Until July Read online

  He told me he didn’t have anything in mind for the day, just that he wanted to ride, and I was completely okay with that. The sun was out, and there was a nice breeze in the air. Plus, I liked the idea of being wrapped around him.

  After an hour of riding around on the back country roads, he pulled over to a small white shack that was set up along the highway, the sign out front offering homemade frozen custard. We got off the bike, and he didn’t get anything for himself, but ordered me a cone and stole occasional bites as we sat under an umbrella, eating and laughing. I had the best time with him; more fun than I’ve ever had with a guy I was interested in.

  I’ve had three boyfriends. One was my high school boyfriend, the guy I gave my virginity to. He was sweet, but when I went to college, we lost contact. He still lives in town, but we don’t speak. My second boyfriend was in college. He was a pre-med student who I realized was more interested in the image of having a girlfriend than actually having a girlfriend. We never even kissed, and truthfully, I think he may have been hiding his sexuality from his parents. Then there was my last boyfriend, Harvey. He was nice enough, but he was also boring…so boring that I could actually tell you what he would say before he’d say anything, and I never even bothered asking him what he wanted to do, because it was always the same.

  Wes…he’s nothing like the men I’ve dated. None of them would ride a motorcycle, get a tattoo, or live a life where they picked up and move to another state because they liked the feel of a town they drove through. None of my exes made me feel as comfortable as Wes did. None of them made me feel the way Wes made me feel. Just one look from him had my skin feeling too hot and my belly dipping.

  After we ate custard, he asked me if I wanted to go to a club party with him. I have been to parties, sure, but partying with bikers was not something I had ever done. But I hated the idea of missing out on time with him, so I agreed, and he dropped me off at home so I could get dressed. He came back an hour later to pick me up.

  When I opened the door to my house, I found him on the other side wearing his normal black boots, a pair of jeans that look like they were washed one too many times, the cuffs and pockets fraying, and a black shirt that fits him like a second skin, with his cut over it. His hair looked like it always does, messy, and his green eyes grew darker as they made their way back up my body.

  That one look shot a thrill through me. I did my hair big, like I did on our first date, but this time, instead of simple makeup, I went with smoky eyes and a light lip that made me feel like a vixen. I chose my blue jeans that were so dark they almost looked black. I cuffed the bottom and paired them with peep-toed booties and a simple tank and one of my big chunky necklaces that made the outfit look dressier than it actually was.

  “You okay?” he asks, pulling me out of my thoughts as his hand runs over the top of my fingers, which are still wrapped around his waist.

  “I’m good.” I remove myself from him and get off the bike, looking around. I haven’t been to this part of town in years, and I’m not really surprised that this is where they would have their biker headquarters. When I was in high school, this whole area was an industrial park. But over the years, the factories have shut down one-by-one, and the empty buildings have been put up for sale.

  The outside of the building looks normal, with a large sign that offers ‘Car, Motorcycle Repair and Parts’. Next to that is a short alley and another building. Without even looking, I know where we are going. There’s a metal gate that has to be at least fifteen feet tall. It looks like something you would find on the set of Jurassic Park.

  “It’s okay,” he says taking my hand and leading me toward the large double gate. On the other side, I can hear loud music and people yelling and laughing. I start to feel anxious the closer we get to joining them.

  After our first date and what happened when we were at dinner, the way he completely forgot I was around when his friend showed up, I know if he did that to me tonight it would be the end. There would be no coming back from that. And the idea of that happening after the amazing day we had causes my feet to freeze in place.

  “You okay?” he asks, and I turn to face him, the light from the street lamp bouncing off his handsome features.

  My eyes drop to his mouth then meet his gaze again when he growls my name.

  I have never asked to be kissed, and I’m not sure I can do it now, but I don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to kiss him at least once. He takes a step toward me and his arm wraps around my waist, tugging me until my body is flush with his.

  “What do you want, July?” he asks as his lips hover over mine. My eyes slide closed and I swallow, not sure how to say the words. “Look at me,” he demands, shaking me slightly.

  My eyes flutter open and I whisper, “Please kiss me.”

  I feel his breath against my mouth as one of his hands moves up my back and his fingers fist into my hair, causing a whimper to climb up my throat.

  “Jesus,” he breaths against my lips, making me gasp, giving him the perfect opportunity to lick into my mouth. The first swipe of his tongue against mine causes my belly to dip and my hands to fist into his shirt, anchoring me to him.

  His taste courses through my system as his hand in my hair pulls, causing me to tilt my head, opening me up to him while his other hand moves down, grabbing onto my ass between my cheeks. He pulls me tighter against him, allowing me to feel his erection against my belly and his fingers so close to my pussy.

  His tongue swirls against mine, making me whimper and squeeze my thighs together, trapping his hand as I feel another rush of wetness spread between my legs. I follow his tongue moving mine in sync with his then slowly pull away, giving one last nibble to his bottom lip as he sets his forehead to rest against mine.

  It’s not my first kiss, but it’s the kiss—the one that makes my soul light up, the kiss you wait your whole life for, the kiss that changes everything you thought you knew. I place my fingers to my lips, trying to memorize the feeling, knowing I will never have that again with another person.

  “Ruined,” he rumbles, and my eyes open slowly and I blink, trying to clear my head. “I don’t even really know you, and you’ve ruined me.” He shakes his head and walks me backward until my back hits the concrete wall and his mouth crashes back down on mine again, this time stilling my breath as his body surrounds me. His hands go to my ass, making me moan.

  “Wes.” I dig my fingers into his shoulders and lift up on my tiptoes, wanting to get closer to him as his mouth travels down my neck. The moment his name leaves my mouth, his lips come back to mine, and my fingers slide up the back of his neck and into his hair. I could easily become addicted to his kiss and taste.

  “Yep, fucking ruined,” he mumbles, pulling his mouth from mine and looking down at me.

  “Let me have some when you’re done,” I hear a deep voice say, and I rest my forehead against Wes’ chest, inhaling a deep lungful of air while trying to clear my head.

  “Fuck off, Neo,” Wes growls, wrapping his arms around my back and holding me closer against his body.

  “You always share, man,” the guy named Neo states, and I feel my body freeze and my insides twist with jealousy.

  “Not her,” Wes says, and the guy mumbles something else before I hear him stumbling away, but my mind is still stuck on the fact that Wes shared women with other guys.

  “You ready to go in?” he asks, and I pull my forehead away from his chest as my hands slide down his shoulders and come to rest against his chest.

  “You share women with your friends?” I ask him, the words causing that feeling of jealousy to increase and wrap around my stomach, making it hard to breath.

  “I did,” he says, and his thumbs slide into my jeans at my hips. “Won’t be anymore.”

  I take a breath then nod and bite my lip before digging my fingers into his chest. “If we’re in a relationship, then there is no one else,” I tell him.

  He pulls me closer to him using his thumbs in
my jeans to drag my body flush against his. “Are you asking me to be your man?” He smirks, and my hands in his shirt fist tighter then release and drop to my sides.

  “Take me home,” I tell him, and his arms tighten around me.

  “I’m not taking you home,” he growls looking angry. Good, I’m angry too.

  “I don’t play games, so if you can’t give me what I want then I’ll find someone else who will,” I tell him, sounding stronger than I feel, but I know I need to do this. He has me and doesn’t even know it.

  “Do not ever fucking threaten me,” he rumbles as his hand wraps around my lower jaw and his face dips closer to mine. “And unless you want to be responsible for someone’s death, do not ever try to use another man to get back at me.”

  I fight the urge to apologize as his eyes search my face. His face dips and his lips whisper over mine, “I’m willing to explore this thing between us, and willing to give you me while doing that, but I expect the same from you.”

  “I don’t share.” I pause then lift my hands to fist into his shirt again, and lift my face closer to his. “Ever.”

  “Me neither,” he says, and I raise an eyebrow. “Not you, not ever.” He shakes his head and kisses me once. “Now, are you ready to meet my boys?”

  I want to say no, but instead I tell him yes and walk with him towards a door that is next to the gate. As soon as we pass through it, I scan the wide-open space. Two sides are blocked in by tall concrete buildings that look like apartments from the outside, with stairwells and walkways that lead from one door to another. Along the back is a tall chain-link fence with razor wire along the top, and a million cars piled one on top of the other. The area seems almost like a fortress, with large barrels with fires going in them all over.

  “Harder,” I hear a woman moan, and my eyes go to a couch that looks like it had been picked up from the dump. The material is torn and shredded, and the foam from the cushions is coming out, but the fact the couch looks like a reason for a tetanus shot doesn’t seem to be stopping the couple on top of it, who are going at it. The woman moaning is straddling a man, her jean skirt pulled up around her waist. I couldn’t be sure, but if I had to guess, the guy’s pants are down enough for his dick to be free. My stomach rolls and I immediately feel out of place.

  I pull my eyes from the couple and look around. There is a large bar that has a few stools in front of it. Next to it are three tables with men playing cards or talking. Some of the men at the tables have women sitting on their laps. I look around, noticing there are men wearing vests then others who are dressed in regular clothes. I can tell without asking who are members and who are recruits. Thank God for reading and Sons of Anarchy.

  “Do you want a beer?” Wes asks, pulling me from my perusal.

  “Yes,” I mutter, hoping if I get a good buzz going it will help take the edge off. He takes my hand in his and leads me to the bar, where a guy in a plain white tee is passing out drinks.

  “Boss,” he greets Wes as soon as we’re near.

  “Blaze.” Wes dips his chin then pulls me closer by dropping my hand and wrapping his arm around my waist. “A beer and a shot of Jack.”

  Blaze nods and sets a beer in front of me and a glass in front of Wes, and then pours him a shot. I pick up my beer and down half of it without pulling the bottle from my lips. I have never been a big beer drinker, but I have a feeling I’m going to need it.

  “Baby,” I hear a woman call, and my beer drops to the top of the bar and I look around Wes. A pretty woman with long auburn hair, wearing close to nothing, comes to stand on the other side of Wes. Her shorts are so short they may as well be underwear, and the plaid shirt she has on is tied up under her boobs, the buttons not even buttoned, leaving her lace bra and cleavage showing. “You didn’t call me,” she tells him, and that anger and jealousy from earlier comes back full-force, making it almost hard to see.

  She presses her body against the side of his and smashes her breasts into his arm, wrapping her arms around his neck. I feel my fingers press into the bottle in my hand so hard that I’m surprised it doesn’t break.

  “Off,” Wes growls.

  “What?” she asks confused, then her eyes move to me and she frowns. “You know I don’t mind sharing,” she whispers, kissing his neck while looking at me. My stomach rolls and that red haze grows darker.

  “Lacy,” he warns, stepping away, but her hands seem to hold him tighter.

  “I suggest you get your hands off of him before I rip them off,” I tell her, and her hands drop and she takes a step back, looking between the two of us.

  “Lacy, come here,” one of the guys at the table calls, and he pats his lap. Lacy looks from me to him then shakes her head and goes to sit on his lap.

  I down the rest of my beer as Wes turns his head to look at me, and I notice he has lip-gloss smeared on his neck when his face comes toward mine, and I turn my head.

  “July,” he growls, and I shake my head.

  “You have her mark on you,” I tell him then look at Blaze, who’s looking between the two of us. “Can I get another?” I ask, holding up my beer. He looks at Wes and I roll my eyes, but I take the beer he sets on the bar top then pat Wes’ chest. “When you get that cleaned up, come find me,” I mutter then walk off toward one of the barrels.

  I have never been jealous in my life, but the idea of Wes even touching someone else makes me feel like I could actually kill.

  “Come with me,” Wes says, not giving me a choice. He takes the bottle out of my hand and tosses it into the barrel. His hand wraps around my elbow and he pulls me along with him past the bar and through an orange metal door.

  He leads me down a long hallway and stops outside a door then reaches in his pocket and pulls out a set of keys. He unlocks the door and holds it open for me to go inside before him. Once I clear the doorway, the light flips on and I look around the room.

  There’s a queen-sized bed with a blanket bunched up on one side of it, along with two pillows. Clothes and things are scattered around the room and tossed on the floor. I watch Wes as he walks past me into a small bathroom that connects to the room. His hand goes to his neck and he uses a paper towel to wipe Lacy’s lip-gloss off his skin.

  “You should have a seat,” he tells me sounding angry.

  “I’m not sitting on a bed that you have probably had sex with other women in,” I huff, crossing my arms over my chest.

  His green eyes narrow and heat, turning a shade darker with anger and lust. He tosses the paper towel in the trash and stalks toward me, not stopping until I can feel the heat coming off his body.

  “Let’s be clear, baby. I’ll let you get away with a lot of shit, but do not disrespect me in front of my men.” His hand goes to my hip then slides back to rest on my ass. “That happens, and this ass,” he squeezes my ass cheek, “will be red.”

  “Pardon?” I growl, not sure if I’m pissed off or turned on.

  “We’re not talking foreplay, baby. We’re talking you won’t even be able to sit.”

  “Are you insane?” I ask him, feeling my pulse speed up.

  “No.” He shakes his head as his free hand tangles in my hair. “You’re hot when you’re jealous, and it’s cool if you want to claim me, but you get a smart mouth like you did earlier, we’re gonna have words.”

  “You let another woman touch you or put her mouth on you, and we’re going to have problems that no words will be able to solve. In fact, no words will be needed ever again. You get me, baby?” I ask, studying him, and his hand in my hair tightens and he forces my head to the side. He covers my mouth with his, biting my bottom lip hard enough to sting, my mouth to open and his tongue to sweep in tangling with mine. This time, when he’s pulling away, I’m panting for breath and clutching onto him so I don’t fall on my face.

  “Don’t test me, July. I will win,” he says, standing me up then tugging my hand leading me back outside.

  Chapter 6

  I feel warmth and open one eye, then
the other. They lock on dark stubble and a pair of lips I learned last night are perfect for kissing.

  “Sleep,” his deep voice rumbles as his hand on my ass and his arm wrapped around my shoulders pull me tighter against his warm body.

  I feel the hair on his chest scrape against my nipples and my eyebrows pull together. “Where’s my shirt?” I question, then sigh in relief when I realize I still have my panties on.

  “You insisted we sleep chest-to-chest, something about feeling connected to me,” he mumbles sleepily.

  “Seriously?” I whisper, feeling like an idiot. Who says crap like that?

  “You kept saying our souls are connected,” he says, and I hear the smile in his voice.

  “Shut up,” I hiss, tilting my head back to look at him.

  His head inclines and a smile forms on his lips. “True story, baby.”

  “I’m never drinking with you again.” I shake my head then regret it when it starts to throb. I drank too much last night, but when we went back out to the party, more women had shown up, and I knew the only way I was going to make it through the night was by getting a good buzz going.

  “You should be saying you’ll never try to outdrink Harlen again,” he corrects, and flashes of me and a guy who was giant taking shots filter through my head.

  “That happened?” I question, biting my lip.

  “Oh, yeah.”

  “And the dance-off?” I whisper, hoping I had just made that memory up.

  “You’ve got moves.”

  “Right,” I mumble, feeling my face heat in embarrassment.

  “Go to sleep, baby,” he says softly, tucking the top of my head under his chin.

  “We didn’t…you know, right?” I ask in a hushed tone.

  His face moves until his lips are brushing my ear. “The first time I have you, the first time my mouth and cock get a taste of your pussy, you’re not going to be drunk, and you’re sure as fuck going to remember it and feel it the next day.”