It Ain't Me, Babe

“He’s never f**kin’ coming back,” Styx said with authority. “N-no one touches what’s m-mine. If you weren’t standing there, I’d have killed the f**ker.”

“I understand,” I said, relieved it had not progressed that far.

Water filled my eyes and my heart broke. I will miss my friend, but Rider himself had told me he could not, would not, live here with Styx and me together. And I was not leaving Styx. As hard as it may be, Rider needed space and Styx needed me.

I prayed to God that Rider would find his way.

Chapter Twenty-One

Mae

“Won’t you guys come? Please,” Beauty begged.

Styx wrapped his strong arms around my shoulders, his hands free to sign. I’m locking us away. Alone. No f**kin’ interruptions. No more f**kin’ drama. I wanna be with my woman.

“Beauty! Leave them the f**k alone!” Tank shouted as he gripped Beauty’s arm and yanked her to his side.

“Fine!” Beauty folded her arms and glowered at Styx. “But a ride out’s meant to have the Prez, you know! Just saying!”

Tank rolled his eyes and slapped his hand over Beauty’s mouth, successfully shutting her up.

I felt Styx’s unshaven cheeks rub against mine, and he leaned in to my ear. “B-be back in five.” I watched him walk toward Ky and the psycho trio, signing something as he went. He was so dominant, so commanding as he strutted through the room in his jeans, white shirt, and cut, his muscles rolling beneath the tight shirt, his hair still messy from making love to me this morning.

“You got it bad, girl.” I looked beside me and Beauty was watching as Tank joined Styx and the guys in a deep, serious discussion. She smiled a huge smile and nudged my arm. I blushed.

“I do have it… bad, as you put it. I love him more than life,” I confided.

“Really? I’d never have guessed!” I grinned on hearing Beauty’s playful tone just as Styx glanced back my way, fire igniting in his eyes as he noticed my attentions… all strong and male… and all mine.

Beauty stepped in front of me, blocking my path to Styx. I met her worried gaze.

“What?” I asked, suddenly feeling cold as dread filled my bones.

“Tank told me something last night,” she whispered low.

“What?”

Her eyes darted around us, checking we were not being observed. Satisfied, Beauty confided, “Tank said a group of the brothers went ’round Rider’s yesterday, you know, just to check on him.”

I reached out and grabbed her arm. “And?”

Beauty raised her eyebrow at my hold on her arm. I immediately let it go.

“I am sorry.”

“It’s fine.” She took a breath and leaned in close. “He weren’t there.”

“Where do they think he has gone?”

“Here’s the thing. Tank said it was like Rider’d vanished. His things were still there, his Chopper still parked out front. He even had a half-full glass of liquor by his chair. He’s disappeared, just like some damn ghost. They got the new prospect, Slam, watching his place twenty-four-seven… But there’s still nothing.”

An ominous feeling crept over me. Something was very, very wrong.

“Beauty!” We both jumped as Tank shouted Beauty’s name across the room. “We’re out. Let’s roll!”

Beauty gripped my hand and squeezed. “Don’t tell Styx I told you. I’ll be in a whole worlda hurt if you do. I’m not meant to know club business.”

“I promise.” I caught sight of Styx heading my way and faked a happy smile. With a wave, Beauty headed over to Tank and, as one, the brothers and their women left the compound.

We were all alone.

Styx towered over me and, clutching my face, pressed a long promising kiss on my lips. When he withdrew, I was breathless. “R-ready for a d-day i-in bed?” he asked confidently, accompanied by the playful arch of an eyebrow.

I threw my arms around his neck and wrapped my legs around his waist. “I have been waiting for this day all my life.”

I was rewarded with a wide smile.

Beautiful.

***

“I can’t get enough,” Styx said breathlessly as he laid kisses along my inner thigh. He had taken me three times. Three lots of hot, sweaty, and oh-so-intense sex.

I ran my fingers through his hair as he crawled up my body, hovering above me. “I love you,” I whispered.

He smiled and his dimples stood proud. “Babe. Fuckin’ love you.”

“Your stammer is better.”