Pan's Salvation (13 page)

The sound of Lark’s voice made him grin. So far, their game had been all about her. Today, would be about both of them. He pulled the white t-shirt over his head, replaced his cut and removed a mid-sized black case from his drawer. He set the case on top of the dresser and walked over to the doorway. “In here, little bird.”

A couple of minutes later, she appeared in the doorway. Bracing her arm against the frame, she gave him a saucy smile. “Did you come up with that nickname because I’m a Lark?”

“No, because you’re delicate, wounded
and
my Lark.” His eyes skimmed over the black button dress that cinched in with a belt and highlighted her womanly figure. “Are you ready to play? This game has many different steps. If you’re up to the task,” he said giving her a chance to back out.

“No, I–I want to.”

He saw the determination flickering in the depths of her whiskey brown eyes. She was

willing to take risks too. “Come here.”

She walked over and stood beside him.

Pan turned to the dresser and lifted the lid. Two glossy, metallic gray balls rested in circular indentions. “Do you know what these are?”

“Ben Wa Balls.”

“Have you ever used them before?” he asked.

“No, but a lot of my friends did after they had babies.”

“They can be used to strengthen using kegels, but they can also be used for other things.

Take off your panties.

She lifted her skirt to do his bidding and he damn near leaked pre-come on the spot. “Such a good girl. You’re eager to experience everything I have to show you. Step out of your heels and put your foot on the bed facing me.” She did as he asked and he moaned as he scented her pussy.

Palming the balls, he knelt in front of her and placed a kiss on her lips. “There are so many things I’d like to do you right now. But I can’t. Not yet.” He licked the ball getting it wet and eased it inside her.

She moaned.

“One down, one to go.” He licked the other one and placed it with its twin. Once they were positioned, he licked a path up her slit, moved away and smoothed down her skirt. “No panties tonight.”

Her jaw dropped. “What?”

“No panties, little bird. Let’s get you out of your comfy nest and ready to fly.”

“Haven’t you already sent me soaring?”

“Oh no, we’re just working on mending that broken wing. When I take you out of the tree and up to the air, you’ll know it. I’ll give you some time to freshen up after work. Wear what you want as long as it’s a skirt or a dress.” He walked away, enjoying the feel of her gaze on his back. Lark rose to every scenario he delivered. Her perceived perfection was starting to scare the shit out of him. It meant he had more to lose. This shit would give him a major case of anxiety if he wasn’t careful. He shifted his weight.

Is she interested in you, or the way you make her come? She’s lived her life thinking about
her sister for as long as she can remember. Maybe you’re a taste of forbidden fruit?
His inner voice continued to pummel him like a rookie going up against a prizefighter. As he entered the living room, his fingers itched to wrap around a cool glass longneck. Licking his dry lips, he struggled against the compulsion. This was where he fell short—over and over.

“Pan, I’m ready.”

Her voice sliced through the thoughts like heated metal. He peered up and gasped.

She was a vision in a light blue dress that belled out around her and offered a tantalizing glimpse of her breasts.

Her clothes were always amazing because they hinted and let his mind fill in the blanks. He liked that because it meant other motherfuckers didn’t get to see shit. “Yes, you are. Let’s get the hell out of here before I drag you upstairs.” He pushed up from the couch, wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her to him. For now, she was his and that would have to be enough.

He’d hold onto her for as long as he could and deal with the fallout later.

A woman like this didn’t have a reason to stay with him forever and he wasn’t a well off enough man to offer it. She dealt with addicts and their issues her whole life. Why would she want to do it again? He could curb his need to get wasted, but he couldn’t bury the self-hate, loathing and guilt that led him to destruction time and time again.
I’ll hide it for as long as I can.

They got a table on the back patio just in time to watch the rush come in. He sipped on his beer and studied her.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” She tilted her head.

“Maybe I like your face.”

She huffed. “It’s more than that.”

“Wondering what you think about the roadhouse.”

“I can’t say until I taste their food.”

“I’m talking about the environment.”

Lark fidgeted in her seat.

His heart sank. This was his world. She had to be able to at least, moonlight in it.

“It’s not my normal scene, but you taught me, not all bikers are the stereotypical badasses who snatch up women in the night, steal candy from babies and start fights for no reason.”

Her dry tone made him snicker.

“Am I comfortable? No, but after what I went through, can you blame me?”

“No, I'm not mad at you. What I want to know is if you think you ever could be.”

“With time and some patience, yes. I can’t undo that memory, Hartley.”

Damn I love the sound of my name on her lips.
“And I wouldn’t expect you to. I just want to keep things open and honest.”

“Okay, then tell me what the hell are we doing?”

Her words made him blink. “Well, I guess going on a date.”

“No.” She shook her head. “Us. What happens when the month is up?”

“I told you my terms,” he said careful to keep his guard up. If he handed her his heart, she could cut him down with a few sharp flicks of her tongue.

“Do you even want this? Am I alone here? Because I am out of my depth, doing things I

never imagined I’d enjoy and you’re…”

“Not?” he finished the sentence for her.

“Well, yeah.”

“Let me break it down for you, so you understand how far off the reservation I’ve traveled. I don’t bring women home. I fuck them at the club, their homes and hotels. They don’t enter my sanctuary. Until you…they were disposable. An amusing way to spend my time and they knew it. If nothing…I’m blunt and honest. You’ve seen that.”

She nodded.

“You want me to put a title on us, I can’t. Because you little bird…are a first.”

“Me?”
She mouthed.

“Yes you, with those long legs, big brown eyes and that temper. I know you chose to submit to me. It’s not in your nature per say, it's how I personally make you feel and that gets me harder faster than anything else ever has in my life. I want to possess. Not like a child wants to show ownership over a toy, but like a warrior who wants to claim his woman.”

Her eyes flashed with the heat.

It burned him from the inside out. He held up a finger. “But only because you’ll allow me to.

In reality, it’s you who have the power. You’re the decision-maker. ”

Shocked, she blinked. “Me?” She placed a hand on her chest.

“What is Peter Pan but a fool for his Wendy?”

Her mouth formed an O.

The brunette waitress appeared, saving them from drowning in awkward silence. “Hey guys, can I get you started with something to drink?”

“Whatever lager you have on tap for me and for her?”

“Water with lemon, please,” she said.

Coming right up darling. My name is Rachel and I’ll be taking care of y' all tonight. It’s getting pretty busy, so I ask that you bear with me.”

“Take your time, we’re in no rush,” Pan said.

Rachel flashed him a grateful smile before she disappeared into the crowd.

“Why?”

“Why what?” Pan asked.

“Why me?”

He turned the question back around. “Why not?”

She paused. “Because it’s never me.”

“You never had a chance to let it be about
you
before. “

“You understand?”

“You know my story, little bird. Different faces, scenarios and backgrounds, but the same insurmountable weight on our shoulders.”

She reached across the table and placed her smaller hand on top of his. “And do you feel free?”

“With you I do.”

“Why?”

“Maybe our roles are reversed and you’re the one with the pixie dust and happy thoughts. I was laid pretty damn low until you showed up and broke my fucking nose.”

She cringed. “Yeah, I’m sorry about that.”

He laughed. “Shit, I’m not. You came on the scene with a bang and I literally saw stars.”

“You’re never going to let me live that down.”

“You changed me forever, little bird.” He winked and ran his finger down the side of his nose.

“Yeah well, don’t expect me to get
Pan forever
tattooed.”

“I’d never expect that little bird. It’s Hartley or nothing.”

She rolled her eyes and the ice was broken. They were both wary and a little fucked, any movement forward, he would count as a triumph. Conversation was light and casual. He watched her squirm in her chair. The hunter woke within him. The Ben Wa Balls were doing their job. He tossed enough money for a healthy tip on the counter and stood. “I want to show you the outside.

Are you game?”

“Yes.”

The relief she showed at the thought of movement made him hide a chuckle.
If she only
knew, moving will make it worse.

Lark stood, then shivered as she hissed.

Pan gave her a huge grin. Her narrowed gaze earned a laugh. He pulled her against him and leaned in to speak into her ear as they walked, “How wet are you right now, little bird?”

“So wet,” she whispered.

“Just how I like you.” He kissed her forehead. They walked outside and he scanned the air.

People were littered in small clusters. Loud rock music poured through the speakers attached to the ceiling. He spotted a group of prospects seated at the center table.
Bingo.
He guided her to the alcove hidden from view and bent in to taste her lips. She tasted like the caramel covered dessert she’d eaten, one dainty bite at a time. She had savored the flavor, closing her eyes and moaning. It’d been torture. Now, he was going in for payback. He pulled away. “I’ll be right back, babe.”

“Uh-huh,” she whispered a little too breathlessly.

He stalked over to the table. “Prospects.”

They all scrambled to their feet. “Yes, Pan.”

“Make sure no one comes over, near the alcove.” He pointed to his hiding space.

“We got it covered,” Kid said.

He patted his shoulder and returned to his alcove. “How’s that pussy of yours feeling?”

“Needy.”

“Good, cause I have something for it.” He unzipped his pants and freed his cock.

Her brown eyes rounded. “We can’t here. Anyone could come up!”

“I got it covered. You trust me?” He retrieved the condom from his back pocket and suited up. Her hungry eyes studied his cock. He could sense her battle with herself.

“Yes, God, please anything to get rid of this ache.”

“That’s my good girl.” He lifted her up against the wall and devoured her mouth as he

pushed inside her tightness. The feel of the balls rolling against his prick made him grunt. She screamed and he sucked down the sound while moving slowly. Her legs wrapped around him.

She dug her nails into his shoulders and rolled her hips. Their gazes held and nothing existed but her and the pleasure they found together. The sensations overwhelmed him and his balls drew up. Her pussy flexed and released. Her body shook slightly and she came, pulling him over the edge with her.

“You ready?” Pan asked
. His words were casual, but the concern in his eyes was anything but. They avoided this for nearly a month, now it was time to pay the piper. His family wanted to meet her and she needed to decide if she could step fully into his world. They’d been on the outskirts before, hanging out with a few members at a time, having people over. This was a family get together. Everyone would be here.

Lark rested a hand on her stomach. On the surface, she looked put together, but inside she was a twisted collection of nerves. Today felt like D-day. Time with Pan was like the sand slipping through an hourglass. She blinked and days seemed to have passed in a whirlwind. They laughed, they loved and they learned. It was simple. Except—it wasn’t, not really. They fell deeper into whatever they were and tried not to think too hard about the future. The denial period was over. “Yeah.” She forced a smile. Her bravado was more for herself than him.

“It’s just a get together, not an interrogation. Don’t look so worried.” He smoothed his calloused thumb over her hand.

Butterflies danced in her stomach. Being the center of his attention still made her feel high.

“They’re all going to wonder why the hell you’re with me.”

“Ha! Probably the other way around.” She swung her leg off his bike and they walked

toward the rented hall where everyone was gathering for Demon’s daughter, Ara’s first birthday.

He wrapped an arm around her waist and she returned the favor. He’d become her sturdy