Why couldn’t I resist Art?
“Goddammit, I love you so much. Why are you hurting me like this? Why aren’t you fighting for us?”
“Art stop.”
“I would fight everyone and anything for you, baby. I’d take on the world to make you mine. Be everything you need and more.”
“Shh, no more, please.” I couldn’t listen anymore. He was destroying me with the words I’d longed to hear.
“You’re the reason I wake up each morning.” He cradled my face and pecked kisses all over it. “Don’t you get it, sweetness? Life isn’t worth living without you.” He captured my lips before I could reply, kissing me for all he was worth.
I responded like the weak woman I was with him.
Suddenly he ended the kiss, letting loose of me. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and pinned me in place with his hardened gaze. “Yeah, just what I thought.” He adjusted his cock. “I fucking don’t know what to do with you.”
I gasped and pressed my hand to my chest, wholly flushed and aroused.
“Don’t leave the compound today,” he told me in a stern voice.
“You have no right—”
He got in my face, startling me. “I said don’t leave the compound. If you do, I will come for you, and I don’t care who sees it.”
“Art, please.” Had he lost his mind talking to me this way? Nobody put me in my place other than Storm. It was a line no member ever dared to cross… until now.
“You must think I’m not man enough to be with you because of my fucking age. Or is it because you’re the OG’s queen? I’ve heard all the stories about Matt. I know he was fucking amazing and fearless. Is that it, sweetness? Am I not good enough?”
“No, that’s not it.”
He laughed, stepping back. “I’m not giving up on you, Eve.” He pointed at me as he left. “I’m warning you, stay at the compound.”
I couldn’t take my eyes off him as he stalked away. I should stomp back into the clubhouse and tell Storm what happened. Admit my indiscretions and take my punishment.
But I wouldn’t.
My body hummed and my panties were soaked. Art flexing his alpha side was hot-as-fuck. I wanted him more than ever before.
I shook my head and dug my nails into my palms. What kind of person was I?
A cradle robber, Eve, that’s the kind.
Even my subconscious flipped back and forth on the subject of Art. Sometimes it encouraged me to go for it, and other times it slapped me back to reality.
What an absolute nightmare.
Nothing good would come from us being together. Why couldn’t Art see it? Why couldn’t I put a stop to this?
Maybe Jack could help me figure out what to do. Despite Art’s warning, I was going to Iowa as planned.
9
Angel
I watched Birdie playing on the floor with her toy piano. She didn’t bang on it to make a noise. She tapped the keys with her little finger as I’d shown her to do. She loved music like me.
I’d have my favorite playlists on in the background throughout the day. She’d wiggle her little bum and bob her head like I’d do to show her enjoyment. I’d even leave the music on when she napped. Her favorite easy-listening rock band was Ambrosia, from the seventies and eighties. Kaleb hated them, but whatever his Birdie wanted, she got.
Our sweet girl had a mischievous glint in her blue eyes like her daddy’s and a stubborn streak to rival his. If she had a fit about something, which wasn’t often, only Kaleb could calm her. Those two were thick as thieves.