A smile tugs at my lips. “I know. It’s important I do this on my own, but thank you.”
She lets out a sigh. “You’ve always been independent. I can only imagine what you’re going through. We’re here if you ever need someone to talk to.”
“Thanks, Mom. Say hi to Dad for me.”
We say goodbye and end the call. I go back and lie in bed.
After everyone wakes up, I join the others for breakfast, trying to muster polite smiles even though I’m struggling inside. But I know the women around me are struggling too—some probably far worse than I am.
Rage...the name seems so odd and out of place for him. He’s shown kindness—apart from when he punched Tyler. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t frighten me. He seemed to flip a switch and turn into a different person, but my voice somehow woke him from his trance. I’m lucky it did because I wouldn’t have been able to stop him if he kept hitting Tyler.
I should be more cautious around him, although I’m powerless to stop the way he makes me feel—secure, safe, and even confident. No one has ever had such a profound effect on me before. I have this inexplicable need to be near him. It’s crazy, but my gut tells me I can trust him.
Zara approaches my table. “Rage is here to visit you. Would you like to see him?”
A warm fuzzy feeling spreads through my chest. I grin. “Yes, please.”
She nods. “I’ll let him in.”
“Oh wow,” the woman across from me says, her eyes widening. “That club member is handsome.”
I follow her gaze. Theo is standing there. He’s looking mighty fine in a white shirt, baggy blue jeans, and that bad boy motorcycle club vest over the top. Add in the gorgeous blue eyes and light stubble, and he’s the hottest man I’ve ever seen. As soon as his eyes meet mine, he smiles and walks over with a bunch of bright flowers in his hand. I start to tear up.
“I’ll give you some privacy,” the woman says, standing and leaving the table.
I rise to greet him. We share a brief hug and he passes me the flowers. The bouquet of roses, peonies, tulips, and lilies is bright. It must have cost him a fortune.
“For you,” he says softly. “To apologize for yesterday.”
I smile, and I feel it all the way to my soul. I stand on my toes and press a kiss to his cheek. “They’re beautiful. Thank you.”
He smiles proudly. “It’s good to see a smile on your face again after everything you’ve been through.”
“All thanks to you.” I bite my lip. “Why are you doing this? Being so nice to me...”
His brows pull in. “Why wouldn’t I?”
“I’m just not used to it and”—I look at the flowers—“I’ve never got flowers from a man before.”
His eyes widen. “You really were with a loser.”
As the days go on, I notice it even more.
We take a seat. “How have you been holding up?” he asks gently.
“I’m getting there. I’m still coming to grips with everything that’s happened. I’ve seen Tyler get angry and throw things, butI’ve never had so much anger directed at me. It was a shock, but I knew I couldn’t stay there with him. I just didn’t feel safe.”
He places his hand on mine. “Well, you’re safe now.”
“I’m grateful I met you.”
His grin is amplified, and my ovaries hurt. That messy, thick hair; his sharp model-like facial features; and that body of his... My cheeks burn as I remember...God, he is scrumdiddlyumptious.
“You’re thinking about me in bed, aren’t you?” he asks teasingly.
I playfully whack him. “I am not.” Isowas. “So... tell me about you... Why’d you join a motorcycle club?”
His expression shifts, and he cringes slightly. “Are you sure you want to know?”
