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Beast
“Get over here woman,” I growl as I slide into bed. I hook an arm around Hayden and pull her back against me. Immediately she wiggles that sexy ass of hers against my dick and curls into me.
“Missed you,” she mutters sleepily.
“Sorry, Beauty. Boys and I got carried away shooting the shit.”
“It’s good, Sweetheart. I’m glad you’re having a good time. And we have the cookout tomorrow—although that’s going to be kind of cold…”
“Boys got some outdoor heaters and they fixed it so they’re safe around the kids. It will be fine. Leave it to me to have a birthday on Christmas—although it was warm on Christmas. Maybe the boys shouldn’t have tried a cookout after New Year’s.”
“I like that your birthday falls on Christmas,” I tell him.
“What do you mean?” I ask her, kissing the top of her head and closing my eyes.
“You’re my greatest gift, so…”
My hands tighten around her—although carefully, mindful of our child she’s carrying. I squeeze gently and my eyes close.
“Fuck, Beauty,” I growl, unable to keep the emotion down. “You leave me speechless.”
“I love you, Michael,” she whispers, sleep beginning to infiltrate because her voice is muffled, softer, and thicker.
“I love you, Hayden. Get some rest, baby. We have a full day tomorrow.”
“Okay,” she says.
We lay in the darkness like that. I hear her breathing even out and deepen. Only then do I close my eyes, think over the day I’ve had, and how great it was to have my brothers around me again. I’ve missed them—truly missed them. I didn’t tell Hayden, but I was nervous about being back at the clubhouse, too. We’ve visited, but we’ve never stayed here. I dreaded it. I was afraid memories would suffocate me, that the pain would resurface if I was here too long. That hasn’t happened.
I still have moments where I feel Annabelle here, a memory of the two of us, of her laughter… it’s all here. But, it’s no different here than when I’m back home with Hayden and my boys. I have those same memories at home, despite Annabelle never living there with us. It’s taken me a while, but I realize finally that memories of Annabelle are everywhere, because she’s inside of me. She’s part of me. It doesn’t matter where I am, they are there too… she is there. That’s okay. That’s more than okay. It’s perfect. I always want my Annabelle with me.
Tonight was good. I loved every moment of it. The best part was watching Connor and Ryker play with the other kids. Not to mention the fact I enjoyed being close with my brothers again. This time, without the anger I harbored for so long getting between us. And then there was…Hayden. I’d look across the room and see her laughing, or catch her looking at me. She’d give me her smile… Me. She’s a miracle worker and I don’t know how she’s done it, but when she smiles at me, I feel like the luckiest S.O.B. on the face of the fucking planet. She loves me. She’s not ashamed of it; She lets everyone know it—not even trying to hide it.
Never.
I never thought I was the type of man that a woman would be proud to have tied to her—not with the scars I carry—both inside and out. But Hayden is proud. She doesn’t conceal that pride. Instead, she gives it as freely as her love. Just thinking about that makes me squeeze her close, while breathing her scent in deep.
“Nothing better,” she whispers.
“What’s that, Beauty?” I ask her, surprised she’s awake.
“Nothing better than having your arms around me in bed, Michael. I don’t like to sleep without them. There’s just nothing better than having you next to me.”
Christ.
I lean in to bring my lips to her ear and kiss the shell, as I try to contain the emotion I’m dealing with.
“You’re right, Beauty,” I whisper. “There’s nothing better,” I tell her. “Sleep, Sweetheart. I’ll be right here.”
Wild horses couldn’t drag me away from her.
Katie
I frown when Torch drags himself into bed.
“Are you drunk?”
“Not that much, Sweetness. Don’t worry, there’s no limp dick happening tonight. He’s alert and ready to play,” Hunter growls, as he gets into the bed. I’m sitting up, leaning against the headboard, my pillows behind me. I feel like I’ve been waiting on him for months. My arms are crossed at my chest, but when Hunter tries to pull at my shirt, I swat his hands away.
“No. Not right now.”
“Fuck, is it that time of month already? I thought you just got over that. Never mind, baby, we can just move this into the shower—”
“I’m not on my period, dumbass,” I grumble.
“Then what’s the problem? Don’t you want Big Bad Bart to come out and play?”
I roll my eyes and do my best not to smile—Hunter does not need any encouragement.
