Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
“Man. Straight for the jugular,” I scoffed and shook my head. “No, I’ve never been in jail, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t done things that could’ve landed me there.”
“Like what?”
“That one I can’t answer.”
Her expression flickered from frustration to curiosity. While she knew I was involved with a motorcycle club, we hadn’t really discussed what that could mean for her and the boys. I didn’t want to overwhelm her with too much information too soon, so I kept it simple. “Club business stays in the club. Always has. It’s safer that way.”
“For who?” she whispered.
“For everyone, especially you.”
She pulled the covers a little closer. Not in a guarded way, but thoughtful. She was taking it all in and doing what she could to make sense of it. I understood her hesitation. This wasn’t just about her. She had the boys and her folks to consider. So, her next question came as no surprise.
“Are you dangerous?”
“Depends.”
“On what?”
“On who is in front of me.” I didn’t look away. I kept my eyes trained on hers as I added, “I don’t go looking for trouble. Don’t need it. But if it comes to the people I care about or me… I handle it.”
Silence settled between us again, but it wasn’t as uncertain as it had been moments before. I reached out, brushing my fingers lightly along her arm as I asked, “You feel unsafe with me?”
“No. Just the opposite.”
“Then, you have your answer.”
She fell quiet, lost in thought as she let everything settle where it needed to. I could see it in the way she nestled up to me and the way her fingers traced the lines of my tattoos. After a bit, she looked up at me and asked, “What about the club? Are you going to stay?”
“I’m considering it.” Her eyes searched mine. “Just waiting to see how some things play out.”
She nodded slightly and let out a little yawn. “Okay.”
I leaned over, brushed a soft kiss against her forehead, and said, “Get some sleep. We’ll talk more tomorrow.”
“Okay,” she answered, her voice already heavy with exhaustion.
She curled up to me with her head on her own pillow and her chin barely touching my shoulder. She closed her eyes and muttered, “I have to get the boys at two.”
“I’ll make sure you’re up.”
And just like that, she was out. I stayed put for a moment, just watching her. Seeing her face soften and the tension slip away did something to me. I was doing this. Against all odds and all reservations, I was giving this a chance. And if I were being truly honest, I didn’t have much choice in the matter.
Raelyn had gotten under my skin in a way I never expected.
And now, I had to figure out what the hell I was going to do about it.
18
RAELYN
Even after I showered and changed clothes, I could still feel the tingle of his touch on my skin, and knowing he was in the next room showering, naked and lathered in soap, had me imagining things I had no business imagining. I was even tempted to go get in the shower with him.
But I would never do anything so brazen.
That didn’t mean I wouldn’t think about it, and I did. I thought about it the entire time I brushed my hair. I glanced up in the mirror, and I almost didn’t recognize the woman staring back at me. She’d just had the best sex of her life and was fantasizing about another go.
“Good grief, girl. You need to get a grip,” I muttered under my breath.
The water shut off, and my heart did a stupid little flutter. I needed to make myself busy, so I dropped the brush on the dresser and flipped my hair up into a messy bun. I threw on a little makeup, trying to make it look like I hadn’t just rolled out of bed and completely lost my mind over a man—a man who was currently naked in my bathroom.
“I said, get a grip!”
Silently scolding myself, I walked over to the bed and started straightening the sheets. Seconds later, the bathroom door opened. I didn’t turn right away. I didn’t need to. I could feel him, filling up the space like he belonged there.
I reached for the comforter, and that’s when I spotted him in the doorway. His hair was still damp and pushed back just enough to be out of his face, but a few pieces had a mind of their own and were falling forward. His t-shirt clung to him where he hadn’t fully dried, and he smelled like my shampoo.
Something about that made my chest warm in a way I wasn’t prepared for. I tried to bite back my smile, but it was no use. His brows pursed. “What?”
“Nothing.”
“Didn’t look like nothing,” he mumbled under his breath as he walked over to the bed.