Page 93 of Paladin's Hell

“He can’t fucking claim her,” Mo all but screeches. “She’s not seventeen yet.”

“Citizen fuckin’ rules, Mo.” Oh shit, Prez is involved now. “And claimin’ and fuckin’ are two different things. If they’re committin’ to each other, none of our fuckin’ business what goes on behind closed doors.”

“I’m not having it!”

“It’s what me and Jay…” Fuck! My hand goes to my cheek as the sound of the forceful slap that’s just landed echoes in the sudden silence. My fists clench, my muscles tense. But not only was it a bitch who slapped me, it was the Prez’s old lady. I can’t retaliate.

Moira’s sharp intake of breath makes me suspect she knows she’s gone too far. I look over her head to see Prez raising his chin, letting me know he’ll handle it. Me? I don’t trust myself to speak to either him, or her.

“Jay, come with me,” I turn to her instead, holding out my hand. “We’ve got things to talk about.”

“No…” Runt starts to protest.

Demon steps past me and up to him. “Prospect. You don’t question a member.”

“It’s up to the girl…”

He clearly doesn’t know when to shut up. Despite his mother’s views, Demon appears to be on my side.

“On thin ice, there, Prospect,” VP snarls out. “Now let the girl go.”

At last, Runt lifts his hand away. Jay stands, comes slowly over to me. Her beautiful eyes on me the whole time.

“Pal?” she says, hesitantly, wincing a little as her eyes focus on my cheek where I suspect a reddening handprint is appearing.

“We’ll talk in private.” I place my hand at the small of her back, and lead her to the stairs, feeling Moira’s glare burning into my back every step.

I’d forgotten to lock my door again. There, in the middle of the bed, is Bitch. Her presence breaks some of the tension between us. Jay steps quickly across the room, ignoring my sharp warning about staying away from her claws, and sits beside the cat, lifting her into her arms. The fucking cat purrs. Me? I’d have got scratched.

Using the cat as armour, Jay nuzzles its fur, then looks at me. “What the hell was all that about, Pal?”

I pace toward the bed, stopping just short as Bitch is watching me with her calculating green eyes. “I got jealous when you were talking to Runt, okay? He was pushing my buttons. He shouldn’t have put his hand on your fuckin’ leg.”

“I didn’t really notice. He was just being friendly. Asking what I thought of the club and how different it was from Tucson.”

“Friendly? He’s a man, Jay. And you’re an attractive woman.” I sweep back my hair in exasperation.

She peers up through her eyelashes. “You think I’m attractive?”

“Of course I fuckin’ do.” Once more, I eye the cat. “Jay, please, put Bitch outside.”

“Why?”

Because I want to hold you. “Because she’s glaring daggers at me. It’s distracting.”

With a giggle, she stands, cat in her arms, walks to the door and puts the feline outside. With a better memory than mine, she locks the door behind it. Then turns. “Now what?”

I pace toward her, rest my hands on her shoulders, and lower my face. When my lips find hers, she responds. Her arms go around my back. Unlike the kiss earlier, it’s me taking charge, taking control. Moving one hand so it’s around the back of her head, I hold her to me. If she makes the slightest move to pull away, I’d stop, but she doesn’t.

I’m learning her, she’s learning me. Our tongues mate together, teeth smash, we back off, angle our heads better. The taste of her I could get drunk on. She’s perfect.

At last I pull back, resting my forehead against hers. “Lost it when Runt was pushing me, Jay. Made me realise, if I don’t make a stand, anyone here could try and take you from me. Wanted, needed, to claim you. Make those fuckers understand you’re mine. Put you off limits.”

My cock’s hard, throbbing. I press closer to her, knowing she can feel it when she gives a small gasp.

“Pal, I…”

“I know you’re not ready, Jay. I’ll wait until you are. But I need to know if it’s worth waiting. If it’s not, tell me now. Fuck knows, it will kill me to watch you with anyone else. But if that’s what’s going to happen, if I’ve not got a chance, tell me now, please, Jay.”

---