Christmas Hearts (Storm MC Reloaded 2.50)

“Is he okay?” King asks.

“He vomited a few times, but he’s been asleep for a little while now so I think he’s settled. I’m going to stay a bit longer though. Just in case.”

“I’ll have a shower and then take over.”

“No, I want you to get some sleep tonight.”

“This isn’t up for negotiation,” he says as determination fixes itself to his expression.

When King gives me the look he’s currently giving me, I know not to bother arguing, so I don’t. I simply nod and watch him as he exits the room, wondering how many days I’ve got him home for this time. Praying that it’s longer than he usually stays in between trips lately.

I lie with Travis, waiting for King to shower and return. However, after deciding I need to know now how long he intends to stay, I go in search of him.

As I enter our room, King walks out of the en suite, a towel hanging low on his hips, his chest bare. Raking his fingers through his still-wet hair, he comes to me. “He’s asleep?”

“Yeah.” His chest has my complete attention and I momentarily forget what I came here to ask him.

He tips my chin up and asks, “What?”

Still distracted by his chest. “Huh?”

“You have that look on your face that tells me you’ve got something on your mind. What is it?”

Right. “How long will you be home?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Yeah, but what’s your estimate?” He always has an estimate and I’ve learned to subtract a day or so from it because nine times out of ten, something urgent comes up that he has to go back for.

He looks pained as he drags time out before giving me his answer. “It may be the day after tomorrow.”

“Boxing Day?” Surely I’ve heard him incorrectly.

“Yeah.”

“Oh. Okay.” I stumble over my words because this was not at all what I was expecting. Although I should have been because the situation in Melbourne has been intensifying for weeks.

He scrubs a hand over his face, his eyes betraying his frustration. “Fuck, Lily, I wish I could tell you a different timeframe, but I can’t.”

I nod, swallowing my disappointment. Trying to at least, because at this point, I’m too tired and emotional to actually manage that. “I know. And I get it. I do. But I’m worried about the kids. Especially Cade.”

“Why? What’s going on with him?”

“His behaviour is out of control.”

“I’ll have a talk with him about it.”

I turn silent. Talking to Cade about his behaviour won’t fix anything if the reason why he’s acting out doesn’t change. But I don’t want to lump that on King. Not when he’s fighting for his club and everyone’s safety.

Moving into me, he takes hold of my face with both hands. I’m intoxicated by his scent, his bare skin, his proximity. Instantly. Because that’s what King does to me. “We’re gonna be all right. Shit in Melbourne will be sorted soon.”

I curl my hands over his biceps and ask the one question I’m almost too scared to ask. The one question I’ve never broached. “What if it’s not, King? What if this drags on for another six months or another year?”

He doesn’t answer me straight away, and I can tell by the flicker of his eyes that this is something he’s thought about a lot, too. “Winter and I are making damn sure it won’t.” His mood changes swiftly and his eyes darken as he lifts me into his arms. Walking me backwards, he drops me on the bed and positions himself over me. “There’s no fucking way I can go on for another six months or year being away from you all the time.”

My hands go to his chest and then run down his body as he brings his mouth to mine. I flick his towel open and remove it while our tongues tangle together. When I stroke his cock, he growls deeply and reaches a hand under my baby-doll. A moment later, his fingers are inside me, and another growl comes from deep inside him.

Pulling his lips from mine, he rasps, “Fuck.” He then moves down my body, spreads my legs, and buries his face in my pussy.