Club Ties (9 page)

“Where’s Mox?”

She shook her head, words failing her. Rhys’ handsome face darkened under a heavy glare.

“Don’t let her leave,” he ordered and stalked past her to search the apartment. He returned shaking his head and pulling out his phone. Eva held her breath as she listened to his end of the conversation. “Where’re you at? At the apartment with Tech. No worries. I’ll talk to you when you get here.” He pocketed his cell-phone and reached for her. Flinching away, she ran smack into Tech’s solid three-hundred pounds. His heavily ringed fingers wrapped around her biceps, but his voice was a soft drawl.

“Whoa there, honey. It’s going to be okay.”

Eva whimpered as Rhys ripped the backpack from her.

“Mox is on his way back. You’re going to have enough explaining to do. You best hope there’s not anything in here that shouldn’t be.”

Rhys upended the bag, spilling the contents out over the couch. Eva shook as an orange bounced off the cushions and rolled in an accusatory beeline across the hardwood to stop at her feet.

The door opened again, and Eva’s knees threatened to buckle. She heard the stomp of boots and chanced a peek. Mox met her gaze, and she broke away from Tech. Stumbling, she landed at Mox’s feet. He didn’t wait to hear her sobbed apologies, sweeping her off the floor and into a bear-hug.

“I’m sorry I left,” he mumbled against her ear as he rocked her in his arms.

“You might want to hold off on your apologies, Bro. She was on her way out the door when we walked in,” Rhys said.

Mox glanced at the strewn clothing and toiletries, and looked down at Eva.

“You were going to leave?” he asked, brushing hair off her wet face.

“I didn’t want to. You were mad. I thought that you didn’t want me any—”

Mox cut her words off with a thick forefinger against her lips.

“What was that you told me? Next time, don’t.”

Eva looked at him, her eyes round with surprise, and then she giggled, nodding frantic acquiesce as she kissed his finger. He pulled her back up for a hard kiss before setting her on her feet with a stinging smack to her ass.

“If I want you gone, I will tell you. So next time you think about leaving, don’t. Now get your shit put away. We’ll talk later. I’m starving.”

Eva scrambled to grab her clothes and the bag, giving Rhys a wide berth. When she fumbled a water bottle, Mox hurried her on her way with another playful swat.

When she came back out, Rhys and Tech were fiddling with the wires behind the entertainment console, and Mox was standing in the kitchen. The chicken was back in the skillet. She lowered her lashes at his appraising gaze.

“I really am sorry.”

“We’ll talk about it later. We’re okay, baby.”

The reassuring timber of his voice and the soft endearment sent warmth through her chilled body.

“We have plenty if Tech is hungry.”

“Look at him. Does he look like he turns down free meals?” Mox said with a grin before calling out to his friend. “You’ll eat with us won’t you, Tech?”

“I would love to if you’re sure. That fried chicken smells fantastic.”

Eva smiled and opened the refrigerator to grab the salad. The sandwiches she’d made to take with her stared accusingly at her from the top shelf. She swallowed the lump in her throat and hastily closed the door on that, eager to make things up to the big man.

When the rolls were finished, she dished up plates, complimenting the crispy chicken with baked potatoes rolled in sea-salt and a Cobb salad.  

“From Ginny’s cooking to this, you two have it made,” Tech drawled, digging in.

“Careful there, Josey. Your hillbilly is showing,” Rhys said, ducking away from Tech.

Tech ignored the harassment, but winked at Eva’s confusion.

“I’m originally from Georgia and my grandmother named me Josey. Shithead here seems to find it humorous.”

“My grandparents live in Georgia,” Eva said, her face lighting up in delight.

“That explains this incredible fried chicken.”

“My grandmother taught me to cook. They owned a little restaurant in Atlanta.”

“Well, you certainly do right by her,” Tech said, giving her a smile that made her blush with pride.

“Are you flirting with my old lady?”

“Old lady is it? Well then, maybe just a little bit, but no harm meant.”

Eva’s eyes darted between the two, sensing she was missing something, but Mox just nodded, and both men went back to eating.

A yawn split Eva’s face as she started the dishwasher. The day had been an emotional rollercoaster, and she was drained. Rinsing out the sink, she glanced around the kitchen to make sure she hadn’t forgotten anything. Every surface gleamed and only the electric skillet sat drying in the dish-drainer. With one last peek in at the guys, she left them playing video games and shuffled off to the bedroom.

Curling on the bed, she let her eyes drift shut. The door was open so she could hear Mox if he called for her. The day’s events played behind closed lids. The pretty boy was frightening when he was upset. She got the feeling Rhys didn’t like her. He probably didn’t think she was good enough for his brother. In comparison, she’d been surprised at how friendly Tech was. The behemoth was a big teddy bear. Her brow furrowed in worry. She wondered when she and Mox would have their talk. She had a lot to answer for.

Trying to ignore the dread ball churning in her stomach, she tried to remember his exact words. Before he’d asked her if she was afraid of him, he’d promised they’d work it out and later he’d said they were good. She prayed both thoughts held true.

“Are you okay?”

Eva’s eyes flew open. Mox stood in the doorway. She’d been so lost in thought she hadn’t even heard him come down the hall. She stammered in her haste.

“I-I’m fine. I’m sorry. Did you need something?”

“I was just worried about you,” Mox said, coming to sit down on the edge of the bed.

It took everything she had not to flinch when he reached for her. His touch was gentle. Part of her wanted to melt as his fingers combed through her long hair, the other held its breath, waiting for the fist to close in the thick tangle.

“I was just thinking,” she admitted.

“Thinking about what?”

“If life keeps repeating itself and I’m the only common denominator, the problem is clearly with me. I’m not sure why it took me so long to figure that out.”

“You didn’t deserve the beating that asshole gave you.”

“How do you know? What about the one before that, or the one that almost killed me, or…” she whispered, shaking her head before her voice just trailed off. 

“A real man doesn’t have to beat his woman to get his point across,” Mox said, the strain clear in his voice. “I’m not him.”

“You walked away tonight. What about next time I make you mad, or the time after that?”

“I promise you if I can’t control my temper I will walk away until I can, and then we’ll deal with it.”

“And then what?” she asked. As much as she didn’t want to know the answer to that, the unknown was far more frightening.

Mox sighed, the sound harsh in the quiet room.

“I don’t know. We’ll talk. I’ll warm your ass. Whatever it takes, but we’ll work it out. I will never hurt you like that. I’d sooner rip off my own fucking arm.”

Eva blinked back tears at the passion of his last statement. She believed him. She had no idea why, but she did. She had to be nuts to believe the giant wouldn’t hurt her. A crazed giggle escaped her lips. Her hand flew up to cover her mouth. He smiled.

“You think that’s funny, little girl?”

She shook her head franticly. He moved with unbelievable speed for a man his size. They rolled over on the bed, locked together. Her breath caught in her throat as he reached between them to unbutton her jeans. She trembled as he turned, easily tossing her face down over his thighs.

Crossing her legs didn’t keep him from baring her ass. His hand roamed over both globes. Her lungs screamed for oxygen as she waited for the pain. It didn’t come. When his touch remained light, she dared a peek over her shoulder. The look on his face was humbling. He caught her looking, and his ears colored in that endearing blush of his.

“This might sound crazy, but your ass is beautiful. You have dimples above it that are as adorable as the ones on your face.”

It was Eva’s turn to blush. She squirmed and couldn’t hold back another giggle when he leaned down and kissed one cheek.

“Aren’t I supposed to be kissing your ass, big man?”

“Mine’s not nearly this cute, but we can take turns if you want to,” Mox said with a wink. “Right now I want to see what this heart shaped hiney looks like pink.”

Hadn’t she promised herself earlier that she would do whatever it took to make it up to Mox? She’d survived Rocco’s beatings. Surely, she could tough out an old fashioned spanking for the trouble she’d caused him today. The waggle of his eyebrows and a smirk stole most of her fear. His hand cracked down on one cheek, the sound loud in their bedroom. She flinched at the noise. He rubbed it softly before giving the other a smack. Spreading the blows around and caressing often, he soon had her bottom warm and surprising moisture starting between her thighs.

“Is this what you meant by warming my ass?” she asked breathlessly. 

“Mmm hmmm,” Mox rumbled happily. “If you’re a bad girl I’ll make it a little harder so you remember it tomorrow, but I bet, even that, you won’t mind too much. Gin never seems to.”

“You spank Ginny?” Eva squeaked, half sitting up in surprise. The move earned her a couple of harder swats and a push back down over his lap.

“Hell no, silly woman. Zeke does.”  

“How do you know that?” Eva gasped, squirming to diffuse the burn. 

“They’re not exactly shy about it. Besides, I busted in on them when I was nine or ten.” 

“Busted?”

“The locks on bedroom doors aren’t really meant to keep anyone out. I hit it with my shoulder and it popped,” Mox said with a shrug. “I thought he was hurting her. Ginny was the first person in this world to give a shit about me.”

Eva’s hips rolled, the heat spreading to coil low in her belly. She didn’t protest when he uncrossed her legs, shoving her jeans and panties down further.

“You were just a little boy.”

“I was never real little. Besides, I would’ve taken any beating for Gin.”

“What happened?” Eva asked. Her words came out a low moan as Mox experimented with blows that cupped the bottom curve of her ass cheeks, rocking her against his thighs.

“Zeke bellowed at me to get the hell out. I threatened to kick his ass. Ginny had to get between us. It’s a little confusing at that age to be told that some women like their ass smacked and that it’s always preferable to their old man’s fists. It makes sense now.”

“It does,” Eva whispered, grinding against his thigh. The friction was heavenly. She gasped at the press of his fingers. Her eyes drifted closed in pleasure as he impaled her, slowly pumping the thick digits in and out. She whimpered in protest when his fingers withdrew, and she was suddenly rolled off his lap.

He stepped off the bed. Struggling with the wadded clothing tangled around her legs, Eva turned, her gaze following him, begging for an explanation of what she’d done wrong. Mox kicked the door the rest of the way shut and shucked out of his shirt.

“Strip, baby girl. I want you.”

The simple statement had her scrambling to kick out of her jeans. When he was free of his clothes, Mox cleared the bed of her littered garments with a sweep of his arm. She shivered as he crawled up the bed. Braced above her, one hand traveled a reverent path down her body.

“You’re beautiful.”

Eva would’ve normally brushed the words away as the lies a man tells when he wants laid, but the look on his face said more than words ever could. Adoration shone from his pale blue eyes. She’d never felt so attractive. He made her feel sexy, wanted, and horny. She grinned at the last thought and looped her arms around his neck to tug him down to her.

His lips crushed against hers in a hungry kiss. He pulled away too soon. Eva tried to follow him up, but he lifted her hips, throwing her shoulders back to the mattress. He draped her legs around him, opening her wide. She couldn’t hold back a cry as he filled her with a hard lunge of his hips.

He fucked her hard. He didn’t hold back this time. Eva marveled at his power. Wrapping her legs tight around his torso, she tried to still the scoot of her body across the comforter. She gasped as Mox slid his forearms under her back so his big hands gripped the top of her shoulders, driving her down into his hard thrusts.

Eva arched helplessly, the deep plunges drawing hoarse cries. The headboard thumped against the wall. The pant of their breath was harsh. Mox continued to piston into her, the pressure mounting until she felt like her mind and body would fracture under the intensity. Her head whipped from side to side in a frantic bid to hold back the scream building in her throat. She tumbled over the edge, and her shriek rang unchecked.

He pulled out and flipped her limp body effortlessly. She shuddered as he pushed her up to her knees and drove his cock back into her. Stinging smacks accompanied the slap of his hips, relighting the heat in her ass. Eva tried to rock back to meet him, urging him to join her in exhausted ecstasy. His primal roar was the sexiest thing she’d ever heard.

When the air finally cooled her fevered skin, Eva snuggled into Mox’s side. He wrapped an arm around her and kissed the top of her head.

“You want to tell me about these?” he asked, fingers trailing feather-light over the scars she knew marred the soft skin of her back.

She was surprised it had taken him this long to be repulsed. She had actually been luckier than some girls. Most of her scars were confined to her back. She burrowed her nose into his ribs, fear and embarrassment choking off words.

“Did he do this to you?”

Eva closed her eyes, the disgust in his tone tearing at her.

“Did your ex-boyfriend do this to you?” he asked again. His words were stilted, and a hint of anger laced them.

Eva nodded, refusing to look at him. He was silent. She shivered as his fingers traced the silvery stripes. What was he thinking? He liked to smack her ass. Was he imagining what it would be like to take it to the next level? Her fingers stroked the hard bulge of his bicep. The thought of Rocco’s brutal toys in Mox’s hands made her stomach roll.