Speed King (Men of Action 1)

“Achilles, I’d like to help.”

There’s no way to tame the irritation now. “Baby, I have money. I can afford this house.”

“But how?” she blurts out, then flinches. “Sorry, that was rude.”

“It wasn’t rude, it was honest and you’ve been holding on to that question for a long time, so here it is. I’ve been smart with my money. Living a simple life and saving. Years ago, when Drake and Sam got established, we all invested with their firm. They took risks that paid off. That money hasn’t been touched, and they’ve grown it significantly. My savings are padded, and my salary itself isn’t bad. Even being a rookie, I’m solid.”

She melts into me, but not before I spot the wave of relief.

“Take the fucking job, Harley.”

“Mike offered me the opportunity to work from home whenever I want.”

“Even more incentive.”

“Our new house has a beautiful space for an office.”

“Good.”

“With my raise, I can put purple towels in every bathroom and still afford kick-ass office furniture.”

“Fuck.” I cup the back of her head and slant her face to mine. “We’re not putting purple towels in our bathrooms.”

She smiles, a small giggle escaping. “Pink? Blue? Yellow? Tangerine? Aqua? Azure?”

“You can go through the whole rainbow and the answer is no. I don’t even know what an azure fucking shade is.”

“You’ll learn soon enough.” She crawls up my body, placing her lips to mine. “You mentioned something about an addiction.”

“Didn’t even slow down last time, baby. You broke my fucking control.”

“Think we can do a replay?” Her voice drops low and sultry. My dick, already anxious, goes straight to steel. “Something to get you through the day without me.”

“Have at it, baby.”

I toss the washcloth into the hamper and catch my reflection. The small bandage over my ribcage with the recent addition of ink stands out. It’s nothing special, just a kick-ass scroll to add to my already elaborate design started years ago. My frame is normal, with a little added bulge in my shoulders, chest, and arms. Nothing about me has changed, and at the same time, there’s a glaring difference

Motherfucking Talon and his twinkle bullshit. Even I can’t deny the shine in my eyes. I switch off the light and go straight to Harley, tucking her close.

“I think we broke a record.”

“Record?”

“Not sure if there’s a section in the Guinness book for most sex, most positions, most orgasms, and loudest screams in a day. But if there is, we should claim it.”

I chuckle, kissing the side of her neck. “You saying I wore you out?”

“No, I’m just glad I have time to prepare for your next birthday.” She rolls onto me, her hand caressing my jaw. “You enjoyed it.”

“Best one ever.”

“Then it’s good I have a year to top it.”

“Baby, I’m not sure anything can top today.”

After she left this morning, I got a few hours of sleep before heading to lunch with the guys. Dad and Rich met us at the restaurant. For years, if the situation allowed, the guys and I did something low-key on our birthdays. It’s another day. But today, Rich and Dad didn’t hide their happiness to hang out, chat it up, and occasionally jab me for something. Usually about Harley.

After a while, I settled in and enjoyed it. We all went back to the neighborhood where Celia and Doug had flown in for the holiday, and they met us at the lot to discuss the next steps.

At four, Talon, Major, and I headed to the gym. Which was a total ruse. They drove me to a Tattoo Studio in East Nashville. When we arrived, Harley was waiting.

They shot me shit-eating grins before bolting, leaving me with my bumbling and excited woman. She was ready for her first tattoo. When she explained what she wanted and where, I was glad I was there.

She chose a small section of my design that she wanted placed in the same spot as mine, scaling her ribcage.

A piece of my art inked on her skin forever. I decided to duplicate the design lower on my skin, linking the design further.

When we got back here, our parents and Jewls were waiting. Then Harley dropped her last surprise. She hadn’t been with the women preparing Thanksgiving most of the day. She was preparing a meal for tonight.

Not any meal. A meal of my favorites.

I didn’t care the house was full of people, and I had to share her, because she was the star of the show.

And she was perfect.

After dinner, Talon, Major, and Ford went to work. Celia and Doug went to a hotel close to the airport to pick up their daughters in the morning, and the rest went home.

The last person was barely through the door when I attacked.

The kitchen, the hallway, the living room… everywhere I could. We never got to the hot tub because I’m a greedy son of a bitch and couldn’t get enough.