CHAPTER TEN #2
“Butterfly,” he breathes, pulling me into his arms. His body is shaking almost as much as mine. “Fuck, baby. I was so fucking scared.”
“Don’t let me go,” I sob against his chest, clinging to him with every ounce of strength I have left. “Please, don’t let me go.”
“Never.” His arms tighten around me, one hand cradling the back of my head. “I’ve got you, baby. You’re safe now.”
Behind him, Crazy Train, Yukon, Beast, Pee Wee, and Denali file into the house, their expressions dark as they take in the scene.
“When did you get back?” Cleo asks Aaron, her eyes flicking between us.
“Just made it home.” His voice is rough with emotion. “I was at the clubhouse, returning the club’s SUV when you called Yukon.”
I pull back slightly, wincing at the pain in my face. Aaron’s expression turns murderous when he sees my injuries, his eyes growing cold and flat in a way I’ve never seen before.
Yukon approaches, nudging Eddie’s still-unconscious form with his boot. “We’ll take this piece of shit to the basement,” he says, his voice devoid of emotion.
“That motherfucker is mine,” Aaron growls, his arms still locked around me. “Keep his ass on ice. I’ll deal with him when I know she’s okay.”
Yukon nods, then he and Beast haul Eddie off the floor. His head lolls, blood matting his hair where Cleo hit him with the lamp.
Crazy Train comes over to Cleo, pulling her against his chest. “You okay, Pebbles?”
Cleo nods, leaning into her husband. “I’m fine. I came by to drop off that crockpot for Pinky.” She looks at me. “Thank God I did.”
I feel the tears start again. “If you hadn’t been here—”
“Shh.” Cleo pulls away from Train and wraps me in a hug. “Don’t think about that.”
I nod against her shoulder, my whole body trembling. She pulls back and looks me in the eye. “I’ll call you tomorrow to check in, okay?”
“Okay,” I whisper.
She presses a gentle kiss to my uninjured cheek. “You’re gonna be okay. You’re tougher than you think.”
Pee Wee clears his throat, looking uncomfortable with all the emotion in the room. “He’ll be ready whenever you are,” he says, his eyes meeting Aaron’s. “You just take care of your woman.”
Aaron nods, his jaw clenched so tight I can see a muscle ticking in his cheek.
Denali steps forward, his face grim. “We protect our own,” he says simply, giving my shoulder a gentle squeeze. “You’re family now.”
I try to smile through my tears. “Thank you.”
One by one, they file out of the house. Cleo is the last to leave, lingering in the doorway. “Call if you need anything. Anything at all.”
When they’re all gone, Aaron keeps one arm around me as he locks the door and resets the alarm. Then he scoops me up into his arms like I weigh nothing and carries me toward our bedroom.
“Aaron,” I start, but he shakes his head, cutting me off.
“Let me take care of you, butterfly.”
He sets me gently on the bed, then disappears into the bathroom. I hear water running, and he comes back with a wet washcloth. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he carefully dabs at my split lip, his touch feather-light.
“He was going to kill me,” I whisper, the reality of what happened hitting me full force. “I could see it in his eyes.”
Aaron’s hand stills, and he closes his eyes briefly, like he’s fighting for control. When he opens them again, they’re filled with rage and heartbreak. “I’m so fucking sorry I wasn’t here.”
“You couldn’t have known.” I reach up to touch his face, wincing at the movement.
“I should have put that motherfucker in the ground when I had the chance in Florida.” He sets the washcloth aside and cups my face gently, his thumbs stroking my cheeks. “I will never let anyone hurt you again. Ever.”
The tears come again, hot and stinging. “I was so scared.”
“I know, baby. I know.” He gathers me against his chest, rocking me gently as I cry. “But you’re safe now. I’ve got you.”
I sob against his shirt, all the fear and adrenaline pouring out of me at once. Aaron holds me through it all, murmuring soothing words, his hand stroking my hair.
When my tears finally slow, I pull back to look at him. “I love you, Aaron.”
His eyes widen slightly, and for a moment, he just stares at me. Then his expression softens. “I love you too, butterfly. So fucking much.”
The words wrap around me like a blanket, and I press my lips to his, needing to feel connected to him, to feel alive.
“Make me forget,” I whisper against his mouth.
He pulls back, his eyes searching mine. “Baby, I don’t think that’s a good—”
I silence him with another kiss, more insistent this time. I need this. Need him.
After a moment’s hesitation, he kisses me back, his lips gentle on mine. When he pulls away, his eyes are dark with concern. “Are you sure?”
“I love you,” I say again, because it’s the truest thing I know right now.
He studies my face, then nods slowly. Shifting on the bed, he sits with his back against the headboard and pulls me into his lap, my legs straddling his.
“We go slow,” he says, his voice rough. “And if you want to stop, you tell me. Promise?”
“I promise,” I whisper.
His hands come up to cradle my face, careful of my bruises. “I love you, Savannah. You’re everything to me.”
My heart swells at his words. This man—this gruff, outlaw biker with the heart of gold—loves me. Me.
He holds my gaze as he reaches behind me, unhooking my bra. He pulls the straps down my arms, tossing it aside. His eyes never leave mine as his hands come up to cup my breasts.
“Beautiful,” he murmurs, his fingers pinching my nipples gently.
I arch into his touch, a soft sigh escaping my lips. He bends his head, taking one nipple into his mouth, his tongue circling the sensitive peak. My head falls back as pleasure ripples through me, momentarily chasing away the memories of Eddie.
Aaron takes his time, worshipping my body with his mouth and hands. His touch is gentle, reverent, nothing like the bruising grip Eddie had on me earlier.
“I love you,” I say again, the words spilling from my lips as his mouth moves across my collarbone to my other breast.
“I love you too, butterfly,” he says against my skin.
I reach between us, my fingers working at the button of his jeans. He lifts his hips, helping me push them down enough to free his already hard cock. I wrap my hand around him, stroking slowly.
He groans, his eyes closing briefly before opening to meet mine again. “You’re sure?” he asks one more time.
In answer, I shove my sweatpants and panties over my bottom and lean to the side, freeing them from my legs. Then I straddle him again and position him at my entrance. Slowly, I sink onto his rod, taking him deep inside me.
We both groan at the feel of him filling me. This is what I needed—to feel him inside me, to be connected to the man I love.
“Fuck, baby,” he breathes, his hands going to my hips. “You feel so good.”
I roll my hips, setting a slow, gentle pace. This isn’t about chasing a quick release. This is about loving my man, about reminding both of us that we’re here, together.
“I love you,” I say again, unable to stop the words now that I’ve started. “I love you so much.”
“I’ll never get tired of hearing you say those words,” he growls, his eyes never leaving mine as we move together. “You’re mine, butterfly. All fucking mine.”
“Yours,” I agree, my hands braced on his shoulders. “Only yours, honey.” He’s the only man I’ll ever want—my home, my heart, my forever.
His hands guide my hips, helping me keep the slow rhythm. Every stroke sends pleasure curling through me, pushing away my fears.
The tension starts to build low in my belly, a warm pressure that grows with each roll of my hips. Aaron must feel it too, because one hand slides between us, and his thumb swirls over my clit.
“That’s it, baby,” he encourages as I arch against him. “Let go. I’ve got you.”
My orgasm washes over me in gentle waves, and I cry out his name.
Aaron grabs my hips, rocking me over his cock until finally he groans long and loud as he spills inside me. We stay joined together, our hearts beating in sync.
When I finally lift off him, he pulls me down beside him on the bed, tucking me against his side. His arm wraps around me protectively, and I rest my head on his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart.
“Thank you,” I whisper, pressing a kiss over his heart.
His arm tightens around me. “For what?”
“For making me feel safe. For loving me.” I lift my head to look at him. “For never letting me down.”
His expression darkens momentarily, but he smooths it away quickly. “I’ll always take care of you, butterfly.”
I settle back against his chest, exhaustion washing over me. The events of the day catch up to me all at once, and my eyelids grow heavy.
“Sleep,” Aaron murmurs, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “I’ll be right here when you wake up.”
Safe in the circle of his arms, I let myself drift off. Eddie can’t hurt me anymore. Not with Aaron here to protect me.
And as I slip into sleep, one thought follows me into my dreams. I’ve found the man of my dreams.