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“Because you were determined to get three rounds of sex in before noon,” I said. “We weren’t exactlysleeping.”

He rumbled a soft laugh.

“Is that a complaint?”

“Absolutely not.”

A beat of silence settled between us. Then Neil reached over and took my hand. I didn’t say a word of protest, despite knowing it was a dangerous move. Instead, I threaded my fingers with his. My throat went dry when he pressed his warm lips to my knuckles in a kiss.

I knew we shouldn’t be doing this…but I leaned closer anyway, kissing his shoulder lightly. Breathing in that familiar scent of black coffee and leather I knew so well.

Why couldn’t things be simple between us? Why couldn’t love be enough to conquer all? I knew the Blackjacks were important to Neil. That would never change. I didn’t dare set an ultimatum that he had to choose between me or the club. It would be an impossible decision. Like splitting his heart in two.

Neil turned his head, brushing his lips against my temple.

“What are you doing here, Hattie?” he whispered. “You could have just called.”

I said nothing for several seconds. Could I admit the truth to myself? Could I admit it out loud, to Neil? Thirteen years apart should have obliterated any love between us. But when I was scared last night, I wanted him. Neil was the one I ran to for comfort, security, and protection. Neil was the one I trusted with my life.

Fuck.

I still had feelings for my ex-husband.

With my heart in my throat, I tilted my chin up to look at Neil. He must have seen it written all over my face. His gaze dropped to my mouth, and he wet his lower lip with the tip of his tongue.

God, I needed to make up my damn mind. This club would be the death of him one day. Although I couldn’t deny that sometimes, there was a forbidden thrill to the danger and violence. Knowing Neil wouldn’t hesitate to break bones if anyone dared to lift a finger against me.

I wanted him to be safe. I wanted him to live a normal life.

But that wasn’t Neil. That wasn’t the man I fell in love with. And it never would be.

I should have known that intruder wouldn’t make it to the police as soon as the Blackjacks picked him up. I should have known he would never see the light of day again when Neil got his hands on him.

How could I possibly move on from Neil? I didn’t stand a chance of falling in love with anyone else, not when this man was willing to set the world on fire in the blink of an eye if anything happened to me.

Wordlessly, Neil rose from his bar stool while the Blackjacks continued talking amongst themselves. I trailed after him as wemade our way down the corridor that led to the back rooms. He pushed open the door at the end of the hall, leading me inside.

We used to sneak off to these rooms all the time. They hadn’t changed in over a decade, still sparsely furnished with the bare necessities—a nightstand, lamp, bed, a chair, and maybe a small table, if you were lucky.

As soon as the door closed behind us, Neil crowded me against the wall, arms braced on either side of me. Over six feet tall, broad chest, tattoo ink mapping the corded muscles of his forearms…caged by a man who could snap me in half, yet never touched me with anything more than the utmost tenderness.

“I thought you didn’t come here to talk about sex,” he said, gruffly.

“Plans change, remember?”

I reached up and curled my fingers around the back of his neck, pulling him down to me. Neil’s mouth crashed against mine with a devouring kiss. His hands fell to my hips with a bruising grip.

This will be a mistake,I thought.A mistake bigger than signing those damn divorce papers.

I tugged Neil’s shirt free from his belt and slipped my hands under the hem, questing over hot skin. He fisted his fingers in my hair, angling my head back to meet his gaze.

“How many?” he demanded.

I blinked at him, confused.

“How many men have you fucked since you stopped wearing my ring?” he clarified.

Oh. I chewed my lower lip, debating whether or not I could get away with a lie. I didn’t want to talk about those men right now, didn’t even want to think about them.