Faith (The Fast Love Collection Book 1) (14 page)

Chapter
Twenty-three

A gentle shake roused me from my deep sleep, I wearily rolled over and looked at Archer. Looking incredible as always, he'd showered and dressed without me. Depressing.

He offered a worried smile as he pulled back the bed sheets.

“Myrtle's son has just arrived, the moving truck is here. He's going to wait for you to come down okay?”

“Sure.”

“How are you feeling?”

“Woozy and I need to pee.”

Archer chuckled and helped me to my feet. When I was at the door to the bathroom I waved him off, not needing company. It took a lot of effort to maintain a vertical position but I got there. As I passed the vanity I looked at the used pregnancy test in the bin and gave it a sneer.

Sneaking dread slipped through me, wondering if the test was taken too soon. I was already struggling not to upend the contents of my stomach which consisted of nothing. My hand was shaking as I opened the draw, removing the last test.

Was it possible? Had I taken it too soon or was it that my hormone levels weren't high enough for the test to be accurate?

I didn't want to get my hopes up but I was praying. This girl was not religious by any means but I sat on the toilet and said a prayer. Once I was done I put the cap back onto it and put it on the vanity, staring at it as I waited for the minutes to pass.

“Roxy, are you okay?”

“Yes.” I said meekly.

Did I want to get his hopes up and tell him that I was taking the last test. He had been so eager with the previous one, wanting to watch it with me, just as desperate as what I was now.

“You don't sound okay. Hope you're decent because I'm coming in.”

I opened the door and turned to flush the toilet.

“Rox, why did you do the last test?”

“Call it a sneaking suspicion.” I groaned, washing my hands.

He looked down at it, turning it flat to the counter and watched as the second line appeared.

“I guess I will need that doctors appointment after all.” I murmured.

I looked up at Archer, watching the soft smile grow on him. His arms were wrapped around me to hug me, lifting me off the ground with undiluted happiness.

“Okay.” I groaned. “Still suffering sickness.”

Archer settled down, placing me onto my feet.

“Much too early for the test.”

His lips pressed against mine, gently kissing me.

“We need to talk about this, don't we?”

“Yep.”

With a nod Archer took my hand and guided me to the front door. Evidence of Mathias having set up camp on my lounge suite was everywhere and as much as I wanted to grumble at the disarray, I didn't. The man was giving up his life to protect his son and me, and now his grandchild.

“Where's your dad?”

“Club business.” Archer murmured. “He'll be back for dinner. The man knows where the plate hits the table for him.”

“Why didn't you move him into the spare room?”

Archer looked at me as he opened the door, offering a slight frown.

“It's not my place Rox.”

“Okay, considering that we've managed to create a life together, your house has burned down rendering you rather homeless and you've slept at my place more than your own, I'd say the issue is rather irrelevant.”

One protective arm slipped around my lower back, the other took hold of my forearm as we began to walk down the stairs.

“So is that your way of asking me to move in?”

I scoffed. Like I had any choice. I think out of the few weeks I've known him, he's spent all but a few nights in my bed. His father has set up camp in my lounge room and I've got my own little biker baby growing inside of me.

“I have no idea.” I said dryly. “But I do know that we've got a lot of things to talk about. List worthy and distraction free.”

He stopped at the bottom step and leaned in.

“Does that mean you want the old man to disappear for a few hours?”

“Your father is fine Archer, I just want a little structure and a definite path for us. It's not just us anymore, we have to consider the child now.”

He grinned, wrapping me into his arms to lift me off the ground again. This time he swung me around, making me a little ill.

“I can't believe it's real.”

“Yeah.”

“You don't seem too happy Rox.”

“I'm still sick, give a girl a break.”

Archer's happiness slipped away as he set me to my feet.

“I am happy, I was kind of upset that we got the second negative. I just worry for the future.”

“It's going to be okay Rox, money will always flow and I'll always be around.”

“But will you?” I asked, watching the shock slowly registering. “I can't help but see this child facing the same future as Georgia and Jasmine. You need to consider this child the next time you ride out for the club. I'm not telling you want you can or cannot do but I'll be damned if I have to bury my child's father so make sure you keep that in mind next time you get on that bike.”

Even though the world swayed, I made my way to Myrtle's door, gently knocking on the door. She opened the door with her sweet smile beaming up at me.

“Morning deary.”

“Hi Myrtle, I heard you're going to live with Vic today.”

“Oh yes, got myself a nice little place so that I can keep a good eye on him.”

Vic chuckled as he shook his head. Myrtle's head tilted to the side of me, smiling at Archer.

“Hello handsome, are you going to visit me when I'm in my new home? You promised a ride on the beast, I'm holding you to that.”

“Sure.” Archer offered, rather amused.

So much for not remembering things. I think she had us all fooled.

“How about now? A quick ride to the end of the street and back again.”

“You can take me to Vic's place, it's just around the corner.”

Vic grimaced at the thought but nodded.

“I'll bring the bike over.”

Archer kissed my cheek and departed the lobby of the building, leaving me with a bright smiled woman.

“I expect a wedding invitation.”

“Of course.” I offered with a laugh. “But that might be a long way off.”

She nodded and perked up at the sound of Archer's motorcycle bursting into life.

“I've never been on a motorcycle.” Myrtle said as she wrapped her arms around mine. “Do you think I might fall off?”

“Good lord Myrtle, I hope not.”

A merciless chuckle erupted from the sweet woman clinging to my arm.

“I hope you're not the jealous type Faith, I might just have to hang on to him.”

“I'm not and from personal experience, it's easier on the mind to hold onto the rider rather than the bike.”

Well, at least in my mind it was. Taking that leap of faith to the grips was probably never going to happen.

Delivering Myrtle to the edge of the footpath, I watched with a heavy heart as Archer put the helmet onto her head and helped her onto the motorcycle.

“You take care of yourself and hold onto Archer.”

“You too.”

I smiled and backed away, wondering if she meant for one or both. Her arms wrapped around his waist with a cheeky grin. Slowly pulling away I watched until they reached the top of the street, turning out onto the intersection. I'd never seen someone so happy, something so simple as a kind gesture could give an old woman a moment of fun.

For the first time since the fire I looked out to Archer's house. Well now it was Archer's pile of charred timber and melted possessions. Luckily his car and motorcycle had been in the shed at the back of the property and were unharmed.

Turning back to the house I was faced with an unknown figure staring at me. He was blocking the path to the front door, his menacing stature was intimidating. The first step to me was taken, life slowed as if it was set in slow motion.

I knew what this was about, this was the rival club finally learning Archer's weakness. Me. The man was a monster in epic proportions, looking like he was twice the size of Archer. On the bald and waxed head was a tattoo along the side, I couldn't make it out much aside from what looked like a wing.

As he tilted his head his neck cracked, his fingers lengthened and clasped firmly, assessing his much weaker target. This was never a contest, as much as I hated to appear as the weaker sex I wasn't an idiot. I knew this was a battle that was not worth even attempting to fight.

I could call for Vic but I didn't want him getting involved. The man had three young kids who needed their father. So he could stay and pack his mother's things and be oblivious to the issue that was unfolding just a few steps from him.

“Uh, can I help you?”

Sneering a filthy smirk at me, he took another slow step to me.

“Yeah. We've got a message for pretty boy rails.”

The man grabbed my arms, pulling me closer.

“We know it was him that fucked up our recruits so we're going to return the favor. Only we're not going to bother with club members. We're going to strike a little closer to home.”

He got a wild glint in his eye as he lifted me off the ground to whisper in my ear without bending over.

“We're gonna fuck you up, make him remember it every time he looks at you with disgust.”

It made my skin crawl when his lips caressed against my ear, his tongue running the line of it.

“I'm going to enjoy cutting you, so pretty, so easily damaged. Maybe I might make him watch while I fuck you.”

I wanted to escape, to leave my body and find some place that didn't have gangland wars, creepy men and the loss of innocence.

My legs flailed in the air as he held me up, something inside of me snapped with anger and my knee rammed deep into his groin. He groaned and dropped me, letting me fall to the ground. I shrieked with pain in my wrists, falling onto them. Well, all of my body shuddered with pain but I felt it the most in my wrists and I knew that wasn't a good thing.

“Bitch!” He spat out, rolling on the grass in pain.

With a sob of pain I got up, unable to use my hands. It felt like my wrists were on fire.

“Faith!” Vic called out, rushing out the door.

He wrapped his arms around me, guiding me to the path. Once I was safe behind the security door of the building, Vic turned away with determination.

Tears streamed down my cheeks from the pain I was suffering but it didn't stop me from trying to get out to stop the madman from doing something incredibly stupid.

Or at least, I thought it was stupid. I have been known to be wrong about many things and this, I was very much wrong.

The unknown assailant didn't know what had hit him, or rather
who.
Vic the man that I hardly knew sent him back to the ground with one punch and as I watched his graceful movement, I realized that the man knew what he was doing.

Monster man rolled on the ground, blood pouring from his nose. Vic rolled him onto his stomach and pulled zip ties from his back pocket, hog tying him.

Sirens filled the air and I sobbed with relief, more so because the police were going to beat Archer here. Monster man wouldn't survive if Archer saw this mess.

Chapter
Twenty-four

With a hiss I scowled at the nurse, she was a brute and my wrists were killing me. Archer was prowling back and forth as he watched, barely containing his anger. There was nothing he could do at the moment, monster man was in custody and the cops had warned Archer about retribution.

They did not want a war started, they wanted everyone to walk away. If they honestly thought that these men would do that, then they were a pack of idiots. I knew that Archer had already been talking to Mathias about this and even though he thought I couldn't hear him, I heard them making plans for a club meeting.

“There you go, all done. You'll need to check in with your doctor and take it easy.”

She helped me off the bed, I was officially useless now. Bound up and on the harshest pain pills a pregnant woman could have. They were shit.

I was lucky apparently, they were just sprained. So within a few days I would be able to do light things, that is if I behaved myself in those few days. It was an impossible thought, I was feeling better in terms of the flu that was really morning sickness and I had an apartment to clean. My only problem was I had a hovering boyfriend that was determined I would get my week of rest regardless of how many tantrums I might have already thrown.

He opened the car door for me and waited for the onslaught.

“You do not have permission to start a war because of this.”

Mathias restrained a wry smile as he got into the car.

“Didn't think that I needed your permission to do anything Rox.” Archer grumbled.

“Sorry but you do. It's called being in a relationship and if you go against what I want then you can pack your shit up and get out of my life. Don't forget to take your father.”

“I thought you loved me Rox.” The lumbering brute behind me grumbled.

Archer shut the door and rounded the car.

“Besides, you've got us forever now that you're carrying my grand kid.”

“Gee thanks for that thought Mathias.”

With a heavy sigh I relented.

“Yeah, I suppose I do love you guys. Even if you are a pack of hot headed weirdos.”

Mathias chuckled, I turned and looked at Archer as he opened the door and sat down.

“What?” He asked warily.

“Do you know why I don't want you to start anything?”

“Because you're a control freak?”

His father sounded a hiss that made Archer realized he'd said the wrong thing.

“Or maybe that the cops said not to?”

Someone on the back seat cleared his throat. Try again Archer.

“Maybe that you don't want me dead?”

“Yeah, that's part of it.”

He nodded and turned over the engine, a brooding gaze slipped into his features as he looked out to the road ahead.

By the time we got home I was ready for sleep, not sure if it was from an exhaustive morning or the pills that I'd been given but I could barely keep my eyes open. Archer carried me up the stairs and helped me into bed. As he pulled the sheets over me I carefully pulled his shirt.

“Do you want to know the other part of the reason?”

“Sure.” He said softly.

“It's because I love you.”

I kissed him once and then laid back to the pillow, closing my eyes. Archer leaned over and pulled the sheets higher on me, kissing my temple.

“I love you too Rox.”

Sleep dragged me down, keeping me there until late afternoon. When I woke I was in agony, groaning as I tried to sit up. Damn this world, I never realized how much I needed my wrists. Worse yet, there was no typing at my computer until they were healed.

“Hey.” Archer said as he pushed the door open. “Open up.”

I opened and waited for the pills, his caring was to the extreme. After sucking water through a straw, I grumbled at him.

“I can take pills on my own you know.”

“Yeah but I like looking after you so shut up.”

Helping me to my feet, Archer guided me to the bathroom.

“I can do it, this is crossing a line.”

“Alright. Pull them jeans down Rox.”

I looked down at my pants and tried to undo the button, anguish filled me as I protested my disgust. The smug bastard walked over and undid the button, his body far too close to mine as he pulled my pants down.

“You can go now.”

“And how are you going to dry off?”

“Get out, now.”

Archer chuckled and turned, walking out of the bathroom.

“Five minutes, then I'm coming in no matter what state you're in.”

Then he shut the door.

“Bastard.” I hissed under my breath.

Damned caring and sweet bastard. How dare he be so lovable? I was supposed to be annoyed at him, not almost swooning because he's playing nurse for me.

It was awkward but I got there. My pants were still around my ankles and if I actually had access to my hands and fingers, I might have been able to pull them up. Not sure why my fingers needed to be bound up like this. Maybe I had author tattooed on my forehead and they knew I'd be straining my wrists while typing.

The door opened abruptly, a smart ass surprised look was on Archer's face when he almost bounced into the room. Disappointment filled him when he realized he'd missed out on clean up duties.

“Not sure on why you'd want to do that Archer.”

He said nothing as he dropped to his knees in front of me, nuzzling into the apex of my groin.

“Or that.” I groaned, feeling a flush of pleasure filling me.

My skin tingled as his fingers trailed up the backs of my legs.

“Just being helpful.” He murmured as his lips slid over my hip bone.

I looked down to the lazy smile, those dreamy eyes gazed up at me and it was like my body was just set alight.

“Missed you heaps Rox.”

Gasping for air as I nodded, scattered thoughts swimming in and out. His mouth opened against my skin, taking a teasing bite, darting his tongue over me.

“Think you need a shower.”

Archer stood, his hands never leaving my body as they moved over my backside to the hem of my shirt. It fell to the ground beside the now discarded pants, my bandages were carefully removed.

“Don't you go using them, you hear? A week is long enough for me to suffer without your touch.”

His clothes were off faster than I'd ever seen him undress, the bare body before me was gorgeous and beautifully hard.

Water gushed out of the shower head, drowning me in warmth that was long overdue and relaxing. Archer stepped in after me, always carefully guiding me and keeping a firm hold of me. I thought that we'd be straight into sex, it had been far too long and I was more than desperate. But instead Archer ensured that my hair was entirely wet and then took the shampoo bottle into his hand.

“I've told my old man that I'm out entirely. Not even working on their bikes.”

“But you won't have any income.”

Archer shrugged before turning me around.

“I'll be alright for a while, I've got a girlfriend I can mooch off until the insurance comes through.”

I chuckled until his fingers pressed into my scalp, then I almost groaned.

“Maybe you should do this for a living.”

“You'd want me touching other women?”

“No.” I said with a heavy sigh. “It's going to be okay you know, you'll think of something that you're good at.”

His hands moved away from my head, dragging the shampoo through the long strands of hair.

“Yeah, I'm good at fucking. I could do that for a living.”

I elbowed him direct into his stomach, earning a wince and a chuckle.

“I could pimp myself out to you at a reasonable rate. I'll let you suck me for fifty bucks.”

With a huffed laugh I shook my head.

“You're a nightmare, did you know that?”

His arms wrapped around my waist, digging that rock hard erection into my backside.

“I thought I was a dream.” He whispered into my ear.

“You are, now get on with the conditioning.”

“Such a romantic.” Archer scoffed.

Once my hair was cleaned Archer continued, his lips pressed thinly, curling up at the corners. Pretending he wasn't quietly salivating at cleaning my body. Body wash dribbled over my chest, slowly sliding down. Skating his fingers over my chest, slowly he slid them over the curve. His eyes widened as the smile grew, cupping my breasts into his hands. Our bodies were close, carefully I trailed my fingers over his hard cock, earning a groan as his mouth pressed against mine.

Our beginning was far from conventional. I knew that things had moved way too fast but there was no turning back now. Life was growing in me, a life that was unplanned but very wanted.

I'd grown up believing that the perfect romance was meeting a boy that was good, wholesome and what the world saw as the ideal husband. We'd slowly fall in love then one day out of the blue, he'd get down on one knee and surprise me with the glistening rock that looked like it could pay for an entire year's groceries. The wedding would be romantic and have our relatives talking about it for months, whispering about how much in love the bride and groom looked. Then their whispers would turn to the children that would follow, the honeymoon baby and many more that we'd have over the years. A lifelong love.

As Archer pressed me to the tiles, guiding my arms over his shoulders I realized something about the fantasy that I'd been stuck in. It was a lie. Romance isn't perfect. Couples fight, they don't always see eye to eye and sometimes they don't make it to forever.

Archer was far from ideal, he wasn't a good boy or wholesome and I doubted the world would see him as ideal but they were wrong about it. Ideal is dependent on the person. He might not be ideal for them but he is for me. He loved me, he's cared for me when I needed him. His darker side was closed off and a little menacing but that always came with club business, something that I didn't want to know about anyway. The less I knew, the better.

Falling in love slowly might have been a dream but it was foolish. It was born from a girl who knew nothing about love, crazy teenage daydreams that didn't account for the high drive of lust that spurns on a swift push for a physical love. And somewhere deep within that swift push was emotions that were heightened, creating a sense of happiness and love. Many referred to it as the honeymoon period, I could only hope that ours wouldn't fade into nothing.

As crazy as it sounded after telling him that I loved him, I did honestly like him. Not in the love sense but in the good company that he was even if he did like to push my buttons, annoying me and generally driving me crazy. He made me laugh, he made me happy.

Falling in love was different for everyone, there was no set pattern nor rules. How could I say that the way that we'd done things was right or wrong? I couldn't and with that thought, I cast aside all concerns of how we became us and decided that I would focus my attention on remaining this way. In love, heated passion and amazing sex. We could have a lifelong love, there was nothing that would stop us.

Bad boy falls in love with good girl. It was a great idea and as soon as my wrists were better, I'd be back at the computer. Maybe I could hire an assistant in the meantime. Maybe I could teach Archer how to type and then I could dictate everything to him. He'd hate it and I'd love it, it sounded perfect.

Archer lifted my legs around his waist, flexing his hips against me. I gasped with the sensation, smiling broadly. His hands found my backside, squeezing the flesh. Slowly those soft lips caressed mine, kissing me.

“Stop planning a book about me.”

I chuckled deviously.

“Baby, you've got no idea the torture I'm going to unleash on you.”

He smiled back at me as he moved away from my lips.

“And I look forward to a lifetime of it.”