Page 2 of Embracing the Consequences

She approached him slowly. He might not have been talking to her this week, or even coming around her much, but he had yet to push her away.

She stopped a foot or so away from him, unable to see much of his face past that burning cherry. She hated that he’d resorted to smoking again. He had quit for years, but the stress of the last week had him picking up the habit again. “Hey,” she said softly, unsure of where she stood with him. She hated this distance between them.

The only answer she received was the flare of the cherry.

“I’m gonna take off. Your sisters are at the house, and Derrick said you were giving your room up for the next couple days…”

When he still didn’t respond, she grew frustrated. “You know what Johnny? I’m trying to be understanding here. I’m trying to give you space. You don’t need to be a complete dick about it and ignore me when I’m talking to you,” she snapped, taking half a step toward him. She understood needing space, but being an asshole and straight up ignoring her when she spoke to him? She wouldn’t stand for it.

His answering growl was the only warning she got before he flicked the cigarette away, an arch of sparks as it sailed through the air. Then his hands were on her upper arms as he grabbed her and spun them around, slamming her back against the wall.

Her breath left her in a whoosh, but Johnny didn’t give her a moment to recover. He was on her, pressing her against the brick wall with his leather-clad body. His hand wrapped around her jaw as his mouth claimed hers. She held onto his leather cut for dear life as he poured all his pent-up emotions, everything he had been hiding and holding back from her, into a kiss so breathtakingly passionate it left her gasping.

She soaked it up, sucked his tongue into her mouth, slid her hands up his chest and wrapped them around the back of his neck. His own hands slid down her waist and to the backs of her thighs. He picked her up effortlessly, and she wrapped her legs around his waist.

She was desperate for him; the ache between her thighs burned for him. She moaned when he nipped at her lower lip. She dug her fingers into his shoulders and swiveled her hips against his.

He gasped into her mouth, then was moving quickly. He unbuckled his belt and the button on his jeans, pushing his pants down just enough to pull out his very hard cock. Kara was never so grateful that she had opted to wear a skirt that day, hoping to soak up the last of the summer days as September inched closer.

Now she was grateful for the easy access as Johnny slid her thong aside and pressed in slowly. She was shocked by his slow thrust. She was sure from his demanding kiss and his manhandling of her that she would be in for a wild ride.

He broke their kiss. He pressed open-mouthed kisses down her jaw till he got to her neck, to that sensitive spot just below her ear, the spot that was hard to cover unless she wore a scarf.That’s where he laid his brand. He thrust his hips slowly, while he marked her.

She was a panting mess. All she could do was hold on tightly while he fucked her senseless. She was well aware of the fact that they were only a handful of feet away from the main party outside the clubhouse, where the picnic tables and makeshift firepits were set up. Her MKX was parked out front, under the big lights, in front of everyone.

She came on a low moan as her body shuddered and her walls quivered around his cock. He grunted as she clamped down on him, and he picked up his pace, finally pounding into her as she thought he would from the start. He came a moment later, his hips stuttering against hers, his breathing ragged as he groaned and finally lifted his mouth from her neck.

She could feel the bruise already formed there; he’d sucked so hard she was sure it would take weeks for it to heal. She didn’t care, not in this world, where that claiming mark was all that stood between her and an out-of-town idiot who might not know who she was. She’d wear Johnny’s mark like the badge of honor it was. She was his and he was hers.

She held him to her while they caught their breath. She didn’t know what she expected to happen after that quick lovemaking session, but she hoped he’d at least talk to her. When he didn’t say anything and slowly pulled away from her, she felt cold.

Tears prickled her eyes, and she tried to blink them away, hating that he wouldn’t speak to her. He pressed a soft kiss to her lips before fixing her thong and setting her down gently. He buttoned up his jeans and fastened his belt while she smoothed down her skirt. Then he grabbed her hand and laced their fingers together.

He pulled her away from the wall, around the dark corner they had hidden in, and into the brightly lit parking lot. She felteyes on her the moment they started for her Lincoln. There were easily a hundred people loitering around outside.

Johnny didn’t say a word as he led her over to the driver’s door of her SUV. He pressed her against the side of her MKX and, using his forefinger, gently lifted her chin to look up at him. His blue eyes were dark with pain. She hated that look in his eyes, hated that he seemed to be saying goodbye to her.

“Johnny.” She breathed his name out softly, so only he could hear. She was well aware of every eye on them, wondering where she stood with their president. Women wondered if they could make a move on her man now that he was president, even if it wasn’t official. Men wondered if she was a club whore or his old lady. She ignored them all and slid her hands up his chest and around his neck.

He cupped her chin gently between his thumb and forefinger before he lowered his lips to hers. The kiss he placed there was gentle and sensual before he slid his tongue into her mouth, turning it filthy.

She gasped and opened for him, ignoring the eyes on them, on her. He broke the kiss a moment later. He looked sad as he stared down at her. “I love you,” she murmured softly, needing to say the words.

He sighed and pulled her into his arms, hauling her off the side of the MKX and engulfing her in his embrace. She wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her forehead against his chest, breathing in his scent. His usual sandalwood and leather were now mixed with the scents of nicotine and tobacco.

He pressed a kiss to her forehead before he pulled away. She reluctantly let go and put on a brave face, knowing damn well every single woman gathered was watching. She had to put on a brave face and be strong. Be his old lady.

He opened the driver’s door for her, and she climbed in. Once she was buckled up, he leaned in and pressed one last lingering kiss to her lips before he stepped away and closed her door.

It wasn’t until she had driven halfway home that she it occurred to her that he hadn’t spoken a single word.

When she woke up alone the following morning, she realized that things between them had changed. A pivotal moment in their relationship, and she was left alone.

The gathering for Kingwas the largest funeral procession the club had ever seen. As the national charter’s president, he’d been the king of all Ravager Knights. Now that he was gone, his absence left a void that nobody could completely fill.

Johnny could onlytryto be half the man his father had been.

He knew he wouldn’t come close. His father had been such a larger-than-life person he could command attention just by walking into a room. He’d earned the respect of every single brother in the Ravager Knights MC.

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