Outlaws’ Property (Property of Outlaw Sons MC #1)

13. Ghost

13

GHOST

Jesus Christ. It’s a good thing I’m going slow and the club is nearby. I’m riding one-handed, with the other holding Jessica’s wrists so she doesn’t forget to hang on. It’d be really fucking embarrassing if she fell off the back of my damn bike. I’m finding her a fucking helmet if she can’t hold her drinks better than this.

Is she… is she singing ? It’s hard to tell over the wind, but I’m pretty sure she is.

That kiss was fucking worth it, though.

Usually, I stay way the fuck away from the innocent, shy types. Not that we get many of those around the club, but occasionally a girl gets an itch for something her usual boy scouts can’t scratch. Some of the guys get off on that shit, but I can’t be fucking bothered to play that game.

But there’s something about Jessica that doesn’t quite fit. My gut’s telling me she’s not lying, but there’s more to her story. She’s got a solid fucking backbone under all that sweetness. I like it.

Maybe it's just been too long. It’s been two years since we cleaned house in the club, and I haven’t had time for anything but rebuilding. Aside from the shit with Kane, it finally feels like we can breathe again. There’s even a few prospects that’ll probably be sworn in soon. In spite of the rumors, I’m not actually a fucking robot.

It would be nice to have something soft to sink into at the end of the day. Something that isn’t just about getting off.

We roll through the gates into the compound and park in front. As our bikes shut off, it's obvious that she is, in fact, singing. No idea what, because the words make no sense and it sounds like one or two lines stuck on repeat, but it’s fucking cute.

"She alright?" asks Tex, as he gets off his bike.

"Yeah, just hammered. Wanna grab her?"

Riot gets there first, supporting her as he helps her off the bike. "Easy does it."

Jessica blinks, a little unsteady, but then she pulls herself together. Somewhat. "Anne. I gotta check on Anne." She takes a step towards the main house and groans. “So many stairs.”

"We’ll get you there,” Riot assures her.

"Do you think they’re still awake?" Her eyes widen so much at her sudden realization that it's fucking comical. "I don't want to wake them up. Bonnie’s been so nice to us. She's really, really nice."

Tex laughs. "So long as you don’t piss her off, yeah, she is. But if you don't wanna make too much noise, you can crash in my room."

She smiles. "That's nice of you."

"Plenty of room at my place too," says Riot with a grin. "Bigger bed."

"Back off. Neither of you fuckers are taking her into the dorms, alright? If she stays anywhere, it’s with me in the side house."

Tex rolls his eyes. "Give us some fucking credit, huh? I like my girls saying yes, yes, fucking yes, and to be sober enough to know whose name to be screaming."

"Yeah, mine," Riot says with a shit eating grin.

“Go to bed.” I make it clear it’s not a fucking request. “I’m taking her back to my quarters. It’s more secure and fewer people have access. No matter how much fun she is, she’s still a hostage. We can’t forget that.”

Jessica leans against Riot, eyes closed. I’m not sure she’s paying any attention.

"You think she’d run?" Riot strokes a hand down her hair, letting it continue down to the curve above her ass. She makes a happy little noise.

"Nah. But we take no chances.” I ease her away from Riot and pick her up, settling her in my arms with hers around my neck. “Kane’s supposedly back in that fortress he calls home, so there’s a good chance we’ll make contact tomorrow.”

"I don’t feel great about handing her over to him. Or the kid," Tex says with a frown. "I know we need to negotiate for Cooper, but we all know Kane’s days are still numbered."

"Yeah, I getcha, but we have to keep following the script for now. Besides, a girl like her isn’t gonna want to stick around here long term anyway."

We split up, with Riot and Tex heading to the old school building we turned into quarters for the members. I cross the small lawn between there and the side house. Back in the day, it was where the nuns lived, but we divided it into four separate units for officers or other ranking members that needed more space. Right now it’s just me and Savage in there.

"Not going back," Jessica mumbles. "I hate him."

“Relax. You’re not going anywhere tonight, baby.”

I set her down on the couch after letting myself in. My place isn't huge. None of ours are, but there’s a separate bedroom, and I have a decent sized living room with an open kitchen. Nothing fancy, but more than the hotplate, microwave and mini fridge most of the guys have.

I grab a bottle of water out of the fridge and hand it to her. “Trust me. Drink something before you pass out. It’ll make the morning a lot less painful.”

Jessica yawns, but as soon as the cold bottle is in her hand, she seems to wake up a little and look around. “This is nice. I like those.” She points to the black and white motorcycle pictures I have on the wall.

“I took them.”

“Really?” She does a double take.

“Yeah, don’t look so surprised. Never been any good at painting or shit like that, but cameras are cool.” When did I last have anyone new in here? I don’t even remember.

She leans over, snuggling into the couch. “I’ll just sleep here.”

“Like fuck you are. Come on.” I pull her to her feet before she passes out and walk her to my bedroom. “You can shower or whatever you need to do in the morning. Bathroom’s through there if you need it.” I flick the light on as we walk by, in case she needs to find it fast in the dark.

“I don’t have a nightgown or anything.”

Funnily enough, I don't fucking have any either, but I grab a T-shirt out of my dresser. "Here, you can wear this. It'll be big on you. Get changed and keep drinking that water. I’ll be back in a sec."

"Oh. Thanks." She flips the shirt around, looking for the right hole. Great.

I get ready for sleep in the bathroom, not wanting to make her uncomfortable by having to change with me right there. I thought I gave her plenty of fucking time, but even so, when I open the door, I get an amazing view of her from behind as she pulls my shirt over her head.

Fuuuuuck.

She looks hot as shit, with long, curvy legs, a nice round ass, and a graceful back with cute dimples right at the base. It’s a shame to cover it up, but then again, I like seeing her in my clothes.

I clear my throat before coming in, love seeing her jump. “You take that side. It’s a clear line to the bathroom if you need it."

She blinks. "Um, okay. Are you… Are you sleeping on the other side?"

I pull off my shirt and jeans, tossing them on my laundry pile. “Is that a problem?”

“N—no. Of course not.” She might be sobering up, but I have a feeling that if she wasn’t still a little tipsy, she wouldn’t be so fucking obvious about staring at me like that.

Especially when her eyes drop to the bulge under my boxer briefs. I sigh. “Baby? You need to get in bed and go to sleep right fucking now, because if you keep looking where you’re looking, there’s just gonna be more to look at, and I don’t think you’re up for what that. Read what I’m saying?”

Her cheeks flush bright pink and she crawls under the covers really fucking fast. “Sorry.”

I can't help but laugh. "Nothing to be sorry about. I wouldn’t mind giving you a show, but I’m trying to be a fucking gentleman here."

Jessica looks at me, her lips gently parted and an expression on her face that makes me wonder if she’d rather I didn’t try too hard.

“Go to sleep,” I growl, turning off the light before I do something she’d regret.