, and stepped in close. Hard nipples brushed against my chest in time with her breathing, and my jeans suddenly went from snug to strangling.

"Get everything else off for me?" I kicked my boots off and practically ripped my jeans open.

She gave a nod, and her clothes quickly joined mine on the floor. She stood there before me, a little shy and unsure, but eager.

"Fucking beautiful." I pulled her to me and bent to kiss her tenderly. The bruises and scrapes marring her smooth skin made me furious, but for now, that took second place to my need for her. I scattered careful kisses over her face, wanting to soothe every bruise.

Elena sighed, her breath feathering against my shoulder, and her hands skimmed up my ribs. I cupped her jaw to angle her head perfectly for my kiss, and once more tasted her lips. Her soft moan encouraged me, and I let my other hand trail down her spine to the upper curve of her ass. She stepped back, her hands dropping to my hips to pull me after her as she backed toward the bed.

"Hold that thought for a second." I reached around her to pull the blankets back. "I want my baby girl on clean sheets, not a dusty blanket." Satisfied, I lifted her and settled her gently in the middle of the bed. "I'm starved for you, Elena."

Her thighs fell open to make room for me, and I lowered my shoulders between her knees. The little whimper she gave when she felt my breath on her pussy sent my need for her into overdrive. I spread her wide, licking and tasting like a starving man.

She moaned and sank her fingers into my hair, pulling me tighter to her. No need to ask twice. I put my arm across her belly to hold her, and feasted on her, fucking her with my tongue until she writhed and bucked against me. The muscles of her belly tightened with the beginnings of her orgasm. I flattened my tongue over her clit and slipped a finger inside her, stroking deep.

She came apart, crying out and trembling. I let her catch her breath, then made my way up her body, kissing and licking every curve. When I reached her mouth, she moaned and arched her hips against me. My hard-on slipped between her wet folds to stroke her clit, and her nails raked down my shoulders in response.

Elena shifted a little, hooking her legs around my waist. I poised for a second to enjoy how she quivered with my cock at her entrance, then sank home. Her inner muscles clenched around me as I withdrew.

Over and over, I drove into her, and every time she met my thrusts eagerly. The sensations of being inside her threatened to entirely overwhelm my senses, and I stilled to try and maintain control.

She refused to allow it, though, arching and wriggling her hips, milking my cock. "Don't stop, baby, I'm too close."

At her urging, I drove into her again, faster and faster, while my orgasm built at the base of my spine.

"I love you." Her body contracted, pulling me deeper as she fell to pieces once more.

Her words sank in, and drove me over the edge. "I love you." The realization of what I'd said hit hard. I never used those words, but with her, they were natural. And true. "Don't you ever leave me again, baby girl. I want you with me, always."

"Always?" She sounded terrified, her voice small and careful.

I shifted my weight off her and drew her to my side. I should probably have given some deep thought about my feelings, but I didn't need to. "Elena, I know we don't know each other all that well, and it's really fast, but I want time with you. I want more. Will you be my ol' lady?" I held my breath while she processed the question.

"You're talking about a relationship? Not me being a whore for the club?" Her voice still held that small, scared tone.

"I'm not sharing you, Elena." I turned so I could see her face. "You're mine. As my ol' lady, you'll be treated with respect and care by everyone in the club. You'll be safer than the gold in Fort Knox. I'll cherish you, love you, and be faithful to you." I took a deep breath, aware of the depth of commitment I offered. And I'd never wanted anything more in my life.

She smiled up at me. "I'd like that."

We would have to work out the details, of course, but we could do it. Emotion filled my chest and tightened my throat as I touched my lips to hers. "You want to give it a go?"

She nodded. "Yeah, I do."

Her words left me torn between the need to shout the news from the rooftop, and the need to lose myself in her body once more. I bent to kiss her more deeply, choosing to show her how happy her choice made me.

THE END

Keep reading! I have some treats lined up for you! Following are previews from one of my other books, and from some really cool ladies. If you enjoyed Prizefight, please remember to leave a review.

Here's Chapter One of
Kellen's Redemption
, Book 1 of the Hell Raiders MC series.