Holding On (Road House Series) (4 page)

“You too, honey, and any time.” Sarah’s mother waved them off. Iris felt a twinge of longing. This was something they missed with their own mother.

She climbed into the car and shut out those thoughts. Tonight was about fun, and she fully intended to have some.

***

Luc could spot her a mile away. Wasn’t hard with the way she was dressed. It nearly caused him to fall over when the outline of her breasts was silhouetted by the spotlight at the back of the bar.

He groaned and felt his dick get stiff. It was bad enough he’d been fighting a hard-on for most of the day just remembering their earlier encounter, but then he had to see her like this. Like she was begging him to take her home and do all the things he had been thinking about.

Luc sighed. He just had to make it a few hours without jumping her or being an ass. This was something he could do. Just wasn’t really sure how he was going to manage. At least the place was packed, so he could get lost.

“Luc!”

Fuck. He turned to see Jake waving at him from the table.

Luc walked like he was on his way for a root canal.

“What the hell took you so long?” Jake pushed back a chair with his foot.

“Guy brought in a bike last minute and threw a fit about it not being done first thing in the morning.” He slumped in the chair.

“Well that doesn’t seem right.” Iris’s sweet voice forced him to look up. Irritation marred her lovely face. He wanted to apologize for his behavior in the morning, but there was no way he would with everyone around.

“Yeah, it’s not. Guy just got the bike and broke it because he doesn’t know what the hell he’s doing. Of course, try telling him that.” Luc ran a hand though his hair and stopped when he caught her eying his hand.

This just wasn’t what he had been expecting. Anger, hurt, loathing, anything but the desire he saw burning in her.

“Another round!” Pan slapped the shots on the table in front of the girls along with lemon and salt.

“’Kay, but this is seriously the last one.” Iris scrunched up her nose.

Luc leaned over to Jake. “How many have they had?”

“Not near enough, lover boy.” Pan gave him a pointed wink.

Great, they all knew. Luc gripped the table a little tighter.

Jake held up four fingers. Damn, the girls were more than just a little buzzed.

The band had taken the stage and started to strum some very loud rifts.

He didn’t know what Sarah considered biker music, but he’d always considered that to be The Stones. This band was not the Stones.

When he turned back to tell this to Jack, he became entranced with the sight of Iris licking her hand. Deep in concentration, she sprinkled the salt and held the lemon in that same hand. She bent to lick the salt and looked directly at him as she did. He squirmed in his seat to create more room in his pants. Beads of sweat rolled down the side of his neck. Iris kept his attention as she downed the shot and popped the lemon in.

Watching her all night was going to be hell. Quickly, he turned his attention back to the stage.

“Yowza!” Sarah’s voice could just barely be heard over the racket on stage. “I say we get our butts up and do some dancing.” She started to slide off Jake’s lap, but he pulled her in to whisper something in her ear. When she leaned into him and whispered back, a frown spread on his face. She had obviously won that debate.

The other two quickly rose and walked to the floor.

That was when he saw it. A barely there skirt, miles of bare legs and four-inch heels.

“What the hell is she wearing?” Luc shot up out of his chair.

“She’s wearing a skirt and tank. What the hell are you doing looking at my woman?” The twinkle of amusement was not lost on Luc.

“Not her. She just…they just can’t go out there like that.” He started to follow when he felt Jake grip his arm.

“They will be fine. Anyone fucks with them and not only will Pan beat the shit out of them, but you and I will get seconds on that.”

Luc slammed into the chair. Just what the hell did she think she was doing?

Iris loved it. The music sucked, and she wasn’t too keen on all the smelly men, but the look on Luc’s face was priceless. If she could get him that pissed, maybe there was a chance.

Pan and Sarah danced around her but always tried to keep a view of the table. The two seems to be having entirely too much fun watching the vein in Luc’s neck pop out every time Pan and Sarah put their hands on Iris. To them, it was just fun dancing, but she could see he was clearly in pain. She kept goading him with her eyes, hoping he would come out and slid his hands on her, but no such luck.

Then there were two left dancing. Iris spotted Pan as she made her way across the floor to Emilio. She couldn’t help but laugh. Pan was persistent if she was anything. Who knew, maybe tonight would be the night.

Suddenly, she felt a new pair of hands on her waist, a pair of very male hands that didn’t feel the need to just stay on her hips. She squirmed to see who it was. He was a nice enough looking guy, but not who she wanted. She glanced over to the table, but Luc was nowhere to be found. Iris wiggled away and waved off the man as she slipped toward the bathroom.

No, that was not what she had expected. He seemed okay, but he was not Luc. She freshened up her make-up and ran a paper towel along her neck.

It was a good thing she had decided to bring her hair tie. Might not look the best, but it was better than being a sticky mess. Instead of her usual tight pull-back, Iris left the front loose, with little wisps of hair framing her face.

She smiled at her reflection. The result kept the soft sexy look she had wanted.

When she came out, she was surprised to find Mr. Grabby hands.

"Thought you might like to dance some more." He gave her a large, toothy grin. The small hallway leading to the bathroom suddenly seemed a million miles long and narrow.

"Oh well, I wasn't really planning to—"

"We were just getting ready to leave." Luc stalked up the narrow hall, his frame dwarfing the already small space.

"Night." The toothy man tipped his head toward her and slunk past Luc.

They both watched him disappear around the corner. Luc turned and eyed Iris. His eyes narrowed and before she knew what was happening, she was being directed toward the back.

"Where are we—"

Luc whirled her around and pressed into her, his soft lips seeking out entrance to her tender mouth. He licked the seam and Iris moaned. Luc took advantage and plunged in. Both of his hands tangled in her hair as he angled for a better kiss.

Iris placed her hands firmly planted between then, caressing the firm planes of his chest. She slid them down and felt his muscles contract from the touch. The ridges of his stomach caused her to shiver. Once again, her hands were on the move. This time she didn't stop until both hands met the bare skin of his neck.

Franticly, his hands roamed her body until he reached the skin on the back of her thigh. He gruffly yanked her thigh up to his hip and pressed against her.

Iris moaned and rocked against the hard length. He felt amazing. She knew this was getting a little out of hand, but she be damned if she stopped now. After spending the day in a state of frustration, she was going to find release before he decided to back away again.

Luc placed a hand on the wall behind her to steady himself. If she kept grinding on him like that, he was going to come before he even got the chance to taste her sweet pussy.

Nudging her back a bit, Luc cupped her mound over her panties. He stared at her as she threw her head back and hitched her leg up higher. Meticulously, he worked his fingers over the silky thin material. When she started bucking to meet his strokes, he moved his hand away. Iris flicked her eyes open and gave a huff of frustration.

Luc chuckled at the display but turned to a groan as he slipped his hand under the material only to meet bare skin. Iris stared him in the eye, as he flicked his finger over her clit.

She gasped as the feeling coursed through her. Her eyes when wide when he slid one long finger into her wet opening. She leaned forward and rested her forehead against his. Warm puffs of air mingled between them and increased as he started to work in and out of her. Iris leaned forward and drew him into a searing kiss. She nipped and licked his bottom lip, encouraging him to go faster.

Luc pressed her firmly into the wall as he increased his pace.

Iris broke the kiss and placed her head on his shoulder and turned her mouth to his ear.

“Luc,” she groaned.

When he added a second finger, she was panting. Between the feel of her and erotic sound of her breathing in his ear, Luc didn’t know if he’d be able to stop once she found release.

He faltered when he felt her tentative hand pull at his zipper and slip inside.

“Oh God, Iris.” He couldn’t stop the words as she released him from his jeans and started to stroke him. When he sped up, she did as well. In unison, they were drawing the other to the edge of release.

Iris loved the weight of him in her hand. The thick vein at the bottom pulsed like it was close to releasing all over, and the thought of this excited her to no end. She loved that this was for her. When she brushed her thumb over the slit, Luc returned by brushing his thumb across her clit. Both surged forward, moving at a frenzied pace to meet their pending orgasms.

Iris was the first to fall, clenching his fingers inside her. When the waves had settled, she pulled him in for another kiss and stroked him with long, firm strokes. As the first jets of his come hit her hand, Iris slid her other hand up and gently ran a finger along the scar. He stilled his kiss but groaned when another stream shot out of him.

Worn physically and emotionally, Luc slid his fingers out of her and tucked himself away. He nearly chocked when he saw her slide her panties down and slip them in her purse.

When she caught him looking, she shrugged. “They were soaked.”

“See, this is the problem,” Luc growled.

“Oh?” Iris crossed her arms in front and pushed her perky nipples into plain sight. “And what problem would that be?”

“You know what you do to men. Don’t play innocent.” Luc paced back and forth in front of her like a caged animal. “You come in with your see-through top, almost nothing skirt, showing so much leg that a man has trouble not imagining them wrapped around his waist. And then you top it off with the soft hair and four-inch heels.”

“And this is a bad thing?”

“Yes! Don’t you know what you’re inviting in dressed like that?” Luc stopped in front of her.

“What I’m…?” Iris couldn’t even think she was so flipping mad. “Let’s get something straight. If I want to dress sexy, then I’ll do exactly that.” She poked him in the chest. “This is un-fucking believable! For once, I wanted to feel amazing. Wanted to catch someone’s eye…” She looked at him. “Your eye,” she continued. “I just don’t get you. Once second you are giving me the best orgasm I’ve ever had, and the next you make me feel like trash.” Iris stooped to pick up her purse she had dropped. “You know what, fuck this and fuck you. When you decided to grow a pair and act like an adult, I’d love to continue this but until then, I’m done.”

Luc watched as she swept out of the back.

Chapter Five

Iris stormed over to the table where Sarah sat in Jake’s lap, whispering in his ear.

“Have you seen my sister?” she shouted over the music.

Both shook their heads.

“Damn it.” She slammed her purse on the table.

“What’s going on?” Sarah stared at her with worry.

“I’m just…” She sighed. “I just need to go home.” Her voice shook with pent-up emotion.

“Oh, honey, what happened?”

“We just—”

“Iris!” Luc shouted to her from the bar.

“Shit,” she mumbled. “Listen, if you see Pan, tell her to call me.”

She slipped into the crowd as Luc reached the table.

“Now hold it right there, buster.” Sarah reached out and nabbed Luc by the back of his shirt. “You better explain why Iris just ran out of here like a bat out of hell.”

“I fucked things up, and I’ve got to find her.”

Luc ran a worried hand through his hair.

“I’d check the parking lot,” Jake rumbled.

Luc cut through the crowd and burst out the front door. He could kick himself for sending Iris running into a dark parking lot.

“Iris,” he called.

“Shit, shit, shit.” He could hear her to the right of the building. As he rounded the corner, he found the sleazy guy from before leaning on the driver’s side of the car, preventing her from getting in.

Anger coursed through him as he charged the two.

“So maybe we should go back to your place and finish what you and your friend started?”

Iris shivered at the thought. Not only would the creep not move, but he had seen them. Seen her. She felt her stomach clench and tried not to gag.

When he moved a little closer, she could smell the stale alcohol on his breath.

“Come on, baby. Show me a little love too.”

“Iris!” Luc called to her from around the corner.

“Shit, shit, shit.”

“Oh I didn’t realize your friend wasn’t finished with you. Well, I don’t mind sharing.” He grinned.

What was it with these men? Thinking they could order her around and treat her like trash. She had had enough for one night. No, for a lifetime. The more she thought on it the angrier she got.

Without thinking at all, she slammed her knee into the dirt bag’s groin. Immediately, he dropped to the ground.

“You bitch!” he screamed in pain.

“Fuck you!” she screamed at him. “Share me? Are you kidding me? Share?” She knew her voice had become shrill, but she was so beyond the point of caring. “Listen here, you fucking little prick, if I had the choice of fucking you and being eaten alive by sharks, I’d take my chances with the sharks.” She resisted the urge to kick him.

It wasn’t until he stood that panic washed over her.

He wasn’t particularly tall like Luc, but the man was large. Much larger than her.