Then I exploded around him. Up became down, left became right. I gave into the tidal wave of pleasure crashing over me until I couldn’t feel anything at all.
“Fuck, yeah, baby.” Crank cradled my cheeks in his hands. “I knew it would be that good between us.”
“So good.” I nodded, still riding the aftershocks that pulsed through me.
Crank laid back and pulled me with him. I rested my cheek on his chest, comforted by thethump-thump-thumpof his heartbeat. Just like every good thing in my life, I knew it wouldn’t last, but that didn’t stop me from wanting it.
“I didn’t hurt you, did I?” Crank asked, his fingertips brushing over the bruise on my forehead. “I should have been more gentle, but I had a hard time holding back.”
“No, you didn’t hurt me at all.” And he never would. My gut had been right about him. It told me I’d be safe with him, but I hadn’t listened.
“Where did you get these scars, angel?” His fingers brushed over the series of raised ridges on my arm. For a few minutes, I’d forgotten all about the reminders of my past. I tried to pull the comforter over my shoulder to hide them, but he stopped me. “Did someone hurt you?”
I shook my head, not wanting to expose him to the dark secrets I kept hidden away. “They’re nothing.”
“You sure about that?” He flipped on the bedside lamp. “It looks like something cut you. Or maybe someone?”
Black spots dotted the edges of my vision. “No. I was just a clumsy kid.”
He held my gaze for several uncomfortable long beats. “I love you, Poppy. All I want is for you to be my woman and for you to take me as your man. If this is going to work, we’re going to have to be honest with each other.”
He was right. I did want this to last. I’d tried putting up a front and telling myself I didn’t need anyone in my life, but I’d been wrong. I hung my head, not wanting him to see the weakness in my eyes. “I’m scared.”
“Scared of what, baby?” He nudged my chin up, gently forcing me to meet his eyes. “I won’t let anyone hurt you ever again.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.” The weight on my chest eased with the admission, but a new worry festered deep in my soul. “I don’t want you to get hurt because of me.”
One side of his mouth ticked up in a grin. “That’s not going to happen. I’ve got a whole clubhouse of brothers who’ve got my back. Now tell me, who did this to you?”
Memories of the past flooded through my head. I’d tried to hold them at bay for so long. Maybe it was time to let someone else in—someone who could help me do away with my fear for good.
“Before I moved to Mustang Mountain, I was involved with a guy in the Hellfire’s Reapers MC.” I glanced at Crank to gauge his reaction.
“I’ve heard of them. They’re a one-percent club.” His eyebrow raised and he squeezed my hand. “Go on.”
“I didn’t know he was in a club at first. He stopped in at the restaurant all the time where I was waiting tables while I put myself through college. We started going out and things got a little rough.”
Crank’s jaw tightened. “What do you mean by rough?”
I shook my head, embarrassed to admit how bad I’d let it get. “He moved me in with him and started limiting where I could go and what I could do. Cut me off from the few friends I had and eventually told me I had to stop going to school and work. I knew I needed to get out of there, but I didn’t have anywhere to go.”
“Come here.” Crank gathered me into his arms and ran his hands up and down my back. “You’re safe now, angel.”
“That’s just it. I think he knows where I am now. One of the other women helped me leave while the guys were on a three-day ride. She smuggled me out of town in the back of her truck and gave me a couple hundred dollars to get started somewhere new.” I bit down on my lip to try to keep the tears from falling.
“Why do you think he knows where you are?” Crank asked.
“Ruby said someone called the Merc looking for me. Then there was a story about the woman who helped me on the news the other day. Her body had been found. They killed her, and I know they’re coming after me next. No one gets out of the Hellfire’s Reapers.” Admitting it out loud to someone else unlocked the terror I’d tried to keep chained up inside. Tears streamed down my cheeks, soaking Crank’s chest.
“I’ve got you, Poppy. You don’t need to keep running. No one can get to you here, and I’ll kill anyone who tries.” He pressed soft kisses to my temple, settling my nerves.
“I don’t want anything to happen to you or the guys in the club because of me. You’ve got enough going on. I found a place in Oklahoma City where I can start over and?—”
“No.” Crank shook his head. “You’re done running. I’ve known people who’ve spent their whole lives looking over their shoulder, always waiting for their past to catch up to them. I won’t make you stay with me against your will, but I am going to end the man that has you so afraid. Is that clear?”
“I can’t ask you to do that.” Fear lodged in my throat, making it almost impossible to suck in a breath.
“You’re not asking, baby. Just give me a name.” His hands softly brushed over my skin, but his tone was hard. “Who hurt you, Poppy?”
