“That makes us even because I’m sick of everyone feeling sorry for you and walking on eggshells.” As soon as the words had left Demie’s mouth, she found herself flattened against the wall with Cade’s hand on her throat.
“Don’t ever talk that way to her again. If you’re pissed at me, take it out on me, not her. I told you two months ago that I didn’t want what you were begging to give. I’ve tried to be nice about it, but now I’m warning you to not fucking open your mouth to my woman again. You understand me?”
“Yes,” Demie managed to get out.
“Good.” Cade released her, and she took off down the hall, brushing past Jane.
“You weren’t going to have sex with her?”
“I don’t want another woman.” Cade reached out to cup her cheek.
“I can’t let you hurt me again.”
“I won’t.” His thumb traced her bottom lip.
“I don’t trust you.”
Cade leaned forward, gently touching her lips with his. His hand cupped the back of her neck as he walked backward into his bedroom. Shutting the door, he pressed her back against it.
“Give me another chance.”
“No. I’m not going to give you another chance to hurt me. If we do this, it’s going to be what it is—just sex,” Jane said, the words stripping her soul away. “Leave town when you want. Do what you want. I’m not going to expect a damn thing from you, Cade.”
Cade felt her words as if they were flicks of a whip against his skin. She was emotionally distancing herself from him.
Tracing her lips with his tongue, he then parted them, thrusting inside. The faint moan she gave as he drew her closer to his body revealed the lie of her trying to remain aloof. Her tongue dueled with his, searching his mouth in turn, her passion showing her hunger for him. When Cade gave her the control she was searching for, he felt her hands run over his chest, going to the snap of his jeans and unzipping them.
Cade nipped at her neck before breaking the kiss to take off her T-shirt. His hand went for the little cherry nipples he had fantasized about for the last six months. He groaned as their sweet taste filled his mouth.
“No one tastes like you.” Cade’s hand went to her hips, sliding down her pants. Kneeling in front of her, he took off her boots and pants before nuzzling her smooth stomach. “You taste like candy. I’m going to make you melt in my mouth.” Cade parted her thighs, placing one over his shoulder as she braced herself against the door.
“Cade…what I thought we had that night was special, it’s gone I don’t feel that way anymore.”
“Just because a rose looses a few petals, doesn’t mean it isn’t still beautiful.”
His tongue slid between the lips of her pussy, going back and forth, rubbing her clit. Her hands clutched his shoulders as he felt the fine tremors of her climax.
He gave a short laugh. “You were hungry, weren’t you?” Cade looked up to see her face turn bright red.
He stood, picking her up, and her legs wrapped around his waist. Cade turned to his bed, placing her on the soft mattress, where he stared at her hungrily as he took off his boots and jeans before ripping off his T-shirt. When his hands returned to her thighs, she stopped him.
“Get a condom. I’m not fucking you without one.”
Cade didn’t argue with her. Opening the drawer of his nightstand, he grabbed one. A minute later, he was slipping between her warm thighs.
“You know what I love about fucking you?” He slid his dick into her welcoming wetness, nudging his cock into her opening. “You don’t take forever to warm up. Most women want twenty minutes of foreplay, and then two for fucking.”
“Why waste my appetite on an appetizer when I can have dinner, instead?”
Cade caught the tip of her nipple in his mouth as he thrust his length fully inside her. “You can fight how you feel about me all you want, but your pussy is telling me all I need to know.”
“Women fuck men all the time that they don’t care about,” Jane gasped.
Cade tilted her hips upwards, driving his cock into her more forcefully. Her body recognized her feelings even as her mind fought them.
“Then why were you a virgin the first time I fucked you? Why haven’t you fucked Rock? Because you only wanted me, just like I only want you.”
“No.” Jane shook her head back and forth on the pillow, denying his words.
“Yes, Jane. I’ve quit running from it, and you will, too.” His mouth dropped to her, driving his point home by driving her passion higher, making her become so lost the only way she could find herself again was to cling to him as their bodies moved together. Her whimpers of release had him fucking her faster as his own climax tore through his cock.
Jane turned her head, taking her mouth away. “You done?”
Cade raised his head, staring at the woman who refused to look at him. “Yeah...”
“Then get off.” She pushed at his shoulders.
As soon as he moved, she slid out of the bed and picked her clothes up off the floor before going to the bathroom. She came out a few minutes later, dressed again.
“Where are you going?”
“Back outside.” She combed her fingers through her hair, smoothing it out.
“I thought…?”
“What did you think? That I’d lie here and let you fuck me all night like you did the other bitches in the club? No, thank you. I need to go get the girls their beers.” Jane went out the door, slamming it shut behind her, ignoring the words he said in warning.
“Run, Jane, but when you get tired, I’ll still be here. I’m not going anywhere.”
Chapter 24
Jane sat on a bale of hay as she watched her friends lead Sex Piston’s kids through the field to pick out pumpkins. Her youngest was dressed in blue jeans overalls, and Jane’s lips twitched at the little Harley motorcycle jacket he was wearing. The little boy was going to be gorgeous when he grew up. She didn’t envy Sex Piston having to deal with all his girlfriends.
Jane’s smile slipped and disappeared as Lily came into view. She was holding Chance, one of her sister Beth’s twins. Her baby bump was barely noticeable, and she glowed with health and happiness. T.A. came up to her, snagging the child away, and Lily laughed, brushing her windswept black hair away from her face. Jane saw her then go inside the store attached to the pumpkin patch.
Jane dug her boot into the dirt when she noticed Cade sitting on his motorcycle, talking to Stud and Dozer, his serious eyes keeping her within sight. Cade was constantly where he could watch Jane. Sometimes, she wondered why; other times, she ignored it, pretending he wasn’t there.
She was falling for him again, and she didn’t know how to stop what was happening. It was like standing on the edge of a cliff, knowing you were going to die if you jumped, but you did it anyway for the thrill of adrenaline that jumping would bring. Every time she let him lure her to his bed, she knew she would be jumping headfirst over that cliff. She couldn’t resist the feelings he gave her, though.
Lily came out of the store carrying two cups. Smiling, she headed toward her, and Jane scooted over on the hay bale to make room.
“You looked like you were cold. I thought this would warm us up.”
Once Lily handed her a warm cup of apple cider, Jane took a sip, enjoying the warmth and cinnamon taste. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. The kids are all growing so fast.” Jane caught the faint hint of sadness in Lily’s voice.
“Thank goodness. I’m on everyone’s speed dial for babysitting. How is Cash recovering from his accident?”
“He’s been moved to a rehabilitation center. He’s doing better. Shade says he’s getting stronger every day.”
“It won’t be long before he gets out and makes up for lost time with the women in Treepoint,” Jane wisecracked.
Lily laughed, tilting her head toward Cade. “Your boyfriend seems nice.”
“He’s not my boyfriend,” Jane denied.
“Does
he know that?” Lily teased. “He reminds me of Shade. He never lets me out of his sight, either.”
“He’s nothing like Shade. Shade loves you. Everyone knew how he felt about you before you did. Cade doesn’t care about me. He just feels guilty and trapped.”
Lily went quiet, her eyes gazing back at Jane in compassion, before she said, “I didn’t see it, and maybe you don’t, either. Sex Piston told me about your loss. I’m really sorry.”
Jane blinked back tears, turning away from Lily. She was still heartsick over losing her baby. When she had found out she was pregnant, she hadn’t been upset; she had been overjoyed. She wanted a family so badly, and the tiny baby was going to be the beginning of one. After she had lost the baby, she felt all alone again.
“I didn’t mean to bring up something so painful.”
“It’s all right.”
“No, it’s not. You looked so sad sitting here, and I wanted to cheer you up, not make it worse.” Lily started to get to her feet.
“Don’t go. It really wasn’t anything you said. It’s me.” Jane licked her dry lips. “I was sitting here, watching you, and I’m so jealous I can’t stand it. I see you looking absolutely beautiful and healthy, pregnant with your baby, while I lost mine.” Jane felt the tears sliding down her cheeks, unable to help herself.
Lily enfolded Jane in her arms.
“I know I should be getting over it since I was only two months along, but I had already picked out names, and I was pestering Crazy Bitch to take me shopping for a crib. I love babies. I’ve always wanted a lot, and I didn’t miss Cade as much when I felt his baby in me.” Jane didn’t know why she was spilling all her baggage onto Lily, who sat listening as she held her, letting her cry on her shoulder. She had held back with her friends, but Lily’s gentleness had loosened the tight grip of grief she had bottled up inside of her.
After several minutes, she managed to gather her shattered control.
Lily released her, taking her hand. “There’s no need to be jealous.” She placed Jane’s hand on her stomach, and Jane caught her breath at the feel of the tightness of her growing womb. “We can share. I know nothing will replace the one you lost, but when you want one to hug or love, you can hold this one. He needs a godmother,” Lily said hesitantly.
She was offering her a gift to share a child. Not to replace hers, but to fill an aching void that would help her heal.
“I would be honored.”
“That’s settled, then.” She looked toward Cade before dropping her voice. “Cade is throwing me dirty looks. He thinks I’ve upset you.”
Jane smiled at Lily. The gentle woman wasn’t capable of hurting anyone. She always went out of her way to be friendly and helpful.
Shade appeared at Cade’s side, joining in the conversation the men were having. Both men stood facing their women.
“See, I told you they’re alike,” Lily teased then grew serious. “I didn’t want to see that Shade cared about me, because I was too scared. Maybe you are, too. Shade helped me through my fears. If you let him, Cade could help you through yours, too. It’s much better than trying to do it alone.”
“I’m tired of being alone. I want someone to want me,” Jane confessed. “I always feel as if I’m imposing on everyone, since I don’t have a car because my mom has a knack for stealing them and selling them for drugs. You know, I bought her four cell phones, and she kept each one for a couple of days before they disappeared. Sex Piston, Killyama, T.A., and Crazy Bitch all look out for me, but I sometimes feel like the weakest link.”
“You’re not their weakest link; you’re the link that holds the chain together. Those women love you. Don’t ever doubt that.”
“I won’t.” Jane gave her the first genuine smile she’d had in a long time.
“Good. Now I’m going to get my husband and sneak off to that barn over there. I’ve always wanted to make out in a haystack.” Lily stood, picking up their now empty cups to throw away before going to her husband.
Jane released a deep breath, standing up. She brushed down her jeans, thinking Lily wasn’t the only one who intended to find a haystack.
* * *
“Ready?” Cade asked impatiently.
“I’m hurrying.” Jane wiggled her butt into a short leather skirt then pulled on a bright red sweater. “How do I look?”
“All Christmassy.”
Jane twirled. “That’s what I was going for.”
The club was having their annual Christmas party at the clubhouse. Instead of the members giving each other presents, everyone coming was supposed to bring a toy to be donated.
“I would prefer it if you dressed as one of Santa’s helpers,” Cade suggested with a leer.
“Be good, and I’ll give you a present when we come back here tonight,” Jane teased.
Cade had been spending a lot of time with her, catering to her every need. The only things keeping her from being spoiled from all the attention were the reasons she thought he was giving it to her. They had never discussed the tiny baby they had created and lost. In some ways, it had drawn him to her, while it had pushed her away from him. She couldn’t forgive how he had been with other women in the clubhouse after his night with her, nor had he regained her trust. She didn’t know if he ever would, despite that she enjoyed spending time with him, getting to know him better, and learning he had never had much of a family life. It was ironic. She wanted a loving family and home to replace the one she had never had, whereas Cade ran from the thought of a family, too wary of the pain his own had inflicted.
“We’re not staying here tonight; we’re staying at the club. I need to get away from Crazy Bitch and that cat. I don’t know which of them is worse. At least the fucking cat sleeps a lot.”
“That’s not nice.”
“It’s the truth,” Cade stated, handing her the black jacket she had laid on the bed. “Let’s go.”
They went into the living room where several brightly colored Christmas presents were wrapped. Killyama was already blowing her horn outside.
“Does she have to do that?” Cade asked impatiently as he picked up several of the packages. Jane also picked up several to take herself.
“Take those on down and tell her I’m coming.” Crazy Bitch came into the room, looking fabulous in a green leather top with black leggings.
Jane and Cade packed the presents down the steps to Killyama’s car, and then Jane climbed into the backseat. Cade was going to follow on his motorcycle.
Crazy Bitch put the remaining presents in the trunk, slamming it closed before she climbed into the front seat next to Killyama.
“Did you buy out the store?” Killyama asked as she drove out of the parking lot.
“Almost,” Jane conceded. She had bought more than she had originally intended.
As they drove past the street that Jane’s mother lived on, she turned her head to look toward the apartment complex. Blue lights were flashing outside her mother’s building, which was divided into four apartments.
“Wait! Killyama, go to Mom’s house. The cops are out front.” Jane felt the beginning of panic as Killyama quickly took a sharp left.
Jane jumped out of the car, running toward her mother. The police were walking her out in handcuffs. She was kicking out at the officers as they tried to push her toward the patrol car.
“Step back.” Another officer by the police car blocked her from getting closer to her mother.
“That’s my mother. What happened?”
“She sold crack to an undercover police officer.”
Her mother was still resisting the officers, screaming profanities. Her brown hair looked like it hadn’t been brushed since the last time Jane had seen her, which had been last week, and she was wearing a small pair of shorts that looked like they belonged to a teenager. In fact, Jane thought they were a pair of shorts she had worn in middle school. She also had on a T-shirt with no bra. It wasn’t a pretty sight.
“She’s been selling drugs to the kids in
the neighborhood for a while now. We were finally able to catch her an hour ago.”
Jane took a step away from her mother, coming up against Cade, whose arm went around her waist in support. She had forgotten he had been following them.
“Don’t just stand there, call a lawyer. That stuck-up sister of Sex Piston’s is a lawyer, isn’t she? Call her. Tell her these sons of bitches are violating my civil liberties. I was in my own home watching TV.” Jane easily recognized the signs of her mother being high. “Get busy, you good for nothing slut. You better get me out of jail in an hour, or I’m going to smack the shit out of you.”
Jane merely stood there as the police finally managed to shove her mother into the police car where she began using her feet to kick at the window. She stared coldly at her mother, realizing the woman was never going to change. Each time Jane went to visit her and gave her money, her mother would promise to be different.
Jane had paid for three trips to different rehabilitation centers, each making the promise to help her mother. However, they had all failed, just like her own daughter had failed because, ultimately, the woman didn’t want to be helped.
“I’ll call Sex Piston.” Killyama pulled out her cell phone.
“Don’t bother. Let’s get to the party. We’re already late.” Jane didn’t watch the patrol cars as they drove away.
“You sure?”
“I’m sure.” Jane got back in the car. Killyama and Crazy Bitch both gave her curious looks as they also climbed back in, as well.
The ride to the clubhouse was short, and the parking lot was filled with bikes by the time they arrived. Cade came up to her as soon as she got out of the car.
“I could call a lawyer. I know he could—”
“Leave it alone, Cade. Maybe jail time can do what I couldn’t, but. I’m not going to think about that tonight. It’s three weeks until Christmas, and I want to have some fun. Can you help me with that?”
“Darlin’, I can give you all the fun you can handle.”
Chapter 25
Cade grinned as he watched the four women dancing, commanding everyone’s attention.