“Because no matter how this shit plays out, they arenevergonna do that to you again,” I roared. “They knew from the moment we walked into the room how it was, and they still fuckin’ pulled that shit. So I said it straight out so there was no misunderstandin’. You aremine, and with that comes the protection of the club and protectionfromthe fuckin’ club.”
“We’ve been here a week!” She threw her hands in the air. “You don’t even know me.”
“I know that you include my kid in everythin’, even when he’s bein’ a whiny little asshole,” I countered. “I know that you packed up your whole life in less than a day so you could get your kids safe. I know that you pay attention when Finn’s ramblin’ on about some random shit for twenty minutes, even when you’re busy and tryin’ to get shit done. I know that Sunday is hair day, and yesterday you spent four fuckin’ hours braidin’ Jesse’s hair,and you didn’t say a word of complaint when your hands were killin’ you the rest of the night. I know that the kids have got everything they could possibly need, but you’ve got only two bras and about five pairs of socks. You all had the same number of boxes when you moved in, but by the way the kids have gone diggin’ in your boxes, my guess is that half of them are full of Jesse and Finn’s shit.”
Teddy crossed her arms over her chest with a scoff.
“I know you kissed me back the first time, even though I was a fuckin’ stranger—at first because you weren’t sure what was going on and then because you fuckin’ forgot what planet you were on,” I continued. “I know you like it when I put my hand on the small of your back, and you’ve got a sensitive spot on the right side of your neck where it meets your shoulder, and you shiver any time I kiss it. I know you wear shorts and a tank top to bed every night with nothin’ on under ’em, and you move toward me in your sleep because you won’t admit it when you’re awake, but you wanna be close.”
I reached out and slid my hand around the side of her neck, tilting her chin up with my thumb. “I know you take my cock any way I wanna give it, and you get off on it. I know that you’ll stay put when I tell you to even though you’d rather wrap me up when I’m fucking you, but either way, you come hard and seriously fuckin’ wet every time. Your nails are bitten down to the quick, but you can still dig those things into my back so hard I’m gonna end up with scars—”
“Enough,” she ordered hoarsely. “I get it.”
“We’re new as hell and shit started out seriously whacked,” I said, softening my voice. “But we got thrown into the deep end, and we’re treadin’ water just fine. This works. Me, you, the kids—it works.”
“It’s temporary,” she argued faintly, her hand coming up to grip my wrist. “That was the deal.”
“Fuck the deal and fuck temporary,” I shot back. “Why the hell would you wanna give this up? Who cares how it started? This works, baby. You know it does. Me, you, the kids. Why don’t we grab hold and see where this goes?”
“Seeing how this goes isn’t the same as claiming me at the club,” she argued. “That’s different. That’s permanent shit. Even I know that.”
“It is,” I agreed, leaning down to kiss her forehead. “Doesn’t matter what the hell happens with us. As long as I’m alive, you and the kids have my protection. Always, Teddy.”
She held my gaze for a long moment. Then her shoulders sagged, and she toppled against my chest with a sigh, pressing her forehead against my collarbone.
“You may come to regret that,” she mumbled against my shirt.
“Oh yeah? Why’s that?” I wrapped my arms around her shoulders.
“We don’t even know what’s on the voicemails yet.”
“Eh. Fuck that guy,” I muttered, making her chuckle.
“I can’t believe you threw down for me.”
“Believe it.”
“We started having sex twodaysago. Let me guess. You’re a serial monogamist.”
“Not even close.” I laughed. “I’ve never lived with a woman.”
“What?” she exclaimed, jerking back to look at me. “Never?”
I shook my head. “Nope. Came close with Dylan’s mother, but that was casual to begin with, and even though Dyl was on the way, neither of us thought it was a good idea to start shacking up when we knew it wouldn’t work.”
“Well, that was mature of you. And, by the way, I’m just giving you shit,” she said, pulling out of my arms. “I’ve never lived with anyone either.”
“Not even Granger?”
“Oh, god no.” She shook her head. “I’m pretty sure he was screwing other people when we were seeing each other. Thankfully, he bailed as soon as the little plus sign popped up on the pee stick.”
“Motherfucker,” I muttered.
“You have no idea.” She took a deep breath and shook out her arms. “The kids were still in the bonus room?”
“Yeah, why?”
“I need to listen to these,” she said, gesturing with the phone.
