Chapter Six
N ova
My lips tingled from Haze’s kiss.
And the warmth of his chest against my face and Kane's firm grip on my neck had my head spinning.
Being caught between them was thrilling. It felt like standing on the edge of a cliff, knowing the fall would change everything.
“What's on your agenda today, Kitten?” Kane asked, his voice holding that edge that made my knees feel weak.
I pulled back slightly. “It's Saturday, so... probably a day of reading.” My cheeks warmed. The admission felt small compared to whatever exciting plans they probably had.
Kane's thumb traced lazy patterns on the side of my neck. “We have church this morning, but after that you're spending the day with us.”
It wasn't a question, but not quite a demand either.
I nibbled at the corner of my lip. The thought of being alone with both of them sent a wave of excitement through me.
“I... okay.” I looked up at Haze. His intense blue eyes were fixed on my mouth, making heat pool low in my belly.
I wanted to be with them both, but I was afraid, too. What would people think about us— about me, being with both of them?
The question had been haunting me since they confessed what they wanted. My mind warred with all the what ifs, but before I could spiral deeper into those thoughts, Banner's voice boomed from the common room.
“Church!”
Kane's expression darkened. “Don't go far, Kitten. We'll find you when we're done.”
He leaned down, capturing my mouth in a searing kiss that had my toes curling. When he pulled back, Haze's hand cupped my face, turning me toward him. His kiss was gentler but no less devastating.
“Soon,” he murmured against my lips before they both stepped away.
I watched them leave, my heart pounding.
The way they moved together, so in sync and?—
“Nova?”
I jumped at Sophia's voice, spinning around to find her in the doorway. The knowing smile on her face had heat rushing to my cheeks.
“Want to walk with me? I need to check on the shop before it opens.”
Grateful for the escape, I nodded.
Hunter fell in step behind us as we headed out the door.
“Can I... can I ask you something?” I twisted my hands together nervously.
“Of course.” Sophia's gentle smile reminded me why she was such a perfect match for Banner's intensity.
“How do you deal with what people think? About the club, about...” I trailed off, unsure how to voice my fears.
“About loving someone society might not approve of?” she finished softly.
I nodded, relief flooding through me that she understood.
“Come inside. Let’s chat.” She unlocked the door and led the way to the office, lowering herself carefully into a chair.
I smiled, watching her hand as she rested it on her growing belly. She was going to make an amazing mother.
“You're worried about being with both of them.”
“Yes. I mean, I've never…” I looked over my shoulder to make sure Hunter wasn’t listening in. Turning back to her, I took a deep breath then admitted, “I’ve never even had a boyfriend before. All of this is new to me. Even so, I know this isn't normal, right? People will talk. They'll think I'm a?—”
“What other people think doesn't matter,” Sophia cut in firmly. “The only thing that matters is what makes you happy. Are you happy when you're with them?”
“Yes,” I whispered, the truth of it hitting me hard. “When I'm with them, everything just feels... right. Like I've found where I belong.”
“Then that's all that matters. Love is love, Nova. It doesn't always fit in society's neat little boxes, but that doesn't make it wrong. Kane and Haze? They're good men. And anyone who matters can see how much they care about you.”
“But what if—” I started, but Sophia shook her head.
“No 'what ifs.' Let me tell you something about love in this life.”
A biker’s life.
She leaned forward, her gaze intense. “When I first met Banner, I was terrified. Of him, and of what being with him meant. I was a pawn in a chess game men in this life play for power and personal gain. I was the bastard child in a Mafia family.” She snorted, her tone full of derision. “My brother selling me off to a biker was meant as an insult. To me and to Banner. Although I don’t think he realized that at the time. But the joke was on my family, because Banner”—her face softened, the love she felt for her husband shining bright—“he is the best thing that ever happened to me.”
I nodded, understanding completely.
“And you know what else?”
I shook my head.
“The only moments that I have felt truly safe are when I am with him. The world could burn around us, but being the wife of The Butcher… I know that nothing will ever touch me.”
Her words resonated deep in my chest. That's exactly how it felt with Kane and Haze.
Safe.
“These men protect what's theirs,” Sophia continued. “And, honey, those two? They've claimed you. I've never seen either of them look at anyone the way they look at you.”
Heat bloomed in my cheeks. “It's just... intense. Sometimes, when Kane gives me that look, or when Haze touches me, I feel like I'm drowning.”
“But in a good way?”
“In the best way,” I admitted, a smile tugging at my lips. “Like I want to drown forever.”
Sophia laughed. “That's love, sweetie. It's messy and complicated and sometimes it doesn't make sense to anyone else. But behind closed doors? What happens between consenting adults is nobody's business but their own.”
Her words washed over me like a balm, soothing fears I'd been carrying for days.
“Besides,” she added with a wink, “if anyone gives you trouble, you've got two very capable men who would do anything to protect you. Not to mention the rest of the club.”
The thought warmed me.
The Devils Creed MC was more than just a club—they were family.
“Thank you,” I whispered, reaching across the desk to squeeze her hand. “I needed to hear that.”
“Anytime, sweetie. Now, go get ready for your men. Something tells me they have plans for you today.” She waggled her brows.
Back in my apartment, I stood in front of my closet, butterflies dancing in my stomach. For the first time since this thing with Kane and Haze started, I felt... free.
I wanted them and that wasn’t anyone else’s business but ours.
I smiled.
The thought still scared me, but now it was a good kind of scared.
My phone buzzed on the dresser, pulling me from my thoughts. When I picked it up, there was a text from Kane.
Kane: Church is done. Dress for the bike.
The butterflies in my stomach turned into a swarm, but I smiled.
“Dress for the bike,” I squealed.
I changed quickly into jeans, boots, and a soft sweater that hugged my curves. Staring at myself in the mirror, I grinned. I looked happy; I felt happy.
When I heard the rumble of motorcycles out front, I peered out my window to see Kane and Haze pulling up.
Another text came seconds later.
Kane: Come out, Kitten.
I felt a flutter between my legs. So bossy, but I liked it.
Pulling the door closed behind me, I turned to them both waiting on their bikes.
Just the sight of their handsome faces made my mouth go dry.
Kane's predatory smile told me he noticed.
“Ready for a ride, Kitten?”
I nodded, unable to find my voice as I took the helmet from his outstretched hand.
“You'll ride with me today,” he said, helping me secure the strap.
Haze rumbled approvingly, and I flashed him a smile, earning a wink in return.
“Ready?” Kane held out his hand. I took it, letting him help me on behind him. “Hold tight,” he instructed.
Wrapping my arms around his waist, I pressed my front against his broad back.
“Oh,” I whispered, feeling the vibration of the bike between my thighs. Kane twisted the throttle, and I moaned.
The ride to the brownstone was torture. Kane knew what he was doing, every acceleration vibrating against my core, turning me on more and more. By the time he was parking in front of their place, I was a trembling mess.
Kane’s hard abs shook under my palms. He was laughing at what he’d done.
“You did that on purpose,” I accused, my voice breathless.
“I did.” At least he had the good grace to be honest.
Kane helped me off the bike, a proud smirk on his face as he steadied me when my legs began to wobble. “You okay there, Kitten?”
“Fine,” I lied, feeling Haze move in behind me a second before his hand settled possessively on my hip.
“Come on,” Kane murmured. “Let's get you inside.”
Their brownstone felt different in the light of day—more masculine and minimalist, with the dark leather furniture and hardwood floors.
“Drink?” Haze asked quietly, already moving toward the kitchen.
“Water, please.”
Kane guided me over to the leather couch, pulling me down beside him. His thigh pressed against mine, warm and solid. “Tell me what's on your mind, Kitten. You've been quiet,” he said as Haze came back with water for us all.
I took the offering as he sat down beside me.
“I talked to Sophia today,” I began, my fingers nervously tracing the condensation on the bottle. “About... this. About us.”
Kane's hand found my knee, squeezing gently. “And?”
“She helped me realize something.” I took a deep breath, gathering my courage. I felt safe with them, but admitting that I had been afraid wasn’t easy.
“I had been so worried about what everyone would think. But Sophia made me see that it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. What matters is how I feel when I'm with you.”
“And how do you feel?” Kane's voice had dropped lower, that sexy edge returning.
Heat flooded my cheeks. “Safe. Wanted. Like I belong.”
Haze's hand curved around the back of my neck, his thumb stroking my pulse point. “You do.”
“So, no more hiding?” Kane asked, his fingers tracing patterns on my knee.
I shook my head. “No more hiding.”
The smile that spread across his face was positively wicked.
“Good girl.”