Page 105 of The Clover Chapel (Jamison Valley 2)
“She” must be me and I had to agree with Nick. Helping his dad’s motorcycle gang would only court trouble.
“Think about it,” Draven said casually, like he was asking Nick to consider dinner plans, not go against everything he stood for as a firefighter.
“My answer won’t change,” Nick said.
“We’ll see,” Draven muttered and stood from the couch.
Jet and Stone followed. All three moved toward the door without another word. With their backs to me, I got a good look at the embroidery on the backs of their vests.
In Old English lettering, Tin Gypsies arched above an intricately stitched skull. Beneath it read Live to Ride. Wander Free. One half of the skull’s face was a gypsy with a colorful head wrap and sugar skull stitching around the eye, mouth and nose. The other was stitched entirely with silver threads, making it look like metal. Behind that half of the skull was a wave of red, orange and yellow flames. On a canvas, I would have considered the artwork beautiful. On the back of their vests, it was chilling.
From the doorway, Nick and I watched the men climb inside a large black truck and drive away.
“Have you helped them before?” I asked when they were out of sight.
“Once.”
I sucked in a sharp breath and closed my eyes.
“Not something I’m proud to admit, Emmy,” he whispered and walked to the couch.
“When?” I asked.
“Right after Vegas,” Nick said. “Dash was hell-bent on joining the club and my friend had just gotten killed. I figured if I helped, then maybe things would settle and Dash could learn how to protect himself. So I helped Dad burn down the Warriors’ clubhouse. I had just finished my training up here with the previous fire chief. I made sure the fire was untraceable when it got investigated.”
“Did anyone get killed?” I asked.
“No.” He shook his head and sank into the couch. “I told Dad I wasn’t helping unless he could ensure the building was empty.” His frame deflated, his shoulders hunched as his head turned to the floor. I was certain that Nick had punished himself thoroughly over the years for helping his father.
Meanwhile, my head was still spinning as I tried to process the fact that Nick had aided his father in committing a serious crime. “I’m not sure what to say.”
“Say you won’t leave me now that you know about my past.”
My answer was automatic and true. “I won’t leave you.”
“Say it again.”
“I won’t leave you.”
Nick pushed himself up off the couch and came right into my space. He brushed his lips against mine, then nuzzled his bearded cheek into my neck and kissed the hinge of my jaw.
A quiet moan rolled from my throat. The jaw kiss was a new thing. He’d been doing it for a few weeks now, and each time, tingles would explode on my cheek. This man knew exactly how to make me shiver.
Nick’s mouth hit mine and I let out another moan. His tongue dominated my mouth and I had no choice but to slant my head and give him full access. Spanning my ribs, he hoisted me up into his arms and carried me into the kitchen, whipping off my pajama shorts before setting me on the counter.
When my ass hit granite, it was only covered with satin black panties. And then it wasn’t.
“Close your eyes, Emmy.” He placed a palm at my chest and gently pushed me back so I was lying on the counter. His hands traveled slowly to my knees, caressing the bare skin on my legs.
Starting with my right side, he trailed kisses along my inner thigh as he gently pushed my knee to the side. Then he did the same on the left.
That beard was going to be my undoing.
I wanted to open my eyes but I knew better than to ignore his orders. When we were fooling around, he was in charge. And since that had always worked out really, really well for me, I didn’t protest.
Waiting for Nick to touch me was agony. I was thoroughly primed and ready for his mouth, but it never came. Moments passed without any noise, not even his breathing. My pounding heartbeat and labored pants were the only sounds in the room.
The way Nick could anticipate and read my body always baffled me. The second before I was about to crack, his breath was against my center.
