Road from Ruin

Chapter Seven

I woke up in the clouds. With my husband wrapped around me so tight as if he was afraid I would float away in the night. It's so hot I feel borderline uncomfortable, like how you feel at the beach right before you decide to take a swim in the ocean the cool off. It's an incredible feeling. Dean has always run cold. When his feet touch me in the night it's like a jolt of lightning because his toes are always freezing. The fog of my sleep riddled brain starts to clear as become stiff as a board. This isn't dean. I ran from him. I'm free of him for good. I immediately go on guard and jump abruptly from the clutches of the stranger next to me. It takes a few moments to realize it's Red. Ben. My saviour or my downfall. My quick departure from the bed made him stir and he stretches his arm across the length of the bed as if he's looking for me. He slowly opens his eyes to see me standing at the edge of his bed in nothing but his T-shirt.

"Angel. You're still here." He says filled with disbelief. "You okay? What you doin standin there?" He asks with a yawn and throws his arm over his eyes to shield himself from the light. God he's adorable. I laugh audibly to the thought that there is no way anyone has ever called this beast of a man adorable.

"Stop laughing its too early for this shit." He grumbles from under his arm. I give myself a moment to marvel in his beauty before reality crashes down on me. With a sigh I plop down onto the bed and remember the night before. Dreams of deans hands on my throat. It felt so real. When Ben came running in I really thought I was back there. In our home, covered in deans blood. I had to look at my hands to make sure my hands were clean. Even though I know they never truly will be.

"Thank you...for uhm checking on me. And staying. I've never had a nightmare like that before I don't know what got in to me." I say with my head in my hands. I hear the sound of sheets ruffling and turn to see Ben rolling onto his side to look at me with his head propped in his hand.

"You've been through some tough shit. Gunna stay with you for a while. I understand that feeling Delta. Just glad I could bring you a little peace." He says as he throws his head back on to the pillow. Takes a deep breath and gets out of bed. I can't believe he slept in his jeans. He's so thoughtful.

"You did. Ah bring me some peace. Sorry I latched on to you in the night. I'm not much of a cuddler so...sorry. It ah, wont happen again. Not that we'll be in bed together again just. Yeah. Sorry." I say as I stand as well. Unsure where to go from here.

"I can take ya downstairs to your car if you want a change of clothes. Decker towed her here last night. Then you can take a shower or whatever and we can see what we're dealing with. Get you out of here as soon as possible." He says gruffly before turning and storming out of the room. I don't know what I said to offend him but there is definitely something bothering him. I put my jeans on and follow behind him still wearing his T-shirt.

"I hope it's okay I borrowed a shirt. I'll wash it and give it back to you. My sweater is a little itchy I didn't want to sleep in it." I say as I continue to follow him as he leaves his apartment and heads down the stairs to the shop.

"Keep it delta. Just a shirt." He says without looking at me. I follow him in to the shop and stop abruptly when I see around 10 men either working on a car or lounging around the shop. They are all wearing the same jacket as Reds. So these are members of his "club". Interesting. Their ages range from 20 to a few that look like they're in their 70s. I see them all turn their heads to see the new intruder. Which is the exact moment I realize I'm wearing one of Reds oversized T-shirt's with no bra. I must look like the worst one night stand in history. I cross my arms to cover my breasts and attempt to stand as tall as possible. There's a few cat calls and whistles from around the shop before Red says,
"Boys. Delta. Delta. Boys. Leave her the fuck alone. Fixin her mustang there and she's gettin our of town. Don't even fuckin look at her she's out of all of your leagues." He says in a voice that shows he means business. It's a nice mix between flattering and insulting. I decide to be insulted by his declaration that none of these men can even speak to me so I walk further into the shop towards the only other familiar face. Decker.

"Now now Red they all look like nice upstanding men." I say with a laugh. "Decker. Looking good." I announce loudly while batting my eyelashes and look at the large man affectionately. I hear a smattering of laughs from around the room and look to Red to see him staring at Decker with disgust.

"Woah woah woah she came to talk to me man. Ain't nothin I did wrong." Decker says with his hands in front of his body as if he's shielding himself from me.

"Red. The boys can talk to me if they'd like. You can't force them to avoid me like the plague." I declare loudly as I continue to move closer to Decker enjoying making this massive man uncomfortable as well as piss of Red at the same time.

"Whatever you say Delta. Just get your shit out of the car so we can get this fuckin day started." I move to the side of my car and take my time picking through the clothes that are thrown about freely. From behind me I hear an unfamiliar voice say "What you doin livin out of your car or something?" I turn to see a boy that can't be older than 18 looking at the state of my backseat sadly.

"Had to make a quit exit. Didn't have time to grab a suitcase. I'm Delta, what's your name?" I asked with my hand extended in greeting.

"Names Chuck." He replies with a smile and eagerly takes my hand.

"Prospect. No fucking touching." Red says as he grabs the clothes from my hands and starts towards the door.

"Nice to meet you Chuck. Don't worry about him, I'll handle it." I say with a wink and follow Red back up the stairs.

"You know they all seem like nice guys. I don't know what your problem is." I huff while I follow him into the apartment. "I'm not sure if I said something to piss you off this morning or what's going on with you but I don't need you shouting to a room of men that they can't even look in my direction."

"Delta you don't know those men. Some are good. Some are new so I can't tell you about their character but it seems damn well like you need my protection right now. I'm fuckin sorry if me ensuring these men you don't fuckin know wont be following you around to drool over you. You're fresh meat and some of these guys have been fuckin the same townies for years so when someone that looks like you comes strolling in there's gunna be a war over you. So just get the fuck over it and out of my face about it." He says as he storms back out of the apartment and slams the door. Hmm well alright then.

I walk into the bathroom and turn on the shower as hot as it will go before stripping off my clothes, folding them and putting them on the counter. I step into the scalding water and let it work out the stress I've been holding in my shoulders. I have no clue why he's so pissed off at me but it's so hot. I know I'm attracted to Red, it's obvious he's a beautiful man. But he's also an asshole. Possessive and demanding as well as being a member of a gang. Sorry. Club. Maybe I should just sleep with him. He's not a relationship guy so maybe I should just have sex with him and get it out of my system. Cleanse myself of Dean and start fresh. I'm sure it would be amazing. It would also prove to myself that I'm strong enough to move on. That I'm not afraid of men or my uncertain future. Just thinking about him turns me on, a feeling I haven't had in years. Imagining having crazy sex with a Greek god who's a member of a motorcycle club. Like a bad boy model. What a great start to my new life. If my mother knew I was taking a shower in this mans home right now she would lose her mind.

Now I just have to get him to stop being mad at me, and get into bed with me. Easy enough.