Chapter 14

FOURTEEN

AELLA

T he morning brings the memories of yesterday, leftover and ready to taunt me every second my brain isn't busy. The way Brax had cared for me after all the commotion was the sweetest thing anyone had ever done for me. I haven't seen Miles all day. Brax and I had breakfast together in the kitchen, and then he worked while I read, but I couldn't focus on the book at all. All I could see was myself in the mirror the moments before Miles burst into the bathroom and shot my attacker.

Shot another biker for trying to rape me.

Braxton washed the man's blood off me before he put me to bed, and he held me like he was my anchor to reality.

We're eating lunch now. Well, Braxton is eating. I'm pushing my leftover Chinese he warmed for me around my plate.

He sighs and sets his fork down, sitting back in his chair at the table. That's another thing. He's been eating at the table with me. They hadn't been using this table before I got here; it felt heavy to be a burden to someone else. "We should go to Summer Fest," he says, and it's not what I thought he would say at all.

I look up at him, my fork ceasing its ongoing work. "What?"

"If you're up to it, I mean. I know you've been through an ordeal," he adds.

I shake my head immediately. It's just the distraction I need. "No. I'd love to get out of the house. Though, is it safe?"

Fear has become something I don't know if I'll be without while I'm in their world. Shit, even when I'm back on my own. My comfort level before, where I was at ease moving through my day alone, was gone.

"You'll be with me. You'll be safe."

His unwavering tone eased the ache that had been in my chest.

"What is Summer Fest?" I ask, finally taking a bite of food now that my brain is satisfied with a new topic.

"It's something we contribute to each year. I don't know that I've ever gone, though. It's kind of like a carnival. Many businesses will be there, and there's food and games."

"And rides?" I ask, my tone giving away some of the excitement thrumming through me.

He eyes me narrowly. "Yes," he answers hesitantly. "Why?"

Because I've never been on one before.

I shrug. "No reason. What do you all contribute? "

"This year, I think we're running a ring toss game, and Sully is face-painting."

My eyes go wide at the idea of these men painting faces or running a kid's game.

"We like to give back. My dad's mission for this club was to take care of the people of Twin Pines and give back when we could. We protect those less fortunate than us."

"Oh, I wasn't judging. I can't see any of you running a game at a carnival, was all."

He rolls his eyes. "Lutz is going to run it. He's the nicest one of us."

I nod.

"So, would you like to go?" he asks.

"Oh, I'd love to go."

He smiles. "Well, go on, get dressed."

I take another bite of my food, excitement now dousing the hunger in my stomach. I start to rush past him toward the basement, but he captures me by the arm, looking up at me intensely. "You'll be safe with me, Bambi."

He didn't have to tell me again because he already had, but I'm thankful he took the time to do so anyway.

"I was safe with Miles," I tell him.

He rolls his eyes, letting his hand drop away from my arm. "No, you weren't. He was sloppy."

I shake my head, leaning down. "He was distracted."

He narrows his eyes. "What could have possibly distracted him?" His tone has dipped into something husky, and a tingle works through my body.

As my breathing speeds, I lean in contemplatively. I decide you never know how things will go if you don't take a leap of faith and dive in. My lips meet Braxton's, and time seems to still.

Neither of us moves for a beat, and both feel the situation out. Leaning into him and taking control was a risk.

When his lips finally move to deepen our contact, I tilt my head and slip my hand into his hair. I swallow his groan as I tug his head back more, giving me the space I need to make the kiss even more resounding—near pain.

Miles's kiss was slow and hesitant. Braxton's is fiery and urgent. My body moves before I overthink it, slipping and straddling him in the chair.

He grabs my hips, squeezing. I moan into his mouth as he leans back.

"Maybe we should take a moment," he says, looking at me with a pity that tells me he's thinking about me and how I'm feeling. I appreciate it, but I would understand his touch more.

I'm eager for one of them to show me what I've missed. Eager for them to take just what that man yesterday was after.

"But—" I start, and he lifts his finger to my lips.

When he leans in to give me another soft kiss, I grind across him. He's hard, and I want him more than anything else in the fucking world. How can't he see that?

It's likely because of the massive meltdown I had yesterday .

Or that he doesn't want to take what he thinks is his brother's.

But if I'm honest, Braxton is the one I want to have this thing from me. It just feels like it's his.

"Bambi, what are you trying to do, hm? You want me to splay you out on this table and fuck your innocent pussy raw?"

Part of me almost nods. I scold that part for its eagerness.

But it is what I want.

I don't know how to articulate it to him without sounding desperate.

"I just need…" I trail off, embarrassment making my cheeks heat.

He smirks. "I know just what you need. Come with me."

He taps the side of my leg for me to get up, and I do so reluctantly.

I follow him down the steps into the basement. The red light envelops us, and he moves toward the bench, where many toys are.

"This bench is for you to bend over on. Your knees go here, and your arms lay flat," he tells me. His hand rubs over the leather where I assume my stomach would lie, and I can't take my eyes off how it caresses the damn thing. "Would you like to bend over my spanking bench, Bambi?"

"I—" I clear my throat. "What will you do to me?"

"Nothing you won't want."

I lick my lips before dropping my pants to the floor, along with my panties. I get on the bench, his heated eyes taking me in every step of the way. Air skims over my exposed backside and pussy, and I have to focus to keep my composure.

I hear shuffling behind me as he rifles through drawers.

"There it is," he mutters, stepping to my side with a teal toy resembling a wand. "This might be too much, so let me know if it is. But I've been dying to see how responsive you are for me, Bambi. The way you came for me when I licked you and when Miles licked you was so fucking sexy. But I wanna hear you scream for me."

Nerves gather in my belly, pulling taut like a string. I swallow as he leans forward and puts his hand in front of my pussy.

I hear him click a button, and before I can fathom it, the tip of it connects with my clit, vibrations causing me to arch away from it.

His other hand comes down on my back, straightening me back out. "Stay still, Bambi, or you'll get your first spanking."

I try my damnedest, but when he touches me again, it's innate that I move.

His hand connects with my ass, and the sting elevates the arousal dripping from me. "Brax," I moan, eyes closing.

"Be a good girl for me, Aella."

The way he'd said it had me wanting to be just that—h is good girl.

"Please," I beg, and he presses the vibrator back against my throbbing clit. This time, it gives me just what I need .

When I've made myself come, I always use my hands. Grinding them over my clit had been the only thing I could do. I couldn't risk Carter finding toys and telling my dad.

Now, I think it was the wrong choice. This is what I've been missing.

I grind against the wand, and Braxton keeps still.

"Fuck, that's so sexy, Aella. Take what you need. Make yourself come," he rasps out.

"Feels so fucking good," I mutter, knowing he likes my words.

I move greedily, forgetting all pomp and circumstance, panting and crying out unrestrained as I near the cliff of orgasm.

"One day soon, this will be my cock you're riding. I'm going to sink so deeply into this tight cunt, it will be hard to breathe. Would you like that, Bambi?" he teases.

"Yes! God, yes!" I scream, rushing and sloppy.

Braxton only chuckles as I break, coming hard and seeing stars.

My body slows, but he leaves the vibrator in place until I move away from it.

"Now, was that enough, or does this greedy pussy need more? I have to take you in public, after all. Can't have you all hungry while we're out."

Even though I want whatever he'll give me, I nod. "So much better. Thank you."

He helps me off the bench, slipping his fingers over my sensitive clit a few times, and I'm shamelessly moving with the swipe of his hand in a matter of seconds, heavy-lidded .

"I should thank you, Bambi. It's an honor to make you come."

His lips meet mine, and I pretend this is where I belong for a moment. Pretend I'm not hidden away from the world with a biker gang somewhere in the Oregon forest. Because fuck if I don't want it to be true.

When Brax pulls down Main Street, I look out the visor on the helmet—his helmet—he'd stuck on my head again to look at the passersby. My hands wrap around his rock-hard stomach. Even though I'm still very rattled by everything that happened yesterday, the buzz around us as Braxton parks on the side of the street near other bikes boasting Cobra signets on their body has me electrified.

"Come on, Bambi. Let's have some fun," he says, holding his hand out for me to give him his helmet.

When it's off, I'm confident my hair is askew, but Brax takes a moment to adjust it for me, doting over every single portion of it until he nods in satisfaction.

"Beautiful, as always." He leans down and kisses my forehead, and I'm not ready for how my stomach flips.

He turns, sliding my hand into his, and leads me through the packed carnival. It's summer, but there's a crisp breeze, and the temperatures at night haven't been spiking over seventy.

There are booths set up all around the town square. The scent of cotton candy and fried dough drifts on the wind, and my stomach reminds me of the forgotten lunch I'd left on the table. No doubt Kylo will find it and devour it. The man seems to eat anything that's not tied down.

We end up at the Cobra's tent, next to a game where kids shoot guns and scream at one another. I focus on the kids instead of what Braxton speaks to Lutz about. Sully is sitting in a tent next to the ring toss, and a little girl in front of him is getting a butterfly painted on her cheek.

It's strange to see such hardened men doing such simple things for their community and looking to enjoy themselves, too.

"Earth to Aella," Brax says, and I turn back toward him.

"Huh? Sorry, I didn't hear you."

He laughs. "I know you didn't hear me. I asked you three times what you wanted to do first."

I smile and look around, my eyes landing on the Ferris wheel before I lift my arm and point. "Can we go on with that?"

"We can do whatever you want to, Bambi. This is your night."

My night!

Something about it makes me beam as he leads me toward the Ferris wheel. The man at the gate wants tickets. At least, he asked the people before us for their ride tickets. But he sees us and just motions for us to get on.

There are a few younger-looking couples on ones near us. One man has his hand sliding up his girl's leg, and she's blushing. They're going on this ride for more than a bit of fun. It makes my cheeks heat as Brax opens the door to a swaying pod for me to enter.

I get on, he follows, shuts the door behind him, and then sits beside me.

"Should we sit on the same side?" I ask nervously as the ride moves slowly, and his weight causes us to lean slightly backward.

He laughs darkly. "Scared, Bambi?"

"N—No, I was just…"

He eyes me strangely. "Come on, you've been on one before, right? It won't tip…" He trails off, noticing my fear as we lift further off the ground.

"You've never been on a Ferris wheel?" he asks. His tone is laced with pity.

"No, okay?" I rush out, grabbing for the pod's side as if it'll save me if we flip over. "I've never been to a carnival, theme park, fair, nothing. Carter and my father kept me on a shelf like a breakable doll, Braxton. What don't you two get about that? I've done none of the things I've done with you since you took me!"

He registers the fear in my voice and nods. He gets onto the floor and motions for me to sit with him.

I roll my eyes. "I'll be fine. It's just…we're so high!"

He smiles. "Get down here, Bambi. It'll level us out, and you won't be able to see how high we are. You'll be along for the ride."

I slide off the bench and land next to him. The pod sways, and I close my eyes, my chest rattling with fear.

"You're alright, Bambi. Remember, you're with me." I open my eyes when I feel his breath on my cheek .

"Can I admit something to you, and you won't judge me for it?" I whisper.

He nods. "I'll never tell a soul, sweet deer."

I try to think past the nicknames he throws at me like fucking candy on Halloween.

He leans in, his eyes on my lips.

They part, and a soft breath leaves me. "I'm so glad you kidnapped me. I wasn't alive until I met you."

His lips connect with mine, and suddenly, I'm flying.

Not because I'm on the Ferris wheel.

Because I'm his sweet Bambi.

Back on the ground, we're waiting in line for a funnel cake when the girl in front of me looks over her shoulder at me for the fifth time. Annoyed, I finally registered it.

Brax is eyeing her as she pulls something up on her screen and shows it to her friend.

His hand grabs mine, and then he's dragging me through the carnival toward the bike.

"Hey! Brax, slow down!" I snap when he tugs me through crowds of people.

"Hurry the fuck up!" he croons, and I know something's set him off because he'd never speak to me in such a manner if not.

We're on the bike before he tells me, "You were in the news story she showed her friend. Someone reported you missing, Bambi. Now you're on all social media and news outlets. "

"Oh no," I say. It's all I can say.

I don't want to go back, but I don't want them in even more trouble.

"Put your helmet on," Brax grinds out as he brings the bike to life and heads home.

After the third curving turn on the winding roads, I realize things are about to get a little sticky.