Page 127 of Devil's Due

Men are already getting loud around us, so I take her upstairs where I can speak to her in private.

“Beef, what’s up? Is there trouble?”

“Nah, babe. The opposite.” I’m having difficulty getting the words out, still overwhelmed by what’s happened to me. “I know I said we’d live in Tucson, but would you have a problem if we stay in Pueblo instead?”

“Of course not, Beef. I really like Vi, Melissa and Jay. Jeannie, Mo and Sindy too, though I don’t see them as much. Your brothers are great, it’s like one big family which I already feel a part of. I’m used to this place and would have no problem staying. Though I’d go anywhere with you. It doesn’t matter to me where we live, as long as we’re together.”

“What if I told you the whole club is totally mad?”

“Mad? Angry?”

I laugh, then take hold of her hands. “Mad as in crazy, that they’ve lost their fuckin’ minds. They’ve only gone and voted me in as their fuckin’ VP.”

“Beef!” She squeals and jumps forward, trusting me to catch her. “You’re going to be great! That’s wonderful news.”

Suddenly I realise I can do this with a woman like Steph by my side. She’s got that strength I need, and a belief in me for the times I lose faith in myself.

How the fuck did I get so lucky as to find her?

Nine months ago, I died. I came back from the dead not knowing why a miracle had occurred. Now I realise it wasn’t my time to go then, I had more to live for. A woman to save, a woman to make mine, and a new club I’m going to give my all.

There’s a party going on downstairs. But the only person I want to celebrate with is here.

My hands, which have been gripping her arms, start moving, fingers curving under her breasts. Her breathing begins to quicken, her skin flushes, and there’s my green light.

Dispensing with our clothes, the urgency to get naked shared equally, I lift her gently, place her on the bed, then, skin to skin, start to make love to my old lady.

“Ouch!”

“Shit, am I hurting you?”

“Just a bit tender there from riding.”

I’m glad she can’t see the grin on my face. Of course, I’m sorry she’s hurting, but it reminds me of the ride we took earlier. Such a pleasure to be with her out on the road.

I see to her needs first, then, when I’m balls deep inside her, I rest my forehead against hers.

“Love you, Steph. It scares me how much I love you.”

“Beef, I love you too. So much.”

At first with gentle strokes that infuriate her, and has her begging for more, then a faster pace that has her coming again, I love on my old lady, giving all that I am to her. Then, empty myself inside her.

As I roll over and gather her into my arms, I sigh in satisfaction. I’m going to spend the rest of my life making her happy, my mind whirls with the endless possibilities. Go to visit Tucson, introduce her to another set of brothers and their old ladies, and all my nieces and nephews. Go to California and meet with her parents. Then, return to a club which has made me a man my old lady can be proud of.

That day when I rode into Pueblo? Seems everything happened to a different person. A man still making sense of why his life had been handed back to him. A vow sent up, I’m not going to waste a fucking moment of my reprieve.

“Beef? The clubhouse is very noisy tonight.”

Her observation has me remembering. Just as I’m about to reply, there’s a banging on my door.

“You in there, Beef? Need the guest of honour down here.”

“Yeah, we’ll be there in a few.”

“Pull your dick out of your ol’ lady and come on down,” Thunder roars from outside.

“My dick, my business,” I yell back, earning me a punch on the arm from a grinning Steph.

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