“I appreciate what you’re saying, Belle, but I’m still very hurt and pissed off.”
Belle inhaled deeply and slowly exhaled. “That damn Doris. She’s always waiting for the married brothers to cheat on their wives like Ruben does on her, and Marlena’s just as bad because Billy’s always screwing the club girls at the parties. Misery loves company. Do you really believe Hawk cheated on you?”
“I never thought I’d even have to ask myself that question. Who knows when it comes to men? Years ago, I was engaged to a guy and found out right before our wedding he’d been cheating on me. I can’t believe this shit is going on with Hawk. Men just can’t be trusted to be monogamous. Whatever, I have to go. Thanks for being a friend.”
“Talk to Hawk. Fight for your marriage. That’s the end of my two cents. If you need anything, call me. I’ll walk out with you.”
On her way home, Belle couldn’t get Cara and Hawk out of her mind. A woman had to be more secure than the average when she loved an outlaw biker. In the beginning, Belle obsessed about the club parties Banger attended, knowing that a bevy of young women threw themselves at him. It had been so bad that she’d have panic attacks when he was gone. The night Ethan rushed into her room when she was having a meltdown, fear and heartbreak etched on his face, was when she’d realized she had to stop torturing herself. After that, she’d watch a movie with Ethan or go out with the other old ladies. And then she made sure to show Banger how lucky he was that he’d come home after one of the parties.
Investing a ton of money in lingerie, sex toys, candles, and scented oils, she’d greet him as he came home with a big kiss that promised much more. In time, he started coming home earlier until he only went to one every couple of months.
When she arrived home, she opened the refrigerator. Staring at packages of ground beef, steak, and chicken, she sighed. For the past few weeks, she felt that her home life was on autopilot: make sure Ethan is on time for school, get Harley ready for school, make breakfast, pray that Emily goes through the day sober, clean the house, do laundry, make dinner. It seemed like it was the same day over and over again.
She closed the fridge and sent Ethan a text asking if he’d like to have an overnight at Jack’s house. His enthusiastic Ur awesome, Mom made her smile. She then called Addie and asked if it was cool for Ethan to come over. Addie told her Jack would be thrilled. Emily and a friend were in Denver for a couple of days to do some Christmas shopping.
Harley. Picking up her phone, she tapped in Kylie’s number. She was thrilled to have Harley spend the night with her and Jerry.
Since Harley had been born, she and Banger hadn’t been alone together. If Harley stayed at Kylie’s, then Emily was home, or Ethan. This was the first time all the children would be out of the house at the same time. She tingled all over. This is exactly what we need. From the deep lines crossing his face, the intense staring at the flames in the fireplace, and the intermittent sighs, Belle knew whatever was brewing with the club had Banger real worried. That night, she wanted him to forget everything except their love.
Bouncing on her toes as she waited for the Buckhorn restaurant to pick up, she practically jumped out of her skin when the back door slammed.
“I’m home, Mom.” Ethan’s voice drifted into the kitchen.
“Take off your boots,” she reminded him.
“Aren’t I going over to Jack’s?”
“Yeah, but you have to pack an overnight bag, and I don’t want you traipsing snow and mud through the house.”
“May I help you?” the reservationist asked.
“I’d like to make dinner reservations for two at seven o’clock tonight. Is the table by the fireplace and window available?”
Ethan dashed past her, and she smiled when she heard his thud thud thud of running feet on the stairway. After confirming that their favorite table at the steakhouse was theirs, she waited for Ethan to come down. In less than twenty minutes, she’d dropped him off at Jack’s house, waving at Addie as she’d pulled away.
*
The jangle of keys and heavy footsteps had shivers running up Belle’s spine. Fluffing her dark hair with her fingers, she gave herself a once-over in the entryway mirror: hair free-flowing around her shoulders, simple makeup with a swipe of berry gloss, deep-V black dress skimming over her curves. Lacy black panties and bra along with silky thigh-highs made her feel dangerous and sexy. A low whistle made her spin around.
“You look damn good, woman.” Banger’s low baritone sent her mind reeling. “Are you going somewhere?”
“We are. I made reservations at the Buckhorn.” Her stomach fluttered when she saw the lust in his gaze as it slowly caressed her body.
“Sounds good. Is Kylie coming over to watch the kids?”
“I sent them away. Ethan’s spending the night at Chas and Addie’s, Kylie came by a couple of hours ago to pick up Harley for a sleepover, and Emily’s coming back tomorrow night. It’s just you and me.”
A big grin spread over his face as his gaze lingered on her breasts. “I fuckin’ like that, woman. Come over here and let your man feel how soft and sexy you are.”
Belle shook her head, curling her finger and gesturing for him to come to her. In one long stride, he snagged her around the waist and crushed her to him. “You got a real hold of my cock, woman,” he rasped against her mouth. Pushing his tongue through her parted lips, he plunged it in hard and deep. “And that perfume you’re wearing is driving me damn wild,” he said between kisses.
Pulling his tongue into her mouth, she gently sucked it while caressing his neck. The low growl rumbling from his chest sent a long, pulsing quiver through her. His hand slipped under her dress, stroking the skin above her thigh-highs. “You’re fuckin’ killing me. I wanna see you in only these and those fuck-me heels you’re wearing,” he said thickly.
“When we get home we’re going to make the most of being alone tonight.” Running the tip of her tongue over his lips, she squeezed his firm ass hard.
“What time do we gotta be at dinner?”
“In fifteen minutes.” She scratched the back of his neck as she rubbed her ample chest across his.
“That’s enough time for a quickie,” he rasped, his hand shoving down under her panties, pushing his fingers between her folds. A smile tugged at his lips. “So warm… so wet.” Desire flooded her.
The phone ringing pulled her out of her sexual haze, and she glanced at the entry table to see Kylie’s name flashing. Worry replaced desire in less than a heartbeat.
“It’s Kylie,” she whispered, bringing the phone to her ear.
Wrinkling his brow, Banger stiffened a bit and stepped back.
“Is everything all right with Harley?” Belle said.