Bearing it for the Outlaw (5 page)

“I want to show you what I originally brought you up here for … before I couldn’t stop myself from touching you,” he said and smiled down at her. He cupped each side of her face, and although he seemed calm right now, in control, she could see he wasn’t. His incisors were still elongated, and his pupils were still dilated. But he was good at keeping his cool.

A small part of her right now wanted him to show her what it was like … to shift into his bear. She wanted to see it, wanted to see the animal he housed. Maybe one day she’d have the nerve to ask him.

He led her over to the edge of the cliff, and although she was nervous because heights weren’t a favorite of hers, there was a large line of boulders on the ledge, and she had Drevin by her side. She turned her head and looked at him, looked at his profile to see that this male was surprising everything inside of her. He hadn’t shunned her for her past life choices, didn’t even look at her like she was scum because she’d been a drug addict. His life hadn’t been all flowers and candy either, and knowing that this male accepted her for how and who she was, made her feel … whole.

They stopped at the edge, and she tightened her hand on his as she leaned over slightly and took in the sight. Drevin moved up behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and pulled her flush with him. She felt his erection prod her lower back, knew he had to be aching right now, but all he did was hold her. She stared at Steel Corner, the town down in the valley, the mountains surrounding the picturesque little city making it seem almost idyllic. If only the people looking for a quiet retreat in the Grizzly town knew the bears that lurked around the corner.

She smiled at that thought, not sure how she’d gotten to this point right now. This was a night about her coming clean with Drevin, yet she had done just that and also gotten off. He’d pleasured her, forgone his own release, and now just kept her close. This was exactly what she needed, and she closed her eyes and absorbed it all.

The lights below twinkled, and as the sun started to set fully it became brighter, showing this little town nestled between large mountains and an abundance of trees. She knew the next town over, River Run, was just behind the largest mountain blocking it from Steel Corner.

“How’d you get away from him?” Drevin asked, his mouth close to her ear, and the scent of the cologne he wore subtle, but igniting her nerve endings.

She swallowed, didn’t like bringing up the past and thinking about Tray, but she’d come out with him tonight to hash up all of this. “He overdosed one night. I sat there, watching his body convulse, knowing that I’d be next.” She thought about that night, about how she’d watched as the man that had helped destroy her life died right in front of her. “I’d been getting ready to shoot up, but after seeing Tray like that, I knew I couldn’t handle my life going down this path anymore. He’d held me down for so long, made me the woman I was up until that point, and as bad as I should feel for thinking and saying this, I’m glad he died.” She turned around in his arms and stared up at Drevin. “The ambulance wasn’t there in time to save him, and for a long time, even if I hated Tray, a part of me blamed myself for his death.”

“It wasn’t your fault, sweetheart.”

She tightened her hands on his. “I know that now, but the mind of a high person and the things they see are always twisted.” She breathed out and took a moment to reflect on her thoughts. “If it wasn’t for him passing away from that drug overdose I know I’d probably still be under his thumb, or dead right now.”

He turned her around and cupped her face, and leaned down and kissed her. She let his mouth work over hers, taking control and taking away the bad memories to replace them with the warmth that came from him.

“I tried going to my parents after I got myself clean and sober, but they didn’t want anything to do with me.” She shrugged, moved out of his embrace, and went over to the blanket again. “I knew from that moment that I wanted, needed, to have a fresh start. So, I took all the money I’d saved up over the year when I was getting clean, and moved here. It was a shot in the dark, me going in blind, but I haven’t regretted it at all.” She could have lost everything, not found a job, been penniless and homeless, but it had worked out miraculously.

“Allie…” He moved closer to her, wrapped his arms around her, and rested his chin atop her head. “You’re here now, and I won’t let you go.”

Good.
She didn’t want to be let go by him, not when she had felt what he could give her on the inside, and how he could make her feel.

Chapter Seven

“You’re shitting us,” Court said. The original members were all sitting around one of the club tables, beers in front of them, and the younger generation off doing some runs for the club, tending to the bar, or fucking club pussy. They were in one of the back rooms, one that had been converted into a private hangout for the older guys.

Jagger, their club President, leaned back in his seat, a cigar in his mouth and a grin on his face. Brick and Diesel were opposite him, Brick seeming more somber, but then again that was Brick on most days, and Diesel grinning like a fool. Maybe Drevin shouldn’t have said anything, but Allie was his, and the sooner his boys knew that the faster everything could fall back into place.

“Well damn,” Court said, grabbed his beer, and grinned at Drevin before he tipped it back and took a long sip.

“You guys act like you just found out I got a dick or something,” Drevin muttered under his breath. Stinger and Dallas were the first to start laughing, but soon the whole room was filled with the amusement of his club brothers, their happiness for him coming through clearly.

“Well, damn. I never thought I’d see the day when Drevin South would finally find an old lady. ‘Bout time, man.” Jagger spoke again.

Drevin grunted and grabbed for his beer. He cared about Allie, and even if they’d only really known each other for a short time, and he’d just touched her, pleasured her, and nearly taken her on the forest floor a few short days ago, she was his, and his brothers needed to know.

“And you’re sure she wants to be tied down with your ass?” Diesel asked and started chuckling at his own lame ass joke.

Drevin flipped him off but grinned, knowing that the hard time these men were giving him was only in good fun, and because they cared for him. They had all been through much over the decades, nearly lost lives, lost the ones they loved … lost everything. But everyone in this room now had a woman of their own, a family.

Drevin had been the only one that was still single, fucking the pussy that came across his lap, and not giving a shit because he had nothing to claim, to own. But he had Allie now, and she’d given herself to him so good, so willingly. Her life had been so hard, so destructive, and he was glad she’d found her way, her path, and was now with him. He believed in fate and all that shit, and knew that Allie had been his from the moment he saw her. It was just a matter of time for her to see that they were good together … would be good together.

“So, she’s the one, huh?” Brick asked, his voice hoarse, gravelly, and speaking of the hard life he’d led. His scar on his face stood out against the sun that shone through the window. This shifter, their Sergeant at Arms, had been a male Drevin never thought would settle down with an old lady and have children. But he’d made a life with his woman, had a family with her decades ago, and Drevin saw the change in him the moment he’d claimed Darra.

“I think this calls for a celebration,” Court said, his smile wide, and the excitement in him coming through fiercely. “I say we get drunk, smoke a little weed, and enjoy the fact we aren’t crusty old men, and have some hot fucking old ladies on our arms.”

They all started chuckling.

“Man, you need some pointers you come right over here,” Dallas said and grinned. “If anyone knows about women and knowing what not to do, I’m the one to give you the advice. Hell, I got Hope, the two girls, and now a little grandbaby under my protection.”

The room was boisterous with laughter. Yeah, Dallas had a handful of women in his life, but the brother deserved it. He deserved to be happy—they all did.

“I think we all can give you advice on what
not
to do if you want to make your old lady happy,” Diesel said.

“Listen, back to business,” Jagger said. “I have the younger Grizzlies working on this as well, but I want a few of the Originals going with them.”

“What’s up?” Dallas said.

“We’re looking into securing a piece of property in Steamboat. There are twenty acres for sale, and I think it’ll be a good secluded and isolated place to set up another base for when we need to get all of the Grizzly charters together.”

There was a grunt of agreement from the rest of the males.

“I already have all the younger males going, with Nico and Lucas in charge of this. Mason, Jakob, even Cain are also heading there.”

“Stinger, Ben is all set to join in on this?” Jagger asked the other member.

“My boy is ready to do whatever the club needs of him.”

Ben had been one of the more indecisive of the Grizzly offspring when it came to the club and business. While Brick’s son, Odin, wasn’t involved with the club at all, and instead was using his time and intelligence to become a doctor, Ben had been partying hard, and only halfway dedicated to what he wanted when it came to the club. But over the last year he’d really been shaping up and manning up when it came to Grizzly things.

Jagger nodded. “Good, I’m glad to hear he’s put his dick away for the time being and is interested in being part of the family.”

Although the Grizzly kids were family no matter if they were in the club or not, when one of them was a patched in member they were part of a brotherhood.

“I’d like Brick and Drevin to head out and make sure they don’t fuck this up.” Jagger scratched his jaw, and the sound of his fingers moving over his scruff was loud in the silent room. “I think the boys need to start learning how to negotiate deals when the rest of us aren’t there.”

There was a grunt of agreement again.

“You thinking of stepping down anytime soon?” Diesel asked, and a hushed moment filled the room as all the men looked at their President.

Jagger was silent for a moment, then exhaled loudly. “I’m not getting any younger, and neither are the rest of you. I can’t speak for you guys, but I want to be able to enjoy my family, watch my grandchildren grow, when they decide to have more that is.”

The room lightened, and everyone smiled. Drevin wanted that one day soon. He wanted a family with Allie, wanted to be able to watch his children, his grandchildren grow. It was a far off dream, because he’d not spoken about this to Allie, but he knew in his heart she’d want more with him, too. They were mated. Well, Drevin was working up to that fact. Until he claimed Allie it wasn’t set in stone, even though he felt it in every part of his body that she was his. She was human, wasn’t used to the ways of his club or the way a grizzly bear shifter took what was theirs. She’d find out soon enough though, because he’d be claiming her good and hard, and there would be no doubt in anyone’s mind that she was his.

****

Drevin left Allie at his place earlier in the day, not liking that he hadn’t been able to stay with her, but knowing he had club business to tend to. He’d never cared about leaving on a run, because he’d never had anyone with caring about. But with Allie he wanted to be with her all the time, wanted her with him, by his side, and not having to worry about if she was a priority in his life.

He’d asked her to stay at his place because he felt she’d be safer there. It would also offer him peace of mind. He rode on his Harley with the other men trailing behind, and Brick riding right beside him. The SUV was driven by Jakob, with Bodhi, Cain, and Ben in the vehicle as well, and Mason, Lucas, and Nico riding their Harleys behind Drevin.

They were about twenty minutes from the property they were negotiating to buy. Drevin and Brick were to stand back and let the younger guys handle it, and only be there for backup. Not that the younger males needed that because they were just as strong as the original members, but it was always good to have males with them that knew what the fuck was going on. If the next generation was going to run the show in the future, they needed to know how the Originals handled things, too.

They finally pulled up to the untouched land for sale. It was a nice chunk of change if they decided to buy it, but the guys would need to talk the human male down to a reasonable cost. They parked and dismounted, and were met by the older gentleman that owned the property. He wore a pair of faded blue jeans and a torn plaid shirt. The cowboy hat he wore looked like it had seen better days.

“Fuck, look at that piece of ass,” Jakob said from behind Drevin, and it was then Drevin realized who the younger male was referring to. The woman that trailed behind the old man was wearing a pair of cutoffs, some cowboy boots, and a white tank that was clearly not hiding the fact her nipples were hard. Drevin looked away, feeling his distaste over the woman even though she was beautiful. He cared for Allie, and because of that he and his bear found all other women distasteful. It was like this for all bear shifters when they found the woman they wanted to stay with, have a life with, and grow old with. It was a blessing, but for these younger males it was all about the pussy and getting their dicks wet.

He took a step back, as did Brick, and the two of them let the other members handle this. For twenty minutes they talked about the land, about the water supply, the acreage and wildlife, and then they started in on cost. He was impressed when Mason took control at first, talking to the man, going over the figures they discussed, and what the club was willing to pay. The property would not just be about building a hangout for all Grizzly charters to come together as one, but also a place where they could have the isolation to let their beasts out.

The woman stayed back, but Drevin could tell she was invested in the conversation. She might dress scantily, but she was smart. That was clear in the way she kept her focus on the guys, and listened to everything they said.

Finally, the old man turned and started talking to the woman. They moved back a few feet, but even the distance couldn’t dim out Drevin’s animal senses. He heard everything they said, and knew all the Grizzlies were listening very closely.

“Granddad, you sure you want to sell?” The woman said.

“Darlin’, I’m getting too old to tend to the land anymore, and we still have a few dozen left for the family. I think this is the best route.” The old man’s voice was raspy with age.

“Okay, if this is what you want,” the woman said, and gave her grandfather a hug. The two of them faced the Grizzlies once more.

“I think we got ourselves a deal,” the older man said, and he and all of the members shook on it. And just like that, the Grizzlies had some work to do to make this place a second home.

****

Allie was washing the last dish when she heard a knock on Drevin’s front door. She’d agreed to stay at his place while he was gone, but the truth was she enjoyed being here, surrounded by his stuff. She set the rag down and headed toward the door. Glancing out the peephole, she saw it was a group of women, ones she didn’t recognize. Drevin had told her the club knew she was here, so maybe they were with them? Feeling a bit strange and uncomfortable, she pulled the door open, not about to be rude. Allie smiled, trying to be polite because these women were part of The Grizzly MC, or at least so she assumed.

“Allie?” the one closest to her said.

“Yes.” She glanced among the four women.

“I’m Sonya, Jagger’s old lady.” She smiled. “This is Darra, Brick’s old lady, Diesel’s old lady, Maggie,” she started pointing out each of the women. “Molly, Stinger’s old lady, and Court and Dallas’s old ladies, Hope and Lilly.”

The one named Lilly held up a six-pack of beer.

“We just figured you might want some company since Drevin is gone,” Sonya said and smiled. “And, well, we wanted to meet you. It’s been a long time for Drevin, and we’re happy he’s found someone.”

Allie felt so off kilter right now, and it was all because these women had thought about her, and taken time out of their schedule to make sure she wasn’t alone.

Sonya held up a covered dish, and the rest of the women did the same. “We brought dinner, too, knowing you were here alone while some of the guys are on a run.”

“Oh, um, thank you.” Allie was surprised that they’d been kind enough to see her. “Come on in.” They all piled into the house, and Allie stepped back, feeling overwhelmed with the happiness inside of her. How in the hell had her life gotten this good and right? She was welcomed into this life, this unconventional family, and she felt like she really belonged somewhere.

“Come on and have a cold beer with us, Allie,” Lilly said and held up the bottle. “We can give you the dirty details about Drevin, and how to deal with these overbearing alpha bears.”

They all started laughing, and Allie shut the door, smiling and feeling this comfortableness fill her. God, it was good to feel like she belonged.

****

Drevin and Brick sat at the scarred counter in the only bar in a small town right outside of Steamboat. They were going to stay the night at a motel and head back at first light. He’d already called Allie, realized the whole Grizzly old lady crew was with her, and a semblance of calm had come over him at that knowledge. The Grizzly crew of old ladies was a fierce bunch, and protected their own as well as any male shifter.

“Your woman is taking care of mine,” Drevin said to Brick, and brought his beer to his mouth. The bar they were out was loud, playing an old country song at the moment, but housing a lot of older men that looked like they farmed for a living. They’d gotten a lot of looks when they entered, but when a group of women came in the younger guys had gravitated toward them instantly.