8.

Mark

Did she agree? She smiled and pressed her lips to mine. But I got so caught up with her lovin’ on me that I didn’t follow through. I never actually made her say the words. Yet that kiss, it has to mean yes, don’t it? I’m goin’ with yeah because she feels me. She feels me. And it’s the real me. Even if she hasn’t seen me yet, she knows I’m in here. In the room. In her heart. Nothing else to matter.

I keep her pinned against the wall where I can really hold her. Elise. My woman. How it should’ve always been. Without that hiccup of Logan keepin’ us apart. Seven years ago when we met her. Then five, when she left us.

Ever since she stepped back into my life we’ve been playin’ this game. I tell her she is my woman, she don’t deny it but then some bullshit thing happens and she does, pullin’ away, distancing herself from me and everyone else who could be real family to her if she’d let us in.

But she came to apologize to my brothers on her own, and she did admit out loud she needs me. She’s with me.

Hurdle one successfully jumped. Now for hurdle number two.

She has to hear the truth.

Leaving it out has been hard, but I stand by it was the best decision for the both of us. Slowly… slowly, I’ll introduce her to all the truths until we have no more secrets between us.

“You’re amazing,” she says softly, her voice shaking. And it’s all she says. My mouth slides into a stupid, large grin. It’s the only movement aside from my rapidly beating heart, which I have no control of, as I just continue to take in all of Elise. Like her smell, it engulfs me. This delicate combination of rose perfume and hints of almond and vanilla body wash, mixed with the Tide she clearly washes her clothes in. She’s more than that though, she’s more than what I can smell or touch or see or hear. There’s so much in this moment for my head to wrap around. For now though, our closeness seems to be enough for her, too.

We’ve stayed in the room long enough for my brothers to think I’ve taken her at least a couple of times. I don’t care if they know or don’t know but I realize she’s done it for me. “Okay, Mark. I think it’s safe. We can go now.”

“I’ve loved every minute of holdin’ you. But darlin’, we could’ve left any time you wanted.”

She smiles again. “I know. And I love that about you. But these are still bikers, and you might not have totally lost face in their eyes, you’ve misplaced enough of it because of me. If I can help get it back for you, I want to.”

“You said you love me.”

“No, I said I loved something about you. There’s a difference.”

“Whatever you need to get you through the day, baby girl.” I bend over snatching her blouse from the floor and then plant a long, wet kiss on her open mouth while shoving the shirt in her hands resting at my stomach.

I really wish she didn’t have to be exposed to this side of the club. I’m not embarrassed by my brothers, but havin’ her witness this scene as we leave the privacy of my room, it’s too soon. The pieces have all arrived for the afternoon.

She stops walking to take it all in. Duke’s on one of the sofas, arms spread wide across the back, his Levi’s undone, eyes closed and contented smile on his face as his regular piece sucks him off. While my woman stands on.

Elise, she looks pained and uncomfortable, not so much judgmental this time. And I want to know what’s going through that pretty little head of hers. So I grab hold of her hand pullin’ her out of eyesight of what comes down to a typical Saturday night with us.

Unfortunately I can’t get her out fast enough. We see Chaos in the corner, a relatively new piece—I don’t even know her name—stripped buck naked, ridin’ his cock hard in a reverse cowgirl. Her tits bouncing while he pulls a handful of auburn hair to tilt her head back and bites down on the exposed skin like a vampire with his prey.

Chaos catches her staring and winks—the bastard. Although I see her eyes glisten from unshed tears, she don’t hightail it like I thought she would but holds her head up higher and flips him a double bird as she struts slowly, confidently out of the club. She keeps up the façade until we reach the truck, and I catch the lip tremble as I help her up and shut the door.

I slide in next to her. “Okay. Out with it. What’s goin’ on, darlin’?”

“That was you?”

Not going to lie to her. “It was.”

“Those women are so beautiful. I doubt any one of them would take ‘no I have an old lady’ for an answer.”

“So what’re you sayin’?”

“I can’t be that woman. You’re talking rings and babies. All I’m picturing is my man off at the club, screwing some other woman’s brains out.”

“Do you trust me?”

Elise’s face goes cold, expressionless, and she turns away, wrapping her arms protectively around her middle as she watches out her window. “There’s a lot of temptation.”

“Not what I asked. Do you trust me?” I turn down the radio, then tug on her elbow to get her to respond to me. What she says next is vital to our future together.

“I want to,” she says, though she says it to the window.

“That’s not an answer. You’re gonna have to figure this out, because baby girl, I already promised you that wouldn’t be me. You’ll see shit at the club you may not like. That’s the life. I thought comin’ here today we’d be past all the bullshit judgement.”

That got her attention. She whips her head around, face hard, set and ready to fight. “It’s not judgement.” Her words come at me harsh. “Those women look made for sex.” Then, boom! The hardness melts in front of my eyes, leavin’ pain in its wake. “How do I compete with that? I’ve been with exactly two men and you’re one of them.”

Insecurity? It’s hard to imagine this beautiful, smart woman feelin’ the pressure from club pieces. “Darlin’, Elise, you got it backward. You’re the threat to them, not the other way around. Any man in that club would give his left nut to have a woman like you. I’ve been informed by a few of the brothers that if I don’t want you anymore to send you along their way.”

“Do you think that will be an issue?”

“What?” I furrow my brow trying to figure her out.

“That you won’t want me anymore.” She replies.

“I’ve wanted you for seven years and you weren’t even around for five of ‘em. So what do you think?”

“I think you’re a good man, Mark…you know? I don’t even know your last name. You’re talking about me marriage and families, and I don’t even know how my hypothetical children’s teachers will address me. Ms. Manning?”

“Fuck no. You and the kids will have my last name. One of the rules.”

“Not arguing. I would just like to know. What if your last name is, I don’t know, Galise? My name would be Elise Galise. Or worse, what if your name is Mark Ahome? Then I’d be Elise Ahome.”

That’s probably one of the dumbest, cutest, funniest things to come out of her luscious mouth so I can’t help the laugh which bursts from mine. And I lean over to kiss her good and deep.

“That’s not even a real name,” I tell her, still sputtering.

“It could be.”

“Well it’s not mine, and it won’t be yours.”

“Then tell me.”

I grip the steering wheel and sigh. “Woman, I’ll tell you when it’s time. When it’s not time is when we’re drivin’ down a mountain road, so you can get all crazy and grab the wheel, sendin’ us careenin’ over a cliff.”

“Why are you being so sketchy? What are you trying to hide?”

“I ain’t tryin’ to hide. Just, learnin’ my last name’ll probably piss you off.”

“It’s that bad?”

“Might be. Might not be. My strategy is to tell you while we’re in bed, and I’m buried deep inside you.”

“Because you’re worried I’ll reject you?”

“Don’t think it’ll happen. We got too much of a connection already. But a man can’t be too careful. I tell you buried to the hilt in that tight pussy of yours, makin’ you feel so good, you’ll be less likely to act on any ill feelins’ toward me.”

“That is a brilliant plan because I can assure you, I felt no ill will toward you this morning”

“Good to know.”

She graces me with one hell of a flirtatious smirk. “Well okay then.”

“So we done with this?” I start the truck, driving us toward the gate.

The prospects have them open, nodding their goodbyes and we’ve turned onto the road before she answers me.

“For now. I feel it’s only fair to inform you that we’re seated firmly in relationship limbo until I know everything. And by everything, I mean your last name and why I might not want to be with you. Until then, we’ll take it day by day.”

What? I had her ready to move. For once I got nothing to say. Can’t really blame her, gonna have to try and convince her.

“But I do have something I’d like to talk with you about,” she says.

Good. A distraction. “I’m listenin’.”

“How do you feel about me talking with Beau Hollister?” I open my mouth to say something, what, I don’t know, but something. Although it wouldn’t matter what I say as she cuts me right off. “We both know he’s going to be at my father’s funeral. I haven’t talked to him in years. He’s avoiding me. We have a lot to discuss.”

The cab stays silent while I contemplate how I want to answer and she waits patiently.

“You’re right, darlin’. You will definitely be around Beau at your father’s funeral, and there is a lot to discuss. I just can’t tell you what it means that you’d consider my feelins’ with all this.”

“Well you seem to have a problem with the Hollisters, too. It’s my dad’s funeral, but… It’s about respect, you know?”

“I’m goin’ back to Chicago with you. We’ll make it a vacation. Time alone. Just you and me, maybe hit the road for a couple weeks. How’s that sound?”

“Like heaven. So you’ve got ‘til the end of my father’s funeral to come clean.”

Her gaze moves from my face to out the window again. Seems wrong to not be touching her after everything we’ve just discussed, so I reach my hand over to squeeze her knee leaving my hand firmly to rest there. Her father’s funeral. Don’t give me much time. The woman doesn’t even glance down but drops hers on top of mine, lacing her fingers through mine.

When we get home I give her knee another quick squeeze. She turns to look this time and I give a slight nod so she knows to stay put. Then I walk around to open the door for her, helping her down.

“You going to kiss me?” she asks.

I think about answering something smart, but just go for it instead. Lips pressed to hers, arms around that hourglass waist, I’m lost completely to the woman of my dreams.

Dammit I forget where we are and that these assholes ain’t been clued in to what’s about to come their way if they don’t let up. A car speeds past us.

“Whore.” Someone shouts out. We both turn as water balloons are launched through the windows at our feet, splashing everywhere. Soakin’ our feet and my jeans.

Elise shrieks. Fuck this. I scoop her up bridal style and run her up to the house, setting her down only once I’ve kicked the door closed behind us.

“It’s never going to stop,” she says to her feet. “I bought the fantasy. But that’s all it is, Mark. A fantasy.”

“No. This is real, Elise. We’re real, and I’m not lettin’ you use some stupid teenage prank as an excuse because you’re scared.”

“Of course, I’m scared. What if we go the distance, you think I want that.” She points at the front door. “For your life? What about these hypothetical kids? You want them being bullied? I need to go. You need to find someone you won’t have to fight an entire town to be happy with.”

“So you tellin’ me you had the guts to apologize to a room full of bikers but are just gonna run from some punk-ass kids? That’s not the Elise I thought I knew.”

“Fuck you.”

“Plan on it.” And that’s all I give her, shovin’ her up against the wall my mouth connects with her neck. At the same time my fingers find the hem of her T-shirt, her fingers fumble to find mine.

It’s rough and hard and frenzied as she shoves her shorts and panties down her legs kicking them off once they’re past her knees, while I suck dutifully at her pink, pert nipple.

My mouth on her and she completely loses track that she was tryin’ to break up with me just minutes ago. Using my arm to keep her pinned up against the wall, I drop to my knees aligning that perfect pussy with my face and drape her leg over my shoulder to open her up wide for me. She’s so wet already. Smells of honey nectar. Tastes of it, too. Once my mouth connects with her center, teenagers, water balloons, everything disappears. Just me making the woman I love feel good.

I make her come twice with my tongue before I stand, still pinning her against the wall, and slide inside wrappin’ both legs around my waist and her arms around my neck so I take the brunt of her weight. That’s when we find our rhythm. While I pound into her she tilts to meet me thrust for thrust. One hand holds my neck, she moves the other up to tug out the hairband letting my locks spill down to graze the first hand. She grips and musses the thick strands between kisses and moaning my name.

I love the feel of her hand in my hair, but when she drops it, clawing talon marks over my back I loose myself completely.

“Baby…” I pant. “You got…another one… in you…oh fuck—now’s… the time.”

My words in her ear, she clamps down around my pulsating cock and I explode. Thrusting a few more times before droppin’ my forehead against hers, both of us panting hard. Fast.

We wait until both of our breathing has calmed before I pull out then she drops her feet to the floor. On shaky legs, I might add. It’s not exactly a hardship to have to keep her in my arms a while longer.

“Okay, so maybe we can still make this work,” she says to me, although totally avoiding my eyes as she says it.

“’Bout time you caught up,” I tell her. Then tip her chin up keeping her from lookin’ anywhere else. “So you’re not leavin’ me, are you darlin’?”

“What about the town, and Chicago?”

“I’ll take care of it. Tell me. Tell me what I need to hear.”

“I’m…we’ll make it work.”

“Why?” I prod.

“Because there’s no denying our connection. No matter it doesn’t make any sense. That I haven’t been in town long enough to feel this way, I do.”

“Good.” I smile quick and kiss the tip of her nose. “I’ll order us takeout, then we’re spendin’ the rest of the day loungin’ in bed talkin’ and watchin’ movies. And if at any point you want to take advantage of me again, I won’t put up a fight. That’s a promise.”