Chapter 36 #2
Kissing Ronin is hard to describe. It’s like sipping on a drink made from the essence of life—it’s a feeling, an emotion, and a taste of joy, rolled into one.
He leaves me wondering what way is up or down with each swipe of his tongue, each chase as I pull away.
He doesn’t let me, though, and keeps kissing me with a passion, and a determination, that tells me loud and clear what he truly believes—I’m his, and he is mine.
Someone blows their horn behind us, after Ronin takes too long at the light, and I half brace for him to throw the vehicle into park and drop into a rage.
It’s not like Alphas are exactly forgiving in nature, but instead of getting upset, he kisses me slower, more deeply than before.
When he’s ready, he breaks our kiss and guides me back to my seat.
“Tally girl, you’re going to get me into trouble. I can feel it.”
I smirk because I still can’t talk; the delirium is riding me hard today. Using the mirror on the sun visor to fix my lip gloss, I triple-check the others in the back are okay. These grand PDAs are uncharted waters for me.
But it’s not me the others are watching. They’re each waiting on Ronin, that’s pretty obvious. My buzz sours into a fresh wave of anxiety, and I wonder if my gig is busted.
“I’m in a spot of bother,” Ronin says. Given his expression, it’s hard to judge if he’s joking or being serious, because his scent and smile stay the same.
“Okay…” I say, trying to lead him on to explaining himself.
Keegan clears his throat, so, clearly, it’s a pack thing. “Ronin should start what he’s trying to say by confirming that we know your stance. This isn’t a case of us bulldozing over that.”
Rafferty scoffs in the back. “Tal, open the glove box.”
“Or not!” Tynan snaps, silencing everyone and changing the mood inside the car.
I turn to face him, and instead of hiding his emotions, I get a deep dive into them once again. His eyes are swirling with apology and frustration, hope and acquiescence. I shut my eyes, not needing to check that inside the glove box will be my wedding ring.
Taking the easy route when I open my eyes, I peer out the window as I speak. “I put that on, and every person in this city will see it.”
“I have no issue with that,” Ronin says, Keegan quickly agreeing with him.
“I do.” Tynan and I speak together, with the same volume and firmness.
“What the fuck happened last night?” Ronin’s temper flares, his Irish charm disappearing in a flash of anger.
I suspect if we weren’t driving, Tynan would leap out of their expensive SUV and race away from the questioning. But what happened between us, the place we reached together, is mine to own, as much as it is his.
Twisting around, I run my hand up and down Ronin’s leg, trying to soothe him. “Nothing bad at all. Back to today, though. Mass and lunch with all your family is pretty intimidating. You get that?”
“Tally, honestly, I just don’t follow your line of thinking sometimes. My family aren’t people to be scared of. Your name is on everyone’s lips after what happened with Daisy. My ma and da are overcome with gratitude.”
“Which is what I’m not exactly keen on. From an outsider’s point of view, Ronin, your da isn’t like normal fathers. You get that, right? He could be thrilled to see me today, and then next week, he could have me hanging upside down under his house, asking questions.”
Ronin stops driving, turns, and stares me down before belting out one of his laughs. It takes a few moments until he can stop chuckling and start talking again. “He’d never hang you upside down, Tally girl. You’ve got some warped ideas about what we do.”
He starts driving again, but I stay swiveled in my seat so I can focus on him and this ridiculous conversation.
“So, you’re saying you don’t interrogate those that have wronged you?” I challenge, but he’s speaking gibberish.
Another of his over-the-top smiles. “Have you wronged me but?”
“Jesus, Ronin, you’re missing the point.”
“What’s the point, cause I’m as lost as you are. There’s nothing you could do that would make them love you any less. You’re our wife. You’re an O’Connor, as much as Daisy is.”
“You don’t know me! They don’t, either! How can any of you love me?”
There’s a symphony of disbelief and argument coming from the others, but none of them speak, leaving it all up to their Alpha to resolve.
Ronin’s head tips to the side as he considers what I said. He also pulls into a car park right out the front of the church.
He switches off the car, then undoes his seatbelt so he can loom over me.
Loom is a stretch, since his expression is full of nothing but the joy and determination that lives inside Ronin.
His hand brushes my hair back behind my ears, and he ruins my already weak resolve with his tenderness.
“I wish I could fucking lie to you. Paddy knows you’ve asked for time to get to know us.
Me asking you to wear our ring is more for my ma.
But yeah, there’s a huge part of me that wants you walking in with my pack and that wedding ring where it should be, for the whole fucking world to see.
I know you got things you need to fix first, but I’m asking you for a favor to wear the ring today.
For a few hours at Mass, then back at my parents’ place.
After that, I won’t ask you again. I vow that. ”
When I turn to look at Keegan, he’s got the same hope and determination on his face.
Rafferty’s is almost a mirror image of them both, though he’s also got a growing flush to his cheeks.
Tynan is the one that decides it for me; his reservation is a reflection of mine, but we also share the impossible reality that this pack is everything I could wish for, if I’m brave enough to take it.
I stare at him, because I think he’s as scared as I am, as I answer them truthfully. “Until the sun sets. That’s all I’ve got in me.”
I swear, my heart starts to break there and then.