Chapter 22

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Helena

To my never-ending surprise, I woke tangled with Maddox, his arm wrapped tightly around me like an octopus and his leg slung over my hip. I would have pegged him for one of those guys who got dressed immediately after sex and left. Who would have guessed that he was a snuggler? Definitely not mad about it.

"Good morning," his voice was raspy as he rubbed his beard against my neck, peppering kisses against my throat. "I hope you slept as good as I did." He was casual about his exploration of my neck as if he wasn't thorough the night before more than once. I'd been reeling by the time Maddox had let me go to sleep and then woken to him kissing me back awake, licking between my thighs, and weighing my breasts in his hands, turning me on my stomach and entering me from behind until I was screaming for mercy. It had seemed like a hot dream that turned into a hotter reality.

"Morning," I managed. I slept great." It wasn't a lie. I did sleep well, the sleep of the exhausted. Maddox Bishop was an experience.

He shifted against me, rubbing his dick against my hip, and I was instantly aroused all over again. Too bad I was beyond sore. Maddox wasn't a small man anywhere. His hand came up against the curve of my breast but stopped there against the tender underside of the curve where it met my rib cage, his calloused fingertips caressing the skin there.

"I love all parts of your body, including this part. I will spend a whole day worshiping just this part one day." My attention was focused on his fingers as they lazily traced the curve of my breast from ribs to just the edge of my nipple. Then he stopped and moved his fingers back the other way. "I wish we could stay in bed all day," he murmured as his teeth clamped over my ear lobe and his tongue flicked forward to soothe it.

Shifting against him, I pressed back, rotating my hips and spreading my legs. "We can't?" I wouldn't mind staying here, tangled in the sheets with him. There wasn't anything pressing I had to do other than paint my nails.

"Not today, princess, no matter how much I'd like to." Sliding a hand between my thighs, he gave my pussy a squeeze. "Later, I'm giving this some A-class attention." He moved his fingers and pressed my clit, making me rotate my hips in desperation.

"Wait," I started. "Later?" Did that mean he was leaving now? Giving me another light kiss on the side of my neck, he slapped me lightly on the ass, not hard enough to sting, but it still surprised me enough to make me squeal a little.

"I have to keep you coming back for more, princess. Plus, I don't want you too sore for later."

On that note, I watched him as he got out of bed. He was not self-conscious about his nudity as he dressed, pulling jeans over his dick that seemed painfully hard.

Honestly, I didn't know Maddox like this, so I wasn't sure if he was sincere or if this was just what it seemed like. Did he do quick rolls in the sheets? I wasn't complaining. Maddox was fire in bed, the best I'd ever had, and he didn't leave me wanting. If he were talking about later, I'd be back for more.

As he dressed, I settled my face and attitude, ensuring I didn't have any bitterness lingering. This wasn't some romantic comedy.

"Thanks for … you know," I gestured to the sheets like an idiot. "Have a good day," I added lamely. Scrambling off the bed, I scrambled for the sheet to head to the bathroom. God, I'm a moron. I could feel him staring at me from his spot at the doorway, one hand on the knob.

"Princess, it was my pleasure for … you know." Grabbing me by one wrist, he yanked me forward and pulled my hips to his so we were flush, and I could feel every inch of him. His fingers kneaded my hips. "Every second was my pleasure. I'll see you later, though, princess." His forehead fell to mine for a moment, his nose touching mine.

"Looking forward to it." What could I say? I totally was. He was hot and hard against the softness of my belly, and I didn't want him to leave even then, but I was sure he had other things to do besides babysit me.

"Me too, baby." Then he was gone and out the door.

"Jesus and all the baby dinosaurs."

Flopping back onto the bed, I contemplated my sudden thoughts of Maddox Bishop. He couldn't seriously be interested in me. My dad always cautioned me about getting my hopes up about motorcycle club guys. They weren't serious about staying with one woman or making a home. He'd said I should find a guy who wanted those things so I could have a husband.

Examining my fingernails, the dainty little rainbows I'd painted yesterday, I thought about homes and husbands. Once upon a time, a husband was all I'd thought about, but the club had always been my home. There'd never been a time when I could picture anything else or anything I'd want other than the club. Or Maddox Bishop.

Helena

The rest of my day passed in a haze of party clean-up that always followed events. Thankfully, Jillian, Amber, and I stuck to the kitchen and the bar while the prospects were stuck with the club area. The last thing I wanted to worry about were the tables and the floor.

"Some of those Cobras were pretty hot," I probed as Jillian scoured the last pots. We'd been hard at work, and it would be about lunchtime soon, so the crew would be coming in any minute now. We needed to get a wiggle on. Jillian was a hoot and a holler of a clean-up partner. She was funny and a hard worker. I could see why she had been picked up as a club bunny. The interesting part was I'd not seen her with anyone yet. She'd not been on stage dancing either, but that was her story, and I didn't want to pry.

"There were a few." Her eyes slid over to me. "But if I hooked up with any Cobra, there would have been hell to pay. You know that." She dug into the pot with a little extra force. "Not that I was interested in doing that, mind you," she added, then glanced over. "Pike was something, though."

"Hey, I'm not judging. Pike is something," I marked air quotes around the words, looking at her suspiciously.

"Never mind about that. I see you, Helena Marsh, deflecting," her eyes narrowed at me. Today, she was makeup-free, her translucent skin beautiful in the light from the kitchen windows. She had soft black hair and moss-green eyes that she typically highlighted with eyeshadow.

Ironically, she accused me of deflecting because I was genuinely curious about her, but I knew what it was like now to have a few secrets. The whole business with Makarovich was sitting on my chest like a weight.

"Me, deflect?" I injected my voice with a smile. "What do you mean?"

"Tell me some good stuff. I saw you and the good ole' prez last night canoodling." Jillian made exaggerated kissy noises at me.

She was ridiculous right now but pretty funny. Throwing a dish rag at her in exasperation, I gave up. "Fine, last night was epic. It's better than epic. He rocked my world more than once. Maddox is everything that I ever dreamed of. A sex god."

Her eyes had gone round, her mouth a comic ‘O' shape.

"He's behind me, isn't he?" There was no justice, I decided.

"A sex god." His growly voice mulled the words from the counter behind me as if he were considering his new title in life.

"Kill me now," I groaned in mortification. "You could have warned me." I aimed an accusatory look at Jillian, who looked sheepish.

"He just popped up there. I was distracted." At least she was apologetic, I thought to myself consolingly.

"Princess, can I talk to you for a minute?" Maddox asked.

Resigning myself, I handed off the dish rag and tried to salvage my dignity. There was no reason to be embarrassed after all. He was a sex god — that was the truth. Following Maddox off to the hallway, I wasn't sure what he wanted, but I was starting to lean into it.

"How's your morning?" I asked.

"Not bad, baby." We cast ourselves against opposite sides of the narrow hallway. "The Duck called and said you'd have a shift tonight if you wanted."

I was trying to read his expression, but if I wasn't wrong, it seemed like … need.

"Yeah? That'd be awesome." He didn't look too excited about it, though. Cocking my head at him in question, I gave it another try. "Your day ok?"

"It's fine," he said. "But now that I've discovered you'll be missing from my bed tonight, my day isn't quite as fantastic."

Oh, my smile spread. That should teach him to leave me hot and needy in the morning. He should have had me while we had the chance. "That's too bad, I guess. Girl's got to work when she can." Shrugging a shoulder, I pushed off the wall, heading back towards the kitchen, but he whipped out a hand and stopped me.

"Not so fast, baby." Pushing me face-first against the wall, he pressed into me, his breath hot in my ear. "I'm going to be waiting for you, sex god that I am. I have a new title to live up to." Running a tongue up the curve of my ear. "Should I make you come right now? So you have something to think about later? Hmm?" He rubbed himself against me, but I couldn't seem to care. "You make me crazy," he groaned, sliding his fingers down my jeans, dipping into my pussy.

"So wet for me. Naughty."

Moaning as his fingers dipped down into my panties as he leaned over me."Ass out baby. No screaming, or we're going to have an audience."

Driving his fingers into me, he had me coming in no time, panting against the wall, limp.

"Take one of the club trucks so you aren't walking," he murmured, kissing me gently on the neck. "I'll have some of the guys stop by to make sure you're alright.

"I will." My words were quiet as I shimmied from under him and back to Jillian and the kitchen, where I felt I had more control. It didn't keep me from feeling good about knowing that his eyes were burning into my back as I went.

Helena

Maddox was right. The Odd Duck called later in the day and said they heard I was interested in waiting tables. They'd had someone quit and needed an extra hand, which worked well in my favor, so I wouldn't ask too many questions.

The diner was one of the few places in Haverboro where you could get a meal 24/7, which also meant that I couldn't be too picky about the waitress shift I ended up getting. The graveyard shift meant I'd end up with plenty of truckers and bikers. They generally tipped well, even if they were a little handsy. Working at the Open Road meant I'd had plenty of experience with serving, so I was well-prepared.

I was heading out the door when I spotted Whitney at the bar. He raised an eyebrow, "Where you headed, girlie? It's kind of late." He looked pointedly at the clock over the bar. The bar was packed and loud, with music pumping and members laughing.

"I got a graveyard shift at the Duck." While I wouldn't say I got the job alone, I knew my waitressing skills were nothing to sneeze at. I could certainly hold my own, and my references were good.

"Does Maddox know?" It was Dimitri who spoke, his face in a concerned frown.

I could feel the weight of their gaze on me, Whitney's curiosity, and Dimitri's disapproval mingling in the air like a storm. I straightened my spine, refusing to let their judgment shake me.

"He knows," I replied, my voice steady despite the butterflies fluttering in my stomach. "It's just a job, and I mentioned it to him yesterday. About the Duck," I added the last part, remembering at the last second.

Dimitri's eyebrows shot up even higher, disbelief etched in his expression. "Just a job? You think Maddox won't care that you're slinging hash and flirting with customers all night?"

I bristled at his insinuation; my pride stung. "I'm perfectly capable of handling myself. It's not like Maddox and I are together anyway." My cheeks pinked, and I could feel the flush creeping up my neck. I was unsure how to qualify what Maddox and I were, but I could flirt if I wanted to. Even if we were together … well, it wouldn't change me having a job of some kind.

Dimitri's frown deepened, his arms crossing his chest in a protective stance. "You don't need to do this, Helena. We can take care of you. This isn't the smartest move for you to be out there right now." He looked at me meaningfully.

Cocking my head, I looked at him in puzzlement. He loathed me yesterday and now said the club will protect me. What was with the drastic change of heart? Either way, his words struck a nerve, igniting a spark of contrariness.

"I don't need anyone to take care of me," I shot back, my voice rising with each word. I can take care of myself." Given my current situation, this was blatantly untrue, and by the small laugh he gave, he knew it, too.

Whitney sighed, shaking his head in exasperation. "You're making a mistake, Helena."

Maybe I came to stay at the club for a little respite; that wasn't a lie, but I was capable enough to work and could make my own decisions. "I can figure out some of my shit," I muttered, turning away from them and striding towards the door.

"Helena, wait!" Whitney called after me, but I ignored him, the determination in my steps echoing my resolve. I needed to do something. My plan in life never involved "being taken care of."

The drive to the Duck wasn't too far, although it was barren in the dark. The Open Road was farther out than I'd like it to be at this time of night. Borrowing one of the club vehicles to go to and from my shift had been a good call from Maddox since walking to the Duck wasn't a practical plan. The Toyota I grabbed keys for was smoky inside but otherwise tidy except for a lone gum wrapper in the console.

I arrived thirty minutes ahead of my shift, pushing the doors open into the warmth of the diner. The Duck had changed hands a few times in my lifetime, but it was always a restaurant. This was the first time I thought that it had been a twenty-four place, though. It was a good call. Now, it was decorated with a neon sign and the ‘Odd Duck' plaque in the window with an iconic cartoon duck with one leg — it always made me laugh.

Even now, at nearly eleven o'clock, the place was crowded with customers and the sound of clicking silverware. Going to the counter, I slid onto one of the few empty stools.

"Hi'ya, missy, what can I get for you?" The younger woman was pretty with bright red hair and green eyes, her cheeks red from the exertion of the diner. She was definitely the person who I'd talked to on the phone. Her name tag said ‘Daisy,' but I had expected someone older. She couldn't have been much older than me.

"Daisy, right? I'm Helena, your graveyard waitress." Her eyes brightened, and she hurried around the counter.

"Awesome, I'm so glad you're here! Come with me. Let me introduce you around. Thanks for coming; you have no idea how amazing it is that you're here. Like, thanks so much." She talked a mile a minute as she pulled me around to the kitchen. "I need to introduce you to Vito. Now, don't be too upset when he yells," she whispered. "He seems grumpy, but he's a big softie."

Nodding, I allowed her to pull me forward. If there was one thing I was used to, it was men who were blustery but big softies.

As Daisy and I stepped through the swinging doors into the bustling kitchen, a commanding voice cut through the clatter of pots and pans. "Daisy!" it boomed, demanding attention. "Orders are up, chop chop!"

I froze momentarily, not expecting the sight that met my eyes. Behind the sizzling stove stood what I could only assume was Vito. Tall and imposing, he commanded the space with his presence. His frame was solid, his shoulders broad, and his muscles rippled beneath his white apron's fabric. Tall and wide with dark brown hair, a hint of salt and pepper at his temples only added to his rugged charm. He was undeniably hot.

Daisy nudged me with her hip, a mischievous glint in her eyes as if she knew exactly what I was thinking. I cleared my throat, refocusing my attention.

"Yeah, yeah. I'll get them. Vito, this is Helena," Daisy said as she reached into a cupboard and pulled out a t-shirt, eyeballing me. "The new waitress. Be nice."

"I'm always nice," Vito said automatically as he plated ham and eggs. She can't be worse than the last one."

"Nice to meet you, Vito," Taking the t-shirt from Daisy, I ignored Vito's comment. I'd be better than the last one. I was a good waitress. It was bright red with a one-legged duck on it. Pulling it over my head, I knotted it just under my boobs.

Vito glanced up from his cooking, a smirk playing on his lips as he took in my appearance. "Well, well, well, look who we got here," he said in a voice that held a hint of amusement. "A new face joining the ranks, huh?"

"Yep, that's me. Ready to sling some hash and charm the customers."

Daisy smiled at Vito, a playful grin on her face. "Don't scare her off, Vito. We need all the help we can get around here."

Vito chuckled, turning back to his cooking. "Alright, alright, I'll play nice. We'll give her a Duck chance." He winked over at me. Welcome to the team, Helena. Don't mess up my orders; we'll get along just fine. If you have any trouble out front, give me a holler."

I nodded, feeling a sense of camaraderie settling in. "Got it. I'll do my best. And yeah, I'll holler if I need to," I assured him, although I wasn't sure that would be my first choice.

Daisy clapped her hands together. "Perfect! I'm so glad you're here." I could hear Vito snort loudly.

"Let me break it to you now, blondie. This one here." He aimed a spatula at Daisy. "She's a little too cheerful and friendly for her damned good. Daisy stuck her tongue out at Vito and started tugging me away.

"Now, let me show you the ropes and introduce you to the regulars. They can be a bit rowdy, but they're good folks."

We grabbed the orders that were up, and Daisy led me out of the kitchen and into the bustling dining area. I took a deep breath, ready to dive into my new role. I couldn't help but feel a glimmer of excitement.