One Ride (The Hellions Ride) (21 page)

“He means a lot to Sass.  I know the code, Tripp.  I get that there are times you can’t tell me things, but Tank is important to my best friend.  Is he okay?”

“Doll.  You need to go to sleep.” 

Not telling her what’s going on is killing me.  I won’t lie to her.  It’s not club business or information that would harm her, but I can’t tell her about Tank.  She would feel obligated to tell Sass.  I may not know Sass well, but I know her enough to know she’d flip her shit.  It’s not something we need on this trip.

Things are safe and settled back home.  Telling Sass now, she’d want to be on the first plane home and Doll to go with her.  Roundman gave me the all clear to head home.  I could put the girls on a plane, I’m sure.  Selfish bastard that I am, I’m not ready to ride without Doll yet.

My business and my club need me back in North Carolina.  The quicker I get back the sooner things will fall back into place.  I shou
ld be walking away from Doll, putting space between us.  I can’t though.  Thinking of it, I pull her tighter against me.  Kissing the top of her head, I continue playing in her hair until she finally falls asleep.

Acceptance

Waking up with Tripp is a peace deep inside of me.  No matter how hard I try to stay awake, when I’m in Tripp’s arms I find the peace to sleep.  This morning, I’m slightly unnerved.  Tripp’s avoidance at answering questions about Tank last night lets me know something is going on.  My anxiety is in overdrive about all the boys back home.  I wanted to question him further when we settled in for the evening, but didn’t get any real answers.  As he stroked my hair, the sound of his heart beating under me, and the comfort of his hold, I couldn’t stay awake long enough to push the issue.

Not much is said as we head out for the day.  We cross into Kentucky.  Instinctively, I know we’re headed to Bowling Green.  We’ve met up with the boys of Heaven Hill MC before. 

Pulling in, I see we are staying in a hotel that’s in their territory.  Passing through on a run, our club has stayed here before.  Getting off the bike, I stretch.  My body is aching from the hours on the bike.  We check in and shower. 

Taking my cues from Tripp, I keep my distance.  Really, I want to push him on the bed and ride him, giving us both the opportunity to release all the pent up frustrations and unshared emotions between us.  He’s not showing any signs of being in that kind of mood.  Instead, he seems restless, almost like a caged animal.  Maybe that’s why he’s named Tripp, he doesn’t like when things get routine or common.  I’ve become common to him and he’s ready for a change of scenery.  I’m sitting on the bed as Tripp is staring out the window, when a knock at the door breaks our silence.

Going to the door, I open it to find Rex and Sass on the other side.

“Let’s go grab a beer, man.”  Rex says as Sass nods her agreement.  Tripp looks over to me.  A strange look comes across his features before he agrees we need to get out. 

We’re at a local dive.  It’s a small, crowded bar and one that’s definitely crawling with Heaven Hill members.  The space is full with pool tables to the right, a modern digital jukebox on the back wall between some dartboards.  A few tables and a bar to the left, the restrooms are off the back wall, as well as, what I assume to be, their stock room.

Going straight to the bar, we order four beers.  No taps here, take your liquor straight or your beer in a bottle the bar keep tells us.  I like it.  It’s small and a reminder of hanging out back home in one of the local places.

We aren’t there an hour and Rex is off with some bar fly in the bathroom after we watched them devour each other openly for a good twenty minutes.  At one point, I was sure Rex was going to take her right there in the chair.  She came over to say hi, I never caught her name before he pulled her on his lap and started making out with her.  Since her mouth was full of his tongue there was no point in asking her name, she wouldn’t be able to answer.  Hell, the way they’re going at it, I’m surprised the bitch can breathe.  That tongue ring of his must be fun to play with. 

A biker with long black hair waves Tripp over.  He’s a Heaven Hill boy, so Sass and I stay put.  Know your place Doll, I remind myself.  If the other biker wanted us in the conversation he would’ve approached the table, not nodded for Tripp to join him.  Leaving me and Sass to our own accord, I sit back, taking a pull on my beer.

“You okay, Sass?”  She shrugs her shoulders.  Taking a drink herself before replying, she seems more determined now.

“I talked to my dad.  He said Tank’s not avoiding me, but unable to talk to me.  Fuck ‘em all.  My dad’s even sticking up for the bastard blowing me off now.  It is what it is.  I’ve talked to Nick a few times.  He’s waiting for me to get back.  He wants to take me out on a real date as soon as we get home.  After all the traveling, I’m ready for something normal.  I want to feel safe.  Nick is secure.”

“Nick is not Tank, Sass.  Nick can’t give you the rush you need in life.” 

“Tank is my friend.  He’ll always be my friend.  The older we get and the more we deal with, the more I don’t want this.  Hell, I can’t even call my fuckin’ friend right now and him answer me.  It’s not for me, Doll.  My question is….Doll, is this for you?  Can you handle Tripp going on transports and not being able to reach him?”  She asks, but before I can answer another Heaven Hill member approaches.  I don’t catch his name as he snakes his arm around my shoulders.  I brush him off me.

“Oh don’t be shy.  The women who come here, come to hook up.  Let’s go, baby, I’ll be gentle the first time.”  He has a seedy grin spreading across his face. 

“Not these women.”  I say gesturing to Sass and myself.  “We’re not here to hook up.  I’m here with someone.” 

The cocky bastard continues.  “You’ve got no property patch.  In these parts you’re fair game, no need to be a prude, we can share.  I can satisfy you and your friend.  The man you came with can even watch.” 

Tripp approaches.  His face serious, but I can tell he’s not sure what’s going on since the man isn’t touching me anymore and is casually leaning over the table.  Standing, I reach out, grabbing Tripp by the waist and pull him to me.  Snaking one hand up around his neck, I bring his face down to mine and kiss him.  When I pull away, the serious look in his face has changed to heated desire.  I tuck myself into him as I look over at the stranger.

“Like I said, I’m here with someone.  I’m no bar bitch, so move the fuck on.” 

Anger passes over his face at my tone with him.  I’m sure very few women have given him lip before.  When his eyes make their way to Tripp, he throws his hands up in defeat.  I can hear him muttering as he passes us by.

“Not worth the hassle, plenty of other pussy.”

“You okay?”  Tripp asks, now understanding what happened.  I wrap my arms around him tightly, resting my head on his chest.

“Perfect now, babe.”  I answer, relaxing in the moment.  For the first time in my life, it felt good to say I was someone other than Roundman’s Doll. 

We hang out for a little while longer as I meet Tyler, Heaven Hill MC VP.  He’s the biker that called Tripp over earlier.  I’m introduced to Liam, the club Prez and his ol’ lady Denise.  We meet a few other Heaven Hill members before we leave for the night.  It was comforting to be in Tripp’s arms all night.  If I was sitting, then it was on his lap.  If I was standing, then it was with his arm around my waist and his hand down in the back pocket of my jeans cupping my ass cheek.  I’m not used to having someone on me like that, and if it had been anyone else, it would have annoyed the shit outta me.  With Tripp, though, shit felt right.  It felt good, so much so, I could spend my lifetime in that man’s arms, by his side and never get enough of him.

Waking with Doll tangled in me after a night making her body tremble beneath me is a happiness I’ve never had.  As a kid, my grandpa always talked about the love he and my grandma shared.  Every moment he had with her was a treasure.  He always told Rex and me,
“Treasure your women when you find them.  Make sure your woman knows that she’s the center of your world.  There is no better feeling then waking up to the person who accepts everything about you.  The moment she climbs into your arms, when she seeks you out as her comfort, her protector, and her love.  You carry that moment for a lifetime.”
  Last night, Doll came to me.  She could’ve shut the guy down without claiming herself as mine, but she didn’t.  Pop’s was right, there’s no better feeling than waking up with Doll after she’s climbed into my arms.  Choosing me, she’s choosing me.

The thoughts of having her like this for my lifetime brings warmth deep inside of me.  Today, I bring her back to my house.  Tonight, I will have her in my bed.  Tomorrow, I return her to her world.  Tomorrow, I say goodbye to my lifeline.  Tomorrow, I say goodbye to my heart because when I leave, I leave it with her.  As much as it’s going to suck, I’m going to leave her.  It’s going to crush me, but I’m going to walk away.  The other thing Pop’s always said,
“Don’t give your woman unnecessary pain.”
My life would be unnecessary pain for Doll. 

I have all of today, tonight, and tomorrow’s drive to make sure Doll knows she’s my treasure.  Starting in this moment, when I gently rub the back of my hand against her face.  Knowing she’s asleep, I share what’s on my mind.

Whispering to her, “You’re everything, Doll.  You’re the good in me.  When the days get long, you’ll be what pulls me through.  I’m gonna let you go, but I’m always gonna carry you with me.”  I watch her breathing. 

No longer able to contain myself, I move to kiss her forehead.  Rolling her over, I kiss her cheek, then her neck.  She’s waking up under me.  I take my time trailing kisses over her neck and collarbone.  She reaches up, running her fingers through my hair.  Our eyes meet. The words are on the tip of my tongue, but unable to come out.  I see the love this woman has for me in the depths of those piercing blue eyes.  Does she see what I feel for her?  Does she see the man behind the bike?  Rather than speak the words, I spend my morning making love to her body.  Taking in every second of this and committing it to my memory in a way to last me a lifetime.

Tomorrow, she’ll be home.  Tomorrow, our ride will end.  Tomorrow, I’ll be man enough to walk away.  We’re in too deep.  I never should’ve let this happen, emotions and entanglements are things I don’t do. Today, I’ll give her all of me.  Today, I’ll take everything I can.  Today, I’ll let my weakness for her consume me.