{Northern Cali, early October 1999}
Flicking open his chrome colored zippo lighter flashing the dancing flame underneath the cigarette between his lips, Mike took a long pull closing his eyes briefly as the smoke filled his lungs. Smoking silenced his mind, allowing him to ponder decisions that needed to be made. Decisions like the one presently on the table in the next room, decisions like what kind of message the gang banging thud would be to the assholes that had attempted to muscle in on the Northern Cali SAMCRO territory.
He had received the call in the early morning hours two days prior. Once he disconnected call, Mike had hurriedly scribbled a note for Amelia leaving it next to her bedside before he vacated the vast estate within the hour. The hope being with his hurried departure, was that he could get the job done and return promptly. He had been living with her in the mansion she owned called the Laguna Cathedral for over 3 months now. Mike found more and more when the road called, he didn't enjoy getting on it as he once did.
He thought of Amelia as the nicotine coursed through his body, the image of her 2 mornings prior lit up his mind like a candle in a dark room. Her tiny body curled up on the elegant mattress buried in layers of lavish bedding. Mike sighed deeply as he thought about her beautiful face, her appearance almost childlike as she slumbered. The rise and fall of her delicate well defined shoulders was the most peaceful sight he had ever beheld. Mike wished he could rest in such a state of peace and innocence. Sleep didn't come easy to him, after spending many long years in juvy lock up, and innocence had never been something he had possessed. He had remained in her bedroom doorway longer than intended, enchanted by her image. Finally pulling himself reluctantly away to head north.
Mike had been an almost permanent fixture in her life, since they had met that fateful night on the beach on the beach. His lips creased in a frown as he thought about that night, wishing he had followed the big fucker and put a bullet in his temple. Even though they had not known each other for any length of time, he felt a deep yearning for her, a need to protect her at all cost. He felt light weight, carefree when he was around her, as if he was another person, a better person. It was as if he had known her forever.
Their relationship however, despite his strong feelings was platonic. He had agreed to stay with her as long as he remained in the Laguna area, her way of paying him back for saving her life she had said. There was really nothing holding him to the heavenly beach resort area but her. Mike knew he should have refused the offer, but her blue eyes had captivated him, tangled him in a web he couldn't free himself from. A web he actually wasn't entirely sure he minded being tangled in.
Closing his eyes once more, he could feel the pulsating urge to be with her building against his black denim jeans. The decision not to be in her bed, had been his and his alone. A decision at moments like this he cursed his ignorant ass for. She had been willing to be with him almost immediately, almost pouting when he had chosen the room on the other end of the long hallway. The room furthest from hers. His rejection of her advancements had not only shocked her, but truly they had shocked him as well. He had never turned down bedding a beautiful woman before, yet with this young beauty he had hesitated.
Mike knew about the crash and burn that Aiden Janowitz had experienced after rushing into a relationship with Amelia. After the parking lot incident that had occurred several years prior, he had made it his business to nose around a little about the unlikely couple. He didn't want to repeat pretty boy's mistakes. Oddly enough if they were meant to be together, Mike wanted it to be something that lasted. He actually wanted to know her, and so for the last several months, his time had been invested in just that. Getting to know the beautiful Ms. Tate.
Already in just 3 platonic months, she had begun to penetrate his hard shell cover, but before he allowed himself to be completely vulnerable and exposed to her, Mike had to be sure they wouldn't be just a flash in the pan.
"Man, he ain't talking," The fellow Nomad, one of three who had been sent to assist him, spoke the words shaking his head in disbelief.
"Guess my break is over," Mike stood flicking his cigarette onto the concrete floor of the abandoned warehouse. He stretched his muscles before allowing his black boot clad feet to lead him back to the room in which he had come.
His deep green eyes adjusted to the dim lightly of the abandoned warehouse room where a makeshift table made of plywood stood with a man on top of it. The man lay with his arms and legs extended outward, long gutter nails that he had personally hammered into his flesh, holding him in place. Crouching down close to the man's ear Mike allowed himself to glance at his handiwork. He had strategically placed the nails starting in the man's left hand, followed by his right hand, with each rejection to talk, Mike continued the assault until the man had nails not only in both hands and feet but spaced meticulously along his forearms, calves, and inner and outer thighs. The placement was very important, as well as the slow and steady pace, effective torture was not accomplished if one was in a rush. He had learned that along the way, hitting a major artery would result in the person bleeding out immediately, rather than the slow trickle. Rushing it, instead of prolonging it allowed for a quick easy death as well. A dead man didn't talk and mercy was for pussies. More often than not when Mike was called upon the goal was to gather pertinent information before the person went off to knock on heaven's door.
"I hear you are not willing to tell us who the real muscle is behind this attempt to invade Crow territory," Mike whispered in the man's ear as he removed the bloody gag from his mouth so he could speak.
Eyeing the man sprawled out, he gave him a look that almost resembled respect. The dickhead had balls, at least for now, Mike would give him that. Most men screamed like fuckin' bitches when he pulled the ole nail and hammer act on them. This guy however had stifled most of his screams and remained semi-conscious throughout, only having to be aroused with a few slaps here and there.
"Fuck man, I am dead either way, nobody rats out our leader and lives to tell," The man's chest heaved, each word a struggle, "He makes you look like a fuckin' pussy."
"You will tell me who the Fuck is behind this move into our territory," Mike growled in a low tone at the helpless man, "I will keep your fuckin' ass alive for days if I have to, and you will die very badly. If you tell me what I need to know, you won't suffer," He paused as an eerie laugh floated from his lips, "as long."
"Fuck you," The man spit at him the blood spraying from his mouth.
Mike reached up with his leather gloved hand wiping the splatter from the black leather, tilting his head slightly he admired his work once again, as if he had created a masterpiece. To him it was just that, a work of art to push the human body of another to the brink of death and then dangle it there for as long as needed. Torturing was almost a release for him, he knew many that surrounded him thought it was some sort of deep anger and resentment he harbored due to his shitty upbringing. Mike however, knew they were all wrong, he knew even those closest to him would be repulsed if they could look within him and see the truth. The truth being all the heinous acts he committed in the name of brotherhood, he enjoyed, they brought him a sense of fulfillment, a high that compared to no other high he had ever experienced.
Nothing else compared, nothing else filled the gnawing void that dwelled deep within the depths of his dark soul. Well until her, the thought flew around in his head, and it terrified him. She brought a ray of light that permeated even the darkness that dwelled within him. That revelation was more terrifying to him than anything he could imagine. Shuffling her out of his mind, so he could finish the job he had begun Mike turned his full attention back to the man who was refusing to talk.
"If medieval is where you want to go with this, you will be sorry," Mike responded casually as if he were having a pleasant everyday chat with the neighbor next door.
Allowing the man a moment to respond, he walked over to the small table set up with an assortment of tools that could easily be found at any do it yourself fixer upper store. When the silence continued he picked up a pair of vice grips before pivoting his body and heading back in the direction of the table the poor bastard was nailed too. Picking up the dingy, bloody cloth he stuck the rag in the man's mouth. A wry smile slowly crossed his lips as he pinched the man's flesh with the vice grips and began to rip the flesh from his body.
{Two days later, Laguna Cathedral}
The water felt glorious on her flesh as she floated on her back in the rectangular pool looking up at the clear blue sky above. She could tell just from the angle of the sun that it would soon be setting and another day would be to a close soon. Her body floated a bit higher in the water as she breathed in deeply wondering if he would be back as promised. She always worried every time he left that it would be the last time she saw him. Amelia wasn't really sure why he had stayed around as long as he had, their relationship certainly wasn't evolving in the manner that she had hoped it would. She felt stuck in the fateful friend zone.
A beautiful seagull flew high above as she continued to watch the sky, its large wings flapping in the air. She often wondered what it would be like to have such freedom, freedom with no restraints or trust fund age limits. Amelia knew many would probably ridicule her for the feel sorry for myself mopping that was currently taking place in her subconscious as she floated the day away. She was well aware that to others looking in her life appeared charmed, almost perfect in a way. She knew the truth though, that her life was at times very lonely.
Closing her eyes she could see his intense green eyes staring back at her, his shoulder length dark brown hair that was full of body being wisped by the wind, and his beautiful defined muscular frame gleaming in the sun of the beach. She missed him, she knew that was part of the sour feel sorry for yourself attitude that was pouring from her. Amelia craved more from him, longed for it actually, yet he had been an unwilling participant. All her advancements had ended in embarrassment as he would head towards the room he had been occupying for several months. A small laugh filled the air as she compared her situation to Donna's situation so long ago with Opie. Her situation had ended with the man, and well a baby. Amelia just wanted the man, almost feeling the familiar wave of nausea at the thought of ever having a child.
Standing upright in the pool, the pads of her feet touched the smooth concrete surface. Looking straight ahead her clear blue eyes gazed off on the horizon the sound of the waves crashing upon the shore a soothing lullaby to her ears. The energy along with the masculine aroma of him emitted into the sea breeze surrounding her as she stood watching the sky. Turning her body around, she faced him, her lips curving in a sensual smile as Amelia drank him in. He's back, her body sang in joy.
Mike had been standing behind Amelia for a several minutes admiring her porcelain skin and long blonde hair that was sleeked back and damp from the water of the pool. She looked as if she were a mirage, an image that wasn't truly there, a fantasy. He could feel the familiar stirring in his loins that always seemed to be present these days.
Closing his eyes for a brief moment, he allowed her essence floating gently from the pool in the cool breeze to engulf him. He knew he couldn't hold out much longer without having her, Mike only hoped he wasn't reading her messages wrong and that she felt the same. A cheeky smirk overtook his handsome features as he watched her turn to him the white bikini top she wore giving off a shadowing of delicacies that lay underneath the shear fabric.
"Hey there," She spoke the words as she swam over to the side of the pool where he stood.
He could only stand dumbfounded for a moment watching her graceful body move though the clear gleaming water of the extravagant pool that graced the equally extravagant deck. Mike still found it hard to wrap his mind around the wealth that this beauty was accustom too. Growing up dirt poor and shifting from foster home to foster home he had never imagined that such places existed. Now he found himself leading an almost double life, Nomad when called to the line of duty, and the rest of his time was spent emulating into her world. He rolled his eyes at the thought beach boy and biker, Christ I am truly becoming a pussy whipped ass, and haven't had the pussy, he chastised himself quietly. Crouching down as she approached the side of the pool he kissed her cheek.
"Hey," He spoke the words barely recognizing the tone of his own voice. That's because you are a pussy whipped ass already!
The irony was not lost on him at all as he thought of the man's life he had just snuffed out with no regard. As he glanced into her blue eyes it was as if the events of the last several days had never even happened. She brought out a side that he wasn't familiar with, a side of him that had never surfaced before, a side that felt as if it loved the young woman in front of him with a burning passion. Pussy whipped, the words continued to sing in his head.
Continuing her swim over to the concrete steps that led out of the pool Amelia stepped upon the smooth deck surface tilting her head to the side to wring out her dripping hair. She walked to the chaise lounge to pick up the fluffy towel, slowly working it over her body. She could feel her cheeks flushing with rosy color as his green eyes seared into her. Swallowing, she felt almost as if she had a huge lump in her throat, Amelia walked nervously towards the end of the deck pretending to admire the seashore below.
Mike could feel his breathing increase in both rate and depth as her sun silhouetted her delicate body as she walked towards the end of the deck. The shimmering of the sun, gleamed from her succulent skin as she stood peering below. His feet felt as if they were made of concrete as he moved towards her. Stopping within arm's reach he laid his hands upon her shoulders caressing them.
Lowering lips behind her ear he nibbled on the lobe before whispering the words he had longed to speak for the last several months, "I want to make love to you, Amelia Tate."
Even though he had longed to speak the words to her, the words themselves shocked him. He had never uttered the word making love, in his entire young or adult life. Fuck the word love itself had never been part of his vocabulary, which despite his infrequent words at times was very vast.
"Really," Her voice was barely an audible whisper as she turned once again facing him. Her heart felt as if it skipped beat as she searched his face.
"Really," He whispered the words back as he took her into his arms pulling her into his body brushing his lips against hers.
Mike wasn't surprised many months ago to find her body which stood just below his shoulders fit perfectly into him. He knew she would, he had imagined it the first time they had met, imagined the perfection they could create together. Breaking his reluctant lips from hers, he looked deeply, longingly into her blue eyes with his green ones. Reaching up with his hand he traced the flesh of her face with the pads of his fingers. She felt smooth against him and he could feel the anticipation building as his minded and body began to ponder how the rest of her would feel.
Not wanting to take the chance he would change his mind, Amelia reached up laying her small hand over his larger one. Pulling it away, even as her flesh screamed in protest, she interlaced her fingers with his as she led him towards the entrance to the cathedral. Only pausing at the foot of the vast winding stair case to look back at him one last time before proceeding to her bedroom.
They stood at the bedside lost in one another as if it were the first time they had met. Amelia could feel the rise and fall of her chest increasing with every moment that passed, her body already aching for his touch.
Mike stood paralyzed staring at her breathtaking features as he watched the deep rise and fall of her chest. His body felt as if it was going to incinerate as he reached out touching her cheek once more.
Amelia felt as if time had stopped and the world around them had dissipated. She wanted desperately to reach out to him, but as eager as she had been for this moment in time, Amelia felt scared. Her mind suddenly filled with thoughts of Aiden. She didn't feel as if she were betraying him, as she had with the other two attempts at intimacy when traveling abroad. Amelia realized the thought of him had only entered her mind because she felt inadequate. Staring into Mikes intense glare, the realization she had only been with one man, terrified her. Shifting nervously her eyes dropped from his. Damn it, don't over think this, her body screamed in protest.
"Hey," He spoke the words gently as he placed his hand under her chin raising her eyes back to his, "We don't have to do this, do you want to do this, Amelia?"
"No," Amelia spoke the word abruptly.
"No, you don't want to do this?" Mike inquired arching his brow, hoping the look of disappointment didn't show on his face.
"No…. I mean yes," She looked at him almost exasperated with her inability to communicate, "I … I am just …" She looked away once more.
Turning her face back towards his once again he looked at her inquisitively, "You're just what?"
"Scared," Amelia could feel her face turn several shades of red as she spoke the singular word.
"Scared?" Mike questioned his brow arched again.
"Yes, scared," She whispered back not breaking eye contact. Christ you are going to sleep with him surely being truthful shouldn't be hard, she chided to herself silently.
Searching her face he tried to contain the look of shock that crossed his face as the clarity of what she was trying to say entered his thick skull, "Has he been the only one?" He asked refusing to utter pretty boy's name and allow him to ruin the moment they were hopefully about to share.
"Yes," The words escaped her lips as she stood gazing into his eyes. God, he dangerous for me, she chose to ignore the warming swirling within the depths of her soul.
"Nothing has to happen you don't want to happen," Mike stroked her cheek, finding himself almost secretly elated there had been no one else.
He knew the only thing that could have brought him more elation at that very moment was if he were the only one. Still the fact she was almost untainted compared to the slew of women he had been with was intriguing and sexy as hell to him as he stood before her.
Amelia smiled weakly as she continued to gaze into his green eyes, knowing she could stay lost in his them forever. He's dangerous for you, the warning repeated itself like a CD with a scratch on the surface.
Smiling at her, he cupped the sides of her face pulling her lips to his, devouring the subtle smooth, moist surface that met him. Deeping the kiss he drew her body into his, once again marveling at the fact they fit together perfectly. Longing for more, but not wanting to rush her he allowed the kiss to remain where it was savory the taste of her sweet lips.
Oh, my god, her subconscious screamed, the subconscious that had been asleep for several years, now awakened from the long slumber. His warmth could be felt on the palms of her hands even though the fabric of his t-shirt. They tingled at the feel of the bulging muscles under the fabric. Allowing her hands to travel their way upwards they leisurely lay over his shoulders, finally coming to rest on the back of his neck.
Feeling his restraint being tested as her long arms wrapped around him, Mike placed his hands on the cheeks of her ass picking her up in his arms. The feel of her legs wrapping around him almost being his undoing. Jesus Christ, the words never escaping his lips which were enticed with the warmth and moistness they had found. Stepping towards the bed he lay her down gently on top of the thick downy comforter, the fabric giving away to her weight, surrounding her as if she were a precious gift. He broke the kiss looking down at her for what seemed an eternity, finally reaching to the back of her neck to untie the string to her white bikini top. Pausing as the strings gave way easily he leaned into her lips once more brushing them against his own.
"Christ you are so beautiful," He breathed the words against her lips.
"So are you," She reached up cupping the sides of his face pulling his lips back to hers once more.
Reaching around to the middle of her back he could feel her breathing quicken as his fingertips pulled the last strings holding the top in place. Pulling back from her kiss once more he smiled down at her admiring the vision that lay beneath him.
"So damned beautiful," He murmured the words once again his voice lower and full of the lust and another sensation that he wasn't as familiar with. His hands moved swiftly as he loosened the matching bikini bottoms until they were free to join the top which was laying tossed carelessly upon the floor.
Dragging his reluctant body away from hers his eyes continued to gaze upon her delectable features as he pulled the t-shirt over his head flinging it onto the floor. Breaking away from her to stand quickly at the bedside he removed the blue long beach shorts he had changed into before joining her by the pool. They quickly joined his T-shirt and the skimpy articles she had been wearing. Lowering himself back onto the bed he rested on his elbows above her, his lips once again consuming hers as a necessary thought entered his mind.
"Fuck," He breathed the words out upon her soft lips, "My wallets in the other room."
Amelia looked at him this time it was her turn to cast an inquisitive look his way.
"My wallet baby," He almost chuckled at her bewildered look, "It's where I keep my fuckin' condoms," He moved his body as if he were leaving the bed.
"Don't leave," Amelia placed her hand on his arm stopping him.
"I'll be right back," He brushed her lips before attempting to exit the bed.
"No, don't leave," Amelia pulled him back to her looking into his eyes.
Mike looked at her for a moment reading the message her clear blue eyes were sending him, "Are you sure?"
"Yes, I want to feel you in every way," Amelia blushed as she spoke the almost whispered words to him, "I mean I have never really … I mean Aid …" She quickly stopped before his name was spoken as nervous giggle drifted between them, "What I am trying to say is he was the cautious type...She broke off the sentence, "Christ could this be anymore awkward," A smile that matched her awkward words graced her lips as she continued to blush.
He couldn't contain the soft chuckle that escaped him as he looked down at her, the smile upon her face combined with the blush was sexy as fucking hell in his opinion, "I think I get what you are trying to say," He winked at her playfully as their lips meet once more. He knew he to should be the more cautious type with her in more ways than one, but she had a way of making him want to throw caution to the wind. Losing himself in the kiss, the pace became more fevered as he pulled up her to him.
There was no avoiding his intent green eyes as he pulled her exposed body up to him in a sitting position upon his lap, his warm inviting hands, cupping each side of her face. She could feel her body stretching, giving way to accommodate him as he opened her. The invasion only stopping once she was filled completely by him. There was no movement that followed, they simply remained staring intently into one another's eyes. The only noise, a small sound, resembling a whimper, escaped from between her glistening lips. Amelia felt her body reaching a point of losing control for the first time in so very long. She marveled at his handsome features as their faces rested just millimeters apart, his warm breathe upon her flesh caused a quiver to ripple through her body. She sat atop of him shamelessly, as if their bodies were old friends who had been reunited. Without thought as if she were on autopilot, Amelia wrapped her legs around his lower back, and draped her arms loosely over his shoulders. Her fingers joining at the base of his neck interlocking tightly as if she never intended to let go.
He drew her face to his, the warmth of their mouths meeting, hungrily yearning for one another. Slipping his tongue between her moist lips he parted them, filling her, as they bloomed open for him just as her other lips had seconds prior. The wetness and warmth of her mouth coating his tongue with the taste of her, the taste consumed his senses. Mike moved more vigorously as if he were lapping up a sweet nectar. The assault was loving, sweet, yet full of demand, and urgency. They continued the fevered kisses meeting and retreating as if they were making love.
Amelia felt her body clench around him and her wetness spill over his firm shaft like a waterfall tumbling from the cliff side. The visions of what was to come filled Mikes mind, and his body pulsated in response to the breathtaking images of them tangled together, glistening in the glow of their fevered endeavors. A low primal groan spilled into her. As if the same visions were playing within her own mind, her own sounds of pleasure vibrated through him, the actions almost in unison.
Her lips protested as his mouth attempted to leave hers, she sucked gently on his lower lip before allowing him to finally break free. Their eyes once again locked intently as they sat completely still, searching the depths of one another's souls. The faint sound of birds chirping outside the open doors which led to her bedroom balcony, provided a sweet symphony as the hues of the sunset began to silhouette around them.
Mike's hands traveled her as if the path were well-known, stopping to caress the nape of her neck, before continuing down finding the soft roundness they desired. He breathed in deeply as he felt her already protruding nipples. Glancing down to drink her image in he could see them standing pert as if they were beckoning his mouth to come to them. Make love to them.
Amelia let out a gasp as she felt him gently pulling her into the warmth and moistness of his mouth, his tongue flicked her teasingly, the motion causing her body to almost buck in response. Her mind swirled as she felt him grasp the pert roundness between his teeth biting her just hard enough to send a shiver through her body. Amelia could feel her own wetness once again gushing around him. The tantalizing tingles coursed through her as he paid homage to her body. She lay her head on his shoulder, her cheek feeling the dampness that had formed on his skin. The musky masculine perfume of him swirled around in her senses only heightening the building sensations. Her hands moved upward, the pads of her fingers tangling themselves in his hair, raising her head from his shoulder she watched as he continued suckling her. The sight was erotic to her.
Their eyes met once again as he raised his head from her, Amelia could feel the fullness and knew her skin was pink where he had just been. "Christ you are perfect," he muttered before their lips brushed together once more the sensation building more feverishly. She felt her body plummeting, into a sea of tranquility as he laid her back gently on the bed and began to move within her. His arrival deep into her and retreats from her building like a tide sweeping onto the shore. She could feel her body being swept away, tussled about. Looking into his green eyes she could see he was being swept away as well, carried to the same place she was, a special place where the pleasures they so desperately sought from one another could be fulfilled. Withering underneath him already, yet knowing the journey he was leading them on was going to be slow and exquisite. Amelia looked intently into his eyes once more, surrendering her very being over to his, to ensure the journey no matter how long it might be, would be traveled together.
Laying on her side nestled into his body Amelia smiled as his green eyes gleamed back at her. The moon light illuminated the room, cascading around them causing their bodies to glisten. She felt sated and for the first time in what seemed an eternity, Amelia Tate no longer felt empty or lonely.
Mike lay on his side almost in a trance, mesmerized by her blue eyes which twinkled back at him. She had felt exquisite just as he had always known she would, perhaps from the first time they had met many years ago. He recalled his callous response to Clay's words about Aiden being young dumb and in love all when they sat in the chapel, what seemed so long ago. Mike knew he owed him an apology for thinking him to be a pussy whipped ass, because as he starred into Amelia Tate's crystal blue eyes he knew Janowitz never stood a chance in hell. Just like Aiden, Mike was tangled helplessly and for the first time in his life he offered a prayer up to the heavens, a prayer that unlike his predecessor he would never lose her.