“No!” I whisper-yelled, but they were already licking her. Thankfully, she was giggling at the attention. “Sorry, I didn’t realize you were sleeping until they were already midair.”
“It’s okay,” she said to me. Then she was done with the overexuberant attention. “Enough, Sasha.”
“Zaka! Settle!” Though he was relatively young, Zaka was extremely smart and listened well. He quickly dropped to the bed, panting happily. Sasha turned, went to the end of the bed, and curled up next to him.
“Aww, look! They’re friends.” She grinned and sat up. My mouth suddenly dry, I stared at her bare tits and blinked like a fucking idiot.
It was almost comical when she realized she was sitting there naked as hell. She flushed bright pink and jerked a pillow over to cover herself. I wanted to pout. Okay, maybe I did a little.
Clearing my throat, I said, “You don’t have to cover up on my account. I was enjoying the view. And I have a feeling those two are gonna be more than friends one day.” A wry grin curled my lips.
She bit her lower lip, and her brow furrowed in hesitation. “Maybe?”
I couldn’t help it. She was so goddamn cute, I laughed as I climbed into the bed. Gently, I pushed her to lie down and settled over her on my elbows. “Mmm-hmm. Okay.”
Desperately needy, I pressed my hips into her, reveling in the jolt that hit when I slid through her wet core. I didn’t dive inside, despite how badly I wanted to go again. Instead, I simply rested there, enjoying the feel of her heat on my shaft.
Twirling a strand of her hair, I considered my next words. “I know this must seem extremely sudden. But there’s been something about you that drew me from day one. It’s no secret I’ve been trying to get you to go out with me since then. You have to know, this isn’t only about keeping you safe.”
Trying to gauge her response, I glanced up at her beautiful face. Uncertainty warred with a softness in her brilliant hazel eyes. She took my breath away, and I wasn’t used to that. I was a hard man in a bold and ruthless club. My past sculpted me into a man that didn’t deserve her, but because of who I was, I was going to take her anyway.
“I’m scared,” she whispered. “I feel like I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t.”
“What are you talking about?”
“If I tell you I can’t do this, I stand the very real possibility of dying. I’m guessing because of who my father is—yet, if they only knew, he could honestly not give less of a shit about me unless it benefits him. Then again, if I say yes to you, I risk my father losing his shit and going after you and your club.” She reached her hand up and trailed her fingertips along my jaw, then down my neck to my chest. Her palm rested above my heart.
I dropped my head long enough to kiss the silky skin above her heart, then held her gaze. “Regardless of your choice, I’ll do my best to keep you safe. Even if it means I die doing it.”
She sucked in a sharp breath. “Ogun,” she whispered, but before she could utter another word, I silenced her with a kiss. When I was sure she’d be quiet, I raised my head.
“No. I can’t tell you how I know that you’re meant to be mine, because you wouldn’t believe me if I tried. What I can tell you is, this is real for me. I mean, my feelings… and all.” It was so hard to say the words. Especially when they made me sound like some kind of pussy from one of those smut books my mother read. “Yet, I don’t want you to make your decision based on fear. I meant what I said—if you become my ol’ lady, it’s not temporary.”
“Okay?” It came out as a question, so I knew she wasn’t agreeing with what I wanted. Not yet, anyway.
“Hey, think about it for a bit. Meanwhile, are you hungry? It’s getting late, and I haven’t eaten. Wasn’t sure if you had.” Unable to resist her allure, I nipped and teased her neck with my tongue. Each gentle bite had her arching further into me and sexy sighs slipping from her, interspersed with needy moans.
“Is that a yes?” I murmured against the smooth skin of her neck.
“Umm, what was the question?” she asked drunkenly.
I grinned triumphantly against her, yet I pulled back and waited for her to open her eyes. “Come on. Let me feed you. You’re going to need your strength tonight.”
“That sounds fabulous,” she said with a sigh.
Grabbing a clean T-shirt from my drawer, I slipped it over her head. “You want me to cook something or are you good with sandwiches?”
“Sandwiches are perfectly fine with me.” The satiated smile on her face brought out my smile. Foregoing underwear, I pulled on my jeans and padded to the kitchen. The dogs remained on the bed, snoring happily.
We were quiet while I prepared the food and while we ate. When she finished, she stood and came over to grab my plate. Before she could take it, I took her hand in mine and tugged her into my lap.
Hooking my hand behind her neck, I pulled her in for a kiss. Reluctantly breaking away, I scattered kisses along her cheeks. The last one, I pressed to the pulse I could see on her throat.
“I want you inked as soon as possible. Both for my own selfish reasons and for your safety,” I said against her skin.
“Wow. Um, okay? Do we need to make an appointment?” she asked, and I chuckled.
“No. I have a guy. He’ll get you in immediately.”