Breaking Free (Siren Publishing Classic) (8 page)

Arraignment was
short and the trial
set for 10:00 a.m. the following
Monday
morning.

Chapter Nine

Gloria was desperate. She knew her friend had all but given up
, and the trial was just around the corner
.
Danny
wasn’t even fighting the charges against Wesley. She’d given her attorney the bare facts and told him to do what he could. She simply didn’t care anymore. It was so uncharacteristic for her once-bubbly friend, and she knew if something didn’t happen soon, Danny was going to simply melt away. She’d stopped eating, started drinking, and spent her sober time off riding in the countryside on her bike.

For lack of anything else to do, Gloria had showed up on the door step of Smokey’s Cycles & Choppers. Not sure what to expect, she’d tentatively set foot over the worn threshold.

“Well, howdy. Can I help you?” boomed a deep voice from behind the counter. Startled, Gloria turned in the direction the voice had come from, and for some reason, she was instantly at ease. Maybe it was all the sweet stories Danny had told her about the teddy bear of a man.

“Hi, uhm…” How did you go about saying that your best friend had been hauled to the slammer and ha
d
decided to cease living? “I’m a friend of Danny’s. I was wondering if Gabe was available.”

“Humph!” Smokey grumbled, strolling out from behind the counter. “That good for nothing son of mine’s been MIA for nearly a week. Won’t talk to no one, won’t answer
h
is phone, nothing. I don’t know what’s going on between the two of them, but they need to get their shit together, ’cause he’s driving me nuts.”

Gloria chuckled mirthlessly. “You don’t know the half of it. And I guarantee he’s not as bad off as she is. I’m actually starting to really worry about her.” She went on to explain in quick, succinct words what she knew about the situation. The look on the old man’s face went from dark to darker.

“You mean the bastard just left her there!” Smokey growled, his face contorting with anger. “His mama must be rolling over in her grave.”

“Well, call him what you will, she still loves him, ’cause let me tell you she sure as hell didn’t act like this when she spilt from that spineless little twerp, Wesley. So that’s why I was hoping I could find him and maybe talk him into giving her a chance to explain. Not that it will get her out of the charges, but it has to help to at least know he’s in her corner.” Sighing, she rubbed her forehead in frustration. “But since you don’t know where he is, I guess I’ll try something else.” Though God knew she’d tried everything she could think of.

“Oh, I have a good idea where he’s gone. Just give me a minute to lock the place up, and I’ll take you.”

Gloria was all for that until he pulled around to the front of the shop on a huge, red motorcycle. She’d thought Gabe’s was big, but he was the mack daddy of bikes. He had to be kidding.

Hesitantly she took the helmet he handed her. “You know maybe, you could just have him call me.” Taking a step back, she gulped in apprehension.

She thought he might have laughed if the situation hadn’t been so serious. “Come on, gal, I’ve been riding longer than you been alive. I think I can handle a skinny little squirt like you on the back of my bike.”

Gloria did laugh now. Danny was right. Smokey was a big, lovable teddy bear. Taking a deep breath and reminding herself she was doing this for her friend, she climbed on.

However, as they started climbing the steep dirt road leading to Gabe’s retreat, Gloria was ready to kill both of them. Squeezing her eyes tightly shut, she silently prayed that Smokey was as good a rider as he claimed. The bike bounced over a deep rut in the road and, swallowing a squeal, she clung to him for dear life. Then suddenly the path seemed to smooth.

Popping her eyes open, she realized they were in a large clearing on the edge of a bubbling river. The beauty of the place took her breath away, but what really surprised her was the huge house on a grassy hill overlooking the river. She could tell it was only partly finished, but with its roof and frame in
place
it was clearly going to be a grand house.

A tall, lean figure stepped out onto the makeshift front porch, and Gloria wanted to start cursing all over again.

As Smokey brought the bike to a halt, she jumped off, ready to give him a good case of what-for, but the big teddy bear of a biker turned into a grizzly right before her eyes.

* * * *

“Dad, what are…?” Gabe began, but was stopped cold as his father hauled back and landed a hard right hook to his jaw, sending him reeling. Landing on his butt in the dirt, he rubbed his jaw, and stared up at his father in shock. Even when he’d been a hellion teenager, his father had never hit him, and Lord knew he’d deserved it on more than a few occasions.

Ignoring his son’s stunned expression, Smokey barreled on. “Never did I think the day would come when I’d be ashamed to call you my son, but I’ll be damned if it ain’t here,” he said, spitting at the ground at Gabe’s feet in disgust. “I’m just glad your poor mother ain’t alive to see her son acting like such a jackass.”

“What the hell’s going on?” Gabe scrambled to his feet and his gaze darted between Gloria and his father in confusion. Suddenly, a horrible thought came to him, and it didn’t matter how mad he was at Danny, or that he thought she’d betrayed him, because suddenly his heart was in his throat and it was all he could do to breathe. “What’s happened to Danny? Is she hurt?”

Gloria shot him a dirty look before explaining, “Not like you’re thinking, but she’s in a world of trouble and needs you, and you’re off playing pioneer builder.” Gabe could hear the frustration in her words.

Scrubbing his face and doing his best to ignore his throbbing jaw, he forced himself to take a deep breath. She wasn’t hurt, so that was something. “Start at the beginning, and tell me what’s going on.”

“You were at the beginning, only you were too big of an ass to know what was going on,” Smokey grumbled, flexing his hand. “Damn hard-headed boy,” he added in a low grumble.

Sighing, Gloria explained. “What you thought you saw the other day wasn’t what it seemed. Danny was not making out with the creep. He came to lecture her on her conduct, you know, dressing differently and keeping company with a rough crowd. When she told him to go to hell, he threw himself at her, refusing to take no for an answer.”

Gabe was going to be sick.
Oh God!
His sweet little Danny had needed him, and he’d just abandoned her. Self-loathing roared up within him, and he stumbled a few feet away, falling to his knees in the dirt and losing his lunch.
You don’t deserve to live. You’re a worthless piece of shit. You don’t deserve her, you never did, and now look what you’ve gone and done.

It was his father who finally came to him, drawing him back, handing him a bottle of water he’d pulled from the saddlebag on his bike.

His tormented gaze met Gloria’s, and he forced the words past his lips. “You said she wasn’t hurt?”

Gloria must have taken pity on him, because she was quick to clarify. “No, she’s strong and smart.” Smiling despite everything, she chuckled. “She actually beat his ass. Broke his nose and cracked a rib if his claims are correct.”

Gabe’s heart started beating again. She was okay. Through no help from him, but she was okay. He might have a chance to make it up to her, though how, he couldn’t possibly imagine. He wouldn’t blame her if she never spoke to him again. Lord knew that’s what he deserved.

“Don’t breathe too quick a sigh. The little creep filed assault charges, and she’s not even fighting him. She’s not fighting anything. She’s just given up.”

The idea of his vibrant Danny just giving up nearly made him sick all over again, but he’d fucked things up royally and now he was going to have to fix them. “Let’s go,” he said, heading for his bike.

“Son, one thing,” Smokey began, drawing their gazes.

“Yeah, Dad?”

“Take a bath, you stink to high heaven.”

“Only if you promise not to hit me again. Damn, old man, you pack one hell of a punch.”

Gloria smiled as the two exchanged warm hugs and mounted their bikes. Her laugh died when she realized she was going to have to ride back down that damn mountain. Danny was going to owe her big time when all of this was said and done.

* * * *

The ride back to town gave Gabe time to form a plan. He stopped at his dad’s house long enough to shower and shave before he set out looking for Danny. Gloria had said she spent her days riding through the country. It might be like looking for a needle in a haystack, but he prayed he’d get lucky.

Chapter Ten

Danny heard the rumble of a bike pull in behind her as she rounded the curve of one of the mountain’s many twisting roads. Pulling to the outside of the lane, she moved to let the rider pass. From the sounds of the bike’s deep, rumbling engine and loud pipes, she knew it could easily pass hers on these hills, and she wasn’t in the mood to race.

When the other biker pulled up beside her, though, she nearly ran off the side of the road. Gabe! What was he doing here?

He motioned for her to pull over, but something in her snapped back to life.
Who the hell did he think he was?
He’d made it blatantly obvious what he thought of her, so he could just go pack sand
someplace!
Shooting him a dirty look she desperately hoped he could see through the face mask of her helmet, she flipped him the bird and gunned the bike, leaving him behind as she rounded another switchback. The tires squealed in protest at the sharp turn, and she fought to keep from going down. The chrome forks that extended out from the bike’s side, scraped the pavement, sending a shower of sparks out behind her.

* * * *

Gabe wasn’t sure if he was going to spank her or kiss her when he finally caught her, most likely both. She was being way too reckless, driving at such a high speed on the narrow, winding road. Dogging her heels, he was certain she’d managed to take more than a few years off his life as she came dangerously close to the steep embankment several times. Looking around, he recognized where they were from riding here as a kid, and he suddenly had an idea.

Easing up next to her, he carefully forced her off the main road onto a narrow,
dirt
lane. This dipped into a low, lush valley and abruptly ended at an abandoned min
ing camp
.

Danny was cursing as she skidded to a halt,
sending up a cloud of dust.
Spinning the bike, he sensed she was considering trying to go around him. Giving her a sharp look, he shook his head. “You know you’ll never outride me, baby, so don’t even try.”

Hitting the engine’s kill switch, she jumped off, flinging her helmet into the grass as she turned to glare at him. “What the hell do you want?” she demanded, as he nonchalantly climbed from his bike and slowly removed his helmet and gloves.

Gabe drank in the sight of her. She looked pale, and large dark circles surrounded her whiskey-gold eyes. Despite this she was the most beautiful creature he’d ever seen. She was love, beauty, and femininity personified. And damn it, he wasn’t going to lose her. She was his.

Setting his helmet aside, he walked purposefully toward her, hoping against hope that it wasn’t too late for them. He had a speech all planned out. He’d rehearsed it a dozen times in his head, but then, when only inches separated them, he couldn’t make his logical mind work. His emotions took over as he gazed down into her eyes for a long moment.

His heart in his eyes, Gabe dropped to his knees in front of her and wrapped his arms around her lush thighs, burying his face in her lap, his emotions almost overwhelming him.

Danny stared down at him in shocked silence for a long moment. “Gabe?” The confusion was obvious in her voice.

Looking up, he forced himself to breathe past the lump in his throat. “I’m sorry, oh God, Danny, I’m so sorry.”

Gabe felt the wetness slide down his face and realized it was tears.
Damn it,
he silently screamed at himself.
Don’t be such a
pussy!
Get your shit together,
idiot
.
But it didn’t work. “I’m weak and useless, and God knows I don’t deserve you, but I love you with everything that’s in me
,
and if you would please give me a chance, give us a chance, I promise, I’ll do better.” Finally he managed to clamp his pathetic mouth shut, but it was too late.

* * * *

Of all the things she’d expected to hear in her lifetime, Gabe begging was not one of them, yet here he was, on his knees before her, pleading for her to take him back. As if there was any question.

She reached out to catch a single tear that escaped his eye, and then fell to her knees before him. “There’s nothing to forgive sweetheart. It was a misunderstanding, but if you’ll let me explain.” Maybe now he would listen.

Shaking his head, he managed a weak smile. “You don’t have to. I was a fool.”

“Yes you were, but I still need to explain. I don’t ever want there to be a misunderstanding like this between us. If you can’t trust me, then there’s no point in even trying.”

“I do trust you!” He protested, but she covered his mouth with her hand.

“No, you want to trust me. I understand, believe me. After walking in on Wesley in bed with another woman, I can understand how it would be so easy to jump to the wrong conclusion. I would have done the same.”

“No, I know you’re nothing like her,” he protested harshly.

“I know that, but it only took a moment for your faith to waiver.”

“And I said I’m sorry.” Standing, he began to pace. His hand scrubbed his face, and she could sense his frustration.

“Words are all well and good, but it’s actions that really speak.”

He turned and she could see he seemed to be struggling with a decision. He tugged at his goatee for a second and then as if he’d made a decision, he moved to stand in front of her. “Do you remember our conversation about tattoos?” he asked.

Danny nodded. “I asked why you didn’t have a ton like most bikers and you said that something that permanent should mean something.” She recalled the moment. He only had one small tattoo, a small breast cancer symbol with his mother’s name wound through it.

When he pulled off his leather duster and laid it over his bike, Danny suddenly realized what he meant. “You didn’t?”

He shot her a sheepish grin. “It’s not like I’m hiding it, I just don’t want you to think I’m a nutjob.” He tugged his T-shirt over his head, taking a deep breath before presenting his back to her. “It’s only a few days old, so I should probably still have it covered.”

Danny’s hand shot to her mouth as she took in his newly inked back. It was still fresh enough that it was slightly swollen. She stared at herself rendered across his wide shoulders in a work of living art. The tattoo depicted her sitting on her bike, her long hair falling around her. The artist had given her a wistful expression, and she imagined this was how she looked when she rode, relaxed and carefree.

“It’s…” Words failed her. She carefully traced her finger over the intricate scroll of her name beneath the picture. “Why? I can’t believe you did this.”

Gabe gave a slight shrug and Danny could see the blush spreading across his cheeks. “I knew you might never forgive me, but I couldn’t really let you go. This way I will always carry you with me.” He looked down, clearly embarrassed.

Danny caught his hand, and he turned him to face her. Their eyes met for a long moment.

She put a finger over his trembling lips, and she did the only thing she could think to do. She leaned into him and kissed him for all she was worth.

It was one of those kisses that seemed to last a lifetime yet still wasn’t quite long enough.

And when they finally came up for air, they were both panting, and she thought he’d take her right then and there. She was stunned when he pulled her to her feet and began pacing. “Sweetheart, what is it?” she questioned, confused by his withdrawal. “I thought you said you understood.”

He turned back, a lecherous grin on his. “Oh, I understand about that. What I don’t understand is what the hell you were doing riding your bike like a bat out of hell down unfamiliar roads, and with only a learner’s permit on top of that.”

He was right, and she knew it but was damned sure she wasn’t going to admit it. “Hey, you were chasing me. How was I to know what you intended? When you think about it, it’s really your fault.” Okay, that sounded lame even to her ears, but the wicked gleam in his eyes made her leery.

“Oh really?” he replied, advancing toward her retreating form. “I was the one who made you pull back on the throttle and forget where the break was?” Danny retreated, but, he skillfully steered her toward an old stone bench left over from the miners.

“Okay, okay, maybe not, but really, I’ve learned my lesson.” Oh God, she knew what he intended. He’d warned her, and normally she wouldn’t mind, but in his emotional state, she wasn’t sure she was ready for what he was about to dish out.

Then she felt the stone bench at the back of her calves and realized she was trapped.

Too stunned to move, she watched in morbid fascination as he took a seat on the bench. He pulled her to him and quickly and efficiently slid her jeans and panties down. Silently, she wondered why she wasn’t fighting, but she knew the answer. She wanted what he was about to do, had known it would happen eventually. Now her body tingled with anticipation. Gabe pulled her down over his knee, and finally she seemed to come out of her daze. Danny might want it, but she wasn’t going meekly. “Damn it, Gabe, let me go, you big ape!” She screeched, kicking wildly.

That earned her the first swat.

“Be still, brat.” He chuckled, caressing the fleshy curve of her ass, which was already stinging
from only one swat
. “You scared the hell out of me. Take your punishment like a big girl, and I’ll kiss it and make it better when I’m done.”

Then he set out in earnest, raining a series of stinging blows.

Squealing, Danny felt like her ass was on fire, but that was nothing compared to the fire building between her thighs. Each blow seemed to fan the flames of her desire. Her clit throbbed, and her pussy wept with need. Moaning and writhing, she arched into each well placed smack.

“Never ever scare me like that again,” he ordered emphasizing each word with a well-coordinated whack.

* * * *

Gabe stifled a groan as he felt her heat steaming against his thigh. Changing tactics, he caressed the steaming flesh of her bottom, tracing the crack of her ass down to her
drenched
slit. God, she was so hot and so wet. And she was his, every luscious inch of her.

Gabe pulled her squirming body up, flush with his. Their eyes locked, and their mutual need was wordlessly transmitted between them.

Suddenly hampered by too many clothes, they began ripping and tugging. Within seconds, pools of cloth littered the ground all around them.

Danny’s breath was coming in short pants as she straddled his big body. “Please, Gabe!” she begged.

“Yes, baby, now,” he gasped as his turgid erection began to probe her welcoming heat.

Danny let out a low wail of ecstasy as she impaled herself on his waiting staff, drawing a long hiss of pleasure from him in the process. Rising, she lifted herself up only to slam down on him again and again, riding him hard and fast, nearly pushing him over the edge.

Gabe’s hand went to the long coil of her hair. He loved the silky feel of it circling around his fist. Giving it a gentle tug, he stilled her. “Easy, baby.” He lifted her nearly all the way off, leaving just the broad head of his penis inside her.

“I can’t,” she panted, squirming, trying in vain to move, to recapture him.

“You can.” He pulled her upper body close so he could whisper against her lips. “Did you forget who was in charge?”
His other hand reached to caress her ankle, tracing the band of gold still circling her, marking her.

She shivered in his arms, and Gabe saw her swallow. At last she stilled and shook her head as much as his tight grip on her hair would allow.

“Good. Now slow down or we’ll be done before we’re even started,” he added with a rueful smile.

Catching her lush hips in his big hands, he slowly lowered her back onto his waiting cock. Their moans mingled as he set a teasingly slow pace, letting their pleasure build. He kissed her long and deep, loving the feel of their bodies fused in every way. The kiss, so sweet and perfect, seemed to send her over the edge because he could feel the warning ripples of her pussy start to pulse around his cock. Breaking the kiss, he growled.

“Come for me, brat. Come now!” he ordered as his own climax roared up. She shuddered and convulsed around him as he filled her steaming channel with his hot essence.

* * * *

Danny sighed contentedly and rested her head on his shoulder, still too dazed to breathe
right
. His face was buried in her hair, his hand softly stroking it as he began to unbraid it. Her body began to heat all over again at his sensuous touch. He loved her hair, and it made her feel so beautiful the way he worshiped it. Still, they were going to have to come back to reality eventually, and she had to make sure he understood just what had been going on during his absence. Forcing herself to sit up, she caught his face in her hands and lightly kissed his lips. When he tried to deepen the kiss, it took every ounce of her willpower to not succumb again.