Chapter Six
A knock at the door made Darcy groan. Rolling onto her side, she saw it was a little after eight in the morning. It was one of the last days in Piston County, and she was so pleased. Yes, she was happy her mom and dad were away and enjoying each other, but she was sixteen years old now. She didn’t need a babysitter and could have stayed home in Fort Wills.
“Come in,” she said, feeling really tired.
She was always so tired right now. As she ran a hand down her face, the world seemed to be spinning just a little, and she pulled the pillow beneath her as she caught sight of Tabitha entering the room.
“Hey, I hope you don’t mind me coming to see you,” Tabitha said.
“Nah, it’s okay.” She was close to Tabitha, even though there was an age gap between them. Where Michael—Alex’s son—treated them like a burden, Darcy didn’t. She liked hanging out with the other Skulls kids. She was part of it, and they were all a family. In school, no matter what grade they were in, they always had each other’s backs, and that was fine with her.
She liked being in a big family.
“I’m surprised you’re wasting a second coming to see me. Don’t you want to bask in everything that is Simon?”
“He’s helping his mom out getting everyone packed up. You’ve spent most of the trip sleeping. I was worried. Are you dreaming about Ink again? Missing him.”
Darcy sighed. She really shouldn’t have confessed her feelings for the much older Skulls member. From the first moment she saw him as a prospect she’d had this humiliating crush on him.
“It’s fine, honestly.”
“Come on, Darcy, you can talk to me.”
She reached out, taking Tabitha’s hand. “I know I can. It’s not like he’s ever going to look at me, Tab. You’ve been very lucky with Simon.” Darcy saw a sadness in Tabitha’s eyes, and she sighed. “What is it?”
“What if Simon finds someone else? What if there’s a girl that is, like, way prettier than me?”
“That’s not going to happen.”
“How do you know?”
“Because you receive letters every single week, Tab. He loves you, and he’s not going to find some replacement girl for you. What if he’s worried about a boy?” Darcy asked.
“That’s not going to happen, ever. All the boys at school are disgusting and gross. Like Adam. He’s always farting, and so are the other boys. Ew.” Tabitha stuck her tongue out and did a vomiting noise.
“I’m only saying that he could be worried.”
“I know.” Tabitha climbed up on the bed, and snuggled in. Darcy didn’t have the energy to argue, and she hugged her little friend. “Do you think you can send him a letter?”
“No. It would be lame. He’s probably with all the club women right now, anyway.” No one knew about her crush with Ink. It wasn’t just a crush. She knew that, but everyone would laugh at her anyway.
“You better go.”
“Will you be coming out anytime today? It’s our last day?”
“I will, Tab. I promise.”
Tabitha gave her a hug, and Darcy smiled.
Once the door was closed, she flopped back to the bed. Closing her eyes, she rolled over, snuggling back under the covers. Another few minutes wouldn’t hurt.
****
Butler stared down at the woman in his arms. He waited for the usual panic and fear to set in, but nothing happened. Mandy lay on the bed turned toward him. Her hands were beneath her head, and she looked so happy, so calm, so peaceful. He couldn’t believe the dirty words that came out of her mouth last night, or the hot sex they shared.
Reaching out, he teased a strand of her hair back and smiled. She was fucking amazing. Her pussy was so tight, her mouth magical, and just being with her gave him so much pleasure that he couldn’t stop thinking about it.
She sighed, moving into his touch. She nuzzled his hand and opened her eyes, smiling.
“Morning,” she said.
“Morning to you too.”
She yawned and gave a little stretch. “What time is it?”
He glanced at the clock and saw it was a little after eight, and told her so.
“I haven’t slept that soundly for a long time.”
“I did keep you up half the night.”
She turned toward him, chuckling. “That you did.” She pulled the blanket up and kept staring at him, her green eyes watching him.
“What?” he asked.
“I was just wondering what the protocol is?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I don’t know what to do. I’ve never done the morning-after thing.”
“You’ve not had a man in your bed?”
“Nope. I always avoided the next day thing in case it was awkward. It was just a random hookup with the guys. I didn’t want to know their number.”
“I can tell you that it’s too late for that with me.”
“Why?”
“I already programed my number into your cell. You’ve got me.”
She groaned, but he saw the smile on her lips. “So, this is not a casual hookup?”
“No, it’s not. I meant what I said, Mandy. No other men. Only me.”
“If that’s the case then you cannot touch any of those club women either. If I can’t have another man, neither can you have another woman.”
“That’s fine by me. I’ve not been with any of those women in a long time.”
“A long time?” she asked.
“Yes. Roughly around the time that the club got a new cleaner. I don’t know if you know her. She has green eyes, brown hair, sexy as fuck. I loved her ass when she’d be cleaning under tables.”
She chuckled, and damn it, that sound went straight to his dick.
“Wow, she sounds pretty special.”
“She is. Not when she’s banging her head though and making me worry. Kind of made me feel guilty for just staring at her ass and thinking about how she’d react if I slid in deep within her cunt.”
She sighed. “That’s so romantic.”
The sound of his stomach growling filled the air, and they both chuckled. “How about I go and make us something to eat?”
“You can cook?”
“Yes, and I would very much like to cook for you.”
“Then I’m more than happy for you to do that.”
He reached out, stroking her cheek. Running his thumb across her bottom lip, he tilted her head back and claimed her lips. She moaned, and he plunged his tongue in her mouth. Her hands went to his shoulders, and he pressed her against the bed.
Suddenly pulling away, he smiled down at her. “Food first.”
“We can do something else.”
“I know you’re only after my body, but I want you full so that when we do fuck again, I don’t have to stop. I’ve got to keep you healthy.” He kissed her again and climbed out of bed.
He walked toward the door, and she laughed. “You’re going to cook breakfast naked?”
“No. I’m going to wear an apron.” He winked at her. “Oh, my rules, and you are to come to the table completely naked. No clothes until we leave the apartment.” He winked at her, and she chuckled.
Entering the kitchen, he found an apron and quickly pulled it on. Opening her fridge, he grabbed some eggs and bacon. It didn’t take him long to find everything he needed as he started up breakfast.
He was cracking eggs when her head popped around the corner of the wall.
Butler chuckled. “Have you gone shy on me?”
“I think I have.”
“You’ve not walked around this place butt ass naked?”
“No. It’s not something I’ve thought about. When I get home, I eat, shower, and crash. Don’t really have time to linger.”
“Well, strut your stuff. Show me how a woman works her place.”
She rolled her eyes, and he simply waited.
Mandy stepped out from behind the wall, and the sight before him was truly spectacular just as he knew it would be.
Her tits were high and tipped with beautiful, large red nipples. She was all curves and softness. His cock woke up instantly, and he wanted her. The sizzling of the bacon distracted him.
“Go on, baby, walk around.”
“Seriously?”
“This is your place. Own it.”
Turning the bacon, he whisked the eggs and watched as she moved around the room. She began to put a few things away. A couple of books were open on the coffee table, and she closed them. Their clothes, piled on the floor, she folded neatly.
“You never stop cleaning, do you?”
“I don’t like a lot of mess. I know. It’s my job to clean, but it’s more than that. I can’t think in mess. It’s gross, and I don’t live with gross.” She looked around the sitting room before walking back to the kitchen. Even as he cooked breakfast, she avoided the stove but cleaned around him.
Every now and then her tits brushed against his back or some other part of her did, and it made him ache to be inside her.
Within minutes he had the breakfast cooked and they were sitting at her small dining room table. She’d put some towels on the seats, which he did find utterly adorable.
“This is really good.”
“Cooking helped me to focus while I was getting clean.”
“It did?”
“Yeah, reading a cookbook, following everything exactly, it helped. I did it in rehab, and for a little while when I got back, but then life didn’t always allow for an exact routine.”
“Do you like club life?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, the way you’re talking about it, you don’t seem happy.”
“Oh, I am. It’s complicated.”
“I’m a good listener,” she said. “Unless you don’t feel comfortable talking about it. I know the club has a lot of secrets.”
He sighed. “For a long time, we’ve had a lot of bad shit happening. Bad guys from the past, present, and I tell you it felt like the fucking future. We lost men and women from both of our clubs. It was a nightmare. I had to constantly sleep with one eye open. The club needed me, and I was finally clean. I could hold my own, and they didn’t have to worry about me being a weak link.”
“That’s important to you?”
“Yes. Being in Chaos Bleeds, it’s been everything. I didn’t have a lot in life. No family, friends, no job. My entire existence has been about serving in the club, and it’s what I’m good at. It’s what I know and what I love.”
“Okay.”
“Now, we’re taking a different path. One that comes away from all the trouble. For the first time since I’ve been clean, I’ve not been distracted.”
“And temptation is there?”
“It’s always been there, you know, I just didn’t realize how much.”
“Do you think you can live without it?” she asked.
“I know I can. I just…” he stopped running a hand down his face. “I’m disappointed in myself, Mandy. That’s what I am. I caved, and now I have some stash that I’ve got to talk to Devil about. It’s … it’s bullshit. That chapter of my life, it was over. I don’t want to lose my club over this.”
“Do you think you will?” she asked.
“I don’t know. I know I’ve got to talk to him.”
“Would you like me to come with you?”
“No, this is something I’ve got to do on my own, no matter how much I hate it. It’s a weakness, and he needs to know.”
She reached out, touching his hand. “I think you’re a very brave person.”
“I’m not brave.”
“You didn’t take it. You didn’t cave to that need. You just … you stopped. I’m here, Butler. If you ever need me, I’m here.”
“Thank you, baby,” he said.
He squeezed her hand, and they enjoyed their breakfast. All he wanted to do was spend the day with her, but he didn’t have a choice. He had to go back to the clubhouse and deal with his problem.
It was driving him crazy knowing it was there. After breakfast, he waited for Mandy to get dressed. He was dropping her off in town to grab some supplies. While she was busy, he intended to talk to Devil, to get it all out in the open with him.
Butler knew if he went down that road of drugs again, he wouldn’t ever recover. It was why he’d cut it all out, drugs and booze. He didn’t even take a painkiller for a headache anymore.
He didn’t want to lose that kind of control, and now with Mandy, he didn’t know what the fuck that was but it meant something to him. He wouldn’t lose that. He couldn’t.
****
Piston County was a small town. When Mandy first arrived, she’d found it quite charming. Like all places it had good and bad areas. Most of her life she’d been around the bad areas. Lexie and Devil’s place though, that was from the good area. Standing outside Lexie’s home, Mandy raised her hand, and gave a knock. She heard a lot of commotion inside, and Simon was the one to open the door. She’d gotten a call from Lexie asking if she could bring some bags to her home. Seeing no reason not to, after she got her groceries, she had picked up what Lexie needed and took a cab home. After putting away her stuff, she drove back toward Lexie’s home.
She’d left a few texts for Butler, but she had yet to hear from him. It had only been an hour and half, but she was worried. How long did it take to talk to Devil?
“Hey, Mandy,” Simon said, opening the door.
He looked utterly miserable.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Oh, don’t mind him,” Lexie said, coming toward her. She took the bag that was offered to her. “He’s miserable because this is Tabby’s last day here, and he doesn’t want her to leave.”
“It’s an entire summer. She doesn’t have to go.”
“I know. I know.” Lexie kissed his head.
Simon tutted and walked away.
“He’s growing up so fast. Thank you so much for bringing me this. You want a cup of coffee?”
“I’d love some.” She shoved her hands in her pockets following Lexie back toward the kitchen. “Have you heard from Devil or Butler?”
“No, not since Devil left this morning. He did mention something about needing to talk to one of the girls at Naked Fantasies, but that’s about it.”
Mandy winced, hating the thought of Butler near any woman who was half-naked. “How do you handle that?”
“Handle what?” Lexie asked.
“You know. Strippers. Naked Fantasies. Lots of semi-clad women walking around.”
Lexie laughed. “I don’t worry about it.”
“How can you not?” Already she was worried that another woman could have eyes on Butler, and she was possessive. Butler belonged to her, and she didn’t want to share him with anyone.
“It’s simple. I know I keep my man satisfied and he’d never stray.”
“You’re really convinced of that?”
“I know Devil, and believe me, he won’t stray.”
“That must be nice.” She bit her lip, thinking of all the men her mom had a relationship with.
“I love him, and he loves me. We’ve been through a lot together. Devil wouldn’t throw that all away for a casual hookup. I trust him.” Lexie placed a hand on her arm. “Did something happen with you and Butler?”
“I don’t know what it is or anything. He won’t get into trouble, will he?”
“No, he’s a grown man.”
Lexie placed a cup of coffee in front of her. She lifted it and took a sip.
“Thank you for getting these. Everything is so hectic today. They’ve all bought new clothes, and of course they have to go in the suitcases, and all the old ones are going in the bag, and I didn’t have time to go get them.”
“It’s fine. I was at the grocery story anyway.”
Eva walked into the kitchen with a sigh. “You know, I hate packing.” She flopped down in her seat, running fingers through her hair. “Next time we come here, I’m coming on my own. Minus the kids.”
Lexie laughed and seconds later put a coffee in front of her. “Why did you agree to take all of the kids?”
“Lacey and Whizz needed to get away. It had been a long time since they had a vacation, and then of course Murphy and Tate wanted some time alone. It just made sense. Lash and Angel are away as well. Thank you for letting us stay here for a couple of days.”
“Even though Devil pretends to hate it, he loves this house filled to bursting with kids,” Lexie said.
“I don’t remember your name,” Eva said, looking at her.
Mandy chuckled. “I’m Mandy. I clean a lot.”
“I’m Eva, but from the look on your face you remembered my name.”
“I did, yes, but don’t worry about it. With how many kids are around, I was shocked when Butler handled them all the other day.”
“Yes, they all said how much fun they had,” Eva said. “It doesn’t always happen like this, but between the two clubs, we like to have some time over breaks.”
“What she is really trying to say is our kids pretty much order us around. They’re best friends, and of course that means they have to be together during breaks.” Lexie shrugged. “It’s not hard, but it means Thanksgiving this year is totally at The Skulls.”
“Angel will cook. It’ll be awesome.”
She listened as the two women began to organize the upcoming holidays, and she smiled through it. When kids began to invade the kitchen, Mandy made her excuses and left the house. Climbing into the car, she drove back home, and checked her cell phone. Still nothing from Butler.
Come on, Butler, tell me you’re all right.