Ruin’s Embattlement (Tenillo Guardians AIMC #19)

Ruin Chapter 16

My proposal couldn’t have gone better, in my opinion. Sure, I could’ve taken her to dinner and bought her a fancy meal, presented her with expensive flowers and champagne, but it wouldn’t have been Desi. She loved the sentiment behind gifts and gestures, not the cost. I knew before she saw the ring that she’d be concerned. What if she lost the ring? It was an expensive piece, so I had it insured. Yes, it couldn’t be replaced, but it would help ease her mind.

I’d worked hard to get the ring from Mom, have it resized, and cleaned without giving away what was happening. I swore Mom to secrecy, even from my sister. As for Shane, I told him what I was going to do an hour before it went down. I’d taken him to use the bathroom. He had squealed, and I had to calm him down, make him pinkie swear, and stay away from his mom to keep him from telling. Even with all that, I was astonished he kept it in, but then again, he’d kept the news of the two of us being a couple secret for four days.

The response of our friends and family had been better than expected, which meant Desi relaxed and enjoyed the rest of the day and evening. It was after eleven. Shane had been in bed for a couple of hours. Others were still partying, and I had no idea how late it would last, but that wasn’t my concern. Having my fiancée all to myself so we could have private merrymaking was my goal. I wanted to give her a few of the more traditional engagement things along with a night of intense lovemaking.

Mom and Dad assured us that they’d watch Shane and keep him entertained in the morning until we deemed we were ready to join them. Mom had gone behind Desi’s back, packed her an overnight bag, and had Dad deliver it to my trailer when we were otherwise busy. He was the only other one who knew my plan.

After a long day and night of having fun, I knew what she wanted—a hot, relaxing shower. A part of me wanted to take it with her and start the lovemaking, but another part of me didn’t want to rush. The latter won. Instead, while she unpacked her bag, I took the fastest shower in the world. I was back to the days in boot camp when you had no time to do anything. You learned not to linger. By the time I was done, she was undressed and took my place. She tried to tease me with a hand on my cock, but I shook my head.

“Later. Shower first, then naughty time.”

She gave me a pout, but she didn’t argue. I left her to wash so I could get the items I had in place. Again, Dad assisted me in pulling them off. While we were having a good time with everyone, he’d brought these to the trailer. He’d hidden them at their house. I lit candles around the bedroom. The champagne was opened and ready to be poured into the flutes. I’d bought more of those lilac-colored roses I’d gotten Desi before. I had a bouquet of them on the dresser and extras with the petals removed, which were scattered on the bed. The last thing was one of her favorites. She loved strawberries and chocolate. I’d gotten the ripe berries drenched in dark chocolate.

When she came out of the bathroom, I was standing at the bedroom door. I hadn’t bothered to dress, and neither did she. I was so delighted to see how comfortable she was becoming with being naked in front of me. She’d been doing so damn well at the whole intimacy thing that I was kinda shocked.

“Tanner, what is this?” she asked as she saw candlelight flickering in the room behind me. I took her hand, the one with my ring on it, and I steered her to follow me. As we walked further into the room, she gasped. I smiled.

She scanned the whole room. She paused whenever she spotted something new. When she was finished, she stepped up to me. Her smile was blinding as she gave it to me. Her hands came up to cup my jaw.

“This is incredible. It looks fabulous in here. You went all out for this proposal. I can’t believe it.”

“Can’t believe what? That I’d do this? I love you. I wish I’d done more.”

“No, not that you created this romantic space. I meant that you’d asked me to marry you so soon. We’ve barely been seeing each other, and it’s been mostly under the radar. I would’ve thought you’d wait.”

I tugged her closer until she was plastered to me. My hands were cupping her face, mimicking her hold on mine. “Desi, why would I wait? I’ve been in love with you for years. I was just too stubborn or stupid to admit it to either of us. If I hadn’t been, you would’ve admitted how you felt. We’ve had more than enough time. Hell, we’ve procrastinated so long when compared to the others that I’m embarrassed. Our getting married should’ve occurred years ago. I’m not waiting any longer. The only thing that would make me slow down is if you asked. Are you reconsidering accepting my proposal?” The thought of that being the case filled me with nausea.

Shock registered on her face, and she shook her head as much as she could with the hold I had on her. “No! Oh, please, don’t think that. I’m surprised but overjoyed. I want to be your wife and old lady. I guess I figured you’d need more time to come to terms with it. Acknowledging your true feelings for me is brand new. That’s all.”

“Well, I’m not taking it back or slowing down. I think we should seal this with another kiss.” I didn’t wait for her to agree. I lowered my head and kissed her. She kissed me back just as passionately. It was more than enough to kick off my erection to grow. It perked up when I saw her naked body. She nipped my bottom lip and then licked it. I groaned. I wanted to get down to the lovemaking, but I had things to do first. I didn’t want her to think sex was all I wanted every time we were alone. Reluctantly, I lifted away. She tried to chase my mouth with hers, but I shook my head.

“There’s time for that later. Right now, I want to pamper you and bask in our engagement. After all, this is the only engagement either of us will have. Come. I need you to sit on the bed.”

Letting go of each other’s faces, I led her to the bed. She took the spot that had become hers in a matter of days. I had the pillows stacked against the headboard. She leaned back against hers. When she was comfortable, I went to the dresser and poured two glasses of champagne. I brought them to her. She took hers, and I sat mine on my table so I could get the strawberries. Those I placed on my table, too. They were on a silver plate. I took my place next to her.

Picking up my flute, I held it up. She did the same. “Here’s to the beginning of a lifetime of love and happiness. You have no idea how damn ecstatic I am. Love you, Desi.”

“And I adore you to the moon and back. Love you, Tanner,” she replied before we touched glasses together and then took a drink. I’d splurged on the good stuff. Dad had told me what to get. I wasn’t a big champagne drinker, but it did taste great.

After tasting it, I reached for one of the strawberries. Her eyes were sparkling. I held it just out of reach of her mouth, teasing her. “I saw these and thought you’d like them, but thinking about it, I believe I made a mistake. I should throw them out.” I pretended to be putting it back.

“Tanner Fulton, if you don’t hand over that strawberry, you’re a dead man! I love them and chocolate, and you know I do, evil man.”

I laughed. As I did, she lunged at me and snapped her teeth around the treat. The moan she made had me hardening even more. It was reminiscent of one of the sounds she made during sex. Popping the other half into my mouth, I moaned as well. Suddenly, she was rolling away from me and then back. I was pushed further into the pillows, and my champagne was taken from my hand and put on the table. I stared up at her. Desire was evident in her expression and her eyes.

She was straddling me, which put her core right above my cock. The witch wiggled, staying just out of reach. She leaned over and snagged another strawberry. I expected her to pop it in her mouth. Instead, she rubbed it lightly along my lips. I opened it to take it, but she moved it away.

“No, none of that.”

“Then what are you putting it on my mouth for?”

“I wondered what your mouth would taste like with added sweetness. Not that it needs it. I could feast on it for days as-is. But the lure of two of my favorite things together is too much to resist.”

Seeing her be playful made me feel joyful. She was playing. After all that she’d suffered, to see her able to relax and have fun in the bedroom was a miracle. Adara had done wonders with her therapy. I put my hands under the back of my head.

“Well then, do whatever makes you feel good, Mon Désir . I’m yours. Or until I can’t stand it, then watch out.”

“Then I’d better get busy. I know how you like to take control,” she whispered.

She hooked my glass off the table and brought it to her mouth to take a drink before placing it back. Then she pressed the strawberry to my mouth until I opened it. I barely took a bite and was chewing it when she lowered her head and captured my mouth. A small amount of champagne entered, and then her tongue was inside, twisting and fighting with mine. The combo of the fruit, chocolate, and champagne with her unique taste intoxicated me. I moaned. I wasn’t able to resist flicking my tongue around her mouth. I was beginning to see the attraction to these if this was what it did to others.

It took tremendous restraint not to roll her over and take command, but I did it. Somehow. As we kissed and tasted, my erection became painful. It was feeling as if it might burst. I gasped. She must’ve sensed my desire or something because she shifted her body downward, bringing her pussy over the top of it. Her slickness and the heat enveloped my cock. A loud groan was torn out of me. She sat up and smirked at me. Her weight was pushing her center down on me. I flexed my hips, which made her moan and shudder.

“If you want to remain the leader, just a warning. I’m on the edge. Having your scorching pussy rubbing on me is a guaranteed way to force me to take over,” I warned her.

“And if I told you I need to be the one to stay in command, for me. What would you do?”

“Fuck, you’re trying to murder me. I’d have to fight tooth and nail to give you what you need.”

“Thank you. I promise to stop before you die,” she taunted.

As time passed, I discovered that she was a vixen and was determined to drive me insane. We kissed, ate more strawberries, and drank champagne from each other’s mouths. In between, she rubbed herself on me. When I’d get desperate and on the brink of lifting her and sliding my cock inside of her, she’d back off. She seemed interested in my chest. Her mouth kissed, licked, and nibbled all over it and my nipples. Her fingers were in on the torture, too. The candlelight and the smell of roses intensified everything for me. I was caught between heaven and hell. I had no idea how long we’d been at it. Every time I tried to do more than kiss or fondle her tits, she’d push my hands away or shake her head.

I was about to beg her to either put me out of my misery or let me loose when she raised herself. Her hand wiggled between us and gripped my cock. I hissed, then hissed louder when she lowered herself onto me. The heat and slickness, combined with how tight she was, made me break. I bucked my hips upward, driving my cock entirely into her. I growled when I was nestled fully inside of her.

Her long moan and the way she closed her eyes told me it felt as good to her. “Babe, do you want to continue, or can I?” I hoarsely muttered. It was hard to talk when your teeth were clenched to stop yourself from going wild.

Her eyelids fluttered open. She appeared dazed, but she answered me. “I’ve got this. I want to make love to you from start to finish. You always get to show me how much you want me. It’s my turn.”

“Then I’m all yours.”

She began slowly by lifting and then leisurely lowering herself on me. Over and over, she did it, not changing her pace. I was straining not to scream. A gasp was yanked out of me when she abruptly slammed herself down on me. This signaled a change. She rode my cock faster and took me deep. To make me wilder, she’d occasionally clench her inner muscles or twist her hips. Sometimes, her nails would sink into my chest.

The room filled with the sounds of our lovemaking—the slap of skin, moans, groans, whimpers, and muttered words of encouragement and love. And the roses were tinged with the smell of us. I was straining not to come. She’d kept herself in check so that any time she got close to having an orgasm, she’d switch things up.

Unexpectedly, she somehow reached my balls. She gave them a tug that wasn’t painful, but it, combined with everything else, broke me. I cried out, and then I was coming. As I did, she joined me. Her screams mixed with my bellows. I came so hard. I felt lightheaded when I finished. She was slumped over my chest with her face buried in it.

I pushed her hair out of the way and moved her head so I could see the side of her face. Her eyes were closed, and she wore a contented smile. I caressed her cheek. She opened up and lifted her head. She was smiling at me. “How did I do?” she asked.

Wanting to tease her, I shrugged and then casually remarked. “It was okay.”

She sprung up into a sitting position. Her mouth was hanging open, and she gave me a skeptical look. “It was okay! Are you kidding me? I almost died, and all you felt was it was okay. See if I ever try to make love to you again, Tanner Fulton.” She went to move off me, but I captured her hips and held her there. She scowled at me. “Let go.”

I began to chuckle. “Desi, babe, I’m messing with you. How could you ask me that question? How I carried on and then the load you just wrung out of me should tell you that it was spectacular. I’ll never say no to you doing it again, although I can’t promise I’ll be able to hold back as long as I did this time. You made me lightheaded.”

She huffed, then smacked my chest. “I swear, if you do that again, no more sex.”

“Baby, that’s an empty threat.”

“Oh really, what makes you say that?”

“Because you love and need it like I do. You’d never cut me off. If you do, we’ll both lose our minds. We need it to help show each other how much we love and want each other.”

“Asshole. How can I keep you in line if I can’t deprive you?”

“I have faith you’ll think of something else. Now, what do you say about getting cleaned up a little? We can enjoy more of the goodies, and then I’ll get to be the one in control.”

“I thought you’d never ask,” she whispered before kissing me. It was going to be a long, though deeply satisfying night.

???

I’d been an engaged man for three days. It was still a bit unbelievable to me—years of denial and then all this in a matter of barely more than a month. I’d gone to work on Monday with a grin that couldn’t be wiped off my face. Suffice it to say, it caught people’s attention, and I was asked repeatedly what was up. Those from the club didn’t blow my secret. I wanted to mess with my coworkers a little. Finally, after a couple of hours and several questions, I announced that I was engaged. The news shocked the whole bunch. Recalling that conversation made me roll my eyes.

We had one woman who worked in the garage. Billie Jo was the front desk person. She set appointments, dealt with payments, and things like that. She had been there less than a year. When I started, I was warned by the other guys, particularly Mac, Buddy, Drew, and Mason, to watch her. She’d been like a bitch in heat with all the men. She was on the prowl for one and didn’t seem to care who, although she tried harder if a biker was around.

Saint had told me to watch her, too. Despite him being married, she’d put the moves on him and only stopped when he threatened her job. Unfortunately, she saw me as fresh meat. I’d told her that I wasn’t interested from the start, but she still would flirt and try to entice me. I ignored her. With me now a claimed man, I hoped she’d take the hint and stop. If not, I’d have to threaten her job, too.

The main guys were gathered in the main mechanical area. They were standing there watching me.

“Well, are you going to tell us why you’re walking around here with a shit-eating grin on your face, or do we have to beat it out of you?” Mason grumbled.

“I’d like to see you try,” I taunted.

“Shit, don’t go there, Mace, he’ll kill you. Come on, Ruin, tell us what has you so happy,” Drew cajoled. Saint was over against a car. He was watching and not saying a peep. Others were within earshot. There was no time like the present, so I made my announcement. I saw Billie Jo lurking by the door that led from the work area to the lobby.

“Alright, you pulled it out of me. Jeez, can’t a guy savor great news without you bastards demanding he spill?” I joked.

“Saint, what’s the penalty if we beat your newest brother?” Buddy asked.

“It’s complicated. There’s the whole sticking up for the brother thing, and then his dad and brother-in-law are scary bastards. Add to it that the old ladies would form a lynch mob and take you all out, so probably steeper than what you want to pay,” Saint said with a snicker.

I winked at them as they groaned. Taking pity, I told them the news. “Since you’re all a bunch of nosy parkers, I’ll tell you. Over the weekend, I got engaged.”

Astonishment was evident in all of them. Mac was the one to recover first. “What the hell!? You haven’t been home long enough to be engaged. You told us you didn’t have a girlfriend. Was that a lie?”

“No, it wasn’t a lie. When I came home, I didn’t have one.”

“You’re tying yourself to a woman you’ve known less than six weeks? Are you nuts?” Drew added.

“I didn’t say I didn’t know her before, just that we weren’t together in that way. I finally admitted what I’d been denying for a long-ass time. I’m in love with her, and she’s the one.”

“Oh, well, I gotta meet this woman,” Buddy said.

“I’m pretty sure you have,” was my comeback.

“Who is it?” Mason asked immediately.

“Desi.”

They froze and blinked a couple of times, exchanging glances, and then Mac was the one to ask what they were all wondering. “Desi, as in the Desi, your foster sister? The one with the little boy. Her?”

“Yes, that Desi. I’ve been secretly in love with her for years. I found out she feels the same. There was no need to wait.”

I waited to see if any of them would act uncomfortable knowing her status in the family. Wylie was at the back of my mind. I shouldn’t have worried. After it sank in, they all congratulated me and shook my hand. They wished us well. None of them gave off an insincere vibe. From there, we went back to our day.

That was yesterday. When I got home last night, we had church. I sat back and watched as Sin and the other officers announced to the other members about the money Pitbull and Talon had given to the club. They were as blown away as I had been. They tried to argue it wasn’t needed, but they were shot down. Those with a house were left to think about what they might want to do with their share. Arrow and Hazard were shocked. They knew they didn’t have to build anything right away, but if they wanted to, it was an option. No one demanded they wait until they found someone. It had been a great end of the day. The week was starting out on a positive note. I prayed it would stay that way.

Today, the day started out great again. I was busy painting a bike. The others were doing various jobs. The place was humming along. We’d gotten a couple more custom orders. I stayed head down in my work until I had to take a break. After using the bathroom and grabbing a bottle of water, I slipped outside to breathe the clean air and soak up some sunlight. I was leaning against the back wall of the building with my eyes closed when a throat being cleared made me open them.

I wanted to swear when I saw Billie Jo standing there. She was studying me. Her typical flirty look was absent. “Do you need something, Billie Jo?” Maybe a customer was asking for me.

“I want to ask you something.”

“Okay, go for it.”

“Why her?”

“Excuse me?”

“Why are you marrying the girl who was raised as your sister? I don’t think you’ve been fair.”

“Exactly how have I not been fair?” I didn’t react or lose my cool. I wanted to hear what she had to say, and if it so happened she hung herself, that was on her. She walked to the corner of the building and looked around it. While she did, I fiddled with my phone and put it on record. I wanted proof if this went the way I thought it might. She swung back around and walked over to me.

“You didn’t give anyone else a chance to be your girl. You came home and said you weren’t dating, then the next thing I know, you’re claiming you’re engaged to her. I know who she is. Everyone in school knew her. She’s not the kind of woman for you, Ruin. Did your family force you to propose to her? I know she has a kid. Do they want him to have a daddy so badly that they told you it had to be you? If so, why not make Tyson marry her? She’s more his speed. A man like you needs someone adventurous and able to meet your demands. Hell, she’d probably cry if you wanted to get freaky in bed with her. I won’t.”

I fought not to snap at her. “How do you know her from school? You didn’t go to our high school. I don’t remember you.”

“I did for a bit, then I had to change schools. I have friends. They kept me updated on what was happening. As soon as she showed up out of the blue, I knew there was something odd about her and the whole situation. Why would your family take in someone her age and pregnant to boot?”

“Billie Jo, you don’t know shit about me, my family, or Desi. If I were you, I’d shut up and walk off. Desi and I love each other. Yes, she has a son. Shane will be my son as soon as we get married. End of story. Even if Desi weren’t in the picture, you and I would’ve never dated.”

“And why the hell not? What’s wrong with me?” she asked in outrage. Her hands were on her hips, and she glared at me.

Typically, I tried to be a decent guy and not say awful things to people, especially women, even those I disliked. After she made the comments she had about Desi and the sneer she had while she did, I wasn’t inclined to be nice.

“Well, let’s see. I’d never date a woman who is on the hunt for any guy who’ll have her and treats men as nothing more than a meal ticket. I’ve fucked a few like that, but I’m not interested in meaningless, boring sex. You’ve been after a man since you started here. Everyone warned me when I started, and I’ve seen it with my own eyes. You gravitate to bikers, but any guy will do. As for your remarks about Desi and her not being adventurous enough for me, you’re clueless. She and Tyson are like brother and sister, not that it’s your business. Now, you’ve wasted enough of my break. I’ve got work to do, and then get home to my woman and boy.” I didn’t bother to give her time to reply. I walked off. I wanted to grin when I heard her frustrated huff.

Back inside, I went straight to Saint’s office. His door was open. I knocked on it.

“Hey, Ruin, come on in. Great job on that new piece out there. You need something?” he asked as he greeted me. I shut the door behind me, which showed him it was something I didn’t want the whole shop to hear. He became alert. I sat in a chair in front of his desk. I slid my phone on the desk toward him.

“I have something I think you should hear in case it turns into something else.”

He nodded, so I hit play. As he listened, his face darkened. When it was done, he smacked his fist off the desk.

“I swear that woman is like a bitch in heat who needs a swift kick in the ass. I knew she put her sights on you as soon as you started, but I knew you were more than capable of taking care of yourself. Has she been pressing you to go out with her?”

“Not any more than she does with most guys. Hell, she flirts with the customers who she deems to be her type. However, a heartbeat and a job seem enough to be her type. I’d like to think after today, she’ll get the message and stay away, but in case she doesn’t, I want you to know what she said. I can handle her, but I know there are HR ramifications. It’s not like a guy where we’d take him out and beat sense into him.”

“That’s for damn sure, but it would be simpler if it were. Thanks for the heads up. I know she irritates some of the guys. No one has lodged a formal complaint about her despite my asking if they want to. She does do a decent job. However, I’m not going to have her lurking and causing shit, whether for you or anyone. I’ll get an ad out for someone to fill her spot.”

“It’s your call, VP. I’m not demanding you have to replace her. Just be aware. I remember you said she even tried to snare you.”

He rolled his eyes. “Yeah, she did, and I told her if she came onto me again, she’d be gone so fast her head would spin. We don’t cheat on our women.”

As he said it, my prior thoughts on the topic hit me. My face fell as guilt resurfaced. I was still struggling with the fact I’d technically done that, even if Desi said it wasn’t so. He noticed it.

“Tell me what that look was for.”

It was a demand and not as my boss. It was as my brother and VP. As quickly as possible, I told him. When I was done, he was shaking his head.

“Ruin, I get it. I do. And if Desi were holding it against you, that would be a problem, but she isn’t. She understands that this wasn’t done purposefully. You literally couldn’t acknowledge you were in love with her. It wasn’t cheating. Not as I or the club sees it.”

“I still feel like a piece of shit for doing it. What if she changes her mind later and feels it is? I love her. Losing her because of letting my cock lead me around when I was in denial would kill me.”

“Desi won’t change her mind. As long as you keep showing her and Shane how much you love and adore them, you’ll both be great. Don’t borrow trouble. Is there anything else you want to talk about? I’m here. All of us are.”

I didn’t discuss Desi and me more, but I did talk about the new piece I was doing. He enthusiastically gave me feedback on how great he thought it would turn out. We shot the shit for about ten more minutes, then I let him get back to work. If I wanted to be home on time, I had to get a move on.

Tonight, Desi was cooking dinner for the three of us at the trailer. I was going to talk to her later about when the two of them would move in with me. Plus, I’d found a couple of house plans I wanted to show her. The sooner we decided on one, the faster we’d get the house on the builder’s schedule. I wanted to get Shane’s input on what he wanted.

By the time I left for the day, annoying Billie Jo was forgotten. She’d avoided me for the rest of the day. I did catch her peeking looks at me, but I pretended not to notice she was anywhere nearby.