Page 63 of Reaper

Reaper

Itakeanothersipof my drink as Riggs heads back to his table and lean against the bar. My gaze goes to Zac, and I hope like fuck that jackass doesn’t try anything else tonight. I got lucky in choosing to sit at this end of the bar tonight when I came in because it means that now, I can keep a better eye on him. I don’t really want to give him my back if I don’t have to.

Speaking of said jackass, he must feel me watching him because he finally tears his gaze away from Lark and scowls at me. Smirking, I take another drink of my beer and purposefully look away from him while still watching him out of the corner of my eye. I fight to keep my smirk from growing when his scowl deepens even further. Fucker better watch himself around Lark. Just like she won’t stand for someone saying shit about me, I most definitely won’t stand for someone saying shit about her.

“Did you mean it?” she asks me and I hate that I was the one that put that vulnerability back in her eyes.

Setting down my drink, I reach over the bar and take her hand in mine, squeezing it gently. “Damn right I did, Darlin’. I told you before I want you as my woman and as my Old Lady. I may have got up in my head the past few months, but that doesn’t change my feelings about you one iota.”

Her breath hitches and fuck I wish we were alone so I could kiss her how I really want to.

“I want to be yours.”

My chest warms that she’s letting me in, and I know what that means for her because of her past. Smiling, I squeeze her hand again, though I’d rather have her in my arms, but she’s still on shift. The pressure in my chest lessens and I’m beyond fucking relieved that I can finally call Lark my woman.

“And to continue with what you were saying before Riggs came up here, no I’m not mad at you saying that about my scars because it’s true. I just wish I could have done more to keep her from getting hurt.”

I frown as I look down, finally giving voice to the feelings I’ve had ever since we were kidnapped. I haven’t even said them to Kenzie, though she probably suspects that I feel that way. Looking back up, I’m not all that surprised to see Lark frowning at me with that stern ‘Mama’ look on her face.

My dick twitches in my jeans at that thought.

Fuck.

I want Lark to be the mother of my kids. I’ve gone most of my life thinking I’d probably never have any, but with Lark, fuck, I’ll have as many kids with her as she wants.

She points at me as she continues leveling me with that look. “Just like with everyone else, I also won’t stand for you putting yourself down, Mister. Knowing you, you did everything in your power to protect her. You even told me that you drew their attention off Levi several times, so while I know you would have preferred a different outcome, I’d say you did a damn fine job inprotecting her, Reaper. And if you asked her, I’m almost positive she’d say the same thing, even though I haven’t met her yet.”

Well, fuck.

I’m about to respond to her when Derek Cole, the owner of the hardware store here in town, straightens from his spot at the other end of the bar and steps closer, asking Lark for an old fashioned.

When Lark turns to get the ingredients out to make his drink, he looks over at me and frowns. “Is it true what she said? You got them protecting a woman?”

I frown in return, part of me worried how this is going to go, but I nod all the same. “Yes, Sir.”

He smiles and clasps me on the shoulder. “Good man.”

Lark hands him his drink when she’s finished, and Derek tilts his head in her direction before he heads over to rejoin his group.

Turning back toward Lark, I’m confused to see her smiling widely as she adds his drink to his tab. “What?”

She shakes her head, still smiling widely. “Need another beer or something to eat?”

“Another beer will be good. I ate before I came in.”

She nods and grabs me another bottle, taking the cap off it before handing it to me. “Let me know if you change your mind and I’ll put in an order for you.”

Considering it’s only eleven o’clock, there’s a chance I might still take her up on that.

The door opens and in the mirror behind the bar, I can tell it’s a pretty big crew. Spotting an empty stool a few seats over to my right near where I’d sat before, I move to that spot again so the area around the taps is clear for customers. I don’t want to take up prime real estate since I’m staying till closing.

Taking a drink, my chest warms even more as I watch Lark in her element.

Once I came to my senses, I’d decided to wait to talk to Lark until I’d gotten some of my demons worked out in my head. Hence why I caved and started talking with Kenzie. However, I knew it would be better talking to Lark in person rather than texting or calling her.

I’m also glad she didn’t hold it against me for being a dumb ass. Nor the fact that I had to head back to Forest Creek for the weddings last month. Taking another drink, I feel my phone buzz in my pocket. Pulling it out, I’m not surprised that he’s texted me.

Devil: Did she forgive your stupid ass?