CHAPTER TWENTY
Brick
Idon’t wantto say goodbye to Starlet—not like this. I’ve tried holding back, especially considering our circumstances. But I’m pretty sure she figured everything out back at the clubhouse on her own. Tomorrow I have to make a call that’s going to change her life forever. The freedom she fought for, dreamed of since she was a girl, that’s going to be ripped away. The thought of her in the hands of Silver, fucking a guy she hates, living a lie—it’s twisting me up inside—messing with my head.
She squirms in my hands, tangling her fingers in my hair. She tastes so damn good—feels perfect against me. I lick her in long, small strokes, letting the pleasure build. She rotates her hips against my face and I can’t take it anymore. Standing, I lift her and she locks her ankles behind my back. I search for the closest wall and press her up against it, using one hand to unbuckle my belt and unzip my jeans.
“Brick…”
“Hold on, baby.” I spring free, my throbbing cock painful as hell. I brace her against the paneling, position myself at her opening, and claim her lips just as I thrust deep inside her. Tight and wet, I pump harder. It’s fast and brutal—the only way I know how to express myself without saying the words she deserves to hear.
I live in the moment—combing the country for anything that will cover up the painful memories of my childhood. Now, instead of walking away from someone who brings all of those feelings back, I’m holding onto her. Desperate to keep her—insane for torturing myself this way. It all ends tomorrow, whether I want it to or not. She belongs to another man. Another MC. And I’ve broken every rule, both personal and otherwise.
“Brick…”
“Say, Austin…”
“Austin,” she whimpers.
She’s so close now, I can read it all over her beautiful face. Starlet is a fucking mess, so expressive. “That’s it… give it up, sweetheart.”
Opening her eyes, she smiles at me. “I did that the night we met, Brick.”
Shit… What does she mean exactly? I recall the note she left me at the hotel, having read it so often, I’ve memorized every word.You’re amazing. Funny. Incredibly beautiful. Everything I’m not. And just in case you’re thinking I’m a coward for running away without saying goodbye, please don’t. It took a lot for me to walk into this hotel room and wait for you. I’ll think of you often…
I grip her bottom tighter with one hand and gently hold her throat with the other. “You talk too much.” I nip her bottom lip and she moans seductively.
“Kiss me.”
I want her to feel what I feel, see what I see… realize that I don’t want anyone hurt her. Shit. I can’t control my body. I explode, shaking all over as she cums with me, digging her long fingernails into my shoulders.
After a long pause, I lean into her, resting my forehead against hers. We’re both sweaty and panting like we ran a marathon. “Can you explain what’s between us yet, sweetheart?” I ask.
“I-I don’t know. Never felt anything like it before.”
She’s right. I’m not even sure how to describe it. Maybe it’s simple chemistry. But as she caresses my face and draws me in with her sad eyes, I’m starting to think it’s more.
But it can’t be. I won’t let it. I close my eyes as I lower her to the floor. After my mother left when I was a kid, my father drilled into my head that women were nothing. Faithless whores who are only good for two things, sex and bearing children. Maybe that’s why I never committed to anyone for longer than a weekend after I left home. Maybe that’s why I joined the MC and became a nomad. Maybe that’s why I volunteered to make the call to the Devil’s Crusaders tomorrow, because I know something is happening between Starlet and me, and need to send her away before it’s too late.
I’m not a heartless bastard, though I can come off as one. I put the patch before the woman, before anyone. But if that’s the right thing to do, why do I feel like such a bastard? I lean into the wall now, oblivious to anything around me, remembering things long put to rest.
“Open the goddamned door, Austin…” My father bangs violently on the flimsy wood.
I look at Charlotte, the girl I’ve been fucking for three months. She’s scared, trying to get her shorts on before my dad breaks into my bedroom.
I roll off the bed and stand between her and the door just as my father kicks it open.
“How many times have I told you never to lock that door?” he snarls, drunk as a motherfucker and looking for a fight.
Charlotte cries out.
“It’s okay.” I won’t let him touch her.
“What was that?” My father stumbles forward. “Thought I’d be out for the night and decided to bring your little whore over here. In my house?”
“Don’t do it.” I square my shoulders, ready to protect my girl and myself.
“Brick?” Starlet touches my shoulder, massaging it gently. “You okay?”
