Jake’s Angel (King’s Of Fury MC #2)

Chapter 36

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

AVERY

Jake’s glaring at me again. I swear he only knows three expressions. Intimidating as hell, panty-melting smirks, and this heated, lust-filled glare. Can we please pick another expression because I can’t win against any of these? I’m fighting a losing battle.

He grabs my chin, forcing me to look at him. “Let’s get one thing straight. I do not want those whores in there.” He points back toward the clubhouse. “I’ve never fucked Drea and I’m not starting today.”

Drea and the scarlet-haired silicone slut approached me when we first arrived at the clubhouse, while Sadie and Hawk were having a heated discussion of their own. He growled at Sadie. Told her they’d handle their shit in his room. I thought I heard him say something about thoroughly punishing her ass. I watched in awe as she let him drag her down the hall to his room.

Jayde was talking to Blake at the bar. They too were having a heated debate, but Jayde wasn’t bowing to his commands like he was hoping. Instead, she reminded him of his place—a prospect. Then told him his authority over her was all in his imagination.

I was left alone on the couch waiting for Jake to come take me back to Liz’s house. I tried not to pay the twin twats any attention. Drea’s just another Bethany, only she wears far less clothing and doesn’t hide that she’s a slut. I’m not avoiding Jake just because of her, but what she said made sense.

“You know eventually he’s going to see through this little damsel in distress act you’ve got going on. The guys don’t want to be dicks, so they help people when they need it, but eventually they get bored. Then they find their way back to one or all of us.”

I ignored her at first, but then the crimson cunt added her two cents.

“You’re a novelty. Everyone wants to be the guy who bangs the President’s daughter. To break her in. It’s not because you mean anything to him. It’s all about bragging rights. Who gets to take the cherry of ‘the untouchable one,’” she said. “Sure, he’ll take what you’ve got to offer. Any man would, but once he’s done with you, he’ll come back to us. He never sleeps with anyone more than once, except us. He always comes back to us. Think about it. Don’t be fooled, sweetheart. You’re nothing but a challenge to be won. Hell, right after you left, he was kissing me in the hallway outside the bathroom. See. He always comes back.”

I know what they told me in there was only to scare me away from Jake. Her words got to me. Jake backed off since I told him what happened to me. Hell, he sounded disgusted at the thought of sleeping with me when Hawk asked him about it. When tonight I saw the two women all over him and he didn’t push them away. I knew he wasn’t interested in me as more than a duty to his club.

Even if he wanted me, how do I know he’d be faithful to me? I don’t see why he’d want to when he has all these half-dressed, ready and willing women surrounding him all the time. I refuse to be anything like them. If I wanted to be treated like a worthless piece of meat, I would’ve stayed in Baron’s Edge.

Still, he came to my rescue tonight. Comforted me.

Then rubbed it in your face.

I don’t know what to think anymore. I need to let it go. Let him go. I muster up every bit of anger I can, hoping he doesn’t hear the shakiness in my voice, because if he does, he’ll know I’m lying. I want nothing more than for his words to be true. I want him to want me, but I need to push him away, to make him see we don’t belong together. It’s the only way to keep my heart intact. The best way to beat a stubborn man is to challenge him with the truth.

“You only want me because I’m a challenge. The President’s daughter. Untouched,” I shout in his face. “I’m not like those women in there. I won’t bow down to your every whim and spread my legs when you snap your fingers. I’m not that girl.”

“If there’s a reason I shouldn’t want you, it’s because you’re Gabe’s daughter. But you know what, Avery? I don’t fucking care,” he shouts back. “He should’ve brought you home, protected you here with your real family. As far as I’m concerned, I don’t give a shit if he tells me I can’t have you. You’re already mine .”

“I’m not a whore, Jake. I will never be someone’s little plaything.” My eyes sting with tears. Don’t cry, damn it. We’ve had enough tears.

“You think I don’t know that? I want you because you’re nothing like them.”

“You expect me to believe you have women who look like them, offering themselves up to you day in and day out, and you’ve never slept with them?” I huff. “That’s not what the bitch said inside. And for the record, I could’ve been spared the fucking details.” I roll my eyes, as if appalled by what I’ve heard. It’s not far from the truth. The idea of him with any of those women disgusts me more than anything.

He steps toward me. I put my hand up to keep some space between us. Having him this close, I can’t fight this pull. There’s a battle going on between my head and my heart, and I’m scared to death of which one is going to win. Either way, I’ll get hurt.

I have to shut him out.

“It’s ok. Protecting me is your job. Your penance. Part of your club business shit you must take care of. I thought maybe I meant something else to you, but then I heard you tell Hawk how you didn’t fuck me like he was crazy to even think such a thing was conceivable. I get it. I’m nothing more than—” In a flash, his hands are on either side of my face and he doesn’t let me get out another word because his lips are now on mine devouring me.

Shit! What do I do? I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. How do I fight this? Do you really want to?

Jake runs his tongue over the seam of my lips. I hesitantly open to him but when I do, he takes full advantage. His tongue is swirling around in a battle against mine, and … oh God, I forfeit . I give in and a small whimper escapes from me. He must think it’s a good thing because he kisses me even more ravenously until we’re both breathless. When he finally pulls away, he’s searching my eyes. I remember what Drea said about him kissing her, and suddenly I’m furiously pushing out of his hold.

“What the fuck is wrong with you? You can’t kiss me after you kissed that bitch just a few hours ago. I can’t do this, Jake. I can’t bounce from one brother to the next.”

He growls, only this time it’s an angry sound, not the sexy one from before.

“Go back inside to Drea or the red-head, I don’t care which, just leave me alone.” My voice comes out weak, and I hate myself for showing him how much his flippant actions hurt me.

I move to get around him, but he grabs me around the waist, slamming my back to his chest. My arms are crossed over the front of my body, pinning me to him so I can’t fight. With his mouth to my ear Jake tells me in a low gravely tone that makes goosebumps rise on my skin, “First of all, Drea attacked me when I came out of the restroom and after I pried her off me, I issued her a warning to never do it again or I’d have her ass removed from the clubhouse. Second, I’m done fighting you on this, Angel. You’re mine. You know it and I know it, but you’re scared to admit it.”

My shoulders relax a little, but my heart feels like it’s going to burst. I shake my head, trying not to let his words affect me. When Kyle says I belong to him, it makes my skin crawl and my stomach nauseous. When Jake says it, it washes over me like a blanket of security, a reassurance. I don’t feel disgusted or afraid at all. It feels right.

Finally feeling calm, but not quite convinced this isn’t still a game, I try again to discredit his claim. “You don’t really want me, Jake. I’m a job. Gabe told you to take care of me and you have misguided guilt because of something from when I was a little girl. Something we both know never happened. Those girls in there, or the college girls who come through town that you and Hawk brag about picking up for a one-night stand—those are the girls you want. Not me. I’m not yours. I think?—”

“ You think wrong .” He growls at me, “I don’t want a one-night stand and I sure as shit don’t want a whore. I’ve told you already and I’ll tell you again until you get it through your thick fucking head—I’ve never been with Drea, and I never will. The only woman I want is you .” He spins me around to face him, holding my face in both of his hands. I must look like a deer caught in the headlights as his words are struggling to sink in. He caresses my cheek, staring unflinchingly into my eyes. He nods at me like I’m supposed to understand some telepathic message he’s just given me. But I don’t. I don’t understand any of this at all.

He pulls away from me long enough to grab his helmet, handing it to me. Something must’ve caught him off guard because he’s looking at me like he’s angry again, or is it his smolder look he’s doing again?

I can’t tell.

They’re all sexy as all hell and I can’t tell anything anymore. Damn his kiss for short circuiting my brain.

“Put the helmet on. We’re going for a ride.” When I make no move to do as he says, he adds, “please.”

I have to fight not to smile at the big bad biker boy asking me nicely.

He takes a short step back as his gaze slides over my body, slowly and seductively. “What the hell are you wearing, Angel?” His voice is much lower, huskier now. It has me feeling all kinds of strange things in the pit of my stomach.

Folding my arms over myself, feeling suddenly exposed and insecure, I look away.

Does he like the dress?

Drea said it made me look like I’m trying too hard to be someone I’m not. But I thought I looked sexy when I put it on. Jayde and Sadie said as much. Why do I let people like Drea and Eleanor get into my head?

I do like this dress, but I wondered if maybe Jake wouldn’t. I meant to change when we got back here, but after everything at the nightclub, and then Drea spewing her bullshit at me, all I wanted to do was grab a blanket, curl up on the couch, and sleep. I was hoping to let this day go and wake up like it never happened.

“Whatever crazy thought you have going on in your head, get it out of there right now. I love the way this dress looks on you. I’m going to love it even more when it’s laying on my floor.” He grabs me gently by the chin. My breath catches and my eyes widen. “The only thing I don’t like about it is the fact the two fuckers at Bella Noche, and every other asshole, got to see you in it first. Now, get your pretty little ass on the back of this bike. A ride will help clear your mind. Let it wash away all the bad shit from the night.”

I reason within myself about how the last time he took me for a ride it helped make me feel less overwhelmed. I do what feels right, and I get on the bike, gripping the bottom of my dress as I do.

Jake gives me a chaste kiss on the lips. “ Good girl,” he growls softly and shit if I don’t like the sound of it.

The ride to Jake’s house is faster than I would’ve liked. I’ve kept quiet the whole ride, holding on to him with everything I have. I may be a glutton for punishment, but it’s my choice.

My mind is still reeling over that kiss. Not to mention the fact he said he wants me. ME! He can have anyone of those women back there, hell, any woman he wants period, and yet he said he wants me .

I’m not so naive to believe this won’t all still end in horrible heartbreak for me, but if it does, it will be because I chose to be with him. Jake’s not forcing me to do anything. He’s being pushy and persuasive, but not in a way I feel trapped or scared. If I truly didn’t want to be here, Jake would take me to Liz or Sadie without hesitation.

“ You’re finally free, Avery. Let’s live a little, please .” Sometimes I wish my best friend’s voice in my head didn’t sound like my conscience, pushing me to do things I may very well regret. But for once, I agree with her. With my mind made up, I squeeze closer to Jake. Wherever this night goes, I will have no regrets.

When we pull up to the house, we both slide off his bike and head inside. He places his keys in a bowl on the table by the door, then walks into the kitchen to make coffee. I’m so nervous, my hands are sweating. I can’t breathe in here. I made the decision, and now, I’m so damn nervous I don’t know what to do.

Needing fresh air and a little space to calm myself down, I walk out onto the back porch, leaning on the railing and look out over the lake. The moon is shining. Its reflection and the soft tapping of the water against the shore has me mesmerized.

The loud clomping of his boots on the wood floor alerts me to his presence. My body stiffens for a moment, nervous about what’s coming.

It’s your choice.

The reminder helps. When Jake’s muscular arms engulf me, I settle against his chest, and he rests his chin on the top of my shoulder. His day-old scruff brushes my cheek, making a scratchy sound. The burn reminds me this is real. This moment is real. Being here with him is both scary and comforting.

Live a little, Avery.

I’m not afraid of him . I’m afraid of what’s coming afterward. When he holds me like this, though, my body is trapped. I don’t feel the sense of panic or uncertainty. How he manages to make me feel this way is still a mystery. One I don’t want to solve.

Here in his arms, I feel completely safe, knowing he would never physically harm me. My heart is a different concern, but I don’t know how to tell him without letting my guard down completely. He’s already seen me at my most vulnerable. What more could it hurt to give him everything?

There’s still so much he doesn’t know about me, and vice versa. Will he change his mind when he finds out how truly fucked-up my life has been? All the baggage I carry. Not to mention my lack of experience with men. I already know I feel more for him than he does for me. But it’s my choice. I choose to love him, to give him everything I have to give.

“I can hear you thinking, Angel. What’s on your mind?” His breath tickles my ear as he nips lightly at my earlobe, both sending a slight shiver through my body. When I don’t answer him fast enough, he slowly turns me around to face him. I look away, but I should know better by now.

He grabs my chin with his fingers and gently lifts, forcing our eyes to meet. There’s concern in his whiskey eyes, but also a tenderness. “What is it, baby? What’s wrong?”

Placing my hands against his chest, feeling the warmth of his hard muscles through his shirt.

It’s just this once. I can let myself enjoy this feeling, just this once.

Wiggling my chin free from his grip, laying my head down on his shoulder so I don’t have to see his face. It’s now or never. I’m going to tell him everything and then he can take me back to Liz’s house or I’ll give myself over to him .

I’ll give him the choice.

“Jake. I’m not like those other women. I’ve …” In one big, long woosh I let it all out. “ I’ve-never-been-with-anyone-before-ever-not-at-all-in-any-way-I-mean-other-than-that-day-at-the-diner-and-then-at-Maggie’s-grave-although-everything-was-perfect-and-somewhat-creepy-in-retrospect-but-I’m-still-a-virgin-in-the-true-sense-of-the-word-so-if-you-want-to-take-me-back-now-I’ll-understand.” I take a deep breath, noting he’s smirking at me, but not stopping me from rambling.

“You said you wanted to see this dress on the floor implying you want to have sex with me, and I don’t think you should want to because I won’t be as good as those other women.” I bury my face in the crook of his neck, hoping he can’t feel the heat of my blush on his skin.

His only answer is a grunt.

What the hell does that mean?

I’m waiting for the inevitable outcome, but it doesn’t come. Instead, he laughs. He. Fucking. Laughs!

“This is funny to you.” It’s not a question. Feeling more unsure of myself than ever and so unbelievably embarrassed, I push off his chest, trying to move around him, but am stopped by two very large arms pulling me back to my original spot, pinning me between him and the railing.

“I’m sorry. I’m not laughing at you.” He breathes against my neck. “Ok, I am laughing at you, but not because of the reasons you’re thinking.” I roll my eyes and try to push back off the railing. I am met by some resistance and a noticeable bulge pushing against my stomach.

“Avery, look at me.” I don’t. I stare at the house over his shoulder instead. He follows my movements with his head, forcing himself into my view whether I want him there or not. Holding my chin, his thumb gently stroking my cheek, he halts my movements.

“Hey. Look at me Angel.” He coaxes again. I glare at him, hoping my anger will overshadow the hurt and the tears I’m trying so desperately to hold back. Looking into my eyes, his once playful demeanor has since changed to an almost angry one.

What’s he pissed about now? I’m the one who’s been rejected. What the hell?

In a gruff, low timber, that brooks no argument, he demands, “I want you to stop comparing yourself to other women. Angel, if I wanted someone experienced, I could find it.” There’s enough room between us that I’m able to cross my arms over my body, but he’s not letting me out of his hold.

I sigh, exasperated. He sees my irritation at his words, then pulls me in tighter to him.

“Those women you see at the club are not looking for anything more than earning a patch. They want recognition—not a relationship.”

“They can have the patch for all I care.” I grumble.

“That’s just it, Angel. They haven’t earned it. A guy doesn’t give just any woman his patch.” The intensity in his voice and the look on his face show he’s serious. This means something to him. “When a man gives a woman his patch, it’s equivalent to marriage in the club. It means they belong to one another. He’s her man, and she’s his ol’ lady.”

I don’t know what to say.

“I know not all guys are faithful to their women,” he admits.

I scoff at his nonchalance. Lovely.

Jake grabs my chin tightly with his fingers, imploring me to listen. “I will be faithful to my woman. If she’ll have me, and wear my cut with as much pride in me as I have in her. If she’ll love me and be true to me the same way I am to her …” He pauses, holding my now glassy gaze. “If you’ll do all those things, I’ll give you everything I am and more.”

Pulling away slightly, allowing himself to search my face, his eyes are dark with desire, and his face suddenly so serious. He grabs my face in his hands, leaning in real close, his voice is raspy, and his nose is lightly brushing my face, making my body involuntarily shutter.

“As for all the other bullshit you’re worried about,” He smiles when I pull back a bit to glare up at him. “I like the fact I’m your first kiss.” He kisses my right cheek. “And I’m the first to make you come apart.” A kiss to my left cheek. “And tonight, I’m going to be the first and only one to discover everything that makes this sweet little body of yours sing.” Another kiss on my forehead.

“I’ll learn what you like, and how you like it. And then I’m going to take my time doing all those things to you over,” Kiss to my nose. “And over,” Kiss to my neck. This time I shiver, and goosebumps break out all over my body. Jake chuckles.

“I’ll do it again and again and watch with awe as every piece of you comes apart beneath me.” My breath hitches. “Trust me baby, you being inexperienced at sex is not at all a bad thing.”

Once again, I shiver at his words and the feel of his hardened cock firmly pressed into my stomach again. He chuckles at my response. The tingling feeling in the pit of my belly, along with the thrumming pulse at my core, is making me feel weaker by the minute.

I want this. Him. I want Jake.

“You know what separates you from them?”

“My father’s the club President?” I don’t know where the words came from, but it’s too late— they’re out . And, oh God, please don’t let it ruin this moment. Jake’s brows meet as he studies my face incredulously.

“Is that what you think? You think I want to fuck you because you’re Gabe’s daughter?” I shake my head, hesitant to speak. “You’ve got me all wrong, Angel. You were mine long before I knew you were the President’s daughter. I was too stubborn to admit it, and you didn’t know.” His cocky smile is back in full effect.

Cocking his head to the side, he caresses my bottom lip with his thumb, back and forth as he licks his own lips.

Why does my clit throb when he does that? Are the two connected somehow?

The movement of his tongue correlates with a gush of wetness between my legs. Bringing his face so close, our lips are a breath apart. His voice is resolute when he says, “ You belong to me. Only me , Angel. Do you get what I’m saying?”

I nod, hoping like hell he’s telling the truth.