“That’s brutal,” I replied.
“It’s more mercy than you would have given him,” Ironside countered.
I couldn’t argue with that. Especially when it came to protecting the people I cared about, I had a reputation for holding nothing back.
“Get that curvy little beauty out of here, Prospect,” Ironside said. “Trooper will be pumped full of painkillers and sleep like the dead all night. We’ll keep an eye on him. There’s no point in hanging around with nothing to do besides worry and fret. I doubt the Filthy Rebels will try anything else tonight. But if they do, we’ll call you.”
I glanced over at Keely where she was seated with Lila. They were deep in conversation over tea and a plate of cookies. When Psycho tried to sneak one, Lila swatted his hand with a murderous look.
“Where did you get those?” he demanded. “I searched every inch of the kitchen for cookies yesterday and didn’t find a single one.”
“This is my secret stash,” Lila said. “If I told you where they were hidden, you boys would demolish every damn crumb when I wasn’t looking.”
“But you’re sharing with Tarzan’s girl,” Psycho pointed out.
“Because she’s cuter than you. And I’m hoping that if I bribe her, she might let me borrow that fabulous dress she’s wearing one day.”
Keely blushed at the compliment. She seemed more at ease with Lila than before, but the strain on her face was still noticeable. Tonight must have been hard on her, but she did her best to roll with the punches and adapt. I should have taken her home first, without getting her involved in all this.
Crossing the room, I interrupted to take Keely’s hand.
“Time to go, sweetheart.”
Keely and Lila exchanged numbers, chatting about plans to meet up and go clothes shopping some time next week. But when we were in my truck, Keely visibly sagged.
“What the hell is going on, Tarzan? I have so many questions, and on the other hand, I don’t even know what to ask at this point.”
I sighed. Then I told her everything, from start to finish. Moving to California. Joining the Desert Howlers MC. Falling in love with Stevie. Trying to earn my patch with the Reckless Order. And now, this threat from a neighboring club to our territory.
Keely didn’t say anything while she listened. I pulled up to her apartment building and shut off the engine. When I was finished, silence filled the cab of my truck for nearly a full minute.
“This is a lot to take in,” I admitted. “And I would completely understand if you never wanted to see me again because of it. But…” I paused. “I was supposed to take that bullet today. Not Teddy. Which means you could be targeted by association, too. So, I’ll keep watch tonight to make sure you’re safe. And if I’m not around, then another biker will be assigned to protect you. I swear, I willnotlet anything happen to you.”
She nodded. I circled around to the passenger side, opening Keely’s door. Using my body to shield her from the street, we headed inside and up to the second floor. I waited, scanning the hallway, while she unlocked her apartment. As she pushed the door open, she turned, grabbed me by the front of my shirt, and pulled me in for a hard, hungry kiss.
I braced a hand on the door frame to catch my balance. With my free hand, I caught her around the waist, molding her body into mine.
“I must be crazy,” she rasped, barely breaking away to speak. “I should be deleting your number, cutting all ties, and never looking back. But…I want you now more than ever. Even if…even if you get hurt—God forbid—and we only have one night together.”
Keely tugged me into her apartment and I stumbled after her. Flicking the light on, she had barely shut the door behind uswhen I pinned her against it, guiding her leg up around my waist and grinding into her. She gasped, her pupils dark with lust.
“Lift your skirt for me, sweetheart,” I growled into the curve of her neck. “Then get those panties off.”
Keely bit her lip, fumbling to grab swaths of airy fabric. She slid the lacy scrap of her panties down her legs and kicked them aside. I licked at the heaving swell of her tits, tasting the sweetness of her skin with a flick of my tongue. She gave a needy whine, arching into me.
Gripping my wrist, Keely shoved my hand between the soft warmth of her thick thighs. I chuckled at her impatience, but I gave her what she craved. Stroking my finger along her pussy. Circling her clit.
“Oh my God,yes,” Keely breathed, pushing her hips into my hand.
She frantically unbuttoned my shirt, her fingers mapping the muscles and ink of my torso. I stripped her blouse off and unhooked her strapless bra, revealing the dusky pink of her nipples. Sucking one into my mouth, I slid two fingers into her slick pussy at the same time.
Keely let out a moan that went straight to my cock, surging against my zipper. She closed her eyes, tilting her head back. Losing herself in the pleasure of it all. I twisted and curled my fingers upward, savoring the way her pussy clenched around me.
The most exquisitely wrecked sound tore from Keely’s throat as she trembled on the brink of orgasm.
“Eyes on me,” I said, angling her chin to meet my gaze. “Gush all over my fingers like a good girl, and you can come for a second time on my cock.”
Keely blew out a breath, twisting her hand into my shirt. She rolled her hips desperately, dripping into my palm. I pulled her close for a kiss, plunging my tongue into her mouth.
