“Watch your mouth,” I snap before I can stop myself. “I told you already, everything is fine. Stop questioning me.”
I never raise my voice at her.Never.The second the words leave my mouth, I regret them.
Her face changes. She steps back like I physically shoved her. “Fuck you, Kade,” she whispers. “Don’t pull the president act on me.”
She turns, reaching for the door, and panic flashes through me. I’m on my feet instantly, slamming my hand against thewood before she can leave. Then my arms wrap around her from behind, pulling her into my chest.
Her vanilla-sweet scented hair wraps around me, and guilt hits my ribs.
“Sorry,” I breathe into her skin. “Truth is, I don’t know why he’s hanging around. And it’s pissing me off. But I’ll find out. And I’ll deal with it. You don’t need to worry, Queenie. I’m handling it.”
But she’s stiff. Hurt. Holding herself away from me even while I hold her close.
I hate that I did that to her, on her birthday, of all days.
I kiss along her shoulder, soft and slow. “I’m sorry,” I say again. The words scrape coming out. I don’t apologise to anyone. Ever. Except her. I gently turn her in my arms. Her eyes are glossy, shining with frustration and love and fear she doesn’t want to admit. “I love you,” I say, cupping her face in both hands. “Always.”
CHAPTER THREE
EDEN
We’ve only been trying for a baby for three months, but every time Kade touches me like this, I feel that same ache of hope. That maybe tonight isthenight. That maybe something will finally take root.
He murmurs apologies against my skin, each one softer than the last, until my anger loosens and I melt into him. When his hands slide down my sides, steady and reverent, I grip his shoulders and breathe him in. I love his strength, the way his body moves with purpose, and how he always tries to give more than he takes.
Being with Kade has never been anything short of overwhelming. He’s big, powerful, completely capable of carrying me effortlessly, yet he touches me like I’m something precious. Something breakable. Something his whole world depends on.
He kisses me slowly, coaxing me closer until I feel heat blooming through me, tightening low in my stomach. I cling to him, caught in the push and pull of wanting him and wanting the future we’re trying to build together.
When the orgasm crashes through me, he holds me like he’s falling with me, breathing against my neck, grounding us both. Afterwards, he lifts me gently, carrying me to his chair, and pulls me onto his lap so I’m curled against his chest. His heart beats strong and steady under my cheek.
“Tell me more about this lingerie you bought,” he murmurs, voice rough with exhaustion and something warmer.
I smile against his skin, feeling safe and loved and hopeful all at once. “Maybe you’ll get to see it later,” I whisper.
He hums in satisfaction and holds me closer, his hands spreading over my stomach in a way that makes my chest tighten with longing.
“What did Kade say?” Fern asks.
“Nothing. Then he distracted me.” I shoot her a look. “What did Diesel say?”
She drops onto the couch beside me with a dramatic sigh. “Nothing. Same tactic. Though he did say it was nothing to worry about.”
“I guess sometimes club business will spill out into the club,” Maddie offers.
“It never does,” Martha cuts in quietly.
I follow her gaze straight to Rabbit as he walks past, and my little sister goes bright pink.
“Isawthat,” I whisper, grinning.
“Oh my God, shut up,” she hisses, but the colour in her cheeks gives her away.
Martha’s six years younger than me, and we’re stupidly close. We had to be. She was only eleven when Mum died, and suddenly I went from sister to guardian overnight. But she never acted out, never made life harder than it already was. While other teenagers were sneaking out, she stayed home after school, keeping me company after my double shifts, making sure dinner was done and the laundry wasn’t piling up. She grew up too fast. It still makes my chest ache when I think about it.
“He’s a nice guy,” I say under my breath so only she hears. “Rabbit. He’ll be a club member soon.”
“He’s just a friend,” she mutters.
