Chapter 5 Raptor

M y gaze slid over the sexy, naked body of the woman spread wide on top of the bar, flat on her back, her tan skin almost glowing underneath the low lighting. Peaches liked to fuck. The more, the merrier. She'd take every cock interested tonight and in every hole. Every member of the club knew the feel of her pussy and ass and came back for it as often as possible. Peaches wasn't shy, had no limits, and didn't care about becoming an ol' lady. She was here for dick and expected nothing else. Many of my brothers fucked her because Peaches didn't play games, get jealous, or worry about the other muffler bunnies.

Six weeks ago, I thought it was irresistibly sexy. Now? I didn't have any interest in fucking her. Sure, I had a hard-on. What guy wouldn't with tits, ass, and pussy in their face, open and ready to be used? I pressed on my erection, irritated because I needed release, but I couldn't stop thinking about Sydney.

War stood on my left, tipping the bottle of whiskey in his hand to dribble the liquor onto her navel. He wouldn't be the one to lap it up or use his lips. He never kissed anyone. Fucked them? Often. Ate pussy? Hardly ever. Licked from a woman's soft skin? Only a few times that I saw.

With Sydney? He'd done it all.

I knew it shocked the hell out of Trojan. We never would have guessed how insatiable War would become with the sweet little brunette. I actually saw him smile at her. War. Smiling . I would have laughed and bet on their failure if someone had told me that before meeting Sydney.

War was a moody fucker. He kept everything locked up tight, and that included most of his past, previous relationships, the burns on his skin, and the tattoo with a grave on his right bicep. Out of all the members, the three of us were closest. He trusted me and Trojan in ways that didn't extend beyond our pres, Hades or V.P., Grave.

We shared women often. War never approached any of them alone. That was why Trojan suggested that we try trading off a couple of years ago. War agreed.

That was how we lived until the night Sydney walked into the bar with her sexy gray eyes, long dark hair, addicting curves, and a sweetness that ensnared us all. I never saw War or Trojan so eager to get a woman into a bed together.

She had a tight, perfect pussy that haunted my dreams. Her cunny gripped my cock like none before her ever had. And the taste? Clean. Delicious. Pure in a way I couldn't explain.

So fucking addicting.

She moaned when I was inside her, and I had to hold back my orgasm until she came, spilling into the condom and wishing I was coating her walls instead. Even now, I wanted to feel her bare. Crazy. I never fucked without a rubber. None of us did.

I closed my eyes, remembering that night.

"You've never been with more than one guy at a time?" War asked to clarify, his voice deepening with lust.

She shook her head, biting her swollen bottom lip from our kisses. "No."

Her shy, almost virginal response had us all ready to pound nails with our dicks we were so fucking hard. But War, he wanted her the most. I saw the feral, possessive look in his eye when she responded. He fucking loved that she was almost innocent, just a tad far enough on the wild side to take all of us, still perfectly sweet. Nearly untouched.

I blinked, still thinking about Sydney, while I turned away from the bar. Peaches could never satisfy me now. I doubt she could be enough for War or Trojan.

War stood beside me, tipping the bottle back as he gulped a heavy swallow. "I'm headin' to my room."

I nodded as he strode across the bar, into the hall, and disappeared. Peaches didn't arouse him. I had been right.

My neck cracked as I moved my head from side to side, popping it before I headed toward the door. One of the club girls, Barbie, leaned against it as I approached.

"Hey, Raptor."

"Barbie," I rumbled, not bothering to say much else.

She stared at me with a strange smile. Almost creepy.

"What?"

"Nothin'."

"Why you lookin' at me like that?"

She tossed her over-dyed pale blonde hair over her shoulder. Her fake tits nearly fell out of the tiny top she wore. My dick almost shriveled at the sight. Barbie wouldn't be here much longer, and she knew it. It wasn't her looks that paved the way for her departure. Barbie liked to create drama. She could be bitchy, and she'd hurt a club girl last year. Hades gave her one more chance before he banished her.

I bet it made her desperate.

"Just sayin' hi."

Nope. She had a secret. I could tell.

"Don't fuck with me," I warned, moving outdoors when she pushed off the door and out of my way.

"Sure. Don't say I didn't try," she snarked, walking away as her heels clicked on the bar floor.

Whatever. The chick annoyed me. She wanted to irritate me, and I didn't care enough to give Barbie a reaction.

I headed toward the garage and main buildings spread across the southern edge of the compound. Multiple customer vehicles were parked in front of the open bays since we worked until dark most nights when the shop was busy. It wasn't a bad gig. The auto and bike repair business paid well.

Most of the members knew how to tinker with cars and make general repairs. We'd bought the best diagnostics machines, lift equipment, power tools, and all the shit we'd need back when we started. Hades and Grave provided the startup funds, and we made a profit since the repair shop, Rebel Auto Repair, opened.

This was our central hub, where we completed most of the work. We also had a storefront in the center of town where people could drop off and pick up their vehicles, motorcycles, and heavy equipment. Lately, the work orders have added tractors, lawnmowers, and bicycles. Every member took shifts at the store, some working more often than others. In addition to the repairs, we changed oil, rotated tires, fixed flats, and provided maintenance.

Across from the garage, lined up in a long row, were dozens of motorcycles. Harleys of every color and model glistened in polished chrome and steel. I trailed my fingertips over the supple leather on the seat of my bike, wondering how Sydney would enjoy it when I took her for a ride.

"Couldn't do it," Trojan muttered as I heard his boots pound the concrete behind me.

"Do what?" I already knew.

"Fuck Peaches." He seemed annoyed. "My dick is sick of rosy palm and her five sisters."

A chuckle erupted from my chest. "No shit."

He rolled his shoulders as I turned to face him. "Fuck."

"Sydney," I replied, voicing our thoughts aloud.

"Yeah. I could call Becca. Void would give me her number."

I shook my head. "No. War got fucking pissed last time you suggested it."

"He wants her too."

"We all do," I conceded.

"Then what's the problem?"

"War's got shit to work through, and we can't force this on him."

Trojan dipped his chin. "Yeah."

"So we're gonna take a ride instead," I announced, dropping onto the seat of my Harley.

Trojan grinned. "Columbus?"

"Yeah, brother. Time for a little recon."

MY PHONE VIbrATED ON the seat of my truck, and I ignored it. Becca wanted to know what had happened, but I didn't think I could talk to her about it yet. My head was a mess, and so were my emotions.

Instead, I drove to a diner I used to come to when I was a little girl. Every Sunday after church, my father would bring me pancakes after the sermon ended. I hadn't been here in years. We stopped coming when I reached high school. Maybe he already suspected I was a sinner and not the perfect preacher's daughter he believed me to be.

Nothing about the diner seemed different from my memories when I arrived, parking my truck and leaving the windows half lowered for Levi before heading inside for food. My stomach rumbled as familiar smells assaulted my senses. Funny how certain things lived in our memories, easily conjured by the same smells, textures, and visuals.

I took a seat at a booth in the corner, far from the table I used to sit with my father. The slick red seats stuck to the back of my legs as I scooted across like they did when I was ten.

It wasn't long before a waitress approached.

"Hey, Honey. I'm Clarise. What can I get for you?"

"Milk, water, sausage links, and the silver dollar pancakes."

"You want strawberries and whipped cream on top?"

Of course. Who didn't? "Yes, please."

"I'll be back with the drinks in just a minute."

I was sipping on my water when the bell above the entrance dinged. On instinct, I lifted my head, groaning when I saw Daryl. He scanned the restaurant and noticed me, heading in my direction with a thunderous frown. I should have found another place to eat, one he didn't know I liked.

"Daryl," I hissed when he reached the table. "I'm not talking to you. You need to leave."

His lip curled into a snarl. "You fucking sued me. Do you know how that looks to my firm?"

Yep. "I guess you should have thought of that before you stuck your dick in your secretary," I announced, loud enough for the diner to hear. Zero. Fucks.

"Call off the lawsuit," he ordered, yanking on the tie around his neck. I almost wished it would strangle him.

"Nope. You stole my money. I want it back."

"You'll regret this, Sydney."

I glanced around the diner at the curious patrons. One lady gave me an encouraging nod. "No, I don't think I will. Pay up or face the judge."

He kicked at the table, and my drinks sloshed, but they didn't spill much. What a child.

"Grow up, Daryl."

He called me a few words I wouldn't repeat in polite company and stomped outside. The door slammed shut behind him. A few people clapped before the hum of conversation replaced the tense silence Daryl had ushered inside the diner.

"He's a tool," Clarise announced, placing my pancakes on the table. She wiped up the spill and sat across from me. A smile curved her lips. "Fuck him."

"Hell no," I replied with humor. "He's a total tool without the substance to make up for it."

Soft laughter spilled from her lips. "God, I needed that laugh." She cleared her throat. "You okay? Not in any trouble?"

How did she know? "Well, to be honest, he left me in a tight spot." I decided to tell her the truth. Something about Clarise felt genuine. She had eyes that mirrored an old soul. "So I've got my dog and everything I own in my truck."

"Damn."

"And I'm pregnant."

Her eyebrows shot up. "His?"

"No. I had a one-night stand after Daryl cheated on me."

Clarise reached for my hand and squeezed it once. "I was in your shoes a few years ago. Caught my ex balls deep in my neighbor."

"Another tool."

"Yep. He was the worst, but I got lucky. My grandma took me in, and when she passed away last year, she left me her house."

"I'm sorry for your loss."

"Thanks. My grandma was amazing. I never would have gotten away from Steve without her. Now I have this big place, and it's so empty. There's a whole finished apartment on the basement level. Private entrance. Bathroom. Kitchenette. I've been looking for someone to rent it out."

My eyes widened. "Really?"

"Yeah. It's perfect for both of us. You get a place, and I don't have to live alone. What do you say?"

"When can I come look at it?"

Clarise glanced at the clock on the nearest wall. "I'm off in twenty minutes."

"Just enough time for me to eat."

Clarise pushed off the table and stood. "I should get your name," she joked. "Since we'll be roomies and all."

"Sydney."

"See you once I clock out. You can follow me home."

"Perfect," I agreed.

As she left, checking in on all her customers, I realized I wouldn't be living out of my truck. Fate brought the right person into my life when I needed them. My parents would argue it wasn't fate but God's intervention, but that didn't change the facts. Luck, fate, or divine meddling brought me a solution in the nick of time.

I finished my pancakes and sausage and half the milk and pulled out my phone, dialing Becca's number. She answered on the second ring.

"Syd? How'd it go with Trojan, War, and Raptor?"

"Babe, it's been a hell of a day," I began.

By the time I explained most of it, I had to pause and take a breath. The only thing I left out was Daryl's tantrum, but I would tell her once we talked about my new place.

"Wow," she exhaled. "That's crazy. I can't believe you got an offer to move in with the waitress. You sure she's not some psycho?"

"I don't think so, Becs. It feels right."

"Well, I'm glad, but I want to come over soon and check this place out."

"You better."

"And I'm going to the clubhouse tonight, stalking your bikers to give them a piece of my mind and talking to Hades."

What a drama queen. "I love you, Becs, but you're not."

"Those fuckers knocked you up. They can't leave you to handle it all on your own."

"Becs."

"For real. This sucks," she sighed. "I never thought it would go down like this."

Life never went the way we planned. Not in my experience.

"I don't want their help," I admitted. "They've got a lifestyle they enjoy. I'm not some helpless girl who can't figure it out. It's scary. I'm going to need you. But I can have this baby and give them a wonderful life with plenty of love and support."

"Damn straight. We both will. Two fierce mommas."

"I flove you, mkay?"

"Flove you back."

Flove. Fucking love. We'd been saying that to each other for years.

"Daryl stopped by the diner while I was here."

"No shit?"

"Yep. He got served his papers."

"Finally. I'm so glad you decided to go after his ass. He owes you that money."

"I know. He's pissed, Becs. He threatened me in front of the whole restaurant."

"What a dumbass. All those witnesses."

"Right?"

Clarise walked from the back, sans apron. She waved as I stood.

"Gotta go, babe. Talk soon."