Flea
“GODDAMMIT!” HATCH BELLOWED, stalking through the kitchen as we grabbed drinks.
“What’s going on?” Grace whispered.
“Gracie!” Poppy squealed, running into the room and pulling Grace in for a hug.
“I’ll be right back,” I promised, and walked toward the offices in the back.
I could hear Hatch yelling from Crow’s office, so I followed the sound, pushing open the door. Maisie stood against the wall, her face contorted in confusion.
Booker was sitting in a chair in front of Crow’s desk, his fingers flying over the keyboard of his laptop.
“What’s goin’ on?” I asked.
“Someone stole Hatch’s identity,” Maisie provided. “They’ve racked up close to ten-thousand dollars in credit card debt so far.”
“Jesus,” I hissed.
“I’m shutting it down, brother,” Booker assured him.
“I want to know who the fuck it is. I wanna take care of them myself,” Hatch snapped.
“Darling, it’s going to be okay,” Maisie said.
“This asshole tried to fuck with the shop, Maisie, I want to deal with him.”
“Shit,” I said, leaning against Crow’s desk.
“It’s handled,” Booker said. “He didn’t get past the firewall.”
Maisie pushed away from the wall and walked to her husband, gripping his cut. “Listen to Booker,” she said. “He’s got it handled.”
Hatch studied her for a few seconds, then his eyes got soft and he wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close. “Okay, Sunshine. I’ll chill.”
“I think you need to ply your woman with alcohol,” she said, and Hatch chuckled.
“Let’s get you some wine.”
The room seemed to exhale in relief as Hatch calmed down and led Maisie out of the office. Crow stood and shook his head. “You keep your eye on that, Book.”
“Yeah, Prez, I will.”
With the stress level down, I headed back to the great room and found Grace taking shots with Poppy at the bar.
* * *
Grace
Flea’s arm slid around my waist just as I tipped my fourth shot of tequila to my mouth and sucked it down.
“So, wine turned into tequila shots?” he asked with a grin.
I licked my lips and leaned up to kiss him. “It’s actually kind of a miracle. Real Jesus-type stuff.”
Flea chuckled. “Nice.”
“Everything okay with Hatch?”
“Yeah. It’s good.”
Poppy leaned over and hugged him. “Hey, stranger.”
He grinned. “Hey, babe. Where’s Sparky?”
“The dog or the man?”
“Either.”
“Devon took the dog out to pee.”
Devon was Hatch’s nephew and he’d patched in about two years ago, earning his club name by constantly getting electric shocks when they were working on building projects. Ironically, Poppy had named her puppy that years ago because he’d shocked her the second she picked him up.
“Are you hydrating?” Flea whispered as he hugged me close.
“I just started drinking.”
He raised an eyebrow. “So, that’s a no.”
I wrinkled my nose. “It’s an, I plan to when I drink more.”
“I’m gonna get you some water.”
I hooked my finger on one of his beltloops. “But that means you have to leave me.”
He chuckled, sliding his hand to my neck. “Not for long.”
“One minute.”
Leaning down to kiss me quickly, he said, “One minute.”
Poppy pulled me away from the bar and into the little alcove where the kids’ computers were.
“Spill.”
I knew exactly what she was saying, since we hadn’t talked for a day. I smiled. “So… we’re official.”
She grinned, clapping her hands. “I knew it. Devon says Flea’s been wound up like a top for weeks.”
“Really?”
She nodded. “You picked a good guy, Gracie.”
I smiled. “I know.”
“You’re gonna need to get on the pill.”
I groaned. “I know, Mom.”
“Do it before… you know.”
I rolled my eyes. “Too late.”
She gasped. “Already?”
I felt heat flood my face. “Yes,” I hissed.
“No judgement,” she rushed to say. “I’m just surprised. You must really trust him.”
“I do.”
She smiled, pulling me in for a hug. “I’m so glad, honey.”
Flea peeked around the corner, raising an eyebrow to make sure I was okay, and I smiled, pulling away from Poppy. He was carrying a red cup of something and a bottled water.
“What ya got there?” Poppy asked.
“Cranberry juice,” he said, handing me the cup.
Poppy nodded. “Oh, good thinking. Make sure you pee a lot, Gracie.”
“Can we please stop talking about my urine output?” I demanded. “I’m good.”
I finished the juice and dropped the cup in the trash.
“Poppy!” Devon bellowed.
Poppy rolled her eyes. “One second without me and the man can’t deal.”
I chuckled. “Better go tend to that.”
“I’m going to make him feed me.”
“Good plan.”
She strolled out of the alcove and I smiled up at Flea. “Thank you for the juice.”
“You’re welcome.” He kissed me quickly. “How are you feeling?”
“Good. No more pain.”
“If that changes, tell me.”
“No.”
He frowned. “Come again?”
“I will not be running to you if my hoo-ha starts to sting again, thank you very much.”
“Your hoo-ha?”
“Stop,” I said, biting back a laugh. Him saying ‘hoo-ha’ nearly sent me over the edge.
He chuckled, pulling me in for a longer kiss. “You hungry?”
“Starved.”
“Let your man feed you, then.”
“Lead on.”
He took my hand and we headed out back to the picnic tables, where I proceeded to load my plate up with pretty much everything being offered. This was my last hurrah. Tomorrow I’d be on lean protein and veggies to keep my body in peak physical condition.
By midnight I was pretty tipsy, not to mention tired. By one a.m., I could barely keep my eyes open. Flea had pulled me onto his lap on one of the sofas in the great room and I’d burrowed as deep as I could against his body.
“You wanna sleep here?” Flea whispered.
I shook my head. “The cats,” I grumbled, biting back a yawn.
He shifted me onto the sofa cushions and kissed my cheek. “Be right back.”
I don’t know where he went, but before I could figure it out, he was helping me off the sofa and pulling my jacket on me. He led me outside and we climbed into a car.
“Where’s your bike?” I asked, securing my seatbelt.
“Grabbed one of the loaner cars.” He pulled out of the parking lot and headed toward the freeway. “You’re too tired to ride, so I’ll pick it up tomorrow.”
I rolled my head toward him. “You are the most thoughtful human being alive, did you know that?”
He smiled. “Glad you think so.”
“Can you stay tonight?”
“Yeah, if you want me to.”
“I want you to,” I said.
“Okay, baby.”
The drive was quick, and we pulled up to my grandmother’s in record time. I was a little more awake when we arrived, but Flea still insisted on unlocking the door and carrying everything inside.
I checked on the cats, then headed back to the guest room. I barely remember undressing and sliding under the covers before Flea was at my back and pulling me close.
“Night, baby.”
“Night.”
The last thing I remember was him kissing the back of my neck.
* * *
“Maisie?” Mom said, sobbing into the phone. “I’m so sorry.”
“Maisie! Mom has a gun!” I screamed, hoping she would hear me.
Only, it’s not Mom anymore. It’s Flea. He’s holding the gun to my head.
“Maisie! Help! Oh, God, please!” I screamed, trying to make myself so very, very small.
“Grace?”
“No!” I screamed.
“Honey, it’s me,” Flea said. “You’re dreaming.”
I opened my eyes, and he stroked my cheek. “Flea?”
“Yeah, baby, I’m here.”
I threw myself into his arms and took several deep breaths. “You had the gun.”
“Fuck, baby. It’s okay. I’ve got you.”
Having him hold me slayed any lingering dragons of my nightmare and I suddenly felt energized… and horny. I ran my tongue over his pulse and pushed him onto his back, straddling his hips.
“Wait, baby,” he rasped. “I want you to be calm before we do this.”
I frowned. “I am calm.”
“Honey, you just had a nightmare―”
I lay my hand over his mouth. “Fleabio.”
“Yeah, baby?” he mumbled.
“This is the very first time I’ve woken up from one of these fuckers and felt safe. So, I’d very much like for you to stop talking and do something different with your mouth.”
He kissed my fingers and flipped me onto my back. “Like what?”
“Your choice.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yep. Unless, you’re going to let me taste you.”
“Fuck,” he rasped.
“Yep, we can do that…,” I said. “After I treat your dick like a lollipop, okay?”
He hissed, kissing me before rolling onto his back. “Have at it.”
I grinned in the dark and started to kiss my way down his body. “Make sure you tell me if I do something wrong, okay?”
“Just don’t bite my dick off. Otherwise, you can’t do anything wrong.”
I chuckled. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
I ran my tongue up his already hard length and wrapped my fingers around it. It was soft and big, and felt like steel wrapped in silk. Licking the precum from the top, I took the tip in my mouth and sucked. Ohmigod, he tasted amazing. I pushed my mouth further down his length, taking him as deep as I could without choking myself, continuing to suck as I moved back up.
“Fuck,” he rasped, his hands pulling my hair.
I added my hand, but before I could go any further, I was pulled up his body and flipped onto my back. “Was I doing it wrong?”
He didn’t answer, but his mouth landed on mine, and then he was tearing open a condom packet and sliding into me. I whimpered as his girth filled me, needing more.
“You okay?” he whispered.
“Yes. More,” I demanded.
He slid his hand between us and fingered my clit, but didn’t move.
“Honey, are you going to move?” I growled.
He kissed me gently. “Give your body a second to get ready, Grace. You’re tender and I don’t want to hurt you.”
“I’m not that tender,” I countered.
He pressed deeper into me. “No?”
“God, no,” I whispered, lifting my hips to pull him deeper into me.
Flea linked his fingers with mine and pushed them over my head, burying himself deeper again. He covered my mouth with his and I met his tongue with mine as he slammed into me harder and harder.
“Baby,” I panted out. “I can’t…”
“Come,” he whispered, and I exploded around him.
He wasn’t far behind me and kissed me as he pulsed inside of me, then slid out of me gently and headed to the bathroom. I heard the toilet flush and then Flea climbed back into bed with me, sliding a warm washcloth between my legs.
“That feels amazing,” I whispered.
“Are you sore?”
“Not even a little bit,” I said, rolling to face him.
He stroked my cheek. “You gonna have time to get in with your doctor?”
“For what?”
“Get on the pill.”
“Oh, yeah. I can probably do that this week.”
“That’d be good.” He smiled. “I got tested on Friday, so the results should be back on Monday or Tuesday.”
“Tested?”
“STD’s and shit.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Were you worried?”
“No, but I figured you’d want some assurances.”
“Honestly? I trust you, but I’m sure women have said that about men in the past and regretted it.”
He chuckled. “Probably.”
“Do you do that every time you sleep with someone?”
“No.”
“How come?”
“Never gone ungloved, Grace. Never needed to before.”
“I’m the first person you’ve gotten tested for?”
“Yeah, baby.” He smiled. “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m in this for the long haul.”
“Am I going to have to get tested?”
“You were a virgin, so, no.”
“No, I mean, next time.”
“Next time?” His body stiffened. “Are you fuckin’ serious?”
“Wait.” I frowned. “Sorry. That didn’t come out right.”
“How are you gonna make it come out better?”
I sighed. “I guess I just assume that one day this will all peter out.”
“Why the fuck would you assume something like that?” he growled.
“Why are you so mad?”
“Figure it out, Grace.” He climbed out of bed and headed to the bathroom.
I let out a frustrated groan and followed him. “Seriously, I have no idea why you’re so mad.”
He ran his hands through his hair and shook his head. “We’ve slept together twice, Grace. Twice. And you’re already talkin’ about the next guy you’re gonna fuck?”
Oh! Well, shit. I’m an idiot.
“In my defense, I’m tired and you just gave me a really big orgasm, I’m obviously not thinking clearly.”
“Don’t throw that out there as an excuse, Grace. You’re awake enough to know what you’re sayin’.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry.” I sighed. “I just don’t really know how relationships work. My parents’ didn’t, Merrick fucks everything that moves, and Poppy’s been in love with the same man since we were twelve. I would love to think this was going to last forever, but I’m still in that stage of waiting for you to figure out that you’ve made a mistake and get out.”
“Goddammit, Grace, I’m not lookin’ for a way out. I’m trying to figure out how to make this more permanent.”
“You are?”
“Yes! Fuck me, what do you need from me to recognize that?”
I bit my lip. “I’m sorry.”
“I don’t want you to be sorry, Grace. I want you to say you hear me and promise not to pull any of this bullshit again.”
“Me being insecure is pulling bullshit?” I challenged.
“Yeah, baby, it is. Because you have nothing to be insecure about. You’re beautiful and sweet, and fuckin’ funny, and you make me hard.”
I snorted. “I have nothing to be insecure about because I make you hard?”
“You think just anyone can make me hard, Grace?”
I shrugged. “Since it’s mostly a physical reaction, I would assume yes.”
“I’m not talkin’ about mornin’ wood, or when I’ve had one too many beers at the bar and the men’s room line’s too long, I’m talkin’ about when you walk through the room, the second I see you, a lightnin’ bolt shoots straight to my dick and I get hard as a rock. Not just once or twice, Grace, every fuckin’ time.”
“Really?”
“Yes,” he hissed. “Of course. I’ll always be honest with you, even when it’s not convenient. As a matter of fact, nothin’ about bein’ with you has been convenient for me, but from the moment I kissed you, I knew I only wanted to be with you. So you’ll have to forgive me if I’m a little pissed off that right after makin’ love to you, you’re already thinkin’ about the next guy you’re gonna fuck.”
I realized pretty quickly that he wasn’t pissed, he was hurt. “For the record, I’m not thinking about anyone else,” I said, closing the distance between us. “I think I’m falling in love with you and trying to figure out how to stop it.”
He slid his hand to my neck. “Why are you tryin’ to stop it?”
“Because it’s pretty silly to fall in love with the guy who pops your cherry.”
His mouth twitched up in a slight smile. “Why’s it silly?”
“Because it’s just so… so typical.”
“And you don’t wanna be typical?”
“Do you?”
“If it means the prettiest girl I’ve ever met falls in love with me, then, yeah.”
“Ohmigod, Flea. All the feels.” I dropped my head to his chest and wrapped my arms around his waist.
He chuckled, sliding his hands into my hair. “You done bein’ a girl?”
I giggled. “Yes.”
He raised my chin and kissed me gently. “I’m in. You in?”
“I’m so in.”
“Good. Let’s go back to bed.”
I nodded and followed him out of the bathroom. We climbed under the covers and he pulled me over his chest, kissing me one more time.