“Is that a Catholic thing?” he asked softly, his hand leaving my nape and tracing along my jawline.
“No.” I smiled at him. “It’s an Aislynn thing.”
He stared at me, deep in thought, a myriad of emotions flickering across his face as he weighed up what I’d told him.Eventually, he nodded slowly. “I respect that, and if I’m honest, I like the idea of my wife being just mine. It’s easy to reduce a relationship to sex, so we won’t be in danger of that. Doesn’t mean we’re not gonna play, though, baby.” He dipped his chin and grinned wolfishly. “Did you like what I did to you?”
The heat in my cheeks began to burn, but I nodded. “I shouldn’t have, but I did. I liked that you took control of me.” I paused, biting my lip thoughtfully. “Now, let’s back things up a little because I need to ask. You just said wife?”
“Been lookin’ a long time for a woman good enough for my boys. Told you yesterday, I’m not fuckin’ around here, baby. I’m in it for the long haul. I’m a prez now, and I’ve gotta get serious. Got men lookin’ up to me, and it’s my job to lead by example. Wanna make the club a success, and that means I like the idea of havin’ the support of a good woman. Plus, it’s time. I’m not a kid anymore; I wanna settle down and build a family.”
My uncertainty must have been written all over my face because he went on, “I’ll give you time to get to know me and how my world works, and if it works out, we’ll get hitched. But know this, baby: I’m lookin’ at sooner rather than later. Time’s a-wastin’, and my boys need me.” He cupped my cheek and angled my face so he could stare straight into my eyes. “How far have you gone in the past?”
“I haven’t,” I whispered. “Tonight was it. Nobody’s ever touched me the way you just did.”
He released my face and slowly dropped down to his knees beside the bathtub, trailing a finger up my arm while his gaze roamed over my body, partially hidden by the suds from my expensive bubble bath.
“I like that, Aislynn,” he admitted softly. “I like it a whole lot.”
My heart jumped to my throat, and I whispered, “So do I.”
“Never had anythin’ all for me before. Growin’ up, my clothes, games, everythin’ came from thrift stores. My food waswhatever was left over at the end of the day from the diner where my mom worked—when she bothered goin’ in. My dad was too busy with his brothers at the club and his other kid to make sure I had what I needed. Even my fuckin’ bed had been left at the apartment by the previous tenant. Never got new, never got quality, never got clean.” He gave me a ghost of a smile. “You’re probably the most beautiful thing I’ve ever laid eyes on. You’re untouched and unspoiled, and I like it, Aislynn. Makes me think I must’ve done somethin’ right in my sorry-assed life to finally get a reward that’s so damned sweet.”
“It’s not something I tell many people,” I admitted. “But now I wish I had because you seem freaked by it.”
He snorted with amusement. “Maybe I am a bit freaked, but not ’cause you’re a virgin. I’m reelin’ ’cause I wanna lock you up and keep you all to myself. The thought of another man even lookin’ at you sets my teeth on edge.” Pagan’s eyes softened, and he leaned over the edge of the bath to brush his lips against mine. “Gonna grill the steaks, baby; don’t be long.”
I reached up and stroked my thumb across his lip. “Okay.”
He hauled himself to his feet and looked down ruefully at his tee, soaked from the bathwater. Then, he reached over toward his nape and pulled it off, leaving his chest exposed.
My breath caught in my throat at how beautiful he was. I never dreamed a man could be so raw and masculine but still be so vulnerable.
Most of the men in my life worked out and looked after their bodies, but Pagan was ripped in every sense of the word. He must’ve spent hours in the gym because his pecs bulged, along with his biceps, all of which were covered in sexy veins and colorful tattoos. His six pack wasn’t inked, but his sides were painted with a plethora of skulls and demons that were fascinating.
Pagan was a work of art, perfect in every way, but I couldn’t help my thoughts wandering to the hidden scars under all those tattoos. He was the hardest man I’d ever met, but I sensed a fragility he didn’t let many people see, and it only added to my obsession.
I waited for him to leave the bathroom before downing my wine and getting out of the bath.
After drying off, I put on some yoga pants and a slouchy off-the-shoulder top and used the diffuser from the hairdryer to bring out my soft curls. When I was done, I spritzed some soft powdery perfume and then followed the smell of cooking.
The first thing I noticed was that he’d changed into a pair of grey sweatpants. His chest was still bare, but now his feet were too. He exuded pure masculinity, and my blood heated to boiling point.
My kitchen and lounge were one room separated by a breakfast bar with high stools where I usually ate, worked, and studied. It was normally piled high with books and paperwork, but Pagan had cleared it and set out two place settings. He stood at the stove, spatula in hand, his eyes tracking my every move.
“Fuckin’ beautiful,” he muttered.
My gaze flickered down his chest, then back up to his eyes, and I murmured, “Yeah.”
For a split second, he looked almost boyish, and then he nodded toward the breakfast bar. “Sit. I’ll bring your wine over.”
“I see you’ve made yourself at home,” I teased.
He smirked. “Good to know I didn’t spank all the sass outta ya. Means I’ll be in for more fun times in the future.”
I rolled my eyes at his back and huffed loudly.
“Aislynn,” he warned. “Be good.”
I let out a heavy sigh and decided it was probably best to stop poking the bear—at least for now.
