Numb (King's Harlots MC Book 5) by J. M. Walker
I pushed out five paintings in one night before calling Josee.
She was happy.
I was exhausted.
The gallery showing was coming up soon. I had asked Josee to push it back a couple of weeks so I could add more paintings to the set. She didn’t complain once knowing some big named artists were coming from New York. Her focus all along had been to get my paintings into every major museum in the world.
My thoughts were forced back to the present when I saw Dale following Angel down the long hall leading to the spare rooms.
It wouldn’t end well. I appreciated Angel’s concern for my wellbeing thanks to Jay but this wasn’t really any of his business.
We had all met up to talk about Tyler Bone getting kicked out of Dante’s Kings, Jay’s father’s club. Tyler had been her ex, the vice-president of the MC and a douchebag.
I also needed to get filled in on everything I had missed over the past couple of months.
“Can I hold your hand?”
The deep smooth voice came from beside me.
Dale sat in the chair, running his hands down his jean-clad thighs before looking my way once again. “Max.”
He wanted to hold my hand.
I hesitated. After all we had been doing together for the past month, holding hands should have been easy. But it felt like all my emotions were laid out before me. Like my heart had split open only to have Dale laugh at me again.
“Please,” he said, keeping his hands folded in his lap.
Taking a deep breath, I reached a hand out to him.
He grabbed hold of it, kissed my knuckles, and linked his fingers between mine.
“Are you and Angel good?” I asked, cupping his hand. My hand was small compared to his but that touch alone made me feel safe. Like maybe my heart could heal.
“Everyone is worried I’ll hurt you again,” Dale grunted. “I would have kicked my ass long ago if I were him.”
“I appreciate everyone looking out for me but it’s no one’s damn business.”
He turned to me. “What are you saying, kitten?”
“I’m saying I can handle you.” I sat up straighter. “Everyone just needs to chill the fuck out.”
“You can only handle me because it’s what I want.” He pinched my chin, brushing his thumb over my bottom lip.
“What do you mean?”
His eyes twinkled with mischief. “It means” —he kissed my mouth, giving my bottom lip a gentle bite— “that if we were alone, I’d have you bent over this table. Maybe have your hands behind your back.” He groaned. “Yup. Definitely behind your back.”
“Dale,” I breathed.
He grinned. “I know you crave that dominant side of me, kitten. Just like I crave your submission.”
I looked away, my cheeks heating.
“Eyes on me,” he snapped. “Or do I have to throw you over my lap and spank your ass for defying me?”
“Don’t be an asshole,” I said, glaring at him.
He hooked an arm around my shoulders, brushing his fingers down my cheek before gripping my jaw. “Remember who you belong to.”
“Myself.”
***
(Dale)
Her word caught me off guard. Of course she belonged to herself. I wouldn’t have it any other way but she needed to know that I also owned her. Even if it was just her body.
Max chewed her bottom lip, held our joined hands in her lap, but kept glancing back and forth around the room. Every now and again she would push a strand of loose hair behind her ear and munch on her lip like she was starving.
“What’s wrong, baby?” I asked, giving her hand a light squeeze.
She let out a shaky breath, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink. “I don’t want anyone losing their shit for us holding hands.”
I frowned. “Why would they?”
“I know people … our friends … think I’m crazy for …”
“For this?” I asked, waving a hand between us.
She nodded slowly.
I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. “Let’s worry about making each other happy first before anyone else.”
“Okay.” She searched my face, pulling her hand free from my grasp.
An unexpected growl rumbled from my chest at the loss of her touch against mine.
Max’s head whipped around, her eyebrow raising. “Don’t push me.”
Fuck. Leaning my arm on the back of her chair, I rubbed the scruff on my jaw. “Fine, but don’t expect me to be nice about it.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she whispered. Her voice had been soft, I wasn’t sure if I even heard her correctly.
My body hummed. Grazing a finger down the side of her neck, I savored the sound of her breath catching. Her eyes fluttered closed, her mouth parting on a silent sigh.
If we didn’t have a damn meeting, I would make good on my threat and bend her over right there.
Just as that thought slid through my mind, everyone started rolling into the room. I’d hoped we would finally get some answers. Max and I needed to be filled in on what the hell had been going on but I really wanted to take her home and fuck her until she couldn’t breathe.
“I wish I could bring you all good news,” Jay said, lowering her swollen body down into the seat at the head of the table. She let out a slow breath, her hands rubbing her pregnant stomach. “Tyler is causing shit,” she added, placing her phone on the table. “Before we start, has anyone seen him or been in contact with him?”
A resounding no sounded around the room.
“Tell me now,” Jay continued. “Because if I find out he’s made contact, I won’t be able to help you.”
No one changed their answer.
“Fine.” She let out a slow breath, placed a phone on the table, and pressed a button. “Okay, Daddy, go ahead.”
“Thanks, nugget,” Brian Gold’s deep voice boomed from the small speaker. He cleared his throat. “The fucker is causing a rumble through the clubs. He’s saying we kicked him out of the club without any reason at all. Most of you know we can’t do that. Fuck. Jay, this is not going to end well for him. Or for us. If he gets those fuckers on his side, it could be a full-on war. I know he’s a fucking bastard but …”
She shifted in her seat. “I know. Do you think he’s in on this human trafficking shit?”
“Jay,” her father paused. “Yeah. I do.”
The air became thick. We had all been thinking the same thing. Just no one said it. Tyler Bone was a dick.
“All right.” Jay let out a breath. “We need to get this shit dealt with before your grandbaby is born.”
“You have my motherfucking word. As soon as that baby is born, you will have security so far up your ass, you won’t be able to take a piss without someone watching,” her father’s voice boomed through the speaker of the phone.
Nods and grunts of agreement went around the room.
“I wouldn’t expect any less, Daddy.” Jay leaned back in her chair, glancing at Max.
Brian was right, though. We would all take care of the baby and Jay. Angel wouldn’t have to worry about a damn thing.
Angel whispered something in her ear.
She smiled, patted his hand, and kissed him fully on the mouth.
He sighed, shaking his head.
The jealousy over what she used to have with Tyler had been imminent in the beginning but Angel fought for control over that. I was pissed at the guy but they were perfect for each other.
A shadow of darkness slid into the room as a cloud passed over the afternoon sun. It amped up the jealousy I had been feeling and sent my stomach into knots.
Scrubbing a hand up and down my face, I grabbed hold of Max’s hand. I needed her strength.
Much to my surprise, she didn’t pull away. Instead, she pushed her chair closer to mine and held my hand in her lap.
“I don’t care what anyone says,” she mumbled, turning to me. “I need this.”
I wasn’t exa
I glanced up, catching everyone watching us.
“Are you with us?” Jay asked, looking between us both.
“Yes.” Max shifted in her seat, a flush of red sliding up her neck. “Sorry.”
“No worries, Maxine,” Brian said from the phone. “Anyway, as I was saying, we were able to scrub off the tattoo and de-patch Tyler but after that, he lost his shit. It was odd as fuck. He’s a dick but he was always calm. He knew it was coming. His reaction took us all by surprise and I’m man enough to admit, I let my guard down.”
“What does he mean when he says they scrubbed off the tattoo?” Asher asked from the other end of the table.
“Exactly how it sounds,” Meeka told him. “Not all clubs have the tattoos. We don’t. But if someone is kicked out of a club who does have them, no matter if it’s voluntary or not, the tattoo on their back gets scrubbed.”
“By what?” Asher frowned.
“It’s usually something sharp like a steel wool pad,” Henley answered.
“How the fuck would you know?” I asked him, a cold shiver racing down my spine at the mere idea of someone scratching a tattoo off my skin.
“I don’t think you want me to answer that question.” Henley’s gaze snapped to mine. “Do you?”
Lian elbowed him, giving him a small shake of his head.
And that only made Henley grin.
My eyes narrowed. Fucker was just as bad as Coby and Stone with his secrets.
“Um … okay, drama queens.” Jay shook her head. “It’s not that bad. If you’re a bad boy or girl, yes, you get scrubbed but usually the tattoo gets inked over.”
Meeka giggled which in turn earned a glare from Asher. He whispered something in her ear forcing her laughter to come to a raging halt. Her cheeks turned pink, a small smile forming on her lips.
I would bet my left nut he had told her some form of punishment would happen later over her teasing him. My body stirred at the mere idea of throwing Max over my lap and spanking her delicious ass.
As if she could hear my thoughts, Max glanced up at me, her cheeks reddening.
I smirked, placing my arm on the back of her chair, and brushed my thumb up and down the length of her neck.
She sighed, leaning into my touch.
Jay was talking, Brian’s voice was coming from the speaker on the phone, but all I could concentrate on was Max not pushing away from me.
It was that small moment, that small touch in time where nothing else mattered. With my thumb against her neck, pressing and massaging, showing her what the feelings I had for her were. I loved her. I was so damn deep in love with her, it made my heart physically hurt and my chest tighten.
“Dale.”
“Hmm?” I looked up, finding the whole room looking at me. “Sorry.” I cleared my throat, a flush of heat traveling up the back of my neck. Fuck, this woman distracted me. She was my undoing. I didn’t care about the organization or the shit Tyler had done. My main focus was getting Max to forgive me.
Coby’s lips twitched.
Max smiled, her hair falling to the side. She pushed it behind her ear.
My blood stirred.
“What were you saying?” I asked, keeping my gaze on her hair. I licked my lips, my stomach twisting. What the hell? I was jealous over her hair. Fuck my life.
I shook myself and sat forward. “Sorry.” I locked eyes with Angel. “Go ahead.”
He grunted, shaking his head.
Jay looked between Max and me, her brows furrowing into a deep frown.
A tremor shot up the back of my spine. We locked eyes.
She raised her brows, challenging me.
I only stared back. Grabbing ahold of Max’s hand, I brought it up to my mouth and kissed the back of her knuckles.
Jay glared.
Max gasped.
Angel swore.
And I grinned like a fucking idiot.
“Nugget? Jay? Are you still there?” Brian’s deep voice boomed around the room.
“Yeah,” she muttered, her gaze sliding from mine. “Continue.”
“Everything all right?” he asked.
“Yes,” she muttered, rubbing her swollen belly. “Go ahead.”
Max shifted beside me, a small sigh leaving her mouth.
Don’t worry, kitten. I’ll make up for it. I’ll make up for everything.
DALE LET IT be known, publicly, that he and I were … in a relationship? Fucking? Were more than friends? Who the hell knew anymore what we were doing. But his little show forced a bitterness to come to light in my best friend. She was concerned he would hurt me again. Both of us knew if that happened, I would never be able to come back from it. I wasn’t one to depend on a man or base my actions and feelings on them but I had fallen in love with Dale hard. And fast. So damn fast, my head spun and my body trembled with a need for him that shouldn’t have been real.
I pulled away from Dale and crossed my arms under my chest. The battle between my body and my feelings for him turned into a full-on war.
I needed control.
I needed to put distance between us.
His eyes burned into the side of my head. But that didn’t stop him. He placed his big hand on my thigh, giving it a firm squeeze.
“You’re mine, kitten,” he whispered in my ear, sliding his hand down my leg and under the hem of my dress.
I swallowed hard. While everyone was focused on what Brian had been saying, all I could think about was Dale’s hand moving under my dress. But I didn’t stop him, did I? I could have. I could have shoved him away and demand for him to leave me alone. It would have caused a scene. Angel would kick his ass. Coby would defend him. And I would cry like the fucking pussy I was. So, I let him continue. No matter how hard I tried not to, I gave in. Because his touch on my skin was the only thing that made me feel normal.
He moved his chair closer to mine and kicked his foot against the leg of mine. I was shoved forward, my lower body hidden beneath the table.
My heart sped up. I had no idea what he planned on doing but I could sense he didn’t like that I pushed him away. I would be punished for it—and God help me—but it made my body burn for him.
With rough calloused fingers, he slid them up my thigh to the spot I needed him most. As much as I knew this shouldn’t happen, not when we were discussing … Hell, I didn’t even know what we were talking about anymore. My mind fizzled out at the feel of Dale owning me with just his hand. I shouldn’t give in but I wanted to. I needed it.
Cupping his hand, I pushed it higher up my thigh.
“That’s right, baby,” he said low enough for only me to hear. “I got you now.”
And he did. When his finger slid beneath the fabric of my panties, I leaned back in the chair and gave him my submission. All of me belonged to him whether I cared to admit it or not. I knew that now.
His fingers caressed.
My hips bucked. My heart raced. My skin became clammy.
No one in the room had any idea what was going on beneath the table.
As fast as the pleasure started, it soon turned into a dull roar. My body ached for this man sitting beside me.
Dale spoke when needed, answered questions when they were directed at him all the while fingering me and bringing me over that delicious edge.
I couldn’t understand how he was in such control when I was ready to combust.
With one final flick of his finger, I coughed, the fast release rushing through me. I pushed his hand but that didn’t stop him.
He smacked my hand away and grabbed my inner thigh.
Now that I could finally focus on the meeting itself, I smoothed down my dress as best I could with Dale’s hand being in the way.
“Will Tyler come after you?” Jay asked, shifting her body in her seat.
Brian scoffed. “No. The guys won’t leave me alone. I’m well protected, nugget.”
“Have you heard anyth
“Charles is still a piece of shit and Zane … Fucking fucker has been off the radar since your girl raided his place and killed his sister.” Brian covered the mouthpiece, his voice muffled as he spoke to someone in the background. “Listen,” he said a moment later, “I have to go. But keep me posted. All of you. I want to know as soon as any of those bastards are in Brogan’s chair.” And with that, he hung up.
The air in the room became thick over Brian’s words. We all knew Brogan had killed Tina Birtch. The reason as to why, besides the fact she was a sick bitch, hung over our heads. It became the elephant in the room until Jay ordered for us to leave and go on with our day.
“It doesn’t make sense why Charles has kept himself hidden all of this time,” I said to Dale as everyone filed out of the room.
Dale rose to his feet, looking down at me before grabbing my hand. “He’s a bastard who likes fucking with our heads.”
Maybe. “Dale?”
He leaned forward, his sapphire eyes piercing me straight in the heart. He cupped my nape, running his fingers through my hair and tugged my head back. “How does it feel?” he asked, kissing my chin.
All thoughts about Charles escaped my mind as Dale moved closer. “How … how does what feel?” I placed my hands against his chest, feeling the pulse of his heart beating hard against my palm.
“Knowing I made you come in front of our friends.”
My cheeks heated. Shoving out of his grip, I stepped around him.
“Max,” he called out for me.
“No.” I left the room and spun on him, not caring in the least if anyone saw or heard. “I can’t do this with you.”
“That’s funny because we haven’t done anything yet.” A wicked glint flashed in his gaze when he brushed his fingers beneath his nose and inhaled. “Mmmm … I can still smell you.”
I threw my hands up in the air, ignoring the flush of heat racing through my body. “You are so frustrating.”
“Maybe.” His face turned serious then, all teasing aside about how he made me feel. “But I know you enjoy it. You enjoy the unpredictability of it all. I push. You push back. You’re just too damn scared to admit it.”