Page 73 of Savage Ends

He kissed her again and took the seat at the head of her tiny table.Again, all of this felt right.

She waited until he had cut into one of the pancakes, and then took a bite.He groaned, and that was a good sound.

“Beautiful,” he said.

This made her smile.

“What do you intend to do today?”Ava asked.

“Club stuff.”

Ava nodded.“What will happen with the garage?I know there is nowhere else I want to go to get my car fixed.There’s this garage about an hour’s drive from here, but his prices are extreme, and he’s got grabby hands as well.”

Pat frowned.“What?”

“You know, Michael’s or Mikey’s, or M-Mechanics, I think it is.A couple of years ago, I don’t know why but you guys closed for a short time and I needed to get my car looked at.The engine warning light had come on, and it didn’t matter if I turned off the engine, or tried to reset it, or anything.That thing was flashing.I had no choice but to take it to this other place.I cannot remember the name.Anyway, he quoted me a price, and throughout the work, that price went up.Also, he was a little too ...familiar.”She gave a shudder.“I know there is no way I want to put business his way.”

“The garage will be open within a couple of days.Dylan is doing his investigation.”

“I can’t believe they shot at you.I’m so pleased you’re not hurt.I feel bad for Rusty, but you’re ...you know, I’m glad.”She was stumbling over her words.

Pat let out a little laugh.“I know what you mean.”

They finished their coffee, and Ava recalled what she had missed, so she rushed back into the kitchen to pour them both a large mug of coffee.She remembered how Pat liked his, and got it done exactly like that, or as good as could be expected with instant coffee out of a jar.Unlike Lauren, she didn’t have a special blend or brew that would make this better.

Returning to the table, Ava felt this buzz.Pat reached out and took her hand, and it seemed to make the moment complete.

“You’re my girl.Ava, you know that, right?”

“I do, and that makes you mine?”she asked.

“Yes.I don’t belong to anyone else.I’m all yours.”

She smiled.

“I know this is going to sound like a strange request, but ...would you put my jacket on?”Pat asked.

Ava frowned.“If you want me to, I will, but it’s your jacket.”

“I know, but I also want to see what you look like in it.”

She was not going to argue with him.Letting go of his hand, she went to his jacket and was careful as she put it on.

“There, how does it look?”she asked, putting her arms inside.

She had expected it to be tight, but Pat was bigger than her.His shoulders were much wider.

“Will you give me a twirl?”he asked.

For him, she would do anything.She wondered when he was going to realize that.Giving him a little twirl, she turned to face him.

Pat got to his feet and came toward her.He gripped the lapel of the jacket, and he was so close, his breath fanned her face.

“One day, you’re going to wear the cut that declares you as mine.You’ll belong to me, and the club will take care of you as well.”

She felt like it was a declaration.

“Do you want me to wear this today?”she asked.