"Of course." She looked away.
"I think I covered what you believe we need." He straightened his beard. "Now, tell me what's really going on."
"I want to bring more into our relationship than you feeling responsible for me. I had a life before you. I wish you could've known me before Tony talked me into coming here to find out what Slag was doing and I learned the truth about who I am." She blew out her breath. "I don't even know who I am."
"You do know." He got off his motorcycle. "Ask anyone around here who you are. You're caring and helpful. Whether it's at the bar or in the clubhouse, you pull your share and always try and make life easier for everyone around you. You're not quick to trust, but I think that has more to do with you trusting yourself and being independent. You know that you can take care of yourself. I have a feeling you've been looking after yourself, fighting for yourself, supporting yourself, your whole life and nobody has told you the truth. You're a good woman. Smart. Beautiful. Strong."
"Stop," she whispered.
He stepped closer. "Have I ever lied to you?"
She shook her head. He bent his knees, catching her averted gaze. She deserved honesty.
"When I found out you were here, helping Moroad try to bring down Slag, you tried to prove you weren't out to hurt me."
"I wasn't. I swear," she said.
"I listened to you. I watched you, and I saw you." He swallowed, his heart racing. "Do you know when I realized I love you?"
She shook her head again.
"The third night you were locked in my room, you cuddled up to me in the middle of the night, and you didn't wake up crying. Do you know why?"
Her neck muscles convulsed as she tried to gain control over her emotions. He couldn't make her suffer waiting for an answer.
"Because when you believed all was lost, you clung to me like I was the most important person in your life." He palmed her cheek.
She sniffed and took a long blink. "You love me?"
"Ja, babe." He brought his forehead down to hers. "You take that for yourself. Don't throw it away because you believe you're responsible for making me happy or need to live your life differently. Take it and be happy."
She softened against him, leaning into his body. He closed his eyes and held her. No, he wasn't ever going to let her go.
Chapter 31
The male customers blocked Table Two. Dinah stood with a tray of drinks in both hands, waiting for one of them to step up to shoot pool and provide an opening to set down the order.
A crewcut sporting muscle machine noticed her and slapped the guy beside him. "Hey, asswipe, move out of the way and let the lady through."
The man shifted, barely giving her six inches to squeeze a twelve-inch tray through the opening. Instead, the customer reached to take a drink from her.
"Hold on, big guy." She smoothly turned her body keeping the drinks securely on the tray. "Let me set them down first, and then you can get your drink."
Early on, she'd learned not to upset the balance on large orders. She always overcompensated when the weight shifted, which resulted in spilled drinks.
She shifted sideways and set one tray on the table. Then, using both hands, held the other drinks out to the men.
"Can I get you anything else? Dollars for the pool table?" She collected the empty trays. "We have a special tonight...deep fried mushrooms. Two-ninety-nine a basket."
"I'll take some." A slim man lifted his finger.
"Anyone else?" She looked around at the group.
"Chili fries."
"Burger with no onion."
"Yeah, I'll take a burger too. Everything on it."
She scribbled the orders down on the pad and looked up. "Heather will be your server and bring your food out. Let her know when you're ready for more drinks."
She hurried back, ripping off the paper and hanging it on the spinning wheel in the kitchen window. "Order coming in, Peach."
"Keep them coming," yelled Peach.
Dinah smiled. The cook was a powerhouse. When the servers and bartenders were running their butts off keeping up with customers, Peach normally remained calm and efficient.
She walked over to Heather. "I put orders up for Table Two."
"Got it." Heather scooted a vacant chair under the table and out of the walkway. "Can you grab the glasses around the fire ring?"
"Sure thing." She moved over to the fire, loading her hands with empties.
The flames hypnotic in nature, she took her time. The fire in the center of the bar always drew the customers attention, gathering people around the ring more than the pool table.
A tall man wearing a fluorescent orange shirt with a reflective stripe across the chest like the one utility workers wore eyed her up and down. "You're too pretty to be wasting your time picking up after others."
"Thank you, but I enjoy my work." She smiled to soften her words. "Coming to eat, drink, and relax is what makes The Fire Ring special for the customers."
"That's not fair that you have to pick up behind them." He stepped over to her and leaned down to allow her to hear him over the music playing. "When's the last time someone did something nice for you?"
A hand landed on her back. Dinah jerked, thinking it was the customer, and then relaxed when she realized it was Brage.
"Back off, son. She belongs to me." Brage moved her away and guided her behind the counter.
"I didn't see you come in." She leaned against him, putting her hand on his stomach. "Did you have a nice ride?"
"What's that guy's problem?" Brage gazed across the room, ignoring her question.
"He was just being friendly." She rubbed the front of his vest. "Do you want a drink?"
"No, I'm good." He looked at her. "I'm going to
