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“I’m not the most restful person to be around. None of us are. I want you to feel safe, but I don’t want you to get the wrong idea.”
I frowned. “What wrong idea?”
“That my looking out for you is anything more than protection. I don’t expect anything else.”
“Oh.” I hadn’t even thought of that. OK, I had thought about it, just not where Eagle was concerned. I had been drawn to him since the second I found myself in his arms. Not sexually, though, now that I’d had time to settle down and eat and start to feel human again, I could see how dangerously attractive he was. Had I met him at any other time in my life, I might have looked forward to the fun we could have together. But not now. Not after seeing me at my weakest.
“What I mean is, I’ve put you under my protection in the club. You chose me in front of Stitches, so he’s backin’ me up. You’ll be staying with me while you’re here. For as long as you’re here.” If it was possible for the man to look any more uncomfortable, he did. He stood and paced. “I’m not handlin’ this right.” He scrubbed a hand over the back of his neck. “Look. The club has rules in place regarding outsiders. We don’t let them in without them knowin’ what’s expected and what rules they need to follow.”
“I don’t know the rules, but hopefully, I’ll get to leave tomorrow and be out of everyone’s hair. Until then, I can just stay in here. Right?” The spike of hurt in my chest because it was obvious he didn’t want the job he’d been given surprised me. I didn’t know this guy. Didn’t know anyone here. “I didn’t ask for you to stay, Eagle.”
“You proved you trusted me to keep you safe when Stitches raised his voice to you. That’s what matters. We want you safe.”
“I know I’m safe here. If you want assurances I’ll stay in this room and keep out of trouble, you have them. Put someone outside the door if you have to, but please don’t be miserable because of me. You don’t deserve a duty you never asked for.”
Eagle actually growled, turning his gaze to pin me where I sat. “You don’t understand, girl. I’ve claimed you. You proved you were OK with the match back in Stitches’s office. As of then, you’re mine. The only thing I’m waiting on is for Wylde to come back with more stuff on Milo. Once we know where he is and what he intends to do, we’ll know better how to move. But make no mistake, girl. You’re mine. I don’t let go of what’s mine.”
I blinked up at him, not understanding what he was saying. “You’re going to have to explain this to me. Because it sounds like you intend for us to be together.”
“I do.”
“Then, why did you just say you didn’t expect anything from me? If you intend for us to be together, then you clearly expect shit from me.” I wasn’t angry, just confused. “If I have sex with you, it will be because I want to. Not because you’ve decided to make me your woman or whatever.”
Giving a crisp nod, like I’d confirmed exactly what he was trying to say, Eagle grunted. “Good. We understand each other.”
“No, Eagle. We don’t! Spell this out for me so I can understand. I’m not going to be with a man who treats me like property or doesn’t like me for who I am. I also don’t tolerate cheating. If I’m ever in any kind of relationship, it will be with someone who respects me enough to be faithful.”
“I would be.”
That prompted a sardonic laugh from me. “Right. Your sexually traumatized wife refuses to have sex with you, and you won’t get laid somewhere else.”
“No. I wouldn’t.” Eagle’s expression was almost relaxed now. Like he heard exactly what he wanted to hear from me and was convinced I completely understood where he was coming from. It just made me that much more agitated.
“You expect me to believe that? I’ve never met a man who had no problem going without sex. Especially from his wife or girlfriend.”
“I don’t have sex much, Nyla. I get too rough. I don’t want to hurt anyone.” I scrubbed a hand over my face. “Couple of the brothers have the same problem. One of ‘em’s been completely celibate the last couple of years. I ain’t that, but I can control myself enough to abide by your wishes.”
“And you’d be OK with that?”
“If you don’t want to have sex, I’m not going to pressure you. Didn’t say I wouldn’t try to tempt you, though.” He grinned then, and he looked more like the man who’d rescued me at the gate and my stomach fluttered happily. When he truly smiled, the effect was devastating. Even though I never intended to give my body to anyone else ever again, I found myself getting aroused. Maybe sex wasn’t completely off the table…
