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“What can I do to help you?”
“I’ll be okay.” I took a large drink and relished the burn in my chest. “Been through worse.”
He took my hand and leaned in. “You’re the strongest woman I know, Sugar. You’ve kept this place going after Matt passed.” He looked around the dimly lit bar. Aside from a few new neon signs, the bar hadn’t changed since my husband died.
I focused on the wall opposite me to avoid Art. I could feel his gaze drilling into me with the same fierce possessiveness he’d unleashed when fucking me. I feared him coming to my rescue if I showed my brokenness. He seemed to have an acute canine sense when it came to me. Perhaps it was his sensitive artist side. He felt things deeply, especially regarding me. He would be perfect if he were only older.
Stop it, Eve. Art is sheer perfection regardless of his age.
“You’re sweet. I’m just doing what needs to be done.” I needed to ignore my inner thoughts. No matter what nonsense it spoke, the brutal, ugly, heartbreaking truth was Art could never be mine.
“And that makes you the ultimate queen.” Justin drank his beer. “But I know it hasn’t been easy.”
“No, it hasn’t.” Why lie to Justin? He, of all people, had been there during the first days, weeks, and months following Matt’s death. He’d been through the loss of a spouse years before me. I appreciated his understanding and sensitivity.
Life had gone on after my sweet husband left me. I had needed to care for our sons, who were also mourning their father, and be there for Storm. Though it had killed me to not be allowed to wither away and grieve for all eternity, I had forced myself to preserve for Matt, for our boys, and the club.
“Sugar?” Art’s voice came from behind me.
I craned my neck to see him as I would for any other member. “Hmm?”
“Gotta minute?”
“Um…” What was he doing? Several members were watching us.
“It’s fine.” Justin grabbed his glass. “I have some things to do before calling it a night. If you need anything, Sugar, I’m around.”
I smiled. “Thanks, Justin, same to you.”
“See? You’re the best.” He issued a wink, then left.
Art took Justin’s chair. “What’s he talking about?”
“What are you doing?” I hissed, keeping a neutral expression on my face.
“What were you doing with him?”
“Are you serious?” I swallowed the rest of my drink. Pretending like nothing was between us as his knee touched mine under the table. It was sheer torture. My pussy tingled, my body desperate to be touched and caressed and held in his arms. He was getting bolder by the day, backing me into a corner to where someone was bound to call us out. I couldn’t let that happen.
“Sweetness, I can tell when you’re upset,” he whispered.
Sweetness, the endearment nearly had me launching myself into his arms. If only… “Don’t call me that.” I squeezed the glass between my hands to focus my energy on it instead of Art. “You’re crossing the line.”
“What happened?” he asked in a demanding tone.
“It’s not your concern, Art.”
“Bullshit.”
My heart raced. “You need to leave me alone.”
“Not happening.”
I pushed my glass away and stood, needing to get away from him before one of us made a scene, and my whole world blew up. “You don’t have a choice.” I turned around with a bright smile.
Wolf and Copper were staring at me. They’d likely been watching our exchange the entire time.
“Goodnight.” I waved and left as if nothing were amiss when really I wanted to knock Art upside the head. What would I do with him?
