“I’m yours,” I gasp as I fall over the edge, my pussy clamps down on his cock while my thighs shake and my fingers scramble against his skin, seeking purchase.
He pins me to the bed, grounding me as he thrusts a few more times before his entire body shudders. When he groans, the sound is part pleasure and part pain. The cords of his neck strainand I can feel every pulse inside me as he comes, grunting while filling the condom.
When he kisses me, the contact is sweet, soothing in the same way his hands against my skin have become. He’s gentle and it has tears pricking the backs of my eyes for no fucking reason. The very last thing I want to do is cry right now. I will them away, but with his next words, something cracks inside of me.
“I’m yours,” he whispers the words against my lips before pulling back enough so I can look into his gray eyes and see the sincerity there.
I have no idea what he sees on my face, but when he kisses me again, the contact is soft. There’s a plea in the press of our flesh, like he’s asking me to let go and just trust.
But can I do that?
I want to.
Desperately.
Titus presses his forehead against mine, his words filled with strength and determination, “If it would be easier for you, we can figure out a way to make you safe at your place.” His eyes sharpen and the warning is clear to hear in his words, “It’ll definitely involve me moving in with you, same as you moving in here. So, that’s the choice, Teach.”
I don’t look away from him as I make the choice to be brave. “I’ll stay here for now.”
When he kisses me this time, it feels like a reward. “Thank you,” he mumbles. “It’ll be easier for me to keep you safe here.”
“I figured,” I tease him.
When he pulls out of me, I feel the loss immediately. He steps into the bathroom, and I lay back in bed, expecting him to get in the shower or something. Which is why I let out a screech of surprise when I’m suddenly lifted and cradled against Titus’s hard chest.
My biker laughs. The asshole actually laughs at me, and I swat his shoulder knowing full well it’s not going to hurt him. Hell, he’ll probably barely feel it with how muscular he is.
“Conserving water is always smart,” he explains as he walks us into the bathroom, the water already warming up.
When he wiggles his eyebrows at me, I can’t help but laugh. Then he sets me on my feet and proceeds to wash me from head to toe. His gray eyes are filled with heat the entire time, but he stays in control and keeps his touch intimate, but not sexual.
By the time we’re clean, dressed, and walking out of his room, I’m almost too satisfied to be nervous. Almost.
But it’s not like these are strangers; they’re my neighbors and former classmates. We’ll all have to figure it out.
Because I have a feeling Titus won’t let me go anytime soon. What I’m not willing to admit just yet is that I don’t want him to.
He makes me feel something I’ve never felt before and it’s much more than just desire. I want it to be forever, but it’s scary.
“Come on, Teach,” he kisses my temple as he leads me down the hallway. “I think it’s time for everyone to meet the new queen.”
My heart pounds in my chest while I try to trust his words and hope my nerves don’t show.
CHAPTER 10
RYKER
“We have a still out in the woods actually,” there’s pride in Scratch’s voice as he talks to Ezra.
They’ve been having a conversation about Over the Ridge Moonshine for a while now, but I don’t have it in me to interrupt. Not when my woman has been showing my brother genuine interest in something that matters so much to his family and the club.
“Freak always says we have to know where we came from and to keep true to our roots. At least once a year he makes me go out there with him and Bolt to distill a bottle or two,” he says it like he doesn’t love his time out there in the woods connecting with their family’s past, but I know the truth.
Scratch lives for those weekends.
“I didn’t realize your family making moonshine went back that far,” Ezra sounds fascinated.
“Quite a few generations now,” Scratch nods, “and right here in the mountains around Dogwood Ridge.”
