Chapter 11 #2
The softness in her expression made my chest tighten.
It was just another reminder of how damn perfect Clara was for me.
She fit into my life, accepting all the jagged, complicated edges without trying to smooth them away.
No explanations needed or justifications demanded. She took me exactly as I was.
But she hadn’t seen the darkest parts of me yet, and a small part of me wondered if her feelings would change if she knew about them.
If she saw the man who could shut off his emotions to question someone and dispose of the body when needed.
There was always justice behind my actions, but not everyone could accept the methods we used to mete it out.
But letting her go wasn’t an option, so I’d cross that bridge if we ever came to it.
“Appreciate that, baby. Club business isn’t always easy and can come with risks. I don’t ever want that shit touching you. Just having you to come home to every night”—my gaze locked on hers, serious and unwavering—“helps more than you know.”
A faint flush rose high in her cheeks, but her gaze stayed locked on mine. “I’m not made of glass, Ronan. I can handle a lot more than you might think.”
A surge of fierce protectiveness tightened my chest, my jaw clenching. “You shouldn’t have to handle any of it. But don’t for one second think that I don’t know how fucking strong and incredible you are, baby.”
Clara narrowed her eyes. “Then don’t treat me like I’m breakable, okay? I want to protect you too.”
One corner of my mouth lifted. “So fierce. Gotta say, baby. That’s hot as fuck.”
As I spoke, something prickled at the edge of my awareness—an uncomfortable sensation I’d learned long ago never to ignore. I let my gaze shift subtly over Clara’s shoulder, scanning the diner casually.
A couple of booths down, two men sat nursing cups of coffee, their eyes flicking toward us occasionally, then they darted away quickly, as if to hide their interest. They didn’t seem to be interested in anyone else, and it instantly set me on edge.
I didn’t recognize their faces, and strangers in our town were unusual enough, but everything about them put me on alert.
It was possible they were just passing through, but we’d been digging into some serious shit. The timing and extra attention they were paying to us made me suspicious that the assholes running that facility had caught wind of what the club had been up to.
My gaze returned to Clara’s face, and my gut clenched. It was impossible to keep club shit from ever spilling over and putting those close to us in danger. This woman had quickly become the center of my world, the one vulnerability I absolutely couldn’t afford.
“Ready to go, baby?”
Her brows rose, but her smile was playful. “No dessert?”
I stared at her, making her shiver from the burning desire in my eyes. “Taking my dessert to go.”
She blushed and scooted to the edge of the booth. “As long as I get a taste too.”
I closed my eyes and inhaled slowly through my nose. “Fuck, baby. You can’t say shit like that to me right now.”
Her response was a wink and a wicked smile, making my dick leak with desperation.
“Let’s go.” Pointedly ignoring the strangers, I made sure I seemed completely at ease when I stood and held my hand out to Clara.
Once she was on her feet, I positioned my body protectively between her and the rest of the diner and slipped a territorial arm around her waist. With her tucked snugly against my side, we walked toward the exit.
My posture was casual on the surface, but every nerve was on high alert, tracking the strangers’ movements without betraying my suspicion.
As we passed their table, I made brief, deliberate eye contact with one of them—a silent warning, my gaze cold and deadly.
He dropped his gaze first, turning his attention to his coffee.
Outside, Clara turned to me, her brow furrowed. “Is everything okay?”
I should have known she’d see through my act and felt the subtle tightening of my muscles. But I didn’t want to alarm her unnecessarily. Especially before I even knew if my instinct about those men had been correct.
I stopped and turned her into me before bending my head and sealing my mouth over hers. When I raised it again, we were both breathing hard, and her dazed expression told me I’d successfully diverted her attention. “Just anxious to get you home, baby. I need to fuck you.”
She blinked a few times to clear away the haze of passion, then put her hands on my chest and pushed hard.
It surprised me enough for me to take a step back and my grip on her loosened.
She danced out of my arms, putting at least a foot of space between us, then gave me a haughty sniff.
Which was hot as hell, even if she was only trying to tease.
“Who says you’re about to get in my pants?”
“You did.” I grinned.
Her lips twitched, but she maintained her attitude. “Well, that was before I realized this was only our second date. I don’t sleep with guys before the third date.”
My eyes narrowed dangerously. “We both know that’s bullshit, baby. I’m the only man you’ve ever fucked—and it’s gonna stay that way—so the number of dates is irrelevant. And don’t ever talk about fucking another man, Clara.”
She opened her mouth to say something that was more than likely to push me over the edge. Before she had the chance, I’d closed the space between us and yanked her into my body.
“Baby, the second you open your mouth to sass me, my cock gets hard. So go on. Piss me off.”