Page 13

Chapter Thirteen

R age

I’d watched her like a hawk the entire time she worked to patch Dread up and I was in fucking awe.

“You just fucking MacGyver’d a bullet wound.” I shook my head as Mac carefully packed the remaining supplies back into Foxy’s first aid kit.

Her hands had been steady as she worked on Dread, but now I was starting to see the tremors running through her shoulders.

“Did you just use MacGyver as a verb?” She glanced up at me, humor breaking through her exhaustion.

“Maybe.” I leaned against the wall, cracking a smile despite the shit storm we’d just been through. “It fits.”

Mac snapped the kit closed, exhaling slowly as she peeled off the latex gloves.

Dread, who was pulling himself to his feet with Zero’s help, snorted. “You did a good job, babe. Next time you’ll be a fuckin’ pro.”

Mac squeezed her eyes closed as she shook her head. “Let’s try to avoid a next time.”

“I’ll do my best.” Dread shot her a wink as Zero led him out, leaving just the two of us in the room.

I was waiting for the emotions I was sure she was holding back to explode out of her, for her to tell me she was done with me and all of this shit. And that being with me was more than she bargained for. Hell, I’d been half-expecting her to demand I take her home the second the shooting stopped.

Instead, she crossed the room and sank against my chest as her arms wound tightly around my waist.

“Are you alright?” she asked, voice muffled from her face being smooshed against my chest.

My brows hit my hairline. She was asking me, if I was okay?

Fuck. I really didn’t deserve her.

I snaked my arms around her back and pulled her in even tighter. “I’m fine, baby. Not a scratch on me.”

She tilted her head back, her blue eyes searching mine as moisture gathered along her lashes. “You could have been killed.”

My heart dropped into my gut. “Don’t cry, babe. I’m fine. Everyone is okay.”

Her fingers clutched at my shirt as the first rear fell. “This is real, isn’t it? This is your life.”

And there it was. This was it. She was going to walk away and never look back.

Holding her stare, I gave her the truth. “Yeah, Mac. This is my life.”

Her tired eyes dared back and forth between mine and she then to my complete shock she nodded her beautiful head. “Okay.”

It was that single word of acceptance that damn near took me to my ass. “You sure you can live with this? With me? My life?” I pressed my forehead to hers as I continued to stare into her eyes.

She smiled faintly. “I can’t breathe without you.”

The adrenaline crash was coming. I could feel it in the way her body sagged heavier against mine. “Let’s get you upstairs. You need to rest.”

Without putting up a fight, she let me lead her through the clubhouse toward the stairs where every officer had a bedroom. Chief caught my eye as we passed, giving me a curt nod. I nodded back. There was a lot to discuss but first my woman needed to be taken care of.

I guided Mac up the stairs to my room at the end of the hall. I rarely stayed here, preferring to sleep in my bed at home.

“Here, baby.” Unlocking the door, I pressed at the small of her back for her to go ahead inside. The room was simple. A queen-sized bed with dark sheets, a dresser, a small TV I never watched, and not much else.

Mac stood in the doorway for a moment, her eyes fixed on the bed, a frown on her face.

“What’s wrong?” I shut the door behind us.

She hesitated, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth. “Nothing.”

“Bullshit, babe.” I stepped closer, tipping her chin up with my finger. “Talk to me.”

Her eyes darted away before meeting mine again. “Foxy said something to me earlier…”

I nodded my head. I knew they’d been chatting. “She say something that upset you?”

“She told me about the club... about how things work.” Mac’s voice was quiet, almost hesitant. “About old ladies and... other women.”

I sighed heavily. Of course she did.

“Mac—“

“Is it true?“ she cut me off, her voice stronger now. “Do you have women here that you sleep with? Is that how this works? I’m supposed to just accept that?”

I rubbed a hand over my face, making a mental note to have a very pointed conversation with Chief about his sister and her big fucking mouth.

“Look at me,” I demanded. “I haven’t even looked at another woman since the night I met you.”

Her eyes searched mine, looking for any sign of deception. “But before?”

I wasn’t going to apologize for my past. “Yeah, before you there were other women. I’m not gonna pretend otherwise. I’ve had my fair share.”

Mac nodded slowly, digesting what I was telling her. “And now?”

I pulled her into my arms and tilted her face up to mine. “Now there’s only you.” I dropped a kiss on her frowning lips. “I won’t step out on you, Mac. Never. That’s not who I am.” I didn’t know if the words were a lie or not, but I couldn’t stand seeing the hurt look on her face.

“But the club?—”

“—Who my brother’s fuck and what they do behind closed doors isn’t my business.”

She flinched at the sharpness of my tone.

Take it easy asshole. This is all new to her.

“I’m sorry, baby. I’ve never done this before, okay? I’ve never wanted a woman in my life the way I want you. This,“ I motioned between us, “is different.”

Her eyes got glassier as her fingers dug into the leather of my cut. “I won’t share you with anyone else.”

“You won’t have to.”

She sniffled. “How can you be sure?”

I wasn’t. But that isn’t what she needed to hear. “I love you, Mac. I’m going to work my ass off to be a good man to you.”

The words hung between us.

Her lips parted as she considered the words I’d just said. “You love me?”

“Yeah.” That part was true. It was the only explanation for the crazy shit she was making me feel. “I do.”

A small, choked laugh escaped her. “Oh, thank god.”

My brow furrowed. “What?”

“I love you too,“ she blurted out, then immediately flushed. “I just mean?—”

I cut her off with my mouth, swallowing the rest of her words as I kissed her long, slow, and wet.

Fuck. She tasted like mine.

Ripping my mouth from hers, I kept her close, my hands splayed across her ass. “Say it again,” I demanded.

Her fingers traced the lines of my face, her eyes impossibly bright now. “I love you, Rage.”

A deep growl rumbled up my chest as something fierce and possessive roared to life inside me. My hands on her ass squeezed as I picked her up. Automatically, her legs wrapping around my waist as I staggered over to the bed. Laying her down gently, I crawled between her slayed legs and hovered over her. The sight of her spread out beneath me made my cock twitch.

“You’re mine,” I growled, lowering my head to nip at her jaw. “Only mine.”

“Yours,” she agreed breathlessly, arching up as my hand slid under her shirt, finding the soft skin of her stomach. “And you’re mine.”

My lips went to her neck. “Always, baby.” That much, I was sure of.

Her hands shoved at my cut, pushing it from my shoulders. I shrugged it off, tossing it aside before pulling my shirt over my head.

Her fingers traced the tattoos covering my chest and arms.

“I don’t think I’ll ever tire of looking at you,” she whispered, her eyes dark with desire.

I smirked, hooking my fingers in the hem of her shirt. “My turn to look.”

She lifted her arms, allowing me to pull the garment up and off. The simple black bra she wore did little to conceal the hard points of her nipples.

“Fuck, you’re beautiful,” I breathed, lowering my head to press a kiss to the swell of her breast. Her skin was soft as silk, her scent intoxicating.

“Please,” she whimpered, her back arching as I ran my tongue along the edge of her bra. “Rage…” There was no sweeter sound than her begging for more.

Dropping onto the mattress beside her, I slid my hand under her back and unhooked the clasp of her brow. Slowly, I peeled the fabric off her shoulders and down her arms until she was gloriously naked from the waist up.

“I love these tits.” I cupped her breasts with my hand, the skin perfect and soft.

Her breath started to pick up as I took the nipple into my mouth, sucking gently as my thumb brushed over the other.

She moaned and my desire mounted as she writhed, her hands roaming over my shoulders, down my back, nails digging in just enough to send sparks straight to my cock.

I moved between her thighs, the heel of my palm pressing against the seam of her shorts where I knew she needed me most. Her hips bucked, seeking more friction.

“Oh god,“ she gasped. “Please, baby. Don’t tease me.“

With a grin, I popped the button on her shorts, dragging them and her panties down her legs in one motion. She kicked them off impatiently, now completely naked beneath me.

I took a moment to really look at her, to absorb the sight of what now belonged to me.

Silky shiny blonde hair that was spread across my pillow. Pink plump lips that tastes like nirvana. Eyes as blue as the clearest sky.

This gorgeous, smart, fearless woman loved me. The thought was humbling.

“What are you thinking about?“ she asked softly as her hand came up to cup my cheek.

“How fucking lucky I am,” I admitted, turning my head to press a kiss to her palm.

Her smile was so tender it made my chest ache.

I couldn’t wait any longer. Climbing off the bed, I undressed quickly.

Mac watched my every move, her eyes darkening as her tongue darting out to wet her lips.

“Let me,” she said, sitting up and reaching for me.

I didn’t protest as she wrapped her delicate hand around my shaft, pumping slowly. The sight of her, naked and on her knees on my bed, her hand working me, was almost enough to make me lose it right then and there.

“Fuck, Mac,” I groaned. “Keep that up and this’ll be over before it begins.”

She smiled wickedly, her thumb brushing over the sensitive head. “We can’t have that, now can we?”

“Fuck no.” I gently pushed her back, crawling over her once more. My hand slid between her thighs, finding her already slick and ready.

“So wet for me,” I murmured against her throat.

“Always,” she sighed, spreading her legs wider.

I positioned myself at her entrance, watching her face as I slowly pushed inside.

The feeling of her tight heat enveloping me never got old. Her eyes fluttered closed, her mouth forming a perfect ‘O’ of pleasure as I filled her completely.

“Look at me,” I commanded.

Her blue eyes shot open, locking with mine as I moved.

“Yes,” she breathed, her hips rising to meet mine with every thrust. “Don’t stop.”

I had no intention of stopping. Not when she felt so perfect around me. I shifted, changing the angle, and was rewarded with a sharp cry of pleasure.

“There,” she gasped, her nails digging into my shoulders. “Right there.”

I kept the pace steady, hitting that spot with each thrust, watching as her pleasure built. Her face was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen, cheeks flushed, eyes heavy-lidded, lips parted as she panted my name.

I could feel my release building, a tightening at the base of my spine. But I was determined to make her come first. My hand slipped between us, finding the sensitive bundle of nerves.

“Rage,” she cried out, her back arching off the bed. “I’m going to?—”

“Come for me, baby,“ I urged, increasing my pace, driving into her harder.

Her body tensed, then shuddered, her pussy clenching around me as she cried out my name.

Goddamn, she was too beautiful. I didn’t deserve her, but I was never giving her up. Not fucking ever.

I thrust my hips harder and faster, slamming into her over and over, chasing my release until finally I felt it barreling at me.

“You’re mine,” I growled, burying myself balls deep inside her as my seed filled her up.

For several moments, we lay tangled together, breathing hard, hearts racing in tandem. I brushed a damp strand of hair from her face before pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.

“I love you,” I murmured, the words still new but feeling more right each time I said them.

Her smile was radiant despite her exhaustion. “I love you too.”

I rolled to the side, pulling her with me, unwilling to break the connection between us just yet.

Mac curled against my chest.

“Sleep, baby,” I whispered, pulling the sheet over us.

As she drifted off in my arms, I stared at the ceiling, replaying the shit show that went down earlier and could feel rage building inside me.

We’d been lucky that the only injury was a through and through to Dread’s shoulder.

My eyes dropped to the woman beside me. What if she’d been hit or worse.

The Talons had gone too fucking far.