Chapter 13
CLARA
Waking up in Ronan’s king-sized bed felt like heaven after a week of squeezing into my double. My mattress always had more than enough space, but adding his big body next to mine meant we had to snuggle close all night long. Which definitely had its perks, but I also wasn’t getting as much rest.
I stretched lazily, and my muscles protested in the most delicious way.
My thighs ached, my core was tender, and there was a faint soreness deep inside that reminded me exactly how many times Ronan had taken me last night.
He’d been insatiable, growling filthy promises against my skin as he filled me over and over again.
His raw need and that possessive edge made my body clench around him each and every time.
I knew we were taking risks we hadn’t truly talked about except for in the heat of the moment, but I found that I didn’t care nearly as much as I probably should.
Not when it was too easy to picture a future with Ronan and a bunch of little kids with his dark hair and gray eyes growing up on the same land I had.
Shifting onto my side, I found him already awake.
He was propped on one elbow and watching me with those eyes that never seemed to miss anything.
His hair was a mess from my fingers, and his beard was thicker than when we first met.
The sheet rode low on his hips, exposing the black ink on his broad chest, his six-pack abs, and the dark trail of hair that disappeared beneath the soft fabric.
“Morning, baby,” he murmured, his voice still rough from sleep.
“Good morning.” I smiled, wincing a little as I moved. At his arched brow, I explained, “I’m sore.”
His lips curved into smirk. “Good sore?”
“Very good sore.” I reached out, tracing the edge of the tattoo on his shoulder. “You were kind of relentless last night.”
“Didn’t hear you complaining.” His hand slid under the sheet, his palm settling possessively over my hip. “In fact, you begged a few times.”
Heat rushed to my face. “I did not beg.”
“My pretty little liar.” He leaned down and kissed me, his tongue stroking mine until I was arching into him despite the ache. When he pulled back, his thumb stroked against my side. “Want me to kiss it better?”
For a moment, I was tempted to agree, only because I knew how many mind-blowing orgasms he could give me with his mouth. But I was still wrung out from last night, so I forced myself to laugh and swat his hand away. “Later. I need to move before I’m permanently fused to this mattress.”
He chuckled, captured mouth for another quick kiss, then rolled out of bed in one smooth motion, completely naked and completely unselfconscious. The sight of his broad shoulders, thick thighs, and already half-hard dick made my mouth water.
“Shower first.” He reached down and wrapped his hand around my wrist. “Followed by some much-needed coffee. Then I want you to come with me to the compound.”
“You do?” I didn’t know why I was surprised, considering how much time we’d spent together over the past week and a half. And it wasn’t as though I’d never been to the Hounds compound before. But it was different going with Ronan on the back of his bike rather than as Poppy’s guest.
“Yeah.” He pulled me up, steadying me when my legs wobbled.
“Okay.”
We showered together, and it was all soapy touches and lingering kisses, but no more sex because I really was too sore for round whatever number we were on.
I had no regrets that he’d put his bigger bed to good use, but I wouldn’t be surprised if I walked a little bow-legged all day.
Maybe if I blamed it on riding on the back of Ronan’s motorcycle, someone would believe me.
He dressed me in one of his T-shirts over my jeans, and it hung to mid-thigh on me. “It’s almost long enough to be a dress.”
“Looks better on you.” He tugged me toward the door. “Just don’t get any ideas about wearing it without pants. Nobody needs to get any ideas about your perfect little ass.”
I rolled my eyes. “That would never happen.”
“You keep being adorably oblivious to other men, baby, and I’ll make sure all the ones who notice you stay fucking far away.”
As we headed to the garage to get his motorcycle, I grumbled about his caveman nature. But I didn’t really mean a word of what I said, which we both knew.
The ride to the compound was short, but I enjoyed every minute of his bike rumbling under us with my arms tight around his waist. And I felt the added weight when we drove through the gate.
Ronan was bringing me into the heart of his life, and I appreciated it more than words could say.
But it was so different from the orchard that it made me wonder again if he’d be content to move onto my family’s land and help me run the place.
Now wasn’t the time to dwell on my doubts, though. This moment was too important to Ronan for me not to be completely present.
A couple of men were in front of the clubhouse when we pulled up. Their greetings were respectful as he parked.
“Rebel.”
“Morning, brother.”
They were guys I hadn’t met, so he did some quick introductions before leading me inside.
We walked through the heavy doors into the large common room.
King stood at the bar, a mug of coffee in hand, nodding when he saw us.
The giant dog sprawled at his feet, lifted his head and let out a small huff before laying his big head on his paws again.
Cerberus had scared me the first time I saw him, but then I’d witnessed how gentle he was with Cadell and realized he was actually a big softie under the intimidating exterior.
“Morning, Rebel. Clara.”
“Good morning,” I returned his greeting.
He tilted his head toward the door that led to the kitchen. “There are still some pancakes if you’re hungry. Fresh pot of coffee, too.”
“I love pancakes.” I made big eyes at Ronan. “Please?”
“Sure, baby.” He brushed his lips against mine. “Go ahead, I’ll be right in.”
Stella and Cadell were in the kitchen, and the toddler flashed me a syrupy smile.
“Good breakfast?” I asked.
Cadell nodded. “Uh-huh.”
“His favorite,” Stella confirmed with a soft laugh. “But there’s still some left. On the counter, the plate with tin foil over it to keep them warm.”
“Thanks.” I made myself a plate, and as I poured a mug of coffee, I asked, “Need a top off?”
“I wish.” She shook her head with a sigh. “But that’d be too much caffeine for me.”
“Sorry.”
When the guys joined us, Ronan made himself a plate of pancakes. Cadell started to get antsy before we were done eating, so King and Stella took him to their home, which was built on the back of the clubhouse.
When it was just the two of us, Ronan set his fork down and reached for my hand. “The prez said I could share some shit with you.”
That sounded serious. I swallowed. “Are you sure? I’m not—”
“You are.” He cupped my face, his thumb brushing my cheek. “Might not be official yet, but you’re mine, Clara. In every way that matters.”
I loved how sure he sounded. It gave me hope that we’d figure out how to mesh our different worlds together.
Lacing my fingers with his, I prodded. “What did you want to tell me?”
“Club runs mostly legitimate businesses. The ones everyone in Riverstone knows about.”
“Yeah, the garage, diner, bar, tattoo parlor,” I rattled off with a nod. There were more, but I didn’t need to go on as though he wasn’t aware of everything the club owned around here.
“The real money comes from making people disappear into new lives.” His grip on my hand tightened.
“With my background in security, I’m heavily involved in that side of the club.
People who find themselves in situations with no way out come to us for help.
We’re the ones they call when they need a new identity with their past buried so deep no one can ever find it. ”
My brows drew together as I considered his explanation. “Like a form of WITSEC but not for the government?”
“That’s one way to think of it, in layman’s terms, yeah.”
I searched his face. “And you’re okay with that?”
“Yes, I take pride in using my skills to help people. I wasn’t exactly poor when I joined the Hounds, but it’s a big plus that what we earn from it means my family will never want for anything.
Our work might not be strictly legal, but a form of justice that is even stronger. That’s the code I live by.”
I thought back to what Ace had told me about Ronan and how he’d earned his road name. “I get it.”
“Thank you, baby.” He tipped my chin up. “You can trust me to keep the darkness away from you. Because I will. Every fucking day.”
It sounded like a vow he meant to keep. And I hoped the life I wanted to build with him on the farm would bring light to his darkness.