“I wouldn’t let that happen.”
He was silent for a moment, rubbing his chin back and forth on the top of her head. “You’re a little wild, and you like it when we have sex like that, out in the open, but I don’t want to take chances, not unless my brothers and sisters are close.”
“I’m okay with that, honey.”
Her voice reassured him. She meant it. The relief was tremendous. “Before I’m so preoccupied with the more important things in life, I need to tell you, I’d like you to do some drawings for me.” He nuzzled the top of her head again, liking the way her hair caught in his bristles. “For my jewelry. You were talking about ideas you had, and I got to thinking about them. What I’ve been doing is a piece here and there that calls to me. I see it clearly, and I take a long time to make it because it has to feel a certain way to me.”
“Your work is beautiful.”
“You haven’t painted since we’ve been together. I made you that little art studio and you haven’t gone in once. Sketch in there and then start painting again. You’re good, and there’s a local gallery in Sea Haven.”
Her eyes were so bright they were nearly glowing. “I can do that. I would love it, but Ice, you’re very good, and I was only talking silliness. Nothing I come up with is going to equal—” She broke off when his hand came up to cover her mouth briefly.
“I want you to sketch out those ideas. They were inspiring. A few of the jewelry stores I work with have asked for a line they can have in their stores, and it occurred to me that I could do an exclusive line for a couple of stores, the jewelry won’t be anywhere but in their store. That way, my work is still very limited, and I can do my one-of-a-kind pieces, but we can pull in a little more money.”
She opened her mouth, and he knew immediately she was going to remind him she had money. He found himself smirking.
“Ice. You don’t actually have to work if you don’t want to. I’ve got money. You never even looked into my finances.”
“What did I tell you to do with your money? Save it for our kids. Give it to any charity you want to give it to. Sponsor a million children in another country. Set up a battered women’s shelter or, better yet, apartments with low rent, so once they’re on their feet the women will be able to make it on their own. Any damn thing you want, baby, as long as I’m the one taking care of you.”
She threw her hands into the air. “You’re so insane. I don’t have a clue what I’m going to do with you.”
“I know exactly what I’m going to do with you. First, instead of fucking your brains out, my beautiful little princess, I’m going to make love to my wife. I’m going to take my time and kiss every single inch of her. I want her to know that she’s the most important person in my life.”
She turned her head and looked up at him in that way she had, as if he were her sun, the moon and the stars all rolled into one.
“When I’m absolutely certain that she understands that and feels loved, then, because you just keep bringing up your money, and you know the consequences, I’m getting my cock sucked and I’m not going to let you touch it. I’m in control the entire time. Then, you’re going to lie across my lap with a very hot little plug in you and I’m going to give you another lesson in remembering that one little rule, the only one I’ve laid down. Then I’m going to fuck your brains out.”
She turned so her naked body was pressed tightly against his chest and slid her slender arms around his neck. “That sounds absolutely perfect to me.”
That was Soleil. His woman. Perfect.
TERMS ASSOCIATED WITH BIKER CLUBS
1-percenters: This is a term often used in association with outlaw bikers, as in “99 percent of clubs are law-abiding, but the other 1 percent are not.” Sometimes the symbol is worn inside a diamond-shaped patch.
3-piece patch or 3-piece: This term is used for the configuration of a club’s patch: the top piece, or rocker, with club name; a center patch that is the club’s logo; and a bottom patch or rocker with the club’s location, such as Sea Haven.
Biker: someone who rides a motorcycle
Biker friendly: a business that welcomes bikers
Boneyard: refers to a salvage yard
Cage: often refers to a car, van or truck (basically any vehicle not a motorcycle)
Chapter: the local unit of a larger club
Chase vehicle: a vehicle following riders on a run just in case of a breakdown
Chopper: customized bike
Church: club meeting
Citizen: someone not a biker
Club: could be any group of riders banding together (most friendly)
Colors: patches, logo, something worth fighting for because it represents who you are
Cut: vest or denim jacket with sleeves cut off with club colors on them; almost always worn, even over leather jackets
Dome: helmet
Getting patched: Moving up from prospect to full club member (you would receive the logo patch to wear with rockers). This must be earned, and is the only way to get respect from brothers.
Hang-around: anyone hanging around the club who might want to join
Hog: nickname for motorcycle, mostly associated with Harley-Davidson
Independent: a biker with no club affiliation
Ink: tattoo
Ink slinger: a tattoo artist
Nomad: club member who travels between chapters; goes where he’s needed in his club
Old lady: A wife or woman who has been with a man for a long time. It is not considered disrespectful nor does it have anything to do with how old one is.
Patch holder: member of a motorcycle club
Patches: Sewn on vests or jackets, these can be many things with meanings or just for fun, even gotten from runs made.
Poser: pretend biker
Property of: a patch displayed on a jacket, vest or sometimes a tattoo, meaning the woman (usually old lady or longtime girlfriend) is with the man and his club
Prospect: someone working toward becoming a fully patched club member
KEEP READING FOR AN EXCERPT FROM THE NEXT GHOSTWALKER NOVEL BY CHRISTINE FEEHAN
LETHAL GAME
AVAILABLE MARCH 2020 FROM BERKLEY
We’re taking heavy enemy fire.
Like they all weren’t aware of the helicopter lurching from side to side as they came in low, trying to put down where the wounded soldiers waited for transport. Malichai Fortunes kept one hand on his medical kit and the other on his rifle. He could shoot the wings off a fly with that rifle.