He stares at me a long moment, his gaze deep. “Ain’t ever heard it put that way, but sugar, I like it.”

I nod, looking down. He drops what he’s doing, walks over and lifts my chin until my eyes meet his.

“I know what you went through was all kinds of fucked up, and one day maybe you’ll tell me about it, just like maybe I’ll tell you. If you wanna tell me bits, the lot, or none, that’s up to you. I ain’t ever gonna push, just like I’m never gonna judge. Your life was bad; I see it in your eyes. When you grin, your face is empty, and I have no doubt when you smile, your eyes won’t shine like they should. One day though, baby, I will make them shine.”

I swallow, and I do something I have never done in my life, I reach out for him. I take his face, stroke my thumb over his lip ring, then I lean down and I kiss him. It’s soft, gentle and there’s something behind it I am so afraid to face. If I face it, then I have to face what I’m running from. If I face that, then I know things are going to change for me in big ways. I pull back, and Cade locks eyes with me for the longest moment, before he turns back towards his preparation. Taking a deep breath, I decide it’s time to change the subject and steer it away from this emotional stuff; it’s too much to process right now.

“So, Britney…where does she fit in all this?”

He grunts, shaking his head. “She’s a fuckin’ pain in the ass.”

“Why do you sleep with her?”

“Haven’t fucked her since you showed up.”

This surprises me. It truly does. “Why?”

“You know why, sugar. Don’t make me do sappy – I can say nice shit, but I don’t do sappy.”

“Okay, so you stopped fucking her to fuck me. Why is she so convinced she’s the only one you go back to?”

“Because she was for a long time.”

“Oh, you two were together?”

Makes a little more sense now.

“Not exactly. She came in with one of the other guys. It didn’t work out, so she became a drifter. She slept around with the members, worked the bar, wormed her way into the club and that’s when she took a liking to me. Britney’s a wild fuck, so I spent a bit of time with her. She became a regular fuck. I know what you think of me, sugar, you think I get around and I won’t lie and say I haven’t, but I prefer one constant. Britney was that for a long time, over three years to be precise, but she got on my nerves. She started pushing to be my old lady, and there was no way in fuck that was happening, so I dropped her. I still fucked her, but no way near as frequently.”

“Oh, okay…well then…”

He grins. “Shocked, babe?”

“No, it’s exactly how I pinned your relationship with her. She’s quite determined to be the only woman you have in your life.”

“Well, she don’t get to make that choice for me. Watch out for her, yeah?”

I wave my hand. “Seriously? Britney? Not worried at all.”

“Sugar, she don’t play nice. Watch out for her.”

“I’m fine.”

“Babe…”

“Cade…”

“You’ll be careful, yeah?”

I sigh in defeat. “Yeah, I’ll be careful.”

“I know you’re just sayin’ that so I’ll shut up, but fine, it’ll do for now.”

I grin at him and he returns it with full force before returning to his cooking. I watch him for the next hour, preparing and creating. He makes steak, with baked potatoes stuffed with a creamy-cheese mix and a garden salad. We sit down with a beer, and eat in silence. The food is that divine, we don’t need to speak. When we’re done, I gather the plates and take them to the sink and begin cleaning up. When I notice Cade leaning against the counter watching me, I stop, turn, and put my hands on my hips.

“You gonna help me?”

“No sugar.”

“Fine, then I’m not doing them!”

“Ain’t it a woman’s job?”

My eyes widen and I grip the dish towel, lunging at him. He grins and side steps me, but I manage to crack the towel and it hits his belly. He grunts in pain and dives for me, hits my belly with his shoulder and lifts me up. He brings his hand down over my ass and I squeal, giggling. He turns, striding towards the stairs.

“What about the cleaning up?” I laugh.

“Fuck the cleaning up. I’m going to spend the rest of the night deep in your sweet pussy.”

Well, how can a girl argue with that?

CHAPTER 10

PRESENT

My back hits Cade’s soft mattress and I make a whimpering sound. Cade stands back, staring down at me; his eyes hooded, his body stiff and ready. His tongue snakes out and licks his bottom lip as he grips his shirt. He lifts the hem and takes it over his head. When he shows me his broad, hairless chest, I tremble. I get a good look at the tattoos under this light, and I can’t help but lick my lips. He’s got ‘Hell’s Knights’ tattooed in a curved style on his chest. He’s also got a star-like creation on his ripped belly. Just under his belly button, he has the words ‘Every second counts’. I feel my eyes grow heavy as I let my gaze slowly rake over him.

He grips his jeans and lowers them slowly, as though he’s teasing me. I slide my hand up my shirt, and tweak my already hardening nipple. One thing I do know how to do is pleasure myself. I’ve seen every possible sexual act there is, and I know how to make everything feel better. Cade watches my hand, and his breathing deepens. When his jeans hit the floor, I let my eyes drop to his erect cock. Sweet mother, it’s beautiful. Standing tall, pierced through the head, and thick as hell. He wraps his fingers around it and begins stoking. His hand moves with perfect rhythm. I swallow, grip my shirt and bring it up over my head. I unclip my bra and toss it off. Cade growls and crawls onto the bed.