Page 110 of The Souls We Claim

Arianne sighs and studies me. “If I told you I loved you, would you freak out?”

“Would it freak you out if I told youIlovedyou?”

Her face brightens at that. “You do? This has all happened so quickly.”

“So what if it’s fast? We’re a patchwork. Lola isn’t ours biologically, but she is in every way that matters. We have a child who’s my half-sister and your niece. What does it matter if we commit to giving her a good life and building an incredible one for ourselves? We have a solid foundation of already loving each other and being able to give each other what we need.”

“Is it just lust though?” she asks.

I shake my head. “You think I don’t know my own mind?”

“But you were so reluctant at first.”

I shrug, interlinking our fingers. “Maybe that should be proof enough that I mean it now. I need you, Ari. I need you in my life and home. I need you to love me and build a home for me and Lola. I promise I’ll make it a safe one.”

“Yes, then. I want to do all of that with you.”

My heart races in my chest. What I’m about to say will change the shape and structure of our lives forever. I’m saying it without a club vote because nothing will change my mind. “Then will you be my old lady, Ari? I promise I’ll love you and Lola and give us the best fucking life I can.”

“I’d be honored.”

I’m about to kiss her when Arianne bites down on her lower lip and glances over to the fireplace. I catch the pinky-peach blush to her cheeks and the way her thighs rub together as she does.

“What’s that about?” I ask.

“What?” she asks, but her voice cracks.

“I know a turned-on woman when I see one. I just don’t know what did it for you.”

She gives me side eye. “You know no such thing,” she says.

With a quick tussle, I manage to rearrange us so she’s kneeling across my thighs, my hands palming her ass.

“Jax,” she squeals as she braces her palms on my shoulders.

I kiss her with feeling. She’s mine in every way that matters for the rest of our lives.

“What turned you on?” I say, tugging her over my cock. My chub, liking the pressure, springs to a full-blown boner in record time.

Arianne braces her forehead to my shoulder. “You were talking about needs,” she says, her voice muffled against my cut.

The rumble of laughter is unexpected. I’ve always been with women who are happy to tell me to fuck their ass or that they want fisting. But I now live with a woman who loses her shit over saying the wordneed.

I slide a hand into her hair, holding her to me. Playful intimacy is as fulfilling as fucking. “What about needs?”

“Can we talk about what’s going to happen when your motorcycle club gets here?” The words are still mumbled against my chest, but I stroke her back softly.

“Nope. I need to know your thoughts on needs. You got some I’m not meeting?” I grin as I lean my head back on the sofa.

She sits up at this. “You’re so much more…” She waves her hand at me like that’s the only explanation I need.

“What does”—I mimic her gesture—“this mean?”

Her cheeks burn now. “You know what I mean. You’re so proficient. At sex and dirty talking and the whole dominant thing. It’s intimidating and yet?—”

The roar of bikes and the sound of gravel crunching cuts her off. King was at the clubhouse when I called, and he agreed to round up backup so we could build a plan.

I kiss her gently. “This conversation is to be continued. When we’re safe. I’m going to go talk to my brothers. Technically you being my old lady needs to pass a club vote. It’s just a formality. You stay down here with Lola until we know what’s going on.”