Born to Ride_A Clubhouse Collection

chapter Eight

It was hard to concentrate at dinner. Talon sat next to me; sometimes he would rest one hand on the back of my chair, and other times he would play with the ends of my hair. All of it made my brain go ga-ga. Still, the conversation went on, and by the time we'd all finished, I felt full and content.

I turned to Maya and said, “I'm just going to help clean up, and then we'll do your reader before bed.” I rose and took some plates to the sink.

Talon came up behind me, and with an arm around my waist he whispered, “Can I help Maya with her reader?”

I went stiff and closed my eyes.

It had always been just me.

“Kitten,” he uttered. “That mean somethin' to you?”

I nodded.

“Good.” He kissed my cheek and turned to Maya. “Come on, squirt, you're readin' to me tonight.”

“Yay,” she sang, bounced up and out to her room with Talon following.

I turned around from the sink and my eyes met Deanna's. She also knew it meant something big to me.

With a hushed voice, she said, “Well, thank f*ck—”

“Deanna. Language,” I snapped.

“Oh, give me a break; I can only go so long, and she can't hear me now.” She grabbed the rest of the plates and brought them to the bench. “It's good to see, Zee. It's so good to see.”

“I double that,” Julian said from the table where he sat next to a smiling Mattie. “I haven't known you long, sponge cake, but you deserve this. Him.”

“He's right, Zee,” Mattie added. “I can see you're scared, but let it happen. I think, with Talon beside you, you'll both shine for that precious girl in there.” He pointed in the direction of Maya's room.

I pulled my lips between my teeth and nodded.

“No need to be holding out anymore, bitch. What you have right there in that room is f*ckin' worth holding onto,” Deanna said. “Right, enough said. Let’s get this shit cleaned and go veg-out before I gotta hit the road.”

That was yet another worry I had to voice, “I don't want you going home alone, Deanna.”

“I don't want to hear this. I'm fine; I reckon you're worrying over nothing. And besides, it's not like he'd come after me. Hell, he doesn’t know who I am.”

“You don't know that. He could be watching. I think from now on you should move in here.”

She rolled her eyes and became a little rougher with the dishes as she loaded them in the dishwasher.

“If you break even one plate, I'll have to hurt you. And don't go ignoring me, wench.”

“I love the relationship they have,” Julian said to Mattie.

“It's a little strange,” Mattie added.

“But strange is beautiful.” Julian smiled.

“Whatever, meat slappers.” Deanna rolled her eyes. “Look, it's going to be fine. I'm going home, and that's the end of the story.”

“No, you're not.” We all looked to the doorway to see Griz standing there glaring at Deanna.

“Did anyone hear him come in?” I asked. They shook their heads. “Great lot we'd be if we were ninja attacked.”

I watched Deanna face Griz with her hands on her hips, head held high; and with her upper lip raised she snapped, “Yes. I. F*ckin'. Am.”

“You do all this tough talking, and telling Wildcat there to keep herself safe by staying and trusting. Why don't you do the same?”

“Yeah!” I yelled and fist pumped the air.

Deanna snarled at me to shut up, and then said to Griz, “Because he won't be after me, oh-wise-one.” She raised one eyebrow.

“You can't be sure of that. If he's watching Wildcat then he'll do anything to get at her; meaning, he won't have a second thought of taking out someone she cares about.”

I gasped. “What about Maya at school? I'll have to keep her home.”

“No, darlin', she's covered by the boys. Someone will always be there watchin'; so you don't need to stress.”

I nodded; though I still felt uneasy.

Griz turned a hard stare on Deanna. “You'll be staying at the compound. In my room.”

She smirked and crossed her arms over her chest. “Well, hot stuff, if all you wanted was to get me into bed, all you had to was ask.”

He straightened. “You'll be in my bed, on your own. You ain't my type, princess—too young and just a pain in the ass.”


“Yeah right, handsome; I bet every morning when you're in the shower you jerk your chain thinkin' of this ass.” She slapped her butt.

Griz growled.

Julian giggled. “Did she honestly just say that?”

I sighed.

Mattie nodded while looking concerned.

“Jesus Christ.” Griz shook his head. I thought he would have put her down or stalked off, but instead he said, “That's right, sweetheart. I come every morning thinking of bangin' you so hard it'd work some of that pole outta your ass. As I'm sure you fiddle with your nub every day thinking of how hard and long I'd take you.”

“Oh, boy, is it getting hot in here?” Julian asked, fanning himself.

I looked back at Deanna, surprised she was still silent, and shocked to see a blush upon her cheeks.

“F*ck you,” Deanna uttered.

He smirked. He knew he'd just won. “In your dreams, princess. Now, Pick will meet you out front when you're finished here. He'll show you to your room. You better not f*ckin' fight him on this,” he said, and then walked out of the house.

“Deanna?” I pressed.

“Shut the f*ck up. I don't wanna hear it.”

“He's a nice guy,” I said.

She snorted. “Too old for me.What is he, fifty?”

“Forty,” Talon said as he came into the room, up to me, and moved my body so he could stand behind me with his arms around my waist.

I needed to change the subject before Deanna had a full-blown hissy fit, so I said, “Come on y'all, I need a Jensen Ackles fix. Supernatural is on soon.”

Any woman who didn't find Jensen strip-worthy was insane in my books.

Deanna smiled at me. She knew I was taking the attention away from her and she appreciated it. Didn't mean I wouldn't drill her later on what all the sexual tension was with her and Griz. Not many men would go head-to-head with Deanna, and I think she'd finally met her match. I wanted to jump with glee.

Julian groaned. “Honey, I'll watch Supernatural and get freaked the f*ck out, but only if you all watch Burlesque with me. I brought it from home.”

We all moved from the kitchen to the lounge and found seats.

“Oh, I am so there. But we all gotta go say goodnight to Maya first.”

Maya was more than happy to have everyone in her room showering her with hugs and kisses. We then all filed out to the living room; I sat in the middle of Deanna and Talon on the three-seated couch. Actually, I was more on Talon's side, leaning against his chest because he’d hooked an arm around my shoulders and pulled me against him. To start off with, I was stiff and totally freaked out by the type of...affection it had me feeling, and what it showed the others. I got over it when his luscious voice whispered in my ear to relax.

Mattie and Julian squeezed themselves into the lounge chair together, moaning about how fake Supernatural was; not that it stopped Julian from squealing and hiding his eyes with Mattie's hand on the more scary parts. Once Supernatural finished—pout—we started Burlesque. Another favorite on my movie list.

“You know, I'd turn gay for Christina Aguilera,” I announced. I felt Talon chuckle behind me.

“Not if I got to her first.” Deanna yawned.

I shoved her and said, “Dude, she'd have my shoes under her bed way before your stinky ones.”

“Actually, I'd have to agree; she is hot. I think I'd even turn straight for her,” Mattie said, receiving a look from Julian. We laughed.

It was a great movie. I had to rewind it three times to the part where she sang on stage for the first time. There was a knock on the door; we all looked at each other while Talon stood and walked over to answer it.

“Boss,” Pick said with a chin lift. His deep blue eyes looked stressed. He ran a hand over his buzz cut, and then scratched his cute goatee.

“Sup?” Talon asked.

Pick looked over Talon's shoulder; his gaze fell upon Deanna, and then went back to Talon. “Griz said to come grab her if I had to take off anywhere. I have to take off, boss.”

“What's happenin'? I thought Griz was 'round tonight; he could have come himself.”

“He thought so too.” Pick leaned in closer. “She called.”

Huh, what? Say again, or just speak the frig up. Who's

she?

I glanced at Deanna and knew from her drawn brows she was wondering the same thing.

“Again? F*ck,” Talon barked. “Where you gotta go?”

“Need to help my ma with somethin'. Griz didn't want to leave it to the recruits; the others are busy either workin', drinkin', or f*ckin'. So I gotta take her over and lock her down before I leave.”

Talon nodded. He turned to the room. “Hell Mouth, time to get your ass outta here.”

“Does it bother anyone with how bossy these pricks are?” Deanna asked the room.

“Yeah, a little bit,” I answered, because sometimes it was also downright HOT.

“You know I can walk across the road on my own. I ain't no f*ckin' child.”

Pick sighed. “I was told if you pulled any shit, I was to haul you over there over my shoulder. Is that how you want it, woman?”

Deanna got up, grumbling and no doubt cursing under her breath, the whole way to the front door. “See you losers tomorrow.” She waved over her shoulder and Talon closed the door.

“Well,” Mattie yawned, “I'm buggered. I'm going to hit the hay.”

“I'll join you, honey,” Julian said. “Leave these two love birds alone.” Julian added a wink.

Why was it that all of a sudden, I felt very nervous?

“Wait.” I bounced up from the couch. “Ah, doesn't anyone want a hot chocolate? A coffee? A shot of something stronger?” I know I could use one.

“No thanks, sis,” Mattie said. He and Julian both came over and gave me a kiss on the cheek goodnight; and no matter how much I pleaded with my eyes, the dicks went off to their room.

I faced Talon. “Well, I guess it's time for bed.”

He gave me a chin lift. “Right, I'll lock up.”

That was easy. “Okay. I'll, ah, see you. Thanks, you know. Ah, night.” Maybe I should have given him a kiss goodnight, but I was a chicken and bolted for my room while Talon locked up and went home.

I got ready for bed while pondering on how easy it had been getting rid of Talon. I thought he would have grabbed me or said something like 'Kitten, what the f*ck are you forgettin’?'

I slid under the covers and it dawned on me. I kind of had hoped he would’ve said or done something and now I was disappointed that he hadn't made an effort. Maybe he was getting sick of me already?

My bedroom door opened and Talon walked in. I couldn't keep the smile off my face.

“You thought I was goin',” Talon said with a chuckle. “I am damn happy to see that smile on ya face from just knowing I'm still here.” He pulled his tee off in one quick swoop.

The smile fell from my face and I sat up. “You, ah, can't stay here.”

He sighed loudly. “And why the hell not?” he asked while removing his jeans, leaving him in black boxers.

Hallelujah. My magic nipples and fandola sang.

“Um, 'cause of Maya.”

“Jesus, kitten. I'm stayin'. Look, if it'll make you feel better, I'll move to the couch before she wakes up. But right now, I wanna sleep with my woman in my arms.” He walked to the side of the bed, lifted the covers, which I was clinging to, and climbed in.

What could I say? He was willing to move to the couch so I wouldn't worry that Maya thought we were moving too fast.

Or was it that I thought we were moving too fast?

I don’t know; my brain was scrambled. I still had so many things to worry about. Was David out there watching me? When was he going to strike? Was I just overreacting with...well, everything?

“You gonna sit up all night, babe?” he asked; his deep voice sent a shiver down my spine.

God, even my spine is happy he's here.

I looked over my shoulder. He had one arm behind his head, and the other was outstretched for me to lay upon. My heart was already going wild, but it just stepped up to an even more frenzied rhythm. And why did it sound like it was pumping to the beat of "Bad to the Bone"?

“Damn, kitten. Are you always this nervous?” He chuckled.

“No.” I glared. “Only around you.” And when psychopaths are looking for me.

“Good to know.” He smiled and pulled me down so my head rested on his chest, and his arm held me tightly around my waist. He kissed the top of my head and uttered again, “Good to know.”

“Talon?”

“Yeah, babe?”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Only if it's quick. ‘Cause the more you talk whispery, the more my dick gets hard; and I can't f*ck ya with a house full.”

I smiled. It was good to know I had an effect on him like he did on me. I rolled into him more and bravely slid my hand from his stomach to his chest; his hand came down upon mine.

“Kitten, you keep being cute-like, I'm gonna have to take you. I've only got so much f*ckin' restraint. Ask your question and let’s get some shut-eye.”

“Well.” I cleared my throat and had to think real hard what my question was again, because all that was on my mind was Talon taking me. “Um, I was wondering why you and Violet aren't close.”

He started to trace circles on my hip. I wanted to purr.

“She didn't want me to get involved in our uncle’s club. He came to us eight years ago and said he wanted to give me the chance to run Hawks if anything happened to him. I felt honored. Violet felt disgusted. We both knew the club was running drugs and selling women.” I couldn't help but stiffen. Talon felt it, but he continued, “Vi thought it'd lead me down the wrong path. It did for a while, and Vi hated that; in turn, she hated me, because by then she was on the other side of the law. I lost her trust, I lost her love, and her in total as a sister. Then my uncle passed away five years ago. I was in charge and encouraged my brothers to run a clean club. The club members take after each other; we own three Harley stores over Victoria, and have a few strip clubs. Look, we no longer do any of that past shit, but it doesn't mean we don't help out. An ex-member left 'cause he still wanted to deal with hookers. Outta respect, we look out for his woman while they're on our territory. Babe, there's a lotta dicks out there that don't believe the club's clean, but I don't give a f*ck. I'm happy, and my brothers are happy.”

“So, ah, across the road is...um, just the compound?”

“Yeah. But it's also where I manage all club businesses from. Never f*ckin' thought I'd spend most my life on a phone or computer doin' that kinda shit. The only good part about it is that I've got many members to fall back on when I don't want'a deal with the crap. That's when I get to take off on my Harley, whenever I f*ckin' please.”

“Okay.” I nodded. “So, nothing untoward happens over there? Like...um, those friends and their hookers rocking up?”

“Babe, none of us have to pay for p-ssy. And yeah, we f*ckin' party hard, but that's it. My life is clean, kitten. If it wasn't, I wouldn't have involved you in it.” With one quick movement, he was on top of me, studying my face for something. “You're too good for that kinda shit.”

I blushed and nodded; my arms encircled his waist. “Do—” I stopped when he spread my legs with his knees. “Uh, do...do you think that you and Vi could make up?”

He kissed my neck. “Maybe one day,” he said, and then his eyes met mine. “You surprise me, kitten. I like that about you. I tell you I was involved in shit and you take it in stride, thinking nothing of it.”

I smiled at him. “Everyone has had shit in their lives, Talon. What makes a person is if they can climb out of it before it hurts more people, and I believe you have. You've also succeeded at it.”

He closed his eyes and rested his forehead against mine. “I gotta have a bit of you, babe. I can't f*ckin' wait. You gotta be quiet, kitten. All right?”

Shit a doodle duck. Was I all right with him having a bit of me? What did he mean by a bit of me? I didn't know, but my body did, because my head nodded without my brain’s acknowledgment.