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“Really?” she asked. “You’re going to do as you’re told?”
“I’ve been naughty for too long. I’ve got to do something right.” He carried her through the clubhouse. No one stopped them. She was glad.
She no longer had the energy to fight. Between the main club room and Simon’s bedroom, she must have dozed off because the next thing she remembered was Simon taking off her shoes.
“Should you be undressing an unconscious woman?” she asked.
“Only to make her more comfortable. Do you feel better?”
“I’m sleepy. Really sleepy. I could close my eyes and not open them for a week. It’s a long drive to Fort Wills.” She opened her eyes as his fingers went to the button of her jeans.
“You can’t sleep in them, and they’ll be uncomfortable.”
“I think you’re trying to get me naked.”
“You know me, Tabby. I don’t need to try to get you naked. I could just ask.”
“True.”
He slid her jeans down and she turned on her side, snuggling against the bed. His pillow was so soft.
She heard him remove his leather cut, kick his boots off, and finally lower his own jeans.
He joined her on the bed and she opened her eyes. All she wanted to do was sleep, but having him so close, she put her hand to his cheek.
“Hey.”
“Hey,” he said. “How was it?”
“Let’s not talk about it.”
“You can cut everyone else out, and play the big girl with them, but not with me. I deserve more than that. I’m your man, Tabitha. Don’t push me away.”
She ran her thumb across his bottom lip. “You called me Tabitha.”
He pushed some of her hair off her face, cupping her cheek. “Yes, I did. I’m here for you. I’m not going to go off the loose end. I’m fine. I’m here for you. I will always be here for you.”
“But what if you go away again?”
“Not happening. You saw me wear the patch. I’m here. I’m going to stay. I love you more than anything else in the world. I will never be far from you.”
She smiled as tears filled her eyes. “Damn it. I’m sick of crying.”
He stayed still as she wiped at her tears.
Licking her suddenly dry lips, she leaned in close and kissed him. “I hated it,” she said, closing her eyes and whispering the words. “I didn’t want to be there and the moment I saw it, I wanted to run.”
“You didn’t have to stay.”
“I did.” She pulled back, opening her eyes. “They won. They got that stupid, messed-up agreement. I hate that they got that. They had no right. An eye for an eye. They took and took. Not anymore. They won’t take another thing from me. I don’t know what they wanted, but they’re not getting you or Nathan. I had to put them in their place.”
“And how did that feel?”
“It was scary. So scary. While I was there, it was like I stepped back in time. I didn’t feel like myself. I felt weak and I don’t know, something clicked inside my head, and I realized I didn’t need to feel this way. I’ve done nothing wrong. They did. They raised a bastard rapist. That’s not on me. I wasn’t going to allow them to blame you.” She slid her hand down, going toward his heart. “They threw the first stone. You threw it back, and it should have been finished then. Not five years later. I’m sorry, Simon.”
“No, you don’t have to say sorry. I’m the one who’s sorry. I … I should have done things differently. I’ve lost five years. I’m not going to lose any more. I know tomorrow we’re going to be doing this dance until you trust me again, but one day soon, you’re going to trust me. I’m going to earn back everything that was taken from us.” He kissed her lips. “I’m your man. One day, you’ll see it.”
“I already do.” She closed her eyes. “Simon, I’m sleepy.”
“Then sleep.”
“Please, don’t leave.”
“Never.”
“Be here when I wake up.”
“Always.”
“And, Simon?” she said.
“Yeah.”
“Even when I want to kill you, please love me.”
He chuckled. “No doubt about it, I will belong to you. We’re meant to be together.” His lips pressed against her head and she sighed. Finally relaxing, she heard him breathing, and she rested next to him, sleep slowly claiming her.
****
Simon didn’t want to move nor make a sound. Tabby had been out for the count all night. At first, he watched the clock, seeing the time going by slowly. There was nowhere else he needed to be other than in this bed, holding his woman. Running his hand up and down her back, soothing her if her dreams seemed to get a little dark.
Not once did she wake up.
There was so much ground to cover between them. Trust to earn back, he got that. In his relationship with Tabby, he was a prospect, having to earn her back, but he wasn’t scared or worried.
