Cherry Read online

  Her hand finds her core, following my orders as I concentrate on not blowing my load just yet. Cherry’s sexy mewls morph into her screaming my name as she rides her orgasm. It’s the only confirmation I need before letting go, pumping her ass full of my seed and reaching my own rapture.

  Odin took me by complete surprise when it came to dealing with Mercy. I was stunned that not only did he turn her down, but that he did so with me in his arms and in front of everyone. He’s seemed different lately, more possessive toward me. It can’t actually be that though; maybe I’m just making something out of what’s really nothing. I could be projecting my feelings and in turn imagining he’s acting a certain way because that’s what I want deep down inside for him to do. He was literally yelling at her that he’d never claim her and here I am getting all messed up in my head over him. I should just be happy that’s he’s shared this much of himself with me and not foolishly allow myself to get in any deeper where he and feelings are concerned.

  “What’s got you stuck in your head, sweetheart?” Chaos wraps an arm around me as I come to stand next to him outside. I needed some fresh air and fall in Texas is the absolute best time to be outdoors.

  “Just being a girl. I don’t want to waste your time with any of it.” I toe a few pebbles with my tennis shoe. He’s right though. I have been stuck in my head ever since this whole thing went down.

  And I know what you’re probably thinking, yes, I own more than trashy, revealing clothes. I need to stay looking good with these younger women coming around, so I go for runs a few times a week. If it was a long night partying, then I usually just keep it to a walk, but that paired with some squats regularly has kept the members interested in my body. Unfortunately, I’m not one of those women that everything comes to them effortlessly, including their looks. A shitty childhood isn’t exactly a recipe for success as an adult and plenty of partying definitely doesn’t make it any easier on me.

  “I wouldn’t ask if I believed you’d be wasting my time. You know, I have a daughter about ten years younger than you. You’ve met her a few times. I’m used to girl stuff, well, as much as she’ll share with me anyhow.”

  Licking my lips, I adjust my spandex workout capris and cross my arms over my chest. I don’t like being vulnerable, especially to men, but I trust Chaos. I know he’d never hurt me, but what I need to talk about has to do with his own MC brother. His loyalty will go to Odin above me any day; Whether Chaos is my best friend or not, the club always comes before me. Not only that, but Odin is the Oath Keepers’ vice president. I can’t expect Chaos to offer me any real advice on the man besides telling me to move on with my crush. If only it were just a little crush, it’d be no big deal. I’ve had plenty of them in life; this is so, so much more. I’m in deep, damn it.

  “Cherry, you know I got your back, right?”

  “I do, and I’m grateful,” I admit on a tormented sigh. “It’s just quite hard for me to admit what I’m dealing with out loud.”

  “Ah, I know what you mean.”

  Glancing at him, I can’t help but wonder how he could. He’s so big and strong. It’s hard for me to imagine Chaos not powering right through anything that may be bothering him. And if it ever had to do with a woman, well, she wouldn’t stand a chance because he’s and amazing man.

  He smirks. “I’m a man, remember? We’re not known for expressing ourselves well.”

  Smiling, even though my mind is still in turmoil, I decide to open up. Maybe just talking about it will help me move forward or come up with some sort of a plan. It’s worth a try, I suppose. Drawing in a deep breath, I exhale it slowly, gathering my nerve to say the words aloud that I’ve never permitted myself to utter before. “I’m in love with him.”

  Chaos nods, watching my face as he waits for me to continue and seal my fate with the club.

  “With, um, Odin,” I finish, and he nods again, not appearing the least bit surprised at my revelation.

  “Well?” I’m growing impatient with his damn nods. I just dropped a bomb the size of the Vice President and all Chaos’s doing is smirking and nodding.

  His grin fades away and his stance straightens from his slouch, realizing I’m getting upset. “Well yeah, sweetheart, we all know that already.”

  My stomach sinks as I swallow, whispering, “You do?”

  “Yeah, Cherry. Is this what has had you so twisted up inside?”

  “I don’t want to have to leave here...I know when my feelings get out of control and Odin realizes it, he’ll give me the boot. I don’t know what I’d do with my life without the club.” I probably sound pathetic to a man like him, dependent and weak. He’s alpha and independent. I’ve never been that way; never thought I’d need to be.

  “You really have given your loyalty over to this club, more so than some men have, I suppose. It’s a shame this club is only brothers, you’d make one hell of a member.”

  “I asked once.” My mind flashes back, remembering the begging I did to the old Prez at the OG club. I pledged my life to his club and he offered me a place as a whore. I don’t mean to sound bitter in the slightest, because I’m not. I’m far from a biker and have very limited skills. What the old Prez did was offer me a decent life in my circumstances.

  “To become a member?”

  My head bobs. “I was told it’s alpha males only.” And they weren’t exaggerating in the least either; the Oath Keepers MC are all men’s men through and through.

  “Yeah.” He rubs a hand over his salt-and-pepper hair. “Funny enough, it’s because all these hard-ass alpha males couldn’t stand to lose a woman. We want to protect you all, not put you in a position to get hurt. On our runs, it’s no place for a beautiful creature like you. Women deserve to be coveted, not have their lives threatened.”

  “I understand. The guys have explained it to me and I get it, really. This club has become my family, though, and the scary thing is that I don’t know how I’ll take it when Odin does finally decide to take a woman and make her his ol’ lady. Even if he waits for twenty years, it’ll crush me as badly as losing you all would. I just can’t win either way.”

  “Have you talked to him about this at all? Told him how you feel and asked him what you should do?”

  “No way, are you joking? This is Odin we’re talking about. You heard what he said to Mercy in the bar and we’ve never had anything remotely close to what they’ve had together.”

  “Wrong.” His hand goes to the back of his neck; he rubs the area as he disagrees. “Cherry, you’ve had so much more.”

  “How do you figure?” What does he see so clearly that I don’t? I’m not trying to feed my head with delusions.

  “You’ve been his constant over the years. Besides the brothers and Princess, you’re the only other person he sticks too. Regardless if it’s been for fucking or whatever, it’s still something significant and it’s been that way since I’ve known the kid.”

  “That’s another thing; I’m fifteen years older than him,” I admit, a bit torn on the subject. I’ve never felt too old for anything, but suddenly I’m questioning it all now. “I’m at an age where I would be with only one man if he were to ask me, the whole happily-after-after fairy tale and all. I’ve only been with one here lately anyhow, because I can’t get Odin out of my head and heart. He’s barely twenty years old; he has so many women and years to live through still. Why couldn’t I fall for him when he’s forty and has experienced most of it?”

  “I think you’re scared and making excuses,” the gruff guy mutters, not afraid to call me out on it.

  “Or I’m cautious because I know my place with him.” And with all the brothers for that matter.

  Chaos shifts and pulls me closer, both massive palms moving to cover my shoulders as he stares into my eyes. “You’re not meant to be a side piece; you’re not potato salad, Cherry. It’s time you realize you’re the slow-smoked, extra-tender main course. You’re the fucking brisket, babe; don’t sell yourself short. And especially not for
another member. Those men are not anywhere near perfect or deserve that level of devotion without returning it tenfold.”

  His image grows watery as my eyes fill. I don’t cry often in public, if ever. I don’t like anyone knowing when I’m upset, but I can’t help it right now. In Chaos’s own manly way, he just said the sweetest thing. Leaning into his chest, my arms wrap around his beefy frame, hugging him close as his hand goes to hold the back of my head to him. “You’re so sweet to me, Chaos. Why couldn’t I have fallen for you? I have a feeling this conversation wouldn’t have been difficult had it been you.”

  “Because sweetie, it would’ve been far too easy and love never comes easy, not the meaningful kind at least.” He lays a chaste kiss into my hair as the door to the club opens. I’m turned to the side but can see just enough to make out Odin.

  “Brother?” There’s a cough. “You…uh…with Cherry?” He clears his throat and I feel Chaos shake his head, silently telling him no.

  “We’re just talking, brother. She rolled her ankle and I was giving her a minute to get it together. Just helping her stay balanced and all.”

  “Well shit, I can give 2 Piece a call and ask him to come check it over.”

  I shake my head into Chaos’s chest and he replies for me. “Nah brother, I think she just needs to take it easy a bit. Maybe you could carry her to the shower though? The cold water will help ease any swelling she’s got going on and get her back to one hundred percent with it in no time.”

  “Yes, of course,” Odin mutters and then my body heats where his big hands grab me from Chaos’s hug. In the next blink, I’m secured in his muscular arms and he’s holding me princess style.

  My hands quickly move to swipe away any lingering tears and Odin peers down at me. Is that uneasiness floating in his gaze? Since when does he worry about me? “You ever hurt yourself, you just yell as loud as possible and someone will come get me, you hear?” he sweetly scolds me.

  I nod. Mute and struck dumb as a door knob at his generous order. He shifts to hold me with one hand, that’s how damn strong he is. His free fingers move to my cheeks, turning my head to him a bit more. He tenderly swipes away the wetness before holding me more securely again. I swear it has me wanting to cry harder; I’m a complete disaster for him. I want so badly to blab and tell him how much I fucking love him. I don’t. Instead, I bite the shit out of the inside of my lip and after he pays a quick thank you to Chaos for helping me, he spins us, taking us back inside.

  He thanked Chaos for helping me, for him. Let’s not mention that I’m not even hurting in the slightest bit ether. Well, not my ankle at least. And Chaos totally covered for me, after saying the sweetest thing. He truly respects me. Could it be possible that more of the guys in the club feel the same way? Chaos really is a good best friend and he wasn’t lying when he said that he has my back. He just fibbed to his VP to keep my feelings between us and then came up with a way to get me in Odin’s arms. He’s pretty genius, and I’m silently kicking myself for not confiding in him sooner.

  “You sure you don’t want me to call over 2 Piece to check your ankle? I will…say the word.”

  Shaking my head, I concentrate on holding back from running my hands all over his cut frame. With his muscles shifting and flexing as he carries me like his woman, the temptation is far too strong. “Thanks, but it happens often. I’ll be fine, my body isn’t weak.” Especially since it’s a little white lie.

  “You need to watch out; one of us may not be close by next time to help you.” He takes me to his room rather than my own, not pausing until he sets me on his bathroom counter. It’s amusing to see him fretting over me, so un-Odinish. He’s so rough and tough; this softer side has me melting all over for him. This is so bad, I’d rather him be a jerk, it would make things easier.

  “I will,” I mutter absently, watching as he turns on the shower, adjusting the temperature. Does he plan to get in there with me? Maybe the broody biker wants a blow job in return for grabbing me. I wouldn’t mind. I’m always ready and willing for him. I figure the more I satisfy him, the more time I’ll get to spend with him.

  “You need me to help take your clothes off?” His gaze heats as it falls to my chest. My breasts lift and fall quicker from his gaze. If he peels these clothes off, there’s no way in hell I’m letting him keep his clothes on as well.

  “I can get them,” I say after a pause. I don’t want to come off even needier than I am.

  He pulls one tennis shoe off and then carefully unties the other lace, loosening it until he can work the shoe off with little movement from my ankle. It’s so sweet and makes me feel a bit guilty for lying in the first place. Damn it, Chaos. I swallow, watching him move to my socks next. The gorgeous man tucks them inside before standing. “I have to meet with the guys. We have church and they’ll be waiting for me.”

  Damn. I wanted him under that water with me.

  “I got this.” I smile reassuringly. “Thank you for your help but go. Don’t keep the brothers waiting on my account.”

  “You’re hurt; they’ll get over it.” His finger moves to my chin, lifting it as he says the words. I can’t help but silently chant: kiss me, kiss me, kiss me.

  It doesn’t work though.

  My heart pings at his sincerity and I swallow. “I got it from here.”

  “You’re sure?”

  I’m not sure about a damn thing except the fact that I’m screwed in the love department. One look at this beautiful being and he owns me all over again. “Yes, I’ll manage.”

  He nods, his hand dropping away. “All right then, I’ll check on you when I’m done.”

  “Okay,” leaves me in a whisper and then he’s gone. My heart still flips, my stomach twirls, and I’m more confused than ever. I must hold my feelings back; I must pretend that everything is still the same. But how in the fuck can I do that when he’s treating me like I mean something more to him than just a body to warm his bed each night?

  How do I do that, when he’s making me feel special?

  She’s hurt, and I wasn’t around to get to her. Cherry’s been through enough in the past that just the thought of her being injured drives me insane inside. I can still remember how bad off she’d been after the Iron Fists had stormed the club, bloodying the brothers and laying hands on our women. Fucking bastards! Had they not been dead already, I’d be riding for them now just remembering her bruised up face and body. Hell, she and I weren’t even this close back then and I’d had murder on my mind when we got payback.

  “Fucking cowards,” I growl, drawing the attention of the brothers. I’m sitting at the table in church, just stewing. I guess my muffled thoughts weren’t exactly silent after all.

  “Brother?” Torch mutters, his brow crinkled as he catches a few words.

  “It’s nothing.” I shrug the question off, not wanting to go into it with him. “Chao, was anyone around when you found Cherry?” I find myself asking, although I probably shouldn’t. It’s not the time nor the place.

  Every brother around the table sets their gaze on me. A smirk paints Saint’s sculpted lips making me roll my eyes. The psycho asshole is far too pretty to be mixed in amongst the roughness of the rest of us. However, his brand of crazy makes up for his looks in the end, outshining us all.

  Chaos takes a hefty swig of his mason jar full of moonshine. “She sought me out,” he admits after a moment and my breath gets stuck somewhere in my chest feeling like a cat shredding me inside with its fucking nails. She was looking for him, but why the hell not me instead? I could’ve easily helped her. All she had to do was yell for me and someone would’ve let me know.

  “Did she ask you to come for me?” I’m off my rocker at this point to be questioning him about this in front of the other brothers. It doesn’t matter though; I can’t seem to get her off my mind. Not to mention the way she was clutching to Chaos with her head buried in his damn chest when I found the two of them locked in the embrace.

  Blaze grunts, Saint smirks, Ni
ghtmare cocks his head, and Torch is utterly silent. The rest of the brothers—Smokey, Mercenary, and Sinner don’t move a muscle. They’re waiting to see where this is going and if I’m going to flip out over something. Will Odin lose his shit, yank his battle knife free and slice through someone in a fit of rage? They’ve seen it happen before, believing me to be the quiet, damaged younger brother of their mighty president. In a sense, I am him, yet....so much more. I won’t hurt Chaos though; I have no claim over Cherry, even if at times it feels that I do. She’s a club whore and I must keep reminding myself of that fucked up fact.

  Chaos clears his throat, seemingly a bit pale at my question. The fuck did she say to him anyhow? Or rather, did he say some shit to her that would piss me off?

  “She mentioned you, yeah,” he mumbles.

  “That right?”

  He nods. Tight lipped bastard.

  “Good.” My mouth curls into a pleased smirk. The old man knows that she’s mine and if she was speaking of me to him then that’s all I care about. “Now, has anyone heard from Vike?” That’s the real issue at hand, my brother who decided to disappear without clueing any of us the fuck in. I get it he’s pissed, and the club had my back over his, but he was in the wrong. They’d have knocked me the fuck out too if I’d been the one screwing up. Regardless, he could send at least one motherfucker a text to let us know he’s alive and when he plans on returning to assume his responsibilities once more.

  Night nods. “Actually, I have.”

  Thank Christ. Why am I not surprised it was him to hear from my blood brother though? Am I salty? Maybe a touch.

  “And?” We all look to him, to fill us in. I know every one of us is curious how our Prez is holding up and when in the fuck he’ll come home.