I giggle, and he grins. “Serious question, darlin’. You never know.”
“I swear, I don’t have sex fetishes.”
His eyes twinkle with humor. “Well then, I’m sure we’ll be fine.”
We’re not fine though. Because I’m lying to him. I’m cheating him.
I’m a monster.
“Well,” he says, pushing off the counter. “Hope the milk helps.”
He puts his glass down, flashes me a smile, and walks out. When he gets to the stairs, I spin around.
“Hey Jackson?”
He turns, looking at me. Damn those eyes.
“Thank you.”
He grins again. “Yeah, no problem.”
Then he’s gone, and I’m left with an aching heart.
How the hell am I going to do this?
~*CHAPTER 3*~
SERENITY
“You sure you want to do this?” Addi asks, unlocking the door to the main house at the Hell’s Knights compound.
I nod. “I need to help out somehow, you all took me in and you didn’t have to.”
“You know it’s no pay, the girls that work at the bar don’t get paid for it...”
“I know,” I say, and then quickly cover it with. “I didn’t expect to get paid.”
She smirks. “Well, if you want to put up with the drunken fools, sure.”
I wave a hand. “I don’t mind.”
We head into the bar, and she turns to me, pointing to the beers, spirits and then the glasses.
“Those are all you need to know about. The men don’t care about what we’re wearing, doing, or saying. They come to drink, sometimes to fuck, and they move on. Make it known from day one that you’re not a whore, they will soon learn. Don’t let them push you around.”
I smile at her, but inside my head I’m grinning big. She has no idea just how much I know how to deal with bikers. I didn’t really want to ask to work here, but I know if I don’t come back with some sort of information, my father will flip. Working here might give me a chance to overhear something. It might allow me to find something worth taking back. I feel my stomach twist at the thought of doing this, but I have no way around it. I can’t walk away.
“Thanks,” I smile. “I’ll ask if I need any help.”
“You girls ready to open?”
We both turn to see Jackson striding in. I pull my lower lip into my mouth as I watch him stop in front of us. He looks completely stunning this morning, his thick black hair is tied back up, and his grey shirt stretches across his broad chest. He’s got his colors hanging over his arm. His heavy black boots jingle as the chains slap together. He’s bouncing his foot impatiently for some reason, perhaps something is going on?
“We’re all set. I’ve gone over it all with Serenity.”
Jackson turns his eyes to mine. “Don’t let none of those bastards try and put you in the sack, you tell ‘em to fuck right off if they start.”
I feel the side of my mouth curl into a half smile. “I will.”
“You girls yell out if you need me. I’ve got a meeting.”
I watch as he disappears into the office at the back. A moment later, Cade and Spike come in and join him, followed by two other men. It must be important, but I have no idea how I’m going to hear any of it. I turn to Addi, giving her a fake smile. Maybe if I use the old ‘I need to go to the toilet’ act, it will buy me some time to try and see if I can hear some of what they are saying.
“Have you got a toilet around here?”
She nods, pointing down the hall. “Down the hall, to your left. Near Jackson’s office.”
I hurry off quickly, and when I enter the dark hall, I see Jackson’s door is closed. Quietly, I walk over, and have a quick glance around before pressing my ear to the door. The voices are muffled, but I can make out enough of the words.
“You heard if he’s dead yet?” Cade says.
“No, haven’t heard back. I think he’s dead, he was in the house that blew.”
“We gotta be sure. Hogan could be a problem if he puts two and two together,” Spike says. “And he will if he’s alive. He knows I’m looking for him.”
I lift my head off the door. They think my father is dead? Oh god, they don’t know he’s alive, they’re not even ready for what’s coming. This isn’t good. I’m about to turn, when I hear a voice behind me. “What you doin’ down here, girl?”
I turn to see an old biker, smoke in his mouth, glaring at me. I open my mouth and splutter out, “I was looking for the bathroom.”
He jabs a thumb to the door over from the one I’m standing at. I scurry towards it, stepping inside quickly. Shit, that was too close. I walk over to the sink and dampen a piece of towel to wipe my face. I take a few deep breaths, and calm my trembling hands. This is bad. This is really bad. They don’t even know Hogan is alive, which means his attack is going to come as a shock.
My stomach turns, and I rub it furiously. I should tell them Hogan is alive. I know I should. I want to, but if he finds out...oh god. Maybe if I tell Hogan they don’t know, it will buy them a little more time because he will think he’s got one over them, and create a plan. It might give me more time to be able to figure this out. I can’t let him kill them. God, what am I doing? What sort of person have I become?
Then I see Ebony’s little face in my mind, and know I can’t let him hurt her. I’m doing this for her. I have to protect my friends little girl.
“Serenity?”
Shit. Addison.
“Um, sorry, I’m coming.”
“Are you ok?”
“Y-y-yes, I’m fine.”
I take a deep breath, and quickly swing the door open. Addison gives me a once over, and smiles. We both turn, and head back out to the bar. I quickly step behind it, and begin helping her. The first man that comes up has long, thick red hair, and stunning blue eyes. His arms are covered in colorful ink. He’s got a dimpled smile, and a kind, handsome face.
“Well, you must be the new girl,” he drawls. “I’m Muff.”
I let off an unexpected giggle that has Addi giving me a look of shock. I smother it quickly. I know it’s completely random for me, but I can’t help it. Muff...his name is Muff?
“Nice to meet you, Muff.”
He grins at me. “You gettin’ some enjoyment out of my name, princess?”
I flash him a smile. “It’s interesting.”
“There’s a story behind it, you wanna hear that story?”
“Muff,” Addison warns, giving him a look. “Not now.”
He grumbles at her, but winks at me. “Maybe later then? And you can tell me where you got all those nasty bruises.”
I frown, and he flashes me another smile. He’s very handsome, in an odd kind of way. He leans over the bar, and orders a whiskey neat. I turn and promptly get it. When he takes it, our fingers brush and he lets his gaze rake over me. Jesus, he’s totally hitting on me. At least, that’s what I think he’s doing.
“Later then?”
“Later, Muff.”
He turns and walks off. The minute he disappears, Addison walks over, rolling her eyes. “He’s such a ladies man. Most of the girls love him, because he’s...well...apparently great in the sack. Gives them loads of attention.”
“Let me guess,” I say, lifting a glass to dry it. “He likes Muff?”
Addison bursts out laughing, and I feel warmth deep inside me as she wraps an arm around me.
“I like you, Serenity. It’s not often I meet someone with the same personality as me.”
Shit.
This was a problem.
Because I liked her, too.
~*~*~*~
JACKSON
“This is a good thing, yeah?” Spike says, lighting a smoke and leaning back in my large, leather chair.
I’m pacing the room, frustrated and angry. We have no information on the survivors from Hogan’s club, and worse, they’ve disappeared from their lot and no one knows where they’ve gone. It’s bad. I kn
ow it in my gut. They aren’t going to sit back and accept what we attempted to do, which means we need to find out where they are, so we can get in first.
“How is it good?” I growl, lifting a glass of whiskey and shooting it back.
“Well, if they knew it was us, they would have come here. We’ve all got watches going, and there ain’t no other bikers in this town.”
I shake my head, meeting his eyes. “Don’t sit well with me, Spike. I don’t think it’s that simple.”
“He was in that house, Jack’s. We saw him go in. He’s dead. The other guys have moved on.”
I stare at him, and shake my head again. “Maybe, but until I know for sure, I ain’t sleepin’ soundly.”
“When does your man get the information?”
“He was meant to get it back to me already,” I growl. God, some of my fuckin’ guys were slack bastards.
“Well, give him until tonight. If he ain’t back, we’ll send one of my guys out.”
I nod, and grip my jacket before turning towards the door. “I’m goin’ for a ride. Tell Cade.”
“Right, boss.”
I walk out, and into the bar. Addison and Serenity are laughing at something on Addi’s phone. I can’t help but smile, seeing the way their faces are all lit up. Women are beautiful, don’t matter what they look like, they’re all beautiful. Precious damn gems, that light up your life daily if you’ll let them. They can also destroy it in a split second, because even if we don’t want to admit it, we’re all fuckin’ suckers for them.
“You girls workin’ hard I see?”
They both jump, and snap their heads up to meet my gaze. Addison rolls her eyes, but Serenity’s cheeks flush. Fuckin’ girl blushes every time I open my mouth, but fuck, it’s cute. Shouldn’t even been looking. Dirty fuck I am. I move my eyes from hers, to meet with my daughters.
“Goin’ for a ride, anyone asks, you tell them that.”
“On it,” she nods.
“Later,” I murmur, meeting Serenity’s gaze again. “Ladies.”
They both murmur a goodbye, and get back to giggling at the phone. I head out front, and squint as the sun burns my eyes. I pull out a pair of sunglasses and pull them over my eyes. I’m about to get on my bike, when a hand strokes down my back. I turn to see Kayla, one of the club whores, grinning at me. She’s blonde, bouncy, and easy.
“You haven’t been around, Jackson. I’ve missed you.”
“Yeah, busy,” I grumble.
“You know, Muff is keen to try me out with you...if you’re interested. I’ll come around when I get back from the city in a few days.”
My dick twitches. Fuck it. I know I’m dirty, I don’t mind sharing a woman with my club members every now and then, and this girl knows it. She’s usually the one in between us. Muff though? I had no idea Muff was into that shit.
“Muff isn’t one of my guys,” I say, raising my brows at her. “You been fuckin’ Spike’s guys?”
She snorts. “The two clubs might as well merge into one, they’re always here.”
She makes a valid point. The only reason they haven’t done so, is because Spike is too damned proud and likes the idea of being President. Fair enough too, I wouldn’t give up the role easily. It’s my life.
“Yeah, I’m keen,” I say, needing to relieve some of this fuckin’ pressure building inside me.
She leans up on her toes, running her tongue over my bottom lip. “I’ll be there, Muff too.”
I pull her in for a deep, pretty wet, kiss. She’s a bad kisser, but who am I to be judgmental? I’m forty and alone. I pull back from the kiss and reach down, gently running a thumb over the cleavage popping over her top. She mewls like a damned pussy cat, and gives me a sultry expression.
“Later then,” I murmur, turning away.
“Later, handsome.”
I shake my head and get onto my bike, starting it up.
I’m outta here.
I need to breathe.
~*CHAPTER 4*~
SERENITY
Tonight is my fourth night here, and apparently Addi is going to Cade’s for the evening so I’m alone. Jackson won’t come home tonight, because I’m here and it’s kind of tense for him to be around me. I can’t blame him really, it’s his house and I’m not someone he knows, or probably trusts. So, for now, it’s just me. I thought about throwing on a movie, eating chocolate and spending a moment forgetting about my situation, but as soon as I walk into Jackson’s house, and see the mess, I decide to pay him in my own way for letting me stay. I start cleaning his home.
I shimmy into a pair of small shorts, and tie my top up at the waist. I bundle my hair onto the top of my head, and get started. I throw some music on to help. The kitchen, living room, and dining room take me two hours to clean. The bathrooms take another two. By the time I am around to cleaning the floors, I am soaked from head to toe, smelling like bleach and god knows what else, and I’m exhausted. I’m on my hands and knees, scrubbing old stains off the kitchen floor when they come in. I don’t even hear them over the music, or my cussing about the filth. I hear a loud, “Holy fuck!” and spin around, slipping and crashing into the cupboards. My head takes a pretty hard knock, and for a moment I lay there dazed.
“Fuck, are you ok?”
I open my eyes with a wince to see Jackson leaning over me, offering me his hand. With a flush to my cheeks, I take it. He helps me to my feet, and his arms go around me to steady my body. It’s then I realize the position he just saw me in. I was on my hands and knees, ass in the air, scrubbing. Jackson just got a good view of my ass. When I’m steady, Jackson lets me go and is giving me a very strange look. I feel my heart begin to thud, oh no, he’s angry at me. I’m such an idiot. I notice then, that he’s not alone. No, he’s with Muff, and I realize not only did he see my ass, Muff did too. I know this, because Muff’s grinning at me. My cheeks flush and I begin to babble.
“I’m sorry, I was just trying to earn my keep and do the right thing. I didn’t mean to make you angry, Jackson...”
“Princess,” Muff begins, cutting me off. “He ain’t angry.”
I give him a confused expression. “But...”
I look to Jackson, who is still staring at me, his eyes blazing.
“He’s givin’ you that look, baby, because your shirt is...um...”
I quickly glance down, horrified, wondering if my shirt has lifted and I don’t even know. Instead, I see that it hasn’t lifted, no, it’s much worse. It’s become see through. I am only wearing a thin, white sports bra and a white top, all of which are soaked because of the water and bleach. I am high beaming Jackson. My nipples are hard - I blame the cold - and they are sticking out. I squeal and quickly cover my chest, cursing for being so stupid. I take a step backwards, slip, scream, and Jackson reaches out, gripping me quickly and pulling me forward...again. I land with a crash into his chest, and oh, his body is pressing against mine in the most sensual way. I can feel every inch of him and I like it. This could NOT get any more embarrassing. First he sees my ass, then my hard nipples, and now our bodies are rubbing together and I’m getting all hot about it.
I am wrong about it not getting worse.
When I move, I realize that Jackson is hard.
He. Is. Hard.
Oh Jesus. I yelp, shove out of his arms and turn, muttering apologies and mumbling curses under my breath. I hit the stairs, slip again, cry out, curse and scurry up on my hands and knees.
Someone kill me now.
The last thing I hear before slamming the door behind me is Muff’s booming laugh.
~*~*~*~
SERENITY
I hide in my room for the next two hours. What else can I do? I can’t show my face downstairs. I know they’re still there, because I can hear them chatting and laughing. I’m clean, wearing a dark top that has no chance of showing nipple, sitting on my bed listening to my stomach rumble. I’m hungry, all that exercise and cleaning does that to a person. I rub my belly, contemplating if it’s wort
h going down and facing my shame, when someone knocks on my door. I jerk, and open my mouth to whisper a ‘come in’ when Jackson opens the door. Too bad if I was naked.
Our eyes meet, and my heart begins to thud. God, I wish it would stop doing that.
“Thought you might be hungry, just lettin’ you know there’s food downstairs.”
“Thank you,” I say in a small voice. “I’ll come down soon.”
He nods and goes to turn, but I find myself calling his name. He glances at me over his shoulder.
“I’m sorry about before.”
He turns back towards me, and gives me a small, gorgeous grin.
“Ain’t no problem darlin’, what you did was real nice.”
“Not about the cleaning, but the, err...”
His grins gets bigger. Oh my.
“It ain’t every day a man gets a nice view like that to come home to. Don’t you worry about it, made my fuckin’ day.”
My mouth drops open, and he turns and leaves. Did Jackson just say my ass and nipples, made his day? My entire body breaks out into tiny little goosebumps. What is happening here? Did Jackson just give me a moment of flirting? Or was he just being honest? This is bad, this is so bad. I can’t feel a connection towards the man I am lying to...can I?
Shaking my head, I stand. My stomach is growling loudly at me, and there is just no way I can ignore it. I make my way downstairs, and see Muff and Jackson sitting in the living room, drinking beer and eating Chinese food. The steps creak as I get lower, and they both turn to start at me. Such beautiful men, the both of them. Jackson is tall, dark and handsome, but Muff is so fair, so different. They’re both incredibly nice to look at.
“Food on the counter,” Muff says, nodding his head towards the kitchen.
“Beer in the fridge,” Jackson adds.
Is that an invite? I’ve never been able to sit with men and just talk. Back home, the men had their place, and we had ours. We were treated like dogs; we weren’t treated with any kind of respect. Not like this. These guys, they’re so gentle compared to what I’m used to. I feel odd, and yet so warm at the same time. I walk over and serve myself some food, and then I take a beer, before sitting on the small recliner over from the guys.