Damaged and the Outlaw (23 page)

“When we met,”
he said, running his fingers over my arm to my hip, “I thought I was on
borrowed time. Since Cooper decided to call in Saint to deal with the Devils, I
suddenly have my whole life before me.”

“Are you sure
this guy can handle the Devils? I mean, what happens if he gets a few of them,
but one of them kills him? Will there be payback?”

Vaughn smiled as
if I was adorable.
Stupid, but adorable.

“Honeysuckle, a
guy like Saint doesn’t get paid so much so he can die on the job.”

“It’s not like
he would choose to die, honey jackass.”

“What I mean is
guys like Saint aren’t cleaners like me. A lot of people call guys like him ghosts.
He can arrive in a town, take care of a few targets, and leave without anyone
even knowing he was there. He leaves nothing. No one knows what he looks like.
Maybe he uses disguises or is just that damn good. Since I heard Saint has
cleaned cartels, he’ll have no trouble taking out a few guys in a small
motorcycle club.”

Caressing the
wolf on his chest, I needed a little more reassurance. “Bailey said the Devils
would be in disarray if they lost their leaders.”

“Here in
Ellsberg, Kirk has backing from Memphis. If he were to die along with Cooper
and Tucker, it’s not like Memphis would allow the club to fall apart and their
assets to be lost. In Tucson though, the Devils are on their own. The Mexican
gangs would make quick work of a weak club. Cutting off the head of the Devils
will leave them to the mercy of stronger groups.”

“So you’ll be
free,” I said, smiling at the thought of Vaughn as no longer a dead man
walking.

“My life isn’t
about days, weeks, or months. Suddenly, I have years to work with. A long
fucking lifetime stands before me. Besides loving you, I don’t even know where
to start.”

Sitting up, I
studied Vaughn who looked like a god relaxed against the dark sheets.

“Is it
possible,” I began quietly, “that you just want me because I’m the one who was
there when these things happened to you? Like with your mom. I was there and
you’ve made more out of your feelings than is real.”

Vaughn just smiled.
“Insecurity doesn’t work on you, pop tart.”

“If you dump me,
I don’t come back from that. If you’re having doubts, you should warn me now.”

“How do I know
you weren’t dating me only because you figured I’d be dead soon and you didn’t
have to worry about us breaking up?”

“You’re an
idiot.”

“So are you.
Man, our kids will be beautiful, but stupid.”

I leaned forward
and licked his stomach. “Being dumb is easier when you’re beautiful though.”

“Don’t I know
it,” he said then sighed. “I approve of where you’re going with your tongue,
dumpling. Just stop for a second while I do something.”

I watched him
roll off the bed and disappear out of the bedroom. He returned with two beers
and hit a button on his stereo.
The Doors
serenaded us while I sipped my
beer before returning my attention to his hard stomach.

Vaughn rested
his hands behind his head and watched me nibble and lick at his body. He was so
quiet like a predator in wait. Or a cocky bastard used to being served by the
ladies.

Stopping
mid-lick, I narrowed my eyes. “I have concerns about committing to a product I
haven’t tested thoroughly,” I said, crawling farther down on the bed. “I need
to make sure you’re not defective.”

Vaughn’s smile
was lazy and full of male arrogance. “You don’t think you’ve given me enough of
a test drive yet?”

Scratching him
lightly on the thighs, I watched his cock respond. Already thick, it swelled
and hardened.

“Did you miss
me?” I asked and I swear his dick twitched in response. “I’ll take that as a
yes.”

Vaughn grinned
until I sucked him into my mouth. Exhaling, he lost the arrogant expression and
relaxed all over. I’d always loved giving blowjobs. There was power in them. I
could make a strong man lose the ability to speak, even breathe. I could also hurt
a guy if he pissed me off.

With Vaughn
though, I only cared about making him feel as good as he made me feel. No man
ever fucked me as well. It wasn’t Vaughn’s size or talents. He was a great
lover because he wanted me to feel good. Never did he take without giving. No
man ever worked so hard to make me cry out his name or ensure I fell asleep
exhausted with a smile on my face.

“I want to look
at you while you do that,” Vaughn murmured. “Turn around so I can see you.”

For a moment, I
didn’t know what the hell he was talking about then I understood. Straddling
his stomach, I returned to making his toes curl.

“You have the
prettiest pussy,” he cooed as if sweet talking a girl in a bar. “Lightest
public hair.”

Stroking me
gently, Vaughn wanted to play and make me feel good. I appreciated his efforts,
but his cock was too large to enjoy when I had any distractions.

I lifted my hips
then started at him between our bodies. “I’m trying to work here,” I said,
giving him a grin. “Hands off, buddy.”

“Looky, no
touchy. I get it.”

Smiling, I
rolled my tongue around the head of his cock and his toes curled in the most
delicious way. Stroking him with my hand while loving him with my lips and
tongue, I finally caused Vaughn to make the lovely moan of a man at the brink
of pleasure. I loved that sound.

As soon as he
filled my mouth and softened in my touch, Vaughn insisted he get a taste of my
pretty pussy. I wish I could say I held out for a nice long tongue bath.
Instead, I was so aroused from sucking him that I needed very little to lose control.
Holding onto his waist, I bucked and moaned and thanked the universe for
bringing this very talented sexy badass.

Since I was
twelve and stopped thinking girls had cooties, I’d been with many hot chicks.
Back in Tucson, I even had a few girlfriends, but I could never commit. One
chick claimed I had mommy issues. She said I put my mom on a pedestal and no
woman could live up to the fantasy I created. For years, I figured that chick
was right. Until I met Raven and I realized why no woman would satisfy me.

Everything was
perfect when it was Raven. Her bad moods entertained. Her good moods enchanted.
Her tears broke my heart. When I made her laugh, I was a god. When I thought I
lost her, life was a bitter pill to be choked on.

The last few
days, Raven was peaceful in a way I hadn’t seen before. None of the restless
warrior bitch she showed the world. The wariness in her eyes disappeared when I
showed up after the meeting. Her mind no longer lingered on the past and its
disappointments. Raven hungered for the future. Our future.

Walking in the
woods near the cabin, we were shaded by the giant trees. Around us, the
katydids hummed and a hawk flew in the distance. It was a perfect sunny summer
day as if God decided to give me a break for once.

Dylan and his
crew fixed up the cabin, replacing the windows and hiding the bullet holes.
Now, the place looked as good as new. Raven beamed at me when I said her
stepbrother got the job. When she looked at me that way, I felt invincible. The
Devils, my dangerous job, and the crap from the past meant nothing when my
woman smiled as if I could do no wrong.

Reaching the
river, Raven leaned over to look in the water. She was young and delicious in a
light green halter-top and shorts. Even with all the flesh teasing me, my mind
was on less sexual matters.

“Raven,” I said
softly.

When she turned
to find me on one knee, those faded blue eyes widened while her breathing sped
up.

“I know I’m not
perfect, but I think I’m as close as a man can get,” I said, making her laugh
nervously. “I also know I have a rep as a guy who’s screwed every chick that
walked by, but those days are over. They’ve been over since I met you that
night. Even as friends with benefits, I wanted all of you. You’re my hope and
my love and I’m keeping you. Now, I’m looking to make it official.”

Raven bit her
bottom lip while her eyes grew wet and afraid. I knew she feared getting her
hopes up. Life crapped on her plenty and she still worried it would again.

I pulled the
ring from my pocket and Raven exhaled softly like she was still waiting for the
catch. None was coming.

“Will you be my
wife? No matter what happens with the Devils or anything else, I want you now
and forever. Will you give me that chance?”

Raven said
nothing for a minute, just staring at me. I felt a hint of fear that she might
say no or she wasn’t sure. Then, she lunged for me and I caught her in my arms.

“Yes,” she
whispered, sounding too young and unbelievably scared. “I love you and I’ll
love you no matter what.”

Kissing her, I
stole her breath and all the fear inside her. I wasn’t going anywhere and she
wasn’t losing me. My kiss made this very clear and she softened in my arms.
When I pulled my lips away and stared into her eyes, she smiled.

“I’ll take care
of you, Vaughn. I’ll treat you good. I promise.”

“I know,
cupcake. I’m not the other guys. I won’t disappoint you.”

“You’re like no
one ever, Vaughn. You’re a dream and I’m afraid to wake up.”

I gave her a
grin. “I am pretty fucking amazing, aren’t I?”

Finally, Raven’s
wide eyes narrowed and she frowned. “You’re so vain. You probably think every
song is about you.”

“Prove they’re
not.”

Raven laughed
and kissed me softly. After she fixed my hair that she’d mussed during the kiss,
I took her hand and slid the ring over her finger that was still bruised around
the knuckle.

“If you piss me
off, I won’t leave you,” Raven said, caressing my cheeks. “I’ll just train you
to be less annoying.”

“Oh, will you?”

“I’ll do
whatever I have to do to make a life with you. I know who you are and I won’t
expect you to be someone else. But yeah, I’ll train your ass when necessary.”

“Now, that’s
wife material right there.”

“The ring is
beautiful,” she said, staring at it with bright eyes. “Did you choose it?”

“Why?”

“Larry had his secretary
choose my mom’s ring. He said guys can’t pick things like that.”

“I don’t have a
secretary.”

“No, but you
know girls who could help.”

“Did all the
heavy lifting myself.”

“That’s so
sexy,” she said, wrapping her arms around my neck. “You are so multifaceted.
Mmm…I need you inside me.”

As Raven sucked
at my neck, I lost the ability to think of anything except her naked under me.
We hurried back to the cabin where she stripped down, flopped on the bed, and
stared at the ring.

“I’m going to be
the wife of a good man. I never thought that was possible.”

Kicking off my
boxers, I frowned. Raven noticed my hesitation then rolled her eyes before turning
over and wiggling her butt at me.

“Fine, you’ll be
a good husband. Feel better, drama llama?”

Shuddering, I thought
of how many times I’d tormented Judd with that insult.

“Don’t forget
what I am.”

“The sexiest
fucker in creation. A man who makes sure I’m happy because my feelings matter
to him. I’ve never been with a man who did that. Not after they got in my pants
anyway.”

Smiling, I
stroked my fingers along her pussy. “You poor thing. Only a good hard fuck will
help you forget those shitty men from your past.”

“Might need two
or three hard fucks actually,” she said, throwing her head back and laughing
like a giddy child. “I want to be mush when you’re done with me.” Raven glanced
at me over her shoulder and gave me the most intense expression. “Own me,
Vaughn.”

“Hell,” I
muttered, caressing her with my cock, “you’re mine. If you leave, I’ll chase
you. If you run, I’ll chase faster. If you let me catch you, I’ll make you my
slave.”

“I’m not leaving
you,” she said in a soft voice.

“No,” I
murmured, caressing her hair. “No, you’re not. This is forever.”

Raven turned
around and tugged me onto the bed. “I love you and I will forever.”

What began as a
one night stand had turned into forever and I couldn’t wait to get started. Our
life was bigger than just the two of us though. So while I wasn’t a party type
of guy, Raven deserved to celebrate our engagement with friends.

Lark promised to
make the get-together special and swore she and the girls could keep everything
a secret. I put the planning in her hands except for one request. When I told
Lark, she fell silent on the phone then burst into laughter. A part of me worried
she wouldn’t go through with what I asked, but I didn’t want to nag. Not when
she laughed every time I mentioned it.

Arriving at the
bowling alley, I was relieved the girls didn’t go fancy. Engagement parties for
rich fucks were at seafood restaurants or steakhouses. Maybe that was the right
way, but I wanted to have fun, not show off. Well, besides showing off my hot
fiancée and the ring she kept staring at in wonder.

The crew rented
out the alley for a private party, so the parking lot was full of our friends’
cars and Harleys when we arrived. I walked inside with my arm around Raven’s
shoulder and her snuggly against me. Our friends yelled surprise even though we
knew they were there. Raven still faked like she was shocked, staggering and
screaming. A laughing Lark immediately ran over and checked out the ring.

“I called this,”
she said, glancing back at the others. “We all called it.”

Tawny nodded.
“We wanted to bet money on you two hooking up, but no one was willing to put
money against it.”

Kirk sat nearby
with Jodi on his lap. “I would have bet it’d take you two less time. You
dipshits took forever.”

Even wanting to
put on a little bravado, I was fucking happy. Raven was everything I never knew
I wanted. If I’d dreamed up my perfect girl, she wouldn’t be as amazing as what
I found with her. Raven smiled at me like she knew we were blessed to have fumbled
our way into each other’s lives.

“Your man,” Lark
said, wrapping an arm around Raven’s waist and pulling her away from me, “was
very specific on the cake’s inscription. I want credit for following
instructions, even though the baker laughed at me. No doubt, they’ll be
laughing at me for a long time.”

Raven walked
with Lark to where the chocolate cake was set out next to Bailey who appeared
to be guarding it. My friends were all laughing at me as I followed. As long as
Raven liked it and got the joke, I was fine with the mocking.

The cake read,
“Congrats on your engagement, Crouching Cock, Hidden Pussy!”

Raven not only
got the joke, but she nearly pissed herself laughing and high-fiving everyone.
Finally, she jumped into my arms.

“You finally
found just the right nickname,” she murmured in my ear. “You’re the only man
for me.”

Pressing my
forehead against hers, I smiled. “And you’re the only hidden pussy for me.”

Raven’s grin
faded and the look in her eyes turned predatory. “It won’t be hidden once we
get back to your place.”

Shivering, I
wanted a quickie right then. My jeans could barely contain how badly I needed
to be inside Raven, but we had friends waiting to celebrate.

“Later,” I
whispered then sucked at her lower lip.

Soon, we were
bowling and playing games. The adjoining game room was all ours and I beat Judd
badly at pinball. A better man wouldn’t have rubbed this fact in his friend’s
face, but I hadn’t matured past twelve apparently.

Nearby, Raven
and the girls talked wedding plans. When Jodi offered the property if we wanted
something outdoors, Raven glanced at me with hope in her eyes.

“Anything you
want, I’m game.”

“Really?” she
asked, nearly breathless. “It’s always been my dream to have a Tinker Bell and
Peter Pan themed wedding. How do you feel about wearing green tights?”

Before she
finished, I knew I was in for some serious ragging from the guys. Judd was
already rubbing his hands together and Cooper smirked at Aaron. I was doomed to
suffer, but in the best possible way.

A loner wouldn’t
have friends so ready to hassle him for years on end. No outlaw could imagine a
long life with a badass babe like Raven. Yeah, doomed never looked better.