One Ride (The Hellions Ride) (22 page)

One Last Night Together

For a moment, I almost slipped and told Tripp how I feel about him.  What we shared this morning goes beyond orgasms.  He claimed a piece of me that I don’t want back.  I gladly walk away knowing a piece of me is with him.
We get up and shower together.  It’s like Tripp can’t get close enough to me.  I take in every second of it, knowing we are headed home and our future is uncertain.

We’re on the road again.  Crossing over into North Carolina, my chest tightens.  I don’t know what tomorrow brings.  Pulling in to Tripp’s house, I’m so grateful to be off the bike.  My body is sore from spending almost a month on the back of a motorcycle. 

Once we unpack the bikes, Rex is itching to go out.  Tripp looks at me, trying to gage whether we’re going out with Rex or not.  Deciding it would be nice to hang out with his boys, I get ready so we can go.  It’s strange riding in a truck with Tripp.  Sass is riding with us and Rex took his bike.  The danger has been eliminated.  I’m sure his plans for the night don’t involve returning home.

Walking into the bar, I look over and see Tessie working tonight.  Tripp is stopped immediately by one of his club members wanting to chat.  Sass and I leave him there and make our way to Tessie.  She smiles and places our beers in front of us as we settle onto the stools.

“Good to have y’all back.”  She smiles. 

The last time we were here, we got to know her a little bit and she’s genuinely a nice person.  If given the time to hang out, I know we could be good friends.  We’re chatting away, catching up on the drunken escapades she’s seen while we were away.  Sass and I told her about seeing the sights and the weather while on our trip.  Tessie doesn’t know why were gone and she’s doesn’t need to either. 

Tripp comes up behind me, his hands coming around my waist as he drops his head down to my neck.  His hair is down and brushes against my bare shoulder causing me to shudder. 

“This is a first.” Tessie says with a smile that lights up her entire face.  “Never thought the day would come where Tripp was tamed.  There’s hope for all you Hellions yet.” 

Surprisingly, Tripp hears her, but doesn’t deny being tamed.  My heart wants to latch on to this and go with it.  My head knows it’s unwise to have any expectations or desires outside of what Tripp is willing to give me today, and today only.

Rex has been wondering around the bar.  For once he’s ignoring all the bar flies though and only talking to his brothers.  Hmm… I wonder what’s going on with him.  Tripp is casually wrapped around me, never letting go as his boys come and go, stopping to catch up before leaving.  Rex makes his way over to us.  Initially, I think it’s for Tripp, but when he turns and goes behind the bar, I’m surprised.

Turning around, Tessie runs right into Rex’s chest.  Before any of us register what’s going on, Rex is leaning down and kissing Tessie.  Her arms go around his neck as he’s pulling her up against him.  I don’t know what to think.  Tessie told me they have a history.  This is not something in the past though, no this is a kiss shared between lovers.  Quickly becoming a moment that they should consider getting a room.  He pulls away abruptly.  Her face is flushed.  He knew what he was doing getting her worked up with that kiss.  Apparently, incredible kissing is in the Crews genes because one kiss from Tripp can melt me into a puddle.  The look on Tessie’s face makes it apparent she’s become a puddle.  Slapping her jean clad ass as he tells her that he’ll meet her at her place after work and walks back over to the room in the back with the pool tables.  Well, I know what he’ll be doing later.

Tessie’s shock is apparent as Rex leaves her standing there.  She shakes her head at me as Tripp is whispering in my ear his own surprise at Rex’s behavior.  He’s the man of no repeats, except maybe where Tessie is concerned.

After exchanging numbers with Tessie to keep in touch, we leave the bar.  Back at Tripp’s, Sass immediately takes off to Rex’s room.  We go to Tripp’s room.  I watch as he removes his boots, socks, and then his cut and shirt.  The ripple of his abs, the details of his ink, and the ‘v’ of his hips, and every inch of this man’s body is consuming me.  Walking up to him, I remove my shirt and jeans as I go. 

Standing before him in my black satin bra and panties, I look up at him.  Reaching out, I grab for his jeans, unbuttoning them.  I unzip them and push them off with his boxers.  He’s naked in front of me as I drink him in.

“You want something, Doll?”  I nod my head in agreement as I bite my bottom lip.  “Then take it babe.”

Take it I do.  I push him down on the bed.  Stepping back, I stand in front of him.  I do a circle roll of my hips as I turn around putting my back to him.  I slowly hook my thumbs into my panties.  Teasingly, I remove my undergarments.  Turning back around to face him, naked, I cup my own breasts, pulling at my erect nipples.  Looking down, his cock is rock hard and standing at attention.  Climbing over him, I slide onto his shaft.  I still for a moment, taking in the sensation of him filling me to the hilt.  Looking into his eyes, I feel joined with him completely, our souls entwined.  As I lean over and kiss him, I begin to move.  Slowly, I ride him.  Leaning up, he takes my nipple in his mouth, sucking.  I clinch my core around him as the energy zings through me.  His hand comes down.  His fingers finding our joined bodies, he rubs my clit, pushing me higher to ecstasy.  I’m trying to stay in control here, but the more he touches me the more I want to let go and release everything.  I’m so close, but I’m holding back.  I want this to last because I know tomorrow he’s going to leave me and not look back. 

When he’s had enough of my pace and my tight rein on my orgasm, he rolls us over.  Now he’s in charge.  Pinning my arms above my head, he begins pulling all the way out and slowly sliding back in as his piercing grazes up the front wall of my core, causing me to tremble.  He leans down, breathing heavily on my ear as he continues to keep his strokes in me slow and measured.  Sensing my overwhelming need for release, he kisses his way to my breasts, as he finally increases our pace ;no longer teasing my impending climax, he’s now slamming into me.  He comes down and sucks my nipple then nips it sending me over the edge.  As my aftershocks milk him, he follows me, his warm seed exploding into my womb.  He pulls out of me and holds me silently for the longest time as we both come down from our orgasmic bliss.  Eventually he goes to the bathroom, returning with a washcloth to gently clean me up.  He curls up in bed with me.  Laying there in his arms, I don’t want this night to ever end.

Holding Doll in my arms, it’s time to have the conversation I’ve been avoiding.  Sighing, I don’t know where to begin.

“Don’t say goodbye, Tripp, okay.”  Doll starts before I have to.  Her head is on my chest as she traces my tattoos with her finger.  “I know what tomorrow is.  I’m well aware this was a fling.  Let’s just enjoy the time we have and tomorrow we part as friends.”

Friends, the word cuts deep coming from her.  “Doll, I don’t want to hurt you.  My life is surrounded in chaos.  I’m never home.  Hell, I can get a call at noon and be on the road by two, gone for weeks at a time.  That’s no way for you to have to live.”

“Hell raisers demanding extreme chaos.
  That’s what my dad always says about the Hellions.  I get it Tripp, okay.  Don’t ruin tonight by making this about why we won’t work.  I know your lifestyle.  I also realize we live five hours apart.  Now is not the time for the explanations for something I know and accept.  Enjoy what we have while we have it.”

“I’m always here for you, Doll.  One call, that’s all it takes.  I programmed my number in your regular cell phone that’s now back in your purse.  Day or night, you need me, you fuckin’ call.”

“Okay, Tripp.”  She whispers as she snuggles closer.  Much more and she’ll be sleeping on top of me tonight.  “Tripp, we haven’t used condoms.  I’m clean and on birth control.  Since I don’t know when I will see you again, is there anything I need to worry about.”

I knew she was on birth control, I saw them in her bags, and I’ve never worried about her having anything.  “Doll, I’ve never been with anyone else not wrapped.  I knew you were on the pill.  With you, I can’t seem to hold back and I don’t want to.  Nothing between us ever, baby.”  I reply, pulling her tighter and hoping to give her the knowledge she’s someone different and special to me.

Not knowing what else to say, I kiss the top of her head and lay back.  We lay there lost in our own thoughts for I don’t know how long.  She continues tracing my tattoos.  When she thinks I’m asleep, I hear her whisper.

“Nothing between us ever, baby.”  She pauses, in an even lower whisper, “I love you, Talon.” 

I feel the wet warmth of the tears, as they fall on my chest.  Remaining still, I let her think I’m asleep.  I don’t want to tarnish the memory, the moment of hearing her say she loves me.  If she knows I’m awake, she’ll try to back track.  Saying goodbye is hard enough.  Having her try to take back those words would kill me inside.

Home Sweet Home

Waking up, my eyes are puffy from crying into Tripp’s chest last night after he fell asleep.  As I move around, I realize Tripp’s already out of bed.  Guess I need to get used to waking up alone.  It’s time to put my big girl panties on.  He never promised me anything.  By dinnertime, I’ll be back on the compound.  Sass and I decided we didn’t want to live in the condo anymore, after the camera thing.  We’re staying in one of the duplexes until we decide where we want to move next.

We pack up our stuff.  Rex is staying behind to catch up on stuff while Tripp makes the drive home.  Holding in my tears, I load my bag into his truck.  If I had known yesterday would be my last ride with Tripp, I would’ve held on tighter or something.  This feels awkward to know our time is over.

Sass settles herself in the back of the crew cab Silverado.  Tripp climbs in, once we’re on the road, he takes my hand in his and spends the entire drive rubbing circles over my hand with his thumb.  God, this sucks.  I don’t want this to end. 

Outside of the chatter Sass and I share about housing possibilities the ride is relatively quiet.  Tripp’s phone rings quite a few times, some he answers, some he doesn’t.  Pulling into the compound, my chest hurts.  Physical pain consumes every inch of me.  Is this what a panic attack feels like?  I can’t do it, I can’t let him go.

A few of the guys are standing out front with my dad, Danza, and Frisco as we get out.  Tripp grabs our bags as I rush over to hug my dad.  I get the usual grunt response.  He’s not the most affectionate man.  Before I can say anything else, I hear Sass ask her dad.

“Where’s Tank?”  All the guys tense as Danza responds.  Everything I thought I knew changes in an instant.

“Sass, there was an incident.”

Putting her hand on her hip, her face reddening in anger and frustration, “what the fuck do you mean there was an incident?  Where the hell is Tank?”

“Sass, calm the fuck down.”  Danza says trying to tame the outburst building in his daughter.  Tripp is suddenly beside me, his arms wrapped around my waist.

“He’s in the hospital.  He’s been shot.  He’s in a coma and it’s not good.”  Danza says immediately dropping his head in anguish.

My knees give out from under me, and the only thing holding me up is Tripp.  Sass falls into Danza’s chest crying.  Leaning back into Tripp, I realize he knew.

“You fucking knew.”  I say turning to face him as he drops his hands from my waist.  “You fucking knew and you didn’t tell her.” 

My dad steps over to me to pull my shoulder back.  “It was my call not to tell y’all, not his.” 

Hurt and scared for Tank, I can’t see past my tunnel vision that I was blindsided.  All this time, Tripp knew.  Yet, he let us walk into this.  I need to get away from all of this.  I need to get my best friend to Tank.  We need to see him; she needs to see him. 

“Where’s my fuckin’ car?”  I scream walking over to Sass.  Tripp reaches out for me and I shrug him off.

“Get the hell off me.  Don’t you dare touch me!  You knew damn it.  You fuckin’ knew.  All of you fuckin’ knew.”

Sass is crying on my shoulder as she starts to straighten up.  She’s pulling herself together, realizing we need to get out of here and go see him.  He’s one of the brother’s we’re both closest to, especially Sass.  My dad pulls my car keys out of his pocket.  I grab them from him.

“What hospital?”  I ask.  Frisco steps up.  Reaching out to grab my shoulders, I pull away from him.  I’m pissed at all these shitheads for keeping this from us.

“Doll, calm down.  I get your fuckin’ pissed.  I’ll tell you where he is but you gotta calm down, honey.”

“Calm down.  What the hell?”  Sass says staring each one of these large men down.  “Tell me where the fuck he is so I can see for my damn self what
‘it doesn’t look good’
means.”

Frisco takes my keys, offering to drive us and fill us in on the ride.  Without another word to anyone, we turn and climb in my Camaro.  To hell with all of them, there was no reason to keep all of this from us.

Watching Doll walk away crushes me.  She never looks back as she gets in the car and leaves.  No goodbye, no see ya around.  No, she got in her car and left.  I spend a few minutes talking general business with Roundman.  Handing off the girls bags to a prospect to put in their place to stay, I’m officially done with this task.

“You alright, Tripp?  Anything you need to tell me?”  Roundman asks, looking at me as if he knows everything.  He’s looking at me like he reads me.  He knows I fucked his daughter.  I don’t like feeling exposed.

“Nah, Roundman.  I’m tired, gotta get back to Catawba.”  I say getting ready to turn and leave.  His voice stops me.

“She’ll come around, Talon.  Give it time.  Then you and I will have a talk.”  Without another word, he turns away from me, conversation over. 

I climb in my truck, absolutely deflated, and make the return drive home.  It’s after midnight before I pull in.  Ten hours on the road round trip, and all the emotions and craziness of the day I want nothing more than to shower and sleep.  Climbing in my bed, her scent engulfs me.  Knowing I won’t be able to sleep, I head down stairs and crash on the couch.  Managing a few hours of shuteye, even if it was filled with dreams of Doll, is better than none.

Morning comes.  My first morning in a month without her, loneliness is already creeping in.  Calling to check on Tank, I find out the girls stayed at the hospital all night by his bed.  The doctors can’t say if he’s going to pull through or not.  Life’s short, too short.  If I don’t make it to see another day, I experienced the unconditional love of a woman once and that’s more than some people ever see.

Heading into my office the paperwork is piled up.  Rex walks in with coffee in hand.

“You okay?”  He asks sitting in the chair in front of my desk.

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?”  Not looking up from my desk, I continue the mundane task of sorting papers.

“I don’t know fucker, the broad you’re in love with is gone for good.  After a month of steady pussy, that you couldn’t get enough of, you’re left with your hand and some fantasies.”

“Fuck you, Rex.  You ever talk about her pussy again, family or not, I’ll beat the shit outta you.”  I look up this time to find his face full of amusement, as mine is full of rage.

“You got it bad, man.”

“Shut the fuck up and get to work.”  I throw a set of keys at him for his next job.

“Jolene wants us over for dinner tonight.  Says it’s important.” 

“Alright, what time?” 

We map out the rest of the day so we can make it to his mom’s for dinner.  Not how I planned to end my day, but whatever.  Catching up keeps me busy and before I know it, Rex is walking in reminding me we have plans.

Arriving at my grandparent’s house, my gut twists.  This is the place full of my happiest memories.  Well, my happiest memories before Doll.  Pop’s was always big on memories and making moments last.  Aunt Jolene has the house now.  She’s given it the modern upgrades, and added her own personal flare.  Walking in the front door, I hear two female voices.  Going past the living room that’s painted turquoise with a beach theme that includes huge sand dollars on the wall, we head to the sound of the voices.  I stop in my tracks at the woman beside my aunt, the resemblance is uncanny.

“Talon.”  The woman says looking at me with the same eyes I see in the mirror every day.

Her hair is lighter than mine.  She’s tiny.  Only five feet tall or so, skinny, and her face full of wrinkles.  Time has not done her well.  She looks fragile and broken.  She may only be forty nine years old, but she looks to be in her late sixties.

“Lucy.”  I reply as the ice runs through my veins.

“I’m glad you remember who I am.”  She says never looking away from me as Rex goes and hugs his mother.

“What the fuck do you want?”  Might as well cut to the chase, she’s not here for well wishes.

“I’m moving back home.  I want to get to know you son.”

I laugh.  I can’t help myself, after all this time.  “Nothin’ to know.  I go to work, I come home.  I got a club that’s my family.  When I need to fuck, I got bitches to fuck.  Nothin’ more to tell.  Nothin’ more you need to know.  I’m a grown man.  You want to know me?  That time was long before now.”

“You’ve got a business.  You’ve traveled.  I want to know about all that.  Do you have a wife?  Do I have grandchildren?”

“Some things come too little, too late.  You want to move in here with Aunt Jolene, fine.  Y’all sort that shit out.  I’m outta here.”

And without another word, I leave.  Tomorrow, I pull out for a transport.  I’ll find a way to stay gone for a while.