Page 2 of Devil's Due

I should be happy, I muse, as I kick down the stand, before reluctantly taking the few steps toward the front door. This is what I wanted after all, a woman I could call mine waiting for me to come home. It hurts to say it’s not working out and will be painful when I have to admit that to my brothers.

They already know.

Yeah. They probably do, though no one has said as much. All waiting for me to give them the words. The signs have been there, almost from the beginning. I’d jumped in with both feet far too fast, and now I’ve no idea how to extricate myself. I’m a coward, knowing what I should do, but not being brave enough to cause the hurt I know will result.

I open the front door as quietly as I can. The clock once belonging to Heart, well, we moved into this place fully furnished, shows it’s eleven o’clock, and I might be lucky. She might have gone to bed. As I’m wondering whether I can get away with sleeping on the couch, tomorrow’s excuse running through my head,I didn’t want to disturb you,footsteps sound.

“Beef. You’re back.”

A tinge of guilt at the joy in her voice. A suggestion that maybe she’d thought I wouldn’t come home. I may have considered sinking my cock into a sweet butt, Allie’s perhaps, she’s sweet as pie, or taking Paige and Diva together as I have many times in the past, but I’m not so much of a bastard to do that to the woman who’s trying so hard to make things right between us. An impossible task, though she doesn’t realise it.

“The kids are down, Beef. They’ve left some pictures for you. They were trying to draw your bike.”

Yeah, guilt me why don’t you?I don’t need the reminder it’s not just her I’d disappoint if I came out with the truth. Since her ex-husband went to prison and she got her divorce, she’s pushed the kids at me at every opportunity. They’re good kids, no complaints there, she’s brought them up right. I like them well enough, if they had a different mother, maybe it would work out. But the woman who’d come into my life, the person I thought was meant for me, isn’t the one I’ve been waiting for.She isn’t Becca, or anything like her.

“Sally,” I begin, my voice tired.

“Beef,” she interrupts. A look of concern on her face. “What’s happened?” Taking a step forward, she raises her hand and touches my eye. I flinch.Rock must have got a lucky shot in.I hadn’t even felt it. “Have you been fighting?”

That right there. The look of disgust that she can’t hide. I’m a biker. Yeah, tonight I went too far, but I regularly spar with my brothers. It keeps us fit, sharp. She didn’t mind violence when it rescued her from the situation she’d been in. But now? Her background shows. A gentle woman from a moneyed family.

“Just sparred with Rock,” I explain. “You know what we do, Sally.”

“I’ll clean it for you.”

Another woman’s attentions might be welcomed, not hers. Becca will probably be doctoring Rock and, after she’s fussed him enough, with the birth of Rose a few months back, her touch will probably end up with him having his cock deep inside her. “Nah, Sal, I’m fine. I’ll do it myself.”

Sally might not be the right woman for me, but it’s not because she’s stupid. A wistfulness crosses her face, a clear sign she wants me to let her help. “I’ll get you a beer.”

I don’t need serving.But how do you turn down a well-meant gesture? “Sure. I’ll be right back.”

While she disappears into the kitchen, I take myself off to the half bath, take a much-needed piss, then examine my reflection in the mirror. There’s a small cut above my eye, no wonder it didn’t register. Nothing to worry about at all. Still, to ease Sally’s mind I splash my face with water, getting rid of the dried blood. So tiny a wound, it doesn’t bleed after.

I stare at my reflected image as though it might have more answers than me. How can I tell a woman like her that things are not working out? I hadn’t lifted a finger nor been an active participant when we got together, no effort required on my part at all. When she stayed at the clubhouse waiting for the media to lose interest in her husband’s high-profile court case, she’d latched onto me. To my shame and regret, I hadn’t put up much objection, it had been easier to go along with it. When it was suggested she move into Heart’s place, along with her kids, the thought of being alone had caused her stress. When she’d hinted she’d like company, I said I’d go with her, just to help ease her into her new life.

Playing house had been a novelty at first. A woman I could call mine to come home to. When she invited me into her bed, what can I say? I’m a man, I went. It was okay, I got off, made sure she did too. When my brothers asked if I was claiming her, I said yes.

It soon became clear, my preferred style of loving wasn’t hers. My adventurous nature a complete turn off. Missionary position was the only way she permitted me to take her. After years of variety, I soon got bored. Wouldn’t step out on her though. Not while I was with her.

Her husband had beaten her, badly. Had agreed to stay away from her and had for two years. until a wife and family was helpful in his desire to have a political career. She’d been afraid of him, with good reason. In front of her, he admitted he’d get the sympathetic vote if she was killed.

She’s already been told she’s worthless. How could I do that to her too? I never realised Sebastian Lawson had been her first and only boyfriend, her family had kept her sheltered until they’d found her a suitable man. Now that I know, it influences what I can do. She’s no knowledge of break-ups, of relationships which don’t work. Her husband wanted her dead, and I’m thinking of discarding her like, what, a worn-out shoe?

Nah. Can’t do that to her. I’ll have to stay and make this work.

“Beef? You okay?”

“Coming.” I flush the toilet. Then I take a deep breath to fortify myself.

In the living room she pats the seat beside her. “Got your beer, Beef. I wanted to talk to you.”

Please tell me you know this isn’t working out.As I place my ass on the cushion, it dips, moving her body closer to mine. I lean forward to pick up the glass she’s just placed there. Normally I drink beer straight from the bottle but am not given the choice when Sally’s around. I risk a glance at her, there’s an excited gleam in her eyes.

“You know how you want me to ride your bike?”

I’m not one to place any particular emphasis of who the woman is riding up behind me. But as far as anyone’s concerned Sally’s my old lady, and as such her place should be pillion on my bike. But she’d quickly disavowed me of any notion she’d be doing that.Too dangerous,she told me.

“You changed your mind?” Now, that would be a good start. Along with perhaps letting me stick my cock in her when she’s on her hands and knees. One thing about Sally, she’s got a great ass, with hips a man could hang onto.

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