Wolf rubbed at the back of his neck. “I wanted to have some time with you, the two of us, enjoying one another’s company and having an awesome start to the day before I had to tell you about the ugliness heading our way. When I left Church, I’d had every intention of telling you. I just… I didn’t want to see the fear in your eyes. I knew I’d have to tell you, but I wasn’t ready.”
“Our way? They only threatened me and the doctor.”
“You’re mine, Glory. If someone’s coming for you, it makes it my problem. The club’s too. You aren’t facing this alone, beautiful. And whatever asshole thinks he has a right to spew such nasty shit about you had better have his affairs in order, because when I get my hands on him, his death will be slow and painful.”
The man looking back at me wasn’t the sweet Wolf I’d come to know and care about. There was danger in his eyes. Death. Destruction. A darkness I had to admit I’d suspected was there, even if I hadn’t seen it. A shiver raked down my spine when I realized he meant every word. If someone tried to hurt me, he’d kill them and in a brutal way. It should have scared the crap out of me. Maybe I’d been around the bikers too long. All I felt was relief that someone like Wolf had my back.
“I’m not used to relying on other people,” I said, sinking onto the kitchen chair. “I’m sorry I got so upset. But, Max, you can’t hide stuff like that from me.”
“I wasn’t hiding it,” he said, dropping onto the chair beside me. He reached for my hand, rubbing his fingers across my skin. “I had every intention of telling you. After I’d given you a morning to remember.”
“And Sienna?” I asked.
“He didn’t mention her. Either he isn’t aware of her existence, or he doesn’t care about her. I’ll keep her safe, Glory. Both of you. If you leave the compound and I can’t go with you, make sure you take one of my brothers or at least a Prospect.”
“I will. What does this mean for me right now? How much freedom do I have until he’s caught?” I asked.
“Honestly, not a lot.” He winced. “I know you’re used to doing your own thing and not answering to anyone. I don’t want to put a leash on you, Glory. You’re my woman, my heart, and it would kill me if something happened to you. Whatever goodness I still have would be gone in the blink of an eye.”
I smiled. “Max, you act like you’re a monster. You are the kindest, sweetest man I’ve ever met. I know you’re capable of violence. You wouldn’t be part of this club if you weren’t. It doesn’t make you a bad man, or an evil one. Even the most innocent person out there has the potential to do harm to someone. It’s called being human.”
He sighed and closed his eyes, pressing his forehead to mine. “I don’t deserve you.”
“Maybe I’m the one who doesn’t deserve you. Ever think of it that way?” It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him I loved him. I knew it was way too soon to say those words. Never having had a boyfriend, or been in love, it felt like I would burst if I didn’t tell him how I felt. Excitement. Fear. Longing. It all filled me, and I didn’t know what to do with it.
Wolf kissed me, his lips soft against mine. He threaded his fingers in my hair and I leaned into him a little more. I knew if I didn’t pull away, things would go much further. When it came to Wolf, I seemed powerless to say no. Of course, I didn’t usually want to say no to him. He might act like the sex between us wasn’t different from before, but I knew we had something special. And it wasn’t because he’d been the only man to give me an orgasm. The way he made every nerve in my body light up, the heat I felt from just a look, was the sort of thing books were written about. I wouldn’t have felt like this with anyone else.
“I can’t think when you do that,” I murmured as I pulled back. “My body overrides my mind and I want to tear off my clothes.”
Wolf laughed and lifted me, placing me on his lap. “You’re too much, Glory. But in a really great way.”
“It’s your fault. Before you, I never would have given a guy half a chance. If they got close, I’d have run the other way. Somehow, you wormed your way past my defenses, and now I feel like a needy mess who constantly needs your touch. It’s been two nights, Max! What the hell did you do to me?”
“Glory, you’re nineteen. I’m pretty sure being horny is part of whatever hormone surges you have at that age. Maybe your body is trying to make up for lost time, so you want sex frequently.” He leaned in closer, dropping his voice. “And you make me feel the same way. Until you, I could go weeks, even months without touching a woman. Now I want to bury my cock inside you and not leave our bed for days on end.”
“Is this what they call the honeymoon phase?” I asked.
He went still, his gaze locked on mine. Had I said something
