“I don’t want every minute of your time, Aiden,” she said softly. “I get you have kids, and I commend you for trying to help their mom. I’ve never demanded you put me first, but I have to get something from you, or what’s the point? The prime example is that you didn’t contact me for days. I don’t think shooting a text off to let me know you’re okay is too much to ask.”
“That was an exception, babe, and you know it. I told you what happened.”
“You did,” she agreed. “And knowing what happened is the only reason I’m not walking away right now.”
I barked a laugh. “You think that’s gonna happen?”
Aislynn rolled her eyes, but she smiled when she did it. “There’s the asshole I know and love.”
My lips twitched because suddenly, the L word wasn’t freaking me out so much. In fact, I kinda liked it.
“How’s your ma?” I asked. “Bet she’s proud of you. Just think, you’re a fully-fledged architect, babe. She’ll be happy as a pig in shit.”
“She’s good.” Her voice took on a broad Irish accent. “Mammy’s all for walloping you with her frying pan, though.”
“I’ll charm her,” I said decidedly.
Ash laughed. “I’m sure you will. You could charm the birds out of the trees. I came here expecting to walk away single, but here we are.”
I brought her hand to my mouth and kissed her palm. “You’re crazy if you think you’re leavin’ me. Told you, once you’re in, there’s no escape unless I allow it.”
Her mouth twisted into a smirk. “Why do I love it so much when you’re an asshole. Any normal girl would run like the wind.”
“You could run to the other side of the world, but I’ll always find you,” I murmured, raising her hand, which was still in mine, to tap my chest. “You’re in here now. You’re under my skin.”
I curled my free hand around the back of her neck and pulled her closer, pressing a kiss to her forehead, then her nose, just breathing her in and allowing the world to fall away for a second.
When I pulled back, Aislynn’s lips were parted, and her eyes blazed into mine.
Our world was small, and nobody else factored except her. The noise of the traffic and the people around us enjoying their evening faded, and nothing felt more right than sitting across from Ash, watching her full, pink lips curl into the pretty half-smile that drove me wild.
“You’re a whole lotta trouble,Dubheasa,” I said, my voice thick with an emotion I didn’t want to admit I was feeling.
“Pot, kettle, and black,” she sassed, looking up at me through her thick, black lashes.
“Eat up,” I ordered, nodding down at her food. “I gotta get back. We’ve got an early run tomorrow.
The sun caught her hair in a way that made me want to wrap it around my fist and drag her mouth to mine, but I held back. We were at a fucking picnic table. Aislynn’s time would come, and when it did, she’d be in no doubt about who she belonged to.
One day, Aislynn O’Shea would be wearing my patch and my mark.
CHAPTER 17
AISLYNN
It was dark by the time we got back to the Kings of Anarchy clubhouse, but the night was still warm, which was probably why, when Pagan rode through the clubhouse gates, some of the men were hanging outside with a couple of the club girls, including Saskia.
Pagan directed his bike to his fancy president’s parking spot and cut the engine, holding his hand out for me to take as I dismounted.
I took my helmet off and shook my hair out, watching as Pagan kicked the bike on its stand and got off, jerking his chin at his men as he removed his helmet and hung it on the handlebars. Placing my helmet on the seat, I smiled to myself as Pagan slid his arm across my shoulders and walked me into the clubhouse.
The bar was busy, not party night busy, but still full of brothers and club girls. The lights were turned low, and the atmosphere was heavy with the bass of the Massive Attack song thumping through the speakers.
Pagan steered me toward the spot at the bar where he always sat with the other officers. Thug was there, talking to Castle andNox. He saw me and nudged the others, who looked round and called out their greetings as we approached.
“Here, Ash, take my seat,” Castle offered.
Pagan sat me down on it and gestured to the prospect working the bar for a beer. “Did the boys go up okay?” he asked.
