VICE Crimson Tears MC (STANDALONE)

Chapter 9

He's been incredibly attentive. From the moment I'd fallen into his arms. I'd seen his inner conflict when he'd walked away with Pres. I hadn't intended on falling asleep. Once the burn of the liquor had settled, I'd found my eyes closing. I hadn't met with dreams or nightmares. Only darkness. Awakening in Maverick's bed had felt natural. It made me realize I'd missed his warmth. Then I'd kissed him. I'd meant to pull away, to apologize. Until he kissed me back just as fiercely. There'd been no hesitation when he's asked if I wanted to go further with him. After round two, I was truly sated.
Then he'd voiced the thought that had dogged me since I'd fled the mall with Nova and Nosedive. Only our pursuer hadn't been hired by Wesley. Meaning they hadn't the slightest idea who it had been.
"That's some face you have on. What's going on in that beautiful mind right now?"
Tilting my face up, I kiss him in answer.
"Mmm. As much as I'd love another go, we really should shower and get started with the day."
Dropping my head to his shoulder, he's right. Pulling away, I scoot off the bed. In the bathroom, he turns on the shower. Following in after him, he helps to wash my body and hair. I'm unable to hold back the sound of pleasure that escapes me as his fingers massage my scalp. Then I feel his lips at my ear.
"Baby. You keep that up we won't be getting out anytime soon," he murmurs.
Feeling his arousal at my back, I turn, wrapping my arms around his neck.
"Oh no. You've figured me out."
Lifting me, me legs instinctively wrap his waist, anticipation making my breaths shallow.
"Maybe I'm not in a hurry after all," he says, moving to press my back against the shower wall.
After I wash his back as he takes care of his hair. By the time we step out, our fingers are wrinkled.
As I begin to wrap a towel around me, I realize I don't have clothes to wear. Looking at Maverick, he realizes the same.
"Hold on. Maybe Nosedive brought the bags in last night."
Leaving, I drum my fingers on the counter. He returns a couple minutes later holding up my bags.
"You spent it all, didn't you?" he accuses.
Rolling my eyes, I set the bags down. Rifling through them, I find the outfit I want. Ripping away the tags, I dress. Feeling Mavericks eyes on me, I lift my gaze. His brow is bunched as he stares at my hand. My left hand to be precise.
"What is it?" I ask.
"Shouldn't those come off? Seeing as we've had sex three times now?"
Looking down at my rings, I know what he's saying is the logical next step. I just...
"Not yet, Maverick. Not yet."
Giving a small shake of his head, his expression turns incredulous.
"How can you say that? After how he's done you. Are you seriously going to stand there and tell me there's sentimental value in them?"
Swallowing hard, I drop my gaze. Why does he have to do this now? Ruin a nice time together.
"I need you to drop it, Maverick. Please. I can't do this right now."
Scoffing he takes a step back.
"Sure Fawn. I'll drop it. Answer me this though. Do you actually want us?"
My next words fly out faster than I can stop them.
"I don't know if there can even be an us!"
Slapping a hand over my mouth, his jaw ticks before he turns heel, slamming the door behind him. Flinching, tears well in my eyes as I hear draws opening and closing harshly. Then silence. He's gone. Sinking to the floor, I bury my face, the tears falling freely.
I don't know how long I sit there when there's a gently knocking on the door. Lifting my head, I brush angrily at the stray tears as Nova peeks her head in. Seeing my state, she immediately drops to the floor, wrapping her arms around me.
"We're gonna need a drink for this one."
Four mimosas later, I only feel marginally better.
Laying my head on the bar top, I don't care that everyone who sees me stares.
"Where did you sleep last night?"
I should mind my own pathetic business but I'm curious.
"In Pres' bed," she admits sheepishly.
That draws a grin from me. They definitely did it.
"So who initiated?" I ask slyly.
"He did."
Ears going fire engine red she hides her face. Nova embarrassed is one for the books. It's evident he gave her a good time, not that I have anything to be jealous about with the performance Maverick gave.
"Where did the guys go off to anyway?"
"Another surveillance. Pres isn't letting his foot off. He's pissed."
"He has every right to be. Yesterday was intense. Nosedive did the right thing getting us the hell out of there."
His timing is impeccable as he starts past us. I take hold of his arm. He looks at me with raised brow. Yanking him to me I hug him. He's slow to return it.
"Thank you, Nosedive. For getting us back safe."
Awkwardly patting my back he clears his throat.
"Yeah. No problem Fawn."
Letting him go, he salutes to Nova before continuing on.
"I've a strong feeling he's going to be patched in soon," Nova says.
"How long has he been here?"
"Almost a year. Wouldn't stop following Creed around like a lost puppy at the shop. So. Creed had a word with Pres and he's been with us ever since."
I hope he gets it. Reaching for Nova's glass, she seats at my hand.
"You've had enough. Drink water. Then if you can walk a straight line we'll go the shooting range."
"You know how to shoot a gun?"
She looks at me insulted.
"Of course. I demanded to be taught when Pres brought me to the club."
That's ...amazing. Here it was practically forced on me when in reality I should have wanted to learn.
A glass of water is set down in front of me. I thank Gator."
She manages to convince Hunter and Fury to hand over their guns. I hadn't given thought to where she was going to obtain not one but two guns, when she charmed them right out of their hands.
"Are we really allowed to be out here without permission?"
She shrugs checking her gun.
"We won't be out here long. It should be fine."
Checking my own gun, I set the noise canceling headphones on my head. Pulling my shoulders back, I raise the gun to the target. Picturing Wesley's face, I pull the trigger.
I manage to pull the trigger five times when Nova startles next to me. Yanking off my headphones, I whip over to her.
"Are you okay?"
I don't see anything amiss. Yet something spooked her.
"Behind you, Fawn."
Confused, I turn to look. Shit. Pres and Maverick stand there with folded arms looking non too happy. Hunter and Fury stand behind them looking chastened to all hell. Double shit.
"You know you're not to be out here without one of us, Nova," pres says.
"I only wanted to help Fawn. No harm done."
It's the wrong thing to say as he strides over. Taking the gun, he empties it, giving her a hard look.
"You're helping is over. Go back."
Flashing me a look of apology she heads out. He empties the remainder of my gun as well.
"You should have tried harder to talk her out of this. Not a smart move. At all."
Deciding it best not to defend her, I start making my way back too. Only Maverick stops me.
"We need to talk. About what you said."
The hurt in his voice has me giving in.
"Fine. We'll talk."
Moving past him, I mouth an apology to Hunter and Fury. I really do feel bad for having gotten them in trouble. They're good guys.
Back in Maverick's room, I plop onto the bed while he remains standing.
"I don't know why I blurted out what I did," I start.
"Yes you do. Or at least a part of you does. You're not legally divorced yet. You technically cheated..."
Glaring at him I come to my feet.
"Don't try and psycho analyze me, Maverick. That bastard has been cheating on me since the beginning. I was completely disregarded. He would come home smelling like them. It make me sick. I don't feel bad for sleeping with you. At all."
Lifting his hands in surrender. I sit back down.
"My stay here wasn't meant to be permanent. You this as well as I do. I have no interest in becoming a club girl, Maverick."
Scuffing his boot, he sighs heavily.
"I hear you Fawn. We are a temporary fling. Nothing more. You want normalcy back and I have no right to hold you back from it. So we'll enjoy the time we do have together."