We find our spot on the dance floor and Colt starts the music. Avery and Jake are in the middle of the dance floor, while the rest of us surround them. About halfway through the song, other couples take to the dance floor and join us.
“Are you going to stay silent and ignore me the whole song?” I ask, loving the feel of Linzie’s skin under my hand as we sway to the music, but hating the distance that’s still obviously between us.
Linzie shrugs. “I’ve got nothing to say.”
I pull back enough to see her face and the emotionless stare has me concerned.
Shit. Have I lost her? Did I fuck this all up?
Feeling unnerved, I snap. “I think we have a lot to talk about. I know I’ve got something that needs to be said, and you’re damn well going to listen.” Linzie’s eyes narrow. Defiance is etched all over her face. She tries to pull out of my arms, but I hold her closer, refusing to let her go. “No. No more running.”
“I’m not running,” Linzie hisses. “But I’m done with the hot and cold, sweet then grumpy, loving then snarling. I swear you have more mood swings than a menopausal woman has hot flashes.” Her voice carries, and I catch Ethan and Skyler tucking into each other. Their shoulders shaking as Ethan steers his wife away from us.
The song comes to an end. Before she can think to run back to the kitchen, I snag Linzie’s hand and drag her through the clubhouse. I’m not stopping until we get to my room. Once there, I open the door and drag Linzie inside, slamming the door shut, pushing her up against it and locking it behind her.
I’ve got her caged in, just like she was the last time I had her in here, only this time she’s raring to fight. “What are you doing, Gabe? What do you want from me?” I don’t speak, just shake my head twice.
“You don’t want me, and I’m tired of hoping for something you clearly aren’t committed to having with me.” Her words are like a match, striking fire to my anger.
I grab her hand, forcing her to feel me in her hand. “You feel that? You think I don’t want you?” My voice is gruff. My control is being held onto only by a small thread.
Linzie shakes her head, giving her shoulders a light shrug and me a soft smile, then she says, “Big deal, Gabe. You’ve got a boner. I could get that from any man out there in this clubhouse. It’s just a dick. Physical attraction. It’s not the only thing I’m looking for in a man.”
I slam both my hands on the door beside her head, making her jump. “You let any of those men out there or their cockstouch you, and I swear to all that is holy, I’ll start another fucking war.”
Again, she shrugs. “Over what? A piece of ass?”
That’s it!I fucking snap.
Gripping her chin tightly, I slam my mouth down on hers. The stubborn little witch tries to keep her mouth closed, not giving me entrance, not giving me what’s mine. With my right hand, I run my fingertip along the edge of the fabric of her dress, from her shoulder down the front side of her breast until I get to her nipple and pinch. Linzie gasps, and I plunder her mouth with my own.
Our tongues duel for control, my grip on her breast tightens, and I swallow her moan. “I hate this fucking dress almost as much as I love it.” I growl against her mouth, moving the fabric aside to give me better access to her.
I’m about to strip her out of this dress, when her hands pushing hard against my chest give me pause. “Gabe, stop. We can’t.”
I lean back far enough to see her face. Her eyes are glassy, and her bottom lip is wobbling.
“Hey,” I coax. “What is this? What’s wrong?”
“This isn’t what I want.” She sighs. “I don’t want to just be another body to warm your bed.”
Reaching up, I cradle her face with both hands, tilting her chin up to meet my eyes. “I fucked up, Vixen.” It’s a simple statement, but it’s the truth.
“Yeah, you did. But I don’t know that we agree onhowyou fucked up.”
I smile down at her, placing my forehead against hers. “Why don’t you tell me your version, and I’ll tell you mine.” I offer. She smiles, but it doesn’t meet her eyes.
“How long have we got?” she teases, but her voice still sounds defeated.
“I should’ve told you a long time ago, but I guess I always assumed you knew.”
“Knew what, Gabe? Please, for once, just give it to me straight.” Her small hands wrap around my wrists, her eyes pleading with mine for answers and honesty. I need to give her what she’s asking for—complete honesty—or run the risk of losing her for good.
I breathe out a long sigh, then push back off the wall, taking her by the hand and leading her to sit on my bed. We sit silently for a moment, our thighs touching, and our hands intertwined as my thumb caresses the back of hers. I turn my body so she can see my face. I need her to hear the truth.
“I knew you were mine the moment I laid eyes on you in that coffee shop. I didn’t say it then, because the thought of being with another woman,reallybeing with her after Maggie, wasn’t a decision I could make lightly,” I tell her honestly. “My life—the life of a biker—isn’t for everyone. The responsibilities that are thrust upon my shoulders as President aren’t easy burdens to bear. The safety of my men, the care of their families, their livelihoods—it all falls to me. As my ol’ lady, those responsibilities would be shared between us.”
Linzie doesn’t say anything. She just listens, scrutinizing every inch of my face as she does.
