Raw: The Ultimate Mc Collection (112 page)

CHAPTER EIGHT

Mr. C arrived back at the clubhouse amid applause and raucous back-slapping. Watching from the chair I had arranged directly in front of my living room window, I took in the scene, sipping a beer and contemplating my next move. He was out on bail quickly, but I was sure he wasn't out of trouble. It had only taken two days. I had laid low in my apartment the entire time and had not caught sight of Crow at all after I returned from the precinct the morning after Mr. C's arrest.

I hadn't seen him once, but not a minute had passed that I wasn't thinking about him. I assumed he was at his house in the country he had referred to, and I wondered just where that was. I wanted to go to him, comfort him. I knew he would have been deep in thought trying to figure out what happened. But I couldn't. I didn't even have his number.

No. I would just have to wait for him to come to me. In the meantime, I watched from afar.

The sun was setting behind the clubhouse, and music poured out of the windows. I smiled as I imagined Mr. C back behind the bar, pouring himself a much needed shot of whiskey and not stopping until the bottle was empty.

The other person I hadn't seen in the last few days was Pete. I still wasn't sure what I was going to say to him. I needed to let him know that I was on to him, that I thought he planted the coke, but I needed to make sure he didn't recognize me. And if he had planted the drugs, then why? That's what I wasn't sure of. Unless he didn't plant them. Maybe the club was running drugs after all and Crow and Mr. C did know they were there. Did they tell Pete to put them there? They had both seemed genuinely surprised at the raid, though, so that didn't seem likely.

And who was the other undercover cop? I had no clue who it could be. Everyone seemed to fit into the club so well, that it didn't seem likely that it could be any of the MC members. I had to admit, I was completely intrigued and a whole lot annoyed. It seemed ridiculous that they wouldn't tell me or Tommy who it was.

I was so tired of sitting in this chair and watching nothing much of anything happen. I needed a drink. The MC seemed to be tucked in for the evening, and I was pretty sure nothing was going to be going down tonight, especially since Mr. C had just gotten out of jail.

After pulling on my boots, I headed over to the pub across the street. It was unusually quiet, and I was thankful for that. I just wanted to get a bite to eat, have a few beers and quietly retire for the evening. I was so confused about everything going on, my head had been racing, imagining a million different scenarios and ways this could all go down. I needed a break from all of that. I ordered a shot of tequila with my beer and burger and settled into a booth in the back while I waited.

In spite of all the intrigue and vagueness, I was enjoying myself immensely. Sure, I was worried about Crow, and if I was being completely honest with myself I would admit that I had feelings for him. I was planning on keeping them completely in control, and I was confident in my ability to do that. He had been gone for two days now, though, and I was starting to miss him.

As the night wore on, I felt my worries slide away with every drink. Something was definitely fishy, I knew that, but I was hoping whatever the truth was, it would come to light soon. For now, though, life was good. I couldn't help but remember the feel of Crow's hands on me, the emotions that played across his face like shadows while he thrust into me over and over the other night, and the perfect, blissful feeling of falling asleep in his gentle arms before we had been so rudely awakened. I had planned on making him a huge breakfast that morning. I was a phenomenal cook – Mabel had taught me well – and I found myself wanting to cook for Crow. He felt vulnerable to me, despite his rough exterior. I wanted to take care of him.

Sliding out of the booth that I had occupied for a few hours, I smiled with the thought that I wasn't doing a very good job of staying in control of my emotions for him. He was irresistible and with my defenses now weakened, I was entertaining fantasies of doing more than walking away from this assignment when it was over. Could it ever work out in such a way that I could have an actual future with Crow?

After paying my bill and saying goodnight to Darrell, I walked out into the moonlit night. The rumble of bikes coming around the corner stopped me in my tracks and I watched as Crow and Pete rounded the corner and passed in front of me. Crow nodded as he passed, and Pete pretended he didn't see me. I stood silently on the sidewalk watching them park their bikes, hoping I would get a few minutes alone with Crow.

His hair was loose and tangled around his head after he pulled his helmet off and it reminded me of that first night we spent together and our ride up to Dog Mountain. It seemed so long ago, and yet it was merely days ago. My heart melted when his eyes met mine. His eyes were filled with sadness, and I longed to see him smile.

“Hi, Krys,” he walked over to me, and Pete stood quietly beside his bike waiting for Crow.

“Hi, there. How are you holding up?” I asked.

“I've been better that's for sure. Sorry for disappearing. I had some thinking to do.”

“I understand, no worries. Is there anything I can do?” I closed the distance between us, and gently laid my hand on his chest as I looked up into his sweet eyes. His smile warmed my heart as he leaned down and brushed his lips gently against mine.

“No, just keep being you, that's all. You're the bright spot in my life these days.”

“Well,” I replied, smiling at him mischievously, “if you need a little more light, you know where I am.”

“Oh, I know where you are,” his voice lowered, and he whispered seductively in my ear, “I can't stop thinking about you, baby.”

I grinned up at him, bliss filling my heart with his words.

“Let me make you dinner. Tomorrow night. My place, 7 pm? Can you make it?”

He looked down at me, his eyes filled with something I couldn't quite put my finger on. Gratefulness?

Lust? Yearning? I wasn't sure but I would take it all.

“Yes,” he replied, kissing me gently one more time, “I'll be there. I mean, if you can cook, that is.”

I laughed out loud.

“You don't have any idea what you're in for, mister. I can cook almost as good as I can ride.”

“Oh, yeah?” he asked, his smile widening.

“Yeah.” I lifted my chin defiantly. “Don't be late.”

Nodding his head, he laughed as he began walking away from me, Pete following close behind.

“You got it, cowgirl. I won't be late.”

“Good. See you tomorrow.”

I tried not to skip and do cartwheels as I walked across the street to my apartment. There was that damned teenaged giddiness taking hold of me again. I had a date with Crow. And I was tickled about it.

CHAPTER NINE

Steak. Potatoes. Beer. I was going to keep the meal simple and meaty. Just like Crow.

I spent the day shopping for everything I would need, and later found myself at the mall shopping for new lingerie. Crow had shredded my best pair of panties the other night, and I couldn't escape the desire to turn him on like that again. He was amazing, charming and dangerously handsome and I couldn't help but wishing I was meeting him under different circumstances. The MC life was in my blood, and it wasn't surprising to me that I was completely enthralled with a man like Crow. He was strong, confident and quiet. Not to mention the way he looked when he was on top of me, thrusting his amazing cock deep inside of me. I was certain the night would end up with him in my bed again, and as excited as I was to be able to cook for him, I was much more aroused by the anticipation of what would come later.

I returned to my apartment around five in the afternoon, everything I needed tucked into my backpack, including a few pairs of new, lacy underwear and an enticing black negligee that I was secretly hoping Crow would rip from my body later. I had never had anything ripped off of me before, but I had absolutely adored the feeling of that last night. There was something totally savage and primal about it, that I couldn't stop thinking about it. The pull against your skin just before the cloth gave way. The richly satisfying sound of the cloth shredding. My pussy throbbed just imagining it.

As I was parking my bike, Pete rounded the corner, walking away from the door of my apartment. I was instantly on edge - there was something I just didn't like about like this guy, even without the past I shared with him.

He saw me and walked right over to me.

“Hey, Krys. I came over to let you know that Crow is going to be a few minutes late tonight.” he said, as he waited for me to turn off my bike and take off my helmet.

“Oh. Is that so?”

“Yep. Club shit.”

“Okay,” I replied, nodding and attempting to walk around him. He stopped me in my tracks.

“You sure we don't know each other?” His face was so close to mine, I could smell his rancid breath.

“I'm sure,” I said curtly.

We stared each other down, and I was determined not to let him see through my ruse. I looked squarely into his eyes, challenging him silently.

“Okay,” he replied. “If you say so. But I could swear I know you. Your eyes...there's something about your eyes...” His voice trailed off and he began walking across the street.

Without replying, I walked away and climbed the stairs to my apartment.

My skin burned, feeling his eyes peering into me from behind.

Once I made it to my apartment, I took a deep breath and did my best to forget about Pete. There was something really evil about that guy, but tonight I was going to forget him. I wasn't going to let him ruin my one night with Crow. Things were moving fast, and I didn't know how much longer I was going to get with him. I was determined to enjoy every inch of him while I had him.

As much as I wanted to deny it, I knew I had to face reality and admit it to myself - there was no way Crow and I could ever end up together. Even if the case worked out somehow, he would never be able to forgive me for lying to him. He had opened up to me, and I knew he felt uneasy about that. If he knew I was a cop, he would feel so betrayed. I had come to the sad fact that there probably wasn't any way this would ever work out in our favor, and that fact alone had me wanting to make tonight as special as it could be. At least we would have the few memories together before everything goes to hell in the next day or two when Crow finds out who I really am.

I wasn't so sure that Pete was going to be the one to figure it out, but at the end of the case, no matter how it turned out, Crow would find out who I am. And that will be the end of it. Because how could he ever trust me again? I felt humbled that he had chosen me to open up to, to find some escape from the life with, if only for a moment or two. He seemed genuinely relaxed, open and...happy. Yes, he seemed happy when he was with me.

I suppose that only made it worse, though.

Pushing all the negative thoughts aside, I reminded myself of my promise to just be in the moment tonight, and take a few stolen hours to enjoy each other. He didn't need to know it was probably going to be the last time.

I spent the next few hours cooking and cleaning. Time got away from me, and I rushed to get the table set and change my clothes before Crow arrived. He wasn't late at all, as Pete had said he would be. I heard the deep roar of his bike, and when my doorbell rang, I took a look around to make sure everything was in it's place. I had set the table earlier, with salad and bread waiting for us, the steaks were warming on the grill, and I had a classic rock station playing in the background. Flames flickered in the windows from the few candles I had lit, and the lights were dimmed just enough so that when the sun set in about an hour, the light in the room would fade naturally.

Taking a deep breath, and adjusting the simple, scooped neck tank top over my hips, I opened the door with a smile.

Flowers. Slick-backed hair. And those punishing velvet blue eyes, framed by the feathery fringe of his dark lashes – all of which I quickly realized I was in no way prepared for.

And he still had his cut on, the black leather slung over his broad shoulders like a second skin.

I melted as he held the white daisies out to me, bowing his head and taking my hand and kissing it all at the same time. Speechless, I drank in the luscious feel of his lips burning my hand, and as he turned it over to kiss the inside of my palm as well, I sighed with delight.

“Come inside,” I whispered, pulling my hand away from his warm mouth reluctantly. “You're giving me goosebumps.”

The crinkle of his smiling eyes told me he was in a fairly good spirits, and I felt my shoulders relax in relief. I wasn't sure what his mood would be like, after the scene with Mr. C. But it appeared I had nothing to worry about. My plan to forget about everything and have a wonderful time might just be a possibility after all.