After Glow (Lost Kings MC 11)

“That’s fine,” Z assures him. He reaches over and squeezes my hand. “Let Willow know if you need something, I need to go check on things in the back,” Z says before taking off.

Jonny takes a step back and nods at my ever-expanding belly.

“You look happy,” he says, casting a glance at Rock.

“No complaints,” Rock says.

“When are you due?”

It’s such an unexpected question from the rough, tattooed rock star that I stumble over an answer. He’s probably just being polite and not looking for details. “Soon.”

“Congratulations.”

We stare at each other for a few seconds. I’m afraid to ask if he’s seen Sophie lately or not. I can’t imagine they’re still together. He shifts and throws a glance at Rock, but not in a hostile way. More apologetic.

I decide to go for it. “So, you’re here alone? I assume you’re still not with Sophie…” I trail off because it’s awkward. But come on, someone had to bring her up.

He stuffs his hands in his pockets and looks away. “Nah, that blew up a while ago. You two still friends?”

Now it’s my turn to do the awkward shifting-and-looking-away move. “We, uh, sort of had a falling-out.” Rock tightens his hold on me, silently offering his support. “Right before our wedding. I found out, some, uh, things.”

Jonny nods as if he’s relieved it’s out in the open. “That’s what broke us up. When I found out she did that. I could’ve handled helping her through rehab. Fuck knows I’ve had enough friends go through it. But I wasn’t okay with the lying.”

I’m not sure if he means Sophie lying to me specifically or lying to him about trying to seduce Rock or that they had other issues. Whatever it is, I don’t want to pry any further.

He glances at Rock and shrugs.

“Well,” I say, resting my hand on his arm, “I’m sure Z’s really happy you could come tonight. And it’s great to see you.”

“Oh, I never miss a chance to hang out at Crystal Ball when I’m in town.” This time he smirks at Rock, who chuckles. “I am surprised you’re here, though.”

I snort-giggle. “It’s an artistic show. Z assures me it’s different from the usual entertainment.” I nod at Trinity. “We’re all here to support him.” I glance over his shoulder, searching the crowd. “And I’m a fan of some of Stella’s other work. I’ll make sure to introduce you to her later.”

His eyes widen and he smiles. “I’d like that.” He cocks his head. “You’re a cool chick, Hope.”

“You sound so surprised.”

He clamps his lips shut, but smiles, giving me the impression Sophie must’ve told him I was uptight.

Rock takes my hand and leads me over to the bar. Willow shrieks and runs out to hug me. “Look at you! You look amazing.”

“Thank you.”

She and Rock also say hello, and then she focuses on me again. “I have extra cranberry juice and ginger ale just for you.”

“That’s so sweet. Thank you, Willow.”

She pats my hand and slips behind the bar again, bumping the other bartender out of the way.

Rock’s hand slides from the small of my back to my butt. I turn and glance up at him. “What?”

“Nothing.” He stares straight down the plunging neckline of my dress. “I have a fantastic view.”

I glance down at my dress. “Too much boob?”

“I don’t think that’s a thing.” He sighs and glances around. “I wish we’d stayed home now.”

“We have to get out and do all the things we won’t be able to do after she gets here.” I hesitate and look away. “Well, all the things I won’t be able to do.”

With two fingers, he turns my head to look at him. “I’ll be right there with you.”

Maybe it’s his calm reassurance. Or his low, serious voice. Or the intensity in his steel-gray eyes, but a thrill runs through me.

He narrows his eyes. “What’s that look?” The corners of his mouth twitch as if he knows what I need, but he wants to hear me say it.

“This is extremely inconvenient.” I reach up on tiptoes to whisper in his ear. “Everything about you has me hot. I really want you. Right now.”

“Want me to what?”

Half amused and half annoyed, I huff out a breath. “Fuck me.”

“How bad on a scale of one to ten?”

“Really?”

Yes, he’s serious.

“Eleven.”

He takes my hand and pulls me behind him.

“Where are we going?”

“Z’s office.”

If Rock didn’t look so thrilled about my request, I’d have a twinge of guilt over using him to scratch this impossible itch.

Z’s office has changed a lot since the last time I visited. It looks nothing like Rock’s old office, which is good.

“I’m sorry I’m so needy lately.”

“My hot-as-sin wife wants me to fuck her. Trust me, I’m not complaining. That’s what I’m here for.” He spins me to face the wall.

“Well, that’s not all I want you for.”

“I know.” He kisses my cheek and runs his hands down my sides, slowly lifting my dress.

“Rock,” I whisper, desperate to have him inside me. “You can skip the seduction.”

Laughter rumbles out of him and abruptly stops as he encounters the Spanx. “Hmm.” He locates the zipper and peels the shapewear down my legs, tossing it on the arm of the couch.

His belt clinks and the ticking of his zipper has me biting my lip with anticipation.

“Hurry.”

His grip is gentle but sure as he steadies me by holding my hip with one hand while slowly rocking into me. He lets out a low groan against my ear. “Don’t move,” he warns.

“What’s wrong?”

“You’re so fucking tight.”

I snort, then full-out giggle. “Not really comforting when I’m supposed to push a baby out of there in a few weeks.”

He rumbles with laughter, burying his face in the curve of my neck. “Always something sassy out of that mouth,” he murmurs.

“No, what’re you doing?” I whine when he pulls out and grabs my hips.

“I want to see your face.”

“I’m too big.”

He rolls his eyes and lifts my ass. “Knock it off. Wrap your legs around me.”

I barely kick off my shoes before he slides into me. His eyes darken with desire. “Pull your dress down. Free your tits for me.”

“So bossy tonight,” I mumble, slipping the straps off my shoulder.

“That’s better.”

I wrap my arms around his neck and hang on while he hooks one arm around my waist. His other hand fits into the crease of my thigh as he rocks me up and down his length. While we started out frantic, hard, and crazed, he’s gentle and careful.

“Love this, baby doll.”

“I’m scared we won’t do stuff like this after.” I nod to my belly.

“You have any idea how much babysitting time Heidi and Murphy owe us? We’ll still do plenty of this.”

The door rattles and we both glance over.

“I locked it,” Rock assures me. “Ten minutes!” he shouts.

“Ten whole minutes of passion, huh?” I tease.

He thrusts into me a little harder. “I’ll give you whatever you need, baby doll.”

I curl my fingers around the back of his neck, drawing him closer. “Kiss me.”

Whoever happens to be on the other side must give up, because we’re not interrupted again. Or maybe I’m just so consumed by our frantic thrusting, wild grinding, and hushed whispers that I don’t notice.

Ten minutes? Twenty? Who knows, I cry out in stunned relief as white-hot bliss washes over me. Rock follows maybe two seconds later, groaning and breathing hard.

“Fuck, you’re gonna kill me,” he whispers, then kisses my forehead.

Gently, he sets me down and searches the office for something to clean up wi

th.

“Is there a mirror in here?”

He points to the wall behind the desk and I duck-walk my way over there.

“Holy hell. Hand me my bag? Please?”

He chuckles as he makes his way over and holds out my purse.

“You look good freshly fucked.”

I squint at him. “Not helping.”

He stands behind me, quietly watching while I drag a Q-tip under my eyes to collect smudged mascara. I carefully run a brush through the ends of my hair and smooth down a few pieces that came loose from my braid, then swipe on some gloss.

“Do I look okay?”

“You’re beautiful.”

I sigh. “Do I look like I just snuck off to fuck my husband?”

“Yes, but it’s a good look on you.”

I smack him with my clutch, and he laughs. “You’re terrible.”

He helps me back into my Spanx, which is completely unsexy, but necessary.

Finally, we’re both presentable. Rock tilts his head, asking if I’m ready to return to the party, and I nod.

A stunned Z stands on the other side of the door, mouth hanging open. Wrath’s behind him silently laughing.