The storm blows over as day turns to night. As the hours creep along, the Playpen regulars begin to swarm around the club like moths to the flame. The two MC’s, bitter enemies just hours ago, decide to make their way back to the Forty-Five Club. As a sprawling unit of eighteen strong, we head out into the night, roaring away on our pack of Harley’s. Once more, I soar through the gathering night with my arms wrapped around Leo’s waist. But this time, I can see Kassie racing along beside me on the back of Declan’s bike. We’re surrounded by two families who are sworn to protect us, no matter what happens. The only question I have now is...which club do I call my own?
Chapter Seventeen
The Forty-Five Club is a welcome sight after all the turmoil of the past few days. This is where my hunger for the MC life was reignited, after all. I never imagined that it would take a hostage situation, an unwavering alpha male, and a near-deadly club conflict to get me back into the outlaw world. But now that we’re all here, safely united and on the other side of things, I wouldn’t wish it any other way. How can I regret anything that’s gotten me to this exact moment of time, with Leo by my side?
“Honey, I’m home!” Kassie cries, swinging open the door of the bar.
I peer over her shoulder as she races into the Forty-Five Club, back to her home turf at last. Behind the bar, Dani’s jaw nearly hits the floor as both MC’s stroll into the clubhouse together. We must be a wild sight, all of us rolling in as a pack. Nothing like a crisis to bring people together, I guess.
“Looks like you boys kissed and made up,” Dani says, gathering Kassie up in her arms.
“It’s so good to see you,” Kassie says, planting a kiss on Dani’s cheek.
“Back at you babe,” Dani says, “But how the hell is it you’re all suddenly friends again?”
“It’s a long story,” I sigh, “But a good one, I promise.”
“I think we’re in need of another round,” Declan grins, settling down at the bar.
“I second that,” Leo laughs, pulling me onto his lap on the next barstool.
Dani cocks an eyebrow at me and Leo, clearly impressed by my catch. I smile coyly back, pleased as ever to be Leo’s girl. The gorgeous bartender lines up a long row of shot glasses, filling them to the brim with smoky whiskey. The whole lot of us slug back our shots, letting the evening sweep us up in its warm embrace. For my own part, I’m more than content to let Leo carry me through the night. For the first time in weeks, I feel like I can truly relax and enjoy myself. And oh, how I plan to enjoy myself.
“Come on,” I whisper to Leo, as classic hard rock blasts from the jukebox, “I want to give you the grand tour of this place.”
“Is that so?” Leo asks, pulling me closer on his lap, “You sure you don’t mind missing the fun out here?”
“I have something much more fun in mind for us,” I say, biting my lower lip ever-so-lightly, “Just as soon as we can be alone, that is. I don’t know about you, but I could stand to unwind a bit after today.”
Leo catches Declan’s eye and nods toward the back door of the clubhouse. Kassie catches the exchange and shoots me a devilish grin as Declan nods his permission. In a heartbeat, Leo’s scooped me into his strong arms. Looks like I’m not the only one who’s been dying for some alone time.
He bears me through the back door of the bar, into the depths of the Dante’s Nine clubhouse. A half dozen wooden doors lead off the dark passage, each obscuring a tiny bedroom from view. I know this place well enough—I’ve been here before, after all. But the man who escorts me back to these rooms now is no passing fling, no distraction from my everyday life—he is my life.
My new life.
I let my tipsy head fall against Leo’s shoulder as he pushes open a door at the very end of the hallway. A tiny little love nest opens up to us, and Leo kicks the door closed in our wake. The voices and music sounding from the bar are muffled by my pounding heart as Leo lowers me onto the well-worn bed before us. I take his sculpted, bearded face in my hands, pulling his lips to mine. His earnest, ravenous kiss sets my head to spinning as he lowers himself on top of me. His huge, powerful body is poised above me, pressing me down against the bed. I love nothing more than this moment of finally giving into my need for him. It’ll never, never get old.
My hands run down his solid chest, over the ridges of his abs, across the muscular V of his waist. In one swift motion, I whip open his heavy belt buckle. I just can’t help myself. Leo grins down at me in the low light, slipping his strong hands up under my top. A shudder runs through me as his hands close around my breasts, stroking my hard nipples with the lightest touch. He unclasps my bra and tugs my shirt up over my head, ripping off my layers one by one.
We can’t contain ourselves, can’t bother to take it slow. It’s scarcely been a day since we’ve had each other, but that’s a day longer than either of us can stand. Leo shrugs out of his leather cut, laying it lovingly on the bedside table. He rips off his tee shirt, and a groan escapes me as those rippling muscles are revealed once more.
“I can’t believe you’re really here sometimes,” I breathe.
“Believe it,” he says, sliding my jeans down over my ass, “Because I’m not going anywhere. Not if you don’t want me to.”
“No,” I breathe, as he tugs down my panties, “I never want you to go, Leo.”
“That’s all I need to know,” he smiles, staring down at my naked form.
His eyes rove all over my body, and I watch as that bulge in his jeans grows bigger and bigger. That spot between my legs is throbbing with desire for him, for his touch. I let my knees fall apart, opening myself to him in the most intimate way. He moans as I spread my legs before him, welcoming his touch. His hands fly to me, running along my smooth inner thighs. I pull myself onto my elbows as his hands move closer and closer to my slick sex. I can barely stand the wait.
“Touch me, Leo,” I plead.
His golden eyes flick up to mine, and a devilish smile tugs at his lips.
“I’ll do you one better,” he growls.
My jaw falls open in a silent cry as Leo pushes back my knees and lowers his mouth to my sex. His expert tongue runs along the length of my slick slit, parting my pink lips slowly and surely. I fall back against the bed as he licks along the length of me, delving deeper with every pass. My fists close around handfuls of bedding as the tip of his tongue glances against my hard, aching clit. He traces perfect circles around that pulsing nub, slipping two thick fingers inside of me as he goes. His tongue flicks and rubs my clit as his fingers stroke that tender place within me. My back arches as I buck my hips against his perfect lips, his all-knowing hands, his devastating tongue.