5. Lace

5

LACE

So, that was stupid. Okay, very stupid . But we had a moment. I know Manny thinks I was just doing it because he gave me a place to live, but it wasn’t that. I was going with the flow. It isn’t encouraging that he looked slightly aghast. Like I startled him, which I guess, planting my lips on his without warning, I did. I couldn’t help myself.

But when I think about the dynamics, and the idea that if something did happen between us and it doesn’t work out — or it’s horrible and we don’t enjoy it — it’ll be awkward with us at the clubhouse. Not to mention that we now live together under the same roof. But you kissed him. Yes, I did, and I may just be regretting that now. Not that the tiny peck on his kissable lips wasn’t good, but the idea that I invaded his space makes me mad with myself. Especially after what he told me. And now that I’m apparently renting his guest room not only makes me giddy, but it also rules out anything happening between us.

What also makes me giddy is seeing Manny and Bandit in the kitchen yesterday. Bandit was all broody, like a big baby who had his teddy bear taken away. He and Manny always go at it like little kids, but I didn’t fail to notice the way Bandit’s eyes dipped to Manny’s muscle tank when he wasn’t looking. I know all about his fantasy, and he can deny it all he wants. He looked.

As for Manny? He has no clue that me and Bandit are kinda sexting, or that he’s the other guy. I feel kinda weird not telling him, but in truth, I don’t know where any of this is going with Bandit. Probably nowhere. So it’s not really a lie if I don’t tell him the whole truth about who he is or what we’re doing. Since nothing is happening with me and Manny, I’m off the hook.

Last night I got a barrage of texts from the man in question, asking to take things to the next level…

Bandit

I liked seeing you today. You look good in a skirt

I read the text and blushed, sending a reply right back.

Me

You’re not so bad yourself

Bandit

Wanna fool around tomorrow when I drop the boxes off?

Me

Manny has a no sex rule in the house. I mean, not that I’m saying we should have sex… Good God, that made it sound like I didn’t want to

Bandit

you’re adorable. But I’m not sure you’re ready for that

Me

What do you mean?

My interest was piqued.

Bandit

We’d have to work up to it

Of course, my vagina was screaming at me to ask him more. My libido going haywire from lack of sex. Bandit is gorgeous and has a body made to devour.

Me

Ooh, cryptic. Are you a naughty boy?

Bandit

That depends, are you a bad girl, Lacey?

I love how he calls me that.

Me

I can be. Maybe you’ll find out

Bandit

Like I said, we need to work up to what I have in mind

Me

You gotta be a little more specific than that

Bandit

Tomorrow I’ll be more specific with my tongue

My pussy was screaming, in fact, I used my vibrator to get off, imagining him doing all kinds of bad things to me. Then I felt guilty because I had lingering thoughts all afternoon over Manny and our almost illicit kiss.

The next day, when Bandit arrives to pick me up to grab my boxes from Hope’s, he’s freshly showered and has his sleeveless MC cut on… with nothing on underneath it. He smells freaking delicious; like chocolate ice cream, or something sweet.

I stare at him. “Really?”

He piques a brow. “What?”

“You don’t own clothes?”

His lopsided smile has my heart doing flips. “I do. Would you prefer me to get a shirt?”

I glance down at his chiseled abs and my mouth runs dry. “Definitely not.”

His smile widens. “You thinkin’ about what I said last night?”

I shrug. “Maybe.”

“Maybe? I see, then maybe I need to make my intentions more obvious?”

My lips part as he pulls up in front of Hope’s place, puts the truck in park, and then turns to me. Grabbing my face with both hands, his mouth is on mine. His lips are surprisingly soft, and it’s with a small moan that he increases the tempo, his tongue just right as it seeks mine and my pussy aches with need. Between him and my flirting with Manny — the man I’ve now put on permanent pause — I need to get off. When we pull back, I’m panting.

“Wow, where did that come from?”

He stares at me, his green eyes so freaking pretty for a biker. He’s too pretty, a lot like Manny. Even though they’re chalk and cheese, they’re cut from the same cloth. Even if Bandit is a little rougher around the edges, I know he’s a good guy.

“I’ve been holding back. I’m sorry.”

I cock a brow. “Uh, huh. Took you long enough to make a move.”

“I’m a schmuck.”

“You are a little.” I smile as he continues to watch me. I forgot how intense he was.

Then he shrugs. “What about you and Manny? You two seem cozy.”

Shit, am I that transparent?

“We’re just friends.” I don’t need to tell him the nitty gritty now that me and Manny aren’t anything. Then again, I could test the waters a little… “I mean, I like him. He’s fun, and my new landlord, I’ve gotta stay on his good side. Plus, all the girls are good with Manny, not just me.”

“Like him? Or like him?” He presses. So that’s all he picked up on?

I swallow hard, his intensity is like nothing else. He’s imposing and demanding. I can’t get enough of it. Maybe he’s jealous? I like that idea, even though I know I shouldn’t. I clear my throat. “We’re not exclusive, Bandit.”

“That wasn’t the question.” His eyes blaze.

“He’s a friend.”

“He looks at you like he wants to fuck you.”

My eyes go round. “You did not just say that.”

He snorts. “I’m a man. I know how they think.”

“I’m single,” I remind him. “You and me? We’re not a thing. And we’re not even dating. We’re friends who hang out and get drunk together, and might I remind you, we’re not even fucking. So, please spare me the lecture on what I can and can’t do. Put your money where your mouth is, or we can move on. Your choice.”

His eyebrows raise. I don’t think Bandit is used to a woman speaking to him that way. He stares at me for a long moment before moving back. He clicks his seatbelt undone and exits the truck. I puff air out of my cheeks and do the same, scurrying out of the car as he strides toward the front door. “You’re mad at me?” It’s not a question.

I don’t like fighting. I don’t like bickering or raising voices. It reminds me of my childhood…

He ignores me. I overtake him, heading to the porch where I have the boxes stacked up. I turn to face him, but he tries to move past me. “So now I’m getting the silent treatment because I was honest?”

He grunts. This is what he does. Acts like a big child when he can’t get his own way, or when something doesn’t go quite the way he wants it. Well, fuck him. I’m a free agent. I don’t need him or anyone else telling me what I can do.

He grabs two of the boxes, his muscles straining as I try to keep a straight thought in my head. How can I be mad at him and want him at the same time? His body is freaking insane. Ripped and perfect, his tattoos making him look like a freaking badass. He got a fresh one. I can tell by the bandage covering it and I want to ask him about it, but now seems like a bad time. Silently, we move the boxes from the porch to his truck and then head over to East Riverside.

“I’m not mad at you,” he says about ten minutes into the journey.

I fold my arms over my chest and silently seethe. “Oh, wow, he speaks.”

I feel his gaze shift to me. “I just… I didn’t like the idea of you with another man for a second, and that was wrong of me. I… sometimes I don’t know how to control my feelings.”

At least he’s being honest, but I still crinkle my nose.

I snort. “Oh, I get it. We kissed once, and now you think you have some big biker claim over me? Well, think again, asswipe. I’m nobody’s property. I belong to myself. Not to you or anyone.”

This time I do turn to look at him, and his jaw ticks as he stares right ahead. “That’s where you’re wrong.”

Okay, I’ll take the bait. “Wrong about what?”

“About you not bein’ property. You belong to the club, by association, so you’re club property.”

“I’m no such thing!”

He makes a sarcastic chuckle in his throat. It’s arrogant and I want to punch him in the face. Damn asshole. “That’s how it works, Lacey.” He turns to glance at me. “And if we fuck, then you will belong to me because you won’t be wantin’ any other dick after you’re done beggin’ me for mine and I’ve wrecked you.”

My mouth drops open. He did not just say that. “You arrogant fuck.”

“I’m an honest fuck, and a good one.”

“You know what, Jonah? I don’t want to fuck you. I wouldn’t do that if you were the last man on earth.”

He snorts. “Yeah, right.”

“Don’t you just have the biggest ego right now?” I toss back. “Here I was thinking you were just being a decent human being and not treating me like every other asshole I’ve ever been with, and there you go telling me I’m property.”

My words seem to snap some reaction into him other than sarcasm. His face changes as his brows knit together. “I didn’t mean it like that. But that’s how the club works.”

I look out the window. “I know that. I’m not an idiot.”

His next works shock me. “Did someone hurt you?” Wow. He sounds exactly like Manny right now. He said the exact same thing. That deep, dark part of me screams at how similar they are, but so different at the same time. Their intuition is spot on, which is equally frustrating as it is admirable.

I turn to look away. “Like that even matters.” His hand tugs my chin as I try to slap his hand away. “Don’t touch me.”

“I’m sorry,” his voice is low, making me turn to look at him. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“You didn’t upset me. I just… There are some things I just don’t want to talk about. I barely know you.”

“Which is why I didn’t want to just treat you like a sweet butt,” he says out of nowhere.

My eyes go wide. The sweet butts are the girls who hang around the club for sex, booze and grub. Everyone knows what they’re there for, not that the ol’ ladies like it, but they have their men, so they keep their mouths shut about it. Voicing it on the group chat, however, has been hilarious.

“Maybe I want to be treated like one.” There, take that.

He shakes his head. “No, you don’t. You’re a club sister, I wouldn’t do that.”

My jaw drops. “Is that why you’ve been staying away from me all this time?”

He rubs his chin. “Partly.” His voice is low, like he doesn’t want to tell me, but also doesn’t want to upset me any further. “It’s different with a club sister. Things can get weird if we don’t work out.”

Does he want it to work out? I didn’t think Bandit was looking for anything other than fun, not that I’ve seen him around any of the sweet butts, but then again, I haven’t been at the club that long. He also sounds exactly like Manny, and it’s starting to grate on my nerves.

“I’m not just some doll that’ll break if you so much as touch me,” I fire back. “And frankly, you’ve been giving off weird signals. You’re either into me, or you’re not. Life’s too short to be on the fence.”

His jaw ticks again and I’m beginning to like that a lot. “Of course I’m into you, but it’s not an easy thing bein’ around a sexy woman and tryin’ to convince her I’m not like all other guys.”

That’s kinda sweet. “So the best way to do that is to show me.”

“Noted.” He rubs his chin and I press my legs together, wondering how his stubble would feel between my legs.

We pull up at Manny’s gate and I give Bandit the code as the gates slide open. When he parks, he immediately ejects his seatbelt and then exits the car, storming around to my side. His eyes meet mine through the front windshield and I stop in my tracks.

He opens my door, pausing. “You comin’?”

I bite my lip. “No.”

His eyes narrow. “You think I’m gonna hurt you?” His tone is low. “I’m only gonna say this once, Lacey. I would never, ever hurt you or do anything that you don’t want. I’m rough. I like rough sex, but that doesn’t mean I’d ever lay a hand on you. This is me showin’ you. Like you said.”

I gaze up at him. “Okay.”

He brushes a thumb across my cheek as he pulls me to the edge of my seat, my legs dangling out of the truck. “Don’t want you to be mad at me,” his voice is barely a whisper. “I don’t like it.”

“Well, don’t be a jerk. We’re not even doing anything yet, and we’re bickering like an old married couple.”

His lips quirk as if he’s fighting a smile. “Let’s get inside.” His tone insinuates something else and my pussy clenches.

“Manny has rules,” I blurt out. “We can’t, and he’s on his way over.”

He rolls his eyes. “Of course he is.”

I grip his bicep, and he looks down at my hand. “We have to respect his wishes. He was dead serious about it.”

“He won’t know.” He buries his face in my neck and I melt against him. Oh, he smells so good. That masculine scent of dark chocolate and tobacco washes over me. Sweet but sexy, just like him. My pussy aches. “I meant what I said about you beggin’ me for my cock.”

He has such a dirty mouth.

“I… I want to,” I whisper. “But this is Manny’s safe place, and he’ll be here soon. I don’t want him to walk in on us.”

He pulls back. “Coulda told me that before I drove here, could’ve gone to my place before Eli gets outta school.”

My heart thumps at the idea of going to his house, seeing where he and Eli live.

His lips brush my pulse point. He can be so harsh, but then so gentle at the same time.

“You could’ve come onto me a lot sooner,” I mutter as my hands wrap around his body. They don’t even meet, he’s that solid. I spread my legs so he can move between them.

His lips brush over mine, not quite touching. “I told you my reasons, now that’s gone out the window.”

“Kiss me.”

“I’ll want more.”

“Well, you can’t have more, not here.”

“Bossy little thing, aren’t you?”

I fill the gap, pressing my lips to his as his lips part and there’s that softness again. I feel it all over. My body shudders as I wrap my arms around his neck. He pulls me farther toward him, my ass hanging off the seat, and that’s when I feel his hard length press into me. It makes me gasp. He pulls back.. “You good?”

I glance down. “Is that an anaconda in your pants?”

He smirks. “I wasn’t kiddin’ when I said you’re not ready for me.”

Holy shit. Why is that so hot?

“I thought you were just talking dirty.”

“While I admit this little cat-and-mouse game has had my dick hard for weeks, I meant every word. Once my dick’s been inside this little pussy.” He cups my mound as I moan. “You’re gonna want more of it.”

“You’re so sure of yourself,” I tease. “What if you’re not that good at it?”

He nibbles my bottom lip gently. “I am.”

Those words. I am. I want to bury myself in him. In his assurance. His confidence. His fucking need. And I need him. I need to feel… something. Anything.

“Maybe we should go to your place.”

He smirks again. “I don’t know. I think I like havin’ you right on the edge.”

I frown, pouting as he kisses it from my lips. He pulls me out of the truck, setting me on my feet, then we stroll hand in hand to the door. I admit, I’m a little dizzy when I use the fob to get inside, and suddenly we’re alone in Manny’s house. He whistles as he glances around. “Nice.”

“It is,” I breathe, still not over our little makeout session in the car or his admission that he’s good in bed. I know most men think that. I’ve been with guys who talk about giving you the baddest, dirtiest night of your life, then three pumps in, they’re all done and you’re left hanging. I can’t imagine Bandit being that way. I’ll bet he takes his time with a woman, pleasing her, giving her what she wants. And I don’t mind a little rough sex myself, as long as it doesn’t hurt hurt.

I’m not even a few steps in the door and Bandit walks me backward, pins me against the wall and I gasp. His mouth finds mine and he lifts me as I drop my bag and wrap my arms around his neck. There’s his tongue again, using my mouth as his own personal playground, and I can’t get enough of it.

I lose myself in his kiss, and how he makes me feel. When he releases my mouth and nips my chin, then works his mouth down to my neck and buries his face against my breasts, I forget how to breathe.

“He’ll be here soon,” I whisper.

“So we’ll just play.”

Play. Oh, dear God.

“I promise I won’t get my dick out, not till you’re beggin’ me.”

“You’re big on that, aren’t you?” I snark.

“I’m big on makin’ you feel good, Lacey.”

“That feels good,” I cry out when he cups one breast through the material of my dress and then places his mouth over my nipple. I love having my tits played with, and I admit, I like it when certain men notice them. Men like him. “Don’t stop.”

He chuckles into my skin as he pulls me back off the wall and places my ass down on the kitchen counter. Manny’s marble countertop. His pride and joy. No. We can’t do this here…

He parts my legs and slips one hand into the side of my wrap dress, the other pulls on the string to undo the side. Uh, oh. “Did you wear this today knowing it’s easy access for me?”

I bite my lip, shaking my head. He leans closer. “You did, didn’t you, dirty girl?”

“I… God, that feels good.” He plucks my nipple through the mesh of my bra and I tip my head back. His other hand works its way up my thigh, dangerously close to my pussy. I’m so wet. So needy and ready for him. Well, maybe not his monster cock, but something.

“Not gonna fuck you here,” he whispers. His voice low and gravelly. “Out of respect for your little roommate, but when we’re alone again, it doesn’t matter where I am. I’m goin’ to have you, got me?” I whimper. He squeezes my breast. “Got me?”

I squeak. “Yes!”

He pulls back the material of my bra aggressively and covers my hardened peak with his mouth. I moan and grab onto him, needing him closer. His hand skates further toward his end goal, cupping my pussy as he groans. “I want these panties when we’re done.” It sounds like a demand. “They’re mine.”

God, he’s so hot. “Yours.”

He slides my panties to the side and then skates his fingertips over my clit and I almost buck off the counter. At the same time, his mouth clamps down on my nipple and he suckles hard. “Such pretty tits,” he mutters. “Can’t wait for my cum to be all over them.”

He. Did. Not.

I’ve been with guys who think they’re dirty. But nothing like this. His words penetrate a dark place inside of me that throbs. One that wants to pull me under his spell and believe every word he says and every dirty thing he mutters. I feel safe with him, even when he’s dark. It isn’t that kind of dark. It’s just right. He thrills me to the very core.

“Save those little gasps and moans for when I’m inside you.” His pretty eyes stare into mine. “You’re gonna need ‘em.”