His eyes get watery, and my heart aches. He hugs me tight, like I might run away. “I’m really sorry,” he says in a sad, brittle voice. “I know I keep saying it.” He bows his head. “I hate making you upset. I’ve never had real friends like the men in the club. They have my back, but I’ve also never loved anyone like I love you.”
I jolt in surprise. A sense of serene joy flows through me. “You love me?” I ask, grinning from ear to ear.
His smile matches mine. “I do.”
I lunge at him, and we both fall onto the sand, me on top of him. We laugh, then I seal my lips over his, and he doesn’t hesitate to kiss me back. There is the right amount of give and take and the right amount of tongue. I’m breathless when I inch back. I feel like I’m floating. “I love you too.”
His face brightens, and he pulls me back down. I kiss him once more, the same way he kissed me—all-consuming, with tongues dancing, hearts pounding, breath mingling. There’s a familiarity in his kiss, like I’ve been kissing him all my life. There’s an effortless connection between us, like we have a soul-level type of love.
We sit up, and my heart could burst with happiness. I pretty much skip back to the truck. Once we get inside, he looks serious, then turns to me and grabs my hands in his. “I’m not going to fight anymore.”
Happiness and guilt collide. My eyes cloud.He chose me. Tears fall. No one has ever done that before. “Thank you,” I murmur, my voice breaking as emotions overwhelm me.
He gives me a soft smile, but his eyes are determined. “You mean so much to me. I can’t lose you. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
He starts the truck and we drive away.
I feel so elated, so loved. The immense happiness makes more tears fall down my face.
“Aww, beautiful, don’t cry,” he says softly, his voice full of warmth.
I sniffle. “I’m just so happy.”
A small smile curves his lips. “That’s all that matters.” He brings my hand to his lips and presses a soft kiss to it.
On the way home, I’m grateful. Even through everything, I’m now truly happy, and I’d go through it all again if it meant having Rage at the end of it.
When we pull up at the clubhouse, Milly and Sophie are doing slow laps on motorcycles, with Twitch and Viper watching.
“It’s news to me that the ladies can ride!”
He nods. “Twitch taught Milly, and then Sophie wanted to learn.”
Good on them. They have huge grins on their faces as they’re riding around under the watchful eyes of their partners.
After we park in the shed, we go inside the clubhouse, both walking fast, eager to get into the bedroom. All I want is his body on mine. We dart up the stairs, both laughing, as my heart thumps. Once in the room, he slams the door shut with his boot. We’re both in a rush. I pull my dress over my head while he unzips his jeans and pulls them off.
His eyes grow wide, scanning me with an intensity that sends a shiver down my spine. “You’re so fuckingperfect.”
My face flushes from the heat in his gaze. The relief at him being attracted to me and being loved for who I am is powerful. Joy floods my chest, and I feel truly beautiful.
As he takes the rest of his clothes off, he stares at me with hunger, and once he’s naked in all his glory—big, hard dick; tanned skin; and abs for days—I let out a deep sigh.
“You want me, baby?” he asks, his voice husky.
My eyes wander over him and all his deliciousness. “Do I ever!”
He gives me a wicked grin and strides over. We reach for each other, unable to stop ourselves. He pulls me close, then kisses me. Our tongues slide together and our hands roam. He takes control of the kiss and moans when I suck his tongue into my mouth. We slowly step back toward the bed.
While he undoes my bra, he says, “Show me those gorgeous tits.”
My head falls back as I laugh. The bra flutters to the floor, and he looks at me appreciatively. He cups my heavy breast in his hand and masterfully uses the pad of his thumb to circle my nipple. I’m dripping wet. He slips his fingers into the sides of my panties and tugs them down. I’m delighted that the last piece of clothing is gone.
When he comes back to me, I wrap my hand around the base of his cock. He sucks in his breath, making his stomach muscles contract. I grip him firmly and stroke his thick length again and again. The skin is velvet over steel, and when I use my thumb to circle the wet and glistening top, he gasps.
Once we reach the bed, I lie down and shuffle into the middle. He crawls on top of me and his eyes sear into mine. Such an attractive man, with a loving soul, and he’s allmine. Part of me can’t believe this is real.
“I love you,” I say, my voice thick with emotion, each word carrying the weight of my feelings.
