BEAR: A Hellbound Lovers MC Novella, page 2
Sheriff Crawford narrowed his eyes on me, and I could tell he had a short fuse. He was one of those fuckers who would open fire first and then hide away from the consequences like the coward he was.
His eyes found my leather jacket and he clenched his jaw, lookin’ like he was preparing for a fight, and believe me, I wanted to give him one. He went to grab at my jacket, and I stepped forward, planting a hand on the seat and pushing Meg behind me.
“Don’t you know you don’t touch a man’s leather? Unless you want to lose a hand?” Glancing back at Meg, I narrowed my eyes on him. “Then again, a man could lose a lot more for putting his hands on what doesn’t belong to them.”
“I don’t give a shit about that crap patch you got on there. I’m giving you a chance to get the fuck out of my town before you wind up in handcuffs.”
I clenched my fists and faced him head on. “You threatening me?”
He shrugged and smirked, and my muscles twitched wanting to smash his face in. “You can take it however you want.”
“Jeb!” She turned to me, I didn’t like to see that angst-ridden expression on her face. “Please, please, Sir.” Her hand touched the small of my back and I felt my body relax, slowly uncoiling the tension that had built up.
“Please,” she came around me and placed a hand on my chest. Her eyes glistened as she begged me silently to back down. She knew just as well as I did, that Jebediah Crawford wasn’t a stable man.
“That’s right. You go on and be a good boy and sit your ass down.”
I glared at him and saw the fury in her face before she turned on him. “Get out, Jeb.”
He stared down at her, his eyes narrowing. “I don’t want you here. I don’t want you anywhere near me.”
“What? You think you got a bodyguard now.” He sneered. “I’ll put you both down if I have to.”
I lunged forward but Meg pushed me back. “You only came here to cause trouble. Just leave, Jeb. There’s nothing here for you.”
The look he gave her was murderous. “Careful there, Meg. You and I have an understanding now, and you’re not going to make me look like a fool, ya here.”
He seized her arm and I instinctively gripped his wrist and tightly squeezed. He winced, giving me the satisfaction of knowing I hurt him. “The lady wants to be left alone.”
He released her as I squeezed his wrist even more, he grimaced while staring me right in the eye. Releasing him, he stumbled back, cradling his wrist. “I’d take care around these parts, biker. Wouldn’t want you gettin’ into an accident out there.”
“Best be careful who you threaten Sheriff. Wouldn’t want to be on the front page of the paper tomorrow. Sheriff Disappears with no Trace.”
We stood toe to toe, the air building up with tension. Meg’s hand on my arm was what held me at bay, but if she’d let go, I’d take him outside and teach what it means to respect a woman.
The doors to the kitchen swung open, and a big burly man came out from the back looking mad as hell. “What the hell is going on out here? Meg, I got patrons needing coffee. Whatcha doin’ bringing your trouble in here?”
“I did no such thing,” she barely whispered as the man greeted the Sheriff and managed to lure him away from me.
She turned to me and frowned. “You should leave.”
“You sure you want me to leave, baby girl. I’ll stick around for you, make sure you’re okay.”
She gave me a small smile and shook her head. “I’m alright. I can handle myself.”
Lifting my jacket, I threw it on as my eyes met the Sheriff’s. She followed my gaze and then turned to me quickly. “Please, go.”
I looked down at her pretty face, and her smooth pouty lips. Trailing my fingertips along her chin, she sighed. “I’ll be back, ya know. I’m not done with you yet.”
“Is that so?” she gave me a sly sexy smile that stirred me loins.
“Besides, you promised me breakfast.”
“I did no such thing,” she gasped as I leaned down and let my lips gently run across hers. “Well then, maybe I’ll make you breakfast instead.”
Reluctantly, I pulled away, watching her sway slightly towards me. Her eyes on me while I walked out, staring down the Sheriff as I left. He may have won this round, but I was far from done. He didn’t know it yet, but he was one who needed to watch his back. He lay one finger on my girl, and I’d destroy him.
Two
Meg
The tray clattered on the steel counter as I slammed it down before twirling around to look at John who was staring back at me. “One of these days, John, I’m gonna get out of this shit place and go find a good life somewhere far away from him.” I signaled behind me at the outside counter where Jebediah Dawson was eating.
“That’ll be the day.” Sherry, another waitress at Linny’s Diner and my closest friend, walked through the swinging doors. “You’ve been saying that since I met you, girl. You ain’t leavin’ this place and we both know it.”
“That’s what you think.”
She leaned up against me, propping her hand on my shoulder, and looking out the small interior window that looked out at the diner. Jebediah Crawford had been seated at that counter for the last hour.
“Doesn’t he work?” John stated as he flipped a burger, the meat sizzling on the grill.
“Good question,” I murmured under my breath.
“Oh, come on, he’s not that bad. Besides, who wouldn’t want that hunk of man out there?”
I bit my tongue, avoiding the subject at all costs. She didn’t know. I never told a soul what happened that night. “Stay away from him, Sherry,” I gripped her arm and turned to her. “I mean it.”
A worried frown crossed her brow as her eyes searched mine. “Did something happen you’re not telling me, Meg?”
“No. I just don’t trust him, that’s all.”
Turning towards the kitchen window, I ducked my head away as the events of that night became vivid in my mind. I had told him to stop, that I didn’t want to, but he’d forced himself on me either way. It was as if something had come over him, something evil and uncontrollable. I gripped my apron as I remember how he’d shoved me back against the passenger side seat, his hands scratching at my thighs as he scrambled to get my panties off. I’d kicked and tried pushing him off, but he was big, and he wasn’t listening.
When I heard him pull his zipper down, I screamed. I screamed so loud he reared back, and I continued to scream as I huddled back against the door. A full-on panic attack forming in the back of my throat. The next thing I knew he was placing a finger to his lips and begging me to be quiet. That it was okay. That he was sorry. Trembling, I let him take me back home. And as I got out of the car, his last words to me were, “I hope we can do this again real soon, Darlin’.”
Slamming the car door, I breathed, glad to have placed a barrier between him and I. As I stared at the back bumper of his truck, slowly disappearing down the road, I swore I’d never let him come near him again. The devil seemed to be carrying him away that night. I just stood there until he disappeared, and then I made my way up to my small apartment. It was days until I was able to stop looking over my shoulder every time, I walked out the door. I kept picturing him coming out of the shadows and finishing what he started. I didn’t think he’d come near me again, not until last week, when he decided to show up at the diner. I hadn’t seen him since that night. I never let him on, yet he seemed to think otherwise.
In a way, I was glad for that stranger. The handsome man with the gunmetal blue eyes that lit up my body when they landed on me. That man hadn’t come back like he’d promised. Why would he? He was just a stranger passing by. Yet, somehow, he’d managed to take over my nights, and had me pinning and waiting for him to return as if I were a puppy dog waiting for her master to come home. And I have to admit, I truly wanted him to come home. There was something about the man that made me want to curl up onto his lap and listen to the deep rumble of his voice as he talked about his day, all while he just lay there, holding me. It had been an unexpected meeting to say the least, one that remained with me nearly a week later.
“Uh-oh.”
Sherry gestured to the front, and following her gaze, mine landed on a familiar leather jacket. That man, that stranger who seemed to consume my waking hours, walked in and took his place in the same back booth he’d occupied a few nights back. There was an air about him that brought every eye in the room towards him. For me, it was an undeniable pull to find out who this man was and if he’d come back for me.
“Looks like trouble came back lookin’ for ya,” she whispered to me.
I could see the fury in Jeb’s face as the man ignored him and took his seat. I grabbed Sherry as she passed me, and she paused for a moment.
Smiling knowingly, she arched a brow. “Want me to go see what he wants?”
I shook my head yes and she patted my hand and walked out. I hid in the kitchen, nervously wringing a dish cloth while I waited for her to return. A few moments later she flew back in. She grabbed me and tugged me into a back hallway.
“Listen here, Meg, I’m only gonna tell you this once. That man out there came back for you, and according to him, he ain’t leavin’ without seeing you. So, you either take this chance or I can tell you right now, he ain’t comin’ back. He’s doesn’t seem like the type of man who begs a woman, and he ain’t gonna start now. So go on. Go give him what he wants.”
“Sherry,” I hissed in disbelief.
She waved her hands in the air showing her exasperation. “Shut up and go take your chances, or I swear to you I’ll take them for ya.”
I narrowed my eyes on her receiving a nod and quick shove towards the swinging doors. “That a girl.”
Taking a deep breath, I straightened out my apron, picked up a mug and a coffee pot, and made my way to the stranger whom I’d been daydreaming about for the past week. Butterflies fluttered in my tummy as I made my way to him. Our eyes locked and shivers ran down my spine. Just as I was about to reach him, someone cut across my path, causing the coffee pot to go flying, shattering on the floor. I stared down at the pieces of broken glass and noticed the pair of familiar black boots. I could smell the scent of peppermint and cologne which made me cringe while goosebumps formed on my arms. I had forgotten that Jebediah Crawford was still here.
“Where you goin’ there, Baby?”
I took a deep breath and crouched down to pick up a few of the larger pieces of glass while I tried to ignore him. “I’m not your baby,” I muttered under my breath.
He grabbed me by the arm and yanked me up, the pieces falling once again. “I’m sorry why don’t you repeat that so that I can hear.”
“N-nothing,” I whispered, focusing on his boots.
“Don’t play with me Meghan. I’m not in the mood for these shit games of yours. I’ve waited long enough, now.”
“For Pete’s sake, Meg, look what you’ve gone and done!” Sherry’s voice startled us both. “Here, that customer over there needs coffee. Jebediah get out of the way.”
Sherry shoved him aside, winking at me as she handed me another coffee pot. Taking the broom in hand, she proceeded to start sweeping up the glass on the floor, all along remaining in Jeb’s way.
I looked up at him warily. Sherry had no idea what she’d just done, and I knew his anger was simmering. The air turned thick as his eyes remained glued to mine.
“Sheriff I’ve got an emergency situation,” an officer on the other end of his radio, called out. His eyes never left mine as he answered the call.
“Crawford here.”
“Sheriff I think you need to go out to the old Mackenzie farm. Looks like Dick is acting up again, shootin’ up the place.”
Jeb grimaced as he pressed the radio to his lips. “I’ll be there in a minute.”
“Sheriff, I suggest you make your way over there now.”
Frustrated, he gripped the radio yelling into it. “I said give me a goddamn minute!”
He clenched his eyes shut while pinching his nose, showing his frustration and fury. Pointing at me, I froze, expecting him to do something worse, but instead, he started to back out towards the door. “We’re not finished here, Meghan Evergreen. I’m far from done with you.”
I felt relief sweep through me as he made his way out of the diner. Looking at Sherry I mouthed the words, thank you, and turned to make my way over to the stranger, but I didn’t have to go far.
“Oh,” I gasped as I bumped into him, hot coffee sloshing in the pot as his hands came up, holding me steady.
“Sorry, baby girl. Just thought I could help.”
His hands on me were hot, yet they made me shiver involuntarily. He frowned down at me and tried to meet my gaze as I avoided his. “You alright?”
“I think she might need a breather.” Sherry came up and took the coffee pot from my hands. “Go on girl, go take your break. I got you covered.”
Without realizing what was happening, the stranger didn’t hesitate at Sherry’s words. Grabbing my hand and leading me out into the warm night. He dragged me to the side of the building and suddenly turned to face me.
“I don’t like the way that man talks to you. Fuck, I don’t like that he thinks he can come near you as if he owns you or something.”
“What?” I blinked a few times in confusion and then nodded in agreement. “Oh. Don’t worry about him. He’s not gonna do anything, at least, I don’t think he is.”
Even as I said it, I knew it was a lie. Jebediah Crawford was a dangerous man, one who didn’t take no for an answer.
“Either way, I don’t like it.”
I looked into his eyes and after a long moment he walked towards me. His stride filled with purpose. His hands warm and strong as they slid up my neck to cradle my face.
“I don’t like it not one bit.”
His lips slammed down on mine, tracing my mouth with his tongue while he slowly licked at me, prying my lips open only to stroke himself against my tongue. It was a sweetly heated kiss that made me moan with a need I didn’t know I had. The sound of the deep groan that escaped from the back of his throat was so damn sexy, I didn’t know a man could sound like that. He slowly pulled away and I swayed toward him, tingling everywhere as his hands slid away.
“You kissed me,” I whispered.
“I wanna do a lot more than kiss you, baby girl.”
“But I don’t even know your name.”
“Derek. Derek Matheson, but I’m called Bear while on these roads.”
“Bear,” I repeated as I stroked his cheek, loving the roughness of his scruff that lined his chin.
“That’s right, baby girl. I’m your Bear.”
I gave out a small whimper as he wrapped his hand around me bringing me against his chest. The intimate gesture made me warm all over and I swept my arms around him, loving how his hardness consumed me. He was so big and burly, my small frame getting hauled up into his massive chest as he towered over me. My feet went on tip toes as he took a step against the building pressing me along the cool brick. His mouth found mine again and I sighed into his lips while his hands found their way around my waist and squeezed me.
God, I was addicted to his tongue, and his powerful kisses. The groans that rippled out of his throat were a lust-filled confirmation that he wanted me just as badly as I wanted him. I ran my fingers through his soft hair, loving the feel of him wrapped around me. In my twenty-one years, I’d never wanted anything as badly as I wanted him. His lips molded to mine while I traced my tongue along them, tasting him in this raw need that drove me forward.
How I lay awake all these nights picturing his lips on mine, daydreaming about him holding me, and here I was, pressed into his strong body relishing in each dream come to life. It was more than I could have imagined, it was sweet and magnetic, and it was mine.
He pulled away gently and pressed his forehead to mine while we regained our breaths. The sun was about to rise in the horizon, highlighting the sky in hues of purple and gold, while we stood there, held in its twilight. The kiss lingered between us, and that underlying need pulsed in the air around us.
“I’m taking you home today.” His voice was rough and edgy, sending ripples of delight to my sex.
“You are?” I murmured, stroking his chin and running my hands across his strong arms which still held me tight.
“Fuck right, I am. Go get your things.”
“I can’t just leave work like that.”
“Go get your things, Meg.” Strangely his demand turned me on, and I yearned to obey him, but there were more important things at stake here.
“I can’t lose my job, Derek.”
“I’ll take care of that. But you’re coming with me right the hell now, baby girl. I’m not waiting another second, and I don’t know how much longer I’ll be here. So go get your stuff like I tell you to.”
Shivering, I once again found myself subconsciously pressing against him. “Yes, Sir,” I whispered against his lips and his deep growl made my sex ache. He hesitated before releasing me and I ran inside looking for Sherry.
I found her at the counter filling up the sugar dispensers. Grabbing her I pulled towards the kitchen. “He wants me to go home with him!”
“Thank you, Lord Jesus! Here,” she slammed my purse into my hands and practically shoved me out the door.
“But Sherry, I’ve never…”
My voice trailed off as I looked at her and knowingly, she wrapped her arms around me. “There’s always a first time for everything. Now,” she pulled me away and looked at me. “Do you like him?”
“Yes.”
“Most importantly, do you want him?”
I gave her a big smile. “Yeah.”
“Does he make you see stars when he kisses you?”
I laughed. “Kind of.”
“Kind of? He either does or he doesn’t?”
I shrugged. “If stars involve getting weak in the knees and stealing my breath away. I want him to be my first, Sherry,” I whispered.
She shook her head and smiled. “Then hold onto him tight and don’t let him go.”
