Page 19 of High Velocity

Chapter Five

Roark

Walking away from Charli hadn’t been easy.Roark had wanted to climb inside that car, ride with her to her place, and spend every moment he could with her.Preferably naked.Hell, he would’ve fucked her on the hood of that amazing car if they hadn’t had an audience.

He groaned, running a hand down his face.When he returned to the group, several guys stared curiously at him, but he ignored them.Until Griff opened his mouth.

“You gonna do right by her, Sarg?”

Roark stopped in his tracks, eyeing his Prez.“What the fuck does that mean?”

Unfazed, Griff said, “It means, can you keep your head in the game and be honest with her, letting her into your life knowing what that means?The good and the not so good.Don’t just make her a fuck buddy.She deserves more than that.You do this, you do it all the way.”

Roark tried not to snap at his Prez, his friend, but his anger welled.“How do you know what she deserves?You don’t even know her.”

“I know plenty thanks to Owen.And tell me you didn’t see that tattoo on her ribs and felt a sense of pride, of ownership, and I’ll tell you you’re a damn liar.She’s finding her way back here, right where she belongs, just like Owen said.So do right by her, Sarg.”

Roark looked at his Prez who was not unlike his father, Owen.Loyal, generally laid back but fierce when he needed to be.And he ruled justly, firmly, caring for every single member of the Club and their families.

Roark then looked at his father, receiving only a nod.Fuck, he knew Griff was right.Knew his father was right.She was family.Seeing that part of her tattoo shocked him but also thrilled him.Told him all he needed to know.She wanted to be here and she belonged here.With them.With him.

“Before you go,” Owen started, “let me tell you something I never shared with you and your brother.”

Roark eyed his dad as the man looked at Griff who made a gesture with his hand.Several people started to leave, and when Konstance made a move to go as well, Bradley placed his hand on hers, keeping her in her chair.

“Stay, Konstance,” Owen said.“Would be good for you to hear, to understand Charli a bit better.It’s my hope you’ll become a good friend to her.”

“Thank you, I hope so too,” she said.

With their group consisting of Roark, his brother, his father, Griff, Motley, Stacks, and Konstance, Owen launched into his story.

An hour went by and after talk and a lot more angry cussing, Roark’s heart broke all over again for that girl.He’d wanted to portal through time to change it all.To take away every second of suffering and pain.

But then, who would she have become?Would she still be the same resilient woman his father described?The determined woman who’d been brave enough to carry on, do her duty, then return here, not knowing what kind of reception she’d receive?

The woman was fucking incredible, and Roark planned to tell her so himself.

Fifteen minutes later, Roark parked his Harley next to Charli’s Nova.He sat a moment, looking at the RV and scanning the area, trying to imagine what plans Charli had for the place.She’d mentioned building.How soon would she get started?Could she imagine him in her plans?

Suddenly, the door opened, and there stood the most gorgeous woman he’d ever seen.She still wore her t-shirt and shorts from earlier, but she was barefoot, her hair still loose, flowing over her shoulders.Roark’s cock sprung to life just staring at her.

“Thought maybe you changed your mind,” she said.

Roark climbed off his bike and strode to her, climbing the tiny set of steps, making the trailer rock.He backed her into her space then shut and locked the door all while keeping his eyes on her.

“Not a fucking chance,” he said.Standing there, just looking at her, he took in her features and now noticed a few lines around her eyes.She wore no makeup but didn’t need to.She was a natural beauty.He then looked closer at her left arm and leg, inspecting the tattoo, trying to see beyond the ink.When he met her gaze, he saw a flash of panic, and she tried to turn away.

Roark was on her in an instant, framing her face, holding her stare.

“Don’t,” he said gruffly.“Don’t ever turn away from me.”Her lower lip trembled, and he swore beneath his breath.Then he pressed his lips to hers, tenderly nipping before exploring her mouth.Triumph barreled through him when she sank into him, opening her mouth, and kissing him with the same exploratory tenderness.Her hands gripped his waist between his cut and t-shirt before slipping around to his back.