16. Joker

Chapter 16

Joker

I've never been more thankful to see Skylar actually listen to me for one. She doesn't move. I'm fucking glad, because I might be moving around, but every fucking step hurts. I knew Breaker and Bull had trained my girl hard. Hell, not only them, but Dragon and the others stepped up too when they found out she was moving to Ohio. They wanted her to be able to take care of herself under any conditions. Still, I don't think I was prepared to see her in action. I sure as fuck wasn't ready to be on the receiving end. My girl packs a punch and if she did as she said and pulled them, I'm damn lucky to be standing right now.

I walk over to the mini fridge and pull out two bottles of water. I put one in the bottom freezer department. It's not exactly roomy, so I have to lay it down, but it fits. I'll need that one soon. Then, I grab a dishtowel and walk back toward the bed.

I put the items down on the mattress and kick off my shoes and get rid of my socks, before straightening back up and undoing my belt.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm getting ready to try and freeze my fucking balls so I can breathe without pain."

"It's your fault you're in pain," she huffs. Damn, I love her spunk. If my dick wasn't killing me, I swear I'd fuck her right now.

"Funny, I thought I was in pain because you went all Muhammad Ali on my motherfucking balls."

"Quit whining. I could have hit you like I've been trained to do. I took it easy on you. Besides, you're not the one that's going to have to leave this room, showing her ass as I go back to my room to find clothes."

"You look damn fine in my cut and nothing else, Peaches. In fact, as soon as my dick recovers, you're going to fuck me while you're wearing it and nothing else."

"Maybe we should take you to the doctor because you're clearly delusional."

"I'm going to have fun filling your mouth so full you can't sass me, woman. As for going to your room. That's not happening tonight. I want you naked, but if you're uncomfortable with that, go over to the closet. The few things I had in my saddlebags are in there. Find something and put it on."

"Torin—"

"Those are your only choices, Peaches. If you can wear Heavy's shirt, then you sure as fuck can wear mine."

"I don't think?—"

"And if you ever put another man's clothes on again, you better be prepared for the hell you unleash, baby girl, because I can promise you it will be coming your way."

"Shouldn't I go to a room by myself so Debbie can kiss your wounds? After all, she knows how to give it to you, right? She's had plenty of experience."

"I'm afraid that won't work any longer."

"And why is that?" she huffs.

"She's most likely terrified to get around me because my old lady warned her away from me."

"I did not and I'm not your old lady." Skylar scrunches up her nose in disgust and I don't know why I find it so cute, but fuck, I do. I push my pants down and hop on the bed, lying back on the pillow.

"What are you doing?" she cries, scurrying to the edge of the king-sized bed. For a second, I'm scared she might fall off the damn thing.

I spread the dishtowel over my aching groin. My cock, even in pain, with my balls feeling like they would feel better if I cut the fuckers off—is still partially hard. I move it around, so the length is hidden under the towel. "Fuck," I hiss out as the cold seeps through.

"Get over yourself, Skylar. You made sure I couldn't give you what we both want tonight. Your virginity is safe—at least for tonight. Now, go get a damn T-shirt on, or I might try to fuck you, even if my balls feel like they will never be the same."

She sticks her tongue out at me, making my lips twitch as I bite back my laughter. She slides off the bed and practically sprints over to my closet. Half-closing the door, she hides behind it. When she comes out, she's wearing one of my gray thermal shirts. It falls just an inch or two above her knees. She rolls up the sleeves, studiously ignoring me. Once she gets that done, she goes to the small chest in the corner of the room.

"My room had a bathroom attached," she complains.

"Sorry, I'm not biker royalty. You'll have to rough it with me, Peaches."

She takes out a pair of boxers and some pajama pants that are red and black checked. Who the fuck would wear something like that?

"I don't wear boxers or pajama pants," I growl.

"Whose are these, then?"

"No fucking clue. Whoever uses this room when I'm not in town, I guess."

She brings the clothes to her nose and inhales. I frown, suddenly pissed off because she's smelling some other man's clothes. This woman is making me crazy. "Oh well, they're clean." She tosses the pajamas at me. They land down at my feet. "Put them on."

"Not happening. First of all, I'm in too much pain. Second, I ain't wearing anything that looks like it should be on that TV show with the girls running across a field."

Her forehead curls up as she thinks about what I just said. She shakes her head. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Some damn show that looks like it was set in the eighteen hundreds. The father would wear those kinds of pants."

"Eighteen hundreds?" she blinks.

"Yeah, he called his daughter half-wit or something."

"Are you talking about Little House on the Prairie ?"

"I don't know. Maybe," I answer with a shrug. "Now, what are you doing?"

"I'm going to put these on."

"You are not wearing another man's boxers, Skylar."

"Joker! I am."

"You're supposed to call me, Torin. You're the only one that's supposed to call me that," I argue.

"I'm calling you Joker," she grumbles as she bends down to step into those damn boxers.

"You're testing me, Peaches."

"Ask me if I care?" she snaps, rolling her damn eyes at me.

She continues to put on the fucking things. I don't know how she manages it, but she gets them on without letting me see a thing—which is damn disappointing. "Skylar," I snarl. "Take those fucking things off. I don't want something that has been against another man's cock touching your pussy."

"It's not like I pulled them out of a man's hamper and put them on while they were dirty. They're freshly laundered and smell like those Downy Unstoppable thingies."

"Unstoppable thingies?"

"Yeah, they're scent boosters you add to your laundry to make your clothes smell good. My favorite is the Tide one. The cap is orange. I'm addicted to the way they smell."

"I never realized how weird you are," I murmur.

"And I never knew how big of an asshole you are," she snarks. "So, I guess we're even."

"You need to take those off. I've warned you I'm a jealous man. You're pushing me too far."

"I'm not getting in a bed with you without being completely covered. It's just not happening. So, you're going to have to suck it up. Besides, I would have thought after a sample of what I can do to you, you'd insist that I stay far away from you."

"Actually, I'm fucking proud that my old lady can defend herself so well. My world isn't exactly as safe and boring as that Prairie show. It means you can take care of yourself, and I happen to really like that."

"You and I will never work, Joker."

" Torin, " I correct. "And it will. At least it will if you quit trying to turn me into a damn eunuch."

"Oh well, if that's all it takes to get you to leave me alone, baby cakes, get ready for round two."

"Try it, if you're ready for payback."

"Payback?" she squeaks.

"Oh, yeah," I hum. "I can think of hours and hours of fun I can have using your body to heal every wound you've inflicted on mine."

"You're insane."

"Don't worry, Skylar. I'll make you enjoy it all—at least after some initial pain. I'm pretty sure you'll even enjoy that part, though."

"I'm really worried about your sanity, Torin."

I grin because I don't think she realizes she slipped up on calling me Joker. The woman has no idea who she's trying to tangle with. I'm going to have fun making sure she realizes it. Although, by then, it will be much too late. She'll already be tied to me.

"Quit trying to piss me off, woman. Come get in bed and let's crash. We have a lot of shit to figure out, and I need to call your dad and let him know you're safe."

"I'll get in bed on one condition," she qualifies.

"What kind of condition?" I ask, intrigued.

"I'm getting in bed with these babies on, and you will not say shit about it," she announces proudly, lifting my T-shirt to reveal the brown-colored boxers. She's repeatedly rolled up the waistband to make them smaller.

"Fine, now get over here and get in bed. I've had a long ass day and I'm tired. We can sleep and fight again tomorrow."

"Well, at least you know we'll be fighting."

"I wouldn't expect anything less," I admit freely.

She eyes me suspiciously, but lets out a sigh, and climbs on the bed. There are four pillows on the bed—two of which are currently under my head. She takes one of them and places it between us, despite the fact the bed could hold another person between us. Which, by the way, will never happen. Skylar will sleep by me and me alone from this night on. I don't tell her that. I don't want her to give me shit again. I really am tired.

"Is that supposed to keep me away from you?" I ask her, eyeing the pillow.

"This pillow is a line. If you cross it, then not even ice will save your balls," she announces. Then she flops on her side, giving me her back. She switches off the light that's on her nightstand.

I let out a sigh. My woman is in for a surprise before the night is over, but I'm tired of fighting for now. I get up and grab the bottle that's in the freezer and put the one I've been using in its place. Next, I go make sure the door to the room is locked, then climb back into bed. I put the dishcloth back over me and put the new bottle where I'm hurting the most. Then, switching off my light, I close my eyes. I don't know if sleep will come, but I hope like hell it does. I need my wits about me to handle Skylar tomorrow. I smile at that thought. After three years of wanting her and knowing she could never be mine. Now, she's in my grasp and I'm not letting her go again. I just have to find a way to make sure that Skylar accepts that.

And soon.