CHAPTER TWENTY
Lake
I stared down at my phone, a gust of cold wind dipping under the eaves of the front porch and lifting my hair from my forehead. My ass was sore, but it was a good soreness, like I’d been turned inside out and back again, claimed by the one person my body wanted to belong to.
And wasn’t that fucked up? Maybe Blaze wasn’t anything like Barry or his friends, but he was just as dangerous, if not more. But with him, the danger lay in the fact that he could possibly feel something more for me than lust. I’d not thought it possible until he’d held me in his arms as though I were something fragile and important after he’d fucked me like a power drill.
I tapped out a text to Khan.
Me: Still coming home Friday?”
I didn’t expect the quick reply I got.
Khan: Was just about to call you.
My stomach tightened. Were they staying in Alaska another week? And would that be a good or a bad thing?
The answer to my question popped up in another text.
Khan: We got home late last night. A colleague had an emergency and needs me to cover his classes.
Me: Well, that sucks.
Khan: It’s okay. We were getting tired anyway. It’s good to be home.
I bit my lip, knowing I needed to ask him but suddenly not happy with the idea of leaving the clubhouse…and Blaze…so soon. But maybe it was unfair of me to horn in on Khan and Stephen so soon after they got home.
Me: I have a favor to ask. Can I stay with you this weekend?
Khan: Of course. What’s happened?
Me: I’ll explain later. If it’s okay, I’ll be there Saturday.
I’d need to stay longer than the weekend, but I didn’t want to tell him because then he wouldn’t let up until he’d gotten the whole story out of me. Let him think I was having my apartment bombed for roaches or something.
Khan: Of course it’s okay. Will you need a ride Saturday?
Me: Got it covered.
I pocketed my phone just as Morgan came out the front door carrying a suitcase. At the same time, a large, dark car pulled into the driveway and two bulky men got out.
“Those are the bodyguards,” Morgan told me before I could ask.
“Where are you going?”
“Athens.”
I frowned. “Is that near Saugerties?”
Morgan laughed. “Athens, Greece.”
“Oh,” Duh. Wasn’t Morgan rich as fuck? “I love it there.”
“You’ve been?” Morgan sat on the other wicker chair.
“Twice. Once when I was eight and again when I was fifteen.”
Morgan looked down at his hands. “I don’t really want to go, to be honest. I hate traveling-I lived in Milan for years, and flying back and forth turned me against it. I also have a major company to run, but Zeke always conveniently forgets about that.”
Zeke’s head suddenly popped out a window to the side of the porch, startling us both. “I heard that, and it’s not true. Won’t hurt you to take some time off and let those suits you pay so much handle things.”
He disappeared again, shutting the window, and Morgan huffed, but a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
“Blaze thinks it’s a good idea for us to leave for a while.”
“You can think of it as a second honeymoon,” I suggested.
Morgan smiled again and nodded. “Will you be okay?”
“What do you mean?”
He lowered his voice. “Believe me, I know how rough it is staying here with these guys.”
I shrugged. “It’s only for a few more days.”
“What’s going to happen after that? Between you and Blaze?”
I knew it was useless to deny it, as they had to have heard us going at it the night before, although they hadn’t applauded us that time. My cheeks warmed.
“I don’t know. I wasn’t expecting any of this.”
“He’s a great guy. Really. My brother was his best friend, and the way he told it, Blaze hung the moon.”
Morgan looked out over the front yard, and I followed his gaze. We’d been having some unusually warm weather and the crocuses were beginning to poke their heads through the ground to the side of the porch. I didn’t think Morgan was really seeing them though. He seemed miles away.
“I never really knew J—my brother—but I really wanted to. He left home when I was young, and then I went away to dance school. We had plans to do so many things when I got back, but he died before I got here.”
I didn’t know what to say so remained quiet.
The front door opened, and Zeke stepped out, tugging the handle of another large suitcase. He glanced at the men waiting in the driveway but didn’t acknowledge them.
“What the fuck did you pack?” he asked Morgan.
“Just necessities,” Morgan said.
Zeke grumbled something before saying, “Ready to go?”
Morgan stood up. “I guess. See you, Lake. At least, I hope you’ll be around when we come back.”
I smiled but didn’t reply. I doubted I’d be seeing Morgan again.
After watching them load the suitcases and drive off with the bodyguards, I entered the house. Hung was playing foosball in the living room with a tall, handsome, dark-skinned man I hadn’t met before. I watched their heated game for a while until Hung won with an ear-splitting bellow followed by an obnoxious victory dance.
“Fucker,” his opponent cursed then turned his gaze on me, curiosity quickly morphing into interest. “Hi. I’m Jared.”
I shook his hand. “Lake.”
“Unusual name. Is it your porn name?”
“Uh, no.”
“He’s not in the business,” Hung said, throwing an arm around my neck. “He’s Blaze’s PA. Among other things.”
I tried not to scowl. “I’m Julianne’s PA and just staying here a few days while I look for another place.”
“And he’s sleeping with Blaze,” Hung said.
I pushed him away. “You’re an ass.”
Hung laughed. “Come on, there’re no secrets here. Half of us are in the business and the other half are a bunch of horny bikers.” He lifted his chin and said in a mock-snooty voice, “I’m proud to say I’m both.”
“I assume Hung isn’t your real name?” My eyes wandered down the sexy Brazilian’s lean frame to the substantial bulge in his jeans.
“Jeovanni,” he said. “You can call me Jeo. Or Hung.” He shrugged.
“Julianne can’t wait to get you in a scene,” I said.
Blaze walked in the front door and tossed his keys into a basket on a table. I hadn’t realized I was standing so close to Jared until I saw the way Blaze was looking at us. I couldn’t help the zing of pleasure I got when I realized he was jealous.
“What’s going on?” Blaze asked, looking from one to the other of us. I noticed Jared quickly stepping away from me.
Hung smiled brightly. “Nothing, Bossman. I just beat Tease here for the third time, making me the resident foosball champion. Zeke and Morgan just left for their trip, and Ax and Matteo went to pick up Skitz.”
“He’s coming home?” I asked. “That’s great.”
“Yeah.” Blaze relaxed a little and ran his hand through his dark hair. He gave me a sheepish grin and held my gaze long enough to get my pulse racing.
“God let’s get out of here before they start making heart eyes at each other,” Hung said to Tease, who chuckled and walked with him out the door to the garage.
Blaze didn’t release me from his steady gaze.
“Where’ve you been?” I asked, trying to break the spell weaving between us.
“I put a few things in motion yesterday, and I wanted to see if they were panning out yet.”
“What kind of things?” I asked. “Where was it you went yesterday?”
“To see the ex-leader of the Hogs. I had to let him know he’s in danger.”
“In prison?”
“A hit can be arranged there, believe me. In some ways it’s easier. Anyway, I’m hoping Sniper will return the favor by getting the Pistons off our backs.”
The whole thing sounded like an episode from a biker show our houseman, Felix, used to watch every Tuesday night. I sometimes watched with him, until the violence began giving me nightmares. I’d finally outgrown peeing in my bed, and I didn’t want anything to bring that on again. My mother’s complaining and the disgust in my father’s eyes every time it happened had been enough shame to last a lifetime.
“I talked to my friend, Khan. I’ll be staying with him and his husband starting Saturday.” I looked away. “I really appreciate you letting me stay here until then.”
Blaze stepped close to me, so close I could smell his musky aftershave and see each individual chest hair poking out from the top of his shirt.
“You know I like having you here. You have to after last night.”
My face went hot, and I cleared my throat, keeping my eyes in the vicinity of Blaze’s Adam’s apple. “Yeah, well. I can’t stay here forever.”
Blaze pressed his palm to the side of my face. “You can stay here as long as you want to.”
My heart went into overdrive, and I searched for something to say. “I guess you can have your bed back now that Zeke and Morgan have gone on vacation.”
Blaze’s hand left my cheek and curled around the nape of my neck. “I was hoping you’d join me there. Much more room.”
When I finally met his gaze, the heat in his eyes made my knees weak. Did I want to sleep with Blaze the rest of the time I was at the clubhouse? Sex was one thing, and sure, we’d fallen asleep together a couple of times, but intentionally crawling into Blaze’s bed every night seemed like more than what I should take on. I didn’t think I was strong enough to refuse, so I said, “Maybe.”
“Is anything easy with you?” Blaze asked with a soft smile before leaning in and brushing his lips over mine.
My heart fluttered helplessly in my chest as Blaze tucked my hair behind my ears. “I have to go out back to the warehouse. Want to come? Julianne should be there.”
I nodded, wondering why he couldn’t be the asshole I’d thought him originally. I couldn’t say no to him.
I could only hope the spell the man had over me would break when I left because as it was, I could refuse Blaze Harrington nothing.
Outside, the temperature had already fallen a few degrees and the wind had picked up. Anything green that had had the audacity to stick its head out of the ground during the warm spurt was going to pay for it that night.
The warehouse was alive with activity. I recognized some of Julianne’s people, including Nick. What the hell was he doing there? His job was at the office.
“Howdy, Blaze.” Nick stared up at the biker with admiring eyes. I swore if someone could perfect a look that said, I want to suck your cock, the little slut had done it.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, not even trying to be polite.
With what looked to be superhuman effort, Nick dragged his gaze from Blaze back to me. “Oh, Lake. I wanted to see the new digs. I’m impressed.” He smiled at Blaze. “You have a fabulous setup here, Mr. Harrington.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Thanks,” Blaze said. “You can call me Blaze. Sorry, what was your name again?”
“Nick. I’m Julianne’s receptionist.” Nick stuck out his hand, wrapping long fingers around Blaze’s and squeezing them.
“Oh, that’s right. Good to see you again.”
Nick didn’t let go of Blaze’s hand, and the biker looked to me for help.
“Nick, get us some water. It’s in the break room.”
“You’re not the boss of me, hot stuff,” Nick said hotly, relaxing his hold enough for Blaze to retrieve ownership of his hand.
“Water would be great, Nick, if you don’t mind,” Blaze said. Nick fluttered his eyelashes before prancing away in the direction of the break room.
“I take it you don’t like him very much,” Blaze said to me, amusement lighting his eyes.
“I don’t think about him one way or the other.” I looked around. Spotting Julianne’s dark purple hair, I headed that way. Even though I knew it wasn’t Blaze’s fault Nick had been flirting with him, it made me mad all the same.
Julianne was talking to Cane who was wearing a white robe and presumably nothing else. When she saw me, her face lit up.
“Well, hello there, stranger.”
“What do you mean? You saw me last week. It’s not like you’ve texted me about work.”
Julianne looked guilty. “Yeah. The moves’ sucked me dry. It might be a while before I need you again.” She smiled at someone behind me, and I knew it was Blaze because my body thrummed at his proximity like a douser to water. I could have added my dick to the metaphor, but I was too busy trying to appear like I didn’t want to turn around and touch Blaze any way I could.
“Here, big guy,” Nick said, handing Blaze a bottle of water before absently chucking mine in the vicinity of my knees. “Your filing system’s really a mess, you know that? Luckily, you have me to fix things.”
“What have you been doing in his files?” I demanded.
Nick smirked. “Relax. I said his files, not his pants. I haven’t been in those yet. Julianne asked me to go through them.”
I glowered at Julianne, who looked guilty. When Nick flounced away, I narrowed my eyes at her, hoping they conveyed the word traitor as strongly as I was thinking it.
“Nick’s my cousin,” she said. “My aunt would kill me if I didn’t keep him employed.”
“I hope he screws it all up,” I muttered.
“If Julianne doesn’t need you, I do,” Blaze said.
“For what?” I grumbled. “Sounds like Nick’s working for the both of you now.”
Blaze smiled and shook his head.
Cane, who had been occupied talking to one of the photographers, turned and said, “You positive Sarto agreed to do this scene? He’s sure taking his goddamn time about it.”
“How odd. With your charm, it’s a wonder he isn’t here panting for it,” I said, grinning when Cane scowled at me. I didn’t know if he was born with the bur up his ass or what, but I for one was sick of the attitude.
“I’ll check on him,” Blaze said, lips quirking.
I looked around at the setup. A BDSM room with a spanking chair and various paddles. I wasn’t too surprised, as the short scene the two actors had filmed before had had a definite daddy/boy feel to it.
Julianne touched my arm. “I’m really sorry I won’t be needing you as much for a while. I know you could use the money.”
“It’s okay. I don’t have to pay rent at the moment, so I’ll make it through.” I was bummed at losing the extra income, especially as Julianne paid me better than what I made at the coffee shop, but I still had the Banana. I’d just have to get more time on the pole.
“So, you’re staying with Blaze for a while? How’s that going?” Julianne gave me a look that had me wondering if she’d somehow been watching us go at it.
I glanced at Cane. He didn’t appear to be listening, but I was reluctant to say anything that could get back to Blaze.
“Good. I’m going to Khan’s Saturday.”
“I think Blaze is great, and he’s obviously interested in you. You should take him up on working for him.”
“You make it sound like men aren’t typically interested in me,” I said, inexplicably annoyed.
“I’m not talking about just for a piece of ass.”
“Why should Blaze hire me when he can use your darling cousin Nick?”
Julianne snorted. “God, you’re stubborn. I’ll bet you’re a bossy bottom.”
My mouth fell open, but Blaze walked up with Tony and Matteo, and Julianne snapped into business mode, leaving me to replay the conversation in my mind. I wondered why she thought it was so “obvious” Blaze was interested in me. I glanced at him. What we’d done—it had been convenient sex. Hadn’t it? Blaze had said he wanted to go out with me, but I figured the “and fuck” part had been silent, along with the no strings attached clause that automatically came with it.
The director called for quiet on the set, and I stood back as the cameras started rolling, very aware of the heat radiating off Blaze at my back and also of Matteo’s presence nearby because he made my skin crawl almost as much as Blaze made me hot and bothered. It wasn’t Matteo himself; I knew that. Who did he remind me of? The answer niggled at the back of my mind just out of reach.
Tony wasn’t exactly a twink, but he was lean and willowy compared to Cane, who was all muscle and anger. I was right about the daddy/boy thing—Cane wasted no time before pushing Tony around. Tony had to be a great actor, because the moment the cameras started rolling, he became a different person. Gone was the stoic reluctance that had been written all over the blond just a moment before to be replaced by a man in total submission to Cane’s disciplining touch. Cane altered too, as though responding to this new form of Tony he suddenly had eating out of his hands. The big man’s attention was riveted to his companion who was rock hard and breathing like a deer cornered by a lion. My jeans got tighter watching Cane wrap a beefy arm around Tony’s neck and lick a stripe up the blond’s cheek.
Kevin, the director, stopped them at this point and had them move so they were at a better angle for the camera, and the tension was thick in the room as they did so.
Filming restarted, and I glanced at Julianne. She was smiling like she’d won the lottery, obviously pleased with how things were going.
Blaze stepped closer to me. We stood outside the bright lights, not touching, but so close I was aware of his every movement. God, I was hard. As I watched Cane run his hand up Tony’s bare chest then swing him around so the camera, and the rest of us, could see the blond’s round butt in the assless chaps he wore, I could feel Blaze’s breath against my neck. I swayed slightly, and his arm came around my waist to hold me against him. His hand burned my skin where his pinky finger rested just below the edge of my shirt.
Cane’s mouth was everywhere on Tony except the man’s lips. The heat ratcheted up by degrees, building the sexual tension until I was aware of the brush of cotton against my nipples with every breath I took.
Then, unexpectedly, the world turned upside down. While Cane pushed Tony onto the spanking bench, behind me Matteo murmured something barely audible to Blaze, who simultaneously tightened his grip around my waist. As though a switch had been thrown, adrenaline kicked in as I panicked, heart rate speeding up and pulse pounding for no reason I could discern. All I knew was I was terrified and needed to get out of there.
Twisting out of Blaze’s grip, I knocked something to the floor that made a loud clanging noise. Blaze made a swipe for my arm, and I let out a high keening sound and took off running for the door, aware of more than one person yelling my name behind me. I slammed into the door and hit the pavement outside, my feet carrying me I didn’t care where as long as it was far away.
Cold air bit the tip of my nose and rushed past my ears as my shoes rhythmically hit the pavement. A horn blasted a warning and someone cursed. The smell of spices and the sound of laughter carried on the chilly wind. All of this was a backdrop to the blood roaring in my head and the sound of footsteps running after me. Frantic to lose whoever followed me, I zigzagged in and out of yards, hopped over fences, and slid between storefronts until my legs were jelly and my lungs hurt with every breath I took. Only when I was sure no one was pursuing me any longer did I slow down and finally sink to the ground.
When I came to myself again, I was hunched over in an alleyway, the smell of vomit pungent in my nose. The sun dipped behind the buildings I could see past the mouth of the alley, and I was shivering without my jacket.
Remembering the warehouse and how I’d fled, I cringed in embarrassment. I’d taken off running like a lunatic, disrupting the shoot and staying gone for hours. But why? Trying to remember made my head throb.
Pushing to my feet, I turned toward the street, crying out when pain shot through my right ankle. Steadying myself against the brick wall, I felt in the pockets of my jeans, dismayed to find my cell phone wasn’t in them. I didn’t know if I’d lost it or if I’d left it in my jacket back at the warehouse. Who would I have called anyway? Khan would mother me to death, but that might be preferable to having to explain the unexplainable to Blaze.
Favoring my right foot, I gingerly limped out of the alley. In the open, I looked right, then left, trying to figure out where I was. I didn’t recognize the street or any of the shops. I went left, hoping my normally decent sense of direction would pull me through. As darkness descended, street lights flickered on one by one. I was cold, confused, and my ankle pulsated with pain. I just wanted to be somewhere warm and safe.
I managed to hobble a dozen feet or so until I had to rest on a bench. Fuck, it was cold. I pulled my hands inside my long sleeves and looked around. Spotting a pizzeria across the street, I considered going in and asking to use a phone, but I’d never memorized anyone’s phone number as they were all programmed into my cell. Maybe I could get someone to look up Khan’s number for me.
The roar of a bike brought my head up from studying my puffy ankle, and when it rolled to a stop in front of me and the driver lifted the shield of his helmet, I automatically moved back on the bench.
“Fuck, Lake, we’ve been lookin’ all over for you. You okay? Why’d you take off like that?” Matteo started to climb off his bike, and heart racing, I scrambled to my feet, putting the bench between us in spite of the pain that shot through my injured ankle.
Matteo stilled. “Hey, it’s cold out here. Hop on, and I’ll give you a ride back to the clubhouse. Blaze is going nuts, he’s so worried about you.”
I shook my head, and Matteo studied me, concern and confusion evident in his dark eyes. Realistically, I knew Matteo was Blaze’s friend and I had no reason to fear him, but his presence brought my previous feelings of panic to the fore.
Matteo swung his leg over the bike to dismount, and I made as though to run, although there was no way my ankle was going to allow that.
“Lake,” Matteo said, voice soft. “How ‘bout I call Blaze and get him to come get you? Would that be all right?”
I thought about it. I was embarrassed, but suddenly I wanted Blaze there more than I wanted anything.
“Okay,” I said.
Matteo took out his cell phone, slowly, as though I were a frightened animal. “Go ahead and sit. Rest your ankle. I’ll stay over here.” He pushed his bike a few feet away, and I hopped around the bench and sat down.
“Blaze is on his way,” Matteo said when he came back to the bench. “I think I’ll get some coffee in that corner shop. You want one?”
I nodded and murmured my thanks.
Matteo shrugged out of his leather jacket. “Here, put this on.” He held out the jacket, and with only slight hesitation, I took it from him and wrapped it around my shoulders. His leftover body heat felt good, and nothing about the scent of him bothered me, reinforcing what I already knew: I didn’t need to be afraid of him.. Lifting my feet to the bench, I hugged my knees and waited.