Chapter 4 #2
“He didn’t love me. He was just helping me. We thought it would all stop. That we would be safe. But we weren’t.”
She leans in and kisses my nipple, then bites it slightly.
“That’s why I can’t do more with you. I won’t be the reason another person dies.”
That’s it. I flip her to her back and hover over her body. I can’t keep the anger from my voice.
“I’ll protect you. Don’t you get it? I’m the most dangerous man out there. I’m not scared of whatever or whoever you are running from.”
She leans up and kisses me, and my mind switches gears, reacting to the fact she’s half-dressed under me. I’m about to take the kiss deeper when we’re interrupted.
“Momma,” Oly yells from the bedroom.
Marnie slips out from under my body, grabs my T-shirt, and pulls it over her partially naked body before heading into the room to take care of her daughter.
This woman has me running hot and cold. One minute, I want to bury myself so deep inside her that she won’t remember this Jean-Louis or whoever she’s running from, and the next she’s running from me, leaving me hard and confused.
Marnie
Ihate that I told Rylan so much, but I couldn’t stop myself. I want more with him, but I can’t be the reason he dies.
After Oly woke up, I made us all lunch, then we got busy preparing for dinner.
Rylan was already smoking a brisket and other meats on the deck.
I made a quick salad, then I couldn’t stop myself from partaking in his wonderful kitchen.
I whipped up some homemade baked macaroni and cheese, roasted baby red potatoes, and a fresh potato salad.
Rylan just stood back and watched me as he played with Oly. He didn’t get upset that I was taking over his kitchen.
He doesn’t stray far from me. I’m trying to figure out a way to get away, but I also want to give him at least tonight.
Could one night hurt?
He brings some tools into the house from the large garage and starts showing Oly how they work.
“I’m going to have to get her some toys for here,” he announces when he comes back into the kitchen.
He leans over my body and kisses my neck. I changed into a pair of black high-waisted shorts and a white halter top with black polka dots. I took my hair out of the bun and let the long ponytail hang down my back. He tugs my ponytail until I tip my head back. Then he takes my lips in a deep kiss.
“You kissed my momma,” Oly says, walking in on us.
I’m about to give her an excuse when Rylan interrupts me.
“Yep, and I’m going to keep doing it. Is that okay with you?”
“Are you momma’s boyfriend like Miser Hock is Auntie Low’s?”
“I am.”
“No, he isn’t, baby girl,” I say, and he cocks that scarred brow at me.
He leans down and stops inches from my mouth.
“I’m the only man kissing you. So, yes, I’m your boyfriend.”
He kisses me, and I can’t think of a comeback.
“Hey, you all better be decent,” a deep voice says from the doorway, and we turn as several guys walk through the door.
I’ve met Wing, Loki, Icarus, and GB. They’ve all been guards for Harley at different times. But there are a couple I haven’t met.
Rylan introduces me to another man, about as tall as Icarus, with long, wild hair and dark-rimmed glasses. He reminds me of one of the characters from that MC club show.
“This is Vortex,” Rylan says. “And this is Miner.” He gestures to a mocha-skinned man with laughing eyes.
“Hey, baker.” He jokes as he shakes my hand.
Rylan then introduces me to Sparky and Cy.
“I’ve seen you outside the bakery,” I tell Cy.
“I’m Aftershock’s dad. I keep an eye on princess as much as I can.” His deep voice is kind, and he reminds me of the sort of man I always wished I’d had as a father growing up.
The last man to walk through the door is extremely handsome, but not like Rylan. He knows he’s cute and walks straight over to me. I hold out my hand, and he bends to kiss the back of it.
“Romeo, get your lips off my woman,” Rylan barks.
Harley has told me about him, and he fits every story she’s shared.
“Had to try, Prez.” He chuckles, then leans down to Oly. “You must be the new little princess?”
“I’m Lympia.”
“Her name is Olympia,” I clarify for him, and Icarus starts laughing as he walks over and picks up my girl.
“Ha, dude, you can’t call her Oly like I can. You couldn’t sweet-talk this little girl.” He chuckles deep as Oly laughs along with him and he takes her out back.
I follow to keep an eye on Oly, but Rylan trails close behind me.
I notice several lawn toys that weren’t there before and spin around to look at Rylan.
“What did you do, Rylan?”
“I had Cyclops and Icarus run to the store and grab some toys for her.”
“I’ll get my wallet and pay them back.”
He advances on me and wraps an arm around my body, pulling me in and away from the guys, who are all finding seats around the fire ring as they start to get a fire going.
“Sugar, you aren’t giving them or me any money. I didn’t do it expecting anything in return. I want to spoil both of you. I told you earlier you deserved more, and I’m going to prove that to you.”
“I can’t. I want to, but I can’t.”
“Give me a chance.”
I’m distracted from answering when Oly yells for me to watch her playing with a bubble gun and shooting Romeo with it.
By the time Harley shows up, my nerves are frayed. I want to flee because Rylan is making me feel things I don’t want to.
When we’re all seated around the large round picnic table to eat, he sits with me, keeping an arm around me or making sure he’s touching me in some way. He’s wearing down my walls, and it scares me.
Once we’re done eating, I know I need to get out of here. If I don’t, I’m going to give in to him, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for that. He’s not thinking of this as one night, but the beginning.
We’re all back around the fire, and Oly is still playing with the guys. I watch as Harley gets up and heads for the house. I follow behind her, ready to get out of here.
“Would you mind driving Oly and me home? I’m getting a headache and not feeling the best. Oly’s also getting tired,” I lie. I hate it, but I’m freaking out here.
“Okay. Give me a second.”
She grabs a beer for Aftershock and heads back outside. I start gathering our bags to get ready to leave.
Before I know it, Rylan is there. He spins me around and cages me against the counter, where I was putting food away, not wanting to leave a mess in his beautiful kitchen.
“You want to leave, sugar?” he asks as he looks me up and down.
I can’t answer him because I really don’t want to.
He leans in and whispers in my ear, “Give me a chance. Remember, I owe you more kisses. I have some lips I missed kissing earlier.”
I blush and shake my head.
“Rylan, I shouldn’t.”
“Marnie, you want this as much as I do.”
He’s right, I do. I can’t stop myself from giving in.
“Just tonight, Ry,” I tell him.
“Not until I’m done with you. Which will be never, sugar,” he swears before he drops his head and takes my lips again.
He kisses me so deeply and thoroughly that when he finally lifts his head, my head is swimming.
When he leads me back out to the group, he leaves me at the circle, then goes over to where Icarus is showing Oly how to use a sparkler.
He sets off fireworks, and Oly claps, wanting more.
It’s so past her bedtime, but when a couple of the men Rylan called prospects step up with the fixings for s’mores, I can’t bring myself to stop him from giving her this experience.
He’s not only making me feel things I don’t want to feel, but the way he is with Oly is what finally cracks a hole in my heart that I’ve kept locked away for so long.
I can’t stop laughing when I see Oly sprawled out in the grass, trying to make snow angels. She’s finally hit that wall. The sugar rush is crashing, and she’s overly tired.
“Oh dear, she’s had enough.” I stand and start toward her, but Rylan beats me there with his longer legs and scoops her up.
“Let’s get her ready for bed.”
As we turn for the house, Harley stops me.
“Mar, you okay if we take off? You going to be okay?”
“Yeah.” I smile as I look toward the house, where Rylan just stepped through the side door. “He won’t hurt her, and I’m okay. Just freaked out.”
Harley pulls me into her arms.
“I get that feeling,” she whispers in my ear before she leaves with Aftershock.