Chapter 16
Maverick
I need to get back to the clubhouse and away from Tanner. I have a strong hunch if Ivan wouldn’t have walked in, I would have ended up doing some shit I shouldn't. It doesn’t help that right before I left to pick her up, Dom thanked me for helping and told me how he only trusts me to handle her.
“I don’t trust these other fuckers. They just see her as a piece of ass. I know you wouldn’t do that to her.” Dom told me after Skittles let us know he was held up at the shop.
Fuck.
When we got back, I told her to stay in her room for the rest of the evening. She was pissed, but I needed her out of sight and out of mind. At least that was my intention. Out of mind my ass. I could keep her out of sight, but my mind was a whole different situation. I even called Roxy up to my room to take care of my cock that’s been throbbing since we left Lace. That was a giant fail. All I see is that strawberry hair.
The clubhouse occupancy was low tonight. We were expecting an intense storm, so majority of the guys stayed home to keep their bikes covered. I tossed and turned as the thunder hit so hard it shook the walls. I can’t sleep for shit in this weather. A lightning bolt struck just outside my window, and I heard a high pitched scream through my wall.
“What the fuck?” I mumbled as I shot up from my bed.
It sounded like it came from Tanner’s room. I stepped in a pair of sweatpants and quickly moved to her door. Stepping in, I went straight to her bed. It’s empty. I hear a strangled cry when a roll of thunder booms.
“Tanner?” I call out as I survey the dark room.
Slight movement in the corner catches my eye and my feet move swiftly towards her.
“What the hell, Vix,” I whisper.
She’s in the fetal position, in the corner of the room, trembling.
My hand lands on her side and she flinches with a gurgled cry. She has a blanket wrapped around her with her head tucked beneath it.
“It’s me, Vix,” I say calmly.
I drop to my knees and lift her up from the ground. Falling back on my ass, I cradle her in my arms. She shakes in my hold, so I grip her face and make her look at me. Tears are pouring out and she can barely catch her breath. She’s fucking terrified.
“You’re safe.” I hold eye contact and she seems to finally realize I’m here.
“Maverick?” She cries. Her hands reach out and grip my biceps. Her fingers slide up and down my skin like she needs the touch and the movement to ground her.
“You’re here,” she says aloud as if she doesn’t believe it.
“Breathe,” I tell her when I press my forehead to hers.
She nods and takes a deep breath. Her hands are still shaking. I slide my palms down her back and rub circles along her spine.
“I’m scared,” she whispers. Her voice trembles. “The storms.”
“I’m here, baby.” I say against her hair.
Her arms slid up to lock around my neck. I tugged her close. Relishing the feel of her soft skin against me. We sat in that position, wrapped up together on her bedroom floor until her trembling stopped and her breathing regulated.
“Thank you.” Her soft lips brushed against my cheek.
“Let’s get you back in bed.”
She stands from the floor and slowly moves across the room in nothing but an oversized t-shirt. When another lightning bolt flashes and thunder cracks, she jumps and covers her mouth to muffle her scream. I’m behind her in less than three seconds, wrapping my arms around her waist. I pull her against my chest and rest my lips near her neck and press them lightly on her skin.
She relaxes in my arms. “I’m sorry,” she cries.
“Lay down, I'll stay until the storm is over,” I murmured.
Gripping my hand like her life depends on it, she crawls in her bed. Bending down on my knees, I hold her hand in mine and rest my chin on my forearm. I’m not getting in this bed with her. I don’t trust myself. Her thumb gently moves across my rough skin as she stares at me.