CHAPTER TWELVE
——
ERIKA
TWO WEEKS HAVE gone and I’ve spent most nights at Dominic’s place. A part of me wonders if he’ll ask me to move in or even wants me to. Even though I’d say yes without a second thought, I know it’s too soon for that kind of commitment. I can’t help thinking it though as the last two weeks with him have been incredible.
The rumbling engine of his Harley quiets after he pulls into the parking lot of the Devil’s Serpents clubhouse. In front of me is a large, ranch-style building with a second floor over half the building. The siding is painted black and on the porch, next to the front door, is a sign with the Serpents skull and snake emblem emblazoned in silver.
Dominic touches my side, scooping me in his gigantic arm after I climb off his bike. With an arousing graze of his hand, he massages my breast then continues his caress up to my neck and jaw. With his guided hand, I’m brought to his lips, giving myself to the pleasure of his kiss.
“You sure you’re okay being here with me?”
Beneath my fingers his hair is soft from the shower we had earlier.
“Yes, of course. I’m not nervous if that’s what you’re wondering.”
“Good. Tonight’s important. Christian has something for you and I want to show you off to my brothers. Not all of them have met you. They’re ready to meet the woman who’s stolen all my attention lately. After they see you, they’ll understand why.”
Nibbling my lip, my cheeks flush.
“Maybe I should apologize for keeping you from business.”
Grip tightening, he pulls me close, kissing the cleavage of my chest.
“Nah, baby. No need to apologize for satisfying me.”
Warmth and wetness linger over my skin from his nibbling lips. Eyes closed, my mouth parts.
“We need to go inside.”
“Yeah? You don’t want me to bend you over my bike and fuck you here and now? I know you’d like it.”
Teasing lips feather across my skin, reaching the outside of my nipple, sending an arousing shiver over my body.
“I do…” My breath hitches when his hand frees my nipple, his mouth ravaging it. Between my legs, my desire burns. “But I don’t want your brothers to watch.”
A warm breath blows across my damp nipple, taunting my need for him.
“I don’t either. I’ll take you inside instead.”
“Promise?” I ask, gripping my fingers in his hair.
With a hiss, he looks at me with promising green eyes. “Yes.”
Walking into the clubhouse isn’t much different from being at my house on Serpent party nights. Clouds of cigarette smoke form an artificial ceiling above, dimming the ugly yellow lamps. Bold, skull and serpent emblems are like a sea of snakes before me. They’re everywhere I look. Beer bottles and liquor glasses clang on the tables in unison with the loud boisterous voices and music. I’m surprised to see a few jackets and vests that display MC club emblems other than the Serpents. I look to Dominic.
“You allow other club members in here?’
With me in tow, he guides me to a table of Serpents I recognize.
“Just the bar and restaurant part of the clubhouse.” He points toward double doors on the left wall of the darkened room. “Not past those doors. That’s our personal clubhouse.”
A Serpent I’ve come to know as Mercy removes his arm off an empty chair. Dominic sits in it, pulling me into his lap.
A young prospect, not much older than me tilts his beer. “What can I get you to drink, Dom?”
Pride flashes in Dominic’s eyes when he brings his attention to the prospect.
“Two beers, two shots of whiskey.”
“You got it.”
With ease, he slips from his chair, headed toward the bar on the backside of the room. Dominic’s thumb slides into my jeans. Caressing me, he quickly falls into conversation with his brothers about their last ride and some club drama.
“Drake and Levi were bitching about how you handled Ditch’s actions,” Mercy shares.
His caressing stops. Fingers tightened, I know he’s holding back his real emotions, shielding them with an expressionless face.
“Yeah? Tell me about it.”
Tex’s eyes roll over my chest and face, then settle on Dominic with a seemingly careless expression. “You know how that clique of whiny asses are. They’re a bunch of boys trying to look out for one another.”
“If they got something to say, they should bring it to the board or to my face.”
“They haven’t been around much since Ditch got out of the hospital,” Mercy tells him behind a beer bottle headed to his lips.
This time, my muscles tighten and Dominic’s hand lifts to my back, caressing me as several eyes around the table take notice of my reaction.
“Excuse me,” I mumble, rising from his lap.
Standing, Dominic takes my hand, stopping me.
“Where you goin’, Sparrow?”
“Bathroom and to check on Alee.”
“What’s she doing tonight?”
“I don’t know which is why I want to find out.”
The prospect returns at a perfect time. Gathering one of the shots out of his hand, I down it, set it on the table and veer off toward the bathroom.
Exiting the stall, I pull my cell from my jeans pocket. The call to Alee is ringing by the time I step out the bathroom door. A hand touches my shoulder and my attention averts to the owner.
“Erika, right?”
My thumb taps the End Call as I stare up at Christian’s unreadable brown eyes. Wearing his colors, he stands tall, nearly as tall as Dominic. His presence is dominating, and my body responds, jittery and apprehensive.
“Yeah.”
“Come to my office. I have something for you.”
Nerves bunch in my gut. I want Dominic with me, but I’m afraid to disrespect him.
“Ok.”
Following Christian’s back, I’m lead through the hall, right, down a second hallway, then right again into his office. There’s no one back here and my jittery nerves have my body tingling. Closing the door behind me, my back hits wood as Christian turns on me, caging me between him and it. Fear courses through my veins as my brain struggles with how to respond.
“Did he really try to rape you or are you a lying cunt?”
Arms braced next to my head, I have nowhere to go. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I gather my courage.
“He did. He was high on coke and wouldn’t stop beating on me and Alee. He was about to rape me when Alee hit him over the head with the bottle. I swear, Christian, I would never lie to Dom.”
A piercing gaze narrows, studying my face. Never wavering from his stare, I await his response.
“Make the mistake of betraying us and I’ll hurt you, Erika. I’ll make you bleed.”
I release the breath I was holding when he lowers his arms.
“Is this how you treat all the women the Serpents date?”
With a click of his tongue, a glimpse of a smirk appears and disappears just as quickly. “Dom said you have a smart mouth. Learn to keep it under control around me. I’m not Dom. I don’t have a soft spot for you.”
“I’m not trying to disrespect you. You clearly don’t trust me, maybe don’t like me. You don’t have any reason to feel either way.”
“Telling me how I should feel about you isn’t helping your stance. I see you as a short-term fixation for Dom. A convenient distraction.”
“I’m not a fuck and dump for him if that’s what you’re implying.” Heat rises to my cheeks. “I didn’t expect you to be such an asshole.”
That same smirk reappears. “You have just as much guts as you do ignorance. You’re new to the Serpents, so I’ll let it slide. This one time.”
“It has nothing to do with guts or ignorance. It has to do with the fact that I want your respect and I won’t put up with the way you’re treating me now.”
Hand gripping my face, I’m shoved against the door.
“If Dom hadn’t claimed you as his, I’d shove my cock into your smart mouth until you learned how to shut the fuck up.”
Glaring at him, I yank my jaw from his hand. Beneath my fear, my anger surges.
“Did you actually have something to give me or did you just want a chance to put me in my place?”
With a snicker, he turns toward his desk. For the first time, I take in his office. It’s small, but not crowded. A brown desk is off to the right with a chair sitting in front of it. To the left is a trophy case with a few motorcycle memorabilia inside. Next to that is a wardrobe closet. Reaching inside, he pulls out a black jacket. Tossing it to me, I catch it in my arms. Spreading it out, I see it has three patches; Serpents, Property of, and Dom.
“It’s an honor to receive one of those. Try to respect it.”
Placing my arms through the sleeves, I put it on. Right away it feels like a security blanket, an extension of Dom’s protection.
“I’d be a fool not to.”
Hardwood hits my back and I step forward as Dominic enters the office. Relief spreads through me. With one look at me in the new jacket, his eyes glisten with satisfaction.
“Looks good on you. Turn around.”
I do, and he reads the back, then steps forward, encasing me in his giant protective arms. “Fits perfect.” With a kiss on my neck, I catch the scent of whiskey. “I think it’s time to give you a tour of the place.”
Behind me, I sense his attention switching to Christian.
“Thanks for gettin’ this taken care of.”
“Never thought I’d see you get one.”
“Things change,” Dominic responds casually.
Like a moving shadow, a strange expression crosses Christian’s face. “So I’ve noticed.”
Dominic laughs, a deep guttural laugh. I feel like the outsider of an inside joke.
“You should teach her what respect means around here, Dom. It’d be good for her to learn it. She’s worse than an ignorant hang around.”
“Erika, step outside.”
With Dominic’s insistence, I’m ushered toward the door. Stepping out, I take a breath of relief I’m no longer in Christian’s presence. Curiosity piqued, I stand by the door and listen.
“Don’t ever tell me how to handle my woman. She’s not used to how we do things, but she’ll learn. Now tell me what the hell has you so pissed off.”
Heavy boots thud the floor.
“We lost a brother and some members are angry about it. It’s causing a rift in the club. All over some pussy. How well do you really know this girl? You know how much of a slut Alee is. I fucked every hole that bitch has before Ditch claimed her. What makes you trust her sister?”
“I don’t give a shit what her sister chooses to do. She’s not her. We both know you can’t compare them. We both lost family members that were weak. We’re nothing like them.”
“I’ll trust your judgment, but I don’t want this chick getting in the way of our brotherhood. You know what I’m saying? She’s caused enough trouble with this shit with Ditch.”
“Ditch deserved what he got. He crossed the line when he tried to rape her, and it wasn’t just the rape. He was burning clients to get his fix. He was putting the entire club at risk of retaliation because of his dumbass choices. Ditch is weak and you know it. We don’t need a brother like him in the Serpents. If his closest brothers want to try to impeach me, let them. I’m not worried about a few votes from some childish, pissed off brothers. And don’t go getting your fucking panties in a twist because it’s the first time you’ve seen me give a damn about a woman.”
“Not the first, Dom. The first time I’ve seen you care this much, this quick.”
“Is what it is. Don’t question it. Got my back, I got yours.”
“Always, brother.”
The doorknob jiggles when a hand lands on it.
“We done here?”
“Yeah, enjoy your night with your girl.”
Rushing down the hall, I put my cell to my ear to call Alee.
“Erika.”
Hitting end, I turn to face Dominic.
“Were you listening the whole time?” With a curve of his mouth, his expression is playful, not angry as I somewhat expected.
“Yes,” I admit, blushing.
“I knew you were. Can’t help yourself, can you?” he asks, pulling me into his arms, resting his hands on my back.
“No, Christian was an asshole to me when we were alone. I wanted to know what he said after I was gone.”
Dominic’s brows furrow. “Let’s take a tour and we’ll talk.”
Down the hall, and through the main bar club to the brown, wooden double doors, we enter a comfortably sized conference room. It’s clearly used for meetings. In the center, the wooden table has the Serpents emblem carved into it. The beautiful craftsmanship is detailed, and with lacquer, the wood shines.
“This is our church where we have our meetings.”
Leaning against the table, he pulls me to him, settling me between his legs. Outside the room, music booms, but the solid wooden doors create a buffer.
“Tell me what happened before I showed up to his office.”
Apprehensive, my eyes wander around the room, taking in the signs, posters, and the self-serve bar cooler in the corner.
“Sparrow, look at me.”
Pulling my face to his, he captures my gaze with his intent one.
“Christian and I go way back, he’s fiercely protective of the Serpents, but I still want to know every detail of what was said and done. Don’t be nervous to tell me.”
With a breath, I resign myself to sharing it all.
“As soon as we entered the office, he turned on me, pinned me to the door and demanded to know if I lied about Ditch trying to rape me.”
Dominic’s thumb grazes my back. “Keep going.”
I share the rest and Dominic’s expression goes from hardened to a softer empathetic expression as he swipes a thumb affectionately across my cheek.
“I know what he did pissed you off. I want you to understand that was his way of looking out for me. It’s his job as the President to look out for every member and he and I are especially close. To him, you’re an outsider, but that will change in time. Until then, avoid being caught alone with him. As for putting his hands on you, I’ll deal with that.”
Still worried about Alee and not in the mood to party, I lean my head against his chest.
“Thank you for the jacket and for giving a damn about how that conversation made me feel.”
With a hand through my hair, he pulls my head back so I’m looking up at him.
“Learn to expect that from me. With that jacket, you’re an extension of me. If my brothers disrespect you, they’re disrespecting me. I don’t like you being alone with any man, not even Christian. I know he snuck time alone with you, so he could test you. But I don’t like it. Don’t ever let him do that to you again. You’re mine, Sparrow. You belong to me and no one else. That means no one has the right to touch or chastise you. Only me and only the way I want to.”
With the way his dominating gaze stares down at me, heat warms between my legs.
“When you say it like that, that I belong to you, it turns me on. I want to be yours. With you I feel safe, free, wanted.”
Hand over the knot in his jeans, his gaze turns lascivious.
“You know a brother could walk in here and see me taking you?”
“I don’t care. I want you.”
“Good, baby, because I’m bending you over this table and pounding your pussy.”
Mouths craving the other, our tongues lash back and forth. Hands on my jeans, he unfastens them and slips a hand inside my underwear. At the touch of his skilled fingers, my hands race to unbutton and unzip his jeans.
“I need you. Always need you,” I breathe against his mouth.
“I know you do, baby. I love that about you.”
Pulling his cock free, he ravages my mouth as I stroke him up and down.
Gripped in his hands, I’m whisked into the air, my back hitting the table.
“Don’t be shy about expressing how you feel.” Removing my jeans down my thighs, he winks before lowering between my legs.
Tongue to my clit, he sucks and nibbles before slipping his tongue between my pussy lips. Writhing against his face, I unleash pleasured moans, not giving a fuck who hears me.
“Oh God, Dominic, more.”
With a finger slipped inside me, he moves it in and out, getting it wet, then pulls it out, placing it at my ass. Filling my backside, he pumps in and out, as his tongue works my pussy. Cries of unrestrainable pleasure burst from my lips. My orgasm frees my body and he backs away as I quiver from the aftershocks.
“There’s nothing more beautiful than you coming apart for me.” His hands caress the inside of my thighs. “Now turn over, baby. I’m not done with you yet.”
My legs in his hands, he flips me, pulls me to the edge and spreads my cheeks for a better view. Sliding into my soaking wet opening, he holds my hips tight as he pounds into me, taking my pleasure to another level.
Hair winding in his hand, the other left on my hip, masculine growls escape his body as he pounds harder, thrusting his cock deep inside me.
Pulling out, another orgasm ripples over my body as hot cum lands across my lower back and ass.
With a slap to my ass, he leans over the side of me, pulling my head back for a passionate kiss.
“This jacket, you bent over the Serpents table, my cum all over your ass, I’m on cloud nine.”
I kiss him back, feeling everything he’s feeling. With a grin, he easily rips my panties from my legs. I laugh from the shock and surprise of it.
“Dom!”
Wiping off his cum with the fabric, he smirks. “You’re sexier without them anyway.”
Raising his briefs and jeans over his hips, he fastens them and walks to the nearby trash can and tosses the ruined underwear in it.
My own jeans are back in place when he returns to me. Sitting against the table, he maneuvers his hands to my thighs, raising my legs around his waist.
Head to mine, he looks me in the eyes. “Promise me you won’t ever ruin what we have. I don’t think I’m capable of letting you go.”
“I don’t want you to ever let me go. It would ruin me.”
Eyes closed, Dominic appears deep in thought, still holding me close to him.
“Fuck, you make me crazy. Let’s get out of here before I say any more pussy whipped shit.”
With a quick kiss, he drops my legs and slaps my ass as I turn toward the double doors. Phone ringing, I stop and pull it from my back pocket.
“Alee, what’s up?”
“I’m sure you’re busy with Dom, but I don’t know…I thought…maybe…you could come home tonight instead of staying at his house.”
The tension in her tone has me on alert. “What’s wrong?”
“Dori has a new boyfriend who’s a fucking perve, and Ditch has been calling me, leaving me threatening voicemails all day. I’d feel better if you were around, you know? Just for tonight.”
Looking at Dom, I know he sees the pleading expression in my eyes.
“Yeah, I’ll come home.”
With a tap of the button, I end the call and place the phone back in my pocket. He’s already studying every detail of my face and body language.
“What’s up with Alee?”
“Will you be upset if I ask you to take me home? I’m worried about Alee. She’s scared. She asked if I’d come home tonight and hang out with her. Ditch has been calling her all day leaving her harassing voicemails.”
With a hand to the back of his neck, his eyes roll. Head falling back, his gaze goes to the ceiling. “Fucking Ditch.”
Attention back on me, he grazes my face. “Yeah, I’ll take you home. I’ll stay the night with you there.”
Wrapping my arms around him, I hug him. “Thank you.”
His hand settles on my waist as he looks at me. “You wantin’ to head over there now?”
“If that’s all right with you, yeah.”
“It is. Let me tell my brothers, then we’ll head out.”