Enough (3 page)

In two huge strides he moved into my space, bent his head and captured my lips. Hard. Bruising. The kiss demanded surrender.

I released the pent-up sexual need, feeding it into my kiss. He stepped back before he wrapped his arms around me, dragging me into him. I tangled my fingers in his long hair.

I sucked his lower lip, worrying it between my teeth.

His lips left mine but I held onto his hair.

“We’re not done here.” He squeezed my hands. “But I gotta jet. Be back in two hours. Then we talk.”

His scent surrounded me, and ripples of desire ran down my spine. I released his hair when he stepped away, the corn silk—soft strands slipping through my fingers.

His gaze bore into me for a long moment, and I read an entire love story in mere seconds. The fiery attraction, all-consuming lust and eventual heartbreak—always my love story.

With a twist of his lips, he turned and left the shop.

If I was smart, I’d walk away from temptation before I relived my mistakes. And I would be smart—just because I had one weak moment didn’t mean I should go rogue. I was worth more than a three-day dance.

Zayn strode in minutes after Dare left, interrupting my creation of a mental list of all the reasons I wouldn’t sleep with Dare. The number-one reason—he’d swallow me whole, and my fragile independence would be gone.

“Hey.” He gave me the nod. “What’s up, gorgeous?”

“I bet you melt girls’ hearts all over the state, don’t you?”

The cocky smile added to his dark charm. “When I find the time, hell yeah. It’s what makes life fun—the girl part anyway. I try not to stick around long enough for the heart stuff.”

I shook my head at his attitude and saw the appointment book. “Oh yeah, Dare signed you up to do Fred’s back tat all day Sunday.” I glanced at the book for the time. “At nine in the morning. You even awake?”

“That ruins the party plans on Saturday.” Anger simmered in him.

“I can push it back, change it?” I couldn’t believe Dare had booked it without consulting him.

“You don’t understand our life, do you?” His chuckle released the anger.

“Not a clue.” I reminded myself I didn’t want to know.

Zayn hopped up on the counter. “I’m a prospect, the Brotherhood’s property, until I patch in.”

“When does that happen? And what’s
property
?”

“I
am
property. Any club member can tell me to do anything, like tat a guy at 9 a.m. the day after a club party. I do it.” He scratched behind his ear.

“Why?” I didn’t understand the appeal.

“They’re your brothers, have your back. Have you ever wanted to belong without reservation?” Zayn’s expression turned dark.

“I get it.” It’s what made me fall for loser after loser.

Zayn’s client walked in, and they disappeared to the back of the shop. Less than an hour later he was back, which was quick for any work.

Once the guy left, Zayn turned to me. “Dare called and told me to lock up. He won’t be back today.” He leaned against the counter. “Get out of here, take a break while the getting’s good.”

I deflated, not realizing a bubble of anticipation had built inside me. Dare not coming back left me frustrated but thankful. A reprieve to rebuild my defenses.

“I have a question about hours and I hoped he’d give me some advice.”

“Work until the job’s done.” He shrugged. “You’re overdoing it—you should stop or you’ll burn out.”

“Not very helpful.”

Zayn laughed and slapped my back. “Perfectly understandable, you need a tutorial.” He cracked open a pop from the mini-fridge under the counter. “Be here to do your manager shit and during our busiest times. Also, never leave if Dare or Weasel are here alone. The rest of us, it’s fine to go. One of us will always stay.” He nodded like his words made sense.

I worked when I wanted, and when Dare and Weasel worked, and when it was busy.

Clear as shit on a shoe.

“If you feel totally like shit or something, call me. I’ll cover you. Or get one of the guys to do it. Jericho wanted everything in top shape, so I had to clean up everything and get the books in order so you wouldn’t leave the first day.” He rolled his eyes heavenward.

“I appreciate that.” I stretched, considering all the errands I needed to run.

“Hey, all part of my job as prospect to the club of all clubs.” Genuine pride sounded in his voice.

“Why doesn’t Dare do paper or texts?” The words popped out.

Zayn’s open smile shuttered immediately. “I don’t know because I don’t ask personal questions. If I did know...”

Shit.
Shit.
Shit.
Zayn was the closest thing I had to a friend, and I’d pissed him off.

“Sorry, not trying to pry. I’ll keep it business.” I smoothed my ponytail.

“We’re good.” Zayn stood. “You’ve been here a bit but haven’t bugged any of us with shit questions.” He wrinkled his nose. “Like, ‘Are you outlaws?’ ‘Have you killed a man?’ ‘Can I ride on the back of your bike?’”

I laughed and rubbed my chin. “I’ve heard through the web it’s a sacred place—the back of the bike.”

“Depends on the biker, but asking, it’s like asking to use my toothbrush. Don’t do it. But maybe I volunteer or maybe I don’t.”

I cringed. Who shared toothbrushes? I’d definitely use my finger first. And had a few times. Sharing a toothbrush was gross.

Zayn laughed and I frowned at him.

“Don’t play poker, every emotion is on your pretty face.” He patted my cheek. “Now get out of here.”

He didn’t need to ask twice. I locked the ledger in the office before I headed upstairs for my laundry. If the fates were in my favor, I hoped to get a lot more than laundry done this afternoon, and as a reward, I wanted to pop into that store across the way with the cool clothes in the window.

Five hours later, my SUV was stuffed to the brim with clean laundry, groceries and the start of furnishings for my new place. This would be the first time I’d had my own place, not a crash pad, or my guy’s place, and I had big plans. Already, I’d spotted a couch at the thrift store I wanted, and I’d added a real bed to my long-term buy list, but no way could I imagine sleeping on a used mattress, which was too gross. I glanced across the street to see the lights out at the shop I’d wanted to stop by. In fact, most of the shops on Main Street were dark except the bar and the Marked Man.

After parking directly in front of my place, I gathered my groceries in two hands and headed for the door. The buttons lit up with the code on the outside, I opened the door—and stopped dead, bags rustling together with the sudden stop of forward motion

Dare blocked the way, stretched out on my stairs. Lithe and pantherlike, his stance reminded me he was dangerous, at least to me.

He flashed a lopsided smile. “Told you we weren’t done.”

“Um yeah, sorry to...”

He moved to me and lifted the bags from my hands with such smooth grace he must be supernatural. When his fingers brushed my palms, electricity jumped from him to me. Why did he have to be so damn sexy?

“You jet if you have shit to do, that’s cool. Zayn said he explained. I should’ve told you the first day.”

He glanced at me over his shoulder. “You coming?”

I hurried up after him, and with considerable restraint I managed not to cup his well-defined ass.

I opened the door and let him walk in ahead of me. “I bought more stuff, quite a bit, actually, so have a seat.”
In my one chair.
Holy hell.
What story can I tell him?
“I’ll be done in a jiff.” I almost ran out of my apartment and down the steps, desperately trying to come up with a story, any story, for the complete lack of furnishings in my utterly empty apartment.

Still debating the best way to answer the inevitable question, I popped open my back hatch and tugged the lamp out only to back into Dare. Startled, I turned and almost hit Zayn and Rock, who stood beside my car.

Dammit, he must have hollered for them on the way down.

Dare removed the lamp from my limp fingers, passing it to Rock. The guys packed my stuff up the stairs, leaving me nothing to carry.

I trudged up, wishing I could vanish. I should just leave them in my place and take off for a few hours.

Get a freaking grip
, I lectured myself.
It’s your place
,
your life
,
and none of their business.

I pasted on a huge smile, ready to brazen out any questions that came my way, and strode through my open door with a confidence I was totally faking.

Three sets of eyes pinned me as I walked through my front door, but the other two faded away under Dare’s fierce frown.

I remembered my strategy and smiled brighter. “Thanks, guys, for the help, I appreciate it. Can I get you some tea? Or brownies? I made them last night.”

Silent communication passed from Dare to the other two. They both declined very politely and left. Zayn arched one eyebrow when he passed by me.

“Where’s your stuff?” Dare leaned against the bare white living room wall, arms crossed.

“I uh...don’t have any.” I snapped my spine straight. “Why are you here? I’ve had a long day.” I crossed my arms and met his questioning gaze with my own flat stare.

A hint of a smirk passed before he closed the distance between us, pinning me between his arms. “You. I wanted you, but now I want answers.”

“That’s not going to—”

He growled and I jumped.

“—happen.” It came out as a squeak. “You need...to go.” I dragged the final two words out. I pushed away the words I wanted to say because
please fuck me
defeated my goal. I had to shut down all my crazy notions.

Chapter Three: Dare

Earlier in the day

Red’s kiss changed the game. I liked women, but few struck me like lightning with only a kiss. Now I’d have her, tonight if I was lucky. I started my Dyna and sped out of town. The Old Man loved picking at anyone who showed up late to council meetings, I had no intention of being the ass of his jokes today.

I parked next to Jericho’s bike. I loved that brother as much as I hated his father, the Old Man. The council meetings were shadow games of manipulation where the Old Man enjoyed fucking with Jericho.

I strode into the club and was not even close to the last one there. Jericho spoke with Wolf, the sergeant at arms. I slid into the seat on the other side of Jericho; we weren’t subtle in our unity.

The Old Man came into the room like some king, but he was a joke, only he didn’t know it. The meetings were never the same, except for one thing, he wanted to know profits right away. We moved around the table and reported. I gave mine, and we moved on to Bear, who ran the JB Productions, our porn business, then to the Jericho Security company, and finally Bound, the sex club, which barely broke even month to month because of the way Renegade and the Old Man used it as their personal harem. But I wasn’t the Prez, and the Old Man was.

“We need some muscle up at Bound, this stupid fuck, Joe Morgan, is roughing up women. Dare and Jericho, take care of it. He’ll be there at five tonight. Make sure he’s too sore to return to my club.” The Prez leaned back with his eyes settling on his son.

I hated this shit. The Old Man loved making Jericho and me do his dirty work. This should be Wolf’s job. The worst part was I wouldn’t be seeing Red in two hours, probably not even today.

Eventually the Old Man declared the meeting over, and Jericho and I headed outside. Bear joined us.

“This guy will be an asshole, and you’ll end up bruised,” Bear said.

“Yeah.” Jericho shrugged. “We’ll clean his clock. You having any more Renegade trouble?”

“Nah, my fist to his face, my foot to his ass, then he hightailed it back to Bound to play with girls nobody protects.” Bear stomped the cigarette under his boot.

“All shit ends sooner or later,” I said, and if Jericho’s complicated mind fuck of a plan worked, he’d be Prez by this time next year.

We talked a while longer before Jericho nodded to his truck.

“Let’s go,” Jericho said to me before he slapped Bear’s back. “See ya soon, motherfucker.”

Bear headed to his bike and back to directing the girls at the porn building just a mile from the club.

The job in Ardmore turned out to be easier than I’d imagined. The dude talked tough, but when he saw the two of us headed his way, he lost his nerve. I didn’t even get a love tap from the pussy as I reminded him one fist at a time, over and over, not to hurt our girls.

Jericho stood back while I pounded him. He called enough, and I gave him one final kick with the warning not to come back to Bound.

No one hurts women. I had few standards and gave a shit about even less, but that pissed me off, even more than it did Jericho. I just wished I could do the same to Renegade—that asshole was rougher on women than anyone I’d ever met, but he was a brother.

“You want to go to Bound?” Jericho gave me that shit-eating smile of his. He already knew my answer.

“I got business back home.”

“Redheaded business.” He laughed. “You’re in full hunt mode.”

I stepped into the cab of his old Ford and slammed the door closed. “It’s what pussy hounds do, and I got the scent.”

Jericho’s smile went flat. “Make sure she stays when you’re done with her.”

“That’s normal shit for us. Hell, I can’t think of the last chick who left my bed angry when it was over.”

He nodded. But the idea of someone else replacing me in Red’s bed didn’t set well with me. I wasn’t going to tell Jericho that she’d already managed to create this new itch in me and I hadn’t even tasted her, let alone heard her scream my name.

Once we got back to the clubhouse, I headed for Marked Man, only to find her gone. When Zayn told me about her questions, I thanked him for doing my job. I hung around with the guys an hour or so, and thought about heading home, but I wanted to see Red, so I got comfortable on the bottom step, popped in my earbuds and played some Godsmack.

The wait was so worth it when she walked in and saw me. I didn’t look her way, but I saw in my peripheral vision the raw hunger that flashed on her face right after the comical surprise. The woman had a terrible poker face.

She stood there weighed down with too many bags, so I took them. I skimmed her palms as I transferred her bags to my hands. Sweet heat warmed my hands, it was the same every time we touched. If I didn’t get moving, my hard-on would be only too obvious. When I was about halfway up the stairs, she finally got a move on. I looked over my shoulder to see her blush. Damn she was sexy when her cheeks pinked. And then I imagined her other set of cheeks pink. Another to-do on my growing list of ways to pleasure her.

Once in her apartment, she dropped her stuff, told me to wait, and almost ran from the room. I stared after Red’s retreating back, wanting nothing more than to get into her pants. After that kiss this afternoon, no way I’d be leaving without tasting both sets of her lips. Wondering if she was a true redhead had driven me a crazy since the moment I saw her.

Bags down on the counter, I stared around the place I’d lived with Jericho for the first five years after I joined the club. Even our piss-poor furniture, including a bed in the living room and fold-up table and chairs, beat Red’s furniture. A single chair that Rebel had left behind was the extent of her furniture. Boxes lined the living room walls and a couple sat in the corners of the kitchen. Where the fuck was her furniture?

I dialed the boys and had them meet me at Red’s car so we could get this shit done.

“I want to get her crap unloaded and you guys gone, she owes me some answers.” Irritation built in me.

They fell in beside me. When Red bumped into me, I swear she jumped out of her skin. She definitely didn’t look happy to see me, and then when she turned and faced the other two guys, I had to hold back a laugh at the scared rabbit face she pulled. We’d totally freaked her out.

Of course, the three of us beat her up the stairs.

“What the fuck?” Rock turned in a circle.

I shrugged, leaning against the wall. Her lack of stuff made me suspicious. I needed no surprises in the shop and no one bothering her. Just the thought of her in danger did things to me. No dude wanted to be on the receiving end of my anger for hurting her.

Eventually she quit stalling and joined us in the apartment, right before I’d decided to go retrieve her ass. The fake smile and confident sway of her hips didn’t fool me, she wished us all gone, and I’d bet me most of all. Too bad. I tapped my fingers on my crossed arms, barely able to keep quiet until the guys split.

“Where’s your stuff?” I assessed her stiff shoulders pushing out her perfect tits with spunk I hadn’t seen before. I thought Red was gonna be even more attractive pissed off.

“I uh...don’t have any. Why are you here? I’ve had a long day.” Every ounce of her body gave me attitude.

“You. I wanted you, but now I want answers.” I swallowed the smile from the way she ruffled up, ready for a fight.

“That’s not going to—”

She wasn’t avoiding me on this.

“—happen.” It came out as a squeak. “You need...to go.”

“You are going to answer my questions.” I crowded her until she was pressed against the door, where I closed her in with one arm on each side of her.

She stared up at me, then a mulish line formed across her mouth right before she ducked under my arm and headed to the kitchen.

“Red, what the hell?” I followed her.

“Did you need something?” Her voice quavered even though she fisted her hands tight at her sides.

“Yeah, where’s the furniture? What are you hiding?”

Time passed and she stayed silent, sipping her water. The girl had moxie, not many guys could hold out when I demanded answers. But there she stood, water bottle in hand, taking turns glaring at me and studying her feet.

I saw the moment when she gave in—her face softened, like the holding out had been what was out of character. It could be, for all I knew.

“I don’t have furniture. I stuffed what fit in the back of my SUV before I headed out of Texarkana and away from my ex.”

“I’ve got a truck. We can—”

“No, we can’t. A few pieces of furniture aren’t worth the hassle.” She turned away, running her hands through her hair.

The way she stood alone bothered me, so I circled my arms around her middle and drew her close. Her body stayed tense for a beat then she relaxed into me. Now this was the way it should be. A strawberry scent drifted up from her hair—of course it’d be strawberries, a happy scent.

Arms crossed, she turned to me. “Happy now?”

“Hell no. I’m not happy.” I struggled against the anger rising since I didn’t want her to stop talking. “You know we’d help you without a second thought.”

“I can take care of myself.” She bristled and walked to the door. “See you in the morning,
boss
.”

Now she was pissed. What had I said to bring out the anger? I was trying to help.

With her green eyes blazing with heat, she was sexier than ever. I just wanted to sweep her up and carry her to bed. We could work out the other shit tomorrow. But she was more than some random chick, she was my employee. My responsibility.

I crossed to the door, reached over her head and swung the damn door shut. It made a satisfying boom.

“No, not even close to done with you.” The time for games was over.

The minx pushed me, not that I moved. “What do you—”

That was it, the spitfire had tempted me one too many times. I restrained both her wrists above her head and claimed her mouth. She went lax in my hold, letting me control this kiss. No, I was wrong about that. She leaned forward and pushed into my mouth, taking as much as she gave. My cock hard, the punch of need hit me full center; if I didn’t back down now, we’d be fucking in seconds. With self-control I reached deep for, I stepped away from her hot lips.

“You and me—got something between us.” I strode across the room trying to control my breathing. “But I will sort this shit first.”

She stayed where I’d left her, wide-eyed and fuckable. I wanted to take her up on that offer. Hopefully she’d still be wanting me after we were done here.

“You got a man chasing you?”

“No.”

“The loser lay hands on you? He hurt you? Why you running?” I fired questions at her. Her face drew tight.

“You got a woman? What do you want from me? Why won’t you go?”

I could see she thought I wouldn’t answer, but I’m an open book, at least in those areas. “No woman. To fuck you, over and over.” I gave her the truth. “Give me answers and I’ll leave.” That should get her to spill. She kept insisting I go, not that I wanted to go, but I did want answers most, right now.

Her thoughts played quickly across her face. “I always run.” She met my gaze with defiance bright in her expression. “Yeah, Tony hurt me some but needed to control me more. When Jericho hired me, I packed my things while the jerk worked, and hauled ass before he hurt me worse. But I’m not something he’d track down.”

“Dammit.” I hated the cold way she talked about some man using her, hurting her. This Tony needed a lesson in manners.

“Do you need to hurt me?” She shook with emotion. “Control me?”

Rage shot through me. How could she think I’d do that? With a deep breath, I searched for some calm. “I want you. I want to do all sorts of wicked things to you in bed, but I never want, or need, to hurt you, or any woman. And control is overrated—I like my women wild.”

Her chest heaved and lips were parted, ready and willing, but I’d made a promise. I stood staring at her, just to pound home the point we wanted each other. I meant to just walk out the door, but my thumb traced her full bottom lip before I walked out. The next time I kissed her, I’d be buried deep inside her.

I walked around her and out the door, like I promised. That sucked.

* * *

I woke up the next day with a pounding headache, but then drinking with Jericho always resulted in a hangover. Even full of whiskey, neither my cock nor I could forget the green-eyed redhead who had refused to back down from me. She probably had no idea how rare that was, but even my MC brothers backed down when I wanted something. Not Red. Either she was crazy brave or plain crazy—didn’t much matter to me. Tonight, she’d be under me in bed—that wasn’t optional.

I left the clubhouse about noon to head out to my trailer and get changed for the day. I had a client at four and a woman to settle.

My place wasn’t much, but it was a lot quieter than the clubhouse. Still I ended up sleeping at the club about half of the time. That’s where Jericho lived as a result of another one of his father’s commands, but he’d got the last laugh, and now his rooms were nicer than this trailer.

I rolled into Marked Man about three with an hour before the customer arrived. Anticipating Red’s reaction, I strolled in ready for whatever came. No doubt, I’d left her pissed last night and she’d still be fired up.

“Hey, Red.”

“Dare. You got two today, one at four and one at six, then you’re out.” She spoke to my boots, not a bit of fire anywhere in sight. Before I could say anything, she fled into the office.

My tiger had turned back into a pussycat, at least that’d make it easier to close the deal. The first customer I could’ve done in my sleep, but the second, that work I loved. I’d drawn the intricate Celtic knot with scrolling around it for a couple. Last week I’d done the husband, today was the wife.

Red’s tattoos were sexy as fuck. I’d wanted to lay her out on the table and fuck her from behind, staring down at her back. My cock hardened just thinking of the art that had been hidden by the waist of her jeans. How far did it go? Goddam, I’m not some kid with blue balls who chases after women. We fucked, or not, and I moved on. But I’d never felt, no...I’d never wanted a woman like I did her.