12. Whiplash

Twelve

Whiplash

Elena

"What's up with you today?" Mel asks.

I peer up at her, then finish wiping the table before I speak. "I stayed the night at the clubhouse."

Her mouth falls open, and she just stares at me for a moment. "Really? How was it? You'll have to invite me next time!"

"It was eye-opening." To say the least.

She steps closer to me. "Why? What happened? What were all the men like?"

"They seemed normal at first. Men playing pool and a few people playing darts, but then I saw two people having sex out in the open on the couch." I wince at the flashback. "Then someone playing darts used a knife instead of a dart to win. It was crazy how good his accuracy was... kind of scary."

She lets out a deep sigh. "You're so lucky... I want to go so bad."

There's such yearning in her voice that I cock my head. "Then why don't you?"

"I've never been, and I'm not willing to take the risk of being kicked out. That's why I created your profile. Axle didn't accept my request on the dating app, so I hoped he would accept you and you'd be my in. Did you talk to any of the other bikers or...?"

So, she used me. "I met most of them. The MC men look intimidating but seem surprisingly nice and down-to-earth." Well... most of them.

I step over to the closest table and start wiping it down, then flinch when I remember what happened in the morning.

"What's wrong?" she asks, her curiosity obvious.

I blow out a long, drawn-out breath through my mouth. "In the morning after I woke up, I went to get some water?—"

With wide eyes she cuts me off. "Did you have sex with him?"

"No," I clip out.

I open my mouth to speak, but she's not finished. "Why not? You're not going to keep him around by teasing him. He'll get sick of that in no time."

Frustration claws at me. "I told him I'm not going to have sex with him. He already knows how I feel about it." I know he's a biker, but not everything's about sex... or is it? I shake my head, dismissing the thought.

"As I was saying, when I woke up, I went downstairs to get some water. They must have had a party after we went to bed. Some people were still awake, though none of them had the War Brothers MC vests on. One guy grabbed me, trying to get me to dance, but when I said no, he wouldn't listen. Axle saw it, ran down the stairs, tackled the guy, and started punching him." Thinking back to the blood splattering makes me flinch.

"Oh wow. I wish a guy came to my defense like that."

I tilt my head. Is she even listening to me? "Axle was hurting the guy... because he touched me." A sliver of guilt pierces me.

She subtly rolls her eyes. "You were staying at a clubhouse full of bikers and people that like to party... What did you expect to happen if Axle saw you were getting hit on or hurt by a stranger? I think it's hot he came to defend you."

"I guess." He's a biker. He won't act like the people I'm used to being with, and I know that if I'm going to spend time with him, I need to make peace with that. But I still won't condone punching the guy.

After I finish cleaning, I get ready to leave. "Elena." Cameron is waving me over from a hallway at the rear of the kitchen.

I walk in his direction. I've never been in this part of the restaurant. I see a room off the hallway to the right. An unsettling sensation begins to grow in my stomach. I pause at the door and look around the office.

Cameron is sitting behind his desk. He gestures at the chair opposite him, so I take a seat.

"How are you doing? Are you enjoying working here?"

I smile. "Yes, I'm learning new things on every shift." I'm proud that I haven't dropped any more trays of food and drink. It must be a new record for me. "The tips are great." So much better than my last job. "While we're here... would it be possible to take tonight off?" I need a break, and it would be great to relax and not have to worry about work.

He gives me a leisurely nod. "I can't see why not. Why don't you have tomorrow off too, since you've been working hard?"

Staying in pajamas all day to relax or exploring the town both sound great. "Thank you," I reply happily.

"Why don't you come out with me, Lucy, and our group of friends instead? You'll enjoy yourself."

And there it is...

"We're always at the beach, hanging out, going to parties. Before you say anything—it's just people our age hanging out, listening to music, and having a few drinks. You'll like it."

This time I force a smile. I'm sure he's just trying to be nice, but he keeps asking me, and it's starting to feel a little pushy. My smile might mask the slight discomfort I'm feeling, but it doesn't change the fact that his persistence is starting to wear on me.

"Just have a think about it."

"I will," I say and stand, striding to the door and into the hallway.

"Elena," Cameron calls out.

I turn and he moves toward me. I back away because he's too close and in my personal space.

"Why are you so hesitant about hanging out with us, but you'll hang out with a biker?"

The malice in his tone as he emphasizes the word biker makes me take another step back.

"Where is she?" a loud male voice booms.

I startle... Is that...? My boss gasps and darts into his office, closing the door. I suck in a breath and hurry out into the kitchen.

When Axle's eyes land on me, his shoulders fall. He strides to me, his face set and his jaw ticking. I rack my brain as I try to work out what's wrong with him, but nothing comes to mind.

"Where's your boss?" he asks, his wild eyes searching the kitchen. All the chefs have stopped cooking and are standing still, watching us wide-eyed.

"Let's talk outside," I say soothingly, hoping I can calm him down out there, though inside I'm raging. I want to know what has him so upset at my boss, but another part of me wants to yell at him for disrespecting me at work.

"You're quitting," he demands as we walk, further intensifying the searing burn of anger.

We stride out of the building, Axle ushering me out with a hand pressed against my lower back. I keep walking until we're beside my car. For someone so easygoing, he surely gets angry... or is it jealousy?

I whip around to face him. "What was that about?" I hiss.

He growls. "I knew your boss was shady." He looks at the restaurant, his top lip curling up. His eyes flick back to me. "Has he touched you?"

I freeze and stare at him mutely.

He turns and starts marching back to the restaurant, so I dash to him and grab his hand with both of mine, pulling him close to me. "No, he hasn't." He has touched me lightly, but he hasn't touched my bum or anything, which I think is what Axle is talking about.

He's clenching his other hand. "What's wrong?" I ask.

"He was accused of sexual assault but paid the girl off. You're no longer working here."

My stomach drops. I gulp. It makes sense now why I was uncomfortable. "Cameron hasn't done anything. I promise. I'm at work surrounded by other people." My eyes soften. "I need this job."

"No fucking way!" he says with a savage bite.

I nibble on my lip. "I hate that it happened to another woman, and it's wrong on so many levels, but I need this job," I whisper. "Independence is important to me. I need to have it. I'll start searching for other jobs in town, but I can't just leave this one. I need the money, and I've only just started. I don't know whether anyone would hire someone who just left their job when they haven't even been there for long."

He shrugs. "People quit all the time, and I've got money."

"First, I don't want your money. I want my own. Second, I moved here because I wanted to be independent. I know you're worried, but I can't leave... not yet, not until I have another job. And third, we're not together."

Axle stands tall. His face is still stern. He's not budging.

"I can't have someone trying to rule my life again... It's a deal-breaker for me."

With a brief shake of his head, he crosses his arms, making his biceps bulge. "First," he says, copying my tone but injecting more attitude, "you are my woman."

I can't stop my lips from curving into a slow smile. "Am I?" In the back of my mind, I know I should be alarmed, but I really like him, and that overrides any doubts.

He nods his head sharply. "Yeah, you are." He steps toward me and pulls me to his chest. I put my arms around his waist, but he's still rigid. He leans back, cups my face, and lifts my head. "With you going to work, I don't fucking like it. Your safety and my sanity are more important than a job."

I stand on my toes and wrap my arms around his shoulders. "I promise I'll keep looking for jobs," I say before my lips touch his in a tender kiss.

"As long as I pick you up and drop you off at work. And you can't be alone with him ever... or go to work when it's just you two."

"Bossy!"

He nods. "Sure am."

"I'm capable of driving myself, but yes, I promise I won't be alone with him."

The side of his lip twitches. "Are you staying over at mine tonight?"

"Uh..."

"There won't be any more strangers at the clubhouse," he's quick to respond.

A little relief filters through. I'd rather not be home, where my boss can show up unexpectedly. It makes me question how my roommates are friends with someone like that. "Okay, I'll get my things." I lean up on my toes. His eyes slightly soften, but there's still an edge to him.

I get in my car and glance at him, but he stands off to the side, waiting for me to drive off. I put my key in the ignition, but nothing happens. I take the key out and try again. It doesn't start. "Great..." I mutter, then open the car door. "My car just died. Can you check it out for me?"

He smirks, appearing thoroughly amused with himself. "It's so old. The parts will cost a fortune, and you'll probably just have to buy another car."

My stomach drops. I can't afford that. He opens the hood and looks at the engine. My head falls back against the headrest. How will I manage to travel to work now? I refuse to move back home with my parents... I just can't.

When I hear the hood shut, I look up at Axle optimistically, but the shake of his head all but crushes my hope. "There's probably something wrong with your fuel pump. It seems I'm taking you to work every day now," he says proudly.

I stand, shut the car door, and lock it. "You must be happy that you're getting your own way."

"You bet I am," he replies with complete and utter smugness, but his cheeriness doesn't reach his eyes. He puts his arm around my waist and draws me closer, and exhales deeply. "We'll go to yours and pick up your clothes. You should bring a big bag. I don't know how long the part and fixing the car will take."

"Okay, but I have to make it to every shift on time."

"I can do that."

I peer around. "Where's your bike?"

He points to the van a few parking spaces away. I'm grateful. That means I don't have to carry my bag on my back.

"We'll grab some dinner on the way," he suggests.

After we arrive at the clubhouse, he parks the van in the shed. I thought he'd be happy I'm staying with him, but he still seems distant. He was quiet on the way over. He takes my bag from the back seat and takes my hand.

Carrying our takeout in my other hand, I walk toward the house. I listen for loud music or any signs of a party, but there are none. My body becomes rigid and I cower as we walk inside, but when I steal a glance at the living room, I don't see anyone having sex. I exhale gratefully.

"Disappointed, are you?" Viper is at the bar, smiling widely, a beer in his hand.

"I'd say I'm relieved," I reply, making him chuckle.

"Don't worry, we'll be out of your way tonight."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't..." I hate making him think I don't want him here in his own home.

"The fights are on tonight. All of them will be out," says Axle. He tugs on my hand, so I follow him up the stairs.

When we walk into his room, he sets down my bag by his wardrobe. I frown. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," he says, but his voice is emotionless and he's not making eye contact.

I know something is wrong. I'm getting whiplash from his mood changes today.

"You want to go and grab a drink with dinner?" he asks, tilting his head toward the door.

I release a ragged breath and follow him out, down the stairs.

"Go take a seat in the living room, and I'll get us some drinks. What do you want?"

I want him to be happy. "Just water, thanks."

He walks toward the kitchen while I walk into the living room, where all four sweet butts are seated with Twitch. All of them focus their attention on me. Grace huffs, then rolls her eyes. She peers around me—I assume she's looking for Axle—and then stands and gestures toward the couch. "Here you go, your highness."

Heaviness cloaks me. I hate conflict.

She storms away. "Grace," Vera calls out and then runs after her. Mercedez sighs, while Candy smiles up at me.

"Take a seat," Twitch says, gesturing to the seats the girls just vacated.

Axle comes up behind me and sits down, so I cautiously take a seat next to him. He puts a bottle of water next to me and I pass him his burger and fries.

"Are you going to the fight tonight?" Twitch asks, looking from me to Axle.

Axle takes a big bite of his burger and shakes his head.

"Are you going?" Mercedez asks Twitch. She's lying next to him, rubbing his leg.

"If they want me to, I will, but I'd rather stay here."

Mercedez smiles up at him.

I wonder if Twitch and Mercedez are a couple. They act like they are. It makes me wonder about me and Axle. Are all bikers who are in relationships with women doing what they want—having their cake and eating it too? I hope not.

"What are the fights?" I ask.

All eyes go to Axle, like they're waiting for him to answer.

"The MC runs illegal fights."

My shoulders tense at the word illegal . I wince. "Why?"

"It earns us money," Axle answers bluntly.

I eat a few chips while I think about that. "Do you fight?"

"None of us do."

I'm left wondering whether I've said something wrong. I relax on the couch, happy to know it's not Axle fighting. I briefly wonder about the MC's additional earnings, but I push the thought aside. I don't think I want to know.

"Well, the prospect will be," Twitch says.

"He isn't wearing our patch yet," Axle replies.

"What's a prospect?" I ask.

"A guy who wants to be a full patched member of the club but he has to prove himself first. Later on, we vote on if we want to patch him in," Axle answers.

"I've heard he's handsome," Candy says.

"Ooh... I can't wait to meet him," says Mercedez excitedly.

Twitch doesn't bat an eye at Mercedez's interest. I can't grasp how they can do that. They really must be with whoever they want at any time. I don't know how they don't get jealous... but then I think back to Grace. That could be why she's so upset with me. She was with Axle and envies me spending time with him. It all makes sense.

I watch a movie with them about a huge killer shark and a male hero that saves the day. After the credits roll, I hear the deep voices of the MC men. They're all heading for the front door. "Are they going to the fights now?" I ask.

"Yeah," Axle replies.

"I need to go to the bathroom. Can you point me in the right direction?" I ask him. I don't really need to go—I just need some space. Tension's rolling off Axle in waves.

"Mercedez, can you show Elena where the downstairs bathrooms are?"

Mercedez pouts and reluctantly gets up.

Oh crap! "It's okay, just tell me where it is."

Mercedez ignores me, so I follow her down the hallway. She points in the direction of the bathroom. I pause outside the door when I hear Grace's and Vera's voices inside.

"No more parties because of her. Who does she think she is? Axle was taken from me, now other men aren't allowed here anymore. For what... a guy touched her, who cares. She's not an ol' lady. The nun should go back to wherever she came from. She doesn't belong here." I can tell by the voice it's Grace speaking.

I flinch. That proves my theory. Nun? Ouch!

"I agree," says Vera. "But I think Reaper and a few of the men don't like the parties, bringing people they don't know into the clubhouse. I think it was a long time coming, but don't worry. Elena's not going to be here long. As soon as Axle's done with her, he'll be yours again."

I backpedal, regretting my decision to leave Axle. My chest aches. Grace sounds hurt and angry.

"I just don't get what the big deal is about her," Grace says. "She's got small tits. She's practically a virgin saint. He liked it when we fucked, and he fucked me hard. There's no way she's allowing him to do that to her."

Another blow to my chest, but this one hurts more.

Mercedez walks into the bathroom and clears her throat. I hear the soft hum of voices but can't make out what they are saying. Grace and Vera walk out, glaring at me as they pass by. Mercedez is walking out as I'm about to walk in. "What do you think about me and Axle?" I ask her.

She gazes at me with sympathy. "You sound like a nice girl, but... they have a point. You don't fit in here, and Axle is Axle."

My heart sinks.

"For your own self-preservation, I'd consider seeing someone outside of the MC. Grace really likes him, and I can't see her letting him go easily."

My shoulders fall. "Thanks for your honesty."

After I take a moment, I walk back to the living room, though I'm dragging my feet, feeling deflated by what the women said. I try my best to shake it off. When I meet Axle's gaze, I say, "I might go rest for a while."

"Are you alright?" asks Axle, frowning.

I glance at Mercedez, but quickly divert my gaze back to Axle, giving him a tight smile. "I'm fine."

Mercedez stands and grabs Twitch's hands in hers, pulling him up. "Let's go lay down too," she says, her tone rich with innuendo.

We follow them out of the living room, but once we get to the far side of the room, Mercedez pushes Twitch against the wall and kisses him. In slow motion they swivel around, and Mercedez's arm falls back. She hits the motorcycle that's on the podium in the wall.

As it falls, I launch myself and catch it against my shoulder so that it doesn't crash to the ground. It's heavy, and pain radiates from the point of impact. A few seconds later Axle is pushing the bike upright. He carefully checks the bike for damage.

"Oh shit, we're sorry," Twitch blurts. Wariness is etched on his face, and he and Mercedez take a step back.

"Watch what you're fucking doing!" Axle lashes out, but the fear in his eyes is unmistakable. His heavy breaths pain me, so I gently grab his hand in mine and pull him away from them, through the house and into his bedroom.

Axle sits down on the bed and puts his head in his hands. We're silent as I kneel in front of him and undo his laces. His eyes are soft. He lifts first one leg and then the other so that I can tug his boots off.

His hands fall from his face as I stand up. He encircles me with his arms and pulls me between his legs. "It means a lot; you saved my bike tonight."

The vulnerability in his voice and his adoring gaze makes my eyes glassy. Clearing my throat, I run my fingers through his thick hair. "I know how much it means to you." I appreciate being privy to his past.

"I've been a cranky dick." His brows knit together. "Sorry, my head's not in a good place."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"The thought of you going to work..." He shakes his head. "The more I think about it the angrier I get."

Remorse weighs heavily on my chest, so I lean down and give him a gentle kiss on the lips. "It won't be for long." It seems as though everything is against us and we are in constant battle with the rest of the world.

I step away from him and pull my pajamas out of my bag. I'm not sleeping in my clothes again. I clear my throat and give him a pointed look. The side of his lip lifts in a smirk, making me feel lighter. His smile is contagious. He slowly covers his eyes with his hands to give me some privacy.

I change into my pink satin pajama set. As I'm doing up the buttons on the pajama top, I glance at Axle. His dark hazel eyes are filled with lust and hold me captive as they travel slowly from my head to my toes, like he's committing what he's seeing to memory. When his eyes meet mine, they hold a promise of passion, which makes my heart hammer. I avert my gaze and busy myself with folding and repacking my clothes. I sense his eyes stalking me as I make my slow journey into the bed beside him, feeling a mix of butterflies and giddiness from the way he looks at me.

Axle slides his arms out of his vest, kicks off his jeans, and pulls his shirt over his head, revealing his tanned and taut skin, which is stretched over muscle. My eyes greedily study his body. My hands twitch—I crave to touch him—before my eyes land on his face, where I see a knowing grin. He knows I'm checking him out.

Axle's a storm of charisma and chaos, but I can't fight the feelings I have for him. He hides behind jokes and laughter, but behind his tough exterior, he bleeds like the rest of us.

He shuffles into bed next to me. My skin breaks out in goosebumps from the way his warm skin touches mine. I'm lying on my back, while he lies on his side, facing me.

"Why do you kiss me if you said that you don't kiss women?"

He smirks. "I seem to break all my rules with you."

I chew my lip, half smiling at his declaration.

He pulls the blanket down and runs his fingertips over my stomach, on top of my pajamas. My eyes close.

"Where did the motorcycle hurt you?" he asks softly.

My eyes connect with his adoring ones. I lift my hand to my shoulder.

With infinite gentleness, he places open-mouth kisses down my neck, eliciting a moan from me. His lips travel across my collarbone in deliberate, soft movements. He pulls at the neck of my pajamas, revealing my shoulder, where he presses a soft lingering kiss on the tender spot where the bike landed on me. My heart races wildly at his tenderness and at how he treasures my body.

"Were you hurt anywhere else?" he asks in a low, husky voice.

My breathing is heavy. It was mostly my shoulder, but I want him to go further, so I point to my lower stomach. His hands brush against my top and his eyes fixate on mine. He slides his hand beneath the bottom of my top and gradually lifts it higher. He watches me intensely, as if giving me a chance to say no, but I give him a brief nod because I desperately need his touch.

As his hand touches my breast, my thighs clench together. He massages one with his large, warm hand. Desire shoots through me. He pushes up my top and leans over, feasting on me. Sucking, pinching, teasing my nipple until my head falls back in pleasure. He plants open-mouth kisses down my stomach, making me shiver. He presses another lingering kiss to my lower stomach, where I said the bike caught me.

He props himself up on an elbow and lifts his head, his eyes surveying mine as his fingers delicately dance back and forth across my skin at the top of my shorts. His eyes search mine, and I brazenly spread my legs. My eyes are begging. I want more. Then his fingers made their way over my shorts.

"Are you a virgin?" he asks in a gravelly voice.

I can't speak, so I shake my head.

He growls. "I hate that some's had you before I have." His possessiveness edges on my raw ache. His hand slides under my shorts. I gasp, heart thumping. His hands go to my core and his finger teases my opening. I tense as his finger enters me, but as his lips meet mine, I relax. I trust him.

He slips in another thick finger, filling me, stretching me, and drags them slowly in and out. Pleasure courses through me. His tongue becomes more frenzied as his fingers thrust in and out, picking up speed. My back arches off the bed as I silently beg Axle to push me over the edge.

I've brought myself to orgasm before. Three-pump Henry never did it for me. When Axle's thumb meets my clit, I buck as it swirls in slow circles. My breaths come short and quick. Throwing my head back, I clutch the bed sheets. Pulling back, he watches me as I writhe under his touch.

"Come on my fingers," he demands as he increases the pressure on my clit. My ears are ringing. I struggle to draw in air.

"Let go and come for me, baby." The deep rumble of his voice and the added pressure of his thumb splinter my last shred of restraint. My muscles contract and release as spasms throw me into bliss. Lights dance behind my eyelids as I ride the waves of ecstasy, one after another, until I lie limp.

My eyes flutter open. His pupils are so dilated that his eyes are almost black, but there's a hint of a smile on his lips. "You're gorgeous when you come."

I glance down at his throbbing erection, my hand instinctively moving toward it. He tightly grasps my wrist. "Tonight is about you."

A new ache starts. I want him inside me. He lifts the fingers that were inside me and puts them to my lips, so I open, and he slides them into my mouth. Without hesitation I suck on his fingers, tasting myself, not caring.

He kisses me once more, this time slow and deliberate, each movement tender and full of warmth. With the gentle pressure of his lips, the slight tilt of his head, and the way his eyes soften when he looks at me, I know nothing could ever compare to the way he makes me feel.