"Come on, darling. I'll show you to the guest room. When your young men arrive, I'll give them a room too."

My young men? I wanted to laugh at that thought. I had never considered them mine before. It had never felt like that to me, not even when I'd actually been with Jet. Sure I considered them all family, but I hadn't ever imagined them feeling the same way. It surprised me how good it felt to think that way now. At least some of them had welcomed me home with a warmth that had thawed my heart to the idea of actually staying.

I'd only been back in the MC life for a little over a day, but it was starting to feel normal again.

As I took a shower in the guest room's connecting bathroom, I took a moment to ponder that. I missed Emmie and the children. I even missed Nik and the rest of the Demons. But it was nothing like how I had missed Raven and the other Hannigans when I'd first gone to work for the Armstrong family. There was sadness and even pain, but it didn't make me have to stop and catch my breath as I'd had to do for the first few weeks I'd been in Malibu.

Not wanting to admit that it was because I belonged with the Club, I toweled dry and climbed under the sheets of the king-sized bed in the middle of the bedroom without bothering with the shirt that Mary had given me to sleep in. The sheets felt cool against my skin and the pillow was thick but soft. Perfect. Wrapping my arms around it, I laid on my stomach and let sleep consume me.

It was late when I thought I heard the bedroom door open. I sighed and rolled over on the bed. Vaguely I knew that I wasn't alone, but I didn't feel threatened. From the bathroom I heard the shower turn on but my mind was still fogged with sleep and without giving it another thought I drifted back under.

The feel of the bed dipping had my eyes blinking open as a big, hard body crawled under the blankets with me. Seconds later a rough, calloused hand reached for me and wrapped around my waist. It was dark in the room but the way my body instantly caught fire told me exactly who it was.

Jet.

He let out a contented sigh and his lips brushed over my forehead. "Finally," he growled in a low voice. "f.u.c.k, I've missed this."

My eyes closed as I savored those words. For now, I would pretend that he spoke the truth. For now, at least, I would hold them close and live off them.

For now.

"Is Hawk okay?" I asked, needing to know if my friend was still alive before I could get another moment of sleep.

He stiffened but nodded. "He's better now that he has Gracie back."

"So you found her?" I felt him nod in the darkness. "Is she okay?"

There was a pause and my heart dropped into my stomach as I pictured so many terrible things happening to sweet Gracie. "She caught a bullet when the Italians took her. The d.a.m.n thing was still in her arm and there were signs of blood poisoning. Sepsis, Raven calls it. They took it out at the emergency room and admitted her. She's getting the strongest antibiotics that they can give her, but she was already pretty sick when we left. Uncle Jack and Trigger decided to stay with Hawk to watch his back."

"She's going to get better, though. Right?"

"Of course she will," he a.s.sured me and tightened his arm around my waist. "Come on, Flick. Let's sleep. I'm dead tired. I didn't sleep that great last night."

"Okay." I lifted my head so he could put his other arm under it, and used it as my pillow. If the thick pillow was perfect, this was pure nirvana. This was how we'd always slept when we'd been together. With Jet's big body and the heat that he put off, I didn't even need a blanket.

It was only then, with my bare b.r.e.a.s.t.s pressed against his shirtless chest, that I remembered I'd gone to bed naked. If I'd been on fire with just the touch of his hand on my waist, it was nothing to the inferno that was starting to consume me now. A shiver ran up my spine.

Lying like this, with our fronts pressed so close together, I was in no doubt that he wanted me just as much. His c.o.c.k was rock hard and hot against my lower stomach.

"f.u.c.k, you're trying to kill me, aren't you?" he groaned and buried his face in my hair. The hand at my waist clenched into a fist and his body actually shook. "Is that what you want, baby? To kill me with wanting you?"

I licked my suddenly dry lips. "How's that going to kill you?"

"Because I'm not going to take it from you, Flick. You know me better than that."

I frowned in the dark. "But..."

"But what?"

I glared up at him. "I thought that having s.e.x was part of the deal you made me make with you this morning? Wasn't that what you wanted?"

"Of course it's what I wanted, but I wasn't expecting it. All I wanted was to make sure you would be in my bed every night, Flick. Making love is your decision. I've never forced a woman before and I don't plan on starting now." His lips skimmed over my forehead before he rested his chin on top of my head. "Lie still and sleep, baby."

Tears burned my eyes as I lay there, letting him hold me. I'd seriously thought that s.e.x was going to be part of the deal I'd made with him. Maybe I'd even made it because of that, so I could have that part of him without letting my heart melt toward him again.

It was too late for that now. Without me even realizing it, I'd let my walls down that day and he'd snuck in. He'd never had to try very hard to get me to fall for him, though. His treating me like I was special had been my downfall the last time, and it hadn't even taken that much this time around. A small touch here, a deep look there and I'd become putty in his hands all over again.

I knew it was because I hadn't fallen out of love with him the last time. As much as I wanted to believe I'd moved on from Jet Hannigan, I knew it was a big fat lie. I wasn't ever going to move on. I wasn't ever going to get over him. The sooner I admitted that, the better off I was going to be.

With fingers that trembled, I touched his chest. His heart was pounding, telling me that despite his words he was just as desperate for me as I was for him. Jet sucked in a deep breath. "Sleep, Flick. I'm not going to take advantage of you."

"Wh-what if I want you to take advantage?" I whispered.

"I'd say you have to be the first one to make a move, love. I've gotten what I want. You back in my bed, in my arms. Anything after that is only a bonus. But you have to be the one to make it happen." His lips were nearly scalding against my cheek. "If you want me, I'm right here. Take what you want. But don't expect me to do it for you."

Love?

He'd never used that endearment before. It had always been babe or baby. My heart squeezed as I savored that one little word for the moment. How could I be this happy over one little word? It was stupid and crazy, but I let that itty bitty word work its way into the deepest parts of my soul and wasn't surprised when the shredded parts started to heal-just a little.

With a sigh I lifted my head and skimmed my lips over his. He went completely still. I didn't even think he was breathing right then. Smiling to myself at his reaction, I kissed him again, just as softly. My finger over his heart tangled in the small patch of hair on his hard chest.

His lips tasted just as I remembered. Dark and dangerous. That was how I would always describe this man. It was a delicious taste. Alluring. Powerful. Knowing I affected him just as much as he did me made me feel just as dangerous as I knew he was. Just as powerful. I could make Jet Hannigan forget to breathe with just a light touch of my lips against his.

How had I forgotten that I had always been able to produce this reaction in this man? Even if it was just on a physical level, Jet and I made an incredible combination. Some people didn't even have that much going for them. The pa.s.sion wasn't there for them and that was just a sad life to have to live. I'd never worried about us when it came to our attraction to each other. It was only when my heart had begged for more that things had gone south for us.

I wouldn't be that stupid this time around. I wouldn't let my heart rule our relationship-whatever that might be. It didn't matter that I was still in love with Jet. None of it mattered. I just wanted as much of this, as much of the fire and desire and dangerousness as I could get. Who knew how long it would last? Maybe he would get bored with me all over again in just a few weeks or months and he would let me go back to work for Emmie. But I would hold on to each second that I got with him.

"Flick." He breathed my name in a choked voice. "Are you sure?"

"Shh," I commanded softly. "I want this." I kissed him again. This one was longer, harder. Deeper. I let my tongue slip inside his hot mouth and played with his tongue until neither of us could breathe.

The hand at my waist unclenched and he caught my hip, holding on hard but not enough to leave a bruise. This was how it had always been. My big, scary, alpha biker was hard as nails but as soon as he touched me, he became gentle. Tender. Maybe that was why I'd held out so much hope that he cared about me just as much as I did him.

Pushing that thought down, I lifted both hands to rake my fingers through his hair, holding him in place as I breathed him in and deepened the kiss even more. Lower, his hard c.o.c.k flexed against my stomach. I was helpless to hide my desire from him as my thighs became soaked with my need. It had been so d.a.m.n long since I'd had a man between my legs. Jet had been the only one ever to explore my most intimate places and that was the way it would stay. I wanted no other man like I wanted him and I wouldn't settle for second best.

If he wanted me to be the one to take things further, then that was what I would do. Still kissing him, I pushed on his shoulders and he fell onto his back willingly. His hand on my hip ventured lower until he was covering my gushing p.u.s.s.y with his entire hand. Yes, I wanted to cry. Yes. Yes. Yes.

I straddled his waist, opening myself wide for him in hopes his fingers would explore me deeper. When they didn't and he just stroked up and down my drenched lips, I finally broke the kiss. We were both gasping for breath, panting like we'd just run a mile. I could see better in the dark room now, could make out the shape of his face and the way his mouth glistened from our crazy kiss. I wanted him more right then than I'd ever wanted him in my entire life.

"Are..." I had to stop and clear my throat so that I could speak. "Are you clean?"

"f.u.c.k yes," he growled, both his hands holding onto my waist now. "I haven't been with anyone since you."

I didn't believe that last part for a second, but I knew he wouldn't lie to me about being clean. He might not love me but he respected me enough not to put me at risk. I shifted on top of him until my throbbing p.u.s.s.y covered his pulsing c.o.c.k. We both let out a low moan as I rubbed my c.l.i.t over the tip, torturing us both in the best kind of way. Stars flashed in front of my eyes and I tried not to cry out as I felt my o.r.g.a.s.m start to build with just the little tease I was giving us.

Sucking in a deep breath, I grasped his long, thick c.o.c.k in my right hand and positioned him at my entrance. I wanted to hold on to the moment he slid deep inside of me but knew that it would be over too quick no matter how slow I took things. Biting my lip to keep from crying out in sheer pleasure as I slid down his large shaft, I moved until I was stuffed full with him. I was seated on him, my body taking just a moment to adjust to the fullness.

"f.u.c.k," he muttered and gripped my hips to keep me locked in place. "f.u.c.k, you feel so good. Give me a minute, love. I'm already fighting for control. I want to last for you but don't know if I can."

"I...I don't know how long I'll...last," I panted. "You feel amazing inside of me, Jet."

"You're so hot, Flick. Hot and wet just for me." He shook his head as if he were actually fighting with himself. "And tight. So d.a.m.n tight. I want you so bad, love. So f.u.c.king bad."

"I want to move," I breathed. With the hold he had on me, I couldn't even shift my hips let alone start riding him the way I wanted.

"Not yet," he growled in that rough voice I remembered so well. It told me he was holding on by a thread, that he was going to let go soon. I wanted him to come just as desperately as I wanted it for myself.

Having him this deep inside of me was driving me crazy. I wanted it to end. I never wanted it to end. "Please," I begged, not sure if I was asking for more or not. "Please, Jet."

"Love..." His back arched and he went even deeper inside of me. My walls quivered, contracted as I unconsciously sought out more of the incredible feeling of having his girth stretch me more and more.

With a whimper I started playing with my c.l.i.t, unable to go a second longer without some kind of relief. The first stroke of my index and middle finger over that little bundle of nerves had me shaking with pleasure. My inner walls contracted a little around him as I rubbed tight little circles over and over again on my c.l.i.t. My entrance was flooding more and more with my growing need.

"Flick." He moved my hips slightly back and forward, rocking my body on his c.o.c.k. He brushed over that secret spot deep inside that always had me begging for the end. "Come for me, love. Drown my c.o.c.k in your sweet honey. I want to feel it. Let me feel it."

Reaching behind me with my free hand, I held onto his thigh as I rubbed harder, faster, while he worked my hips for us both. My thighs were starting to shake, letting us both know that I was precariously close. "Jet." I whispered his name, but I might as well have screamed it. My throat felt shredded with the ferocity of the way I'd called out as my o.r.g.a.s.m hit me hard.

Only then did Jet release my hips. His touch was gentle but firm as he pushed me onto my back at the end of the bed, pulling out and thrusting deep. His thrusts came fast and hard, and despite the magnitude of my earlier release I could feel another one growing, knew that it would be just as intense.

"Flick," he groaned. "Ah, love. You feel so d.a.m.n good. So good." His teeth nipped at my neck as he buried his face in my shoulder. "I need you so bad."

My arms wrapped around his back, my nails sinking deep into his flesh. With each powerful thrust into me, they sliced his back open. He moaned and increased his speed, shaking the bed. It felt like the entire house was shaking. Maybe the world itself. I was falling again. Falling hard and fast and it wasn't just with another o.r.g.a.s.m.

I was falling deeper and deeper for Jet Hannigan.

Chapter Thirteen.

Jet My phone was going off. It had started five minutes ago, pulling me out of the best night's sleep I'd had in too f.u.c.king long. I'd lain there, ignoring it as I savored the peace of holding Flick for the first time in a h.e.l.l of a long time. The curtains were open, letting in the morning sunlight, casting a soft glow over my female's nakedness.

The phone stopped, only to start right back up. Again and again it had rung, but I didn't move so much as a finger to reach for it on the nightstand where I'd left it sometime in the middle of the night. Whoever it was probably had an emergency or there was news that I needed to handle. I couldn't find the strength to give a f.u.c.k.

I was physically drained after worshiping Flick's delicious body all night. Neither one of us had gotten much sleep after she had initiated that first, earthshaking, heart quaking round of lovemaking. I'd had nearly two years of going without her-without anyone-to make up for. To burn out of my system.

f.u.c.k, who was I kidding?

I was never going to burn my need for Flick out of my system.

Finally, my phone-the burner-stopped ringing. Only to start up immediately once more. Flick moaned and shifted against my side, her hand over my waist clenching into a small fist. "Make it stop," she pleaded in a sleepy voice that was both adorable and d.i.c.k-hardening s.e.xy.

Muttering a curse, I released her long enough to grab the phone. When the plastic made a cracking noise, I loosened my hold on it and flipped it open before putting it to my ear. "What?" I growled into the receiver.

"Bad news," Ciro's voice filled my ear. He sounded tired and p.i.s.sed off.

"What?" A million possibilities were already rushing through my head, each one making my heart pound harder and harder.

"The old f.u.c.k had a heart attack and died about half an hour ago."

Relief filled me. I'd thought something had happened to one of my brothers or Gracie. "So? Just saves us the trouble of having to end him." I felt Flick stiffening and she moved until she was propped up on her elbow. Her blue eyes were fully awake now as she stared down at me questioningly.

Instinctively my gaze dropped to her chest. Ah, h.e.l.l. She had the best t.i.ts on the planet. She was perfect from the top of her dark head to the tips of her hot pink toenails. But those t.i.ts...

s.h.i.t.

My d.i.c.k was hard as steel that fast. Just looking at her made me ache. My brain was shutting down as all my blood went south and made my d.i.c.k pulse with need for her. I caught hold of her hand and lowered it, wrapping her soft fingers around my d.i.c.k. Her eyes widened but she smirked down at me as she started stroking me torturously slow.

"Jet?" Ciro growled in my ear at the same time Flick did that little twist thing with her wrist and I nearly exploded then and there. "You still there?"

I held the phone away from my head long enough to clear my throat and shot Flick a wink before answering him. "Yeah, man. I'm here. Does Hawk know?"

"I wanted to talk to you first. Didn't know how the dumba.s.s would handle the fact that his new toy was already dead and he wouldn't get to dull up his knives on the old f.u.c.k." Ciro let out a tired breath. "What do you want me to do?"

"Get some sleep. I'll talk to Hawk," I a.s.sured him as I reached out and started tracing one of Flick's pink tipped, diamond hard nipples. She let out a pleased gasp. The scent of her growing arousal filled my nose and she rubbed her thighs together as if trying to relieve the ache between them. f.u.c.k, I wanted her so d.a.m.n bad.

"Got it. Call your lawyer. He's been trying to reach you and Hawk too, but hasn't been able to get anyone to answer."

"I'll do that next." I pinched Flick's nipple between my thumb and index finger, tugging on it lightly. Her tongue snuck out between her slightly parted lips to dampen her kiss-abused lower lip.

The phone went dead in my ear and I snapped it shut before tossing it back on the nightstand.

"Trouble?" Flick murmured.

I grinned as I grasped her waist and rolled her onto her back. Her legs spread all too willingly and I thrust into her without bothering to make sure she was ready. I knew she was. My Flick was always ready for me. "No, love. No trouble at all."

Something flickered in her eyes but she lowered her lashes to hide it before I could figure it out. Before I could ask her about it, she arched her back and shifted her hips, causing me to sink that much deeper into her soaking wet, tight-as-a-glove p.u.s.s.y. I lost all ability to think clearly as I took everything I wanted from her and gave it back times a million.

I didn't know how much time pa.s.sed. It could have been hours, or even days, but when I lifted my head after a release that had nearly caused me to black out, it was to find Flick smiling up at me as she stroked her fingers lovingly through my hair.

"f.u.c.k, you're so beautiful." I stroked a finger down her soft cheek. Her lashes lowered and she leaned into my touch. "I love you so d.a.m.n much, Flick."

Long, thick lashes snapped upward as her eyes widened. I saw a mixture of surprise and delight all too quickly followed by disbelief. "Did we f.u.c.k so hard that a few fuses overloaded? I thought for sure that you just said you love me."

"I did."

"Oh..." She swallowed hard once, twice. The third time she did it she pushed against my chest. Reluctantly I moved off of her. "I should get dressed. Aunt Mary is probably expecting me to have breakfast with her and I want to go over to the hospital to see how Gracie and Hawk are. Did he take the antibiotics?"

"Uncle Jack gave them to him," I told her, watching her move around the room.

"Good," she mumbled.

"Flick..."

"I'm going to shower," she called over her shoulder as she picked up the clothes she'd worn the day before and went into the bathroom. The door shut behind her and I heard the distinct sound of the lock sliding into place.