I took the long way home, the cool night air whipping around me and gradually clearing my head as I rode back toward Riverstone. My thoughts drifted naturally to Clara, the image of her face when I’d kissed her in the corn maze flashing vividly in my mind. When I left her earlier today, it was with the promise of something deeper than just casual attraction. Even knowing shit was brewing with the club, my thoughts kept circling back to her. Which reinforced who she was to me because I’d never had a problem focusing on club business until her.
When I parked my bike in the underground garage of my building and stepped into the elevator, I pulled out my phone, unable to wait a moment longer. A faint smile tugged at my lips when I pressed Clara’s name on my screen. She answered before the second ring finished, warmth spreading through my chest at the sound of her voice.
“Hey, you,” she greeted, her tone teasing and warm. “I figured you’d forgotten about me already. You never called after you left.”
There was a hint of vulnerability that made me want to wrap her up in my arms and never let go.
“Could never forget you, baby.” I leaned against the elevator wall, my exhaustion fading with the sound of her soft laughter. “Just had some shit to handle today. But hearing your voice is exactly what I needed tonight.”
“You doing okay?” she asked, a note of genuine concern threading through her voice. “You sound tired.”
“Nothing a good night’s sleep won’t fix,” I assured her, already feeling the tension of the day slip away the longer we talked. “Although, if I were with you, I’m sure I’d come up with some activities that would be worth losing more sleep.”
Clara’s breath hitched, and my smile grew into a wide grin. I liked knowing that even with all that sass, I could throw her for a loop. I wondered what she would do if I showed up there tonight. But it was too soon. Besides, I wouldn’t exactly be able to act on any of my fantasies with her parents and siblings down the hall.
Then my brows drew together as I realized I didn’t actually know where Clara lived. “You home? Didn’t figure your family for being so quiet.”
“I’m home,” she confirmed. “But I live alone. My parents built an apartment over the store so I could move out and have privacy, while still being close. I’ve been here since we closed up a little while ago.”
Protectiveness tightened my chest, an instinctive surge that caught me off guard. I hadn’t realized she lived alone, especially so close to the entrance to the farm—open and accessible, probably with minimal security. The idea of her being vulnerable twisted something fiercely protective deep inside me.
“Not sure how I feel about you bein’ all on your own like that,” I murmured, keeping my voice even so I wouldn’t alarm her. But my mind was already working, calculating exactly what kind of security setup she probably had in place. I decided rightthen I’d check it out personally and add whatever was necessary to keep her safe.
“I’m good, Ronan,” she assured me, a faint laugh softening her words. “I’ve lived here for a couple of years now. Besides, my family’s right here on the property if I ever need anything.”
Yeah, but her parents’ house was set all the way back on the east side of the property so they had plenty of privacy when the orchard and farm were open. That left her far too exposed for my comfort.
The elevator came to a smooth stop, and the doors opened silently. I stepped into the hall as I replied, “We’ll see. Want to make sure you’re safe, baby. I protect what’s mine.”
Her quiet intake of breath sent heat streaking through my body, but the softness in her voice wrapped a different kind of warmth around something in me I hadn’t even realized had grown cold. “Um…okay.”
“No sass?” I teased.
“It’s late,” she replied with a haughty sniff, although her tone was full of laughter. “My cheeky personality is already asleep.”
I chuckled as I unlocked my door and entered my overly quiet condo.
“What are you up to tomorrow?” I asked softly.
“Same as usual,” she sighed, but there was a smile in her voice. “It’s crazy around here right before the fall festival. Although it doesn’t really slow down until after Christmas.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow then,” I informed her.
“Oh, you don’t have to?—”
“I know I don’t, Clara,” I interrupted. “It’s where I want to be.”
She was silent for a long pause, then whispered, “Okay. I’d like to see you. I…Imissedyoutoday.” The last part rushed out so fast it was like one long word. Like she’d shored up all her courage to admit it. I had no doubt she was blushing hard, andit made me wonder just how much of her body would be covered with that pretty, pink glow. I’d find out soon.
Not soon enough if my cock had anything to say about it. However, my brain insisted that I go slow, and the thought of moving too fast and scaring her away was enough to have me listening to the logic.
She yawned, and I smiled, already picturing her curled up in bed, warm and soft. Fucking hell, I was dying to ride over there and join her, even if all I did was hold her in my arms. But I had to be real with myself…I’d never get through the night being that close to her and not taking things further.
Mentally, I sighed. “Get some sleep, baby.”
“Goodnight, Ronan,” she whispered, her sweet voice wrapping around me.
When I disconnected the call, the exhaustion from earlier was completely forgotten. All I felt now was a fierce sense of purpose and the unmistakable certainty that protecting Clara had just become my number one priority.
