Chapter 5

GRIZZ

Ifelt bad leaving Luna in the middle of the night, but sleeping beside her didn't feel right and I couldn't move to the couch. I laid there for at least half an hour, hoping Ivy would wake so I could take her into the living room and sleep there. Then my mind got working and overthinking, so I decided to just get up and leave to avoid any awkwardness between us. Not that I think for one minute Luna would have felt awkward. It's not like we haven't fucked before—the only difference is I know more about her now and a small part of me felt like there was a connection. I laugh to myself, shaking my head. A fucking connection? Who am I trying to fool?

I increase the speed on the running machine and turn my thoughts off, concentrating on the pounding of my feet and the music blasting in my ears.

I get back to the clubhouse two hours later, shower and change, and go into Axel's office. "Pres," I greet.

He narrows his eyes. "You feed the kid in the end?" His tone is annoyed, and I smirk.

"I only know of Lexi," I argue. "None of the other women in my phone would answer if I called."

He grins at that. "I assume it was Fable's kid?"

I give a nod. "Never thought I'd say this, but she's fucking cute, man."

He arches a brow. "Don't be going soft on me, VP."

"It's her brother I came to talk about," I say, taking a seat. "His name is Nate and, apparently, he's well known on that estate. He works for the Kings."

This gets Axel's full attention. "What?"

"Weird, right? Why are they hiring from this end of the city?"

"You think they're making some comeback?"

I shrug. "I don't know, but I think we need to find out."

He gives a nod. "Keep a close eye on Fable and do some more digging."

I think about my next words carefully. "You reckon you could get Thalia to sack her from Zen?"

He fixes me with a stare before narrowing his eyes in suspicion. "Why?"

"She's been through some shit, and I don't think she should be working when she's got a kid at home."

"That's not your call, brother."

"You told me to look out for her, and that's what I'm trying to do."

"I told you to keep an eye on her activities. I wanna know if she's talking to people about the club. I don't care what she does for work or if she's got a kid."

"What would Lexi say to that?" I challenge. "Didn't she suggest this so we can be one big, happy family?"

"Are you trying to threaten me?" he asks, almost laughing.

I hold my hands up. "Of course not, Pres. Maybe I'll take this to Lexi, though, see what she thinks."

He scoffs. "I'll speak to Thalia. Maybe we can offer a very short maternity leave."

I smile as I stand. "Great, thanks, Pres." I head for the door. "I wanna do the opening for The Bar next weekend. What do you think?"

"I'll be there."

By the timeI get to The Bar, it's mid-morning. I head right into the coffee shop, where Danii is chatting with a customer while she makes his coffee. I stand behind him, patiently waiting for my turn, and her eyes light up when she spots me.

"I was wondering if you're free for a drink sometime?" the guy asks.

Danii glances my way again, biting on that lower lip. I arch a brow, daring her to accept his offer, and her cheeks redden. "Actually, I'm not looking for anything right now, but thanks."

"Damn," he mutters, taking his coffee and tapping his card to pay. "When you change your mind, call me." He drops his business card on the counter and leaves.

I snatch it up before she can and screw it up, shoving it in my pocket. "Morning," I greet, winking.

"I believe that card was for me," she says, grabbing a takeout cup.

"You don't need it. Close up for an hour, let's eat lunch."

She looks around the empty shop then nods. I grin, going back to the door, turning the sign to ‘Closed', and clicking the lock.

I take a seat, and she joins me with two slices of cake and two coffees. "I'll pay so this counts as a date," I tease, and she smiles. I love her smile.

"Actually, I was wondering if you're free tonight?"

"Keen," I joke.

"I have this thing. It's not important, so if you're busy, I get it, but I . . ." She's waffling, and I laugh. "Sorry, I'm nervous."

"I'll be there."

"Oh, you really don't have to if you have plans. My family is crazy, and I just hate the thought of having to put up with them alone."

"Wow," I say, taking a sip of coffee. "Third date and I'm meeting your family."

She blushes. "You're right, it's a stupid idea."

I grab her hand and hold onto it. "I'll be there."

She beams and her blue eyes almost sparkle. "Thank you."

I feelweird without my kutte. I hardly ever leave the clubhouse without it, but tonight, I've replaced it with a half-zip jumper, and I didn't miss the way the guys all turned to look at me as I left. They wouldn't dare to comment, but I knew they were all wondering what the fuck was wrong with me. I look like a college prick going for an interview.

Lexi is at the gate speaking to Smoke, and I slow my bike until I'm beside her. "Fuck off," I tell the prospect, and he rushes away.

Lexi glares at me. "That was rude."

"I'm meeting a woman," I begin, and her eyes widen. "And her family." Her brows almost reach her hairline. "What do I talk about?"

"Erm, what do you know about them?"

"Nothing."

"Ask questions."

I give a nod. "Okay."

"But not like you're interrogating them. Maybe things like what they do for a living and ask if they enjoy it."

"Why?"

She stares at me for a second, and when she realises I'm asking a serious question, her frown returns. "Because it's polite to show an interest."

"Even though I'm not interested?"

She smirks. "Yes. Pretend you are." She straitens the collar on my plain leather jacket and brushes her hand over my half-zip. "You look smart. I like it."

"Is it too much?"

"No, it's perfect."

"Get over here so I can cut your hand off," Axel barks from the doorway of the clubhouse.

I grin, and Lexi rolls her eyes. "Don't curse," she whispers, "and always take the offer of a drink. It's seen as impolite to refuse."

I give a nod. "Thanks, Lex."

"No problem. And relax, they'll love you."

"One last thing," I say, pushing my helmet into place. "Don't tell anyone, including the Pres."

She salutes and heads towards Axel.

The traffic was mild compared to usual, and I arrive at Danii's within five minutes. I retie my hair because my helmet always messes it, and then I take a deep breath and head up the garden path. She opens the door before I knock, greeting me with a kiss to the cheek. She slips her hand in mine and it warms my heart as I follow her inside.

LUNA

I stare at Thalia,and she stares back. I guess it means nothing to her as I'll be replaced by the morning, but to me, it's my only escape. "I don't want time off," I almost whisper.

"It's not my call," she admits. "You're one of my best girls, so I'm as pissed as you, but Axel gives the orders."

"Bullshit," I snap. "You run this place and you banned him from overruling you."

"Well, some things he's very forceful on and this was one of them. Look, if you've got a problem, speak to him."

I grab my jacket. "Don't worry, I will."

By the time I get to the clubhouse, I'm wet through thanks to the downpour that began the second I left Zen. Smoke smirks as I stomp through the gate. "Not seen you for a while, Fable."

"Is Axel around?" I ask.

"In his office," he calls to me as I pull open the clubhouse door.

Cali gives a wave, and London saunters over. "Long time no see."

"I've been at Zen," I mutter. London's parents are loaded, so she doesn't have to work if she doesn't want to, which is why she can afford to hang around the clubhouse all day.

"Your bed's not been slept in for months."

"I had a kid," I mutter, passing her to go to the office.

"What?" she gasps. There's no point in keeping it a secret now. I'm sure Grizz has told the guys.

I knock on the door and wait for Axel to shout for me to enter. When he does and I go inside, Lexi is on his lap. She jumps up and rushes to hug me. "Where have you been?"

"Axel," I say, ignoring her as I disentangle myself from her arms, "I need my job back."

He smiles. "Fuck me, she talks."

"I'm serious," I snap.

He groans. "Not my call."

"Funny, that's what Thalia said, and she told me to speak to you."

"What's happened?" asks Lexi.

"Club business," snaps Axel, and she turns to him with a raised brow.

"Thalia just sacked me from Zen."

"Not sacked," Axel corrects. "You're getting basic pay."

"I can't live on basic pay, Pres. I need the tips."

"I'm just following my VP's wishes."

"I should've known," I mutter.

"Grizz asked you to sack Fable?" Lexi asks.

"Not sacked," Axel repeats, sounding irritated. "She's on maternity leave."

"Fine, where is he?"

"Ask my old lady. I've been asking the same since he hightailed out of here earlier following their secret chat."

"Grow up," snaps Lexi. "It wasn't a secret chat. He asked for advice."

"First, he calls you in the middle of the night, and now, he stops to talk to you at the gate. I wanna know where my VP is."

"So do I," I snap.

She groans. "Fine. He's on a date." I inhale sharply, ignoring the twist in my heart. "But you can't say anything cos he doesn't want anyone to know."

Axel laughs hard. "Fuck off. Grizz doesn't date."

"It's a bit beyond that, I think," she says with a grin. "He's meeting her family."

"I'll go," I mumble. "I'll call him later."

"Wait," says Lexi, hooking her arm in mine. "Stay for a drink or two and say hello to the girls. We've all missed you."

One drink turns to two,then three, and by six, I'm not thinking about Grizz anymore. It's been good to laugh with the girls again. I've missed this.

I'm at the bar when Fletch comes up behind me. He's fairly new to the club, having transferred from another charter. His hands take my hips and he rubs himself against me. I roll my eyes, even though he can't see my face. "I need company," he growls in my ear.

I try to dodge his mouth, and he runs kisses down my neck instead. I shake my head and offer a sweet smile instead. "Aww, come on, Fable. I need the peace you bring me."

Placing a hand on his cheek, I give him a quick kiss on the other cheek and step around him, but he grabs my wrist and tugs me into his arms. "You know how sexy it is when you're all mysterious like this?" He wraps his large arms around me again and presses his erection against my stomach.

His hands wander up my shirt until he's cupping my breasts while nipping at my neck. I close my eyes and think about Grizz's hands on me.

Fletch lifts me onto the barstool and stands between my legs, retrieving a condom from his back pocket. It's not unusual for the men to fuck in the main room. It wasn't too long ago we were required to walk around here naked or just in underwear.

He makes quick work of releasing his erection and fisting it a few times before ripping the condom open. "I'll be quick," he mutters, sheathing his cock. His mouth goes back to my neck, and I hold onto his shoulders while he pushes my skirt up higher and moves my knickers to one side.

"What the fuck is going on?" growls Grizz, appearing in my eyeline behind Fletch.

The hurt knowing he ran out on me last night, and knowing he's been on a date, hits my chest again. I pull Fletch's attention back to me, cupping his cheeks with my hands and kissing him. It feels wrong. Most of the guys know I don't kiss, so his surprise shows in the way he stiffens against me, but it only takes him seconds to get lost in it. I keep my eyes fixed to Grizz as he folds his arms over his chest and arches a brow.

"I asked a fucking question," he barks, and Fletch pulls back.

"Sorry, VP," he pants. "Is this urgent? I'm in the middle of something here." I pull him closer, and his erection pushes at my entrance. He closes his eyes like he's in pain, and I smirk. "Seriously, bossman . . . please, can it wait?" he almost begs.

"No, it fucking can't. Put your dick away now." Fletch groans but does as asked. I jump off the stool and pull my skirt into place.

Before I get chance to walk away, Grizz takes me by the upper arm and guides me outside. "Would it kill you to keep your fucking legs closed?" he spits, shoving me to walk in front of him. Whenever I try to go back into the clubhouse, he shoves me again until I finally give up and head for the gates. "Home. Now."

"Fuck you," I spit.

"We did that part."

I cross my arms over my chest and march in the direction of home with him tailing me, silent all the way.

He follows me into my flat despite my protests and throws some cash at Jess. She leaves, and he goes into the bedroom to check on Ivy. I go to the kitchen and grab a glass of water. He still looks pissed when he joins me, which only makes me angrier. He has no right to be angry.

"Thalia sacked me today, but you already knew that."

"You're on maternity leave like other working mothers," he snaps.

"I can't afford to live," I yell, taking him by surprise. "Stop interfering in my life."

"Stop fucking it up," he yells back, only louder. "You're a mother now, act like it."

"I'm a good mum," I argue.

"Of course, you are," he sneers. "Mother fucking Teresa."

"You didn't seem to mind last night," I hiss, grabbing my money jar from the cupboard and taking out the roll of cash. I throw it at him and it hits him in the eye. "Consider last night a freebie. I felt sorry for you."

He gives an unamused laugh. "I don't need a pity fuck from a club whore."

"You seemed pretty desperate last night."

"I must've been to put my cock anywhere near you after the amount of pricks you get a day." I roll my eyes. He's just like the rest—a typical man who insults my job the second he gets a chance. I don't know why I thought he was different. "I think I preferred it when you didn't speak," he adds.

I give a slight nod. When I didn't speak, things were so much easier, so I push past him and go through to the bathroom. When I try to close the door, he sticks his foot there. "We haven't finished."

I have nothing left to say to him, so I begin to strip out of my wet clothes. He's seen me naked a million times or more, so I'm not embarrassed as I turn on the shower and step into the steam. I scrub my body until it's red, the same way I do every night. When I step out, he's leaning in the doorway, watching as I dry off.

"I don't like it when we fight," he mutters. I take my body butter from the cupboard and open it. "And I like hearing your voice." I scoop some of the strawberry butter and lift my leg onto the closed toilet seat, rubbing circular motions along my thigh and down my leg. "Luna," he whispers, "please."

When I continue to ignore him, he steps closer, taking the pot of cream from me and scooping a handful. "I just want to take care of you." He rubs the cream between his palms and then runs his hands down my arms. He takes each at a time and massages the cream into my skin. I watch him scoop some more, warming it in his palms before rubbing it over my chest and into my breasts. I close my eyes, loving the feel of him again. He moves down my stomach and crouches before me, scooping more cream and rubbing it into my other leg. When he stands, his erection is pushing against the denim of his jeans. He turns me away, and I stare into the mirror, mesmerised by the way his hands run over my shoulders and down my back. He pays extra attention to my backside, and when he moves closer, pressing himself against me and burying his nose into the crook of my neck, all my anger disappears. He bends me over the sink and runs his hand through my wetness. "Are you wet for me . . . or Fletch?"

"You," I whisper, closing my eyes when he pushes a finger into me. I grip the sink and rest my head on my arm.

I hear the condom wrapper and then he's back behind me, pushing his erection against my opening. He lifts one leg, holding it against his thigh as he slips into me, pushing deeper than he'd gone before until my knuckles turn white from my death grip on the sink. "Take it all," he murmurs, inching in farther. "Fuck yeah."

His hand finds my breast and he cups me, ignoring the milk leaking. I try to push him away, but he drops my leg and uses that hand to hold my arm up my back. "It's natural," he pants. "And I like it," he adds, using the wetness to tease my nipple. "Don't push me away again."

I'm close to an orgasm, so it pisses me off when he pulls out and sits on the toilet seat. He guides me to straddle him and holds my arms behind my back. "Fuck me," he orders. I begin to move, and his mouth goes to my nipple. He licks the swollen bud, keeping his eyes on my face to see my reaction. When I groan in pleasure, he does it again. It spurs me on, and I move faster, chasing the release I desperately need. His hands release my wrists and go to my throat. He applies pressure, staring down at our connection and groaning as I ride him. I jerk as the first sign of an orgasm hits me, and he stands, keeping our connection.

"You can't come yet, I need more," he growls, carrying me to the living room. He lays me on the couch and pulls from me, crouching down between my legs to swipe his tongue through my wet folds. I buck against his mouth, and he cups my backside, forcing me to keep still as he eats my pussy. I quickly come apart, shuddering uncontrollably.

Grizz crawls between my legs, wiping his mouth on the back of his hand before sinking into me. He turns us so I'm on top, riding him. I watch as he comes apart, growling from somewhere in the back of his throat and clenching his jaw. It's fucking hot, and when he's done, he pulls me down to kiss him. It's slow and sexy as our tongues twist together.

I lie against his chest, and he wraps his arms around me. My eyes suddenly feel heavy, and although I don't want to fall asleep with him still inside me, especially after our argument, I find myself drifting off.

When I next wake, I'm in bed with Grizz lying behind me. His cock is nudging at my entrance again, and I don't bother to resist as he pushes into me. He positions me on my stomach, placing one hand over my mouth to keep me quiet, the other gripping my hip as he slams into me. It's hot and fast, and when he's finished, he wraps me in his arms, and we fall back to sleep feeling satisfied.