Claimed (Trojans MC Book 10) Read online

  His cock ached, and he realized it had been a couple of months since he’d been with a woman. Not out of choice. Maya took priority, as did the club, and fucking when he should have been working wasn’t something he did.

  This woman though, he wanted to get to know her, even if it was only for a short time.

  Chapter Two

  “I want to die right now, but it’s being slow and painful,” Misty said the following morning as she stumbled into Anna’s sewing room. Rather than have a sitting room she had turned it into her sewing room, as there was no reason for her to have a television. She never watched it, and she preferred to spend all of her extra time doing exactly what she loved, to sew. The dress last night she had loved so much, and it had felt amazing.

  “Why?” Anna said. “Is this hangover worse than any other you’ve experienced?”

  “Hell, yes. Is it bad I don’t even remember how I got here?” Misty said, collapsing into her chair. “How are you up so early?”

  “It’s after eleven, and I’ve made you pancakes.”

  “I don’t like those things.”

  “This is the recipe you do like.” She had taken her sweet time learning what her friend liked to make sure she did in fact cook the right things for her.

  “Yum, I’ll have them once hell has stopped knocking at my head. What did happen last night?”

  “You got completed wasted, and considering it’s a biker bar, they don’t screw women who can’t stand up or know their own name. I waited for you, and they told me to take you home. They even gave me cab money, but I’m using it for gas to fill up the car.”

  “Ugh, kill me now. I didn’t get to screw anyone.”

  “I think you gave a couple of hand-jobs on the dance floor. Does that count?”

  “I don’t know. Did any of the men come?”

  “I didn’t spend my entire night watching you.”

  “No, you didn’t.” She lifted her head and began to click her fingers. “I saw you. You were dancing, right?”

  “You weren’t wasted the whole night then.”

  “No, but I don’t know if I can go back there now, and I really wanted sex!”

  “There are plenty of men to have sex with. I’m sure you could walk into the diner and scream you want to have sex. Dozens of men would line up. Not all of them legal, there would be a couple of teenage boys, but you could pick the right ones,” Anna said, laughing as her best friend gave her an ugly look.

  “I also saw you talking to a guy.”

  “You did.”

  “So, what is going on there?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Oh, come on, Anna. Give me something.”

  She laughed. “Nothing happened. Can’t give you what doesn’t exist. I don’t even know his name.” Nor the girl she befriended either.

  “Last night sucked.”

  “It did not.”

  “It totally did. One, you’re back in your sewing room again.”

  “Hey, you leave my sewing room out of this. I love this beauty. She means a lot to me, and has gotten me out of a lot of trouble.” She hugged her machine, and Misty shook her head.

  “She has kept you in, and you named your sewing machine.”

  “No, I just think of her as a she.”

  “I think you’re totally weird.”

  Anna smiled. She had missed this with Misty. Between life, changing jobs, and well, life, she hadn’t been the best of friends, as she did tend to like her own space. Misty, though, she always came around to see her.

  “How are you feeling? Your headache subsiding?” She folded the garment she was working on, a new pair of pajamas ready for the winter. They were a couple of months off, but she liked to be prepared.

  She also had to go out and buy a little more fabric. There was a limited supply down at the craft shop she liked to use rather than order online.

  She got to her feet and approached Misty.

  “Yeah, a little bit.”

  “You want me to warm up those pancakes?”

  “Yes, please.”

  “You look pitiful like that. Just saying.”

  “You don’t love me.”

  “I adore you.” She walked into her small kitchen, taking the pancakes out of the oven. She’d put the heat on really low, and sure enough, they hadn’t dried out.

  Laying some on a plate, she heated maple syrup and started the kettle boiling on the stove.

  “I have green tea. It should help.”

  “You know I find this all weird from you.”

  “Green tea?”

  “You look so happy by yourself. I remember when you were with Eric, you never really looked happy.”

  “Why do you keep bringing him up?”

  “It has been three years,” Misty said. “You haven’t had another boyfriend since.”

  “There is a reason for that.”

  “What?”

  “I don’t want one, okay? We went over this last night. I don’t need or want a boyfriend. I’m content to live on my own. This is who I am.”

  “Don’t you, like, miss it?”

  “Sex?”

  “Not just sex, being with someone.”

  “Is that what you were doing last night?” she asked. “Being with someone?”

  Misty waved her fork in the air. “Last night doesn’t count. A hand-job is just so humiliating. Did I promise them anything? Do you know if I made a fool out of myself?”

  “That I don’t know. I didn’t linger too close to you. I gave you space. You know, time to spread your wings and enjoy.”

  The kettle started to whistle. She turned off the stove and poured them both a cup. She watched her friend eat and take the occasional sip of the brew.

  “Normal people drink coffee in the morning.”

  “Don’t moan,” she said, smiling at her friend.

  Misty ate all the pancakes, sitting back, rubbing her stomach. “I missed this.”

  “Me too.”

  “We’ve got to do this more often.”

  “Not when I wait around for you to actually pass out, I don’t. Do you know how hard it was to drag you up to my apartment?”

  “Why didn’t you take me home?” Misty asked.

  “I was tired, and it was close to three in the morning. I wanted to come home.”

  “Where did you sleep?” Misty glanced around the room. “I know you, and you don’t like sleeping in the same bed as me. I woke in your bed.”

  “I slept on the floor. It was no problem. I pulled the mattress out from under my bed, covered it, and passed out.”

  “I am such a horrible person.”

  “Don’t worry about it.”

  “But how can I not?”

  Anna had heard enough.

  “Don’t worry or stress about any of this.” She finished her drink. “Are you ready for me to take you home? I’ve got to head to the store, and if you want this to be a regular thing, you need to bring a change of clothes.”

  “You could whip me something up,” Misty said. “You love to do it.”

  “I can make you clothes?”

  “Yes, you can make me whatever you want.”

  “You’re not just joking around. You’re being serious.”

  “Why not? I don’t mind.”

  “Awesome. I know exactly what I want. I still need to go to the store. Do you want to stay here while I do, or have me drop you off?”

  “You can drop me off.”

  “Yay. I’ll be back and take all of your measurements.”

  “Why do I feel I’m going to regret this?” Misty said.

  “You’re not.”

  “Wait, I’m going to strike up a bargain with you.”

  “A bargain?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m listening.” She should have known making clothes for her friend would come with her wanting something else.

  “You’ve got to come with me to all the parties I want to go to.”

  Anna groaned. “Wh
y? What if they’re frat parties?”

  “Jeez, I’m not looking for any kind of man. I won’t take you to any kind of frat parties. You have my word.”

  “Awesome.”

  “But any biker parties, or something where I get laid, you have to come. You also need to stop me from drinking alcohol.”

  “Fine. Fine. I’ll do all of that. It’ll be easy.” She didn’t have to worry the other night because she didn’t talk to anyone but the guy with the bald head and muscles. She really had to find out his name, or forget about him. There was no way she was going to think of him as the bald one.

  Grabbing her bag, she followed Misty out of her apartment, and to her friend’s car. Misty had driven them to the clubhouse, but she’d found the keys down Misty’s bra and had driven them to her apartment.

  She didn’t own her own car. When it came to all of the parties, she’d remain the designated driver, and she hoped Misty didn’t have too much planned for either of them.

  ****

  “I need you to go to the store,” Holly said.

  “You do?” Landon looked up from his bowl of cereal.

  “Mary and I have run out of flour and chocolate chips.”

  “You always run out of them.”

  “I know.”

  “Maya’s upstairs,” he said. She hadn’t been willing to leave last night, so they shared his room. He took the floor as she did the bed. She’d snored and screamed in her sleep. He was still tired, exhausted, and if anything, he just wanted to find a nice motel, book in for the night, and go to sleep. Or find the woman from last night.

  After she danced Maya into exhaustion, he’d taken his responsibility upstairs, and as he made his way down, the guys had been helping her pack her friend into the car.

  He didn’t get her name or where she lived.

  Nothing.

  “Hey, did you notice a brunette at the party last night?” he asked.

  “There were a lot of brunettes at the party. Not one that stood out. Sorry. Is she a friend or something?”

  “I don’t know.”

  He stopped talking as Matthew entered, taking a seat. He was growing up so fast. Not that he’d been much of a child when Landon first knew him. He hadn’t thrown in the prospecting towel yet, but he did mope around a lot. They all knew why he did. Love sucked. He understood, and from what he knew of Matthew’s situation, well, he didn’t know if he was rooting for the girl, or Matthew.

  “You okay?” Holly asked.

  “Yeah, I’m good. Dad’s on his way inside.”

  “I’ll get his breakfast ready.”

  “Did you have fun last night?” Matthew asked.

  “As much as could be expected.”

  “Maya still giving you shit?”

  Landon glared at him and nodded at Holly.

  “Dude, you think people don’t see there is a problem with her? Everyone has ears and eyes, and let’s face it, she is not fucking quiet.”

  “Holly doesn’t need to hear about the shit her sister is causing.”

  “I don’t want to hear it, but it’s not just your responsibility, Landon. She’s the club’s.”

  “I promised I’d look after her. She’s my responsibility.”

  “She’s my sister.”

  “And I’m the club President. She’s mine,” Duke said. “I’ve been thinking we should send her away, you know, a place to calm down, relax.”

  “Where would you send her?”

  “I know a really good rehabilitation center. I think she needs it,” Duke said, taking a seat.

  “Duke, you can’t be serious,” Holly said.

  “Oh, I am, believe me. I am so sick and tired of her shit. She is causing way too many problems, and to be frank, I don’t want to keep on dealing with her crazy ass. She has no right to do the stuff she does. I know she had a hard life before she came here, but taking it out on us, I don’t accept. The center will control her. They’ll help her come to terms with what happened. We’re not helping her. We’re enabling her. Landon’s going to get himself killed if he doesn’t rest, and no one else is jumping up to take responsibility of her.”

  “Can we talk about this in private?” Holly asked.

  This wasn’t a club decision yet but a private one.

  Landon didn’t know if he liked the idea of Maya being sent to a rehabilitation center. He promised her he’d always take care of her. She’d not given him any promises, but she was making life so difficult at every single turn.

  Running fingers through his hair, he got up.

  “I better run to the store.”

  “Why don’t you ask Matthew about your brunette?” Holly asked. “He was on the bar last night. He might have seen something.”

  “There were lots of brunettes, why?” Matthew asked. “Did one of them steal shit from you?”

  “No. It was a woman. I didn’t catch her name. She had water. Does that mean anything?”

  “Ah, yeah, I don’t know her name. She came in with another woman who was trying to get in my pants. One of them looked freaked out; the other looked at the guys like they were dinner.”

  “Doesn’t help at all. Thanks anyway.” He turned toward Holly. “You got a list for me? I know you and Mary. It’s never just flour and chocolate.”

  “Chips.”

  “Love you,” Holly said.

  “Hey.” Duke glared.

  “Not like that.”

  “Believe me, I’m only loved when I say yes to shopping,” Landon said, holding up the now full list.

  “You need to rest.”

  “I will when I’m dead.” He left the clubhouse and climbed into the truck. Anyone at the club could use it, and the keys were often left in the ignition. He turned it over, and headed into town.

  The supermarket wasn’t large, but it made a point of supplying to Mary and Holly. It helped they had their food blog, which had really taken off in recent years. They’d written a couple of books as well that were huge successes.

  He was driving down the main street when he caught sight of the woman from last night. He’d recognize her and those curves anywhere. At first, he couldn’t believe it. His luck was never like that.

  Pushing on the brake, he found a spot and parked the truck.

  Climbing out, he rushed toward the woman and stepped right in front of her, stopping her from moving.

  “Hey, you,” he said, smirking.

  He’d never chased down a woman. This was new.

  “Hey, you.”

  Neither of them knew each other’s names. It was kind of funny and cute.

  “You left quickly last night.”

  She smiled. “You think last night was quick?”

  “Hell, yeah. I dealt with my friend and then you were gone.”

  “I was dealing with my friend, and believe me, it wasn’t easy. I live on the third floor. I had to carry her without falling.”

  “Did you manage it?”

  “I did. I’ve got muscles you wouldn’t believe.”

  And a smile he wanted to see all day.

  “The name’s Landon,” he said. He held his hand out, waiting for her.

  “Anna.”

  He shook her hand.

  “Pretty name.”

  “I like yours. Sexy.”

  This time, he laughed. “Where are you headed?”

  “The craft store. You?”

  “Grocery store. How about I stick with you? I’ll help you carry what you need and then you can help me with this.”

  She folded her arms over her chest, and he wanted to see her naked.

  “Why?”

  “Let’s say, I wasn’t ready for last night to end, and I feel we owe it to ourselves to keep last night going.”

  “Fine, but I should warn you, I’m not like those women.”

  “In what way?” He wasn’t comparing her to anyone. There was no reason to compare her to anyone. She was different, refreshing. Even in the lightness of day, he liked her. She was beautiful, and
not just on the outside either. Her long hair still fell all around her.

  She looked sweet.

  “I’m not a girl that parties. I don’t do the whole public exhibition thing, and I sew.”

  “You’re a gardener.”

  “No.” She spun around and turned down the neck of her shirt, pulling all of her hair out of the way.

  “Home made by Anna.”

  “I like it.”

  “I make my own clothes and stuff. I … this is what I do for fun.”

  “And you don’t think I’ll like it.”

  “I don’t what you to think you’re getting someone else.”

  He smiled. “You know. I don’t judge anyone. I like you, Anna. I thought about you the moment I woke up today, which is why I think we owe it to ourselves to see what this is. I don’t care if you sew or ride six men every single day, and shout shit as you do it.”

  She burst out laughing. “Funny.”

  “Didn’t you enjoy talking last night?”

  “I also spent a lot of time dancing with your friend. How is she?”

  “I don’t know. Last I checked, passed out.”

  “She’s not your girlfriend? I know guys try to claim they’re single when they’re really not.”

  “I’m single. I don’t have a girlfriend or a wife. Maya is a complication.” He didn’t trust this woman yet. Maya was more of a club secret, and to know that, he had to know Anna wasn’t working for other clubs, or trying to hurt the Trojans in anyway. They dealt with all of their problems as they came at them, but being in a club like the Trojans MC, trouble had a way of finding them.

  “Okay, I’m willing to give this a chance.” She dropped her arms. “The craft store is just down there.”

  He walked beside her, aware of people staring at them. A couple of women he’d fucked in the past gave Anna the stink eye, but he didn’t care. None of them had ever made it worth a second time to visit. He never took a woman to his bed more than once. The moment he did, they always started having commitment issues. Now, his rules didn’t extend to other things. He’d used the same woman for repeated blow- and hand-jobs, but again, impersonal, or at least to him it was.

  Chapter Three