I nodded as he helped me off the counter, undressing me carefully. He undressed as well and guided us under the warm water, pulling me against his broad chest, kissing the top of my head.
He cupped the sides of my head, tilting my face upwards, his fingers running over my split lip. “I swore to you I’d protect you,” his deep voice rasped. “I never thought one of my own brothers would pull this shit.”
“You couldn’t have known.” I shook my head, wanting to assuage his guilt. “I shouldn’t have wandered away by myself,” I added quietly. “I just couldn’t deal with that chick talking about you.” I took a deep shaky breath, my eyes sliding to the side.
His brows knit in confusion. “What?”
“I watched her come up to you at the club,” I began.
“Eyes,” he commanded gruffly, forcing me as he so often did to look at him when I shared something especially difficult.
“She walked away from you talking with her friend about how she’d slept with you. I know I have no right but it was hard to hear,” I admitted quietly. “So I went inside for a few minutes to have some time to pull it together.”
He moved his fingers through my hair, tugging gently in a way that made me want to purr. “I’ve never been a one-woman man,” he began, and I tensed, not liking the sound of that. “Until you.” He swallowed thickly, his hands running over my shoulders and gently down my cut arms. “That won’t be the last time you hear shit like that.” He shook his head. “But I want it to be the only time it bothers you. You’re all I see,” he said gruffly, the emotion in his voice making my heart flutter. “I want you to understand that you’re the only woman who I’ve wanted under my roof. You’re the only woman who’s ever been under my skin. Had I known you were out there raisin’ my kid alone.” He shook his head, his expression pained. “I didn’t think you were ever coming back, Soph.” His voice was like gravel as he forced the words out.
“I know,” I cut him off, not able to bear him continuing.
“Tonight when I couldn’t find you – when I didn’t know what happened to you, I’ve never felt anything like that.” He blew out a breath. “I would have torn up this goddamn Earth to find you, Sophie.”
“I know,” I whispered again as he pulled me back against his chest to hold me.
“Let’s get you to bed,” he coaxed as he reached around me to turn the water off, helping me to step out of the shower.
I bobbed my head in agreement. It was about all I could manage.
I lay on my side, facing him, my hands tucked under my cheek. He clicked off the light and slid into bed, lying on his back, his hand placed over his muscular stomach.
“What are you thinking?” I asked, the darkness giving me confidence I wouldn’t have had otherwise.
Those eyes of his always seemed to slay me.
“I’m thinking that you’re really fucking brave,” his deep voice returned.
“Me?”
“Yes, you.”
I heard his head rustle on the pillow as he turned toward me. “You grew up totally sheltered, almost completely controlled by your parents. Yet you have a fight in you that would have long ago died out in a lot of other people. You didn’t accept what was being forced on you. You did what you had to do to protect our son to try to make a life for yourself from nothing. As much as I wish you would have trusted me, as much as I wish I could have been a part of every minute, I’m still so fucking proud. Even tonight, you didn’t accept that shit. You fought to the bitter end. If that’s not the definition of bravery then, darlin’, I don’t know what is.”
That he saw me like that was empowering. It was also beautiful. “Thanks,” I managed, quietly.
“For what?” he asked.
“For seeing me like that, as I really am or how I’d like to be, anyway. And for what sounds like you forgiving me.” I choked out the last part as warm tears slid to the pillow. “But I still don’t get why after all the women…why I’m the one…” I trailed off.
His calloused hands stroked my tears away. “It’s tough to put words to. I’ve never felt it before. But, you’re my girl. You’re sweetness and light, and you look at me with such richness that I feel fucking full. I felt that way the moment I laid eyes on you when you were sitting on that stoop in New York.”
“Those are some pretty good words.”
His hand reached out to stroke my hair back from my face. “We’re not as different as you may think. I know what it’s like to feel powerless – to want something more. It’s part of why I was so drawn to you. I understand that side of you – that ferocity to fight despite your outward fear. And, shit, you fit in with my crew better than most other women would. You don’t take any shit and yet your heart is so warm. They all adore you. You entered our world like you’d always been there – and I’m gonna make sure that’s where you stay,” he told me, his finger gliding down my cheek.
I was floored by this side of Axel. This tough, badass biker with words so eloquent they should be written and remembered.
“There’s no place else I’d rather be,” I assured him. We lay in silence for a few moments before I spoke again. “How’d you find me?”
He scrubbed a hand over his face and let out a low sound of frustration. I knew he didn’t want to talk about it, not yet, but I had to know what information there was to be had.
“I want to know,” I pressed.
