Page 73 of The Fates We Tame

I shift my hips a little, changing the angle for us both.

Theo closes his eyes tightly. “Aww, fuck. Soph. I’m so close it fucking hurts.”

And it’s those words, undone as they are, that push me over the edge.

“Theo,” I gasp.

His eyes open, and his face goes taut as he comes with me. His thrusts lose their rhythm, his strokes their depth. I can feel him pulse inside me.

He groans, the sound reverberating through my chest.

“Sophia,” he says, before collapsing on top of me.

I wrap my arms around him, holding him close as we catch our breath.

And wonder if I’m being foolish for hoping the rest of our lives will feel just like this.

“I’m sorry I ignored you when I left to go get the bike,” Theo says. “Lying to my mom rattled me more than I thought it would. And I was angry about it. I worried if I stayed or you came with me, I’d be angry at you for it instead of me. So I went with Niro, then rode back here to clear my head. Reconciled myself with why I was doing it. Made my peace. But I’m sorry I abandoned you instead of just telling you why I needed some space.”

I sigh. “Trust you to give me a good answer before I’ve been able to shout at you.”

He glances down at me. “You still can if it will clear the air and make you feel better.”

Theo reaches between us and pulls out of me. The move makes me shiver. Then he rolls onto his back but tugs me to him. I place my head over his pec and listen to the steady bass of his heartbeat as it slows. “No. That was a good explanation and apology. What about the kitchen?”

“Club’s the club. I doubt you knew everything about your father’s enterprise. The club’s the same way. I can’t tell you everything. But I promise I’ll tell you what I can, and I’ll make sure nothing ever blows back on you.”

“I don’t want to be ignored, Theo. I don’t want to be dismissed. I want to be your equal. I think that really matters to me. I was going to be married off to some guy, who never even made the effort to come see me while I was in hospital, for the sake of family power dynamics. I was an asset going to be traded. I don’t think I can live as someone inconsequential in your life.”

Theo rolls me onto my back so he can look at me. “By virtue of the fact you are my wife, you’ll never be inconsequential to me. And for the club to believe you’re really, truly my wife, you’re going to have to play the part of an old lady. We’re both having to stretch who we are right now. You just need to decide if you can do it.”

19

SWITCH

Ishould have taken my wife shopping this morning instead of driving her around on my bike and fucking her senseless in my room at the clubhouse. If I had, she’d be comfortable in what she’s wearing instead of feeling self-conscious in the red dress I married her in.

She shouldn’t be standing in here at the party my club is throwing for us, constantly fiddling with the straps of the dress to cover the worst of her scars or tugging at the hem.

Even though she looks pretty as a fucking picture as she talks to Rae and Ari.

She’s keeping her distance. I know I gave her a lot to think about, so I’m respecting that.

“She’s still right where you left her,” King tells me as we lean our backs on the bar.

“Just making sure she’s comfortable. It’s a big adjustment.”

Rock music blasts. Everyone is here: Prospects. Hangarounds.

King chuckles. “She’s fine. We couldn’t keep your dad away from the clubhouse while he was back. Think he’s missing the life.”

“You think you’ll be an Outlaw forever?” I ask King.

He eyes me carefully. “The code says we’re Outlaws forever. There isn’t a choice.”

“I mean, Dad got out.”

“On grounds of moving somewhere we don’t have a chapter and four decades of incredible service to the club. Smart man only having one Outlaw tattoo. Lasering it off wasn’t too painful.” King studies me carefully. “Why? You thinking of leaving us?”