“Beautiful,” he murmurs, his hands on my hips, guiding me. “So fucking beautiful like this.”
“You’re not so bad yourself.”
He laughs, and I feel it everywhere—the vibration of his chest, the way it makes his cock twitch inside me. I clench around him in response, and his laugh turns into a groan.
“Close,” he warns.
“Me too.”
When we finally come together, it’s quiet. Soft. A whispered promise rather than a shout. I collapse against his chest, and he wraps his arms around me, holding me there while we both come down.
I fall asleep with his heartbeat beneath my ear and his arms wrapped around me like he’s never letting go.
He isn’t. I know that now.
And neither am I.
16
JOSIE
I’m curled up in the window seat, watching the sun sink behind Stoneheart mountain.
The sky’s putting on a show tonight—streaks of orange and pink bleeding into purple, the kind of sunset that makes you understand why people write poetry about this place.
Across the road I can see Andi and Hawk sitting on their porch, sipping beers and laughing. Trees cast long shadows across the street, and somewhere in the distance I can hear the faint rumble of bikes cruising through town.
It’s peaceful.
Down the hall, I’m hoping Isabel has managed to settle Lily for the night. She had a nightmare yesterday—I heard Isabel’s soft voice through the wall, soothing her back to sleep—and the circles under Isabel’s eyes this morning told me everything she wouldn’t say out loud.
They’re safe here. I know that. Stone’s made sure of it, and the club has eyes on the property around the clock. Isabel’s holding it together for Lily, but I see the cracks.
I should do more. I just don’t know what yet.
The last sliver of sun disappears behind the ridge, and the sky deepens to violet.
“Close your eyes.”
I raise an eyebrow at Stone, who’s standing in the doorway of our bedroom with an expression that’s trying very hard to be casual and failing miserably.
“Why?”
We’ve already spent the day in bed, so I have to assume that this is something sexual.
“Because I’m asking you to.”
“That’s not a reason.”
His mouth twitches. “Josie. Please close your eyes.”
“And if I don’t?”
“Then the surprise is ruined, and I’ll have to find some other way to make you happy tonight.” He crosses his arms, leaning against the doorframe. “Your choice.”
I study him—this man who runs an entire motorcycle club, who’s faced down cartels and corrupt developers, who can intimidate grown men with a single look. And here he is, practically fidgeting because he’s planned something and wants me to play along.
God, I love him.
