“I told you, we’re over.”
“Then why are you here?” He threw the sheet off him as he sat on the edge of the bed. He faced me with a determined glint in his eyes as if preparing to convince me to be with him, like in a relationship.
Not happening.
“This is the last time.” My gaze traveled over his lean, muscular body. Jack Andrews was the VP of the Fallen Soldiers MC. His club had become allies several years ago when the Knights had helped rid their territory of drug dealers.
In return, the Soldiers had assisted the Knights when the club needed help in our area. Utilizing the Soldiers had put Jack in my path, and well, we’d hooked up after the shit with the Dirty Hunters.
After Jack and his crew returned to Iowa, I’d driven out to get my fix.
Jack flashed a cocky grin. “You said that the last time.”
“I mean it this time.” And I did. Jack was a good man. He’d kick-started my dormant, nearly dead libido. All it had taken was one hard fucking to bring me back to life. It’d been both wonderful and painful. I’d felt like a regular woman, but it also made me want to be fucked all the damn time.
“Why don’t you let me change your mind? You know I can.”
I shook my head. I couldn’t do this anymore.
The truth was, I wasn’t in love with Jack.
My boys, Maddox and Markey, had never seen me with anyone other than their dad. I didn’t want to upset them for a man who was only a casual hookup.
Then there were the Knights and my nephew Storm. Without a doubt, they would be furious if I got involved with a biker outside of the club. If it was a regular guy, they might accept it better. Not likely, but it would’ve been more digestible than finding out I’d screwed around with the VP of the Fallen Soldiers.
It was like I could hear the wheels turning in his head. “Just stop, Jack.”
He sighed, putting on his prosthetic leg but not his boxers. He extended his hand out like a stubborn old fool. I took it, letting him tug me toward him.
“I’ve changed my mind, Sug—”
I put my finger on his lips. “Eve.” Hearing the nickname my late husband Matt had given me after having sex with another man felt strange, like a betrayal.
He growled in frustration. “Eve, what we have is good. Damn good. Stay with me, darlin’.”
I held his gaze. “You know how it works, Jack. I belong to the Knight’s Legion MC.” I caressed his scruffy cheek, running my thumb over the salt and pepper hair. He had to know I would never leave the Knights. They were my family; Bastion Township was my home.
Shit, I should’ve never slept with him.
“I’ll talk to Mitch. Then Storm.” His hand glided over my thigh up to my ass cheek. “It’ll be okay. You need a man in your life, honey. You shouldn’t be alone anymore.”
I swallowed thickly, fighting the guilt settling in my chest. I didn’t want to be alone anymore, but I really didn’t have a choice. I was the property of the Knight’s Legion. Matt had made me promise to never go outside of the club. He’d given me permission to be with one of his brothers, but no one else knew. I’d kept it a secret because I couldn’t imagine being with any of his brothers.
How could I? They’d all been like family to me.
“No.” I stepped away from him. “No, Jack. Maddox will be a Knight soon. I belong in Bastion with my family.”
“Christ.” He dropped his head. “I care about you, Eve.”
I knew he did. I appreciated what he’d done for me. He’d been just what I needed to ease back into intimacy, to gain some confidence. I had stretch marks I hated. Matt had called them battle wounds and told me they were a small price to pay for our two remarkable boys. He was right. Our sons were worth every mark on my skin.
But another man wouldn’t feel the same about my “battle wounds.” The thought of revealing myself to another had paralyzed me. Then I met Jack, who had his own scars and damaged body.
“I’m sorry, Jack. I shouldn’t have started this arrangement with you.”
“My offer won’t expire. You change your mind. I’ll claim you in a heartbeat.”
“I won’t change my mind.”