Page 12

CERBERUS

“That was fun.”

I glance over in Ember’s direction, brow raised. “Told you you’d have fun.”

Today I wanted her to have fun but also reacquaint herself with using a gun.

There wasn’t a better way to do that than by taking her out where some of us get together for a round of paintball.

More than just a few of the guys came out today.

Though, most of my brothers came, including a couple of ol’ ladies.

Ember was hit a few times, but they all knew what the deal was, and mostly would hit me instead of her.

“What are we doing now?” she asks, twisting in her seat next to me slightly while I maneuver my truck down the path leading back to the clubhouse.

If you didn’t know the path was there, you wouldn’t actually see it. It’s the way we meant it to be.

“We’re gonna go to the room, clean up, dinner, then I’m going to do other things to you,” I tell her.

I told her I’d go at her pace, but that doesn’t mean I’m not gonna find ways to tease her. Tempt her. Show her that I want her.

“We’re . . . you, ugh, are you serious?” she stammers on a breath.

Glancing over to her, I don’t grin. I don’t smirk. I’m dead serious about what we’re gonna be doing. “Yeah, baby, I’m serious. Wouldn’t play around when it comes to you and what I want.”

“But—”

“Not gonna fuck you,” I interrupt her, maneuver the truck out of the path and onto the trail leading to the clubhouse. “I’m not gonna go and fuck you, not yet, not until I know you’re ready. Doesn’t mean we’re not gonna do other things.”

“I’m not afraid of sex. I’ve had sex since?—”

“Don’t want to hear what you’ve done with another guy, Ember.

” My words are harsh even to my own ears.

Parking the truck, I twist and look at her.

“Not trying to sound like an asshole here.” I can see in her gaze that my tone had gotten to her.

“I know you were with a guy for a while. I don’t give a fuck he was there for you.

That you two were tight. I don’t give a shit what he and you did or didn’t do.

I just don’t want to hear about you being with another dude. Period.”

Ember shifts in her seat, and for a second, I get a glimpse into the Ember I used to know.

“Just so you know, Cer-ber-us,” she draws out, “I wasn’t talking about Dex just now.

Yes, I mentioned having had sex, but it was to say I don’t have a problem with sex.

I did right after the rape, but I learned from some brilliant women who explained the difference to me.

And for the record, Dex definitely showed me the difference. ”

I grind my back molars, ready to say something, but she keeps going.

“I don’t need you to treat me like I’m fragile. I don’t need you to do anything for that matter. It’s you who keeps saying we’re doing this. We’re doing that. Well, you can shove all of that up your own ass, because I’m tired of it. I’m not dealing with it. I also am not dealing with you. So . . .”

Before she can open the truck door, I move in, grip both of her wrists in one hand, reach behind me, and flip the lever, lowering the seat fully back.

My truck didn’t have a center console. It’s an older dual-cab that I modified over the years.

The front seat goes all the way back, making a bed out of both the front and back seats.

The two of us go down with the seat, and I lift her wrists above her head.

I come over her body, one leg between hers and press against the heat of her pussy.

“You’re insane,” she snaps, glaring at me rather than having that look of fear in her eyes. “You’re totally and completely insane.”

“Never deny being insane when it comes to you, Ember. You make me lose my mind anytime I’m around you,” I bite out, dipping closer. “Now, we’re gonna get a few things straight here and now regarding what you just said.”

“Here we go again,” she grumbles. “Let me guess, you don’t like what I had to say, and now you’re going to argue with me until you get your way.”

“If that’s the way you want to put it, then fine, but that’s not what is going on here.

I don’t think you’re fuckin’ fragile. I don’t think you’re weak.

I don’t think you’re anything, but you and you’ve got your head all fucked up with what happened to you.

I think what happened with that fuckwad a week ago came close to home in what you went through.

I think you’re still affected by what happened because you close yourself off and don’t let anyone in.

I think you hide those scars because they’re exactly what they look like. A reminder of your attacker.”

If I wasn’t pissed, I’d have noted the flinch for what it was, but I’m too damn mad with her at the moment to care.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” she mutters.

“That’s ‘cause you don’t talk about it.”

“I talked to Reaper about it.”

“Yeah?” I look at her with a brow cocked. “When? It hasn’t been since you moved back here. I’m sure of it.”

“This isn’t any of your business.”

That’s the last thing she should’ve said.

Slamming my mouth down on hers, I force my way into her mouth, plundering in like it was the treasure I was waiting for.

It’s not like the other times I kissed her in the past couple days.

No, this one is filled with my frustration with her.

She needs to get that I fucking want her.

I don’t pity her. I don’t think she’s fragile.

I don’t think she’s anything but who she is.

Ember.

My Ember.

The girl I fell for back when we were still in school .

The woman who came back and caught my attention.

My woman.

Mine.

I’ve claimed her and I’m not letting her go. No matter if she tries to run from what’s between us or not. No fucking way. I’ve missed the taste of her kiss for far too long. A handful of kisses won’t sate what I need from her. Nothing ever will.

Ember’s body relaxes into mine, hands clenching my shirt. Gliding one hand up her side, I keep my other tight in her hair, giving it a gentle tug. Little mewing sounds escape her, and I soak them right up.

It’s all I can do to keep from remembering it’s still daylight, barely, but still . . . we can’t keep this going here in my truck. Not when anyone could see the two of us, and that would leave her exposed. I won’t do that to her.

Breaking away from her mouth isn’t easy, but I do it, leaving her panting and breathless.

Staring down at her, I get the opportunity to see her eyes flutter open to meet mine. Seeing the lust and need in her gaze, I want to get her back to my room where I can see what else I can and continue this in private.