“You know too much for your own good.”
“Can I stay home?” she asked.
“You fall behind at college and I’ll ground you,” he said.
Judi burst out laughing. She’d never been grounded in her whole life. “You’re kidding, right? I’m twenty years old.”
“Yeah, I’m bigger, stronger, and pay for your college, Princess. I’ll put you over my knee if I have to. You’re my girl, remember?”
She knew she shouldn’t find the threat of a spanking sweet, but she did. Devil had really taken the role of her father seriously.
“I love you, Devil.”
“Love you, too, Princess.”
There was no sexual love between them. They were like father and daughter.
“What have I missed?” Lexie asked, entering the kitchen. There was a little color in her cheeks for the first time since her pregnancy began.
“Nothing. I’m going to be sticking around for a while,” Judi said, grabbing some plain toast for Lexie.
“Really, why?”
“Mommy,” Simon said, reaching for Lexie.
“Leave her be, son,” Devil said.
“I think it’s best I stick around. You may not think you need me, Lex, but you do.”
“I’m not going to lie. Your presence will be welcome, especially when Devil goes on one of his runs. I know you’ve left it to the boys. They need their leader with them, baby.”
Judi watched the moment between the two without saying anything.
“I’m going to the library and get everything set up. I’ll be back by twelve.” Judi kissed Lexie on the cheek then moved to Devil doing the same. Once she was dressed she saw a text from Ripper waiting for her.
Ripper: What you doing today?
Judi: I’m going to the library.
Hiking her bag onto her shoulder she walked downstairs and said her goodbyes to Devil. She didn’t mind walking into town. Her cell phone buzzed, and she saw it was from Ripper again.
Ripper: Meet me around the back.
What was he doing? Excitement filled every part of her senses. Even as she thought he was crazy, she couldn’t stop the thrill of knowing she was going to see him again so soon. Walking into town she made her way around the back of the library to find Ripper there, smoking. He threw the cigarette away when he saw her.
Walking toward him she stopped with enough distance between them so no one would think anything of them being together. “What are you doing here?” she asked.
“I came to see you.”
“I talked with Devil. I’ve got to get back home by twelve.”
“I’m not here to detain you, baby. Come here and give me a kiss.”
Her heart leapt inside her chest. Closing the distance between them, she wrapped her arms around his neck as he held onto her waist. His lips were on hers in the next second, and she felt like she was floating away from the pleasure of his lips alone.
“Fuck, I missed you last night,” he said, muttering the words against her lips.
“We were only apart for a few hours.”
“I couldn’t stop thinking about your f**king lips. They’re going to be the only thing I can think about.”
Drawing him down, she licked along his full lips before plundering her tongue into his mouth. His hands squeezed her ass, and heat swamped her pu**y.
“Right, I’m going to leave you to your work,” he said, pulling away and forcing her away from him.
“What? You’re just going to leave?”
“Yep, try and concentrate on your coursework not me.” He stroked a finger down her cheek before leaving.
The bastard. He knew she wouldn’t be able to focus on anything else but him.
Growling in annoyance she stormed into the library. Setting up her work online she sent the college an email then started to arrange for her course books to be sent home. All the time she worked, her lips tingled from the simple contact with Ripper.
Chapter Five
“Anyone know what’s going on with Tiny and The Skulls?” Ripper asked. When he entered the clubhouse twenty minutes ago he’d discovered they were all in church talking. Devil had seemed satisfied with his excuse of needing a ride for not being at the club. He thought about Judi and the way her lips had quivered beneath his as he kissed her. Fuck, he couldn’t get her off his mind.
“Tiny got in touch about a girl called Prue. She was shot and is in the hospital and critical. No one knows he’s phoned me to give me an update,” Devil said, running a finger over his lips.
“Who is Prue?” Curse asked.
“She’s something to do with Zero. Tiny believes one of his boys is in danger. He’s asked for our help if it’s needed. At the moment, it’s only Prue, and they don’t know much else.”
This was their time to bring ideas to the table and handle problems within the club.
“I could do with a ride. If Tiny needs us I’d be happy to back you and head to Fort Wills. I love watching The Skulls panic when we arrive,” Curse said, speaking up first.
“The problem I have is Lexie. If shit goes down with her pregnancy or with the Princess I need people here.” Devil looked around at each of them.
“I’ll stay behind,” Ripper said, speaking up.
All of the men turned to him. “I get my shit from driving up to the picnic space. I’m good to stay behind if you all need to get your shit handled.” For an excuse it was a good one. He just couldn’t imagine being away from Judi any time right now. Last night he hadn’t gotten her out of his mind. This morning he couldn’t think of anything else but the feel of her lips against his own.
“You sure?”
“Yeah, I’m sure,” Ripper said. “Someone needs to stay behind, and I’ve got nothing pulling me away.”
Curse was staring at him without saying a word.
“Then it’s handled. If The Skulls need us then we go, and, Ripper, you stay with Vincent and a few others.”
“I will.” He nodded his head and the meeting moved on toward a drug deal with Jerry. Jerry was a pimp and drug dealer. He lived not too far from Devil but they struck a bargain two years ago when they moved to Piston County. They worked for each other and the profits were split fairly.
When the meeting was over he left to go to his room. Curse grabbed his arm and led him outside for some privacy.
“What the f**k do you want?” Ripper asked, wanting to get showered.
“We’re friends, Ripper. What the f**k is going on?” Curse had his arms folded and wouldn’t budge an inch.