“And if that was a first for you,” he said, still catching his breath. “I think that’s the first time anyone has pushed my self-control to the brink like that.”
“What do you mean?” She appeared unsure.
“I wanted to come the second you touched my cock.” He swept his lips over hers. “I nearly broke my rule of not coming until the chick has.”
“The chick? That’s me, right?” She raised her eyebrows at him. “I’m your chick?”
“Chick, babe, old lady, woman I’m in love with. Whatever title you want to use.”
He’d obviously said the right thing because she kissed him, pressing her chest to his and stroking through his hair. “I love you, too.”
****
Jayden stretched out in Tammy’s big bed, utterly contented. With her asleep and satisfied in his arms, he couldn’t remember ever feeling more at home. It wasn’t the place, it was the person, or people, if he included the little guy.
His mind wandered to his conversation with Wyatt. The weapon shipment they’d received was turning from arms to cash—good news for the club. Debts had been settled and a payday was coming for each and every Barbarian.
Wyatt had carried out the dangerous Mexican collection with Taff, and Carter had completed a deal and delivery of a big order up in Carmel. Now it was time for Jayden to pull his weightand take a box of brand-new, minus serial numbers, berettas up to Skid Row in LA.
After Wyatt had delivered them, Jayden had locked them in the wooden shed in the backyard. Seemed the right thing to do at the time with Zak around. Yet now he wondered if it had been the best idea. Maybe the bike box would have been better after all, even though he’d worried about the bike being stolen. But what if someone got in the shed? Found them. Took them. It would be a three grand debt to the club for his mistake.
The contented feeling switched to irritation. He’d have to go and get them. Put them up on the shelf in the living room where he kept his weapon when it wasn’t shoved into his waistband.
Carefully, he unwound Tammy’s legs from his, then tipped her onto her side so he could stand. She didn’t stir.
After reaching for his jeans, he dragged them on and did up the first few buttons. With the chair by the door moved, he went past Zak’s room and into the living area.
Scrape. Bang.
He froze. What the fuck was that?
Quickly, he pulled back the curtain to look out of the side window at the narrow driveway. Was someone messing with his Harley? They’d be fucking dead if they were.
There was no moonlight as he stared into the darkness. Through the shadows, he could make out his bike, two garbage cans, and an old grill they had yet to scrub down and use.
He peered closer. And then he saw it, movement. A person.
“What the fuck.” He grabbed his gun, quickly released the safety, and then raced outside. He hopped over the porch fence and landed on the driveway, gun pointing forward. “What the fuck you doin’, asshole?”
Chapter Sixteen
Tammy roused, aware the hot body she’d been snuggled against had gone. As soon as that thought registered, she heard a bang and a scrape coming from outside the house.
She sat, her heart rate accelerating and her stomach clenching. Where was Jayden? What was going on?
Gary?
He was her first thought. A horrible thought. And she threw back the covers to quickly find her panties and dress. Once they were on, she rushed out of the bedroom. The front door was wide open, and her fear multiplied. What possible reason could there be for Jayden leaving it like that in the middle of the night?
If indeed it had been Jayden.
Beating down yet another wave of terror, she opened Zak’s door. To her relief, he was sleeping in his bed, facing the wall now but still clutching Bilbo.
Her instinct was to grab him, hold him tight, and then run, the way she had before, but she beat that down. If there was a perfectly rational explanation, she would’ve scared him for nothing.
She closed the door and quickly made her way to the porch. To her right, on the driveway, she spotted a figure.
Jayden.