Page 31 of Operation Annulment (Silent Phoenix MC)

I sigh. “Nope. I guess the whole time my mother was gone, she was sending money for Dakota and me to live on. Our grandparents pocketed that money, though. There was enough to cover clothing, vehicles, and college. We never saw a dime of it, though. Maybe it’s just as well knowing where it came from. So, there you have it.”

He pulls me into his strong arms. “Have you talked to your grandparents about the money? I can’t believe you’ve been trying to handle this alone. I know your sister had all the charges dropped against her, but I had no idea you were facing all this. Has your dad tried to contact you?”

I shake my head. “I haven’t spoken to any of them. I think I’m still trying to make sense of it all. You can only handle so much news before it becomes too much.”

Nate’s lips brush against my forehead. “I’m here now. Let me shoulder this burden with you. You don’t have to take on everyone else’s problems anymore.”

Tears drop down onto the quilt beneath me. “I’m in love with you, Nate.”

I hadn’t meant to say it, but the minute the words are out there, it’s as if a weight has been lifted off my chest.

His hands stop making circles on my back. “You’re in love with me or you love me?”

I frown. “Are they not the same?”

He turns me until I’m facing him. “Well, there are?—”

I place my fingers against his lips. “I’m going to go ahead and stop you right there. I love you. I have for a while now. I don’t need sixty days to try it out. I want you for as long as you’ll have me.”

I’m just a girl standing before a heavily tattooed man with my heart in my hand.

No big deal.

He grins. “I love you too, Katy girl. I’ve known since the moment you went down on me in my car while you were drunk on tequila shots.”

I slap his arm playfully. “Why do you have to ruin a perfectly romantic moment?”

He pushes me back against the old quilt, rolling his hips to pin me in place. “Did you say romantic? Because I saved Dakota’s photo of you in a wedding gown. You’re so fucking perfect, babe.”

I tip my head back to look up at him, knowing that all that scruff and roughness is just a facade. It’s there in his eyes—the same fear that I have.

It’s as if they’re pleading with me.

Please don’t leave me.

Don’t hurt me.

I nod, answering both his spoken and unspoken questions .

I’m not going anywhere.

He leans down and nips at my lips with his teeth, even as his hand snakes its way up under my sweater. His fingers are like ice, and my skin prickles almost instantly. Nate pulls back just enough to lift my sweater over my head before his mouth moves down.

He licks lazily along my stomach as if we’ve got all the time in the world. I groan in frustration, and he pauses to look up at me. “Everything okay, babe?” His lip turns up slightly, and it’s apparent that he’s well aware of the torture he’s inflicting.

I shake my head. “More… I need more.”

Nate rests on his knees and grabs my left leg, taking his sweet time unzipping my boot before moving to the other leg.

More.

My body has reverted to the most primal instincts, and all rational thought ceases. I’m beyond caring that we’re inside a barn where anyone can see us. I need my husband inside of me.

He unbuttons my jeans, deftly sliding them down my body like it’s an art form. My breasts rise and fall with each ragged breath I take, and he stares at me almost reverently.

His gaze is so intense that I have to look away, but he hooks his hand under my chin and draws my eyes back to his. “You’re beautiful.”

I nod shakily, silently urging him to keep going while patting myself on the back for wearing matching lingerie. When he doesn’t appear to be on the verge of making a move anytime soon, I take matters into my own hands.

I take my time unlacing his boots while looking up at him from under my eyelashes. It’s my turn to torture him. He brings his fist to his mouth and exhales slowly as I unfasten his jeans and slide them down.

I can see the outline of his cock through his dark grey boxer briefs as it strains to break free from its polyester prison. I run my hand along the front, and his head drops back with a loud groan.

Taking the sound as an encouragement to continue, I slip my fingers beneath the waistband, gripping him in my hands. The tip of his head is already slick, and I use the lubrication to slide my hand up and down his shaft.

I wonder what he tastes like.

Before I can change my mind, my tongue darts out to lick along the tip, and Nate’s hands fist in my hair.

“Fuck. My turn, Katy girl.” He whispers before his hands drop down my back to unfasten my bra. His hands are on my breasts before the bra has even hit the floor. His palm squeezes one while his mouth teases the other until it’s stiff.

My brain is being overrun with dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin in a chemical reaction that leaves me aching with need.

I briefly register that Nate still has his shirt on, and I reach for it, needing to see his ink. His mouth moves off of my breast with a pop, and he obliges before grabbing my panties in his fist and yanking them down.

His hips shift to hold me in place again. There’s nothing between us but skin. His lips catch mine, kissing me like he’ll never get another opportunity. His tongue thrusts against my lips, and I open up, ushering him inside.

He doesn’t break contact with my mouth as the head of his cock aligns with my body, pushing gently against me as if asking for permission.

I reach my hand between our bodies, guiding him. He moves slowly as my body works feverishly to accommodate all of him. Growing impatient, his hands reach up to grip my shoulders, and he pushes into me until he bottoms out.

I cry out against his mouth and push back against him, needing him to move… needing the friction.

He growls against my lips and thrusts harder inside of me. We fit together perfectly—his hard muscles against my soft flesh. He grabs one of my hands in his, forcing it over my head and keeping my body where he wants it.

He pulls all the way out only to force himself back in, and I pant heavily. His thrusts increase, each pump of his hips punishing yet bringing me intense pleasure.

“I’m close… I’m so close…” I murmur the words to no one in particular, but Nate takes it as a challenge. His mouth moves back down, and he latches onto my breast, sucking hard enough to leave marks. Just when I think I can’t take another moment, he bites down, and I moan his name as I come.

Wave after wave of pleasure pummels me until I can’t even tell where I end, and he begins. He continues thrusting, each grunt becoming more pronounced, and I hold onto his hand as another orgasm hits me.

“Come inside of me, Nate. Come inside of me… please. I want to feel you.” It doesn’t sound like my voice.

His eyes fly open in surprise, and his thrusts become unsteady. I’m drunk off of the power, and I use my free hand to grab onto his hip.

“Come with me, babe.” His words are hoarse, and with a final thrust, he surges inside of me with a groan, filling me entirely. Watching his face is enough to send me over the edge, and I bite down on my lip until I taste blood as he crushes his body against mine.

The barn is silent except for the sounds of our heavy breathing as we try to return to earth.

He props himself up on his forearms and looks down at me, still out of breath. “That was incredible.”

I push the hair back off his forehead and smile before noticing the sky growing dark. “Um, Nate? What time did your mom say that dinner was?”

He checks his watch. “Fuck. Okay, so we’re a little late.”

It’s completely dark outside when we pull up in front of the house. I pull my helmet off and leave it on the seat before rushing toward the front door .

Nate grabs my hand, pulling me back toward his body. “You trust me?”

I nod, confused. “Yes, what’s going on?”

He only smiles and leads me into the house. Everyone but Daniel is gathered around the table, waiting to eat.

“Hey guys, sorry we’re late. I have a little announcement to make. Kate and I got married.”

Bev’s eyes widen in surprise and she starts shrieking. “What! Like just now? Is that where you’ve been?”

Nate is still standing behind me, his hands resting on my hips, and I hate that I can’t see the look on his face. He laughs softly. “No, Mom. Not just now…a while ago.”

“October 14 th , to be exact,” I add helpfully, and his hands squeeze me. I feel a slight tremor of pleasure at his touch and wonder if a body is capable of orgasm aftershocks.

His dad stands up. “Well, I’ve heard of waiting a few months to announce a pregnancy but never a marriage. Congratulations.”

He pulls both of us into a hug as Bev dances around. “Married? I can’t believe it. This is amazing.”

Daniel runs in with a crayon and begins dancing with her. “Why are we dancing, Grams?”

She picks him up and swings him around. “Because Uncle Nate and Aunt Katy got married!” Then she lowers her voice to mock whisper, “And Grams is gonna get more grandbabies.”

My cheeks flood with heat at the thought just as Garrett decides to speak up.

“Were y’all up in the loft?”

Nate nods. “Yeah, why?”

Garrett taps a spoonful of mashed potatoes against his plate with a knowing grin. “Because Kate still has some hay in her hair. Mom, you might get your wish sooner than you think.”