Tara
My hands are shaking, but I do the best that I can to hold onto Nate. Riding with the warm evening breeze against my skin does nothing to calm my nerves. I was frightened back there, and fearful for my life. Thank God nothing happened. Yet.
Nate assures me that Mom isn’t in danger, but knowing that Brewer knows, and knowing he’s out there somewhere terrifies me. Resting against Nate, I use the familiar comfort of his body against mine to try to calm my racing mind.
Five minutes into the ride and I risked a look at our surroundings. I have no idea where we are. “Where are we going?” I yell over the rumble of the engine.
“You’ll see.” He turns his head just enough for me to make out his cute smile. I take in a few deep breaths before resuming my position against Nate’s back.
* * *
As soon as the bike takes a turn, I allow my eyes to flutter open, taking in the scenery that surrounds us. The bike’s wheels kick up dust as we work through a rough path.
“Hold on, baby,” he shouts to me over his shoulder and I tighten my hold around his waist. As soon as we reach the top of the path, Nate slows his speed until he reaches an eventual stop. He kicks out the stand and dismounts, looking me deep in the eye.
“You like?” he asks, eyes glancing around the open space.
The truth is, I’d taken little notice of our surroundings since he stepped from the bike. My eyes were connected to his, losing myself in his gorgeous blues.
“I like what I see,” I blurt out, biting the corner of my lip. Because Nate makes me forget. He’s all I see. All I feel. Being with him makes every memory fade, even if it’s just for a few lust-filled seconds. He’s the perfect distraction, and I want to lose myself in him. Sassy, sexy Tara has taken a back seat. But here, in the warmth of his love and protection, I can’t control the pulse between my legs. My body wants him and so do I.
The light is fading, and as I step from the bike, he takes my hand, leading me over to the cliff edge. “Gorgeous, right?” I hear the sound of the ravine trickling below, the small amount of evening light reflecting against the water. Birds sing in the trees that surround us, just as his arms surround me. He stands behind me, encompassing me in his strong arms. I press my ass against him, letting him know what I want. What my body is craving.
“Tara, what are you doing to me?” he asks and I feel his erection pressing against me as it springs to life. Spinning on the spot, I turn until I’m facing him. I’m eager to kiss him, pressing onto my tiptoes and placing my lips against his. My hands instinctively reach for his hair. Today, he wears it down, something he doesn’t do a lot. And it’s my favorite look on him.
The light mint taste hits my senses. The warmth of his tongue, demanding entry, has me squirming more than before. As the kiss deepens, my stomach somersaults, the throbbing between my legs so intense that I force my thighs together in an attempt to dull the overpowering sense. His arms wrap around me, the palm of his hand landing flat against the small of my back. In one swift movement, my feet leave the ground and I automatically wrap my legs around him. His hardness presses against my core through his jeans and I let out an audible moan.
“Fuck,” he mumbles against my lips. “This isn’t what I brought you here for.” Pulling back, he gazes into my eyes. “I have a blanket. I thought we’d lie together and watch the sunset.”
“And we still can. But I need you to fuck me first.”
His chest heaves and his eyes widen before his lips crash against mine once more. With my legs still wrapped around him, he moves us until my ass rests back against the seat of his bike. Dropping my hands back, I prop myself up while Nate widens my legs. He lifts my skirt, quickly pulling my panties to the side. His eyes cloud with unfiltered desire as he darts out his tongue, wetting his forefinger before sliding it between my folds. I buck against his hand as his finger meets my clit.
“Yes,” I cry out, almost unable to hold myself up any longer.
“Hold onto the handlebars,” he prompts, and I do as he says. He adjusts my waist until I’m lying the full length of the bike. His fingers continue the rough assault on my clit, my hips lifting from the bike seat in an attempt to deepen the contact.
His free hand skims my stomach, reaching beneath my blouse and only stopping when he makes contact with my nipple. His warm hand cupping my breast and teasing my nipple has me squirming. His hands work, building me into a frenzy as the wave of pleasure builds deep within. I release one hand, placing it on his back.
“No, keep your hands on the bars,” he snaps, but it’s in a sexy, needy kind of voice. Dropping the connection with my breast, I watch as he drops to his knees, a smirk tugging at his lips, his face just inches from my pussy. His eyes are fixed on me as his tongue darts out and he laps between my folds. I can’t help the moan that leaves my lips the minute his tongue hits my clit as he lashes hard against the swollen bud. I sink back against the huge motorcycle as my hips buck, trying to deepen the contact. His palm presses against my stomach, trying to control my movements.
The pleasure builds and builds, everything in my core tightening before the orgasm takes me.
“Oh, fuck, Nate,” I scream out as my insides explode.
“Let go of the bars,” he orders. Lifting his head, he steps up from his kneeling position, his strong hands digging into my hips as he works to flip me over. I let out a yelp as he uses his knee to nudge my legs apart spreading me wide.
“Jesus Christ,” he gasps, standing back with his hand on his chin, inspecting me in my spread position. “Sexiest fucking thing I’ve ever seen.”
His hands fall to the button of his jeans as he rushes to push them down. He takes his boxers with him and his eager, swollen cock springs free. I watch over my shoulder as he fists his cock, taking a few small steps toward me. He pulls back his hand, slapping my ass hard enough to make a noise, but not hard enough to hurt. In fact, the contact causes yet more pulsations within my pussy and I need to feel him inside of me. Leaning over me, his stomach touches my back and I lift my head, my fingers dig into the leather seat as I hold on, preparing myself. He teases me, flicking the tip of his cock through my folds, hitting and tormenting my already swollen clit.
“Please, Nate. I just need to feel you inside of me.”
“Tara,” he growls as he finally pushes himself inside of me. A wave of unreal pleasure washes over me as he sinks deeper and deeper inside. Drawing out, he slowly thrusts back inside me, building the momentum with each thrust. I want to scream out, I want to tell him to fuck me harder… but I don’t need to. Just as the thought enters my mind, as if he can read it, he pushes inside me with force and speed, causing me to temporarily lose my grip on the seat. Over and over again he pounds into me, each thrust harder and deeper than the one before. He leans over, grabbing a little of my hair and tugging my head to the side. Nibbling my neck as he pounds relentlessly, my sex tightening around him as he does. “Yes,” I cry out, taking every inch of him, my orgasm building with every movement. Wild waves of pleasure take over and I’m sent over the edge completely as my orgasm hits fast. Every nerve ending in my body feels like electricity as the feeling ripples through me.
“Fuck,” he cries out, shattering and emptying his load inside of me. He groans loudly, a manly raw sound that comes from deep within. Reaching over me once more, he locates my lips and presses a sweet kiss against them. The warmth of his body against mine suddenly disappears and I feel his hands pulling up my panties. I glance over my shoulder and watch as he redresses himself.
Without a word, he turns me and lifts me from the bike, carrying me back over to the cliff. “Wait here,” he says, lowering me to the ground. “I’ll grab the blanket.” Feeling completely fulfilled, I watch him as he strolls back to the bike, grabbing the blanket from the saddlebag. Throwing it over his shoulder, he digs inside his pocket, pulling out his cigarettes, making his way back over to me. Resting the cigarette between his lips, he grabs the blanket, straightening it and lowering it to the ground before collapsing on it. Somehow, and I’m not sure how, the smoke stays firmly in the grip between his teeth. I laugh as I scoot up to him, resting my hand on his chest. His heart thuds against my palm. Taking a drag of the cigarette, he blows the smoke away from me.
“Gotta say, I wasn’t expecting that.” He sounds a little breathless.
“Me neither,” I reply with a smile, positioning myself on my side and holding my head on my crooked arm. “I don’t know what came over me.”
“You just can’t resist me, can you?”
“I think it’s my hormones,” I reply, dryly.
“Sure,” he says with a throaty chuckle. “But seriously, look where we are. Just you, me, and the sound of nature. So simple, so beautiful, and so perfect. The serenity. It’s what I crave.”
I bunch my brows. “You regret your decision to be prez?”
“No, not at all. But sometimes simple is good. It’s nice to push out the crazy and just enjoy you. Enjoy us. Together.”
“Will it always be this way, Nate?” I ask. Instantly, his forehead creases as he grimaces.
“This way?” he asks, as if needing clarification.
“Messed up. Dangerous. Scary.”
“Hell, I have no idea. I hope not, baby. But in this, there is no certainty. No guaranteed happy ever after. But what I can assure you is that I will always do my best to make you happy and keep you safe. Because in this messed-up, fucked-up version of reality, you’re the only thing that truly makes sense.” Taking one last drag of his smoke, he flicks it over the edge of the cliff before turning toward me. “Is that enough for you?”
The raw emotion in his eyes causes my heart to swell. “Of course it’s enough. It’s more than enough.” I move closer, burying my head against his neck, my hand resting against his heart. “We’ll make this work, no matter what,” he whispers and my heart feels full. Because no matter what happens, I’ve felt love with Nate. A love like no other. And for that, I’ll keep fighting until we do find our happy ever after.
* * *
A few days pass by and despite the incident with Brewer, everything is getting back to normal. Nate assured me that Mom is safe and far away from here until they find and resolve the issue with Brewer. I’m not naive and know enough to understand exactly what that means. Even though I found out he is my biological father, I’ve realized that doesn't mean a thing. He’s wronged Nate, the club, his own club, and even his own son. I can’t see that there is any way we could or would have a relationship. So part of me, for my own sanity, has drawn a line under the whole thing and I intend to move on from it.
I’m back at work, helping out in the office, despite the perfect new girl Izzy hired. No, seriously, she is perfect. So much so that I barely have any work to do. I’m back to scheduling appointments with the bar managers and it feels good. It’s great to get back to what I’m good at.
“Hey,” I shout over to Nate while juggling to pull on my work shoes.
“Hey,” he chuckles. “Take it easy.”
“Take it easy?” I repeat. “Seriously, Nate. I’m late and it’s all your fault.”
“Me?” he gasps. “The hell it was. You couldn’t keep your hands to yourself last night.”
I press my lips together and give him a little pout. Of course he’s right. My raging hormones have turned me into a nymphomaniac.
“Make the most of it, lover. Soon I’ll be too big to do anything.” I let my hands fall down to the small pooch I’ve noticed.
“Come here.” He tips his head, beckoning me. I walk over to him sitting on the kitchen barstool, stepping between his open legs. His hand reaches for the side of my face and creeps until it’s positioned on the back of my head. Drawing me closer to him, he kisses me deeply. “I’m gonna want you, big or not.” Small, soft kisses are planted against my lips and my eyes flutter shut.
“You’re so sweet.” I force them back open. “And such a good liar.” I swat the top of his arm and let out a laugh. Pulling away, I step back, but I am quickly stopped by his hand around my wrist.
“Nate, I gotta go.”
“Don’t leave me here alone.” He pouts playfully and I shake my head. Leaning forward I press a quick kiss to his forehead before breaking his hold on my arm. “I’ll be back before you know it. Go work. Go do some club shit… or uh, tattoos. Yeah, that will keep you busy until I get home.”
Tilting his head, his sexy smirk appears. “Funny, T. Real funny.”
“So, who do I have as my bodyguard today? Roach, Jimmy, Davo…?”
“It’s Chuck today.”
“Okay,” I reply. Grabbing my purse and my keys I head over to the door. I smile and give him a fleeting wave as I make my way outside and into my car. A quick check in the rearview confirms that Chuck is at the end of the driveway. Acknowledging him with a fleeting smile, I back out of the driveway and make my way down the suburban street. He follows closely behind me as I start my short journey to work.
Pulling up at the light, the sound of my cell ringing has me reaching for my purse. I quickly dig in, swiping the screen and answering the call. “Hello,” I say before hitting the speaker option.
“Oh, hi. Am I speaking with Tara Mellano?” The sweet lady’s voice plays over the speaker.
“Uh, yes, this is she.”
“I’m calling from St. Joseph’s Hospital. It’s about your test results.”
“Shit,” I grumble, realizing that the lights have changed. I quickly fumble and hit the gas, replying to the caller.
“Sorry… is everything okay?”
“Yes, I’m sorry,” I say flustered and brushing my hair away from my face. “About those results.”
“We will need you to come in to speak to the doctor about the results.”
The pulse in my neck pounds and my hands become clammy. “Are you sure? I mean, it hasn’t been that long? Will the test be accurate? Will they have tested it correctly?”
“Tara,” the sweet lady interjects. “Please be assured that the test is thorough. It’s common to feel a little anxious right now…”
“How quickly can I come in?” I ask, cutting her off.
“What about this afternoon? I can get you in with Doctor Howard at one o’clock this afternoon.”
“Perfect,” I say smiling like she can see me. Shaking my head, I clutch the steering wheel and thank her before hanging up.
“Shit.”
I should call Nate. But what if it’s bad news. I don’t know if I can hold it together if he’s there. Maybe this is something I need to do myself.
For the rest of the drive into work, I stare out the windshield, my body on autopilot.
Pulling up in the parking lot close to work, I cut the engine and slide back into my seat. My mind goes full circle and I realize that I can’t do this without him. Good or bad, I need him by my side.
A sudden tap on my window causes me to jerk in surprise. I glance to Chuck who stares at me through the window. Fumbling for the button. I press it, lowering the window.
“Sorry, ma’am. Didn’t mean to give you a scare.”
I shake my head. “No, it’s fine. What’s up?”
Pointing across the street, he says, “I’m going to grab some coffee. Want anything?”
“I’m good,” I reply with a smile. “I’ll grab something at work.”
With a nod, I watch as he turns and walks down the street. Trying to calm myself, I grab my purse and pull out my cell, ready to call Nate. As I stare at the phone in my hand, trying to summon the courage to tell him, the phone starts to buzz in my hand. Surprised to finally see Mom’s name, I swipe the screen, eager to answer the call.
“Mom, I’ve been calling you. Why didn’t you answer?”
“It’s not Mom, actually.” His gruff voice echoes down the phone and I reach up pressing my hand against my throat as I feel it grow tight. Swallowing repeatedly, I try to force the lump down so that I can speak. But nothing comes.
“Tara, honey. It’s Daddy,” he drawls and the feeling of sick swells in my stomach.
“Where’s Mom?” I finally manage to speak.
“Here, baby. Right here.”
“I swear to God, if you’ve so much as laid a finger on her, I’ll kill you myself.”
His menacing laugh booms down the receiver.
“Brewer,” I scream so loud it stings my throat. “Why are you doing this?”
“You’re my girl. I just want to have the chance to get to know you.”
“You want to talk, then let’s talk. But leave Mom out of this.”
“Hmm, hmm, no can do, baby girl. This bitch lied to me for nearly two decades. She has to pay.”
The sound of my mother crying out in the background has me panicking.
“DON’T… don’t hurt her, please. Just tell me what you want me to do, just please, don’t hurt her.”
“Come here. Right now.” He says it like it’s a demand and not a request.
“Where? Where are you?” I place the phone against my ear and shoulder while I scramble to grab my purse looking for a pen and paper to write down the address.
“Your mom’s house.”
“What… wait, she’s there? She isn’t supposed to be there.” Nate assured me she had gone to see my great aunt in Virginia, so why the hell is she at home?
“No more questions, Tara. Come alone and be here in twenty minutes. Or else.”
“Or else what?” I rush out, panic in my tone as I wonder whether getting to Mom’s from here in twenty minutes is even possible.
The phone beeps against my ear and I pull it away, checking the screen. Shit. Shit. Shit.
Reaching for the key in the ignition, I turn it, slam the gear stick into reverse and make my way out of the spot. I squeeze my cell between my legs as I drive frantically.
I’ve got to get there. This is all my fault. I should’ve kept my mouth shut. Hunter spilling the beans about Brewer being my real dad has ultimately put her in immense danger.
I speed like crazy, trying to get there as fast as I can. I only have twenty minutes and it’s not enough.
I’ll never ever forgive myself if anything happens to her. Yes, it’s been rocky with us, but she’s still my mom. She’s the one who raised me the best she could, on her own. And knowing what I know now, it all makes sense.
I’m focusing on the road, but it’s like my mind can’t focus on the images that flash in my eyes. The sudden buzz between my legs snaps me from my trancelike state. I take a quick glance at the screen.
It’s Nate.
Shit.
I need him.
Swiping the screen, I quickly answer the phone, hitting the speakerphone option.
“Hey,” I answer a little breathlessly.
“Tara, where the fuck are you? Chuck says your car has gone.”
“Nate, please…” Tears start to fall over my flushed cheeks.
“Baby, what is it?”
“It’s Mom. Brewer’s got Mom.”
“What? How the fuck… she’s in Virginia. I made sure of it.”
“I don’t know, I don’t know,” I repeat as panic sets in.
“Baby, where are you now?”
“On my way to Mom’s.”
“NO! Don’t! Fuck,” he roars down the phone and more tears flow. “It’ll be a trick. A trap to lure you there. Your mom is in Virginia.”
“Nate,” I snap, “I heard her cries. He definitely has my mom.”
“I don’t know how that’s possible.”
“I have to get her, Nate. This is all my fault and she needs me.”
“You need to pull the fuck over. You cannot go there. He’ll hurt you.”
“I have to do this, Nate.”
“NO! NO, YOU DON’T.” He’s yelling so loudly that his voice becomes distorted. “Tara, please. You are putting yourself and the baby in danger.”
“I’ll stall him, I’ll do whatever necessary. Just please get there. As soon as you can.” I hit the end button because I know he won’t understand. He’ll try to talk me out of this, but the longer I leave it the greater the chance he will hurt Mom. Or worse.
Kill her.