Thirty-Eight
Z
“Ready?” Priest claps his hand on my shoulder. He’s not expecting any other answer but ‘yes.’ Blink and the rest of Priest’s crew are waiting at the end of the table.
Shadow knows what’s coming so he has me sit near the head of the table by Priest. Rock, and Wrath take up positions behind me. Teller and Murphy end up farther down the table. Both give me a nod and chin lift before Priest starts the meeting.
“Thank you for having us,” Priest starts. “Awful thing when a brother’s almost taken out this way. I know this has been a rough time for everyone.”
Murmurs of agreement go around the room, but no one interrupts Priest. The air’s thick with curiosity and brothers are starting to glance my way.
“As you know, our brothers from upstate have been here offering support and protection. I’ve asked their VP, Zero, to stick around and take over as President until Sway recovers.”
The murmurs increase in volume, but no one seems upset about the announcement. I focus on Priest because I’m sure he’ll want me to say something. At some point. When he’s finished.
Priest taps his knuckles against the table a few times. “I hate even saying this, but if at some point it looks like Sway isn’t going to make a full recovery, then we’ll discuss other options.” He glances over and smirks at Rock. “I know Upstate isn’t pleased about losing their VP, so this isn’t a permanent arrangement. Right now,” he adds.
What’s he thinking? I’ll fall so in love with downstate that I’ll want to stay? That I’m power-hungry and want the gavel permanently? Fuck no. I’d rather be home with my brothers. And I’m quite happy with my job as VP in my own damn club.
I nod to acknowledge the sentiment though. I also send up a prayer that Sway makes a full and speedy recovery.
“Now, even though it’s temporary, we need to make it official,” Priest says.
Even though I know what’s coming, a sick feeling rolls around in my gut.
Priest motions for me to stand. He pulls out a knife and to my surprise, hands it to Rock. Figured since Priest insisted on me taking over, he’d want to do this part. Or maybe he just wants to send a message to Rock. It’s hard to tell.
Whatever the reason, it fucking sucks.
Flexing his jaw, Rock accepts the knife. He turns to me steely-eyed as ever and slices my VP patch off my cut.
Might as well be chopping off a limb. Some might not understand, but our colors are everything. The loss of my VP patch aches deep in my bones. Even though I’m doing what’s in the best interest of the whole club, it feels so wrong.
Rock hands me the patch. Sounding like he gargled with gravel this morning, he reminds me to, “Hang onto that.”
I slip it into the inside pocket of my cut. Rock pulls me in for a hug. “You got this, brother,” he says only loud enough for me to hear.
Fucker’s trying to get me all choked up. “Thank you.”
Priest wraps his python of an arm around my neck and pulls me to his side. “Congratulations.” He slaps a ‘president’ patch in my open palm and also hands me a ‘downstate’ rocker for the back.
Shoot me now.
Everyone in the room stands and claps their hands, welcoming me into the club. It’s expected that I say a few words. I’ve thought about it a few times since Priest tapped me for this mission.
“Thank you for welcoming me with open arms during such an uncertain time. As everyone knows, our two charters go way back, and I’m honored to lead downstate through this rough patch until Sway recovers.”
There, I kept it respectful and made it clear I’m not here to steal Sway’s position.
Priest seems to have the same thought. He claps me on the back and gives me a proud papa look.
“All right, let’s celebrate tonight, recover tomorrow, and take care of business,” Priest says, dismissing everyone.
Can’t let me have too much presidential power right away, can we?
Lilly
Z says tonight’s party is a bigger deal. I’m glad I brought something to wear that’s more fitting for the girlfriend of the president.
I choose a short, peacock-blue dress with a high neck that buttons in the back. A deep V cut out of the front shows off plenty of cleavage and another one in the back shows off some skin too. A little demure and a little slutty. Perfect for the night ahead.
First, I slip a tiny black thong into place, then I smooth on black, lacy stockings, securing them to a tight, black lace garter skirt. The dress needs a special bra that doesn’t show in the back and I strap the girls in before slipping on the dress and pulling the side zipper into place.
I snap a black leather cuff on each wrist, then ladder on several bracelets above them. The five-inch platform heels I brought with me haven’t been worn in a while. They’re tight, but tolerable. At least for now.
I’m about to slip off the shoes when Z returns to the room. He stands in the open doorway, staring at me.
“What?”
Quietly, he closes the door behind him.
“Is everything okay?” It’s unnerving the way he keeps staring at me without saying anything.
His shoulders ripple in a smooth motion as he shrugs off his cut and sets it on the chair next to the door.
“What are you doing? Don’t we need to leave?”
“They’ll wait.”
My thighs clench as he peels off his shirt, revealing the washboard abs, sculpted chest, and the beautiful artwork inked into his skin.
The blazing heat in his eyes has me stepping back until my ass hits the wall.
One corner of his lush mouth tugs up and my clit pulses in response. “Z,” I whisper.
He advances like a panther, quick and efficient steps, until he’s right in front of me. “You’re way too beautiful to let anyone else look at you.” His gaze roams over my body as he reaches out and wraps one hand around my wrists, capturing them.
“Do you want me to wear jeans or something instead?”
Really, Lilly? Are you asking for permission to wear clothes now?
“You wear whatever you want, Siren. Anyone who can’t keep their hands to themselves tonight will get a beat down.”
The expression on his face, like the words that just came out of his mouth, is savage.
“You’re always safe with me,” he says.
How does he know that’s what I need to hear?
“Not safe from you though?” I arch a brow.
“Never.”
Pressing my arms up over my head, he pins me to the wall. His free hand slowly slides the skirt of my dress up, revealing the stockings and garter set.
“Fuck, this is hot. My girl’s still a little wild underneath, huh?”
My stomach drops. All I’ve focused on for the last couple years is being a good mother. The wildness from my younger years has no place in my current life. Somehow, Z helps me marry those parts of myself together in a way that doesn’t leave a hollow feeling in my chest.
He teases his fingers along the edge of my thong, brushing his knuckles against the soaked seam of my pussy lips. “This is in my way.”
For a second, he releases my wrists, but I leave my arms up over my head. He nods in approval. “Just like that.”
He slips a knife out of his pocket and neatly slices through the strings holding my underwear together.
“Dammit, Z.”
“You don’t need ‘em.” His voice is nothing but a deep rumble that my body responds to immediately.
“Easy. I’m going to take care of you.” He pushes my hips back, pinning me to the wall. One of his fingers slips inside my body and my moans fill the air around us.
&nbs
p; “That’s right,” he encourages, stroking me until I whimper.
“Z,” I whine and arch my back. “Please. I need more.”
He lowers his head, skimming his lips along my jaw to my ear while sliding a second finger inside. “How’s that?”
“Not enough.”
Abruptly, he pulls his fingers free and lightly slaps right between my thighs.
“Oh!” A jolt of pleasure rocks through me, but still not quite enough.
“You need my cock?”
Damn him, he’s determined to make me beg tonight, isn’t he? “Yes.”
He lifts me as if I weigh nothing and sets me on the desk against the wall. “Spread your legs.” He taps the desk on either side of my hips. “Feet here.”
“Do I look like a gymnast to you?”
He wraps one hand around my ankle and takes my shoe off, letting it fall to the carpet with a soft thud. “Don’t test me, Lilly.”
I kick off the other shoe and do as he asked, feeling incredibly exposed and vulnerable. He goes to his knees and yanks me to the edge of the desk. I struggle for balance, finally leaning back on my elbows and placing my feet on his shoulders.
“Much better.” That’s the last thing he says before burying his face between my legs.
My head drops back, and I squeeze my eyes shut. “Oh my God, that’s so good.”
He lashes me with his tongue in a slow, steady, seductive rhythm that leaves me shaking. I arch my back, begging for more and he groans in approval. “So good, Lilly,” he murmurs against me.
He uses his thumbs to part my lips then lowers his face again, sucking my clit into his mouth. Teasing me until I’m ready to break.
“Z.” I squirm and dig my fingers into his hair, begging for him to finish me off. “Please.”
My moans of pleasure rise in volume, but he keeps encouraging me, pushing me to the edge.
The slippery sounds announce how aroused I am, and he uses my wetness to push his thumb against my ass.
“Don’t you dare,” I warn.
He grins and sucks harder on my clit. My head falls back so I can concentrate on the orgasm bearing down on me. I reach down and curl my fingers in his hair. As I arch my back, embracing the waves of bliss flowing over me, he pushes his thumb into my ass, twisting my pleasure into something otherworldly.