Bed of Roses by Harley McRide Page B

ground. She jerked, that instant panic one gets when threatened and fought to get free. “Rose, stop!” Tonto roared in her ear. She turned her head around enough to confirm it was him and settled in relief. He set her down and turned her to face him. “You okay?” he asked, still holding on to her.
    Despite the fact she was still shaking, she nodded, feeling the full effects of the adrenaline rush. She turned, expecting the douchefuck to come back but saw Sandman ‘escorting’ Justin out the back door. “Thanks,” she answered, her face heating with embarrassment. The whole purpose of her dancing with the prick was to get a rise out of them… but now she felt like she had cheated on them. God I’m stupid. Neither of them are my boyfriend. Hell, if it weren’t for the ol’ ladies being here, they probably wouldn’t have cared. She ducked her head and moved to walk away when he caught her by the shoulder and pulled her back, landing his lips against hers in a brutal claiming. If she didn’t know better, she’d have sworn he was erasing Justin off her and claiming his territory. He kissed her into submission, clouding her thoughts until she forgot everything: Justin, the fact she was mad at them, and where she was. Both hands wound around his neck, relishing in the tenderness he gave for the first time. He wasn’t kissing her just to get in her panties this time. It was so much more. When he finally pulled away, he wrapped his arms around her and leaned his forehead to hers.
    “Don’t do that shit again.” He dropped a kiss on her forehead and pulled away just enough to look her in the eye.
    “What does it matter to you? You got what you wanted,” Rose lashed out, regretting her words the second they fell off her tongue. She tired to look away, but he wouldn’t let her. His thumb gently turned her back to look at him.
    “Mmm. But now I want more.”
    “Sorry, I got enough whore treatment for one night.” She stepped backwards to leave, but he didn’t let her.
    “Oh no you don’t. Your happy little ass is coming with me. Now.” He grabbed her, holding her hard enough she didn’t even try to get away. She was about out of fight for one day. He led her over to where the girls were watching as they approached. Raven stood and met them before they approached.
    “You okay, doll?”
    “Yeah. Thanks.”
    “Good. Go over with Heaven and Chevy for a minute. I need to talk to Prez for a minute.”
    Raven’s pissed off look had Rose’s feet moving. As soon as she was out of earshot, Raven glared at Tonto. “What the fuck?”
    “Might ask you the same question. I asked you to check up on her, not get her felt up by a complete stranger.” He kept his signature stone expression, but the clenching in his jaw gave his anger away. Raven knew him better than anyone. She had worked with them just as much as the guys of the club, and being the oldest ol’ lady of the bunch had her deep in the MC business. She knew things that no other ol’ lady or bitch knew, and never would.
    “Jealous? Maybe you should get your head out of your ass. Rose is legit. Swear her in.” Raven didn’t shy away from telling the Prez what to do. It wasn’t the first, and damn sure wouldn’t be the last. She was the mother of sorts to the club, and despite what everyone thought, when shit hit the fan, she was ready to fight and lay her life on the line with the men.
    “Raven…don’t.”
    “What? Don’t point out the obvious? Someone needs to kick some damn sense into you. I swear on everything holy if you fuck this up, I’m gonna fuck you up. Now call Rumble and get her in.” She knew Rose needed help. Hell, the girl was as loyal as they came. It didn’t take more than one day with her and she had her figured out. It also was clear as day the girl was falling for the two king shit heads of the group. Women had came and went, but none were capable of handling either of them, let alone both. Rose could. She was strong, and