Chapter Ten

Bear

The ride back to the clubhouse took some time. Not only was the terrain less than ideal, but Crush wanted us to take the scenic route and do a few double backs to make sure no one was following us. Or that we didn't have some kind of tracking device on us. It wasn't exactly standard after what we'd done, but he and Byte wanted to be careful since we had no idea where the tech on Liv's phone came from.

A couple hours -- and a different vehicle -- later we rolled through the compound gates. Yeah. The paranoia from Crush was just too great to risk bringing the truck back, so we sold it to a guy named Red at Red's Garage in Palm Beach. The guy was road captain for Salvation's Bane. After giving him the rundown, he swapped us a truck and set about making ours disappear. Not my business how. That was Ringo's department. All I was concerned with was taking care of my girl.

Liv clung to me, sitting sideways on my lap. Her slender arms were around my neck, her face against my chest.

She was silent, the kind of silence that spoke volumes, her breathing uneven at times as we rolled onto safe ground. Every now and then, her grip on me tightened like she was reminding herself I was real, that she wasn't alone. It did something fierce to my heart, knowing how much she relied on me.

When we finally pulled in front of our little house inside the family area of our compound, the sense of relief was palpable.

There were several of the guys waiting outside for us. Bullet approached first, his sharp-eyed gaze scanning Olivia before he looked up at me. "You guys need anything?"

"I think we're good," I said, exiting the vehicle with Liv in my arms. "Maybe have a prospect bring some stuff for sandwiches and some drinks."

Apple darted from inside the house and ran straight to us. "Is she all right? What'd you do to her, Bear?" Her face looked as fierce as Lemon always did. Like she was ready to take a motherfucker down. In this case, the motherfucker in question was me.

"She's fine," I said, fighting the grin tugging at my lips. "Been a rough day for her. She's gonna need you, Apple. Once I get her settled and she's had time to rest."

"You say the word and I'm there. I'll stay with her now if she needs me."

Liv shifted then, turning to look at Apple. "Thank you, Apple. For everything."

"I didn't do anything, honey."

"You helped me get into Grim Road. I'm sorry I used it as a way to get inside to spy, but you brought me to Bear."

Apple waved off my comment. "These guys are more than capable of taking care of themselves and you clearly needed help. Maybe not like I'd first thought, but close enough."

"You didn't even know me that well, Apple. You went out on a limb to help a stranger. I'll always be grateful for that."

"Just take care of Bear there. He's got it pretty hard around here. None of the club girls want him. I damn sure don't want him." She tapped a finger on her lips as if contemplating her next words. "You know, he's not nearly good enough for you. Maybe I better look for someone else for you."

I growled at Apple, who grinned up at me with a superior smirk on her lips. Thankfully, Olivia gave a little chuckle.

"Nah. Think I'll keep him. He's already semi-housebroken. I'd hate to waste all that time and effort."

"Brat," I grumbled, but kissed her lips gently. "But you're my brat."

Apple gave a crisp nod. "Good. I'll spread the word you're taken, Bear." She grinned at Olivia. "You have my number. You need anything, call me. It's what best friends are for."

Olivia blinked down at Apple. "Best friends? I-I've never had a best friend before."

"Good. That way there's no expectations, I can protect you as much as I see fit, and Bear here can have me bust his balls when he needs it and you can't get mad ‘cause you think I'm being overprotective. ‘Cause that's what best friends do." Apple shrugged. "At least, according to Lemon. I never have in the past, but I'm thinking about taking it up."

That got a chuckle out of me. "You're supposed to be the docile one."

"Yeah?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "Never heard that before."

"I'll have Lemon work on getting you guys a bigger place in the family section. While I'm sure your digs here are fine, Liv deserves better."

"Fully aware, hellcat."

Apple smirked. "I think I like that. When I get to be an enforcer in the club, that's what my road name's gonna be."

"Heaven help us all if that happens." That came from Falcon as he passed us on the way back to the clubhouse.

Apple chucked her empty soda can at the back of his head. It hit with deadly accuracy. "Ain't no ‘if,' bitch. My sister is vice president. Imma be an enforcer."

"Rocket! Your sister-in-law's being a pain in the ass!" Falcon called to the president, never looking back at Apple, though he did duck his head and rubbed the back of it where her can had hit.

"Deal with it, fucker," Rocket called back. "I got my hands full with my vice president right now." He chuckled. "Literally. My hands are full of her ass while she's straddlin' me on the couch."

Liv jerked and peeked around me to find Rocket and a grinning Lemon on the couch just like Rocket said. She faced him, straddling his hips. And, of course, Rocket gripped her jeans-clad ass in a firm grip before letting one side go and smacking a hand down on her cheek in a hard slap. Lemon yelped but immediately giggled and wiggled over his crotch.

"OMG! Get your ass back to the clubhouse or something and get a room, you guys!" Apple rolled her eyes, but she couldn't fight the grin spreading her lips.

All this made Liv laugh too. So, yeah. I was grateful to both women. And Rocket. My whole club, really. They'd come through with flying colors for us.

I took us to my room and kicked the door shut before sitting on the bed with Olivia still in my arms. "You all right?" I murmured into her hair, feeling every shiver that rippled through her body.

"Yeah, just…" She paused, lifting her head to look into my eyes. "It's a lot, you know? Everything that went down today."

I nodded, my hand stroking down her back. "I know, honey. But you're safe now. You're with me. We're with the club."

She gave me a tired smile and nestled back against me. In the distance, the clubhouse was loud tonight, full of the raucous laughter and chatter of the Grim Road brothers. Each night seemed to get louder and louder. It should have been annoying, but I found it comforting. It was the noise of a big family get-together. Once Liv and I were properly settled and comfortable with each other and our place in each other's lives, I looked forward to participating with her in the common room. But right here, right now, in my arms, it felt like we were the only two people in the world. I loved it.

"Kiss me, baby," I said in a rough voice. "Want to feel your lips on mine."

Without hesitation, Olivia tilted her head up, her pale eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that caught my breath. Her lips met mine in a soft, tentative touch that quickly deepened as she threaded her fingers through the short hair at the back of my neck, pulling me closer.

As our kiss grew fierce and demanding, I could feel every barrier between us melting away. The world outside -- the noise of the clubhouse, the constant threats surrounding the Grim Road MC -- everything faded into insignificance. In that moment, there was only Liv, her warmth, her taste, and the undeniable connection that had somehow formed between us amidst chaos.

Breaking the kiss momentarily, I stared down into her lovely eyes. I was struck at how much this woman meant to me in such a short time. The longer I spent in her presence, the more I wanted her. Body and soul. I wanted the right to claim all of her.

Liv's response was immediate and full of yearning. She leaned in again, her lips meeting mine in a sweet, fierce kiss that spoke of all the turmoil of the day. Her arms slid around my neck, pulling me closer as if she needed the contact as much as I did.

The kiss deepened, and every barrier between us melted away. The taste of her was like a drug, addictive and heady, and I groaned into her mouth. My hands roamed down to grasp her hips, turning her so she straddled my lap. She gasped against my lips, a small sound of surprise and pleasure that made my heart hammer even harder.

Breathing heavily, I pulled back just enough to gaze into her eyes, those light pools reflecting a mix of desire and something fiercely possessive. She wanted me as much as I wanted her. She was mine. I was hers.

"Liv," I murmured, my voice hoarse with emotion, "I want you -- all of you. Not just tonight, but every night after. For as long as I live."

Liv bit her lip, a nervous habit I'd come to recognize and adore. She nodded slightly, her breath catching in her throat. "I-I want that too, Bear. I'm scared, but… I trust you. I've never felt like this before and I never want it to end."

My heart swelled at her words, and impulsively, I tightened my grip on her hips, bringing her closer so she sat over the hard ridge of my cock. Our clothing separated us, but I could still feel the heat of her pussy. Or I imagined I could.

Her fingers dug into my shoulders, the platinum strands of her hair cascading around us like a curtain, shielding us from the world. I felt her heartbeat racing against mine where she pressed herself against my chest as she continued to kiss me. Her breath was hot and urgent as our kiss became a fiery dance of need and desire.

"Bear…" She breathed out my name between kisses, her voice a mix of vulnerability and passion that damn near broke me. I pulled back just enough to look at her, seeing the flush spread across her cheeks, her eyes glowing with a mix of wild fear and fierce courage.

"I've got you," I whispered, my words rough with emotion. "Always."

The affirmation seemed to unleash something within her and she whipped off her shirt and fumbled with her bra. Once she was naked from the waist up, she lay back against me, rubbing her breasts over my chest like a contented kitten.

Her skin was soft, impossibly smooth against the hair-roughened texture of my tattooed skin. I molded her curves with my hands, memorizing the feel of her body as if I'd never get another chance. The dim light from the bedside lamp threw shadows across her face, highlighting the fierce determination in her eyes.

"Need you," Liv whispered, her voice husky with desire. She reached between us to tug at the button of my jeans, her fingers dancing over my belly to touch more of me. I helped her shove my jeans down my hips before lifting her off me to stand in front of me.

It didn't take long after that for Liv to strip completely. I did the same, watching her avidly, eating up the beautifully erotic sight of the fine, smooth muscles playing under her skin as she moved.

"So fuckin' sexy," I growled.

Liv's eyes widened, a shimmer of something wild flickering across her features as she watched me. She stood there, stark naked in front of me. She bit her lip, that nervous but eager gesture that drove me wild, and stepped closer. Her hands reached out, tentative at first, then with more confidence as they traced the lines of my chest, over my abs, and down farther.

"God, Bear," she whispered, a tremor in her voice as she explored my skin. "You're… incredible."

I pulled her against me, moving us onto the bed. As I lay on top of her, my larger frame dwarfed her slight figure. My hands slid around to cradle the small of her back, my cock pressing against her belly.

The heat between us was palpable, a tangible force that seemed to sizzle in the small space of the room. I felt every shiver that coursed through her body as if it were traveling through mine.

"Tell me what you want, Liv," I rasped, needing to hear her say it, needing to hear that raw desire vocalized.

With a shaky breath that was part moan, she looked up at me through her thick lashes, her eyes dark with lust. "I want you to fuck me. I want it all and I don't want you to hold back."

That was all the encouragement I needed. My hands moved to her ass, lifting her effortlessly. I followed her and latched on to one ripe nipple as she settled on top of the covers.

I couldn't hold back a groan. The sound vibrated between us, filled with raw desire. My fingers traced up her side to cup the same breast I sucked from, sending shivers through her body.

My other hand tangled in her hair and tilted her head back to expose her throat. Much as I hated leaving her breast, I needed my mouth at her neck. It was a primal desire, the need to mark her where everyone could see paramount.

Liv shuddered, arching her back and exposing her neck to my mouth. She took in a deep, shuddering breath. Her hands were bold now, roaming over my back, digging into the muscles there before descending lower to grab my ass, pulling me harder against her.

"You want my cock inside you, baby?" I murmured my question against the skin of her neck. Immediately, chill bumps erupted over her skin, and she sucked in a breath.

"Yes," she breathed out. "Need you to fuck me. Hard."

"You feel so fuckin' good," I muttered against her ear, pulling her even closer, feeling the heat radiating from her body where she was mashed tightly against my cock. "Gonna eat you alive…"

Her breath hitched again, a visible shiver racing through her as anticipation tightened the air between us. Liv's eyes, alight with unbridled desire, locked onto mine, silently pleading for what only I could give her.

Without another word, I positioned myself between her thighs. Her legs wrapped around me, drawing me in closer, her hips tilting up to meet mine as I entered her. This time, I took her bare, not wanting anything to separate us. I'd deal with the fallout later. It was a dick move, but Liv was mine now. All mine and I refused to have any kind of barrier between us. The heat from her pussy was intoxicating, and I paused for a moment just to savor the sight of her laid out beneath me, impaled on my cock, so vulnerable yet so incredibly strong.

Liv's eyes flashed with desire and a hint of something fierce, almost like a challenge. Her hands, now more confident, slid over my shoulders, feeling the contours of muscle and inked skin beneath them. She leaned into my touch, her breath hitching as I continued to tease her skin with lips and teeth, marking her neck gently yet possessively.

"Bear," she moaned softly, her voice breaking through the thick air of arousal filling the room. "Don't stop… please."

Her plea was all the permission my primal side needed. I started moving with a hard, driving rhythm.

"Greedy little pussy suckin' me inside," I growled. "Gonna fuck you till you come, then gonna put my cum inside that same greedy little pussy."

"Oh God! Bear!" Liv's eyes were shut tightly as she cried out, arching her neck backward again. I latched on to her neck, continuing to fuck her hard and fast.

"Come for me, baby," I growled at her ear. "Come on my fuckin' cock and milk my cum from me."

She did. With a ragged scream, Liv exploded around me. Her pussy spasmed around me, squeezing until there was no holding back.

With a brutal yell of my own, I emptied myself deep inside her, growling in satisfaction as I did.

Her body shuddered beneath me from the waves of pleasure rolling through her. I collapsed fully on top of her as both of us gasped for breath. The room was thick with the scent of sex and sweat, a testament to the raw, unbridled passion we had just unleashed.

Liv's fingers danced lightly across my back, tracing the scars and tattoos that marked my skin. Her touch was gentle, almost reverent, as if she could heal all the old wounds that lingered beneath the surface.

"You okay?" I murmured, lifting myself up to look into her eyes. They were still filled with heat, but there was a softness there too -- a vulnerability. Like she'd shown me her soft underbelly and was afraid I'd slash her to ribbons.

"Yes."

"You know I'll never hurt you, right? You're mine and I'm yours."

"Do you promise? I mean, I know some clubs don't think fidelity is a thing, but I can't… I can't share you." She genuinely distressed. I had to smile.

"Honey, no way in hell you're sharing me. Just like there's no way in hell I'd share you. It's you and me." I kissed her lips gently, coaxing her to kiss me back.

I brushed a strand of platinum hair from her face, watching her in the aftermath of our passion. "That what you needed, baby?" I asked, my voice rough with residual desire.

Liv's eyes fluttered open, and she smiled -- a genuine, soul-deep smile that did something to my heart, knowing I was the one to put that look on her lovely face.

"Yeah, exactly what I needed," she whispered, her voice husky from her screams of pleasure. Her fingers traced a pattern on my chest, light and ticklish, making me grin like a fool under her touch.

I rolled off her, pulling her close into my side, feeling the need to hold her tight against me. The bed creaked under our combined weight, a reminder of the reality of everything between us. Liv snuggled closer, resting her head on my chest. The sound of her steady breathing mixed with the distant hum of life outside our room.

The club party was in full swing. Music blared, though muffled by the walls and distance. It was both annoying and filled me with joy.

"What is it?" She leaned up on one elbow, touching the corners of my lips. "You're smiling."

"That a crime?" I tried to give her a mock growl, but spoiled it by not being able to wipe the grin off my face.

"Not at all." Her smile was contented, and I hoped I could keep that look on her face. "Just wondering what you're thinking."

"That my woman and my club are all coming together. The two most important things in my life and I have them right here. Safe. With me."

Liv's eyes softened, reflecting the dim light that filtered through the curtains, giving her an ethereal glow. "That means everything to me, Bear. You mean everything."

I pulled her closer, burying my face in her hair, inhaling the scent of her shampoo mixed with the smell of sex. "You're safe here, Liv. With me, with the club. We're your family now."

Her voice was tender, barely above a whisper. "I never had much of a family, Bear. But being here with you, with all of them… it feels right. Even no longer than I've been here."

The statement hit me harder than any punch I'd ever taken. This fierce, beautiful woman had found her place in the chaos of our world, and it was by my side. I felt a surge of protectiveness, mixed with a profound gratitude.

"Do you know what's going to happen to my father?"

"No. But given what he's done, I'm sure Rocket and Lemon won't let him get off scot-free. That will take them some time to work out, though." Then a thought struck me. "That bother you?"

"What? No! Of course not! He's the one who let me get put in this situation to begin with. Though, given how things turned out -- with you and the club and the feeling that I finally have a real home -- maybe I owe him a debt of gratitude."

"Just because you ended up better than you were to begin with doesn't negate what he did. You don't owe him anything, honey."

"He might come after me, you know. He was never very good at being told no."

"We'll look out for each other," I promised, knowing full well my brothers and sisters could take anything thrown our way. Including a narcissistic megalomaniac. Grim Road MC wasn't just a club -- it was a sanctuary, a fortress against the outside world that would just love to destroy us.

The sounds of raucous laughter and the thump of heavy bass filtered through the walls, but it all faded away as I held her. The world outside could fall into chaos, but in this moment, with Liv in my arms, everything was perfect.

"You think we can keep this peace?" she asked quietly, a hint of worry threading her voice.

I tightened my grip around her, protective instincts flaring up. "As long as I'm breathing, nothing touches this peace. Nothing touches us."

She nestled farther into me, her body relaxing as if my words had fortified her own strength. We lay there for a while, a lazy lethargy stealing over me.

"Bear?"

"Yeah, baby."

"Is it too soon to tell you I love you?"

I couldn't help the smile tugging my lips and didn't try to fight it. "If it is, then I'm guilty. Because I love you, too. Ain't ashamed to admit it neither."

"Good. ‘Cause I do. Love you, that is."

And that's how I drifted off, Liv's warm body securely in my arms, her words of love in my ears.