The Winter of Regrets (19 page)

Violet linked her arm through Kima’s and smiled at Jean. “Honey, public restrooms are great places for gossip. Now, I’m going to take your lovely daughter to meet my husband and you can find out the real story from Deidra. Bless your heart, too. Such a fine mother you are.” With that, she and Kima left the ladies’ room.

In the hall, Kima looked at Violet and laughter bubbled up from her throat. “I don’t think my mother knows you just kindly told her to go fuck herself, Violet.”

“Living in the south has taught me a few things,” returned Violet. “I’m from Jersey, myself. Your mother refuses to see beyond her nose. I don’t like that Jo, and she better hope I don’t see her while we’re up here. Now, come meet my Rebel!” She tugged Kima to the table where Rebel was holding court.

F
inally, the guests were departing, some to their homes, and the bikers to party elsewhere. Elena needed to get back to her house and Whiskey invited himself in for coffee. He paid the sitter and wouldn’t let Elena pay him back. He sat on her sofa and took off his suit jacket, then tore at the buttons of his shirt.

Elena quickly made coffee while sneaking peeks at him.

“Deidra can’t say I didn’t behave, can she? Although … I didn’t like hearing what Violet told me that was said to her by Nailz’ ol’ lady.” Whiskey pushed his boots off and lay back on the sofa.

“It’s about time Jo got a slap on the face for her behavior, but the last one I expected it to come from was Dee.” Elena called back.

Whiskey replied, “My girl doesn’t take shit. Has my temper, I think. Her mama didn’t take my shit either, though. Shannon fought that cancer so hard. My biggest regret is how I let Margo treat Deidra. I should have stayed away from that bitch.”

Elena brought the coffee and put the tray on the ottoman.

“Do you mind if I change? I’m dying to get this dress off, but I need help with the zipper. Would you unzip it for me?”

Whiskey stood up and he brushed her hair out of the way. His fingers left a path of fire on her skin as he unzipped her dress.

Elena walked to the bedroom to change as he took his flask and added whiskey to both cups. He wasn’t sure where this would go with Elena. He wanted her badly, but he wouldn’t push her. He didn’t see pictures of Hunter and he wondered if she was truly done mourning him. Tramp had told him the story of how Hunter had died. He wondered about a man pushing a pregnant woman out of his life and couldn’t decide if what he had done was the right thing to do. Elena wasn’t just a fuck; she’s the type of woman you made your wife. He wanted to know everything about her.

Elena came back dressed in leggings and an oversized sweatshirt. Whiskey looked at her and liked her choice of clothing.

“I added a shot of my whiskey to the coffee, darlin’.”

Elena sat on the floor and looked at the man before her. There was such a pull to be with him, it was scaring her.

“Whiskey, what are we doing? You make me feel alive again. I haven’t felt this way in a very long time.”

“I won’t push you into something until you’re ready,” he told her. “I’ll be honest with you. I’m no angel and I’m trying to be a better man for my girls. I want a relationship, I’m no good single. I want a son or two and I like marriage. When I’m settled, I don’t stray none.” He watched her face.

“Are you … Are you asking me to have a relationship with you and maybe more?” Elena wanted to make sure she heard him right.

“I’m asking you to trust me and get to know me. I’ll be coming to Jersey often to check on Shanna. We do have a chapter way down in southern Jersey too, so I have a few reasons to come up here. What I’d really like to do is lay in bed and just hold you, nothing more, darlin’.”

Elena looked at this man before her, a man she damn well knew was a hardened criminal and had a very bad reputation. It didn’t matter to her in the least. She liked the idea of him holding her very much.

“Just holding me, huh? Are you sure about that, Whiskey? I’ve heard that line before, you know.” She drank the coffee and studied him.

“I keep my word, Elena. If I wanted a fuck, I can get that anytime. I see something rare in you and I want to savor that. I want to know everything you’re willing to share with me. We’ve lost loved ones. We understand that pain, both of us. It’s time to live again, though. What I want, not just any woman can give me. I want to know you’re that woman.”

Whiskey drained his coffee and stood up, offering his hand to Elena, who took it. He pulled her close to him. Her arms went around his neck and he kissed her, the whiskey and coffee mingling in their mouths. Elena felt those butterflies again as she led him into her bedroom.

She swore to herself that all they would do was hold each other.

J
ack and Dee didn’t have a honeymoon. They decided to take one later, maybe in the summer. They didn’t go to any of the parties that were happening either, opting to just head back home.

Jack picked Dee up as he fumbled with the key to the front door. Dee was giggling, holding a bottle of champagne.

“Jack, put me down before we both end up sprawled on the porch.”

“Nah, I got this,” he said. “Stop wiggling and let me open the door!” he teased, then finally got it open. Quickly he made it to the couch where he dropped Dee.

“You want more of that, or do you want me to put it in the fridge?” he asked, pointing at the bottle.

“I thought we could save it for something … a special occasion.” She held the bottle to him to take, then got up to undress, but couldn’t reach the back. “Jack, I can’t get out of this dress by myself.”

“Deidra Regan, you make a beautiful wife, and you’re all mine.” His breath against her neck gave her chills. “I love you, Dee. Let’s take this to the bedroom.”

He scooped her up again and carried her to the bedroom. She stood very still as Jack unlaced the back of her dress and helped take it off of her. In no time, she was down to her underwear and garters.

“Leave the garters and stockings on, but take your hair down.”

Jack’s eyes were appraising her and she felt shy as she hurried to the bathroom. She washed her face, happy to get the makeup off. Her hands ripped out the pins holding her hair and she shook her head to let it fall free. Jack lay naked on the bed, his eyes closed as he waited for her to slip in beside him. Her body was warm next to him and the cold sheets made Dee shiver slightly. She wrapped herself around his body.

The next moment, her hand reached down and felt for his cock. It was hard and ready for her. Her fingers trailed up and down it before she reached down to lightly tickle his balls. Jack groaned aloud.

He pushed her hand away and flipped her onto her back. Her nipples were hard from the cold air, so she brushed her fingers across them. Jack noticed, then moved to place his hot mouth over one. He sucked it into his mouth, making her moan. As soon as he felt it was hard, he went to her other nipple, teasing it with his tongue until he felt Dee squirming. He trailed butterfly kisses down her stomach and moved between her legs. He heard Dee panting and smiled to himself as his finger touched her clit. Jack drew circles around it, making her moan before slipping a finger inside of her. She was wet and thrust her hips up toward him.

“Dee, do you want me to go down on you or fuck you?”

“I want to feel your cock buried deep inside me. Do me hard and fast.”

Jack pulled her legs over his shoulders and gave her exactly what she asked for. She pushed a pillow toward him so he could put it under her ass and get in deeper. His cock went in and out of her as she kicked at his back. The feel of her silk clad legs turned him on and he began to thrust as deep and far as he could. Dee was meeting him thrust for thrust and their panting was the only sound in the room. Jack felt her begin to clamp down on his cock and pulled out, leaving her to gasp. He went right in again and Dee moaned. He knew she was ready to cum and began to pump in and out of her until he felt her body began to quiver. He slipped his hand around to her ass, his fingers gathering up the wetness she had leaked. As soon as he found her tight little asshole, he pushed his middle finger inside, and Dee’s body jumped. He moved his finger in and out to the rhythm of his cock. It was only seconds later that Dee was screaming his name. He gave one more thrust and squirted his load deep inside of her. Her body shook and the sweat poured off of him. He slipped his finger out along with his cock.

Damn, that felt good
, Jack thought. Dee didn’t seem to mind a finger in her ass, either. He got up to wash, leaving her speechless.

Dee lay there, her body still reeling over that orgasm. She couldn’t believe Jack had stuck his finger up her butt and that she liked it. This husband of hers was full of surprises, she thought. Her eyes closed as she yawned. Today had been so long; just a few minutes of sleep and she’d get up to wash. By the time Jack got back, Dee was fast asleep. He had no intentions of waking her. He looked at his ol’ lady with her blonde hair fanning the pillow and knew this was the one woman he’d been waiting for. He wasn’t about to leave her in that garter belt, though. He slipped it past her hips without waking her. He tried to unhook it from the stockings, but gave up and pulled the stockings off her, too. Dee slept on, so he tossed it all to the floor. He slipped in beside her and she cuddled against him, his arm holding her tightly to him.

A
car horn woke Deidra up. Jack’s two German shepherds were going wild. Dee opened her eyes and looked at Jack, hoping he’d wake up.

Suddenly, she heard shrill screaming. Dee cringed, knowing those voices, and she considered covering her head and pretending not to have heard them. Then again, Violet and Penny were liable to shoot Jack’s dogs, so she got up and grabbed a robe. Heading to the door, she hoped the two women wouldn’t stay long or wake up Jack.

Dee watched as Violet yelled at the dogs who looked like they wanted to eat her. She watched them circle the car before yelling to them,
“Nein, zurück!
Fritz! Fonzie!
Nach hinten!”

The dogs gave one last look at the car before disappearing behind the house. She then watched as Penny’s perfect, long legs slid out of the car. A bit of jealousy hit her. Penny’s long streaked blonde hair and hot body always made her feel a bit inadequate. Violet was, as always, full of energy. She practically bounced out of the car.

“Deidra, did you really just speak to those dogs in
German
?” Violet asked, looking around to make sure they were really gone.

“Yes. Mad Jack has them trained to obey in German. Why are the killer queen and her princess here? I thought I’d have a little time with my new husband before y’all came calling.” Dee stood with her hands on her hips, watching as the two women pulled bags of groceries from the backseat of Penny’s Cadillac Deville.

“Now, Deidra, don’t be sassy. I have a favor to ask of you and I thought we’d have a nice dinner. You know how much you’ve missed my ham with pineapple, cornbread, mac and cheese, and green bean casserole! I even plan to make you
apple dumplings!”
Violet knew exactly how to get her way. “You get dressed and Penny and I will meet you in the kitchen. We have so much to tell you.”

Dee gave up, knowing she’d lose anyway, and went to get dressed. Jack still slept, so she quietly slipped on old soft jeans and a “Support your local Nefarious MC” long-sleeved shirt. May as well rub it in Violet’s face.

Someone had made coffee and Dee looked around at the amount of food on her counter. Grabbing a mug, she poured the coffee, added cream and sugar, then took a seat. Penny already sat there smiling like the Cheshire cat. Dee didn’t recall seeing her at the wedding and hadn’t invited her.

“I give up, Penny. Why are you here and smiling at me like that?” Dee blew on her coffee while waiting to hear what the latest gossip was.

“Dee, you didn’t invite me, so I couldn’t come. Besides, I’m hiding. Violet thinks I should stay up here with you for a bit until things cool down.” Penny got straight to the point.

“No. Hell no. You can’t stay with me, Penny,” she said. “I just got married!” She rounded on Violet. “What the hell are you thinking?”

“Penny has a bit of a problem,” Violet said in her most coaxing voice. “And it would make Rebel and I very happy if you could help her out.”

“No!” said Dee at once. “I’m not getting involved with any of Penny’s problems. Go stay down in one of the southern chapters. I am not getting involved. See my shirt? It says
Nefarious
.” Dee pointed at the lettering.

Violet sat down at the table and studied Dee with her Elizabeth Taylor colored eyes. “Penny needs a job. Dancing, maybe. Or she can also tattoo. She can’t be around the club for a while. Rebel will ask Darko or Tramp for help, but … I thought you could let her stay a few days with you.”

“Well,
they
can find her a place to stay,” argued Dee, annoyed by Violet’s presumptive demeanor. “I’m not taking anyone in. If I was, I’d be taking in Lacy-Jane and my sister.”

“That is another thing I want to talk to you about, Deidra. I want to raise Shanna. Your mother was my best friend, and she’d want me to do it.” Violet pouted. “Whiskey says she is going to stay up here, and I know you can sway your daddy my way.”

Dee slammed her hand down on the table. “Violet Rose! You
aren’t
raising my sister! Look what you did to your own daughters. Shanna and Lacy-Jane have a place
here
.” She looked at Penny, who sat wide-eyed and startled by the sound of the table getting smacked. “Penny, go to the bathroom down the hall, please. I need to speak to Violet alone.”

Penny got up at once and left the room without protest.

Violet sat with a grim smile on her face. “I don’t think you’re remembering who I am, Deidra.”

“I know who you are, Violet, and I know things my mother told me that you don’t want your daughters to hear. Do you want me to tell them?”

“My, my,” remarked Violet. “The kitten turned into a cat, finally. I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I’m sure you think you know something that is false. Penny can get a room somewhere, then, and you’ll look out for her. Deal?” Violet’s eyes narrowed.

“I am not making deals.” Dee had to hold her ground. “I’ll tell Rebel, the same thing I told you. I don’t owe you a damn thing, Violet. I don’t think you want me talking to my dad and Rebel, do you?” She took her chances on Violet believing her. “I learned a lot watching you over the years and I’m not the same girl that Margo abused. I’m not promising you anything.”

“Bless your heart, Deidra,” she responded, nearly hissing. “Your mother would be so proud of you.”

“Cut it, Violet. My mother was turning in her grave over your pushing Bebe and my dad together. And knock off the southern accent bullshit, you’re from New Jersey.” Dee got up and put her mug in the sink. She decided that she had had enough. “If you’re cooking this big dinner, then you and Penny better get started. Maybe my dad would like to bring Elena. I’ll give him a call.”

“Dee, wait.” Violet rose to her feet, her mood changed at once. “I’m sorry if I upset you. Who is this … Elena?” she asked curiously.

“She owns a horse farm and she has a baby.” Dee gave Violet a look, not buying the nice act. “Don’t pull your shit on her, either. Elena won’t take it. She and Dusty are good friends.” Dee moved to the wall phone.

Violet wasn’t done. “Oh, so she is just a piece of ass for Whiskey?”

Dee busied herself dialing Elena’s house. “Ask my dad. I think he’ll be happy to confide in you.”

“Deidra, I swear you’re going to regret not helping me and being such a smart ass.”

Balancing the phone on her shoulder, she regarded Violet with little concern as she said, “When I was little, didn’t you say when I grow up I’d be just like you? Now, hush. I’m on the phone.”

Penny returned to the kitchen just then. After noting the angry faces on both women, she wondered what juicy gossip she had missed.