Rough Road: A Bad Boy MC Romance, page 9
“I’m gonna fuck you into next week,” he growled, lifting his head as he plunged his member into her slick channel.
He loved not having to wear a condom. She’d assured him she’d taken steps for birth control, and he had no concerns about her screwing other guys. Thrusting with abandon, he fisted her hair, yanked her head to the side, and bit into her neck. She yowled in pain and pleasure as she bucked beneath him; he quickened his strokes, then slowed, and moved his lips to hers in a crushing, consuming kiss. Zealously returning his passion, her arms circled his neck and she raised her torso to rub her breasts against his chest.
“I love your scratchy hair,” she panted as he pulled back. “I love everything.”
“Yeah, Bebe baby, me too,” he groaned, lowering his weight on top of her as he slid his hands under her bottom. “Especially your ass. Close your legs.”
Listening to her gasps as he gripped her burned flesh, he pumped with unhurried, strong strokes, angling himself to brush against her clit with every thrust. Her thighs were tightening as her arousal grew, and in desperate need to release the tension from his stressful morning, he allowed his climax to build without pause.
“Benny,” she whimpered, “please don’t stop, please, please please...”
“Not a fuckin’ chance,” he grunted, accelerating as his climax hovered. “You close, baby?”
“Yes, so close.”
“I need you to come.”
“Almost.”
But he wasn’t prepared to wait.
Not caring that she’d protested his exploration in the past, he moved his hand into the cleft of her backside and shoved a finger into her dark hole. Though she momentarily wailed and wriggled in a vain effort to escape the rude intrusion, she was abruptly catapulted into a powerful orgasm. Crying out as the spasms shuddered through her limbs, he plundered her pussy, erupting in a series of mighty convulsions, until utterly drained he slipped out and fell beside her.
* * *
Bebe always dozed deeply when they were done, and not for five minutes. She’d be out for at least half an hour. Staring at the ceiling, now sober and able to think, Benny envied her peace.
Her seduction had been ordered by Eddie Calhoun in person, in Calhoun’s sumptuous office. Benny was to make sure she kept the lid on any curiosity she might have about the change in Koda’s spending habits. But as the months had gone by, he came to genuinely care about her.
Now Bebe could be in danger, and he was responsible.
A deep frown carved his forehead.
Koda was too.
And Sam.
Wishing he’d told her everything from the start, he slid softly from the bed, padded into her bathroom and turned on the shower. Rolled up in a comforter in the back of his closet was more money than he’d ever dreamed of, but would it cost him people he held dear?
* * *
Lifting out of her serene nap, Bebe stretched her arms above her head and let out a happy sigh. It didn’t bother her to find the bed empty. While she needed to sleep after being devoured by her brawny biker, Benny was left wired. But she didn’t mind a bit. She absolutely adored him, and there were days she still couldn’t believe it when he pulled her into his muscled arms.
Her previous attempts at a love life had been frustrating at best. Reaching her mid-forties, slightly overweight with shoulder-length, graying hair, any vague dreams she’d had of finding Mr. Right had long since passed. She’d settled for the company of two cats, Spic and Span.
Then a miracle had happened.
She’d stopped by Dakota King’s tavern to drop off some documents, but walking toward the bar she’d literally run into a tall, powerfully built biker. The papers had slipped from her hands, and caught up by a gust, they had danced across the parking lot.
The hunky guy had chased them down, and like one of King Arthur’s knights, he’d handed them to her with a theatrical bow. He’d possessed the brightest blue eyes she’d ever seen, and taking her by the elbow, he’d escorted her inside, sat her down, and delivered her a cup of coffee.
Though she was embarrassed and timid, he’d made her feel at ease, and she’d been amazed to find her tough, tattooed hero delightful company. When he’d called that same night and asked her to join him for lunch, she’d assumed it was to discuss business.
She couldn’t have been more wrong, and her peaceful existence suddenly changed.
The first time she’d asked how he could possibly be interested in her, he’d pulled her over his knee and spanked her. It had been shocking, humiliating, and astounding, but she’d loved every second.
His acts of domination escalated.
He became everything she’d ever wanted, feared, and fantasized.
Dashing, dangerous, kind, short-tempered, generous, selfish, and he utterly devoured her in bed.
Reaching across and hugging the pillow, she closed her eyes and inhaled his masculine scent. Smiling at the tender prickling of her spanked bottom, she finally climbed from the bed and moved across to the bathroom. Fully expecting to find him drying off, she knocked gently and pushed open the door. Though he wasn’t there, evidence of his shower remained.
The damp towel lying haphazardly over the side of the tub, the sides of the stall still wet, and the smell of the masculine soap she’d bought him.
Thinking he must be in the kitchen enjoying a slice of the chocolate cake, she pulled on her robe and started down the hall. Spic and Span trotted up and mewed their greeting.
“Are you hungry?” she said softly, bending down to pet them.
Straightening up, she paused.
The house was quiet.
Too quiet.
She hurried into the kitchen.
A note sat on the table.
Benny would never leave without kissing her goodbye.
Never.
Steeling herself, she walked unsteadily forward and sat down.
Her fingers trembling as she picked up the folded piece of paper, she tried to control the emotion making her heart race.
Dearest Bebe,
I have to go away, far away, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to come back. I was trying to do the right thing, but I bit off more than I could chew. There’s a ruthless man named Eddie Calhoun trying to take over Koda’s business, and I got caught up in the mess. There were hidden microphones in your office, but they’re gone now. I’m sure Koda will come by. I’m writing to him as well. You two will be able to speak freely.
You mustn’t worry. I’ve made arrangements to keep you safe. If Calhoun or his thugs try to get anywhere near you, they’ll be sorry.
I ask only one thing.
Believe this.
I care for you deeply. More deeply than I can express. I have many regrets, but the biggest is hurting you.
With much love and deep sadness,
B.
Crumpling the paper in her hand, she dropped her head into her arms and broke into wrenching sobs.
* * *
As it turned out, the tires on the Land Rover did need adjusting, but the representative was surprised Portia had noticed any change in the handling. Leaving the dealership, Koda teased Portia about being a hapless female.
“I’m not in the habit of pulling into gas stations and dealing with those stupid hose things,” she retorted, gunning the engine as she drove down the main street.
“Slow down. You’ll get a ticket.”
“Said the Harley riding speedster.”
“Portia!”
“Okay, okay, but we were there forever! I mean, how long does it take to pump air into a damn tire.”
“I’m going to check on Benny’s whereabouts again,” he muttered, pulling his phone from his pocket and opening the app. “That’s weird.”
“What?”
“He’s at my garage.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah! He’s definitely at my garage.”
“Do you want to go over there?”
“I would, except he saw this Land Rover at Hazel’s, not to mention you’re driving. Hold on. He’s leaving. Yep, go over there. He knows I’d be closed, and I can’t think of a single reason for him to stop by like that.”
“You sound worried.”
“I am.”
“Where’s he headed now?”
“Looks like he’s going home.”
“Odd happenings tonight,” Portia remarked. “Wow, that sounded like something out of one of my crime novels.”
“Maybe, but you’re right.”
The drive to Koda’s repair shop took almost twenty minutes. The garage—originally a small warehouse set back from the road behind a wide, tar-sealed frontage—was surrounded by a high chain-link fence. As they approached, the padlock and the thick steel cable securing the gate were still in place.
“Maybe he just drove by on the off chance you’d be here,” Portia suggested.
“He could’ve just called. I’m going to check the mailbox. He might’ve left me something.”
Climbing out and retrieving his keyring from his inside breast pocket, he strode across to the freestanding metal box and unlocked it. Inside he found a brown manila envelope folded in half. His name was scrawled across the front in Benny’s messy handwriting. Hurrying back to the car and climbing in, he switched on the inside light.
“You were right,” Portia remarked. “Where to now?”
“Your place.”
His curiosity piqued, he opened the envelope, pulled out the note, and began to read.
Koda,
I know I’ve messed up in the past, but never like this. If I don’t take off I might wake up dead, and I don’t trust my phone so it’s in a garbage can.
Here’s the bottom line.
Hazel introduced me to a guy called Eddie Calhoun. He’s been using The King’s Tavern to launder dirty money, but his ultimate goal is to become your partner in both your bar and garage. I think he’s already involved with other businesses in your area. The construction workers were his. I was supposed to convince you to take them back, or hire new guys that will play his game.
Bebe knows nothing but suspects something is horribly wrong. Part of my job was to keep her from asking questions, but she’s been wanting to for ages. Her office had bugs, but I got them out of there. Please, Koda, watch out for her. I’ve taken steps to keep her safe, but the more eyes on her the better. She could be in danger.
Sam knows everything, but he’s under surveillance and constant threat. Your bar is monitored all the time.
One last thing.
I’m sorry about Portia. I’m sure she left you because of me.
When Calhoun set his sights on you, he found out your girlfriend was an accountant and the daughter of a wealthy, well-connected couple. She had to go. Koda, call her, make her tell you what happened between us, then tell her I’m sorry. I had no choice. He was threatening much worse, and it was the only way I could protect her.
You’re probably wondering how I found out about him. As you know I have some interesting friends. One of them whispered in my ear. I got involved with Calhoun to try to stop him. Maybe I should have told you from the outset, but it’s too late. At least now you know what’s going on.
I’m sorry I have to take off.
One last thing.
Your phone is safe to use. I was supposed to clone it but I told him you never let it out of your sight. As far as I know your laptop’s okay too, but make sure you don’t open any emails you’re not 100% sure about. He has an IT genius named Arthur Peabody, so be paranoid. There are no bugs or cameras in your garage.
Koda, watch your back!
Later. Maybe. I hope.
Wildman
Lifting his eyes, Koda let out a heavy sigh.
“What did the bastard say?” Portia asked, venom in her voice.
“That bastard is a hero. Listen to this.”
They were almost at her home when he’d finished.
“Holy crap,” she breathed. “What do we do?”
“I have to find a way to beat this Eddie Calhoun.”
“No, that’s crazy. Go to the police!”
“Guys like Calhoun usually have bent cops on their side, but there is one person I know who might be able to help, and that’s Leo,” Koda said solemnly, grabbing his phone. “I’m texting him right now.”
“Why don’t you call?”
“Texts work better for him,” Koda said, quickly tapping out the message.
I need you. Urgent.
“Koda, this is unbelievable!”
“No shit, but it fits with what you uncovered. As Benny said, at least now I know,” he replied with a dark frown. “All I can do for the moment is wait to hear from Leo, and do some serious thinking.”
Chapter Eleven
Though Koda had been deeply concerned with the notion of money being laundered through his tavern, Benny’s letter shone an even darker light on the grim situation.
Koda suddenly found himself full of recriminations.
He cursed himself for not giving his lifelong friend the chance to explain, and allowing Portia to walk away without insisting she tell him why. He’d made things right with her, but how could he do the same with Benny? His friend was gone, and there was no way to reach him.
Portia’s head was also spinning.
She had a passion for crime novels, but suddenly finding herself in the middle of a real-life situation starring villainous gangsters was truly frightening. Koda had been right to come down on her for visiting the physical locations of Ace Building Supplies and Willow Wines. Bedraggled lowlifes wandered the area. Any one of them could have been paid to keep their eyes open. For all she knew, someone may have made note of her license plate.
“Stop at the guard house,” Koda said solemnly, breaking into her thoughts as they turned into the gated complex. “I doubt this Eddie character knows you’re living here and I’m staying with you, but I don’t want to take any chances. Make sure any deliveries are left here at the gate, not brought to your door.”
“I had the same thought,” she replied, slowing down and lowering her window as the guard stepped out.
“Evening, Joe.”
“Evening, Miss Perry.”
“I don’t want to be disturbed for the foreseeable future. Please keep any packages here. I’ll pick them up on my way in and out.”
“Sure thing, Miss Perry. I’ll make a note.”
“Thank you.”
As the tall gates swung open and she headed to the house, Koda was reassured by the quiet, secure enclave. Not only was the community gated, a car patrolled the streets throughout the night. He was suddenly deeply grateful for the safe haven.
“When do you think you’ll hear back from Leo?” Portia asked as she rolled into the driveway.
“He’ll get in touch as soon as he reads my message.”
“You’ll have to tell me more about him one of these days.”
But Koda had barely heard her.
As she’d driven into the garage and turned off the car, he’d been seized with a burning need to take back control of his life.
“I need to get something from my bike,” he declared, quickly climbing out and marching to his Harley still parked under the arch.
Unlocking his storage box, he popped open the secret compartment, withdrew his gun, stuffed it into the front of his jeans, then walked a short distance down the driveway. Staring up and down the street he found it calm and quiet, but he wouldn’t be taking anything for granted. Not the safety of the exclusive gated community, or the loyalty of the members in his club.
The happy picture of Sam’s wife and kids abruptly flashed through his mind.
“Koda? Are you okay?”
“Yeah, fine,” he replied, turning around to greet Portia as she approached. “We can’t be too careful. I’ll be keeping this with me from now on.”
He lifted his T-shirt.
She stared at the gun. “Good idea.”
“It doesn’t bother you?”
“No. I’m glad. I’ll sleep better knowing you have it handy.”
Walking back up the driveway and entering the kitchen, he found the dogs devouring their dinner.
“I wondered why I didn’t hear them barking.”
“Food, the great silencer,” she declared with a smile. “I’ll get them a couple of rawhides to keep them happy when they finish.”
His eyes fell on her breasts beneath the thin sweater. Her nipples, puckered from the cold night air, pressed urgently against the soft fabric. He suddenly wanted to rip off her clothes and throw her on the floor. “Portia...”
She turned.
He shot her the look.
She caught her breath.
“I’m going upstairs to take a quick shower. Don’t keep me waiting.”
Abruptly striding from the room, he ran up the stairs two at a time.
* * *
Standing stock still as she watched him walk away, a thousand butterflies burst to life in Portia’s stomach, but finished with his dinner, Antony barked, demanding his treat. Flustered, she grabbed two rawhides from the pantry and handed them to each of the dogs.
Though the anticipation sent her heart racing, surrendering control calmed her, and she found it liberating. She was sure domination served the same purpose for Koda, but did he suffer similar excitement beforehand?
Even in their high school days, he had defined their roles, and in spite of her parents’ disapproval, she’d had a huge crush on the bad boy biker. The combination of his rugged good looks, sharp wit, and intense brown eyes had captivated her. And his name—Dakota King—could not have been more perfect.
As she moved through the house and climbed the stairs, a tantalizing shiver shuddered through her body. She expected him to be waiting with a towel around his waist and a blindfold in his hand, but entering her bedroom she was met by a surprise.
The comforter was off the bed lying on the floor, and with a single lamp burning on the side table next to him, he was sitting in a chair stroking his stiff member. He appeared to be deep in thought, but as she neared, he jerked his head up.
