Jewel’s eyes popped open as soon as she awoke. Turning her head to glance at the clock radio on the nightstand, she was surprised to find it was only seven in the morning.

But D was wide awake. The reason, she knew, was because he was under the sheet, between her legs, sucking on her clit.

Well, good morning to her.

She wouldn’t complain if she got woken up like that every day. Even if it was early on a Sunday morning.

She had planned on sleeping in since D was heading out on the club run later that morning. But if she had to suffer through being so rudely awakened, then she’d just catch some shut eye after he left.

When she lifted the sheet to peek at him, his eyes tipped to hers. She smiled and said, “Carry on,” then dropped the sheet back in place.

Yeah, she’d have no problem waking up to that every morning. When the tip of his tongue circled her clit and the stubble on his cheeks scraped against her inner thighs, she dug her fingers into the sheet and threw her head back on the pillow while arching her back.

Oh yeah. Right there.

She wanted to tell him that, that he was hitting the perfect spot, and to not dare stop, but it was impossible. Instead, she hoped he could read her mind. Or at least her body’s reaction to his wicked tongue movements.

When he rubbed his early morning beard growth over her delicate skin as well as her sensitive nub, she almost screamed “Gooooal!” like one of those soccer announcers on TV as she came.

This man could eat pussy. No doubt about it. And the intense orgasm she just had proved it.

She relaxed and gave herself a lazy smile in the mirror that hung above her. She loved that mirror now, but when she first moved in, she almost had her brother, Jag, rip it down since he was the one who put it up.

Because Ace certainly hadn’t installed it.

Plus, she didn’t want to think of her brother having sex with Ivy. Or think about him having sex at all.

That aside, she wasn’t sure she wanted to wake up every morning and see herself with bed head, sleepy eyes and creases from her pillow on her face. But now...

Fuck yes, it needed to stay.

There was nothing more of a turn-on than watching Diesel fuck her in that mirror. Watching his muscular ass—which Sophie rightfully called the Eighth Wonder of the World—flex as he pumped in and out of her, whether fast or slow, always drove her over the edge.

It was her own personal porn that she couldn’t get enough of.

She had seen it pumping plenty of other times when he was fucking some bitch in the church bathroom, but now that he was using those hips and ass to drive into her? It was even better. It was great. Spectacular. And...

“Woman,” D murmured, the sheet now thrown off of his head, though he still remained on his stomach between her spread legs.

“Yeah,” she breathed.

“Sore?”

Her relaxed state quickly disappeared. “If that’s your way of asking if I want a second round back there after last night, then fuck no. You’re going to have to give me time to recover,” she huffed.

He pulled himself up and over her so they were face to face. His dark brown eyes stared into hers as he frowned. “Wasn’t askin’ to stick my dick in your ass, woman. Was worried you were sore an’ hurtin’.”

Oh.

Well, that was sort of sweet.

“I’m not sure we’re going to do that again anytime soon,” she added.

“Why?”

“Well, that thick, hard thing that’s pressing into my thigh right now?”

His cock flexed against her leg.

“Yeah, that. If you haven’t realized it yet, it’s not real small.”

“Gotta monster cock.”

Jewel snorted. “No, don’t take it that far. It’s not a python hanging between your legs but it isn’t a garter snake, either. And I’m a delicate little flower back there,” she added.

He dropped his head and pressed his face into her neck as his body shook.

She arched a brow. “You think that’s funny?”

“Baby,” he said against her skin, making her shiver. “Had no problem takin’ my snake last night. You loved it. Wanted more. Begged. Pleaded. Came all over me.”

“Yeah, okay. Well... Today I’m kind of regretting my decisions from last night.”

His body shook some more.

Jesus, she loved it when he actually laughed. That she made him laugh. Even if it was only a slight chuckle that he hid against her throat.

“You’ll get used to it,” he finally grumbled.

“Not so sure about that,” she told him.

“You will.”

“Mmm,” was her non-committal answer.

He lifted his head and shifted until the head of his cock pressed against her slick folds. “Ain’t sore there,” he declared.

“Nope. You’ve got a green light for that location.” She smirked up at him. “Have at it.” She reached under the sheet and grabbed a handful of his ass, encouraging him to take her.

“Need your mouth,” he said, his low, gruff voice washing over her, making her tingle all over and her nipples bead hard.

“Then take it,” she encouraged.

“Didn’t ask your permission, woman,” he reminded her. “Take what’s mine.”

Take what’s mine.

She bit her bottom lip to hide the smile that wanted to break out across her face. “Then shut up and take it,” she said again.

He crushed his mouth down on hers and he kissed her like he was starving. It wasn’t gentle or loving. It was hot, wet, and forceful. Just how she liked it from him.

His tongue found hers and they tangled together. Playing, teasing and sparring.

A groan worked up from her chest and he swallowed it before it could escape. One hand gripped her throat, the other dug into her hair. Again, not even close to being gentle.

He was unleashing his beast. Her pussy throbbed violently for him, and he still barely pressed the head of his cock against her slit. He hadn’t taken it any deeper, hadn’t driven himself home yet.

And she so needed that. Needed him inside her. Completing her. Claiming her... at least in this bed, if nowhere else.

Time and patience, she told herself. That’s what she needed to hold onto. Time and patience was also what she needed to give him.

She knew he’d be worth the wait.

With a tilt of his hips, he finally drove into her with a grunt.

Oh, yes, he was going to be worth the wait.

She whimpered into his mouth at his pounding, but he wouldn’t let it go. His breath became hers and hers his.

His grip on her neck tightened for a moment before his fingers relaxed and moved down to twist a tightly beaded nipple. He rolled it hard and thumbed the tip until she squirmed beneath him, begging for more without needing to use words.

She dug her nails into his ass and he grunted into her mouth, fucking her even harder, faster. Her whole body jerked with each pound, but he still held her mouth. He wasn’t letting go. His tongue moved lazily, so opposite to the rest of him. He tasted of her, something she was getting used to since he loved to go down on her. Which made her one lucky woman.

She’d be even luckier when she finally had him. All of him. His heart, his loyalty, his...

Bucking against him, she came as hard as he fucked her. The orgasm rushed through her like a tidal wave, her inner walls clenching around him tight.

And that’s when he finally released her mouth with a hiss. He curled his body over her, trying to avoid crushing her as he relentlessly pounded her, sliding in and out of her wetness.

He pressed his forehead to hers. “Baby gonna come again?” His voice was ragged as if he was having a hard time catching his breath.

He wasn’t the only one.

“Wanna come, D,” she whispered, trying to meet his gaze, but his eyes were squeezed shut as if he fought for control.

“Come, then,” he growled. Slipping his hand between them, he circled her clit with his fingertips. And that wasn’t gentle, either.

He could be gentle, but she rarely saw it from him. She only caught glimpses, brief moments before it was gone again. It was like he purposefully hid it away, buried it deep.

Like he was afraid to expose that side of himself.

“Coming,” she cried out as she jerked against him.

He grunted and thrusted a few more times until he felt her fall and then joined her, spilling himself deep, giving her the only thing he was willing to give.

Which wasn’t enough. Not for her.

Time and patience, she reminded herself once again.

What she was looking for was there. She just needed to draw it out.

* * *

That patience she kept telling herself she needed was being sorely tested at the moment. She’d made him coffee and now she leaned back against the counter, her arms crossed over her chest, watching him eyeball her.

They were at an impasse.

Jewel hadn’t bothered to get dressed because her plan was to slide back into bed after he left and catch some more winks.

But now he stood there glaring at her like she was the one in the wrong.

“Comin’ with me,” he growled.

“That’s the third time you’ve said that, but it doesn’t change the fact that I’m not,” she returned matter-of-factly.

His eyes narrowed even more, his expression hard. “No lip.”

“I’m not giving you lip, D. And even if I was, tough shit.”

“Jesus fuckin’ Christ,” he muttered. “All the ol’ ladies are goin’ on this run.”

Jewel lifted a satin covered shoulder in a half shrug. “Yeah? And? Did my status change and someone forget to tell me?”

His mouth became an angry slash as he took a step closer, his eyes trying to burn a hole in her. “Don’t push me, woman. Don’t gotta be an ol’ lady if you’re invited.”

She kept her face blank. “I didn’t hear an invitation. I heard a demand,” she stated. “And I’m not going as fender fluff.” She tugged the sash on her robe tighter. “Sorry, not doing it.”

“Ain’t a bad thing.”

Her eyebrows shot up her forehead. “Right. So you say.”

“It ain’t,” he insisted.

“Are you trying to convince yourself or me?”

He moved another step closer until she could feel his heat through her satin robe. She put up a hand to keep him from coming any closer, as if that could stop him.

“I’m heading back to bed to catch up on some sleep, then I’ll meet you later at church.”

She knew why he wanted her to go. Because all the brothers who had an ol’ lady or someone regular were bringing them along on this ride. She suspected he was going to get a bunch of shit if Jewel didn’t come along since they were practically living together.

Or so everyone thought. Technically, he showed up every night. In reality, he had never left one personal thing behind at her place. Which was telling.

She was actually starting to wonder if her apartment had been turned into a state park, where everything you carried in with you, you carried back out, leaving no indication afterward that you were ever there.

And that was not what she wanted.

Sophie, Ivy and Kiki had also been on her about coming along on the run. Being D’s regular piece earned her the right to ride on the back of his sled. If he wanted her there.

Surprisingly, for some reason he did.

But she wasn’t going to agree to it unless she was officially his ol’ lady. She’d already made that decision and she was sticking to her guns.

Too bad if Diesel didn’t like it.

And there was no doubt that he didn’t. He was making that quite clear.

If she had actually asked to go and he didn’t want her on the run, there would be no discussion about it at all. He wouldn’t allow it. And that stuck in her craw.

So, she was determined to be just as stubborn as him and hold out.

“Get dressed.”

She sighed. “I’m going back to sleep, D.” Then for good measure, she rubbed her eyes as if she was sleepy.

“Ain’t sayin’ it again,” he muttered.

Dropping her arms, she plugged her hands on her hips. “Good.”

“Wanna wait until you’re my ol’ lady to be on the back of my sled durin’ a run, gonna be waitin’ a long time.”

She jerked her shoulders up. “Fine.”

His head jerked back and his face got dark and stormy.

She’d had enough of this. She pushed away from the counter, but he blocked her. “Woman,” he grumbled.

She looked up and squarely met his eyes. “D, unless you plan on dressing me yourself, then dragging me by my hair down the steps and physically putting me on your bike... I’m... not... going.” She patted his stomach. “Now, go. Have a great time. See you later at church.”

After verbally dismissing him, he simply blinked at her and she fought back a smile. Though, now would not be a good time for her to laugh at his frustration. Too many people were afraid of Diesel, not only due to his size, but his don’t-fuck-with-me attitude, so he was rarely challenged.

Because of that, he had no idea what to do with her defiance.

She pinned her lips together, pushed past him, went to her room, slipped out of her robe and back into bed.

Then she waited for his next move.

She sighed in relief when a few minutes later, she heard her front door open and close, his bike roar to life, and him hit the throttle hard as he sped away.

Jewel smiled to herself and snuggled deeper into her bed.

* * *

“What the fuck’s up your ass?” Hawk asked as they approached the lineup of bikes in the back parking lot at church.

Diesel’s eyes slid to his brother, then away. They landed on Kiki as she waited near his brother’s sled.

The club’s attorney had integrated herself quickly and seamlessly into their biker lifestyle. She already had all the gear needed to be on this run since it was a cool, early fall day. And she even had her own custom brain bucket.

Hawk was definitely a lucky fucker since his woman looked not only hot in jeans and a leather jacket, but even more so when she wore her business wear, which usually included a tight blouse, a short skirt and high heels to show off her legs. And she was smart as fuck. Brains, looks, and loyalty, Hawk’s woman had it all.

Diesel was taking the tail on this run and Hawk decided to ride toward the back along with him. Jag, as Road Captain, was taking lead. And D’s cousin Ivy, Jag’s ol’ lady, was standing near Sophie and Zak as the women talked. They were all looking his way. And so was his mother who stood by Ace toward the front of the line.

Fuck him.

They were all probably wondering why Jewel wasn’t coming along. They all probably thought D didn’t want her on the run. Probably thought he was being a complete asshole and excluding her. Which was far from the truth. But he wasn’t going to explain himself.

“Think you’re gettin’ the evil eye from most of the women.”

“Yeah,” D grunted.

“Shoulda asked her,” Hawk suggested.

Maybe that was his mistake, he didn’t ask, he told her she was coming.

Even so, she needed to listen to him. Ol’ lady or not.

She needed to understand she’d never become an ol’ lady if she didn’t obey her man.

D looked up the line of bikes. Almost everyone was here this morning. Even the prospects. The lineup included almost twenty bikes. Because of that, they’d need to keep a tight formation and run double.

Jag was good at organizing the runs and that’s why he’d been unanimously voted in as Road Captain for the past few years. Grizz used to do it, but with his arthritis, bursitis and every other itis that ailed him, he and Mama Bear didn’t always participate anymore.

But as much as the old man griped about Mama the other day, she was there, ready to ride. And so was Pierce’s ol’ lady, Randi.

The executive committee still needed to find the time to sit down and talk about ousting his ass. They needed a solid plan.

Without warning, his mother was standing next to him, giving him a look. D groaned silently. His gaze caught Hawk’s, who was turning away to hide his laughter. Kiki just gave him a big smile, then turned away, too.

What the fuck.

“D...”

“Ma,” he warned.

“Heard you’re getting serious with Jewel...”

Jesus fuck.

“Heard wrong.”

She lifted her brows like she didn’t believe him. “Your father says your bike’s in the pawn shop’s lot every morning and has been for a while. Sounds serious to me.”

“Ma,” he warned again. He wasn’t going to discuss his sex life with his mother. Over his mother’s shoulder he spotted Ace lifting his arms and shrugging in his direction. A lot of help he was.

Jesus fuckin’ Christ. Did the women sic his own mother on him?

“Jewel’s a gem,” she said then laughed at her own joke. “She’d be great for you to settle down with.”

“Ma!” he barked.

But that did no good because she kept going, “You find the right woman and look what happens...” Janice waved an arm toward Hawk. “Look how happy your brother is.”

“Pussy whipped,” D said under his breath.

“What was that?”

“Nothin’. Ma, seriously, not havin’ this conversation with you.”

“I was just telling Ace now that Z’s married and Sophie’s pregnant, the next generation of Dirty Angels has begun. The seal has been broken.”

He gave his mother a frown. Jesus. His mother thought the “seal” being broken meant everyone was going to start popping out kids.

“Not in the cards for me, Ma,” D assured her.

“Bullshit, D. Jewel would make a great mother. And wife,” she added. “Plus, she grew up in this lifestyle so she understands it. She’s your perfect mate,” she stated, then turned and walked away.

What the fuck. He didn’t need a “mate.” Perfect or otherwise. His mother had gone off the fucking deep end.

He’d never given her any indication that he would ever “settle down.” Just the thought made his chest tight and his stomach churn.

Live free. Die free.

Women were clingers and nags. And he did not need that in his life.

Fuck no, he didn’t.

Jesus fuck, they needed to get the hell out of there. He needed to feel the wind on his face and hear the roar of the sleds in his ears. He needed to think about nothing but the road ahead of him.

Keep it simple.

Fuck.

“Jag! Let’s hit the fuckin’ road,” Diesel bellowed toward the head of the formation. What should be an enjoyable ride was already turning into a shit show and they hadn’t even left the lot yet.

Just then, a vehicle came rounding the building into the lot. D twisted his head and noticed it was Jewel’s. She must have come to her fucking senses.

Thank fuck.

She pulled her Jeep close to the lineup and as soon as it rolled to a stop, Diamond climbed out of the passenger side.

What the hell? Why was Diamond here?

As Slade broke away from a few of the other brothers, Jewel’s sister rushed up to him and he snagged her waist, pulling her tight against him. She gave him a huge smile and giggled.

Diamond giggled.

What. The. Fuck.

His head spun toward Hawk. “Know ‘bout this?”

Hawk shook his head. “No fuckin’ clue.”

“Not likin’ this,” D grumbled.

“Not sure you gotta say,” Hawk answered and mounted his sled, Kiki quickly climbing on behind him.

Jag yelled out, “Okay, now everyone’s here, mount up, we’re headin’ out.”

D turned his attention back to Jewel’s four-by-four and waited for her to get out to join him.

She didn’t. She sat in her Jeep with her head turned to watch her sister get on the back of Slade’s sled.

The rumble of the engines and straight pipes filled the chilly air. D hadn’t moved toward his yet.

“Comin’, brother?” Hawk yelled over the noise.

He nodded but didn’t move, nor did he look at his brother. His gaze was pinned on Jewel sitting in her jeep. He could only see the back of her head.

And still, he waited.

She was going to get out of her vehicle and join him any minute now. Especially since she had rousted herself from bed and saw all the women who were going on the run.

She’d want to join them. Join him.

For some fucking reason, she wasn’t getting out of her Wrangler.

So he waited longer.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Jag look his way in confusion. Then after a quick glance at Hawk, Jag lifted his hand and circled it. Giving his bike gas, he circled the lot and headed out, the line of bikes and their riders following him.

“Comin’, D?” Hawk shouted again.

His gaze slid to his brother. “Yeah, I’ll catch up,” he shouted back. Hawk pulled his skull bandana up over his lower face, pulled down his goggles, gave him a chin lift, twisted his throttle, and then he, with his woman hugging his back, rolled out.

The parking lot now was deserted, the rumble of the Harleys fading more and more every second he didn’t move.

He finally unfroze his feet and stalked to the driver’s side of her Jeep, which was still running.

Jewel rolled her window down, her stomach churning as Diesel stared down at her, looking a bit grumpy.

“Ain’t gettin’ out,” he grumbled.

“Nope. I’m not coming. Di called me last minute since her car had a flat. She told Slade she’d meet him here, so she asked if I could do her a favor and drop her off.”

She knew it was going to be a bad idea for her to show up at church to drop off her sister, but Diamond had begged. Slade had asked her if she wanted to come along and she was excited about riding on the back of his bike.

And Slade was hot, so Jewel didn’t blame her sister for being thrilled about the invitation. Plus, Diamond seriously needed to get laid, so Jewel hoped that would work out. If sleeping with Slade would take some of the sting out of Diamond, then he would become the club hero.

“Got outta bed an’ came here for Diamond.”

“Yes, because she’s my sister and she needed my help.” And the bitch needed to get laid so the world would be a better place again.

“Couldn’t get outta fuckin’ bed to come on the run with me.”

Shit. Did she actually hurt his feelings? No. Couldn’t be. That meant he actually had some. “I was out of bed, D. I went back to bed because I told you I’m not coming on the run with you. I made that clear.”

“Woman,” he growled.

“We already had this conversation. Now I’m heading back home.”

“The fuck you are, woman. Dressed. Here. No reason not to go.”

“Yes, I’m going to go as in go home.”

Diesel closed his eyes for a moment, and if she leaned out of the window she was pretty sure she’d see his hands balled into fists.

She was pushing his buttons, she knew. But she was trying to make a point.

Most of the DAMC women fought against becoming ol’ ladies and here she was, fighting to become one. Of course, she had to pick the most stubborn shit out of all of them to do that with.

But, now, there was no one else but Diesel for her and she doubted there would be again. The heart wanted what the heart wanted.

What a stupid fucking saying that was. But unfortunately it was true.

Only, she wished her heart had picked someone more easygoing. Less pigheaded. More loving. But then D wouldn’t be D. He’d be totally different and she’d probably want nothing to do with him.

Diesel ripped open her car door and for a moment when he leaned into the Jeep, she thought he was going to physically pick her up and haul her over to his bike.

And she was certainly not dressed warm enough for a long bike run in this weather.

But instead, he turned the ignition key to off and yanked it out, tossing it onto her lap. With a hand gripping her upper arm firmly, he said, “Get on my sled.”

If she had been smart, she should have just dropped Diamond off in the front lot of The Iron Horse and made her walk around back. D never would’ve known she was there. And then they wouldn’t be in their second standoff of the day.

But it was too late for that. Even so, she was determined not to give in to his demands.

“No,” Jewel said softly. She needed to stay strong.

Stick to your guns.

But, if she was honest with herself, there was really nothing more that she wanted but to cling to D’s back as they went on a club run. She wanted to be on the back of his bike with her arms wrapped around him. But not in the capacity that he wanted her there...

As his regular piece, and not his ol’ lady.

And to her there was a big difference. Maybe other women didn’t care, Jewel did.

She wasn’t asking for a ring; she wasn’t asking for a wedding. She wasn’t asking for a white picket fence. She only wanted Diesel to claim her as his. And not just when he was fucking her. She wanted to be claimed at the table.

And, for fuck’s sake, she had no idea why this was so important to her.

It shouldn’t be. In the real world, being an ol’ lady meant nothing. Here, in her world—hell, their world—it meant everything. At least, to her.

It meant more to her than anyone would ever know or could understand.

And he needed to understand that, too.

“Woman,” his chest heaved suddenly as if he was struggling to breath, “get on the back of my bike.”

Jewel closed her eyes slowly, let the burn in her stomach subside and tried to control the quiver of her lower lip when she said, “I’m not your ol’ lady, D.”

She couldn’t see it on his face but she could hear the anger mixed with what sounded like desperation in his voice. “Jesus fuckin’ Christ, Jewel, get the fuck on my bike.”

“Diesel, no. I’m not your ol’ lady.” This time she said it loudly, more firmly. She wasn’t going to bend to his will, to be broken.

She sucked in air, trying to fight the instinct to just do what he said, to make it easy on herself. Make it easy on him. But she couldn’t.

Because if she did, she lost. She would never get what she wanted from him.

No. Needed.

His words came rough, low, gravelly. “Last time, woman. Get—”

She snapped. “No, Diesel!” Her eyes popped open. “I’m not your ol’ lady!”

His face turned hard, his eyes like coal, his jaw tight. He reached into the Jeep and grabbed her other arm.

When he started to drag her out of her seat, she shouted the first word that exploded through her head. “Beast!”

D froze, his nostrils flared, his eyes blinked slowly.

He released her so quickly it was like he had touched lava. He jerked himself two steps back, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he practically panted. A look Jewel didn’t recognize crossed his face and he shook his head, as if to clear it.

Without another word, he stiffly spun on his heel and stalked to his bike. After swinging a leg over, he kicked it to a start and heeled the stand up. He never looked her direction again.

She watched him tear out of the lot, his Harley’s engine roaring. The longer Jewel sat there, the more the sound drifted off until she could no longer hear him.

She needed to move. She needed to leave in case he came back angrier than ever.

She’d return later, when the run was over and everyone came back to party. He’d be cooled off by then.

Hopefully.

If not, she may very well be sleeping by herself tonight. And that was the last thing she wanted.

As much as she wanted Diesel, as much as she loved him, she really needed him to feel the same way.