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Everyone said their goodbyes. I shook Lily’s hand, uninterested in a hug. Lock patted me on the shoulder, giving me a look that told me he appreciated me taking care of his sister. In turn, I appreciated the hell out of him putting their mother in her place when she’d stepped out of line. It pleased me to know Saoirse had people who were wholeheartedly on her side. As of this weekend, I’d put myself in that corner too.
When I finally got Saoirse alone by my bike, I took her face in my hands. “Tell me what you need.”
Her lashes fluttered, falling to her cheeks. “Take me for a long, long ride.”
“You got it, pretty girl.” I planted a firm kiss on her forehead, then handed her her helmet. I needed this ride too. Maybe as badly as she did. My bike was where I straightened my thoughts. Worked out problems. Chose my next step.
With Saoirse at my back, her arms tight around me, long legs pressed against mine, it was the ride that mattered, and all of the rest fell away.
We drove for at least an hour before turning around and heading back to the ranch. It was past Saoirse’s bedtime when we arrived. Climbing off the bike, she stumbled slightly, but I caught her by the elbow, keeping her steady.
“Tired?” I murmured.
“Exhausted.”
We were staying in her dad’s house, which had been built in a similar log cabin style to Lock and Elena’s. The lights were off, so he must’ve been asleep already.
He was a good guy, but I was relieved not to have to deal with another parent tonight.
Our room was on the same floor as Connell’s, so we were careful to be quiet. Saoirse disappeared into the bathroom to get ready for bed while I stayed in the bedroom, shucking off my shirt and changing into pajama bottoms. I settled on the bed we’d be sharing, staring up at the ceiling.
This was supposed to be convenient. A solution to the newfound complexities in my life. But there was nothing convenient about navigating family. Even mine, which was pretty damn functional.
We shouldn’t have gotten married. That much was clear—and had been since day one. But I was in this now, and I didn’t take my commitments lightly.
I’d stick by my vows and promises.
And I’d hope now that everything was out in the open, things would smooth out, and I wouldn’t have to put so much thought into this marriage. We could go about our lives as we’d agreed to in the beginning. Helping each other when needed, lightening the load.
But even with all my regrets, I couldn’t say I regretted being here with Saoirse or standing between her and her mother. It’d needed to happen.
The bathroom door opened, and I sat up, ready to take my turn, when I got a look at the woman who walked out.
She’d changed out of her jeans into a short, flowy nightgown with straps so thin, they were barely more than floss.
“What are you wearing?” I barked lowly.
She stopped in her tracks, pressing her folded clothes to her middle. “My pajamas. Why?”
“Is that what you always wear to bed?”
“Yes, Luca. Either this or shorts and a tank. Why are you looking at me like I have three heads?”
“Jesus, Saoirse.” I strode up to her, took her nape in my hand. “I have patience for days, but there is going to come a time when it snaps. You are stretching it paper thin by standing in front of me in lingerie, your nipples trying to poke a hole in the thin material barely long enough to cover your pussy and ass, looking like you have no idea what effect you have on me.”
Her lips parted, a breathy little pant gusting out. I had to let go of her and walk away before I did something stupid.
Like fuck the hell out of my wife in her father’s house.
Chapter Twenty-two
Saoirse
Lucathrewbackthesheets to climb into bed with me and came to a dead stop.
“What is this?”
I patted the pillows I’d piled next to me. “A pillow wall for your comfort.”
