Leather for Two: Wings of Steel MC (12 page)

He kept his gaze on me, licking his lips in a way that made my core quiver. He removed his shirt over his head and tossed it onto the floor. I didn’t blink an eye as I watched the show. I lowered my gaze to his smooth, broad chest. His pink, flat nipples were scattered with crisp hairs. I followed his sleek lines and the ripples of abs to the open zipper of his jeans. His hands moved to his waist and he slipped the material off his hips, pushing until he stood only in his polka dotted boxers.

“Nice undies.” I smiled.

“Thank you.”

“But I’d like them off better.”

“Who am I to disappoint the lady.” He removed them and I brazenly stared. I’d dreamt of him over the years. Fantasized of this moment, what he’d look like hard, but nothing prepared me for the real moment. He was large and thick. The head of his erection, purple with lust, and glistening at the slit. “You’re a beautiful man.”

He smiled. “Your turn. I need to see all of you.”

I didn’t make a move to undress myself. He must have understood my shyness. He came to me, understanding in his gaze. “Here, love, I’ll help.” He reached for the hem of my T-shirt and dragged it off my body. The cooler air swept across my chest, my nipples were already hard, awake, tingling against the thin material of my bra. I barely realized his fingers were on the waist of my jeans until he tugged the button loose, lowering the zipper slowly. I lay back, welcoming the brushing of his knuckles on my legs as he slipped the jeans from my ankles.

“Lovely,” he growled. “Is that blue?” He skimmed a finger along the elastic waist of my thong.

“I do believe it’s called Spanish blue.”

“Wow. I have a new favorite color.” He winked.

A giggle built up in my throat and I bit my bottom lip to keep it from ruining the moment. I was nervous. “I’m glad you like it.”

He climbed on the bed, hovering over me. “I like it, but I’m going to rip them off your body with my teeth.” Shivers raced across my flesh as he bent his head to my stomach, twirling the tip of his tongue inside my belly button. I arched my back and whimpered. “You smell so damn good,” he growled.

The room spun and I closed my eyes, relishing his tongue on my skin. He left a moist path from my stomach to the band of my thong. I wanted the wispy material gone, fast, so I could have his mouth between my legs. “Blaze.” His name slipped from my lips.

“Oh, baby. I’m getting there. The scent is intoxicating.”

His warm breath swept across my skin, sending need spiraling through me. I spread my knees wide, inviting him to sample my most secret spot. And when his touch came, smoothing across my satin-covered seam, I wanted to scream the roof off. I jerked my hips and grasped his hair, entangling the length around my fingers. His tongue pressed the material as he entered me. I despised the thong and wanted to rip it from my own body. The fire would burn me alive…

Bang! Bang! Bang!

I jolted and grabbed for the sheet, dragging it across my body.

Blaze turned his head, his mouth twisted into a frown. “Who the hell could that be?” He barked. He gave me an apologetic look, then pushed off the bed and stomped to the door. He grabbed a glance of me over his shoulder. “You okay?”

By now I was off the bed, sheet wrapped tightly around my torso as I stepped out of view. “I’m okay.” I wasn’t though. I was a bowl of mush on the inside. My knees banged together and my inner thighs trembled.

Blaze jerked open the door and the hinges creaked. He stood there, naked, without an ounce of modesty. My cheeks warmed at the thought, hoping it wasn’t Bethany. Did I have a right not to want any woman seeing his sexy body and the erection I created?

“It’s Dog,” Blaze told me.

I could hear Dog’s deep voice, but the door muffled his words so I couldn’t make out what he was saying. Blaze tensed up. He scrubbed his goatee and sighed. “I’ll be down in five.” He slammed the door and turned to me, his eyes dark and foreboding. “I’ve got business to deal with.

“Okay.” I dug my fingers into the 800-thread-count sheet.

“Damn! Dog has rotten timing.” Blaze reached for his jeans from the floor and dragged them on, situating his erection behind the zipper.

“Dog had no clue what he interrupted, that is until you opened the door.” Heat swept from my toes onto my face. “You didn’t have to announce it to the world.”

“What? That we were getting up close and personal? Dog won’t say a word. He knows better.”

How could he be so nonchalant? That irritated me. “That makes me feel better.” With a flippant toss of my hair, I made my way back to the bed and gathered my clothes. When I looked up, Blaze was staring at me, a frown marring his beautiful lips. “What?”

“I’m sorry, baby. Do you forgive me for leaving?” The warmth in his eyes could have melted Greenland. No resistance remained in my body.

“It’s for the best. We got carried away.” With trembling fingers, I slipped my feet into my jeans.

“Don’t do that.”

I worked the jeans up my legs while keeping the sheet tight around my torso. Suddenly I felt the need for modesty. “Do what?”

“Pretend like we didn’t know what we were doing. I wanted you…I still do. If I had my way, I’d be treasuring your sweet body.”

Oh my word! Although his brazenness caught me off guard at times, I totally loved the naughty factor. A lot.

Pants in place and zipped. I turned, dropped the sheet and quickly pulled my T-shirt on. Blaze still watched me, eyes alit with a spark I hadn’t seen before. My stomach slammed into my chest.

“I’ll make this up to you. I wouldn’t leave, except it’s important.” He pulled his shirt over his head.

“I’m not angry. Really, I’m not. It’s just you know that feeling, when adrenaline is dropping and the body is recovering…”

“Yes, I know it well.” He dropped a hand to his zipper and adjusted his fly. My heart skipped five beats.

Damn him for being so sexy!

“I guess I’ll be stuck here until you get back?” There was a sliver of whining to my voice and I didn’t care. I didn’t want to be on lockdown.

He nodded. “Stay put. I won’t be long. Keep your phone next to you in case I call.”

“Sure.”

“Promise you won’t step foot outside of this door.” His chin lifted.

“Alright. I promise.” Where would I go anyway? Home, possibly. I couldn’t deny that I didn’t like the thought of facing a murderer alone.

Once Blaze left, I sat on the bed and recouped. I was alone and bombarded with thoughts of the web I had somehow gotten myself into. Why would Diesel leave money for me with a vague explanation that I’d know what to do with it? I wasn’t sure why I felt like a huge responsibility rested on my shoulders. I didn’t owe him anything, but why did I feel like this task had meant a lot to him? Had he known he would die at the hands of evil? He must have understood he was in danger when he prepared the letters to me.

I went into the bathroom and turned on the water in the stand-up shower. I stripped my clothing and climbed in, adjusting the temperature to hot-as-hell. Squirting a dollop of Blaze’s spice-scented shampoo into my palm, I scrubbed my scalp, enjoying the tingly sensation. I found it erotic, sensual, surrounded by his scent.

The water streamed over my body as I lathered my skin with Irish Spring soap. I had hoped the shower would ease my tension, but instead my arousal spiked to near-orgasmic level.

Facing a murderer would be less terrifying than the spiraling emotions and desires scorching through me.

****

Blaze leaned his elbows on the chain link fence, watching Digger closely. “Glad you decided to meet me.”

Digger was a harsh looking man with dark, beady eyes, pockmarked skin and a rugged, salt and peppered beard that hung to his chest. Blaze had never seen the man’s hair, if he even had hair, because he always wore a red skullcap emblazoned with black crossbones. Stripes and badges covered his worn, leather cut. “I don’t have a beef with you personally,” he grumbled.

“Can I expect an open and honest conversation?” Blaze looked across the field to the edge of the woods. He couldn’t see into the shadows of the trees. He didn’t see any movement. Digger had come alone, but Blaze wouldn’t be careless. He couldn’t let his guard down. Although he didn’t have much contact with Digger or his members, he didn’t trust any one of them. They were known for their sinister acts.

Digger snorted. “Are you insinuating that I’m a liar?” He moved forward, showing off tobacco encrusted teeth.

Blaze met the man’s hard gaze. “I’m saying I have questions that need answered.”

“If you’re going to ask if I killed Diesel, I can tell you I had nothing to do with that shit. Can’t say I didn’t want to, but unfortunately someone beat me to it.”

Blaze watched the man closely. “Do you know who would want him dead, besides you?”

“Do you have all day?”

“Narrow it down for me.”

“What is it about a club that can’t see the trees for the forest?”

“Are we in eighth grade literature class?”

Digger laughed and clapped his hands. “Good one. Diesel played with fire for a few years. Someone was bound to get burnt.”

“Firearm deals?”

He nodded. “Neck deep. I’d played a couple of those deals with him until he became a health risk.”

Blaze pushed off the fence. “So he was partnering with another club?”

“He had runners coming across the state line. It was only a matter of time before he stepped on the wrong toes.”

“Are you sure no one in your club didn’t pull the trigger?”

“I’d know. I can tell you we were watching him close. He was a loose wire for us, and stealing our profit. He had become careless, hurting Wings too, but you already had the four-one-one. He wasn’t alone. Fair warning, you should keep a close eye on your members. Otherwise the leather cut you have on your back is worthless.”

“Do you have a name?”

Digger shrugged and tugged at his cut. “Do you need a name?”

Blaze swallowed the acid in his throat. “No. I don’t need a name.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

The sun was setting as the door opened. Blaze looked like hell.

“What’s wrong with you?” I jumped up from the chair. The book fell and dropped at my feet.

“Nothing I want to talk about. Not just yet.” He carried in several plastic grocery bags.

“What is all of this?”

“Groceries. I told you I’d make it up to you. I know you hate being stuck here.” He set the bags down on the small counter space in the galley kitchen.

“Are you cooking?” I followed him in, standing at a safe distance, but I wanted to fall against him. I was happy to see him…alive.

“Yes.” He unpacked one bag, laying everything out on the counter.

“I didn’t know you could.”

“Who do you think feeds me?” He bent over to put the milk in the refrigerator.

“Bethany.”

He looked at me, chuckling. “You’re funny.”

“Hmm, cause I’m not trying to be. I’ve been worried about you. And you look like you’re worried too. How did the meeting go?”

“It went fine. No punches were thrown. No threats. No guns.”

“Did you find out anything?” I leaned a shoulder against the wall. He moved easily about the small space and I didn’t mind the view.

“Probably something I’d already suspected. I guess I just needed verification.” He poured water into a large pot.

“Tell me, Blaze. I have a right to know everything. I’m in this too.”

I’ll tell you. In good time. For now, let me treat you like a princess. Okay? Cooking helps ease the stress.”

I laughed, thinking he teased me, but no humor came to his expression. “Thank you,” I mumbled.

“And, because I have every mind in seducing the panties off of you tonight, I brought this.” He pulled a bottle of wine from a bag. “I can’t say I drink much wine, but some women just need more than a cold beer.”

“I like beer, too.”

“I have a six pack, the fancy beer. I aim to please.” He winked.

There was a definite turn around in him, and I wondered what brought it on. Could he have found something out that answered his questions? “If you’re just trying to get into my pants, you’re being a bit presumptuous.”

He deposited the bottle in the fridge. “Are you saying there’s no possibility?”

Hell, I couldn’t lie. My body still ached for him. “I’m only saying, it’s a little arrogant of you.”

He shrugged. “Okay then. Sex isn’t on tonight’s menu.” His expression went blank.

Disappointment edged through me. “I didn’t say that either…”

He chuckled as he dropped a handful of dry spaghetti into the water. “Make up your mind, woman.”

Was he really putting me on the spot? I had a feeling he liked doing this to see me squirm. I wouldn’t give him the pleasure. “Can I help you in any way?”

“No, except have a seat and read that book you dropped on the floor. Are there any sex scenes in it?”

I swallowed loudly, my cheeks warming. “It’s an erotica. A woman meets a man in a dark alley and things get heated very quickly.”

“Don’t rush too fast through those parts.” One corner of his mouth danced.

“You’re a turd.” I turned, went to the chair and sat. I had a feeling he’d like me reading the sultry, seductive scenes of a novel aloud to him. My body quivered as I played the image out in my head. For the perfect effect, I’d wear sexy lingerie, or nothing at all. Blaze liked to explore, and I admired the fact that he wasn’t afraid to say what he wanted…what he liked.

I fanned myself with the book and shifted uneasily in the cushion. He could make all of my fantasies come true. I had plenty of my own to share.

Ten minutes later, he came in. I hadn’t gotten far in reading because I couldn’t stop imagining Blaze naked, our bodies entwined. Curious, I watched him over the top of the book as he placed his cell into a speaker dock. A song came on. I recognized it. “‘I Want Your Sex’ by George Michael?” I raised a brow.

“Not your style?” he asked.

“I find it very interesting you have that on your playlist.” I chuckled.

“Hey, you got to hand it to a man who says it straightforward like George. But I’m not that cheesy. How about this?” He pressed his phone and another song played.

“Aww, romantic. I like this.”

“I thought you would.”

He went back into the kitchen. I heard glasses
clanging
and plates
dinging
, and he finally came back out, carrying a tray. “Dinner is served, lovely.” He laid the tray on the bottom of the bed. “But first, you must come and have a seat right here.” He patted the mattress and fluffed the pillows against the headboard.

I stared for a long moment, questioning his motive. But I found the mystery intriguing. I got up and strolled to the bed, watching him curiously as I sat down by the headboard. He picked up a napkin from the tray and laid it across my lap, handing me one of the full glasses of wine.

“It’s not fine crystal, but the wine tastes the same.”

I took it and sipped. “It tastes good.” I scanned the contents of the tray, noticing only one plate of pasta and one fork. “What are you doing, Blaze?”

“I’m feeding you.” He sat beside my hip, facing me. He held the plate and fork, twirling the spaghetti around the tines.

“You’re going to do what?” I must have heard wrong. “I’ve never been fed before.”

“First time for everything.” He lifted the fork close to my mouth. “Open wide.”

“Blaze…I can do this myself.”

“I’m sure you can, but tonight you’ll relax and let me take care of you.”

How could he be so brawny and rough, and yet so tender hearted? The fork touched my lips. I had no choice but to open and let him stick the food in. I chewed and the spiciness of the sauce enlightened my taste buds. It was delicious and he managed this in under a half hour. “Did you make the sauce?”

“Yes, but if you want the recipe, it’ll cost you.”

I sipped the wine. “Cost me?”

“Oh, don’t worry. We’d both be rewarded.” His eyes twinkled. He gave me another bite, this time I accepted it without hesitation. “It’s sexy watching you eat.”

I flushed. I felt the heat on my skin. I had to practically force the pasta down my throat. Emptying my glass, he refilled it, but only half a glass this time. “Is that why you’re feeding me? You like to watch?” My voice was breathless, obvious of my internal tug of war.

“You have a sexy mouth. I like watching it move.” He had another forkful ready.

I slipped my mouth over the tines, conscious that he stared intently. I chewed and reached up to wipe the corner of my mouth, but he beat me to it. Instead of using the napkin, he licked the sauce from my lip.

His unexpected touch scorched every cell in my body. I puddled into a sack of goo on the mattress. “There is something very seductive about this.” I nervously smiled.

“Yes, there is.” His husky voice made the hairs on my neck stand.

“I could get used to this.”
I could get used to him.

“You should. I could too.”

I looked at him over the rim of my glass, swirling the liquid inside. “I have a confession. I once carved our names inside of a heart on a tree,” I blurted. “Is that cheesy or romantic?”