High pitched whimpers and cries mixed with the low grunts and groans of Copper. She came hard, harder than she had moments ago, and before she was prepared for it.
“Aiden,” she screamed as molten pleasure coursed through every cell in her body. One more thrust had her lower body jammed against the table, then a loud roar above her signaled Copper’s orgasm.
He held her pinned for a long moment as they both took their time weathering the storm.
“Shit, Shell,” he said as he stepped back and slipped out of her body. She almost cried from the loss of connection even as her sore body thanked her for the reprieve.
Gently, in complete contrast to the rough sex, Copper helped her upright and spun her to face him. He dropped to his knees and ran his fingers over the red splotches on her hip bones.
“I’m so sorry, baby. You’re going to be bruised as hell tomorrow. I was so hot for you, I completely lost control. I was like a fucking animal.” He pressed his lips to the tender spot, and she jumped. “Fuck. Is it that sore?”
Smiling down at him, she ran a hand through his hair. “No, Copper, it’s not bad at all. You just tickled me. I’m fine, trust me. If I had enough energy, I’d bend back over and beg you to do it again.”
His beard still bore hints of how much she’d wanted him. “So you like it rough, huh?”
Her face heated. “Apparently so.”
He stood and drew her into his arms. “That’s good, babe because I have a feeling I’m going to lose control around you for the next forty years or so.”
Tears flooded her eyes. What a lovely picture he painted. Him still craving her well into their golden years. The sweetness of the image blurred into a wave of guilt and shame. Shell had a choice on the horizon. Tell him her secrets or leave Townsend. Either decision would kill any affection he might feel for her.
She tightened her arms around him as despair threatened to ruin the moment. It couldn’t happen. These magical moments would be gone soon enough. The bleak future couldn’t be allowed to ruin her present perfection.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
COPPER FISHED A Cuban cigar out of its hiding spot in the lower drawer of his desk. Running it under his nose, he inhaled the pungent aroma and immediately experienced the calming effect he always achieved when he smoked. Shell wasn’t a fan of the cigarettes, and now that he was more addicted to her mouth than the nicotine, he figured he’d better kick the habit. But, she’d admitted last week when they were relaxing on the tiny patio in her backyard during an unusually warm afternoon, she didn’t mind the lingering scent of cigar smoke on him. In fact, her words had been something like sexy and manly.
That was a green light as far as he was concerned, and hopefully, the occasional cigar would make the transition to no cigarettes more bearable. Just as he was about to light the sucker, a heavy fist pounded on his closed office door.
Fuck.
He stowed the cigar. For some reason, he preferred it to be a solo activity. Always had. Probably because it allowed himself a rare few moments to be still and process. Though he had to admit he enjoyed his stogie just as much when Shell was on his lap relaxing with him as they’d done last week.
“Come on in,” he said.
The door opened and Zach’s blond head popped through the crack. “Got a minute, Prez?”
He waved Zach in. “Yeah, brother. Have a seat.”
“Thanks.” Zach strode in dressed in workout clothes and his cut, probably fresh off his job as owner of a local gym. One of the MC’s more profitable businesses, Copper never regretted fronting club money to start Zach’s dream up about seven years ago.
Zach planted himself in one of the two empty chairs opposite Copper. Sniffing he asked, “You sneaking cigars in here without me?”
Busted. Zach appreciated a good cigar just as much as Copper did. What the hell. He could share with his enforcer. Copper laughed. “Just about to before your bumbling fist knocked on my door.”
There wasn’t an ounce of apology in Zach’s smirk. “Wasn’t it you giving Beth a lecture a few days ago about sharing her toys?”
With a roll of his eyes, Copper snorted then dug out two cigars. “Yeah, yeah. Shut the fuck up.” He rolled one across the desk to Zach who snatched it up and immediately smelled the stogie.
“Damn, Cop. That’s nice shit.”
Copper raised an eyebrow. “Now you know why I don’t like to share.”
The laugh that left Zach was infectious. “See your point. And I’ll consider myself loved.”
They wasted a few moments lighting the cigars and puffing in silence before Copper ended the quiet. “How’s Rusty working out?”