Pepper
My eyes peek open and adjust to the dim lighting as I look around, trying to remember where I am. The large room comes into focus and I roll over on the bed to take in the small sleeping form of a little girl. She looks so peaceful and angelic in her sleep. It’s then that I remember the look of fear and terror marring her face when the mountain-like man held her captive—so I remember where I am. The clubhouse. The memories of the day come rushing back in a flood, and I bolt upright.
After Travis brought my things to Wolf's room, I ate the sandwich Cook brought up. I should've taken a shower, but I was too exhausted and decided to get in a quick nap with Tanya. I stretch my arms above my head, twisting the kinks out of my back on a yawn. A soft knock echoes through the hardwood door, and I slowly scoot off the bed, trying to let Tanya sleep longer. I would've opened the door, but Cook fussed at me earlier for opening without finding out who it was. I thought it wouldn't matter considering where we are.
Even so, I did as he instructed. "Who is it?"
"It's me, Wolf." The sound of his voice causes me to blush. I open the door and take a step back to give him room to enter. The room shrinks with his entrance, and I take an extra step back, pressing my body against the wall.
A yawn hits me mid-sentence. "Have you been out here long? I just woke up."
"No, I just came back up. The clubhouse is starting to get busy, and they'll get louder the longer they drink. The music, too. I hope it's not too much for you." He sounds concerned. Then he speaks up again … that mouth of his doesn’t know when to stop. "You have to stay up here. Don't leave this room unless you're with me."
"Why? I'm not a prisoner, and you can't make me stay here if I don't want to. And why is there already so much drinking at five in the afternoon?" I snap at him, maybe still a little groggy from sleep.
“I know you're not a prisoner here, sweetheart, but if you go downstairs, the brothers will think you are fair game. They'll be all over you, wanting to fuck you. You are gorgeous and have a perfect body. You look like you are made for loving. As far as drinking, most of us drink whenever we feel like it, no matter what time it is. And it's almost eight, not five.”
He holds nothing back, and I don’t know how to respond to him. My face burns. I didn't think I slept that long. “Oh, thank you, I guess. I didn't plan on going downstairs without you since I don't know this place, but I don't like to be told what to do.”
“I'm sorry you feel that way, but my house, my rules.” Wolf smirks at me. "Plus, most women like when I tell them what to do, so I'm used to getting my way."
"Man, you're kind of a control freak." And cocky, my mind relays, but leave it out.
"Not a freak. I just like to be in control of my life and my people." He looks over at the bed and Tanya’s tiny little body barely taking up any room. She’s swallowed up by the covers. "I came up to check on both of you and to see if you need anything. I'm going to head back down to see if there's been any progress on getting the info out of Moose. I need to know that no one else saw you at the store."
"What if I was seen? What then? I can't stay here more than a few days. I'm on my way to a meeting. I have to be in Springfield, Illinois by the seventh." This is nuts. I know I wanted adventure and all, but now I'm in over my head.
He shrugs his large shoulders as if this were an everyday event. Each movement stretches the shirt tighter under his vest. I shake my head, hoping he doesn't notice how much he affects me. Especially since it doesn't make sense. I don't want a control freak. Even with that on my mind, I can't get past my attraction to him and need to be closer to him. I jerk my gaze back to his green eyes and hate I did so. I’m going to be in trouble if I don't get out of this place.
"You may have to postpone your meeting until it's safe to leave. I don't want anything happening to you—not on my watch. We'll see what Moose has to say and go from there."
Postpone my meeting? This man is crazy to think I'll put my life on hold. I've dealt without enough crazies in my life and I'm not going to let anyone win. I let him know how I feel when I narrow my gaze on him and then roll my eyes once he seems to get my feelings. "I guess we shall see."
I know from the scowl now on his face, I pissed him off, but I don't know who he thinks he is that he believes he can control my life. I didn't let my ex or my stalker do so, and I'm not about to let him. Even if I wanted to climb his body and kiss that scowl off his face. Pepper! Stop it!
"Hand me your cell. I'm going to put my number in it. While I'm downstairs, you call me or text if you need anything. I'll be back later tonight to sleep on the couch. You and Tanya can share the bed." He waits while I walk over to the bedside where I left my phone.
I hand it over and speak a little nicer since he’s been generous enough to watch out for my safety and is now giving up his bed for me. "Okay, but I don't want to put you out. I can sleep anywhere. I don't have to take over your room."
"It's not a problem, sweetheart. Go ahead and take the bed tonight. You can hang out here and watch some TV or something. Tanya's dad will be here soon and her granny, too." He hands my phone back to me and looks me up and down as he does, not even trying to hide his assessment of my body. "If I don't make it back up before you go back to sleep, goodnight."
"Night." After he leaves and I can breathe again, I walk over to the bed and check on Tanya. She's adorable with dark brown hair like her uncle and when awake, she has velvet brown eyes. She's sleeping peacefully, so I try to hurry and get in a good shower in case she wakes up and doesn't want me to leave her alone.
I check my overnight bag and don't see the t-shirt and shorts I usually sleep in. I might have put them in the other bag I had left in the SUV. I’d hate to call Wolf for that, so I decide to chance snooping in a drawer for something I can borrow for the night. Luckily, I open the right drawer on the second go. The first one held underwear, so I closed it quick. I felt like a child. The second drawer holds some shirts, and I grab the top one with Freedom on it.
Grabbing some panties and my toiletries from the bag, I make my way to the shower.
"Oh my…" The shower is large enough for four or five people and still plenty of room to move around. It's made up of beautiful ceramic tile and has a rainfall showerhead. I might never want to leave this bathroom. I grab my shampoo, conditioner, and body soap and set them inside the stall and adjust the water until it's nearly scalding hot. Nothing better than a hot shower.
I step inside and take my time enjoying how the water feels hitting my body. The warm water is so relaxing, massaging muscles I didn't realize were as tense as they are. All the driving and the stress from the crazy day has been hell on the muscles. My mind wanders to Wolf and what he’d look like without his clothes on, standing in this shower.
Before I know it, I reach between my legs. It's been too long since I've felt relief. If I take care of my needs now, then maybe I can quit thinking about Wolf that way. The last time I used my favorite toy, but I don't have that option now. I fall back against the shower wall and start slow circles around my clit. I rub and pinch it until I'm soaked and not from the water beaming down on me. The peak is near. I imagine Wolf's hand replacing mine and the tingle starts, so I slip my middle finger inside, using the palm of my hand pressed tight against the sensitive spot. With each thrust of my finger, I moan and have to bite my lip before I scream.
I really wish it would be Wolf screwing me against this wall. His dick would feel so much better than my finger. Imagining his body smacking into mine over and over, I lose myself. The orgasm hits hard and I jerk against my hand, unable to control my body or my imagination.
After I come down from the high and can function again, I finish washing and step out of the shower. The bathroom door opens and I jerk the towel from the rack and hurriedly wrap it around me. I expect to see Tanya. Instead, in walks Roxie, the bitch from earlier. I'm not sure if she’s Wolf's girlfriend or not, but I doubt it’s like that from the way he acted toward her.
"Can I help you?" I can’t believe she just walked into this apartment and the bathroom. I don't think Wolf would've left out that he shared this room, so I don't think she's supposed to be here.
"No, but I'm going to help you, bitch. Wolf is mine. You'll never be enough for him, and he'll always come crawling back into my bed. So, if I were you, I'd back the fuck off now." She props her hands on her hips, looking me up and down with disgust.
I laugh at the nonsense she spewed. "What do you think I want from him? I'm not here for him, so I don't really care what he does with you. But here's some advice for you. If he really wanted you that bad, then he wouldn't be with other women in the first place to have to crawl back to you."
"Fuck you! I know you want him and think you could wrap him around your finger. I saw the way you looked at him. He might fuck you because he's a man and that's what they do, but I'll be his. I'll go ahead and tell you now, he's the best fuck ever, and you'll never get over him." Every time she speaks, her voice gets louder.
"Since you have your life and Wolf's figured out, you need to get the hell out of here. I don't want anything from Wolf or you. You've probably already woken up Tanya, and she's been through too much to have to face your bull crap, too. Get out of here, or I'm calling Wolf." I'm shaking with anger, but she doesn't make a move to leave.