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Mak grabbed his hand, but instead of using it as leverage straight away, she brought it to her mouth and kissed the back. His eyes smoldered, and a host of heavy unspoken emotion traveled the space between them.
As usual, her overactive worrywart brain wanted to dissect every look, every glance, every touch, but for tonight, she vowed to put everything on the back burner and enjoy each second with Thunder and her new friends.
Of course, as promised, she fell in love with his motorcycle. Nothing in her experience compared to the feelings of freedom, flying, and joy she experienced on the seventeen-minute ride to the clubhouse. If they weren’t already late, she’d have worked to convince Thunder to ride all night.
Another time. Because they were a couple now, which meant they’d have time in the future for all kinds of adventures.
The entire night passed in a blur of fun and excitement. Mak drank far too much, as did Thunder. They laughed with his club brothers and their women. They danced for hours. Thanks to his very detailed dance lessons, Mak held her own. Okay, maybe it was more the copious amounts of alcohol making it so she didn’t care how foolish she appeared. They’d even made out on the dance floor. Sloppy, drunk kisses that turned out to be so much fun.
Since Mak couldn’t control the bike and Thunder couldn’t get them home safely at the end of the night, they ended up crashing in an empty room at the clubhouse.
Laughing, groping, and kissing, they’d fallen into bed sometime after two in the morning. Thunder had been keeping her on edge all night with dirty promises whispered in her ear. Anticipation had been high, but so had their blood alcohol level, and though they made it to the naked stage, both passed out before anything more than flopping on the bed next to each other happened.
Mak woke early, just as the sun peeked through the slats in the blinds. Though nude, she’d never been warmer and more comfortable in her life. Due, of course, to the also unclothed man wrapped around her back.
Thunder slept soundly. With each exhale, his breath tickled the back of her neck. At some point, he’s slung a leg over both of hers, trapping her against him. His arm had curled around her torso, resting between her breasts.
Mak closed her eyes and let the incredible feelings of safety and warmth travel through her. They had a busy week ahead of them, so the downtime felt amazing—calm before the storm.
Kara had an appointment with her neurologist in Knoxville on Monday. She’d been seizure-free for a solid year, which was fantastic. This appointment was merely a checkup and medication adjustment, still, it stressed Mak to no end. Especially when she had another commitment with Rissa at the same time. Thankfully, Thunder had offered to step in and help out with Rissa.
She’d be lost without him and his big crazy family these past few weeks.
The thought made her eyes fly open and her heart lurch to a stop. Nausea curdled in her stomach. Shit, it had happened already. He’d entwined himself in nearly every aspect of her life. To the point she depended on him for help, comfort, and safety. The kids loved him.
Hell…she loved him.
What a freaking disaster.
A tear rolled down her cheek.
Safety was an illusion she’d begun to fall for. Dangerous and stupid. One day her husband and father would find her. And she’d have to leave. Then she’d be on her own again with her siblings. Already, she couldn’t imagine not only being separated from Thunder, but how she’d survive without him in her life.
This was exactly what she’d feared would happen. In just a few short weeks, she’d failed miserably. Failed herself and failed her siblings.
The relationship would have to end. With each passing day, she fell for him harder and soon the pain of leaving would be unbearable.
It was best to do it now. Today. As soon as possible.
With silent tears soaking the pillow, Mak closed her eyes and willed herself to relax.
Just a few more hours of bliss, then she’d do what she had to for her family. She’d put on a smile, pretend everything was okay, and press forward.
Alone.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
“ALL RIGHT, GUYS, head on in,” Mak said as she nudged the front door open. As though she’d released a herd of bulls, the kids charged in the house, loud as ever despite her many attempts to keep them quiet throughout the morning.
Last night, she’d consumed more alcohol than ever before, and and now she understood why she hadn’t indulged like that in the past.
Hangovers sucked.
She’d emerged from a deep sleep about an hour ago to find a sweet note from Thunder on his pillow. Copper had needed him for some task, so he’d taken off, letting her know he’d meet up with her at the house as soon as he’d finished. The note concluded with a lopsided heart and a sentence about how much fun he’d had the night before.
