“What happened to your bike?” Breezy asked.
I shook my head. “It doesn’t matter. Fuck, I’d give up my left nut if it meant you were never harmed.”
She turned startled eyes up at me, clearly noticing she was draped over my naked form. “What did you do, Xan?”
“Nothing I wouldn’t do again, Bella. Come on, we’ll hitch a ride with Lyric and Rowan.”
Lyric nodded and jogged over to their truck. How strange it was to consider what used to be Rowan’s theirs. As in Lyric and Rowan’s. I wondered if I would be picking out China patterns with Breezy, then laughed. I was more of a paper plate and red solo cup kinda guy, but again, if it made my mate happy, I’d do it. Whoa, I needed to get one feisty woman to agree to be mine first. My wolf whined, but I pushed him back.
“Where to, Xan?” Rowan asked once we were in the backseat of the big truck.
“My place,” I said at the same time Breezy said her place.
“My dad and brothers will freak the fuck out, Xan.”
“Sweets, believe me, they’ll be just fine. You will be safest staying with me, especially with Kellen’s place not a mile away.” I gave her my most charming grin.
“We will meet at Xan’s and fill you in, Breezy. It’s non-negotiable. I’ll inform your family.” Kellen turned and walked back to his bike, strapping his skullcap back on.
It was good to be alpha.
“Don’t you dare smirk, Xander Fucking Carmichael.” She punched me in the arm. “Are you going to put some pants on? Also, are you going to put me down, and do you know you’re bleeding?” She ran her finger over my shoulder.
My cock hardened at her touch, making her eyes widen. “Bella, I’m not letting you go until I get you in my home. Who fucking cares about clothes or that little scratch? Ignore him, he’s constantly in a state of arousal around you.” I shifted her on my lap.
“Well, make him stop,” she groused.
I laughed. “Only one thing will do that.”
“And that ain’t happening in my backseat. The only ones allowed to fuck in my truck are Lyric and I.”
I growled. “Don’t make me kill you, Rowan.”
Lyric put her head in her hands. “Oh, god. I can’t believe you just said that to my brother.”
Rowan shrugged his big shoulders, not the least intimidated. “Hey, I’m pretty sure he’s done a lot worse in some...” I cut him off as I lifted my hand, claws extended. Rowan may be an alpha, but I still outranked him.
“You’d best concentrate on the road, brother.”
Breezy’s head fell to the crook of my neck. “I know you’re no angel, Xan. Don’t forget I’ve walked into the club office on a few things you can’t unsee.” Hurt laced her words. For the world, I wished I could erase the past, but I couldn’t. However, I could make sure the future held only her and me and all the fantasies she wanted, and even some she didn’t know existed.
“From here on out, there will be no other but you and me,” I promised.
She tried to put space between us, but I held firm, and then Rowan drove over the cattle guard at the entrance to my property. The rustic-looking cabin was a mile down the tree-lined driveway, with a wraparound porch. I waited to see what Breezy thought of the place, hoping she liked what she saw. Her inhale didn’t give away her inner musings, but the twinkle in the amber eyes staring at me confused me.
“I like the rocking chairs.” Her head tilted toward the twin rockers on one side of the porch. The other had a set of wicker chairs with a table between them. I liked both for different reasons. The porch wrapped around, with a deck off the master bedroom that had a hammock I liked to lie in at night, big enough for two. I wondered if she’d enjoy lying out there with me, naked and looking at the stars. Fuck! I was becoming a damn pussy-whipped motherfucker. A grin split my lips.
“You know you look a little devious right now, right?”
I ignored her question as the truck pulled to a stop in front of the wide steps. Lyric waited for Rowan to come around to her door, and I popped open the door on the back driver’s side, sliding out with Breezy in my arms. I inhaled, scenting for any danger. Kellen’s bike pulled in behind us. I assumed Coti and Wyck had returned to the Club to take care of Breezy’s car and my bike. Luckily, I had another bike, a truck, and a car, not to mention my favorite XV in my garage to choose from. The thought of letting Breezy drive one of them made me break out in a cold sweat. Not because I didn’t trust her, but fear for her life, and the fact that we didn’t know who was out to get her.
I waited until we were safely in my home before setting her on her feet. The wound on her head was already healing. “Come on, let’s get you cleaned up, and then we’ll talk. Y’all make yourself comfortable.”
Linking our fingers, I led a dazed Breezy down the hallway to the master suite. When she didn’t protest at the doorway, I continued into the large bathroom, still naked. “Let’s get you cleaned first.” The bullet was itching to get out, but my wolf demanded I take care of our mate, even though we hadn’t formally claimed her yet.
“Um, I can take care of myself. I’ll just be a moment, or I can use another bathroom. Do you want me to…tend to your wound first?” She was adorable when she stammered and blushed so prettily. I didn’t think she would with her experience, but I pushed the thoughts of other men with her out of my mind. Killing her previous lovers, men I’d never seen her with, wouldn’t endear her to me.
“I need to make sure you’re truly okay, Bella mine.” It wasn’t a line. My wolf, as well as the man, needed to look her over from head to toe. The coppery scent of her blood could be seen as well as smelled. We needed to wash the offense off her and ensure she was never injured again.
