Grace turned to Aspen. “Thank you.”
“Anytime.” She hugged Grace, and she and Diesel slipped by me to go inside, leaving the two of us alone.
“Did you need me?”
“I always need you, baby.”
“King—” she began, but I cut her off and stood in front of her.
“Grace, listen to me. I’ve wanted you from the first moment I saw you. After I got to know you, that want turned to need.”
She turned her head away and looked toward the backyard. I knew what she was thinking. I’d fucked this thing up so bad I wasn’t sure I’d ever have her.
“I’m sorry, Grace. I’m so fucking sorry for everything. I was an asshole. I could stand here for hours giving you excuses that make sense in my head. Telling you all the ways I was trying to protect you. But the fucking truth is, you terrify me.”
Her gaze snapped to mine. “Why?”
I took a chance and reached out for her hand. I pulled her closer and placed it against my chest, letting her feel my heartbeat.
“Because I’m not me when you’re not around. I thought I knew who the fuck I was. But before you, I was half a fucking man. I didn’t think I’d ever need a woman. Hell, after I saw the way Beck’s mom destroyed Dec, I didn’t want one. You changed everything, baby.”
“I’m broken, King. They broke something inside me.”
“Let me put you back together,” I begged.
“I’m not sure you can. I’m not even sure I can,” she whispered. I tucked a finger under her chin and lifted it so I could look into her eyes. So she could look into mine and see the truth.
“Let me hold the pieces together. I’ve got big fucking hands, baby. And I’m strong enough to hold you together when you think you’re not.”
“I’m not sure I’ve ever really been strong enough.”
“Baby, you’ve been holding me together for years. Now it’s my turn.” I leaned down and pressed my lips against hers lightly. I didn’t push. I didn’t deepen the kiss the way I wanted to. But Iheld my lips against hers with the lightest touch I could manage, and when I pulled back, she tipped toward me as if she didn’t want me to go.
I moved my hand to hold her cheek, and she leaned into it as tears slipped down her face. I swiped one away with my thumb.
“Do you want to go upstairs?”
She shook her head. “I can’t hide up there forever.”
“Tell me what you need.”
She looked behind me at the clubhouse doors. “Will you stay with me? If I sit in the main room, will you stay there with me?”
“Forever, baby.”
I took her hand in mine and led her up the stairs into the clubhouse. Cash was sitting at a table with Kytten on his lap, and we sat down with them. I wanted Grace on my lap, but it was enough that she was sitting beside me, her hand still in mine.
“I talked to the Nyght Nymphs. They are doing their best to get here. Except Magyk. She can’t make it, but said when the others were here, she could do a call.”
“Did she say why?” I asked.
“No. I’m not sure what she’s working on, and until they decide if I should be president, I can’t really ask her.”
“Okay, once they’re here, we’ll deal with that. When Reaper gets here, he’ll need to be told too.”
“Good fucking luck with that.” Cash snorted.
“You’ll be right there beside me, VP.”
