The Cut by Carol Lynne: Kings of Bedlam MC Series, Book One Read Online Free PDF Page B

like Stake could befriend someone like her father.
    She supposed she should be grateful he’d been there for her because he’d shown her there were good men in the world. Unfortunately, he’d been so kind she’d believed he was her knight in shining armor who would one day take her away from her parents and Broken Ridge. He’d even given her a special nickname that he’d used whenever she was hurt and he’d come to her rescue. Lady bug. She’d told him it was a stupid thing to call a girl, but he’d kissed her forehead and told her she would forever be his lady bug.
    “Damn him,” she whispered when the camera panned to Stake. Tears filled her eyes as she watched him laugh. The movie had no sound, but she didn’t need it to remember the hardy laughter of him in a good mood. She spotted herself in the background. She had to have been around thirteen, maybe fourteen.
    Her right hand flew to cover her mouth as she realized her feelings for him had been right there for anyone to see. Had he known? She scrambled onto the floor to sit in front of the television on the threadbare gold rug. Reaching out to the VCR, she paused the tape on a close-up of his face. “Oh,” she gasped as she touched the image on the screen. “Stake,” she whispered, outlining his chiseled features with the tip of her finger. She grinned when she got to his heavy, black, beard. God, she’d hated that thing. She’d actually told him so at one point, and the next time she’d seen him, he’d been clean shaven. Being a girl with a mad crush, she’d believed he’d rid himself of the facial hair because she’d asked.
    Lying back, she stared at him as she unbuttoned her jean shorts and eased the zipper down. It had been a long time since she’d pleasured herself, and with his image in front of her, she slid her middle finger through the light cream of her slit. Moaning, she ran her free hand over her breasts as she turned her attention to her clit. She began to pant as she ground the heel of her hand against the bundle of nerves, needing to be filled with something other than her fingers.
    A floorboard on the porch creaked loud enough to get her attention. Shit. She lunged for the power button on the television before fumbling with the zipper on her shorts. “Who’s out there?” she called, reaching for the knife in her purse.
    A handsome face appeared on the other side of the screen door. “I know it’s late, but I brought you a few things,” Stake said. “I thought about just leaving ‘em on the porch, but I saw a posse of coons over by the trashcans.”
    “A posse?” Despite the very real possibility that he’d seen her pleasuring herself, she couldn’t help but smile. She turned her back to him and zipped her shorts while making a production of setting the knife on the coffee table.
    “Can I come in?” he asked. “These bags are getting heavy.”
    She warred with herself for several moments. “Why now?”
    “Open the door, lady bug,” he ordered.
    “Answer my question first.” She walked to the door and stared up at him through the screen, pretending the nickname didn’t fill her with memories. “Before today, how long’s it been since you’ve been here?”
    “You know how long it’s been, and you know why.” He set the sacks on the porch. “Eat the food or don’t. It’s up to you.” He turned and walked away, the dark night swallowing him almost immediately.
    Santana held her breath, waiting for the loud rumble of his Harley. When it didn’t come, she unlatched the screen door and stepped out onto the porch. Nothing. No Harley, no vehicle of any kind. Where had he gone, and how had he gotten to her house? “Stake?”
    When she received no answer in reply, she glanced down at the sacks of food. She wasn’t sure how to feel about the generous gift. Although the help was much needed, it embarrassed her that he knew their circumstances.
    “Stake?” she called again before picking up the groceries. The