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A minute later he returns, chuckling when he finds me in the exact same position.

“Poor lady death,” he teases, pulling me into his arms. “Got fucked hard, huh?”

I’m still shaking—with aftershocks, with laughter—as I trace my fingers over the stubble on his cheek.

His smile softens.

He carries me to the bed and helps me peel off my clothes.

The light goes off and he settles into bed behind me, skin to skin, one arm around my waist.

“Are we staying?” I whisper.

He strokes his fingers over my belly then lower. “I’m not done with you yet. This is just an intermission.”

JIGSAW

Margot’s slow, rhythmic breathing should settle me into sleep. Should quiet the noise in my head.

Instead, my thoughts won’t stop ricocheting around.

I shouldn’t say this. Not now.

I’ve never been good at keeping the thoughts in my head out of my mouth. Not the important ones, anyway. “Margot?”

“Hmmm?” she murmurs.

“I meant what I said before.” I roll to my side and trace my fingers over her shoulder. Why can’t I let her rest and tell her this later?

She shifts, leaning into my touch. The sheet slips down, baring most of one breast.

No. Don’t get distracted.

Fuck it.

I flick the sheet with my pinky, exposing one nipple. “I meant what I said,” I repeat.

“You’ve said a lot of things.” She yawns and blinks up at me. “What specifically are you referring to?”

“That I missed you.”

Her expression softens. “I missed you too.”

“I know your job is stressful and unpredictable…but I want you to come with me next time I have to go somewhere. Anywhere.”

Her lips flicker into a patient smile. “What would I have done in Vegas while you were busy being a bodyguard?”

“Hang out with the girls.” I shrug. “I wasn’t standing around guarding Griff twenty-four-seven.”

She nods softly. “I’d like that.”

“I didn’t want to keep blowing up your phone, but I missed you.” I never thought I’d admit this level of neediness to a woman. I did try to warn her I was a clingy motherfucker, though. “A lot.”

“You can call me anytime you want. I loved hearing from you. Getting all your texts and pictures. It was nice knowing you were thinking of me.”

“I’m always thinking about you.”

Her forehead wrinkles. “What’s really…what are you trying to say?”

“I…” How the fuck do I put this into words? “I never expected…I don’t know. I used to make fun of Rooster…the guys if they missed their ol’ ladies…”

Pretty sure I used the word “castrated” a few times to describe their lack of interest in pursuing other pussy while on the road. “And didn’t want to…”

Her eyes narrow. “Hook up with random women on the road?” she finishes for me.

She understands me a little too well.

Why couldn’t I just let her sleep?

I dug myself into this hole. Either I’m going to bury myself deeper or claw my way out.

“Something like that,” I admit.

“Is this your twisted way of telling me women were throwing themselves at you in Vegas?”

“What?” I frown. “No. Not really.”

Her lips push into a thoughtful pout, silently calling bullshit.

“Okay. Yes,” I admit. “There were women circling us all the time. It didn’t matter. The only woman I wanted was you .”

“You sound surprised.” Her forehead crinkles and she squints at me. “Or proud of yourself.”

The corners of her mouth twitch and laughter glints in her eyes.

“All right. I guess I deserve that.” I blow out a breath. “I don’t know how to tell you?—”

“Tell me what?”

“That I want you so bad. So much. All the time. I can’t even fucking breathe sometimes when you’re not with me.” There. I said it. Most of it.

She snuggles closer. “I want you too. I missed you terribly. I hope you know that.”

“I do.” She’d sent me as many messages as I’d sent her. Always answered me too. “Still like hearing it.”

“Mmmm.” She sighs against my shoulder.

A few quiet minutes pass.

“Margot,” I whisper again. Why can’t I let her rest? We can talk about this in the morning.

“Hmmm?” She wriggles closer and throws her leg over mine.

Just fucking say it. Margot’s nothing if not honest. If she’s not feeling it, she’ll say so. It’ll rip my heart out, but she will.

“I want to marry you.”

“What?” she gasps, coming fully awake, and sits up so fast, she elbows me in the chin.

“Ow.” I wiggle my jaw.

“Sorry.” She presses her palm to my cheek. “Were you talking in your sleep? Or do you mean that?”

“I…” Christ, I’m in it now. Just say it. None of the dumb shit that comes out of my mouth seems to scare her away. Why should this? “I never thought I’d want to do that. I’m not sure I’m really husband material. But for you, I’d like to be.”

“Jensen,” she whispers, a slight catch in her voice. “You’re all the best kinds of husband material. I’d love to be your wife.”

“Yeah?” I slide my hand over her hip and trace my fingers along her spine.

“Are you proposing?”

“Uh.” Fuck, see, I knew this wasn’t the right time . “Officially? No. I guess not. Just putting it out into the universe.”

“Testing it out?” she teases.

“Maybe.” I capture her hand and brush my lips against her knuckles. I’m supposed to get her a ring, aren’t I? Shit, Rooster just saw a ring in a window one day and knew it was the right one. Did he ask Shelby what she liked ahead of time, or did he just wing it?

Instead of making fun of him, I probably should’ve paid attention.

Except I never thought I’d give a shit about something like an engagement ring.

“What kind of ring do you want?” I ask.

She hesitates, staring at our linked hands.

How could I forget? She’s been engaged before. I bet that murdering asshole gave her a huge fucking diamond. She probably thinks I can’t afford something nice.

“You know me well. Better than anyone’s ever known me.” Her breath hitches like she’s fighting off tears. “I trust you.”

“You’re going to wear it for the rest of your life, so I think you should give me some inkling.” I brush my thumb over her cheek. “Are you crying?”

“No.” She sniffles and shakes her head, her hair sliding over the pillow. “You really want to know?”

“Uh, yeah. That’s why I asked.”

She holds out her hand and wiggles her fingers. “Nothing too big—I work with my hands so much. But I once saw this white gold, art deco-style ring once. Emerald-cut diamond in the center, halo of blue sapphires around it, and little diamonds in the band.”

I’m not sure what some of those words mean but that’s what Google is for. Wait. “So basically, blue and silver? Lost Kings colors?”

She ducks her head against my chest and shakes with laughter. “Yeah, I guess so. Makes sense, right? I feel like if I’m marrying you, I’m marrying your club too.”

Glad she understands that. “Yeah, kinda. Speaking of, I’d really like to give you my property patch. That’s like a ring in the MC world. Would you wear that for me?”

“Of course.” She doesn’t even hesitate. “At your club events, right?”

“Yeah.” I kiss her forehead. “You won’t be offended?”

“Not at all,” she whispers. “Should I be?”

“It’s a little…outdated, I guess.” I trace lazy circles on her hip with my thumb, grounding myself in the feel of her skin. “But it’s an important tradition in our world.”

“I like belonging to you.”

The words gut me in the best way. I shift closer, tuck her tighter into my side. “I like belonging to you, too.”

She’s quiet for a beat, then asks, “Does that mean you’re going to get Property of Margot tattooed on you somewhere?”

“If you want me to.”

Her laugh is soft but full, warming the space between us.

“Charlotte keeps joking that she had Teller get Sunshine tattooed on his dick. Is that where you want me to get it?”

“Well, you have enough room for all three words.” She snickers, and her whole body shakes against mine. I missed this—her laughter, her spark, that sharp tongue of hers.

“Think you’re funny, huh?”

Her laughter stops. “I had fun with your club. Hanging out with everyone, watching the fight.” She stretches slightly, her heel nudging my shin under the blanket.

“I thought it would be weird being there without you. But it was nice. I was nervous at first, but everyone’s so… kind and down-to-earth.”

“I’m glad you went.”

“Me too.” Her voice softens again, like she’s drifting, but not ready to let go yet.

A quiet beat stretches between us, and I almost leave it there.

Almost.

“I thought a lot about Jezzie and Cain while I was gone.”

“What about them?” There’s a hopeful note in her voice she tries to bury, but I catch it anyway.

“I’m gonna talk to Jezzie,” I say, the words scraping on the way out. “She’s catching a ride home with a friend this weekend. I need to make things right. Tell her Cain’s here. Let them meet if she wants to.”

Margot shifts, cupping my cheek. Her palm is warm, anchoring. “Good.”

A slow smile pulls at my mouth. “Will you be there when I talk to her?”

Her whole face lights up. “Of course.”

“I’m not expecting you to do the hard work. Or make excuses for me. I just…” My chest tightens.

“Yes,” she says quickly. “Whatever you need.”