Corban Read online

  “You were right. Tonight is our first date. Your house, getting to know each other, without the fuss of the world around us.” My voice comes out husky.

  She takes a deep breath through her nose and holds it before she slowly releases. “Right. Well, I’ve made lasagna early this morning, so that’s set. I’m waiting on…”

  She doesn’t get to finish her sentence because a male’s voice rings out through the store. “Morning, kiddo. Oh, I see we already have a customer.”

  Turning, I see it’s the old dude who’s always here when I come in. Honestly, I thought he was the owner.

  “Hey, Corban. Damn, you’re early today.” The old guy states as he walks around the counter.

  Maud is done counting money and leans over to grab Elmo from me.

  “Eugene, meet Elmo…Elmo, this is Eugene.” She drops the pup in the old dude’s hands and Eugene needs to tilt his nose to the ceiling to prevent getting a tongue in his face.

  “Aren’t you a sweet dog, how did you get him?” Eugene pops out the question.

  Maud takes our dog, fuck that sounds nice…our dog…and she starts to explain how we saved him. My mind is still skipping over in ecstasy about the fact that I’m having a first date tonight, and let me tell you… I’ve never been on a date in all my life, when I tune back in.

  “…so that’s why I’m not gonna work today and instead, I’m heading over to the vet to have him checked. I also have to pick up things I need for him, like food and a collar and so on.” Maud’s nose is scrunched up again and I’m sure she’s mentally going over a list of things she needs to buy.

  “Yeah, we’re gonna drop my bike over at her place before we get in her truck and drive out to get the stuff for Elmo.” There, I’m mingling into the conversation.

  The old dude looks from me to Maud and back. “So, I see you’ve met Maud. I’m not so sure how I feel about you two getting together. You seem like a good kid and all, but…”

  A good kid, what’s with people today? Okay, I’m gonna check the first mirror I run into because clearly something ain’t right with my appearances. That’s twice I’ve been referred to as a fucking teenager. Besides that? I get the overprotective dad shit, but really, the few times a week I come here and talk to the old man doesn’t give him the right to judge me.

  Before he starts to spew out more garbage, I cut him off. “Look, I get you’re looking out for your daughter and all…but she’s a big girl and it’s not like I’m gonna take advantage of her or something.”

  I might do some dirty shit and screw the ever-loving-fuck out of her, but I’ll always put her safety and pleasure first.

  “She isn’t my blood, boy. But she sure feels like it.” He eyes my cut for a moment before he continues. “I got out of the pen a few years ago, and no one would hire an old dude with a history. She did. Without a damned judgement or giving it another thought. I walked in and she hired me on the spot. Left me alone to manage the store with the cash in the register the same day. So, you get me when I say she’s more than blood can ever be, right?”

  “Fuck, yeah. That shit also means you know better than to judge on appearances, right?” I state.

  We’re eying one another as if we’re both sizing each other up.

  “Ooooookay, you guys. Glad we got rid of that male bonding thing and all…but I never get a day off. So I’m gonna go and take care of Elmo if you got it all handled here, Eugene.” Maud puts the pup into the box and picks it up. She heads toward the door. “Coming, Corban?”

  Uh, huh…hard and fast the second I’m inside of you. Fuck, mind out of the gutter. “Yeah, be right there, babe.”

  I bring my attention back to Eugene. “I get it, man. She’s special. I knew the second I heard her voice and didn’t even see the rest. No need to throw out a warning.” I grab a piece of paper and a pen that’s lying on the counter and write down my full name, address, and phone number. “If there’s anything you need or if something’s up. Call me.”

  He gives me a look of approval before I’m out the door, heading for my bike, and for what feels like the next step in my life.

  Chapter Three

  I put my foot on the ground after I’ve shoved out the kickstand and swing my other leg off the bike. Even though I mentioned earlier how we would bring my custom Harley Davidson V Rod to her house first, Maud decided we’d do it the other way around.

  It’s like she’s doing it to stay in charge of things and for some reason, I’m okay with her taking lead on how she wants to handle stuff. Like now, she’s out of the pickup and shoves Elmo and a set of keys into my hands.

  “Can you open the door so I can get the stuff?” Yeah, she makes it sound like a question but there’s no room for defying her.

  For a dude who’s only known the biker life, a small home with a white picket fence should be terrifying. Yet the feeling that overcomes me is clearly the complete opposite; it’s like coming home. There’s a small yard that seems to go all the way around the house and it’s all grass. One glance and I can already picture Elmo running around, happily chasing a ball. I’m the one throwing that fucking ball, of course.

  The second I turn the key and swing the door open, the intense smell of Maud surrounds me. Vanilla, jasmine…yeah, like I said…coming home.

  Maud walks straight past me. “Can you grab the other shit I couldn’t carry in one go? Oh, and you can put Elmo down, I’ve locked the gate so there’s nowhere he can run off to.”

  I put the pup down before I make my way to the back of the pickup. Grabbing the last few things, I turn to see Elmo running toward me. Or at least he’s giving it a good try. Ears flopping, it looks like he’s jumping mountains to get to me.

  We were glad the vet said he was okay, a little underweight but we got some special food to put some meat on his bones. The little pup now has a clean bill of health and a cool red collar with a nametag that says in bold letters Elmo. The fucking thing has both of our cell numbers on the back.

  “Come on, Elmo…get your butt inside.” It takes some effort to turn but then he’s back to jumping mountains to get to me. His tongue is lolling out of his mouth, he’s fucking adorable.

  “So, everything went okay? Those kids try to steal anything today?…You shouldn’t call them out on it, Eugene…I’m serious, they’re just a little troubled. You know how Maci and I have a silent agreement.” Her eyes meet mine and clearly she’s talking to the old dude from the store. “Okay, well, next time I’ll be there too. We’ll handle it…Fine, I will. Bye Eugene.”

  She puts her cell away and shrugs her shoulders. “I had to make sure everything went okay.”

  “What’s that about some kids you mentioned?” Probably nothing she couldn’t handle, but I’m a protective dick so I need to know.

  Shrugging her shoulders again, she clearly brushes me off. “Oh, nothing. Some neighborhood kids stirring trouble. Just a handful, but you know how boys are…they get together, have nothing to do around here so they gang up and throw some apples around or steal melons and run off. I cut them some slack last time but when Eugene is at the store they try to steal more on the grounds knowing that they can outrun him. He called them out on it but that just makes it worse. I know their sister, Maci. They’re good people in a tight spot. That’s all it is, really…like I said, kid stuff.”

  Elmo barks and jumps up, clearly wanting our attention. Reaching down, I scoop him up and step closer to Maud. Placing my palm on her right cheek to cup her face.

  “When they get out of line with this shit, you call me, clear?” I give her a firm look to make sure she understands.

  There’s a slight nod and I can tell by the look in her eyes she’s being honest. That right there is enough. Feeling Elmo stir, I lean in and place a kiss on his head, quickly dodging his tongue when he tries to slobber all over my face.

  There’s a slight mumble of words so it takes my brain a second to process. “Can Mommy have one of those too?”

  Did she really? My gaze ret
urns to hers and yeah, those pink cheeks tell me she most definitely just threw that out.

  I let the hand that was still cupping her face slide to the back of her neck where I dig into those flaming curls and wrap them around my fist. Pulling her head back, I lower my lips to hers. Just before impact, I tighten my fingers and a little gasp leaves her mouth before I slam down.

  My tongue slides in and I’m addicted the moment I taste her. I’ve kissed before but, shit... That doesn't compare to the intense pleasure that courses through my veins. Kissing is all about getting in the mood, the switch that flips to ‘let’s get it on’. But this? Fuck. It’s like getting plugged into an energy source that will light you up for years to come.

  We both pull back at the same time when there’s a third tongue slipping into the mix that’s very large and very wet. Dammit, great fucking timing there, Elmo.

  “Right. Let’s feed the beast.” She states.

  Yeah, let me lock up the dog first so I can slide my zipper down and whip out said beast and shove it deep inside…dammit focus. The fact that she’s sucking on her bottom lip while looking at me with heated eyes isn’t helping one goddamned bit.

  Her eyes glance down to where my dick is tenting my pants. “Food. I meant food. For Elmo. And us. I’m gonna…”

  Yeah, clearly not the only one with their head in the gutter. She rushes to the kitchen while I put Elmo down. The little man rushes after her.

  I let my eyes roam around the living room. Such a difference from what I’m used to. I mean my own room at the compound is more like a square box that only contains a bathroom, a bed, a dresser, a chair and a fucking TV.

  But this? There’s an L shaped couch that screams sit here, put your feet up and relax. A large ottoman in front of the couch to do just that. Lots of pillows for extra comfort. Most of the colors used around here are warm, earth tones varying from dark to light.

  A small dining room table made from dark wood, sits with four chairs around it. There are a few paintings on the wall that don’t make any sense to me. Other than a few interesting stripes here and there that might look like…yeah, no. I’m not gonna dig a hole for myself to contemplate the meaning with my wicked mind, because a shrink would have a field day with that one.

  “Like what you see?” Maud’s voice fills the air from behind me. Making me spin to look into those green eyes of hers that matches the shirt she’s wearing.

  “Now I do.” I mumble while her cheeks turn pink.

  “Lasagna will be done in about twenty minutes.” She glances back toward the kitchen. “Do you want a beer, or something else?”

  Fuck. You know what I want? I want to trade all my demons for one hell of an angel who sparks life with one hint of her smile. Yeah…sounds pretty fucking happily ever after to me. That’s exactly what I want and need right now, and for eternity.

  “I’d love one.” I smile back and give her a wink that pinks up her face some more. Dammit that looks hot with those freckles, makes them stand out.

  I follow her back into the kitchen where Elmo is eating in a corner, a bowl of water right next to him. It’s like I walked straight into some kind of farm kitchen or something. I mean, I can’t explain it other than that. The sink is shaped as two large marble shaped boxes next to each other that flows into the counter.

  The tiny walls between the dark brown, wooden cabinets are covered with all different colors of tiles. Only the equipment is high-tech. Meaning the lasagna is cooking in one fine looking oven.

  It’s the kind of kitchen where you have your kids standing on a chair to bake cookies together while you fight who gets to lick the spoon. While I, of course, already ate half the cookie dough. Yeah…that kind of kitchen.

  She walks to the fridge and grabs a beer, pops the cap and tips the bottle up to take a large swig. Damn. Ever since I’ve met her it’s like every single detail about her flares shit up inside me. Although I want to jump her bones, I really think this has to go fucking slow. Just to build shit up right.

  Her lips leave the bottle and instead of grabbing me a new one, she just holds out the one she was drinking from. That right there…perfect. I take the bottle and finish it in a few swallows before I place it on the counter. Crowding her against the fridge, I pick up where we left earlier; with me, dominating her mouth.

  Chapter Four

  My boots are right next to the couch and my feet are up on the ottoman, right next to hers. She’s curled underneath my arm, flush against me while Elmo is sprawled over both of our laps. All of us have a full belly. Maud makes a mean lasagna and after doing the dishes, we walked around the block with Elmo.

  After that, I suggested we’d watch a movie. Letting her pick one was a mistake because she grabbed The Fifth Element. Bruce Willis plays the role of Korben Dallas. That fucking smile on her face right before she pronounced that fucker’s name the way Leeloo says it. Then it sounds exactly the way you write mine. Hardening my dick in the process…spilling my name like that. She needs to be dragged over my knee so I could spank that tight ass.

  Instead I bit my cheek to prevent from doing so, and not to burst out laughing. Eventually we settled on having a Die Hard marathon. Obviously, we both seem to like Bruce Willis. I could watch this movie a hundred times, probably have already. This is also the reason why I’m watching Maud instead of the TV.

  My phone starts to buzz and I don’t even have to look because I already know who it is. My Prez, Xerox. I sent him a text before we went to the vet letting him know that I would be out for the rest of the day and would swing by the compound tomorrow.

  Pulling my cell out of my pocket, I answer on the third ring. “Prez.”

  “Are you that comfy inside a fresh cunt that yer spending the night? Ya might wanna give me her number, because that shit has never happened before. Makes me want to tap that one too, because you not returning home tells me this one might be laced with gold or something.”

  “Your dick ain’t comin’ near my Old Lady, Xerox.” Those fucking words that I barked into the phone just now slipped right out without even thinking about it.

  I don’t give a shit if he’s my Prez, or my friend since we were fucking teenagers, I ain’t sharing Maud. Not now, not fucking ever.

  “Wait, what? Fuck. Did you say those magical words, brother? That an official claim?” Xerox, my Prez’s voice is filled with awe.

  All of the guys in our MC have a different view on life and bump heads from time to time. In this? Old Ladies shit? Clearly when you feel it deep down in your gut, it’s as real as it will ever be. A claim is for life and we always follow through.

  Wicked Throttle is basically known for our claims and all of us are aware of that fact. Well…if you want to believe the few silver members that hang around the clubhouse. Some still have their Old Lady and some have passed away, leaving them to live the rest of their lives alone. A Wicked Throttle heart connects only once, and beats solely for that woman.

  Maybe that’s the reason why no one of this generation has staked a claim yet. Kind of making a point that it’s bullshit, this legend of love and claiming at first sight. Hell, some might even fear it. You know…having your dick locked, and the only key that fits is that one and only pussy. Well, now I know for sure. It’s real. And no, I have no fucking fear, I’m embracing that shit.

  “Yeah.” I look down at green eyes that are clouded with questions. “Maud is my Old Lady. That’s an official claim, brother.”

  Maud gasps and hits me on the chest, making Elmo rouse from his sleep and bark in the air as if he’s defending us against an army knocking on our door.

  “I am not old. I’m twenty-nine, dammit.” She glares at me. “How old are you, anyway?”

  She scoops Elmo up and pets him while he snuggles against her.

  Ignoring Xerox, who’s laughing his ass off on the other side of the phone, I answer Maud. “Thirty-four. And with Old Lady I’m not stating that you’re old, I’m making a claim that you’re mine, as in my woman.”
/>   Her pretty little mouth turns into a perfect zero, dragging my eyes over to shoot images in my head I really don’t want while I’m still on the phone with my Prez.

  “I’m gonna see you tomorrow, man. I’m bringing her to the party on Friday so you can meet her. Talk later.” I don’t give him time to reply because I hit the end call button as soon as the words leave my mouth.

  “So, I’m yours, huh?” There’s a satisfied grin on her face.

  Leaning in, my hand covers hers while we stroke Elmo, together. “That’s right. Mine. I’m staying the night, but there’s one thing you need to know.”

  She tilts her head. “And that would be?”

  “We ain’t gonna fuck tonight.”

  The grin slides right off her face, making me chuckle because, damn…feels good to know she was kinda counting on it.

  “I said not tonight, babe. Because up until now…when I met a chick my dick likes, the fucker would take over and I’d be fucking within the hour. The way you make me feel, my whole fucking body…the connection we have is different. So, no, I ain’t gonna fuck you the same day we meet. But we will be, soon.” Very damn soon seeing I’m bound to blow if I keep stalling.

  “So, with what you just said…I should be thankful your cock didn’t fill me up when we walked into my store, huh?”

  Oh, for the love of God. “Keep talking that way and I’ll strip you naked and tie you to the dining room table and wait until it’s midnight to bury myself deep.”

  And now she’s checking her watch. Fuck. Me.

  “I’m gonna walk Elmo one more time, then we’re retiring to the bedroom to get some shut eye.” And hope to hell the night goes by within a blink of an eye.

  Maud stands up and puts Elmo on the ground. She strolls into the kitchen, only to come back out, holding one single damn key.

  “Guess you know how one of these works.” She states as I wrap my hand around hers and give a little pull so she stumbles right into me.