Ruin & Rule

Okay, that kind of hurt. I knew we had things to work through, but we weren’t dysfunctional. Were we?

Arthur caught my eye, looking pleadingly into mine. His body swayed subconsciously toward me, even now unable to ignore the pull between us.

“No.” Grasshopper grinned, his dimple flashing. “I want what you guys have. To have a connection that never fades—even after so many years apart. I want honesty and the knowledge that I’m not alone in the world.”

My knees wobbled. Such a simple sentence but it shot me in the heart and made my anger dissolve. All the pain, confused thoughts, and misery I’d felt in the diner fizzled in my blood until they completely dispersed.

Life was too short to let the past dictate our future. Especially a future that was almost robbed from us.

Arthur sucked in a breath and closed the distance between us. I melted into him as his arm wrapped around my shoulders, holding me tight. His lips pressed against the top of my head in the sweetest of kisses. “I’m sorry, Cleo. This wasn’t how I wanted to tell you.”

Unlocking my arms, I hugged him back, not caring that two bikers stared uncomfortably. “I’m sorry for not dealing better with it.”

Arthur made a strangling sound. “You dealt with it better than I would have. The diner is still standing and the police haven’t been called. I’d say that’s a success.”

I laughed gently. “Suppose so.”

“See… that’s what I’m talking about,” Grasshopper said, his posture hungry for his perfect other.

Trying to keep my head straight and not be consumed by the rapidly building need between Art and me, I asked, “Do you have someone?”

Grasshopper chuckled. “You kidding? The only women I meet are the ones after me ’cause they think I’m a rule breaker or they’re looking for a cushy retirement fund.”

Mo sniffed. “Kill’s a kick-ass Prez, but by getting us on the right side of the law and cleaning out the Club, he’s fucked us.”

“What the fuck?” Arthur growled.

My eyebrows rose. “Oh?”

Grasshopper laughed. “Smug bastard over there with his genius brain for numbers went and made us goddamn rich, didn’t he? Not only do we now appeal to the women who want to get off on a scary biker who says fuck you to the law—not the case now but back in the day, hell yeah—but we also have to fend off the Barbie-doll princesses who’ve been groomed for a man with money by aspiring parents.”

I shook my head, marveling at how such a conversation could take place after something so serious. “And they don’t care that you’re in a Club or prefer a bike over an Aston Martin?”

Grasshopper smirked. “Hell nah. It only sweetens the package. Millionaire biker on the right side of the law with the protection of a brotherhood who would do anything to shelter their own? Who doesn’t want that shit?”

Mo rolled his eyes. “I’m not getting myself an old lady.” Pointing a finger at himself, he added, “Lone wolf.”

Arthur chuckled, holding me closer. “Well, Lone Wolf, I apologize for making you guys so damn desirable. Now fuck off. I want to ride home alone with my girl.”

Grasshopper looked down the road, his face tightening. All signs of joking and banter disappeared. “You sure that’s a good idea, dude? We’re in their territory, after all.”

Arthur’s muscles bunched, sending shock waves into mine. My fingers ached to slide down his front to his cock. The sparking interest in my core promised he felt it—felt the twitching need to connect after talking about things that had the potential to tear us apart.

I needed him inside me. I needed him now.

“We’re good. We’re stopping on the way. But it will be in our borders.” He looked at me, promises of what we would do once alone glowing in his gaze.

A warm tingle started in my heart and radiated in my belly. He did feel it.

Grasshopper came forward and slapped Arthur on the back. “All right, Kill. We’ll see you back at base.” Blowing me a kiss, he said, “It’s kick-ass that you’re part of us now, Cleo-Sarah.” He frowned. “However, might have to call you CS for short.”

“See ya on the flip side.” Waving, him and Mo headed to their bikes, yanked their helmets on, and took off with a roar into the night.

The second they left the parking lot, the awareness between Arthur and I sprang to a fever.

I ached. I melted.

We didn’t move—almost as if we had an unspoken agreement to wait. To make sure they were gone before we gave into the overwhelming pull.

Five.

Four.

Three.

The thunder of their engines faded.

Two.

One.

Arthur moved, backing me quickly and firmly up against the wall of the diner. My back collided with bricks and my lungs practically collapsed with the fierceness of his actions.

I didn’t have time to protest as his lips stole mine, hot and wet and possessive.

I moaned as his hand came up, capturing my breast. His touch bordered on painful but it only fired me more.

Kissing him back, I sucked his tongue into my mouth, arching my hips into his. The groan in his chest sent love blazing through me, incinerating my heart.

Our heads danced as we both fought for control; our breathing turned ragged as the kiss deepened. In a second we evolved from kissing to dry-humping against the painted brick wall.

“Wait—Art,” I panted into his mouth as his hand dropped to cup my core. All thoughts were inconsequential as his fingers pressed intoxicatingly against my clit. “Wait!”