6. Ashley
I’d toldThunder I could find my own way back to the ranch, but he walked into the café just as I was clocking out after the lunch rush.
“Thought maybe you’d want to stop by the clubhouse with me,” he said. “I’m meeting with a few of the guys to talk about our next move.”
“Next move for what?” I stepped out onto the sidewalk first. The promise of rain hung in the air. The crops needed it, but I wasn’t looking forward to a spring thunderstorm.
Thunder rushed ahead to open the passenger side door of his truck for me. “Next steps with the Savage Bones. Did those two say anything to you this morning?”
“They’re friends with Razor and wanted to make sure I know the club is blaming me for him ending up behind bars.” I’d tried to block out the snide grins and not-so-veiled threats they batted around. Thinking about it again sent a shiver racing down my spine and my skin pebble with goosebumps.
“I told you, I won’t let anything bad happen to you. Those two are going to get what they deserve, and then some.” Thunder lingered in the open doorway like he wanted to say something else. Then a fat raindrop landed on his nose. Another splattered onto the windshield. He closed my door and raced around to climb behind the wheel as the sky opened up and rain poured from the heavens.
“If you think it would be helpful, we can go to the clubhouse,” I offered. It’s not like I had anything else to do except head back to the ranch. With Gram gone and Dusty still sending me updates on Scamp from the vet’s office, I wasn’t looking forward to being in the big house all by myself. It would give me too much time to think about that kiss Thunder and I had shared. The one that left me wanting so much more.
Thunder backed out of his parking spot and headed outside of town. I’d only been to the clubhouse a couple of times. Everyone knew where it was, but only the members of the MC or their families spent much time there. A guy stood in the pouring rain next to the big gate at the front of the compound. Thunder slowed, and the guy opened the gate and waved us through.
It had only been a couple of days since I’d staggered into their meeting with Ellie’s blood on my hands. Except for a few bikes and trucks, the parking lot had been empty. Now, trailers and campers rimmed the perimeter. Thunder had been serious when he said they were moving people onto the property. Made me wonder how long this battle with the Savage Bones was going to last. And more importantly, who was going to come out on the other side?
We raced through the rain and ducked inside the front door. Thunder grabbed my hand and tugged me down the hall. “Let me get you something dry to put on.”
“Oh, that’s okay.”
“Don’t argue with me. You’re already tired. I don’t want you to catch a cold.” He pushed open the door to what appeared to be a bedroom.
Oh god… was it his bedroom? My throat tightened and goosebumps pebbled my skin. A king-size bed sat in the middle of the room with a nightstand on each side. I wasn’t sure what I expected, but the thick, fuzzy comforter on his bed immediately drew my attention.
“Is this your room?” I tugged my hand away from his to move toward the bed, unable to resist touching the bedspread. It was even softer than it looked. I could have curled up in the middle of it and gone to sleep for weeks.
“All the officers have a room at the clubhouse. I don’t stay here too often, though. I’d rather be at my own place.” His mouth quirked up on one side in an almost-smile. “You should try lying down on that. It can get way too hot sometimes, but you can’t beat it on a chilly night.”
“That’s okay, I don’t want to…” To what? Climb into his bed? Spend too much time in his personal space?
Thunder pulled open a drawer and handed me a huge sweatshirt. “Why don’t you put this on and climb under the covers to stay warm while I go toss your clothes in the dryer? Atlas isn’t here yet, and we won’t be able to make any decisions without him.”
The bed beckoned. I hadn’t slept at all last night, though neither had Thunder. “Fine, but only if you try to get some sleep. You were out on the porch all night and deserve some rest.”
“Deal.” He held out his hand to shake on it.
My fingers slid against his palm, then I squeezed his hand in mine. It may as well have been the middle of winter with the way my teeth started to chatter.
“Your hands are like ice. You need to get out of those wet clothes.” Thunder took both of my hands in his and rubbed them together. “I don’t want you to get sick. I’ll turn around so you can change or you can head into the bathroom.”
My fingers were numb. The combination of being so cold and the shock of being in Thunder’s bedroom conspired against me. I couldn’t work the buttons of my shirt free if my life depended on it. “I don’t think I can.”
His eyes darkened. “I’ll help.”
Nodding, I closed my eyes, not sure I could handle seeing him this close. He let my hands fall from his and stepped into my space. Close enough, I could feel the brush of his warm breath on my cheek.
“First, let’s get rid of this shirt.” His fingers worked the buttons free, then he slid the wet fabric off my shoulders.
I cracked my eyelids open just as my wet shirt smacked against the wooden floor. Standing in front of him in my bra and skirt, I couldn’t seem to catch my breath.
“Now for that skirt.” Thunder’s fingers went to my waistband. He slowly freed the button, then slid the zipper down.
Heat unfurled through my belly. His hands were so close to where I wanted to feel them the most. Even though he’d made it clear earlier that he wasn’t attracted to me, I still wanted him.
“You doing okay, Baby Girl?” He glanced up at my face as he worked my skirt over my hips. His fingers grazed my skin, and I had to fist my hands to keep from reaching for him.
“Yeah,” I whispered, grateful he couldn’t read my mind.
“Damn, Ashley. I shouldn’t think it, much less say it out loud, but you’re absolutely stunning.” He’d pushed my skirt down to my ankles. Gently, he lifted one leg at a time and helped me step out of it.
I didn’t respond, not trusting myself to speak.
“So fucking perfect.” His voice shook slightly as he rose back to his full height, my skirt tossed on top of my shirt. Then he reached behind me to grab the sweatshirt off the bed. “Let’s get you covered up before I’m tempted to do something I shouldn’t.”
He wasn’t making sense. Based on his actions, it seemed like he might be experiencing the tiniest bit of attraction. I swallowed my apprehension and summoned whatever bravery I had left. “Like what?”
Thunder’s eyes widened. “Like what?”
I nodded, then shifted my gaze to stare at the floor. This was where he’d let me down easy again. Steeling my heart, I sucked my bottom lip between my teeth.
“You really have no idea, do you?” The shock in his tone made me lift my head.
“No idea about what?”
“Baby Girl, I’m losing my mind over you.” His fingers gently nudged my chin up until I reluctantly locked eyes with him. “You’ve had me in knots since the first time I set eyes on you.”
“No.” Unsure, I shook my head. “This morning, you totally shot me down. You didn’t want me.”
He let out a soft laugh. “I didn’t want you thinking you owed me anything. You’ve got your whole life ahead of you and deserve someone who’ll be around for the next sixty or seventy years to share it with you. I’d be a selfish prick for taking advantage and depriving you of what’s best for you.”
“But what if you’re what’s best for me?” I could barely even whisper the words.
“You don’t want to get involved with me, Baby Girl.”
“Why not?” From everything I’d witnessed, he was exactly the type of man I wanted.
“I’m too old, for one. You’ve got so much time ahead of you and my life is half over.” He reached up and slid a wet chunk of my hair behind my ear.
My nipples were so hard they poked through the fabric of my bra. His touch electrified me, and I wanted to feel his huge hands all over my skin.
“It doesn’t matter how much time we have left, it only matters how we spend it and who we spend it with. Losing my parents at such a young age taught me that.” I reached for his hand and twined our fingers together. “We’re all living on borrowed time, Thunder. What matters is how we use the time we’re given.”
He lifted his other hand to cup my cheek. “I’m not going to lie. I’ve been thinking about you for weeks and trying to convince myself I’m not the man you need.”
“But I do need you.” Stepping closer, I tilted my head back so I could continue to look him in the eye.
His hands slid around my back. “I need you too. So goddamn much.”
“Then take me. Make me yours.”
“We do this, and you’re mine, Baby Girl.” His eyes glittered in the low light. “I don’t want just a night with you. I want forever.”
Nodding, I rose to my tiptoes and let my eyelids drift closed. It’s what I wanted as well. His lips touched mine, sealing the promise. Then he cupped my ass in his giant hands and lifted me into his arms.