“Ally, you know it’s not like that,” he said. “You want to live your life looking over your shoulder? I can’t be with you every second of every day.”
“What about Whisky? He saved me. He was there. So why are you worried?”
He stood up straight, his expression hard.
“I should have been the one to save you, Ally. Not Whisky, not anyone.”
“They’re your men, doing your bidding. Same thing, Lord.”
“It’s not.”
“Whatever, you manage your whorehouses and do your thing. I’m sure your bed will always be warmed by club whores. Nobody wants to murder them. I’ll just get the hell out of your life. It’s easier for you that way.” Her emotions were bubbling up all over the place. She was a mess, an angry, bitter mess.
She was about to storm out and make the necessary dramatic exit, but he grabbed her arm to keep her in place. “I don’t want this, Ally. But Brick was right.”
“Brick is alone and miserable. He’ll die alone because he doesn’t believe in love.”
“He seems happy. He’s popular with the women,” Lord said.
“Women who sleep with half the club don’t count. You’re all so shallow. Nothing is real in your world. I thought what we had might be different. I was wrong.”
He pulled her against his chest, whispering into her hair. “I wanted to be the one to save you, not Whisky.”
“I don’t care about him, Lord. I’ve been wishing you were here all night. I miss you every time you’re gone.”
His hands tightened in her hair. “I thought it would be easier to cut you loose. You’ve only been in my life for the blink of an eye. But it’s fucking hard. I don’t know why.”
She hoped it was love, some connection deeper than sex and control.
“I want to be with you,” she said. “You’re all I have now.”
Even though her father wasn’t a factor in her life, Lord had turned everything upside down. She had no apartment or job to go back to now. She was completely immersed in his life. His club.
She ran her hands down his chest. He was such a presence, such strength and raw masculinity. The scent of his cologne aroused her. Everything about him turned her on. He didn’t scare her, in fact, he made her feel protected and safe.
Ally curled her fingers around his thick leather belt.
Could he read her mind? Did he know what she wanted from him?
Right now, she needed security, reassurance, love. But she’d settle for sex. All she wanted was to feel desired by Lord, connected in any way possible.
“I’ve never cared about a woman until you. You’ve fucked with my head.”
“You’re allowed to have a life, Lord. Does the club always have to come first?” She slid her hand under his shirt, feeling his warm, firm skin.
“That’s the problem, baby. If I had to choose, I’d choose you over anything. Even my club.”
Her breath caught. For a man like Lord, that was even more powerful than saying he loved her. The room sounded quieter than a morgue.
“Then don’t push me away.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing his jawline, one kiss after the other. “Promise me.”
“I promise,” he said just before his lips came down over hers. Lord kissed her thoroughly, making time stand still. He began to lift her shirt up, only breaking their kiss long enough to pull the shirt over her head.
“I need you, Lord.” She tilted her head to the side as he trailed kisses down her neck.
“Whisky saved you today, but I’m your man, Ally. Don’t forget that. This body belongs to me.”
She wet her lips. “Make sure I don’t forget.”
Chapter Nine
Lord stared out across the compound. His woman sat on the small patch of grass toward the back, reading a book. With all of his business, she’d been complaining of being bored. Rather than allow her to hate her life here, he’d made one of his boys go to the local bookstore and buy as many titles as they could get their hands on. Now as he watched, she had a small pile of books beside her.
She looked so fucking cute.
Running a hand down his face, he hated this. Hated the indecision. He’d gone back to the hotel with the sole intention of getting rid of her.
What had he done instead? Kept her. With a traitor close.
He didn’t know why he needed to keep her. Sure, her pussy had never been touched by another man, and her devotion to him was highly addictive, but keeping her made him look weak.
The one thing he hated more than anything was to look weak. In his world, he’d already cost himself so much.
“Is everything okay?” Brick asked.
“Yes. Any word?”
“So far The Skull Nation is lying low. No sign of them.”
Lord shook his head. “That’s not good. When they’re lying low, that means they’re planning something.”