Page 20 of Raw & Reckless

Trembling, Jeremy picks himself up off the floor, raising his hands in a silent gesture of total defeat. He pulls out his phone, taps furiously on the screen, and lets out a heavy, defeated sigh. “It’s done. I canceled the detail. No one else is coming. Now… give me the syndicate snitch. I can’t guarantee other federal authorities won’t keep sniffing around your club eventually, but I’ll direct the official investigation away from King’s Logistics.”

Stryker nods once, tipping his head toward the side doors where our bikes are parked to arrange the handoff of our prisoner.

I don’t care about the syndicate anymore. My entire world shrinks down to the woman standing a few feet away.

I walk over to Layla. Her elbows are still locked and her arms are trembling from the sheer adrenaline crash, the heavy gun still pointed at the empty concrete where her brother had just been standing. Gently, carefully, I reach out and slide the weapon out of her trembling grip, letting it clatter harmlessly to the floor.

I pull her straight into my arms, crushing her against my chest and burying my face in her hair as she finally lets out a long, shuddering sob of release. I cradle her close, whispering praises against her skin, before leading her out into the bright afternoon sunlight toward my chopper.

Realizing she’s never ridden on the back of my bike before, I help her swing her leg over the saddle, settling her hips securely behind mine.

“Wrap your arms around me as tight as you can, Moonflower,” I murmur over my shoulder.

Layla buries her face into my back, her arms locking fiercely around my waist. I kick the starter, the engine roaring to life, and we take off—leaving the shadows of her past far behind us as we race back home to the clubhouse.

12

LAYLA

The deep, vibrating rumble of the chopper finally fades into silence as Phoenix cuts the engine. We’re parked securely in the gravel lot behind the fortified walls of the Rebel Kings clubhouse. I carefully swing my leg over the leather saddle, my boots crunching against the stones as I dismount. My legs are shaking slightly from the vibrations, but despite the chaos of the day, I can't stop the radiant smile spreading across my face.

I turn to look up at the giant, lethal biker who just waged war to get me back. "I felt like I was flying," I breathe out, my chest heaving with leftover adrenaline and wonder. "The ride... it was magical. I’ve never felt so free in my entire life. Like I was… flying."

Phoenix’s hardened expression melts. He reaches out, his large, calloused hand gently cupping my cheek. His thumb brushes across my cheekbone as he looks down at me with vulnerability. "Does this mean you’re giving me a chance to apologize?"

My smile softens, and I nod without a single ounce of hesitation. I rise onto my tiptoes, wrapping my hands into the lapels of his leather cut, and press my lips firmly against his.

Phoenix lets out a low groan, his arms wrapping around my waist to pull me flush against him. When we finally break apart, he takes my hand, lacing his thick fingers through mine, and leads me inside the clubhouse. We walk straight through the quiet, dimly lit halls toward the back where the private member apartments are located, shutting his heavy bedroom door tightly behind us.

Phoenix stands at the foot of the bed and sets me down on the ground, holding me steady when my knees give out.

“You okay?” he asks. His voice is rough and deep, pouring over my skin and making me shiver in anticipation.

I nod, unable to speak at the moment. Phoenix chuckles darkly and then steps away from me, stripping off his shirt. God, I’ll never get tired of looking at him. Black ink swirls around his smooth, chiseled muscles, and I can’t stop the soft, needy whimper that falls from my lips.

Everything aches now that he’s no longer touching me. My skin is too tight, the electricity humming along my nerves too powerful.

“You’re shaking, my little Moonflower,” he murmurs, stepping closer to me, naked. I’m still fully clothed, and for some reason, that makes it all so much hotter.

“I know.”

“You hurting for me?” he whispers, ghosting his fingers down my neck and across my shoulder.

“Yes. Everywhere.”

Phoenix grunts and spins me around so my back is to his front. He grabs my hips and grinds his cock against my ass while nuzzling into my neck.

“Need you naked,” he murmurs, his lips tickling the shell of my ear.

I try stepping away from him so I can get out of my dress, but Phoenix doesn’t let me move. Instead, he sweeps my hair to one side and places a soft kiss on the back of my neck while unzipping my dress. He continues trailing kisses down my spine as he undresses me. I feel his rough, calloused hands slide up my bare back and then over my shoulders, pushing the straps off and making the dress pool at my feet.

As soon as Phoenix has my bra off, his hands cover my breasts as he pulls me back into his hard chest. He squeezes the sensitive flesh and rubs my nipples until they harden into tight little points. Phoenix trails his hands lower, taking time to explore my body.

I’m aware of every dip, curve, and roll his fingers touch. I want to squirm out of his embrace or just have him fuck me already. I don’t know what to do with this kind of attention on all my imperfections.

Phoenix grips my hip with one hand while wrapping his other hand around my throat in that possessive hold I love so much. “I thought I told you I love your sexy fucking body,” he rasps. “I thought I showed you how crazy you make me.”

“You’re just so…perfect,” I whisper.