Chapter 3
Jagger
It’s the people who get us through the darkest times that end up meaning the most. That was certainly the case with Sophie.
I didn’t take it easy on her, giving her a rough time at every turn, but she never lost faith in me.
She kept coming back time after time. Not because she had to—because she wanted to.
Sophie could see the good in me right through my rough exterior when I couldn’t see it myself.
She believed I was worth fighting for, and that meant something to me.
It was one of the many reasons I showed up at her doorstep.
Sophie looked completely stunned when she opened the door.
I’d come prepared for her to throw a hissy-fit when I told her I’d come to take her for a ride and that’s exactly what she did. She gave me ten shades of hell about showing up at her place. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to take you for a ride.”
“How did you know where I live?”
“I have my ways.” I smiled as I told her, “You should know that better than anyone.”
“But you can’t do that!” she scolded. “You can’t just show up here like this. I’m your counselor. There are rules and regulations that have to be followed, and there are consequences when you don’t follow those rules and regulations.”
I could tell by the way she was glaring at me that she was about to lay into me with more bullshit, so I did the only thing I could.
I slipped my arms around Sophie’s waist, pulled her against my chest, and shut her up with a kiss.
The second her soft, full lips touched mine, I knew I was in trouble.
They were just too damn tempting—she was too damn tempting.
I’d imagined what she would taste like, but it didn’t hold a candle to the real thing.
She was absolutely incredible. There was no way in hell I’d ever get enough of her.
She gasped, just enough for me to delve deeper and relish every single detail of her mouth as her tongue tangled with mine. The woman was pure perfection.
Just one moment, one simple kiss, and I knew Sophie Grace was going to turn my entire world upside down.
I also knew it was too soon to be thinking shit like that.
I’d just gotten released from fucking prison and was still trying to get my life back in order, but I simply couldn’t walk away.
I wanted her—all of her. It took every bit of restraint I could muster not to lift her in my arms, carry her into the bedroom, and fuck her until the sun came up, but I needed to take things slow and prove to her that I wanted more than just a quick lay.
I eased back, forcing myself to break free from our embrace, and asked, “You going with me for a ride, or what?”
“I need to change.”
“Then change.”
“But what do I wear?”
“Whatever you want to, doll. Just something comfortable.”
She slipped off to her bedroom, then returned moments later in jeans and a sweatshirt.
She grabbed her jacket off a hook near the door and put it on, then followed me out to the parking lot and over to my Harley.
As I offered her my spare helmet, she gave me a worried look and said, “I’ve never ridden on a motorcycle before. ”
“I remember.” I smiled as I helped her with the chin strap. “Also remember you saying you always wanted to.”
“Yes, but I was thinking I would try it on a warm, sunny day.” She zipped up her thick winter coat with a shiver. “Not when it’s thirty degrees outside.”
“It’s almost sixty, babe.” Her brows furrowed as she watched me hike my leg over the seat. I extended my hand with a smile. “Besides, I’ll keep you warm.”
“Mm-hmm.” She took hold of my hand, then eased her leg over and sat down. “Is there anything I need to do?”
“Just hold on.”
I started the engine, then quickly backed out of her driveway.
A wave of satisfaction swept over me when I whipped out into traffic, and Sophie tightened her grip on my waist. I couldn’t count the number of times I’d imagined having her on the back of my bike.
It was something that got me through many dark and lonely nights while I was in prison, but I never actually thought it would happen.
There were just too many obstacles keeping us apart—like the fact I was a known criminal, and she’d been my therapist—but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get her out of my head.
I gave it a couple of weeks, but when it didn’t happen, I asked Menace, our club’s computer hacker, to find her address—which ended up being the smartest thing I’d done since I was released.
I finally had her right where I wanted her--on the back of my Harley with her arms wrapped around my waist and her full breasts pressed against my back. I was in fucking heaven.
When we came up on a red light, I glanced back over my shoulder and asked, “How ya making it back there?”
“Couldn’t be better.”
Hearing the excitement in her voice brought a smile to my face.
I gave her a quick nod, then continued towards our destination.
I figured Sophie had a million questions about my life—from where I lived to where I worked, so I decided to skip explaining it all to her and show her instead.
Without giving her any heads up, I turned into my condo’s garage, then pulled into my parking space.
As soon as I killed the engine, Sophie leaned forward and asked, “Where are we?”
“You’ll see.” As I helped her remove her helmet, I asked, “Did you enjoy the ride?”
“Are you kidding?” She was smiling ear to ear as she eased off my bike. “It was amazing! I can’t believe I’ve waited so long to try it.”
“I’m glad I was the one who got to take you out for the first time.”
“Me too.” Her brows furrowed. “So, are you going to tell me where we are?”
“You’ll see soon enough.”
I took her hand and led her up to my place. When we reached the front door, I eased it opened and motioned her inside. With a look of skepticism, she stepped forward and took a quick glance around my kitchen. “Wait, this is your place?”
“It is.”
“Really?” Without responding, I closed the door, then once I helped her out of her coat, I followed her into the living room.
Her eyes were wide with wonder as she circled the room, checking out every detail.
The two-bedroom condo wasn’t as extravagant as some of my brothers’ houses, but it wasn’t exactly a dump either.
I’d worked hard to make it my own by adding new stuff whenever I could and even freshened up some of the paint.
Overall, I was proud of it, and if the expression on her face was any indication, my efforts had paid off.
After several moments, Sophie turned to me and said, “It’s really beautiful, Dalton. ”
“I take it you approve.”
“Oh, I more than approve.” She stepped over to the fireplace and checked out the pictures on the mantle. When she came across an old one of me and a couple of the brothers, she pointed to it and asked, “Are these your MC brothers?”
“Some of them.” During a few of our sessions, we’d discussed certain aspects of the club, like how the brothers were family to me, but I could tell she was interested in hearing more.
Unfortunately, MC business was off-limits to anyone outside the club.
I stepped over to her and glanced at the picture of Menace, Hawk, Country, and me.
We were all smiling like we didn’t have a care in the fucking world.
“That was taken a long time ago. You know ... before I was locked up.”
“Oh, I see.” She picked up the picture beside it as she asked, “Is this your sister?”
“It is.”
“She’s really beautiful.”
“Yes, she is.” I knew her well enough to know that she was curious whether or not I’d talked to her, so I said, “I went by to see her when I got out. She’s doing pretty good. Staying clean and keeping a steady job.”
“I’m really glad to hear that.” After putting the picture back on the mantle, she glanced back at the kitchen and smiled. “Your place is really incredible.”
“You sound surprised.”
“Maybe just a little.” She shrugged. “Don’t get me wrong. I just never realized you could afford a place like this being a bouncer at a strip club.”
“Well, I’m more than just a fucking bouncer, but I get it.
” I’d never considered myself to be a prideful man, but standing there at that moment, I couldn’t help but feel like I’d been punched in the gut.
“Has to be hard to see me as anything other than a man who just spent the past three years behind bars.”
“That’s not true, Dalton. I know there’s so much more to you than that.” She stepped over to me and placed her hand on my chest. “I wouldn’t be standing here with you right now if I didn’t.”
“So, why exactly are you here?”
A playful smirk crossed her face. “Well, as I recall ... you really didn’t give me much choice in the matter.”
“Oh, don’t give me that shit. You could’ve told me no and sent me on my way.” I slipped my arm around her waist. “But you didn’t.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Why not?”
“It’s hard to explain.” Her eyes met mine, and I knew my answer even before she said the words. “I guess you could say a part of me hoped you would come and find me.”
“Is that right?”
After months of being the one in the hot seat, I’d turned the tables on her, and she was practically squirming in her own skin. When she noticed the smile creeping across my face, she crossed her arms and huffed. “I think you’re enjoying this a little too much.”
“I think you’re afraid to answer the question.”
“I’m not afraid, Dalton. You’re just not making any of this easy for me.”
“Hmm … Let me see if I can make it a little easier for you.”